Final answer:
American Gothic Literature typically embraced darker themes of horror and the supernatural, contrasting with the idealism and nature-inspired self-expression of American Romantic Literature. Both movements sought to establish a distinct American literary identity but diverged in their perspectives on the American experience.
Step-by-step explanation:
American Gothic Literature and American Romantic Literature represent two distinct movements in the history of American literature. Gothic literature in America took inspiration from its European predecessors, featuring dark visions, portrayals of nightmares, and often delving into the supernatural. In contrast, American Romantic literature was characterized by an emphasis on the freedom of self-expression, inspiration from nature, and a reflection of American values and landscapes.
Romantic writers like Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson crafted a new form of poetry that broke away from earlier styles, emphasizing free verse and individualism against the backdrop of the American landscape. Meanwhile, Gothic writers such as Edgar Allan Poe embraced darker themes, exploring the human psyche and elements of horror. Although both movements emerged from a desire for a uniquely American literary voice and evolved in parallel to the nation's cultural and social changes, Gothic literature often questioned the optimism and idealism of Romanticism, unveiling the eerie and macabre beneath the surface of American life.