The Romantic period in American history was significant in terms of the art that was produced. This period in history represented a shift toward experimentation and new ideas regarding the different aspects of art that were created in relation to the changes that defined this era. As opposed to one specific type of literature that held the most importance during this time, a wide range of different types of writing rose to popularity. This period in history brought forth new artists that shared their unique abilities with the nation and set a precedent for following artists to follow in regard to the diversity of their individual work. The contrast between different types of compositions can be seen in the different writing styles of authors
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Their work related to human nature and the mistakes that make humans who they are. Overall, this type of literature reflects negatively on the human population and society in general because it brings values and human behavior into questioning. For example, in Poe’s “The Pit and the Pendulum,” the pendulum symbolises death and its imminent arrival in life. This showcases the darker elements of his writing and the depths in which he explores different aspects of life and human nature. Nathaniel Hawthorne also touches on this transition to darker literature with his work in “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment.” Hawthorne centers his writing around the faulty way in which humans tend to never learn from their mistakes. Washington Irving has a similar approach to Hawthorne’s focus on repeating mistakes; however, Irving’s central focus in “The Devil and Tom Walker” is based on human values and morals. His main character Tom Walker is dramatized to criticize a number of things in today’s society and human nature like: greed, religion, and moral values. The overwhelming desire for wealth drives Tom to make a deal with the devil. He feels no remorse for the murder of his wife or the loss of his property which criticizes the selfish and greedy behavior that humans
Their work related to human nature and the mistakes that make humans who they are. Overall, this type of literature reflects negatively on the human population and society in general because it brings values and human behavior into questioning. For example, in Poe’s “The Pit and the Pendulum,” the pendulum symbolises death and its imminent arrival in life. This showcases the darker elements of his writing and the depths in which he explores different aspects of life and human nature. Nathaniel Hawthorne also touches on this transition to darker literature with his work in “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment.” Hawthorne centers his writing around the faulty way in which humans tend to never learn from their mistakes. Washington Irving has a similar approach to Hawthorne’s focus on repeating mistakes; however, Irving’s central focus in “The Devil and Tom Walker” is based on human values and morals. His main character Tom Walker is dramatized to criticize a number of things in today’s society and human nature like: greed, religion, and moral values. The overwhelming desire for wealth drives Tom to make a deal with the devil. He feels no remorse for the murder of his wife or the loss of his property which criticizes the selfish and greedy behavior that humans