A Journey through Romanticism 1800 – 1870

Authors and Poets Romanticism Pioneers – Washington Irving and William C. Bryant Romanticism Pioneers – Washington Irving and William C. Bryant Fireside Poets – Henry W. Longfellow, Oliver W. Holmes, John G. Whittier, and James R. Lowell Fireside Poets – Henry W. Longfellow, Oliver W. Holmes, John G. Whittier, and James R. Lowell Transcendentalists – Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau Transcendentalists – Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau Dark Romantics – Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe Dark Romantics – Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe New Poetic Forms – Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson New Poetic Forms – Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson

Historical Context = time of growth and westward expansion = time of growth and westward expansion The move west brought new technologies in transportation, industry, and communication: The move west brought new technologies in transportation, industry, and communication: Canals and railroads Canals and railroads Factories and advanced farming equipment Factories and advanced farming equipment Telegraph and Morse code Telegraph and Morse code

Historical Context The move west and new technology also spurred troublesome changes: The move west and new technology also spurred troublesome changes: Factories brought fierce competition = child labor and unsafe working conditions Factories brought fierce competition = child labor and unsafe working conditions Women’s rights were severely hampered and efforts to change this came to the forefront Women’s rights were severely hampered and efforts to change this came to the forefront Opposition to slavery began to grow and gain a voice in abolitionists, eventually dividing the nation in two Opposition to slavery began to grow and gain a voice in abolitionists, eventually dividing the nation in two

What is Romanticism? A literary and artistic movement that placed an emphasis on imagination, emotion, nature, and individuality. A literary and artistic movement that placed an emphasis on imagination, emotion, nature, and individuality. Elevated the imagination over reason and intuition over facts. Elevated the imagination over reason and intuition over facts. Intense interest and reverence in nature. Intense interest and reverence in nature.

Who are the Romantics? Before 1800 American writers were not widely-read, and the Romantics changed this. Before 1800 American writers were not widely-read, and the Romantics changed this. These writers define the American voice – personal and bold. These writers define the American voice – personal and bold. These writers define the primary theme of American writing: the quest of the individual to define himself. These writers define the primary theme of American writing: the quest of the individual to define himself.

Who are the Romantics? Washington Irving Washington Irving William Cullen Bryant “The Pioneers’ William Cullen Bryant “The Pioneers’ Henry W. Longfellow Henry W. Longfellow Oliver W. Holmes Oliver W. Holmes James R. Lowell James R. Lowell John G. Whittier John G. Whittier “Fireside Poets” “Fireside Poets”

Who are the Romantics? Washington Irving 1 st American writer to achieve international reputation 1 st American writer to achieve international reputation Travel through Europe and a fascination with its folklore lead Irving to create his two most famous stories: Travel through Europe and a fascination with its folklore lead Irving to create his two most famous stories: “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” “Rip Van Winkle” “Rip Van Winkle” Wrote “The Devil and Tom Walker” at the same time Puritan beliefs were being replaced by materialism and the desire for personal gain. Wrote “The Devil and Tom Walker” at the same time Puritan beliefs were being replaced by materialism and the desire for personal gain.

Who are the Romantics? William C. Bryant Wrote “Thanatopsis” Wrote “Thanatopsis” Helped establish Romantic Movement in America Helped establish Romantic Movement in America Known as Father of American poetry Known as Father of American poetry

Who are the Fireside Poets? Henry W. Longfellow First American poet to reach a wide audience and create a national interest in poetry – most popular First American poet to reach a wide audience and create a national interest in poetry – most popular Wrote “Paul Revere’s Ride” Wrote “Paul Revere’s Ride” James R. Lowell Remembered for nature poetry Remembered for nature poetry Wrote “The First Snowfall” Wrote “The First Snowfall” Oliver W. Holmes Wrote “Old Ironsides” Wrote “Old Ironsides” Physician Physician John G. Whittier Wrote “Snowbound” Wrote “Snowbound” They were the TV of the American Romantic period and families gathered around the fireside to be entertained by their poetry.

Fireside Poets Lasting Impact Longfellow remained the most popular American poet for decades. Longfellow remained the most popular American poet for decades. They took on causes in their poetry, such as the abolition of slavery, which brought the issues to the forefront in an agreeable way. They took on causes in their poetry, such as the abolition of slavery, which brought the issues to the forefront in an agreeable way. Through their scholarship and editorial efforts, they paved the way for later Romantic writers like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Walt Whitman. Through their scholarship and editorial efforts, they paved the way for later Romantic writers like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Walt Whitman.

What is Dark Romanticism? Same attributes of Romanticism, but tends to accent the fantastic aspects of human experience more. Same attributes of Romanticism, but tends to accent the fantastic aspects of human experience more. Characterized as part of the literary genre known as: Gothic Literature Characterized as part of the literary genre known as: Gothic Literature

Gothic Style Characteristics Setting is in bleak or remote places. Setting is in bleak or remote places. Plot involves morbid or violent incidents. Plot involves morbid or violent incidents. Characters are in psychological and/or physical torment. Characters are in psychological and/or physical torment. A supernatural or otherworldly element is often present. A supernatural or otherworldly element is often present.

Who are the Dark Romantics? Edgar Allan Poe Wrote “The Raven” Wrote “The Raven” Widely accepted as the inventor of the detective story. Widely accepted as the inventor of the detective story. Known as an eccentric writer – his dark and dismal life probably had something to do with it. Known as an eccentric writer – his dark and dismal life probably had something to do with it. Herman Melville Wrote Moby-Dick which is widely regarded as one of the finest novels in all of American Literature. Wrote Moby-Dick which is widely regarded as one of the finest novels in all of American Literature. Nathaniel Hawthorne Believed evil was a dominant force in the world. Believed evil was a dominant force in the world. Wrote The Scarlet Letter and “The Minister’s Black Veil” Wrote The Scarlet Letter and “The Minister’s Black Veil”

15 The American Novel James Fenimore Cooper was the first American novelist to break from European tradition. James Fenimore Cooper was the first American novelist to break from European tradition. Novels sets in American frontier Novels sets in American frontier Main character - Natty Bumppo, the first American literary hero Main character - Natty Bumppo, the first American literary hero Bumppo appeared in a series of Cooper novels as other characters: Hawkeye, Deerslayer, Leatherstocking, etc. Bumppo appeared in a series of Cooper novels as other characters: Hawkeye, Deerslayer, Leatherstocking, etc. Bumppo - virtuous, moral, distrustful of city life, one with nature, etc.; skills were almost superhuman Bumppo - virtuous, moral, distrustful of city life, one with nature, etc.; skills were almost superhuman Cooper’s series of novels were called The Leatherstocking Tales Cooper’s series of novels were called The Leatherstocking Tales

16 The New American Hero American Romantic literature created this unique person he was youthful he was youthful he was innocent he was innocent he was intuitive he was intuitive he was one with nature he was one with nature he was a loner – uneasy around women he was a loner – uneasy around women he was handsome he was handsome he was brave he was brave he was moral and honorable he was moral and honorable