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Romanticism. Romanticism It was a reaction against the Enlightenment and yet akin
in that they both assumed life was designed for human happiness. ...
Romanticism. Romanticism It was a reaction against the Enlightenment and yet akin
in that they both assumed life was designed for human happiness. ...
Difference Between Romanticism and Transendinlalism in American and British Writers. ...
In addition, romanticism was a philosophical revolt against rationalism. ...
Romanticism. Webster ... centuries. Romanticism started during the end of the 18th
century as politics and society were changing in Europe. ...
frankenstein - romanticism. ... From the beginning of its actuality, ?romanticism has
forged its way through many eras including the civil war? (Hall 44). ...
Submitted by thericker026 on April 1, 2006
Category: History Other
Words: 1460 | Pages: 6
Views: 131
Popularity Rank: 60,755
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In the early nineteenth century the United States was essentially a third-world country, lagging far behind Europe in almost every way, with its short history, weak traditions and minor literacy and artistic achievements. America just could not compete with the Old World’s centuries of civilization; Europe’s great castles, cathedrals, and longstanding customs and culture left America paling by comparison. The New World was still unrefined and Americans felt a certain uneasiness about the relation of their country to that of Europe. Given all that Europe had to offer, there was not much that an early nineteenth century American could take pride in with respect to their new country, short of winning independence. This left Americans longing for something to call their own, something that could instill a sense of nationalism and pride in being part of their newborn country.
For this national self-esteem, Americans needed to look no further than its own natural environment. Early nineteenth century nationalists began to realize that it was their wilderness that remained unmatched anywhere in the world. Europe had the manufacturers, fine arts, and agriculture, but America had the mountains, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and endless forests unparalleled in measure or beauty. Centuries of civilization had created a “layer of artificiality” over the Old World, while America’s virgin land remained pure and untainted by the hands of man. And this uncorrupted land of America’s wilderness was seen as superior, viewed as being closer to God, left the way He intended the world to be.
Followed by this was the belief that the scenery of the wilderness would “produce a correspondent impression in the imagination─to elevate all the faculties of the mind, and to exhault all the feelings of the heart.” Consequently, we were suppose to assume that a man who lived in close proximity to the wilderness would be a great poet, for instance,...
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