American Romanticism 1820’s-1861

I. American Life Changes dramatically in a short period of time A. Population in 1800: 5.3 million Population in 1850: 23.1 million

Drastic Changes, cont. D. The first significant middle class rises to power. E. Cities really begin to flourish

II. Literacy in America Caused by middle class Publishing industry flourishes at this time. Newspapers become widely popular 1800  200 newspapers in USA 1830  1200 newspapers in USA 1830  47 newspapers in NYC 2007  +/- 12 newspapers in NYC

Literacy, cont C. Creates people who want to be Responsible Voters D. People start following issues like, Slavery, Women’s Rights, Worker’s rights, Indian’s rights.

All these changes lead to the birth of American Literature! What is Literature???

III. Changes in Religion A.Church is in Decline B.Separation of “Church and State” 1. No Mandatory Church Attendance C. Bible stories become Folklore 1. People still read and understood it 2. Writers could use it

C  R Classicists Man perfected by society Romantics Man is already good; he is corrupted by society

C  R Classicists The here and now Romantics The distant past and the Far away

C  R Classicists Logic Romantics Emotion

C  R #6 Classicists Reason Romantics Instinct

Puritan Art

Classicist Art

Romantic Art

The Romantic Hero Is someone who breaks away from society Someone who is at the center of their own existence Other characteristics include introspective, regret and self-criticism.

The Birth of American Literature The Father of American Literature Washington Irving

Dates Puritanism 1620’s-1750’s Classicism 1750’s-1820’s Romanticism 1820’s-1861

Tenets of American Romanticism: A.Nothing to do with L-O-V-E B.Draw Influence from the Usual, Ordinary, Everyday C. Be concerned with Nature 1. It is ordered, simple, raw D. Stress the individual! E. Define man by his ability to feel emotion

Romantic Characters Will A.Think with their Hearts. B.Trust their instincts. C. Communicate with and learn from nature. D. Not fit in with contemporary society.

The Birth of American Literature The Father of American Poetry William Cullen Bryant

The Birth of American Literature The Father of the American Short Story Edgar Allan Poe

The Birth of American Literature The Father of the American Novel James Fenimore Cooper

The Last of the Mohicans