AMERICAN LITERATURE TIMELINE

Colonial Period (1607-1785)

Notes nonfiction writing of historical importance, such as journals

and farm and town records

sermons and meditations in Puritan belief

poetry representing religion and domestic issues

Tenets Puritan philosophy

Literature that we read

How does this literature reflect the time period?

Is your author from this time period?

AMERICAN LITERATURE TIMELINE

Revolutionary Period (1765-1815)

Notes political pamphlets

nonfiction writing forwarding opinions about war

patriotic song lyrics and poetry

Tenets Enlightenment Philosophy

Literature that we read

How does this literature reflect the time period?

Is your author from this time period?

AMERICAN LITERATURE TIME PERIOD

American Romanticism (1815-1865)

Notes imaginative and fanciful

fiction

emotion and nature as subjects

the supernatural and gothic

celebration of beauty and the individual

transcendental ideals

the American Renaissance

rise of the American short story

Tenets Romantic philosophy

Gothic philosophy

Transcendental philosophy

Literature we read

How do these pieces reflect the time period?

Is your author from this time period?

AMERICAN ROMANTICISM (1815-1865)

Literary Movement of the 18th and 19th

centuries

In short, the Romantic period in America

represents a nation now established and past

the task of war and gaining independence, and

is able to move on to the joys of exploring life

and beauty, nature and the individual, the

supernatural and the fanciful.

ROMANTIC LITERATURE - CHARACTERISTICS

Predominance of IMAGINATION over reason

Love of NATURE

An interest in the PAST

INDIVIDUALISM

Enthusiasm for the WILD, GROTESQUE in

Nature

Interest in the GOTHIC

GOTHIC LITERATURE

Developed in the late

18th century and

emerged from

Romanticism

Gothic originally

referred to Medieval

architectural style that

included gargoyles,

scenes of hell, and

souls in torment

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

GOTHIC THEMES

Ancestral Curse: the current generation suffers for evil deeds of ancestors

Dreaming/Nightmares: dredge up strong emotions such as joy, ecstasy, and terror; reveals urges, impulses, desires, even truths; reveals the future

Entrapment/Imprisonment: being confined or trapped

Gothic Gadgets: “supernatural props” secret messages, forbidden chambers, casket lids, sealed compartments

Revenge, Superstition, and Mystery

The Grotesque: mutations, often deformities

GOTHIC SETTINGS

Cemetery: caves, temples, mounds, catacombs,

churchyards, crypts

Haunted House, Castle, or Estate

Presence of Mist/Fog

EDGAR ALLAN POE – ROMANTICISM’S GREAT AMERICAN WRITER

1809-1849: HIS LIFE

• Both parents died before he was 3; his mother died of tuberculosis

• Adopted by Allan family; adoptive mother eventually died of tuberculosis

• Develops a gambling addiction by the age of 22, drops out of school

• Joins army; dismissed for disobedience

• 1835, lives w/aunt and cousin, Virginia, who he eventually marries at 13

• His writing is published more and more by this time, both his fiction and his literary criticism of other notable authors

• 1847, Virginia dies of tuberculosis

• Poe’s behavior becomes erratic and he develops a drinking and drug problem

• 1849, found unconscious on street, dies

EDGAR ALLAN POE HIS LITERATURE

• Single-handedly developed the “short story” genre and formulated rules for it

• As a writer, Poe had a neurotic obsession with death and violence

• He was the first to write about premeditated murder and invented the modern “detective” story

• Had a deep appreciation for the beautiful yet tragic mysteries of life

• Most of Poe’s works are riddled with terror, sadness, and loss

• Battled with depression throughout his life, which can be seen in his writings

• His works consist of a variety of poems, short stories, and one novel

OBJECTIVES WITH POE

Analyze his writing style by looking at two of his

poems.

Evaluate how his works reflect the

Gothic/Romanticism era

ANALYZING AN AUTHOR’S STYLE

Style in writing is not what is said but how it is said.

How does the author communicate their ideas?

Styles in writing are created deliberately by the author to convey a specific mood or effect.

Key aspects include:

sentence length, structure, variation, and position

the use of sensory details, figurative language, and other literary devices

the use of sound devices – alliteration, onomatopoeia, repetition

the use of dialogue

word choice

tone

the use of local color

the use of irony

“THE RAVEN” BY EDGAR ALLAN POE

What is significant about Poe’s writing style?

Address at least two questions from each of the Analysis Domains, and show this by using and underling academic vocabulary. *Note: remember poetry uses sound devices such as alliteration, assonance, repetition, internal and external rhyme, and onomatopoeia*

In what ways does “The Raven” reflect Gothic literature? Think about the themes and setting

Use quotes to support

SAMPLE RESPONSE FOR STYLE ANALYSIS OF

“THE RAVEN”

Confused or simplistic, weak response (3): In the first line Poe uses the word “midnight” to signify the setting takes place at night.

Simplistic and repetitive, generally accurate understanding (4): Poe’s poem, from the beginning starts off with a sad tone. The sensory details “midnight,” and “weak and weary” show that he is sad during the night time. Also, because the setting is at midnight that sets a sad tone showing darkness.

Shows depth and complexity of thought, sound critical understanding (5): The first line of the first stanza sets up the setting of the poem with the use of the word “midnight” (line 1). The connotation of midnight (dark, mysterious, lonely) also helps set up the tone of the poem. Additionally, in line 6, the first line of the second stanza, Poe remembers back to “bleak December.” Both midnight and December signify the end to something which creates a sense of finality, which further effects the tone of sadness.

HOMEWORK

Each group will be assigned a second poem by Poe to find and print from the Internet.

Make sure everyone prints and brings a copy of the poem.

For HW, complete an analysis of this second poem to share with your group.

As a group you will compare everyone’s analysis and develop a short presentation.

You will present your findings to the class.

(1) Annabel Lee, (2) The City In the Sea, (3) A Dream Within a Dream, (4) The Sleeper, (5) The Bells, (6) Alone, (7) The Lake

POE PRESENTATIONS

Read only meaningful excerpts.

Use the whiteboard to give us a visual if

necessary

Everybody needs to present

Discuss writing style, title, theme, setting, and

anything of significance.

Discuss any similarities and differences that

exist between poems.

WASHINGTON IRVING

The first American writer to achieve an international literary reputation He was a romantic with a great

sense of tradition, looking to the old world (Europe) for models

Best known for “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle”

He added to the short story richness of atmosphere and unity of tone, as well as humor.

He added definite locality, actual American scenery and people