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Thoreau's departure from American Puritan tradition: The self and divinity
Title
Thoreau's departure from American Puritan tradition: The self and divinity.
Creator
Busch, Alan M., Florida Atlantic University, Kurjiaka, Susan K. H.
Abstract/Description
This study examines Thoreau's poetic quest, discovering in his works a departure from the tradition of American Puritan orthodoxy. The American Puritans "ached" for certainty of salvation. This ache manifested itself by circumscribed introspection and individual freedom checked by tradition, community, and the Past. Orthodoxy held with ferocious certainty the dogma of "Innate Depravity." Dismissing certainty, Thoreau countered Puritan deprecation of Self with exaltation of Self. His quest-...
Show moreThis study examines Thoreau's poetic quest, discovering in his works a departure from the tradition of American Puritan orthodoxy. The American Puritans "ached" for certainty of salvation. This ache manifested itself by circumscribed introspection and individual freedom checked by tradition, community, and the Past. Orthodoxy held with ferocious certainty the dogma of "Innate Depravity." Dismissing certainty, Thoreau countered Puritan deprecation of Self with exaltation of Self. His quest--based upon spiritual Selfhood and Freedom--is fired by "Poetic Uncertainty," and centers upon Self separate yet intimate with Nature, Self's divinity as expressive of God's, "Sublime Belatedness," and the Past. Thoreau thus offers a uniquely "American" spirituality. His poetic quest exemplifies his unique stand in the spiritual history of our country.
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Date Issued
1999
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15646
Subject Headings
Thoreau, Henry David,--1817-1862--Religion and ethics, Puritans
Format
Document (PDF)
ECHOES OF HENRY THOREAU IN E. B. WHITE'S "CHARLOTTE'S WEB"
Title
ECHOES OF HENRY THOREAU IN E. B. WHITE'S "CHARLOTTE'S WEB".
Creator
SWANSON, JUNE CHARLIER., Florida Atlantic University, Pearce, Howard D.
Abstract/Description
Echoes of Henry David Thoreau's Walden can be found throughout E. B. White's Charlotte's Web. White admired Thoreau and this admiration is reflected both in White's subject matter and his writing style. Many of the themes of Walden reappear in Charlotte's Web--celebration of the gift of life, morning and awakening, simplicity, solitude, love of nature, individuality, and freedom. White echoes Thoreau's writing style, a style that is clear and precise, yet rich in original metaphor, paradox,...
Show moreEchoes of Henry David Thoreau's Walden can be found throughout E. B. White's Charlotte's Web. White admired Thoreau and this admiration is reflected both in White's subject matter and his writing style. Many of the themes of Walden reappear in Charlotte's Web--celebration of the gift of life, morning and awakening, simplicity, solitude, love of nature, individuality, and freedom. White echoes Thoreau's writing style, a style that is clear and precise, yet rich in original metaphor, paradox, incongruity, and subtle humor. In addition, Charlotte's Web follows Walden in structure. Both books begin in spring or early summer and follow the cycle of seasons through to the reawakening of the next spring.
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Date Issued
1986
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/14336
Subject Headings
White, E B--(Elwyn Brooks),--1899---Criticism and interpretation, Thoreau, Henry David,--1817-1862--Influence--White
Format
Document (PDF)
The Concept of Nature in American Transcendentalism: Emerson and Thoreau appropriating Kant
Title
The Concept of Nature in American Transcendentalism: Emerson and Thoreau appropriating Kant.
Creator
Unger, Ulrike, Augustyn, Prisca, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description
The objective of this study is to compare Emerson's and Thoreau's concepts of nature as they are informed by Immanuel Kant. In particular, this study examines Emerson's Nature, The Transcendentalist, The Divinity School Address, The Conservative; and Thoreau's A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, Walden; or, Life in the Woods and The Maine Woods to analyze how their ideas of nature are anchored in Kant's three Critiques. Emerson and Thoreau develop Kant's ideas and both arrive at an...
Show moreThe objective of this study is to compare Emerson's and Thoreau's concepts of nature as they are informed by Immanuel Kant. In particular, this study examines Emerson's Nature, The Transcendentalist, The Divinity School Address, The Conservative; and Thoreau's A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, Walden; or, Life in the Woods and The Maine Woods to analyze how their ideas of nature are anchored in Kant's three Critiques. Emerson and Thoreau develop Kant's ideas and both arrive at an unlimited nature which is not bound to objects of form. While Emerson focuses on human nature in the organism, Thoreau is concerned with organic nature in particular.
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Date Issued
2008
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000971
Subject Headings
Emerson, Ralph Waldo,--1803-1882--Criticism and interpretation, Thoreau, Henry David,--1817-1862--Criticism and interpretation, Kant, Immanuel,--1724-1804--Criticism and interpretation, Transcendentalism in literature, Nature in literature, Symbolism in literature
Format
Document (PDF)
Constituting community
Title
Constituting community: expanding perceptions of community in Rawlings's Cross Creek and Thoreau's Walden.
Creator
Curran, Julianne., Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of English
Abstract/Description
Both Thoreau and Rawlings call attention to humanity's need to expand its perceptions and interpretations of what it means to be a part of a community in Walden and Cross Creek, respectively. Building on the established idea of what it means to be incorporated into a human community, each author also implores his or her readers to extend the perceived boundaries of what comprises a "community" to include the natural world. Ultimately, both texts point to the need for the establishment of what...
Show moreBoth Thoreau and Rawlings call attention to humanity's need to expand its perceptions and interpretations of what it means to be a part of a community in Walden and Cross Creek, respectively. Building on the established idea of what it means to be incorporated into a human community, each author also implores his or her readers to extend the perceived boundaries of what comprises a "community" to include the natural world. Ultimately, both texts point to the need for the establishment of what Aldo Leopold calls a land ethic, which requires the re-drawing of communal boundaries to include the land with man as a citizen rather than a conqueror of Nature. Thoreau and Rawlings demonstrate how an individual can start to expand his or her conception of community to move closer to Leopold's ideal by recounting the different experiences they have with human society and nature while living at Walden Pond and in Cross Creek, Florida. However, each author uses different approaches. Thoreau concentrates primarily on reflecting upon improving his individual self in order to eventually improve his Concord community. Rawlings, on the other hand, makes a greater effort to reflect upon her interactions with the people of Cross Creek in addition to her interactions with Nature in order to strengthen her bonds with these things. Such a difference causes Rawlings to be read as presenting a re-vision of Thoreau's ideas about the relationship between humankind, one's community, and Nature. While the kinds of experiences Thoreau and Rawlings encounter might be different, in the end it is their emphasis on the importance of an individual's relationship to the community-one that includes both humans and Nature-that resonates with readers.
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Date Issued
2010
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/2683121
Subject Headings
Criticism and interpretation, Criticism and interpretation, Symbolism in literature, National characteristics, American, in literature, Nature, Effect of human beings on
Format
Document (PDF)