Changes in American Literature

             To Worship, To Reason, To Imagine
             (American Literature)
             Henry David Thoreau, not just a writer, but a spiritual interpreter to the world of literature once quoted, "Things do not change; we change." Appears short; yet so full of meaning, not just to his time, but for as long as time persists to exist. When the people of America change so does the literature. Literature cannot evolve on its own without the mind of experience. American literature is reflected upon the inspiration of new ideas and the contemporary condition in which our country sustained at the time. From The Civil war to the revolution that won us our independence as a nation, America was affected. These events, beliefs, and the way of life were all thought to have shaped America's philosophy in writing. Through Puritanism, Enlightenment, Realism, Romanticism, and Transcendentalism we find the changes and the connections of influence in the history of American literature.
             Irene Peter, a well-deserved author quoted, "Just because everything is different doesn't mean anything has changed." With this, we find the basis in which the future of American literature thrives upon. Just because literature has changed over time doesn't mean we don't take with us the influence of the past. We still continue to find traces of Puritanism in America today. Puritan Literature focuses on Idealism and Gods role in the lives of the people. Transcendentalism is also a form of idealism, which may or may not have been influenced by the early Puritans of this country. The writings of the Puritans were used to educate youth for religious purposes until the time of Enlightenment, which stole the attention of America. It was a time based on "reason being mans central capacity" and that "man is by nature rational and good." This eventually brought the aspect of reality into pl...

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Changes in American Literature. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 11:24, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/76146.html