Light & Dark Romanticism
The American Renaissance - Unit 4 Review
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I. Background
1. Changes in US and growing democracy?
During the American Renaissance, industrialization and democratic ideals grew, inspiring a focus on individualism in literature.
2. Reason Fireside Poets so popular?
The Fireside Poets, like Longfellow and Bryant, wrote accessible poetry on family, patriotism, and nature, appealing to a wide audience.
3. Despite Dark Romanticism, nation’s mood in mid-1800s?
The 1800s held optimism due to growth but also a darker side with issues like slavery, leading to both hopeful and darker themes in literature.
4. Traits of Light Romanticism (LR) and Dark Romanticism (DR)? Origin of Gothic term?
LR celebrates nature, individualism, and beauty. DR explores human nature’s darker aspects, sin, and the supernatural. "Gothic" originated from architecture, applied to literature with eerie or mysterious elements.
5. DR’s impact on US society today?
Dark Romantic themes of psychological depth, the supernatural, and the macabre influence modern horror, thriller, and Gothic fiction.
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II. Literature
1. “A Cross of Snow” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Cross symbolism? Represents grief and Longfellow's mourning for his wife.
How poem atypical for HWL? Reflects personal sorrow, unlike his usual optimism.
2. “The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls” by H.W. Longfellow
How poem’s sound reflects subject? The rhythmic repetition mirrors the tide's ongoing nature.
Overall message about life? Life is fleeting, but nature persists.
3. “A Psalm of Life” by H.W. Longfellow
How our lives affect others? Encourages living a purposeful life to inspire others.
Belief about afterlife? Suggests leaving a lasting impact beyond one’s physical life.
4. “from Deerslayer” by James Fenimore Cooper
Problem with novel’s tone/content? Critics find it overly romanticized or unrealistic.
Critical opinion of JFC’s work? Adventure praised, but often criticized for stereotypes and idealized Native American portrayals.
5. “Where I Lived, What I Lived For” by Henry David Thoreau
Motivation to live by Walden Pond? Thoreau sought a simple life to find life’s essence.
Reason for leaving Walden? Left to experience other aspects of life and personal growth.
6. “The Oval Portrait” by Edgar Allan Poe
Important contrasts? Contrasts beauty with mortality, art with life.
Ambiguous ways artist’s wife dies? Poe leaves it unclear if the artist’s obsession with painting causes her death.
7. “from Typee” by Herman Melville
What is compared to cannibalism? Melville draws comparisons to "civilized" practices.
Final opinion on Typee culture? Presents an ambivalent view, both admiring and critiquing the culture.
8. “Minister’s Black Veil” by Nathaniel Hawthorne
How is it similar to The Scarlet Letter? Both explore sin, guilt, and judgment.
What is the veil’s symbolic significance? Represents hidden sin and the concept that everyone has secrets.
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III. Authors & People
1. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
An influential American poet of the Fireside Poets, known for “Paul Revere’s Ride” and “The Song of Hiawatha.” He focused on family, nature, and patriotism.
2. William Cullen Bryant
An American poet and journalist, known for “Thanatopsis.” He was one of the first American poets recognized internationally and is key to American Romanticism.
3. James Fenimore Cooper
Known for the Leatherstocking Tales, including The Last of the Mohicans, Cooper focused on frontier life and Native American themes, blending adventure and social critique.
4. Ralph Waldo Emerson
A leading Transcendentalist, known for works like “Self-Reliance” and “Nature.” Emerson championed individualism and self-reliance.
5. Henry David Thoreau
Known for Walden and “Civil Disobedience.” Thoreau was a philosopher and naturalist who valued simple living and resistance to injustice.
6. Nathaniel Hawthorne
Associated with Dark Romanticism, he wrote The Scarlet Letter and “The Minister’s Black Veil.” His works explore sin, guilt, and moral complexity.
7. Herman Melville
Best known for Moby-Dick, Melville’s works blend adventure and philosophical themes, exploring fate, morality, and human psychology.
8. Immanuel Kant
A German philosopher whose ideas on reason and morality influenced Romantic thinkers. His philosophy focused on the limitations of human understanding.
9. Edgar Allan Poe
Known for Gothic tales like “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Raven.” Poe explored themes of death, madness, and the supernatural, making him a central figure in Dark Romanticism.
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IV. Reading Comprehension
1. "Inscription for the Entrance to a Wood" by William Cullen Bryant
Central Theme: The central theme of this poem is the contemplation of nature as a sanctuary for spiritual peace and reflection. Bryant calls the wood a place of eternal quiet and stillness, where the "mournful" sound of the wind symbolizes the calming effects of nature on the human soul. The wood represents a timeless, unchanging refuge from the turmoil and transience of human life.
Symbols and Meanings:
The Wood: The forest symbolizes the eternal, peaceful refuge from the noise and transience of human life. It is a place of permanence, untouched by the chaos of civilization.
The Wind: The wind is a symbol of the constant, yet gentle, passage of time. It speaks to the continuity of nature's cycles, providing solace for the weary human spirit.
The "Wood's Silence": This symbolizes the idea of a return to a more natural, uncorrupted state, away from the disruptions and struggles of human existence. The silence of the wood offers peace and introspection.
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2. "Concord Hymn" by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Central Theme: The central theme of this poem revolves around the reverence of the past, particularly the American Revolution, while emphasizing the enduring spirit of freedom and the sacrifices made by those who fought for it. Emerson connects the historical significance of the Concord battle to the ongoing fight for freedom and moral progress, suggesting that the sacrifices of the past continue to inspire the present.
Symbols and Meanings:
The "Shot heard 'round the world": This symbolized the beginning of the American Revolution, and in the poem, it represents the moment of change that started a global movement for freedom.
The "Spirit of '76": This symbolizes the enduring legacy of revolutionary ideals and the collective memory of those who fought for American independence.
The "Concord River": The river symbolizes the flow of time and history, connecting the past and the present. It is also a reminder of nature's constancy amid human conflict.
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3. Excerpt from True Crime: The Roots of an American Obsession by Walter Mosley
Central Theme: The central theme of this excerpt is an exploration of America's complex relationship with crime, particularly true crime, and the ways in which the public is both fascinated and disturbed by criminal acts. Mosley addresses how crime in America is often sensationalized, and how it reveals deeper societal issues, such as race, class, and justice.
Symbols and Meanings:
True Crime Stories: These stories symbolize the human fascination with the darker aspects of society, representing both fear and a need for catharsis. They also reveal underlying societal anxieties, often exposing the flaws in the justice system and cultural biases.
The "American Obsession": This term symbolizes how crime and its sensationalization have become ingrained in American culture, where there is a constant need for stories that probe into the criminal mind, often elevating criminals to celebrity status.
The Justice System: The justice system serves as a symbol of moral and social order, though Mosley highlights its failings, particularly its racial and class biases, and the complexity of achieving true justice.
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V. SAT Language Passage
Grammar Concepts to Know:
Active vs. Passive Voice
Possessive Apostrophes
Tense Consistency
Sentence Combining
Vocabulary to Know:
1. Affect vs. Effect
Affect (verb): To influence or make a change in something.
Example: The weather can affect your mood.
Effect (noun): The result or outcome of a change.
Example: The new law had a positive effect on the environment.
2. Intermittent/Periodically
Intermittent: Occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady.
Example: The rain was intermittent throughout the day.
Periodically: Happening from time to time, usually at regular intervals.
Example: She checks her emails periodically.
3. Bustling
Bustling: Full of energetic and noisy activity.
Example: The bustling city was alive with people and traffic.
4. Municipal
Municipal: Relating to a city or town or its governing body.
Example: The municipal government is responsible for maintaining local roads.
5. Excavating
Excavating: Digging up or removing earth to find something buried.
Example: Archaeologists are excavating the ancient ruins.
6. Renaissance
Renaissance: A period of renewed interest and development, especially in arts, culture, and learning, inspired by the cultural revival of the 14th to 17th centuries.
Example: The Renaissance period greatly influenced art and science.
7. Contend
Contend: To struggle to overcome a difficulty or to compete for something.
Example: She had to contend with many challenges to achieve her goal.
8. Fortitude
Fortitude: Courage and strength when facing adversity or pain.
Example: He showed great fortitude in overcoming his illness.