Transcendentalism in American Poetry

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