Dr. Marc D. BaldwinDr. Marc D. Baldwin

RomanticismRomanticismCopyright © 2005 by Marc D. Baldwin, PhDCopyright © 2005 by Marc D. Baldwin, PhD

IntroductionIntroduction

A late 18th century reaction to rationalism, A late 18th century reaction to rationalism, Romanticism opposes the idea of man as a Romanticism opposes the idea of man as a thinking machine, deemphasizing reason and thinking machine, deemphasizing reason and emphasizing self‑expression. emphasizing self‑expression. The Romanticist is forever looking for John The Romanticist is forever looking for John Keats’ "unheard melodies" of the imagination—Keats’ "unheard melodies" of the imagination—the evocative, the suggestive, the mysterious.the evocative, the suggestive, the mysterious.Romanticism’s focus turns away from God Romanticism’s focus turns away from God toward humanism, with the Poet, the artist, as toward humanism, with the Poet, the artist, as the seer, the visionary, the spokesman for the seer, the visionary, the spokesman for humanity. humanity.

OriginsOrigins

Romanticism’s origins are a complex blend of several Romanticism’s origins are a complex blend of several historical factors. historical factors. The economic rise of the middle class—with the The economic rise of the middle class—with the popularization of the self-made man—and the popularization of the self-made man—and the individualism of the Renaissance, colluded with the individualism of the Renaissance, colluded with the Reformation's belief in the immediate relationship Reformation's belief in the immediate relationship between God and man, and John Locke's philosophy between God and man, and John Locke's philosophy that minds are formed by environmental conditions.that minds are formed by environmental conditions.Collectively, all four factors gave rise to the revolutionary Collectively, all four factors gave rise to the revolutionary (literally) notion that all men are created equal and they (literally) notion that all men are created equal and they may be improved by environmental changes, i.e. may be improved by environmental changes, i.e. improved institutions and better societies. improved institutions and better societies.

IdealismIdealism

This idealism rules the Romanticists’ lives and dreams. This idealism rules the Romanticists’ lives and dreams. Believing in the possibilities of mind over matter, the Believing in the possibilities of mind over matter, the Romanticist yearns and strives for a utopian world—one Romanticist yearns and strives for a utopian world—one that shall evolve from a lower order of reality into a high that shall evolve from a lower order of reality into a high order. order. The Romanticist is on a ceaseless quest for Truth with a The Romanticist is on a ceaseless quest for Truth with a capital T. And Truth consists of finding the one in the capital T. And Truth consists of finding the one in the many—seeing each individual, each experience as many—seeing each individual, each experience as unique. unique. To Walt Whitman, a single leaf of grass is no less a To Walt Whitman, a single leaf of grass is no less a miracle than all the cosmos. miracle than all the cosmos. Ultimately, Truth is reached through the Poet having Ultimately, Truth is reached through the Poet having experience with Nature by using his feelings and experience with Nature by using his feelings and Imagination.Imagination.

The Two CulturesThe Two Cultures

This emphasis on Nature and the This emphasis on Nature and the Imagination catalyzed a historically radical Imagination catalyzed a historically radical major paradigm shift. major paradigm shift. Romanticism is the scene of the split Romanticism is the scene of the split between high art and pop art.between high art and pop art.Romanticism marks the spot of the onset Romanticism marks the spot of the onset of C.P. Snow's two cultures: the of C.P. Snow's two cultures: the humanities (irrational and ideal) and the humanities (irrational and ideal) and the sciences (rational and real). sciences (rational and real).

Poetry and the PoetPoetry and the Poet

Being ideal in the Platonic sense, Romanticism Being ideal in the Platonic sense, Romanticism is the belief that poetry is an imitation of life. is the belief that poetry is an imitation of life. Wordsworth called it the "spontaneous overflow Wordsworth called it the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings." of powerful feelings."

Yet, in the act of composing the poem, poets Yet, in the act of composing the poem, poets must rework, reshape, and temper their feelings. must rework, reshape, and temper their feelings.

As Wordsworth puts it, the best poetry is created As Wordsworth puts it, the best poetry is created through "emotion recollected in tranquility." through "emotion recollected in tranquility."

Poetry and the Poet Poetry and the Poet (continued)(continued)

Coleridge taught that poetic composition is the Coleridge taught that poetic composition is the resolution of the contraries "of passion and will." resolution of the contraries "of passion and will."

Ultimately, trusting your instinct is essential, for Ultimately, trusting your instinct is essential, for the feelings of the heart are more reliable than the feelings of the heart are more reliable than the thoughts of the head. the thoughts of the head.

Thus, Wordsworth and the Romantics relocated Thus, Wordsworth and the Romantics relocated the source of poetry from the outer to the inner the source of poetry from the outer to the inner world, making the poet’s feelings, not men and world, making the poet’s feelings, not men and their actions, the subject of poetry.their actions, the subject of poetry.

OrganicismOrganicism

Coleridge’s organic theory of poetry Coleridge’s organic theory of poetry emphasizes those feelings, positing that emphasizes those feelings, positing that like a seed in the imagination, the idea like a seed in the imagination, the idea grows out of itself—self‑originating and grows out of itself—self‑originating and self‑organizing—and all parts are related self‑organizing—and all parts are related to the whole. to the whole.

The Poet as artist is merely the conduit of The Poet as artist is merely the conduit of the imagination. the imagination.

The ArtistThe Artist

The 18th century concept of the artist is that he The 18th century concept of the artist is that he is one with the culture. is one with the culture. The cultural spokesman, the artist gives The cultural spokesman, the artist gives expression to the central consciousness, the expression to the central consciousness, the spirit of the counter‑culture—more rebellious and spirit of the counter‑culture—more rebellious and anti‑social, no longer fixed in his thinking. anti‑social, no longer fixed in his thinking. The Romanticists operated under Rousseau’s The Romanticists operated under Rousseau’s philosophy that man is essentially good and is philosophy that man is essentially good and is evil only when corrupted by society's institutions. evil only when corrupted by society's institutions. In his seminal essay, “In Defense of Poetry,” In his seminal essay, “In Defense of Poetry,” Percy Bysshe Shelley said that poetry "creates Percy Bysshe Shelley said that poetry "creates anew the universe."anew the universe."

The Lyric PoemThe Lyric Poem

Celebrating this new individuality, the 1st person Celebrating this new individuality, the 1st person Lyric poem became a major form. Lyric poem became a major form. The typical Lyric of the Romantic period explores The typical Lyric of the Romantic period explores a dichotomous set of oppositions, moving from a dichotomous set of oppositions, moving from the real world to the unreal/ideal world and back the real world to the unreal/ideal world and back to the real world after learning something and/or to the real world after learning something and/or having been changed. having been changed. Some of these oppositions include: Some of these oppositions include: earth/heaven; mortality/immortality; time/eternity; earth/heaven; mortality/immortality; time/eternity; materialism/spiritualism; finite/infinite; materialism/spiritualism; finite/infinite; known/unknown; realism/romance. known/unknown; realism/romance.

RomanceRomance

In a similar vein, the Romance novel is In a similar vein, the Romance novel is more faithful to the feelings of the heart more faithful to the feelings of the heart than the cold facts of experience. than the cold facts of experience.

Always striving for a deeper moral or Always striving for a deeper moral or spiritual truth, the Romantic novelist seeks spiritual truth, the Romantic novelist seeks to spiritualize the grossness of real life.to spiritualize the grossness of real life.

Romantic LoveRomantic Love

The subject of these Lyric poems and Romance The subject of these Lyric poems and Romance novels is often, as you might imagine, Romantic novels is often, as you might imagine, Romantic Love, which is a reaction against the staid Love, which is a reaction against the staid tradition of arranged marriages, of love as a tradition of arranged marriages, of love as a contract. contract. It is the belief that the world of the lovers is a It is the belief that the world of the lovers is a world unto itself. world unto itself. Think of Rose and Jack in the movie Think of Rose and Jack in the movie TitanicTitanic. For . For all its perceived Hollywoodish blockbuster all its perceived Hollywoodish blockbuster characteristics, characteristics, TitanicTitanic is a supremely Romantic is a supremely Romantic with a capital R movie.with a capital R movie.

The Nature of NatureThe Nature of Nature

Another primary subject of Romantic poetry and prose is Another primary subject of Romantic poetry and prose is Nature and its role in the lives of man. Nature and its role in the lives of man. Making connections between Nature and man, Romantic Making connections between Nature and man, Romantic poets strive to better understand and give free rein to poets strive to better understand and give free rein to their own natures, which are in opposition to society—their own natures, which are in opposition to society—man’s main adversary and enemy. "The world is too man’s main adversary and enemy. "The world is too much with us," said Wordsworth. "Getting and spending much with us," said Wordsworth. "Getting and spending we lay waste our powers. Little we see in nature that is we lay waste our powers. Little we see in nature that is ours." ours." Thanks to the materialism and mechanism of society and Thanks to the materialism and mechanism of society and its institutions, Man has become blind to the nature its institutions, Man has become blind to the nature around and within him. around and within him.

The Nature of Nature The Nature of Nature (continued)(continued)

In nature, the Romanticists saw God, In nature, the Romanticists saw God, which is unlike previous ages that which is unlike previous ages that considered nature to be merely considered nature to be merely mechanical. mechanical. The spiritual, not the material, is the true The spiritual, not the material, is the true reality. reality. Thus, you should ground your life in long Thus, you should ground your life in long solitary walks, communing with Nature, solitary walks, communing with Nature, focusing on solitude and introspection focusing on solitude and introspection

Glorification of the CommonplaceGlorification of the Commonplace

Romanticism also elevates common people and Romanticism also elevates common people and common events, dethroning kings and queens.common events, dethroning kings and queens.From the Preface to 1799’s From the Preface to 1799’s Lyrical Ballads, Lyrical Ballads, the landmark the landmark book of poetry he penned with Coleridge, Wordsworth book of poetry he penned with Coleridge, Wordsworth said they intended to use "incidents and situations from said they intended to use "incidents and situations from common life...in language really spoken by men... common life...in language really spoken by men... humble and rustic life." humble and rustic life." W’s subjects included peasants, outcasts, delinquents, W’s subjects included peasants, outcasts, delinquents, and idiots; thus, W democratized poetry, reinvigorating and idiots; thus, W democratized poetry, reinvigorating the reader’s wonder at the everyday, trivial, and familiar. the reader’s wonder at the everyday, trivial, and familiar. Another Romanticist, Thomas Carlyle, has his Another Romanticist, Thomas Carlyle, has his protagonist in “Sartor Resartus” rescued from despair by protagonist in “Sartor Resartus” rescued from despair by his sense of the "Natural Supernaturalism" in ordinary his sense of the "Natural Supernaturalism" in ordinary experience.experience.

The Supernatural and The Supernatural and "Strangeness to Beauty" "Strangeness to Beauty"

As Walter Pater noted, the Romantic sensibility As Walter Pater noted, the Romantic sensibility adds “strangeness to beauty" through writing adds “strangeness to beauty" through writing about unusual types of experience.about unusual types of experience.The occult, dreams and nightmares, and a The occult, dreams and nightmares, and a fascination with the forbidden are commonplace fascination with the forbidden are commonplace in Romantic poetry. in Romantic poetry. Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” and Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” and “Kubla Khan” employ folklore and superstition to “Kubla Khan” employ folklore and superstition to create an other-worldly atmosphere. create an other-worldly atmosphere. In America, Edgar Allan Poe’s horror stories In America, Edgar Allan Poe’s horror stories resonate with dark and supernatural events and resonate with dark and supernatural events and characters.characters.

The ImaginationThe Imagination

Thus, to the Romanticists, the Imagination Thus, to the Romanticists, the Imagination makes the world new again. makes the world new again.

The act of imagination, as Coleridge argued, The act of imagination, as Coleridge argued, requires a leap from merely putting together requires a leap from merely putting together images to crafting a unified metaphoric design. images to crafting a unified metaphoric design.

Imaginative figurative language forms a Imaginative figurative language forms a complete "vision," as William Butler Yeats would complete "vision," as William Butler Yeats would later assemble with his highly developed later assemble with his highly developed symbolism. symbolism.

The Individual MindThe Individual Mind

All of the preceding elements are part of the All of the preceding elements are part of the Romanticists search for self. Romanticists search for self. Celebrating process and growth, movement and Celebrating process and growth, movement and energy, Wordsworth believed that the mind is energy, Wordsworth believed that the mind is "an agent of the one great Mind": that the mind "an agent of the one great Mind": that the mind has access beyond sense to the infinite through has access beyond sense to the infinite through the Imagination. the Imagination. This post-Kantian philosophy—that the mind of This post-Kantian philosophy—that the mind of man (as "subject" and "ego") is the creator of the man (as "subject" and "ego") is the creator of the universe it perceives—posits that words precede universe it perceives—posits that words precede ideas. ideas.

Bakhtin’s DialogicBakhtin’s Dialogic

This provocative notion set the stage for This provocative notion set the stage for the great Russian philosopher of the early the great Russian philosopher of the early 20th century, Mikhail Bakhtin.20th century, Mikhail Bakhtin.His theory of His theory of dialogic dialogic argues that in argues that in dialogue, in speaking, we create the self in dialogue, in speaking, we create the self in “myself,” both for others and for ourselves. “myself,” both for others and for ourselves. In other words, we as individuals do not In other words, we as individuals do not exist prior to our own spoken words about exist prior to our own spoken words about ourselves. ourselves.

Romance in AmericaRomance in America

Interestingly enough, in a very profound sense, Interestingly enough, in a very profound sense, America did not exist prior to the thinkers and America did not exist prior to the thinkers and writers first willing her into being with their writers first willing her into being with their words, which then inspired the action of words, which then inspired the action of revolution. revolution.

Romanticism became the first "‑ism" America Romanticism became the first "‑ism" America adopted. adopted.

Being a rugged, vastly rural and frontier country, Being a rugged, vastly rural and frontier country, the U.S. was tailor-made for Romance. the U.S. was tailor-made for Romance.

Romance FadingRomance Fading

However, after the Civil War, the optimism and romantic However, after the Civil War, the optimism and romantic individualism of Emerson faded into a Darwinian individualism of Emerson faded into a Darwinian biological and economic determinism. biological and economic determinism. As the esteemed critic Richard Chase contends, the As the esteemed critic Richard Chase contends, the American creative imagination "has been shaped by the American creative imagination "has been shaped by the contradictions and not by the unities or harmonies of our contradictions and not by the unities or harmonies of our culture" (Chase, Richard. culture" (Chase, Richard. The American Novel and its The American Novel and its Tradition.Tradition. Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Co, Inc., 1957. Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Co, Inc., 1957. p.1) p.1) Chase further posits this thesis: American literature is Chase further posits this thesis: American literature is best described as a "profound poetry of disorder" (2).best described as a "profound poetry of disorder" (2).

American vs. British Romanticism American vs. British Romanticism

American Romanticism differs from British Romanticism American Romanticism differs from British Romanticism in several key aspects. in several key aspects. Being a predominantly agrarian society, America had a Being a predominantly agrarian society, America had a frontier optimism and sense of unlimited potential for frontier optimism and sense of unlimited potential for development and even a utopian possibility. development and even a utopian possibility. The heroism of early Americans in confronting the The heroism of early Americans in confronting the wilderness head-on permeated the sensibilities of poets, wilderness head-on permeated the sensibilities of poets, philosophers and the public alike. philosophers and the public alike. As Chase notes, "although most of the great American As Chase notes, "although most of the great American novels are romances, most of the great English novels novels are romances, most of the great English novels are not" (xii).are not" (xii).

Romanticism in American LitRomanticism in American Lit

Here’s just a handful of concrete examples of Romanticism evident Here’s just a handful of concrete examples of Romanticism evident in some of the greatest works of American literature. in some of the greatest works of American literature. The Historical Romances of James Fenimore Cooper, in which he The Historical Romances of James Fenimore Cooper, in which he idealizes the primitive, uncorrupted common man. idealizes the primitive, uncorrupted common man. This “noble savage” appears also in the works of Herman Melville This “noble savage” appears also in the works of Herman Melville and Mark Twain, who direct their heroes on mythic quests through and Mark Twain, who direct their heroes on mythic quests through remote places of the globe and the human mind. remote places of the globe and the human mind. Such introspection and interest in the individual fighting a corrupt Such introspection and interest in the individual fighting a corrupt society is everywhere in 19th century Am Lit: in Cooper and society is everywhere in 19th century Am Lit: in Cooper and Emerson and Thoreau, in Hawthorne and Poe and Irving and Twain. Emerson and Thoreau, in Hawthorne and Poe and Irving and Twain. Everywhere also is the celebration of nature, natural beauty and the Everywhere also is the celebration of nature, natural beauty and the simple life. simple life. American literature at its origins and core is intensely, personally American literature at its origins and core is intensely, personally Romantic. Romantic.

Romanticism’s ExcessesRomanticism’s Excesses

This radically higher estimation of man's This radically higher estimation of man's potential, aims and worth is not without its potential, aims and worth is not without its serious downside. serious downside. Such hyper‑individualism treads dangerously Such hyper‑individualism treads dangerously close to the Faustian sin of pride, self-love, close to the Faustian sin of pride, self-love, megalomania, and narcissism. megalomania, and narcissism. The darkest characters in Hawthorne The darkest characters in Hawthorne (Chillingworth), Poe (you pick em), Melville (Chillingworth), Poe (you pick em), Melville (Captain Ahab), and Twain (the Sheperdson’s (Captain Ahab), and Twain (the Sheperdson’s and Grangerford’s) want to be God and don’t and Grangerford’s) want to be God and don’t know their own human limitations. know their own human limitations.

Romanticism’s Excesses Romanticism’s Excesses (continued)(continued)

Disturbingly, many artists even boasted of this Disturbingly, many artists even boasted of this propensity. The British poet William Blake argued that propensity. The British poet William Blake argued that the mind must reject the material world to create its own the mind must reject the material world to create its own world, stating that "Less than everything cannot satisfy world, stating that "Less than everything cannot satisfy man." man." Coleridge and Wordsworth believed passionately that the Coleridge and Wordsworth believed passionately that the poet collaborates with nature in becoming a creator unto poet collaborates with nature in becoming a creator unto himself. himself. This refusal to submit to God’s will and accept your This refusal to submit to God’s will and accept your mortal limitations had been considered man's original sin mortal limitations had been considered man's original sin by previous generations. by previous generations. Yet, the Romantics considered this egotism their triumph Yet, the Romantics considered this egotism their triumph and glory.and glory.

Romanticism vs. RealismRomanticism vs. Realism

Of course, there existed then and still exists Of course, there existed then and still exists today a tension between the ism’s of today a tension between the ism’s of Romanticism and Realism, which is always right Romanticism and Realism, which is always right there, in the logical mind, attempting to make there, in the logical mind, attempting to make perfect, objective sense of one’s stubbornly perfect, objective sense of one’s stubbornly imperfect and subjective perspective on life. imperfect and subjective perspective on life.

Thus, it should be helpful and fruitful to close this Thus, it should be helpful and fruitful to close this Lecture with a succinct comparison of R & R. Lecture with a succinct comparison of R & R.

Romanticism vs. RealismRomanticism vs. Realism

Artistic and poetic Artistic and poetic outlook on lifeoutlook on lifeSubjective: warm, Subjective: warm, personal, personal, confessionalconfessionalIntuition and insightIntuition and insight

Visions, dreams, Visions, dreams, questions questions SpiritualSpiritual

Scientific, sociological Scientific, sociological outlook on lifeoutlook on lifeObjective: cool, Objective: cool, impersonal, detachedimpersonal, detached

Laboratory Laboratory observationobservationFacts, documentationFacts, documentation

MaterialMaterial

Romanticism vs. RealismRomanticism vs. Realism

Indefinite, suggestiveIndefinite, suggestive

Rich tradition, legend, Rich tradition, legend, past, mythpast, myth

Definite, tangibleDefinite, tangible

Now and everydayNow and everyday