BJU American Literature Chapter 4 – Flashcards

Dominated American literature from 1820 to 1865 and peaked in 1850-1855 with the American Renaissance. The many advancements of the nation helped spur an optimistic attitude in the country. During this time, American literature was not respected due to frequent pirating of English works or shoddy works. Also, Americans often praised American works even if the works were bad or praised only English works and did not even look at American works. Two schools of thought attempted to answer this problem. One side said that the works had to be distinctively American; the other said that the works had to be universal in theme. The latter won. Melville and Hawthorne tackled issues such as evil and guilt. The American short story and novel became prominent in this era.

Lasted from 1850-1855. A burst of creative energy producing influential works by the period's major writers (Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, and Walt Whitman). During this time, America won literary independence from England.

Had 4 major cornerstones. Individualism: The romantic valued the individual over the group. Supported by Jacksonian presidency, abolishing of slavery, and the the individual's ability to conquer the frontier. This idea went to the extreme. To the point where man's total depravity was challenged. Imagination: The romantic sought to experiment outside of the established literary styles. Romantic replaced reason with the emotion. Nature: Nature is the means of understanding God. He reveals Himself solely through nature. Some romantics became virtual pantheists as a result. Some romantics used nature to represent evil. The Distant: The romantic preferred the distant place and time. For example, Irving's attraction to the mysterious haunts of Europe and Hawthorne's frequent use of the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Some saw utopia in the future; others saw innocence in the past.

Washington Irving brought distinctly American characters and settings to the table for this literary form. Poe brought about unity in thought and brevity (a story had to short enough to be read in one sitting). Hawthorne added intense moral and psychological exploration of characters, often by means of allegory.

This literary form became a serious art form during this time period. James Fenimore Cooper brought larger-than-life characters to this literary art form. Hawthorne and Melville would fully develop the novel.

These writers named themselves after Irving's fictional narrator. centered in New York City. James Fenimore Cooper and William Cullen Bryant.

A relatively minor cluster of writers, but the most influential of the nineteenth century. Based in Boston. Included Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Oliver Wendell Holmes, John Greenleaf Whittier, and James Russell Lowell.

This group of men supported transcendentalism. Included Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and their poetic descendant Walt Whitman. The chief proponent was Ralph Waldo Emerson.

This group of men attacked the very roots of transcendentalism. Included Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Edgar Allen Poe. These men attacked transcendentalism because it did not properly explain man's true nature (his sin nature). The chief critic was Nathaniel Hawthorne

Defined as "part religion, part philosophy, part revolt against doctrine, part adoration of nature, part Puritan and part Oriental." Spawned some of the most radical ideas of the nineteenth century. The most important writers of American Romanticism - Emerson, Thoreau, Whitman, Poe, Hawthorne, and Melville - were all influenced by this idea. Broke out in rebellion against the more rational Unitarianism.

5 core beliefs: (1) The fatherhood of God, (2) the brotherhood of man, (3) the leadership of Jesus, (4) salvation by character, and (5) the inevitable progress of man. This ideology did not recognize the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, the fallen nature of man, or the inerrancy of the Bible.

Grew out of prayer meeting conducted by laymen in the large urban centers of the country. Some believe that this revival came out in preparation for the Civil War.

Born in 1783 and died in 1859. The Sketchbook made this American the first internationally recognized American writer. Originally trained as a lawyer and was meant to work in his family's mercantile firm. He wrote newspaper essays and published the Salmagundi papers (1807-1808). Published his first major work, A History of New York, in 1809. The death of his fiance resulted in a melancholic tone over the rest of his work. Traveled throughout Europe from 1815 to 1832. Drew much of his creative energy from this experience. Published famous works of Oliver Goldsmith and of George Washington. His two most famous stories are Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The most pivotal work of his career is The Sketch Book. His work is seen as transitional, as it provides no principle or lesson. Created the short story.

Written by Washington Irving. Not entirely original, based on the German legend about a goatherd named Peter Klaus. The account is supposedly found among the papers of the fictional Diedrich Knickerbocker. The main character is round and is quite lifelike. Under the satire and wit is the theme of mutability. Life changes.The legendary element in the tale parallels the legendary account that the story itself becomes. The romantic elements include an individual common man who follows feelings over reason and setting distant in both place and time.

Born in 1789 and died in 1851. Started writing after his wife dared him to write a novel. His book Precaution (1820) was enough to start his career. Was a sailor at age 17 and inherited a large portion of his father's estate and married his wife in 1811. Lived in England and France from 1826 to 1833 and traveled extensively in Italy. Staunchly defended America. His return to the States in 1833 concerned him about the disintegration of leadership and culture. Many lawsuits caused him to lose much popularity. Created the larger-than-life portrait of the frontiersman. Attacked racism by stating that each race had its own gift (a gift is an innate or acquired racial and cultural value possessed by an individual or race). This author did not reject the Christian values.

Written by James Fenimore Cooper. The last of the Leatherstocking Tales. Cooper's own personal favorite of his novels. Chapter 7 portrays Natty Bumppo on the brink of manhood (i.e. the untried youth meets life's harsh realities). Natty's greatness is shown in physical and moral prowess. Hurry Harry and Tom Hutter are his foils. The two main influences on Bumppo are his belief in gifts and Christianity. Romantic influences include the common but dignified individual who lives in harmony with nature.

A character whose traits contrasts with another character's (usually the protagonist). This is done in order to highlight the other character's traits.

Born in 1794 and died in 1878. Was intended for the field of medicine. Left college before his first year was done due to lack of intellectual challenge. Came to be a part owner and editor-in-chief of the Evening Post (a New York newspaper). Continued to write poetry and essays of literary criticism. Supported abolitionism, free trade, the formation of labor unions, and freedom of speech. Helped organize the Republican party and supported Lincoln and the Union. His romanticism permeates his poetry. Form of verse reflects the classical restraint of the eighteenth century, but the themes emphasize nature, death, and the past. Saw Nature as a teacher of morals. Often incorporated religious ideas.

Written by William Cullen Bryant. Written in 1811 when Bryant was only 16. Written in blank verse and with an iambic pentameter. The title means "Meditation on death." Does not regard man as having a soul. Follows the organization of a Puritan sermon: (1) Introduction of doctrine, (2) the ground of the doctrine, and (3) the application of the doctrine. Beginning and end of the poem are positive and middle is negative. This is likely because he added the middle part several years later. Lines 1-17 show that it is nature that speaks. Does not mention God or an afterlife. Bryant gives a rationalistic answer to death.

Grew out of a specific problem Bryant faced when he was 21. One day when Bryan was feeling desolate and walking to Plainfield, Massachusetts, he noticed a lone bird flying above him. He sensed that the bird and he seemed to be traveling to some definite, unknown destination. In this poem, Bryant states providence operates in the affairs in the world. However, he was not a Puritan.