Intro to Romanticism / Intro to Romanticism / TranscendentalismTranscendentalism

NotesNotes

Read Pages 304-313 in your textbook.Read Pages 304-313 in your textbook. As you read, take notes on the important As you read, take notes on the important

information you come across.information you come across. Use Use this handout this handout as a guide.as a guide.

The Early Romantics?The Early Romantics?

They were inspired by the beauty of natureThey were inspired by the beauty of nature They emphasized emotions and the They emphasized emotions and the

imagination over reasonimagination over reason They celebrated the individual spiritThey celebrated the individual spirit

The Fireside PoetsThe Fireside Poets

Emphasized moral themes in their worksEmphasized moral themes in their works Stressed individualism and an appreciation of Stressed individualism and an appreciation of

naturenature Were committed to social reformWere committed to social reform

The TranscendentalistsThe Transcendentalists

Emphasized living a simple lifeEmphasized living a simple life Stressed a close relationship to natureStressed a close relationship to nature Celebrated emotions and the imaginationCelebrated emotions and the imagination Stressed individualism and self-relianceStressed individualism and self-reliance Believed intuition can lead to knowledgeBelieved intuition can lead to knowledge Believed in the inherent goodness of peopleBelieved in the inherent goodness of people Encouraged spiritual well-being over financial Encouraged spiritual well-being over financial

well-beingwell-being

The Dark (Brooding) RomanticsThe Dark (Brooding) Romantics

Did not believe in the innate goodness of Did not believe in the innate goodness of peoplepeople

Explored the human capacity for evilExplored the human capacity for evil Probed the inner life of charactersProbed the inner life of characters Explored characters’ motivationsExplored characters’ motivations Agreed with romantic emphasis on emotion, Agreed with romantic emphasis on emotion,

nature, and the individualnature, and the individual Included elements of fantasy and the Included elements of fantasy and the

supernatural in their workssupernatural in their works

Class AssignmentClass Assignment

Now Read “The First Snowfall” by James Now Read “The First Snowfall” by James Russell Lowell on page 362-363.Russell Lowell on page 362-363.

Review the aspects of The Fireside Poets.Review the aspects of The Fireside Poets. Choose one of these aspects and find an Choose one of these aspects and find an

example of this from the poem.example of this from the poem. Identify the aspect you are referring to, write Identify the aspect you are referring to, write

out the example, and give an explanation of out the example, and give an explanation of how this is a good example.how this is a good example.