Romanticism

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Romanticism

• 302 American Lit.
• Mrs. Fudala

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18th Century Age of Reason

• Deism Reason provided by God (divinity in
  nature)
• Rationalism - control over mind, nature, law,
  custom, art forms and reality.
• Art reinforces politics, rule bound in poems,
  painting, prose.
• Universe ordered and requires our understanding
  it to find security
• At this time, the elite still ruled from the top.

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19th Century Romanticism1830-1860

• Emotion- Intuition and Imagination are guides.
• Poems over essays and pamphlets
• World as a symbol for those who can reach their
  spiritual potential
• Romanticism is a counter force to materialism of
  Industrial Rev.

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A journey both to something and from something
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Subject Matter

• Quest for beauty pure beauty
• Interest in the past
• Grotesque, Gothicism, sense of terror, fear
• Escapism from American problems
• Nature as source of knowledge of the primitive
• Nature as refuge
• Nature as revelation of God to the individual

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Two types of Romanticism

• Transcendental probing the psychological to
  escape materialism. Process is emphasized over
  conformity (dynamic vs. static).
• Genteel similar to Harlequin Romances today.
  Stresses a well-made world. Imitates British
  authors.

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Fireside Poets

• Had something to prove
• worked within European literary traditions
• looked backward at European models
• skillful but predictable rhythms
• extremely popular
• read around hearths and schools