american romanticism 1820’s-1861. i. american life changes dramatically in a short period of time...
TRANSCRIPT
I. American Life
• Changes dramatically in a short period of time
A. Population in 1800: 5.3 million
Population in 1850: 23.1 million
Drastic Changes, cont.
D. The first significant middle class rises to power.
E. Cities really begin to flourish
II. Literacy in America
Caused by middle class
• Publishing industry flourishes at this time.
• Newspapers become widely popular1800 200 newspapers in USA1830 1200 newspapers in USA1830 47 newspapers in NYC2007 +/- 12 newspapers in NYC
Literacy, cont
C. Creates people who want to be
Responsible Voters
D. People start following issues like, Slavery, Women’s Rights, Worker’s rights, Indian’s rights.
III. Changes in Religion
A. Church is in Decline
B. Separation of “Church and State”
1. No Mandatory Church Attendance
C. Bible stories become Folklore
1. People still read and understood it
2. Writers could use it
The Romantic Hero
Is someone who breaks away from society
Someone who is at the center of their own existence
Other characteristics include introspective, regret and self-criticism.
Tenets of American Romanticism:A. Nothing to do with L-O-V-E
B. Draw Influence from the Usual, Ordinary, Everyday
C. Be concerned with Nature
1. It is ordered, simple, raw
D. Stress the individual!
E. Define man by his ability to feel emotion
Romantic Characters Will
A. Think with their Hearts.
B. Trust their instincts.
C. Communicate with and learn from nature.
D. Not fit in with contemporary society.