Revolution and Romanticism in Europe and America Essay

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Introduction

Romanticism is referred to the form of intellectual and artistic movement rooted from the 18th century. This period was formed in accordance with such concepts as classical correctness freedom in art, rejection of social conventions, and strong imagination. It should be noted that Jean-Jacques Rousseau is considered to be the father of Romanticism; the philosopher’s considerations were based on balance and harmony, rationality and idealization, combining the features of Neoclassicism.

Main Text

The analysis of romanticism presentation on the basis of Rousseau’s theory is to be reflected through the atmosphere of French revolution period. The thinker supported the idea of individual self-fulfillment; special stress was given to authority system opposition allowing individual rights freedom. Rousseau highlighted the causes of human evil; according to his ideas, evil comes from personal selfish interests developed by people, rather than from the very sin. Rousseau touched the aspect of Christianity form, stating that Protestant Deism seeks ‘simple and pure religion of the Gospel’. (Lawall, and Mack, 654)

Romanticism of Rousseau appeared to be close to the approach of ‘primitivism’, characterizing the period of 18th century. It is necessary to stress that this irrational system was merely promoted by Communists; Rousseau followed its ideas under the impact of environmental movements. The disclosure of Romanticism views was demonstrated through the desire of democratic absolutism promotion.

The thinker strived to demonstrate his rejection against physical materialism and rationalism which characterized the period of the 18th century. It is necessary to stress that Rousseau managed to emphasize the imaginative, irrational, spontaneous, visionary and subjective; special stress was given to the exaltation of the reason over the intellect. It is necessary to highlight the idea that Rousseau strived to outline the role of creative spirit, both in art and politics. The thinker stressed the importance of church in social life; he could not find complete coincidence of his personal considerations with the views of the Enlightenment period. (Lawall, and Mack, 654)

The epoch of Romanticism reflected the importance of inner struggles within the person; the philosopher underlined the imagination concept as the key gateway to the experience and internal development of the individual. Much stress was given to political development of the state, especially after the period of revolution. The promotion of democratical view appeared to be mixed with philosophical freedom characterizing the epoch. Rousseau stressed the place of romantic primitivism which was closer to his romanticism presentation; despite the fact that this movement was followed by the thinker only from the beginning of the 20th century. Nevertheless, the ideas developed by the thinker appeared to be the significant contribution to philosophical views of other scholars.

Conclusion

The analysis of romanticism through Rousseau’s theory disclosed the main featured of this movement and characteristics of the 18th century. Besides, the analysis reflected the elements of primitivism; the views developed by Rousseau were not similar to those of the period, though the central idea of democratic freedom remained in the history as the start to human liberalization. (Lawall, and Mack, 655)

References

Lawall, S. N. and Mack, M. The Norton Anthology of World Literature, Volume E: 1800 to 1900. 2nd Edition. 2001. 651-658.

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