American Romanticism Early 1800’s to 1865

We will walk with our own feet. We will work with our own hands We will walk with our own feet. We will work with our own hands. We will speak our own minds. -Ralph Waldo Emerson What type of values might American Romantics embraced, judging from this quote? Shun industrial progress, disliked factory products, were non comformists

Before we look at what Romanticism IS, we have to think about what it IS NOT! Despite the name of the literary period, Romanticism does not deal with sappy love stories. THIS IS NOT THE KIND OF LITERATURE THAT WE ARE GOING TO STUDY!

So what IS Romanticism? Romanticism is the name for the literary period that followed the Age of Reason (The Revolutionary Period) in America. Due to the fact that the country was now established, writers moved their focus away from political matters and revolutionary governmental ideas, and began to focus on other aspects of life (emotions, possibilities, imagination etc…)

Characteristics of Romanticism #1: Interest in the common man and childhood They believed in the natural goodness of humans which is hindered by the urban life of civilization. They believed that the savage is noble, childhood is good and the emotions inspired by both beliefs causes the heart to soar. #2: Strong senses, emotions, and feelings They believed that knowledge is gained through intuition rather than reasoning. Use your gut feelings! This is best summed up by Wordsworth who stated that “all good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.”

Characteristics of Romanticism Con’t #3: Awe of nature Romantics stressed the awe of nature in art and language and the experience of sublimity through a connection with nature. They Contemplated nature’s beauty as a path to spiritual and moral development Shuns the artificiality of civilization and seeks unspoiled nature #4: Celebration of the individual Romantics often elevated the achievements of the misunderstood, heroic individual outcast. Champions individual freedom and the worth of the individual

Characteristics of Romanticism Con’t #5: Importance of imagination Places faith in inner experience and the power of the imagination Finds beauty and truth in exotic locals, the supernatural realm, and the inner world of the imagination

A sample of American Romantic art A sample of American Romantic art- note the wild landscape, no hint of civilization. Ominous clouds

Sub Genres of Romanticism Transcendentalism: A literary period based on romantic ideals, but transcended this idea further with a focus on individual spirituality Dark Romanticism/Gothic Literature: The darker side of the romantics, explored the supernatural Important Writers of Romanticism: William Cullen Bryant Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Important Dark Romantic Authors: Nathaniel Hawthorne Herman Melville Edgar Allan Poe Important Transcendentalist Authors: Ralph Waldo Emerson Henry David Thoreau

BIG PICTURE. Romantic VIEW OF MAN: Focus on the individual and his inner world (imagination and emotions).

BIG PICTURE Romantic VIEW OF NATURE: Nature is beautiful, mysterious, and symbolic. God can be seen in nature.

BIG PICTURE Romantic GUIDE TO TRUTH: Intuition (inner voice or gut feeling) and imagination guides each individual to understanding.