Unit 16: An Age of Revolutions—Charles Baudelaire and Emily Dickinson Flashcards
Why is Baudelaire credited with being the most widely read French poet around the globe?
Baudelaire is credited with being the most widely read French poet because:
Innovative Style: His use of modern themes and vivid imagery revolutionized poetry.
Universal Themes: He explored beauty, suffering, and the human condition, resonating with readers worldwide.
Influence on Modernism: Baudelaire influenced poets and movements like Symbolism and Modernism.
Timeless Works: His collection Les Fleurs du Mal remains influential and widely studied globally.
What is Baudelaire’s view on industrialization and modernity?
Baudelaire had a complex view on industrialization and modernity:
Alienation: He saw modern life as isolating and dehumanizing.
Beauty in the Ugly: He found art in the chaos and ugliness of urban life.
Critique of Progress: Baudelaire questioned whether industrial progress truly led to human improvement.
Modern Flâneur: He embraced the role of the observer, wandering through the city to capture its essence.
What distinguishes Baudelaire’s style from the “noble style” of his predecessors and contemporaries?
Baudelaire’s style is more personal and modern, focusing on raw emotion, urban life, and dark beauty, unlike the “noble style,” which idealized nature and moral themes.
What makes Baudelaire the quintessential poet of modernity?
Baudelaire captures the essence of modernity through themes of urban life, fleeting beauty, and the alienation of individuals in an industrializing world.
Why is Baudelaire believed to have not rejected “beauty” despite his cynical point of view?
Baudelaire didn’t reject beauty; instead, he redefined it. Despite his cynicism, he found beauty in unconventional, often dark subjects, showing that true beauty includes both elegance and flaws, mirroring the complexity of life.
Who was Emily Dickinson?
Emily Dickinson was a 19th-century American poet known for her unique style, including short lines, slant rhyme, and unconventional punctuation. She explored themes of death, nature, and inner life, often from an isolated perspective, and published only a few poems during her lifetime.
What are Dickinson’s works noteworthy of?
Dickinson’s works are noteworthy for their innovative style—using dashes, unusual capitalization, and slant rhyme—and for delving into themes like death, immortality, nature, and solitude. Her introspective, often ambiguous poems challenge conventions, capturing deep emotional and philosophical questions.
What themes does Emily Dickinson’s poetry draw on?
Dickinson’s poetry explores themes of death, immortality, nature, love, inner turmoil, and the passage of time. She often reflects on life’s mysteries, blending curiosity with an introspective, sometimes skeptical tone.
What makes Dickinson’s use of punctuation particularly striking?
Dickinson’s punctuation is striking for its heavy use of dashes and unconventional capitalization, creating pauses and emphasis that enhance the rhythm and ambiguity, giving her poems a unique, contemplative feel.
What makes Dickinson’s use of rhythm and rhyme scheme unconventional?
Dickinson’s rhythm and rhyme are unconventional because she uses irregular meter and slant rhyme, breaking traditional patterns to create a more conversational, sometimes unsettling effect. This style adds depth and ambiguity to her poetry.
