Unit 6 Flashcards
Who did they declare the true God to be?
Over-Soul
What is a fundamental belief of Transcendentalism?
Things are steadily moving upward towards perfection.
The philosophical leader of transcendentalism and a pivotal figure in American literature
Ralph Waldo Emerson
How did Emerson define poetry?
As a meter making argument
Emerson was described as what?
The nine-tenth century arch-heretic
What was Emerson’s true vocation?
Lecturing throughout America
Emerson’s poetry and prose both reveal much better development in what?
Content rather than style
His transcendentalism contradicts Christianity by supporting what doctrines?
1) the divinity of man
2) the irrelevance of the Bible
3) the perfectibility of society
Emerson found respectability and enjoyment in what during his last years?
Speaking engagements at Harvard.
“_______________” is usually regarded as one of his most significant works.
“Nature”
How does Emerson define “primary wisdom”?
Intuition and he emphasizes that man cannot seek truth but must simply receive it.
What is the genre of Concord Hymn?
Occasional poetry
What is the structure of Concord Hymn?
Quatrains of abab rhyme.
Emerson’s work Brahma reveals what?
The influence of the orientalist and Hinduism.
What does the lump of mould refer to?
Death
The first stanza of Hamatreya emphasizes what?
The first settler’s pride in ownership of land
What does “They called me theirs, who so controlled me;” mean?
Because they died, they could not hold the earth; instead the earth holds them
What happens in line 60-61 when the speaker hears the earth song?
He is no longer brave
Thoreau tried what after graduating?
Teaching
Thoreau’s life was characterized by what?
Nonconformity
What was Thoreau’s central event of his life?
His residence at Walden Pond
His works have inspired modern thinking in what?
The idealization of primitive life
Thoreau lived with Emerson and his family during _______ different periods of time.
Two
_________________ was the official publication of transcendentalism
The Dial
What was Thoreau’s most influential work?
Walden
An artistic creation carefully shaped so as to fuse all parts into once coherent, unified whole.
Walden
Thoreau also applied transcendental principles to what?
Politics
According to Civil Disobedience the practical or actual basis for the majority rule is what?
Physical strength
According to Thoreau that “which govern not at all” or “which governs least” is what?
The best government of all
The Biblical Allusion of the crucifixion of Christ emphasizes what?
The evil of government
What is Thoreau’s attitude toward the idea that “the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever”?
Skeptical
What is Thoreau’s central recommendations?
Simplify
Who extended Emerson’s ideas to their logical outcomes?
Whitman
What was Whitman’s long-range effect ?
To encourage total freedom in poetic content and style
Has a strong influence on modern american poetry
Whitman
What is the name of Whitman’s central work, a collection of poems refined and revised for 37 years?
Leaves of Grass
What does whitman’s work reveal?
- self worship
- sexual explicitness
- unity with nature
What is Whitman’s usual preference in poetic style?
Free verse
What is one of Whitman’s most characteristic stylistic techniques?
Repetition
In I Hear America Singing Whitman uses a cataloging technique by
Listing common occupations
List 3 common occupations listed I Hear America Singing
- mason
- boatman
- carpenter
- shoemaker
- mechanics
The expression “what belongs to him or her and to none else” emphasizes what?
Democratic beliefs, no element is more important than another. All are equal
Why does Whitman include congress,am with the names Kanuck, Tuckahoe, and Cuff?
To show that a congressman is not different or better than anyone else
What are the 3 symbols in When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d?
Lilac, star, thrush
How is the theme of praise for the United States developed?
Primarily by the journey of the coffin
“Dark mother” and “strong deliveress” refer to what?
A song of praise to death.
What is The Dial?
The official publication of transcendentalists
According to Thoreau, what is the best government of all?
That “which govern not at all” or “which governs least”
What does Thoreau’s Walden experience illustrate about the influence of society?
That society tends to deaden man’s appreciation of the true beauty and wisdom of nature
What is the Bible principle in Walden that working men violate?
The command to not “lay up treasures which moth and rust correct and thieves break through and steal”
What is the name of Whitman’s central work, a collection of poems refined and revised for 37 years?
Leaves of Grass
What does whitman’s work reveal?
- self worship
- sexual explicitness
- unity with nature
What is Whitman’s usual preference in poetic style?
Free verse
What is one of Whitman’s most characteristic stylistic techniques?
Repetition
In I Hear America Singing Whitman uses a cataloging technique by
Listing common occupations
List 3 common occupations listed I Hear America Singing
- mason
- boatman
- carpenter
- shoemaker
- mechanics
The expression “what belongs to him or her and to none else” emphasizes what?
Democratic beliefs, no element is more important than another. All are equal
Why does Whitman include congress,am with the names Kanuck, Tuckahoe, and Cuff?
To show that a congressman is not different or better than anyone else
What are the 3 symbols in When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d?
Lilac, star, thrush
How is the theme of praise for the United States developed?
Primarily by the journey of the coffin
“Dark mother” and “strong deliveress” refer to what?
A song of praise to death.
What is The Dial?
The official publication of transcendentalists
According to Thoreau, what is the best government of all?
That “which govern not at all” or “which governs least”
What does Thoreau’s Walden experience illustrate about the influence of society?
That society tends to deaden man’s appreciation of the true beauty and wisdom of nature
What is the Bible principle in Walden that working men violate?
The command to not “lay up treasures which moth and rust correct and thieves break through and steal”
