The Romantic Period

American Romanticism A journey away from corruption of civilization and toward the integrity of nature and the freedom of imagination A journey away from corruption of civilization and toward the integrity of nature and the freedom of imagination An attempt to rise above dull realities to a realm of higher truth An attempt to rise above dull realities to a realm of higher truth

Origins Came from Europe Came from Europe Influenced literature, music, and painting Influenced literature, music, and painting Largely prompted by the negative effects of the Industrial Revolution Largely prompted by the negative effects of the Industrial Revolution Pollution, crime, slums, crowding, disease, etc. Pollution, crime, slums, crowding, disease, etc.

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

Romantic Values Imagination Imagination Spontaneity Spontaneity Intuition Intuition Nature Nature Individuality Individuality Self-reliance Self-reliance Beauty Beauty

Escapism Exotic settings Exotic settings Wild frontier settings Wild frontier settings Supernatural Supernatural Folklore and Legends Folklore and Legends

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

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

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

American Gothic The Dark Romantics The Dark Romantics Melville, Hawthorne, Poe Melville, Hawthorne, Poe In contrast to Romantics, they explored the darker side of humanity In contrast to Romantics, they explored the darker side of humanity Supernatural events Supernatural events Mysterious settings Mysterious settings Psychological investigation of the human mind Psychological investigation of the human mind