A Tale of Two Romanticisms

The Split Between Transcendentalism and “Dark

Romanticism” (Gothic) Literature

Once upon a time…

There was a basic set of Romantic characteristics

The five I’sI________I________I________I________I________

After Neoclassicism

After Neoclassicism, the first Romantic group to form called themselves “Transcendentalists.”This was around the 1830s.

Neoclassicism

(Nature)Transcendentalism

So what is this long T word?

Transcendentalism was a belief system (almost like a religion) that was based around a few key things:

Nature!Transcendentalists LOVED nature and thought it was perfect and beautifulThey also believed that people were naturally good and perfect (but people are corrupted by civilization--ex. having too many things, houses, cars, etc.)

More on Transcendentalism

Transcendentalists were very idealistic, meaning they thought that mankind could be made a lot better.Therefore, they believed in social change and supported:

Women’s rightsAnti-slavery movements (Abolitionism)

It’s not for everyone…

So some people thought transcendentalism was too happy and made people seem too innately (innately means naturally) good.These people that disagreed were called “Dark Romantics” or Gothic

So what did the Dark Romantics say?

Guilt and sin are inherent in mankindIndividuals are prone (tend toward) sin and self-destruction (How does this describe “The Devil and Tom Walker?”)The natural world (nature) is dark, decaying, and mysterious (What are the woods like in “The Devil and Tom Walker?”)

More on the Dark Romantics

While Transcendentalists believe in social change, Dark Romantics usually show people failing or having trouble enacting (causing) social change How does this apply to “The Minister’s Black Veil?”

Poe and the Dark Romantics

How is “The Raven” a Dark Romantic (or Gothic) work?