Transcription
Dark Romanticism and theGothic Literature movement
Learning Target:RL91. What is DarkRomanticism?I can describe the foundational works of eighteenth-,nineteenth-, and twentieth-century American literature.I can compare and contrast how two or more texts fromthe same period treat similar themes or topics.Notes Here!
A Dark Romantic View 2003-2004 clipart.comI know not how it was—but, with the first glimpse of thebuilding, a sense of insufferable gloom pervaded my spirit. Isay insufferable; for the feeling was unrelieved by any of thathalf-pleasurable, because poetic, sentiment, with which themind usually receives even the sternest natural images of thedesolate or terrible. --From “The Fall of the House of Usher”by Edgar Allan Poe
Dark RomanticismA literary subgenre of Romantic Literaturethat emerged from the transcendentalphilosophical movement popular innineteenth-century America. Works in the dark romantic spirit wereinfluenced by Transcendentalism, but didnot entirely embrace the ideas ofTranscendentalism.
Learning Target:RL9I can describe the foundational works of eighteenth-,nineteenth-, and twentieth-century American literature.I can compare and contrast how two or more texts fromthe same period treat similar themes or topics.1. What is DarkRomanticism?2. How are theDark Romanticsdifferent fromtheTranscendentalists writing atthe same time?Notes Here!
Transcendentalism vs. DarkRomanticismThe basic philosophy of the transcendentalmovement was a belief in man’s spiritualessence and his souls ability to transcendthe physical. Dark Romantic works are notably lessoptimistic than Trans. texts about mankind,nature, and divinity. The Romantic era was characterized byflair, extravagance, emotion andimagination
Transcendentalism vs. DarkRomanticismWhile both groups believe nature is adeeply spiritual force, Dark Romanticismviews it in a much more sinister light thandoes Transcendentalism, which sees natureas a divine and universal organic mediator. Some, including Poe, Hawthorne andMelville, found Transcendental beliefs fartoo optimistic and egotistical and reactedby modifying them in their prose andpoetry
Transcendentalism vs. DarkRomanticismDifferencesTranscendentalistDark Romantic Believed spiritual Saw divine goodnesstruths may be ugly orand beauty beneathfrighteningeveryday reality Reintroduced the Embraced thedark side of Puritanmystical and idealisticbeliefs: the idea ofelements of PuritanOriginal Sin and thethoughthuman potential forevil.
Transcendentalism vs. DarkRomanticismSimilaritiesTranscendentalistDark Romantic True reality isspiritual Intuition is superiorto logic or reason Human events containsigns and symbols ofspiritual truths
Learning Target:RL9I can describe the foundational works of eighteenth-,nineteenth-, and twentieth-century American literature.I can compare and contrast how two or more texts fromthe same period treat similar themes or topics.2. How are theDark Romanticsdifferent fromtheTranscendentalists writing atthe same time?3. What are somecharacteristicsof GothicRomanticism?Notes Here!
Characteristics of the GenreDark Romantics present individuals asprone to sin and self destruction, not asinherently possessing divinity and wisdom. The natural world is dark, decaying, andmysterious; when it does reveal truth toman, its revelations are evil and hellish. Dark Romanticism frequently showindividuals failing in their attempts to makechanges for the better.
Themes of Dark RomanticismA collection of works concentrating uponthemes of horror, tragedy, the macabre andthe supernatural. The success of this movement also relies onthe fact that the human psyche is attractedin a subtle way to the fear, pain and tragedy It has lead to the birth of the Gothic styleand has greatly influenced music and art.
Learning Target:RL9I can describe the foundational works of eighteenth-,nineteenth-, and twentieth-century American literature.I can compare and contrast how two or more texts fromthe same period treat similar themes or topics.3. What are somecharacteristicsof GothicRomanticism?4. Who were someof the DarkRomanticauthors, andwhat were theirstyles like?Notes Here!
Emily DickinsonA reclusive 19th century poet who lived inmost of her adult life in isolation She was a deeply energetic, intense person She wrote and read widely but wasn’tpublished until after her death Her family organized and published herpoetry, but it didn’t gain nationalrecognition until 1955
Edgar Allan PoeMother died when he was 2, he wasadopted by a merchant and his wife After taking up drinking and having to quituniversity, he joined the army He eventually lived in New York, became anewspaper and magazine editor, and beganpublishing writing His personal life was plagued with tragedyand he died suddenly of an unexplainedillness on October 7, 1849
Edgar Allan PoeConsidered master of Gothic Romantics ofin the United States Characteristics of his writing: Weird settings (decaying castles or othersecluded settings) for terrifying events. Insane male narrators Beautiful female characters that are dead ordying
Edgar Allan Poe Characteristics of his writing continued: Involved extreme situations: Buried alive Murder Physical and mental torture Retribution from beyond the gravePoe believed that only in these extremesituations could you reveal people’s truenature. Poe explored the human mind searching foran essential truth
Nathaniel HawthorneBorn in Salem, Massachusetts to a familywith a long New England history Changed his name from Hathorne toHawthorne to separate himself from thelegacy of judge Hathorne (witch trials) Friends with transcendentalists but wasrather reclusive with his wife Works: Scarlet Letter, Minister’s Black Veil
Nathaniel HawthorneInstead of looking into the human mind(like Poe) Hawthorne focused on the humanheart under various conditions:FearGreedVanityMistrustBetrayal Hawthorne was also sensitive to the subjectof secret sin and whether it should remain asecret or be out in the light.
Herman MelvilleRaised in a prominent New York familyuntil his father’s death At age 12 he was attempting to support hisfamily with odd jobs His adventures as a seaman inspired him towrite Works: Moby Dick, Bartleby the Scrivner
Learning Target:RL9I can describe the foundational works of eighteenth-,nineteenth-, and twentieth-century American literature.I can compare and contrast how two or more texts fromthe same period treat similar themes or topics.4. Who were someof the DarkRomanticauthors, andwhat were theirstyles like?5. What is thelegacy of theGothicRomantics?Notes Here!
The Dark Romantic LegacyDark Romantic themes still appear in stories,books, movies, TV shows, and comic books. Present-day horror stories and moviesborrow images and themes from theoriginal master of horror, Edgar Allan Poe. The conflict between good and evil and theeffects of guilt and sin are major themes incurrent literature, popular writing, andtelevision.
Learning Target:RL9I can describe the foundational works of eighteenth-,nineteenth-, and twentieth-century American literature.I can compare and contrast how two or more texts fromthe same period treat similar themes or topics.5. What is thelegacy of theGothicRomantics?6. What’s an easyway toremember theDark Romanticcharacteristics?Notes Here!
Dark Acronymy Crazy Acting PeoplePeople At their WorstTruth In Extreme Situations
Learning Target:RL9I can describe the foundational works of eighteenth-,nineteenth-, and twentieth-century American literature.I can compare and contrast how two or more texts fromthe same period treat similar themes or topics.6. What’s an easyway toremember theDark Romanticcharacteristics?7. What are somecharacteristicsof theByronic/Gothichero?Notes Here!
“The death of a beautiful woman is,unquestionably, the most poetic topic in theworld—and equally is it beyond doubt thatthe lips best suited for such topic are those ofa bereaved lover.”--Edgar Allan Poe
Wait -- You’re Still There?
The Dark Hero CharacteristicsIncluding but not limited to:i. Issues with societal norms associated withexpectations and classii. An outcast or outlawiii. Arrogant and/or Cynicaliv. Moody or unpredictablev. Cunning, Clever, extremely intelligent orperceptive, sophisticated and welleducatedvi. “Darker” attributes not usually assigned toheroes
The Dark Hero CharacteristicsIncluding but not limited to:vii. Mysterious with hidden or tragic pastviii. Charismatic and seductiveix. Self destructivex. Broody and introspectivexi. Morally ambiguousEscapism -- Same as romantic escapism, butescape into darkness.
Learning Target:RL9I can describe the foundational works of eighteenth-,nineteenth-, and twentieth-century American literature.I can compare and contrast how two or more texts fromthe same period treat similar themes or topics.Read “One Summer Night” and decide is it aGothic story and does it have a Gothichero?
Gothic story and does it have a Gothic hero? I can describe the foundational works of eighteenth-, nineteenth-, and twentieth-century American literature. I can compare and contrast how two or more texts from the same period treat similar themes or topics.
