RISE%20OF%20THE%20INDIVIDUAL

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RISE OF THE INDIVIDUAL

• Part 3 - Literary Gothic

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American Romanticism Reviewed

• Romanticism is an artistic and literary movement
  in America which originated in direct response to
  rise rise of science, technology, and industry in
  America.
• Romantics no longer conformed to the strict
  religious beliefs of Puritan America they did
  not reject God, but instead chose the pursue
  other explanations.
• Basic tenets of Romanticism

imagination one should be creative, and
experiment with science
Intuition one should follow instincts over logic
and reasoning

• Idealism
• one should be realize the opportunity presented
  in the changing society of America

Inspiration one should explore nature and the
vast frontier
Individuality one should celebrate the self, that
is the unique beliefs and values of each
individual as society grows more diverse
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What did Romantics write about?

• Themes

Beauty Romantics pursued pure beauty in nature
and the self therefore, the wrote about the
wonder of nature and mans abuse of it, innocence
of youth, and how it is corrupted.
Non-Normal Romantics explored non-traditional
beliefs by writing about the supernatural,
ancient folklore, and anything that might be
viewed as odd, gross, and scary.
Escapism Romantics were on a quest to escape the
colonized and industrialized America and
frequently wrote about the frontier and
unexplored lands outside the colonies.
Nature Romantics were interested in the mystery
of nature and used nature as an escape, as a
source of knowledge, and as a revelation of god
to man in their writing.
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What did Gothics write about?

• Themes

Beauty Romantics pursued pure beauty in nature
and the self therefore, the wrote about the
wonder of nature and mans abuse of it, innocence
of youth, and how it is corrupted.
Non-Normal Romantics explored non-traditional
beliefs by writing about the supernatural,
ancient folklore, and anything that might be
viewed as odd, gross, and scary.
Escapism Romantics were on a quest to escape the
colonized and industrialized America and
frequently wrote about the frontier and
unexplored lands outside the colonies.
Nature Romantics were interested in the mystery
of nature and used nature as an escape, as a
source of knowledge, and as a revelation of god
to man in their writing.
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A Romantic Conflict.

• Transcendentalists
• looked inward and saw hope.
• found truth by looking inward instead of to
  others.
• believed human nature was inherently good
• saw everything in nature as a miracle

• Literary Gothics
• looked inward and saw the potential for evil.
• tested psychological and emotional boundaries to
  find truth.
• believed true human nature was revealed by
  pushing humanity to the extreme.
• Interested in the unknown and uncomfortable

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Elements of Gothic Literature.

• The Gothic tradition in American were inspired by
  Gothic writers in Europe, like Mary Shelley, the
  author of Frankenstein.
• If you combine these European elements of weird
  settings, macabre plot, creepy characters, etc
  with the American focus on the Individual, the
  result is American Gothic Literature.
• Two main authors of this movement are Edgar Allen
  Poe, the author of The Tell-Tale Heart and The
  Cask of Amontillado and Nathaniel Hawthorne,
  author of The Scarlet Letter.

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Elements of Gothic Literature.

• Remember, Gothic authors believed the true self
  was revealed only when pushed to the extreme

• Poe
• Explored the Psychological Extreme by writing
  about
• physical/mental torture
• vengeance after death
• live burial
• insanity
• guilt

• Hawthorne
• Explored the Emotional Extreme by writing about
• greed
• vanity
• mistrust
• betrayal
• pride

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Becoming a Literary Gothic.

• Much literature today utilizes the same elements
  that are considered stereotypically Gothic.
• 1. As we read The Raven, by Poe take note of
  these elements.
• 2. Further study these elements by completing a
  graphic organizer for either The Fall of the
  House of Usher or Dr. Heideggers Experiment
• 3. Then use this knowledge to create your own
  story in the Gothic tradition.

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Becoming a Literary Gothic.

• Your Gothic Story must
• Include the macabre (setting, mood)
• 2. Be allegorical (symbol, character)
• 3. Test either the mind or the heart (theme)
• 4. Mimic the masters (syntax, tone, diction,
  imagery)