1. Restate Emerson’s basic opinion about society.
Identify and evaluate the evidence Emerson uses to support that opinion.
Restate Emerson’s basic opinion about society.
Challenge the text
Provide examples from everyday life to support and refute Emerson’s opinion of society.
Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members. Society is a joint-stock company in which the members agree for the better securing of his bread to each shareholder, to surrender the liberty and culture of the eater. The virtue in most request is conformity. Self-reliance is its aversion. It loves not realities and creators, but names and customs.

2. Transcendentalism
An intellectual movement of the 19th century. Transcendentalists were interested in the human spirit and thought that an exploration of nature helped people understand universal truths.

3. Transcendentalism
Believed the individual was at the center of the universe, more powerful than any institution whether political or religious (384).

4. Transcendentalism
Transcendentalism lasted on 10 years and only produced two major works: Emerson’s Nature, and Thoreau’s Walden.

5. Nature
What does this work reveal to you about Transcendentalism?

6. Transcendentalism
Ralph Waldo Emerson was considered the “father” of Transcendentalism in many ways.
Struggled with his faith so much, that he began questioning his own beliefs and establishing his own philosophy
As he struggled with his own faith, he struggled with the notion that machines might in the future replace people and the concerned him

7. Transcendentalism
Henry David Thoreau was Emerson’s protégé and followed in his footsteps by building a rough cottage in the woods at Walden Pond where he went to live alone in harmony with nature. He also expressed important ideas about change in government control with Civil Disobedience. He stressed the importance of the people as individuals being able to govern themselves.
Abolitionist

8. Thanatopsis
“Death Vision” T P C A S

9. Cycle of LIFE and DEATH as connected to NATURE
Theme
Cycle of LIFE and DEATH as connected to NATURE

10. The Cycle of LIFE
The Cycle of life can be divided into 4 stages. In your opinion, what are the 4 stages? What would you use to symbolize each stage? What emotions, ideals, or connotations do people associate with each stage? Why do these stages apply to all cultures and all people?

11. Edgar Allan Poe
“The Raven”; “Fall of the House of Usher”; “A Tell Tale Heart”; “The Bells”
Troubled life: father deserted him, mother died, gambling debts at school, expelled for academic violations at USMA—Westpoint, estranged from stepfather et.
Accepted as the inventor of the detective story; psychological thrillers are still imitated today
Remains popular even today

12. Romantic and Poe
Poe wrote mainly with a Gothic style. Gothic style is characterized by the following elements:
The story is set in bleak or remote places.
The plot involves macabre or violent incidents.
Characters are in psychological and/or physical torment.
A supernatural or otherworldly element is often present.
How does this fall under the “romantic umbrella”?

13. The Bells
Edgar Allan Poe

14. “The Bells” T P C A S

15. Stanza I

16. Stanza II

17. Stanza 3

18. Stanza IV

19. “The Bells” T P C A S

20. Figurative Language
Alliteration
Onomatopoeia
Refrain

21. Emily Dickinson
Wrote over 1775 poems but only published 7 before her death due to insecurities
Asked her family to destroy her poems—they didn’t
Lived as a recluse, isolated from society; she dressed only in white and only her family was allowed to see her.
Died in the same house she was born in

22. “Because I could not stop for death--”

23. Because I could not stop for Death—
Emily Dickinson

30. “Because I could not stop for death--”

31. Figurative Language
Alliteration
Personification
Theme
Mood

32. Lyric Poem
It expresses the feelings of a single speaker’s journey to death…
Similar to Poe? How?

33. (Adapted from) How Death is Handled in Various Cultures
Charlotte Kuchinsky  

34. Death and Cultures
1) Why do all cultures have clear identifiable rituals for handling death?
2) Compare/Contrast Poe’s and Dickinson’s themes to a death ritual you are familiar with?
3) Explain how these poems are Romantic.
4) How does nature play a clear and connecting role in all of the Romantic literature we have seen?

35. How do you View the Cycle?
Using your free write from earlier, compose your own version of these poems. Your poem must include at least 2 of the following…
Alliteration
Onomatopoeia
Personification
Refrain