For many of you, reading and writing are not your "cup of tea", but in the American Romance unit, reading becomes interesting and writing simply goes along. American Romanticism was a new period that was born in the revolution of the British Romantic Period. Romanticism is a twist on the ideals of the Puritans. It does not focus on religion and faith, but on emotions, freedom, love of nature and the intuition of the individual. It also includes the following characteristics: supernatural events, imagination, awareness of the past, and belief that people have natural rights (democracy). Romanticism, by far, was one of my favorite periods in American literature taught by Mrs. Thornton. One of the pieces we read and analyzed in depth was "The Devil and Tom Walker" by Washington Irving. In this story we read that “the devil presided” in the town where Tom and his greedy wife live (Irving 1). This is a supernatural event, knowing that the devil can only send defenders. Another example of Romanticism is awareness of the past. This is shown when the narrator talks about where Tom came home. He or she states that it “had been one of the strongholds of the Indians during their early wars with the settlers” (Irving 4). As a trait of Romanticism, individualism can be positive or negative. Used negatively in this selection, Tom says, "'Let's take the property,' he said, firmly to himself, 'and try to do without the woman.'" (Irving 34). Although this work seems more out of the ordinary and very dark for Romanticism, "The Devil and Tom Walker" was a great way to get into Romanticism for students who were just learning Romanticism. Even though Irving's story captured us and...... half of the paper....rne 13). This textual evidence shows an awareness of the past. A sense of insight can also be found when Dr. Heidegger says, “You should work out some general rules to guide you, when you pass through the dangers of youth a second time” (Hawthorne 19). It seemed to me that he was foreshadowing the “dangers” his friends were about to face. There are many examples of romance throughout the story that can be interpreted into more than one characteristic. For example, the topic “whether water was magic or an illusion”. One side might say that the water was fake because the mirror showed a grandmother being fought over by three grandfathers. On the other hand, he could prove it real by making the rose in the water come back to life. Evidence is key every time you argue. As long as you can find someone to support you, you're good. A counterargument is just plain fun.