The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis, is an example of Romanticism. This work of literature rejects reality in order to inspire fantasy. The idea that a group of children could step into a wardrobe in a dreary mansion, and then step out into an enchanted forest is illogical. The illegitimacy of the story is irrelevant because it’s purpose is not to be true. It’s purpose is to inspire minds, and create fantasy. Which is the main goal of Romanticism. The novel contains many of the common themes found in romanticism. One such theme is nature. The children leave a dreary man made wardrobe and enter a natural wonderland. The wardrobe is described as boring and smelling of mothballs, while Narnia (the enchanted wonderland) is described with wonder and awe. This goes along with the romantic concept of nature being more pure than man made things. Another romantic theme found in the novel is the glorification of youth. The main characters in the novel are children. All of the children are seen as wiser than adults because they are more pure. The youngest of the children, Lucy, is seen as the wisest because she has the purest heart and imagination. This is an example of the romantic idea that innocence goes hand in hand with wisdom. Examples of Romanticism are peppered throughout the book, but the most resonant to me is the children's relationship to Aslan, the hero character. Aslan's reputation as a hero is so powerful that he is able to change the children's perception at the first mention of his name. "Perhaps it has sometimes happened to you in a dream that someone says something to you which you don't understand but in the dream it feels as if it had some enormous meaning—either a terrifying one which turns the whole dream into a nightmare or else a lovely meaning too lovely to put into words, which makes the dream so beautiful that you remember it all your life and are always wishing you could get into that dream again," (Lewis 67-68).This is the children's reaction upon merely hearing Aslan's name. The Romanticism surrounding the hero is so potent, that it has the power to change perceptions through blind faith.
Now You See Me: Connection
The movie, Now You See Me, is another example of romanticism. The main focus of romanticism is to trick the mind in order to make illusion appear to be reality, this is the same focus of magicians. The movie consists of four magicians doing many complicated magic tricks. These magic tricks are not real or logical however people believe them. Through illusion, the magicians are able to create magic in people’s imaginations. This is the greatest feat to romantics. Even though none of their tricks are real, they are still real heroes. Due to their creation, these magicians (The Four Horsemen) are seen as heroic geniuses. Just like the creators in romanticism are seen as heroic and wise.
Identical: Connection
The novel, Identical, by Ellen Hopkins is another literary example of romanticism. The novel’s main character, (or should I say characters) has split personality disorder. For most of the novel she believes she is two people, herself and her deceased twin sister. This illusion is shattered at the end of the novel when the reader discovers that she took on her sister’s identity after a fatal car crash. In order to preserve her sister and her sanity, she took on her identity. "That's what I'll be. A silhouette, rarely seen, and yet believed in," (Hopkins 565). This is an example of romanticism because illusion creates a new reality. In this case, a reality where the main character and her sister are still alive. Reality, reason, and logic give way in this novel for imagination. Because the main character believes her sister to still be alive, the reader believes it. Her imagination is creating a new reality for herself and the reader. (I won’t tell you their names so that if you want to read the book you can at least guess which is actually alive and which is not.)
Peter Pan: Connection
The novel, Peter Pan, by J.M. Barrie is another literary example of romanticism. The hero of the novel, Peter Pan, is a child who whisks three children away to Neverland. The novel is an example of Romanticism because it uses fantasy to mask reality. The romantic themes of nature, youth, individuality, heroism, and nostalgia can all be found in the novel. The children leave reality in London, to travel to a natural fantasy land called Neverland. London is described as gray and dreary, while Neverland is colorful and magical. In London, children have to accept reality and grow up. In Neverland, children get to hold on to their youth forever. Youth is seen as precious, which is a concept that is linked to romanticism. The hero of the novel is Peter Pan. He is seen as a hero because of his reputation as the boy who never grows up. This reputation gives him individuality. "All children, except one, grow up," (Barrie 7). His everlasting youth makes him a hero to children, and to Wendy in particular. At the beginning of the novel, Wendy is being forced to accept reality and grow up. Her parents are forcing her to do so because that is what society has conditioned them to do. Mr. and Mrs. Darling (her parents) are seen as corrupt adults, while their children are seen as wise and pure. Peter Pan whisks the children to Neverland to protect their purity and innocence. Nostalgia is another link to romanticism. Through Peter’s obsession with youth, he is stuck living in the past and avoiding the future. The past is glorified while the future is seen as bleak. This is because the past can be manipulated by time. Memories can change, and thus change the past. The future on the other hand, is a big scary question mark. It can not be manipulated or controlled by the imagination. Controlling the imagination is the core of Romanticism.
Sausage Party: Connection
The movie, Sausage Party, is an example of Romanticism because the characters buy into a belief solely based on emotion. The movie centers around food in a supermarket. The different food based characters all worship, “the food Gods.” They believe in these gods because of the traditional song and worship practiced in the store. The artistry and creation of the music inspire them all to be faithful servants, in the hope that they get chosen by a shopper. It is believed that when food leaves the store it goes to “the great beyond,” a wonderful place for food. In actuality, there is a terrible fate awaiting them in “the great beyond,” they get eaten. That is the reality, food gets eaten. There is nothing that can change that, but it is too bleak for many to accept. So instead of accepting reality, they choose to give meaning to their lives through faith. This is the basic concept of Romanticism, focusing on emotion rather than reason.
What are some other works that connect to Romanticism?
Are you familiar with any of these works? If so, which one(s), and what did it create for your imagination? If not, which one would you be most inclined to read/watch, and why?
Sources Used
Barrie, J. M. Peter Pan. :Great Britain: ,Hodder & Stoughton, 1995. Print.
Hopkins, Ellen. Identical. New York: Margaret K. McElderry, 2008. Print.
Lewis, C. S., and Pauline Baynes. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. New York: HarperCollins, 1994. Print.
Now You See Me. Dir. Louis Leterrier. Perf. Dave Franco, Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Isla Fisher. 2013. Web.
Sausage Party. Dir. Conrad Vernon. Perf. Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Michael Cera. 2016.