Romantic Revolution in America

The Romantic Revolution in America examines the shift from rationalism to romanticism in American thought and literature during the early to mid-1800s. Parrington traces this transformation through analysis of key writers, philosophers, and cultural movements of the era. The book explores how European romantic ideals were adapted and reimagined in the American context, particularly through transcendentalism and the works of Emerson, Thoreau, and their contemporaries. It details the evolution of American intellectual life as the nation moved away from its colonial origins toward a more distinct cultural identity. Through extensive historical research and literary analysis, Parrington connects the romantic movement to broader social and political changes in American society, including reform movements and evolving views on democracy, nature, and individualism. The work stands as a foundational text in understanding how American romanticism shaped the nation's literature and thought, influencing cultural perspectives that would persist well beyond the 19th century. Its examination of the interplay between European and American ideas reveals complex patterns in the development of American intellectual traditions.

This book appears to have very limited online reader reviews and discussion, making it difficult to provide a meaningful summary of reader opinions. The 1927 literary history text by Parrington has few ratings on Goodreads or other review platforms. Based on academic citations and references, readers value Parrington's analysis of American romantic writers and his placement of their work within social and political contexts. His focus on democracy and individualism in American literature resonates with academic readers. Some readers note the dated writing style and interpretations from a 1920s perspective as limitations. Available Ratings: Goodreads: No ratings Amazon: Not listed for sale/review WorldCat: No reader reviews Note: The limited online discussion of this book makes it challenging to provide comprehensive reader sentiment. Most commentary appears in academic works rather than consumer reviews.

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🌟 The book was published posthumously in 1927, after Parrington's sudden death while playing tennis at his summer home in Harbour, Maine. 📚 This work is Volume 2 of Parrington's landmark trilogy "Main Currents in American Thought," which won the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1928. 🎓 Parrington developed his critical framework for analyzing American literature while teaching at the University of Oklahoma, where he was fired in 1908 for supporting Democratic political candidates. 🔄 The book challenges the traditional view of American Romanticism by emphasizing its social and economic roots rather than purely artistic influences. 🌿 Parrington's analysis connects American Romantic literature to Jeffersonian agrarian ideals, presenting writers like Emerson and Thoreau as intellectual descendants of Jefferson's democratic vision.