Tenets of Romanticism

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The Tenets of Romanticism in American Literature

Romanticism was a literary movement that emphasized the individual, nature, emotion, and imagination. It was a reaction against the Enlightenment emphasis on reason and order. Romantic writers often looked to the past for wisdom, celebrated the common man as hero, and explored the supernatural.

Individuality

One of the key tenets of Romanticism is the importance of individuality. Romantic writers believed that each individual is unique and has something special to offer the world. They often celebrated the individual’s inner life and emotions. For example, in his poem “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” William Wordsworth describes his own experience of being overwhelmed by the beauty of nature. He writes, “I saw a crowd, a host, a gathering of shapes,/That lived their lives where my life was,” suggesting that he sees himself as part of a larger community of individuals.

Looking to the Past for Wisdom

Another tenet of Romanticism is the belief that the past can offer wisdom and inspiration. Romantic writers often looked to the past for inspiration, particularly to the Middle Ages. They believed that the Middle Ages was a time of greater freedom and creativity than the modern world. For example, in his poem “The Raven,” Edgar Allan Poe uses the image of a raven to represent the past. The raven is a creature of mystery and darkness, and it reminds the speaker of his own mortality.

Supernatural

Romantic writers were also fascinated by the supernatural. They often explored themes of magic, ghosts, and the occult. For example, in her novel “The Scarlet Letter,” Nathaniel Hawthorne tells the story of Hester Prynne, a woman who is forced to wear a scarlet letter A as punishment for adultery. The novel explores the themes of sin, guilt, and redemption, and it features a number of supernatural elements, such as the appearance of a mysterious stranger who may or may not be the devil.

The Common Man as Hero

Romantic writers often celebrated the common man as hero. They believed that ordinary people could achieve great things, and they often wrote about ordinary people who overcome adversity. For example, in his novel “Moby-Dick,” Herman Melville tells the story of Captain Ahab, a whaling captain who is obsessed with hunting the white whale Moby-Dick. Ahab is a complex and flawed character, but he is also a larger-than-life figure who embodies the Romantic ideal of the heroic individual.

Nature

Nature was another important theme in Romantic literature. Romantic writers often saw nature as a source of beauty, inspiration, and spiritual renewal. They often wrote about their experiences in nature, and they often used nature imagery to represent their own inner lives. For example, in his poem “Ode to a Nightingale,” John Keats describes his own experience of listening to a nightingale sing. The nightingale’s song is so beautiful that it transports Keats to another world, and he compares the experience to being “half in love with easeful Death.”

Purpose

Finally, Romantic writers often believed that art should have a purpose. They believed that art should be used to express important ideas and to promote social change. For example, in his poem “The American Scholar,” Ralph Waldo Emerson argues that the scholar should be a “man of letters” who uses his knowledge to improve the world. Emerson believes that the scholar should be “a voice of the people” who speaks out against injustice and oppression.

In conclusion, the tenets of Romanticism can be seen in the works of many American authors. These tenets include the importance of individuality, looking to the past for wisdom, the supernatural, the common man as hero, and nature. Romantic writers often used these themes to explore their own inner lives and to promote social change.

Works Cited

• Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “The American Scholar.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature, vol. 1, 9th ed., edited by Stephen Greenblatt, Norton, 2012, pp. 1310-1322.
• Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Penguin Books, 2003.
• Keats, John. “Ode to a Nightingale.” The Norton Anthology of English Literature, vol. 2, 9th ed., edited by Stephen Greenblatt, Norton, 2012, pp. 2320-2322.
• Melville, Herman. Moby-Dick. Penguin Books, 2003.
• Poe, Edgar Allan. “The Raven.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature, vol. 1, 9th ed., edited by Stephen Greenblatt, Norton, 2012, pp. 1