ESSAYS
Puritan views of New World in colonial America
Compare and contrast literature of Whitman and Dickenson in terms of God, man and nature
Man's nature perceived by Hawthorne, Faulkner and Melville.
American dream and experience in 20th century American literature
Poe's idea of rationalisation (symbolic poetry, short stories, invention of detective story, science fiction, tension on symbolism and psychological analysis)
Transcendentalizm
Establishment of the truly American tradition (Irving, Cooper , Poe)
Main issues in 20th century
Romantic fiction and dark vision of life Hawthorne & Melville
J. Edwards and B. Franklin comparison- predestination
Winthrop and Bradford characteristic features of their writings
Struggle over humane nature in Hamilton (Federalist) & Jefferson (republican)
Compare and contrast two novels of the South
The war in “the sun...” and “The red badge...”
Bradstreet and Taylor - poetry in colonial America
“Huck Finn” is it the greatest novel/ initiation into life
Freedom and duty in “Portrait..”
“Light in August”
Cooper and Hawthorne woman in their writings
Withman and Poe's attitude towards poetry and poet
Materialism, the American dream, money in “Great Gatsby”
Compare and contrast literature of Whitman and Dickenson in terms of God, man and nature
Walt Withman's and Emily Dickenson's works have numerous differences. Compared to D's short and seemingly simple poems, W's are long and often complex. Yet both twentieth century writers share several similarities when delved into thoroughly. Though their approaches differ they often deal with the same themes, and both pioneered their unique style of writing.
Using death as a theme is probably the strongest connection that they share. W's view on it is reflective of his belief in transcendentalism. In “Song of Myself” he uses the scientific principle of Thermodynamics to assert that there is life after death, because energy cannot be destroyed, only transformed. In stanza six he writes ”And what do you think has become of the women and children? They are alive and well somewhere, The smallest sprouts show there is really no death”. W. contends that life remains long after death, and to find him now all one must do is look “under your boot-soles”.
D's writings on death are more complex and paradoxical. She personifies death generally seeing as a lord or compelling lover. In one of her more popular poem “Because I could not stop for Death” death is like a kindly courter. He picks her up in a “”Carriage held bot just for ourselves-/ and Immortality”. Many of the other poems are about the moment of death, and what happens when the living cross over into death. In “I heard fly buzz when I died” she tries to explain what happens at the boundary of death. She describes the experience as confilcted as she strives to define that moment with vivid images and sounds. Although W. And D. Write about death in different context, both seem compel to tackle the issue repeatedly. It is also apparent that neither felt intimidated about death. W. Refers to his impending death in the final stanza of “Song...”. D. Herself wrote (to her cousins) “Little Cousins,/Called back,/Emily.” On her deathbed.
Religion is also another subject both writers struggle with,, and it often ties to the death theme. During the romantic era previous ideals and morals were questioned. Religion was scrutinised and considered outdated or irrelevant. W. Challenged the traditional idea of religion, basing his philosophy of transcendentalism. He collapses the distinction between spiritual and secular. He often puts himself into the place of God. In “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” he implies that he can see across the time. In stanza three he directly associates himself with Jesus Christ by writing “I am with you” an echo from the Bible.
W. frequently uses this echo technique, not only in „Crossing...” but also in „Song...”.. Stanza 19 in “Song...” is parallel to the feast of rich man in the Bible. Once again he compares himself to Jesus, inviting “the wicked one just the same as the righteous”. Despite the tendency of Romantics to dismiss God completely, W. Perhaps due to Puritan pressure, felt the need to address the larger issues of religion and God. His assertion that spirituality is found in each of us, not in some higher being is a result of his constant questioning of
traditional beliefs, combined with hi inability to discard all notions of morality and values.
D's philosophy on death was much more traditional, yet she too constantly questioned Calvinistic beliefs she had grown up with. Her fixation on death is her fundamental part of her religious beliefs, and many of her poems focus on her anxiety over her Elect status. Many of her poems seem to question God's existence, and importance of Him if He does exist. In one poem she seemingly makes fun of God, saying “That we had rather not with him/ But with each other play”. Yet many poems seem quite sure that He does indeed exist> This belief is emphasised by such lines as “I know that He exists”, “I never spoke with God/ Nor I visited in Heaven-/ Yet certain I am of the spot/ As if the checks were given-“. Like W. D. feels to challenge the role of religion, yet both are ultimately incapable of tossing old beliefs entirely.
W. and D. both have been hailed as original and unique artists. They each have distinctive voices that may have attempt to replicate and have been unable to do so. W. wrote in epic like proportions, a very unepic-manner. He developed his own rhythmic structure, creating complex lines and stanzas. W's style of free verse become synonymous with his name and works, and help distinguished him as a great American poet. His preoccupation with sex, the human body and numerous other “Taboo” subjects, change the American public view of poet and poetry. D's works are just as unique, due to mainly her odd placement of punctuation, unusual grammar, and simplicity of language. Her lines end abruptly, outwardly innocuous words are often capitalised. Her tendency to write meters typical of hymnals all distinguishes her from other authors. Both write of common and everyday objects and people, while addressing the larger issues of life within that context.
While Walt Withman and Emily Ddickenson's works seem to bee quite different, they share common themes, namely death and religion. While they view may differ, there is a sense of commonality when reading their works side by side. Both poets are acclaimed American writes, offering up distinct voices and beliefs that echo still today.
Puritan views of New World in colonial America
John Winthrop “Model of Christian Charity” Puritans arrived to America in 1620 they wanted to built there stable settlement which should be based upon the Bible: community should be diversified, there should be rich and poor everything is designed by God and everything has particular role to play or target to achieve; law of grace and Law of nature, the most important is the first one it is given by God for men's salvation; for that purpose are advised: giving out of abundance, lending (banking), forgiving; Christian community; importance of work by which salvation may be earned; Puritans are supposed to set an example they are like a “City upon the hill (New Jerusalem)”, unity of community, collective responsibility; no one has right to feel superior everyone are equal before God; public morality
William Bradford “Of Plymouth Plantation”, Mayflower Compact 1620 defines goals of colony- to plant the colony in Virginia for the glory of God; defines the mean of civil body- legislative power (Parliament), body which will establish law, offices etc.; formation of commonwealth; judiciary power; government- elected executive power; all promissed obedience and submission to colony; hardship of life in colony is a divine mission; conviction that America had been chosen for a very special experiment, evil in a man can bring that experiment to ruin;
“The Diary of Samuel Sewall”- man needs spiritual nourishment, intoleration toward other denominations, separation of sexes- they spent free time in separation, mixed dancing is a sin; witchcraft and trials; marriage is a transaction;