Study Guide on Emerson (Transcendentalism) and Poe ("The Raven") Vocabulary + Notes w/ dates they were taken on

English 3A - Mrs. O'Brien

(“Nature” Vocab) Sepulchers

grave; tombs; burial places

(“Nature” Vocab) Hieroglyphic

a picture script of ancient Egypt which is difficult to decipher

(“Nature” Vocab) Chamber

a private room, often a bedroom

(“Nature” Vocab) Maugre

in spite of

(“Nature” Vocab) Temperance

restraint; self-control

(“Nature” Vocab) Nymphs

mythological maidens

(“Nature” Vocab) Transcendentalism

philosophy that seeks to transcend (go beyond) the limitations of physical world. Transcendentalist find truth and meaning through spiritual and philosophical pursuits.

(“Nature” Vocab) Transcend

to go beyond limitations.

(“Nature” Vocab") Metaphysical

beyond the physical

(“Nature” Vocab) Connotative

a meaning of a word is the feelings and ideas that people may connect with that word.

#1 Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) Notes from 1/23/25

1.) Born in Boston, Massachusetts

a.) father died at 7 yrs. old and raised by mother (and mother’s family)

b.) sent to Harvard

c.) spent time in Florida, due to health problems

-witnessed slavery, developed anti slavery mindset

2.) Ordained as pastor, returned to Boston

a.) delivered anti-slavery speeches from pulpit

b.) left the church, focused on abolitionist efforts

3.) 1836, began the “Transcendentalist club”

#2 Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) Notes from 1/23/25

4.) 1836 Emerson wrote the essay “Nature”

a.) essay focuses on Transcendental beliefs

b.) essay says nature is a source of personal and spiritual growth

c.) spending time in nature helps a person find his or her inner spirit

d.) in nature, we return to reason and faith (what we think and believe)

e.) egotism vanishes/one begins thinking of other people and things

5.) “I become transparent eyeball, I am nothing, I see all… I am part or particle of God.”

a.) while in nature, one looks inward

-”Who are you? What are you?”

#1 Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) Notes from 1/28/25

1.) Poe’s parents were professional actors in Boston

a.) both parents died by the time he was three years old

b.) raised by foster father, John Allan

c.) attended UVA (never graduated due to Allans’s debt’s)

2.) Joined the Army, admitted to West Point Military Academy

a.) was dismissed due to lack of financial support and began ignoring his duties

b.) relationship with John Alan began to fall apart

3.) Began writing more seriously, moved to Baltimore, MD (lived with his aunt)

a.) wrote short stories, poetry, critical stories

b.) married his cousin, Virginia in 1836 (very common)

#2 Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) Notes from 1/28/25

4.) Virginia’s death, (1847) critics say, contributed to Poe’s dark imagery and repeated themes of loss

a.) became a respected literary critic of current literature

b.) first love was poetry

c.) had many affairs after Virginia, but became increasingly unstable

5.) Died in Baltimore at age 40, cause was never known

6.) Best works include:
Stories: “The Tell Tale Heart,” “The Black Cat,” and “The Masque of the Red Death”

Poetry: “The Raven,” “Lenore”

(“The Raven” Vocabulary) Mood (literary term)

atmosphere created by the author, how the author wants us to feel.

(“The Raven” Vocabulary) Volume

a book.

(“The Raven” Vocabulary) Ember

a small piece of wood or coal on fire.

(“The Raven” Vocabulary) Obeisance

a movement to express courtesy or respect.

(“The Raven” Vocabulary) Pallas

a reference to a sculpture of the Greek goddess Athena, known as the goddess of wisdom.

(“The Raven” Vocabulary) Craven

coward

(“The Raven” Vocabulary) Plutonian

a reference to the Greek god Pluto, a god of the underworld and the afterlife.

(“The Raven” Vocabulary) Quaff

to drink

(“The Raven” Vocabulary) Seraphim

mythical celestial beings, considered the highest rank or level of angels in Christian theology.

(“The Raven” Vocabulary) Nepenthe

a drug or drink believed to cause people to forget sadness and troubles.

(“The Raven” Vocabulary) Gilead

a region in ancient Palestine, referred to in the Bible.

(“The Raven” Vocabulary) Aidenn

a reference to the Garden of Eden.

(“The Raven” Vocabulary) Sucrease

a temporary halt or stopping of action.

(“The Raven” Vocabulary) Entreat

to make an urgent request or to plead with someone/persuade.

(“The Raven” Vocabulary) Beguile

to lead by deception.

(“The Raven” Vocabulary) Decorum

propriety and good taste in conduct or appearance.

(“The Raven” Vocabulary) Drige

a song of hymn of grief or lamentation.

(“The Raven” Vocabulary) Ungainly

having an awkward appearance.

(“The Raven” Vocabulary) Tempest

a violent storm.

(“The Raven” Vocabulary) Countenance

look, expression, composure.