noc18-hs31-Lecture 08-Literature and Romanticism (I)

Introduction to Romanticism in Literary Theory

Overview of the Lecture Series

• This lecture series focuses on Romanticism and its impact on English literary theory during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

• The period was marked by significant political upheaval, notably the French Revolution of the 1790s, which inspired various global political movements.

Cultural Changes Due to Political Upheaval

• The French Revolution led to a radically changed cultural environment that influenced new ideas about literature creation and theorization.

• Alongside political changes, there was a profound philosophical revolution regarding humanity's connection with the universe.

Understanding Romanticism: Definition and Origins

Etymology of "Romantic"

• The term "romantic" is derived from Rome, originally associated with languages like Italian, French, Spanish, and Portuguese that evolved from Latin.

• By the Middle Ages, "romance" referred not only to these languages but also to specific types of writings depicting chivalrous adventures filled with magic and courtly love.

Evolution of Meaning

• In medieval literature, metrical tales known as Romances became central narratives featuring knights and fantastical elements.

• During the late 17th and early 18th centuries, "romantic" took on a pejorative connotation as it contrasted with Enlightenment ideals prioritizing reason over fantasy.

Pejorative Connotations of Romanticism

Historical Context

• The first recorded use of "romantic" in a negative context dates back to 1650, indicating its association with fabrication rather than truth.

• By mid-18th century references show that terms like “romantic” were synonymous with whimsicality and capriciousness—qualities deemed irrational or fantastic.

Impact on Literature

• In neoclassical literature discussions, romantic themes were often viewed negatively as they deviated from classical rules governing literary works during this era.

Understanding Romanticism: A Complex Legacy

The Ambiguity of "Romantic"

• The term "romantic" is described as a vague concept, often associated with wildness and fantasy, contrasting sharply with the structured nature of neoclassical literature.

• In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, "romantic" was largely viewed as a negative space outside Enlightenment reason and Neoclassicism's rules.

• By the 19th century, this negative connotation began to shift towards a more positive recognition in literature and art, although it remained ill-defined.

Challenges in Defining Romanticism

• Scholar A. O. Lovejoy noted in 1924 that attempts to generalize about Romanticism are futile due to its diverse and conflicting strains.

• The exploration of romantic theory will involve navigating through these various strains rather than providing a comprehensive analysis.

Historical Context: The French Revolution

• The French Revolution marked a significant turning point for romantic thought, beginning with the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789.

• This revolution aimed to dismantle absolute monarchy and establish a more egalitarian political system but ultimately led back to monarchical rule in both England and France.

Global Impact of the French Revolution

• Unlike England's earlier revolution, the French Revolution had a broader global impact, inspiring excitement beyond Europe.

• William Wordsworth’s poetry reflects this exhilaration during his time in Paris amidst revolutionary fervor.

Transformation of Values

• Wordsworth's poetry illustrates how romance became associated with transformative ideals while traditional laws were seen negatively due to their ties to oppressive regimes.

• Both Wordsworth and Coleridge initially embraced revolutionary ideals but later grew disillusioned as those promises failed to materialize.

Influence of Rousseau on Romantic Thought

Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Influence on Modern Thought

Overview of Rousseau's Life and Impact

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) is recognized as a pivotal figure in modern Western history, influencing French social, cultural, and political life in the 18th century.

• His notable works include Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men, Emile, The Social Contract, and Confessions, which laid much of the intellectual groundwork for the French Revolution.

The Concept of the Noble Savage

• Rousseau introduced the idea of the "noble savage," contrasting with neoclassical views that depicted man primarily as a social being engaged within institutions.

• He characterized this pre-social man as innately good, driven by self-preservation and compassion for others' suffering.

Romanticism's Interpretation of Rousseau

• British romantics embraced Rousseau’s notion of pre-social existence, viewing it as a source of human virtues and advocating for a return to nature away from societal constraints.

• However, it is crucial to note that Rousseau did not valorize this state; he saw it merely as an initial stage in human evolution towards becoming social beings.

Evolution Beyond Noble Savage

• For Rousseau, noble savages lack essential qualities like morality and reason; thus, they must evolve into social animals to develop these traits.

• Understanding his influence requires recognizing how English romantics adapted and modified his ideas to fit their worldview.

Political Ideas: Radical Egalitarianism

• In Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality among Men, Rousseau critiques socio-political structures where wealth is concentrated among elites while many suffer from poverty.

• He proposes a radical alternative through a social contract that establishes equality among citizens under shared rights and obligations.

Influence on Revolutionary Ideals

• Rousseau’s political ideals inspired leaders during the French Revolution, challenging entrenched privileges held by aristocrats.

• These concepts also resonated with British romantics like Wordsworth and Coleridge, who were motivated by revolutionary enthusiasm stemming from Rousseau’s ideas.

New Representations in Romantic Literature

Exploring Marginalized Figures in Wordsworth's Poetry

The Female Vagrant and the Old Leech-Gatherer

• Wordsworth’s poetry prominently features marginalized and oppressed figures, exemplified by the poems “Female Vagrant” and “Resolution and Independence.”

• The "Female Vagrant" narrates the life of a woman in a class-divided society, who faces continuous misfortunes leading to her becoming a homeless vagrant.

• In "Resolution and Independence," an old leech-gatherer represents another marginalized figure, reflecting on the historical practice of gathering leeches for medicinal purposes.

Nature's Interconnection with Humanity

• Unlike Blake, Wordsworth places these marginalized figures in close proximity to nature, blurring the lines between human existence and natural surroundings.

• In “Female Vagrant,” the protagonist is depicted as one with nature: “I lived upon the mercy of the fields,” illustrating her deep connection to her environment.

• The old leech-gatherer is described almost as a part of nature itself, resembling a stone or sea-beast, emphasizing this blurred distinction between humanity and nature.

Romanticism's Perspective on Nature