Puritanism and transcendentalism essay

American materials is characterized by several types of literature which represent many different stages in American history and tradition. Among these are Puritanism and Transcendentalism. These two movements talk about certain characteristics while they will oppose one another for some other reasons.

The Puritans were a group of individuals that had been very rigid, radical Protestants that obtained as a type of religion following the Reformation in britain. That they came to American for the liberty to practice this kind of religion. Writers of the Puritan era served to glorify Goodness and instruct people how to live a godly life.

These ideals are reflected in Anne Bradstreet’s, “Upon the Burning of each of our House when the narrator still praises The almighty even after a devastating misfortune. Additionally , Jonathan Edwards, a Puritan minister, notes the upset nature of God to his congregation who he feels is definitely straying in “Sinners in the Hands associated with an Angry God. 

Actually Nathaniel Hawthorne, a writer from your 1800s, and Arthur Miller, a writer in the 1900s, focus on this period of your energy in their works, The Scarlet Letter, as well as the Crucible, respectively.

These works mention need to purely adhere to the groups rules and to live under it is scrutiny, or perhaps bear the bitter effects. Hester Prynne must wear a large, red notice ‘A’ on her chest to show her sin of coition in the 1st novel whilst innocent townspeople are offender of witchcraft on the testimony of a envious teenage lady in The Crucible. Obedience and humility were definitely characteristics of this kind of literature.

The Transcendentalist freelance writers of the up coming century also believed in the value of a bigger power. However , contrary to the Puritans, the higher electric power was not a rote opinion in the doctrines of The almighty. The rise of Transcendentalism came from the cathedral, the Unitarian church, however, not from a great angry god but a quieter, kinder “indwelling Our god and the significance of intuitive thought (Campbell).

This bigger power was obviously a more eclectic higher actuality than you possibly can find in simple encounter. It had been a heightened degree of knowledge and philosophical understanding than could possibly be achieved by explanation alone. The Transcendentalists sought to look beyond simple, everyday experience to find a a higher level00 truth. Whereas the Puritans would dictate what that truth were to be, according to the Bible, the Transcendentalists were willing to accept several understanding of this real truth.

Some known writers with the American Transcendentalist period of literature were Rob Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Emerson’s essay about “Nature demonstrated the respect for nature and its importance. Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience stressed the importance of being true to oneself and beliefs rather than being teased by the set up institutions or perhaps church.

Puritanism and Transcendentalism are both perception systems which will arise coming from a religious background. The copy writers of these teams mirror their beliefs. While Puritanism focuses on dogmatic adherence towards the orthodox religious beliefs of the moments, Transcendentalism is known as a kindler, milder philosophy that focuses on the elevating individuals to the heart and soul and soul of a increased truth.

Campbell, Donna M. “American Transcendentalism.  Literary Movements. May possibly 21, 3 years ago January 13, 3 years ago .

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