Comparing and Contrasting Self-Awareness in the Works of Emerson, Whitm

Defining Self-Awareness in the works of Emerson, Whitman and Poe Literature in the American Renaissance influenced the Romantic sentiment that prevai conduct during this period the emergence of the individual. This materialisation evolved out of the Age of Reason, when the question of using reason (a assured state) or faith (an un advised state) as a basis for establishing a piece of beliefs divided people into secular and non-secular groups. Reacting to the generally submissive attitudes predominant in America at this time, nineteenth century writers envisioned the source of righteousness within consciousness itself (Chai, 10). This secularization of trust ultimately guide to the closing off of the self from others (Chai, 10), and manifested the persuasive theme in Renaissance literature that promoted self-sufficient thinking. The writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Walt Whitman all emanate from this Romantic spirit. Trust thyself asserts Emerson, do non re main clapped in jail by your consciousness (261), be led out in triumph by disposition (542). Merging the individual and nature is a common motif in Romanticism, but these writers had contrasting views on the dynamics of this connection. While Emerson and Whitman were on one end of the Romantic measuring stick proclaiming the potential greatness of the individual, Poe was at the other end questioning gentleman nature. Indeed, the literature these authors produced are relative to the Romantic trend in elevating self-awareness, save their work demonstrates Emerson and Whitman differ with Poe regarding the ascendancy of the conscious and unconscious states of the mind. Emerson and Whitman celebrated the conscious power of the individual, while Poe exposed the hidde... ... Being Odd, Getting Even. The American acquaint of Edgar Allan Poe. Ed. Shawn Rosenheim and Stephen Rachman. Baltimore John Hopkins University Press, 1995. 3-36. Chai, Leon. The Romantic Foundations of the Amer ican Renaissance. Ithaka Cornell University Press, 1987. Coleridge, Samuel. The Portable Coleridge. Ed. I. A. Richards. New York Penguin Books, 1950. Emerson, Ralph Waldo. Essays and Lectures. Comp. Joel Porte. New York literary Classics, 1983. Lauter, Paul, ed. The Heath Anthology of American Literature. 3rd ed. Boston Houghton Mifflin, 1998. Poe, Edgar Allan. The Philosophy of Composition. Lauter 1529-37. Waggoner, Hyatt H. American Poets From the Puritans to the Present. billy Rouge Louisiana State University Press, 1984. Whitman, Walt. Preface to Leaves of Grass. Lauter 2729-43. ---. Song of Myself. Lauter 2743-94. Comparing and contrastive Self-Awareness in the Works of Emerson, WhitmDefining Self-Awareness in the works of Emerson, Whitman and Poe Literature in the American Renaissance influenced the Romantic sentiment that prevailed during this period the emergence of the individual. This reflection evolved out of the Age of Reason, when the question of usi ng reason (a conscious state) or faith (an unconscious state) as a basis for establishing a get of beliefs divided people into secular and non-secular groups. Reacting to the generally submissive attitudes predominant in America at this time, nineteenth century writers envisioned the source of religion within consciousness itself (Chai, 10). This secularization of religion ultimately led to the isolation of the self from others (Chai, 10), and manifested the persuasive theme in Renaissance literature that promoted self-supporting thinking. The writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Walt Whitman all emanate from this Romantic spirit. Trust thyself asserts Emerson, do non remain clapped in jail by your consciousness (261), be led out in triumph by nature (542). Merging the individual and nature is a common motif in Romanticism, but these writers had contrasting views on the dynamics of this connection. While Emerson and Whitman were on one end of the Romantic beatn ik proclaiming the potential greatness of the individual, Poe was at the other end questioning pitying nature. Indeed, the literature these authors produced are relative to the Romantic trend in elevating self-awareness, even their work demonstrates Emerson and Whitman differ with Poe regarding the ascendancy of the conscious and unconscious states of the mind. Emerson and Whitman celebrated the conscious power of the individual, while Poe exposed the hidde... ... Being Odd, Getting Even. The American hardihood of Edgar Allan Poe. Ed. Shawn Rosenheim and Stephen Rachman. Baltimore John Hopkins University Press, 1995. 3-36. Chai, Leon. The Romantic Foundations of the American Renaissance. Ithaka Cornell University Press, 1987. Coleridge, Samuel. The Portable Coleridge. Ed. I. A. Richards. New York Penguin Books, 1950. Emerson, Ralph Waldo. Essays and Lectures. Comp. Joel Porte. New York literary Classics, 1983. Lauter, Paul, ed. The Heath Anthology of American Literature. 3rd ed . Boston Houghton Mifflin, 1998. Poe, Edgar Allan. The Philosophy of Composition. Lauter 1529-37. Waggoner, Hyatt H. American Poets From the Puritans to the Present. baton Rouge Louisiana State University Press, 1984. Whitman, Walt. Preface to Leaves of Grass. Lauter 2729-43. ---. Song of Myself. Lauter 2743-94.