Final answer:
Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman challenged the American literary tradition with their focus on individualism, self-reliance, and authentic expression, aligning with transcendentalist beliefs and predating Modernism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman represent a departure from traditional American literary figures such as Emerson, Hawthorne, and Melville through their unique perspectives and break from conventional norms.
Dickinson, known for her seclusion and control over her poetic voice, challenged the expected patterns of society and the literary world with her unconventional, concise, and technically complex poetry. Whitman, a self-proclaimed vagabond, also defied traditional literary boundaries with his expansive and inclusive poetic voice.
Both poets stood in stark contrast to the expectations of their time, emphasizing individualism and the inner spirit. Their works showcase themes of self-reliance, the celebration of the individual soul, and transcendental beliefs that align with those of Emerson and Thoreau—influential transcendentalists who promoted a mystical oneness with the universe and a break from societal conformity.
This emphasis on authenticity and the courage to stand firm in one's beliefs, even in the face of societal pressure, is a hallmark of their break from the traditional literary canon.
Whitman and Dickinson's poetry collectively display a strong reverence for nature, an embrace of artistic innovation, and the exploration of the self that would predate the Modernism movement, solidifying their role as pioneers within American literature who challenged the prevailing norms and contributed to the development of a unique American literary voice.