Intro to Romanticism / Transcendentalism

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Intro to Romanticism / Transcendentalism
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Notes

• Read Pages 304-313 in your textbook.
• As you read, take notes on the important
  information you come across.
• Use this handout as a guide.

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The Early Romantics?

• They were inspired by the beauty of nature
• They emphasized emotions and the imagination over
  reason
• They celebrated the individual spirit

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The Fireside Poets

• Emphasized moral themes in their works
• Stressed individualism and an appreciation of
  nature
• Were committed to social reform

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The Transcendentalists

• Emphasized living a simple life
• Stressed a close relationship to nature
• Celebrated emotions and the imagination
• Stressed individualism and self-reliance
• Believed intuition can lead to knowledge
• Believed in the inherent goodness of people
• Encouraged spiritual well-being over financial
  well-being

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The Dark (Brooding) Romantics

• Did not believe in the innate goodness of people
• Explored the human capacity for evil
• Probed the inner life of characters
• Explored characters motivations
• Agreed with romantic emphasis on emotion, nature,
  and the individual
• Included elements of fantasy and the supernatural
  in their works

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Class Assignment

• Now Read The First Snowfall by James Russell
  Lowell on page 362-363.
• Review the aspects of The Fireside Poets.
• Choose one of these aspects and find an example
  of this from the poem.
• Identify the aspect you are referring to, write
  out the example, and give an explanation of how
  this is a good example.

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