Romanticism was an important event in history where new ideas were created through the mindset and feelings. It was known as an ‘age of maturity’ as the work of artists, poets, and philosophers started in Europe and eventually began to spread across the world. This era is relevant to today’s society through numerous factors including industrialization, urbanization, secularization and consumerism. The ideas of Romanticism encourages individuals to fully and positively contribute to society by removing the arrogance of living a modern and traditional lifestyle. Romanticism allowed people to learn how to remove the worst of modernity and bring out the positive. Inspiration and imagination are key elements of Romanticism because it allows individuals to have drive to make a change and use creativity to further their ideas.
Individualism encourages others that although society is doing something different, people should know the importance of getting out of their comfort zone to create a positive change. Romanticist writer Ralph Waldo Emerson separated from cultural and literary traditions from Europe and described it as “America’s intellectual declaration of independence.” He believed that America needed to quit focusing on European heritage and rather focus on their own. Emerson states “There is a time in every man’s education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take himself for the better…” (Emerson). Emerson had a desire to raise awareness about the stigma behind living a traditional life based on the past, religion, and social habits. Emerson though that people were too occupied to be who they were supposed to be. He believed that things that define who we are such as religion was not chosen by us but society. Individualism allows society to determine who they are by settling with sincerity of their mind. Sojourner Truth was a social reformer who was born into slavery. Throughout her life, Truth followed the abolitionist movement and spoke about women rights. Truth presents the issues of the lack of rights between women and Negroes of the South versus white men. Truth states “I could work as much and eat as much as a man – when I got it – and bear the lash as well! And ain’t I a woman?” (Truth). Truth is discussing the inequality as a woman who did not have the right to vote while accomplishing the same treatment as the men. She is questioning what makes her less as a human being and a woman. In Truth’s speech, she persuades society her expression of women’s rights and a symbol for women. Truth states “If the woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again!” (Truth). Truth is mentioning the first woman as Eve and arguing that women are no different. Truth is stating that if Eve was strong alone, imagine how much stronger women altogether would be. This includes the Women’s March which had a goal of allowing more women the chance to vote and electing female candidates to public office. Individualism has an impact on today’s society in which numerous women strived to make a positive change to have their voices heard.
Imagination allows individuals to use creativity to further their ideas. Romantics often used imagination to learn and understand new ideas and concepts that had not been introduced to them.
Singer Jack Johnson says “I hope this old train breaks down. Then I could take a walk around See what there is to see. Time is just a melody” (Johnson). Johnson Romanticist writer Emerson discussed natural history and literature. Emerson states “The sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and the heart of the child” (Emerson). According to Emerson, children are better able to appreciate the beauty of nature because they are not distracted with busy lives. During Romanticism, the traditional idea of adult self control and discipline is changed. Instead, the focus is turned on the innocence and sweetness of the child. Imagination plays a role in today’s society in the way a child’s mind and way of thinking develops as they get older. Emerson states “If the stars should appear one night, in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore; and preserve for many generations the remembrance of the city of God which had been shown!” (Emerson). In Emerson’s literature, he makes a connection between a religious perspective and nature. Emerson has an epiphany that nature plays a role in our lives. He believed that man and nature are one which make us a significant human being. In addition, he was a pantheist who believed God exists in every part of creation.
Some may argue that Romanticism did not encourage individuals to fully and positively contribute to society. For example, some may believe that society demands on a certain type of behavior such as religion which follows a strict code of behavior. Society also follows an agreement including a common set of laws and rules. Although people may follow the rules to help society continue, they may believe it is risky to break the rules. Therefore, this would not allow them to express their needs and wants to society without affecting society as a whole. Nevertheless, my point still stands because Romanticism argues that we should trust nothing but our own intuitions. Emerson once said “Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members.” Emerson stated that our religion, tradition, society and history is within us. However, the people have the ability to remove this organized lifestyle and work on changing these habits.
Inspiration and imagination are key elements of Romanticism because it allows individuals to have drive to make a change and use creativity to further their ideas.
