Anti-Transcendentalists ~ the Dark Romantics

Anti-Transcendentalists ~the Dark Romantics Nathaniel Hawthorne Herman Melville

Transcendentalists Emerson Thoreau Anti-Transcendentalists Herman Melville Nathaniel Hawthorne

Both types of writers have the same background. Think of comparing these two groups like the opposing sides in Star Wars. They both use the same “force” … Emerson Thoreau … but one group believes there is a dark side to human nature. Herman Melville Nathaniel Hawthorne

Anti-Transcendentalism • Nature is vast and incomprehensible, a reflection of the struggle between good and evil. • Life was ultimately mysterious. • View of the world lacked optimism. They saw a dark side to human existence and recorded this aspect of human nature in their works.

Writing Style • Man vs. Nature conflicts bring out the evil in humanity • Focus on the protagonist’s inner struggles • Typical protagonists are haunted outsiders who are alienated from society • Prevalent use of symbolism • Uses of allegory

Nathaniel Hawthorne • 1804-1864 • Born in Salem, Mass., descended from a Puritan family • Ancestor was an important judge in Salem witch trials (Judge Hathorne from The Crucible) • Lived in seclusion for 12 years in Salem, ‘learning to write’ • Lived in Concord as well

Transcendental Connections • After graduating from college, Hawthorne lived in solitude at his mother’s house for 12 years working on becoming a writer • For a short time, he lived on a transcendental commune, Brook Farm • After marrying, Hawthorne moved to Concord, and became a close friend of both Emerson and Thoreau

His Work • Hawthorne’s work preoccupied with effects of Puritanism in New England, strong sense of inherited guilt • Had connections to the Transcendentalists (was friends with Emerson and Thoreau), but had a very different philosophy: • Instead of asserting freedom, he points out human limitations

Anti-Transcendental thoughts • Despite his friendship with both Emerson and Thoreau, Hawthorne found it impossible to accept their optimistic view of the world • He could not get past puritan guilt and the belief of evil as a dominant force in the world

The Scarlet Letter • Hawthorne’s most famous novel • Takes place in 17th century Puritan Massachusetts • Young woman gets pregnant while her much older husband is away at sea – scandalous! • Town forces her to wear a scarlet “A” on all of her clothing for “Adultery,” but she refuses to reveal the man’s identity. • We find out later that the father is none other than… • The town minister!

His Style • Use of allegory • A story with both a literal and symbolic meaning • Use of symbolism • Symbol – a concrete item which represents an abstract idea • Also known for: • Sense of structure • Moral insight

Hawthorne stories we will read • “The Minister’s Black Veil” A fable type story with a message contained in symbolism. • “Dr. Heidigger’s Experiment” An allegory which is a form of extended metaphor, where objects, persons, and actions in a narrative are equated with meanings or messages that lie outside the narrative.

His End • Hawthorne lived abroad in England and Italy for a number of years • His time away provided him with time and material for another novel, The Marble Faun (not one of his better works) • He died in his sleep in 1864 on a tour in New Hampshire

Herman Melville • 1819-1891 • Father went bankrupt and died when Melville was 12. Family left destitute – mother and eight children • Spent early life working a variety of jobs – clerk, teacher, surveyor • Became a sailor at 19, spent several years working on whaling ships in the South Pacific

Connections to the Sea • At 19, Melville became a sailor and spent several years exploring the South Pacific • As a member of a whaling ship, Melville visited exotic places and spent time living among native island populations • During his time at sea, Melville began to use his experiences to pursue a career in writing

Meeting Hawthorne • Using profits from his early novels, Melville purchased a farm near Nathaniel Hawthorne in Massachusetts • Here he was encouraged by Hawthorne’s interest in his work and influenced by his reading of William Shakespeare

His Works • Melville’s early fiction based on his adventures at sea • His early novels were successful and earned him fame • Later novels not as successful • As his work declined in popularity, Melville grew increasingly melancholy • Published his masterpiece, Moby Dick, in 1851 • While Melville was proud of his accomplishment, book was not favorably received

Anti-Transcendental Work • In 1851 he published Moby-Dick under the title The Whale • The book is a lengthy story of a fateful whaling ship voyage • It is also the story of a bitter man’s quest for vengeance and truth • Deeper still, it can be read as an examination of humanity’s relationship with the natural world

Moby-Dick • Major characters: • Ishmael – narrator, takes passage on the Pequod, a whaling ship, because he is broke and needs money. • Queequeg – Maori (New Zealand) • Captain Ahab – captain of the Pequod, obsessed with killing the white whale, Moby Dick. Ahab blames the whale for the loss of his leg and wants revenge. • Starbuck – first mate on the ship, conflict between him and Ahab

Themes in Moby-Dick • Man vs. nature • Human limitations • The destructive power of blind ambition • Whale as a symbol • Both fearful and awe-inspiring - duality of nature • Beyond human control and knowledge

Bitter Endings • Melville’s work did not receive high praise, in fact, most people responded negatively toward his work (especially Moby-Dick) • His next few novels failed, and Melville was forced into debt • He died in 1891, unnoticed and reasonably bitter • In the 1920’s, his work was rediscovered and praised by scholars

Bibliography • Crews, Frederick C. Introduction. Great Short Works of Hawthorne. By Nathaniel Hawthorne. New York: Harper & Row, 1967. • Hart, James D. and Phillip W. Leininger, eds. Oxford Companion to American Literature. 6E. New York: OUP, 1995. • “Hawthorne, Nathaniel.” Encyclopædia Britannica. 2004. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. 7 Dec. 2004 <http://school.eb.com/ eb/article?tocId=3067>. • “Hawthorne, Nathaniel.” Hart and Leininger. 278-79. • “Melville, Herman.” Encyclopædia Britannica. 2004. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. 9 Dec. 2004 <http://school.eb.com/eb/ article?tocId=4764>. • “Melville, Herman.” Hart and Leininger. 425-26. American Literature

Anti-Transcendentalists ~ the Dark Romantics