Romanticism, according to the Bedford, “a broad and general term (like classicism, with which it is often contrasted) referring to a set of beliefs, attitudes, and values associated with a shift in Western culture that was characterized by a reaction against Enlightenment rationalism and an emphasis on emotion, innovation, nature, the individual, and subjective experience…”
In the novel Meridian written by Alice Walker, the titular character, Meridian displays a vast amount of the characteristics of Romanticism. She goes against the traditional way of things, always finding herself in odd predicaments and hard situations. At a young age she is engaged in a sexually active relationship, where it eventually leads into her getting married to her high school boyfriend and having to leave school early, due to becoming pregnant. With leaving school and having this child, Meridian was starting a full life very early on, one which she knew she hadn’t wanted. She and her husband end up getting divorced, giving the child up for adoption, so that she can take advantage of the opportunity of college, also breaking the norm.
Upon starting college, Meridian meets Truman Held, introducing another aspect of Romanticism, one which is love that is destructively passionate. Throughout the entire novel, Meridian expresses deep love for Truman, trying to show him that she cares for him, while his main goal seems to capture her intellectually and also sexually. After they have sex for the first time, Meridian becomes pregnant but decides to get an abortion to avoid the same pain she has already suffered from her first child. She also decides that it’s best to not tell Truman of the abortion. Soon after, Truman comes to her, proclaiming his love, and stating that he wants her to have his beautiful black babies, destroying Meridian’s spirit and angering her. Years later Truman marries a white transfer student who was friends with Meridian, and he seeks Meridian’s help and wishes to be close with her again. Throughout Meridian’s entire story, we are being thrown scenes of Truman, almost all in which are negative. Their love is that of pure destruction, almost always causing Meridian heartbreak and sorrow.
Another key factor in Romanticism found in Meridian is that