Romanticism and Poetry Analysis Study Guide

Individualism, intuition, and idealism are the core ideals characterizing the Romanticism era.
Gothic literature emerged during this period, showcasing elements that are dark, mysterious, and harkening to horror.
Romantics held a deep reverence for nature while simultaneously fearing its destruction.
- This fear indicates the contrasting relationship between humans and nature during the Romantic Period.
Transcendentalism is a movement that:
  - Advocates for trusting an individual’s thoughts and intuition.
  - Believes in the spiritual connection among all individuals.
  - Rejects previous materialism and philosophical traditions.

A prevalent theme in the poem “The Raven” is the idea that grief can lead a person to madness.
Internal Rhyme is illustrated in the line:
"But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping."
Edgar Allan Poe employs allusions to reference other texts known to his readers, such as “Balm of Gilead.”
His use of consonance creates a soothing auditory effect as demonstrated in the line:
"But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling."

In Emily Dickinson's poem “Hope is the thing with feathers,” anaphora appears at the beginning of lines with the repetition of the word “that”:
"That could abash the little Bird / That kept so many warm -."
The narrative suggests that the storm must be troubled to want to embarrass the little bird, exemplifying personification.
Dickinson employs a metaphor by equating hope to a bird, highlighting the fragile yet enduring nature of hope.

In Walt Whitman's poem “O Captain! My Captain!”, an extended metaphor compares the victorious return of a ship to the tumultuous events surrounding the Civil War and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
- This metaphor relates to the overarching theme of loss and victory.
Juxtaposition is used through contrasting images: the triumphant ship’s return versus the captain's death, which emphasizes thematic depth.
The phrase “For you the flag has flung” uses alliteration with the repetitive sound of the ‘f’ at the beginning of words.
There is a distinct rhyme scheme that contributes to an uplifting musical quality in the opening stanzas, transitioning to words that rhyme with 'dead', signaling a stark finality.

Fireside poets created accessible poetry for Americans, often shared for entertainment around the fireplace.
In the poem “Old Ironside,” the sentiment expressed is that the ship should not be dismantled, proposing it should rest at the ocean.
The poem “The Tide Rises and the Tide Falls” utilizes repetition through the refrain “And the tide rises, the tide falls,” emphasizing the cyclical nature of life.
The speaker in “I Broke the Spell That Held Me Long” articulates the struggle of trying to cease writing poetry, only to discover inspiration drawn from the beauty of nature, reinforcing the connection between poetry and nature.

“The Devil and Tom Walker” functions as an allegory imparting moral lessons regarding:
  - Shortcuts to success
  - Hypocrisy
  - Greed
The narrative also qualifies as satire, aimed at critiquing two significant societal institutions:
- Marriage
- Religion
The character Tom Walker, developed by Washington Irving, makes a pact with the Devil for treasure, highlighting themes of moral conflict and temptation.