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Romantic Poet (1794-1878). William Cullen Bryant. Romanticism. One can learn lessons from the past The imagination and intuition should be trusted and honed Natural world and inner emotions are connected Nature is revered and respected as a reflection of inner-thoughts
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Romantic Poet (1794-1878) William Cullen Bryant
Romanticism • One can learn lessons from the past • The imagination and intuition should be trusted and honed • Natural world and inner emotions are connected • Nature is revered and respected as a reflection of inner-thoughts • Romantics focused on independence/the individual – they would not appreciate a strong government
William Cullen Bryant • Believed in the ‘common man’ and Romantic possibilities of American Life
Has been called “The Father of American Poetry” • Most of his poems were written before he was thirty years old • Bryant was an observer of nature, and believed in the Romantic notion that nature had a spiritual and moral meaning
Bryant’s Poetry • “To a Waterfowl” examines the connection between the natural world and the spiritual world of the imagination • Lessons the speaker learns in “To A Waterfowl”: 1) Never give up until your goal is reached 2) have faith that you will be guided 3) Even though at times we appear lost, everything works out in the end • * Note the rhyme scheme!!!!! • Theme: “All who wander are not lost”
Thanatopsis • “Thanatopsis”, one of Bryant’s most well-known works, was written when he was only seventeen. • “Thanatopsis” means ‘a meditation on death’ • Throughout the poem, Bryant conveys many comforting thoughts about death: • 1) Everyone goes back to the earth 2) When we die, we become part of the cycle of life 3) Earth is a wonderful tomb • Theme> If one lives life to the fullest, one will be comforted even at the hour of their death
Questions on both these poems will appear on the Midterm examination • As we read the poems, circle words you may not understand, and paraphrase sections as we discuss them.