Anti Transcendentalism Essay

The complex notion of there being ‘bad’ and ‘good’ people was not the main focus for Americans during the 1800s, simply because humans tended to make those assumptions on their own. The highly debated topic at the time and even now is the question of whether evil had already pre-existed in humans or if it was perpetuated through society. Anti-transcendentalism and its opposite, transcendentalism, are on opposing ends of the debate. Many authors’ writing, such as Nathanial Hawthorne’s, strongly resonates with Anti-transcendentalist views, which happened to be one of his strongest influences during his time. Anti-transcendentalism is a pessimistic philosophy, characterized by focusing on human flaws, and found its way into the writings of many

This viewpoint is in great contrast to transcendentalism, which has a more optimistic outlook on humanity. Transcendentalists see humans as inherently good, and in their eyes, it is society's fault for corrupting them. Anti-transcendentalists noticeably reject the transcendentalists’ belief system, leaning more towards the flaws of human nature. As Dr. Meg Brulatour says, “The anti-transcendentalists reflected a more pessimistic attitude and focused on man’s uncertainty and limited potential in the universe” (Brulatour). The main focus for anti-transcendentalists was more concerned with human fallibility and its role in society. Anti-transcendentalists also argued against the transcendentalist belief on individualism serving a good purpose in the world. Dr. Meg Brulatour states, “Anti-transcendentalist feared that people who desired complete individualism would give into the worse angles of man’s nature…Antitranscendentalists were concerned that without external constraints, such as societal mores, people would be motivated only by their immediate need and desire for sensory gratification.” (Brulatour). It is clear that Anti-transcendentalist viewpoints did not hold a hopeful attitude toward the human

The characteristics of anti-transcendentalism are often portrayed in the writings of Nathanial Hawthorne and several others. According to Professor G.R. Thompson, “Dark Romantics are much less confident about the notion that perfection is an innate quality of mankind, as believed by Transcendentalists. Subsequently, Dark Romantics present individuals as prone to sin and self-destruction, not as inherently possessing divinity and wisdom” (Thompson). Anti-transcendentalism focuses on the raw and darker aspects of humanity; as teacher Erin Barth explains, “At the time when most novelists focused on portraying the outside world, Hawthorne dwelled deeply in the innermost, hidden emotional and mental psyches of his characters.” (Mahini). The in-depth view of the human condition and psyche are so distinctly linked to Hawthorne’s beliefs, making his writing distinguishable from his peers. The influence of anti-transcendentalism is highly recognizable due to its focus on human sin and self-destructing behavior, which were characteristics that sparked the dark romantic movement in American