Early American Literature Influenced by Religious...

In the beginning times of American Literature, Puritan writers were prevalent which grew into the Age of Reason by way of scientists and philosophers, which eventually emerged into Romanticism and the Renaissance writers, which developed into Realism by the middle of 19th century. Throughout American Literature, religious ideologies and philosophies influenced the way that writers portrayed the time period, characters, feelings, and God. Through Puritan writers, literature is influenced by religious ideologies and philosophies. Puritans writers, beginning in about 1560, put most of their focus into making their work God centered. They believed in the â€Å"Elect† and that Jesus died only for these few people. Writers usually wrote in 1st†¦show more content†¦She also thanks God during situations that could seem like nothing to be thankful about like, â€Å"yet the Lord by his almighty power, preserved a number of us from death† (Rowlandson 10). Through both the narratives of the lives of Equiano and Rowlandson, the Puritan literature is influence by religious ideologies and philosophies. By the end of the 17th century, new ideas formed in Europe challenging the faith of the Puritans, during the period of time known as the Age of Reason. Also known as the Enlightenment, it began with philosophers and scientists who called themselves rationalists, believing that one can arrive at truth by using r eason, instead of religious faith or intuition. As the Puritans in the past saw God as being active in the involvement of the workings of the universe, the rationalists compared God to a clockmaker, and that God’s gift to humanity was the ability to think in a logical manner. Like the Puritans, rationalists discovered God through the medium of the natural world, but believed in deism, that God made it possible to discover nature laws through their power of reason, given by Him. Benjamin Franklin’s The Autobiography, is depictive of the Age of Reason because it portrays the fact that Franklin was a self-made person and had to further his own life, rising from poverty to a scientist able to retire atShow MoreRelatedEarly American Transcendentalism1204 Words   |  5 PagesEarly American transcendentalism has one of the greatest influences towards American society because it is not only a philosophy, but also a religion and physical progression. During the early nineteen th century, Ralph Emerson, Henry Thoreau, and other radical individuals challenged the present day theories of values, ethics, and what it means to live life to the fullest (Timko). If early American transcendentalists were living among civilians today, would present day civilians think the earlierRead MoreSocial Anxiety : America s National Identity991 Words   |  4 Pagesrevolted and established a nation, their sons and daughters became responsible for constructing a national identity. 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