what are the Literary Eras (each era should have its own slide(s))
Time Period
Key Authors and Texts
Major Themes or Characteristics
What historical events influenced or led to this literary era?
What differences do you notice between this era and the previous one?
Note: The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail and The Great Gatsby should be included with the appropriate era, not listed on their own.
Reflection
Which era did you enjoy the most and why?
for, American Romanticism
Literary Era: American Romanticism
Time Period: 1800-1860
Key Authors and Texts:
- Washington Irving: "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle"
- Edgar Allan Poe: "The Raven" and "The Fall of the House of Usher"
- Nathaniel Hawthorne: "The Scarlet Letter" and "The Birthmark"
- Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Self-Reliance" and "Nature"
- Henry David Thoreau: "Walden" and "Civil Disobedience"
Major Themes or Characteristics:
- A focus on the imaginative and emotional aspects of literature
- Emphasis on nature, individualism, and the supernatural
- Romanticizing the past and exploring personal identity and freedom
- Critique of society and its conformity
What historical events influenced or led to this literary era?
- The American Revolution and the fight for independence brought about a sense of individualism and freedom, influencing the Romantic ideals that emerged during this era.
- The rise of the Transcendentalist movement, which celebrated individualism and spiritual connection with nature, greatly influenced American Romanticism.
Differences between this era and the previous one (Enlightenment):
- While the Enlightenment focused on reason, logic, and progress, American Romanticism valued emotions, intuition, and subjective experiences.
- The Enlightenment stressed the importance of societal progress and emphasized science and reason, while American Romanticism critiqued society and explored the individual's relationship with nature.
Reflection:
Of all the eras mentioned, I enjoyed American Romanticism the most. I found the emphasis on imagination, nature, and individualism to be captivating. The works of authors like Emerson and Thoreau, with their focus on self-reliance and the beauty of the natural world, resonated with me on a personal level. Moreover, the exploration of personal identity and freedom in Hawthorne's works, alongside Poe's mysterious and haunting tales, created a sense of intrigue and fascination. Overall, American Romanticism allowed for a deeper exploration of emotions and inner experiences, making it an era that I found particularly engaging.