Romanticism Transcendentalism Dark Romanticism Individualism Romanticism Transcendentalism Dark Romanticism

Mostly A’s: You’re a Rationalist. You reject strict, overly-controlling rules and conformity, but you still believe there is a place for structure in a society. Your views are based on reason. You can, at times, be hypocritical in your words and actions. You have trouble making friends because you love to debate and make your voice heard. You also ask a lot of rhetorical questions, which makes people uncomfortable.

Mostly B’s You’re a Romantic! No, you’re not into wooing and candlelit dinners; you’re into respecting the beauty around you and valuing your own abilities. You wholly disagree with any authority and know that individuals should experience life for themselves without someone else leading them. Emotion drives your actions. Your introverted ways lead you to seclude yourself from society, so your best friends are your spirituality, your heart, and probably a squirrel that sits outside your window.

Mostly C’s You’re a Puritan! You love rules, rules, and more rules. Any sort of fun or entertainment is avoided. Your favorite pastimes are tilling the land, following the crowd, and hoping you aren’t eternally doomed. Also, you can totally rock a bonnet and apron or a wide-brimmed cap, tall white socks, and knickers.

Individualism (1800-1850) Romanticism Transcendentalism Influenced by British Romanticism Rejection of Puritanism and the Rationalist movement Reaction to first Industrial Revolution Threatening to the human spirit and intrinsic rights of humans Reaction to Abolitionist movements Subgenre– Dark Romanticism Reaction to American Romanticism

Romanticism: Calling all Introverts! Focus: Freedom, Nature, Emotion/Imagination, Optimism Style/Characteristics: Short stories, novels, poems, highly colorful plots, supernatural/gothic elements, descriptive language, characters and setting set apart from society Philosophies: Nature is beautiful and pure. Society is corrupt and evil. The individual should follow emotion rather than reason. The individual should be free from any authoritative constraints (e.g. church, slaveholders, government), and can only do good things when freed.

Dark Romanticism (AKA Gothic) For some Romantic writers, the imagination led to the threshold of the unknown—the shadowy region where the fantastic, the demonic and the insane reside. When the Gothics saw the individual, they saw the potential of evil. Romantic writers celebrated the beauties of nature while Gothic writers peered into the darkness at the supernatural. We’ll look more closely at Dark Romanticism later.

A Psalm of Life Henry Wadsworth Longfellow One of the most popular poets of the 19th Century Optimistic tone and uplifting subject matter was attractive to his followers Recognized for his poetry’s melodious musicality Part of a group called “Fireside Poets” source of entertainment for families gathered around the fire at home Also composed “Paul Revere’s Ride” “A Psalm of Life” is one of the most anthologized poems to date. Inspired by the death of Longfellow’s wife– encouraged him to keep going Sometimes criticized for being too optimistic

A psalm of Life Read the poem in the textbook on pg. 345 Complete the close reading tasks detailed on your handout. Then, create two arguments and provide evidence for support.

Transcendentalism Transcendentalism can be difficult to define. There are many different views among philosophers, but that is essentially what creates Transcendentalism. They celebrated their individuality. Ralph Waldo Emerson Henry David Thoreau

Transcendentalism Focus: Freedom, Nature, Optimism, Intuition, Mindfulness Style/Characteristics: essay, nonfiction, poetry Philosophies: The individual should follow intuition/conscience rather than reason. One must rise above (transcend) the current state of the world (politics, church, society) to become self-aware Inspiration/spirituality is everywhere and in everything

Romanticism vs. Transcendentalism Truth is found through: Emotion (External) Intuition/Conscience (Internal) Individuals need: To be free from society but still live parallel to it To transcend/ Rise above societal constraints Spirituality is the understanding that: God is something personal God is everywhere and in everything Expressed in forms of: Fiction (Most often) Nonfiction

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American poet, essayist, and philosopher Entered the ministry but resigned due to conflicting philosophies The “Father of Transcendentalism” Known for challenging traditional thought An optimist in contrast to gothic writers of the time His motto became “Trust Thyself” which many Transcendentalists adopted