American Romanticism notes Oberdorf

Love of Nature

Romantic writers perceived nature as beautiful, mysterious, and meaningful, often using it as a setting or symbol to reflect emotions or ideas.

Focus on Emotion and Imagination

A hallmark of Romantic writing, emphasizing feelings, dreams, and intuition over facts and logic.

Celebration of the Individual

Romanticism highlighted the power and importance of the individual, promoting personal freedom and self-expression.

The Supernatural and Mysterious

Many Romantic works feature elements of mystery, the gothic, or the supernatural.

Criticism of Civilization

Some writers viewed industrialization and urbanization as corruptions against the purity of nature, encapsulated in the idea that "society = corruption."

Transcendentalism

A subgenre of American Romanticism focusing on the inherent goodness of people and nature, promoting individual intuition.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

A key figure in American Romanticism known for works like "Nature" and "Self-Reliance."

Henry David Thoreau

A prominent figure in Transcendentalism, known for the works "Walden" and "Civil Disobedience."

Gothic/Dark Romanticism

A subgenre of American Romanticism characterized by themes of despair, the grotesque, and the supernatural.

Edgar Allan Poe

A key figure in Gothic/Dark Romanticism known for works such as "Fall of the House of Usher" and "The Raven."

Characteristics of American Romanticism

A complex literary movement characterized by love of nature, individualism, emotion, and a critical view of civilization.