Enlightenment, Transcendentalism, and Puritan Theology Essay

Enlightenment, transcendentalism, and puritan theology: 3 philosophies that shaped 3 centuries in America. Since the time periods of each philosophy overlapped with the others, all 3 had similarities as well as differences. From these philosophies came different writers with different views, shaping American prose. A major Enlightenment author was Thomas Paine. Thomas Paine wrote a piece called The Age of Reason. In this piece he fully encompassed the ideologies of the Enlightenment. These included the belief in the perfectibility of a human being, universal benevolence, faith in natural goodness, and the sovereignty of reason. He talked about the flaws in religion and the idea that his own mind is his own church. In his piece he†¦show more content†¦In his piece titled Civil Disobedience, Thoreau talks about the flaws in the American government. He stated that a government where majority rules is not one based on justice. He said that people should be men first, and subjects second. He explained that it is important for a person to live life with their conscience and serve the country with their conscience. In summary, he said that men should be true to themselves and government should recognize the individual as a higher and independent power. He explained that the government couldnt attack ones mind, only their body. In his other piece, titled Walden, Thoreau stated that people needed to simplify their lives and enjoy the small things in life. He said that as one simplifies life, the laws of the universe also become more simple to that person, and one can become one with the world. He emphasized that people need to learn to love their life and accept it as it is. The other transcendental author was Ralph Waldo Emerson. He wrote a piece called Self-Reliance in which he talks about the importance of being an individual, not conforming to the beliefs of others, and staying true to thy self. He said people should learn to appreciate the simple things in life and not value property and material goods as high as they do. He said that one should value the self and the soul most, for in the end staying true to ones self is all that matters. All of the ideas given by these two authors areShow MoreRelatedMahek Mehta Ap Preparation Guide : The Scarlet Letter1175 Words   |  5 Pagesthe most famous of the American romanticist’s works, which often centered on the topic of America’s Puritan history. Led by John Winthrop, the Puritans formed a theology in Massachusetts in the 1630s. They were English Protestants who migrated to the New World and demanded greater religious discipline than their English counterparts. Romanticism was divided in to two philosophies: transcendentalism and antitranscendentalism. The former was more idealistic and emphasized a relationship between humanityRead MoreThe History of American Literature3501 Words   |  15 Pageshumor in portraying what he considered to be the overbearing and intolerant qualities of the Puritans . Histories of early America, especially in New England, were filled with references to the Bible and to Gods will. Nearly all events could be explained from this religious perspective: Foul weather and diseases were perceived as Gods wrath; a bountiful harvest represented Gods blessing. Given the Puritans relationship with God, it is not surprising that sermons and other religious writings dominatedRead MoreReligious Groups Of Colonial America Essay2046 Words   |  9 Pagesand it was this idea that sparked the revolution to end slavery during the age of enlightenment. The protestant reformation sparked a wave of people who believed that the reformation was still incomplete. One of â€Å"the earliest and most constant characteristic of Puritanism (was) the belief that the Church of England had not been sufficiently purged of the theology and worship of Roman Catholicism.† (Bremer 2) Puritans simplified their beliefs by strict adherence to bible standards and took very conscious