Romanticism 1820s-1890s

The Time Period In America, 1820s-1890s In America, 1820s-1890s Development of the Civil War in America meant increased political tensions. Development of the Civil War in America meant increased political tensions. Manifest Destiny still going strong. Manifest Destiny still going strong. First great creative period in America. First great creative period in America.

Major Aspects A reaction against the Age of Reason A reaction against the Age of Reason Evoking and criticizing the past. Evoking and criticizing the past. Respect for wild and “pure” nature. Respect for wild and “pure” nature. Connection with emotion. Connection with emotion. Isolation of the artist or author. Isolation of the artist or author. Emphasis on Transcendentalism. Emphasis on Transcendentalism. Asserting the idea of Nationalism. Asserting the idea of Nationalism.

Definition Movement in art, literature, and music during the 19 th century. Movement in art, literature, and music during the 19 th century. Seen most strongly in music, literature, and the visual arts. Seen most strongly in music, literature, and the visual arts. Characterized by the 5 “I”s Characterized by the 5 “I”s - Imagination - Intuition - Idealism - Inspiration - Individuality

Imagination Imagination was emphasized over reason. Imagination was emphasized over reason. –Needed more connection with nature and the surrounding world. –Promoted expanding your mind. Considered necessary for creating art. Considered necessary for creating art. Imagination preferred over classical rules. Imagination preferred over classical rules.

Intuition Feeling or instincts. Feeling or instincts. British Romantic William Wordsworth described poetry as “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.” British Romantic William Wordsworth described poetry as “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.”

Idealism Idealism is the concept that we can make the world a better place. Idealism is the concept that we can make the world a better place. Emphasizes the spirit, the mind, or language over matter. Emphasizes the spirit, the mind, or language over matter. Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, held that the mind forces the world we perceive to take the shape of the space and time. Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, held that the mind forces the world we perceive to take the shape of the space and time.

Inspiration Romantics believed the artists, writer, or musician is an “inspired creator” rather than a “technical master.” Romantics believed the artists, writer, or musician is an “inspired creator” rather than a “technical master.” Spontaneous, going with the moment Spontaneous, going with the moment

Individuality During this time period, Women’s Rights and Abolitionism were taking root as major movements. During this time period, Women’s Rights and Abolitionism were taking root as major movements. Promoting the overall welfare and bettering the nation through the individual. Promoting the overall welfare and bettering the nation through the individual. –The individual is at the center of all life, which places the individual at the center of art.

Subjects Nature Nature the Self the Self the inner the inner the past the past the world of human nature the world of human nature Supernatural Supernatural

Ideas Beauty- picturesque Beauty- picturesque The exotic The exotic The mysterious The mysterious The emotional The emotional Moral qualities Moral qualities

The Dark Side Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe –The strongest poetic influence in the pre-Civil War America –Still maintained the main ideas of Romanticism, just from a more cynical perspective. –Less of the “light and fluffy” and more of the “dark and twisty.”

Beauty in Nature Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau –Both believed and promoted transcendentalism. –Expressed philosophic and religious ideas at an elevated level. –Disguised their political messages and criticisms in their writings.

Tall-Tale Type of folklore associated with the American frontier. Type of folklore associated with the American frontier. Characterized by humorous exaggerations, heroes, super-human traits, and unbelievable events. Characterized by humorous exaggerations, heroes, super-human traits, and unbelievable events.

Transcendentalism A philosophy which holds that basic truths can be reached through intuition rather than through reason. A philosophy which holds that basic truths can be reached through intuition rather than through reason. Beauty in nature. Beauty in nature. Essential divinity of all people. Essential divinity of all people. Primary importance of the human spirit. Primary importance of the human spirit. Mostly seen through novels or essays. Mostly seen through novels or essays.

Romanticism: Summary Feelings are more important than reason. Feelings are more important than reason. Imagination is most important. Imagination is most important. Happiness can be found in nature, not in civilization. Happiness can be found in nature, not in civilization. Innocence is more important than sophistication. Innocence is more important than sophistication. The individual is more important than society. The individual is more important than society.

Nature is the way to gain spiritual wisdom. Nature is the way to gain spiritual wisdom. Beauty and truth can be found in the supernatural and imagination. Beauty and truth can be found in the supernatural and imagination. Poetry is the highest work of the imagination. Poetry is the highest work of the imagination. Inspiration comes from myth, legend, and folklore. Inspiration comes from myth, legend, and folklore.