The American Renaissance in Literature

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the existence of an American Renaissance and supports the claim with evidence from writers from early American history. The paper provides examples from specific works from that period in order to prove that the American Renaissance did occur, and additionally, that the period changed America and the lives of the American people forever.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Birth of the American Renaissance
American Renaissance Authors
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Lastly, the American Renaissance in terms of literature was also characterized by authors who exercised freedom of the written word to speak out against elements in society which were deemed by many to be unacceptable from a moral and legal standpoint. Perhaps the best example of this is "Uncle Tom's Cabin", written by Harriet Beecher Stowe and published in 1852, essentially the highpoint of the American Renaissance. There are those who contend that Stowe's tale of the evils of American slavery was one of the main catalysts that touched off the series of events leading to the American Civil War (McQuade, et al, 1999). Thus, in this case, we see American Renaissance literature as a vehicle for social commentary and change."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bryant, J. (1993). Melville and Repose: The Rhetoric of Humor in the American Renaissance. New York: Oxford University Press.
• McQuade, D., Atwan, R.,Banta, M.,Kaplan, J.,Minter, D.,Stepto, R.,Tichi, C. & Vendler, H. (Eds.). (1999). The Harper Single Volume American Literature, 3rd ed. New York: Longman.
• Strauch, C. F. (1971). Typology and the American Renaissance. Early American Literature, 6(2), 167-178.
• Versluis, A. (2001). The Esoteric Origins of the American Renaissance. New York: Oxford University Press.

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