My flower will tell me sweeter things to rhyme.
- James Russell Lowell
So, that was one of many poems by James
Russell Lowell. I’m not here to give you an introduction. Actually, I am, but
not about Lowell. I am here to introduce you to the world of literature. But
since you might be new to this, let’s start it off with what we call
Transcendentalism.
What is transcendentalism? It is an American literary, political, and
philosophical movement of the early nineteenth century, centered around Ralph
Waldo Emerson. Transcendetialist, such as Emerson, accepts the ideas that society and its institutions—particularly organized religion and political parties—ultimately
corrupt the purity of the individual. Their core beliefs was the inherent goodness of both people
and nature.
So there’s
that. Anyway,
since we’re talking about literature, how about we move pass this and get into
something else, like, maybe start with a novel? Here’s my recommendation. When
you’re in the process of getting to know what transcendentalism is, you might
want to try to read Nathaniel Hawthorne’s masterpiece, “Scarlet Letter”. This
novel is the perfect depiction of transcendentalism. Just, let me give you a
little sneak peek into the novel.
Here
goes…
Scarlet
Letter is centered around a woman named Hester Prynne. She was shamed by her
own community in public. Wearing the letter A embroidered on her dress, she had
to stand for three hours on the scaffold so she was exposed to everyone. In the
first chapter, a crowd of people from her community mocks and curses her. I
don’t want to spoil the story for you, but the important point of this novel,
and what it has to do with transcendentalism is when Hester was banished and
exiled from her community where she and her daughter Pearl, the result of her
adultery, lived in a house deep in the forest. She and Pearl became one with
nature.
Aren’t
you curious now? Well good, then my job here is almost done. Just one more
thing. I got another thing for you to do. This one is an adaptation from
Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter. It’s a comedy movie called “Easy A”. It’s a movie
about a young girl, Olive, portrayed by Emma Stone, my favorite actress, whose
lie was spread throughout her highschool about how she lost her virginity. But
instead of being repulsed by her schoolmate’s stares, she embraced the lie and
went to her class with her head held high, wearing a big red A on her revealing
gorgeous black dress. I promise you, it’s worth it! Not convinced yet? Then here is a little trailer to hook you in. And a little sneakpeek to hit
the homerun!
All in
all, a good laugh on the weekend guaranteed!
Ryan Daniel 63715006
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