The Romantic Period 1800-1840

Characteristics of Romantic Period Interest in American past Emphasis on nature, imagination, emotion, and individuality Concentration on the inner world of human nature

Emergence of New Spirit of Nationalism Political reasons---American Revolution and 2nd war with England (1812) Pres. Jackson warned before he left the Presidency (1837) that internal divisions were the greatest threat to America {Slavery} Economic reasons---Eli Whitney’s cotton gin; Slater’s textile mill; Louisiana Purchase; desire of most to own land

Cultural reasons---After independence, there was a call for national literature that would express the values and ideals of the new nation Most American writers grew up with English literature. They then adapted these literary forms and applied them to their own American experiences American culture not established over night…took a long time to evolve into its own materials, themes, and attitudes

Classicism to Romanticism Intellectual movement most immediately apparent in literature Classic literature of 18th century gave way to 19th century romantic literature

Terms Frontier Hero: character who embodies the American spirit of adventure and reverence for nature Authors Irving: folktales, first American author Cooper: novelist, frontier hero Bryant: poet, exalted nature Poe: invented the short story; explores depth of human emotions into irrationality

Elements of Classicism (1700s) Reason is dominating characteristic of nature and human nature Reason more important than imagination, which had to be restrained by common sense Common good over the individual good Literature clear and ordered; illustrates common values and rational law of human existence Literature upholds tradition Social factors more important than personal

Elements of Romanticism (1800s) Emphasized emotions, intuition, and inner perception of truth Reason is not the sure guide to truth Key to the inner world is imagination, which gives expression to one’s intuition All art is the imaginative expression of the inner essence of an individual

Elements of Romanticism (1800s) Stressed human potential for social progress and spiritual growth National literature; American themes and attitudes Literature very much rooted in imagination, wilderness, or inner self (madness)

Emerson asks… (he’s a transcendentalist) “Who can set bounds to the possibilities of man?”

American Romanticism Not so much a philosophy…rather a change in attitude If all men are created equal, then naturally there would be a new emphasis on dignity and worth of man (social reform) Humanitarian reform (ie: abolishing slavery)

Major Writers Washington Irving William Cullen Bryant Edgar Allan Poe James Fenimore Cooper

Washington Irving Romantic tales of folklore, adapted from European legends Set in American landscape Characterized by American stereotypes that reveals general truths about human nature Nagging wife Battered husband

Washington Irving Old truths (stereotypes) about human nature and possibilities of American landscape (mixes history with fantasy through the use of hearsay) Use a humorous tone (satirical at times) but conveys a serious message about human values Notable Works “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” “Rip Van Winkle”

Bryant Poetry reflects Romantic approach to life through imagination and intuition the individual can learn from Nature great moral and spiritual truths “religion of nature”– natural world is inexhaustible source of moral and spiritual lessons

Bryant Observations of nature evoke feelings of self in oneself Father of American poetry

By living in harmony with nature, Man will understand transience (temporary state on earth) Be accepting of death Rejoice in the immortality of nature Notable Poetry “To a Waterfowl” “Thanatopsis”

Poetic Devices Blank verse- poetry written in unrhymed iambic pentameter (5 beats per line) Free verse- poetry that lacks a regular rhythmical pattern Caesura- pause or break in the middle of a line of poetry

Poetic Devices Personification- nonhuman subject is given human characteristics Meter- rhythmical pattern in the poem Determined by the number and types of stresses, or beats in a line Foot- two or more syllables that together make up the smallest unit of rhythm in a poem. Imagery- descriptive or figurative language; used to create word pictures for the reader

Poe Romantic view of nature and the inner self by depicting irrational characters in a grotesque reality Nature’s greater truth = internal madness

“Poe Myth” vs. Poe’s Reality Myth = immoral behavior, fiendish, brutish Reality = life was dull, miserable, dreary, perhaps just unlucky

Accomplishments Most important American writer before Walt Whitman Credited along with Hawthorne for giving short story the modern form Poe thought the short story should be short enough to read in one sitting Inventor of the detective story

Gothic Elements of Literature Language Everyday language that focuses on nature Repetition in poetry Imagery to bring the plot and characters to life Mystery, horror, violence, grotesque, supernatural