American Romanticism 1800-1860

American Literary Periods Native American (1500s) Puritanism (1600s) Revolutionary (1700s) Romanticism/ Transcendentalism (1800-1860)- we’re here Regionalism and Realism (1880-1910) Modernism (1910-1960s) Post Modernism (1960s present)

Romanticism Defined Romanticism is an artistic and intellectual movement that originated in the late 18th century stresses strong emotion, imagination, freedom from classical correctness in art forms, and rebellion against social conventions

Rebellion Romanticism can be seen as a rejection of the precepts of order, calm, harmony, balance, idealization, and rationality that typified Classicism in general and late 18th-century Neoclassicism in particular (British canon—great writers) It was also to some extent a reaction against the Enlightenment and against 18th-century rationalism and physical materialism in general Rather, it was the American writers’ way of declaring their independence from Britain—in their arts as well as their physical independence

Roots of Romanticism Optimism and Individualism: bright vs. dark (gothic period) Beauty, power, and wonder of Natural World Gothic literature- Edgar Allan Poe

Historical, Social, Cultural Influences Industrial Revolution- factories, transportation (steamboat and RR), division b/w North and South Age of Reform- “The Second Great Awakening”: abolition, women’s rights, improve prisons, conditions for mentally ill Rise of the Common Man- 1828 Andrew Jackson becomes president, reform movements

Characteristics of Romanticism Romanticism characteristics consist of a deepened appreciation of the beauties of nature a general exaltation of emotion over reason and of the senses over the intellect a heightened examination of the human personality and its moods and mental potentialities

Characteristics Cont. a preoccupation with the genius, the hero, and the exceptional figure in general, and a focus on his passions and inner struggles a new view of the artist as a supremely individual creator, whose creativity is more important than the strict and formal rules of tradition an emphasis on the imagination as a gateway to experience spiritual truth a predilection (fondness) for the exotic, the remote, the mysterious, the weird, the occult, the monstrous, the diseased, and even the satanic (often found in Poe’s literary works)

Romanticism Gives Rise to Transcendentalism The characteristics of Romanticism led to a new movement—Transcendentalism Transcendentalists found their place in Romanticism In a sense, Transcendentalism is a branch of Romanticism, but the two are separate philosophies Romantic Authors: Walt Whitman, Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne (The Scarlett Letter) Transcendentalist Authors: Ralph Waldo Emerson (leading figure)- Margaret Fuller, Hendry David Thoreau

Orthodox Christianity Transcendental Roots First Great Awakening Questioned divine election and original sin Liberal Christianity Stressed the value of intellectual reason as a path to divine wisdom Orthodox Christianity Unitarianism Rejection of the doctrine of the divine trinity; believed in ethical conduct and ability of intellect to discern what constituted ethical conduct; “natural theory” Transcendentalism

An “Accident”? Harvard 1805: election of Unitarian Reverend Henry Ware Sr. as Hollis Professor of Divinity; 1810: election of President—Unitarian Reverend John Thorton Kirkland Transcendentalism Younger generation of Harvard students began a rebellion against Unitarianism. Though not a rejection of Unitarianism, Transcendentalism is the product of it. By opening the door wide to the exercise of the intellect and free conscience, and encouraging the individual in his quest for divine meaning, the Unitarians unwittingly sowed the seeds of the Transcendental “revolt”

Transcendentalism Defined Intellectual movement—had elements of literary theory, religion, and philosophy Philosophy- idealism (Immanuel Kant)- reality is not “out there” in material objects but exists in our ideas about those objects Through intuition, we “know” the existence of our own soul (Emerson called intuition the “highest power of the Soul” that “never reasons, never proves; it simply perceives…”) Intuition was looked to for inspiration and insight- more valuable guide than sensory experience in grasping what nature is The group of Transcendentalists consisted of a small number of individualists—friends, who lived in or near Concord, Massachusetts Like the Puritans, they affirmed the individual’s ability to experience God firsthand. Unlike the Puritans, they believed that this ability was given to everyone

Emerson Optimism- universe existed for humanity’s benefit Ordinary human beings had limitless potential- ever person was infinite Hindu philosophy, Over-soul- spirit invades the universe

Henry David Thoreau Individualism- lived at Walden pond in Concord, Massachusetts for 2 years “Where I lived, What I lived for”- journal writing “Civil Disobedience”- Individual conscience is more important than the law; government was a threat to liberty Opposed Mexican American War (1846-1848) which some thought was being fought to extend slavery in the West

A philosophical and intellectual movement, headed prominently by Transcendentalism A philosophical and intellectual movement, headed prominently by Ralph Waldo Emerson Henry David Thoreau

Your Artistic Composition & Task Create a symbolic collage that represents Transcendentalism. Include the following Romantic characteristics: Individualism (the “thinking man”) Nature Spiritualism Solitude (tranquility) Emotions (feelings) BE CREATIVE! (30 points)