Emerson's Philosophy
Emerson was a transcendentalist who believed that the individual was divine and that the world was a manifestation of the divine. He believed in the power of the individual to transcend their circumstances and create their own destiny. He also believed in the importance of self-reliance and nonconformity.
Melville's Philosophy
Melville was also a transcendentalist, but he had a darker view of the world. He believed that the world was a place of conflict and that humans were inherently flawed. He also believed that the individual was ultimately powerless against the forces of fate and destiny.
Differences in Their Work
Emerson's work is characterized by its optimism, its emphasis on the individual, and its call for self-reliance. His writing is clear and concise, and he often uses imagery and symbolism to make his points.
Melville's work is characterized by its complexity, its exploration of dark themes, and its use of allegory and symbolism. His writing is often dense and allusive, and he is known for his use of long, complex sentences.
Their Influence
Both Emerson and Melville had a profound influence on American literature. Emerson's work helped to shape the Transcendentalist movement and inspired many other writers, including Henry David Thoreau and Walt Whitman. Melville's work is considered to be some of the greatest in American literature, and it has influenced writers such as William Faulkner, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Ernest Hemingway.