The Romantic Period

1
The Romantic Period

• The Romantics

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Historical data 1790-1860

• Incredible growth and expansion after the
  Revolutionary War
• Industrial Revolution
• Need to create American identity
• Distinct cultural life
• Significant literary tradition

3
Philosophical dataattitude toward God

• God is within man
• Man told to follow his conscience or emotions
• A concern with the darker side of man
• Concern with the supernatural, the devil and his
  influence

4
Attitude toward man

• Each man is different
• Emphasis on individual emotions/feelings
• Disorder in the imagination
• Each man is important
• Isolation from each other is possible
• Pursuit of the strange

5
Attitude toward society

• Pride in countrys past
• Pride in nations accomplishments
• Growth in and experimentation with music, art,
  and literature

6
Types of literature

• Short story invented
• First used by Irving
• Mastered by Poe
• gave rise to the detective story
• poetry

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Impact of the literature

• Created a uniquely American art form
• Caused the premium on creative imagination
• Emphasized the Gothic
• Medievalism
• Sensationalism
• Supernatural
• The macabre
• Isolation
• Irrational

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Impact on the American character

• American superiority
• Value placed on imagination
• Realization of a darker side to man
• Defined American Dream as possible
• Increased literate public