American Romanticism (and the Romantic Movement in general) holds a particularly warm place in my heart, and I have always wanted to explore it as deeply as possible. Perhaps, it was the first movement in literature who’s moral and philosophical jumped out at me as ideal ways to approach life, and as such has heavily influenced my perspective on reading and writing since. With a heavy emphasis on individual ability, stark imagery, and inferences that nature saves while “civilization” corrupts, Romantic novels draws on the power of humans in their natural element, and the enlightenment that we can find once the smog is clear of our lungs.
It is dire that we learn to step back from the crowds of people and streetlamp sidewalks passing stores with neon signs, and develop a relationship with and reliance on ourselves, so that we might feel the strength to overcome all obstacles and reclaim our throne as king of the jungle, as it were. In today’s world, we join crowds of billions of anonymous people online each day, participating in frivolous activities in which we make little effort to stand out. Due to this cultural revolution, it is more important than ever that we understand the power that is within us, as well as what our growth into an amorphous cyber-blob is doing to our individuality. As such, we can learn a lesson from Wordsworth, Hawthorne, Poe and the Shelleys, since my class will examine their poems and short stories, and make interpretations of individualism that can be applied to their own lives.
Sharp focuses on natural beauty and the oddly dynamic character that nature possesses are also key elements for people today to understand. Our society and environment is now so engrossed in industry and technology, that far too many people do not know what happens when you stand in the meadow at dusk (What happens there? Everything. Nothing). The ways in which the Romantics paint landscapes and scenery bring attention and deep focus to even the minutest details, and the splendor that they have by being natural. The closed-in cell blocks in city grids keep us from experiencing the freedom of a lizard on a leaf and the enlightenment of fresh air.
I fear that, within generations, people everywhere will be far more removed from nature that we are now. By then, I will have to explain what nature is—given that it already has to be specifically designated “nature” rather than being seen as a part of our home, as it is no longer a home for humanity and is thus a zone of mystery. Children will have had little experience playing in the woods, jumping in creeks, climbing trees, and the like. By then, their connection to the Earth and the universe, which is so praised in Romantic literature, will be near the severing point. Therefore, I will do my part to keep my students’ bond strong, and hope that they will not succumb to urbanity.
Indeed, the discussions of nature’s connection to humanity will fuel those of civilization’s tendency to corrupt humanity, which is an apparent undertone in almost all Romantic works. Seeing guilt and social pressure tear Rev. Dimmesdale to bits in The Scarlet Letter is a major wake-up call to students about how the pressure they feel are affecting them. Perhaps the effect it not quite so drastic, but they will come to understand that there is a certain peace to be felt one is alone in the wild that is much more difficult to find when surrounded by concrete and icy stares.
There is a great deal to be learned about the self through study of Romantic literature, and all of that knowledge will become vital to the maintenance of our humanity. As a younger student, I did not see the full value of this era, though I did believe the sentiment was quite nice. Now, however, I have come to find that there are serious implications to letting Romantic ideals fade away, and that I am responsible for ensuring they stick around. I cannot allow future generations to drift through a life of anonymity and crippling feel-like-and-ant syndrome, which is why I am particularly excited to teach this unit.
Aside from the obvious philosophical knowledge gained from reading these texts, I also find that Romantic literature is typically the most fun to read. Edgar Allan Poe’s eerie (more like eeeeeeeerie) mood, his meticulous and playful descriptions of the macabre items and events of his stories send a chill down your spine that brings you back for more. Hawthorne’s blaring contrast of nature and civilization make him seem like the Giver (in that his depiction of nature seems to give me the ability to see color where society is black-and-white), and his descriptions are verbose and imaginative. All of these traits and more keep me attracted to their works, and I feel confident that these, at least, help my students get into the Romantics.
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