Transcendentalism in American Poetry

Study Notes

Transcendentalism in American Poetry

Key Figures

Ralph Waldo Emerson
Henry David Thoreau
Walt Whitman (though not a traditional Transcendentalist, was influenced by the movement)

Core Principles

Emphasis on individualism and nonconformity
Belief in the inherent goodness of humanity and the importance of self-reliance
Focus on nature and its connection to the divine
Rejection of materialism and commercialism
Importance of intuition and emotion in understanding truth

Literary Characteristics

Use of symbolism and metaphor to explore themes of nature, spirituality, and individualism
Emphasis on the speaker's personal experience and emotional response
Often uses free verse or unconventional poetic forms
Focus on the universal and the infinite, rather than the specific and mundane

Influences

German Idealism and Romanticism
Eastern spirituality and mysticism
The American Renaissance and the idea of a uniquely American literature

Major Works

Emerson's "Nature" (1836) and "Self-Reliance" (1841)
Thoreau's "Walden" (1854)
Whitman's "Song of Myself" (1855-1892)

Themes

The importance of living in harmony with nature
The need for individual moral and spiritual growth
The role of the poet as prophet and visionary
The tension between the individual and society

Transcendentalism in American Poetry

Key Figures

Ralph Waldo Emerson was a key figure in the Transcendentalist movement
Henry David Thoreau was a prominent figure in the movement
Walt Whitman, although not a traditional Transcendentalist, was influenced by the movement

Core Principles

Transcendentalism emphasizes individualism and nonconformity
Humans are believed to be inherently good, and self-reliance is important
Nature is seen as a connection to the divine
Materialism and commercialism are rejected
Intuition and emotion are important in understanding truth

Literary Characteristics

Transcendentalist poetry uses symbolism and metaphor to explore nature, spirituality, and individualism
The speaker's personal experience and emotional response are emphasized
Unconventional poetic forms, such as free verse, are often used
The universal and infinite are focused on, rather than the specific and mundane

Influences

German Idealism and Romanticism influenced Transcendentalism
Eastern spirituality and mysticism also had an impact
The American Renaissance and the idea of a uniquely American literature were influential

Major Works

Emerson's "Nature" (1836) is a key work in the movement
"Self-Reliance" (1841) is another important work by Emerson
Thoreau's "Walden" (1854) is a significant Transcendentalist text
Whitman's "Song of Myself" (1855-1892) was influenced by the movement

Themes

Living in harmony with nature is a key theme
Individual moral and spiritual growth is important
The poet is seen as a prophet and visionary
Tension between the individual and society is a common theme

American Romanticism in Poetry

Key Features

Emphasis on emotion, imagination, and individualism in American Romantic poetry
Reaction against Enlightenment values of reason and rationality
Focus on nature, the supernatural, and the sublime
Exploration of the human psyche and the inner self

Major Poets

Edgar Allan Poe:
- Known for dark, gothic, and mysterious poetry
- Explored themes of death, loss, and the human psyche
- Famous poems include "The Raven," "Annabel Lee," and "The Bells"
Herman Melville:
- Better known for his novel "Moby-Dick," but also wrote poetry
- Explored themes of nature, spirituality, and the human condition
- Famous poems include "Moby-Dick" (excerpts) and "After the Pleasure Party"
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:
- Known for his narrative poetry and exploration of American history
- Explored themes of nature, love, and the human experience
- Famous poems include "Evangeline," "The Song of Hiawatha," and "Paul Revere's Ride"

Themes and Motifs

Nature: A source of inspiration, comfort, and spirituality in American Romantic poetry
Death and the Afterlife: Poets explored themes of mortality, the afterlife, and the supernatural
The Individual: Emphasis on individualism and the importance of personal experience
The Sublime: Poets explored the idea of the sublime, or the experience of awe and wonder in the face of nature's power

Description

Explore the core principles and key figures of Transcendentalism, a 19th-century philosophical and literary movement that emphasized individualism, nonconformity, and nature. Learn about its influence on American poetry and notable writers like Emerson, Thoreau, and Whitman.