美国文学美国浪漫主义

1、American Literature 组员：林缘 郑云云 孟子馨 刘璐瑶 1/20 1. Define American Romanticism (1) Definition: The romantic period, one of the most important periods in the history of American literature, stretches from the end of the 18th century to the outbreak of the Civil War. It stared with the publication of Washi

2、ngton Irvings The Sketch Book and ended with Whitmans Leaves of Grass. It is also called the American Renaissance. 2/20 (2) Background 1 origin. First of all, the word romantic, in the early 19th century that the first well-known German opposition critic for classical literature to describe a litera

3、ry genre. Moreover, the meaning of the German Romanticism was introduced to Britain and France. Since then, the Romantic period to be a great period in the history of English literature, in this period, there have been many famous British poet and novelist. Of course, these poets and novelists write

4、rs for the New World had unimaginable and far-reaching impact, 3/20 therefore, American Romanticism emerged. To some extent, the United States followed the Romantic literary form their British ancestors of the most lucrative(有利可图的，赚钱的), gothic ( 哥特式的；野蛮的)horror novel also caused great concern to the

5、 reader, this fictional supernatural horror some distant phenomenon, often through the nearby castle of sun lit scenes, some mysterious track to bring out some of the stealth horror scene. Such novel characterization of mental activity often. In short, the writers of this period were focused on the

6、freedom of expression of the characters inner thoughts. 4/20 2 historical and cultural context. With the American cultural history and cultural development, the United States is becoming literary power. The young republic, there is no burden of history and the legacy of the past, in the political, e

7、conomic, cultural and other aspects mature up and become a relatively independent countries in these areas. In historical terms, the United States west of the Romantic period is the period of expansion in US history. On the economic front, the whole country is going through a transition towards indi

8、vidualism, 5/20 which greatly affected the lives of rural and urban people. In politics, democracy and equality become a major trend in this country. Of course, with the establishment of an independent United States government, the Americans feel that they should have their own unique literary field

9、, in order to record some new experiences of their own country, and these experiences are often not found in other countries. In addition, the literary atmosphere of the country has made full preparations for the development of mid- 19th-century Romantic movement. 6/20 3 Puritanism impact. Here, we

10、can put American Puritanism as a cultural heritage to look at. Americas moral doctrine(教义；信条) inherited the tradition of advice, public perceptions are largely influenced by Puritanism, a great impact on the environment, social life and literary taste. Influence of Puritanism on American Romanticism

11、 is also evident, first of all, the United Kingdom and European American writers of the Romantic period are more likely than the same period in the works of preaching,there are some good writers to promote the beauty and goodness. 7/20 In addition, many American works of the Romantic period, rather

12、than didactic(说教的；教诲的) richer entertainment, writers of this period are more adept( 熟练的) at describing every aspect of life. 8/20 (3) Features 1 individualistic values. Before the American Revolution, Romanticism profoundly influenced American values, politics, art and philosophy. Romantic ideas mus

13、t emphasize individualism with the traditional concept of revolution and equality consistent with the concept of the frontier. Romantic strongly against traditional art forms, who by the neo-classical(新古典的) limit of strong demand Art in literature, painting, architecture and other creative new forms

14、. 9/20 Romantic period emphasized individualism collectivism opposition oppose the authority of the individual as the center of life and art. In addition, American Romanticism also emphasizes individual freedom from formalism, tradition and obedience(顺 从；服从；遵守), they are willing to self-analysis, to

15、 detect and expose the soul. 10/20 2 focus on nature. With the development of the times, the Americans began to call on the localization of culture, and promote American artists patriotic( 爱国的) songs, depicting(描绘,描述) the magnificent scenery of the United States, the design has a monumental(不朽的； 纪念碑

16、的) building so that people will always remember the Americans in the creation of this magical land glory. 1820s freed from some American painter painting in the 18th century aristocracy( 贵族；贵族统治). Hudson School of landscape painters began to appear. Depicts the American mountains, 11/20 Rivers, fore

17、sts, wild canyons(峡谷) and greatness. Gradually, influenced by American cultural nationalism, many American writers began to praise the American prairie, a small jungle, streams and endless prairies(畜牧 大草原), forests and vast oceans. Wild allegorical( 讽喻的) drama featuring the ethical guidelines of the

18、 times. Escape from society, back to nature has become eternal creative themes in American literature. 12/20 3 reflect inner thoughts. With the development of American Romanticism, in addition to individualism and respect for nature, the Romantic writers increasing emphasis on freedom of expression

19、character emotion, more attention to the psychological characteristics of the characters portrayed. Extremely sensitive and excitement become a major personality traits of the hero and heroine. Horror novels since then until now is in the form of literature in the field of literature the most profit

20、able, gothic horror novel also caused great concern to the reader, 13/20 this fictional supernatural horror some distant phenomenon, the authors often near the castle lit by sunlight scenes, some mysterious track to bring out some of the stealth (秘密；秘密行动 )horror scene. Such novel characterization of

21、 mental activity often. In short, the writers of this period were focused on the freedom of expression of the characters inner thoughts. 14/20 2. Literary achievements of Irving Washington Irving (April 3, 1783 November 28, 1859) is one of the earliest romantic writers in American known for his sket

22、ches(笔记), short stories and biographies, Irving is the first U.S. author to achieve international renown(国际声誉).Absorbing the cream of European culture and literature, Irving created his unique style that is fresh, natural, humorous and musical. With his short stories and success in many other fields

23、, Irving has made great contributions to the development of independent American literature. It is Irving who activated the potential of American literature and laid solid foundations for its future development. 15/20 As a famed essayist, biographer, historian, writer and politician, Washington Irvi

24、ng is often considered as “The Father of American Literature” or “The Father of American Letters,” as well as one of the inventors of the modern short essay and fiction. He is best known for his short stories The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (“睡谷的传说”)and Rip Van Winkle(“瑞 普凡温克”), both of which appear in

25、his book The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent(见闻札记). A History of New York(纽约外史) is generally considered as the first important contribution to American comic literature, and a great popular success from the start. It is also taken as the mark of the beginning of American Romanticism. 16/20 The

26、work brought Irving considerable fame and financial reward. His historical works include Life of Washington, Oliver Goldsmith and Mahomet and His Successors(华盛顿传、哥尔德斯密斯传和穆 罕默德及其继承者), and several histories of 15th- century Spain dealing with subjects such as Christopher Columbus, the Moors, and the Alhambra(哥伦布、摩尔 人和阿尔罕伯拉). On the whole, Irvings works have gi