American Romanticism and the American Romantic Hero
By Jill Patton
- Romanticism began in Europe in the mid to late 1700's and spread to America in the nineteenth century.
-This literary movement emphasized imagination, emotion, and nature over science, logic, and civilization.
- For a long time, American writers followed the English style of writing. America didn't have any notable works or writers that stood out until Romanticism came around.
- In Romanticism, the setting is usually an exotic and rural place. In those days, as the country was still being settled and discovered, the Romantic writers chose the American frontier as their exotic and rural setting.
- The frontier and wilderness settings that were exclusive to the United States set American literature apart from European literature and made American works popular for the first time.
- Romanticism and the frontier setting made American literature truly American.
The Western frontier and the woods of the Northeast were common settings. Unique characters often included woodsmen and Native Americans, who would become American Romantic Heroes.
For this assignment, I analyzed these examples of Romanticism and American Romantic Heroes...
The Last of the Mohicans
- The 1992 movie is based off of the 1936 movie, which is based off of the actual book. So this version has some glaring differences from the book...
- The novel, The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper was published in 1826. It was part of a series called The Leatherstocking Tales. The book was America's first internationally bestselling novel that appealed to the general public.
- There is some historical content, but much of it is not 100% correct, especially in the movie.
- In the movie...
- The hero: Hawk-eye/Nathaniel
- He is white, but was adopted by Mohicans. It is the 1750s during the French and Indian war, and the setting is New York. He is a "good guy" who helps the British (particularly the Munro sisters).
- Throughout the movie, he uses his resourcefulness and cunning to save and protect many people (especially Cora).
The Last American Man
- A biography by Elizabeth Gilbert about a man name Eustace Conway.
- He was born in 1961 and is still alive.
- He owns thousands of acres of undeveloped land that he lives off of. He hunts his food, makes his own clothes, and survives off of the land.
- He believes our modern lives have been over-simplified and inspire greed and corruption. By being in touch with the natural world, he believes people can be enlightened by "the high art and godliness of nature."
- He teaches people about his lifestyle and invites them to join him. He thinks the world could be a better place if people lived more naturally.
The American Romantic Hero
The American Romantic Hero was another key that set apart American literature from the rest of the world.
The American Romantic Hero was a new breed of character. In European literature, the young hero usually started of as a regular guy and became a refined gentleman in society. The American Romantic Hero, in contrast, would leave society to become a great man who lived the natural life.
Readers, both in American and internationally really enjoyed this new hero. He was much more exciting and adventurous than the heroes of the past.
Common Characteristics
- Young (or having youthful qualities)
- Innocent and pure
- Driven by a wholesome purpose
- Honorable and moral
- Possesses deep understanding of people and nature based on intuition rather than education
- "At one" with nature and avoids society and civilization
- Defies societal norms and forms own principles
- Often embarks on some sort of quest
- Strives for "higher truths"
- Extremely resourceful to the point where it's almost unbelievable
- Relies on instinct and survival skills when necessary
Examples from Selected Works
Hawk-eye ( from The Last of the Mohicans)
Why?
- He's young (much younger than in the book)
- He's the "good guy."
- The Mohicans helped the British and the Hurons were helping the French. He does not believe in the Hurons' ambush tactics and how they target everyone, including women and children.
- He knows the lay of the land and can use a combination of nature and his own ability to do whatever he needs to do.
- He chose to live with the Mohicans instead of in society.
- He can fight anyone and get anywhere with ease.
Side Note: The "Noble Savage"
The word "savage" usually carries a negative connotation. It is often associated with brutality of cruelty. However, during the Romantic period, the "noble savage" made an appearance. Although he lived a rugged and tough life, he was an honorable guy with good principles. Hawk-eye, Uncas, and Chingachgook can be seen as noble savages because they live off the land, yet help the English and the Munro girls even though they don't have to.
The American Romantic Heroine?
The American Romantic Hero is often a portrayed as a man. While the novel has been labeled as sexist, the movie portrays Cora as a heroine in some ways. While her sister is constantly in distress, Cora is more self-sufficient. She defies social boundaries as a female and is independent. She turns down Duncan's proposal twice, helps as a nurse at the fort, and occasionally totes a gun.
A Real World Example
Eustace Conway (from his biography Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert)
Why?
- He lives outside of society and is independent from civilization.
- He has a respect for other living things.
- He believes nature is where humans belong, and teaches others about his lifestyle in hope that they'll understand and embrace his ways.
- The only way to save American is to reunite as many people as possible with the frontier.
The American Romantic Hero was so popular, that many heroes in our books, movies, and TV shows still follow the AMH pattern.
My Example
John Reid (The Lone Ranger 2013)
Why?
- He was a lawyer from the city who becomes a Texas Ranger.
- He plays the "good guy" who goes after the criminals (Cavendish and gang and Collins, the traitor). He is out to avenge his brother's (Dan Reid) death and save his sister-in-law, Rebecca, and nephew, Danny.
- He gains a connection with nature through the spirit horse and therefore cannot be killed in battle.
- Roams the Texas frontier
- Befriends Tonto, the Comanche Indian
- Participates and succeeds in riveting battles
- He is not looking for glory and keeps his identity a secret.
Works Cited
American Frontier Photograph. N.d. Photograph. Fine
Art America. Fine Art America. Web. 28 Dec. 2013.
Arpin, Gary Q. "American Romanticism." N.p.: n.p., n.d.
138-50. Print.
Eustace Conway. N.d. Photograph. Fearful Adventurer.
Comp. Torre DeRoche. Web. 1 Jan. 2014.
Gilbert, Elizabeth. "Chapter 1." The Last American Man.
New York: Viking, 2002. N. pag. Print.
"Guide to The Last of the Mohicans (1826) by James
Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851." LITR 4232 Last of the Mohicans Assignments. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Jan. 2014.
James Fenimore Cooper. N.d. Stone Ridge Library. Web. 1
Jan. 2014.
Last of the Mohicans. 1992. Photograph. Ronald Grant
Archive. The Guardian. Web. 1 Jan. 2014.
The Last American Man Cover. 2002. Photograph.
Elizabeth Gilbert. Web. 1 Jan. 2014
The Last of the Mohicans. Dir. Michael Mann. Perf.
Daniel Day-Lewis and Madeleine Stowe. 20th Century Fox, 1992. DVD.
The Last of the Mohicans. 1992. Photograph. Lindsay.
Brothers. Web.
The Last of the Mohicans Movie Poster. 1992.
Photograph. Collider. Web. 1 Jan. 2014.
The Lone Ranger. Dir. Gore Verbinski. Perf. Armie
Hammer and Johnny Depp. Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture, 2013. Film.
The Lone Ranger. 2013. Photograph. The Disney Blog.
Comp. John Frost. Web. 1 Jan. 2014.
The Lone Ranger. 2013. Photograph. Variety. Comp.
Peter Debruge. Web. 1 Jan. 2014.