American Romanticism 1800-1860

The Romantic Period The "Romantic Period" refers to literary and cultural movements in England, Europe, and America from roughly 1770 to 1860. Romantic writers (and artists) saw themselves as revolting against the "Age of Reason.”

Why did the Romantic Period come about? - The Age of Romanticism began when the United States established itself as a nation. The nation settled into statehood with a Constitution and an established elected government and has time to think “romantically” Romantic thinking = using one’s imagination and fully experiencing ones emotions.

The Industrial Revolution Major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transport, and technology had a profound effect on the socioeconomic and cultural conditions Some people began making more money, but a large amount of people experienced poverty and poor living conditions in these growing cities.

Age of Reason Romanticism Reasonable Logical Practical Conservative Emphasis on Science Left Brain Repressed Desire Mechanical Urban/City Life Emotional Values being alone in nature Fantasy Creative Energy Right Brain Exotic Idealistic Satisfaction of Desire Imagination

Transition to Romanticism What people learned from the Age of Reason is that reason couldn’t answer all the questions or define all the unknowns, such as evil, madness, and magic.

American Romantic Poets The poets of this time had very specific styles of writing. "Hope" is the thing with feathers "Hope" is the thing with feathers— That perches in the soul— And sings the tune without the words— And never stops—at all— And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard— And sore must be the storm— That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm— I've heard it in the chillest land— And on the strangest Sea— Yet, never, in Extremity, It asked a crumb—of Me. Emily Dickinson

Walt Whitman O Me! O Life! Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring, Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish, Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?) Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renew’d, Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me, Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined, The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life? Answer. That you are here—that life exists and identity, That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.

Romantic Literature Romantic literature was personal, intense, and portrayed more emotion. The works of the Romantic Era also appealed to a wider audience. More people had access to books as costs came down during the period. The Romantic period saw an increase in female authors and also female readers.

“The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls” p “The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls” p. 226 Read this poem and answer the three questions at the bottom of your page.