ROMANTICISM AND DARK-ROMANTICISM

Historical Context = time of growth and expansion westward The move west brought new technologies in transportation, industry, and communication: Canals and Railroads Factories and advanced farming equipment Telegraph and Morse code

Historical Context The move west and new technology also spurred troublesome changes: Factories brought fierce competition = child labor and unsafe working conditions Women’s rights were severely hampered and efforts to change this came to the forefront Opposition to slavery began to grow and gain a voice in abolitionists, eventually dividing the nation in two

What is Romanticism? A literary and artistic movement that placed an emphasis on imagination, emotion, nature, and individuality A literary and artistic movement that placed an emphasis on imagination, emotion, nature, and individuality Elevated the imagination over reason – and – intuition over fact Elevated the imagination over reason – and – intuition over fact Reveled in nature Reveled in nature

Who are the Romantics? Before 1800 American writers were not widely read – Romantics changed this Before 1800 American writers were not widely read – Romantics changed this These writers define the American voice – personal and bold These writers define the American voice – personal and bold These writers define the primary theme of American writing: the quest of the individual to define himself These writers define the primary theme of American writing: the quest of the individual to define himself

Who are the Romantics? Washington Irving Washington Irving William C. Bryant William C. Bryant Henry W. Longfellow Henry W. Longfellow Oliver W. Holmes Oliver W. Holmes James R. Lowell James R. Lowell John G. Whittier John G. Whittier “Fireside Poets”

What is Dark Romanticism? Same attributes of Romanticism but tends to accent the fantastic aspects of human experience more Same attributes of Romanticism but tends to accent the fantastic aspects of human experience more Characterized as part of the literary genre known as: gothic Characterized as part of the literary genre known as: gothic

Gothic Style Characteristics Setting is in bleak or remote places Setting is in bleak or remote places Plot involves morbid or violent incidents Plot involves morbid or violent incidents Characters are in psychological and/or physical torment Characters are in psychological and/or physical torment A supernatural or otherworldly element is often present A supernatural or otherworldly element is often present

Who are the Dark Romantics? Edgar Allan Poe Wrote “The Raven” Wrote “The Raven” Widely accepted as the inventor of the detective story Widely accepted as the inventor of the detective story Known as an eccentric writer – his dark and dismal life probably had something to do with it Known as an eccentric writer – his dark and dismal life probably had something to do with it Herman Melville Wrote Moby-Dick which is widely regarded as one of the finest novels in all of American Literature Wrote Moby-Dick which is widely regarded as one of the finest novels in all of American Literature Nathaniel Hawthorne Believed evil was a dominant force in the world Believed evil was a dominant force in the world Wrote The Scarlet Letter and “The Minister’s Black Veil” Wrote The Scarlet Letter and “The Minister’s Black Veil”

Who are the Romantics? Washington Irving 1 st American writer to achieve international reputation 1 st American writer to achieve international reputation Travel through Europe and a fascination with its folklore lead Irving to create his two most famous stories: Travel through Europe and a fascination with its folklore lead Irving to create his two most famous stories: –“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” –“Rip Van Winkle” Wrote “The Devil and Tom Walker” at the same time Puritan beliefs were being replaced by materialism and the desire for personal gain Wrote “The Devil and Tom Walker” at the same time Puritan beliefs were being replaced by materialism and the desire for personal gain