1. Romanticism, Realism and Transcendentalism Review

2. Romanticism As an artistic movement

3. The Swing by Jean Honore Fragonard

4. Frederic Church
The Natural Bridge
1852

5. Thomas Cole The Course of Empire: The Savage State 1836

6. Thomas Cole View on the Catskill, Early Autumn 1837

7. Albert Bierstadt Emigrants Crossing the Plains 1867

8. “Liberty Leading the People, 28 July 1830” by Eugène Delacroix

9. As an artistic movement
Realism
As an artistic movement

10. “The Harvester” (1880-81) by Julien Dupre

11. “Women Ironing” (1884) by Edgar Degas

12. “Stag at Sharkey’s” (1909) by George Bellows

13. “Men of the Docks” (1912) by George Bellows

14. THOMAS EAKINS, The Gross Clinic, 1875

15. EDGAR DEGAS, Cotton Exchange at New Orleans, 1873

16. American Literary Movements

17. 1798 – 1832 What is going on historically during that time?
Romanticism
1798 – 1832
What is going on historically during that time?

18. A romantic will likely…
Believe that emotions are very important
Focus on senses--touch, taste, smell, etc.
Be imaginative and believe that imagination is an important mental process.

19. American Literature The Puritan Era Age of Reason Romanticism Realism
Contemporary and Post-Modern Period
The Puritan Era
Age of Reason
Romanticism
Realism
Transcendentalism
Modernism
1946 – Present

20. What is a literary movement?
A literary movement consists of a group of writings that are similar in style and subject matter.
The three movements of the 1800s we have discussed are:
Romanticism
Realism
Transcendentalism

21. Furthermore… Be interested in “what should be” vs. “what is”
Be idealistic--believing that man can become perfect and the world can be a better place
Be dramatic and passionate

22. And finally… Be interested in the mysteries of life
Work hard to escape reality
Be subjective

23. Romanticism in Literature

24. Edgar Allen Poe

25. Washington Irving

26. Emily Dickinson

27. Nathaniel Hawthorne

28. The Age of Realism

29. Where did realism come from?
The Old Way Being Challenged in ideas about:
Family
Industry
The Military
Social Classes
Gender Roles
Religion

30. Characteristics of Realism
Real life problems with practical solutions
Migration from country to city
Industrialization
Searching for meaning in life
Science and authenticity replace imagination and creativity
Objective
Regionalism and Industrialism are subcategories

31. Kinds of Realistic Writing
Industrialism: usually set in a city and deals with themes of urban growth, deconstruction, and the world of the working man.
Upton Sinclair
The Jungle

32. Regionalism: set in any region, featuring the dialect, local characters, and commentary on the characters’ beliefs
Mark Twain
“War Prayer”
Ambrose Bierce
“An Occurrence at
Owl Bridge”

33. Transcendentalism 1836 - 1860 “I went to the woods to live deliberately” --Thoreau

34. Characteristics of Transcendentalists:
Some elements of the romantics, they had many similar beliefs and habits, such as…
Being idealistic--believing the best about everyone.
Relying on your own mind more than what the world tells you--though in the case of the transcendentalists, this was much more logical and much less emotional.

35. So, If you were a Transcendentalist, you most likely…
Made situations happen-it isn’t good to wait around for fate.
Relied on your intellect and intuition to guide you.
Frequently examined your conscience

36. Transcendentalist authors
Believed that one person can make a difference
Searched for self-reliance; trust in yourself above all.
Wanted to live close to nature.
Believed in the importance of a healthy mind and body and their place as a priority.

37. Were an Intense Individual.
Believed spirituality is everywhere--Deism.
Believed that humans can establish a personal relationship with God.
Were an Intense Individual.
Were interested in what you can make it be--what is your influence on the world.

38. Believed that knowledge is derived from intuition rather than experience; in other words, we have all we need in us already, we just have to allow it to come out.
Believed in the “innate goodness of man” (Emerson).

39. And Finally…
Believed that being human is special--we can transcend, or be above, every situation.
Believed that childhood lead from innocence to maturity--we are born a tabula rasa, or blank slate.

40. Ralph Waldo Emerson

41. Henry David Thoreau

42. Walt Whitman