Where Do People Look For Truth? Unit 2

American Romanticism 1800-1855 Patriotic and individualistic Urban and untamed Wealthy and enslaved Americans in the first half of the 19th century embodied a host of contradictions. Struggling to make sense of their complex, inconsistent society, writers of the period turned inward for a sense of truth. Their movement, known as romanticism, explored the glories of the individual spirit, the beauty of nature, and the possibilities of the imagination.

Romanticism - Historical Context Historical forces clearly shaped the literature of the American romantic period. Writers responded positively and negatively to the country’s astonishing growth and to the booming Industrial Revolution: 1803 - Louisiana Purchase - doubled the country’s size Native-Americans pushed from their land “Manifest Destiny” - the idea that it was the destiny of the US to expand to the Pacific Ocean and into Mexican territory

Growth of Industry War of 1812 interrupted trade with the British. Americans were forced to produce goods that used to be imported. Industrial Revolution - changed the country from a largely agrarian economy to an industrial powerhouse. Changed American life - move to cities, long work hours, harsh conditions, low wages; demand for cotton which expanded slavery. Writers of the time responded to the negative effects of industrialization - the commercialism, the hectic pace of life, the lack of conscience - by turning to nature and to the self for simplicity, truth, and beauty.

Cultural Influences Many Romantic writers were outspoken in their support for human rights. Their works created awareness of the injustice of slavery and called for reform in many other areas as well.

The Tragedy of Slavery 1793 - 1860 Cotton production rose due to the invention of the cotton gin and farming machinery. So did the number of enslaved workers. Many felt slavery was necessary for increasing profit. Slave life was extremely brutal. Tensions over slavery increased between North and South. Many important writers were also Abolitionists. Perhaps the greatest social achievement of the Romantics was to create awareness of slavery’s cruelty.

Call for Social Reform Many Romantic writers were helping to focus attention on the social ills of the time: Worked for emancipation of slaves. Protested unfair rights for workers; unions began to form. Worked for changes for women’s rights.

Ideas of the Age Nationalism - the belief that the national interests should be placed ahead of regional concerns or the interest of other countries Inspired writers to create literature that was “distinctly American.” Sectionalism - placing of the interests of one’s own region ahead of the nation as a whole Issues of slavery divided the country. New territories entering the Union caused an imbalance of power.

Romantic Literature Themes of the individual and nature unified the writing of the American Romantic movement, despite dramatic differences in the writers’ focus and styles.

The Early Romantics Romanticism - a philosophical movement that emerged in Europe in the late 18th century. Romanticism was a reaction against the Age of Reason (think Ben Franklin) and the strict doctrines of Puritanism (think Anne Bradstreet).

9 Romantic Attitudes and Beliefs

Use of the Imagination

Nostalgia for the Past

Use of the 5 Senses

Distrust of Civilization

Cycle of Nature

Learn Moral and Spiritual Lessons from Nature

Interest in the Supernatural

Concern with Individual Freedom

Profound Love for Nature

Fireside Poets a group of New England poets whose work was morally uplifting and “romantically” engaging Name came from the family custom of reading poetry aloud beside a fire (common form of entertainment in the 19th century) Wrote about American’s colorful history Used poetry to bring about social reform

Fireside Poets Henry Wadsworth James Russell Oliver Wendell John Greenleaf Longfellow Lowell Holmes Whittier

Transcendentalism – optimistic, rosy view of life Anti-Transcendentalism – dark, negative view of life

The Transcendentalists Transcendentalism - a philosophical and literary movement that emphasized living a simple life and celebrating the truth found in nature

Transcendentalism Individualism - relied upon intuition to guide them, not the rules of society Intuition - followed their “inner voice” Optimism - evil is non-existent Over-Soul - humanity is God-like

“Over-Soul” – universal good in all people God, humanity, and nature are spiritually united through a shared universal soul God Nature Humans

The “Brooding Romantics” or Anti-Transcendentalists Nature is indifferent, unforgiving, evil, or inexplicable. People possess the potential for good and evil; people are limited from reaching their potential due to their sins or flaws. They must have this balance. The truths of life and death are not easily comprehended.

American Gothic Anti-Transcendentalists used gothic elements such as grotesque characters, bizarre situations, and violent events in their fiction. The Romantic movement gave rise to gothic literature because it freed the imagination from the restrictions of reason. The “Dark Romantics” explored the unknown - the fantastic, demonic, and insane side of the imagination.