LITR 4328: American Renaissance

Model Assignments Final Exam Essays 2017 (final exam assignment) Sample answers for A1. learning about American Renaissance

Alisha Blue

December 12, 2017

An Expanded Understanding of Romanticism

The American Renaissance encompasses many different styles of writing as well as types of literature. This semester, we studied a wealth of literature that is often seen as foundational to our American culture. The wide range of the variety of styles we reviewed is partly what makes this course so extremely unique and also essential to a Literature major. Through this variety, it’s evident that where I once believed I had a grasp on the Romantic era, new texts were presented as we progressed through the semester, to make me change this mindset. With that being said, I was able to alter the previous notion of “boxing” the American Renaissance to a handful of styles of writing. Therefore, the second half of the semester proved absolutely crucial by introducing political texts and slave narratives that defy limiting Romanticism and expanded on cultural styles.

Perhaps one of the most notable lectures this semester was over Sojourner Truth. Sojourner Truth’s Aint I a Woman? is different than any other style of writing we have studied thus far. An important factor to this cultural style is that this is a speech given by a woman who could neither read nor write. This key point proves crucial to the time period that slavery happened; it is an ugly past that we cannot forget. Within this speech, Sojourner’s voice is clear and ample, and thus the anger, confusion, and hypocrisy in which she calls out in America at this time make it foundational. Advocating for abolition and woman’s rights, she says, “If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again!” Truth, then, adds onto the cultural style associated within the American Renaissance by speaking for minority groups unapologetically. The Romantic aspect would include the unity of women and slaves to treated as equals amongst men. Certainly, this would readjust one’s grasp on Romanticism by taking into account the historical issues of inequality.

The variety of cultural styles continued to expand my prior notions of Romanticism. Apart from the slave narratives, there was also another form that proves crucial to this time period: political resistance. Henry David Thoreau mirrors Sojourner Truth by inevitably “calling out” those who were allowing inequality to remain the status quo. Though they resemble each other by being whistleblowers, their style and form are quite different.

Thoreau writes, “How does it become a man to behave toward the American government today? I answer, that he cannot without disgrace be associated with it. I cannot for an instant recognize that political organization as my government which is the slave’s government also.” Thoreau, as an abolitionist, pushes for change and progression similar to Truth, but attacks it differently in Civil Disobedience. Thoreau boldly makes statements that men are like “machines” to the government, in which they are merely masses of militia to the government’s expense. He also raises many other issues in Civil Disobedience that also call out inconsistencies with the War on Mexico. Further, Thoreau relates his own personal resistance by refusing to pay his taxes, in which cause him a night in jail. Thoreau’s cultural style reveals his need to defy the status quo, and implore for a better America. It expands on Romanticism in that through his defiance, he can so beautifully paint a picture of machinery against what should be natural. His famous quote, “The government is best which governs least,” epitomizes the notion that man ought to govern himself and be equal with one another.

Though Truth and Thoreau had some of the same end-goals, they implemented their thoughts in ways that were different from one another. Truth had to utilize the outlet of giving speeches. While for many, illiteracy would hinder them from being vocal and as quick-witted as Truth was, she did not let that deter her from speaking at conventions. Thoreau, a vastly different background, eloquently elaborated on these similar injustices. Together, the two expanded the box I had put Romanticism in that proved it cannot, and should not, be limited.