Whom did the Romantics celebrate?

• A. The teacher and professor.
• B. The journalist and editor.
• C. The urban planner and industrialist.
• D. The farmer, the Native American, the wilderness man.

Answer: (D)

Romanticism in American literature centers on nature, emotion, and the individual, pushing back against urban life and industrial progress. The farmer embodies agrarian virtue and a simple, honest life in harmony with the land. The Native American figure is often idealized as having a deep, spiritual connection to the earth and a freer way of living outside modern institutions. The wilderness man represents independence and courage in untamed landscapes. Together, these figures symbolize a counterpoint to city, commerce, and mechanized progress that Romantics deemed alienating, prioritizing authentic experience, imagination, and a deep reverence for nature.

That’s why the option describing the farmer, the Native American, and the wilderness man is the best fit. The other choices align with urban professionals or industrial advancement, which Romantic writers critiqued or moved away from in favor of nature and frontier ideals.