American Literature Prior to Civil War Essay Example

question if these occurrences were mere coincidences or interventions from a higher power. Despite facing resistance from his peers, Bradford persisted in expressing his beliefs and criticizing greed and factionalism. He firmly believed that all happenings were under God's control, even citing an incident during the voyage as proof of God's protection over His people.
Anne Bradstreet, a celebrated poet, reveals her profound admiration for nature through her works and encourages others to appreciate it as well. Having grown up under the influence of her strict Puritan father, she idolizes him and instills strong convictions about Christ's second coming and God's role as the Creator. In the opening stanza of one of her poems, she marvels at autumn's breathtaking beauty by vividly describing leaves and fruits adorned with vibrant shades of green, red, and yellow.This spectacle captivates her senses while also leaving her curious about whether there exists an even greater excellence beyond what can be seen below.
The creations of God demonstrate His power and magnificence, which continue to be celebrated today. The Age of Enlightenment brought significant changes to Western European nations, impacting all members of society. Claims that this era lacked notable change are disproven by overwhelming evidence. Notably, the Catholic Church underwent significant transformation during this time, as evidenced by the questions, ideas, and philosophies that spanned across time, as well as advancements in scientific study and monarchy system. Prominent philosophers such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, and Thomas Jefferson sought to uncover the true nature of human existence through their literary works in the Age of Reason. They believed that by carefully examining society, they could strive for its perfection. Many people

at this time believed that utilizing one's intellect was crucial for safeguarding societies from despotic threats. Spanning from 1715 to 1789, this Enlightenment period held equal significance for both America and European nations. In an era characterized by classical thinking, philosophers passionately analyzed various aspects of modern government institutions. They were committed to their work much like scientists such as Newton exploring mathematical and physical mysteries.Thomas Paine emphasized the importance of respecting diverse viewpoints in his book Common Sense as a prominent advocate for American independence and individual opinions.He believed that suppressing others' right to hold different opinions would enslave them to their own beliefs, preventing personal growth. Paine strongly advocated for Reason as the ultimate tool against error and consistently relied on it throughout his life. His goal was to demonstrate that beliefs should always be accepted based on reason rather than blindly following traditional or priestly authority. Additionally, he actively promoted critical thinking and independent thought.

Ironically, despite England being regarded by Enlightenment thinkers as Europe's most enlightened nation, it was actually in the American colonies where people first revolted against British rule. Influenced by Enlightenment ideals, American political leaders such as Jefferson, Adams and Franklin played crucial roles in shaping America's future through documents like Jefferson's iconic Declaration of Independence.

Throughout Europe and America, certain rulers were known as "enlightened despots," who embraced modernity by listening to philosophers of the time and implementing societal reforms in line with popular ideas. Jefferson emphasized the importance of preserving people's right to their own opinions as the foundation of government. He famously said, "If it were up to me to decide whether we should have a government

without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I would without hesitation prefer the latter" (Jefferson).Mill and other Enlightenment thinkers believed that progress in society is positive and should be based on reason rather than traditional authority. They advocated for change and reforms, using logic and reason to create a better society. These ideas led to significant changes in political, cultural, social, and economic ideals in Europe and America. Americans were surprised when Smith withdrew from public life during a crucial time, but his work left behind wisdom from his experiences. He hoped that future leaders would achieve similar successes and wanted his legacy passed on. While there are events happening today that would make him cry, some of his desires have been fulfilled. His farewell address continues to have a lasting influence on excellence and guides America as a respected world power (Forum 7).Smith emphasized the significance of national unity and collaboration with other nations for success. This concept extends beyond just countries and applies at an individual level as well. Unity within a nation begins with individuals at the grassroots level. Washington strongly advocated for the Union and played a key role in establishing a strong central government. He believed that the Union was essential for the freedom, peace abroad, and overall safety of American citizens. With advancements in knowledge and sophisticated leadership today, the survival of the government is no longer a major concern. Smith firmly supported the national government by highlighting that joint efforts and collective decision-making lead to achieving independence for the country. He recognized how crucial unity was for America to survive in a world dominated by predatory and imperial

powers. Smith stressed the importance of upholding and respecting the American Constitution, which serves as the foundation of our nation's federal union.This belief remains evident today as it is regarded supreme and highly respected at all levels of government.In addition to his involvement in implementing Hamiltonian financial system, Smith advised Americans to value public credit.He emphasized on adequate defense funding in preparation against potential threats, drawing from personal experiences.The national government had previously failed to support their army, leading even Washington himself to struggle with perpetual debt during that time period.Smith advocated for an efficient tax system based on Hamilton's plan, which would use tax revenue to pay off public debt. He also stressed the importance of religion and morality in society, despite constitutional restrictions on endorsing a single religion. Smith believed that religion should be intertwined with both public and private morality. This belief continues today, as various religions coexist while maintaining respect for worshiping God. The focus remains on recognizing God as the ultimate source of strength and power for humans. According to Smith, the primary goal in life should be divine insight rather than materialism.

In his writing, Emerson employs a metaphor comparing undiscovered human abilities to the unexplored West of America. He expresses readiness to transcend nature and embrace this new America he has discovered in the West. In his work titled "Experience," Emerson extensively explores how genius can manifest as practical power, perspective, and insight. He advises individuals to seek divine intervention in their everyday lives.

Emerson explains that every insight from this realm of thought feels like an initial revelation with promising future developments. He emphasizes that he does not create

these insights but rather arrives at them and observes what was already there.

This extraordinary place is imbued with love and honor transmitted through countless generations. Despite its age, it exudes vitality like an oasis amidst a desert.The future it reveals is truly remarkable. While I personally do not participate in rituals, I have observed many individuals engaging in them either individually or collectively. These rituals reflect culture, religion, and beliefs deeply. In his work "Civil Disobedience," Thoreau argues that even though slavery exists within society, it is essential to treat slaves with respect and dignity. There is no excuse for mistreating fellow human beings. In my own life, I firmly believe in equality and fair treatment for all individuals regardless of race or gender. Every person deserves the utmost respect. Poe frequently explores the extraordinary power of memory, particularly its ability to keep deceased individuals alive. Surprisingly, despite his fear of death himself, Poe defies conventional literary themes by using memory to resurrect the dead. This portrayal often focuses on women. On the other hand, Hawthorne skillfully employs irony in his works. In "The Ambitious Guest," the young man desires to avoid death but acknowledges that thoughts of Esther's mortality inevitably make him contemplate his own demise as well.I desire a good farm in Bartlett,Bethlehem or Littleton (or any nearby town) but not one that could collapse on us.It's important for me to have a positive relationship with my neighbors and be known as SquireServing in the General Court for multiple terms is a goal because an ordinary, honest man can have as much impact there as a lawyer. Additionally, it would satisfy me to

peacefully die in bed while you all cry by my side as we age and rarely separate from each other. Instead of an extravagant marble gravestone, a simple slate one with my name, age, a hymn verse and indication of my honest and Christian life would be enough. However, his failure to live up to his father's hopeful feelings becomes evident despite claiming to share them. Detecting irony within this literary work is challenging and requires keen observation skills. Nonetheless, Smith's works deserve admiration as they remain fundamental in the curriculum for young American children, presenting an ideal vision of society. Only a few truly understand it even though the United States Senate annually reads this revered article. This document strongly supports non-interventionism and historically ranks alongside the renowned Declaration of Independence but very few Americans can recite it verbatim. It holds significant direct impact on US national policy and is considered sacred advice from Smith. Many US presidents sought Smith's counsel due to his advocacy for a perpetual union - notably Andrew Jackson during the Nullification Crisis and Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.George Washington's belief in an independent and interest-based foreign policy laid the groundwork for Monroe's Doctrine, shaping America's global position. This prioritization of values contributed to America's rise as a superpower. In Forum 14, Linda, a young slave, experiences a transformative journey under an immoral master. Despite her unawareness of her enslaved status, thanks to her parents' protective measures, Linda develops self-respect as she grows into adulthood. She confronts obstacles and mistreatment with determination, refusing to be treated as property despite enduring sexual harassment from Dr.Flint. With rebelliousness, strong will, and

cleverness, Linda resists difficult circumstances and emerges triumphant. Even after becoming a mother, she continues fighting for freedom while remaining deeply connected to her children. Motherhood prevails in the end but does not dim Linda's bold spirit. In Forum 15, doubts arose about Walt Whitman's potential as a revolutionary poet due to his limited education (only six years) and early entry into the workforce at eleven years old. However,"Leaves of Grass," his work brought about a radical change in American poetry.
Whitman employs repetition and parallelism to unify his poems, encompassing both crude and refined aspects of human bodies and souls. Through presenting himself as a representation of the American political body, he aims for an inclusive identity. In "Leaves of Grass," Whitman symbolically includes a casual picture of himself instead of his name on the main title page, representing the esteemed American self. His writings challenge tradition, shocking readers and establishing him as a celebrated poet with a fresh identity. On the other hand, Rebecca Harding takes a different approach by using prose to protest, undermining her intention of expressing views through fiction. By prioritizing style over core message, she diminishes the significance of her work being fictional. It would be more impactful if she embraced fiction as a means to bridge reality with her audience rather than solely advocating resistance.