Early Romantics and Fireside Poets

1. Early Romantics and Fireside Poets

2. The Early Romantics • Influenced by the literature of Europe where romanticism had developed in the late 18th century as a reaction to neoclassicism • Neoclassicists: admired structure and imitated classical forms (from early Greeks/Romans); valued reason • Romantics: looked to nature for inspiration; valued emotions and the imagination

3. The Early Romantics • Like their European counterparts, the American romantics were also reacting to what came before: the rationality of the Age of Reason (Thomas Paine, Ben Franklin, etc.) and the strict doctrines of the Puritans

4. Early Romantics • William Cullen Bryant • “Thanatopsis” – celebrates nature; reflects on death • Washington Irving • first American writer of fiction to gain international fame • James Fenimore Cooper • First truly American novel; remembered for frontier novels (e.g., The LeatherstockingTales)

5. Fireside Poets • Family custom of reading poetry aloud by the fire, a common form of entertainment in the 19th century • Henry Wadsworth Longfellow • best known member of the group • honored with plaque in Poet’s Corner of Westminster Abbey in London (only American poet ever to receive such an honor)

6. Fireside Poets • James Russell Lowell, Oliver Wendell Holmes, John Greenleaf Whittier • Strong commitment to using poetry to bring about social reform • Abolition, women’s rights, improvement of factory conditions, temperance • Champions of the common person • Andrew Jackson – President in 1829 • Poetry about farmers, lumbermen, migrants, poor

7. Journaling:What gives life purpose? People who live with purpose may be more likely to feel a sense of satisfaction or accomplishment. What is it that gives life meaning? Is it self expression, creativity, following one’s dream, or serving humanity? Think of a person you know or have read about who has led a life you truly admire. How has this person made a difference in the world?

8. Romantic Pop Up Poetry PowerPoint • First, look at the example “pop up poetry PowerPoint” for “A Psalm of Life.” • Select one of the 6 Romantic poems in the literature book, pp. 169-90 (“Thanatopsis,” “The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls,” “The Cross of Snow,” “Snow-Bound: A Winter Idyll,” “The Chambered Nautilus,” and “Old Ironsides.”) • Sign up for which poem you would like to work with. You will be in a group of NO MORE THAN 5 people. ALL of the poems need to be covered by at least one group.

9. Romantic Pop Up Poetry PowerPoint • Before beginning to make the PowerPoint, spend time working with the poem in your group. • Read the biographical info for the poet. • Read all of the background and information surrounding your poem in the textbook (before and after the poem; read through even the questions for your poem. This info will give you clues/insight about some important elements.) • On a sheet of loose-leaf paper, complete a thorough annotation/TPCASTT for your poem.

10. Romantic Pop Up Poetry PowerPoint • Beginning tomorrow, you’ll be working on designing the actual pop up poetry PowerPoint for your poem. • Tonight, look up your poem in the Literature Resource Center database. Find an article/overview/analysis of your poem (After you search, you might find the best articles under the Topic & Work Overviews tab.) If you’ve forgotten how to access the databases, directions can be found under the File Manager. • Read the article and take notes or print the article and highlight/annotate.

11. Romantic Pop Up Poetry PowerPoint • If you need to, look through the “A Psalm of Life” example again to familiarize yourself with what you will be trying to do. • The rubric for the Romantic Pop Up Poetry PowerPoint can be found under the File Manager. • We will begin presenting the PowerPoints on Thursday, so it is important to prepare ahead of time. Creating a good PowerPoint of this kind requires more time than creating a typical PowerPoint.