Civil war (1642-1648) and the English Bourgeois Revolution

15. Transcendentalism, the works of R.Emerson and H.Thoreau. The poetry of W.Whitman
T. was a reaction against 18th century rationalism and manifestation of the general humanitarian trend of 19th c. the movement was based on the belief in the unity of the world and God. Protest to the general state of culture and society, and in particular, the state of intellectualism. Transcendentalists believed that society and its institutions—particularly organized religion and political parties—ultimately corrupted the purity of the individual. They had faith that people are at their best when truly "self-reliant" and independent.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, essayist, lecturer, and poet, Emerson wrote on a number of subjects, never devoted to fixed philosophical dogmas, but developing certain ideas such as individuality, freedom, the ability for humankind to realize almost anything, and the relationship between the soul and the surrounding world. Emerson's "nature" was more philosophical than naturalistic: "Philosophically considered, the universe is composed of Nature and the Soul." His first two collections of essays – Essays: First Series and Essays: Second Series, published respectively in 1841 and 1844 – represent the core of his thinking, and include such well-known essays as Self-Reliance, The Over-Soul, Circles, The Poet and Experience.
Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
Born Long Island, New York was a part-time carpenter, was largely selftaught. In Leaves of Grass (1855), he celebrated democracy, nature, love, and friendship. This monumental work chanted praises to the body as well as to the soul, and found beauty and reassurance even in death. Leaves of Grass(1855) contains Song of Myself, unrhymed, free-verse form, open celebration of sexuality, vibrant democratic sensibility; invented the myth of democratic America. Other works: “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry”, “Democratic Vistas”
17. Critical realism in Am literature. M.Twain
American Realism was a late 19th literary movement that began as a reaction against romanticism and the sentimental tradition. Chief among the authors writing in this genre were William Dean Howells, Henry James, Walt Whitman, Mark Twain, Kate Chopin, and Stephen Crane. Am. R. was most commonly a feature of narrative fiction, and of poetry and drama as well. The writers of this period realized that they should deal with everyday realities. The characters of realistic novels were typical people of their time & place. American writers stressed the link between Man & society. All these writers in some way dealt with the notion of the so called American Dream. The most prominent writers of this period are: