So what is it? Brainstorm Romanticism So what is it? Brainstorm

It is not.

Or….

Or even….

Context This is a backlash to the Enlightenment and the Age of Reason The Pendulum Swings 1700’s 1800’s Head Heart Romanticism began to take root as a movement following the French Revolution. The publication of Lyrical Ballads by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1792 is considered the beginning of literary Romanticism

Definition Romanticism refers to a movement in art, literature, and music during the 19th century. Romanticism is characterized by the 5 “I”s Imagination Intuition Idealism Inspiration Individuality

Imagination Imagination was emphasized over “reason.” This was a backlash against the rationalism characterized by the “Age of Reason.” Imagination was considered necessary for creating all art. British writer Samuel Taylor Coleridge called it “intellectual intuition.” Rip Van Winkle: escape wife into the woods

Intuition Romantics placed value on “intuition,” or feeling and instincts, over reason. Emotions were important in Romantic art. British Romantic William Wordsworth described poetry as “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.” Denied reason and celebrated emotion

Idealism Idealism is the concept that we can make the world a better place. Idealism :any theory that emphasizes the spirit, the mind, or language over matter – thought has a crucial role in making the world the way it is. Mind over matter Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, held that the mind forces the world we perceive to take the shape of space-and-time.

Inspiration The Romantic artist, musician, or writer, is an “inspired creator” rather than a “technical master.” What this means is “going with the moment” or being spontaneous, rather than “getting it precise.” Backlash to Puritanism: nature as unknown and evil vs. nature is where we find God.

Individuality Romantics celebrated the individual. During this time period, Women’s Rights and Abolitionism were taking root as major movements. Walt Whitman, a later Romantic writer, would write a poem entitled “Song of Myself”: it begins, “I celebrate myself…” Proud of their differences vs. strict adherence to social norms. Melting pot Unique American Identity

Literature In America, Romanticism most strongly impacted literature. Writers explored supernatural and gothic themes. Writers wrote about nature – Transcendentalists believed God was in nature, unlike “Age of Reason” writers like Franklin and Jefferson, who saw God as a “divine watchmaker,” who created the universe and left it to run itself.

Fireside Poets Henry Wadsworth Longfellow William Cullen Bryant John Greenleaf Whittier James Russell Lowell Oliver Wendell Holmes Thus named because their poems were enjoyed by families around the fireside

The Romantic Hero Rational Hero Romantic Hero Worldly Intuitive Educated; Honor is based on Social expectations Devoted to higher purpose; Honor comes from principles Sophisticated Youthful and Innocent Connected to Civilization Loves nature; avoids town life (Idealized the Native Americans) Ben Franklin: inventor, intellect Natty Bumpo: first American Hero

When I heard the Learn’d Astronomer When I heard the learn’d astronomer; When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me; When I was shown the charts and the diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them; When I, sitting, heard the astronomer, where he lectured with much applause in the lecture-room, How soon, unaccountable, I became tired and sick; Till rising and gliding out, I wander’d off by myself, In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time, Look’d up in the perfect silence at the stars. Walt Whitman

Dark Romanticism Demonstrates emphasis of feelings Focused on the dark side of humanity Highlights how interfering with nature can lead to horrific results Emphasized man’s fallibility and tendency toward sin and self-destruction

Edgar Allen Poe January 19, 1809- October 7, 1849 Short Stories: “The Black Cat” The Pit and the Pendulum” “The Cask of Amontillado” Poems: “Annabel Lee” “The Raven” “Bells” Fixated on exposing the Dark Side of Humanity when passion overtakes reason

Nathaniel Hawthorne: 1804-1864 Do you remember who his Great Grandfather was?? The Scarlet Letter The House of Seven Gables “Rappaccini’s Daughter” “The Birthmark” “The Minister’s Black Veil” Examines how reliegious beliefs affect a person’s decision making Good vs. Evil Sinner vs. Saint Guilt vs. Redemption

Herman Melville 1819-1891 Moby Dick Bartleby the Scrivner Billy Budd Exposes the effects of obsession on humans – leads to madness and death