American Romanticism 1820-1860

Origins of American Romanticism Despite its name, the Romantic movement has nothing to do with romantic love Romanticism was a reaction to realism, which focused on logic, reason, and scientific knowledge. In the 1800s, cities grew even larger, and disease, crime, violence, and homelessness became huge problems. Romantics saw a the city as a place of corruption and moral ambiguity. The countryside was seen as place for moral clarity, independence, and health.

Characteristics of Romanticism- The Basics Interest in the common man and childhood Strong senses, emotions, and feelings Awe of nature Celebration of the individual Importance of imagination

Interest in the common man and child Romantics believed in the natural goodness of humans that is hindered by the urban life of civilization. They believed the savage is noble, childhood is good, and the emotions inspired by both beliefs cause the heart to soar.

Strong senses, emotions, and feelings Romantics believed that knowledge is gained through intuition rather than deduction. This is best summed up by Wordsworth who stated that “all good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.”

Awe of nature Romantics stressed the awe of nature in art and language and the experience of sublimity through a connection with nature. Romantics rejected the rationalization of nature by the previous thinkers of the Enlightenment period.

Celebration of the individual Romantics often elevated the achievements of the misunderstood, heroic, individual outcast.

Importance of imagination Romantics legitimized the individual imagination as a critical authority.

Dark Romanticism Sub-genre of the Romantics

Dark Romanticism A literary subgenre of Romantic Literature Dark Romantic works are notably less optimistic about mankind, nature, and divinity. The Romantic era was characterized by flair, extravagance, emotion and imagination- all present in Dark Romantic texts While both groups believe nature is a deeply spiritual force, Dark Romanticism views it in a much more sinister light

Characteristics of the Genre Dark Romantics present individuals as prone to sin and self destruction, not as inherently possessing divinity and wisdom. The natural world is dark, decaying, and mysterious; when it does reveal truth to man, its revelations are evil and hellish. Dark Romanticism frequently show individuals failing in their attempts to make changes for the better.

Transcendentalism an offshoot of the Romantics

Meaning of Transcendentalism The word “transcendentalism” refers to the idea that in determining the ultimate reality of God, the universe,the self, and other big matters, one must go beyond the everyday human experience in the physical world. Transcendentalists believed in human perfectibility, and worked to achieve it

Nonconformity/Individualism Importance of Nature Spirituality Characteristics Nonconformity/Individualism Importance of Nature Spirituality Simple Life Self-Reliance Intuition

How do they compare to the Dark Romantics?