American Romanticism – Flashcards

Strong emotion Sublimity of nature and its picturesque qualities Embrace of the exotic/unfamiliar/distant Power of imagination/intuition/instinct Creation of an American Style

"Standing on the bare ground, - my head bathed by the blithe air, and uplifted into infinite space,- all mean egotism vanishes. I become a transparent eye-ball; I am nothing; I see all; the currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part or particle of God."

william cullen bryant

writing concerning death lots of personification you can learn the lesson by going into nature dont be afraid of death as nature will take care of you

lesson- whatever power is leading the bird will lead me nature can guide/ teach everyone

Industrialization Westward Expansion French Revolution Social Injustice

Frequently used the hearth as an image of comfort and unity: place for families to gather, learn, and tell stories. Tremendously popular and first put American poetry on the same level as their European counterparts.

Conservative approach to verse and blatant morality Joyousness and spirit of optimism Obvious themes that appeal to a variety of people Emphasis on American themes, folklore, mythology

Attempts to address the same issues as other Romantics (emotion, imagination, nature) Address the "darker side" of human existence Breadth of the Romantic Movement from folk tale to horror story

on the disturbing, darker side of human nature

The Paradox of Poe never regarded as a "great American writer" highly influential - defined genres and became a model for later writers irresponsible and undisciplined, yet a master craftsman

rip- easy going guy who is loved by everyone Rip wife- nagging blames rip for failures wolf- the door and only companion

man carrying a keg full of who knows what sleeps for 20 years new place when he wakes

takes care of Rip for 20 years while he is asleep gets rid of his nagging wife most comfortable

whole plot story- asleep for 2o years

Early 19th-century American literary and philosophical movement centered in New England Branch of American Romanticism Emphasis on intuitive over rational or religious "Reality" is sensed rather than understood rationally Varied sources - a melting pot of philosophical ideas (Plato, Kant, English Romantics, et al.) Iconoclastic and Idealistic

Critique of contemporary society (too dedicated to the past) Call for a development of the "new" and "original" Elevation of Nature Importance of Solitude "Transcendent Experience"

theme- work hard, live in the present, make good use of your life

lesson- inspire patriotism (unify together) be brave and fight for what is right

alienation and isolation appearance vs reality individual vs society nature vs civilization

no fun very serious cold religion= law

nature favors the prisoner right in front of the prison door references Anne Hutchinson sweet moral blossom provides hope for the prisoners

gloomy old creep metaphor- black flower of civilized society

-Begins questioning his religious convictions and ultimately leaves his position -Humanity often takes Nature for granted -Rather, humanity should approach nature with a sense of wonder at its interconnected beauty.

Purpose To help humanity achieve a fuller appreciation and acceptance of Nature's beauty. Introduction Problem: Society is too "retrospective", looking to the past for answers to our questions when the answers are all around us (Nature) and within us (Soul).

A type of painting with a romantic, heroic, mythic style that flourished in the 19th century. It tended to paint American landscapes as beautiful and brooding. The painters in this school wanted to present America as a wild, natural place that provoked feelings of amazement and awe and brought the viewer in touch with the Divine.

aimed to capture the energy and character of their growing country; looked to nature for inspiration; celebrated emotions and imagination

(1794 - 1878) -American- Fireside Poet - "Thanatopsis" - the importance of living one's own life unafraid of what others think. Bryant's poems describe his love of nature as a force itself rather than a way to escape life, and many are about the earth and the seasons.

Author, diplomat, wrote The Sketch Book, which included "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," the first American to be recognized in England (and elsewhere) as a writer. His writing shapes American identity because it uses imagery to describe the American landscape and make it a central feature of his works.

Poets prefer conventional themes and rhyme/ meter. They used American legends and scenes from American home life, nature and politics as subject matter, emphasizing conventional nineteenth century values: duty, honor, personal responsibility, and hard work

Fireside poets used conventional meter and primarily end-rhyme. Long, narrative poems

-believes for the greatest good for the greatest number -don't just wait for things to change do it yourself -if you don't agree with the law break it - stay true to yourself and stick with your gut

aimed to capture the energy and character of their growing country; looked to nature for inspiration; celebrated emotions and imagination

used the hearth as an image of comfort and unity. very popular, first put american poetry on the same level as european counterparts

They used American legends and scenes from American home life, nature and politics as subject matter, emphasizing conventional nineteenth century values: duty, honor, personal responsibility, and hard work. Used obvious themes that appeal to many people. Emphasis on american themes, folklore, mythology

Fireside poets used conventional meter and primarily end-rhyme. Long, narrative poems

literary/philosophical movement in new england brand of american romanticism; put emphasis on intuitive over rational or religious and reality is sensed rather than understood rationally

believes for the greatest good for the greatest number don't just wait for things to change do it yourself if you don't agree with the law break it stay true to yourself and stick with your gut

After his wife dies he begins questioning his religious convictions and ultimately leaves his position Humanity often takes Nature for granted Rather, humanity should approach nature with a sense of wonder at its interconnected beauty.

In Boston in the 1600's, a young woman named Hester Prynne is punished for adultery when she becomes pregnant and refuses to name the father of her baby. She is forced to wear a scarlet letter A on her clothes for her sins. Hester's husband, who was presumed dead, comes to Boston and seeks revenge for Hester's actions. Hester lives outside the community, which would like to take her daughter pearl from her, but Hester has the support of Arthur Dimmesdale, the town minister, and she is allowed to keep Pearl. Hester's husband suspects that Dimmesdale is Pearl's father and he begins to torture him psychologically in the hopes of breaking him. Eventually, the couple and their daughter plan to leave Boston so that they can escape Hester's husband and the judgement of the town. Dimmesdale confesses that he is Pearl's father and then he dies. Hester and Pearl move away, but Hester eventually returns to Boston and is buried next to Dimmesdale when she dies.

wild, "every rose has its thorne", sweet moral blossom, peal was plucked from the rosebush, passion. nature favors the prisoner right in front of the prison door references Anne Hutchinson sweet moral blossom provides hope for the prisoners

in shables, collection of english objects(symbolizes the past), armor; faced of world values, all hester is a SL, distorts pearl

represents evil/punishment, wild/untamed, capricious, passion vs mortality

gloomy old creep metaphor- black flower of civilized society

The Scarlet Letter presents a critical view of Puritanism. The narrator depicts Puritan society as drab, confining, unforgiving, and narrow-minded that unfairly victimizes Hester, who is a woman marked by "natural dignity...force of character...[and] free will." It is these natural strengths, which the narrator holds in high esteem, that Puritan society suppresses. In The Scarlet Letter, the Puritans appear as shallow hypocrites whose opinion of Hester and Pearl improves only when Hester can provide something of value to the community through her sewing.

strong emotion, sublimity of nature, embrace the exotic, creation of the "american style", power of imagination

intuition over reason, innovation over tradition, emotion over the rational, reverence for nature, mystery; american gothic