Page 142 - DENG402_HISTORY_OF_ENGLISH_LITERATURE

Unit 17: The Triumph of Romanticism (Elements of Medievalism, Escapism and Supernaturalism)

What is supernaturalism? It is the belief that events and values require supernatural powers or Notes
authority for their explanation. Natural explanations may be reliable on an immediate level, but
they in turn must eventually require a supernatural cause. According to supernaturalism, a
supernatural order is the original and fundamental source of all that exists. It is this supernatural
order which defines the limits of what may be known.
The difference between these two positions is one of the fundamental differences between atheists
and theists - it is a difference which tends to cause the most disagreement and most friction.
Atheists tend to be naturalists - taking the perspective that this natural world is all there is, all
there is to know, and does not require anything “supernatural” to explain it. Theists tend to be
supernaturalists - assuming that a supernatural realm exists beyond what we see and is necessary
in order to explain our universe.
Supernaturalism is the belief that there are beings, forces, and phenomena such as God, angels or
miracles which interact with the physical universe in remarkable and unique ways. Supernaturalism
is a fundamental premise of theism. Theists by definition hold to a supernaturalistic worldview
which stands in contrast to the atheistic premise of naturalism, which denies the existence of any
supernatural phenomena.
The word supernatural comes from the Latin word super meaning “above” + nature. It should
however, be noted that although some supernatural phenomena may not be perceived by natural
or empirical senses, a great many supernatural events have been witnessed in biblical and modern
times. Numerous events in Earth’s history require a supernaturalistic belief before they can be
correctly understood or interpreted.

17.4 Summary

The generation of a new interest in the middle ages was one of the hallmarks of the
Romantic Movement in England, as in the rest of Europe.
The medievalism of romantic poets was quite different from that of the Gothic romancers
who had earlier shown in their crude Gothic stories new interest in the Middle Ages.
The Lay of the Last Minstrel (1805), Scott’s first important original work, has for its setting
the England-Scotland border of the mid-sixteenth century with all its feuds and sugges-
tions of magic and mystery.

17.5 Keywords

Escapism : Escapism is mental diversion by means of entertainment as an
"escape" from the perceived unpleasant or banal aspects of daily life.
Supernaturalism : Supernaturalism, a belief in an otherworldly realm or reality
that, in one way or another, is commonly associated with all forms
of religion.

17.6 Review Questions

1. What is difference from the Gothic Romancers?
2. What is Coleridge and Scott? Explain.
3. What is Escapism? Explain.
4. What is supernaturalism? Explain.

Answers : Self Assessment
1. beauty 2. futurism 3. Coleridge
4. Keats 5. jailers

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