ART - Dark Romanticism Lesson
Dark Romanticism Lesson
Emerson's refusal to grant the existence of evil caused Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and others, who came to be known as Dark Romantics, to doubt his judgment. Look back at the overview presentation at the start of the unit if you need a refresher on Dark Romantic beliefs. In this lesson, we will examine the writings of Poe, Hawthorne, and Melville.
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) is most known for his dark stories of horror and madness and for his Gothic style of writing. His Murders in the Rue Morgue earned him the title, "Father of the Detective Story." His poem, "The Raven," is one of the best known poems in America and is the origin of Baltimore's NFL team name.
Learn additional information about Poe by viewing the presentation below. Click the > to advance slides.
Reading Assignment: "The Fall of the House of Usher"
You will now read Poe's short story, "The Fall of the House of Usher." This story can be difficult to understand, so as you read, listen to the audio version and use the study notes embedded within the text. Pay close attention to the atmosphere Poe creates with the imagery
(language and description that appeals to our five senses sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch) and setting of the story.
In addition, notice the characterization Poe uses to create a spooky story. (Characterization is the way a writer helps the reader understand what kind of person a certain character is. Methods of characterization include direct description the character's speech, actions, and thoughts and other characters' thoughts and speech about the character). When you have finished reading, you should be able to answer this question: How does the house represent the psychological state of Usher? Remember that this story is an example of Gothic literature because of the remote setting and tormented characters. Look for specific examples of Gothic style (style of writing, used by some dark romantics, that creates a mood of suspense and fear through the combination of elements of horror, death, and gloom with romantic elements, such as nature, individuality, and extreme emotion) as you read.
"The Fall of the House of Usher" Text Link Links to an external site.
"The Fall of the House of Usher" Audio Link below
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) is most known for his novels The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables, although he has written several short stories as well. The Scarlet Letter was one of the first mass-produces works of fiction in the United States, and it made him famous.
Learn additional information about Hawthorne by viewing the presentation below. Click the > to advance slides.
Reading Assignment: "The Minister's Black Veil"
, and the veil itself is a symbol (an object used to represent a larger or more significant idea). See if you can figure out what moral lesson Hawthorne was trying to teach his readers.
As you read the story, consider how the members of Mr. Hooper's congregation respond to the veil, how they try to explain its presence, the effect it has on his fiancée, and his reasons for continuing to wear the veil even as he is dying.
"The Minister's Black Veil" Text Link Links to an external site.
"The Minister's Black Veil" Audio Link below
Herman Melville
Herman Melville (1819-1891) wrote many short stories, novels, and poems, trying to provide for his family through his writing. He was never able to make enough money during his lifetime, as his early popularity dwindled in his later years. After a revival of his literary reputation decades after his death, Moby-Dick became his most popular novel, though it had not been well received or lucrative when it was first published.
Learn additional information about Melville by viewing the presentation below. Click the > to advance slides.
Reading Assignment: Excerpt from Moby Dick
Based on his own experiences and the famous destruction of the Essex by a sperm whale on its way to South America in the Pacific, Moby-Dick is a thrilling tale of life at sea and the madness that can overcome a mind bent on revenge. Melville dedicated the novel to his friend and mentor, Nathaniel Hawthorne.
In this excerpt, the captain of a whaling ship, Captain Ahab, calls his crew together and makes them swear an oath to pursue the great white whale, Moby Dick, to the death, despite the fact that they have signed on to make money from whaling, not for revenge against an animal. Pay attention to how crew members who try to argue some reason are treated and look for hints that Captain Ahab is being driven insane through his obsession with killing the whale who cost him his leg on a previous whaling trip. How does this character, setting, and plot represent Dark Romantic beliefs?
Excerpt from Moby Dick Text Link Links to an external site.
Excerpt from Moby Dick Audio Link below
Self-Assessment
Complete the following self-assessment over the readings in this lesson.
RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.