17. 19TH CENTURY AMERICAN POETS

What is Romanticism in American poetry?

emphasizes emotion, nature, individualism, and imagination. It focuses on the sublime and the spiritual in nature and is a reaction against the rationalism of the Enlightenment.

What are key features of Edgar Allan Poe’s poetry?

• Dark themes, gothic elements, psychological depth, and eerie atmosphere.

• Famous works: "The Raven," "The Tell-Tale Heart," and "The Black Cat."

• Poe explored guilt, madness, and terror, often through unusual situations and melancholic themes.

What are the main themes in Emily Dickinson’s poetry?

• Themes of love, grief, existential contemplation, and death.

• Uses nature imagery and explores spiritual themes.

• Her work is a mix of Romanticism, transcendentalism, and realism.

What is Transcendentalism in American poetry?

• A philosophical and literary movement that emphasizes intuition, the divine in nature, and the inherent goodness of people.

• Major figures: Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.

• Believed in self-reliance, personal growth, and a deep connection with nature

What are the key ideas of Ralph Waldo Emerson?

• Thoreau's "Walden" explores the theme of simple living in natural surroundings.

• Encourages rejecting materialism and finding wisdom in nature.

• Focuses on introspection and individual growth.

How does Walt Whitman define his poetry?

• Whitman is known as the father of free verse.

• His poetry celebrates individuality, democracy, and human spirit.

• Famous works include "Leaves of Grass" and "O Captain! O Captain!"

What defines Realism in 19th-century American poetry?

Answer:

• Realism focuses on everyday life and ordinary people, often with a critical perspective.

• Reaction against the idealized nature of Romanticism.

• Example: Walt Whitman’s "Leaves of Grass"

What is the role of Boston Brahmins in American poetry?

• A group of intellectuals in 19th-century Boston, including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and James Russell Lowell.

• Known for their aristocratic background and influence on American literature through Atlantic Monthly.

What is Longfellow’s contribution to American poetry?

• Longfellow wrote famous ballads like "Evangeline" and "The Song of Hiawatha."

• His poetry often expressed optimism and the American spirit, focusing on idealism and hardworking virtues.

How did Oliver Wendell Holmes contribute to American literature?

• Famous for his humorous essays and light verse.

• Known for "Autocrat of the Breakfast Table" and poems like "The Deacon's Masterpiece."

• Also a vocal critic of Puritan Calvinism and anti-Calvinist themes

What was James Russell Lowell’s role in American poetry?

• Known for political poetry, especially "The Biglow Papers" which critiqued the Mexican War and supported the North during the Civil War.

• Later became a renowned literary critic.

What is the significance of John Greenleaf Whittier’s poetry?

• Whittier was a strong supporter of Abolitionism and used poetry to criticize slavery.

• Famous work: "Snow-Bound" which describes the Whittier family’s time trapped by a snowstorm.

How did Emily Dickinson’s life influence her poetry?

• Lived a reclusive life, mostly writing from her home in Amherst.

• Her work often reflects themes of isolation, death, and spiritual questioning.

What is the difference between Romanticism and Transcendentalism in American poetry?

• Romanticism: Focuses on emotion, individualism, nature’s sublime, and the mysterious or dark side of life.

• Transcendentalism: Focuses on intuition, the inherent goodness of people, spiritual connection to nature, and self-reliance.

What are the key characteristics of Romanticism in American poetry?

• Romanticism emphasized imagination, emotional intensity, and a connection to nature.

• Poets focused on individual expression, often exploring the darker or more mysterious aspects of life (e.g., death, guilt, the supernatural).

• Nature was seen as a reflection of the self or the sublime, often evoking awe and wonder.

How did Edgar Allan Poe’s work influence American poetry?

• Poe is credited with helping to define American Gothic literature, influencing both poetry and short stories.

• His emphasis on the psychological, and his use of meter and rhyme, set a standard for creating emotional and eerie atmospheres.

• His use of symbolism, especially in "The Raven", is still studied today as a masterclass in mood and tone.

What is the relationship between nature and transcendentalism?

• nature is not only a source of inspiration but a direct connection to the divine.

• For transcendentalists like Emerson and Thoreau, nature is a vehicle for self-discovery and a reflection of the higher truths of the universe.

• The natural world represents purity and spiritual enlightenment, unlike the corruptions of society.

What are the major differences between the Brahmins and other literary movements?

Answer:

• The Brahmins were a group of educated and aristocratic writers, mainly from New England, who believed that Boston was the intellectual center of the U.S.

• They were highly influenced by European literary traditions and focused on refined and elegant styles.

• In contrast to the Romantic and Transcendentalist poets, the Brahmins often embraced conventional, formal structures and focused on themes like idealism and national identity.

How did the Boston Brahmins contribute to American intellectual life?

• The Brahmins played a significant role in shaping American intellectual and literary culture, especially through their involvement in The Atlantic Monthly, which influenced U.S. literature and thought for decades.

• They also made important contributions in history, education, and social issues, with figures like James Russell Lowell and Oliver Wendell Holmes producing work that spanned poetry, essays, and critical thought.

How did Realism influence American poetry in the late 19th century?

• Realism was a reaction to the idealism and emotional intensity of Romanticism, focusing on portraying ordinary lives and everyday experiences.

• Realist poets like Walt Whitman embraced the lives of working-class individuals and celebrated the diversity of the American people.

• The shift to free verse, as seen in Whitman’s work, was a break from traditional poetic forms, marking the beginning of modern American poetry.