American Romanticism
American Romanticism
“…And they lived happily ever after.” Romantic stories did not always have a happy ending. In fact, the predecessors of the modern romantic stories were about the evil of human nature. The works of early American writers Irving, Cooper, and Poe show the influence of European Romanticism. Irving would use an emphasis on nature, the supernatural, and superstitions in his stories. Cooper’s stories would use the past, exotic locations, and individualism. The supernatural, the emphasis of nature, and exotic locations were used in Poe’s works.
Washington Irving would use an emphasis on nature, the supernatural, and superstitions in his stories. His story “The Devil and Tom Walker” depicted nature as mysterious. Tom walked through a swamp that was so thick that when it was noon it would be still be very dark. At times, water logs would look like alligators floating in the water. The supernatural realm also played an essential role in the story. The devil, being the supernatural being, seemed to have the ability to trade riches for a person’s soul. Tom, having sold his soul, sought to outsmart the devil by enlisting the help of another supernatural power, God, by carrying a bible. In the end, the devil took his soul and he learned a lesson he cannot forget. Another of Irving’s works The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, demonstrates the power than superstition can have over people. Ichabod Crane was a very superstitious man who avoided walking under ladders, crossing black cats, or tipping over the salt shaker. When Ichabod heard the legend of sleepy hollow, he was so frightened even then simplest of noises like cattails beating on a log, scared him. The characteristics of Irving’s works have been clearly expressed, thus proving that his works were in fact romantic.
James Fenimore Cooper’s stories would use the past, exotic locations, and individualism. The Last of the Mohicans, a famous work by Cooper, was set in the past, before 1757. The French and the English were fighting over who would control the land. Native Americans were more or less forced to choose sides. In no other time, has there really been a need for the help of Native Americans. The timing is perfect since most of the main characters were Native Americans. Another characteristic of Romanticism in The Last of the Mohicans was the use of exotic locations. There was a certain beauty during the Revolutionary period. The...