SER for American Writers: Romantics, Transcendentalists, and Dark Romantics and Slaves Now well into the nineteenth century, truly American literature was beginning to take its hold on society. Just as America changed drastically since its initial formation, literature within America also adapted wildly from its debut. The writing in America began to leave the constant tradition of nonfiction journal entries, and it adapted into the fiction stories and tales that are more familiar in today’s atmosphere. However, these works of fiction were still able to convey the mood of the time period as literature had done in the past. These moods can be found in the book The Norton Anthology American Literature: 1820 - 1865. This feat in establishing
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For instance, Edgar Allan Poe states, “And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor / Shall be lifted – nevermore!” (Poe 1539). Poe demonstrated the traditional dark romantic view of gothic scenes and how people are naturally bad in this quote. He shows that, contrary to the beliefs of romantics and transcendentalists, life is more focused on sin than harmony. And as the soul stays on the floor, Poe could be relating to the events of his life time such as how America begins to sin more and more through slavery and war, and maybe there is no hope for the country to be …show more content…
Harriet Beecher Stowe demonstrates this by saying, “’O, George, we must have faith. Mistress says that when all things go wrong to us, we must believe that God is doing the very best’” (Stowe 1710). It is very ironic, however, that this Christian religion was taught to the slaves by their masters and mistresses, which in turn broke every aspect of Christianity by having slaves. Nonetheless, after having accepted the Christian faith, African American slaves became arguably more devout followers of the Father than the white people were. But who could blame them? In a time where they were constantly abused and mistreated, God was their one shining light to turn to for help. Though slavery has long since ended, many African Americans still follow the Christian faith as a result of the influence inflicted upon their ancestors. In conclusion, it is obvious to see the remarkable developments in American literature throughout the nineteenth century. Literature has gone from oral tradition, to journal entries, and finally, to pure fiction tales all while still conveying the morals of their respective times. These morals are demonstrated through the social, economic, and religious points presented by the American writers, also known as the romantics, transcendentalists, and dark romantics, and the slaves of the nineteenth
For instance, Edgar Allan Poe states, “And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor / Shall be lifted – nevermore!” (Poe 1539). Poe demonstrated the traditional dark romantic view of gothic scenes and how people are naturally bad in this quote. He shows that, contrary to the beliefs of romantics and transcendentalists, life is more focused on sin than harmony. And as the soul stays on the floor, Poe could be relating to the events of his life time such as how America begins to sin more and more through slavery and war, and maybe there is no hope for the country to be …show more content…
Harriet Beecher Stowe demonstrates this by saying, “’O, George, we must have faith. Mistress says that when all things go wrong to us, we must believe that God is doing the very best’” (Stowe 1710). It is very ironic, however, that this Christian religion was taught to the slaves by their masters and mistresses, which in turn broke every aspect of Christianity by having slaves. Nonetheless, after having accepted the Christian faith, African American slaves became arguably more devout followers of the Father than the white people were. But who could blame them? In a time where they were constantly abused and mistreated, God was their one shining light to turn to for help. Though slavery has long since ended, many African Americans still follow the Christian faith as a result of the influence inflicted upon their ancestors. In conclusion, it is obvious to see the remarkable developments in American literature throughout the nineteenth century. Literature has gone from oral tradition, to journal entries, and finally, to pure fiction tales all while still conveying the morals of their respective times. These morals are demonstrated through the social, economic, and religious points presented by the American writers, also known as the romantics, transcendentalists, and dark romantics, and the slaves of the nineteenth