Dark Romanticism

The works of Herman Melville

Herman Melville- Moby Dick

The works of Nathanial Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorne- "Young Goodman Brown," "The Birthmark," "The Minister's Black Veil," and The Scarlet Letter

The works of Bram Stoker

Bram Stoker- Dracula

Gothic Literature

Characterized by grotesque characters, bizarre situations, and violent events

The works of Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe- "The Fall of the House of Usher," "The Raven," "Tell Tale Heart," "Cask of Amontillado," "The Oval Portrait," "Annabel Lee," and "The Pit and the Pendulum"

Dark Romanticism

Focused on the dark, evil aspects of human nature.

Dark Romanticism Characteristics

Focused on the darker side of human nature Horrific Themes: Examined the psychological effects of guilt and sin, the conflict between good and evil, and people plagued with madness Often featured a creepy, dark, hopeless mood, created through a detailed setting Depicted extreme, passionate emotions like fear, hatred, grief, and love Often a ghostly legend, an unexplainable occurrence, or a story about a horrible death or murder. Supernatural events are often included. Atmosphere of mystery and suspense Omens, foreshadowing, and dreams Used extensive use of symbols

Differences between Transcendentalists and Dark Romantics

Human Nature- While Transcendentalists believed that humans were inherently good, capable of reaching perfection, and able to possess divinity and wisdom, Dark Romantics sought to present individuals as prone to sin and self-destruction. Spiritual Forces- Transcendentalism saw nature as a divine mediator, while Dark Romanticism viewed it in a much more sinister light. For Dark Romantics, the natural world is dark, decaying, and mysterious; when it does reveal truth to man, its revelations are evil and hellish. Reform- Transcendentalists advocated social reform when appropriate, works of Dark Romanticism frequently show individuals failing in their attempts to make changes for the better.

5 I's of Romanticism

Imagination Intuition Idealism Inspiration Individuality

The works of Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley - Frankenstein

Transcendentalism Characteristics

Nonconformity - Societal norms and structure was perceived as a negative thing. Self Reliance - They relied on their own survival abilities. Through their own philosophical reflection with Nature, they could reach perfection. Free Thought - Carried the belief that at the core, the soul, humans are good and humanity will carry on and transcend time just as nature transcends time. Confidence - Transcendentalists viewed confidence as a way of viewing oneself and how that person should take on actions and problems. (They were incredibly optimistic!) Importance of Nature - Much like the Romantics, the Transcendentalist believed that Nature was sacred and holy.

Edgar Allan Poe

Poe is the father of Dark Romanticism Poe's wrote about the workings of the human mind; master of suspense/horror He most desired to cut free from reality or actually enter into the world of the imagination Poe used his stories to show readers the truth that lies in the dark and irrational depths of the human mind Poe wrote the first detective story - Inspired Doyle to create Sherlock Holmes

Transcendentalism

The first real American literary movement; individuals wished to use Nature to transcend the limits of human reason for existential meaning

Romanticism

is a literary movement that focused on introspection, individuality, nature, and freedom of expression.

Romanticism Characteristics

values feelings over intuition values the power of the imagination seeks the beauty of unspoiled nature values youthful innocence values individual freedom values the lessons of the past finds beauty in exotic locales, the supernatural, and in the imagination values poetry as the highest expression of the imagination values myth, legend, and folk culture