Trans. vs Anti

BC wrote:Emerson and Hathorne lived in the same period of time, yet the 2 composed such clashing literature works. The views of Hathorne and Melville are shaded with negativity, while Thoreau and Eme both are inclined towards the positive serenity of the world.
In Scarlet letter, Hester, facing the discrimination of the society, lives in the outreaches of town. Yet through all this negativity implied to her, and she herself also believing that she is not worthy, she still gains the admiration of the stubborn society after 7 years of persistent work. This shows the potential that is there, that it is never too late for a human being to hope, to start attracting. Good synthesis there BC. At the end of the story, Dimmsdale, the character who was tormented by his own guilt, finally confessed, after 7 long years of suppresion from his dark interior. Hathorne might use Dim to show that there is still light in the mirage of evil, darkness, while Hester, althrough she is has a patient hpeful determination, there is the the thought that creates the reality of her being sinful. Hester still believes they must leave such a society, to not only live comfortably, but to actually have a free mind that is not chained with the disdainful reminder of their adultery.
Ahab presents a powerful..."positive" character in defeating the white whale Moby DIck. Although Ahab may seem insane throughout the whole story, he does show certain characterisitics of Trans. His trust in himself, hiusmanipulation oft he crew all show his creativity, BC, I do not think that "manipulation" is as pure as genuine "leadership" and that therefore, the manipulation of his crew as you've put it, is a Transcendentalist idea. In fact, it is secretly taking away the choice of another under false pretenses, which smacks of not honoring the interconnectivity of all, one of the key Transcendentalist ideas, right? a small transcending of self. But he later is defeated and crumbles into the sea, probably Melville telling us how men cannot defeat nature? Ok, perhaps, yes. And so this could be where Melvile is reflecting his version of Anti-Transcendentalism, right? That there even was a perceived conflict with nature, in and of itself, implies quite loudly Melville's thoughts on what nature potentially holds for humans. Which in a way is true, because as emerson says, nature flows around and through us, we are a particle of it. If we defeat nature, we are a part of it, we are not defeating ourselves? really important, appropriate question, relfecting your mastery of this Emersonian idea. Just like the logging company heads, the more trees(nature) they destroy, the more their true voice is blinded by the greed for cash.