Essay On The Renaissance

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The American Dream of the Renaissance The American Renaissance was the rebirth of culture and literature during the 1800’s. It was a time where people felt the need to depend on themselves rather than a higher figure. The Renaissance was similar to rationalist period because people wanted to perfect their moral goodness. People of this time wanted to improve their life by achieving upward mobility. Slaves who escaped and became free were an example of upward mobility during the Renaissance. People started to work towards their American Dream by starting school at an early age. The Renaissance was an age of individualism. People relied on themselves and focused on discovering who they truly were as individuals. Many famous writers used the dreams of the citizens during this era to influence their work. Thoreau and Emerson were two popular writers. They emphasized the American Dream of the Renaissance time. The American Renaissance revolved around the dream of upward mobility through education and self-improvement; their literature reflects their aspirations to become a better society. People of the American Renaissance strived for upward mobility and success. Upward mobility is the movement to a higher social or economic lifestyle. The population of the Renaissance would work towards upward mobility but in different ways. For example, Fredrick Douglas was a slave who, with perseverance, worked his way out of slavery and became a successful abolitionist and writer. Through upward mobility, Douglas became a well-respected man. He achieved the dream of upward mobility by leaving Maryland and going to Massachusetts and becoming a free man (Cullen 70). Many people wanted to follow in his footsteps because he was the epitome of success... ... middle of paper ... ...y was in colonial times. The Scarlet Letter reflects the dream of improving the society. In conclusion, the American Dream of the Renaissance was the dream of upward mobility, self-improvement, and social reform. People put their focus towards self-success. When people started to focus on self-success, they would also be working towards upward mobility. The Lyceum movement allowed many new schools, libraries and museums to grow. The lyceum movement educated people which lead up to the improvement of economic and social status. Many pieces of literature Renaissance writers reflected the dream of self-improvement and self-discovery. Men would rely on themselves to improve instead of looking up to a higher figure for their needs. As seen throughout the literature of the Renaissance, many people believed in not only themselves, but their ability to change the society.

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