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The Rise of Romantic Poetry in England
Romantic poetry flourished, with poets like William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Lord Byron becoming prominent. These writers rejected the rationalism of the Enlightenment and focused on emotion, nature, and individual experience. Their works influenced the literary landscape for decades. -
The July Revolution in France
This revolution in France led to the overthrow of King Charles X and the rise of Louis-Philippe as the "Citizen King." It symbolized the political ideals of the Romantic movement, such as liberty, equality, and national identity. Romantic artists, writers, and composers were inspired by these ideas. -
Publication of "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas
One of the key works in the Romantic literary tradition, this adventure novel encapsulated themes of revenge, justice, and personal transformation. Dumas’ portrayal of heroic quests resonated with the Romantic ideals of personal freedom and the rejection of oppressive authority. -
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The Growth of the Gothic Novel
Gothic literature experienced a resurgence during this period, with authors like Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley, and Charlotte Brontë pushing the boundaries of the genre. Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" (1839) and Brontë's "Jane Eyre" (1847) are key examples of this literary period, which emphasized emotion, the supernatural, and the exploration of the darker side of human nature. -
Death of Edgar Allan Poe
Poe’s death marks a significant moment in American Romanticism. His works, particularly his poems and short stories, defined the darker elements of the Romantic movement, and his focus on the macabre, madness, and melancholia influenced many later writers and artists. -
Publication of "Leaves of Grass" by Walt Whitman
Whitman's groundbreaking collection of poetry, "Leaves of Grass", first published in 1850, introduced new forms of expression and celebrated individualism, nature, and the human body. His work became central to American Romanticism, combining a celebration of the self with a deep connection to nature. -
End of the American Civil War
The American Civil War (1861-1865) brought about themes of suffering, heroism, and national identity that influenced Romantic literature and art in the United States. Writers like Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson reflected on the trauma of the war in their works, exploring loss, death, and the complexities of freedom. -
The End of the Romantic Movement
By the turn of the century, Romanticism was largely eclipsed by modernism, but its influence continued to shape art, literature, and philosophy. The period from 1820 to 1900 was defined by emotional expression, an emphasis on individualism, the sublime, and a fascination with nature and the supernatural.