RomanticismRomanticism

(Background)(Background)Colonialists/Colonialists/ Puritans Puritans

Religious reformers – chose to withdraw from the Church of Religious reformers – chose to withdraw from the Church of England because they couldn’t purify itEngland because they couldn’t purify it

TheocracyTheocracyDoctrine:Doctrine:

1) The Bible is the sole source of God’s will1) The Bible is the sole source of God’s will2) Original Sin – Because of Adam’s “original sin,” all 2) Original Sin – Because of Adam’s “original sin,” all human beings are under a condition of sinhuman beings are under a condition of sin3) Predestination – God has already decided who will 3) Predestination – God has already decided who will achieve salvation and who will notachieve salvation and who will not

Literature:Literature:Typically practical and devotional in nature, plainTypically practical and devotional in nature, plain

(Background)(Background)

American RevolutionAmerican RevolutionAge of ReasonAge of ReasonThe EnlightenmentThe Enlightenment

Basic tenets:Basic tenets:

Scientific reason;Scientific reason;logic/rational thinking;logic/rational thinking;perfectability of human beings;perfectability of human beings;whole group rather than individual; whole group rather than individual; social issuessocial issues

ROMANTICISM isROMANTICISM is ...... A tendency in literature that favors the A tendency in literature that favors the

imagination and emotion over reason and imagination and emotion over reason and which often pursues the original, the which often pursues the original, the strange, and the deeply personalstrange, and the deeply personal

Elements of RomanticismElements of Romanticism Looked for new ways to express themselvesLooked for new ways to express themselves Emphasized the unique, the individual, the Emphasized the unique, the individual, the

specificspecific Intuition was more important than reasonIntuition was more important than reason Common people (their lives, emotions, and Common people (their lives, emotions, and

experiences) became a major focusexperiences) became a major focus Connection with natureConnection with nature Use of imaginationUse of imagination Sometimes included aspects of the Sometimes included aspects of the

supernaturalsupernatural

Early RomanticsEarly Romantics

Washington Irving (“The Devil and Tom Washington Irving (“The Devil and Tom Walker”Walker”

James Fenimore Cooper (James Fenimore Cooper (TheThe Deerslayer, Last of the MohicansDeerslayer, Last of the Mohicans))

William Cullen Bryant (poet)William Cullen Bryant (poet)

Brooding Romantics Brooding Romantics (Gothic/Dark)(Gothic/Dark)

Edgar Allen Poe (“The Tell-Tale Heart,” Edgar Allen Poe (“The Tell-Tale Heart,” “Cask of Amontillado,” “Masque of the “Cask of Amontillado,” “Masque of the Red Death,” etc.Red Death,” etc.

Herman Melville (Herman Melville (Moby Dick, Moby Dick, “Bartleby “Bartleby the Scrivener,” etc.)the Scrivener,” etc.)

Nathaniel Hawthorne (Nathaniel Hawthorne (The Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter, , “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment”, “The “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment”, “The Minister’s Black Veil,” etc.)Minister’s Black Veil,” etc.)

Romantic PoetsRomantic Poets(Fireside Poets)(Fireside Poets)

Henry Wadsworth LongfellowHenry Wadsworth Longfellow William Cullen BryantWilliam Cullen Bryant James Russell LowellJames Russell Lowell Oliver Wendell HolmesOliver Wendell Holmes John Greenleaf WhittierJohn Greenleaf Whittier

Washington IrvingWashington Irving First really well-known and distinguished First really well-known and distinguished

American literary figureAmerican literary figure Known for:Known for:

humor, humor, blend of realistic detail, blend of realistic detail, supernatural occurrences, supernatural occurrences, and vivid depiction of local characters in and vivid depiction of local characters in

unmistakable American settingsunmistakable American settings

The Devil and Tom The Devil and Tom WalkerWalker

Folk tale (a tale or legend originating and traditional Folk tale (a tale or legend originating and traditional among a people or folk; any belief or story passed on among a people or folk; any belief or story passed on traditionally, especially one considered to be false or traditionally, especially one considered to be false or based on superstition.) based on superstition.)

Captures atmosphere of 19Captures atmosphere of 19thth century New England century New England (people, customs, scenery, beliefs)(people, customs, scenery, beliefs)

Amusing entertainmentAmusing entertainment To teach a moral lesson: greed and selfishness will be To teach a moral lesson: greed and selfishness will be

punished in the endpunished in the end To satirize (criticize by making fun of) certain elements To satirize (criticize by making fun of) certain elements

in society, such as the hypocritical churchgoer, the in society, such as the hypocritical churchgoer, the miser, the gossip, and the heartless moneylendermiser, the gossip, and the heartless moneylender

Nathaniel HawthorneNathaniel Hawthorne One of the great American novelists of the mid-One of the great American novelists of the mid-

1919thth century century The Scarlet Letter is his masterpiece The Scarlet Letter is his masterpiece His perception of the dark side of human life His perception of the dark side of human life

overpowered the usual optimism of the overpowered the usual optimism of the RomanticsRomantics

Took awhile for him to make money on his Took awhile for him to make money on his writing, but even after he did and was able to writing, but even after he did and was able to support his family, he had a continual dream of support his family, he had a continual dream of failure.failure.

moremore Nathaniel Nathaniel HawthorneHawthorne

He had a lifelong preoccupation with the He had a lifelong preoccupation with the intolerance and persecutions of the intolerance and persecutions of the Puritans (some of his ancestors were Puritans (some of his ancestors were even involved with the witch trials).even involved with the witch trials).

His literature has themes of sin and guiltHis literature has themes of sin and guilt He saw a dark side to human existence He saw a dark side to human existence

and sought to record this aspect of and sought to record this aspect of human nature in his workshuman nature in his works

Dr. Heidegger’s Dr. Heidegger’s ExperimentExperiment

Story is about 4 friends who are offered a way Story is about 4 friends who are offered a way to regain their youth and how they are affected to regain their youth and how they are affected by this.by this.

Symbols:Symbols: Butterfly: death, immortalityButterfly: death, immortality Rose: Dr. H’s love for SylviaRose: Dr. H’s love for Sylvia Butterfly and rose: nature and natural life cycles – Butterfly and rose: nature and natural life cycles –

All things in nature grow old and dieAll things in nature grow old and die Mirror: harsh realitiesMirror: harsh realities Liquid: power of science to alter natural cyclesLiquid: power of science to alter natural cycles

moremore Dr. Heidegger’s ExperimentDr. Heidegger’s Experiment

Mr. Medbourne (failed merchant): waste of moneyMr. Medbourne (failed merchant): waste of money Colonel Killigrew: waste of health and vigorColonel Killigrew: waste of health and vigor Mr. Gascoigne (evil politician): waste of power and Mr. Gascoigne (evil politician): waste of power and

famefame Widow Wycherly: waste of beautyWidow Wycherly: waste of beauty Dr. Heidegger: metaphysical or occult scienceDr. Heidegger: metaphysical or occult science

Moral of the experiment: People do not learn or Moral of the experiment: People do not learn or mature from their mistakesmature from their mistakes

Edgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan Poe Another brooding (dark, gothic) RomanticAnother brooding (dark, gothic) Romantic Credited with fathering the short story (modern Credited with fathering the short story (modern

detective story has origins in Poe’s work, as do detective story has origins in Poe’s work, as do those that explore the mysterious, frightening those that explore the mysterious, frightening depths of human consciousness)depths of human consciousness)

He had an insecure life and was unhappy; he He had an insecure life and was unhappy; he faced a great deal of loss in his lifefaced a great deal of loss in his life

He often focused on a deep exploration of the He often focused on a deep exploration of the human psychehuman psyche

He died at the age of 40 of an unknown reason.He died at the age of 40 of an unknown reason.

Masque of the Red DeathMasque of the Red Death Prince Prospero and his friends are trying Prince Prospero and his friends are trying

to escape the Red Death.to escape the Red Death. Theme: No one can escape death. Death Theme: No one can escape death. Death

can strike at any time. It will eventually can strike at any time. It will eventually come to all – even the rich and powerful.come to all – even the rich and powerful.

more Masque…more Masque… This is an example of allegory – most of the This is an example of allegory – most of the

people, objects, events stand for abstract people, objects, events stand for abstract qualities.qualities.

Symbols:Symbols: Abbey – fortress; immunity from deathAbbey – fortress; immunity from death Prince Prospero – wealth, powerPrince Prospero – wealth, power Black – death, doom, mourningBlack – death, doom, mourning 7 rooms – 7 deadly sins7 rooms – 7 deadly sins Scarlet – bloodScarlet – blood Clock – march of time toward deathClock – march of time toward death

Fireside PoetsFireside Poets Called “fireside poets” because their Called “fireside poets” because their

poems were often read by the fire in the poems were often read by the fire in the evenings with the family gathered aroundevenings with the family gathered around

Wrote poetry that was morally uplifting, Wrote poetry that was morally uplifting, humorous, or romantically interesting and humorous, or romantically interesting and never too difficult for common people to never too difficult for common people to understandunderstand

Henry Wadsworth Henry Wadsworth LongfellowLongfellow

Achieved fame as a poet at an early age and remained Achieved fame as a poet at an early age and remained America’s most popular poet well into the 20America’s most popular poet well into the 20thth century century

First volume of poetry published at 28; continued to First volume of poetry published at 28; continued to publish at a fast ratepublish at a fast rate

Tragedy and happiness in his personal life – found love Tragedy and happiness in his personal life – found love twice, but both died (one was burned to death, and twice, but both died (one was burned to death, and HWL was injured trying to save her)HWL was injured trying to save her)

Some of HWL’s contemporaries criticized him for Some of HWL’s contemporaries criticized him for courting popularity at the expense of artistic integritycourting popularity at the expense of artistic integrity

Reputation remained strong until WWIReputation remained strong until WWI Many of his poems are still popular today, and some Many of his poems are still popular today, and some

retain the respect of even his criticsretain the respect of even his critics

The Tide Rises, the Tide FallsThe Tide Rises, the Tide Falls

Figurative Language (metaphor, Figurative Language (metaphor, personification)personification)

Syntax (repetition)Syntax (repetition) Life goes on after death; life and death Life goes on after death; life and death

are parts of the cycle of nature; DEATH are parts of the cycle of nature; DEATH IS NATURALIS NATURAL

Oliver Wendell HolmesOliver Wendell Holmes Typified the stimulating intellectual life in New Typified the stimulating intellectual life in New

England throughout much of the 19England throughout much of the 19 thth century century He was fascinating, witty, a versatile thinker, a He was fascinating, witty, a versatile thinker, a

leading literary presenceleading literary presence Doctor, professor at Harvard Medical SchoolDoctor, professor at Harvard Medical School Though he wrote rather scientific novels, is Though he wrote rather scientific novels, is

remembered for his poems and essaysremembered for his poems and essays

The Chambered NautilusThe Chambered Nautilus The nautilus has died and the broken shell The nautilus has died and the broken shell

washed ashorewashed ashore Speaks of the growing, building process as it Speaks of the growing, building process as it

leaves one chamber and moves to a bigger leaves one chamber and moves to a bigger one, sealing the oldone, sealing the old

Lesson – as the years go by, keep striving to Lesson – as the years go by, keep striving to grow spiritually. Final stage of growth will grow spiritually. Final stage of growth will come when soul passes into eternity at deathcome when soul passes into eternity at death

Life is a preparation for death, and by living Life is a preparation for death, and by living well, humans attain a spiritual reward.well, humans attain a spiritual reward.

Concord Hymn Concord Hymn by Ralph Waldo Emersonby Ralph Waldo Emerson

Purpose: to keep time from obscuring the Purpose: to keep time from obscuring the memory of what these men didmemory of what these men did

Simple, common farmers were fighting for their Simple, common farmers were fighting for their landland

We need to remember them and what they We need to remember them and what they sacrificedsacrificed

AlliterationAlliteration Oversoul (connection among God, man, and Oversoul (connection among God, man, and

nature)nature)

Ralph Waldo EmersonRalph Waldo Emerson One of the great 19One of the great 19thth century thinkers and writers century thinkers and writers A poet, essayist, philosopher; a teacher, minister, writerA poet, essayist, philosopher; a teacher, minister, writer Helped to found a utopian community, Brook FarmHelped to found a utopian community, Brook Farm Emerson was a transcendentalist (see next slide)Emerson was a transcendentalist (see next slide) Emerson also believed in the importance of the individual and Emerson also believed in the importance of the individual and

following one’s own inner lightsfollowing one’s own inner lights Wrote many essays, published collections of them, and poetryWrote many essays, published collections of them, and poetry Gave lectures (good source of income)Gave lectures (good source of income) Associated with the leading writers and thinkers of the timeAssociated with the leading writers and thinkers of the time Has been criticized for being too optimisticHas been criticized for being too optimistic But he was the most important spiritual voice of his generationBut he was the most important spiritual voice of his generation Considered to be the Father of TranscendentalismConsidered to be the Father of Transcendentalism

Transcendentalism Transcendentalism (transcend: to rise above, go beyond the limits of)(transcend: to rise above, go beyond the limits of)

A movement in American Literature that began A movement in American Literature that began in the late 1830s under the leadership of Ralph in the late 1830s under the leadership of Ralph Waldo Emerson.Waldo Emerson.

Transcendentalists had an idealistic, optimistic, Transcendentalists had an idealistic, optimistic, and sometimes mystical outlook on lifeand sometimes mystical outlook on life

What was going on in America?What was going on in America? Becoming more cosmopolitan, though still mostly agriculturalBecoming more cosmopolitan, though still mostly agricultural Expansion moving west (railroads)Expansion moving west (railroads) Working conditions in cities terrible: child labor, no labor laws Working conditions in cities terrible: child labor, no labor laws

for safety, wages, hoursfor safety, wages, hours Few rights for womenFew rights for women SlaverySlavery But there are rumblings of change: women’s rights, Civil War But there are rumblings of change: women’s rights, Civil War

comingcoming

More TranscendentalismMore Transcendentalism Basic elements of Romanticism: emphasize the unique and Basic elements of Romanticism: emphasize the unique and

individual, intuition over reason, imagination over facts, human individual, intuition over reason, imagination over facts, human relationship with naturerelationship with nature

More:More: Disgust for conformity, praise for individuality and self-relianceDisgust for conformity, praise for individuality and self-reliance Deep faith in human potentialDeep faith in human potential Critical of Puritan heritage (emphasis on material prosperity and rigid Critical of Puritan heritage (emphasis on material prosperity and rigid

obedience to laws in society)obedience to laws in society) Disliked commercial, financial side of American lifeDisliked commercial, financial side of American life Stressed spiritual well-being, achieved through intellectual activity and a Stressed spiritual well-being, achieved through intellectual activity and a

close relationship with natureclose relationship with nature Believed in a utopian society, or that one could exist (Brook Farm)Believed in a utopian society, or that one could exist (Brook Farm) believed that all human beings have “God in us” and that human believed that all human beings have “God in us” and that human

spirituality is reflected in nature. Feeling the “fundamental unity” between spirituality is reflected in nature. Feeling the “fundamental unity” between human life and nature leads to a perception of the Over-Soul, an ultimate human life and nature leads to a perception of the Over-Soul, an ultimate spiritual force that encompasses all existence and of which every person spiritual force that encompasses all existence and of which every person is a part.is a part.

Self-RelianceSelf-Reliance Defense of individualism – only have self Defense of individualism – only have self

to rely onto rely on Be a nonconformistBe a nonconformist Don’t take others’ reactions seriouslyDon’t take others’ reactions seriously Don’t feel you have to be consistent with Don’t feel you have to be consistent with

past behavior – “contradict tomorrow past behavior – “contradict tomorrow what you say today”what you say today”

To be great is to be misunderstoodTo be great is to be misunderstood

Henry David ThoreauHenry David Thoreau Disciple of Emerson – took his ideas about self-reliance to Disciple of Emerson – took his ideas about self-reliance to

heartheart Teacher (for a while)Teacher (for a while) Lived with Emerson and family, where RWE’s transcendental Lived with Emerson and family, where RWE’s transcendental

views greatly influenced HDTviews greatly influenced HDT Walden: HDT’s experiment in “essential” living; built a cabin Walden: HDT’s experiment in “essential” living; built a cabin

by a pond, lived for over two years, writing, communing with by a pond, lived for over two years, writing, communing with nature, and supporting himself with occasional physical nature, and supporting himself with occasional physical labor; by working for six weeks, could live simply and labor; by working for six weeks, could live simply and independently the rest of the yearindependently the rest of the year

HDT did not want to spend his valuable time working for HDT did not want to spend his valuable time working for unnecessary material goods, preferring instead to simplify unnecessary material goods, preferring instead to simplify his needs and concentrate on mental and spiritual activityhis needs and concentrate on mental and spiritual activity

The book, The book, WaldenWalden, an odd, brilliant, fascinating book, is the , an odd, brilliant, fascinating book, is the record of HDT’s life at the pond and is a mixture of record of HDT’s life at the pond and is a mixture of philosophy, naturalism, and spiritual autobiography. It is philosophy, naturalism, and spiritual autobiography. It is structured around the four seasonsstructured around the four seasons

Walden is a masterpiece, but sold poorly during HDT’s Walden is a masterpiece, but sold poorly during HDT’s lifetimelifetime

more Henry David more Henry David ThoreauThoreau

HDT spent a night in jail for refusing to pay a poll tax HDT spent a night in jail for refusing to pay a poll tax because he didn’t want tax money to support slavery because he didn’t want tax money to support slavery and the Mexican-American War. He wrote “Civil and the Mexican-American War. He wrote “Civil Disobedience” from that experience in jail. It is a Disobedience” from that experience in jail. It is a strong transcendentalist statement urging every citizen strong transcendentalist statement urging every citizen to protest governmental policy that requires him to be to protest governmental policy that requires him to be “the agent of injustice to another.”“the agent of injustice to another.”

““Civil Disobedience” has influenced political leaders Civil Disobedience” has influenced political leaders throughout the world, such as Mohandas Ghandi and throughout the world, such as Mohandas Ghandi and Martin Luther King, Jr.Martin Luther King, Jr.