The Flowering of New England

      The Flowering of New England

[alert-success] The Flowering of New England

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     The term "The Flowering of New England refers  to a time in the early American colonies, especially in the New England region during the 17th century, when there was significant intellectual and cultural advancement. During this time, literature, theology, and education all flourished, and a  distinct American identity emerged. The period from 1829 to  1860 is  known as  the period of the American Renaissance, or "New England" 

    American literature was in its "golden day" at the  time. The reason it  is referred to as the  "New England" Renaissance  is that  most of the authors who contributed to the expansion of the American Renaissance in literature were from New England. New England was home to writers such as Hawthorne, Thoreau, Holmes, Lowell, and Longfellow. Outside of New England, only Melville resided. These authors have accomplished more collectively than all  of American literature in  terms of  style and  philosophical depth. 

Factors responsible for the Flowering of the American Renaissance: 

    The following elements played a major role in  the Flowering of the  American Renaissance: 

(1) Engagement with European culture. 
(2) Romanticism in Europe.
(3) The traditional Puritan value of  intellectual life. 
(4) The rise of nationalism in  the United States
(5) The expansion of democracy. 
(6) The advancement of science. 
(7) Philosophy's growth, particularly that of transcendentalism 
(8) Free thinking and social, political, and economic freedom of the Whites in America. 
(9) The emergence of famous American writers such as Melville, Hawthorne, Whitman, Emerson, and Thoreau.
(10) Americans' desire to advance their culture and history
(11) The American Industrial Revolution. 

Important details about "The Flowering of New  England" 

    The transcendentalist movement was an academic movement that was extremely prominent during this time period.

    Both Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were transcendentalists who placed a  focus on  the inherent goodness that exists in both nature and in people. They were staunch advocates of the need to follow one's own instincts and be entirely self-sufficient. 

    Both Walden and Thoreau, "Self-f-Reliance" of Emerson are significant examples of writing that comes from the transcendentalist movement. A remarkable group of authors who originated in New England were referred to as the "American Renaissance" during the course of their careers. The “American Renaissance" was the name given to a remarkable collection of writers who came from New England.

    Nathaniel Hawthorne, whose novel 'The Scarlet Letter' dealt with concerns of sin and guilt, and Herman Melville, whose epic masterpiece Moby Dick, were two  notable authors who wrote alongside Robert Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. 

    Within the realm of American literature, the achievements of this century were considered to be the finest. During this time period, a significant amount of philosophical inquiry was conducted, and individuals such as Bronson Alcott and Henry James Sr. contributed to the   development of American philosophy. The New England region served as the epicenter of the earliest feminist movements. Susan B. Anthony and Margaret Fuller were two  political figures who advocated for the  rights and  equality of  women.