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