Question
How did the American Civil War convince many Americans to turn away from the themes and forms of the Romantics?
It revealed the harsh realities of human existence.
It led Americans to discount emotions as sources of wisdom.
It demonstrated that acts of courage were futile.
It inspired Americans to work together more closely.
It revealed the harsh realities of human existence.
It led Americans to discount emotions as sources of wisdom.
It demonstrated that acts of courage were futile.
It inspired Americans to work together more closely.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The American Civil War significantly influenced American thought and literature, leading many to turn away from the themes and forms of the Romantics primarily because **it revealed the harsh realities of human existence.**
While Romanticism often celebrated idealism, nature, and individualism, the profound suffering and societal upheaval caused by the Civil War exposed the grim realities of life, leading to a more realistic, sometimes pessimistic, view of human nature and existence. This shift paved the way for literary movements such as Realism and Naturalism, which focused on depicting life accurately and often highlighted the struggles and challenges faced by individuals in a societal context.
While Romanticism often celebrated idealism, nature, and individualism, the profound suffering and societal upheaval caused by the Civil War exposed the grim realities of life, leading to a more realistic, sometimes pessimistic, view of human nature and existence. This shift paved the way for literary movements such as Realism and Naturalism, which focused on depicting life accurately and often highlighted the struggles and challenges faced by individuals in a societal context.