My books still aren’t organised. 

Back in March, I unexpectedly had to move my entire house within a month. Quick was the word, so when I took my books out of their boxes in the new place, they first went on counters and tables. When the shelves arrived, they were shoved on willy-willy; I’d set aside a weekend soon enough to set them straight. 

Only, the year is almost over. . . and that hasn’t happened yet. But the disorganisation of my bookshelves is the whole reason this post was written, so it just goes to show you that sometimes even the annoying things can turn out to have a positive impact. 

The other day, I darted out into the living room to grab A Wrinkle in Time, which I’ve been meaning to read for years (I know, I know). The only problem was, I couldn’t find it. I knew it was somewhere out there, but this was for my pre-bedtime reading, so I didn’t have all the time in the world to look. When I scanned the shelves and didn’t see it, I instead grabbed the first thing to spark my interest: the Norton Anthology of English Literature.

Right about now, you’re probably wondering two things. One, why I have a textbook on my bookshelf, and two, why I picked it up for my bedtime reading. For the answer, allow me to take you back to my college days for a brief moment. I tried for an English minor that didn’t work out because my Music Ed major required too many hours, but I didn’t regret taking my English classes for one moment. I learned so much about writing, storytelling, and yes, literature—and my favourite class of all was Romantic European literature. My Norton Anthology textbooks from that class are some of the only ones I didn’t sell after I was done with them. I mean, why would I go buy a poetry anthology when I already had one with all the best authors and poems in it? 

Over the years, I’ve enjoyed perusing through the pages of the anthology and discovering new authors. Call me an English nerd and a bookworm all you want, but the classics aren’t just for the literary-minded; they’re for everyone, and they’re especially for writers! Just because you fell asleep in high school English class doesn’t mean that literature is actually boring. It’s anything but! I don’t know a single person who hasn’t laughed when I’ve read them “No, Thank You, John” by Christina Rossetti or been instantly captivated when I’ve quoted “The Tyger” by William Blake. The Romantics influenced literature so much that you’d be surprised at how relevant their works are today.

So, whether you’re an English scholar or have never even heard of Wordsworth, take a dive into the past with me, and let’s learn about the many valuable lessons the Romantics can teach us about writing. 

What Is Romanticism?

Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat: Romantic is a period of time. The word romantic with a little “r” is what refers to romance. Romantic works are not romantic—not inherently, anyway. “Romantic” is just the word used for a time period when authors used a lot of emotion and vivid imagery in their writing, from the late 18th through early 19th century before Queen Victoria’s reign. 

Most of all, the Romantic period was a stark rejection of Classicism. The Classical period—think Homer and Plato—was characterised by strict structure, rigid rules, and very limited subjects that echoed all throughout the centuries that followed. Romanticism sought to break away from all these restrictions, allowing for individual freedom of expression. But, ironically, Romanticism also harped on nostalgia, glorifying simpler past times. It presented social critiques and commentary on the politics and morality of the day. Put all of that together, and you have works full of emotion and passion that criticise the present and long for times past. The raw feeling in these works is often what captivates people. 

Does any of this sound familiar? It should, because Romanticism had a massive impact on the literary world that can still be felt today. Because of what the Romantics did, we encourage writers’ individual expression and have broken free from any one rigid form of story.

Examples of Romantic European Literature 

I can describe the Romantics all I want, but you won’t truly understand the greatness of these works until you read them for yourselves. Here’s “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth, one of the most celebrated Romantic poets. While you read this, I encourage you to really pay attention to the imagery and emotion:

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

“I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth

What did you notice about the style? What did you admire? What did you not like? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

You’ll also recognise famous authors like Jane Austen, Mary Shelley, Lord Byron, Victor Hugo, and Emily Brontë from the Romantic period. Works such as Frankenstein, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Pride and Prejudice, and Wuthering Heights are all considered Romantic. 

What Can Writers Learn from Literature? 

Vivid Settings 

. . . Breathless with adoration; the broad sun
Is sinking down in its tranquility;
The gentleness of heaven broods o’er the Sea;
Listen! the mighty Being is awake,
And doth with his eternal motion make
A sound like thunder—everlastingly. . . .

From “It is a Beauteous Evening, Calm and Free” by William Wordsworth

Settings are underrated nowadays, but a book stands out when an author does them well. Settings can greatly enhance the story world and develop the plot and characters. They make all the difference in transporting your readers right into the story world.

Characters’ Emotions

Do you think I am an automaton? — a machine without feelings? and can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup? Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! — I have as much soul as you — and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh: it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God’s feet, equal — as we are!

From Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Romantic literature often showcases how passionate emotions can override rational thought. Too often nowadays, I see authors who make their characters rational all the time because they don’t put themselves in the characters’ shores. Delving into a character’s emotions is the first step in creating memorable characters—and creating memorable characters is the first step in telling a memorable story!

People don’t want to read about characters doing exactly what they’re supposed to do. We want to read about human beings filled with flaws and emotions. A book isn’t engaging unless it’s filled with emotion!

The Dark Side

. . . And yet I am, and live—like vapours tossed 

Into the nothingness of scorn and noise, 
Into the living sea of waking dreams, 
Where there is neither sense of life or joys, 
But the vast shipwreck of my life’s esteems; 
Even the dearest that I loved the best 
Are strange—nay, rather, stranger than the rest. . . .

From “I Am!” by John Clare

Romanticism was one of the first movements to explore the depth of the human psyche. Many Romantic works delve into dreams, unconsciousness, and the darker side lurking within us. 

Never forget that humans are flawed; everyone has dark, deep inner thoughts at one point or another. Tapping into this idea of the little-revealed parts of people’s souls can add depth to your characters. 

Creative Freedom 

If Romanticism said, “You can write what you want,” then why can’t you? Even though there are all sorts of ways to tell a story—Hero’s Journey, Save the Cat, Freytag’s Pyramid, etc.—don’t get locked into a set of rules. There are good storytelling practices, yes, but ultimately, you need to use your own creativity in conjunction with them. Find the balance and break free to tell your own unique story. 

Invaluable Lessons from the Past

No matter who you are or where you’re at in your writing journey, you can learn so much about writing from the Romantics. There’s a treasure trove to be found in these stories even apart from the takeaways I already listed. Get rid of the notions that these works are boring or outdated and give them a try. You’ll be surprised by how much you enjoy them! And the great thing is that these books and poems are public domain, so you can look them up anytime. 

So, the next time you need motivation or want to learn a little something new, give the Romantics a try. I can almost guarantee you’ll come away with a golden nugget of inspiration!

Happy writing!
—E.J.

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