In your journey towards becoming an effective reader and writer, building a foundational knowledge of the periods of literature, the major writers in those periods, and the styles and themes associated with those periods will be very useful.

Question

And while the unit focused on more modern-day news and journalism, it’s important to also examine more historical written works to ensure that you are well-versed in a variety of texts and writings.

So, for this activity, you will explore a variety of eighteenth-, nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century foundational works of American literature and compare and contrast how these texts from the same periods address common themes and topics.

To do this, you will create a chart complete with visuals and graphics to gain some practice with translating textual information to graphic form.

Step 1
Since literature from the same time period or movement will often feature similar themes or topics, you will choose one literary movement (time period) to explore on your chart.

Some literary movements that you might consider:

Romanticism/Transcendentalism
American Enlightenment
Gothic/Southern Gothic
Modernism/ Stream-of-Consciousness
Harlem Renaissance
Step 2
Once you have decided what time period you will explore on your chart, you will choose two pieces of American literature to focus on and compare and contrast their themes relating to the time period on your chart. One side of the chart will focus on one piece of literature and the other side on the second piece of literature (just to point out the obvious!).

You will need to already be familiar with these pieces of literature or you will need to read them and become familiar with them for this activity.

The literature you choose may be found in the form of novels, poems, plays, or even song lyrics or political writings.

After you have chosen at least two pieces of literature, it’s time to create your chart!

On your chart, you will need to include the following information in general and for each piece of literature:

Time Period/Literary Movement (this can be done in a space above the chart)
specific dates of time period
three to four characteristics, themes, or topics related to the movement(s)
three to four keywords that represent common themes or topics in literature during the period(s) with definitions and an example of being used in sentence
one to three images that you feel best represent the period(s)/literary movement(s)
two to three of the most famous authors from the movement(s)
Literature
two specific pieces of literature with the title, author(s), and date published clearly expressed at the top of the appropriate side of the chart
a brief and objective summary of each literary work including the topic/theme
small excerpts from each piece of literature that show the patterns/themes of the period
keywords used in each piece of literature that represent the theme(s) with definitions and the sentence the word is used in the literature
two (or more) images/graphics to represent each literary work and/or author
a brief evaluation of how well you feel this piece of literature addresses the themes/topics of the time period
For example:

You have chosen to focus on the American Enlightenment and literature from this time period.

You might explore people like Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin, and John Locke who were known for debating the new American government and rights of the people.
You might research how enlightenment authors wrote during a complicated time of with quickly-changing political movements.
Keywords might include ‘religious freedom,’ ‘liberty,’ ‘justice,’ ‘people’s rights,’ ‘government’, etc.
Literature might include Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanac or Voltaire’s Candide.
After completing your chart, please write a paragraph that offers an overview of how you feel the themes of your chosen literary movement are represented and are different or similar in each piece of literature.

Answer 1

I have chosen to focus on the Romanticism/Transcendentalism literary movement in American literature for my chart. This movement emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries and emphasized the individual, nature, and the spiritual realm. Some common themes and topics associated with this movement include the power of imagination, the sublime beauty of nature, and the search for truth and meaning.

For one side of the chart, I have chosen Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay "Nature." Published in 1836, "Nature" explores the interconnectedness between man and nature, and advocates for individuals to seek truth and inspiration in the natural world. Excerpts from the essay highlight Emerson's belief in the spiritual significance of nature and the need to cultivate a deeper connection with it. Keywords such as "sublime," "transcendence," and "intuition" represent the themes of the essay.

On the other side of the chart, I have chosen Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel "The Scarlet Letter," published in 1850. Set in Puritan New England, the novel explores themes of sin, guilt, and the search for identity. While "The Scarlet Letter" may seem at odds with the themes of Romanticism, it can be seen as a critique of the oppressive social and religious norms of the time. Excerpts from the novel reveal Hawthorne's exploration of the inner psyche of his characters and their struggle for redemption. Keywords such as "sin," "isolation," and "hypocrisy" represent the themes of the novel.

In comparing these two works, it is evident that they both address common themes of individualism and the search for truth, albeit in different contexts. "Nature" focuses on the connection between man and nature, emphasizing the spirituality and healing power of the natural world. On the other hand, "The Scarlet Letter" delves into the inner turmoil of characters grappling with societal expectations and the consequences of their actions.

Overall, the themes of Romanticism/Transcendentalism are represented in both works, although they are approached from different angles. While "Nature" celebrates the beauty and transcendence found in nature, "The Scarlet Letter" explores the struggles faced by individuals in a society driven by judgement and conformity. Both pieces of literature invite readers to reflect on the human condition and the pursuit of truth and authenticity.