LITR 4232 American Renaissance

2008 Midterm Samples

Sample Answers to Self-Selected Passage Analysis

Part 1. Self-Selected Passage Analysis

Emerson’s discourse on nature can be easily misinterpreted for its simplicity.  Indeed, the text itself indicates that Melville thought Emerson an optimist, which is a fair assessment of Emerson, since he clearly wants the human race to surpass itself.  The degree to which Melville thought Emerson was an optimist can never be clear, but on the surface, Emerson can be taken to be almost blindly optimistic, to the point of ignorant.  His message is much more complex than that.

            Two passages that, taken singularly, would coincide nicely with Melville’s assessment and a superficial reading of the text both occur on pages 1111 and 1112 of the text, “Nature never wears a mean countenance” and “There I feel that nothing can befall me in life,--no disgrace, no calamity, (leaving me my eyes) that nature cannot repair.”  BL’s 2006 midterm response to Emerson’s nature reflects this powerful optimism when he/she says “The possibilities of the future are nearly unlimited.”  While I think Emerson wanted us to feel this way about the future, I think he realizes how rare it is, and that it will always be tempered by humanity.

            Initially, the passages above make us want to evoke images of the noble savage in nature and that if we were to wander into the woods we would want for nothing.  I do not think this is the case, when Emerson says “Nature never wears a mean countenance” he isn’t saying that it is open and welcoming like a mother, rather that it is indifferent.  Indeed he says that all the “chipping, baking, patching and washing that in an impression so grand as that of the world of the human mind, they do not vary the result.”  We can’t do anything to stop or even pause nature, just exist in it.  What Emerson wants us to do, is to not forget to observe it, lest we lose sense of ourselves and become absorbed in custom.  “It takes me by surprise, and yet is not unknown” (1113). [MB]

Like many students before me, I have chosen a passage from The Last of the Mohicans to identify and describe. On page 54 of The Last of the Mohicans this situation takes places that highlights the American Renaissance objective 2 and addresses objective 3 a bit as well.  I chose this passage because to me, it is a great example of an American author using the theme of the gothic to show what his characters are experiencing:

"A spectral looking figure stalked from out of the darkness behind the scout, and siezing a blazing brand, held it towards the further extremity of the place of retreat.  Alice uttered a faint shriek, and even Cora rose to her feet, as this appaling object moved into the light ... it was only there attendant, Chingachgook.. discovered the cave had two outlets ..  holding the brand, he [Chingachgook] he crossed a deep, narrow chasm in the rocks.. and entered another cave."

This passage shows how the party's weariness and anxieties is leading them to have vivid imaginations in the blackness of their hideout.  The "spectral looking figure" is only Chingachgook, yet, they think he is a ghost.  Even Cora, who is very stronghearted compared to her sister Alice, reacts in fear.  The cave acts as a castle in a gothic novel with its dark corners, numerous passages, and "deep, narrow chasm[s]."  The cave is not a comfortable place for the travelling party—they cannot see well, they are exhausted, and most of them do not know where they are.  They are trusting the indians and even though Alice and Cora probably knew Chingachook was right behind Heyward, they allowed their fears and lack of trust of others to embody in the form of a ghost. This is one of the many passages Cooper writes in the style of the gothic novel. [VN]

Forced, Emotional Disconnect 

“Never saw my mother, to know her as such, more than four of five times in my life; and each of these times was very short in duration, and at night. She was hired by Mr. Stewart, who lived about twelve miles from my home. She made her journeys to see me in the night, traveling the whole distance on foot, after the performance of her day’s work. She was a field hand, and a whipping is the penalty of not being in the field at sunrise, unless a slave has special permission from his or her master to the contrary--permission which they seldom get, and one that gives to him that gives it the proud name of being a kind master. I do not recollect of ever seeing my mother by the light of day. She was with me in the night. She would lie down with me, and get me to sleep, but long before I waked she was gone. […] She was gone long before I knew anything about it. Never having enjoyed, to any considerable extent, her soothing presence, her tender and watchful care, I received the tidings of her death with much the same emotions I should have probably felt at the death of a stranger.” pg. 2072-2073

Most associate slavery with the physical maltreatment of African American men and women. It is not uncommon for the average person to hold some knowledge of the emotional distress that likely occurred among those enslaved.

However, I find that few, myself included, rarely recognize the disassembly of family structure that slavery entails. As much of this passage implies, the separation between a mother and her child is far beyond just a physical one. It may even seem that Douglass has difficulty recognizing this woman as his mother, but instead, just a stranger whom put him to bed a few mere occasions. It seems difficult to relate to Douglass’s lack of emotion, yet so much more needs to be considered. The presence of any maternal figures were scarce in the lives of slaves. Not only were boys like Douglass neglected of a relationship with their mother, but in all likelihood, few examples of a parent/child relationship existed for slaves. The notion Douglass should feel anything more that he would for a stranger is unfortunate, but, considering the situation, not all that unlikely when all instances of paternal figures have been removed . In reality, considering how many actual encounters they shared, and the shortened, dimly lit circumstances, it seems likely that a young boy could consider such a person more than just an acquaintance.

When considering all this, one cannot forget that all this was not by choice. The lack of family development on slave was certainly not self-inflicted. Instead, this passage demonstrates the lack of humane treatment displayed by slaveholders. The qualification of a “kind” master certainly does not seem fulfilled by allowing a mother to visit her child. However, I can understand why this might be considered kindness when other masters beat and whip slaves for the smallest infractions. Yet how can the desire to see your family, child, or even friend be considered an infraction worthy of physical discipline. [BMcD]

Part 1 Self-Selected Passage Analysis

Instead of writing, “Look its Le Subtil’s blood on the branch, maybe he is injured.”, James Fenimore Cooper uses the romantic linguistics and writes, “Look at this sumach; its leaves are red, though everybody knows the fruit is in the yellow blossom in the month of July!" "'Tis the blood of Le Subtil! he is hurt, and may yet fall!" (Chapter 5) As I read, The Last of the Mohicans I noticed the ornate language and writing style that James Fenimore Cooper used when writing the novel.  Cooper challenges the reader to question what he is saying. Each line in the novel is a puzzle of words. Once they are analyzed the reader can then understand the conversation. The language that is used throughout the novel is American English; however the language is poetry to the ears. The English that is used makes the reader feel as if you are reading a lyrical ballad. Cooper uses multifaceted words to get across the feelings of emotions that the characters were feeling. The sentence structure stresses the magnitude of the emotions that these characters were experiencing while trying to get Cora and Alice to Captain Munro. The reader must use their imagination to form the vivid accounts as the story progresses. One can actually use the words to create a picture in one’s mind. I can actually picture a sumac tree with blood colored leaves. The image has stayed with me.

The romantic writers used their imaginations and freedom of thoughts to open up a new style of writing. This unusual event of finding blood on a sumac tree is a distinguishing trait used by the romantic writers. The use of nature throughout the novel is also a trait known to the Romantics of this era. The use of the word, “blood” is also another component the romantic writers used representing the gothic element. Another passage in chapter 26, "Ay, lad, there is truth in what you say; and I doubt not, on a rush, you would pass the whole nation; and, in a straight race of two miles, would be in, and get your breath again, afore a knave of them all was within hearing of the other village. But the gift of a white man lies more in his arms than in his legs. As for myself, I can brain a Huron as well as a better man; but when it comes to a race the knaves would prove too much for me." Fenimore could have easily written, “Yes you can run fast, however I am smarter than the Huron.” Fenimore’s style of writing makes The Last of the Mohicans a true Romantic work of literature. [GM]

One of the passages that stuck out to me so far this semester was one in “Rip Van Winkle” on page 963 of our anthology:

“To make a long story short, the company broke up and returned to the more important concerns of the election. Rip’s daughter took him home to live with her; she had a snug, well-furnished house, and a stout cheery farmer for a husband, whom Rip recollected for one of the urchins that used to climb upon his back. As to Rip’s son and heir, who was the ditto of himself, seen leaning against the tree, he was employed to work on the farm; but evinced an hereditary disposition to attend to anything else but his business.”

One of the reasons why this part of “Rip Van Winkle” stuck out to me the most is the fact that it contains many elements of objective one. This one paragraph has characteristics of the popular, classic and representative literature that we have talked about in class.

Popular because while reading this passage you start to get the feeling that everything will be okay. Rip has slept through a majority of his life, but things are starting to look up and he is beginning another, if better, relationship with his daughter—who has grown up and started a family of her own. Everyone seems to be well off and have a bright future in front of them, except maybe Rip’s son who has the same nonchalant temperament that Rip had when he was younger. There’s almost a repetitive ability in the last sentence of this passage where a reader might see what happened to Rip will happen to his son (but then again, history does repeat itself).

It is Classic because it explores the threads of a family. The entirety of the short story is looking at Rip’s attitude before and after his sleep. How he sees his family versus the other people in his life and closer to the end how his view changes after he realized he missed twenty years of his life and family. This passage shows the forgiveness of his daughter when she allows him into her home so he has a place to rest his head—even though she hasn’t seen him for years. You see the link in heredity between parents and children with young Rip and how he has the same outlook as his father once had. In a more popular story the links of a family might not be so easily seen or the bonds as strong. The daughter might have had more of a temper and not wanted to even speak to her father, the son might have learned from his own father’s mistakes and worked the farm he was hired onto were this story more heavily stacked with the popular genre.

It is also representative because you see the stereotypical family of the era this story was written; the tender wife who is able to bear and take care of her children and the sturdy husband who owns and works his own. The reader gets the feeling that he might have a good idea of how life was back then through this one passage (at least a part of how life was back then). Again, you have the strong ties of a family and a glimpse of a possible simple life.

So, with all these examples in the one small passage, you can see how snugly it ties into objective one. It also represents the entire short story because you see these elements throughout “Rip Van Winkle.” [BR]

Part 1: Personal reflection over Self-Reliance.

            The transcendental nature of Emerson’s Self-Reliance is something that has always inspired me from the very first time I read it.  Emerson is encouraging the reader to trust the voice and conscience within them when determining how to act and what to do in the world.  He is saying that this inner voice is a higher power that works through you to compel you to do good in the world.

            The idea that this higher power works through you and that it is always better to listen to and follow that higher power rather than the masses or the directions of another individual is really reflected by a passage on page 1165.  “Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist…nothing is sacred but the integrity of your own mind.” Transcendental ideals such as this are creating the higher power of the right and wrong over the culturally defined laws and standards.  To really be someone in this world and to truly live life to its fullest is answering to this higher law.  “Good and bad are but names readily transferable to that or this; the only right is what is after my constitution, the only wrong that is against it” (1165).   Appealing to the higher law is one of the basic elements of transcendentalism as ultimately, a person must answer to his or her own conscience.  Doing things because others approve of them may create a nice image on the outside, but has done nothing to really improve the person that an individual is.  When a person answers to their own conscience, and does not go against it, they can find the inner peace that is created by the touch of the divine.  This does not refer to God, or Allah, or any other spiritual leader other than an individual’s own spirit.  It is this spirit that moves people through the world and they must answer it in order to become the best that they may.  The world has only been changed by men who have followed this voice and refused to wrong when it was popular and led to do right though it was not.  It is this basic ideal that Emerson is trying to convey to the rest of the American people and get them to create a better society for all to live in.  it may be idealistic and romantic, but it is very appealing. [FS]

A Real Voice

            Growing up in the southern United States it is easy, perhaps much easier than in the north, to notice inequality and how it still thrives today.  Given that injustices, such as workplace biases against minorities and the fact that women make a fraction the pay of men for the same work, still exist in this modern and “enlightened” time it is easy to assume that in centuries past things were much worse.  Even the Constitution of this country is a document responsible for unequal treatment.  Though it speaks of the equality of all men the document means “all” to be white landowning males.  Needless to say this conflicts with any dictionary’s definition of “all.” 

            The time period between now and the writing of the constitution, that is the era of the American Civil War, was a time of great change.  African-Americans held in bondage, as well as women of all races, were beginning to seek the equality they felt they deserved.  One person that fits into both categories is Sojourner Truth.  Born into slavery, and unable to read, she was able to express her wishes of equality in such a compelling way as to inspire generations after her.  One of the most notable lines ever spoken by her came in her speech to the Women’s Rights Convention in 1851.  Truth, having an auditory knowledge of the bible, says of Jesus’ entry into the world, “through God who created him and woman who bore him.  Man, where is your part?”  This line is amazing, not only for its genius, but for its context and delivery. 

            The first strength of this line is the fact that it relates to the almost entirely Christian population of the United States in the eighteen fifties.  Even as a former slave Truth possessed a good knowledge of the Bible so it is only natural that almost everyone she speaks to would have such knowledge as well.  This makes her speech relevant to those listening. 

            The other strength of this line is in its delivery.  In a time when an almost arrogant exploration of the English language was at its peak, Truth maintains an even dialect.  She is not ignorant and babbling as many at the time would imagine a black woman, nor is she pompous in her words.  Her speech can be heard and understood by anyone.  One importance of this is that people could not accuse her of skewing the speech of the Bible.  She delivers a quick line at the end of her speech with no contradictions to the Bible that proves her point entirely.  Anyone could only hope for such a perfect opportunity.  This one line gives the speech an explosive authority that no one can argue against. [JH]

 . . . Irving’s titles like “Rip Van Winkle” are titles that last.  Passages like, “…He could go in and out whenever he pleased, without dreading the tyranny of Dame Van Winkle.  Whenever her name was mentioned, however, he shook his head, shrugged his shoulders, and cast up his eyes; which might pass wither for an expression of resignation to his fate, or joy at his deliverance” (991) reveal the subtle humor of Irving and reflect many important things about the culture of America at the time the prose was written.

             It’s so difficult now to imagine America as a fledgling little farm country, trying to make its way through the dark gothic woods, both literally and figuratively, but that’s exactly where America was at the time Irving put pen to paper.  America wasn’t to be a world power for nearly another two hundred years, and England, the former mother-country, was still fresh on the minds of this little nation.  Irving leaves us a testimony of how America felt toward England in the relationship of Rip (America’s people) and Dame (England) Van Winkle.  While Rip does like the way “Dame Van Winkle had always kept [the house] in neat order,” (988), he could barely live with his bully of a wife. 

This passage is a full explanation of the American people’s take on the past a present of England’s past with America.  In this way, readers can read this work as a cultural piece of literature because the prose time-capsules the feelings of resentment and freedom America was feeling.  While he does miss her and the way she kept the house neat, I believe Rip Van Winkle is happy that she’s gone.  When Irving writes, “a resignation of fate”, he is not contradicting the happiness he mentions next, he is simply conveying a different emotion, contentment.  The use of the word “resignation” implies that Rip is giving up to his fate, and speaks in reference to the fact that while England was oppressive, America was at liberty to access the finery of England, and now had to pull themselves up by the bootstraps to make themselves just as great a nation as England. 

            This passage, and indeed this relationship of Rip and Dame Van Winkle lights afire the history buff inside me.  This passage sums up the humor and wit that Irving was so skilled with, and adds historical social commentary that one would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. [AA]