Romantics and gothics A shift from the age of reason: Early to Mid 1800’s (post-American revolution) American Renaissance: 1845-1865 (ish)

Essential question Where do people look for truth? (romantics vs. rationalists from age of reason)

Romantic Values Imagination Spontaneity Intuition Nature Individuality Self-reliance Beauty

Romanticism vs. Rationalism City is corrupt; nature is pure City is a place of moral ambiguity Imagination is valued; reason is too constricting and has limits City is a land of opportunity City is a place of progress and moral growth Reason and logic are the keys to truth and progress

Celebrating the individual Exploring the glories of the individual spirit, the beauty of nature, the possibilities of the imagination

New nation Great growth and opportunity 1803 Louisiana purchased doubled the nation’s size 1830 Indian removal act forced the relocation of native peoples—west Mid-century “manifest destiny” or the belief in the destiny of the u.s. to expand to the pacific ocean. 1845 texas annexed from mexico triggering Mexican- American war

Industrial growth Shift from largely agrarian society to industrial powerhouse Factory system Shift from rural farm life to cities Writers focused on the negative results of this shift—increase in commercialism, hectic pace, lack of conscience

The tragedy of slavery 1793-1860 increase in cotton production Enslaved workers—brutal conditions—increase tension between the north and the south Beginnings of the abolitionist movement

writers Nationalism—belief that interests of nation as a whole more important than those of individual regions (challenged by clashing views of slavery) Writers forging unique literary voice—not imitating European writers for the first time Early romantic writers influenced by European writers, but as population grew, began to capture energy of their new country

Romantic Poetry Poetry was perceived as highest form of Romantic writing Intense study of natural objects or events Insight discovered through contemplating nature TRADITIONAL forms American subject matter Fireside Poets

The American Novel First American novels published First time American literature is original Uniquely American settings Adventures American frontier (westward expansion)

The Romantic Hero Very different from Age of Reason heroes Traits of Romantic hero: Innocent Adventurous Youthful Intuitive Close to nature Distrust in society (and women) Superhuman resourcefulness

Gothic writers Complex philosophy, dark currents, deep awareness of human capacity for evil Exploration of inner life of characters and darker forces Still emphasis on emotion, nature, individual, and unusual Often inspired by European writers (ie, mary shelley’s Frankenstein) Psychological effects of sin and guilt