1. Romantic Poet (1794-1878)

2. Romanticism  One can learn lessons from the past  The imagination and intuition should be trusted and honed  Natural world and inner emotions are connected  Nature is revered and respected as a reflection of inner-thoughts  Romantics focused on independence/the individual – they would not appreciate a strong government

3. William Cullen Bryant  Believed in the ‘common man’ and Romantic possibilities of American Life

4.  Has been called “The Father of American Poetry”  Most of his poems were written before he was thirty years old  Bryant was an observer of nature, and believed in the Romantic notion that nature had a spiritual and moral meaning

5. Bryant’s Poetry  “To a Waterfowl” examines the connection between the natural world and the spiritual world of the imagination  Lessons the speaker learns in “To A Waterfowl”: 1) Never give up until your goal is reached 2) have faith that you will be guided 3) Even though at times we appear lost, everything works out in the end  * Note the rhyme scheme!!!!!  Theme: “All who wander are not lost”

6. Thanatopsis  “Thanatopsis”, one of Bryant’s most well-known works, was written when he was only seventeen.  “Thanatopsis” means ‘a meditation on death’  Throughout the poem, Bryant conveys many comforting thoughts about death:  1) Everyone goes back to the earth 2) When we die, we become part of the cycle of life 3) Earth is a wonderful tomb  Theme> If one lives life to the fullest, one will be comforted even at the hour of their death

7.  Questions on both these poems will appear on the Midterm examination  As we read the poems, circle words you may not understand, and paraphrase sections as we discuss them.