American interpretation of an English literary movement
Between 1812 and Civil War Dignity and freedom Rebellion Emotion over intellect Nature/Man/Higher Power
Democratic Limitless land Lure of the Open Road Personal freedom
Hudson River School of Painting
Invent New Forms Focus on American settings and themes
Puritan ancestry Ancestor was a “Hanging Judge” in Salem witch trials Guilt seen in writing American wilderness
Common Themes: Alienation/isolation and Loneliness Doubt and Ambiguity Guilt and Innocence Moral Corruption and Sin Hypocrisy
Style Author-Controlled POV Ambiguity Foreshadowing Irony Allegory Symbolism
Allegory Goodman Brown Faith (Goody Brown) Traveler Others
Look for: Foreshadowing Symbols Incidents of the surreal Goodman Brown’s father Goodman Brown’s weakness (ironic) A dream or real?