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

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

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.

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)