美国文学2.2.pptVIP

Revision 1. What is Romanticism? 2. Say something about Romanticism. 3. Say something about Washington Irving. Emerson and Thoreau New England Transcendentalism(1836-1855) 超 验 主 义 In 1836 a little book entitled Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson came out which made a tremendous impact on the intellectual life of America. “ The Universe is composed of Nature and the Soul.” “ Spirit is present everywhere.” The Nature’s voice pushed American Romanticism into a new phrase: New England Transcendentalism, the summit of American Romanticism. What is transcendentalism? The major features Summary about New England Transcendentalism It is the summit of American Romanticism. Leaders: Emerson and Thoreau Manifesto: Nature written by Ralph Waldo Emerson in 1836, which is regarded as the Bible of New England Transcendentalism. 4. Club: Transcendentalist Club 5. Journal: The Dial 《日晷》 6.The essence of New England Transcendenlism---a product of the combination of foreign influences native Puritan tradition New England Transcendentalism was, in actuality, Romanticism on the Puritan soil. Backgrounds for the Rise of Transcendentalism German and French idealism （唯心主义） , originating from Kant (1724—1804) and Thomas Carlyle, believing that ideas are the most important thing and that which we can know anything of. French eclecticism （折衷主义） , especially that of Cousin （古沾 , 1792—1867 ） , advocating the absorption of various sources and ideas. Oriental mysticism （神秘主义） , represented by Hindu works, those of Confucius and Mencius. American Puritanism, arguing that the knowledge of God and truth can be obtained only through meditation or spiritual insight. 7. Major features ( ideas): 1) Placing emphasis on spirit, or the Oversoul, as the most important thing in the universe. --a new way of looking at the world Oversoul (超灵) The oversoul (超灵) was an all-pervading power for goodness, omnipresent and omnipotent,