Assignment #1: Intro to Romanticism

Romanticism

A literary and artistic movement emphasizing emotion, imagination, and intuition over reason and logic.

Nature in Romanticism

Viewed as the antithesis of materialism and a source of the sublime or divine inspiration.

Individualism in Romanticism

Celebrated the individual and the sanctity of self-expression.

Civilization's view in Romanticism

Seen as a corrupting influence, praising the inherent goodness of people.

Reason in Romanticism

Often considered a negative product of civilization.

Primitivism

The belief that people are inherently good but corrupted by civilization.

Role of emotion in Romanticism

Considered more reliable than reason, viewed as a pure expression of the self.

Imagination vs. fancy

Imagination is a true source of creativity, unlike fancy, which is mere playfulness.

Artistic conventions in Romanticism

Romantics rejected rigid forms of classicism and neoclassicism.

Childhood in Romanticism

Idealized as a period of pure emotion, freedom, and inherent goodness.

Transcendentalism

A belief that each person is innately divine and able to discover higher truths through intuition.

Societal conventions in Transcendentalism

Rejected dogmatic religious doctrines and celebrated self-reliance.

Nature in Transcendentalism

Seen as a source of spiritual truth and connection to the divine.

Leading figure of Transcendentalism

Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Intuition in Transcendentalism

Emphasized over logic and reason.

Self-reliance in Transcendentalism

Core principle advocating independence of thought and action.

Society's view in Transcendentalism

Believed to be corrupting; individuals should trust their intuition.

Walden

A famous work associated with Henry David Thoreau's Transcendentalism.

Civil Disobedience

A work by Henry David Thoreau emphasizing civil disobedience.

Key figures in Transcendentalism

Amos Bronson Alcott and Margaret Fuller.

Gothic literature mood

Characteristic of decay, suspense, and terror.

Gothic literature setting

Grandiose yet gloomy settings, often decaying or isolated.

Love in Gothic literature

Often destructive and passionate, such as Cathy and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights.

The grotesque in Gothic literature

Strange, bizarre, or unnatural representations, often disturbing.

Gothic heroes or heroines

Alienated, misunderstood, and sensitive protagonists.

Gothic literature and Romanticism

Aligns with Romanticism’s focus on individuality and rejection of rationalism.

Romantics' view of Gothic

Celebrated for its freedom of spirit, mystery, and authenticity.

Common themes in Gothic literature

Isolation, madness, and the supernatural.

Famous Gothic writer

Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein.

Gothic protagonists

Often experience intense feelings of alienation and emotional torment.

John Keats

The English Romantic poet known for 'Ode on a Grecian Urn'.

Herman Melville

The American writer known for 'Moby-Dick'.

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Author of 'The Scarlet Letter'.

Walt Whitman

Published 'Leaves of Grass'.

Edgar Allan Poe

Known for 'The Raven' and 'Annabel Lee'.

Start of the Romantic Period in England

1798, marked by the publication of 'Lyrical Ballads'.

Start of the American Romantic Period

1828, triggered by Andrew Jackson’s election.

End of the American Romantic Period

1865, at the end of the Civil War.

Publication year of Frankenstein

1818.

Publication year of Leaves of Grass

The Dial in Transcendentalism

Periodical through which Transcendentalist ideas were spread.

Starting point for Romanticism in America

Election of Andrew Jackson in 1828.

Political event influencing Romantic movement

The French Revolution of 1789.

Emily Dickinson's focus on death themes

'Because I Could Not Stop for Death' among other poems.

Abolitionist novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe

'Uncle Tom’s Cabin' (1852).