From the Puritans to the Transcendentalists, American writers used Native Americans as symbolic characters. For the Puritans, they symbolize Satan; for Franklin, they symbolize the “noble savage,” and for the Transcendentalists they symbolize a harmony with nature. What caused this change? Using our readings from the Puritans, Franklin, and the Transcendentalists, develop and argue a theory about the cause of this change. Be sure to succinctly state what your theory is in your thesis.
In the essay “ It's Emerson's Anniversary and He's Nailed 21st-Century America ,” Adam Cohen argues that “Emerson's vast body of work is credited with playing a large part in shaping the American character.” While Cohen focuses on contemporary America, a similar argument can be made about his own age. Choosing a specific aspect of Emersonian thought, show how other 19 th century writers, either by agreeing with him or disagreeing with him, prove that Emerson “nailed” the 19 th century as well.
What makes American literature “American?” What intrinsic quality can you identify throughout the writings from the 1600s to the 1800s? After stating what the quality is, choose several works from different time periods and write an essay that argues for the validity of your argument.
Everyone groans when reading those good ole’ Puritans. What the heck are they doing in a literature class? You’ll answer that question by writing an essay arguing why the Puritan writers are essential in understanding and appreciating later American writers (i.e. 18 th and 19 th century). Choose a specific reason, and then explore how this shown in later works.
American is often touted as a nation of malcontents – and that’s good (how can we improve if we’re satisfied?). Can this be traced in our literature? In particular, follow a specific critique of American culture through 1) the colonialists to antebellum writers; or 2) just the colonialists or just the antebellum writers. Remember to focus on a particular critique.
Jane Tompkins, in Sensational Designs, argues that literature “ offer[s] powerful examples of the way a culture thinks about itself, articulating and proposing solutions for the problems that shape a particular historical moment" (xi). Given this view of literature as a reflection of a culture, what can you say about Americans? Express this in a single word or phrase and use readings from the colonists to the 19 th century to prove your point.
Using the TULIP acronym as a guide, trace one aspect of Puritanism through several works (note: they don’t have to necessarily be “Puritan” works).
Look for a connection or difference between the works of two Transcendental writers (Emerson, Thoreau, Whitman, Dickinson – and see Hawthorne, Melville and Poe as well).
Thesis should state what the connection is, and divisions should explain what proves it.
Clunky Example: These works are united in their emphasis on ______. This is shown by _____, ______, and ______.
Possible topics:
How does Emerson’s “The Poet” connect to Whitman?
Is Dickinson’s nature the same as Emerson’s?
Does Melville agree with Transcendentalism? How can you tell?
Trace the different myths of nature from the Puritan, through the Enlightenment and then the 19 th century.
How has the American view of God, as expressed in its literature, changed from the Colonial period to the 19 th century?
Has the idea of America as a “city on a hill” been modified or has it stayed essentially the same from the Colonial period to the present?
How have ideas about being an “American” changed from the Native American writings on through the 19 th century?
Looking at the values that have been valorized in the works we’ve read, focus on one change, and trace it through at least three periods.
Prove the following statement: Though set in the Puritan period, The Scarlet Letter, as a historical novel, reflects more on the period it was written (mid 19 th century).
To effectively answer this question, address three (or so) nineteenth-century themes the novel addresses – themes which often directly oppose Puritan values.