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The Romantic Period

The Romantic Period. c. 1800—1865. Romantic Period ≠ Romance Stories. The Romantic Period does not refer to a literary period dominated by love stories. From Professor Bruce Harvey (American Literature):

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The Romantic Period

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  1. The Romantic Period c. 1800—1865

  2. Romantic Period ≠ Romance Stories • The Romantic Period does not refer to a literary period dominated by love stories. • From Professor Bruce Harvey (American Literature): • “Romanticism, as a term, derives from romance, which from the Medieval Period (1200-1500) on simply meant a story (e.g. all the chivalric King Arthur legends) that was adventuristic and improbable. ‘Romances’ are distinguished from ‘novels,’ which emphasized the mundane and realistic.”

  3. Historical Background • Industrial Revolution spread from Britain to the U.S. • 1820s—1830s: “Age of Reform” (many organizations worked to end slavery, stop drunkenness, secure women’s rights, provide better care for the mentally ill, and improve prisons) • At the beginning of this period, America was emerging from its revolution as a unified nation. The Civil War occurred at the end of this period. • For detailed information, please see the Glencoe textbook, p. 184—191.

  4. Characteristics • First major surge of distinctly American literature • Issues addressed included American identity and the slavery debate • Imagination and feeling valued over intellect and reason • Some celebrated individualism and freedom (ex. Transcendentalists), believing in basic goodness, while others took a more pessimistic view of human life and emotions (ex. Gothic literature) • Strong belief in the importance of nature • Rather than a wilderness to be tamed (think Exploration Period), nature was celebrated as beautiful and powerful

  5. Readings • Short Story • “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe (1846) • http://www.literature.org/authors/poe-edgar-allan/amontillado.html • Just for fun: • The Cask of Amontillego (image): http://imgur.com/uQbgt • Alan Parsons Project song with graphics (kind of hilarious; also kind of a jam – they made ‘concept albums’ in the 70s and 80s): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBC7Rown13Q • Poem • “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe (1845) • Textbook p. 263 or follow along with the subtitles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSq4FNuW6GY (read by Christopher Walken; images by Gustave Dore) • The Simpsons version (Treehouse of Horror): http://dotsub.com/view/58591756-7128-488c-bfe9-22463d46d907

  6. Short Answer Response • How are Poe’s works, specifically “The Cask of Amontillado” and “The Raven,” representative of the Romantic period? Support your answer with evidence from both texts.

  7. Sources: Glencoe Literature textbook – “Texas Treasures American Literature” http://www.westga.edu/~mmcfar/AMERICAN%20ROMANTICISM%20overview.htm http://wps.pearsoncustom.com/pcp_mylitlab_1_master/37/9657/2472202.cw/index.html

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