romanticism & transcendentalism english 2 period 6 loyola high school
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Romanticism & Transcendentalism
English 2
Period 6
Loyola High School
Romanticism—Definition
Often called American Renaissance Artistic and intellectual movement (late 1700s-
mid 1800s) 19th century literature depicting emotional matter
in an imaginative form Backlash to Age of Reason—based on emotions Stage of individualism marked by revolutionary
political ideas Cultural & individual independence from Europe
Characteristics of Romanticism
Belief in natural goodness of man Man in a state of nature behaves well but
hindered by civilization Excitement over human possibilities and a
high regard for individual ego Freedom from rules Individualism and spontaneity Imagination
Characteristics of Romanticism
Art rather than science can best express universal truth
Interest in the antique: medieval ballads and tales, mythology, gothic
Art & literature held on a pedestal Returned to Nature—Deepened
appreciation of nature Affirmation of democracy
Characteristics of Romanticism Exalted emotion over reason & intellect Heightened examination of human
personality & its mental potentialities Pre-occupation with the genius, the hero,
and the exceptional figure—passions and inner strengths
Creative spirit is more important than strict adherence to rules & procedures
Obsessive interest in folk culture, national & ethnic origins and medieval era
Characteristics of Romanticism Focus on the exotic, the remote, the
mysterious, the weird, the occult, the monstrous and the satanic and diseased
Important Figures
Walt Whitman Edgar Allan Poe Ralph Waldo
Emerson William Cullen Bryant Washington Irving David Thoreau Herman Melville
Nathaniel Hawthorne Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow Emily Dickinson James Fenimore
Cooper
Cause/Effect
Enlightenment—rationalization/logic
Western Expansion National optimism European immigrants Neo-classicism/
Formalism
A lot of great literature
Established an American Identity & American “genre”
Spurred new artistic movements
Established anti-slavery sentiments in North
Literary Manifestations Leaves of Grass—Walt Whitman Moby Dick—Herman Melville Legend of Sleepy Hollow—W. Irving The Scarlet Letter—Hawthorne “The Raven”—Poe “Tell-Tale Heart”—Poe Walden—Thoreau Last of the Mohicans—Cooper
Transcendentalism
Maintains that man has ideas that come not from the 5 senses or the powers of reasoning
Instead, Truth comes from direct revelation from God, through inspiration or His imminent presence in the spiritual world.
Stressed intuition & individual conscience
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