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DATA REPORT
(American Literature: Romanticism and the Gothic)

Passed by:
FUDERANAN, JONALYN BRONIL
AUTENTICO, ANGELICA MARIE
REAPOR, ROSARIO

Passed to:
Ms. Jennyfer Toledo
Survey of English and
American Literature Instructor
I. INTRODUCTION TO ROMANTICISM AND AMERICAN GOTHIC
The 19th century was a time of great literary movements, with Romanticism and
American Gothic being two of the most significant. Both movements were born out of a
desire to break away from traditional literary conventions and explore new forms of
expression.
● Romanticism emphasized individualism, imagination, emotion, and nature.
❖ developed as a response to the Neoclassicism and formal
orthodoxy of the earlier era
❖ distinguished by liberation from the authority, forms, and
conventions typical of Neoclassical literature

● American Gothic focused on dark and supernatural themes that explored the
Puritan legacy of America's past.
❖ a homegrown set in uniquely American settings: the frontier and
suburbia
❖ possess darker elements and wilderness prior to its culture and
history.

IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING THESE TWO:

● Understanding the historical context: Both Romanticism and American Gothic
emerged during a time of great social, political, and economic change. By
studying these movements, we can better understand the cultural and intellectual
climate of the time.
● Appreciating literary and artistic traditions: Romanticism and American Gothic
have had a profound influence on literature, art, and culture. By studying these
movements, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the works that were produced
during this time period.
● Examining the human condition: Romanticism and American Gothic explore
universal themes such as love, death, and the supernatural. By studying these
movements, we can gain insights into the human condition and the ways in which
people have grappled with these issues throughout history.

FAMOUS AUTHORS IN ROMANTICISM AND AMERICAN GOTHIC

II. WASHINGTON IRVING

Known as the Father of American short story, biographer, historian and diplomat.
He is also known as Dietrich Knickerbocker, Jonathan Oldstyle, and Geoffrey Crayon.
He garnered awards especially in honor of ‘Hall of Fame (1900)’
Some of his notable works were: “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van
Winkle”
WASHINGTON’s WRITING STYLE
● Imagery and Symbolism- He uses these to show his readers the issues he had
with the world and to urge the readers to be imaginative and think about various
perceptions.
● Comical Tone- Most of his stories add a comical inclination to appear more
interesting and likes to break barriers by joking as people back then take it
seriously.

SUMMARY OF THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW

It is set in the small town of Sleepy Hollow, New York, and follows the story of Ichabod
Crane, a schoolteacher who becomes enamored with a wealthy young woman named
Katrina Van Tassel. However, Ichabod's hopes of winning Katrina's heart are threatened
by the local legend of the Headless Horseman, a ghostly figure who is said to haunt the
town and terrorize its residents.
As Ichabod becomes more and more obsessed with Katrina, he begins to experience
strange encounters with the Headless Horseman, who seems to be pursuing him
through the dark and eerie woods surrounding Sleepy Hollow. Eventually, Ichabod
disappears without a trace, and the townspeople are left to wonder whether he was
abducted by the Headless Horseman or simply fled in fear.
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is notable for its blend of humor, horror, and romance,
as well as its vivid descriptions of the natural landscape and cultural traditions of early
America. It has been adapted into numerous films, television shows, and other media
over the years, and remains a beloved and enduring classic of American literature.

SUMMARY OF RIP VAN WINKLE

It tells the story of a man named Rip Van Winkle, who lives in a small village in the
Catskill Mountains of New York. Rip is a kind and good-natured man, but he is also lazy
and avoids doing any work that he can.
One day, while wandering in the mountains, Rip comes across a group of mysterious
men who are playing a game of ninepins. He joins in and drinks some of their liquor,
which causes him to fall into a deep sleep. When he wakes up, he finds that everything
around him has changed. His beard has grown long, his clothes are old and tattered,
and the world around him is vastly different from the one he knew before.
As Rip tries to make sense of what has happened to him, he discovers that twenty
years have passed since he fell asleep. His wife has died, his children have grown up
and moved away, and the world has changed in countless ways. Despite his confusion
and disorientation, Rip eventually learns to adapt to his new life and finds a measure of
happiness in his solitude. "Rip Van Winkle" is notable for its themes of change, loss, and
the passage of time. It is also known for its vivid descriptions of the natural landscape
and cultural traditions of early America.
III. EDGAR ALLAN POE
Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer, poet, and literary critic born in Boston in
1809. He is known for his dark, mysterious, and macabre tales that explore themes of
death, madness, and the supernatural.
Poe's literary career began in the early 1820s when he started publishing his
poetry and short stories. Some of his most famous works include "The Raven," "The
Tell-Tale Heart,","The black cat", "Annabel Lee" and "The Fall of the House of
Usher."

EDGAR ALLAN POE’s WRITING STYLE AND THEMES

● Edgar Allan Poe's writing style is characterized by its dark and ominous tone,
intricate plot structures, and vivid use of language. Poe's writing is also notable
for its use of symbolism and allegory, which add layers of meaning to his stories
and poems.
● One of the recurring themes in Poe's work is the exploration of the human
psyche. Many of his stories feature characters who are tormented by their own
thoughts and emotions, ultimately leading to their downfall.
● Another common theme in Poe's work is death, which he often depicts as a
mysterious and terrifying force.
● Poe is also known for pioneering the genre of detective fiction with stories such
as "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" and "The Purloined Letter."

𝗘𝗗𝗚𝗔𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗡 𝗣𝗢𝗘'𝗦 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗨𝗦 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦

THE RAVEN
✓The Raven" is a poem by 19th-century American poet Edgar Allan Poe. It is noted for
its musicality, styled language, and supernatural atmosphere.
✓It is considered a classic example of Gothic literature and has been widely analyzed
and interpreted by scholars and readers alike.
✓"The Raven" is a poem about a man who is heartbroken over the recent death of his
beloved Lenore. As he passes a lonely December night in his room, a raven taps
repeatedly on the door and then the window

THE BLACK CAT

✓The Black Cat, written by Edgar Allan Poe and published in 1845. It remains one of
his most mystifying and horrifying tales as the narrator confesses and recounts macabre
past events prior to his imminent execution.
✓The story is noted for its exploration of psychological horror and the theme of guilt, as
well as its use of symbolism and suspenseful storytelling. It is considered a classic
example of Poe's style of Gothic literature and has been widely studied and analyzed by
scholars and readers alike.

ANNABEL LEE
✓Annabel Lee" is the last complete poem composed by American author Edgar Allan
Poe. Like many of Poe's poems, it explores the theme of the death of a beautiful
woman.
✓"Annabel Lee" is considered a gothic literature because it contains elements of the
gothic genre, such as supernatural and macabre themes. Additionally, the use of
repetition and rhyme in the poem creates a haunting and melancholic tone, which is
another characteristic of gothic literature.
Synopsis:
✓The poem's narrator describes his love for Annabel Lee, which began many years
ago in a "kingdom by the sea". Though they were young, their love for each other
burned with such intensity that even angels were envious. Every night, the narrator
dreams of Annabel Lee and sees the brightness of her eyes in the stars. Every night the
narrator lies down by her side in her tomb by the sea.
✓The name Annabel Lee emphasizes the letter "L", a frequent device in Poe's female
characters such as "Eulalie", "Lenore", and "Ulalume".