Unit #3 Romantic and Gothic Literature Main Theme: Change is necessary for growth; life events and society can change a person’s perspective.
Romanticism A movement away from thinking and reasoning; instead, the writing focuses on feelings and gut instincts.
Romanticism The writing of this time period was typically haunting short fiction and the “romance” novel. Romanticism became popular in American politics, philosophy, and art. American Romanticism embraced the individual and rebelled against the confinement of neoclassicism and religious tradition. The Romanticmovement in America created a new literary genre that continues to influence American writers
Romantic Characteristics Spiritual elements are always present (God, Devil, etc.)
Romantic Characteristics Supernatural is present
Romantic Characteristics & Thought Processes Money corrupts Institutions are evil. i.e. banks, schools, etc. If you are rich and powerful, then you had to do something bad to get there.
Romantic Characteristics It is either good or evil. No gray area.
Washington Irving The first internationally famous American author. Took a lot of folktales from around the world and adapted them so that they were “American.”
Washington Irving Pseudonym – a false name, or a pen name. Washington Irving had several of them.
Washington Irving’s Pseudonyms Diedrick Knickerbocker Geoffrey Crayon Johnathon Oldstyle
Rip Van Winkle He wrote: Rip Van Winkle – the story of a man who falls asleep for 20 years and wakes up after the American Revolution.
The Devil and Tom Walker He wrote: The Devil and Tom Walker Faust Legend – a story in which a character sells their soul for earthy benefit.
He Wrote: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow – The tale of the headless horseman.
Author of Moby Dick (1850) A book about Captain Ahab’s quest to destroy the white sperm whale that took his leg.
It’s about more than just a whale. Moby Dick It’s about more than just a whale. It is controversial because of Ahab’s war against God and issues of homosexuality and sex in general.
Gothic Literature
Gothic Literature Characteristics Remote and desolate settings
…like castles…
Gothic Literature Characteristics Characters are in either physical or psychological pain.
The characters usually isolated themselves when dealing with the psychological pain
Gothic Literature Characteristics Violent acts occur
Edgar Alan Poe Wrote about altered mental states and the dark side of human nature.
Edgar Alan Poe The inventor of the detective story.
Edgar Alan Poe Wrote numerous psychological thrillers.
Edgar Alan Poe Poe believed that short stories should work to create a certain unique or “single effect.”
Edgar Alan Poe Single effect – Every character, incident, and detail works to create one unique effect in a story.
Most of the works were dark and created a feeling of depression and angst.
Did You Know??? Al Gore created the internet so he could look at castles anytime he wanted?