Lit Review Short Selections

William Wordsworth

English poet born in 1770, key Romantic figure.

Cumberland

Region in England, birthplace of Wordsworth.

Childhood Loss

Wordsworth lost both parents early, affecting him deeply.

Hawkshead School

School where Wordsworth appreciated nature and education.

St. John's College

Institution where Wordsworth felt competitive disillusionment.

Revolutionary France Tour

1790 walking tour, influenced Wordsworth's political views.

French Revolution Impact

Significantly influenced Wordsworth's early poetry themes.

Common Themes

Nature, human experience, emotional sincerity, industrial critique.

Romantic Movement

Cultural movement emphasizing emotion, nature, individualism.

Emotional States

Nostalgia, joy, melancholy, connection to nature expressed.

Literary Techniques

Imagery, personification, simple language in poetry.

Nature's Role

Nature as a living entity, educating and inspiring.

Personal Experiences

Influenced Wordsworth's perspectives on life and society.

Sympathy for Revolutionaries

Wordsworth aligned with revolutionaries' social equality struggles.

Disenchantment with Studies

Competitive atmosphere at college detracted from nature appreciation.

Lake Poets

Group of poets in Lake District, early 19th century.

Main Themes of Lake Poets

Beauty of lakes, nature, man

Byron's Criticism

Criticized Lake Poets for narrow scope and politics.

Wordsworth's Lifespan

Lived from 1770 to 1850.

Lake District's Influence

Geographic residence and inspiration for Lake Poets.

Cohesive Vision

Lake Poets shared themes but varied in style.

Allegiances with Revolutionaries

Wordsworth supported revolutionary ideals during his travels.

Impact of Industrialization

Wordsworth critiqued societal changes due to industrial growth.

Lake Poets

Group of poets sharing geographic location and themes.

William Wordsworth

Major figure in Romantic poetry, known for nature themes.

Lyrical Ballads

Work marking the start of the English Romantic movement.

Nature in Romanticism

Emphasis on beauty, inspiration, and emotional connection.

Common language

Wordsworth's use of vernacular for accessibility in poetry.

Themes of Wordsworth's poetry

Nature, individual imagination, social ethics, materialism critique.

Petrarchan sonnet

14

Octave in sonnet

First eight lines presenting a problem or situation.

Sestet in sonnet

Last six lines offering resolution or reflection.

Wordsworth's major works

Includes 'Tintern Abbey' and 'I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud'.

Response to Enlightenment

Wordsworth opposed scientific rationalization, favoring emotional connection.

Societal critique

Wordsworth challenged aristocratic norms and materialism.

'The World Is Too Much With Us'

Critique of materialism and disconnection from nature.

Emotional sacrifice

'Sordid boon' reflects loss of genuine connection.

Connection to common folk

Wordsworth valued authentic experiences over aristocratic perspectives.

Industrialism critique

Wordsworth's poem addresses humanity's disconnect from nature.

Moral guidance from nature

Nature serves as inspiration and ethical compass.

Influence on Romantic movement

Lake Poets emphasized emotion and individual experience.

Common folk in poetry

Focus on everyday experiences and relatable subjects.

Wordsworth's poetic style

Contrast with elevated language of previous poetic styles.

Nature's portrayal

Nature depicted as a powerful force shaping understanding.

Key message of Wordsworth

Return to valuing nature over material pursuits.

Wordsworth's emotional connection

Deep connection with nature and individual imagination.

Octave

Introduces themes of discontent and alienation.

Sestet

Expresses longing for reconnecting with nature.

Iambic Pentameter

Five feet of unstressed

Proteus

Sea god symbolizing nature's mystery and beauty.

Triton

Messenger of the sea, depicted with a conch trumpet.

Petrarchan Sonnet

Structure: octave followed by a sestet.

Shakespearean Sonnet

Structure: three quatrains followed by a couplet.

Volta

The turn in a poem indicating resolution.

Alienation from Nature

Theme highlighting humanity's disconnect from the natural world.

Industrial Revolution

Historical context influencing the poem's themes.

Materialism

Focus on material goods over appreciation of nature.

Sordid vs. Boon

Juxtaposition highlights loss of wonder vs. material gain.

Elegiac Quality

Lamenting the disconnect between humans and nature.

Alliteration

Repetition of consonant sounds enhancing musical quality.

Imagery

Vivid descriptions evoking sensory experiences in poetry.

Classical Allusions

References to mythology inviting deeper reflection.

Nostalgia

Emotional longing for a past connection with nature.

Emotional Tone

Sets the mood reflecting feelings of loss.

Primitive Belief System

Desire for spirituality aligned with nature.

Human Construction vs. Nature

Imagery contrasting human

Theme of Nature vs. Materialism

Significant conflict in Romantic poetry.

Yearning

A deep desire for connection with nature.

Loss of Wonder

Humanity's diminished appreciation for nature's beauty.

Theme

Explores tension between beauty and industrialization.

Industrial Revolution

Shift towards urbanization critiqued by Romantic poets.

Rydal Mount

Wordsworth's home from 1813 to 1850.

Romantic Era

Period emphasizing emotion, nature, and individualism.

Significance of Rydal Mount

Wordsworth's residence where he deepened nature connection.

Apostrophe

Literary device addressing a figure not present.

Greek Gods Allusion

Poseidon/Neptune symbolize nature's vastness and lost connection.

Personification of the Sea

Described as a woman, suggesting nurturing qualities.

Society's Relationship with Nature

Concern over disconnection causing emotional suffering.

Mother Nature Symbolism

Represents nurturing aspects of nature in Romantic poetry.

Lorna Dee Cervantes

Significant poet exploring cultural identity and feminism.

'Freeway 280' Themes

Dislocation and identity in urban landscapes.

Chicana Poet

Award

Cervantes' Heritage

Parents of Mexican and Native American Chumash descent.

Language Restriction

Forbidden to speak anything but English at home.

Language Concerns

Parents worried about prejudice against Spanish speakers.

Cervantes' Poetry Themes

Identity, feminism, cultural heritage, and social justice.

Cervantes' Poetry Focus

Captures complex Latinx experiences in the U.S.

Teaching Career

Taught at colleges across California, Colorado, Texas.

Pablo Neruda's Influence

Strong impact on Cervantes' life and poetry.

Other Influences

Maya Angelou, Phillis Wheatley, Gwendolyn Brooks influenced her.

Cervantes' Role

Prominent figure in the Chicana community.

Chicana Poetry

Poetry advocating for Latinx cultural representation.

Lorna Dee Cervantes

Prominent Chicana poet and activist.

Poet

Activist

Class

Consciousness

Accessible Style

Writing style aimed at bilingual speakers.

Freeway 280

Semiautobiographical poem about urban barrio life.

Emplumada

Collection published in 1981 containing 'Freeway 280'.

2017 Round Table

Cervantes participated in Mexico City discussion.

William Wordsworth

Romantic poet noted for class