Romantic Era Cornell Notes Essential Question: What are the impacts of major historical events on literature, language, and lifestyle during the Romantic Era? Page 754 in textbook.

The Romantic Period 1798-1832

Historical Context: A Time of Revolution Many writers saw the French Revolution as a turning point: a move toward a more ideal and civilized society. George III is blamed for the loss of American colonies. Insensitive and unsympathetic attitude towards colonists English people felt sympathy for French Revolution until violent party took over. Reign of Terror horrified English, who had their own restless laboring/lower classes.

Historical Context: A Time of Revolution There were many social problems in England: lack of representation in parliament, crime and poor sanitation, harsh criminal penalties. Reform was repressed and England became more conservative out of fear of revolution/anarchy (France). American and French revolutions caused government oppression of English society. As a result, poets valued the freedom of the individual.

War with France After 25 years of war with France, England feared an invasion via Ireland. Desire to avoid this led to the formation of the United Kingdom (Act of Union). Napoleon takes over Frances government and much of Europe. English navy defeats him at the Battle of Trafalgar. Ultimately defeated at the Battle of Waterloo.

Cultural Influences: The Down Side of Industry Industrial Revolution improved things for the middle and upper classes, but not for laborers in factories and mills. Led to marginalization of the poor through the doctrine of laissez faire (economy works best without government intervention): no laws regulating safety, hours, wages, labor, boom-and-bust fluctuations Luddite riots occurred because economic depression and new machinery led to loss of many factory jobs Parliament passed a law against breaking machines- punishable by death. Poet Lord Byron was one of few who spoke out in sympathy with rebels.

The Down Side of Industry Corn Law taxed cheap foreign grain, which protected farmers and large landowners, but kept food prices high, hurting the poor and unemployed. Factory workers wanted labor unions, which were illegal. Troops suppressed gatherings of workers, at one time killing 11 (Peterloo Massacre)

What Does “Romantic” Mean? (WRITE THIS DOWN) The romance genre allows writers to explore new, more psychological and mysterious aspects of the human experience Firstly, the word romantic signifies fascination with youth and innocence, with “growing up” by exploring and learning to trust emotions Emotions are more important than reason. Secondly: a stage in a cyclical development of societies; when people need to question tradition/authority in order to imagine better (happier, fairer, healthier), ways to live; associated with idealism Thirdly: Western societies reached conditions necessary for industrialization and demanded that people acquire a stronger awareness of change & try to find ways to adapt to it

Romantic Literature: Revolt Against Neoclassicism Romanticism began in Germany. Sturm und Drang, Goethe, Friedrich von Schiller Writers revolted against the order and traditionalism that Neoclassical writers used. They were influenced by American and French revolutions and pushes for change, which resulted in search for freer artistic forms.

Revolt Against Neoclassicism Emotion became more important than reason; relationship to nature was important Lyrical poem was popular: emphasis on subjective experiences, thoughts, feelings, and desires William Blake began publishing earlier than traditional romantic period Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience paired poems. William Blake believed that the poet was a bard: an inspired revealer and teacher

Revolt Against Neoclassicism Robert Burns drew on Scottish rural life for poetry. Some writing was neoclassic; songs were Romantic. Sir Walter Scott also used Scottish heritage as inspiration. Became famous as pioneer of historical novel. Poets found way through imagination to fulfill the poet’s traditional role as “prophet.”

Romanticism Evolves Romanticism began in 1798 with the publication of Lyrical Ballads, with a Few Other Poems by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. They were united by a desire to explore new kinds of literary expression. Both believed nature and meditation were linked, with insight into human experience gained through communion with nature.

Wordsworth believed that the poet was a special person, “endowed with more lively sensibility, more enthusiasm and tenderness…a greater knowledge of human nature, and a more comprehensive soul, than are supposed to be common among mankind.” Samuel Taylor Coleridge believed that the poet “brings the whole soul of man into activity,” employing “that synthetic and magical power…the imagination.”

Romanticism Evolves Wordsworth defined features of romanticism. Emphasis on the individual Rejection of artificiality in favor of love and passion Love of nature Respect for the commonplace Freeing of the imagination Fascination with out and innocence Questioning authority and tradition for idealistic purposes Adaptation to change Transformative power of nature Emotional and personal experiences of ordinary people

Romanticism Evolves Lake Poets: Wordsworth, Coleridge, and others lived in the same area. Familiar (personal) essays were popular since they focused on personal experiences and feelings. Jane Austen remained neoclassical in many ways, focusing on the intimate world that she new (novels of manners). Contain romantic elements: details of daily life, focus on character and personality, spirit of some characters (although usually became more reserved by the end)

Lord Byron: most prominent of second generation The Late Romantics Lord Byron: most prominent of second generation His brooding hero became associated with himself. Byron’s radical politics and personal life made him subject of scandal—exiled himself to the continent Lord Byron

The Byronic Hero – WRITE THIS DOWN!! Characteristics of a Byronic hero: rash rebels, hailed or resurrected in reaction to neoclassical world of restraint reckless, wounded manhood “proud, moody, cynical, defiance on his brow, and misery in his heart, implacable in revenge, yet capable of deep and strong affection” devastatingly attractive, yet flawed passionate individuals, intellectually searching incapable of compromise, forever brooding over some past sin, painfully yet definitely alone The appeal of these characters was that they embodied the pessimism of the age (there was no other outlet for creative young men--like Byron); they “beckon admirers to explore personal freedoms and to reject confining conventions,” and appeal to those lonely and misunderstood. Basically, people love the “bad boy” Lord Byron

His writing reflected romantic values. The Late Romantics Shelley was more radical than Byron. He eloped and spent his remaining years abroad. His writing reflected romantic values. Percy Shelley believed that the poets were the “unacknowledged legislators of the world.”

The Late Romantics Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein incorporated romantic ideas of passion and reason versus the dangers of science Society feared unchecked scientific progress and industry’s negative effects on humanity. Gothic style focused on the supernatural and chaos in nature.

Odes use heightened, impassioned language and address an object. The Late Romantics Keats used vivid images from nature leading to philosophical meditation of joy, sorrow, love, death, art, and beauty. Odes use heightened, impassioned language and address an object. John Keats believed that the poet was “physician” to all humanity and “pours out a balm upon the world.”

In short… (Write this down!) Romantic writers idealized nature and promoted the idea that human beings could learn a great deal from nature’s simple truths. In contrast to the writers of the Age of Reason, romantic writers saw emotions as the core of human experience and viewed literature as a means of expressing those emotions. In their work, romantic writers celebrated the charm of everyday objects and experiences and the glory of commonplace people.

Romantic writers lived in a time when Britain was growing more conservative because of the threat from revolutionary France and Napoleon. Most British romantics supported social reform, but faced an uphill battle in an era of government restrictions.

The Curfew by Samuel Palmer

Worcester by Sir John Gilbert

Questions: 3- Applying “Off the page” or “From the brain” Evaluate 1- Gathering “On the page” or “From the book” Complete Identify Recite Define List Select Describe Observe 2- Processing “Between the Lines” or “From the book and brain” Compare Sort Infer Contrast Distinguish Analyze Classify Explain (why?) 3- Applying “Off the page” or “From the brain” Evaluate Judge If/Then Generalize Predict Hypothesize Imagine Speculate Forecast

Summary 3-5 things that have the most significant impact on the literature, language, and/or lifestyle during the Romantic Era. Why? Be sure you have 2 questions per large section… so about 12 total.