Janvi Madhani Research Paper Email: janvimadhani@gmail.

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Period III

American Studies Honors Outline

Topic: American Renaissance Thesis: The American Renaissance in the 18th and 19th century reformed American culture and beliefs in the fields of literature, transcendentalism and romanticism in the arts. I. Introduction A. Introductory Device 1. America in 18th-19th c. a. Cultures and beliefs B. Thesis: The American Renaissance in the 18th and 19th century reformed American culture and beliefs in the fields of literature, transcendentalism and romanticism in the arts. Introduction to Renaissance A. What was it? 1. Significance 2. Influence American culture and beliefs prior to Renaissance A. Strict norms of literature B. Fixed philosophiestrains of thought C. Confined Art Advancements in Literature A. Intro. To literature B. Literary geniuses and contributions 1. Emerson 2. Hawthorne 3. Thoreau 4. Whitman C. Language 1. Tones a. Optimism b. Blatant c. Expansive d. Disillusioned e. Despairing D. Literary Devices 1. Clinamen 2. Tessera 3. Kenosis 4. Daemonization 5. Askesis

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Janvi Madhani Research Paper V.

Period III

American Studies Honors Outline

6. Apophrades Romanticism in Art A. Intro. To Romanticism B. Symbolism and Myth 1. Allegories C. Turn away from Neoclassicism 1. General human behavior over individual human activity D. Nature 1. Inspiration + Appreciation 2. Attention given to describing natural phenomena E. Imagination over reality 1. Importance of intuition, emotion, instincts and feelings 2. Ultimate shaping and creative power F. Fields of Art greatly reformed 1. Music 2. Finer Arts Transcendentalism A. Intro to transcendentalism B. Looking for the divine truth 1. Nature of Society 2. Expression in poetry and criticism 3. Life as dread and solemn beauty 4. Turn towards nature and away from society C. Philosophy and Influence 1. Emerson 2. Thoreau Conclusion A. Summarize 1. Literature 2. Romanticism 3. Transcendentalism B. Quote

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