Chapter 2: American Romanticism

1800-1860

I. What is Romanticism?A.School of thought that

values emotions, intuition, and creativity over reason and science

B. We can only achieve a higher truth through being in touch with our feelings, creativity, and intuition1. Argues against Rationalism (belief

that a higher truth can only be achieved through reason)

C. Starts in Europe and makes its way to America1. Actual time span is 1828-1865

II. What is Transcendentalism?A. Belief that you must transcend the

physical and be in touch with your emotions, intuition, creativity and nature in order to reach a higher truth

B. Connected to Romanticism1. Co-exsisted; timespan = 1836-18652. All Transcendentalists are Romantics,

but not all Romantics are Transcendentalists

III. Historical BackgroundA. The Early National Period

1. 1775-18652. Birth of a national imaginative literature

a. First American comedy is published in 1787b. First American novel is published in 1789c. James Fenimore Cooper is first major

American novelistd. Washington Irving gains international fame

and success for his essays and short stories

3. Beginning of American literary criticisma. Poe, Simms, Lowell

4. African-American writings are published more frequently

b. Poetry of women such as Francis Ellen Watkins Harper

c. Birth of African-American novel1. William Wells Brown’s Clotel (1853)2. Harriet E. Wilson’s Our Nig (1859)3. Slave narratives and autobiographies

published between 1760 to 1865a. Frederick Douglass’ Narrative of the Life of

Frederick Douglass (1845) is most popular

B. The Romantic Period is also known as the American Renaissance1. Comes from the title of F.O.

Matthiessen’s book published in 19412. Plethora of outstanding writers: Poe,

Emerson, ThoreauC. Also referred to as Age of

Transcendentalism3. Emerson, Thoreau, Margaret Fuller

(early feminist writer)

IV. Characteristics of Romantic Literature

A.Subjects and themes often argue against:1. Formal religion2. Social conformity3. Materialism and commercialism

B. Subject and themes often reflect the beliefs of:1. Knowledge being grounded in

feeling & intuition2. Individualism: self-trust, self-

reliance, self-sufficiency3. Nature is the ultimate connection

to the Divine Spirit (God)

C. The Romantic Hero1. Young or possesses youthful qualities2. Innocent and pure of purpose3. Sense of honor comes from a higher principle

& is independent of society’s rules4. Shuns society and sophistication and praises

nature and intuition5. Most famous: James Fenimore Cooper’s

Natty Bumpo6. Modern: Indiana Jones, Luke Skywalker,

Superman

V. Dark RomanticsA. Often referred to as Anti-

TranscendentalistsB. Emphasize the darker aspects of

emotion, intuition, creativity, and nature1. Conflict between good and evil2. Psychological effects of guilt and sin3. Madness of the human psyche4. Destructive underside of appearances

C. Writers: Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Washington Irving

D.Influenced Horror and Gothic Fiction

Romantic, Transcendental,

orDark Romantic?

Dark Romantic

Romantic

Transcendental