Questions and Answers
Who are considered the Fireside Poets?
Their poetry was read around household firesides, often aloud to the gathered family, and in schoolrooms, where they inculcated wisdom and _________ and __________ feeling in America's young.
morals, patriotic
Fireside poets preferred conventional poetry forms over experimentation, following the ________ traditions of poetry.
British
However, with goals of creating a unique American _______, they often used American legends and scenes of American life as their subject matter.
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What notable works did Henry Wadsworth Longfellow compose?
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Which work is associated with William Cullen Bryant?
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What contributions did James Russell Lowell make?
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What was Oliver Wendell Holmes known for?
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What themes are prominent in John Greenleaf Whittier's work?
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_________ and _________ have remained the most popular American poets out of all the Fireside Poets.
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___________remains the only American poet to be immortalized by a bust in Westminster Abbey's Poets' Corner.
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They took on causes in their poetry, such as the _________of ________, which brought awareness to the issue in a way that the public was willing to hear.
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Who were some later Romantic writers influenced by the Fireside Poets?
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What is Romanticism?
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What are the major motifs of Romantic writing?
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How many poems did Emily Dickinson publish during her life?
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How many of Dickinson's poems were published after her death?
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What are some characteristics of Dickinson's poetry?
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Describe Walt Whitman's poetry.
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Study Notes
Fireside Poets Overview
- Romantic era poets who focused on themes of family, patriotism, and nature.
- Key figures include William Cullen Bryant, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, John Greenleaf Whittier, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and James Russell Lowell.
Poetry and Themes
- Their poetry was popular around household firesides and in schoolrooms, emphasizing morals and patriotic feelings.
- Preferred traditional poetic forms, adhering to British poetic traditions while striving for a unique American voice that reflected legends and everyday life.
Notable Poets
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882): Harvard professor known for "Song of Hiawatha," "Paul Revere's Ride," and "Evangeline." Translated Dante's "Inferno."
- William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878): Newspaper editor in NYC and author of "Thanatopsis." A founder of the Republican party and supporter of Lincoln.
- James Russell Lowell (1819-1891): Another Harvard professor from the distinguished Boston Brahmin family, an advocate for anti-slavery.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894): Medical doctor who coined "anesthesia," authored "Old Ironsides," and was the father of Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
- John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892): Self-educated poet known for "Snow-bound" and "Legends of New England," actively participated in the anti-slavery movement.
Popularity and Recognition
- Longfellow and Bryant remain the most celebrated of the Fireside Poets.
- Longfellow is the only American poet honored with a bust at Westminster Abbey's Poets' Corner.
Social Causes
- The Fireside Poets addressed social issues like the abolition of slavery, making their messages accessible and resonant with the public.
Influence on Future Writers
- Their work influenced later Romantic writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman, and Emily Dickinson.
Romanticism
- A 19th-century artistic movement focusing on emotion over reason and emphasizing inspiration from nature and individuality.
Notable Transcendentalists
- Ralph Waldo Emerson: Emphasized self-reliance and optimism, opposing slavery.
- Henry David Thoreau: Authored "Walden" and promoted civil disobedience against unjust government actions.
- Emily Dickinson: Renowned for her poetry exploring themes of love, death, and immortality.
- Walt Whitman: Known for "Leaves of Grass," which captures his beliefs about nature and challenges traditional poetic forms.
Poetic Techniques
- Rhyme Scheme: Refers to the pattern of rhyming words in poetry.
- Longfellow’s "The Psalm of Life," Holmes's "Old Ironsides," and Lowell's "The First Snowfall" are significant works from this era.
Whitman and Dickinson
- Whitman: His poems are characterized by free verse, informal language, and themes centered around faith in the common man and nature.
- Dickinson: Focused on precise language, themes of solitude, and innovative uses of metaphor and symbolism in her work.
Publication Facts
- Dickinson published only 7 poems during her lifetime, with 1775 published posthumously.
Key Characteristics in Poetry
- Whitman's Poems: Utilize catalogs, free verse, informal language, and nature imagery with a focus on the common man.
- Dickinson's Poetry: Incorporates similes, metaphors, and paradox, employing unconventional capitalization and personification.
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Description
Explore the influential Fireside Poets, key figures of the Romantic era known for their themes of family, patriotism, and nature. This quiz provides flashcards that define these poets and their enduring impact on American literature. Perfect for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of this literary movement.
