Reflection: Comparison of Two Fireside Poets

The Fireside poets, named after their tendency to read their poems in a small group around a fire, are some of the most recognizable poets in the Romanticism period. I chose Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “Aftermath” and Oliver Wendell Holmes’s “The Height of Ridiculous” to research. There was no true reasoning for why I chose these two poets or poems to compare and contrast except for the fact that I like the name Longfellow and a poem including the word ‘ridiculous’ in its title is very intriguing. “Aftermath” was a beautifully rhythmic poem that grasped the changing of seasons. Longfellow sums up each season in a one line. For example, he describes the mowing of fields and birds traveling at the end of spring and summer (Longfellow). Then, he mentions the falling, golden leaves and snow for the following seasons (Longfellow). After giving brief details of each season, Longfellow claims that it’s time for an aftermath. Now that spring is back again, the year deserves a review and a plan for moving forward. He says, “Once again the fields we mow and gather in the aftermath” (Longfellow). As commonly done in Romanticism pieces, Longfellow focused on nature and the seasons. The outdoors proved to be a huge inspiration for writers at this time, so they discussed it very often in their work. “Aftermath” also follows the journey of the changing seasons. Although short, his poem tells a story that takes place in about three hundred and sixty-five days. A story of travel and change is also popular in the Romanticism period. Longfellow uses both alliteration and personification in his poem. The first was given in line twelve when he writes, “Tangled tufts from marsh and meads” (Longfellow). Personification was given to the poppy, a flower, when it “drops its seeds”. Flowers don’t have hands, so they can’t literally drop something. Instead, Longfellow is giving the flower human like traits. Holmes’s “The Height of Ridiculous” was very different compared to “Aftermath”. The protagonist that is writing the poem, which the reader would easily assume to be Holmes, is pretty vain (Holmes). He goes on and on about his great poem and how funny it is. After having his servant read the poem, the narrator realizes it was really worth the praise (Holmes). One of the only Romanticism characteristics that I found in the poem was the emotion and feelings involved in the story. During this time, authors valued feelings in their writings as much as they did imagination. “The Height of Ridiculous” shares a great amount of humor and feelings, and it gives a good hearted message. In the end, the narrator learns that his humor is greater than can be controlled. One critic says, “The poem ends with the lesson the speaker takes from the adventure” (The Height).

One criticism takes a guess at the meaning behind Longfellow’s title of “Aftermath.” He says, “The word "aftermath" is most often used in reference to the events following a tragedy, and this poem may be a testament to how, many years later, a few tragic incidents irredeemably darken the speaker's perception of his entire life” (Huff).


 Holmes, Oliver Wendell. “The Height of Ridiculous.” An American Anthology, 1787–1900. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1900; Bartleby.com, 2001.

Huff, Randall. "Aftermath." The Facts On File Companion to American Poetry, vol. 1. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2007. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Huff, Randall. "'The Height of the Ridiculous'." The Facts On File Companion to American Poetry, vol. 1. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2007. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "Aftermath by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow." PoemHunter.Com - Thousands of Poems and Poets.. Poetry Search Engine. Web. 14 Dec. 2011.

Journal #20- Longfellow's Autumn

After reading this poem over three times, and yes, once allowed, I have come to have a good idea of what the sonnet is about. Now that step one of the poetry explication rules is complete, we can move onto step two: the literal meaning of the poem. Sometimes, I have a hard time figuring out what the literal meanings and the symbolic meanings are of poem, but “Autumn” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow proved to be pretty simple. The poem depicts autumn by describing the weather, the scenery, and the sounds of the season. One could easily assume that the poem is set in the country because it mentions a farmer, along with oxen and the vast land. As I was reading through the third time, I was looking for the poetic devices that Longfellow used in the sonnet. I found an example of imagery in line five when he describes “the red harvest moon” and how it shields the vast fields (Longfellow). In line twelve, the poet uses the term ‘like’ to compare two items, which classifies the phrase as a simile. The line reads, “Like flames upon an altar shine the sheaves” (Longfellow). As to why this poem was written, it’s hard to say. I would claim it’s because Henry Wadsworth Longfellow enjoys the month of autumn. I would imagine that if a person had the choice to write about whatever they wanted to write about, they would choose something that they loved, were inspired by, and found beauty in. Judging by the sonnet, I would say all of these points are reasons for the topic. The way Longfellow describes the golden leaves with the rest of the beautiful scenery makes readers picture what he’s saying. In return, they enjoy the scene themselves. I also see the farmer and his land as being major parts in the storyline. He mentions the farmer’s prayers, which are most likely a result of the non growing fields because of the moon blocking them. In just a few lines, Longfellow creates a deep and emotional story that has a hanging end for the reader to finish for themselves.

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. The Complete Poetical Works, ed. by Horace E. Scudder. Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 1893; Bartleby.com, 2011.

Reflection- The Chambered Nautilus

Oliver Wendell Holmes’s “The Chambered Nautilus” has several symbolic meanings. For instance, the poem is about a ship’s journey gone wrong, but it also incorporates a nautilus, an ocean squid, in the description.  The poem tells of a ship that is sailing, but becomes wrecked along its journey. The broken ship is open and bare for all to see. As every journey must continue, the ship is left and a new path is built. In his poem, Holmes uses a number of poetic techniques and devices to add detail and figurative language to his writing. In line five, Holmes mentions a ‘singing siren’ (Holmes). This is a form of allusion because a siren is a reference to Greek Mythology. Another example of allusion in the poem is in line twenty-six. Holmes refers to Triton who “blew from wreathed horn” (Holmes). Triton is also a Greek Mythology figure. He was known for being a messenger, which modifies the poem nicely since it is about a ship wrecked at sea. The poem “The Chambered Nautilus” follows many themes that the Romanticism period is known for. The imagination and nature scenes are two of the most common traits of Romanticism, and they are both often portrayed in “The Chambered Nautilus”. Line eleven reads, “Where its dim dreaming life was wont to dwell” (Holmes). This line shares a great amount of imagination into the poem while describing the ship’s journey. Another common characteristic in Romanticism writings is the portrayal of innocence and youth, both of which are discussed in this poem. Holmes writes, “Thanks for the heavenly message brought by thee child of the wandering sea. Cast from her lap, forlorn!” (Holmes). The Romanticism period preferred to focus on innocence in purity rather than educated or knowledge. This is most likely because the time period was very much against the ideas of the Age of Reason. Youth is also a recognizable symbol for purity and imagination, which are other common characteristics for the Romanticism period. “The Chambered Nautilus” also describes the beautiful scenery by saying, “The venturous bark that flings on the sweet summer wind its purpled wings” (Holmes). With adjectives like enchanting and shining, the poem is sending a message of beauty. The journey in the story is also building up to the end where foundation is laid, and a house is built. One could easily categorize this as a spiritual journey for the narrator of the poem. Finally, the allusions that were previously discussed are simple examples of the inspiration behind the poem. Authors of the Romanticism period often found inspiration through legend and mythology. It’s safe to say that “The Chambered Nautilus” hit on almost every characteristic of Romanticism writing. In most cases, a reader can take a poem and somehow relate it to their own life. In one critique, Holmes says, “Following the usual pattern of 19th-century American nature poetry, he announces what he has learned from observing this aspect of nature that will better help him conduct his own life” (Holmes Facts).

Holmes, Oliver Wendell. “The Chambered Nautilus”.English Poetry III: From Tennyson to Whitman. Vol. XLII. The Harvard Classics. New York: P.F. Collier & Son, 1909–14; Bartleby.com, 2001.

Holmes, Oliver Wendell. "The Chambered Nautilus." The Facts On File Companion to American Poetry, vol. 1. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2007. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Reflection: Comparing Washington Irving's Work

From characters to story line, Washington Irving’s writings have many similar ideas. Both “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Devil and Tom Walker” share the feelings and landscapes that are reflected in Romanticism writing. One very noticeable similarity is through the characters in both stories. The protagonist is a simple, good natured man who is married to a fiery, abusive woman. The domestic life described in each story is anything but tranquil (Irving 242). In a critique for “Rip Van Winkle”, a Facts on File Companion brings up an excellent question, “Is Dame Van Winkle the henpecking wife as portrayed by Rip and Crayon? Or is she, as are so many women in literature, the product of a male perspective?” (Irving "Rip") The women in both stories are portrayed very poorly, yet the issues with both Rip and Tom aren’t so closely highlighted. Rip Van Winkle was a nice man, but he failed to be there for his farm and his own family (Werlock).  Irving writes, “Rip was ready to attend to anybody’s business but his own; but as to doing family duty, and keeping his farm in order, it was impossible” (Werlock). A fight between the couples is the beginning to the journeys that take place in each of Irving’s stories. In “The Devil and Tom Walker”, a fight between Tom and his wife over a newfound treasure causes Mrs. Walker to walk out on her husband. Tom proceeds to make a deal with the devil and take the treasure. The narrator says, “One would think that to meet with such a singular personage, in this wild, lonely place, would have shaken any man’s nerves, but Tom was a hard-minded fellow, not easily daunted, and he had lived so long with a termagant wife that he did not even fear the devil” (Irving 244-245). “The Devil and Tom Walker” follows Tom as a good hearted man as he changes into a selfish and hollow man. Near the end of the story, a friend asks Tom, a wealthy man by now, for some help economically, and Tom tells him, “Charity begins at home. I must take care of myself in these hard times” (Irving 249).  A journey, whether through time of the outdoors, is common in Romanticism literature. In “Rip Van Winkle”, a similar, but much longer, journey takes place. Rip leaves his house for a walk in the forest after a fight with his wife. He falls asleep for what turns out to be twenty years, and Rip returns home after two decades (Werlock). The details and imagination used in “Rip Van Winkle” is easily categorized as Romanticism characteristics.

The Facts on File Companion not only honors Irving’s writing, but he also claims that “Rip Van Winkle” was of major importance to early America. He says, “With its publication, Irving not only created the modern short story form but also laid the foundations for American literature, particularly the frontier humor that flowered in the 1830s and eventually reached a crescendo with Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn” (Werlock).

Irving, Washington. “The Devil and Tom Walker." Comp. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, Ph.D. and Douglas Fisher, Ph.D. Glencoe Literature. American Literature ed. Columbus: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2009. 242-250. Print.

Irving, Washington. "Rip Van Winkle." The Short-Story: Specimens Illustrating Its Development. New York: American Book Company, 1907; Bartleby.com, 2000.

Werlock, Abby H. P. "'Rip Van Winkle'." The Facts On File Companion to the American Short Story, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2009. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Reflection: Tuckerman Critique of Franklin

Although many believe that Benjamin Franklin’s thirteen virtues were just a test to accomplish, they stood for much more. Franklin believed that following all thirteen virtues would result in a happy and healthy life. The virtues did take a lot of focus and hard work to accomplish, but they were worth so much more than a trophy or plaque. Living the thirteen virtues showed determination and a better life.

Benjamin Franklin knew that it would be impossible to create the thirteen virtues, and then attempt to live all thirteen on his first day. Instead he started with one, Temperance, and added another each week. By the thirteenth week, Franklin was living every virtue. This was a smart form of propaganda because it allowed Franklin to focus on one at a time and layer them at appropriate times. He compares his technique to that of a gardener, “And like him, who, having a garden to weed does not attempt to eradicate all the bad herbs at once, which would exceed his reach and his strength, but works on one of the beds at a time, and, having accomplished the first, proceeds to a second” (Franklin 154).

Franklin used charts and schedules to keep track of his work (Franklin 152). Judging by these charts, Benjamin struggled with the virtues of order and silence the most. However, by the thirteenth week, Franklin was able to live every virtue with any mistakes. Because every virtue covers an important topic and/or polite manner, Benjamin Franklin would have truly become a better person throughout the experiment.

Henry T. Tuckerman, a critic of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, agrees that Franklin showed a lot of achievement during the journey through the virtues. Tuckerman’s critique of Franklin’s autobiography had very few, if any, negatives to it. He admires Benjamin Franklin’s fine political works and his patriotism towards the colonies. Tuckerman also honor the industrious side of Benjamin Franklin claiming, “He was indisputably one of the greatest benefactors of mankind” (Bloom). In the following, Tuckerman views Franklin as some sort of holiness.

The grand simplicity of his theory, the familiar apparatus by which it was tested, the accuracy of his foresight, and the unpretending spirit with which he received the fame incident to so great a result, form together one of those memorable instances of the conquest of mind over matter, of human intelligence over the secret facts of nature, which add the cognizance of new laws to the domain of knowledge, and brighter names to the catalogue of her immortal disciples.

There is no doubt that Benjamin Franklin had a fan in Henry T. Tuckerman.

By following the thirteen virtues, Benjamin Franklin lived a better life for himself. For others, the achievement that was the thirteen virtues showed Franklin’s determination and work ethic. Most ordinary people would never be able to survive the thirteen virtues for a week, let alone a lifetime. One could agree with Henry T. Tuckerman when he says that all thirteen virtues were accomplished because of the time and effort that Benjamin Franklin showed (Bloom).

Bloom, Harold, ed. "The Character of Franklin." Benjamin Franklin, Classic Critical Views. New York: Chelsea House Publishing, 2008. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Henry Altemus, 1895. Print.

Reflection: William Cullen Bryant

There are several techniques used in William Cullen Bryant’s “Thanatopsis” that classify his writings as Romanticism pieces. The large amount of nature influences in his poem is example number one. Bryant often uses the pronoun ‘her’ to refer back to nature. The open sky, cold ground, bearing sun, and waters are all elements portrayed in the poem (Snodgrass). “Thanatopsis”, which is the study of death and dying, is a topic that is expected to be covered in a Romanticist way. As a dark and edgy topic, Romanticism works can discuss the matter in a detailed and imaginative way, which is exactly what Bryant does in this piece.

William Cullen Bryant embraces the importance of detail often in “Thanatopsis.” He describes nature with religion by saying:

She has a voice of gladness, and a smile
And eloquence of beauty, and she glides
Into his darker musings, with a mild
And healing sympathy, that steals away
Their sharpness, ere he is aware.

Along with the great focus on nature, “Thanatopsis” tells of the inevitability of death in human nature. Bryant tells a story of life and death through nature. After death, the author claims, “Thine individual being, shalt thou go to mix forever with the elements (Snodgrass).” Bryant is referring to the burial that most people with go through after death. The human body will disintegrate and become one with nature. William Cullen Bryant also points out the similarities between all humans. No matter the social class or level of intelligence, all people are given the same right to be buried in our land. He admits:

Thou shalt lie down
With patriarchs of the infant world,—with kings,
The powerful of the earth,—the wise, the good,
Fair forms, and hoary seers of ages past,
All in one mighty sepulchre.

Bryant concludes his poem by clarify his readers that they should live life, and not wait around for death. He sends the audience away with a positive and inspired feeling. Although the poem wasn’t necessarily about the most uplifting topic, William Cullen Bryant is able to discuss death in a descriptive and imaginative manner. By doing this, Bryant kept his readers interested in what he had to say. So much so, that his Romanticism poem, “Thanatopsis”, has been given much praise by readers and higher authorities (Lounsbury). The Encyclopedia of Gothic Literature claims that William Cullen Bryant’s “Thanatopsis” was awarded so much praise “for its maturity and dignity.” It is true; Bryant’s professional approach to discussing death deserved all the praise that it received. His details and comparisons showed great imagination and originality that only he could have envisioned. The criticism made by the encyclopedia also pointed out the importance of the Romanticism period in literature. It states, “The poet contemplated death from an American point of view rather than in the manner of the rhapsodic imaginings of Europe's graveyard poets (Lounsbury).” The Romanticism period is known as the beginning to American Literature. The detailed, imaginative writing style that the authors of this writing period used was the true influence to American styles to come.

Lounsbury, Thomas R., ed. Yale Book of American Verse. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1912; Bartleby.com, 1999.

Snodgrass, Mary Ellen. "'Thanatopsis'." Encyclopedia of Gothic Literature. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.