(1780 – 1830)

the individual
feeling, emotion, soul instead of reason and the mind
idea of the self

French Revolution, 1789:
liberté, egalité, fraternité

simple life
nature (pure, uncorrupted)
the noble savage
Brothers Grimm: fairy tale collection
folksongs and folk poetry

focus on night rather than light
also darker emotions, passions, insanity
the metaphysical
originality, imagination, phantasy
newness
 

Rousseau
(1712 – 1778)

critique of social institutions
importance of nature and feeling
value of the inner life
 

Autobiography

written by the subject about him/herself
emphasis on developing self
often: mental crisis and recovery,
discovery of identity and vocation

St. Augustin, Confessions (14th cent.)
Wordsworth, The Prelude
Benjamin Franklin
…
question of reliability:
systematic development of a self-image?
creation of a mythology of self?
posing / acting?
self-glorification?
 

Memoir

emphasis on people known and events witnessed
 

Diary / Journal

day-to-day record of events