Romantic Era- Asher, p3, t8
The Romantic Era, more so than any other period preceding it, was about man finding his freedom, and his place in this world. Authors who wrote in this age of discovery emanated the themes of this era.
A perfect example of an author who wrote in themes of man's destiny and deliverance, was Edgar Allan Poe. It is evident in his works like The Raven, and Annabel Lee that the purpose behind his writing is to discover a new truth about humanity. The Raven deals with man's fear and doubt, however does so in a secular way as opposed to a religious way. There is no God to save the man from his fate, but there is only himself.
Another example of a Romantic Era author who focuses on a secular viewpoint of man, is Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein. The man narrating the book at the beginning meets a lone man out among the glaciers. The man seemingly took a gamble in life, and lost, and is now a distraught and lifeless form. Shelley writes of man's destiny in similar terms throughout the book. It is a person's responsibility to pursue their own wants and desires to achieve their dreams. This is much different from a more spiritual position of self-sacrifice and service.
Author's who won their fame during the Romantic Era all believed in one thing: man. There were varying beliefs among authors as to man's purpose and the way in which they can achieve their goals, however man remains the constant being who drives the world. These authors were poets, soldiers of the pen, visionaries, who believed in what man can achieve.
Great synthesis! I like how you took on a different point of view, addressing the individual instead of the common, nature.
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