Page  1 William Cullen Bryant 李乾中

Page  2 William Cullen Bryant BiographyContributionMasterworksThemeStyle Outline

Page  3 Biography Born on November 3, 1794 Bryant developed an interest in poetry early in life Entered William college in Massachusetts Wrote Thanatopsis published in North America Review He studied law in Worthington In 1825, became a lawyer In 1827, he became editor with the New York Evening Post In 1829, he became the editor-in- chief Died on June 12, 1878, New York City

Page  4 Contribution Brought the romantic movement into American literature with his poem Thanatopsis He also holds an important place in literature as the earliest American theorist of poetry Translated the Iliad (( 伊利亚 特 )1870) and the Odyssey （奥德 赛） ( ) Majesty of nature in a style that was influenced by the English romantics A devout supporter of Lincoln. Fight for political and social reforms, aspired as abolition of slavery

Page  5 WHO???  A lawyer  An excellent editor for 50 years  The first American romantic poet the first American lyric poet of distinction One of American earliest naturalist poets He was the first American to gain the stature of a major poet. As Irving had shown that American prose had come of age, so Bryant demonstrated to European readers that American poetry was ready to demand serious attention.

Page  6 Who??? A translator : translating the Iliad ( 伊利亚特 ) and the Odyssey ( 奥德赛 ) into English blank verse 伊利亚特 奥德赛 As a editor, Bryant supported the cause of journalism as free speech, free trade As a supporter of Lincoln, he advocated to abolish slavery. As a writer, Bryant was an early advocate of American literary nationalism, and his own poetry focused on nature as a metaphor for truth,which established a central pattern in the American literary tradition

Page  7 Masterworks The Embargo 禁运 (1808) a satirical poem in reaction against Jefferson’s trade restriction (13 years old) Thanatopsis (Greek, meaning “ view of death) 死亡随想曲 (1817),which brought him the first success. (16 years old) Poems (1821), the first collection consisting of 8 famous poems, such as To a Waterfowl, Thanatopsis, The Yellow Violet Thereafter, he established his position in the history of American literature. He published six volumes ( ) The Fountain (1842) 温泉 The White-footed Deer (1844) 白蹄鹿 The Flood of Years (1878) 似水流年 A Forest Hymn (1860) 森林吟唱

Page  8 Masterworks To a Waterfowl is perhaps the peak of his work. Matthew Arnold, the eminent English critic and poet, called it "most perfect brief poem in the language." Thanatopsis --his best-known poem, was in large part written in 1811 when he was only 16 years old. Richard Henry Dana, remarked on seeing the manuscript that no one on America was capable of writing such verses.

Page  9 His Writing’s Theme writes about the beauty of brooks, trees and flowers 1. The beauty and harmony of nature as a source of solace, joy, and escape nature as a metaphor for truth. He writes about the beauty of brooks, trees and flowers 2. The dignity of humanity 3.The sacredness of human freedom 4.The power and beneficence of God

Page  10 Style First, conventional in subject and style Later, transition towards romanticism His poetry has been described as being "of a thoughtful, meditative character, and makes but slight appeal to the mass of readers” Bryant is acknowledged as skillful at depicting American scenery but his natural details are often combined with a universal moral, such as God guides human being through depicting the waterfowl.

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