- Define and explain American Romanticism. Use one of Whitman’s or Dickinson’s poem to help you define
the movement. Be specific and explain which characteristics of Romanticism are illustrated in ONE of these
texts. Explain why reading this text as Romantic helps the reader understand the text’s meaning. Narrow and
focus. - Describe the significance of the question, “What is the grass?” posed in “Song of Myself, . What are
Whitman’s answers, for example? The grass is a metaphor for what? How does Whitman’s question help us
understand his concept of Romanticism? Consider that every leaf of grass is a transference; remember that for
Whitman we are all part of a cycle of death, rebirth and transformation. Why are these ideas important to
Whitman? Narrow and focus. Consider using Ed Folsom and Christopher Merrill’s analysis to help you answer
this question. - Write an analysis of one of the sections of “Song of Myself” provided in the content. Explain one of the
poem’s overall meaning or intent and the use of the poetic imagery or symbols to support this reading. Narrow
and focus this question. Be specific. For example, what does Whitman mean in the first section, when he
asserts the following: “I celebrate and sing myself, and what I assume you shall assume/ For every atom
belonging to me as good belongs to you.” Do we experience the transfer of energy from Whitman’s “I” to the
“you” as readers as one of the critics asserts? Consider using Ed Folsom and Christopher Merrill’s analysis or
Robert Morace’s to help you answer this question. - Analyze one of Dickinson’s poems in the course content. For example, what does Dickinson assert about
death in “Because I Could not Stop for Death”? Use Michele Kreidler’s analysis to help answer this question.
What does Kreidler assert about this text? Explain and be specific. For example, you could discuss how and
why death is personified in “Because I Could not Stop for Death.” You may also discuss Kreidler’s analysis of
“choices” in “The Soul Selects her own Society.” Or you may discuss how and why Dickinson uses images of
drunkeness or debauchery to reveal her relationship with nature – use Robert Forman’s analysis in your
answer. Narrow and focus. - Discuss the unconventionality of either Dickinson’s or Whitman’s poetry. Consider the subject matter;
Whitman wrote unashamedly about sex and the human body, for example. Also consider the style of his or her
poetry; for example, Dickinson’s use of the dash. Why are these innovations important? Use the scholarly
articles to help with this question. Narrow and focus.
Category Two: Realism
When discussing Realism, use the specific characteristics of the movement; do not simply say a text is “true to
life,” for example. - Define and explain American Realism. To answer this question you may explain how Realism differs from
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Romanticism. Realistic works differ from Romantic works in subject matter and purpose, for example – explain.
Or you may explain what Realistic writers found “objectionable” in Romantic works. Consider selecting one of
the Realistic text and explain how specific characteristics of Realism are illustrated in this text; how does
reading this text as Realistic help us understand the text’s meaning? Narrow and focus. - Discuss how and why Mark Twain found James Fenimore Cooper’s work objectionable – how did he use
Cooper’s Romantic work to help explain what American Realism should accomplish? - Using William Dean Howells’ story, “Editha,” explain and define Realism. For example, explain how and why
George and his mother present a realistic point of view while Editha presents a more Romantic concept of
life.You may also explain how this story reflects Howells’ ideas about Realism – for example, how are Editha’s
romantic ideas actually dangerous? Consider using Carl Engelhart’s essay in your response. What does
Engelhardt assert about this text and Howells’ purpose? Narrow and focus. - Grandison is a trickster figure; who is he and how does he function in the story? Explain. What is the typical
function of the trickier in literature? What role does he play? Explain. Were you surprised at the story’s ending –
were you yourself “tricked”?Is Chesnutt himself a trickster as storyteller? Who is Chesnutt’s audience and why
is Chesnutt attempting to educate them? Narrow and focus. - Explain what “passing” is and its significance/importance in this particular story. You may also explain how
and why Chesnutt re-writes or re-examines the concept of “passing” in this story. What is Chesnutt’s purpose?
Consider using Martha Cutter’s article to help with your answer; what are some of the strategies of passing that
she discusses, for example? Cutter describes the text as an inverted slave narrative – what is this textual
strategy and how does analyzing this text as such help us understand Chesnutt’s purpose?
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