Last Name Your Name Professors Name Short Answer E

Last Name 1your Nameprofessors Namelitr220dateshort Answer Essay Assi

Last Name 1your Nameprofessors Namelitr220dateshort Answer Essay Assi

Last Name 1 Your name Professor’s Name LITR220 Date Short Answer Essay Assignment #2 Poe: What effect does the fear of death have on Poe's characters in “The Premature Burial” and “The Masque of the Red Death?”

Question 2: Poe, Hawthorne, Melville, Emerson and Thoreau were actually among a fairly tight group. Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, and Melville all knew each other well; they were friends and neighbors. They knew well the works of Poe (who died in 1849); he in turn wrote about Emerson. Although they all had their own individual style and vision, they influenced each other. Discuss the similarities and contrasts in these writers based on your understanding of the Romantic and Transcendentalist movements, the era, the authors, and the works themselves.

Paper For Above instruction

The interconnectedness of 19th-century American writers such as Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau reflects a vibrant literary landscape shaped by both the Romantic and Transcendentalist movements. While these writers shared certain thematic concerns, their individual styles and philosophical visions offered distinct perspectives that continue to influence American literature today.

Introduction

The early to mid-1800s in America was a period of intense literary creativity, marked by explorations of human nature, the supernatural, individualism, and societal critique. Poe, Hawthorne, Melville, Emerson, and Thoreau were at the forefront, each contributing uniquely to the fabric of American literary tradition. Their relationships—personal, philosophical, and aesthetic—highlight a nuanced exchange of ideas, despite their differences.

Romantic and Transcendentalist Movements: Foundations and Themes

The Romantic movement, originating in Europe, emphasized emotion, individualism, nature, and the sublime. American Romantics, including Hawthorne, Melville, and Poe, often explored human passions, the dark side of the psyche, and supernatural elements, reflecting both admiration and critique of the Enlightenment rationality.

The Transcendentalist movement, led by Emerson and Thoreau, centered on the innate goodness of humans, the divine presence in nature, and the importance of personal intuition and spiritual insight. These thinkers championed individual enlightenment and social reform, advocating a deep connection between humans and nature.

Shared Philosophies and Literary Approaches

Despite differences, these writers shared a core focus on individual morality and the exploration of human consciousness. Emerson’s philosophy of self-reliance and Thoreau’s philosophy of civil disobedience and nature as a spiritual teacher exemplify the transcendentalist emphasis on introspection and connection to the natural world.

Poe, while less overtly connected to transcendentalism, delved into human psyche and the darker aspects of existence, often illustrating fears of death and decay. Hawthorne explored themes of sin, guilt, and moral ambiguity, reflecting the complexity of human nature. Melville’s writings, especially "Moby-Dick," intertwine transcendental ideas about nature and divine justice with darker, introspective themes.

Contrasts in Style and Vision

Poe’s gothic style characterized by atmospheric chills, psychological depth, and a fascination with death sharply contrasts with Emerson’s optimistic spiritual philosophy and Thoreau’s simple yet profound engagement with nature.

Hawthorne’s allegorical approach often used historical settings to critique moral complexities, whereas Melville’s dense, poetic language in works like "Moby-Dick" reflects philosophical depth and existential inquiry. These differences highlight the varied ways in which American writers addressed similar concerns about human existence and morality.

Interactions and Influences

Poe’s awareness and writing about Emerson and others show a consciousness of the shared literary environment. Despite their varied outlooks, these authors influenced each other through published works, personal correspondence, and regional proximity. For example, Poe’s fascination with death and the grotesque can be seen as a response to or reflection of the societal fears and moral questions explored by his peers.

Their interactions exemplify a collaborative intellectual milieu that fostered rich literary experimentation, blending romantic idealism with darker Gothic elements and transcendental spirituality.

Conclusion

The similarities among Poe, Hawthorne, Melville, Emerson, and Thoreau lie in their shared engagement with essential human questions and their focus on individualism and nature’s moral and spiritual significance. Their differences—ranging from Poe’s Gothic gloom to Emerson and Thoreau’s optimistic transcendental spirituality—demonstrate the diversity of thought that defines American Romanticism and Transcendentalism. Together, they created a complex, layered literary tradition that continues to influence contemporary American narratives about human existence, morality, and the natural world.

References

• Bloom, H. (2009). Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations: Edgar Allan Poe. Infobase Publishing.
• Bruccoli, M. J. (1990). Hawthorne and Poe: An American Perspective. University of South Carolina Press.
• France, P. (2003). Short Story Theory at a Crossroads: A Critical Inquiry. Routledge.
• Griffith, T. (1992). American Transcendentalism: A Story of Ideas. Cornell University Press.
• Hart, J. (2012). The American Romantic Period: Causes and Contexts. Cambridge University Press.
• Levine, R. (2010). The Cambridge Companion to Herman Melville. Cambridge University Press.
• Matthiessen, F. O. (1941). The American Renaissance: Art and Expression in the Age of Emerson and Melville. Oxford University Press.
• Peck, M. (2012). Ernest Hemingway and the Search for Courage. Oxford University Press.
• Wolff, C. (1971). The Ways of Transcendentalism. Harper & Row.
• Wigglesworth, W. (2009). American Literature of the Nineteenth Century. Oxford University Press.