American RomanticismAmerican Romanticism

Time PeriodTime Period

American Romanticism lasted roughly American Romanticism lasted roughly from 1800 to 1860.from 1800 to 1860.

Historical ContextHistorical Context

Some events surrounding the Some events surrounding the Romantic literary movement in America Romantic literary movement in America were:were: The Louisiana PurchaseThe Louisiana Purchase The Movement West (The American The Movement West (The American

Frontier)Frontier) War of 1812War of 1812 The European Romantic movementThe European Romantic movement

Major Characteristics:Major Characteristics:

More set towards emotional appeals than More set towards emotional appeals than ethical or logical ones.ethical or logical ones.

Mostly fictional storiesMostly fictional stories Emphasis on creativity, imagination, Emphasis on creativity, imagination,

emotion, and intuition.emotion, and intuition. Works associated with appreciation of Works associated with appreciation of

nature.nature. Inclusion of supernatural subjects.Inclusion of supernatural subjects.

Explores the mysteries of nature and Explores the mysteries of nature and the inner selfthe inner self

Incorporated the relationship between Incorporated the relationship between nature and imaginationnature and imagination

Traits, Forms, and TermsTraits, Forms, and Terms

Folk tales & tall tales (hyperbolic)Folk tales & tall tales (hyperbolic) Stock characters (stereotypical, flat)Stock characters (stereotypical, flat) Firsts: American short stories, American Firsts: American short stories, American

novel, and American dictionarynovel, and American dictionary American Gothic style emerged (incorporation American Gothic style emerged (incorporation

of supernatural); precursor to horror fictionof supernatural); precursor to horror fiction Emphasis on symbolismEmphasis on symbolism Omniscient narrators/ p.o.v.Omniscient narrators/ p.o.v.

James Fenimore CooperJames Fenimore Cooper

Author of the first Author of the first American novelAmerican novel

Known for frontier Known for frontier fictionfiction

Famous Works:Famous Works: The Leatherstocking The Leatherstocking

TalesTales The Last of the The Last of the

MohicansMohicans

Edgar Alan PoeEdgar Alan Poe

Father of American Father of American Gothic/ HorrorGothic/ Horror

Famous works:Famous works: ““The Raven”, “The The Raven”, “The

Telltale Heart”,”The Telltale Heart”,”The Masque of the Red Masque of the Red Death”, Death”, The Fall of The Fall of the House of Usherthe House of Usher, , etc.etc.

William Cullen BryantWilliam Cullen Bryant

Nature poetryNature poetry Famous Works:Famous Works:

““Thanatopsis”Thanatopsis”

Washington IrvingWashington Irving

American folk tale American folk tale Famous Works:Famous Works:

The Legend of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, “Rip Sleepy Hollow, “Rip Van Winkle”, “The Van Winkle”, “The Devil and Tom Devil and Tom Walker”Walker”

Henry Wadsworth LongfellowHenry Wadsworth Longfellow

Narrative poetryNarrative poetry Famous works:Famous works:

““Paul Revere’s Paul Revere’s Ride”Ride”, “, “Evangeline”Evangeline”, , ““The Song of The Song of HiawathaHiawatha.”.”