American Renaissance (Age of optimism) (dec 1, 1829 – sep 1, 1844)

Description:

Many beautiful works were being produced during that periodwhich renewed faith in the goodness of humanity, preached the possibility of the American Dream for all, and assured us that the future of our country looked as bright as we could imagine it.

WEST: Source of inspiration- Frontier, constant move, wilderness, landscapes, different languages and immigration, Native Americans constantly being pushed away...

SOUTH: Tidewater area- Plantation owners- SLAVERY. Wanted higher state powers.

NORTH-EAST: New England - Federal Government - Growing cities/ Industrialization/ High patriotic pride /Massachussets wants model for culture: Boston--> Intellectual activity -American Romantics: Transcendentalists: interested in the inner life, emotions and feelings.
THERE IS A TREMENDOUS URGE TO AN AUTHENTIC LITERARY VOICE (America is no longer a Europen colony, it has transcended that into new values such as revolutionary, exploration and democratic values.)

Transcendentalists: Emerson, Thoreau, Dickinson,Whitman
American Romanticism /Dark Romanticism: Poe,
Premature birth of the American novel: Moby Dick, Mellville.

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