English Romanticism :A Literary Revolution

Romanticism was a major intellectual and artistic movement from the late 18th to mid-19th century. Rejecting the order and rationality of Classicism and the Enlightenment, Romanticism emphasized emotion, imagination, and individual expression. This presentation explores its impact on literature, music, and art, highlighting the celebration of nature, personal feelings, creativity, and the fascination with the mysterious and supernatural.

1. English Romanticism :A Literary Revolution Smt. S.B. Gardi, Department of English Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University

2. Personal Information Name : Jay P. Vaghani Roll No. : 6 Enrollment No. : 5108240035 Sem. : 1 Paper Name : History of English literature - from 1350 to 1900 Paper No. : 105 Paper Code : 22396 Unit 4 : Romantic and victorian era Topic : English Romanticism : A Literary Revolution E-mail : [email protected]

3. Table of contents -Introduction -The Romantic Age: A Brief Overview - 'The Romantic Movement' as a literary classification - English Romanticism and its development - Conclusion - References

4. Research Question Hypothesis How did the English Romantic Movement represent a literary revolution in terms of its themes, style, and philosophical outlook, and what lasting impact did it have on subsequent literary traditions? The English Romantic Movement was a literary revolution that challenged established norms of the Neoclassical period by emphasizing individualism, emotional expression, and a deep connection to nature. This transformation reshaped the way literature engaged with personal experience, social ideals, and imagination, leaving a profound influence on modern literary thought and writing.

5. Introduction Romanticism was an intellectual movement that began in the late 18th century and lasted into the mid-19th century, affecting literature, music, art, and more. It rejected the orderly, balanced ideas of Classicism and the rational thinking of the Enlightenment. Instead, Romanticism focused on emotion, imagination, and individual expression. It celebrated nature, personal feelings, and the inner struggles of exceptional individuals. Artists and writers were seen as creative geniuses, and there was a fascination with the mysterious, the exotic, and the supernatural. Romanticism valued the power of the imagination and the pursuit of deeper, spiritual truths.

6. The Romantic Age: A Brief Overview Late 18th to early 19th century (1798–1837). Began with Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth & Coleridge. Key Features: -Imagination & Emotion: Central focus, prioritizing feelings over reason. -Nature as Inspiration: Nature seen as a teacher and spiritual guide. -Individualism: Stories of common people, rejecting elitist Neoclassical themes. -Melancholy & Supernatural: Explored human struggles and mystery. -Key Poets & Works: -First Generation: William Wordsworth: "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" S.T. Coleridge: "Kubla Khan" -Second Generation: John Keats: "Ode to a Grecian Urn" P.B. Shelley: "Ode to the West Wind" Lord Byron: "Don Juan" -Impact: Broke Neoclassical traditions. Celebrated emotional depth and creativity. Influenced later literature with its focus on individuality and beauty.

7. 'The Romantic Movement' as a literary classification Initial Lack of Definition: During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the term romantic did not initially denote a contemporary literary movement in England. Instead, it referred to literature from the Middle Ages and Renaissance or works perceived as exotic, idealized, or irrational. Emergence of Groupings: Early classifications, like Francis Jeffrey's "Lake School" (Wordsworth, Southey, Coleridge), were politically motivated and divisive, grouping poets based on ideological perspectives rather than artistic coherence. Other terms, like the "Cockney School" or "Satanic School," were similarly narrow and often pejorative. Shift Towards Unity: By the mid-19th century, a broader sense of the era's literary distinctiveness emerged. Writers and critics began associating poets with the "spirit of the age," which was largely shaped by the French Revolution's upheavals and the subsequent intellectual and cultural shifts.

8. English Romanticism and its development Definition and Origin Romanticism was a literary movement that emerged at the end of the 18th century and lasted until the 1830s. Interestingly, the term "Romanticism" was retrospectively applied by 20th-century critics, and the poets of the time did not see themselves as part of a unified movement. Key Characteristics 1. Departure from Neoclassical Traditions - Broke away from the classical style of literature - Moved from writing primarily for the upper class to creating more accessible poetry - Focused on individual emotions and experiences 2. Thematic Innovations - Emphasized imagination and individual sensitivity - Replaced heroic narratives with stories of common people - Celebrated the connection between humans and nature - Prioritized individualism and personal experiences 3. Language and Style - Used simple, natural language - Employed various poetic forms like ballads, sonnets, and blank verses - Aimed to evoke genuine emotions through relatable content

9. Continue ... -Significant Contributions 1. Literary Innovations - Introduced women writers and working-class writers to prominence - Popularized magazine essays, Gothic novels, and historical novels - Developed political journalism - Created closer connections between literary and scientific writing 2. Artistic Approach - Saw nature as a teacher and source of infinite beauty - Used imagination to explore personal and collective experiences - Prioritized emotional authenticity over formal conventions -Historical Context The Romantic period (1780-1830) was a transformative era in English literature. It marked a significant shift from the rigid neoclassical style to a more fluid, emotion-driven form of expression.

10. Conclusion The Romantic movement revolutionized English literature by shifting focus from rigid Neoclassical traditions to emotion, imagination, and individualism. It celebrated nature as a spiritual guide, explored human struggles and mystery, and connected art to real-life experiences. Led by iconic poets like Wordsworth, Coleridge, Shelley, Keats, and Byron, Romanticism left a profound legacy of creativity and emotional depth that continues to inspire literature and culture today.

11. References - da Vinci, Leonardo. “Romanticism | Definition, Characteristics, Artists, History, Art, Poetry, Literature, & Music.” Britannica , 27 October 2024, https://www.britannica.com/art/Romanticism . Accessed 26 November 2024. -Klancher, Jon. “Romantic Criticism and the Meanings of the French Revolution.” Studies in Romanticism , vol. 28, no. 3, 1989, pp. 463–91. JSTOR , https://doi.org/10.2307/25600794 . Accessed 26 Nov. 2024. -qizi, Marhabo Axmadjonova Maxmudjon, and Eldorbek Khamitov Erkinovich. “English Romanticism and Its Development: A Critical Analysis.” INNOVATION IN THE MODERN EDUCATION SYSTEM , interonconf.org/index.php/usa/article/view/12902 . Accessed 26 Nov. 2024. - Rahman, Muhd. Mustafizur. “An Overview of the Romantic Age, Romantic Poets and Romantic Poetry in English Literature: A Critical Analysis.” Integrated Journal for Research in Arts and Humanities , ijrah.com/index.php/ijrah/article/view/279 . Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

12. Thank you