2. American Romanticism 1800-1860 We will walk with our own feet; we will work with our own hands; we will speak our own minds. -Ralph Waldo Emerson What does this reveal about the attitude of Romantics?

3. Rationalism vs. Romanticism The rationalists believed the city to be a place to find success and self-realization. The rationalists believed the city to be a place to find success and self-realization. The romantics associated the countryside with independence, moral clarity, and healthful living. The romantics associated the countryside with independence, moral clarity, and healthful living.

4. Characteristics of American Romanticism: -Values feeling and intuition over reason

5. Places faith in inner experience and the power of the imagination

6. Shuns the artificiality of civilization and seeks unspoiled nature

7. Champions individual freedom and the worth of the individual

8. Contemplates nature ’ s beauty as a path to spiritual and moral development

9. The Romantic Interpretation of Nature The literature of the American Romantic Period reflects a type of resurrection and new flowering. Artists shifted from painting people to painting the vast frontier. The literature of the American Romantic Period reflects a type of resurrection and new flowering. Artists shifted from painting people to painting the vast frontier. Literature followed the lead of the artists. Both poetry and prose examined the relationship between form, order, and meaning in human experience in the context of the pristine natural world. Literature followed the lead of the artists. Both poetry and prose examined the relationship between form, order, and meaning in human experience in the context of the pristine natural world.

10. Homework Question Write a thoughtful ½ page response to the following question: Write a thoughtful ½ page response to the following question: What were the values of the Romantics, and how did these values affect the American imagination? What were the values of the Romantics, and how did these values affect the American imagination?

11. Transcendentalism Transcendental refers to the idea that in determining the ultimate reality of God, the universe, the self, and other important matters, one must transcend, or go beyond, everyday human experience in the physical world. Transcendental refers to the idea that in determining the ultimate reality of God, the universe, the self, and other important matters, one must transcend, or go beyond, everyday human experience in the physical world. This belief had roots in Puritan thought, but went beyond: people could use their intuition to seek God’s spirit revealed in nature or in their own souls. This belief had roots in Puritan thought, but went beyond: people could use their intuition to seek God’s spirit revealed in nature or in their own souls. Emerson was the best know Transcendentalist. Emerson was the best know Transcendentalist.

12. The Dark Romantics The best known Dark Romantic is Edgar Allen Poe. The best known Dark Romantic is Edgar Allen Poe. Dark Romantics did not disagree with the Romantic belief that spiritual facts lie behind the appearances of nature: they just believed that those facts could be both good and bad. Dark Romantics did not disagree with the Romantic belief that spiritual facts lie behind the appearances of nature: they just believed that those facts could be both good and bad. Could not ignore the dark side of Puritan thought: its emphasis on Original Sin, sense of the innate wickedness of human beings, and beliefs in predestination. Could not ignore the dark side of Puritan thought: its emphasis on Original Sin, sense of the innate wickedness of human beings, and beliefs in predestination.