Introduction to Literature of the Early-to-Mid 19th Century

Introduction to Literature of the Early-to-Mid 19th Century

ENG 201 Fall 2021

Multiple Select

The American Literary Renaissance was far from representative of literature written in America during the time because: 

• Published authors were primarily from Massachusetts and New York

• The literature didn't address social issues like slavery and immigration

• Content by women and minority writers was excluded 

• All of the above 

​The American Literary Renaissance Wanted to Foster the Creation of Distinctly American Works. However...

​Infomational text p. 4: "Nevertheless"...

Multiple Choice

Marking a shift in the characterization of American Literature in the 1820s, many writers rejected _____________ by arguing that British literary traditions were valuable and Patriotism deserved critique. 

• American Literary Nationalism 

• Transcendentalism

• Romanticism

• Poetic works

​A distinctly American Literature full of pride, patriotism, and noble war heroes sounded great. However...

Informational text p. 5: "American Literary Nationalism and the 1820s"

Informational text pp. 6-7: Attempt to define American Literature, critiques of the need to do so based on the status of the country

Multiple Choice

In the minds of Romantics and Transcendentalists, which Enlightenment Ideal was threatened by American Nationalism and Patriotism?

• Tabula Rasa

• Deism

• Sympathy

• Rhetoric of Sensation

​Tradition Inspires and Hinders During This Time

​Informational text pp. 12-13: "Emersonian Reform"

Multiple Choice

To characterize the beauty of America's landscape and establish a clear difference between American wealth and British luxury, Irving emphasizes the term: 

• Appetite

• Gluttony 

• Abundance

• Material

​Irving Valued Landscape as Distinctly American and Draws a Fine Line When Characterizing in "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"

​Informational Text p. 8: "Still in the wake of the War of 1812..."

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​"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow":

"​Old Baltus Van Tassel was a perfect picture of a thriving, contented, liberal-hearted farmer. He seldom, it is true, sent either his eyes or his thoughts beyond the boundaries of his own farm; but within those everything was snug, happy and well-conditioned. He was satisfied with his wealth, but not proud of it; and piqued himself upon the hearty abundance, rather than the style in which he lived."

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​"It was, as I have said, a fine autumnal day; the sky was clear and serene, and nature wore that rich and golden livery which we always associate with the idea of abundance."

"As Ichabod jogged slowly on his way, his eye, ever open to every symptom of culinary abundance, ranged with delight over the treasures of jolly autumn. On all sides he beheld vast store of apples; some hanging in oppressive opulence on the trees; some gathered into baskets and barrels for the market; others heaped up in rich piles for the cider-press. Farther on he beheld great fields of Indian corn, with its golden ears peeping from their leafy coverts, and holding out the promise of cakes and hasty-pudding; and the yellow pumpkins lying beneath them, turning up their fair round bellies to the sun, and giving ample prospects of the most luxurious of pies; and anon he passed the fragrant buckwheat fields breathing the odor of the beehive, and as he beheld them, soft anticipations stole over his mind of dainty slapjacks, well buttered, and garnished with honey or treacle, by the delicate little dimpled hand of Katrina Van Tassel."

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​"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" Film: 1999

The movie makes a change to Ichabod’s character by trading his school teacher persona for one sent to investigate the deaths in Sleepy Hollow. Yet the historical context still grounds the narrative in the original story and time period. This clip is a good representation of the conflict surrounding new ideals—the conflict between science and revolution and tradition. The unwillingness to embrace change. People were conflicted about how science should shape their perspective.

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​"I mention this peaceful spot with all possible laud, for it is in such little retired Dutch valleys, found here and there embosomed in the great State of New York, that population, manners, and customs remain fixed, while the great torrent of migration and improvement, which is making such incessant changes in other parts of this restless country, sweeps by them unobserved."