Untersuchung der Merkmale der amerikanischen Romantik am Beispiel der Kurzgeschichten Poes und Hawthornes. Analysiert werden die Geschichten "Ligeia" und "Morella" von Poe sowie "The Birthmark" und "The Artist of the Beautiful" von Hawthorne.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- American Romanticism
- Gothic Horror and Lost Love in Poe's “Ligeia” and “Morella”
- Nature and Science in Hawthorne's "The Artist of the Beautiful" and "The Birthmark"
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes aspects of American Romanticism as reflected in short stories by Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne. It aims to explore how these authors engaged with and shaped the Romantic movement within an American context.
- American Romanticism as a literary movement
- Gothic horror and its exploration of love, loss, and the supernatural
- The interplay between nature, science, and the human condition
- Symbolism and its function in conveying complex themes
- The tension between intellect and emotion in Romantic literature
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis by establishing the historical and literary context of Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne's works within the broader framework of American Romanticism. It highlights the significance of these authors as key figures in the 19th-century American literary scene, referencing F.O. Matthiessen's concept of the "American Renaissance." The chapter also briefly introduces the key themes of Gothic horror, the supernatural, and the interplay between intellect and emotion that will be explored in the subsequent chapters, ultimately laying the groundwork for a comparative study of Poe and Hawthorne's short stories.
American Romanticism: This chapter delves into the characteristics of American Romanticism as a literary movement, differentiating it from its European counterparts. It examines the key elements that define this period, such as an emphasis on subjectivity, an interest in early American life and landscapes, and the exploration of darker tones alongside the more idealistic aspects of the movement. The chapter provides a crucial background for understanding the literary context of Poe and Hawthorne's works, preparing the reader for a nuanced analysis of the thematic and stylistic choices made by these authors.
Gothic Horror and Lost Love in Poe's “Ligeia” and “Morella”: This chapter focuses on Poe's exploration of Gothic horror and its intertwining with themes of love, death, and loss in his short stories “Ligeia” and “Morella.” It examines how Poe uses the Gothic mode to delve into the darker recesses of the human psyche, exploring the supernatural and the horrifying. The analysis considers Poe's rejection of rationality in favor of emotion and intuition, a defining characteristic of Romanticism. The chapter likely analyzes how the stories' focus on the macabre serves as a vehicle for exploring the profound impact of grief and the fragility of human existence within the Romantic framework.
Nature and Science in Hawthorne's "The Artist of the Beautiful" and "The Birthmark": This chapter analyzes Hawthorne's engagement with themes of nature, science, and the human condition in his short stories "The Artist of the Beautiful" and "The Birthmark." It delves into Hawthorne's use of symbolism and explores the tension between human ambition and the limitations of nature. The chapter likely investigates how Hawthorne uses these stories to explore the consequences of striving for unattainable perfection and the inherent flaws within humanity within the context of Romantic ideals. The analysis likely highlights the conflict between the Romantic appreciation for nature and the burgeoning scientific advancements of the time.
Keywords
American Romanticism, Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Gothic horror, supernatural, love, loss, death, nature, science, symbolism, intellect, emotion, perfection, human condition.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of American Romanticism in Poe and Hawthorne
What is the overall focus of this academic preview?
This preview offers a comprehensive overview of an academic paper analyzing American Romanticism as represented in short stories by Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne. It covers the paper's objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores several key themes, including American Romanticism as a literary movement, Gothic horror and its relationship to love, loss, and the supernatural, the interplay between nature, science, and the human condition, symbolism, and the tension between intellect and emotion in Romantic literature.
Which authors and works are analyzed?
The analysis centers on short stories by Edgar Allan Poe ("Ligeia" and "Morella") and Nathaniel Hawthorne ("The Artist of the Beautiful" and "The Birthmark").
What is the purpose of the "Introduction" chapter?
The introduction establishes the historical and literary context of Poe and Hawthorne's works within American Romanticism. It highlights their significance as key figures in 19th-century American literature, referencing F.O. Matthiessen's "American Renaissance," and briefly introduces the key themes explored in the subsequent chapters.
What does the chapter on "American Romanticism" cover?
This chapter defines American Romanticism as a literary movement, distinguishing it from its European counterparts. It examines key characteristics like subjectivity, interest in early American life and landscapes, and the exploration of darker tones alongside idealistic aspects.
What is the focus of the chapter on "Gothic Horror and Lost Love"?
This chapter analyzes Poe's use of Gothic horror in "Ligeia" and "Morella," exploring themes of love, death, and loss. It examines how Poe uses the Gothic to delve into the darker aspects of the human psyche and his rejection of rationality in favor of emotion.
What does the chapter on "Nature and Science" analyze?
This chapter analyzes Hawthorne's exploration of nature, science, and the human condition in "The Artist of the Beautiful" and "The Birthmark." It examines his use of symbolism, the tension between human ambition and natural limitations, and the conflict between Romantic appreciation for nature and scientific advancements.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Key words include: American Romanticism, Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Gothic horror, supernatural, love, loss, death, nature, science, symbolism, intellect, emotion, perfection, and human condition.
What is the overall methodology of the paper?
The paper employs a comparative analysis of Poe and Hawthorne's short stories, examining their engagement with and shaping of the Romantic movement within an American context.
- Quote paper
- Sirinya Pakditawan (Author), 2004, Aspects of American Romanticism in Short Stories by Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/186202
