American Romanticism : The Highest Expression Of Imagination

The Romantic era began in 1770, with its peak being from 1800 to 1850. With emphasis on the imagination and emotion, Romanticism emerged as a result of the Enlightenment period, which heavily placed values upon reason and order. Thus, Romanticism depends heavily on “the practical accomplishments of the prior un-Romantic era— a relationship between material wealth and scientific knowledge on one hand, and personal, spiritual, or emotional transcendence on the other, that twenty-first century Americans continue to manage.” The simplest explanation for what is Romantic is “‘anything but the here and now’ or whatever is not realistic” (“Romanticism”). The

The Romanticism art movement praised imagination over reason, emotions over logic, and literature over science. The Romanticism artists were known for replacing the classical 18th century literature heroes with much more complex and passionate characters. Romanticism focuses on self-expression and individual uniqueness that does not lend itself to be defined nor controlled by society. The landscape on Romanticism was commonly displayed in cool rich colors and untamed peaceful surroundings. In Romanticism, nature was used to represent the extension of the human personality, the capability of feeling love, serenity, and sympathy.

The period of Romanticism, occurring between the years 1800 and 1860, left a significant impact on not only the literature of that time, but the literature of today as well. Prior to romantic writings, the world focused on society and logic. Romanticism allowed people to start valuing individualism and to appeal to emotional responses. This new way of thinking brought new literary styles, themes, and genres that were never explored before and are still found today. The literature of Romanticism allowed people to escape the harshness of reality and enter a different world.

Romanticism in America was an emotional outpouring in reaction to both the new freedom experienced after the Revolution and to the restrictive Puritan ideals. Instead of the repression of the individual, it was the celebration of the individual. This is especially true of the Transcendentalist branch of Romanticism. Transcendentalism revolves around the idea that humans are essentially good and that society is a corrupting force. Ralph Waldo Emerson, a famed Transcendentalist, wrote in his essay, “Self-Reliance”, said, “Every heart vibrates to that iron string,” (Emerson) meaning every man marches to the rhythm of his own drum. Henry David Thoreau, another famed Transcendentalist, in his essay, “Civil Disobedience”, denounced the government as creating unjust laws and supports an uninvolved government. He encouraged people not to eradicate evil from the world, but to not take part in it (Thoreau). Society was evil and man should remove himself from it.

Romanticism was an art movement that developed in the late eighteenth century and lasted for about one hundred years. Romanticism is a rejection of the traditional values of reason, order, and objectivity that characterized Classicism and Enlightenment, in particular Neoclassicism. For the romantic artist, Neoclassical principles hindered the artist’s vision and creativity. Rather, the romantic artist emphasized and valued intuition, juxtaposing emotions, and imagination. Generally, Britain and Germany were seen at the forefront of romanticism. The British Industrial Revolution initiated a disillusionment in rationalism and materialism, consequently rejecting classicism.

The idea of American Romanticism originated in the early 19th century. It encompassed the revolutionary spirit America was beginning to embody, and sought to break rigid societal norms of conformity by emphasizing the individuals importance, fueled by emotion as movement, in connecting to the world in which one lived. The movement utilized various facets of art to form an identity, which produced an overwhelming appeal to an American society with contradicting mindsets prevalent in trying to form what the said identity looked like. Though perhaps a topic that could be spoke upon to no extent, the American Romantic ideal becomes certainly prevalent while considering the works of Henry David Thoreau and Edward Curtis. Both men use elements

With Romanticism came a new style of beliefs known as Transcendentalism. This is similar to Puritan beliefs in that it focuses on living simply. Romanticism deals with issues concerning the conflict between the spirit and the body, nature as being good or evil, experience as mystical, the nature of reality, and the equality of men. Romanticism supported abolition and believed in the "manifest destiny" of the United States. This literature pays close attention to setting, nature, nonconformity, and the mood and tone of a piece. Romantics also made use of gothic elements in their literature, such as the supernatural, abnormal psychology, mysticism, and spiritualism. Romantic poets were fond of musical rhythmic verse, and they liked to break free of forms, making

American Romanticism was a movement that flourished in the nineteenth century as a product of “ideas inherited from the romantic traditions of Europe”(Loc 51). The ascent of American Romanticism, while different from the movement that took root in the “Old World,” happened in response to societal changes in America. The population boom in the mid 1800s and technological innovations, such as “the cotton gin, the sewing machine, and the telegraph,” was to ascribe for the development of an industrial, urban-based society (Loc 12). The capitalist economy of the United States, which was associated with the idea of “civilization,” was perceived as an evil by the Romantics; the rejection of civilization illustrates a major characteristic of literature

Romanticism was a movement that swept over all of Europe; it affected all areas of life and society, not only just literatruture. At its base was a belief in the rights of man and this impetus led to two enormously important resolutions: the American Revolution and the French Resolution. Romanticism does not only mean romantic love, it is a literary term characterized by elements. Some elements of romanticism are growth of industrialization, mingling of races, frontier, experimentation, and optimism. One of the writers that include romanticism in their writings is Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly.

The South’s punishment to post WWI German punishment. The south was given heavy taxes to pay for the damage done in the USA. This was not the best method because it made many people mad. The Germans have to pay many war reparations to the affected areas. They did not have money, so inflation started. The USA came up with the Dawes Act to try to help them out.

Throughout Europe and the United States, Romanticism emerged as a powerful influence in politics, religion, and the arts during the late 1700s through the end of the 1800s. Romanticism rejected Greek perfection and rationalism, the idea that truth and deduction prevail. This movement evolved as a reaction opposing monarchy and convention. Romanticism embraced the individual. In addition, this period promoted democracy and equality while despising tyranny. The truth was defined by man’s perception, not logic. The artist, philosopher, and poet were highly valued. Furthermore, the

Romanticism is an artistic revolt that originated in Europe in the 18th century. It rejected the rationalism, logical thinking, and societal norms associated with the Age of Enlightenment. Rather, it embraced ideals that came out of the French Revolution. The works of art focused on promoting free-thinking and provoking feeling from its viewers. To further explain Romanticism, poet and critic Charles Baudelaire once wrote that "romanticism is precisely situated neither in choice of subject nor in exact truth, but in way of feeling." Various paintings throughout the 18th and 19th century helped to define this time in art history. During the Romanticism era, it was through the emphasis on emotion, freedom, and the everyday life that the Romantic principles of the sublime and the picturesque were expressed.

Seeing past the flawed, faith in possibilities and insistence on equal opportunities for all defined the Romantic’s outlook and attitude. With sights firmly set on the wonders of another dimension, The Romantic Temper is filled with thoughts of peace and grandeur. The ability to imagine and fantasize is what allowed for the Romantic man to flourish, even the most turbulent times. In the mid-century the Romantic artists in America experienced their nation’s capital burned to the ground, the panic and depression, but instead of giving way to the pressure, they created some of the greatest literary pieces ever produced in the America’s history. Their passionate conceptions boldly challenged, enlightened and inspired Americans and Europeans alike. Romantics broke down barriers and created new social norms increasing national pride and getting people to stand up for what was right.

Romanticism was a movement in art and literature that started in the late 18th century and continued throughout the 19th century in Europe and America. The movement rebelled against classicism. The basic idea in Romanticism is that reason cannot explain everything. This in contrast to the Age of Enlightenment, which focused more on scientific and rational thinking, Romantics searched for deeper appeals, emotional directness of personal experience and visionary relationship to imagination and aspiration. Romantics favoured more natural, emotional and personal artistic themes. Some of the most notable writers of Romanticism were Mary Shelley, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Victor Hugo, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Friedrich von Schiller.

American Romanticism was a time period consisting of one of the first “big” literary movements in the United States. This time period was made up of a group of authors who wrote and published many works when the United States was still trying to set itself in stone as a new nation. Amongst the writers of the American Romantic time period was an author by the name of Ralph Waldo Emerson who displayed his ideas of nonconformity. With this new movement also came painters who helped visualize these ideas of nonconformity and making the United States their own individual nation. Alongside these American Romantic painters was a man by the name of Emanuel Leutze who visually showed the ideas of a “new beginning” for the United States through his paintings. Between Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay “Circles” and Emanuel Leutze’s painting “Washington Crossing the Delaware,” we can see how the ideas of nonconformity can relate with regards to their thematic and stylistic similarities.