1. Choose one of the values of romanticism we discussed: emotion over reason, nature over human-made, impermanence of humanity, the individual over the collective, valuing rural life. writing sparked by individual emotion instead of borrowing from other genres or over thinking writing.
2. Choose three literary works from the Romantic Unit. How does the Romantic value you chose come out in these three literary works.
3. Incorporate at least two direct quotations from these works to support your assertion. Use "/" to indicate breaks in lines
4. Remember to explain the why's and how's surrounding your assertions/claims i.e. how does this or that literary work represent the value you choose or why do you think the Romantics focused on these values in their writing over others? Why were the Romantics drawn to such themes?
5. As always, solid topic sentences and varied sentence structure are always helpful.
The romantic era was filled with many stories of emotion and feeling that had to do with nature along with many other aspects of life. Nature being valued over man-made things is one values that romantics lived by that led to many great pieces of literature. Three pieces just from our book that show this value are, Ode to the West Wind, The World is too Much With Us, and Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard. Each of these selections show in their own way how the romantics used feeling and emotion in their writing beyond the normal writers of that century. In Ode to the West Wind Shelly tells how nature has more life and meaning than man made things when he says, "The winged seeds, where they lie cold and low/Each like a corpse within its grave, until/Thine azure sister of the Spring shall blow." He talks about all the facets of nature in a way that gives them life and emotion. In The World is too Much With Us by William Wordsworth he talks about how people don't value nature and only worry about the now and what they want. He also depicts how people don't realize how good they really have it when he says,"Little we see in Nature that is ours;/We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!" Finally in Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray he shows readers that in the end everything will go back to nature. He says,"The boast of heraldry, the pomp or power,/And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave,/Awaits alike the inevitable hour./The paths of glory lead but to the grave." To me this shows that we should not get wrapped up in what we have or worldly things because in the end we can't take that with us and what really matters is your legacy and what you leave behind.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Blake & Burns Poems
1. Robert Burns is known as the national poet of Scotland; how does Burns incorporate/
honor is Scottish heritage in the poems “Auld Lang Syne•” and “John Anderson My
Jo”?
In the first poem he talks about the friendliness of the Scottish people and how they can have a good time and in the second poem he talks about the true love that two Scottish people shared.
2. What idea concept is being praised/honored in “Auld Lang Syne”?
How is this same theme extended in “John Anderson, My Jo”? How do these values reflect the values of Romanticism? How do they contrast with the values of the Age of Reason?
He is showing the that Scottish people are people who enjoy life and live for the moment by enjoying a drink and remembering old friends, then how the two loved each other in the second one. This reflects romanticism because it shows how they live for that moment and are "flying by the seat of their pants" so to speak, while it contrast the Age of Reason by thinking with their hearts instead of their heads.
3. What does the metaphor of the hill in the second stanza of John Anderson, My Jo
represent?
It represents life and all of life's troubles and hard times and how they have gone through them together.
4. Explain how William Blake•s upbringing/worldview influenced the type of poetry he wrote.
When he was younger he had visions of celestial bodies so when he wrote in incorporated these visions into his writing and wrote a more visual and spiritual ties, which were unconventional at the time.
5. How are “The Lamb” and “The Tyger” similar to each other? (Read “About the
Selection” on p 679) What two sides of the human soul do the animals represent?
Why did Blake it equally important to understand both sides? In a religious framework, what do the two animals represent?
The two have exactly the same rhyme scheme and are wrote almost identically in structure. The lamb represents innocence while the tyger represents experience. It is equally important to understand both because they are both key parts of human nature and life. The lamb represents Jesus in a religious framework and the tyger represents evil made by God (eden).
6. How do William Blake•s three poems celebrate the untameness of nature and reject the urbanity/structured society? How does this reflect Romanticism?
He looks at normal things in an abstract view. He also looks as though things are in nature and not like the normal hustle and bustle of a big society. He also gives the pieces and what they talk about a more religious view instead of a normal more conservative, logical view.
honor is Scottish heritage in the poems “Auld Lang Syne•” and “John Anderson My
Jo”?
In the first poem he talks about the friendliness of the Scottish people and how they can have a good time and in the second poem he talks about the true love that two Scottish people shared.
2. What idea concept is being praised/honored in “Auld Lang Syne”?
How is this same theme extended in “John Anderson, My Jo”? How do these values reflect the values of Romanticism? How do they contrast with the values of the Age of Reason?
He is showing the that Scottish people are people who enjoy life and live for the moment by enjoying a drink and remembering old friends, then how the two loved each other in the second one. This reflects romanticism because it shows how they live for that moment and are "flying by the seat of their pants" so to speak, while it contrast the Age of Reason by thinking with their hearts instead of their heads.
3. What does the metaphor of the hill in the second stanza of John Anderson, My Jo
represent?
It represents life and all of life's troubles and hard times and how they have gone through them together.
4. Explain how William Blake•s upbringing/worldview influenced the type of poetry he wrote.
When he was younger he had visions of celestial bodies so when he wrote in incorporated these visions into his writing and wrote a more visual and spiritual ties, which were unconventional at the time.
5. How are “The Lamb” and “The Tyger” similar to each other? (Read “About the
Selection” on p 679) What two sides of the human soul do the animals represent?
Why did Blake it equally important to understand both sides? In a religious framework, what do the two animals represent?
The two have exactly the same rhyme scheme and are wrote almost identically in structure. The lamb represents innocence while the tyger represents experience. It is equally important to understand both because they are both key parts of human nature and life. The lamb represents Jesus in a religious framework and the tyger represents evil made by God (eden).
6. How do William Blake•s three poems celebrate the untameness of nature and reject the urbanity/structured society? How does this reflect Romanticism?
He looks at normal things in an abstract view. He also looks as though things are in nature and not like the normal hustle and bustle of a big society. He also gives the pieces and what they talk about a more religious view instead of a normal more conservative, logical view.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Romantic Era
1. When did the Romantic Era begin and end? Overall, how does the book describe the movement? How does it contrast to the Enlightenment/Age of Reason?
The romantic era lasted from 1785 to 1832. The book describes it as a rebellion against the rational. It is different from the enlightenment and age of reason because it was spontaneous and had no "rhyme or reason" to it.
2. What were the major political developments/changes that occured during the Romantic Era?
There was a civil reform because there was a span of three weak kings which lead to powerful prime ministers. In 1832 parliamentary seats were redistributed.
3. The introduction describe three pre-Romantic poets; how did these poets bridge the gap between Neoclassicism and Romanticism? What were the name of the three pre-Romantics discussed in the book?
Thomas Gray, Robert Burns, and William Blake all bridged the gap by writing in new styles that were for the common man and in a normal mans terms and were written with native dialect.
4. What publication really began the Romantic Era? Why was the publication pivotal in the Romantic movement? What statements were the two authors trying to make with it? Who were considered the second generation of Romantics? What did they celebrate through their literature?
Lyrical Ballads really started the Romantic Era and was pivotal because it explained the movement and what its writing was about. They stated that it should be for the common man and explained their revolutionary theory of poetry. George Gordon, Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelly and John Keats were the second generation and they celebrated the first generation and their ideas.
5. What is a Gothic novel? What are some examples of it?
Long stories containing elements of suspense, mystery, magic, and the macabre. The Castle of Otranto, The Mysteries of Udolpho, and Frankenstein are all examples.
6. What type of novel did Jane Austen right?
She wrote novels of manners
The romantic era lasted from 1785 to 1832. The book describes it as a rebellion against the rational. It is different from the enlightenment and age of reason because it was spontaneous and had no "rhyme or reason" to it.
2. What were the major political developments/changes that occured during the Romantic Era?
There was a civil reform because there was a span of three weak kings which lead to powerful prime ministers. In 1832 parliamentary seats were redistributed.
3. The introduction describe three pre-Romantic poets; how did these poets bridge the gap between Neoclassicism and Romanticism? What were the name of the three pre-Romantics discussed in the book?
Thomas Gray, Robert Burns, and William Blake all bridged the gap by writing in new styles that were for the common man and in a normal mans terms and were written with native dialect.
4. What publication really began the Romantic Era? Why was the publication pivotal in the Romantic movement? What statements were the two authors trying to make with it? Who were considered the second generation of Romantics? What did they celebrate through their literature?
Lyrical Ballads really started the Romantic Era and was pivotal because it explained the movement and what its writing was about. They stated that it should be for the common man and explained their revolutionary theory of poetry. George Gordon, Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelly and John Keats were the second generation and they celebrated the first generation and their ideas.
5. What is a Gothic novel? What are some examples of it?
Long stories containing elements of suspense, mystery, magic, and the macabre. The Castle of Otranto, The Mysteries of Udolpho, and Frankenstein are all examples.
6. What type of novel did Jane Austen right?
She wrote novels of manners
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Pride and Prejudice
1. What character has the pride and which character has the predjudice? Explain.
Elizabeth has the pride and Darcy has the prejudice. Darcy looks down at people at some points and thinks lowly of some people. Elizabeth has pride because she is very prim to herself and will not marry the man because she
2. What are examples of gender inequity in the movie? How does this gender inequity impact the decisions of some characters?
Women were courted or forced to marry a man. That a sophisticated woman should have to read and study a lot, basically do everything. Elizabeth declines marriage for herself while her friend gets married for the reason that she feels its sensible.
3. What are examples of social class playing a role in how characters interact?
Lower class women had little to no say in their own life while upper class women did. Lower class women were accused of marring for money rather than for love.
4. Based of the movie, what were some of the expected norms/behavior women were expect for conform to? How does Elizabeth Bennett break out against these roles?
They were expected to marry when they were asked and to look pretty and not have opinions. Elizabeth turned a man down and was outspoken at the dance.
5. What do you think Jane Austen was trying to comment on about love/courtship for time period/world? Is it satirical in nature at all?
That marriage was expected when it was fitting or convenient for others than the woman involved. It is satirical because she over exaggerated the point of it.
Elizabeth has the pride and Darcy has the prejudice. Darcy looks down at people at some points and thinks lowly of some people. Elizabeth has pride because she is very prim to herself and will not marry the man because she
2. What are examples of gender inequity in the movie? How does this gender inequity impact the decisions of some characters?
Women were courted or forced to marry a man. That a sophisticated woman should have to read and study a lot, basically do everything. Elizabeth declines marriage for herself while her friend gets married for the reason that she feels its sensible.
3. What are examples of social class playing a role in how characters interact?
Lower class women had little to no say in their own life while upper class women did. Lower class women were accused of marring for money rather than for love.
4. Based of the movie, what were some of the expected norms/behavior women were expect for conform to? How does Elizabeth Bennett break out against these roles?
They were expected to marry when they were asked and to look pretty and not have opinions. Elizabeth turned a man down and was outspoken at the dance.
5. What do you think Jane Austen was trying to comment on about love/courtship for time period/world? Is it satirical in nature at all?
That marriage was expected when it was fitting or convenient for others than the woman involved. It is satirical because she over exaggerated the point of it.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Candide
Answer the following that reading Candide,
1. Write a summary paragraph of the selection.
This is a story about a young boy who was raised in a fancy and great castle where there was no wrong or wrong doing. He then became love struck by Maedmoiselle Cunegonde and kissed her. Candide was expelled from the castle for this. He then goes on to the Bulgarians and is treated great at first then is put in the army and is thrashed for going on a walk and believing in freedom. During the war he escapes to Holland and is then again criticized for his believes in God and that the pope is not the anti-Christ. At the end of the story he runs into his philosopher from when he was a young boy at the castle, who is now homeless.
2. What philosophical idea is Voltaire satirizing through the work?
He is satirizing the idea that people are ridiculed for their ideas a believes daily, even if what they believe in is right and just. He is also satirizing the idea that everything happens for the best.
3. What are examples of Voltaire satirizing war and government in Candide? What are example of Voltaire satirizing religion in Candide?
He satirizes war by showing that you were looked upon as a hero and the perfect size, and government where the young boy gets 4000 lashes for going on a walk away from their society. He satirizes religion when the man asks him if he believes that the pope is the anti-Christ and when he answers he does not care he is only hungry the man replies that he is not worthy to eat.
4. What is the irony in Pangloss's appearance at the end of the selection?
It is ironic because Candide lives by this man's philosophies and thinks he was right about everything all the time and in the end that man becomes homeless and worse off than Candide.
5. Do you agree with Voltaire's critique of philosophical optimism, or do you think he's too skeptical and bitter toward the idea that everything that happens is for the best? Why or why not?
I think that his critique is good because bad things do happen and are unavoidable. It is a part of life and something everyone has to deal with, but also I do believe that there is a reason for everything and that there is a bigger plan.
1. Write a summary paragraph of the selection.
This is a story about a young boy who was raised in a fancy and great castle where there was no wrong or wrong doing. He then became love struck by Maedmoiselle Cunegonde and kissed her. Candide was expelled from the castle for this. He then goes on to the Bulgarians and is treated great at first then is put in the army and is thrashed for going on a walk and believing in freedom. During the war he escapes to Holland and is then again criticized for his believes in God and that the pope is not the anti-Christ. At the end of the story he runs into his philosopher from when he was a young boy at the castle, who is now homeless.
2. What philosophical idea is Voltaire satirizing through the work?
He is satirizing the idea that people are ridiculed for their ideas a believes daily, even if what they believe in is right and just. He is also satirizing the idea that everything happens for the best.
3. What are examples of Voltaire satirizing war and government in Candide? What are example of Voltaire satirizing religion in Candide?
He satirizes war by showing that you were looked upon as a hero and the perfect size, and government where the young boy gets 4000 lashes for going on a walk away from their society. He satirizes religion when the man asks him if he believes that the pope is the anti-Christ and when he answers he does not care he is only hungry the man replies that he is not worthy to eat.
4. What is the irony in Pangloss's appearance at the end of the selection?
It is ironic because Candide lives by this man's philosophies and thinks he was right about everything all the time and in the end that man becomes homeless and worse off than Candide.
5. Do you agree with Voltaire's critique of philosophical optimism, or do you think he's too skeptical and bitter toward the idea that everything that happens is for the best? Why or why not?
I think that his critique is good because bad things do happen and are unavoidable. It is a part of life and something everyone has to deal with, but also I do believe that there is a reason for everything and that there is a bigger plan.
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