American Romanticism

Time Period American Romanticism lasted roughly from 1800 to American Romanticism lasted roughly from 1800 to 1860.

Historical Context Some events surrounding the Romantic literary movement in America were: Some events surrounding the Romantic literary movement in America were: The Louisiana Purchase The Louisiana Purchase The Movement West (The American Frontier) The Movement West (The American Frontier) War of 1812 War of 1812 The European Romantic movement The European Romantic movement

Major Characteristics: More set towards emotional appeals than ethical or logical ones. More set towards emotional appeals than ethical or logical ones. Mostly fictional stories Mostly fictional stories Emphasis on creativity, imagination, emotion, and intuition. Emphasis on creativity, imagination, emotion, and intuition. Works associated with appreciation of nature. Works associated with appreciation of nature. Inclusion of supernatural subjects. Inclusion of supernatural subjects.

Explores the mysteries of nature and the inner self Explores the mysteries of nature and the inner self Incorporated the relationship between nature and imagination Incorporated the relationship between nature and imagination

Traits, Forms, and Terms Folk tales & tall tales (hyperbolic) Folk tales & tall tales (hyperbolic) Stock characters (stereotypical, flat) Stock characters (stereotypical, flat) Firsts: American short stories, American novel, and American dictionary Firsts: American short stories, American novel, and American dictionary American Gothic style emerged (incorporation of supernatural); precursor to horror fiction American Gothic style emerged (incorporation of supernatural); precursor to horror fiction Emphasis on symbolism Emphasis on symbolism Omniscient narrators/ p.o.v. Omniscient narrators/ p.o.v.

James Fenimore Cooper Author of the first American novel Known for frontier fiction Famous Works: The Leatherstocking Tales The Last of the Mohicans

Edgar Alan Poe Father of American Gothic/ Horror Famous works: “The Raven”, “The Telltale Heart”,”The Masque of the Red Death”, The Fall of the House of Usher, etc.

William Cullen Bryant Nature poetry Famous Works: “Thanatopsis”

Washington Irving American folk tale Famous Works: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, “Rip Van Winkle”, “The Devil and Tom Walker”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Narrative poetry Famous works: “Paul Revere’s Ride”, “Evangeline”, “The Song of Hiawatha.”

Nathaniel Hawthorne Famous Works: The House of Seven Gables, The Scarlet Letter.

Sources Mays, Peter. "American History Timeline." Animated Atlass Dec “Nathaniel Hawthorne." Wikipedia.3 Dec “William Cullen Bryant,” Wikipedia.3 Dec “Washington Irving,” Wikipedia.3 Dec “Edgar Alan Poe,” Wikipedia.3 Dec “Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,” Wikipedia.3 Dec “James Fenimore Cooper,” Wikipedia.3 Dec “Romanticism,” Wikipedia.3 Dec 2006.