Characteristics of romanticism

• What are the key themes of Romanticism?

  Emphasis on the individual over society and an appreciation and respect for nature
• Which two authors are noted for exploring individual versus society in their works?

  Edgar Allan Poe and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
• What literary technique is often used by Romantic authors?

  Internal monologues that reflect personal emotions and experiences.
• In Longfellow's poem "My Books," what does the speaker focus on?

  The memories and feelings that the books evoke, rather than the books themselves.
• How do romantics perceive the sources of meaning for individuals?

  Individuals derive significant meaning from within themselves rather than from society.
• Who are two prominent writers associated with romantic literature that emphasize nature?

  Henry David Thoreau and Herman Melville.
• What does Thoreau lament in his work "Walden"?


  The influence of society on the natural world and how humans detract from the beauty of nature.
• How do Thoreau's views illustrate a characteristic of romantic literature?


  They emphasize individual experience and the appreciation of nature over artificial constructs.
• What key contrast does romantic literature draw compared to the previous literary era?


  It prioritizes imagination and individualism over rational thinking and scientific reasoning.
• What is one of Thoreau's main critiques regarding urban environments?


  Cities are built upon ruins and detract from the beauty of the natural landscape.