The Romantic era contributed greatly to the development of a new American identity. Prior to this time period, America had never necessarily held any distinct cultural identity, yet this age allowed the country to develop its own uniqueness. Due to the influences of American expansionism, the exploration of the frontier, and a growing interest in nature, a new American identity blossomed in the 19th century revolving around the advancement of the United States as a whole. Romantic ideals such as innovation and individualism allowed the country to make constant progress and develop significantly during this era, helping to bring about this new identity. .
The first component that helped bring about this new identity was American expansionism. During the Romantic era, the United States was very focused on expanding its boarders, as shown by many historical events of the period. For example, the Louisiana Purchase occurred in 1803 and added close to one million square miles of territory to the country. By expanding its boarders and seeking new land, the United States began to establish itself as an actual country rather than simply a group of rebellious colonies. The developing identity of this period reflected this growth as a nation as it was centered on asking questions and being innovative. Without expansionism and purchases such as the Louisiana Purchase, the American identity seen in the Romantic period would most likely not have developed. .
Also, a newfound American preoccupation with nature allowed progress within the country and eventually led to the development of a unique American identity. Due to Romantic influences, this period saw a heavy emphasis on the beauty and importance of nature. This is displayed through many works of literature written in the Romantic era, especially Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson and other authors of this period focused on the ideas associated with nature, as shown by the quote, "Nature, in its ministry to man, is not only the material, but is also the process and the result" (Emerson 691).
Teenagers, regardless of what culture or era they grow up in, always struggle to know who they are. ... That being, a longing sense to be American. ... Fifi's identity is revealed in "The Kiss". ... Carla's identity is found in "Trespass". ... Her life is full of let downs and romantic tragedies, but she finds root in her poetry. ...
When a person becomes romantically involved with a person of another race, negative experiences and problems between partners seem to increase. After all, only three percent of American marriages each year are between a Black and a White person (Moran, 121). ... During the colonial era, both Black and White indentured servants came to America to work for a four to seven year period in exchange for food, clothing, and shelter. ... One risk that couples may encounter is when one partner in a sense erases his or her own personal identity in order to make the relationship work (Moran, 122). ... In...
However, both texts explore similar aspects of humanity including humanity's pursuit of progress and power, questioning of the human identity and refusal to consider the morality of their actions, albeit in different paradigms. ... In Frankenstein, Shelley explores the transgression of the natural order in the Romantic ideal by humanity's ongoing pursuit of progress and knowledge, a consequence of the Enlightenment Era and the Industrial Revolution. ... The connotation of "penetrate the secrets of nature" reflects the Romantic concern that specific aspiration was an exploitative ...
Before the Industrial Revolution – that is, before the 18th century in England, or the 19th century in Western Europe and North America – the majority of population lived in rural areas and worked in agriculture, where the resources for production were limited. Nowadays, societies of developed countries are organized around the unprecedented consumer appetite and display of commodities through which individuals gain their identity and prestige. ... In fact, such values have influenced romantic and family relationships and traditions. ... Consumerism today can be more accurately def...
Growing up African American in a segregated American society force one to question many aspects of their very existence. Beneatha Younger is a young woman growing up during a difficult era in American history. ... Asagai, I am looking for my identity! ... She says angrily, "Oh - Asagai - at this moment you decide to be romantic!" ... While Beneatha's struggle for identity involves her ethnicity, hobbies, and romantic interests, Walter Lee attempts to discover his position in the Younger family. ...
Throughout the movie, Nick visits Tom and Daisy periodically, and on one of those visits is introduced to Jordan Baker, a woman that he begins a romantic relationship with. ... This disintegration of the American dream is the main point the film conveys to the viewer. ... While stopping for gas at Wilson's garage, Nick, Tom, and Jordan learn that George Wilson has discovered Myrtle's infidelity, but not the identity of her lover, and that he plans to move her West. ... Though it takes place in Long Island over a few months during the summer of 1922, "The Great Gatsby- is symbol...
Evidence of this is seen throughout American history, from the Puritan era onward. ... "Whether something's really there or not may be irrelevant,"17 because many Americans tend to fall back on faith. ... A dominant theme in this series is "the belief in the supernatural [as being] part of the human soul..."24 These books are romantic, realistic, and supposedly written by various vampires to the mortal world. ... With that, almost every woman in town is accused of being a witch, and the cycle continues.43 Another important example of hysterical paranoia from the Puritan era i...
Have sexual ethics in America always been like this? ... Victorian-era doctors and much of the public understood sex by analogy to the second law of thermodynamics, believing that excessive sex led to mental and physical degeneration, thus undermined his ability to rule his family and compete successfully in the business world. ... At these places, young men and women could explore romantic and sexual possibilities. ... The lecture by psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud in 1909 at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, has introduced an American audience to the notion that sexuality is a cen...
George Bancroft, the most distinguished American historian of the mid-nineteenth century, organized the history of America around three themes. ... American democracy produced the most advanced forms of tradition. ... Women historians also manifested romantic nationalist thinking. ... Consensus historians were neo-conservatives who trimmed the sails of history to the anticommunist winds of the McCarthy era. ... In 1960s America, the assault on consensus history...
