Romantic Period and Gothic Literature

Romantic period existed around the turn of the 19th century to around the 1830’s. It was a response to the period of Reformation that followed the Renaissance period The period of Reformation was marked by logic and reason.

Characteristics Interest in the common man and childhood: Natural good in people is corrupted by urban life and civilization. Believed in the noble savage (think Tarzan). Children were precious

Strong senses, emotions, and feelings Knowledge is gained through intuition and not deduction

Awe of nature: Nature was a powerful, healing force.

Celebration of the individual: Elevated the achievements of the misunderstood, heroic individual outcast. Les Miserables, Frankenstein, The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Gothic Literature A subcategory of the Romantic period

Characteristics Gloomy, decaying setting. Supernatural beings Curses and prophecies Fascination with the past The doppelganger: apparition/double Nature as a destructive force used to punish. Forbidden knowledge

Epistolary Novel: Story told through letters.