Due Tuesday, 12/1

Read the poem, "Thanatopsis" on page 202
Read the poem, "I felt a Funeral" on page 378

Then, create a brief Venn diagram-ish chart, that looks at similarities and differences between these two poems. Consider comparing things like, subject matter, verse form, diction, imagery, figurative language.

This will be similar to your Bradford/Smith chart

Bryant Bryant/Dickinson Dickinson

Due Sometime after Thanksgiving break...

...but a good assignment to get started on.

You will be completing a review cards for the Romantic authors we have read. A review card must contain the following information:

Name of Author
Literary School/Movement associated with them (if applicable)
Region associated with that author
Names of works that we read by that author
Approximate date when these works were published
Characteristics of their writing
Important Quotation(s) from what we read

These cards must show some effort in their design and layout. They should be in ink or typed. (Part of the score for these cards will based on their presentation.)

You must create a review card for the following authors:

William Cullen Bryant
Washington Irving
James Fenimoore Cooper
Edgar Allen Poe
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Oliver Wendell Holmes
James Russell Lowell
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Henry David Thoreau
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Herman Melville
Emily Dickinson
Walt Whitman

(This assignment will most likely be due on the day of the Romanticism test, so stay tuned for a specific date)

I realize that you may not be able to fill in all information at this time (especially literary school), or complete cards for Dickinson or Whitman. However, you will still benefit from getting them started since you will have other assignments during the week you come back.

Due Friday, November 20th

Read the following poems:


334- “The Tide Rises”

336- “The Psalm of Life”

347- “The Chambered Nautilus”

352- “First Snowfall”


Write a response for each poem consisting of:


1. Literal Summary (1-2 sentences):


2. Interpretation/Theme: What deeper meaning does this poem convey (2-3

sentences)


3. Style analysis: What poetry devices (rhyme, figurative language, allusions, diction...) does this pome make use of? How do they help enhance the theme? (1-2 sentences)


Please include these three questions after the title of each poem on your paper. Then, complete question number for after you have read and responded to all 4 poems:

4. What similarities do these poems share? In what way do they differ from each other? Which one did you find the most enjoyable? Explain your thoughts... (4-5 sentences)

Due Monday, November 16th

For the “Minister’s Black Veil” reflection paper, you will write/type around two pages of your thoughts concerning the story. [Double-spaced if typed; single spaced if hand-written] You will write in well constructed complete sentences, but you will not follow any specific paper structure; I’m interested mostly in your ideas. However, please continue to use formal voice: no I, me, you, etc.


I want you write about your insights into the story. You may wish to consider the following questions: What different things does the black veil symbolize? What insight into humanity does the story present? What insight into the self does the story suggest? What ironies are inherent in the work? What motivated Rev. Hooper to wear the veil?

You should use at least 2-3 quotations over the course of your ponderings.

Also, you may want to get a head start on reading the excerpts from Melville's Moby Dick in your lit book which will be due on Tuesday.

Due 11/13

Read "The Minister's Black Veil" and be prepared to discuss.

Due 11/12

Read the excerpt from Civil Disobedience in your text. Also, read Dr. Heideggar's Experiment, which can be found here, if you forgot your book.

(I can't post a link for the Thoreau, since the actual text is more than your book includes.)

Due 11/10

We will continue our discussion of Walden today in class; be sure to have 4-5 quotations identified from the reading the seem to really capture Thoreau's intended message.

Due Monday, November 9th

Read the excerpt from "Walden" in your book. (282-288)

Due Friday, November 6th

Research Emerson quotations online and select 5 that you really enjoy. Copy and paste the quotations into a document and format it so that you have a pretty readable font-size (around 20). Cut out each quotation individually, and bring them with you to class.

Additionally, make sure to complete the Background Reading described in the previous post. Will there be a reading quiz?

Due 11/5

Read the excerpts by Emerson:

"Self-Reliance"
"Nature"

(268-271)

For Friday, we'll be discussing the background reading from (240-257), and I recommend getting a start on that reading as well, since the Emerson selections are short, and there is another (short) assignment that will be due on Friday.

Due 11/4

Read the excerpt from "The Praire" by Cooper. (190-199) Then, write thoughtful answers for the following questions.

1. In what ways does the enviroment symbolize the action that is taking place?

2. In what ways do the Native Americans in the story demonstrate compassion for Natty Bumpo?

3. What commentary does this story offer about religious beliefs? (Consider by evaluating the religious beliefs presented)

4. What are Natty Bumppo's requests for when he dies, and what do these reveal about his character?

5. What is the symbolism behind the two figures at Natty Bumppo's side during his death?

6. What are some things about this excerpt that strike you as being difficult to believe or unrealistic? (dare I say, even "cheesy")

Due November, 3rd

Read the Romanticism background section (162-173) and be prepared to take a reading quiz based on this material.