1. Romanticism Literary Period

2. OBJECTIVES
Introduction to Romanticism Competency Area #1 (Literature and Culture)
Important Themes in Romanticism Competency Area #2 (Essential Themes and Ideas)
Stylistic Characteristics of Romanticism Competency Area #2 (Essential Themes and Ideas)
Historical Characteristics of Romanticism Competency Area #3 (Literature and History)

3. Literature and Culture
Introduction to Romanticism Competency Area #1 (Literature and Culture)
FAMILY LIFE
Families were bigger Defined marital roles between husband and wife Husband as Head of household
FAMILY, EDUCATION, AND LITERACY First American Dictionary (Webster’s Dictionary) in Golden Age of Children’s Literature (1840s) First Deaf College in America (now known as Gallaudet University) Common Schools formed (precursor to public schools)

4. Thematic Characteristics
Introduction to Romanticism Competency Area #2 (Themes and Essential Ideas)
The 6 I’s
Imagination
Intuition
Idealism
Individuality
Inspiration
In love with nature

5. Thematic Characteristics (Imagination and Intuition)
Introduction to Romanticism Competency Area #2 (Themes and Essential Ideas)
Imagination
Emphasized imagination over reason
Industrialization sparks writer’s imagination
Desire to escape
Intuition
Valued intuition (feelings/instincts) over reason (logic)
Highly valued emotions
Example: How do you think Rip Van Winkle exhibits these characteristics?

6. Thematic Characteristics (Individuality and Idealism)
Introduction to Romanticism Competency Area #2 (Themes and Essential Ideas)
Individuality
Desire Independence from Europe
Creation of a National Identity
Idealism
Concept that we can make the world a better place
Emphasizes spirit, the mind, or language over matter
Example: How do you think Rip Van Winkle exhibits these characteristics?

7. Thematic Characteristics (Inspiration and In love with Nature)
Introduction to Romanticism Competency Area #2 (Themes and Essential Ideas)
Inspiration
Inspiration from the Past (mainly Europe)
Fireside Poets (mixed American ideals with European form)
In love with nature
Industrial revolution sparked a return to nature
Nature as a source of spirituality (Finding God in Nature)
Example: How do you think Rip Van Winkle exhibits these characteristics?

8. Some Thematic Characteristics in “Rip Van Winkle”
Introduction to Romanticism Competency Area #2 (Themes and Essential Ideas)
Thematic Characteristics
All About the Imagination
Rip Follows his own Intuition
Rip Van Winkle desires an Ideal world
Prefers Individuality
Irving drew Inspiration from German Tales (Peter Klaus the Goatherd)
Rip is In love with nature Example: How do you think Rip Van Winkle exhibits these characteristics?

9. Stylistic Characteristics
Introduction to Romanticism Competency Area #2 (Themes and Essential Ideas)
Characters
Ordinary Characters (unlike the typical European hero)
Ordinary person who does not follow society’s norms
Characters rely on their own intuition and feeling
Point of view
First person point of view or Third person point of view
Example: How do you think Rip Van Winkle exhibits these characteristics?

10. Stylistic Characteristics (Continued)
Introduction to Romanticism Competency Area #2 (Themes and Essential Ideas)
Plot and Language
Usually traditional structure with lofty poetic language
May use a lot of imagery, symbolism, humor, and irony
Setting
Exotic settings of the natural past
Characters journey away from harsh conditions to a beautiful place
Use setting with Supernatural qualities
Example: How do you think Rip Van Winkle exhibits these characteristics?

11. Some Stylistic Characteristics in “Rip Van Winkle”
Introduction to Romanticism Competency Area #2 (Themes and Essential Ideas)
Stylistic Characteristics
Ordinary individual who does not always follow societal norms
Rip journeys from harsh conditions (wife) to pleasant conditions (nature)
Heightened language complements the characters and imaginary events
Story is told in the persona of Deidrich Knickerbocker

12. Historical Characteristics
Introduction to Romanticism Competency Area #3 (Literature and History)
War of 1812
Establish Independence, National Identity
Industrial Revolution (1820) Urbanization, Transportation, Desire to Return to Nature
Second Great Awakening (1830) Reaction against Rationalism Spread of religious revivals Church membership soars

13. Featured Authors

14. Featured Author: Washington Irving
Introduction to Romanticism Competency Area #3 (Literature and History)
Accomplishments Father of American Literature Wrote first American short story Timeless Classics Personal Life Tarrytown, Manhattan, Sleepy Hollow Overactive Imagination Sent to England to Run Family Business Influenced by British writers
Writing Style Influenced by German Legends Use Personas (Deidrich Knickerbocker, George Crayon, etc.)