Romantic Period AP Lit

Period

The Romantic

By: Yamika Atrangada, Dylan Le, Laasya Tiruveedhula, and Izzy Curtin

4A

What is the Romantic Period

The Romantic Period was when people focused on feelings and nature from the late 1700s to the mid-1800s. Instead of just thinking logically like in the past, artists and writers wanted to express their deep emotions and show how beautiful the natural world is. They loved exploring individual experiences and often looked back to history and old stories for inspiration. Famous figures like poets and painters made their work all about connecting with feelings and nature, and this had a big impact on literature and art.

Gender Roles

• Traditional Roles:
• Women were often relegated to domestic spheres, but the period saw emerging discussions on women’s rights and representation.
• Men and Emotion:
• During this time, men were usually expected to be tough and unemotional, but the Romantic movement pushed them to be more in touch with their feelings and vulnerabilities. This created a bit of a clash with traditional ideas of masculinity, but it also opened the door for more nuanced and interesting portrayals of male characters.
• Influence in Literature:
• Female authors like Mary Shelley and Jane Austen began to gain recognition, challenging gender norms through their works.

• In "Pride and Prejudice," by Jane Austen
• The author shows what gender roles were like during the Romantic Period.
• Women were often expected to marry for money and status, which is clear with characters like Charlotte Lucas, who marries for practicality instead of love.
• Lizzy Bennet, on the other hand, wants to marry for love and refuses to settle for just any man.
• She also looks at how men are affected by these roles, especially with Mr. Darcy, who learns to be more open with his feelings.
• The author specifically highlights that both men and women struggle with the limits set by society, giving us a deeper understanding of gender roles in that time.

Gender Role Example

Political Views

• Emerging Themes
• During this time, many themes had not been seen before. Literature commonly displayed themes of individualism, rebellion, and nature.
• Sentiments on slavery
• Due to the rise of individualism, the abolishment of slavery was called for during this time more than ever, until the civil war.
• Individualism
• Authors like William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge emphasized the power of personal imagination and experiences. Going back to the topic of slavery, it also stemmed from emergence of individualism. This can be seen during the French revolution when the ideals of liberty and freedom were questioned.

• During this time, religion was reimagined and challenged and displayed a shift from what was tradition to a more personal, mystical, and nature-centered spirituality.
• Many Romantic Writers during this time embraced pantheism, which is the belief that god or the divine exists in all of nature
• An example of Pantheism in literature would be William Wordsworth's "Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey" which reflects a deep reverence for nature. It even classified nature as a spiritual and restorative force.

Religious Views

• Many romantic authors saw emotions as being a pathway to spiritual truth, often emphasizing intuition, inspiration, and mystical experiences.
• The Enlightenment was the exact opposite of this movement as it focused on reason and logic overall.
• Critique of organized religion was also a common occurrence during the Romantic period.
• An example of how religion was displayed during the Romantic period can be seen in William Blake's "Songs of Innocence and Experience". In it he criticizes the hypocrisy of religious institutions that fail to address social injustices

Religious Views

Songs of Innocence and of Experience

Wuthering Heights

Lyrical Ballads

Ode to a Nightingale

Seminal Works

Social/ economic

Social

Rise of Indivisualism- Romanticism emphasized individual experience and emotion, often in response to the Enlightenment’s focus on reason. Artists and writers celebrated personal expression and the uniqueness of the human spirit.Class Distinctions- As industrialization progressed, the class structure evolved. A burgeoning middle class emerged, gaining influence and affluence, while the working class faced harsh conditions in factories, leading to social unrest.

Economics

Capitalism-The growth of capitalism altered economic relationships. Wealth began to concentrate among industrialists and merchants, leading to new social hierarchies and contributing to class struggles.Market for Art and Literature- The growing middle class created new markets for art and literature. Artists and writers found opportunities to sell their work to a wider audience, leading to the commercialization of culture.

Arts Trends/Art Pieces

Art Trends

Emotional Expression: Romantic art and literature focused on deep emotional experiences, often exploring themes of love, nature, and the supernatural.Nature: There was a profound appreciation for nature, seen as a source of beauty and inspiration. Artists often depicted landscapes that evoked feelings of awe and wonder.Individualism: The Romantic movement celebrated the individual and the unique perspective of the artist or writer, often highlighting personal experience and introspection.The Sublime: Artists and writers sought to evoke feelings of grandeur and terror in nature, capturing the beauty of overwhelming forces.Folklore and Mythology: A renewed interest in folklore, legends, and nationalistic themes influenced many works, emphasizing cultural identity.

Lord Byron (1788–1824)

• Byron was known as the "Rebel Poet" because of his adventurous spirit.
• He even fought for Greek independence.
• His first book was published when he was just 19.
• His important works include “Don Juan” and “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage.”

Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834)

• He was passionate about the supernatural, giving him the nickname "Opium Eater."
• His famous poems include “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” and “Kubla Khan.”

Important Authors of the period

William Wordsworth (1770–1850)

• Known as the "Poet of Nature"
• Wordsworth loved writing about the beauty of the outdoors.
• The French Revolution inspired him and became Poet Laureate.
• His well-known works include Lyrical Ballads and The Daffodils.

• Keats was the youngest of the Romantic poets and is known for his vivid imagery and deep feelings.
• He died at only 26 from tuberculosis.
• His famous poems were “Ode to a Nightingale” and “Ode to Autumn”

John Keats (1795–1821)

Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822)

• Shelley is celebrated for his beautiful and emotional poetry.
• He often wrote about hope and despair.
• He died young in a storm while sailing.
• His work: “Ode to the West Wind” and “Prometheus Unbound ”

• Industrial Revolution (late 1700s - mid-1800s): The Industrial Revolution had a big impact on the Romanticism movement, as writers reacted to the rise of factories and cities.
• Many Romantics turned to nature, valuing its beauty as a contrast to the ugliness of industrial life. They emphasized emotion and individuality, resisting the dehumanizing effects of machines and the loss of personal connections.
• Themes of longing for simpler, rural life and concern for the environment became common in Romantic literature.
• The growing gap between rich and poor also inspired Romantics to focus on the struggles of ordinary people and the desire for a better balance between humans and nature.

World Events of Significant Importance

World Events of Significant Importance

• French Revolution (1789-1799): The French Revolution greatly influenced Romanticism by shifting the focus from reason to emotion and individuality.
• The chaos of the Revolution led many writers to reject logic, emphasizing feelings and nature.
• Ideas of freedom and equality inspired themes of rebellion, while rising nationalism encouraged interest in folk traditions and national identity.
• The Revolution also gave rise to the Romantic hero—a figure who fights oppression and embodies idealism and inner conflict.
• Overall, it shaped Romanticism’s focus on emotion, nature, and individual expression.

• Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815): The Napoleonic Wars greatly influenced Romanticism by inspiring themes of heroism, nationalism, and personal struggle.
• Napoleon’s rise and fall fascinated writers, who depicted him as both a tragic hero and a symbol of ambition and power.
• The wars stirred a strong sense of nationalism across Europe, which Romantics explored through folk traditions, national myths, and the unique identities of different nations.
• The widespread suffering and upheaval deepened the Romantic focus on the human experience of war, loss, and sacrifice, leading to a more profound exploration of the emotional and psychological impacts of conflict.
• Many writers portrayed characters grappling with inner conflict, torn between their ideals and the harsh realities of violence and political change.
• This period intensified Romanticism’s emphasis on emotional depth, individuality, and the quest for meaning amid chaos.
• Additionally, the wars sparked a longing for peace and harmony, which Romantic poets and novelists often expressed through their works, showcasing nature as a refuge from the turmoil of the times.

World Events of Significant Importance

Literary Themes

Nature as Inspiration

Romantics saw nature as a powerful, spiritual force. Writers like Wordsworth and Coleridge used it to explore emotions and big ideas. They believed that nature could reflect and intensify human feelings, serving as both a sanctuary and a source of insight. Wordsworth, in particular, emphasized this connection in his poetry, often portraying the natural landscape as a living entity that nurtures the soul and inspires creativity. In his work, the beauty of nature evokes deep reflections on memory, spirituality, and the passage of time​

Emotion over Logic

Romantics focused on emotions and imagination, contrasting sharply with the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and logic. They believed that intense feelings, such as love, despair, and joy, were fundamental to the human experience and should be explored in literature. This emphasis on emotion allowed them to delve into the depths of the human psyche, capturing complex sentiments that often defied rational explanation​

Literary Themes

Individual vs. Society

Many Romantic works highlight the struggle of individuals against societal norms. Characters like the "Byronic hero" represent defiant, misunderstood figures who reject conventional expectations and challenge societal values. This archetype, exemplified by characters such as Byron’s Childe Harold and Shelley’s Frankenstein, embodies a complex mix of charisma, rebellion, and inner turmoil, showcasing the tension between personal desires and societal constraints​.

Gothic and Supernatural

Romantics were fascinated by the mysterious and supernatural, often incorporating Gothic elements into their works. This interest allowed them to explore themes of fear, the uncanny, and the unknown. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a prime example, blending Romantic themes of ambition and nature with Gothic horror. The novel examines the consequences of unchecked scientific ambition, the quest for knowledge, and the resultant alienation, highlighting the darker aspects of human nature​.

“Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey, on Revisiting The….” The Poetry Foundation, 13 Mar. 2020, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45527/lines-composed-a-few-miles-above-tintern-abbey-on-revisiting-the-banks-of-the-wye-during-a-tour-july-13-1798. Accessed 24 Oct. 2024.“Romanticism | the Modern Period Class Notes | Fiveable.” Fiveable.me, 2024, library.fiveable.me/the-modern-period/unit-8/romanticism/study-guide/MEMzuArDEg9RfRkn. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.Constantine, Mary-Ann, and Nigel Leask. “Introduction: Romanticism, Travel, and the Celtic Languages.” Studies in Romanticism, vol. 63, no. 2, Johns Hopkins University Press, June 2024, pp. 97–115, https://doi.org/10.1353/srm.2024.a931777. Accessed 21 Oct. 2024.‌

Citations

“The Romantic Era 1820-1850.” Maggie May Clothing- Fine Historical Fashion, 19 Apr. 2020, maggiemayfashions.com/calicoball/fashionhistory/the-romantic-era-1820-1850/#:~:text=In%20America%2C%20Romanticism%20sustained%20the,part%20of%20a%20woman’s%20life. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.Dillon, Sarah. “Pride and Prejudice | Summary, Characters, Author, Book, Movie, Quotes, & Facts.” Encyclopedia Britannica, Sept. 2011, www.britannica.com/topic/Pride-and-Prejudice. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.Biswas, Debashis. “Most Famous Writers in the Romantic Period in English Literature.” Medium, 20 Aug. 2020, medium.com/@debashis_dm/most-famous-writers-in-the-romantic-period-in-english-literature-fe2f71c0ecd. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.Allegretti, Catherine . “The Romantic Period.” Www.easternct.edu, Eastern Connecticut State University, www.easternct.edu/speichera/understanding-literary-history-all/the-romantic-period.html.The Art Story. “Romanticism Movement Overview.” The Art Story, The Art Story Foundation, 2017, www.theartstory.org/movement/romanticism/.

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Do you have an idea?

With Genially templates you can include visual resources to leave your audience speechless. Also highlight a specific phrase or data that will be engraved in the memory of your audience and even embed surprising external content: videos, photos, audios... Whatever you want!Need more reasons to create dynamic content? Well: 90% of the information we assimilate comes through our sight and, furthermore, we retain 42% more information when thecontent moves.

Tip:

Interactivity is the key element to capture the interest and attention of your students. A genially is interactive because your group explores and interacts with it.

Do you have an idea?

With Genially templates you can include visual resources to leave your audience speechless. Also highlight a specific phrase or data that will be engraved in the memory of your audience and even embed surprising external content: videos, photos, audios... Whatever you want!Need more reasons to create dynamic content? Well: 90% of the information we assimilate comes through our sight and, furthermore, we retain 42% more information when thecontent moves.

Tip:

Interactivity is the key element to capture the interest and attention of your students. A genially is interactive because your group explores and interacts with it.

Do you have an idea?

With Genially templates you can include visual resources to leave your audience speechless. Also highlight a specific phrase or data that will be engraved in the memory of your audience and even embed surprising external content: videos, photos, audios... Whatever you want!Need more reasons to create dynamic content? Well: 90% of the information we assimilate comes through our sight and, furthermore, we retain 42% more information when thecontent moves.