American Literature American Literature in 60 in 60 MinutesMinutes

““In the four quarters of the globe, who reads an American book? or goes to an American In the four quarters of the globe, who reads an American book? or goes to an American play?” – Sidney Smith, 1820play?” – Sidney Smith, 1820

““Some thinkers may object to this essay, that we are about to write of that which has, as Some thinkers may object to this essay, that we are about to write of that which has, as yet, no existence.” –Margaret Fuller, in her 1846 essay “American Literature”yet, no existence.” –Margaret Fuller, in her 1846 essay “American Literature”

““Ah, yes, American Literature. I must take an afternoon and read it some time.”—Allan Ah, yes, American Literature. I must take an afternoon and read it some time.”—Allan Carroll, former University of Tennessee English Dept. Chair and terminal BritheadCarroll, former University of Tennessee English Dept. Chair and terminal Brithead

Tale of Two SmithiesTale of Two Smithies

John Smith’s 1608 “A John Smith’s 1608 “A True Relation”True Relation”Promotional LiteraturePromotional LiteratureSmith as 1Smith as 1stst-person -person master negotiatormaster negotiatorIndians: Savage but Indians: Savage but can be worked withcan be worked withNo Pocahontas No Pocahontas Rescue story!Rescue story!

John Smith’s 1624 John Smith’s 1624 “Generall Historie”“Generall Historie”Captivity NarrativeCaptivity NarrativeSmith as Smith as swashbuckling, 3swashbuckling, 3rdrd--person heroperson heroIndians: Savage but Indians: Savage but subduablesubduablePocahontas: Forest Pocahontas: Forest FeverFever

Other Promotional LitOther Promotional Lit

Drayton’s “Ode”: “To get the pearl and gold/And Drayton’s “Ode”: “To get the pearl and gold/And ours to hold/Virginia,/Earth’s only Paradise.”ours to hold/Virginia,/Earth’s only Paradise.”

Point: to get settlers over to work the land and Point: to get settlers over to work the land and make it profitable for joint-stock companiesmake it profitable for joint-stock companies

Promotional Literature begins long tradition of Promotional Literature begins long tradition of projecting on the idea of “America” whatever projecting on the idea of “America” whatever dreams/aspirations/desires an immigrant can dreams/aspirations/desires an immigrant can imagine.imagine.

Other Captivity NarrativesOther Captivity Narratives

Mary Rowlandson’s Mary Rowlandson’s Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration…Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration… (1682) – basis, with Smith, of nearly all Indian captivity narratives to (1682) – basis, with Smith, of nearly all Indian captivity narratives to followfollowOlaudah Equiano’s Olaudah Equiano’s The Interesting NarrativeThe Interesting Narrative (1789) (1789)Susanna Rowson’s Susanna Rowson’s Slaves in AlgiersSlaves in Algiers (1794) (1794)Herman Melville’s Herman Melville’s TypeeTypee (1842) (1842)Frederick Douglass’ Frederick Douglass’ NarrativeNarrative (1845…) (1845…)Mocked in Mocked in Huckleberry FinnHuckleberry Finn (1880) (1880)Captivity narrativesCaptivity narratives– Gave an illicit peek at the “other” without fear of contaminationGave an illicit peek at the “other” without fear of contamination– Helped establish racial categories and, later, attitudes toward slaveryHelped establish racial categories and, later, attitudes toward slavery– The most popular type of adventure fiction in U.S. popular cultureThe most popular type of adventure fiction in U.S. popular culture

PuritansPuritans

Ed Ward, on Boston, from Ed Ward, on Boston, from A Trip to New EnglandA Trip to New England, 1699: , 1699: “The buildings, like their Women, being Neat and “The buildings, like their Women, being Neat and Handsome. And their Streets, like the Hearts of the Male Handsome. And their Streets, like the Hearts of the Male Inhabitants, are Paved with Pebble.”Inhabitants, are Paved with Pebble.”““A Captain of a Ship who had been on a long Voyage, A Captain of a Ship who had been on a long Voyage, happen’d to meet his Wife, and Kist her in the Street, for happen’d to meet his Wife, and Kist her in the Street, for which he was Fin’d Ten Shillings, and was forc’d to pay which he was Fin’d Ten Shillings, and was forc’d to pay the Money. What a Happiness, thought I, do we enjoy in the Money. What a Happiness, thought I, do we enjoy in Old-England, that cannot only Kiss our own wives, but Old-England, that cannot only Kiss our own wives, but other Men’s too without the danger of such a Penalty.”other Men’s too without the danger of such a Penalty.”

So Why Care About Them?So Why Care About Them?

Spiritual AutobiographySpiritual AutobiographyJeremiad – 3-part sermon form that Jeremiad – 3-part sermon form that foreshadowed nearly all American political foreshadowed nearly all American political speeches – 1) listing of community sins; 2) speeches – 1) listing of community sins; 2) threat of utter doom; 3) call to repentance threat of utter doom; 3) call to repentance and promise of future [return to] gloryand promise of future [return to] gloryBradford, Taylor, and Mather (for the test)Bradford, Taylor, and Mather (for the test)Women Writers: Bradstreet and Women Writers: Bradstreet and RowlandsonRowlandson

William BradfordWilliam Bradford

William Bradford – William Bradford – Of Plymouth PlantationOf Plymouth Plantation (1647) – “The History of (1647) – “The History of How Far We Have Fallen”; using Exodus as his style book, How Far We Have Fallen”; using Exodus as his style book, memorializes the first settlers:memorializes the first settlers:

“ “Being thus passed the vast ocean, and a sea of troubles before in Being thus passed the vast ocean, and a sea of troubles before in their preparation (as may be remembered by that which went their preparation (as may be remembered by that which went before), they had now no friends to welcome them nor inns to before), they had now no friends to welcome them nor inns to entertain or refresh their weatherbeaten bodies; no houses or much entertain or refresh their weatherbeaten bodies; no houses or much less town toless town to repair to, to seek for succour…. And for the season it repair to, to seek for succour…. And for the season it was winter, and they that know the winters of that country know was winter, and they that know the winters of that country know them to be sharp and violent, and subject-to cruel and fierce storms, them to be sharp and violent, and subject-to cruel and fierce storms, dangerous to travel to known places, much more to search an dangerous to travel to known places, much more to search an unknown coast. Besides, what could they see but a hideous and unknown coast. Besides, what could they see but a hideous and desolate desolate wildernesswilderness, fall of wild beasts and wild men—and what , fall of wild beasts and wild men—and what multitudes there might be of them they knew not.”multitudes there might be of them they knew not.”

Edward TaylorEdward Taylor

New England’s “metaphysical poet” – poems as meditations on New England’s “metaphysical poet” – poems as meditations on Calvinist theologyCalvinist theology

““Huswifery” - Make me, O Lord, thy Spinning Wheele compleat; Huswifery” - Make me, O Lord, thy Spinning Wheele compleat;      Thy Holy Worde my Distaff make for mee.      Thy Holy Worde my Distaff make for mee. Make mine Affections thy Swift Flyers neate, Make mine Affections thy Swift Flyers neate,      And make my Soule thy holy Spoole to bee.      And make my Soule thy holy Spoole to bee.      My Conversation make to be thy Reele,      My Conversation make to be thy Reele,      And reele the yarn thereon spun of thy Wheele.     And reele the yarn thereon spun of thy Wheele.

““I Am the Living Bread” - In this sad state, Gods Tender Bowells run I Am the Living Bread” - In this sad state, Gods Tender Bowells run      Out streams of Grace: And he to end all strife      Out streams of Grace: And he to end all strife The Purest Wheate in Heaven, his deare-dear Son The Purest Wheate in Heaven, his deare-dear Son      Grinds, and kneads up into this Bread of Life.      Grinds, and kneads up into this Bread of Life.      Which Bread of Life from Heaven down came and stands      Which Bread of Life from Heaven down came and stands      Disht on thy Table up by Angells Hands.      Disht on thy Table up by Angells Hands.

Cotton MatherCotton Mather

Wonders of the Invisible WorldWonders of the Invisible World (1693) and (1693) and Magnalia Magnalia Christi AmericanaChristi Americana (1702) and about 450 other printed (1702) and about 450 other printed works.works.From From WondersWonders: “Samuel Preston testify'd, that about two : “Samuel Preston testify'd, that about two years ago, having some Difference with Martha Carrier, years ago, having some Difference with Martha Carrier, he lost a Cow in a strange Preternatural unusual he lost a Cow in a strange Preternatural unusual manner; and about a month after this, the said Carrier, manner; and about a month after this, the said Carrier, having again some Difference with him, she told him, He having again some Difference with him, she told him, He had lately lost a Cow, and it should not be long before he had lately lost a Cow, and it should not be long before he Lost another! which accordingly came to Pass; for he Lost another! which accordingly came to Pass; for he had a Thriving and well-kept Cow, which without any had a Thriving and well-kept Cow, which without any known cause quickly fell down and Dy'd.”known cause quickly fell down and Dy'd.”

Anne BradstreetAnne Bradstreet

The Tenth MuseThe Tenth Muse (1678) (1678)““Prologue”: “I am obnoxious to each carping tongue/Who says my hand Prologue”: “I am obnoxious to each carping tongue/Who says my hand

a needle better fits.”a needle better fits.”““The Author to Her Book”: I washed thy face, but more defects I The Author to Her Book”: I washed thy face, but more defects I

saw,/And rubbing off a spot, still made a flaw./I stretcht thy joints to saw,/And rubbing off a spot, still made a flaw./I stretcht thy joints to make thee even feet,Yet still thou run'st more hobbling than is make thee even feet,Yet still thou run'st more hobbling than is meet.”meet.”

““Verses Upon the Burning of Our House”: “Farewell, my pelf; farewell, Verses Upon the Burning of Our House”: “Farewell, my pelf; farewell, my store./The world no longer let me love;/My hope and Treasure my store./The world no longer let me love;/My hope and Treasure lies above.”lies above.”

““In Honour of that High and Mighty Princess, Queen Elizabeth”: “She In Honour of that High and Mighty Princess, Queen Elizabeth”: “She hath wip'd off th' aspersion of her Sex,/ hath wip'd off th' aspersion of her Sex,/ That women wisdom lack to play the Rex….Let such as say our sex That women wisdom lack to play the Rex….Let such as say our sex is void of reason/ Know 'tis a slander now, but once was treason.”  is void of reason/ Know 'tis a slander now, but once was treason.” 

Mary RowlandsonMary Rowlandson

NarrativeNarrative (1682): “I can remember the time when I used to sleep (1682): “I can remember the time when I used to sleep quietly without workings in my thoughts, whole nights together, but quietly without workings in my thoughts, whole nights together, but now it is other ways with me…. Before I knew what affliction meant, now it is other ways with me…. Before I knew what affliction meant, I was ready sometimes to wish for it. When I lived in prosperity, I was ready sometimes to wish for it. When I lived in prosperity, having the comforts of the world about me, my relations by me, my having the comforts of the world about me, my relations by me, my heart cheerful, and taking little care for anything, and yet seeing heart cheerful, and taking little care for anything, and yet seeing many, whom I preferred before myself, under many trials and many, whom I preferred before myself, under many trials and afflictions, in sickness, weakness, poverty, losses, crosses, and afflictions, in sickness, weakness, poverty, losses, crosses, and cares of the world, I should be sometimes jealous least I should cares of the world, I should be sometimes jealous least I should have my portion in this life, and that Scripture would come to my have my portion in this life, and that Scripture would come to my mind, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth mind, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every Son whom he receiveth" (Hebrews 12.6). “every Son whom he receiveth" (Hebrews 12.6). “

Compared often to the narratives (written by others, esp. Mather) of Compared often to the narratives (written by others, esp. Mather) of Hannah Dustan, who killed and scalped her captors.Hannah Dustan, who killed and scalped her captors.

Eighteenth CenturyEighteenth Century

EnlightenmentEnlightenmentRevolutionRevolutionPost-Colonial Inferiority ComplexPost-Colonial Inferiority ComplexBenjamin Franklin, Benjamin Franklin, AutobiographyAutobiography (1771-90): rags to (1771-90): rags to riches, program of moral perfection (actually a bagatelle)riches, program of moral perfection (actually a bagatelle)Royall Tyler, Royall Tyler, The ContrastThe Contrast (1789) (1789)Important Poets: Phyllis Wheatley, Philip Freneau (pre-Important Poets: Phyllis Wheatley, Philip Freneau (pre-Romantic)Romantic)Novelists you should know: Susanna Rowson (Novelists you should know: Susanna Rowson (Charlotte Charlotte TempleTemple 1794), Charles Brockden Brown ( 1794), Charles Brockden Brown (WielandWieland 1798), 1798), Hannah Webster Foster (Hannah Webster Foster (The CoquetteThe Coquette 1797) 1797)

Nineteenth Century Literary Nineteenth Century Literary Movements as Bumper StickersMovements as Bumper Stickers

Romanticism: Life is what you make of it!Romanticism: Life is what you make of it!

Realism: Life is what it is.Realism: Life is what it is.

Naturalism: Life sucks and then you die.Naturalism: Life sucks and then you die.

Early Romantics – Mutability Early Romantics – Mutability (hence lots of Death), Pantheism(hence lots of Death), PantheismPhilip Freneau, poet, “The Wild Honeysuckle” (1785) : “If Philip Freneau, poet, “The Wild Honeysuckle” (1785) : “If nothing once, you nothing lose,/ For when you die you nothing once, you nothing lose,/ For when you die you are the same;/ The space between is but an hour,/The are the same;/ The space between is but an hour,/The frail duration of flower.”frail duration of flower.”William Cullen Bryant, poet, “Thanatopsis” (1817): “The William Cullen Bryant, poet, “Thanatopsis” (1817): “The hills Rock-ribbed and ancient as the sun; the vales/ hills Rock-ribbed and ancient as the sun; the vales/ Stretching in pensive quietness between; /The venerable Stretching in pensive quietness between; /The venerable woods—rivers that move/In majesty, and the woods—rivers that move/In majesty, and the complaining brooks /That make the meadows green; complaining brooks /That make the meadows green; and, poured round all,/Old Ocean's gray and melancholy and, poured round all,/Old Ocean's gray and melancholy waste,— /Are but the solemn decorations all Of the great waste,— /Are but the solemn decorations all Of the great tomb of man!” tomb of man!” NOTE: BRYANT INTRODUCES BLANK NOTE: BRYANT INTRODUCES BLANK VERSE INTO AMERICAN LIT IN THIS POEM.VERSE INTO AMERICAN LIT IN THIS POEM.

Early Romantics in Prose – Nature, Early Romantics in Prose – Nature, Sensibility, Noble Savage, Gothic, Sensibility, Noble Savage, Gothic,

Fashion SenseFashion SenseWilliam Fenimore Cooper – The Leatherstocking Tales are a series William Fenimore Cooper – The Leatherstocking Tales are a series of novels written between 1826 and 1841describing the adventures of novels written between 1826 and 1841describing the adventures of Natty Bumppo, set in frontier communities west of the Allegheny of Natty Bumppo, set in frontier communities west of the Allegheny Mountains: Mountains: The PioneersThe Pioneers, , The Last of the MohicansThe Last of the Mohicans, , The The DeerslayerDeerslayer, , The Pathfinder,The PrairieThe Pathfinder,The Prairie. Natty Bumppo is celebrated . Natty Bumppo is celebrated for his closeness to nature, and is the mouthpiece Cooper uses to for his closeness to nature, and is the mouthpiece Cooper uses to decry “the wasty ways of man” and “the twisty ways of the law.”decry “the wasty ways of man” and “the twisty ways of the law.”

Washington Irving – His Washington Irving – His The Sketchbook of Geoffrey CrayonThe Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon (1819) (1819) contains his two most famous stories, “Rip Van Winkle” and “The contains his two most famous stories, “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” In his dozens of other sketches, he Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” In his dozens of other sketches, he celebrates the sentimental over the commercial and entertainment celebrates the sentimental over the commercial and entertainment over didacticism. Invents the old English Christmas in his 5 over didacticism. Invents the old English Christmas in his 5 “Christmas Sketches” and in “Philip of Pokanoket,” rewrites Mary “Christmas Sketches” and in “Philip of Pokanoket,” rewrites Mary Rowlandson’s captivity narrative from the Wampanoag point of Rowlandson’s captivity narrative from the Wampanoag point of view, calling them “a native band of untaught heroes.”view, calling them “a native band of untaught heroes.”

American RenaissanceAmerican Renaissance

Term coined by F. O. Matthiessen in his Term coined by F. O. Matthiessen in his book of the same name in 1940. book of the same name in 1940. Established the following as canonical Established the following as canonical American writers: Ralph Waldo Emerson, American writers: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Edgar Allan Poe, Henry David Thoreau, Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman—Margaret Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman—Margaret Fuller has since been added to this list as Fuller has since been added to this list as major American writers.major American writers.

Ralph Waldo EmersonRalph Waldo Emerson

Famous for his essays: Nature (1836) was used Famous for his essays: Nature (1836) was used as a launching pad for the as a launching pad for the TranscendentalistTranscendentalist movement. Most famous for this image: movement. Most famous for this image: “Standing on “Standing on the bare ground, the bare ground, -- my head -- my head bathed by the blithe air, and uplifted into infinite bathed by the blithe air, and uplifted into infinite space, -- all mean egotism vanishes. space, -- all mean egotism vanishes. I become I become a transparent eye-ball; I am nothing; I see all; a transparent eye-ball; I am nothing; I see all; the currents of the Universal Being circulate the currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part or particle of God.” through me; I am part or particle of God.”

Henry David ThoreauHenry David Thoreau

Seen sometimes as the “legs” of the Seen sometimes as the “legs” of the Transcendentalist movement—was more Transcendentalist movement—was more political than RWE. Most famous works are political than RWE. Most famous works are “Resistance to Civil Government” (1849) and “Resistance to Civil Government” (1849) and WaldenWalden (1854): “ (1854): “ I went to the woods because  I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, I wished to live deliberately, to front only the to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the the marrow marrow of life…” of life…”

Margaret FullerMargaret Fuller

Feminist journalist, essayist, travel writer, and Feminist journalist, essayist, travel writer, and transcendentalist thinker. Most famous work transcendentalist thinker. Most famous work Woman in the Nineteenth CenturyWoman in the Nineteenth Century (1845): “We (1845): “We would have every arbitrary barrier thrown down. would have every arbitrary barrier thrown down. We would have every path laid open to Woman We would have every path laid open to Woman as freely as to Man. Were this done, and a slight as freely as to Man. Were this done, and a slight temporary fermentation allowed to subside, we temporary fermentation allowed to subside, we should see crystallizations more pure and of should see crystallizations more pure and of more various beauty. We believe the divine more various beauty. We believe the divine energy would pervade nature to a degree energy would pervade nature to a degree unknown in the history of former ages, and that unknown in the history of former ages, and that no discordant collision, but a ravishing harmony no discordant collision, but a ravishing harmony of the spheres, would ensue.”of the spheres, would ensue.”

Edgar Allan Poe – Romantic Quadruple Edgar Allan Poe – Romantic Quadruple Threat (but NOT a Transcendentalist)Threat (but NOT a Transcendentalist)

Poet: “The Raven,” “Annabel Lee,”Poet: “The Raven,” “Annabel Lee,”Horror Fiction writer: “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Horror Fiction writer: “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Masque of the Red Death”—great with Masque of the Red Death”—great with unreliable narratorsunreliable narratorsDetective Fiction “inventor” (Auguste Dupin): Detective Fiction “inventor” (Auguste Dupin): “Murders in the Rue Morgue,” “The Purloined “Murders in the Rue Morgue,” “The Purloined Letter”Letter”Critic: “The Philosophy of Composition,” “The Critic: “The Philosophy of Composition,” “The Poetic Principle”—in his newspaper reviews of Poetic Principle”—in his newspaper reviews of lit, earns nickname “The Hatchet Man”lit, earns nickname “The Hatchet Man”

Nathaniel Hawthorne – THE typical Nathaniel Hawthorne – THE typical Romantic novelistRomantic novelist

Novels: Novels: The Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter, , The House of The House of the Seven Gablesthe Seven Gables

Short Stories: “Young Goodman Brown,” Short Stories: “Young Goodman Brown,” “The Minister’s Black Veil” – like Poe, “The Minister’s Black Veil” – like Poe, master of unreliable narrationmaster of unreliable narration

Herman Melville – Yarns on the Herman Melville – Yarns on the High SeasHigh Seas

Moby-DickMoby-Dick, of course, is his most famous novel, but his more , of course, is his most famous novel, but his more popular novels were south-sea Island captivity/adventure tales popular novels were south-sea Island captivity/adventure tales TypeeTypee and and OmooOmoo. .

Critic who, in “Hawthorne and His Mosses” in 1850, sets the adoring Critic who, in “Hawthorne and His Mosses” in 1850, sets the adoring critical tone others will follow: “What a mild moonlight of critical tone others will follow: “What a mild moonlight of contemplative humor bathes that Old Manse!--the rich and rare contemplative humor bathes that Old Manse!--the rich and rare distilment of a spicy and slowly-oozing heart. No rollicking rudeness, distilment of a spicy and slowly-oozing heart. No rollicking rudeness, no gross fun fed on fat dinners, and bred in the lees of wine,--but a no gross fun fed on fat dinners, and bred in the lees of wine,--but a humor so spiritually gentle, so high, so deep, and yet so richly humor so spiritually gentle, so high, so deep, and yet so richly relishable, that it were hardly inappropriate in an angel. It is the very relishable, that it were hardly inappropriate in an angel. It is the very religion of mirth; for nothing so human but it may be advanced to religion of mirth; for nothing so human but it may be advanced to that. “that. “

Though he wrote what purports to be poetry, I’m not convinced.Though he wrote what purports to be poetry, I’m not convinced.

Walt Whitman – a KosmosWalt Whitman – a Kosmos

Leaves of GrassLeaves of Grass revised 8 times between 1855 and 1892. Major revised 8 times between 1855 and 1892. Major poems: “Song of Myself,” “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry,” “Out of the poems: “Song of Myself,” “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry,” “Out of the Cradle, Endlessly Rocking” “O Captain, My Captain,” “When Lilacs Cradle, Endlessly Rocking” “O Captain, My Captain,” “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d”Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d”

Democratic in subject matter, style (free verse), and theme: “I have Democratic in subject matter, style (free verse), and theme: “I have said that the soul is not more than the body,/ And I have said that said that the soul is not more than the body,/ And I have said that the body is not more than the soul,/ And nothing, not God, is greater the body is not more than the soul,/ And nothing, not God, is greater to one than one's self is,/ And whoever walks a furlong without to one than one's self is,/ And whoever walks a furlong without sympathy walks to his own funeral drest in his shroud…Do I sympathy walks to his own funeral drest in his shroud…Do I contradict myself?/ Very well then I contradict myself,/ contradict myself?/ Very well then I contradict myself,/ (I am large, I contain multitudes.)…. I too am not a bit tamed, I too (I am large, I contain multitudes.)…. I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable,/ I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the am untranslatable,/ I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world.” world.”

Emily Dickinson – Your Easiest ID Emily Dickinson – Your Easiest ID on the Examon the Exam

Major poet more influential on modernists than in her Major poet more influential on modernists than in her own time—most of her work wasn’t published until the own time—most of her work wasn’t published until the 1890s. Her work is very easy to spot:1890s. Her work is very easy to spot:Hymn meter—nearly all of her poems can be sung to the Hymn meter—nearly all of her poems can be sung to the tunes of either “Amazing Grace” or “The Yellow Rose of tunes of either “Amazing Grace” or “The Yellow Rose of Texas”Texas”Slant Rhyme— “room” rhymed with “storm,” for ex.Slant Rhyme— “room” rhymed with “storm,” for ex.Dashes—her signal punctuation: “I heard a Fly Dashes—her signal punctuation: “I heard a Fly buzz – when I died – / The Stillness in the Room /Was buzz – when I died – / The Stillness in the Room /Was like the Stillness in the Air – / Between the Heaves of like the Stillness in the Air – / Between the Heaves of Storm – ”Storm – ”Death is as overriding a theme in Dickinson’s poetry as Death is as overriding a theme in Dickinson’s poetry as Life is in Whitman’s Life is in Whitman’s

RealismRealismAs a reaction against Romanticism, it aimed to depict life as it was, “ragged As a reaction against Romanticism, it aimed to depict life as it was, “ragged edges” and all.edges” and all.Much of Realist fiction had a muck-raking, political impetus, like Much of Realist fiction had a muck-raking, political impetus, like Rebecca Harding DavisRebecca Harding Davis’ ’ Life in the Iron MillsLife in the Iron Mills (1861) (1861)Some aimed at a realistic aesthetic in the depiction of persons, situations, Some aimed at a realistic aesthetic in the depiction of persons, situations, and language, as Mark Twain indicates at the beginning of and language, as Mark Twain indicates at the beginning of Huckleberry FinnHuckleberry Finn (1880): “In this book a number of dialects are used, to wit: the Missouri (1880): “In this book a number of dialects are used, to wit: the Missouri negro dialect; the extremest form of the backwoods Southwestern dialect; negro dialect; the extremest form of the backwoods Southwestern dialect; the ordinary "Pike County" dialect; and four modified varieties of this last. the ordinary "Pike County" dialect; and four modified varieties of this last. The shadings have not been done in a haphazard fashion, or by guesswork; The shadings have not been done in a haphazard fashion, or by guesswork; but painstakingly, and with the trustworthy guidance and support of personal but painstakingly, and with the trustworthy guidance and support of personal familiarity with these several forms of speech. I make this explanation for familiarity with these several forms of speech. I make this explanation for the reason that without it many readers would suppose that all these the reason that without it many readers would suppose that all these characters were trying to talk alike and not succeeding.”characters were trying to talk alike and not succeeding.”Doesn’t “end” with subsequent literary movements (Naturalism, Modernism), Doesn’t “end” with subsequent literary movements (Naturalism, Modernism), but informs them.but informs them.See this link for major concerns and texts: See this link for major concerns and texts: http://web.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap5/5intro.htmlhttp://web.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap5/5intro.html

NaturalismNaturalism

Either a branch of realism or a reaction against it—some Either a branch of realism or a reaction against it—some call it realism infused with determinisms.call it realism infused with determinisms.Economic and Social Determinism – the work of Marx Economic and Social Determinism – the work of Marx and condition of American working class informs works and condition of American working class informs works such as Stephen Crane’s such as Stephen Crane’s Maggie, a Girl of the StreetsMaggie, a Girl of the Streets (1893) and Theodore Dreiser’s (1893) and Theodore Dreiser’s Sister Carrie Sister Carrie (1900)(1900)Psychological and Biological Determinism – the work of Psychological and Biological Determinism – the work of Freud and Darwin—our behavior controlled by our Freud and Darwin—our behavior controlled by our unconscious drives; plays on a fear of a de-evolutionary unconscious drives; plays on a fear of a de-evolutionary state; see Frank Norris’ state; see Frank Norris’ McTeagueMcTeague (1899), Kate (1899), Kate Chopin’s Chopin’s The AwakeningThe Awakening (1900), and Jack London’s “To (1900), and Jack London’s “To Build a Fire” (1910)Build a Fire” (1910)

Robert FrostRobert Frost

““Pre-Modern” poetPre-Modern” poet

Public image vs. poetic actualitiesPublic image vs. poetic actualities

““The Road Not Taken”The Road Not Taken”

ModernismModernism(s)(s)

Ezra Pound’s “Make it new” is the slogan Ezra Pound’s “Make it new” is the slogan of all modernisms.of all modernisms.

Marked by experimentation in form and Marked by experimentation in form and content.content.

Modern PoetryModern Poetry

Goals of Imagism – Ezra Pound, from “A Goals of Imagism – Ezra Pound, from “A Retrospect”: “1. Direct treatment of the 'thing' Retrospect”: “1. Direct treatment of the 'thing' whether subjective or objective.whether subjective or objective.2. To use absolutely no word that does not 2. To use absolutely no word that does not contribute to the presentation.contribute to the presentation.3.As regarding rhythm: to compose in the 3.As regarding rhythm: to compose in the sequence of the musical phrase, not in sequence of the musical phrase, not in sequence of a metronome.”sequence of a metronome.”

Pound wanted to get the “Victorian slither” out of Pound wanted to get the “Victorian slither” out of poetry.poetry.

Imagist ExamplesImagist Examples

Pound: “In a Station of Pound: “In a Station of the Metro” (1913)the Metro” (1913)

The apparition of these The apparition of these faces in the crowd; faces in the crowd; 

Petals on a wet, black Petals on a wet, black bough.bough.

(this is the entire poem, (this is the entire poem, pared from a 36-line pared from a 36-line original)original)

William Carlos Williams: William Carlos Williams: “The Red Wheelbarrow” “The Red Wheelbarrow” (1923)(1923)so much dependsso much depends

upon upon

a red wheela red wheelbarrow barrow

glazed with rainglazed with rainwater water

beside the whitebeside the whitechickens. chickens.

Other Important Modernist PoetsOther Important Modernist Poets

T.S. EliotT.S. Eliot, , Wallace StevensWallace Stevens, , e.ee.e. . cummingscummings, , Langston HughesLangston Hughes, , Edna St. Vincent Edna St. Vincent MillayMillay

2020thth Century Poetry after the Century Poetry after the ModernistsModernists

http://www.literaryhistory.com/20thC/20CAhttp://www.literaryhistory.com/20thC/20CAmericanandBritish.htmmericanandBritish.htm

New Negro New Negro RenaissanceRenaissance

Alain Locke, “Alain Locke, “The New NegroThe New Negro” ”

Schomburg Exhibition: Schomburg Exhibition: http://http://www.si.umich.edu/CHICO/Harlem/text/exhwww.si.umich.edu/CHICO/Harlem/text/exhibition.htmlibition.html

Modernist FictionModernist Fiction

F. Scott Fitzgerald F. Scott Fitzgerald The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby (1925)(1925)

Ernest Hemingway Ernest Hemingway The Sun Also RisesThe Sun Also Rises (1926), (1926), A Farewell to ArmsA Farewell to Arms (1929) (1929)

William Faulkner William Faulkner The Sound and the FuryThe Sound and the Fury (1929), (1929), Light in AugustLight in August (1932) (1932)

2020thth Century Fiction after Century Fiction after ModernismModernism

http://web.csustan.edu/english/reuben/http://web.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap10/10intro.htmlpal/chap10/10intro.html

2020thth Century Drama Century Drama

Eugene O’Neill and the Provincetown Eugene O’Neill and the Provincetown Players: Players: The Hairy Ape, The Emperor The Hairy Ape, The Emperor Jones, Desire Under the Elms, Mourning Jones, Desire Under the Elms, Mourning Becomes Electra, A Long Days Journey Becomes Electra, A Long Days Journey Into NightInto NightOther dramatists: Arthur Miller, Tennessee Other dramatists: Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee, LeRoi Jones Williams, Edward Albee, LeRoi Jones (Amiri Baraka), Tony Kushner, Suzan-Lori (Amiri Baraka), Tony Kushner, Suzan-Lori ParksParks