Cummings 1 Jared Cummings Mrs.

Oney American Literature TB 21 November 2011 Lesson 7 Assignments Celebrating the Individual: Historical Essay, pp. 296-305 1. The price of the physical expansion of the United States was conflicts with Native Americans and Mexicans in Texas. As settlers pushed west in search of new opportunities they came into conflict with people who were already living on the land. In Texas settlers clash with Mexicans, and this conflict led to the Mexican-American war of 1845. In other parts of the country Native Americans fought a losing battle with settlers and the U.S. government. Both sides experienced casualties, but in the end the U.S. settlers won. 2. Unlike their neoclassic predecessors who valued reason and admired classical works, the early romantics celebrated emotions and looked to nature as a source of inspiration. Early romantics were characterized by their reactions to the rationality of the Age of Reason and the strict doctrines of Puritanism (Whitman 301). They favored the modern sensibilities of the individual spirit, emotions, and imagination. Instead of being driven by the fear of god romantics were fascinated with the serenity of nature. 3. Immanuel Kant coined the term transcendentalism, which stood for transcendent forms of knowledge that existed beyond reason and experience of daily life (Whitman 303).

Cummings 2 Emerson adapted transcendentalism and gave it an American spin saying that each individual could discover higher truth through his or her own intuition. 4. While both brooding romantics and the early romantics works emphasized emotion, nature, and the individual, brooding romantics such as Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorn and Herman Melville focused on the negative motivations of human behavior. They were considered anti-transcendentalists because their works focused on raising awareness of the human capacity for evil. On the other hand, the early romantics works focused on revealing the human capacity for good. Their work was morally uplifting and romantically engaging. They saw the positives of the abolition movement, workers rights movement, and the womens rights movements. In comparison the brooding romantics used their imagination to explore the darker side of the human soul. Biographical Sketch of Washington Irving, the background material, and The Devil and Tom Walker, pp. 310-324 5. Tom tried to avoid fulfilling his end of the bargain by becoming a violent churchgoer. The deal was the Devil would give him the riches of the world so long as Tom would employ it as the Devil saw fit. So he became a usurer and drove many entrepreneurs to bankruptcy. However when Tom had grown old and secured the riches of earth he became worried about the afterlife. So he read the bible and prayed loudly. He tried to do good acts in order to counter the bad, and hoped he could use the Devils riches while still getting into heaven. 6. As Tom aged he began to worry about the afterlife. So he read his bible, attended church regularly, and prayed loudly. Despite his efforts to do good deeds to counter act the bad ones he made Tom really did not change. Before making a deal with the Devil, Tom was

Cummings 3 a miserly fellow who conspired to cheat on his wife (Whitman 314). Miserly is defined as greedy and selfish. The fact that he can up with plans to cheat on his wife further shows his self-centeredness. He did not care about her only about himself. After making the deal the Devil commands Tom to extort bonds, foreclose mortgages, and drive the merchants to bankruptcy (Whitman 321). Tom takes advantage of the desperate times to squeeze customers of their wealth. He becomes filthy rich at the expense of the people. Tom did not change. After examining his actions before and after the deal with the Devil, evidence shows Tom did not change; he is still greedy and selfish. 7. Through statements made about Tom Walker, his wife, and the community Irving communicates his beliefs about women, puritan attitudes, the slave trade, and moneylenders. The authors description of Toms wife, fierce of temper, loud of tongue, and strong of arm. Her voice was often heard in wordy warfare with her husband; and his face sometimes showed signs that their conflicts were not confined to words, shows that the author did not think positively of women (Whitman 314). Instead he believed they were evil and abusive, just like the Puritans persecutions of Quakers and Anabaptists who were sacrificed because of their different beliefs. These harsh and violent characterizations of the Puritan attitude and women reveal the authors beliefs. The author also goes on to describe the slave trade and moneylenders. In his pact with the Devil, Tom would be given the riches of the world under the condition that he employs the wealth as a service to the Devil. What did the Devil ask Tom to use the money for? He first asked Tom to employ it in the black traffic; that is to say, that he should fit out a slave ship (Whitman 320). But Tom refused despite his poor conscience. This shows

Cummings 4 that even bad men like Tom thought of the slave trade as evil. Since Tom refused the first offer, the Devils next condition was for Tom to become a usurer, whose main purpose would be to drive the merchants to bankruptcy (Whitman 321). Considering that the Devil, the evilest being in existence, wanted Tom to be involved in the slave trade or money lending both businesses must have been extremely demonic. The authors choice of these two options for the Devil to propose shows that he believed these trades were evil at heart. 8. In spite of all the dirty work involved with money lending Tom had a folio Bible on his desk and a small Bible in his coat pocket. He surrounded himself with these things in hopes that if the devil came for his due, that he would not be caught off guard. It is ironic that Tom was so diligently studying the Bible and yet his work did the very thing the Bible commanded not too. Biographical Sketch of William Cullen Bryant, the background material, and Thanatopsis, pp. 328-331 9. Nature helps people cope during times of sadness because she has a voice of gladness, and a smile/And eloquence of beauty that takes away the pains and hurt of sadness (lines 4-5; p. 330). It is these qualities of nature that enabled people to escape from pain and release heavy the burdens of hardship. 10. The vision of death presented in Thanatopsis is one about the beauty and peace of nature one will dwell in after dying. While most people might look at dying and being buried in the ground as sad the author, William Bryant, argues its not. He says, who could wish [for a]/Couch more magnificent (line 32-33; p. 330)? The author views being buried in the ground, the depths of nature, as the best bed anybody could ask for. Lying

Cummings 5 down with kings, patriarchs, and the powerful men of old and getting to explore the hills, vales, woods, and rivers makes it the best eternal resting-place (Whitman 330). 11. If Bryant had used a fixed meter and regular rhythm in his poem it would not be as unique or as effective. His use of blank verse takes advantage of the natural rhythms of spoken English and sounds like the way we usually talk. This type of unrhymed poetry seems more realistic and more down to earth because one is will not have to struggle to find the pattern, but rather can speak normally and everything will flow. For example in line ten, Over thy spirit, and sad images, the verse flows. But, if one tries to say it aloud with a fixed meter and regular rhythm it simple doesnt roll off the tongue as well. 12. Thantopsis acknowledges the beauty and peacefulness one can find in nature. As one experiences the woods, hills, and valleys he will not continue to be sad but rather will become happy due to the beauty as nature smiles at him. The poem even goes to the extent to make death sound like a good thing. Irving claims that when one is buried into the ground at death, his or her soul will get to dwell in nature everyday, resulting in a consistent flow of peace and happiness. This notion exemplifies the romantics views because it focuses on the feelings one receives when dwelling in nature. It ignores what some call, the logical view of death. Instead it looks at death optimistically. But not only does the poem exemplify the romantic emphasis on feelings, but also the democratic outlook. Democracy is defined as political and social equality according to Dictionary.com. In Thantopsis everyone is viewed as equal in the eyes of nature. While the path ones life takes is different from anothers. At the end of it all the Earth, that nourished thee, shall claim/Thy growth, to be resolved to earth again (Whitman 330). The food, animals, beauty, shelter, and water are provided by nature for everyone.

Cummings 6 Everyone is nourished. But, eventually everyone passes away too, and as his or her body decomposes all that nature provided you is returned. Its a cycle where no one person can keep more of what nature gave them than the other. They are all equal in the sense that everything provided is given back at death.

Discussion Activity (Copy of Version on mylaurelsprings.com) http://mylaurelsprings.com/forums/p/3684/47857.aspx - 47857 Selling your soul in order to gain worldly materials like, money, fame, and success is never worth the trade off because eventually the consequences will catch up to you. Many people believe in karma--that is what goes around comes around. So if you abandon your family, your beliefs, your morals, your friends in the process most likely they too will abandon you. Additionally, the bible speaks about our life on earth as nothing in comparison to our "eternal" lives in heaven or hell. If I'm going to be on earth for less than 100 years and then be placed in heaven or hell, I want to make sure I get it right here because a couple decades of success here isn't worth "eternity" in the place down under. Even if one does not believe in God, the consequences of back stabbing friends and family in order to climb the ladder arent worth it. You might gain money, fame, and success but you will lose all those that you used to love. Is money > relationship...nope

Cummings 7

Vocabulary in Context, p. 326 Vocabulary Practice: Matching 1. Censurer 2. Melancholy 3. Propitious 4. Ostentation 5. Persecution 6. Speculating 7. Usurer 8. Avarice Vocabulary Strategy: The Latin Root spec 1. Introspective 2. Spectator 3. Specter 4. Circumspect 5. Perspective 6. Spectrum

Cummings 8

Archetypal Plot Dangerous game of Lust Its the political matchup of the century between the leftist Democratic nominee and the right wing Republican. In the midst of the greatest economic crisis in American history the public is looking for a hero. They are looking for someone who can turn this nation around and get America back on track. Its late September 2012 and the American people have reached a crossroad. They are given two options--blue or red, socialism or capitalism. The two main candidates are Franklin Delano Obama of the Democratic Party and Ronald Thomas Jefferson of the Republican Party. Both candidates represent opposite ideals, philosophies, and views on foreign policy, taxes, spending, and the size of government. Two versions of the American dream stand in sharp contrast. Franklin Delano Obama offers equality no matter ones individual talents or beliefs. Ronald Thomas Jefferson stands for a system of free enterprise that rewards hard work and fiscal money management. The race began in early 2011 as candidates from across the country competed for popularity among the public. Ronald and Franklin each traveled to all 50 states giving speeches and holding rallies in an attempt to earn more votes. Franklin gathered the largest crowds. If he said he was going to be speaking in Chicago, tickets would be sold out within 24 hours of the announcement. The public loved Franklin. He was charming, handsome, and charismatic. He spoke like a collage professor using big words and complicated logic to argue his policies. On the other hand Ronald was not as good-looking or as charismatic as Franklin. He couldnt draw the same crowds as Franklin. But, whenever he spoke things made sense. The longer he spoke the more clear things became and people were taken by his matter of

Cummings 9 factness and down to earth language. He told the public that they were smart and that he was no different than them. Franklin criticized Ronald and told the American people that he knew what was best for them. The nation quickly became divided between Ronald and Franklin, the red and the blue. It became like a UCLAUSC rivalry. Both sides hated the other and were at each others throats. Obama and his followers lusted for money, power and control. In order to spread the wealth around the government would have to control all aspects of the economy and essentially everybodys lives. But, since he promised freebies and more money for those who had less, people voted for him. Ronald on the other hand inspired people to do things themselves, he championed lower taxes, limited government, and a free market economy. Small businesses, and the upper and middle classes supported him. November came and it was time to vote. Each person went to their local town hall to cast their vote, which was then compiled into a State majority. One by one each States results came in. California for Franklin Obama, the Fox News announcer reported. Texas for Ronald Jefferson. The tallies continued: one for Obama, one for Jefferson, three for Obama, three for Jeffersonfifteen for Obama, fifteen for Jefferson. The race was in a dead tie. At 24 states a piece either candidate could win the presidency. The whole nation was at the edge of their seats waiting for the results from the last two swing states, New Mexico and Wyoming. Riiinnnnnggggg! Riiiinnnngggggg! The telephone rang in Obamas living room. He looked at the caller ID. It was George Rockefeller a common political donor and the richest man in the United States. Hello Obama answered.

Cummings 10 Heeeeyyyy, this is George. How are you doing? It must be a little nerve racking watching the news. The race is so close, George said. Yes, Im hoping to get the swing states but its not looking too good. Jefferson has a leg up on me in both States, replied Obama. Your right, it looks like your chances are pretty slim, George said. Yes, I know. I would like to take charge of this nation and spread the wealth around. The presidency is the supreme position of money, power, and control, but if I loose I wont get another shot at this. The people will realize Jeffersons policies are right, Obama said sadly. Look I have a deal for ya. What do you say I help you, you help me? I have the means to swing the votes back your way but, Im only going to do it if you will change Kennedys 11110 Act once you are in office, George said. Why do you want the 11110 Act changed? asked Obama. Because, it would help out some of my people who are in tough economic circumstances and you want to spread the wealth around right? Are you in? Obama paused, I would win the presidency and become the most powerful and famous man in the world, he thought to himself I would have all the money, power, and control in my handsand all I have to do is change one little Act. Yeah Im in, replied Obama. Well congratulations Mr. President, Rockefeller said with confidence.

Cummings 11 Five minutes passed and the votes were still coming in, but this time Obama was catching up. Franklin Delano Obama is President of the United States, winning 26 states to Jeffersons 24! the Fox News reporter announced. Franklin Delano Obama won the Presidency of the United States. What was a close battle edging towards Jefferson turned into a victory for Obama. He would now hold the most powerful position in the world. But Obama did not recognize the consequences involved with dirty politics. By changing Act 11110, he would bequeath the power to print money from the government to the Federal Reserve Bank, which was run and owned by several European investors, all of whom work for George Rockefeller. The wealth was spread around to George Rockefeller, not the public. Obama lost the wealth associated with controlling the printing of money. The act signed over the American Currency system to Rockefeller, which made Obama who was supposed to be in control his. Rockefeller forced Obama to comply because if he did not, the Federal Reserve could print money uncontrollably hiking up inflation, destroying the nation, and resulting in Obamas impeachment. But, eventually Obamas immoral decision to agree to Rockefellers scheme caught back up to him. When the American public found out that the counting houses missed 250,000 votes for Jefferson they were outraged. Obamas own supporters abandoned him when the News reports came out with evidence of the phone call. Unfortunately for Obama all of Rockefellers parts had been erased. After 1 year in office Obama was impeached and the public no longer acknowledged him as a legitimate president. He sold his soul to Rockefeller, and lost all money, power, control and fame. -- The moral of the story is that it is not good to lust. Lust clouds your vision and leads to a road of destruction. Obama like Tom Walker made an immoral decision. Both Tom and Obama cheated the public. Obama cheated the political races votes. Tom Walker cheated desperate

Cummings 12 people out of their money through fine print and ridiculous interest rates. In the end, both characters immoral decisions caught up with them and they suffered the consequences. They lost everything.