1. The Romantic Period Transcendentalism October 22, 2013

2. Background to Romantic Period Began in England in 1778 with Wordsworth and Coleridge. Began in England in 1778 with Wordsworth and Coleridge. Coincides with ‘age of revolutions’ Coincides with ‘age of revolutions’ American and French Revolution American and French Revolution Upheavals in political, economic, and social traditions (including industrial revolution) occur prior to Romantic Period. Upheavals in political, economic, and social traditions (including industrial revolution) occur prior to Romantic Period. Romantic Period an answer to that industrial revolution. Romantic Period an answer to that industrial revolution.

3. Characteristics of Romantic period Refers to artists, poets, writers, philosophers of late 18 th to mid 19 th Century. Refers to artists, poets, writers, philosophers of late 18 th to mid 19 th Century. While literature did have love stories, Romantic lit not about romance. While literature did have love stories, Romantic lit not about romance. Individualism Individualism Nature Nature Self Reliance Self Reliance Human Psychology/ Supernatural occurrences Human Psychology/ Supernatural occurrences Poe and Hawthorne, mostly Poe and Hawthorne, mostly

4. Romantic Literature Artistic movement that dominated Europe and America during 19 th Century Artistic movement that dominated Europe and America during 19 th Century Not about LOVE Not about LOVE Imagination elevated over reason Imagination elevated over reason Intuition over fact Intuition over fact NATURE NATURE Authors in US: Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper, William Cullen Bryant, Edgar Allen Poe Authors in US: Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper, William Cullen Bryant, Edgar Allen Poe Irving: Rip Van Winkle and Legend of Sleepy Hollow Irving: Rip Van Winkle and Legend of Sleepy Hollow Cooper: Leatherstocking Tales Cooper: Leatherstocking Tales Poe: hauting poems and suspenseful stories Poe: hauting poems and suspenseful stories

5. Transcendentalism Small philosophical and literature movement occurring during Romantic Period. Small philosophical and literature movement occurring during Romantic Period. Intellectual movement founded by Ralph Waldo Emerson Intellectual movement founded by Ralph Waldo Emerson Began around 1820, formal in 1836 Began around 1820, formal in 1836 Formed Transcendental Club in Boston Formed Transcendental Club in Boston Emerson, Thoreau, feminist writer Margaret Fuller, Unitarian preacher Theodore Parker, educator Bronson Alcott, philosopher and minister William Ellery Channing Emerson, Thoreau, feminist writer Margaret Fuller, Unitarian preacher Theodore Parker, educator Bronson Alcott, philosopher and minister William Ellery Channing

6. Transcendentalism Direct connection between individual soul and the universe Direct connection between individual soul and the universe By contemplating objects in nature people can transcend the world and find union with Over Soul. By contemplating objects in nature people can transcend the world and find union with Over Soul. Shared Universal Soul Shared Universal Soul Follow your own intuition and beliefs, even if different from social norm. Each individual knows the divine truth. Follow your own intuition and beliefs, even if different from social norm. Each individual knows the divine truth.

7. KEYS to Transcendentalism Individualism Individualism Intuition Intuition Nature Nature Self-Reliance Self-Reliance True religion lies in the individual and their connection to every other being…not in Christianity or the church. True religion lies in the individual and their connection to every other being…not in Christianity or the church.

8. Challenge the Text Do not accept what is written, question the author’s argument Do not accept what is written, question the author’s argument Question the author’s assertations and reasoning. Question the author’s assertations and reasoning. Compare the evidence the author gives with your own experience Compare the evidence the author gives with your own experience Decide whether or not you agree based on your experiences. Decide whether or not you agree based on your experiences.

9. Evaluate Writer’s Philosophy As a reader, not required to accept everything you see in print As a reader, not required to accept everything you see in print Pay attention to the support the writer gives to back up their philosophy Pay attention to the support the writer gives to back up their philosophy Compare the ideas of the author to your own experiences. Compare the ideas of the author to your own experiences.