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Themes of American literatures periods
An essay on American Romantic Literature
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The Romantic period occurring from 1800-1860 in American literature mostly revolved around romanticism. Romanticism characterizes as an interest and importance in nature, emotion, and imagination. Two things that stood out to me in the Romantic period involving American literature was the different writing styles used in the poetry and the famous authors during this time.
To romanticize something means to make it sound more appealing than it really is. When reading the poem “Paul Rivere’s Ride” a story about the famous Paul Rivere who warned everyone that the British Army were invading by ship. I found lots of examples of romanticism in this poem. One quote that I found said “across the moon like a prison bar” this makes you picture in your head a big scary ship and makes you want to get chills. That is the point why poets romanticize. Another important writing style used in poetry in the romantic period was imagery and figurative language. Imagery is the mental image the poet gives you when Figurative language is comparing something with something else for example similes, metaph...
Beautiful Colonial Williamsburg has many roots within the history of Virginia. From colonial times to present day, Williamsburg has kept the charm of a time long ago. Colonial Williamsburg through the centuries has given people a place to learn about the rich history Virginia has to offer. The significance of Colonial Williamsburg can be found within the battles that were fought during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, the political figures that helped shape this great nation, and restoration efforts within the city of Williamsburg to maintain a time that should never be forgotten.
In Colonial America indentured slavery happen gradually. The colony of Virginia was one place the “terrible transformation” took place. There were Africans and poor whites that came from English working class, black and whites worked side by side in the fields. They were all indentured servants as servants they were fed and housed. After their time was served, they were given “freedom dues,” with that came a piece of land and supplies. Black and whites became free. The English would not enslave non-Christians slaves; they could be set freed by converting to Christianity (PBS Online, nd).
Who, how, and why the colonies were settled made a big variations in the lifestyles among the three different regions. These differences became more pronounced when it came time to create a government that would include these people with different beliefs and ways of living.
Romanticism was a literary movement that occurred in the late eighteenth century to the mid nineteenth century which shifted the focus of literature from puritan works, to works which revolved around imagination, the beauty of nature, the individual, and the value of emotion over intellect. The ideas of the movement were quite revolutionary as earlier literature was inhibited by the need to focus on society and the rational world it effected. Romanticism allowed writers to be more creative with there stories and to explore an irrational world which before, would have been at the very least frowned upon if not outright rejected. The short story, “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne is an example of a romantic work because it showcases the individual over society, exalts emotion and intuition over reason, and keeps a strong focus on nature throughout the story.
The American Romantic period was essentially a Renaissance of American literature. “It was a Renaissance in the sense of a flowering, excitement over human possibilities, and a high regard for individual ego” (English). American romantics were influenced by the literary eras that came before them, and their writings were a distinct reaction against the ideology of these previous eras. In this sense, American Romanticism grew from “. . . the rhetoric of salvation, guilt, and providential visions of Puritanism, the wilderness reaches of this continent, and the fiery rhetoric of freedom and equality . . .” as they eagerly developed their own unique style of writing (English). American romantic authors had a strong sense of national identity and
When many hear “Romanticism” they think of love, but Romanticism isn’t mainly about love. Yes, it may have some love, but it’s also about reasoning, nature, imaginations, and individualism. Like American Romanticism, that occurred from 1830 – 1865. It was actually caused by Washington Irving and James Fenimore Cooper. For Americans, “it was a time of excitement over human possibilities, and of individual ego. American writers didn’t know what “America” could possibly mean in terms of literature, which was American and not British. It questioned their identity and place in society, creatively” (Woodlief). It was characterized by an interest in nature, and the significance of the individual’s expression on emotion and imagination; good literature should have heart, not rules. Some of the most famous authors who wrote during American Romanticism were Nathaniel Hawthorne, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Henry David Thoreau, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. American Romanticism is important because it was the “historical period of literature in which modern readers most began to see their selves and their own conflicts and desires”. Romanticism was a literary revolution.
Despite many literary movements that occurred in America, during the 19th century, Romanticism was one of the most popular literary styles. During the time period of 1820-1860, authors mainly focused on individualism, idealism, imagination, and nature when writing. They also created settings that were set in distant times or places. Also, during this movement, authors produced many pieces of work that embodied the idea of America while rebelling against the American Enlightenment movement. Due to this, the Romanticism movement is the largest body of work to this point in history and one that has been studied for a vast period of time. Some famous authors of this movement included: Edgar Allen Poe, Nathaniel
Romanticism which is an artistic, music, literary, and intellectual movement that originated in Europe in the late 18th century. Romanticism was between realistic and imaginary. Often Romanticism is tied to the emphasis on women and children, the respect to nature, and the criticism to the history. Individual expressions are very important in Romanticism as well.
Romanticism first came about in the 18th century and it was mostly used for art and literature. The actual word “romanticism” was created in Britain in the 1840s. People like Victor Hugo, William Wordsworth, and Percy Bysshe Shelley had big impacts on this style of art. Romanticism is an art in which people express their emotion. Whatever they believed is put into a picture, painting, poem, or book. Romanticism goes deep into a mind. It is very deep thinking and it’s expressing yourself through that deep thinking. Romanticism is the reaction to the Enlightenment and the enlightenment aka the “Age of Reason” took place during the 1700s to 1800s. The enlightenment emphasized being rational and using your mind; on the other hand, romanticism focuses on emotion and imagination. It says don’t just focus on rationality and reason.
Romanticism was a period when people encouraged artists freely expressing their emotions and feelings. Art was to be derived from the artist's imagination with little interference from other outside forces. Artists were considered geniuses. To be considered a genius, you were someone who was able to produce art from nothing. This was the key to romanticism. Romantics had a strong connection with nature. They had very little trust with the human world. Having a good connection with nature was a key concept to being mentally and morally healthy. The romanticism period initiated an interest in the supernatural. Looking into the afterlife and what the different religions believe happen.
Romanticism is an influential literary movement in America that changed literature permanently from the drastically modest and structured ideals of Puritanism. Two contrasting types of authors, Romantics and Dark Romantics, introduce new, meaningful literature to America; while Romantics see the light and airy side of the world, Dark Romantics see the darker more horrific side. This drastically modified literary period is influenced by Europe and was revolutionary for America from the moment it arrived. American Romanticism rejects the normal, rational thought and praises the unpredictability and complexity of emotion. Romanticism has changed American literature forever.
Romantic period is an important period which had great impact in terms of literature, it also had changed the political and religious views amongst people in early ages till now. Romantic period lasted approximately from 1800 till late 1850. It is during this time when industrial revolution and human mind were changing drastically. Romantic period in terms of literature is reaction against the Age of Enlightenment. Though America became independent in 1776 it was still controlled by the British politically. Colleges, schools and churches had to follow the strict laws regulated by the British government and Americans were asked to pay tax to the government. It was during this time when scholars started to revolt against the British government and people started reasoning. One such man who influenced Romantic Period would be Ralph Waldo Emerson. He influenced scholars and people in America with his literary work and was named Transcendentalism. Transcendentalism ideology was against the political and religious parties which were corrupt. Emerson tried to create a new society where people were not governed by other and believed that individual can be tamed by oneself if one is truly self-reliant and independent. On the other, transcendentalism was a movement for freedom. Emerson’s work such as The American Scholar has great impact on the declaration of independence. The article American Scholar was a speech delivered by Emerson at Cambridge in 1837 during Romantic period. In his article he talks about self reliance and independence focusing on three main ideas; nature, books and action.
The Dream of American Romanticism The Romantic Movement seized America from 1800 to 1860. A romantic is the name given to those who value feeling and intuition over reason (Arpin 162). During this time period, Americans were migrating westward to explore the land of America. Moving towards the countryside, they pursued beauty and tried evading their daily troubles. Romantics argued that art rather than science could best express universal truth (The Romantic Period, 1820-1860: Essayists and Poets). The romantics took a less rational approach with their beliefs. Rationalists and romantics had a very different look on cities. Rationalists looked at them as a place for success. Romantics ran from these cities viewing them as a place of poverty and death. During this time Americans felt a sense of freedom from English rule. Frontier promised opportunity for expansion, growth, freedom; Europe lacked this element (American Romanticism Overview). Americans felt the need to explore science and the land of North America. This movement brought literature of fireside poetry to the American Hero. Over the course of the American Romantic Period, focusing on emotions, changed the way Americans comprehended upward mobility in the American dream, which in turn changed the way authors wrote and lived their lives. The numerous characteristics of the romantic period helped shape the era. Romantics obsessed over the idea of individuality. They felt the need to have self-expression. They felt that they could do anything with self-reliance. “One could live without fear not because it was possible to control events but because it was possible to achieve self-control” (Cullen 71). Henry David Thoreau expressed himself by getting away from everybody and ...
First, let’s give a little bit of overview about the British and American romance definitions. The British defined Romanticism as “a fascination with youth and innocence as well as a questioning of authority.” Also, “changing tradition for idealistic purposes and an adaptation to change.” p. The American poets defined Romanticism as “a school of thought that valued feelings and intuition over reason.” p. 143. “A Journey away from the corruption of civilization and the limits of rational thought and toward the integrity of nature and the freedom of imagination.” p. 142. American romance also showed a great respect to youth and innocence, just like that of the British. One of the very active British poets of this time, William Blake, wrote a very good poem called “The Chimney Sweeper from Songs of Innocence”, and the following is a quote from the poem, “Though the morning was cold, Tom was happy and warm,
The Romantics lasted from “1830 to 1870” (The Romantic Period in American Literature and Arts). During this time the three main historical events happened which included. “Route such as the Santa Fe trail and the Oregon Trail brought a flood of settlers to the west a mass immigration that intensified with the Gold Rush of 1849”. (American Romanticism). The second was “At the same time,