American Traditions Reflected In The Literature Of 1865-1912 Essay

The United States has always professed itself to be the land of the free. In fact, most of its traditions be rooted in its value for freedom, family and country. How often is it in public speeches that we are reminded that all men are created equal that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rightsthat among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Literary pieces produced between the years of 1865 and 1912 show a growing awareness and search for understanding of civil rights and republic.Uniqueness and person-to-person individuality and perspective were formulateed in the writing styles and stories that appeared during this time. Nineteenth century poet Emily Dickinsons poems in The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson reflect her views and awareness of the role of women in a patriarchal and free society. Indeed her writings could very comfortably be considered feminist. Walt Whitmans Leaves of Grass was representative of an America that was ali ve, rich and natural.He states The Americans of all nations at any time upon the earth have probably the fullest poetical nature. The United States is essentially the greatest poem (Whitman, 1855) thus far while his views were generally romantic in nature, his demonstrates a keen awareness social issues such as the growing materialism brought about by industrialism. He called for literature that would bind the readers in a more spiritual and imaginative state as individuals in his Democratic Vistas (1871. ) American Literature saw the take over of awareness and definition of freedom.Freedom was then too general a concept yet the literary products in this period showed the emergence of expressions for individuality against convention, true liberty, and pride in identity. American Literature 2 2. GENDER AND ETHNIC MINORITIES IN THE ECONOMIC AND LITERARY DEVELOPMENT IN 1865-1912 Literature has been used as an expression of freedom of thought, feelings, and ideals. It has also been used as a tool of social awareness and activism that meant to glorify reform particularly inthe disparity experienced by women and ethnic minorities in that era. As the industrial age prepared to take root in the United States, ethnic minorities like the Native Americans, Africans and Asians, and separate ethnic groups grew more marginalized in existence. Africans became slaves who were made to work in the tobacco and cotton fields. Others were pressed into domesticated servitude in the homes of the wealthy color men. Literature at in reference to women and the ethnic minorities viewed them as objects that White men own.This dehumanization served as a sort of muse for the emerging realist writers. If popular literature referred to them as non-entities, the realists raised their plight up as a sign for the need for social awareness and change. In her Woman in the Nineteenth Century, essayist and on of Americas first respected womanish journalists Margaret Fuller, brought up the existence of sexual discrimination and suggested steps in an effort to promote the independence of women. She was an pep up of equality gained through human freedom and dignity.Mark Twains Huckleberry Finn defied conventions and spoke out against the recital of slavery and the irrationality of civilized society. The friendship of his lead characters Jim and Huck went beyond the strictures of a slave-owning society and culminated in something that was happy and generous. Emancipation of women, abolishment of racism, marginalization and slavery according to the realist writers, were what should define American freedom, humanity and democracynot the materialism and human ownership brought by industrialization.ReferencesThe Romantic Period, 1820-1860, Essayists and Poets. Outline of American Literature. United States world-wide Information Programs (2006) Retrieved princely 29, 2007 from http//usinfo. state. gov/products/pubs/oal/lit3. htm The Rise of Realism 1860-1914. Outline of A merican Literature. United States International Information Programs (2006) Retrieved August 29, 2007 from http//usinfo. state. gov/products/pubs/oal/lit5. htm