John Lennon, the RomanticImagine. The word in itself leads to distant places, beyond reality, surreal places that envelop the mind. Imagination was the component that was missing in the music industry until the 1800s, the Romantic era. This era created the illusion of freedom and the demand for a new interpretation of humanity and nature (Wold et al 243). John Lennon was the leader of this interpretation. As a master lyricist, John incorporated a musical style that spanned a nation. In every element of the word, romantic, the maverick Lennon made it a priority to develop the spirit of individualism. John Lennon embodied the true meaning of Romanticism, the freedom to give voice to passions, fears, love and desire. Lennon's poetically political ideas harmonized in music throughout his tumultuous life create a compelling connection to the central themes of the Romantic era. “Imagine there's no heaven / It's easy if you try / No hell below us / Above us only heaven / Imagine all the people / Living day to day.” (Lennon, John. “Imagine”) “Imagine there was no heaven – it was an outrageous challenge, a much more direct challenge to organized religion,” Blaney said. (Blaney 59). The essence of these lyrics screamed freedom and passion. John opposed the very nature of organized religion and the imagery it stifled, until his death on December 8, 1980, he maintained his perception of transcendence and the likelihood that humanity could further empower itself religion was one of John Lennon's many romantic indulgences. document ......aimed at promoting peace, despite the criticism it faced. (Blaney 310) Just as Jean Jacques Rousseau demanded that “the taboos and artificialities of civilization be cast aside” (Wold et al 243), John Lennon constantly forced himself and others to accept, change, and reject pre-existing systems. In conclusion, I am forced to deduce that John's work reflects the Romanticism era and perhaps the best synopsis would be "Imagine". Works Cited Wold, Milo, Gary Martin, James Miller, and Edmund Cykler. "Chapter 10." An introduction to music and art in the Western world. Boston Massachusetts: McGraw-Hill, 1996. 240-267. Print.Blaney, John. John Lennon: listen to this book. Toronto: John Blaney, 2005.Makela, Janne. John Lennon Imagined: The Cultural Story of a Rock Star. New York: Peter Lang, 2004Lennon, John. "Imagine". Imagine. Ascot Sound Studios, July 1971