Introduction
The American cultural system of the 19th century was characterized by significant self-expression and active absorption of national values. Manifestations of the identity of American culture were embodied through the activities of institutions and the application of practices. This essay claims that they evolved by adapting to the conditions of the time, in particular, the unique national meanings of the USA. The culture of the 19th century was reflected in the community’s vision, as expressed through literature, painting, and religion.
American Cultural Expressions
Paintings
Unique manifestations of the American cultural essence were reflected in the 19th century through artistic methods. Beyond the country’s borders, American artists’ works traveled the world, demonstrating and highlighting the national values in their works. An excellent example of the spread of the idea of the natural attractiveness of America is considered by Thomas Cole and the Hudson River School, who rejected idealized forms and depicted American landscapes as untouched beauty (Ellis, 2019). The emphasis was primarily on interaction and living in harmony with nature. Thus, by creating a visual representation of specific national meanings, fine art was adapted to the values of the community.
Literature
Another direction in which American society manifested its identity is in literature. Conversely, literature, in many ways, shaped society, identifying and developing its values. Melville’s “Moby-Dick” is an excellent example of how literature highlights the difficulties and challenges faced by the American community in the 19th century (Saldanha-Álvarez, 2021). The description of the search for destiny and the meaning of life illustrates the turbulence of America at that time. The contribution of this literary work to the community primarily consisted of emphasizing the primary cultural values of a united nation. Given the time when the novel was written, it is primarily a product of the national meanings of the United States.
Religion
Religion has played and continues to play an essential role in American society. In the 1830s and 1840s, the country was influenced by a religious movement named The Second Great Awakening. It was aimed at different interpretations of Christianity, which included the access of women and enslaved people to religious services and a strong emphasis on personal salvation (Rust, 2023). This movement’s leaders helped foster reforms throughout the United States and attracted more and more supporters to their side. One of the active preachers, Charles Finney, conducted revivals in western New York, which captivated many worshipers (Rust, 2023). These circumstances provoked further development and branching of the church in the United States, such as the emergence of the Mormon church.
Since the influence of the religious aspect of that time went far beyond the boundaries of faith, further social reforms and a powerful wave of activism swept the country. People were inspired by beliefs and regulations that were current at the time and actively addressed the problems pressing on the community. The Second Great Awakening developed according to specific national meanings, spreading its main messages. Thus, in the religious context, the church manifested itself in such a way as to respond to the need for democratization and social reforms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the cultural development of American society in the 19th century relied heavily on the specific needs and beliefs of the community. America at that time was going through a transformative period, and, accordingly, arts, literature, and religion found their manifestations through the prism of national values. Cultural adaptations and social development had a mutual influence and shaped each other in many ways. The examples presented in this essay serve as an excellent confirmation of how exactly cultural institutions and practices arose and formed, subject to specific national meanings for the United States.
References
Ellis, J. W. (2019). Forest cathedrals:” The hidden glory” of Hudson River landscapes. Journal of Religion & Society, 21.
Rust, O. (2023). The Second Great Awakening in the United States. The Collector.
Saldanha-Álvarez, J. M. (2021). Trips and readings from the split house: Melville, Stone, Moby Dick, and Platoon. Modern Perspectives in Language, Literature and Education, 9, 83-104.