Romanticism: A Very Short Introduction
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Author Description
What is Romanticism? In this Very Short Introduction Michael Ferber answers this by considering who the romantics were and looks at what they had in common -- their ideas, beliefs, commitments, and tastes. He looks at the birth and growth of Romanticism throughout Europe and the Americas, and examines various types of Romantic literature, music, painting, religion, and philosophy. Focusing on topics, Ferber looks at the 'Sensibility' movement, which preceded Romanticism; the rising prestige of the poet; Romanticism as a religious trend; Romantic philosophy and science; Romantic responses to the French Revolution; and the condition of women. Using examples and quotations he presents a clear insight into this very diverse movement, and offers a definition as well as a discussion of the word 'Romantic' and where it came from. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
What defines the complex cultural and intellectual movement known as Romanticism? Michael Ferber, a scholar of English literature and Romanticism, synthesizes historical data and aesthetic theory to provide a concise framework for understanding the movement's origins, core beliefs, and diverse manifestations across Europe and the Americas. He argues that Romanticism is best understood not as a monolithic entity, but as a multifaceted response to the Enlightenment and the socio-political upheavals of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Historical analysis of the transition from the Sensibility movement to Romanticism.
- Examination of Romanticism across diverse disciplines including literature, music, painting, religion, and philosophy.
- Analysis of the movement's engagement with the French Revolution and the changing status of women.
- Primary source quotations and illustrative examples of Romantic thought.
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide an exhaustive encyclopedia of every Romantic artist or work.
- It does not offer a singular, definitive definition that satisfies all academic interpretations of the term.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and readers frequently highlight this text as an accessible, high-level overview suitable for students and interested laypeople. The prose is noted for its clarity and ability to condense vast intellectual history into a manageable format.
Page Count:
169
Publication Date:
2010-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191614262
ISBN-13:
9780191614262
Philosophy
History
Literary Criticism
Art History
Humanities
Romanticism
