Early Romantics and Fireside Poets

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

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

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 Leatherstocking Tales)

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)

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.