American Romanticism 1800-1860

1. American Romanticism 1800-1860

2. Answer the Following Questions • Do you think your state of mind or your environment are more important? • Which would you rather have, imagination or knowledge? • Do you follow facts or intuition more often?

3. If you answered that… • State of mind is more important than environment • Imagination is better to have than knowledge • You follow your intuition over the facts Than you are a Romantic.

4. Romanticism is not… • What we now think of as “romantic” • Romantic literature is not about relationships or love stories • It is a reaction against the ideas of the time period: • Rationalization (or scientific explanation) of nature • And pursuit of reason • So what does this mean?

5. Major Characteristics of Romanticism Imaginative Rejects rationality May have elements of the supernatural May have elements of folk or myth Values and idealizes nature Emphasizes emotion and intuition Sees artists as heroes

6. Historical Perspective Romanticism began in Europe in the 1700’s. However, the American Romantic movement took place from about 1800 to 1860. What was happening in the United States during this time period?

8. Historical Perspective • The early to mid 1800’s was a time of dramatic change for the United States; these include: • Thomas Jefferson was elected president in 1800 • War of 1812 was fought against Great Britain, lasting 2 and a half years • Effects of the war: “Star Spangled Banner” was created, the U.S. had more solidarity after the war, the U.S. was better recognized by the rest of the world

9. Historical Perspective Dramatic Changes cont. • U.S. doubled in size with the Louisiana Purchase (Napoleon sold much of the western United States to Thomas Jefferson for about 11 million dollars) • As a result, western expansion increased in the U.S. • The first indicators of the industrial revolution began to occur; many canals, railroads and turnpikes were built • New York City began to grow into a city as we know it; many authors of the Romantic period spent part of their life writing there

10. Historical Perspective Dramatic Changes cont. • The United States began to establish their place in the world of literature • Washington Irving became, “the first professional author of the new nation and the first literary figure to win an international reputation” (173, The American Experience) • Two groups of artists, the Knickerbocker Group (authors led by Washington Irving) and the Bread and Cheese Club (authors and other artists led by James Fennimore Cooper) began to express the modern, American experience

11. Major Ideas of Romanticism • The world within is more important than the external environment • Imagination is the most important part of the mind; “we not only perceive the world around us, but also in part create it” (173, American Experience) • Imagination is also important because it is the basis for all art • Authors emphasized emotion, intuition and instinct over reason • Reality is not as interesting or important

12. Major Ideas of Romanticism • Idealized the individual and the “hero artist” • Romantic artists often separated themselves from “normal” society • Artists were sometimes considered isolated geniuses • Sometimes used folk legends and myths as inspiration for their work • Focused on the sublime (awe inspiring) aspects of nature • Some artists (such as Edgar Allan Poe) focused on the supernatural in their work and tried to create terror in their readers

13. Influences on other Artists • Romanticism also influenced art and music • One example is the Hudson River School: a group of painters who depicted the wild landscape of the United States • Depicted nature in a realistic, but idealized way • Would often travel long distances in order to gain inspiration for their paintings • Would combine multiple sites to create their perfect landscapes

14. The following slides are samples of work created by Hudson River School artists including Thomas Cole, the most famous artists of the movement.As you look at these slides, consider how this art fits into the Romantic movement as already described.

18. Romantic Authors We will focus on three: Washington Irving, Edgar Allen Poe and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

19. Major Works: The Devil and Tom Walker The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Rip Van Winkle Wrote short stories and some non-fiction Washington Irving1783-1859

20. Washington Irving’s Life • Traveled the world and lived for awhile in Europe, but was born into a wealthy family in New York City • Interesting fact: the New York Knicks were named after his club of Romantic writers the Knickerbocker group • He was the first American writer to be recognized by the rest of the world

21. His Work • Inspired by folklore • he changed German folktales and placed them in a distinctly American time and landscape (specifically the Hudson Valley in some cases) • In his tales, characters often embody one trait and contain lessons • The stories often have supernatural elements

22. Major Works: The Raven Fall of the House of Usher The Tell-Tale Heart The Pit and the Pendulum He wrote poetry and short stories Edgar Allen Poe1809-1849

23. Edgar Allen Poe’s Life • Born in Philadelphia to traveling actors • Informally adopted at age one by a wealthy family after his mother died • Went to college but had to leave to pay his gambling debt • Tried to enter the military, but was later dismissed • Married his 13 year old cousin and he died two years after her death • At the time of his death, he was still unrecognized; he died drunk and living in poverty

24. Used vivid imagery Explored altered states and psychology (often the dark side of each) Stories have supernatural elements Single Effect Toyed with sound in his work His Work

25. Major Works: The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls A Psalm of Life Paul Revere’s Ride Hiawatha Was a poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow1807-1882

26. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s Life • Born in Portland, Maine • Attended, and later taught in, Bowdoin College where Nathaniel Hawthorn was one of his classmates • Lived in Europe for a number of years • Eventually taught modern languages at Harvard for 18 years • Was widowed twice, the first time from an infection which was the result of a miscarriage and the second time because of a house fire • Always wore a long beard because he could not shave due to the scars from trying to save his wife in the fire • Was very popular during his time period

27. Criticized for being too sentimental and optimistic Some poetry was narrative and explored the American story Poetry we will read uses imagery from nature and metaphor to portray deep meaning to the reader His Work

28. Emily Dickinson 1830-1886 • Wrote poetry • Because I could not stop for death • I Felt a Funeral • I Heard a Fly Buzz • And many other famous poems

29. Emily Dickinson’s Life • Born in Amherst, Massachusetts to a wealthy family • Lived a very quiet life as an introvert and a recluse • Considered to be “eccentric” and rarely left her home • Only a dozen of her poems were published in her lifetime • The rest were found after her death hidden in her room

30. Her Work • Uses nature metaphors • Themes include spirituality and death • Poems are introspective (about her inner-world)