Time Periods in American Literature

What were the rationalist writers views on nature, man and the universe?

• born evil
• inherently imperfect
• born good and inherently good
• good and God-like

Dark Romantic storied were influenced by:

• Gothic Literature
• The American Revolution
• Divine Revelation
• The Rationalism movement

Some common themes during the Romanticism period were:

• Deceit and betrayal
• Views on nature and overcoming oppression
• Self-reliance
• Reason over emotion

Rationalist writings were:

• very influenced by religion
• about the common man
• Very political
• about darkness and sublime encounters

Puritan writings:

• portrayed humans as flawed
• were about individualism
• were formal and disciplined
• were sermons or religious writings

The romantics viewed nature as ______.

• Inherently good
• a reflection of God, but not actually God
• very complex
• God's work

What virtues were valued in Transcendentalism?

• simplicity and self-sufficiency
• nature and rebellion
• reason over emotion
• interactions with the awe-inspiring

The purpose of using scary symbols and themes in Dark Romantic stories was to:

• explore the psychological effects of guilt and sin
• try and create a similar universe
• ignite patriotism
• support liberal causes

Why were Puritans extremely hard workers?

• they saw themselves as inherently good
• they thought poverty was a sin
• they valued self-sufficiency
• they did not want to be seen as imperfect

1.  ______ was/were a model of individualistic behavior to Transcendentalist writers.

• Aristotle
• the common man
• God
• Children