ChapterⅢ The Literature of romanticism
1 Chapter Ⅲ The Literature of Romanticism
1. Historical Background Before 1860 the United States had begun to change into an industrial and urban society. In the years preceding the Civil War relatively few volumes of imaginative literature were published in the Us. But as the century progressed American writers won increasing national and international fame Literature ceased to be didactic, a servant of politics and religion. American nationalism stimulated a greater literary interest in American subjects. At mid-century a cultural reawakening brought"flowering of New England, the first literary renaissance in American literary history 2
2 1. Historical Background: ◼ Before 1860 the United States had begun to change into an industrial and urban society. In the years preceding the Civil War relatively few volumes of imaginative literature were published in the US. But as the century progressed, American writers won increasing national and international fame. ◼ Literature ceased to be didactic, a servant of politics and religion. American nationalism stimulated a greater literary interest in American subjects. At mid-century a cultural reawakening brought “flowering of New England” , the first literary renaissance in American literary history
2. The diversity of American romanticism comic fables of Washington Irving gothic tales of Edgar Allen Poe, a the frontier adventures of james fenimore C oober the Psychological romances of Nathanial Hawthorne 3
3 2. The diversity of American romanticism: ◼ comic fables of Washington Irving; ◼ gothic tales of Edgar Allen Poe, ◼ the frontier adventures of James Fenimore Cooper; ◼ the Psychological romances of Nathanial Hawthorne…
3. Washington Irving:(1783-1859) a the first native american author to win worldwide fame a Style: His graceful, humorous, stylistically careful writing is in the tradition of Addison steele and goldsmith colorful legends of the Hudson river 4
4 3. Washington Irving: (1783—1859) ◼ the first native American author to win worldwide fame. ◼ Style: His graceful, humorous, stylistically careful writing is in the tradition of Addison, Steele, and Goldsmith. ◼ colorful legends of the Hudson River Valley
IS stories based on the legends of Europe; lacked a creative gilt, ■ Knickerbocker fictitious author of History of New York by Washington Irving
5 ◼ His stories based on the legends of Europe; lacked a creative gift; ◼ Knickerbocker, fictitious author of History of New York by Washington Irving
3. 1. Washington Irving The Legend of sleepy ollou a 1. Setting: What is the location of this story? The atmosphere and the history of this area? a 2. Who is the protagonist of this story? Describe his physical features and the meaning of his name Where did he come from? What was he doing there to make a living? 3. What is the main conflict? 4. Describe the plot of the story 5. Retell the story of the headless horseman 6. Brom Bones((see question No. 2) 7. Katrina Van Tassel 6
6 3.1. Washington Irving: “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” ◼ 1. Setting: What is the location of this story? The atmosphere and the history of this area? ◼ 2. Who is the protagonist of this story? Describe his physical features and the meaning of his name. Where did he come from? What was he doing there to make a living? ◼ 3. What is the main conflict? ◼ 4. Describe the plot of the story. ◼ 5. Retell the story of the headless horseman. ◼ 6. Brom Bones ( (see question No. 2) ◼ 7. Katrina Van Tassel
James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851)
7 4. James Fenimore Cooper (1789—1851)
James Fenimore cooper He is the pioneer of American sea novel b. American espionage story, C. American frontier adventure tales d. American sociopolitical novel
8 James Fenimore Cooper: He is the Pioneer of---- a. American sea novel; b. American espionage story; c. American frontier adventure tales; d. American sociopolitical novel
4.1 The leatherstocking tales a The leatherstocking Tales, tell the tale of their central character Natty bumppo back woodsman and wilderness scout Natty is a fictional character, based on certain originals remembered from the author 's boyhood. Here, embodied in a clear-cut romantic type is the American moral ideal
9 ◼ The Leatherstocking Tales, tell the tale of their central character Natty Bumppo, backwoodsman and wilderness scout. Natty is a fictional character, based on certain originals remembered from the author’s boyhood. Here, embodied in a clear-cut romantic type is the American moral ideal. 4. 1 The Leatherstocking Tales
4.2 Characters in The last of the mohicans Hawkeye in The last of the Mohicans, was a perfect example of the western man who had broken away from the artificiality of civilization Chingachgook, Hawkeye's Indian companion was Coopers conception of the natural man, or noble savage, shows native intelligence, loyalty and brotherly love. He was not spoiled by civilization 10
10 4.2 Characters in The Last of the Mohicans ◼ Hawkeye in The Last of the Mohicans, was a perfect example of the western man who had broken away from the artificiality of civilization. ◼ Chingachgook, Hawkeye’s Indian companion, was Cooper’s conception of the natural man, or “noble savage,” shows native intelligence, loyalty, and brotherly love. He was not spoiled by civilization