American Romanticism

1800-1850American Romanticism Historical Context1790-c. 1850: Industrial Revolution1793: Eli Whitney develops the cotton gin1803: Louisiana Purchase1804-1806: Louis and Clark1807: Steamboat1820: Missouri Compromise1828: Steam locomotive, railroadNoah Webster and the American English dictionaryGrowing spirit of nationalism.

2American Romanticism Intuition: inner perception of truth, independent of reasonThe American Scholar must learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within.Ralph Waldo EmersonImagination: potential of the individualIndividual: worth of the common man, equality, reformNature: beauty, strangeness, mysteryimagination and intuitionPastEmotion: exploration of the inner world of human nature

Nature as moral lawHudson River School3PICMINE / MICENIPPastImaginationCommon manMysteryIntuitionNatureEmotion

Thomas Cole. Romantic Landscape with Ruined Tower, 1832-1836.

Asher B. Durand. Kindred Spirits (1849).Statements that Embody or Suggest Romanticism Indicate whether you agree or disagree with each statement by marking either A for Agree or D for Disagree1. The answers to lifes most puzzling questions can be found through discussions with a simple person who lives in the country close to naturenot with a sophisticated, well-educated person from the city. 2. The answer to lifes most puzzling questions can be found through a connection with nature. 3. The use of ones imagination is more important than rational thought. 4. Subjectivity is more important than objectivity. 5. Knowledge is gained through gut reactions and subjective hunches rather than level-headed, objective, deductive thought. 6. Nature is more important than art. 7. Experimental trial and error is a better process than the conventional scientific method. 8. Poetry should be spontaneous and full of emotion, not planned and straightforward. 9. Sensitivity, feelings, and spontaneity are more important than intellectualism. 10. Dare to be is a better battle-cry than dare to know.7Romanticism Quiz ResultsTotal your As and Ds3 or fewer As- not Romantic4 or 5 As- sort of Romantic6 or 7 As- highly Romantic8-10 As- extremely Romantic