American literature is an immense projection of the American history and culture with reflections of English influences from three different periods – the Puritan, the Transcendental and the Romantic eras as well as the beliefs and ideas of various philosophers like Calvin, Kant, Rousseau and others.
King Henry VIII founded the English Church as he separated from the Pope, an act which led to the progression of Protestantism in England. As King Henry died in 1547 Catholic Reformation took place as the teachings of the Roman Catholic clergies were challenged by the Protestants. Thus, individuals were given the opportunity to read the Bible, which before was read by the clergies only. In 1558 as King Henry’s daughter, Elizabeth I ascended the throne Puritanism found its place in the English history and literature as Queen Elizabeth herself supported the idea of religious tolerance. John Calvin’s, an authoritative French theologian, beliefs on original sin, predestination and grace of God were adopted by the Puritans (Perry 338). Puritans found the practices of the Roman Catholic corrupt and oppressive. They were displeased by the idea of indulgence among the followers and of celibacy among the preachers, the priests’ grand robes and others. For the Puritans, purity in spirit could be attained as one strictly obeys God’s commandments which could be reflected as one avoids living a capricious life and maintains moral uprightness. Hence, authors of the era learned to write literary pieces which dealt with the awakening of the human mind and spirit on God’s leading and commandments for the salvation of the human soul. Selections written by Puritan authors like John Milton, John Bunyan, Richard Baxter, John Owen and others were mostly religious in nature. Puritanism saw its end as Milton’s influence weakened. And those who opposed their idealism surfaced, thus, transcendentalism made its way to the literary scene in 1830’s. These authors were influenced by Immanuel Kant’s Transcendental idealism that emphasizes the power of human mind over what is existent (Neujahr 5). Kant’s idea of realizing spiritual enlightenment by means of intuition and seeing the truth and the beauty of things by means of the senses was impressed upon them. Thus, writers like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Margaret Fuller, Theodore Parker and others wrote literary pieces reflecting spiritual and aesthetical convictions. Romanticism, on the other hand, arose around 1850’s with liberalism and nationalism (Perry 467). Romantics were influenced by Rousseau’s idea that real happiness and unselfishness are achieved and exemplified by people who live their life in accord with nature (Perry 411) and it is the person’s communion with nature which enables him to achieve natural goodness. Hence, “local color” became evident in literature. Romantic writers changed the way people view themselves and life as a whole. Imagination was used to shape ideas and create characters who would deliver the message of the selection and at the same time would draw delight among the readers. Emotions were underscored and individuality was emphasized. Romantic writers like Wordsworth, Coleridge, Stowe, Poe, Percy and Mary Shelley, Bronte sisters and others wrote selections illustrating various perspectives of nature, man and life in its entirety.
Based on the philosophies adopted by each group of writers in each era, various intellectual abilities and beliefs were illustrated. John Milton’s work – “Paradise Lost” mirrors the Puritan’s belief in the Bible and their perception of God. It features Genesis 1-3 of the Old Testament which speaks of God’s might, Satan’s rebellion which leads to his revenge by tempting Adam and Eve into eating the fruit of knowledge and the fall of man as Adam and Eve’s compliance with the devil’s will displeases God. Hence, the couple is driven out of Paradise. Here, the Puritan’s objective of preaching about spiritual obedience is evident despite the fact that a lot of negative criticisms were earned by Milton’s work. John Winthrop’s “A Model of Christian Charity” , on the other hand, is a sermon stressing the importance of selflessness and God’s grace for the realization of a mission. He delivered it before his fellow Puritans as they were boarding a ship to America. Puritan writers’ aim to edify the people’s spiritual convictions was later reflected by famous authors in the 20th century like Benjamin Franklin and Abraham Lincoln. In his “Autobiography” Franklin reflects opposition to religious dictatorship and demonstrates virtues of self-reliance, industry and frugality. Further, he highlights the importance of cooperation among people in a community and of education for the fulfillment of one’s aspirations. All of these are values preached by the Puritans according to researchers. Puritanism and transcendentalism merged as Thoreau embraced the influence of Emerson – communion with nature considered to be sacred enables man to achieve natural goodness, at the same time, wrote based on Puritans’ belief of enlightenment. Dickinson’s poetry exhibits the same as she wrote “Because I could not stop for Death.” This poem reflects the 17th century Puritans’ belief that death is communion with God and that it should not terrorize man. Further, it stresses the idea of salvation and predestination as the poet speaks of “immortality” (I.4) and “eternity” (V.4). The way the poet characterizes death exposes her transcendental principle for she describes death beyond the teachings of religion. In the first stanza, death is described as gentle and kind whereas in the second stanza it is civil. If transcendentalists believed that intuition was an instrument towards knowing God and attaining reality, the romantics had imagination as the foremost endowment which enables a man to fulfill his role as a creator. During this period writers’ imaginations soared high as they wrote about unlikely characters in inconceivable settings. Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “Ode to the West Wind” characterizes difficulty in life as the west wind personifying it by giving it the characteristics of a “preserver” (I.14) and a “destroyer” (I.14). A preserver for it takes seeds to various places making them grow anywhere and destroyer in a sense that it endangers every living thing whenever it is on its wildest state. Mary Shelley’s “Franskentein” on the other hand, illustrates the eccentricities of her character that has been brought to life out of body parts stolen from cadavers. Frankenstein is an undesirable character outside but a very desirable one inside. This selection by Mary shows the power of science and technology as they are used today. Her imagination conceived transplantation of human organs and tissues, which during her time had not been established yet. Through their works authors were able to prove how far imagination may go so long as the owner uses it.
All of the authors and the works mentioned contributed a lot to the making of the American literature which is studied today in schools. Popular authors like Stephanie Meyers of “Twilight” saga admitted to have been greatly influenced by Jane Austen. Langston Hughes’s “On the Road” illustrates Transcendentalism and Romanticism principles as he lets his character speaks with Christ as if the latter is an ordinary being and makes Sargeant exhibit self-reliance by forcibly opening the door all by himself before Christ’s presence. Besides, the authors and selections mentioned there are still a lot more which exposes the American authors’ writing prowess that stabilizes American literature’s stature worldwide.
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