The Idea of "Man Is the Measure of All Things" PDF

## The Idea of "Man is the Measure of All Things" The idea that "man is the measure of all things", proposed by Protagoras, resonates with both colonial and early American literature. However, its interpretation differs vastly between the two contexts. ### In Colonial Literature Colonial literatu...

## The Idea of "Man is the Measure of All Things" The idea that "man is the measure of all things", proposed by Protagoras, resonates with both colonial and early American literature. However, its interpretation differs vastly between the two contexts. ### In Colonial Literature Colonial literature was deeply influenced by religious and cultural values, particularly Puritanism. The emphasis was not on human beings as the ultimate measure of truth and morality, but rather on divine will and the need to live according to God's laws. Puritans viewed themselves as instruments of God's will, and their writings reflected this perspective, focusing on obedience to God's commandments rather than human-centered ideas. Works like "Of Plymouth Plantation" by William Bradford and "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards emphasize divine providence, the importance of humility before God, and not human self-reliance. However, within the context of colonial America, some writers began to assert the significance of human experience and individual agency, especially in the context of exploring the New World. While divine intervention was still seen as central, the act of colonization and survival in a new and often hostile land forced settlers to rely on human resourcefulness, resilience, and decision-making. These practical elements of survival began to shape early colonial narratives, demonstrating that humans had an important role in shaping their destiny, even within a framework of religious providence. ### In Early American Literature By the 18th and 19th centuries, the concept of human agency and self-reliance became much more central in early American literature. Writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, associated with the transcendentalist movement, embraced the idea that individuals should trust their inner voice and judgement, and that human experience was central to understanding the world. Emerson's essay "Self-Reliance" (1841) and Thoreau's "Walden" (1854) reflect this shift toward seeing humanity as the measure of all things, with an emphasis on individual autonomy, self-discovery, and personal responsibility. American literature of the 18th century, particularly works such as The Declaration of Independence, reflects this notion as well. The idea that "all men are created equal" and possess inherent rights, such as "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," directly challenges older religious and hierarchical views and embraces the belief that humans, as individuals, define their own worth and rights. ### Comparison In colonial literature, human beings were often seen in relation to divine authority, and human agency was shaped by the belief in God's will. In early American literature, particularly after independence, there was a shift towards celebrating human potential, self-reliance, and the idea that individuals could define their own future and moral framework. While colonial writers often framed human experience within a religious context, early American literature began to focus more on the power of the individual as the measure of one's own destiny.