1. Classicism (Rationalism)
Truth through reason
Order, balance, logic important
Human nature governed by fixed, unchanging laws
Social and common good
Clarity, balance in lit.
Function to teach
Very traditional
Facts
The Revolutionary Period

2. Classicism Believed the world was static and unchanging.
The clock was the symbol.

3. Rationalism 1750-1800 Life guided by reason and logic over imagination
Order, tradition, balance important
Quest for democracy
The Revolutionary War-Ben Franklin

4. Romanticism Imagination Feeling and intuition Beauty in nature
Youthful innocence
Supernatural
Personal
The individual had unlimited potential (women’s rights and slavery issues).
Looks to the past (folk tales),
Lit. stressed emotions.

5. Romanticism 1800-1870 Love of nature The individual
Imagination over reason
The Fireside poets

6. Romanticism The world is dynamic and ever changing.
The symbol is a tree.

7. Romanticism Transcendentalism
Man, God, & nature united in the Oversoul
Optimistic-man basically good
Emerson & Thoreau
Dark Romantics / Anti-Transcendentalists
Believed man capable of evil
Psychological & supernatural
Poe