Emotion recollected in tranquility

Definition

Emotion recollected in tranquility refers to the process of reflecting on intense feelings after the initial emotional experience has passed, allowing for a deeper understanding and more profound expression of those emotions. This concept emphasizes the Romantic ideal of introspection and the importance of personal experience in art, highlighting how artists transform raw emotion into thoughtful creativity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The phrase 'emotion recollected in tranquility' was popularized by poet William Wordsworth, who believed that reflecting on emotions leads to greater clarity and artistic expression.
2. This idea contrasts with immediate emotional reactions, suggesting that time allows for more thoughtful contemplation and refinement of feelings.
3. In Romantic literature, this process often involves nature as a catalyst for emotional experiences, where solitude can enhance reflection.
4. Writers like Wordsworth and Coleridge used this technique to craft poetry that resonated deeply with readers, conveying complex emotions through carefully chosen language.
5. The concept underscores the belief that true art arises from the combination of raw emotion and thoughtful reflection, making it a hallmark of Romantic literature.

Review Questions

• How does the idea of 'emotion recollected in tranquility' differentiate between immediate emotional experiences and artistic expression in Romantic literature?
  • 'Emotion recollected in tranquility' emphasizes the importance of reflection after experiencing strong emotions. In Romantic literature, immediate emotional responses can be chaotic or fleeting, whereas recollection allows writers to distill those feelings into a more profound artistic expression. This distinction is crucial as it highlights how poets like Wordsworth transformed raw feelings into structured works through introspection.
• Discuss how nature plays a role in the concept of 'emotion recollected in tranquility' within Romantic poetry.
  • Nature serves as a vital backdrop for many Romantic poets who practiced 'emotion recollected in tranquility.' It provides a serene environment that encourages introspection and contemplation of one's emotions. Through their encounters with nature, poets are often inspired to reflect on their feelings more deeply, allowing them to express complex emotions effectively in their work. This relationship underscores the Romantic ideal of finding beauty and truth in both nature and emotional experience.
• Evaluate the impact of 'emotion recollected in tranquility' on the development of Romantic poetry and its legacy in contemporary literature.
  • 'Emotion recollected in tranquility' significantly shaped the landscape of Romantic poetry by establishing a framework for emotional depth and artistic sincerity. By advocating for reflection on feelings, poets created a new way to engage with both personal experience and broader human emotions. This legacy continues today as contemporary writers draw from this practice to create works that resonate on a personal level, ensuring that themes of introspection and emotional exploration remain central to literature.

Related terms

Romanticism:

An artistic and intellectual movement that emphasized emotion, individualism, and the glorification of nature, often as a reaction against the rationalism of the Enlightenment.

Sublime:

A concept in Romantic literature that describes experiences that inspire awe and wonder, often through nature or art, leading to a deep emotional response.

Introspection: The examination of one's own thoughts and feelings, a key element in the Romantic era that encouraged self-reflection and personal insight.