The Age of Romanticism Washington Irving

It occurred and developed in Europe and America at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries under the historical background of the Industrial Revolution around 1760 and the French Revolution ( ). The term “ Romantic ” as a designation for a school of literature opposed to the classic was first used by the German critic Friedrich Schlegel ( ) at the beginning of the 19th century. It occurred and developed in Europe and America at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries under the historical background of the Industrial Revolution around 1760 and the French Revolution ( ). The term “ Romantic ” as a designation for a school of literature opposed to the classic was first used by the German critic Friedrich Schlegel ( ) at the beginning of the 19th century.

Romantics stressed individual and creative function of imagination. It placed individual at the very center of all life and all experience and at the center of art. Romantics stressed individual and creative function of imagination. It placed individual at the very center of all life and all experience and at the center of art.

Characteristics 1). Romanticism was a rebellion against the objectivity of rationalism. 1). Romanticism was a rebellion against the objectivity of rationalism. 2). For romantics, the feeling, intuitions and emotions were more important than reason and common sense. 2). For romantics, the feeling, intuitions and emotions were more important than reason and common sense. 3). Romantics did not thinking of the world as a ticking watch made by God. They thought of the world as a living, breathing being. 3). Romantics did not thinking of the world as a ticking watch made by God. They thought of the world as a living, breathing being.

4). They emphasized individualism, placing the individual against the group, against authority. 4). They emphasized individualism, placing the individual against the group, against authority. 5). They affirmed the inner life of the self, and wanted each person to develop and express his own inner thoughts. 5). They affirmed the inner life of the self, and wanted each person to develop and express his own inner thoughts. 6). They cherished strong interest in the past, especially the medieval. 6). They cherished strong interest in the past, especially the medieval.

7). They were attracted by the wild, the irregular, the indefinite, the remote, the mysterious, the strange. 7). They were attracted by the wild, the irregular, the indefinite, the remote, the mysterious, the strange. 8). They were interested in variety. In romantic fiction, mystery, romance, and adventure play the largest part in plot. Typical literary forms of romanticism include ballad, lyric, sentimental comedy, problem novel, historical novel, gothic romance, metrical romance, sonnet, and critical essay. 8). They were interested in variety. In romantic fiction, mystery, romance, and adventure play the largest part in plot. Typical literary forms of romanticism include ballad, lyric, sentimental comedy, problem novel, historical novel, gothic romance, metrical romance, sonnet, and critical essay.

American Romanticism Distinct features: American romantics tended to moralize, to edify rather than to entertain. Distinct features: American romantics tended to moralize, to edify rather than to entertain. New England poets: Bryant, Longfellow, James Russell Lowell, Oliver Wendell Holmes and John Greenleaf Whittier. New England poets: Bryant, Longfellow, James Russell Lowell, Oliver Wendell Holmes and John Greenleaf Whittier.

Washington Irving In addition to being a fiction writer, Irving was also a historian and biographer, A History of New York and A His Story of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus being two of several examples In addition to being a fiction writer, Irving was also a historian and biographer, A History of New York and A His Story of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus being two of several examples

. Irving was the first American writer to achieve international recognition. He was known as America ’ s literary ambassador to Europe. He lived to see his works translated into 12 languages and printed in more than 50 editions. He earned the respect and praises from such prominent English writers as Coleridge, Byron, Scott, and Dickens. Irving was the first American writer to achieve international recognition. He was known as America ’ s literary ambassador to Europe. He lived to see his works translated into 12 languages and printed in more than 50 editions. He earned the respect and praises from such prominent English writers as Coleridge, Byron, Scott, and Dickens.

His representative works A History of New York (1809) A History of New York (1809) The Sketch Book (1820) The Sketch Book (1820) Bracebridge Hall (1822) Bracebridge Hall (1822) Tales of a Traveler (1824) Tales of a Traveler (1824) The Alhambra (1832) The Alhambra (1832)

Interpreting Rip Van Winkle Interpreting Rip Van Winkle The other American dream. The other American dream. Rip was the first American storyteller created in a literary text Rip was the first American storyteller created in a literary text The origin of an androcentric narrative type The origin of an androcentric narrative type

“ Rip Van Winkle ” has been seen as a symbol of several aspects of America. ( Rip, The Dame, The town) “ Rip Van Winkle ” has been seen as a symbol of several aspects of America. ( Rip, The Dame, The town) The theme of Rip Van Winkle The theme of Rip Van Winkle

. The story of man who has difficulties facing his advantage age; 2. The contradictory impulses in America toward work — the puritan attitude as opposed to the American desire for leisure; 3. The theme of escape from one ’ s responsibilities and even one ’ s history, and 4). The loss of identity.. The story of man who has difficulties facing his advantage age; 2. The contradictory impulses in America toward work — the puritan attitude as opposed to the American desire for leisure; 3. The theme of escape from one ’ s responsibilities and even one ’ s history, and 4). The loss of identity.

Questions about Rip Van Winkle 1. Why did Rip frequently leave his house? 1. Why did Rip frequently leave his house? 2. Who was Derrick Van Bummel and why was he important to the meetings of the junto? 2. Who was Derrick Van Bummel and why was he important to the meetings of the junto? 3. How did Nicholas Vedder express his opinion on public matters? 3. How did Nicholas Vedder express his opinion on public matters? 4. How did Rip escape his wife after she came to the inn? 4. How did Rip escape his wife after she came to the inn?

5. Why was Rip suspected of being disloyal on his return? 5. Why was Rip suspected of being disloyal on his return? 6. What is your opinion of Rip? Is he a tragic or comic figure? 6. What is your opinion of Rip? Is he a tragic or comic figure? 7. Do you think Rip symbolize man ’ s desire to flee from responsibility? 7. Do you think Rip symbolize man ’ s desire to flee from responsibility?