1. WILLIAM cullen bryant (1794-1878)
Known as the country boy who translated the messages of English Romanticism into his native tongue.
Western Massachusetts made up of countryside, and would become the home to many poets over the years
Correspondence between human life and life of nature—major theme in his writing
Inspired by William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge
Known as a living proidgy in the making as he began writing poetry at 9
Poets generally gain inspiration from not only worldly elements, but from other poets as well (either from previous times of current time)
Read a book of poems that would change his life Lyrical Ballads published in 1789 by English contemporaries (Wordsworth and Coleridge)
Source of inspiration for those who want to replace conventional poetic diction with the common speech of their own time.
Poets would find metaphors in surroundings to express their sense of connection between human life and life of nature
Other poets that were entraced by this natural setting were Herman Melville, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, and Richard Wilbur.

2. WILLIAM cullen bryant (1794-1878)
Trained to become a lawyer, but publication of “Thanatopsis” brought about his literary future
Spokesperson for social reform, free speech, and abolition of slavery.
Died at 83 as a millionaire and acknowledged father of American poetry
Once “Thanatopsis” was published, he moved to NY and played the role of editor, critic, and poet.
One of the founders of the Republican party that produced Abraham Lincoln

3. Thanatopsis
What happens to us after we die, and how should we think or feel about death?
Thantos means “death”, and opsis means “sight”—the way in which you perceive death
Theme = main idea; the insight offered into human experience
Created first version when 16 years old during solitary walks in the woods

4. Tone
Tone = the verbal stance the author assumes toward the reader and his subject as reflected in his “voice.”
It is the quality of language and voice used to convey the speaker’s Attitude toward the subject or audience and is perceived through the various methods and diction used to convey the events of the work.
Attitude is the feeling the speaker holds toward the characters, events, or situation he is relating to the audience.
TONE = ATTITUDE

5. tone
When analyzing how tone Contributes to meaning and attitude in Literature, answer questions such as the following…
How does the author feel toward his subject?
How does the author feel about the characters?
How does the author feel about the events presented?
How does the author feel about his audience (readers)?
Can or does the author have different feelings for his subject and / or his audience?
Does the narrator feel the same as the author?
All of these “feelings” determine the TONE and the ATTITUDE of the work.

6. Mood vs. tone
Mood is the overall atmosphere created by the speaker, the setting the events, or narrator.
Therefore…
MOOD = OVERALL ATMOSPHERE TONE = AUTHOR’S ATTITUDE/FEELINGS
BOTH ARE DETERMINED THROUGH DICTION – THE AUTHOR’S WORD CHOICE.

7. Mood words Joyful Sinister Humorous Ironic Sarcastic Sentimental
Melancholy Optimistic Pessimistic
Calm Superior Insecure
Intimate
These words represent the ATMOSPHERE

8. Tone words Childish Contemptuous Cynical
Depressing Dreamlike Emotional
Mournful Nostalgic Philosophical
Realistic Romantic Sardonic
Whimsical
Answers the question…
What is the attitude of the author?
How does the author feel about a specific character, place, event, etc.?

9. Diction: Word Choice or Diction Is Critical in Discerning Mood, Tone, and Attitude. Words may have negative, positive, or neutral effects
During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year, when the
clouds hung oppressively low in the heavens, I had been passing alone, on horseback, through
a singularly dreary tract of country. At length I found myself, as the shades of evening drew
on, within view of the melancholy House of Usher . . .I reined my horse to the precipitous
brink of a black and lurid tarn that lay in the unruffled luster by the dwelling [with]
vacant and eye-like windows.
Passage from Edgar A. Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher”
Write down the words that establish the mood and reveal the narrator’s attitude about the House of Usher. What word or words would you use to describe the tone of the passage?