Saturday, May 7, 2011

Extra Credit Assignment

Below are the instructions for the extra credit assignment. Take note that this assignment is optional--you are not required to submit this paper.

Task:

As we have seen in the past few weeks, many writers of the American Renaissance engaged with a central epistemological question: To what degree can we understand the nature of the universe and the meaning of our very existence? Edgar Allan Poe connects with this very question in his short story “The Masque of the Red Death.” Write an essay in which you analyze Poe’s use of horror and terror in that story. How does Poe use these elements to comment on the capability of human understanding?


This essay will require a close reading of the short story. Do not incorporate any outside sources into your paper.


Purpose:

The purpose of this paper is for students to closely explore a canonical text in connection with larger themes in American literature. This paper will also give students an opportunity to gain experience in analyzing and interpreting a work of literature while formulating a thesis-driven and well-supported essay.


Length:

This paper should be approximately 3-5 pages in length.


Format:

The format for this paper is MLA.


Evaluation:

This paper is worth up to the equivalent of two quiz A’s.


Deadline:

Email me your paper by 9pm on Wednesday 5/11.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Walt Whitman

Works Discussed:
* Whitman, From "1855 Preface to Leaves of Grass" (2195-2200); From "Song of Myself" (2210-2229)

Topics Discussed:
* Democratic Vision: Diversity, Equality
* Relation Between the Self and the Collective (Society)
* Transcendentalist Influence on Philosophical Outlook
* Conception of American Poet's Role
* View of Poetry/Art
* Deviations From Traditional Poetic Conventions
* Views of Death, Sex, Human Body and Soul, The Past and Present, The Modern World

Monday, May 2, 2011

Frederick Douglass

Works Discussed:
* Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave
* Fitzhugh, From Sociology for the South, 1854 (Handout)

Topics Discussed:

--Douglass
* Historical Context, Abolitionism
* Characteristics of Slave Narrative
* Influence of Romanticism
* Role of Autobiography: Dual Voices
* American Self-hood: Douglass as Type
* Effects of Slavery: Slaves, Whites, Women
* View of American Ideology and Reality
* Attitude Toward Christianity
* Nature of Laws, History
* Effects of Capitalism

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Critical Paper on Bryant's "The Prairies"

Task:

As we have noted in class, many writers of the young nation called for the emergence of an American poetics during the first half of the 19th century. Write an essay in which you perform a close reading of William Cullen Bryant’s “The Prairies.” How can we say that Bryant has established a distinctive American poetic voice in that poem?


In crafting your essay, you will need to establish your overall position in a clear and specific thesis statement in the essay’s opening paragraph. The success of your paper will hinge on your ability to defend that thesis in the body of your paper. Each body paragraph should express one main point that directly supports your thesis. Build that main point by quoting and analyzing Bryant’s text. In addition, you will need a reflective conclusion to end your paper.


Purpose:

The purpose of this paper is for students to closely explore a canonical text while relating its ideas to larger themes in American literature. This paper will also give students an opportunity to gain experience in analyzing and interpreting a work of literature while formulating a thesis-driven and well-supported essay.


Length:

This paper should be approximately 3-4 pages in length.


Format:

The format for this paper is MLA.


Evaluation:

This paper will be given a traditional letter grade. It will be assessed as part of your “Major Assignments” grade.


Deadline:

This essay is due in class on 4/29 (No emailed papers please)

Herman Melville

Works Discussed:
* Melville, Benito Cereno

Topics Discussed:
* Historical Context: Slavery, Slave Revolt and Manifest Destiny
* Conception of Good and Evil
* View of Human Nature, Universe
* Relationship Between New World, Old World and Third World
* Nature of Reality, History; Role of Power
* Depiction of American Frontier/Nature
* Ideology and Practice
* American Innocence, Naivety

Due Next Class:
Due Next Class;
* Douglass, *The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" (pgs. 2064-2097)

Monday, April 18, 2011

Margaret Fuller

Works Discussed:
* Fuller, "The Great Lawsuit"

Topics Discussed:
* Relationship Between Abolitionism and Women's Movement
* Views of Female Condition and Society
* Assessment of National Ideology
* Views of Gender, Relationship Between Men and Women
* Importance of Individuality, Self-reliance
* Possible Contradictions in Argument
* Role of Transcendentalism in Argument

For Next Class:
* Melville, Benito Cereno

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Henry David Thoreau

Works Discussed:
* Thoreau, "Resistance to Civil Government"

Topics Discussed:
* Manifest Destiny and Slavery
* Radical Individualism: Differentiation Between Individual and Government
* Duty of Individual, Direct Action
* Views of Voting, Political Majority and Minority, Taxes Individual's Relation to Government, Society/Community
* Ideal Government
*Autobiography

Due Next Class:
* Fuller, "The Great Lawsuit"

Edgar Allan Poe

Works Discussed:
*Poe, "The Raven;" "The Tell-Tale Heart;" "The Masque of the Red Death;" "The Purloined Letter;" "The Philosophy of Composition;" "The Poetic Principle"

Topics Discussed:
* Poe's Literary Voice: National vs. Cosmopolitan
* Influence of Romanticism
* Gothic Fiction: Grotesque and Arabesque
* Nature of Knowledge: Pure Intellect vs. Intuitive Reason, Elusive Beauty, Transcendental Meaning--Similarities and Differences With Emerson
* Significance of Human Psyche, Mystery, Chaos
* Literary/Poetic Theory: Aim of Poetry, Length, Subject Matter

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Works Discussed:
* Emerson, "Nature"; "Self-Reliance"
* Kant, from Critique of Pure Reason (Class Handout)

Topics Discussed:
*
Transcendentalist Movement
* American Renaissance:
Distinctive American Voice
* Influence of Romanticism, Influence of Kant
* Primacy of Individual: Relationship Between Nature and Individual, Universal Spirit, Importance of Intuition and Mind
* Role of Poet
* Conception of History
* Moral Redemption
* Problems with: Conformity, Travel, Imitation of European Culture, Progress

For Next Class:
*Poe, "The Raven;" "The Tell-Tale Heart;" "The Masque of the Red Death;" "The Purloined Letter;" "The Philosophy of Composition;" "The Poetic Principle"

William Cullen Bryant

Works Discussed:
Bryant, "Thanatopsis"; "To a Waterfowl"; "Sonnet--To An AMerican Painter Departing for Europe"; "The Prairies"

Topics Discussed:
* American Myth Making: Symbols of American Cultural Identity, Creating Mythologized Past
* American vs. European Culture; View of American Art
* Problems With Expansionism
* Democratic Ideas
* Vision of Nature; Ties to Romanticism

James Fenimore Cooper

Works Discussed:
* Cooper, from The Pioneers

Topics Discussed:
* Influence of Romanticism
* Making of American Myth
* Significance of Wilderness/Frontier
* Contradiction Inherent in Pioneering
* Individual's Relation to Society
* Criticism of Society, Institutions
* Consequences of Expansion: Native Americans, The Individual, Old Systems of Culture, Environmental Impact

Washington Irving

Works Discussed:
* Irving, "The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow," "Rip Van Winkle,"

Topics Discussed:
* National Feeling: Dislocation and Newness
* Need for National History: Mythology
* Construction of the American Self
* Significance of American Landscape
* Town vs. Country
* Literary Identity: National or Cosmopolitan?
* Cultural Relationship to Europe: Romanticism
* Depiction of Women

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Midterm Exam Info

You will have approximately one hour and fifteen minutes to complete this examination. Record all answers in the blue book provided, leaving a margin on the left side of the page. You will be required to answer a total of two essay questions (one question per section). You will, therefore, likely need the full class period in order to answer all questions effectively. Be sure to budget your time wisely. All of your ideas and observations should be well-explained and supported by specific reference to the text (i.e. quotation).

This test will be open book. You are allowed one sheet of handwritten original notes. Be sure all electronic devices are turned off and put away. Turn in this exam prompt along with your blue book and sheet of notes.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Paine and Jefferson

Works Discussed:
* Jefferson, from The Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson
* Paine, from Common Sense
* Hobbes, The Leviathan (handout)
* Locke, Two Treatises of Government (handout)

--Federalist Period:
* Establish National Identity
* Founding Ideas and Principles
* Role of Writing

--Jefferson:
* Historical Context and Enlightenment Ideology
* Ideas of Government, Citizenry and Rights
* Ideology vs. Reality
* Contradictions
* American Dream

--Paine:
* Purpose/Audience
* Diversity and National Identity
* Arguments Against Reconciliation With England
* Enlightenment Ideology

Due Next Class:
* Irving, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow;" "Rip Van Winkle"--Selections Are In Volume B (Green Book)

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Olaudah Equiano

Works Discussed:
* Equiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano

Topics Discussed:
* Slave Narrative: Similarities and Differences
* Role of Narrative: Emblem, Similarities to Franklin, Progress
* Significance of Capitalism/Entrepreneurialism
* Commodification of Humans
* View of Africa, Middle Passage, Significance of Experience in New World, Slavery
* Significance of Technology
* Enlightenment Idealism and Actual Practice
* Assesment of Equiano's "Heroism"

Due Next Class:
* Jefferson, from The Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson
* Paine, from Common Sense

Saturday, March 5, 2011

J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur

Works Discussed:
* Creveco
eur, Letters From an American Farmer

Topics Discussed:
* Characteristics of New National Identity
* Role of "Melting Pot"
* Views on Government and Citizenship: American Republicanism
* Nature: American Pastoral
* Moral Regeneration
* Contradictions in American Life: Ideology vs. Reality
* American Dream

Due Next Class:
* Equiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Oladuah Equiano
* Short Response Paper

Ben Franklin

Works Discussed:
* Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Topics Discussed:
* Role of Autobiography and the Individual
* Secularization of Puritan ideas: Spiritual vs. Moral Regeneration, Spiritual vs. Communal Betterment, Protestant Ethic and Material Wealth
* Role of Enlightenment: Progress and Utility
* American Dream
* American Blueprint: Moral Perfection
* Views on Religious Pluralism and Gender
* Cultural Tension With England
* New Importance of Individual and Community

Anne Bradstreet

* Woodbridge, "Kind Reader" (John Woodbridge's Introduction to Bradstreet's The Tenth Muse--Class Handout)
* Selected Anne Bradstreet Poems:
  • "The Prologue"
  • "Contemplations"
  • "The Flesh and the Spirit"
  • "The Author to Her Book"
  • "Before the Birth of One of Her Children"
  • "In Reference to Her Children"
  • "In Memory...Elizabeth Bradstreet"
  • "In Memory...Anne Bradstreet"
  • "On My Dear...Simon Bradstreet"

Topics Discussed:
* Two Voices: Mistress Bradstreet vs. Anne
* Conflicted Views: Nature, Family, Religion/God and Mortal World
* Role of Gender: Views of Womanhood, Views of Men, Bradstreet as Woman Writer

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Mary Rowlandson

Works Read:
* Rowlandson, A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mary Rowlandson
* Increase Mather's Preface to Rowlandson's Narrative (Handout)

Topics Discussed:
* Dual Voices: Male vs. Female Voice; Pious vs. Outraged Voice
* Role as Puritan Woman Writer
* Captivity Narrative Genre: Characteristics; Individual as Symbol of Community
* Portrayal of Native Americans, Puritan Community, Nature, Men and Women
* New World Identity
* Role of 21st Century Reader; Role of Authorial Control of Narrative

Due Next Class:
* Edwards, "Personal Narrative"
* Mather, from The Wonders of the Invisible World (308-313)
* Selected Bradstreet Poems:
  • "The Prologue"
  • "Contemplations"
  • "The Flesh and the Spirit"
  • "The Author to Her Book"
  • "Before the Birth of One of Her Children"
  • "In Reference to Her Children"
  • "In Memory...Elizabeth Bradstreet"
  • "In Memory...Anne Bradstreet"
  • "On My Dear...Simon Bradstreet"
  • "Here Follow Some Verses Upon..."
  • "As Weary Pilgrim"

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

William Bradford

Work Discussed:
* Bradford,
Of Plymouth Plantation
* Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (handout)
*
Hebrews 11:13-16 (handout)

Topics Discussed:
* Millenarian Hopes
* American Dream
* Jeremiad
* Beliefs of Puritans and Pilgrims: Calvinism
* Bradford's Conception of New Word: Encounters with Native Americans and Views on Nature
* Issues of Narrative: Historical Fact or Fiction? Purpose of Work
* Puritan/Separatist View on Role of Writing: "The Plain Style"
* Puritan/Separatist Society: Covenant--Tension Between Individual and Society; Role of Bible
* Mayflower Compact

Spanish Explorers

Works Discussed:
* Christopher Columbus
* De Vaca
* De Las Casas
* Aristotle, Politics (handout)

Topics Discussed:
--Columbus:
* Conception of Native Americans and New World
* Views of European Culture
* Significance of Language: Naming
* Global Commerce

--De Las Casas
* Refutation of Ethnocentric Views
* Commodification of Native Americans
* Religious Hypocrisy

--De Vaca
* Observations on Native American Culture, Women and Tribal Life
* New World Identity
* Attitude Toward Christian's Treatment of Native Americans

Native American Tales

Works Discussed:
* The Iroquois Creation Story
* Winnebago Trickster Tales

Topics Discussed:
--Native American Lit:
* Characteristics: Oral Tradition
* Reflection of Cultural Values: Collective Community, Migratory Society
* Importance of Natural World

--Iroquois Creation Story:
* Differences With Western Creation Stories and Mythology
* Reflection of Communal Values: Role of Women, Role of Each Member of Tribe, Egalitarianism
* Significance of Nature
* Role of Narrative: Orality

--Winnebago Trickster Tales
* Characteristics: Trickster Tales
* Importance of Social Identity: Kinship Ties, Titles
* Significance of Social Behavior and Customs: Dangers of Transgression
* Relationship of Identity and Nature, Role of Nature in Tribal Life