The Romantic Period

The Romantic Period

1798-18321798-1832

Romantic PeriodRomantic Period

During this time period Mary Shelley published Frankenstein

(Published in 1818)

During this time period Mary Shelley published Frankenstein

(Published in 1818)QuickTime™ and a

decompressorare needed to see this picture.

Romantic PeriodRomantic Period

You may be wondering:What does the word

“ ROMANTIC ” mean in the context of this period?

You may be wondering:What does the word

“ ROMANTIC ” mean in the context of this period?

Romantic PeriodRomantic Period

The word “romantic’” comes from the term “ROMANCE,” and romance was one of the most popular genres of medieval literature.

The word “romantic’” comes from the term “ROMANCE,” and romance was one of the most popular genres of medieval literature.

Romantic PeriodRomantic Period

Medieval Connection: Romantic writers self-consciously

used the elements of romance in an attempt to go back beyond the refinements of neoclassical literature to older types of writing that they saw as more “genuine”

Medieval Connection: Romantic writers self-consciously

used the elements of romance in an attempt to go back beyond the refinements of neoclassical literature to older types of writing that they saw as more “genuine”

Romantic PeriodRomantic Period The romance genre allowed writers

to explore new, more PSYCHOLOGICAL AND MYSTERIOUS aspects of human experience.

The romance genre allowed writers to explore new, more PSYCHOLOGICAL AND MYSTERIOUS aspects of human experience.

Romantic PeriodRomantic Period The writers of the Romantic period lived in

England during a time of SOCIAL UPHEAVAL.

The INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION in England changed the way people lived, where people lived, and how business was done.

(England changed from an agricultural society to an industrial nation w/ almost everyone living in the city)

The writers of the Romantic period lived in England during a time of SOCIAL UPHEAVAL.

The INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION in England changed the way people lived, where people lived, and how business was done.

(England changed from an agricultural society to an industrial nation w/ almost everyone living in the city)

Romantic PeriodRomantic Period Writers before this time period tended to rely on

SCIENCE and REASON to base their writings on…(This period was called Restoration, Englightenment or “Age of Reason”)

Writers soon after this time period, such as the Victorian era, wrote to AFFECT CHANGE in society.

Writers before this time period tended to rely on

SCIENCE and REASON to base their writings on…(This period was called Restoration, Englightenment or “Age of Reason”)

Writers soon after this time period, such as the Victorian era, wrote to AFFECT CHANGE in society.

Romantic PeriodRomantic Period In contrast, the Romantic writers

focused on PERSONAL EXPERIENCE and IMAGINATION in their work. (This change in thinking was thought to be NEEDED b/c of all the political, economic, and social changes taking place…remember… INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION)

Thus, they were not as concerned with “REASON”… Imagination was superior!

In contrast, the Romantic writers focused on PERSONAL EXPERIENCE and IMAGINATION in their work. (This change in thinking was thought to be NEEDED b/c of all the political, economic, and social changes taking place…remember… INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION)

Thus, they were not as concerned with “REASON”… Imagination was superior!

Characteristics of Romanticism

Characteristics of Romanticism

The predominance of imagination over reason and formal rules

Primitivism Love of nature An interest in the past Mysticism

The predominance of imagination over reason and formal rules

Primitivism Love of nature An interest in the past Mysticism

Individualism Idealization of rural life Enthusiasm for the wild,

irregular, or grotesque in nature

Enthusiasm for the uncivilized or “natural”

Individualism Idealization of rural life Enthusiasm for the wild,

irregular, or grotesque in nature

Enthusiasm for the uncivilized or “natural”

Interest in human rights Sentimentality Melancholy Interest in the gothic

Interest in human rights Sentimentality Melancholy Interest in the gothic

Romantic PeriodRomantic Period Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein calls

into QUESTION THE AIMS and METHODS OF SCIENCE…we’ll explore this more while we study the novel…..Muah Ha HA HAAA

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein calls into QUESTION THE AIMS and METHODS OF SCIENCE…we’ll explore this more while we study the novel…..Muah Ha HA HAAA

Romantic PeriodRomantic Period Romantic literature that included

the elements of mystery, horror, and the supernatural is known as GOTHIC

Frankenstein is a Gothic Novel

Romantic literature that included the elements of mystery, horror, and the supernatural is known as GOTHIC

Frankenstein is a Gothic Novel

Gothic ContextGothic Context The gothic was first used as

Medieval architectural term to describe a style of building that included gargoyles, scenes from Hell, and souls in torment

The gothic was first used as Medieval architectural term to describe a style of building that included gargoyles, scenes from Hell, and souls in torment

Gothic LiteratureGothic Literature

The characters’ INNER EMOTIONAL LIVES receive a lot of attention.

The characters’ INNER EMOTIONAL LIVES receive a lot of attention.

Gothic Plot ElementsGothic Plot Elements

Ancestral CurseThe current generation suffers for the evil deeds of ancestors

Example: Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher"

Ancestral CurseThe current generation suffers for the evil deeds of ancestors

Example: Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher"

Body-snatching Stealing corpses from graves, tombs,

or morgues Illicit trade in cadavers Violation of religious space Commercially motivated by science Example: King's Pet Semetery

Body-snatching Stealing corpses from graves, tombs,

or morgues Illicit trade in cadavers Violation of religious space Commercially motivated by science Example: King's Pet Semetery

Dreaming/Nightmares Dredge up strong emotions: ecstasy,

terror, joy Reveal urges, impulses, desires, even

truths about oneself that one tries to hide

Reveal the future; premonitions Example: Freddy Krueger

Dreaming/Nightmares Dredge up strong emotions: ecstasy,

terror, joy Reveal urges, impulses, desires, even

truths about oneself that one tries to hide

Reveal the future; premonitions Example: Freddy Krueger

Signs/OmensSigns/Omens

Reveal the intention of cosmic forces

Often represent psychological or spiritual conflict

Reveal the intention of cosmic forces

Often represent psychological or spiritual conflict

Entrapment/Imprisonment (often physical but sometimes psychological) Being confined or trapped, shackled

to a floor or hidden away in a dark cell

Heightens the psychology of feeling there is "no way out"

Example Saw movies

Entrapment/Imprisonment (often physical but sometimes psychological) Being confined or trapped, shackled

to a floor or hidden away in a dark cell

Heightens the psychology of feeling there is "no way out"

Example Saw movies

Setting and "gadgets" Physical elements allowing supernatural

to display uncanny presence and abilities

"Supernatural props": vocal and mobile portraits, animated statues and skeletons, doors (portals) which open and close independently, secret passageways, secret messages & manuscripts, forbidden/sealed chambers, etc

Setting and "gadgets" Physical elements allowing supernatural

to display uncanny presence and abilities

"Supernatural props": vocal and mobile portraits, animated statues and skeletons, doors (portals) which open and close independently, secret passageways, secret messages & manuscripts, forbidden/sealed chambers, etc

Gothic Counterfeit Playful fakery of authenticity The text is presented as a discovery

or recovery by the editor, sometimes of an ancient or forgotten text

Cloaks the real writer's authorship Complicates the point of view (makes

things fun and intriguing)

Gothic Counterfeit Playful fakery of authenticity The text is presented as a discovery

or recovery by the editor, sometimes of an ancient or forgotten text

Cloaks the real writer's authorship Complicates the point of view (makes

things fun and intriguing)

The Grotesque Mutations, deformities A mix of two separate modes, such as

comedy and tragedy, creating a disturbing fiction, in which comic circumstances often preclude horrific tragedy or vice-versa.

Example: The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Grotesque Mutations, deformities A mix of two separate modes, such as

comedy and tragedy, creating a disturbing fiction, in which comic circumstances often preclude horrific tragedy or vice-versa.

Example: The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Mystery An event or situation that appears to

overwhelm understanding Example: Sherlock Holmes' mysteries,

elements of The Picture of Dorian Gray and Frankenstein

Mystery An event or situation that appears to

overwhelm understanding Example: Sherlock Holmes' mysteries,

elements of The Picture of Dorian Gray and Frankenstein

Necromancy The dark art of communicating with

the dead Examples: Ouija boards, "Bloody

Mary", séances Also may involve journies to Hell:

Odysseus, Dante, among others

Necromancy The dark art of communicating with

the dead Examples: Ouija boards, "Bloody

Mary", séances Also may involve journies to Hell:

Odysseus, Dante, among others

Revenge Examples: Poe's "The Cask of

Amontillado" or Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride

Somnambulism (sleepwalking) Hidden sources of stress may be

revealed or acts of guilt replayed Superstition

Considered a belief in the supernatural or mystical and valuing ritual or miracles

Revenge Examples: Poe's "The Cask of

Amontillado" or Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride

Somnambulism (sleepwalking) Hidden sources of stress may be

revealed or acts of guilt replayed Superstition

Considered a belief in the supernatural or mystical and valuing ritual or miracles

Supernatural Events or phenomena that defy the

rules of natural law More often (and intriguingly) could be

explained or dismissed by the laws of everyday reality (however ambiguously)

Supernatural Events or phenomena that defy the

rules of natural law More often (and intriguingly) could be

explained or dismissed by the laws of everyday reality (however ambiguously)

Transformation A striking change in appearance; a

change in form or function of an organism by a natural or unnatural process

Example: Stevenson's Mr. Hyde, King's It, Count Dracula

Transformation A striking change in appearance; a

change in form or function of an organism by a natural or unnatural process

Example: Stevenson's Mr. Hyde, King's It, Count Dracula

Gothic CharactersGothic Characters

Devil spirit of incarnate evil Ranges from:

tragic villain-hero punisher of sinners tempter and deceiver pure evil

Devil spirit of incarnate evil Ranges from:

tragic villain-hero punisher of sinners tempter and deceiver pure evil

Doppelganger German: doublegoer Ghostly counterpart of another

person Body double, alter ego, identical other

person Example:Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Doppelganger German: doublegoer Ghostly counterpart of another

person Body double, alter ego, identical other

person Example:Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Assorted monsters (supernaturally malignant beings)

The Pursued Protagonist a force relentlessly, terminally and

unavoidably pursues, persecutes or chastises another for a real or imagined wrong

Crime and retribution cycle Hero-villain can be both pursued and

pursuer

Assorted monsters (supernaturally malignant beings)

The Pursued Protagonist a force relentlessly, terminally and

unavoidably pursues, persecutes or chastises another for a real or imagined wrong

Crime and retribution cycle Hero-villain can be both pursued and

pursuer

Unreliable narrator Narrator's ability to accurately relate

events is suspect Narrator makes incorrect assumptions

or conclusions, or misunderstands situations or other characters

Example: Poe's "Tell-Tale Heart"

Unreliable narrator Narrator's ability to accurately relate

events is suspect Narrator makes incorrect assumptions

or conclusions, or misunderstands situations or other characters

Example: Poe's "Tell-Tale Heart"

Villain Hero The villain poses as a hero at the

beginning of the story or... The villain possesses enough heroic

qualities to be seen as more than just a bad guy.

Example: Dexter

Villain Hero The villain poses as a hero at the

beginning of the story or... The villain possesses enough heroic

qualities to be seen as more than just a bad guy.

Example: Dexter

The Pursued Heroine A virtuous, idealistic and usually

poetic young woman is pursued by wicked older, potent aristocrat

The pursuit threatens the young lady's morals and ideals (and often her virginity)

She usually responds with passive courage

Modified: Twilight series

The Pursued Heroine A virtuous, idealistic and usually

poetic young woman is pursued by wicked older, potent aristocrat

The pursuit threatens the young lady's morals and ideals (and often her virginity)

She usually responds with passive courage

Modified: Twilight series

Revenant the return of the dead upon the living a ghostly being who returns to life

Revenant the return of the dead upon the living a ghostly being who returns to life

SettingsSettings

Cemetery Haunted house, castle, estate Presence of mist/fog

Cemetery Haunted house, castle, estate Presence of mist/fog

Often the protagonist is searching for Forbidden Knowledge or Power/ Faust

Motif Attempts to turn himself into a god-

figure This usually causes the protagonist

to become a "Fallen Man "

Often the protagonist is searching for Forbidden Knowledge or Power/ Faust

Motif Attempts to turn himself into a god-

figure This usually causes the protagonist

to become a "Fallen Man "

Other components

That’s all folks…That’s all folks…

THE ENDAny Questions?

THE ENDAny Questions?