I am writing a research paper about the developments in literature during the Romantic Period...
In today’s society our interpretation of the word ‘Romantic’ might mean an intimate walk on the beach enjoying the pastel painted sunset-sky, a candle-lit dinner with wine and roses, or even star gazing on a clear night while cuddled up in blankets. However, during the time period of 1785-1832 the word ‘Romantic’ had quite a different meaning. Writers, artists, and philosophers began to embrace a movement in which their work emphasized emotions, nature, and the lives of the ordinary people (Literature). The previous neoclassical styles had been rational and orderly (Literature.) Now people were free to express themselves
William Wordsworth became known as the father of the Romantic Movement (Literary, 689). Wordsworth’s preface of the book Lyrical Ballads exposed his theory which launched the beginning of the Romantic Era. He wrote that his goal was to “choose incidents and situations from common life, and to relate or describe them, throughout, as far as was possible in a selection of language really used by men,” (website reference). Wordsworth also stated that the imagination was important and that “ordinary things should be presented to the mind in an unusual aspect,” (website reference). The book contained pieces from friends Wordsworth’s and Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “experimental” poetry which became a success (website reference).
The style of Wordsworth and Coleridge was embraced by many writers such as poets George Gordon, Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and John Keats.
I wanted to talk about how literature changed, but I'm not really sure how I should finish this paper.
Is what you posted above part of the paper so far?
If you are going to write about how literature changed, then you need to identify some previous eras' authors with whose work you can compare Romantic Era writers' work. I'd choose two or three from previous eras and three or four from the Romantic Era -- then write a comparison/contrast paper.
http://www.google.com/search?q=write+comparison+contrast&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7SUNA
To finish your research paper on the developments in literature during the Romantic Period, you can consider including the following points:
1. Impact on Literary Themes: Discuss how the Romantic movement shifted the focus of literature from rationality and order to highlighting emotions, nature, and the lives of ordinary people. Explore how writers began to delve into the complexities of human emotions, the sublime beauty of nature, and the struggles of common individuals.
2. Exploration of Imagination: Expand on the significance of imagination in Romantic literature. Show how writers like William Wordsworth emphasized the imaginative power and its ability to transform ordinary experiences into extraordinary ones. Discuss how this emphasis on imagination contributed to a renewed sense of creativity and innovation in literature.
3. Emphasis on Individual Subjectivity: Talk about how the Romantic writers emphasized the individual experience and subjective perception of the world. Show how they sought to express their own unique perspectives and inner thoughts through their writing, challenging the conformity of the previous neoclassical styles.
4. Experimentation with Language: Highlight the Romantic writers' departure from the formal language of previous literary periods. Discuss how Wordsworth's goal of using language "really used by men" led to a more accessible and expressive writing style. Explore how other Romantic poets, like Samuel Taylor Coleridge, also played with language and experimented with new poetic forms.
5. Influence and Legacy: Conclude your paper by discussing the lasting impact of the Romantic Period on literature. Show how the ideas and themes introduced during this time period resonated with future generations of writers and continue to influence literature to this day. Discuss the enduring popularity and relevance of Romantic literature in contemporary society.
Remember to support your points with evidence from the literary works of Romantic writers and include relevant quotes, examples, and analysis. Additionally, ensure that your conclusion effectively summarizes your main arguments and provides a concise synthesis of your research findings.