《英美文学选读》资料-3-英国Romantic.docVIP

Chapter 3 ------------The Romantic Period(英国） Romanticism refers to an artistic and intellectual movement originating in Europe in the late 18th century and characterized by a heightened interest in nature, emphasis on the individuals expression of emotion and imagination, departure from the attitudes and forms of classicism, and rebellion against established social rules and conventions. Historical background: Rousseau’s ideas provided guiding principles for the French Revolution (1789-1794) The primarily agricultural society had been replaced by a modern industrialized one. Political reforms and mass demonstrations shook the foundation of aristocratic rule in Britain. Cultural background 1.Inspiration for the romantic approach initially came from two great shapers of thought, French philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau and German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Rousseau established the cult of the individual and championed the freedom of the human spirit. Goethe and his compatriots extolled the romantic spirit as manifested in German folk songs, Gothic architecture, and the plays of English playwright William Wordsworth. 2. The Romantics saw man essentially as an individual in the solitary state and emphasized the special qualities of each individual’s mind. Romanticism actually constitutes a change of direction from attention to the outer world of social civilization to the inner world of the human spirit. 3. In the works of the sentimental writers, we note a new interest in literatures and legends other than those of Greece and Rome. It was in effect a revolt of the English imagination against the neoclassical reason. Features of the romantic literature 1.Expressiveness: Instead of regarding poetry as “a mirror to nature”, the romantics hold that the object of the artist should be the expression of the artist’s emotions, impressions, or beliefs 2. Imagination: Romantic literature puts great emphasis on the creative function of the imagination, seeing a