Romantic Writers of 1800s Washington Irving James Fenimore Cooper William Cullen Bryant Edgar Allan Poe

Common Themes for Romantic Writers Nature The Past The Inner World of Human Nature

Romantic Writers Emphasized the beauty, strangeness, and mystery of nature Constantly changing---as human nature changes, so do their views/perceptions of nature

Major Writers Washington Irving James Fenimore Cooper William Cullen Byrant Edgar Allan Poe

Washington Irving Romantic tales of folklore adapted from European legends set in American landscape characterized by American stereotypes that reveals general truths about human nature Nagging wife Battered husband

Old truths (stereotypes) about human nature and possibilities of American landscape (mixes history with fantasy through use of hearsay) Uses humorous tone (satirical at times) but conveys serious message about human values

Notable Works “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” “Rip Van Winkle” Link to Bartleby “Rip Van Winkle” The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. A History of New York…by Diedrich Knickerbocker

Pictured: John Quidor, 1801–81, The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane, 1858, oil

Rip Van Winkle, oil on canvas by John Quidor, 1829; in the Art Institute of Chicago.

“The Devil and Tom Walker” Common folktale about selling soul to the devil “Devil will get his due” Other Devilish Names black man of the forest; black miner; black woodsman; Old Scratch; Mephistopheles; Satan; Diablo; Lucifer

Literary Analysis Be able to provide examples or discuss each of these as they pertain to the tale. Characterization Stock, flat characters Tone Humorous Irony Style Mix of history and hearsay Message about human values

Think-Pair Share Questions Thoroughly summarize the entire story in just 3 sentences. Provide an example of human motivation affecting behavior What words are used to tell events are legend and NOT history? What historical references are used to legitimize the work? Tone/humor/irony What is his “serious” message that is reinforced by the stereotypes? (hint: see commentary)

Irving Homework (answer in your notebook) Pg. 136-questions 2, 5, and 6 a and b

James Fenimore Cooper 1st major American novelist Uses actual events in American history as settings for his novels his characters define their personal values by their experiences in the lawless wilderness Natural view of life is simple and profound

Notable Works Leatherstocking Tales---collection of 5 novels that chronicle life of Natty Bumppo The Pioneers The Last of the Mohicans The Prairie The Pathfinder The Deerslayer Natty Bumppo is literary hero

Literary Analysis Characterization Conflict Theme Round, dynamic character Literary hero Conflict Natty as a product of two conflicting cultures Theme Nature vs. civilization

William Cullen Bryant Poetry reflects Romantic approach to life through imagination and intuition one can learn from Nature great moral and spiritual truths “religion of nature”---natural world is inexhaustible source of moral and spiritual lessons Observations of nature evoke feelings of self in oneself. Father of American Poetry

By living in harmony with nature, man will understand transience (temporary state) on earth accept death rejoice in immortality of nature

Notable Poetry “To A Waterfowl” “Thanatopsis” Apostrophe---direct address to non human object “Thanatopsis” Audio version Randy Pausch Video Homework: watch clip and complete sheet

Poetic Devices Blank Verse Free Verse Caesuras Foot Meter Personification Imagery

Literary Analysis Lesson or truth about life in each poem Sentimentalism

Commentary on “Thanatopsis” Romantics poets were often concerned about: Death Individualism Since death is the final restriction upon the self and its powers, individualism (the power of the self) became an important theme in poetry.

Emphasis of the poetry Romantics emphasized the organic process of constant changes in nature: Every living thing fulfills its appointed life cycle of birth, growth, decay, and death.

Sentimentalism An expression of feeling that is excessive for the subject and becomes an indulgence in the emotion for its own sake. “Thanatopsis” avoids sentimentalizing death because it neither disguises it nor dwells too much upon its sadness. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust mentality

Theme of “Thanatopsis” By living in harmony with nature, and realizing that all must come to an end, rather than fear it, one can come to accept death as a restful sleep If we move away from fear and bitterness about death, then our broader awareness about the “consciousness of time” (life eternal) makes it possible to accept our time on Earth and the natural completion of death.

Poe Romantic view of Nature and the inner self by depicting irrational characters in a grotesque reality Nature’s greater truth = madness

“Poe myth” vs. Poe’s Reality Myth = immoral behavior; fiendish; brutish Reality = life was dull, miserable, dreary, perhaps just unlucky

Accomplishments Most important American poet before Walt Whitman Unreal atmosphere and musical effects influenced French symbolist poets and on all modern poetry Literary critic Credited along with Hawthorne for giving short story it modern form Poe thought a short story should be short enough to be read in one sitting so as to achieve and sustain a single emotional effect Inventor of the detective story

Gothic Elements of Literature Language Everyday language that focuses on nature Repetition Imagery Mystery, horror, violence, grotesque, supernatural

“The Fall of the House of Usher” NOTE: Usher was the name of a couple who took in Poe’s orphaned mother when she was a child; thus, Poe probably considered himself to be of the House of Usher Stop Animation Video

Literary Analysis Read Commentary Be able to find several examples of symbolism Discuss the point of view of the story and the role it plays in the story Discuss specific uses of imagery and the effect of that imagery in the story

Symbols Haunted Palace (allegory) Crack in the foundation of house Picture on the wall Storm

Who is Poe in the story?