Puritans vs. Transcendalists - Early American Literature
Prevalent in early American Literature especially throughout the works of the Puritans and the Transcendentalists, was the common theme of rebellion against the government. The purpose of this literature was not to entertain, but to inform, which set the precedent for the next 200 years. The literature was to be informative, persuasive, but not entertaining, as shown as a recurring theme in: Of Plymouth Plantation, by William Bradford, "Common Sense" and "The Crisis" both authored by Thomas Paine, "Self Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Resistance to Civil Government" by Henry David Thoreau, and the ultimate tribute to American independence, "The Declaration of Independence", written by Thomas Jefferson. Although the way in which each author presented the common theme of rebellion against the government differed, the influence on each author came from the times he lived in. Of Plymouth Plantation, by William Bradford contains a section subtitled The Separatists Interpretation of the Reformation in England. The Puritans separated from the Anglican Church of England because nonconformists were considered criminals punished with death. Anglicanism was a mixture of Christianity and Protestantism; the Puritans were devout Protestant
s, not willing to except the views of Christianity. When writing their pieces these authors kept in mind the rebellious interests of their country and audience. Finally accepting enough abuse from the British government, the second Continental Congress ordered Jefferson to draft a document politically splitting America from Great Britain. necessary for one people [America] to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another [Great Britain]. This pamphlet was written the same year as the beginning of the Revolutionary War. The rebellion and dislike towards England was explicitly stated throughout the first book and chapter Of Plymouth Plantation. Steps the American government were taking then were comparable to those taken by the overthrown British government. Basic objections like this one provided the fuel for a dramatic and history making event, beneficial to every American. that whenever any form of government becomes destructive. Among the most noteworthy authors were Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Common topics in this essay:
Britain Assuming,
Self Reliance,
Throughout American,
Revolutionary War,
Steps American,
Church England,
Puritans Transcendentalists,
Crisis Paine,
Mexican War,
American Transcendentalist,
plymouth plantation,
theme rebellion government,
ralph waldo,
common sense,
rebellion government,
church england,
theme rebellion,
british government,
american literature,
waldo emerson,
ralph waldo emerson,
thoreau ralph waldo,
form government,
common theme rebellion,
henry david thoreau,
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