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.

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

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

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 19^th 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)

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

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"