Romanticism Characteristics Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the American journey a quest for?

opportunity

What are the goals of eighteenth century America?

independence, prosperity, commerce, and urbane civilization

According to Rationalists, what is the city a place for?

success and self-realization

According to Romantics, what is the city a place for?

moral ambiguity, corruption, and death Signup and view all the answers

What does the word ambiguity mean? How does it apply to the Romantics view of the city?

Ambiguity means openness to many different points of view; Romantics see it as moral ambiguity. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the romantic journey? Why?

in the countryside, due to the urge for independence, moral clarity, and healthful living Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first popular professional writer in America and what kind of story is he known for?

Washington Irving, known for stories about escape from civilization and responsibility Signup and view all the answers

What does Romanticism value?

imagination, spontaneity, individual feelings, and wild nature Signup and view all the answers

Where did Romanticism begin?

in Germany in the second half of the eighteenth century Signup and view all the answers

On what did the Romantics have a strong influence?

literature, music, and painting Signup and view all the answers

Why did Romanticism begin?

as a reaction against rationalism and to recognize the limits of reason Signup and view all the answers

What did the Romantics come to believe?

that the imagination can apprehend truths beyond the rational mind Signup and view all the answers

What was of greater value to the Romantic sensibility?

imagination, spontaneity, individual feelings, and wild nature Signup and view all the answers

According to the Romantics, what was the 'highest and most sublime embodiment of the imagination'?

poetry Signup and view all the answers

List the characteristics of American Romanticism.

values feeling and intuition over reason; places faith in inner experience and the imagination; shuns artificiality of civilization; prefers youthful innocence; champions individual freedom; contemplates nature's beauty; looks backward to past wisdom; finds beauty and truth in exotic locales; sees poetry as the highest expression of imagination; finds inspiration in myth and folk culture Signup and view all the answers

What are the two ways in which Romanticism would 'rise above dull realities to a random higher truth'?

by searching for exotic settings in a more 'natural' past and contemplation of the natural world Signup and view all the answers

Where can we most easily see the first Romantic approach?

in the development of the Gothic novel Signup and view all the answers

What are the roots of the Gothic?

French, German, and English literature Signup and view all the answers

In America, what did the Gothic focus on?

psychological exploration of the human mind Signup and view all the answers

Where did we see the second Romantic approach?

in typical lyric poetry Signup and view all the answers

What happens in a typical Romantic poem?

it contains feelings, intuition, inner faith, power of the imagination, and contemplates nature's beauty Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

American Journey

The American journey represents a quest for opportunity.

Goals of Eighteenth Century America

Independence, prosperity, commerce, and urban civilization were the primary aspirations.

Rationalist View of the City

Rationalists perceived the city as a space for success and self-realization.

Romantic View of the City

In contrast, Romantics viewed the city as a site of moral ambiguity, corruption, and death.

Concept of Ambiguity

Ambiguity refers to the existence of multiple viewpoints; in Romantic thought, this pertains to moral ambiguity in urban settings.

Romantic Journey

The romantic journey takes place in the countryside, driven by a desire for independence, moral clarity, and healthful living.

Washington Irving

Washington Irving was the first popular professional writer in America, known for narratives focusing on escape from civilization and responsibilities.

Values of Romanticism

Key values include imagination, spontaneity, individual feelings, and appreciation for wild nature.

Origin of Romanticism

Romanticism originated in Germany during the latter half of the eighteenth century.

Influence of Romantics

Romantics significantly influenced literature, music, and painting.

Reaction Against Rationalism

Romanticism emerged as a reaction to rationalism, acknowledging the limitations of reason and emphasizing the value of imagination.

Belief in Imagination

Romantics believed that imagination could unveil truths inaccessible by rational thought.

Value System of Romantic Sensibility

Imagination, spontaneity, individual feelings, and wild nature were prioritized over reason and logic.

Poetry in Romanticism

Poetry was regarded as the "highest and most sublime embodiment of the imagination."

Characteristics of American Romanticism

Emphasis on feeling over reason, faith in inner experiences, a connection to unspoiled nature, preference for youth over sophistication, advocacy for individual freedom, contemplation of nature for moral growth, nostalgia for the past, appreciation for beauty in exotic settings, and inspiration from myths and folklore.

Rising Above Realities

Romanticism sought to transcend dull realities through:
- Searching for exotic settings in a more "natural" past.
- Contemplating the beauty of the natural world.

Gothic Novel

The Gothic novel exemplifies the Romantic approach, featuring wild landscapes, supernatural events, and medieval castles.

Roots of the Gothic

Gothic literature has its origins in French, German, and English literary traditions.

Focus of the Gothic in America

American Gothic literature emphasized psychological exploration of the human mind.

Second Romantic Approach

The second Romantic approach is reflected in typical lyric poetry, which deepens the meaning of events or objects.

Themes of a Typical Romantic Poem

Typical Romantic poems express feelings, intuition, imagination, youthful innocence, appreciation of nature, and a critique of civilization's artificiality.

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Description

Explore the key characteristics of Romanticism through these flashcards. Each card presents a fundamental concept or definition that highlights the essence of the American journey and the values of eighteenth-century America. Test your knowledge and deepen your understanding of this influential literary period.