Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer who is best known for his dark, mysterious poems and stories, including "The Raven," "The Fall of the House of Usher," and "The Tell-Tale Heart." Poe's work has had a lasting influence on literature, and he is considered one of the pioneers of the horror and detective genres. However, Poe's writing also reflects elements of transcendentalism, a philosophical movement that emerged in the early 19th century in the United States.
Transcendentalism is a philosophical and literary movement that emphasizes the individual's connection to the natural world and the inherent goodness of people. It emerged as a reaction to the rationalism and materialism of the Enlightenment, and it places a strong emphasis on intuition, self-reliance, and the importance of nature.
Poe's work often deals with themes of loss, despair, and the dark side of human nature, but it also touches on ideas of transcendence and the potential for redemption. In his poems, Poe frequently explores the idea of the soul and its connection to the natural world. In "The Raven," for example, the narrator is tormented by the titular bird, which represents his own grief and despair. However, the poem also suggests that the narrator may be able to find some measure of peace by turning to nature for solace.
Poe's stories also contain elements of transcendentalism. In "The Fall of the House of Usher," the narrator is drawn to the Usher family's mansion because of its connection to the natural world. The mansion is described as being surrounded by a "decay of the forest," and the narrator is drawn to the "vacant eye-like windows" of the house, which suggest a connection to the natural world that is beyond human understanding.
Poe's work also reflects the transcendentalist belief in the inherent goodness of people. In "The Tell-Tale Heart," the narrator is driven to murder by his own guilt and paranoia, but he ultimately confesses to the crime and is punished. This suggests that the narrator has a sense of right and wrong, and that he is ultimately capable of redemption.
In conclusion, while Edgar Allan Poe is best known for his dark, mysterious poetry and stories, his work also reflects elements of transcendentalism. His poems and stories explore themes of loss, despair, and the dark side of human nature, but they also touch on ideas of transcendence and the potential for redemption. Poe's work reflects the transcendentalist belief in the individual's connection to the natural world and the inherent goodness of people.
