Romanticism, Realism and Transcendentalism Review

Romanticism As an artistic movement

The Swing by Jean Honore Fragonard

Frederic Church The Natural Bridge 1852

Thomas Cole The Course of Empire: The Savage State 1836

Thomas Cole View on the Catskill, Early Autumn 1837

Albert Bierstadt Emigrants Crossing the Plains 1867

“Liberty Leading the People, 28 July 1830” by Eugène Delacroix http://witcombe.sbc.edu/modernism/images/delacroix-liberty.jpg

As an artistic movement Realism As an artistic movement

“The Harvester” (1880-81) by Julien Dupre

“Women Ironing” (1884) by Edgar Degas

“Stag at Sharkey’s” (1909) by George Bellows http://artchive.com/artchive/B/bellows/sharkeys.jpg.html

“Men of the Docks” (1912) by George Bellows

THOMAS EAKINS, The Gross Clinic, 1875

EDGAR DEGAS, Cotton Exchange at New Orleans, 1873

American Literary Movements

1798 – 1832 What is going on historically during that time? Romanticism 1798 – 1832 What is going on historically during that time?

A romantic will likely… Believe that emotions are very important Focus on senses--touch, taste, smell, etc. Be imaginative and believe that imagination is an important mental process.

American Literature The Puritan Era Age of Reason Romanticism Realism Contemporary and Post-Modern Period The Puritan Era Age of Reason Romanticism Realism Transcendentalism Modernism 1600 - 1750 1750-1800 1800-1840 1840-1855 1865-1915 1916-1946 1946 – Present

What is a literary movement? A literary movement consists of a group of writings that are similar in style and subject matter. The three movements of the 1800s we have discussed are: Romanticism Realism Transcendentalism

Furthermore… Be interested in “what should be” vs. “what is” Be idealistic--believing that man can become perfect and the world can be a better place Be dramatic and passionate

And finally… Be interested in the mysteries of life Work hard to escape reality Be subjective

Romanticism in Literature

Edgar Allen Poe

Washington Irving

Emily Dickinson

Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Age of Realism 1830-1900

Where did realism come from? The Old Way Being Challenged in ideas about: Family Industry The Military Social Classes Gender Roles Religion

Characteristics of Realism Real life problems with practical solutions Migration from country to city Industrialization Searching for meaning in life Science and authenticity replace imagination and creativity Objective Regionalism and Industrialism are subcategories

Kinds of Realistic Writing Industrialism: usually set in a city and deals with themes of urban growth, deconstruction, and the world of the working man. Upton Sinclair The Jungle

Regionalism: set in any region, featuring the dialect, local characters, and commentary on the characters’ beliefs Mark Twain “War Prayer” Ambrose Bierce “An Occurrence at Owl Bridge”

Transcendentalism 1836 - 1860 “I went to the woods to live deliberately” --Thoreau

Characteristics of Transcendentalists: Some elements of the romantics, they had many similar beliefs and habits, such as… Being idealistic--believing the best about everyone. Relying on your own mind more than what the world tells you--though in the case of the transcendentalists, this was much more logical and much less emotional.

So, If you were a Transcendentalist, you most likely… Made situations happen-it isn’t good to wait around for fate. Relied on your intellect and intuition to guide you. Frequently examined your conscience

Transcendentalist authors Believed that one person can make a difference Searched for self-reliance; trust in yourself above all. Wanted to live close to nature. Believed in the importance of a healthy mind and body and their place as a priority.

Were an Intense Individual. Believed spirituality is everywhere--Deism. Believed that humans can establish a personal relationship with God. Were an Intense Individual. Were interested in what you can make it be--what is your influence on the world.

Believed that knowledge is derived from intuition rather than experience; in other words, we have all we need in us already, we just have to allow it to come out. Believed in the “innate goodness of man” (Emerson).

And Finally… Believed that being human is special--we can transcend, or be above, every situation. Believed that childhood lead from innocence to maturity--we are born a tabula rasa, or blank slate.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Henry David Thoreau

Walt Whitman