Intro to The Romantic Period

The Romantic Period (1800-1865)

  • Reaction to the Enlightenment

    • Shift from logic and reason to feelings and emotions.

    • Emphasis on the importance of the individual versus mankind in general.

    • Nature as a central theme.

  • Characteristics of Romantic Literature

    1. Focus on Nature

    • Source of inspiration and answers.

    • Seen as a representation of God.

    • Example: Asher Durand’s painting "Kindred Spirits" shows nature dwarfing individuals.

    1. Focus on the Individual

    • Prioritization of personal feelings and self-direction.

    1. Self-Reliance

    • Independence and personal capability are considered virtues.

    1. Emotion

    • Emotions guide actions, providing depth to characters' motivations.

    • Emotional expression is a hallmark of romantic works but must be significant to be considered romantic.

    1. Noble Savage Concept

    • The belief that closeness to nature reflects a truer human spirit.

    • Cities and civilization corrupt; nature is deemed good.

    • Inspired by Jean Jacques Rousseau: those living close to nature (e.g., Native Americans) are seen as wiser and more moral.

    1. Love of the Past

    • Past eras viewed as golden ages, often romanticized in literature.

    • Examples: Sir Walter Scott in Medieval settings, Nathaniel Hawthorne in Puritan times, James Fenimore Cooper in pre-Revolutionary periods.

    1. Love of the Exotic

    • Utilization of exotic settings in narratives, e.g., Herman Melville’s South Sea adventures.

    1. Interest in the Supernatural and Strange

    • E.g., Edgar Allan Poe exemplifies this fascination.

    1. Idealism

    • Characterized by optimism and hope; significant movements like abolition and women's rights gained momentum in this period.

    1. Sentimental Melancholy

    • Saddening love situations were fashionable; tragic resolutions common.

    • Love triangles often lead to despair or suicide.

    1. Experimentation with Forms

    • Move away from structured forms like heroic couplets; new poetic patterns explored.

  • Romantic Poetry

    • General Structure:

    1. Description of nature in the first part of a poem.

    2. Philosophical lesson derived in the second part.

    • Example: William Cullen Bryant’s "To the Fringed Gentian" uses the flower to symbolize hope at death:


    {I would that thus, when I shall see}
    {The hour of death draw near to me,}
    {Hope, blossoming within my heart,}
    {May look to heaven as I depart.}

  • Further Resources

    • Websites for exploring the Romantic Period in detail:

    • American Romanticism: Introduction

    • The History Guide: Lectures on Modern European Intellectual History: The Romantic Era.