1. Monday 27 March 2017 Prepare your paper for Cornell notes
Proper heading in the top right corner
Title of notes: “Romanticism”
EQ 1: What are the defining characteristics of the American Literary periods? [Write at the top of notes]
EQ 2: What is Romanticism? [Write at the top of notes]
EQ 3: What attributes of Poe’s life contributed to his writings? [Write at the top of notes]

2. Introduction to Romanticism

3. What does this have to do with love?
The term “romantic” has little to do with the way we use it today.
The ACTUAL definition of “romantic” is unreal.
For example, you could say: “John has a romantic vision of the army. He’s in for a big surprise.”
So, think about what you’re really saying the next time you wish your gf/bf was more romantic…just sayin’.

4. Timeline of American Lit to 1900 (copy this)
1600s Early to mid 1800s 1850s to 1870s 1880s
Puritans
Classicism
Transcendentalism
Realism
Naturalism
Romanticism

5. Characteristics of the writing periods
Puritans were highly religious and emotional.
Classicism valued order, clarity, reason, and logic.
Transcendentalism focused on going beyond the norms of society, including an emphasis on self-reliance and love of/unity with nature.
Realism (Civil War Era) writers wanted to portray reality in every way (war, language, etc.).

6. Romanticism
Also referred to as the “Gothic” period (think about the term “goth” and all the attributes associated with being “goth”).
These writers value imagination and the psychological. They were interested in mystery, strangeness, and the irrational.
Most stories include some element of the supernatural (ghosts, monsters, curses, etc.).
These writers also focused on Nature, but in a more destructive way. Nature generally depicts the mood of a story or establishes setting.

7. The Authors Washington Irving
Known for modernizing legend and folklore.
Best known for writing “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle.”
We have already read, “The Devil and Tom Walker.”

8. The Authors Edgar Allan Poe America’s most famous Romantic writer
Known for his poetry and short stories.
Famous for creating stories that thrilled and terrified his readers.
Lesser known fact: Poe invented the mystery story. Without him, the mystery genre would not exist.
We will read two short stories and a poem.