1. Swansboro High School – English 11

2. The Dark Romantics were a group of 19 th century writers who explored the dark side of human nature. Dark Romantic writers explored the human potential for evil, including the psychological effects of guilt, sin, and madness. WHO WERE THE DARK ROMANTICS?

3. Setting is in bleak or remote places. Plot involves morbid or violent incidents. Characters are in psychological and/or physical torment. A supernatural or otherworldly element is often present. GOTHIC STYLE CHARACTERISTICS

4. The transcendentalists were a group of 19 th century writers & artists who believed in the goodness and ultimate perfectibility of human beings. The transcendentalists valued self-reliance and individualism over custom and tradition. WHO WERE THE TRANSCENDENTALISTS?

5. Saw divine goodness and beauty beneath everyday reality Embraced the mystical and idealistic elements of Puritan thought Believed spiritual truths may be ugly or frightening Reintroduced the dark side of Puritan beliefs: the idea of Original Sin and the human potential for evil TranscendentalistsDark Romantics DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TRANSCENDENTALISTS & DARK ROMANTICS

6. True reality is spiritual. Intuition is superior to logic or reason. Human events contain signs & symbols of spiritual truths. SIMILARITIES BETWEEN TRANSCENDENTALISTS & DARK ROMANTICS

7. Dark Romantics themes still appear in stories, books, movies, TV shows, and comic books. Present-day horror stories and movies borrow images and themes from the original master of horror, Edgar Allan Poe. The conflict between good & evil and the effects of guilt & sin are major themes in current literature, popular writing, and television. THE DARK ROMANTIC LEGACY

8. Tim Burton’s “Corpse Bride” MODERN DARK ROMANTICISM

9. Tim Burton’s “Sweeney Todd” MODERN DARK ROMANTICISM