#AmericanLiterature

[whencyclopedia]

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) was an American author of novels and short stories, who produced some of the most memorable works of American literature: the novels The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables as well as the short stories Young Goodman Brown and My Kinsman, Major Molineaux, among many others.

Early Life

Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on 4 July 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts, the second of three children; he had two sisters Elizabeth and Louisa. His early life was spent reading, most often alone. When Hawthorne was four years old in 1808, his father died of yellow fever, causing his mother to become reclusive. His home's old, dusty library, with its stacks of histories and novels, was Hawthorne's salvation. This home of his youth later became the setting for The House of the Seven Gables. At the age of nine, he injured his foot. Housebound and bedridden, he spent the next two years recovering and reading. Robert Mead in his Literature of the American Nation wrote that Hawthorne, alone, sat in the old library reading, absorbing the history of his family and "the somber calamities of the seventeenth-century founders with their Indian wars and terror of witchcraft" (126).

Through family connections, in 1821, he entered Bowdoin College, graduating in 1825. At Bowdoin, he became acquainted with the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) and the future president Franklin Pierce (1804-1869). After graduating from Bowdoin College, Hawthorne returned to Salem with the goal of becoming a writer, leaving his home only for his daily long walks. He "disappeared like a stone dropped into a well" (Cowley, 1). However, the years after leaving Bowdoin can be considered a "literary apprenticeship," a time of reading and writing (Timko, 61). In 1828, he published his first novel Fanshawe: A Tale at his own expense. Later, he began to submit small pieces to the Salem Gazette.

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[tmarshconnors]

"Believe nothing what you hear and half of what you see"

Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer, poet, author, editor, and literary critic who is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre. He is widely regarded as a central figure of Romanticism and Gothic fiction in the United States, and of American literature.

Born: 19 January 1809, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Died: 7 October 1849 (age 40 years), Washington Medical College

The circumstances surrounding Poe's death remain a mystery. He was found delirious on the streets of Baltimore, Maryland, and died shortly thereafter. Various theories have been proposed, including alcoholism, substance abuse, rabies, and even foul play, but the exact cause of his death has never been conclusively determined.

Poe is often credited with inventing the modern detective story with his character C. Auguste Dupin in "The Murders in the Rue Morgue." Dupin's analytical prowess set the stage for future fictional detectives, including Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes.

Poe briefly served in the United States Army under the alias "Edgar A. Perry." He enlisted in 1827 and attained the rank of sergeant major before seeking discharge to pursue a writing career. He also attended the United States Military Academy at West Point but was expelled after deliberately neglecting his duties.

Poe married his first cousin, Virginia Clemm, when she was just 13 years old, and he was 27. Their marriage, though unusual by modern standards, was reportedly loving. Virginia's early death from tuberculosis deeply affected Poe and influenced some of his later works.

Despite his literary success, Poe struggled financially throughout his life. He often faced poverty and had difficulty supporting himself through his writing alone. His famous poem "The Raven" brought him some recognition and acclaim, but it did not provide substantial financial rewards.

[jimfostercoc]

Michael Collins, author of "Lost Souls," talks about how the characters in the book illustrate the failures we all experience and live through in various way, both economically and psychologically.  The full interview from a 2004 episode of "Conversations On The Coast with Jim Foster" can be heard now wherever you get your podcasts.  Photo: michaelcollinswriter.com

[theusaleaders]

15 Thought-provoking  Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes To Bring Out Your Inner Sage

Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes have inspired generations with their wisdom on self-reliance, individuality, and the beauty of nature. As a 19th-century transcendentalist, Emerson believed in the power of the human spirit and the pursuit of a purposeful life. His words continue to encourage introspection and inspire us to lead authentic and fulfilling lives.

They urge us to think for ourselves, to be authentic, to follow our passions, and to make a difference. In this article, we will share the 15 most thought-provoking Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes. They will inspire you to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

15 Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes to Inspire Your Journey

“A great man is always willing to be little.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes often emphasize humility. This one reminds us that greatness lies in modesty and the willingness to learn from others, regardless of their status or knowledge.

“People do not seem to realise that their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character.”

This insightful Ralph Waldo Emerson quote implies that the way a person views the world reflects their own personality and values. It also implies that a person who is negative, cynical, or judgmental reveals more about themselves than about the world. This is one of the most realistic Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes.

“Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, Faith looks up.”

This quote suggests that a person who is facing difficulties or challenges should not dwell on the past or the present, but rather look forward to the future with hope and trust in God. It also implies that a person who has faith can overcome sorrow and worry, and find peace and joy. This is also one of the most realistic Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes.

“God enters by a private door into every individual.”

This quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson highlights that God has a personal and intimate relationship with each individual and that he can reach them in different ways. It It also implies that each person has a unique and sacred value and that they should respect and honor their own inner voice.

“We are a puny and fickle folk. Avarice, hesitation, and following are our diseases.”

This quote suggests that we are weak and inconsistent in our character and actions. It also implies that we suffer from greed, indecision, and conformity, which prevent us from achieving our true potential.

“The fox has many tricks. The hedgehog has but one. But that is the best of all.”

This quote implies that a person who has many skills and strategies may not be as successful as a person who has one simple but effective solution. It also implies that a person who is focused and consistent can overcome a person who is versatile and adaptable.

Click below mentioned link to read 15 Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes to Inspire Your Journey:

[pinkpetalbee]

[monriatitans]

VIDEO ANNOUNCEMENT: 11/20/2023

I mentioned in the *Stream Announcement* on the 19th I would be recording a *Let's Read Some $#!7* video and uploading it to YouTube. I did: https://youtu.be/VksnSEzNbOc You can also go to YouTube and search handle *@monriatitans* I read PORTIONS of 2 books: 1. *The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Shorter Seventh Edition)* by Norton Anthology 2. *Beginner’s Guide to Creating Characters…

[dennisdrawsanddesigns]

#returntooz #ozthegreatandpowerful #fanart #nowavailable for print! #dmmme for more details! #fairuzabalk #michellewilliams #oz #americanliterature #crayolasponserme #artist #orlando #caricature #artistic #instaartist #artistsofinstagram #artistoninstagram #art #digitalartist #artistofinstagram #illustrationartists #artistlife #contemporaryartist #disneyartist #disney #worldofartists #illustrationartist #supportartists #artforsalebyartist #artistoninsta https://www.instagram.com/p/CqN_6k2Lsw5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[inknscroll]

For #BlackHistoryMonth & for the love of #books:📚💕 --- In college, in my "Norton Anthology of African-American Literature," I enjoyed a beautiful mosaic of many African-American writers' works, poems, essays, letters, or excerpts of works. I loved so many of the Spirituals (Christian, African-American hymns), Phillis Wheatley's poetry, Sojourner Truth's courageous story & speeches (especially "Ain't I a Woman?"), Frederick Douglas' fearlessness and fortitude in his memoir, Booker T. Washington's "Out of Slavery," W. E. B. DuBois' "The Souls of Black Folks," Martin Luther King Jr.'s powerful, eloquent writings, & many of Langston Hughes' poems. I enjoyed Harriet Jacobs' story of resilience while escaping slavery in her memoir, Alice Dunbar Nelson's poetry, & Jean Toomer's "Cane." I, also, read works by Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, & many others. One of my most favorite Langston Hughes' poems is "Mother to Son." I definitely recommend this book; it covers a multitude of African-American writers from Pre-1700s through the Modern era (20th century). (My #bookreview & photo: #Inknscroll)📖 --- (In college, I read most of these two anthologies. Here are the above books' complete titles: "Norton Anthology of African-American Literature," by Henry Louis Gates Jr. & Nellie Y. McKay (Editors) & "Literature of the Western World, Vol 2: Neoclassicism Through the Modern Period," by Brian Wilkie & James Hurt (Editors).) #books #AfricanAmericanLiterature #WesternLiterature #Inknscrollbookreview #authors #writers #poets #literature #bookstagram #American #history #WesternHistory #classics #America #photography #writersofinstagram #AmericanLiterature #nonfiction #biography #memoirs #poetry #goodreads #AfricanAmericanHistoryMonth 📚💕 https://www.instagram.com/p/CpI-YfgPw5o/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[whencyclopedia]

Washington Irving

Washington Irving (1783-1859) was an American author, essayist, and diplomat best known for his short stories The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle. He was the first professional American author and also the first to achieve an international reputation.

He influenced such notable 19th-century authors as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Edgar Allan Poe, and Walt Whitman; "The unorthodox fantastical sensibilities he displayed in his tales … set the stage for the Romantic and Gothic writers that followed him" (Bradley, vii). Many of the characters in Irving's stories have become household names: Rip Van Winkle, Ichabod Crane, and, of course, the Headless Horseman. He was a notable innovator, with a sense of style and form that kept his writings fresh, and his short stories and sketches have endured as the first fictional chronicles of the American experience.

Early Life

Named after General George Washington (1732-1799), Washington Irving was born in New York City on 8 April 1783, five days after the signing of the Treaty of Paris, ending the American Revolutionary War with Great Britain. He was the last of eleven children born to a prominent Manhattan merchant family. His father, William, was Scottish-born while his mother, Sarah, was English-born. There is little evidence to suggest that Irving attended either public or private school. As a child he read widely in English literature: William Shakespeare, of course, but also the English essayist Joseph Addison as well as the Irish novelists Laurence Sterne and Oliver Goldsmith.

In 1804, he showed signs of tuberculosis, so his brothers sent him to Europe for two years where he kept extensive journals. Upon his return to the United States, he studied law under Judge Josiah Hoffman and passed the bar. Although he would practice law for a short time, he preferred to write. His extensive travels throughout England and the United States fueled his love of writing: "I was always fond of visiting new scenes and observing strange characters and manners. Even when a mere child I began my travels and my tours of discovery into foreign parts and unknown regions of my native city to the frequent alarm of my parents" (quoted in Bradley, 9). Irving came from a very close-knit family who encouraged his writing; this closeness was something that would remain part of his life. Writing was commonplace in the Irving home. For recreation, his brothers wrote poems and essays. His brother Peter had a newspaper The Morning Courier, and at the age of 19, using the pseudonym Jonathan Oldstyle, Irving wrote a number of satirical essays on the theater and New York society. In many of his writings, Irving often used pseudonyms, such as Jonathan Oldstyle or Geoffrey Crayon.

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[literaturewoman]

I want to talk to everybody as deeply as I can. I want to be able to sleep in an open field, to travel west, to walk freely at night.

- Sylvia Plath 💙

[jimfostercoc]

Peter Carey, author of "Parrot and Olivier in America," talks about how the main character Olivier, based on Alexis de Tocqueville, was concerned about how a culture can be well-maintained in a capitalist democracy and that it can be both a good and bad thing that anybody can be President.  The full interview from a 2010 episode of "Conversations On The Coast with Jim Foster" can be heard now wherever you get your podcasts. 

[nortonliterature]

For the first time ever as Norton Critical Editions we have William Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom! and Mary Shelley’s The Last Man!

If you’ve been bingeing Succession or The Last of Us and are looking for a novel to fill the time between episodes and seasons, with these titles you can dive completely into a Southern tale about the rise and fall of a cruel patriarch or an extremely prescient dystopian plague story about the collapse of society in the twenty-first century. You can find these (and more!) at wwnorton.com/nortoncriticals!

[litquotes]

“Certainly man does not get exactly what he wants in this world, and who can say that a wife and a home and a position in the world are not, after all, the end of every man’s desire.” --William Faulkner, The Cop

[monriatitans]

Let's Read Some $#!7 by Norton Anthology & 3dtotalPublishing

Monria Titans Welcome to another installment of Let's Read Some $#17! In sum, the purpose of these videos is to introduce educational resources regarding the creation of video games and to promote literacy! They go as follows: 1. Read the summary on the back of the book (if applicable). 2. Read the "Forward" and "Preface" (if applicable). 3. If there is no "Introduction," read [part of] the…

[primordialsoundmeditation]

Life will break you. Nobody can protect you from that, and being alone won't either, for solitude will also break you with its yearning. You have to love. You have to feel. It is the reason you are here on earth. You have to risk your heart. You are here to be swallowed up. And when it happens that you are broken, or betrayed, or left, or hurt, or death brushes too near, let yourself sit by an apple tree and listen to the apples falling all around you in heaps, wasting their sweetness. Tell yourself that you tasted as many as you could. ~Louise Erdrich

(Book: The Painted Drum https://amzn.to/47ojLIx)

#ad #motivation #novels #americanliterature #Classic

English literature

[sillytriumphdragon]

“If you don’t show up today, I’ll be there next year. And the next. Every November 9th I’ll wait for you, hoping one day you’ll be able to find enough forgiveness to love me again. But if that doesn’t happen and you never show, I’ll still be grateful to you until the day that I die. You saved me the day we met.”

― Colleen Hoover, November 9

#ad #americanliterature #colleenhoover