The Enchantment of American Romantic Literature

What is the meaning of the devil archetype in American romantic literature?

A. the greed, cruelty, and dishonesty of society B. the religious beliefs and fears of Puritan society C. the romantics' fascination with the supernatural D. the society’s beliefs about heaven and hell

Answer:

The correct answer is C. the romantics' fascination with the supernatural.

American romantic literature often portrayed the devil archetype as a symbol of the romantics' fascination with the supernatural. During the Romantic period, writers were drawn to topics such as the mysterious, unusual, and mystical. As a result, the devil archetype in American romantic literature represented the romantics' interest in exploring themes beyond the natural world.

Authors like Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne incorporated elements of the supernatural into their works, using the devil archetype to add intrigue and depth to their stories. Through characters like the devil, these writers explored themes of temptation, sin, and the unknown, captivating readers with tales of mystery and intrigue.

Overall, the devil archetype in American romantic literature symbolized the romantics' fascination with the supernatural and their desire to delve into the realms of the mysterious and unexplained.