Intro To Romanticism And The Romantic Hero

American Romanticism

Before we look at where we’re headed, let’s review where we’re coming from…

Puritanism
1600-1750: Puritan Literature and Doctrine
The Bible the sole source of law
Belief in original sin
Belief in predestination
Literature reflected this way of life
focused on religious beliefs, relationship with God
often intolerant
gender stereotyping
Examples:
Primer

The Age of Reason
1750-1800: The Age of Reason
Responded to the political, social, economic changes in America
Influenced by historical context of:
The Salem Witch Trials
Colonialism
The American Revolution
Economic and industrial progress
Literature was practical
Urged social or political reform
Stressed reason and judgment
Concerned with the values of society
as a whole
Critical of institutionalized religion
Challenged the Bible
Examples:
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
Declaration of Independence

This Gave Way to… The Romantic Movement

In America, artists, writers and philosophers rebelled against conventions of the Age of Reason
Wanted to deal with EMOTIONS!
Championed the value of the individual human being
Focused on the individual and his experiences
The Romantic Age

The Romantic Age
Responded to a rapidly changing world that was becoming urban
Strove for freedom
Escapism

Characteristics of Romanticism
Appealed to the imagination:
Emotion over reason
“ suspension of disbelief”
Improbable plots
Remote, far-away settings
The abnormal
Use of terror, fear, the odd

Gothicism
A sub-movement of Romanticism
When you think of the Gothic, you should picture melodramatic settings of old castles, statues of gargoyles, dark and gloomy moors, ancient monasteries, and wild landscapes
Gothic literature was popular during the late 18th and early 19th centuries
Edgar Allan Poe was the American pioneer

The Romantic Hero
Brooding, dark, and dreaming
At odds with society
Not interested in authority or conformity

Indulges – wallows – in his/her own feelings, uniqueness, and intuition
Self-centered

The Romantic Hero
A character of extremes
No limitations on imagination or feelings - the more powerful the feelings, the better!
Can be obsessive (in love and otherwise)
Quest for Beauty or Perfection
Becomes consumed with desire for the “unattainable”
Longs for something MORE
transcends the ordinary
the past
the impossible

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Intro To Romanticism And The Romantic Hero

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Intro To Romanticism And The Romantic Hero Presentation Transcript