Individualism in Early American Literature Essay - 1099 Words

Early American literature is full of the spirit of individualism. This spirit can best be described by Emerson when he says, Good men must not obey the laws too well. This view has long been an inspiration for future generations of Americans to start some of the greatest reformations of our history. Among the literary units that show support for Emersons idea, there are three that are more powerful at conveying this spirit. The Revolutionaries, the Transcendentalists, and the Dark Romantics, all support Emersons quote because they show that a truly righteous individual is not one that conforms to societys standards, but rather judges his/her actions based on his/her reason and what he/she has discovered†¦show more content†¦Thoreau instead offers an alternative, The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think is right (Thoreau 250). This relates back to Emersons idea of self-reliance; a person, according to Thoreau, must be reliant on himself/herself and not on the government. The power of change is in the people, the government does not keep people free. It does not settle the West. It does not educate (Thoreau 250). Thoreaus view on the importance of the individual over the government supports Emersons quote because a good persons laws are entirely based on what the person has decided right for himself/herself. Although the Dark Romantics do not have the optimism if the transcendentalists, they still believe in the importance of a persons independence from accepted standards, as evident in Hawthornes The Ministers Black Veil. Mr. Hooper is the only person who is willing to admit the truth that every person in his community has secret sin, represented by his black veil. However, the society is afraid to admit this truth; not one ventured to put the plain question to Mr. Hooper, wherefore he did this thing (Hawthorne 303). Although this admittance makes a Mr. Hooper a fearful person for the community, he is only feared because the congregation is actually afraid of its own secret sinfulness. WhenShow MoreRelatedThe Emergence Of Self Concept1489 Words   |  6 PagesThe Emergence of Self Throughout our history the idea of self has developed and proved to be a dominant concept that Americans have come to understand. Not defined or found in lineage, religion, or history, the concept of self is defined by a collection of values. These values and principles are rooted in individualism, self-actualization, and self-reliance where people are able to fulfill their own destiny and believe in the promise that through ward work and determination life can be differentRead MoreTranscendentalism And The American Renaissance1693 Words   |  7 PagesThe American Renaissance was a revolution for literature and writers in America itself that emphasized cultural authority. The American Renaissance took place throughout the nineteenth century, primarily in the early segment of this era. According to, The Norton Anthology of American Literature, â€Å"the idea of American Renaissance has been so influential in part of the literature of this time period, and was crucial to the deve lopment of American literary traditions† (4). This created a diverseRead MoreSocial Anxiety : America s National Identity991 Words   |  4 PagesTranscendental thought is responsible for generating an American ideology of individualism, civil disobedience, and an emphasis on Man s individual affiliation with God. Within a generation of the revolution, American authors were initiating an exploration of an emergent American sensibility with a neoteric literary conviction. This new authorship of philosophical thought is characterized as â€Å"literary nationalism† and is furthermore expressed as an American Renaissance, yielding intellectually influentialRead MoreAnalysis Of Our Divided Political Heart By John F. Kennedy Essay777 Words   |  4 Pages† he talks about how American citizens cannot agree on who we are because we cannot agree on whom we have been. The American custom, Dionne expresses, points not to be self-sufficient and selfish, but to even out our compassion of individual freedom and our loyalty to the public. Understanding of our nation’s history, Dionne shows an insightful examination of how self-reliance is toxic to our present political ambience. He participates the Tea Party’s involvement with American history, but also showsRead MoreSteven Cran es Role in the Literary Revolution and an Analysis of The Red Badge of Courage1210 Words   |  5 PagesIf it takes a revolutionary to topple the general way of thinking, Stephen Crane is that revolutionary for American literature. The dominant literary movement before Crane’s time, Romanticism, originated in Germany and England as a response to classicism and soon dispersed worldwide. (McKay 766). Romanticism stressed the power of the human conscience and the intensity of emotion. It was essentially a spiritual movement, fiercely conflicting with the rigid rules and standards of classicism and theRead MoreThe Age Of The Enlightenment1646 Words   |  7 Pagespassionate, individualistic expression of the late 18th and early 19th century in his highly influential pamphlet entitled Common Sense. In this short, easily accessible pamphlet, Thomas Paine uses excellent command of the English language to inspire passionate hatred for the tyrannical English government and love for the American colonies among the common people. Due to the emphasis on individualism, Paine’s perception of the American colonies is that of an individual separate from England thatRead MoreThe Individualism Of The American Colonies1693 Words   |  7 Pagespassage, Paine emphasizes how the unique individualism of the American colonies cannot exist under Great Britain. While it may be a rational and more peaceful decision to remain under Great Britain’s control, the oppression of the American colonies’ individualism is one that goes against common sense and is a situation that calls for a passionate revolution. The emphasis on individualism and passionate expression of the self during the late 18th and early 19th century is also exemplified in theRead MoreA Metanarrative Is Described By Professor Worthington As1667 Words   |  7 Pagesdescribed by Professor Worthington as â€Å"a big story that causes a culture to survive, ties everything together, and gives us a universal truth†. Understanding America’s past is vital to understanding both the values of the nation and the country’s literature. James Faulconer defines the metanarrative as â€Å"a story we tell about ourselves, what we do, what is expected, its is a story that links our smaller stories together and gives us unity, social, psychological, and intellectual†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . The values and idealsRead MoreEssay about Emily Dickinson and Walt Witman Clash803 Words   |  4 Pagesbecoming more selective and exact, has become a much more broad and open minded classification of literature. From Its beginnings in romanticist Puritan literature, to its more modernistic function on present society, poetry has become a way to blend the psychological side of human intellect, with the emotional side of human intuition and curiosity. Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman were two early poets from the late 19th century. Unlike Walt, Emily liked to write at home, she was a more secludedRead MoreSocial Darwinism: The Art of Collectivism Essay1222 Words   |  5 Pagesthe principle of natural selection, postulating that those who are eliminated in the struggle for existence are the unfit† (â€Å"Survival of the fittest†, Dictionary.com). The American society, once based on collectivism, has changed drastically and is now based on individualism. The shift can be easily shown through works of literature, art, and in the everyday actions of the ones around us. There was once an atmosphere of humility and love, the atmosphere transformed into a black hole of of arrogance

Same-Sex Parents and Their Children Essay - 729 Words

Same-sex parents and their children Nowadays, the question of gay marriage is one of the most heated and controversial. Over the years, same-sex couples are fighting for the legal recognition for their marriages and their right as parents. Parenthood is one of the most valuable experiences in a human life. After finding a partner, it is natural for people to want to raise children. Homosexual parent are the same in ability and commitment to raised healthy children. It would be a big step for improvement in our society to provide necessary support and rights for same-sex couples and their children. â€Å"According to the 2000 Census, there are approximately 594,000 same-sex partner households and there are children living in approximately†¦show more content†¦(2009)† Studies showed that these children and young adults are as popular as children reared by heterosexual parents; at school they have grades within average, the same level of stress as other kids. In general, they have normal relationships with peers and adults. Most of them accept their parent’s sexual orientation; some even get inspired by their parent’s courage to be different. The only challenge they might face is that in the most states in the country gay marriage is not accepted and with that their parenting. Limited protection provided to the children of the same-sex couples brings stress and fear to those children that they will be separated from their parents, or their parents loosing job and etc. It is commonly believed that for normal development a child needs two opposite sex parents. Mother provides nurturance and caretaking and father ‘‘is the grinding stone on which his son sharpens his emerging masculinity and the appreciative audience to which his daughter plays out her femininity (Pruett, 2000, p. 87).† Not all the children are raised in two parent family, single parent is a common part of our society. Single mothers and less common single farthers raise their children and nobody doubts there parenting skills, because not only their parent but also other relatives and media influence on children. Number of researchers studied sexualShow MoreRelatedChildren With Same Sex Parents Essay1665 Words   |  7 PagesOver the years there has been many studies conducted on the well being of children with same sex parents. These studies often debate on whether same sex parents carry disadvantages to the child. Researchers who object to same sex parent often be lieves that children raised in these types of families suffer more emotional problems (McAllister 2016). These studies often tend to blame parents sexual orientation as the main cause of children’s emotional problems rather than looking at outside aspectsRead MoreGay Adoption And The United States1412 Words   |  6 Pages Gay parents! Yes I said it.What kind of impact do gay couples have on adoption agencies in the United States? â€Å"An estimated 65,500 adopted children are living with a lesbian or gay† parent (Lifelong Adoptions)​.†Ã¢â‚¬â€¹There are 1 million lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents raising about 2 million children in the U.S† (Why Gay Parents Are Good Parents). ​Even though people believe gay adoption will cause children to act different Gay adoption positively affects adoption agenciesRead MoreGay Adoption Should Be Legal1411 Words   |  6 Pagesraise children. It is legal for heterosexuals to adopt children in all states; however, homosexuals do not have the same right. Many states are trying to find loopholes to ban homosexuals from adopting. Gay adoption should be legal in all states because children can be raised in the same upbringing as heterosexual parents, sometimes can have better lives than those who are raised by hete rosexual parents, and the banning of gay adoption goes against the homosexual parents’ rights. Children in a homosexualRead MoreThe Issue Of Same Sex Parenting1153 Words   |  5 PagesPaper Same-Sex Parenting ​Homosexuality has been a sensitive subject in this society for generations; it has been repelled against and condemned because it is considered to be sin-natured to certain traditions and religions. In the past several years, gay rights have been a controversial topic in many areas of the public and court rooms. More recently, the debate about gays having the right or ability to parent has become an increasingly popular topic, especially with same-sex marriage being legalizedRead MoreStigma, Facts And Solutions : Raising Same Sex Families1346 Words   |  6 Pagesand Solutions: Raising Same-sex families. Stigma Social stigma against homosexuals is a common experience for those raising children in same-sex families. Although gay rights have improved and a generally more inclusive environment is present there are still many who treat homosexuals as mentally ill deviants (McCabe, 2012). Even with gay right improvements there is still debate surrounding bringing children into these environments. Current discourses assume that same-sex families will negativelyRead MorePersuasive Essay About Same Sex Parenting1273 Words   |  6 PagesPeople who believe that gay couples should not be parents because it would negatively impact the children, but do not bother helping the 450,000 foster children in need of a loving family do not really care about the children. Gay couples can help lower this number of lonely foster kids since they are not able to have children of their own. Same-sex parenting should be commonly accepted because same-sex couples form relationships that are more stable than most het erosexual marriages, they are moreRead MoreA Brief Note On Gay And Lesbian Families874 Words   |  4 Pagesrelated and share the same beliefs. Now a day a family is a group of people that love and care for one another. There are many different types of families in America. One of the types of families is same sex parent families. Gay and lesbian families are when two people of the same sex starting a family. Some usually were married to the opposite sex before. Most gay and lesbian couples lack legal rights to support their relationship. As I write this, 13 states allow same-sex marriages, 35 states prohibitRead MoreAdoption With Same Sex Couples1162 Words   |  5 PagesRegus Introduction to Sociology 7 November 2017 Adoption with Same-sex Couples Adoption is when a child is removed from their home and are now under protection of another family. They can be related or unrelated to the child. It can be great for children, as they can live a better life than they would have had with their birth parents. The children may have endured abuse or neglect and need to get out of the situation, or the parents could have not thought that they were able to take care of theRead MoreShould Same-Sex Couples Be Allowed to Adopt? Essays838 Words   |  4 Pagespaving the way for a brighter future. In hopes of being normal, many same-sex couples want to have a family and for some the only option is adoption. Well, same-sex adoption is not legal in most places which makes this dream for some impossible. This caused controversy between same-sex couples and the general public who believes that same-sex adoption should remain illegal. Ultimately, same-sex adoption should be legal. The same-sex controversy is one of the many results from the slow process of gayRead MoreGay Adoption And The United States1412 Words   |  6 Pages Gay parents! Yes I said it.What kind of impact do gay couples have on adoption agencies in the United States? â€Å"An estimated 65,500 adopted children are living with a lesbian or gay† parent (Lifelong Adoptions)​.†Ã¢â‚¬â€¹There are 1 million lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents raising about 2 million children in the U.S† (Why Gay Parents Are Good Parents). ​Even though people believe gay adoption will cause children to act different Gay adoption positively affects adoption agencies

William Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet - 1400 Words

Title: Romeo and Juliet Author: William Shakespeare Genre: Romance and Tragedy. Setting The story is taking place in Verona, Italy, it is a midcentury-1590s background story, and the cultural context was that there is the feuds between the two families; Montagues and Capulets, which were giving attentions to all the people living in Verona. It is really important to know the setting of the story to know the social background of the time that the story was written so that as a reader I can understand the story much better. Point of View Since the book, Romeo and Juliet is a script, all the characters has their point of view. However, mostly, Romeo and Juliet’s point of view is most common point of view in this book. The point of view is important because, as a reader, I can see the storyline with the certain character’s view, which helps me to understand better. I can also recognize the mood and the flow of the story very well in the book, Romeo and Juliet, and also in other books. Atmosphere The mood of the piece is much tensed and very romantic. The reason why it is tensed, it because of the feuds between two families Montagues and Capulets, which causes lots of fights between servants and also Romeo, Mercutio, Tybalt, and Paris. The romantic feeling is from the love between Romeo and Juliet. Their desires to love each other. Tone The tone of this book is very passionate, romantic, emotional, however, also very violent and intense. It’s because of all the love andShow MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet1287 Words   |  6 PagesLizzy Baginski English Composition 2 Mr. Spera March 10, 2015 Romeo and Juliet Research Paper The movie Romeo and Juliet is a modern classic film that took place in 1996. Overall this is a timeless story that everyone should go and watch. This movie has an intriguing plot line that tells the story of two feuding families, The Montagues and The Capulets, and how the children of these two different families fall in love. The two children overcome various obstacles such as hiding their chemistry fromRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet 966 Words   |  4 Pages Beauty Over Gold â€Å"Beauty provoketh thieves sooner than gold.--William Shakespeare, 1623. In his book As You Like It, William Shakespeare pointed out the supremacy of love rather than the want of gold and wealth. Truly, beauty is more important to thieves than wealth. Many of the thieves in this world would rather have an elegant woman than to obtain precious rubies. After all, what good is a prosperous man if he doesn’t have a charming woman? Two famous men grab my attention who didn’t fear forRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet Essay1024 Words   |  5 PagesRomeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare s most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with Hamlet, is one of his most frequently performed plays. Today, the title characters are regarded as archetypal young lovers. Romeo and Juliet belongs to a tradition of tragic romances stretching back to antiquity. The plot is based on an ItalianRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet1124 Words   |  5 PagesThe play Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare s most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with Hamlet, is one of his most frequently performed plays. Today, the title characters are regarded as archetypal young lovers. Romeo and Juliet belongs to a tradition of tragic romances stretching back to antiquity. Its plot is based onRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet861 Words   |  4 Pagesgreatly shown in the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. It was love at first sight with Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet. Meeting at a party and falling in love to get married without even spending quality time with each other. Romeo and Juliet couldn t tell there parents because the Capulets and Montagues are long term rivals. Both Romeo and Juliet had to find different ways and excuses to make this marriage work. A big problem was developed. Romeo kills Juliet s cousin and is banishedRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet1770 Words   |  8 Pagesof Romeo and Juliet. The story of two destined lovers who were killed by their own doing. But what if they weren t two destined lovers who got unlucky, but doomed partners that were never going to have a good-life to begin with.William Sha kespeare gives us a view of early signs of gang conflict in the early age of Verona, Italy. He gives us a perspective of the norms and customs of Italy during the Setting of William Shakespeare s most famous story. Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, givesRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet1616 Words   |  7 Pageslove can also cause some of life s most controversial battles. These battles could stem from lack of patience, disagreement of moral values, and in some cases, an absence of attraction overall. In Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, the issues that drive Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet s to each of their dreadful misfortunes are inevitable. When it comes to many of Shakespeare s plays, Aristotle s theory is used to describe them as tragedies. Romeo and Juliet is known by many as a tragedyRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet1264 Words   |  6 Pagestheater-going public the most important dramatist in English literature, Shakespeare oc cupies a well-known position in the world of talented authors. His canon contains thirty-seven plays, written in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Additionally, throughout the years, they continue to sustain critical attention, with the majority of his works circling tragedies, one being Romeo and Juliet. William Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet speaks to the timeless appeal of star-crossed lovers. Their loveRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet924 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy that follows the so-called love of two teenagers. The two fall in love at a masked ball and have a secret marriage. Throughout the play, their actions show how ridiculous love is, and how it is a danger to anyone who become twisted in its choking grasp. However, in the death of the youth and survival of the elders, an alternative explanation for the tragic events may be found. Although Shakespeare seems to be mocking love throughout the play, itRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet1279 Words   |  6 Pagesour lives. The great, classic writers teach timeless, valuable life skills. Shakespeare was the greatest writer of all time. His writings mainly consisted of dramas and sonnets. Romeo and Juliet, as well as, A MIdsummer Night’s Dream were written about the same time period. He was able to inter relate everything that wrote. For example, the tale of Pyramus and Thisbe could possibly be an advertisement for Romeo and Juliet. The basic structure of the two dramas is the same; two forbidden lovers meet

The Raven vs. The First Snowfall free essay sample

The Raven vs. The First Snowfall During the time period of Romanticism, many great poets emerged. Two of the best poets during this time period included Edgar Allen Poe and James Russell Lowell. Throughout these poets lives, they suffered many tragic deaths among their friends and families and decided to write about them. One of Poes greatest poems was called The Raven and one of Lowells greatest poems was called The First Snowfall. Since these two poems speak about death, they are very similar in somber tone, uneral images, and gothic elements, which all create a mournful mood. One of the ways that The Raven and The First Snowfall are similar is how the somber tone throughout the poems creates a mournful mood. Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary (1). This quote from The Raven is an example of somber tone because it sets a dark tone to help develop the mournful mood of the poem. We will write a custom essay sample on The Raven vs. The First Snowfall or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page And thought of the leaden sky (26). This specific quote from The First Snowfall is a great example of a somber tone because is speaks bout how the sky is a dull, gray color. The somber tone of these two poems is what makes them so similar, but there are more ways that show how they can be even more similar. The second way that The Raven and The First Snowfall are similar is by the funeral images both authors describe in their poems. One of the funeral images used by Edgar Allen Poe in The Raven is the quote: And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor (8). In this quote, he is trying to describe the fire as dying to represent his lover who had Just died. One of the funeral images used by James Russell Lowell in The First Snowfall is used in the quote: The noiseless work of the sky (14). What the author is trying to describe here is that everything around him is silent because they are saddened by his daughters death. These two funeral images used by the authors are another way the poems create a mournful mood and how they are similar. The way that they are similar is that the authors are making images with their words to help the readers understand the tragic deaths they had to struggle through. Even though there are a more ways that make these poems similar, there is one final way that pretty much ties everything together. This way is the use of gothic elements throughout the poems. Quoth the Raven (44). This gothic element speaks about the supernatural element of the bird talking. This shows that the narrator is going completely insane over the fact that his lover had died. Then with eyes that saw not, I kissed her (37). The gothic element that Lowell is trying to describe is that his daughter had Just died. What Lowell wants the readers to know s that he kissed his daughter for the final time because she had died. The topic of the gothic elements is the final way the poems create a mournful mood and that the elements make the two poems similar because the authors use them to describe the death in their poems. During the Romanticism time period, two poems emerged that were quite similar. They were The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe and The First Snowfall by James Russell images, and the gothic elements. All of these similarities are what helps the two poems create a mournful mood so that they can tell their melancholy poems.