Romanticism

In the Short story “The Devil and Tom Walker” there are many examples of the society shifting from the age of reason and classicism to romanticism. They no longer focus on reasoning and order. They appreciate nature and balance. They enjoy art and poetry. They focus a lot on individuality. Nature is one of the elements of romanticism that is displayed the most in the short story. “Tom had long been picking his way cautiously through this treacherous forest; stepping from tuft to tuft of rushes and roots.”  In this case, I feel that the forest is society and its saying tom was sifting through the tough spots of society and straying away from it. It seems to me that Tom is practically the only one at this point trying to physically get close to nature. He seems to be at one with nature, more so than the others. Slowly we start to see the woods becoming symbolic of individualism.  Also, in the short story the characters care about past and legend, just as romantics do. In this story they talk about Captain William Kidd, a pirate. “There was a great amount of treasure buried by Captain Kidd” they base their beliefs around Captain Kidd and what he has done. And, another instance, in “About the year 1727, just at the time that the earthquakes were prevalent in New England, and shook many tall sinners down upon their knees, there lived near this place a meager, miserly fellow, of the name of Tom Walker.”  Also, the characters are very passionate about things whether it is shown through love or hate, it is still passion. “The lonely  wayfayer shrunk within himself at the horrid clamor and clapper clawing; eyed the den of discord askance; and hurried on his way, rejoicing, If a bachelor in his celibacy.” (pg 243) Although this is fighting it still shows passion enough to fight for something. Your individual beliefs and that is what romantics believe. They believe in personal thought and free will. They are the people that stand up for what they believe in.