Romantic Poetry in America Through the Dead Poets Society.

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Romantic Poetry in Romantic Poetry in America America Through the Dead Poets Through the Dead Poets Society Society

Transcript of Romantic Poetry in America Through the Dead Poets Society.

Page 1: Romantic Poetry in America Through the Dead Poets Society.

Romantic Poetry in Romantic Poetry in AmericaAmericaThrough the Dead Poets SocietyThrough the Dead Poets Society

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Mr. Keating’s Words of Mr. Keating’s Words of WisdomWisdom

The idea of education =“ learn to think for The idea of education =“ learn to think for yourself”yourself”

““The powerful play goes on, and you may The powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse. What would your verse contribute a verse. What would your verse be?”be?”

““You must strive to find your You must strive to find your own voice”own voice”

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R. W. Emerson’s Advice to AmericaR. W. Emerson’s Advice to America

““Trust thyselfTrust thyself” “…imitation is suicide” ” “…imitation is suicide” (“Self-Reliance”)(“Self-Reliance”)

We Americans need to interpret our OWN We Americans need to interpret our OWN culture, not just rely on British ideas (“The culture, not just rely on British ideas (“The American Scholar” 1837)American Scholar” 1837)

We need an “American Poet” who can sing We need an “American Poet” who can sing about OUR country. We need to see nature about OUR country. We need to see nature through American eyes (“The Poet”through American eyes (“The Poet”

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Keating = Emerson?Keating = Emerson?Unorthodox = Not conforming to rules or traditions

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Emerson as MentorEmerson as Mentor

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Emerson Inspires Emerson Inspires ThoreauThoreau

Emerson encouraged Thoreau to Emerson encouraged Thoreau to do his experiment of living in the do his experiment of living in the woods.woods.

Let Thoreau stay on his landLet Thoreau stay on his land

Emerson = inspiring ideas Emerson = inspiring ideas (“Nature” “Self-Reliance”)(“Nature” “Self-Reliance”)

Thoreau = putting it to practiceThoreau = putting it to practice

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Emerson Inspires Walt Emerson Inspires Walt WhitmanWhitman

Young Walt tries to be THE “American Young Walt tries to be THE “American Poet” (as Emerson described)Poet” (as Emerson described)

Writes Writes Leaves of Grass Leaves of Grass a collection of poems (fresh, a collection of poems (fresh,

original)original)Mails the collection to EmersonMails the collection to Emerson

Emerson congratulates him for Emerson congratulates him for having a fresh new voicehaving a fresh new voice

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Inspiring the Boys…Inspiring the Boys…

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Inspiring the Boys…Inspiring the Boys…

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Emily DickinsonEmily Dickinson

Was born and died in the same Was born and died in the same househouse

Didn’t get out much (not in contact Didn’t get out much (not in contact with Emerson)with Emerson)

Wrote 1770+ poems, published Wrote 1770+ poems, published only 10 Anonymouslyonly 10 Anonymously

Found her OWN voiceFound her OWN voice

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Emerson’s Over-soulEmerson’s Over-soul

Single soul of entire UniverseSingle soul of entire Universe““I become a I become a transparent eye-transparent eye-

ballball; I am nothing; I see all; the ; I am nothing; I see all; the currents of the Universal Being currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part circulate through me; I am part or particle of God” (“Nature”)or particle of God” (“Nature”)

Whitman & Dickinson also wrote Whitman & Dickinson also wrote about the soul.about the soul.

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What makes this stanza What makes this stanza Romantic? (think of the 5 ‘I’s)Romantic? (think of the 5 ‘I’s)

DAREST thou now, O Soul,DAREST thou now, O Soul,   

Walk out with me toward the Walk out with me toward the Unknown Region,Unknown Region,

Where neither ground is for the Where neither ground is for the feet, nor any path to follow?feet, nor any path to follow?