Romanticism Background

     For this blog, I would like to focus on the makeup of Romantic literature. I think that if I read an article that is completely independent of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s work, I will be able to have a better grasp of how he influences Romanticism. The article starts off by explaining the background and contents of Romanticism. The authors, Imbarrato and Berkin, say that Romanticism “refers to a literary, philosophical, and artistic style or theory that emphasizes nature as a guiding, elevated force and recognizes the central significance of individual experience.” The idea that nature acts as a guiding force is very significant because it shows how Romantics of this time revolutionized the mindset of the general public. In earlier times, most people believed that God and the Church would lead you to the ultimate truth. These thoughts were changed, however, as Romantics started to seriously consider the idea that nature is a source for reaching a deeper meaning in the world. I find this very fascinating because the ideas of Romanticism are revolutionary in the fact that they changed people’s outlook on life completely, not to mention the change it induced in people’s take on literature. The other argument the authors make is that Romanticism recognizes the central significance of individual experience. This means that a lot of Romantic writing focuses on the internal conflicts and the experiences that the character is going through. It also incorporates a lot of experiences that the writer has gone through in his or her lifetime.

Imbarrato, Susan Clair, and Carol Berkin. "Romanticism." Encyclopedia of American Literature, Revised Edition: Settlement to the New Republic, 1608–1815, vol. 1, Revised Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.