This document provides an overview of American Romanticism and its influence on Victorian mourning customs in the 19th century. It discusses how Romanticism emphasized nature, individualism, and rejecting traditions from the past. These ideals manifested in mourning rituals like spirit photography and memorial photography that celebrated the individual. The document also examines how public displays of grief today reflect American Romanticism through "walls of grief" that allow for sharing personal memories and photos.
26. The Fatal Wedding by Gussie L. Davis The wedding bells were ringing on a moonlit winter's night The church was decorated, all within was gay and bright. A woman with a baby came and saw the lights aglow, She thought of how those same bells chimed for her three years ago. I'd like to be admitted, sir, she told the sexton old Just for the sake of baby to protect him from the cold. He told her that the wedding was only for the rich and grand, And with the eager watching crowd, outside she'd have to stand. While the wedding bells were ringing, While the bride and groom were there, Marching up the aisle together, While the organ pealed an air; And tales of fond affection, Vowing never more to part, Just another fatal wedding, Just another broken heart.
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32. Visitors started leaving personal tributes and mementos, and in so doing, public grief became not only acceptable for the first time in decades, but to some extent expected . The Wall became a place where we (perhaps) could return to our American Romantic roots.
33. 9-11 tribute Columbine Oklahoma City And so, the WALL – wherever it may be – legitimizes and facilitates the act of publicly displaying grief.
34. What is perhaps most remarkable about this photo is that the chain link fence has been added outside the entrance to the Official Oklahoma City Memorial …the memorial itself may not be sufficient for public grieving.
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