Romantic Literature in America:
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What are Romantics?Romanticism An artistic and intellectual movement originating in Europe in the late 18th century and characterized by a heightened interest in nature, emphasis on the individual's expression of emotion and imagination, departure from the attitudes and forms of classicism, and rebellion against established social rules and conventions.
They were reacting to the Puritan tradition and rebelling against it! |
Gothic Literature Traits - click picture above.
Gothic Traits Chart
Click below for story
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What is Gothic?Gothic fiction, sometimes referred to as Gothic horror, is a genre or mode of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance. The effect of Gothic fiction feeds on a pleasing sort of terror, an extension of Romantic literary pleasures that were relatively new at the time.
Poe--the most Romantic of all the authors, because he obsessively depicts sensitive, isolated individuals seeking the Beautiful or Ideal--was the least in step with the other writers we are reading: the other male writers celebrate democratic possibilities (and are often in love with the "common man"), whereas Poe scorns the masses. Gothic takes the rebellion of Romantic Literature and combines it with horror element (click picture at left for a complete list.) |