introduction to american romanticism. romanticism: the movement time frame: late 18th century -...

Introduction to American Romanticism

Romanticism: The MovementTime Frame: late 18th century - early 20th century

OriginsFirst appearance in Germany in 1770s (“Sturm und Drang”); England in 1790s; spread to America from 1820s onward

What Started It?A reaction against the Enlightenment or Age of Reason, especially emphasis on formal propriety, classical style, and decorum

What do you think of when you hear the word

“Romantic”?

Jot down as many things as possible.

Bullet points are fine. Go for at least 8-10 associations.

Romantic and romantic

➔ r: Emotion, imagination, symbolism, love

➔ R: INDIVIDUALITY - The Individual and relationship to society (Birth of “Self”)

➔ R: FEELING over FORM - experimentation and creativity in art and literature

➔ R: AWE, OPTIMISM, ESCAPISM - the uncharted frontier, opportunity, adventure

➔ R: NATURE as REFUGE - source of spirituality, Truth, wisdom, inspiration

““Do not go where the path

may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a

trail.”- Ralph Waldo Emerson

American Romantics

◍ Poetso Henry Wadsworth Longfellowo Walt Whitmano Emily Dickinson

◍ Prose Writerso Ralph Waldo Emersono Henry David Thoreauo Herman Melville

◍ Artistso Thomas Coleo Asher B. Durando Alfred Bierstadt

TRANSCENDENTALISM

Valued intuition, insight, inspiration, experience,

personal discovery, social reform, and universal truth

THOMAS COLE, “The Falls of Kaaterskill” (1826)

THOMAS COLE, “The Oxbow (View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton, after a Thunderstorm)” (1836)

ASHER DURAND, “Kindred Spirits” (1848)

ALFRED BIERSTADT, “Emigrants Crossing the Plains” (1867)

ALFRED BIERSTADT, “Looking up the Yosemite Valley” (1865-67)

CHAIN REACTION

Renaissance

Enlightenment

Romanticism

Time Frame?

MVPs? Reaction to?

Likes Dislikes Transcen-dentalism?

LET’S REVIEW