John Lennon the RomanticImagine. The word itself leads us to faraway places beyond reality, surreal places that envelop the mind. Imagination was the element that was missing from the music industry until the 1800s, the Romantic era. This era created the illusion of freedom and a 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 embraced an entire nation. In all elements of the romantic word, the non-conformist Lennon made it his priority to develop the spirit of individualism. John Lennon described the true meaning of romanticism, the freedom to give voice to passions, fears, love and desire. Lennon's poetically political ideas, harmonized in music during 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.” /Live for today. (Lennon, John. “Imagine”) “Imagine there is no heaven – was an outrageous challenge, a much more direct challenge to organized religion,” Blaney said. (Blaney 59). The essence of these words screamed freedom and passion. John Lennon balked at the very nature of organized religion and the images it suppressed. Until his death on December 8, 1980, he maintained his perception of transcendence and the likelihood that humanity could improve further in this mystical concept in the context of philosophy and traditions. Religion was one of John Lennon's many romantic indulgences. “Imagine there's no country/It's not hard to do/Nothing to kill or die for/and no religion too/Imagine the whole middle of......paper... ...aimed at promoting peace, despite the criticism he faced. (Blaney 310) Just as Jean Jacques Rousseau demanded that "the taboos and artificialities of civilization be put 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 infer that John's work reflects the era of Romanticism and that perhaps the best summary would be "Imagine." Works cited by Wold, Milo, Gary Martin, James Miller and Edmund Cykler. “Chapter 10.” An introduction to music and art in the Western world. Boston, MA: 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 history of a rock star. New York: Peter Lang, 2004 Lennon, John. "Imagine". Imagine. Ascot Sound Studios, July 1971