Comparing and Contrasting Self-Awareness in the Works of Emerson, Whitm

Defining Self-Awareness in the works of Emerson, Whitman and Poe Literature in the American Renaissance influenced the Romantic sentiment that prevailed during this period: the emergence of the individual. This materialization evolved out of the Age of Reason, when the question of using reason (a conscious state) or faith (an unconscious state) as a basis for establishing a set of beliefs divided people into secular and non-secular groups. Reacting to the generally submissive attitudes predominant in America at this time, nineteenth century writers envisioned "the source of religion within consciousness itself" (Chai, 10). This "secularization of religion" ultimately led to the "isolation of the self from others" (Chai, 10), and manifested the persuasive theme in Renaissance literature that promoted independent thinking. The writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Walt Whitman all emanate from this Romantic spirit. "Trust thyself" asserts Emerson, do not remain "clapped in jail by [your] consciousness" (261), be "led [out] in triumph by nature" (542). Merging the individual and nature is a common motif in Romanticism, but these writers had contrasting views on the dynamics of this connection. While Emerson and Whitman were on one end of the Romantic meter proclaiming the potential greatness of the individual, Poe was at the other end questioning human nature. Indeed, the literature these authors produced are relative to the Romantic trend in elevating self-awareness, however their work demonstrates Emerson and Whitman differ with Poe regarding the ascendancy of the conscious and unconscious states of the mind. Emerson and Whitman celebrated the conscious power of the individual, while Poe exposed the hidde... ... "Being Odd, Getting Even." The American Face of Edgar Allan Poe. Ed. Shawn Rosenheim and Stephen Rachman. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press, 1995. 3-36. Chai, Leon. The Romantic Foundations of the American Renaissance. Ithaka: Cornell University Press, 1987. Coleridge, Samuel. The Portable Coleridge. Ed. I. A. Richards. New York: Penguin Books, 1950. Emerson, Ralph Waldo. Essays and Lectures. Comp. Joel Porte. New York: Literary Classics, 1983. Lauter, Paul, ed. The Heath Anthology of American Literature. 3rd ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1998. Poe, Edgar Allan. The Philosophy of Composition. Lauter 1529-37. Waggoner, Hyatt H. American Poets: From the Puritans to the Present. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1984. Whitman, Walt. Preface to Leaves of Grass. Lauter 2729-43. ---. Song of Myself. Lauter 2743-94. Â   Comparing and Contrasting Self-Awareness in the Works of Emerson, Whitm Defining Self-Awareness in the works of Emerson, Whitman and Poe Literature in the American Renaissance influenced the Romantic sentiment that prevailed during this period: the emergence of the individual. This materialization evolved out of the Age of Reason, when the question of using reason (a conscious state) or faith (an unconscious state) as a basis for establishing a set of beliefs divided people into secular and non-secular groups. Reacting to the generally submissive attitudes predominant in America at this time, nineteenth century writers envisioned "the source of religion within consciousness itself" (Chai, 10). This "secularization of religion" ultimately led to the "isolation of the self from others" (Chai, 10), and manifested the persuasive theme in Renaissance literature that promoted independent thinking. The writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Walt Whitman all emanate from this Romantic spirit. "Trust thyself" asserts Emerson, do not remain "clapped in jail by [your] consciousness" (261), be "led [out] in triumph by nature" (542). Merging the individual and nature is a common motif in Romanticism, but these writers had contrasting views on the dynamics of this connection. While Emerson and Whitman were on one end of the Romantic meter proclaiming the potential greatness of the individual, Poe was at the other end questioning human nature. Indeed, the literature these authors produced are relative to the Romantic trend in elevating self-awareness, however their work demonstrates Emerson and Whitman differ with Poe regarding the ascendancy of the conscious and unconscious states of the mind. Emerson and Whitman celebrated the conscious power of the individual, while Poe exposed the hidde... ... "Being Odd, Getting Even." The American Face of Edgar Allan Poe. Ed. Shawn Rosenheim and Stephen Rachman. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press, 1995. 3-36. Chai, Leon. The Romantic Foundations of the American Renaissance. Ithaka: Cornell University Press, 1987. Coleridge, Samuel. The Portable Coleridge. Ed. I. A. Richards. New York: Penguin Books, 1950. Emerson, Ralph Waldo. Essays and Lectures. Comp. Joel Porte. New York: Literary Classics, 1983. Lauter, Paul, ed. The Heath Anthology of American Literature. 3rd ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1998. Poe, Edgar Allan. The Philosophy of Composition. Lauter 1529-37. Waggoner, Hyatt H. American Poets: From the Puritans to the Present. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1984. Whitman, Walt. Preface to Leaves of Grass. Lauter 2729-43. ---. Song of Myself. Lauter 2743-94. Â