Love of Nature
Emotions and instinct became more important than reason.
There was a glorification of “The Natural Man”, the “noble savage,” and the
primitive and untutored personality. Primitivism, meaning the thought that the
simple and unsophisticated life was best, also grew popular. These ideas led to
an interest in old civilizations, glorification of Greek society, a study in
archeology developed as a science, with Egyptian and Medieval areas important
to study. Also, the Medieval studies, urged by nationalism, helped nations
develop identity, which was an important aspect of Romantic Period ideas.
Love of the Common
Man
The social and economic classes were disparaged, or put
down. An era of revolutions opened when the governments were overthrown, due to
the fact that it often seemed to require elimination of social classes. The
American writers also provided a way to satisfy a cultural need for lore, or a
mythology suitable to a new nation. The literature presented this in many
pieces.
Neo-Classicism
Neo-Classicism means a return to the Classic ideals of:
clearness, elegance, symmetry, and repose produced by attention to traditional
forms. It was sometimes synonymous with excellence or artistic quality of high
distinction. Also, the term refers to the admiration and imitation of Greek and
Roman literature, art, and architecture.
The Supernatural
Fascination with the supernatural was a characteristic of
the Romantic Period. This included: the unexplainable, horror, and anything
that evoked the emotion of fear.
Nationalism
Nationalism was a reaction against the dominating influences
of German literature. Writers aimed to write works which were expressive and
characteristic of their own nationality by: using scenes from their country’s
life, history, folk-tales and legends as a basis for operas, songs, literature,
and symphonic poems.
Heroism
The idea that anyone, especially the common man, could be a
hero is a characteristic of the Romantic Period. Heroism is the overcoming of
our natural fears and limitations to achieve great things.
Strange and Far-away
Places
This characteristic relates to the love of exotic locations
around the world and in time and space. This could include the past or the
future as well as strange places or situations in the present.
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