1. 1) Romanticism is a movement that encompasses the fields of visual art, architecture, music and literature. 2) The movement commenced in approximately 1800 in America. 3) The movement was presumably a reaction against the revolutionary period that emphasized on reasoning and traditionalism. 4) Romanticism brought the purity of nature and mankind into focus. 5) Reasoning was overshadowed by passion and the concept of romantic hero came into limelight. 6) This character symbolized youth, sentiments and intuition. 7) Romanticism enhanced the accomplishments of individuals and artists who were looked upon as heroes in the social set up. 8) The artists of this regime believed and propagated the 5 i s –Imagination –Intuition –Innocence –Inner Experience –Inspiration from nature and the supernatural. Age of Romanticism

2. Historical Context 1800-1870 = time of growth and expansion westward The move west brought new technologies in transportation, industry, and communication: Canals and Railroads Factories and advanced farming equipment Telegraph and Morse code

3. Historical Context Cont. The move west and new technology also spurred troublesome changes: 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 Opposition to slavery began to grow and gain a voice in abolitionists, eventually dividing the nation in two

4. What is Romanticism? A literary and artistic movement that placed an emphasis on imagination, emotion, nature, and individuality Elevated the imagination over reason – and – intuition over fact Reveled in nature

5. Who are the Romantics? Before 1800 American writers were not widely read – –Romantics changed this 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

6. Romantic Writers of 1800s Washington Irving James Fenimore Cooper William Cullen Bryant Edgar Allan Poe

7. The Romantic Movement Vs. The Age of Reason Age of Reason 1700-1800 –reason –moderation –science –pragmatism Age of Romanticism 1810-1865 –emotion –excess –nature –self –idealism –intense feeling

8. 8 Characteristics of Romanticism Profound love of nature Focus on the self and the individual Fascination with the supernatural, mysterious, gothic Yearning for picturesque and exotic landscapes Deep-rooted idealism Passionate nationalism

9. More on Authors In literature, writers published works that embodied concepts of freedom, religious piety, and independence that characterized the country. –Washington Irving “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” –William Cullen Bryant “Thanatopsis” “ To a Waterfowl” –James Fennimore Cooper Last of the Mohicans –Edgar Allan Poe, the Goth Romantic “The Raven”

10. Washington Irving Romantic tales of folklore adapted from European legends Set in American landscape Characterized by American stereotypes that reveals general truths about human nature –Nagging wife –Battered husband

11. More on Washington Irving’s Style Old truths (stereotypes) about human nature and possibilities of American landscape (mixes history with fantasy) Uses humorous tone (satirical at times) but conveys serious message about human values

12. Irving’s Notable Works “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” “Rip Van Winkle” The Devil and Tom Walker” The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. A History of New York…by Diedrich Knickerbocker

13. Pictured: John Quidor, 1801–81, The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane, 1858, oil

14. Rip Van Winkle, oil on canvas by John Quidor, 1829; in the Art Institute of Chicago.

15. “The Devil and Tom Walker” by Washington Irving Common folktale about selling soul to the devil “Devil will get his due” Other Devilish Names –black man of the forest; black miner; black woodsman; Old Scratch; Mephistopheles; Satan; Diablo; Lucifer

16. James Fenimore Cooper 1 st major American novelist Uses actual events in American history as settings for his novels His characters define their personal values by their experiences in the lawless wilderness Natural view of life is simple and profound

17. Cooper’s Notable Works Leatherstocking Tales---collection of 5 novels that chronicle life of Natty Bumppo –The Pioneers –The Last of the Mohicans –The Prairie –The Pathfinder –The Deerslayer Natty Bumppo is literary hero

19. Cooper - Literary Analysis Characterization –Round, dynamic character –Literary hero Conflict –Natty as a product of two conflicting cultures Theme –Nature vs. civilization

20. William Cullen Bryant Poetry reflects Romantic approach to life Through imagination and intuition one can learn from nature great moral and spiritual truths “Religion of Nature”---natural world is inexhaustible source of moral and spiritual lessons Observations of nature evoke feelings of self in oneself. Father of American Poetry

21. By living in harmony with nature, man will understand transience (temporary state) on earth accept death rejoice in immortality of nature More on Bryant’s Philosophy

22. Bryant’s Notable Poetry “To A Waterfowl” “Thanatopsis”

23. Commentary on “Thanatopsis” Romantic poets were often concerned about: –Death –Individualism Since death is the final restriction upon the self and its powers, individualism (the power of the self) became an important theme in poetry.

24. Theme of “Thanatopsis” By living in harmony with nature, and realizing that all must come to an end, rather than fear it, one can come to accept death as a restful sleep If we move away from fear and bitterness about death, then our broader awareness about the “consciousness of time” (life eternal) makes it possible to accept our time on Earth and the natural completion of death.

25. Edgar Allean Poe Romantic view of Nature and the inner self by depicting irrational characters in a grotesque reality Nature’s greater truth = madness

26. “Poe myth” vs. Poe’s Reality Myth = immoral behavior; fiendish; brutish Reality = life was dull, miserable, dreary, perhaps just unlucky

27. Poe’s Accomplishments Most important American poet before Walt Whitman –Unreal atmosphere and musical effects influenced French symbolist poets and on all modern poetry Literary critic Credited for giving short story it modern form –Poe thought a short story should be short enough to be read in one sitting so as to achieve and sustain a single emotional effect Inventor of the detective story

28. Poe’s Gothic Elements of Literature Language –Everyday language that focuses on nature –Repetition Imagery Mystery, horror, violence, grotesque, supernatural

29. Summarize! 36-40 – Now, write a 5 or more sentence summary of what you have learned about the Age of Romanticism. Include what you may be excited to read or learn more about in this unit! Be ready to tell Mrs. Hoover one new thing as you leave today! ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________