Literary Synthesis Essay

698 Words2 Pages

The Romantic period in American literature showed a lot of themes about deep appreciation for nature, individualism, and the supernatural. Authors of this period, such as William Cullen Bryant, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, captured these themes in their works and each has their own style that makes their work unique and intriguing to any reader. William Cullen Bryant's poem "Thanatopsis” has an important emphasis on themes of nature and its role in human life and death. In this poem, Bryant contemplates the idea of death as a natural part of life, “The golden sun, the planets, all the infinite host of heaven, are shining on the sad abodes of death” (Bryant, W). Nature can provide solace and a sense …show more content…

Especially in his essay "Nature" which has a huge emphasis on themes of spiritual connection with the natural world. “The sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and the heart of the child.” (Emerson, R.W) This quote emphasizes children may have a deeper and more profound connection to nature than adults as adults have a lot more going on compared to children. This is just one sentence from the essay as the majority of the sentences in Emerson's essay have a lot of metaphors, imagery and meaning all relating to themes that nature is a source of inspiration and renewal for the individual, and it encourages readers to seek a deeper understanding of themselves and the universe through direct experience with …show more content…

His poem “Pauls Revere’s Ride” uses narrative poetry that immerses the reader in the dramatic events of Paul Revere's historic ride, “So through the night rode Paul Revere; And so through the night went his cry of alarm To every Middlesex village and farm,—A cry of defiance, and not of fear, A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door, And a word that shall echo forevermore!” (Longfellow, H.W) This quote captures the urgency and tension of the moment. Longfellow's skillful use of descriptive language and vivid imagery brings the story to life, making the reader feel as though they are riding alongside Revere, experiencing the excitement and danger of his mission. Through his narrative style, Longfellow not only recounts a significant moment in American history but also creates a compelling and memorable piece of literature that resonates with

Open Document