Transatlantic Transformations of Romanticism: Aesthetics, Subjectivity and the Environment

This book explores the innovative readings of British Romanticism and its influence on twentieth- and twenty-first-century American literary culture and thought.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 240 pages
\n Publication date: 28 February 2021
\n Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
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This book offers groundbreaking interpretations of British Romanticism's literary masterpieces and their profound impact on American literary culture and thought in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

The authors delve into the rich tapestry of Romanticism, exploring its themes of imagination, emotion, nature, and the supernatural. They examine how these themes resonated with American writers, shaping their artistic visions and shaping the cultural landscape of the United States.

Through a meticulous analysis of key texts, the book showcases the ways in which Romanticism influenced American literature, from the transcendentalist movement of the early nineteenth century to the modernist experimentation of the twentieth century. It explores the influence of Romanticism on American poetry, fiction, drama, and criticism, highlighting the ways in which American writers sought to capture the essence of the human experience in their works.

Moreover, the book delves into the broader cultural implications of Romanticism, examining how it shaped American values, beliefs, and attitudes toward nature, individuality, and the role of the artist in society. It explores the ways in which Romanticism influenced American art, music, and architecture, creating a unique aesthetic that reflected the spirit of the times.

In conclusion, this book is a vital contribution to the study of British Romanticism and its influence on American literature and culture. It offers a fresh perspective on the complex relationship between these two cultural traditions, shedding light on the ways in which Romanticism continues to inspire and shape American artistic and intellectual endeavors.

Introduction:
British Romanticism, a literary movement that emerged in the late eighteenth century, marked a significant shift in the artistic and intellectual landscape of Europe. Its emphasis on imagination, emotion, and the natural world resonated deeply with writers and artists across the continent, and its influence can be seen in various forms of art and literature to this day.

In the United States, British Romanticism had a particularly profound impact on American literary culture and thought. This influence can be traced back to the early nineteenth century, when American writers began to explore the themes and ideas of Romanticism in their own works.

One of the most notable American writers who was influenced by British Romanticism was Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson, a philosopher and poet, was a key figure in the transcendentalist movement, which emphasized the importance of intuition, personal experience, and the natural world. Emerson's writings, such as "Nature" and "Self-Reliance," inspired many American writers to seek a deeper connection with the natural world and to explore the spiritual and philosophical dimensions of human existence.

Another American writer who was deeply influenced by British Romanticism was Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau, a philosopher and naturalist, was known for his writings on the simple life and his belief in the inherent goodness of humanity. Thoreau's writings, such as "Walden" and "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience," encouraged American writers to reject the materialism and consumerism of modern society and to seek a more authentic and meaningful existence in nature.

In addition to these writers, British Romanticism also had a significant impact on American poetry and fiction. American poets such as Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson were influenced by the Romanticism's emphasis on the individual voice and the power of the imagination. Whitman's poetry, in particular, celebrated the beauty of the natural world and the human spirit, while Dickinson's poetry explored the complexities of human emotion and the relationship between the individual and the divine.

British Romanticism also had a significant impact on American drama and criticism. American playwrights
writers such as Eugene O'Neill and Arthur Miller were influenced by the Romanticism's emphasis on the individual and the power of the imagination. O'Neill's plays, such as "Long Day's Journey into Night" and "The Iceman Cometh," explored the complexities of human emotion and the relationship between the individual and society, while Miller's plays, such as "Death of a Salesman" and "A View from the Bridge," explored the complexities of human emotion and the relationship between the individual and society.

In conclusion, British Romanticism had a profound impact on American literary culture and thought in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Its emphasis on imagination, emotion, and the natural world inspired American writers to seek a deeper connection with the natural world and to explore the spiritual and philosophical dimensions of human existence. British Romanticism also influenced American poetry, fiction, drama, and criticism, creating a unique aesthetic that reflected the spirit of the times. This impact can be seen in the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Eugene O'Neill, and Arthur Miller, among many others. As we continue to engage with the legacy of British Romanticism, we can see how it continues to shape our understanding of the human experience and the role of the artist in society.

\n Weight: 446g\n
Dimension: 161 x 242 x 20 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781474421485\n \n