Summarize the Argument of Lilian Furst Romananticism - PowerPoint Presentation Example

Order 338808 Power Point Presentation-Summarize the arguments… Introduction The efforts of the scholars to define romanticisms in its entirety have resulted in confounding the confusion. Its content is changing with the changing times. As per Lilian R. Furst’s observation, “Romantic’ was not, therefore, from its inception a term of artistic criticism; it denoted fundamentally a turn of mind that looked favorably on things of an imaginative and emotional kind.” Each thinker sees a new horizon and lays emphasis on a particular color, if romanticism is compared to a rainbow. 1. To define romanticism is to defile romanticism. Scholars have attempted to define romanticism but have failed to give its connotation in is entirety. Some thoughts on the subject of definitions are: Lilian R Furst: “An artistic movement as deep, as many-faceted, and, incidentally, as long-lived as Romanticism had to manifest itself in any number of directions, and it is fundamentally this that confounds the task of definition.”(p.6) Jacques Barzun: “Unfortunately, definitions of romanticism already exist by the dozen and have remained without effect. One reason is that definition is not enough. We must also have a clear conception of the many proper uses to which a comprehensive term of this sort can be put.”(p.3) 2. Intrinsic romanticism is alive and kicking. Intrinsic romanticism is as old as humanity. It will never disappear, for it is a human constant. Human beings live in the era of materialistic civilization. Man is bent upon conquering nature and believes that he has to wage a permanent war with it. Camaraderie has given place to mutual suspicion and cutthroat competition. This is the reality. Realism is critical, but romanticism can as well be the new vision, the future hope for ushering a benevolent era. 3. The attitude of the modern man versus the nature. “Modern man does not experience himself as a part of nature but as an outside force destined to dominate and conquer it.”(Schumacher, p.11) He feels elated to announce and conduct a battle with the nature in an effort to improve the standard of living of human beings without applying proper thought. He is cutting the branch of the tree on which he is sitting. We live in a society that has drastically narrowed our sensitivity to moral and spiritual issues; the problem we face is how to deal with a belief structure that has blocked both psychological and spiritual development. If there is a new agenda, a new vision now emerging within our society, how might one help put it into practice? 4. The spread of Romanticism-it grew like the octopus. Romanticism spread like the octopus. It began in Germany and England in the 1770s. It engulfed European countries quickly. Its musical form found the global presence soon. It left deep impact in every area, politics of the time, aspirations of the people and in some countries it became the voice of the revolution. It impacted and transformed fiction, drama, poetry, sculpture, paining and all forms of concert music and ballet. 5. Romanticism in literature-the contribution of Shakespeare. Shakespeare is one of the greatest writers in the field of romanticism. His writing mean different to people of different nations. For the Englishmen, he is the greatest classical writer. Germans found his writing explosive. His callous attitude towards classical rules fascinated Germans. The writings are the same. But its perspective varies between groups. “In the light of the distinctions here proposed, intrinsic romanticism, is that of the particular individual,” (Barzun, p.17) is liable to varied assumptions. Furst also quotes Shakespeare and records, “Romanticism is the art of offering people the literary works likely to give them the greatest possible pleasure, having due regard to the habits and beliefs of the time. Classicism, on the other hand, offers them the literature that gave the greatest possible pleasure to their great-grandparents.”(p.9) 6. Intrinsic romanticism- a sense of clarity and fulfillment derived from a balance of skill and challenge. “In-depth interviews with 40Australian writers have revealed interesting commonalities in their experience of the highs and lows of the writing life. Many of these writers report a childhood development of the deep intrinsic motivation needed to reach a state of ‘flow’ where self consciousness disappears and action and awareness merge.”(PDF Writer’s….) There exists a unique force/power within an individual to seek out, workout intermission and reach his goal at creative activity. Intrinsic romanticism needs to be understood in the context of a particular individual. But it also puts one on further enquiry. “If romanticism regards the individuals as valuable, then we must find elsewhere the theory that glorifies the single-minded group, and produces the oppressed, collectivized, regimented nation.”(Barzun, p.6) In this age of materialistic civilization deeply impacted by industrial and internet revolutions, several practical questions come to the fore. New modes of revolutions in the area or social and culture are taking place. The question posed is whether Romanticism is native to the human mind or is it an aberration. 7. The role of intrinsic and extrinsic factors of motivation and creativity. In intrinsic motivation the propelling force for the work is, the work itself. The doer involves in the process of work for self-satisfaction, without expecting any definite rewards. The challenge of the process of activity is involving and it is a source of personal challenge. Extrinsic motivation depends on external incentives like evaluation, competition etc. People with intrinsic motivation perform better than those who are primarily motivated by extrinsic factors. 8. The Romantic Movement, not the definition of it, demands detailed examination. Furst states, “Romantic Movement is the culmination of that long process of change, and if we wish to grasp is essential meaning, we must look to its essential meaning, we must look to its evolution rather than to a slick catch-word of definition.”(p.14) Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations in relation to romanticism are not water-tight compartments. In some instances extrinsic motivation gives rise to positive effect on creativity. “ “Intrinsic motivation is conducive to creativity, controlling extrinsic motivation is detrimental to creativity, but informational or enabling extrinsic motivation can be conducive, particularly if initial levels of intrinsic motivation are high”.(PDF. Writer’s ….) 9. The concept and connotation of Romanticism found new meanings as per the demands of time. Some the examples of ‘schools of romanticism’ are The Gothic Romanticism, Medievalism that began in the 18th century. Gothic romance produced literature strong and irrational emotions and of sentiments of affection. The other aspects are sorrow and romantic longing, the contribution of Rousseau, mysticism and exoticism, transformation of religion with many interpretations about God, devil, angels and demons, individualism and nature, Victorianism, etc 10. Romanticism takes within its umbrella many counter-movements. It is a live subject, amenable to may types of interpretations as per the time and situational demands. Particularly the internet revolution has taken the communication systems to unprecedented extent and the resultant social and cultural churning process, poses practical questions. “Is Romanticism native to the human mind or is it an aberration?” (Barzun, p.2)The related counter-movements are Realism, Impressionism, Neo-classicism, etc. Many diametrically opposed movements co-exist with each other. For example the die-hard naturalism in novels and movies co-exists with outspoken and blatant romanticism. Both find supporters. Romantic tastes have been the recurring feature of the twentieth century. 11. Romanticism and philosophy-The objective and subjective aspects. “Philosophically romanticism represents a shift from the objective to the subjective. Science claims to describe the objective world, the world understood from no particular viewpoint.” (Romanticism…..)The external world is the creation of our mind and it is liable to change. Mind is nothing but a bundle of thoughts. When the thoughts are changed, the mind is changed. Changed mind tries to conceive and arrives at new interpretations of the things coming to its contact. The ideas of self-realization and those relating to nature are the culmination of the romantic emphasis on the individual. Salvation is achieved through solitary individual efforts and no support of the political movements is necessary for it. Rather political movements are incapable of providing anything to the individual in such endeavors. ************** Works Cited. Barzun, Jacques. Classic, Romantic, and Modern-Phoenix Book University Of Chicago Press. 1975 Furst, Lilian R. Romanticism. Methuen & Co. London. 1969. 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