Romantics and Transcendentalists Study Guide

Ap English

Bryant-Thanatopsis

Thanatopsis— mediation with death. Work by Bryant, focused on the ideas of life, death and nature; death is viewed as something for one to accept and acknowledge its unavoidablitiy within human existence.

Emerson- Nature

Work by Emerson, focused on nature, art and individualism. Emerson focuses on components within the universe (ie. Nature/spirit); nature is viewed as everything seperate from the inner individual. Natures purpose is viewed as a way to bring man closer to god. (Nature = divine) Individuality should not be questioned because people are divine.

Thoreau- Walden

Work by Thoreau, focused on finding the meaning of life. Thoreau argues a change of soul could ve needed rather than a change of landscape. He focused on the essentials needed for life, and a life of simplicity could lead to acquire a better understanding of nature and escape from the surrounding world.

Irving- Rip Van Winkle

Work by Irving, exploring concepts of freedom and politics within American literature. Themes of change and progression are examples of romanticism/Transcendentalism.

Poe- House of Usher

Work by Poe, utilizes the gothic writing style. Explores themes of isolation and insanity; isolation and lack of interaciton, results in madness. Used metaphorical language, symbolism, personification and foreshadowing.

Poe- The Raven

Work by Poe, expresses grief can overcome peoples abilities to be present within daily life (society). Poe is heartbroken over his beloved Lenore. The raven symbolizes grief.

Poe- Annabel Lee

Work by Poe, deals with love and envy. Poe feels that God (the angels) have “stolen” his beloved because they are jealous of what he has. Utilizes thoughts of nature (are personified) and imagery.

Poe- Sonnet to Science

Works by Poe, explores the damaging effects of knowledge within science. Poe feels that science ruins the imagination and the ability for one to utilize magic. He debated ideas of the modern world vs imagination, and values found within nature.

Poe- The lake to

Work by Poe, explores double meaning (symbolism), not only body of water but happiness, love and fufillment. It also has themes of death, regret and lost love.

Over-Soul

Humanity and nature share a universal soul. Everything is driven by this creative force.

Transcendentalism

An idealistic philisophical and social movement within New England in relation by rationalism (identification of ones own nation and support for its intrest).

Gothic

Genre of literature that combines fiction, horror, supernatural, imagination and romance.

Romanticism

A movement in the arts and literature that originated in the late 18th C, emphasizing inspiration and the primacy of the individual.

Nature

Symbolic; everything in nature is significant or symbolic of spirit. Nature is fundamentally good. “Broadening sense of the physical world or universe”.

Individual(ism)

The individual is beholden to no institute outside the self.

Intuition

Basic truths come by way of intuition rather than the senses or reason.

Imagination

Ultimate “shaping” or creative power; approximate human équivalant of creative powers of natures or a deity.

Concord

Thoreau was the only transcendentalist born in Concord, Mass.

Country affected these movements

Emerged within New England from 1815-1836; France and Britian gained traction within mid century.