Puritanism And Romanticism - 1825 Words

There have been three major influential movements in American history—Puritanism, Rationalism, and Romanticism. Each occurring during generally different time periods, they produced a number of different types of literature reflecting their beliefs at the time. The Puritans, being some of the first settlers in modern day America, relied heavily on beliefs they brought with them from the Church of England. Rather than simply being followers of their prior Church, Puritans believed in the Church as less of a structured organization and more of a spiritual journey or community. In these beliefs, the Puritans sought to bring religion, spirituality, and the Bible into mainstream thought. The Puritans had a number of other important beliefs†¦show more content†¦In reaction to these changes in the world, also not overnight, the Romantic movement began. Romanticism held the beliefs that nature is of the utmost importance and that human intuition should be held as more valuabl e than logic. Romantics at the time didn’t appreciate how Rationalism had ruined the sense of serenity and being one with nature. This movement, unlike the previous two, sought to bring the world back to what it was meant to be rather than attempting to explain why things happened or where they came from. Romantics simply believed in the idea that humans should be one with nature and appreciate the world for what it is. Each of these three movements would view the fairly modern idea of government spending on national security differently because of the beliefs and values they held during their time period. Government spending alone is a controversial subject matter, let alone government spending on such an crucial sector as national security. Currently, governments are far more established in their systems than they were during the time these three movements took place. At the time Puritanism began, the idea of a democratic society was purely fictional and had never been trul y applied in any country or state. Considering the fact that a democratic country was established soon after the Puritan movement, this essay will be focusing on the spending of major democratic governments such as the United States and the European Union. In the UnitedShow MoreRelatedAmerican Puritanism And American Romanticism1146 Words   |  5 Pagespeople viewed the world changed significantly between the time of American Puritanism and American Romanticism. American Puritans believed in a flawless society based on the core beliefs of the Church. As presented in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, American Puritans feared challenging the social norm because it would essentially lead to possessing a corrupt society. American Romanticism ideas differed from American Puritanism beliefs. Romanticists emphasized the power of individuals and believed inRead MorePuritanism, Romanticism And Transcendentalism In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne983 Words   |  4 Pages Although Puritanism, Romanticism and Transcendentalism do not coexist peacefully, these almost worldview kind of people groups are deeply embedded into three fictional characters from the book, The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This enthralling and rich classic which takes place in Boston Massachusetts during the time of Puritanism gives the reader not only a taste of the Puritans and their staunch attitude, but also of a less common way of thinking andRead MoreA Romantic View Of Hester Prynne Essay1316 Words   |  6 Pagessimplicity of nature are at the foundation of American Romanticism. Essays such as Thoreau’s Walden and Emerson’s â€Å"Self-Reliance† call on humans to look inward and avoid conformity in order to find meaning and purpose in life. Nathaniel Hawthorne is also sympathetic to these ideals, but in The Scarlet Letter, he conveys them in the format of a novel where one of his main characters, Hester Prynne, is surrounded by rigid and unforgiving Puritanism in seventeenth century Boston. Through Hester’s strugglesRead MoreThe Scarlet Letter, By Nathaniel Hawthorne1434 Words   |  6 PagesEach character in the novel represents one or more philosophies including Romanticism, Reason, and Puritanism that one could adhere to in life. Romanticism focuses on the individual and preaches finding truth, Reason, involves the belief that one can use logic to solve anything and a perfect society will create perfect men, and Puritanism, where all that matters to anyone is God. In the novel, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses Hester Prynne s untethered adherence to several philosophiesRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book The Scarlet Letter 1628 Words   |  7 Pageskeep his true identity a secret, too. Each character in the book represents one or more philosophies including Romanticism, Reason, and Puritanism that one could adhere to in life. Romanticism focuses on the individual and preaches finding truth, Reason, involves the belief that one can use logic to solve anything and a perfect society will create perfect men, and Puritanism, where all that matters to anyone is God. In the novel, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses Hester Prynne sRead More Scarlet Critique Essay870 Words   |  4 PagesScarlet Letter including symbolism and irony. He emphasized the individuals role in the community and the role of women in society. Hawthorne used romanticism as opposed to the classical correctness of writing. Romanticism was an artistic and intellectual movement that originated in the 18th Century and stressed strong emotion and imagination. Puritanism was the belief that all humans are sinful and that it is only though God and the bible that one can find redemption. Hawthorne did not agree withRead MoreAmerican Literary Styles Of The Film Of All The Movies Directed By Tim Burton1051 Words   |  5 Pagesgalore has always been a repeated pattern in all of his films: Frankenweenie, Edward Scissorhands, and now Sleepy Hollow. Using costumes, tools and language, Sleepy Hollow reflects each of the three American literary styles of Puritanism, Rationalism, and Romanticism. Puritanism was shown a lot during the movie. In almost all the scenes involving Ichabod’s father, the Judge, or the towns’ people of Sleepy Hollow they defined what a true Puritan was by their behavior, along with what they believedRead More Comparing Romanticism in Plymouth Plantation, Birthmark, and Rappaccinis Daughter1140 Words   |  5 Pages   Ã‚     Puritanism and Romanticism differ in style, religious references, and plot content. Puritanism began to flourish with strict God-fearing Calvinists who had fled to America to escape religious persecution in Europe. With writers such as William Bradford and Edward Taylor, Puritan literature focuses on Gods role in the lives of the people and adopts a simple religious style of writing. Romanticism was introduced to Americans in the nineteenth century, delivering a fresh literary and artisticRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter1187 Words   |  5 PagesPuritanism in Red Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter shows the early view of Puritanism by concentrating on sin, guilt, and its effects on society. Nathaniel Hawthorne conveyed a dark and romantic style of writing in â€Å"The Scarlet Letter†, impacting the society by focusing on the concepts of romanticism. The Scarlet Letter is considered a classic book and is still read today. Nathaniel Hathorne was born in Salem, Massachusetts on July 4, 1804. He was the son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth ClarkRead MoreRomanticism And Nathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter1461 Words   |  6 PagesRomanticism and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter Literary Romanticism was a literary movement that started in Europe toward the late 1700’s and reached America in the early 19th century just in time for its peak years. Originally sparked by the Industrial Revolution, it was a response to the political and social conditions of the time as well as a challenge to the new type of scientific exploration and rationalization of everyday life. Writing that was grand and inspired great feeling and