Dark Romanticism

1. Dark Romanticism Nathaniel Hawthorne & Edgar Allan Poe

2. Transcendentalism vs Dark Romanticism • Believed in the inherent goodness of both man and nature. • Believed that society and its institutions - particularly organized religion and political parties - ultimately corrupted the purity of the individual. • They had faith that man is at his best when truly "self-reliant" and independent. It is only from such real individuals that true community could be formed. • FYI - Early in the movement's history, the term "Transcendentalists" was used as a harsh term by critics, who were suggesting their position was beyond sanity and reason. • Dark Romantics stood to remind the world of the existence of evil. Like the Romantics and Transcendentalists, however, the Dark Romantics valued intuition and emotion over logic and reason and saw symbols, spiritual truths, and signs in nature and everyday events.

3. More about Dark Romantics • Dark Romantics present individuals as prone to sin and self-destruction, not as inherently possessing divinity and wisdom. • Believed the natural world is dark, decaying, and mysterious; when it does reveal truth to man, its revelations are evil and hellish. • Finally, whereas Transcendentalists advocate social reform when appropriate, works of Dark Romanticism frequently show individuals failing in their attempts to make changes for the better.

4. And some more… • Their tales and poems commonly feature outcasts from society, personal torment, and uncertainty as to whether the nature of man will bring him salvation or destruction. • Many consider American writers Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Herman Melville to be among the most important Dark Romantic authors.

5. July 4, 1804 – May 19, 1864 Salem, MA Born Hathorne, but added the “w” later… why? Wife: Sophia Peabody Children: Una, Julian, & Rose (who is in consideration for the sainthood) Nathaniel Hawthorne

6. Bowdoin College Friends w/ Longfellow & Pierce Worked at a Custom House & joined Brook Farm before marrying Sophia Moved to The Old Manse in Concord, MA & later to The Wayside, formerly owned by Amos Alcott Hawthorne Continued…

10. Hawthorne’s Influences… • DARK Romanticism • cautionary tales that suggest that guilt, sin, and evil are the most inherent natural qualities of humanity • Puritan New England • Combines historical romance w/ symbolism & deep psychological themes

11. Later Life… • Later works depicted his negative view of the Transcendental Movement • Transcendentalism—rebellion against the current state of society. Truth is found when man transcends the physical and societal laws, not within the confines of a particular doctrine.

12. What do you remember about Dark Romanticism? ` How does the movie/story reveal these characteristics?

13. The Life of Edgar Poe • Born in Boston, Massachusetts on Jan 19, 1809 (same age as Lincoln) • Parents were touring performers: mom-actor/dad-dancer • Women in Poe’s stories… • Mix up with life and death • Orphaned • Taken to home of John Allan in Richmond, VA by Francis Allan • He took Allan as his middle name • Mother, friend Richard’s mother (1st love), Francis Allan

14. FACTS (continued) • Enrolled in the University of Virginia when he was 17 • Poe gambled and increased his debt • This caused him to begin to drink • Allan kicked him out after Francis died and gave Poe a very small allowance • At 20, Poe invents the psychological horror story – brings respect to genre • Also at 20, short stories begin with Poe

15. & More FACTS! Joined the military under the name Edgar A. Perry, where he earned the title of sergeant major Poe lived with his father’s widowed sister, Maria Clemm Aunt Maria Clemm’s daughter Virginia Clemm (10.5 years old) Married Poe (26) and Virginia (13) They never had children Poe wasn’t mentioned in Allan’s will

16. Encounter with Charles Dickens • “Stone-cold dead” story of Dickens’ pet raven • “Nevermore” meaning • Success over night of “The Raven” – first adult fairy tale poem • Dreary backdrops of his poems and stories reflect his dark life • Earned Poe no money

17. Later in his life… • He was an editor and free-lance writer from 1835-1842 • He earned little money. • His free-lance writing rarely made him more than $100 each • The Poes moved to New York City in 1844. They were comfortable there before his wife became sick with tuberculosis. • She died on January 30, 1847

18. Y’all still awake????

19. Nevermore… • After Virginia’s death, he continued to live with Mrs. Clemm in Fordham • He was depressed and erratic • In 1849, he became engaged to a childhood sweetheart • After making wedding plans in Richmond, he set out for NY, but disappeared in Baltimore • He was found five days later- drugged, intoxicated, and near death. • He never regained full consciousness and died four days later on October 7, 1849.

20. Poe… the Author • The first American author to be widely read outside the U.S. • Very popular in France due to the French poet, Charles Baudelaire, translating his works in the 1850s • Through his mysteries, he invented the modern detective story/psychological horror story • His poems and stories featured characters tortured by nameless fears and desires • Today, he is acclaimed as one of America’s greatest writers, although he knew little but failure and loneliness during his life.

21. Five Types of Tales • Horror • Gothic • Detective • Psychological Thrillers • Tales About People with Evil or Double Personalities

22. Also, Well Known for His Poems… • “The Raven,” 1845 • “Annabel Lee,” 1849 • “The Bells,” 1848 • “The City in the Sea,” 1831

23. Burial Site Baltimore, Maryland