LITERATURA NORTEAMERICANA II

AMERICAN ROMANTICISM (1829-1865)

Why these dates?
1829 Andrew Jacs!n "eca#e $res%dent !& the U'A (Man%&est )est%ny*+ h%s ,!-ern#ent "eca#e
#!re de#!crat%c (#anh!!d s.&&ra,e was $.t %nt! $ract%ce !n/y wh%te #en c!./d -!te+ %n the $ast
!n/y ar%st!cracy !r #en w%th s$ec%a/ character%st%cs c!./d -!te*0
1812 the end !& the C%-%/ War wh%ch #eant &reed!# !& s/a-es0
AN)REW JAC3'ON
4e #ared a d%&&erence w%th re,ard !& the !ther $res%dents5
4e had h.#"/e !r%,%ns+ he ca#e &r!# Tennessee
4e was the /eader !& the )e#!crat%c 6arty
4e was a &r!nt%ers#an
A #an !& the $e!$/e 73%n, M!"8 (na#e ,%-en "y h%s ene#%es*
Ind%an &%,hter5 he en&!rced the Ind%an Re#!-a/ Act (the Ind%ans were e9$e//ed &r!# the
terr%t!ry they had "een /%-%n, &!r years and #!-ed t! the West !& the M%ss%ss%$$% 7the tr%a/ !&
tears8*
There was a $!/%t%ca/ and ,e!,ra$h%ca/ e9$ans%!n
Ind.str%a/%:at%!n and #ater%a/ $r!,ress5 the ra%/r!ad
A".se and d%s$!ssess%!n !& Ind%ans and "/ac s/a-es5
7The Tra%/ !& Tears8 (18;8* they were &!rced t! #!-e t! what %s n!w O/ah!#a t! /%-e %n
reser-at%!ns
E9$ans%!n !& s/a-ery
'LA<ER=
).e t! th%s s%t.at%!n !& a".se there was a ,r!w%n, s!c%a/ tens%!n0
Nat T.rner>s re-!/t (<%r,%n%a+ 18;1* "/ac s/a-e that re-!/ted a,a%nst the wh%tes and w%th a ,r!.$
!& "/acs %//ed s!#e wh%te s/a-e !wners0
Uncle Tom's Cabin "y 4arr%et ?eecher 't!we th%s n!-e/ $!rtrays the years !& s/a-ery
'/a-es try t! esca$e t! the N!rth !r e-en t! Canada0
JO4N ?ROWN
4e th!.,ht that the end !& s/a-ery @.st%&%ed the #eans+ he th!.,h that -%!/ence was the !n/y way t!
c!#"at th%s syste#0
U' a"!/%t%!n%st and /eader !& ar#ed %ns.rrect%!ns a,a%nst s/a-ery
Ra%d !n the &edera/ ar#!ry !& 4ar$ers Aerry (1829*
Tr%ed &!r treas!n and sentenced t! death (1829*
A!r s!#e $e!$/e he re$resented &reed!# and @.st%ce0
T4E MEBICAN WAR (18C1D18C8*
Ar#ed c!n&/%ct "etween the Un%ted 'tates and the Re$."/%c !& Me9%c!
It &!//!wed %n the wae !& the 18C2
U' anne9at%!n !& Te9as+ wh%ch Me9%c! c!ns%dered $art !& %ts terr%t!ry
Re&!r#%n, ,r!.$s and s!c%et%es
Tw! c!!$erat%-e c!##.n%t%es "ased !n Transcendenta/%st $r%nc%$/es that were sett/ed %n
Massach.setts5
?r!! Aar# (18C1D18CE*5 Ut!$%an e9$er%#ent %n c!##.na/ /%-%n, %n the 18CFs0
A!.nded000
Ar.%t/ands5 esta"/%shed %n 4ar-ard Massach.setts "y ?r!ns!n A/c!tt and Char/es Lane %n
the 18CFs0 L%e a h%$$y c!##.n%ty %n wh%ch each #e#"er !& the ,r!.$ w!./d w!r %n
whate-er he wanted and then he w!./d ha-e t! share the $r!&%ts w%th the c!##.n%ty0
AIR'T U' AEMINI'T'
Mar,aret A.//er5 Woman in the Nineteenth-Century (18C2* 'he was a #e#"er !& the sa#e c/." as
E#ers!n and Th!rea.+ and was the d%rect!r !& the transcendenta/%st @!.rna/ The Dial.
Th%s &e#%n%st>s !"@ect%-es were5 eG.a/%ty+ &reed!# and the r%,ht t! -!te0 They c!#$ared the%r
s%t.at%!n w%th the !ne !& the s/a-es0
E/%:a"eth Cady 'tant!n
'.san Anth!ny 7)ec/arat%!n !& 'ent%#ents8 as%n, &!r eG.a/%ty+ &reed!# and the r%,ht t! -!te
('eneca Aa//s+ 18C8*
A?RA4AM LINCOLN
4e was the /eader !& the Re$."/%can 6arty+ h%s #a%n !"@ect%-e was the a"!/%t%!n !& s/a-ery
4e sa%d e%ther a"!/%t%!n !r secess%!n+ the '!.th $re&erred secess%!n and the A#er%can C%-%/ War
(1811D1812* started0
11
th
6res%dent !& the U' (1811D1812*
O$$!sed t! s/a-ery
Assass%nated %n A$r%/ 1812
C!ns%dered as !ne !& the ,reatest U' $res%dents
RELIGION
The !r%,%n !& the states %s re/ated w%th Re/%,%!n0 ).r%n, the &!r#at%!n !& the c!/!n%es s!#e $e!$/e
were esca$%n, &r!# ?r%ta%n "eca.se they were d%ssat%s&%ed w%th An,/%can%s# and #!-ed t! A#er%ca
and started &!.nd%n, the c!/!n%es0
They were $r!testants and they a/s! were ca//ed $.r%tans (the%r "e/%e&s were #!re str%ct than
6r!testants*0 Re/ated t! c!nce$ts /%e Man%&est )est%ny0
The #a%n "e/%e&s !& the Ca/-%n%sts were the d!ctr%ne !& $redest%nat%!n (n! #atter what y!. d! y!.
are $redest%ned t! ,! t! e%ther hea-en !r t! he//+ ".t they d! n!t n!w where they are ,!%n,*+ they
"e/%e-e %n h.#an e-%/+ h.#ans are e-%/ "y nat.re+ th%s /ead t! a -ery $ess%#%st%c att%t.de "eca.se n!
#atter what we d! %s ,!%n, t! /ead t! s!#eth%n, ne,at%-e !r e-%/0
A&ter the &%rst year $e!$/e "eca#e #!re /%"era/ and /ater %t ca#e the En/%,hten#ent (try t! &%nd
/!,%ca/ e9$/anat%!n &!r H!d>s e9%stence de%s#*
Unitarianism5 the #a%n d%&&erence w%th Ca/-%n%s# %s that they d! n!t th%n that #en are e-%/+ they
had a #!re !$t%#%st%c -%ew !& h.#an %nd0 They "e/%e-e %n h.#an $er&ect%"%/%ty+ h.#ans can
%#$r!-e0 These are the "as%s &!r Transcn!nta"ism0
ROMANTICISM AN# TRANSCENTALISM
Transcendenta/%s#5 a way !& see%n, the w!r/d+ n!t a re/%,%!n0 M%9t.re "etween 3ant>s %dea/%s# and
A#er%can Un%tar%an%s#0
E#ers!n "e,an h%s career as a Un%tar%an #%n%ster ".t /ater he c!nc/.ded that Un%tar%an%s# was n!t
en!.,h &!r h%# s! he /e&t Un%tar%an%s#0 4e /ater was %n&/.enced "y 3ant>s %dea/%s#0
Transcendenta/%s# %s character%:ed "y the e#$has%s !n %nt.%t%!n+ %nd%-%d.a/%s#+ %ntr!s$ect%!n
(re/ated w%th $.r%tans* and nat.re0 O.r ca$ac%ty t! &%nd tr.th %nt.%t%-e/y a %nd !& tr.th that %s &%nd
thr!.,h the senses0 E#$has%s !n nat.re+ nat.re as a %nd !& re&.,e+ and the n!t%!n !& the s$%"im
(Ed#.nd ?.re*0 The $!$./ar%:at%!n !& the s."/%#e and the h!rr!r re/ated t! %t+ he/$ed t! the
de-e/!$#ent !& the H!th%c n!-e/s0
Re"e//%!.sness E#ers!n s.,,ested that $e!$/e c!./d d! the%r !wn ?%"/e w%th G.!tes !& $e!$/e
that c!./d he/$ the#0
R!#ant%c%s# react%!n a,a%nst Ne!c/ass%c%s#0
E#$has%s !n %#a,%nat%!n a,a%nst reas!n
E#$has%s !n $ass%!n and a/s! s$ec%a/ attract%!n t! the s.$ernat.ra/ "eca.se they wanted t! de-%ate
&r!# the n!r#s !& reas!n0
Ae-er !& the R!#ant%c $r!ta,!n%st+ h%s character%st%cs are that he %s re"e//%!.s+ he %s $r!.d+ they
ha-e a /!t !& c!n&%dence !n the#se/-es (4U?RI'* E95 Ca$ta%n Aha" %n Moby Dick0
U' R!#ant%c%s# $r!.d !& the%r nat%!ns+ they wanted t! "e !r%,%na/+ $r!cess !& ada$tat%!n+ they try
t! "e !r%,%na/ "y e#$has%:%n, the character%st%cs !& the A#er%can /andsca$e (s."/%#e* and the &%,.re
!& the %nd%an (n!"/e sa-a,e*0 The &%,.re !& the $!et n!t !n/y as a $!et ".t as a $r!$het0 Th%s &%,.re
has s$ec%a/ G.a/%t%es+ s!#e!ne that has a s$ec%a/ %ns%de %nt! the character%st%cs !& th%n,s+ "y
c!nte#$/at%n, an !"@ect they can ,! "ey!nd that and see an!ther #ean%n,0 E95 E#ers!n and
Wh%t#an0
E)HAR ALLAN 6OE
One !& the #!st $!$./ar U' wr%ters
Pote maudit and c./t &%,.re ad#%red "y ?a.de/a%re wh! trans/ated h%s w!rs %nt! Arench
L%&e ha.nted "y $!-erty and death he wr!te n!t &!r $/eas.re !r as a h!""y ".t &!r /%-%n,
<ar%ety !& a$$r!aches5 "!he#%an+ dr.nard -s d%sc%$/%ned+ hardw!r%n, wr%ter
Man !& reas!n (essays and detect%-e st!r%es* and a #an !& $ass%!n (H!th%c st!r%es and $!etry
%rrat%!na/%ty+ #adness+ ha//.c%nat%!ns*5
Ana/yst and ana/ysand
Ne!c/ass%ca/ and r!#ant%c %n&/.ences
4e %s %#$!rtant &!r a -ar%ety !& reas!ns5
4e "e/%e-ed %n art &!r art>s sae he th!.,ht that art and /%terat.re were %#$!rtant per
se n! d%dact%c !r #!ra/ $.r$!se
Hreat %#$act !n the h%st!ry !&5
D /%terary the!ry
D sh!rt st!ry wr%t%n,
D the H!th%c
D $sych!ana/ys%s ant%c%$ates s!#e $sych!ana/yt%ca/ the!r%es
D sc%enceD&%ct%!n there are s!#e st!r%es that $!%nt t! new techn!/!,%es
4e was the creat!r !& a new /%terary ,enre detect%-e &%ct%!n
6!e had a dee$ %n&/.ence !n /ater wr%ters+ #any wr%ters were %n&/.enced "y 6!e>s &%ct%!n
(?a.de/a%re+ Na"!!-+ ?!r,es+ L!-ecra&t000*
4%s $resence %s a/s! %n $resent c./t.re5 #.s%c (c/ass%ca/ and $!$*+ &%/#s+ c!#%cs+ T<+ #erchand%s%n,
LIAE AN) CAREER
4e was "!rn %n ?!st!n !& %t%nerant act!rs (18F9*
In 181F the &ather a"and!ned the &a#%/y /ea-%n, the #!ther w%th ; ch%/dren
In 1811 6!e>s #!ther d%ed
6!e was taen "y a r%ch &a#%/y Ad!$ted "y J!hn A//an+ wea/thy #erchant (R%ch#!nd+ <%r,%n%a*
7the want !& $arenta/ a&&ect%!n has "een the hea-%est !& #y tr%a/s8 a/th!.,h he was taen "y th%s
r%ch &a#%/y 6!e was ne-er ad!$ted &!r#a//y0 When J!hn A//an d%ed 6!e d%d n!t rece%-e any
%nher%tance0 Cr%t%cs ass!c%ate 6!e>s /%&e w%th the &e#a/e characters !& h%s w!rs0
When h%s &a#%/y went t! ?r%ta%n+ 6!e stayed there t! st.dy+ where he &e/t /!ne/y (1812D182F*0
then he ret.rned t! the U'A and attended the Un%-ers%ty !& <%r,%n%a &!r s!#e t%#e+ ".t h%s &ather d%d
n!t /ea-e h%# en!.,h #!ney s! he had t! /ea-e and then he started dr%n%n, and ,a#"/%n,0
4e @!%ned the U' ar#y w%th the he/$ !& J!hn A//an ".t he was e9$e//ed0 (182E*
4e started $."/%sh%n, h%s &%rst wr%t%n,s+ h%s &%rst $."/%cat%!n was Tamerlane and !ther Poems (182E*
4e #arr%ed h%s &%rst c!.s%n <%r,%n%a when she was 1; %n $r%-ate cere#!ny and then a year /ater %n a
$."/%c cere#!ny0 Cr%t%cs "e/%e-ed that the%r #arr%a,e was ne-er c!ns.##ated0
4e w!red as a re-%ewer+ ed%t!r and /%terary wr%ter %n 6h%/ade/$h%a+ ?a/t%#!re+ Wash%n,t!n and N=0
4e $."/%shed %n 18;8 The Narrati"e o# $rthur %ordon Pym (a "!! ad-ent.re w%th an e9$ed%t%!n t!
the '!.th $!/e+ w%th H!th%c e/e#ents+ %t %s the !n/y n!-e/a he wr!te "eca.se he $re&erred sh!rter
&%ct%!ns* and %n 18CF Tales o# the %rotes&ue and $rabes&ue.
The 'a"en was h%s #!st $!$./ar w!r (18C2*+ %n 18C1 he wr!te The Philosophy o# Composition
then %n 18CE h%s w%&e <%r,%n%a d%ed and 2 years /ater 6!e d%ed %n stran,e c%rc.#stances0
6!etry5 rhyth#+ #.s%ca/%ty+ a//%terat%!ns+ they were $!e#s that were c!nce%-ed t! "e read a/!.d
"eca.se they were -ery #.s%ca/0
6OE>' )ETECTI<E AICTION (ta/es !& rat%!c%nat%!n*
Th%s st!r%es were the s!.rce !& %ns$%rat%!n &!r C!nan )!y/e>s 'her/!c 4!/#es0
7The M.rders %n the R.e M!r,.e8 (18C1*
7The Mystery !& Mar%e R!,et8 (18C2*
7The 6.r/!%ned Letter8 (18CC*
E''A='
4e wr!te se-era/ essays
7The 6h%/!s!$hy !& C!#$!s%t%!n8 (18C1*
7The Rat%!na/e !& <erse8 (18C8*
7The 6!et%c 6r%nc%$/e8 (182F* $."/%shed a&ter h%s death
Essay (ureka (18C8*
Th%s essay %s a/s! ca//ed 7An Essay !n the Mater%a/ and '$%r%t.a/ Un%-erse8
Int.%t%-e a$$r!ach t! the nat.re !& the .n%-erse Ant%c%$ates the n!t%!n !& The ?%, ?an, The!ry
7The $/!ts !& H!d are $er&ect8
7The .n%-erse %s a $/!t !& H!d8
In th%s essay a$$ear e/e#ents that a/s! a$$ear !n h%s &%ct%!n (H!th%c e/e#ents*0
ANAL='I'
10
20 Th%s %s what he th%ns a"!.t the creat%!n !& a /%terary te9t0 4e %ns%sts !n the 7s%n,/e e&&ect85
e-eryth%n, %n the st!ry has t! "e c!nnected t! th%s e&&ect that the wr%ter wants t! $r!d.ce %n
the reader0 Ar!# the "e,%nn%n, he e#$has%:es the r!/e !& the #%nd and the %#$!rtance !&
str.ct.re and !r,an%:at%!n !& the te9t &!r#0 At the end !& the $assa,e he re&ers t! the
/en,th+ he $re&ers "re-%ty "eca.se %t c!ntr%".tes t! %ntens%ty+ %& the te9t %s t!! /!n, the
attent%!n !& the reader w%// "e /!st0 Len,th %s yet t! "e a-!%ded0
;0 4ere 6!e>s e9$/a%ns h%s &!r#./a t! s.ccess0 4e starts re&err%n, t! !ther $!$./ar ta/es0
L.d%cr!.s #.st "e he%,htened+ the w%tty e9a,,erated t! ".r/esG.e and the s%n,./ar wr!.,ht
%nt! the #yst%ca/0 ?ased !n e9cess and %ntens%&%cat%!n !& the e/e#ents0
;02 A re&/e9%!n !& the character%st%cs $re-%!.s/y d%sc.ssed0 The -!ca"./ary he .sed sh!./d
ha-e "een ada$ted &!r the $."/%c0 4e was %nterested %n new d%sc!-er%es ($hren!/!,y !.r
$ers!na/%ty -ar%es de$end%n, !n the sha$e !& !.r s.// and "a//!!n%n, the "a//!!n h!a9*
Instead !& a c!#$/e9 -!ca"./ary he had t! chan,e %t "eca.se the $."/%c $re&erred a d%&&erent
sty/e !& wr%t%n,0 4e was attracted "y cry$t!,ra$hy0
C0 Terr!r !& Her#any #any $!$./ar H!th%c &%ct%!ns were $."/%shed %n Her#any0 4e de&ends
that h%s .se !& terr!r %s @.st%&%ed "eca.se h%s terr!rs c!#e &r!# the #%nd and &r!# the s!./+ %s
a terr!r !& the #%nd0 4e was w!rr%ed a"!.t &!r# ".t he was a/s! w!rr%ed a"!.t h%s
$!$./ar%ty
20 he d%sc.ssed h%s e#$has%s !n str.ct.re+ the &!r#a/ !r,an%:at%!n !& the te9t+ and h!w he
c!#$ared a $%ece !& wr%t%n, w%th the ".%/d%n, !& a h!.se+ s! e-eryth%n, %s %#$!rtant "eca.se
%& y!. chan,e the !r,an%:at%!n !& these e/e#ents then the res./t %s n!t ,!d0 (a h!.se w%th
wr!n, "r%cs w%// &a//*0 4e c!#$ares the str.ct.re !& a /%terary te9t w%th the str.ct.re !& a
h!.se0
10 Re%n&!rce#ent !& the Art &!r the Art>s sae w%th!.t any $ract%ca/ $.r$!se @.st t! en@!y art
and %ts "ea.ty0 4%s %ntent%!n %n $!etry %s @.st t! e9$/!re "ea.ty0 4e wants t! $r!d.ce an
e&&ect !n the reader0
E0 6!e c!nnects $!etry w%th "ea.ty and #.s%c0 6!e %ns%sts !n the c!nnect%!n "etween $!etry
and #.s%c and a/s! that #.s%c %s a -ery $/eas.ra"/e art and %t $r!d.ces a -ery d%&&%c./t t!
e9$/a%n e&&ect !n the /%stener0
80 6!e says that $!etry needs #.s%c t! de-e/!$0 The s$&rna" 'a$t( an a"stract %dea !&
"ea.ty+ %nd !& $/at!n%c+ ass!c%ated w%th a $!et%c sent%#ent0 Th%n,s #ae y!. th%n !&
"ea.ty %n the a"stract0
90 The search !& #an &!r "ea.ty %s .nG.encha"/e0 It %s a&ter death we sha// "e a"/e t!
c!nte#$/ate "ea.ty0 We ha-e a n!t%!n !& "ea.ty ".t %t %s ne-er sat%s&%ed0
1F0 It can "e seen the attract%!n t! the death ".t a/s! t! sad%s#0 In 6!e>s ta/es the sad%s# %s
re/ated t! #as!ch%s#0
110 Aancy and %#a,%nat%!n the sa#e ".t n!t %n th%s e9cer$t0 Th%s d%st%nct%!n c!#es &r!#
C!/er%d,e+ &!r h%# %#a,%nat%!n %s s.$er%!r0 In wr%t%n, when y!. read y!. sh!./d &%nd 2
/e-e/s+ the &%rst !ne that %s #!re access%"/e and the sec!nd that %s harder t! reach and that has
the tr.e #ean%n, !& the st!ry+ "eca.se as a wr%ter %& y!. c/ar%&y the #ean%n, !& the st!ry t!!
ear/y then the st!ry w%// n!t $/eas.ra"/e &!r the reader0
120 E#$has%s !n &ee/%n,s and drea#s0 4e c!nnects "ea.ty w%th the tr.th !& the "!!0 It re&ers t!
the ?%, ?an, The!ry0 It %s $/at!n%c re&err%n, t! th%s n!t%!n !& ?ea.ty and des%res that w%//
!n/y c!#e tr.e a&ter we are dead0 A"s!/.te $er&ect%!n %s %#$!ss%"/e "eca.se h.#ans are
%#$er&ect0 E#$has%s !n the r!#ant%c s%de !& th%n,s+ we cann!t "e #%staen %& we are ,.%ded
"y the $!et%ca/0
1;0 I#$./se t!wards se/&Ddestr.ct%!n and necr!$h%/%a0 Re/at%!nsh%$ "etween /!-e and death0
1C0 ).a/%ty+ !n the !ne hand des%re !n "ea.ty+ des%re &!r $er&ect%!n+ s.$erna/ "ea.ty+ search &!r
/%terary $er&ect%!n and %n the !ther hand s!#e -./,ar tatt!!s and a/s! th%s %ntent%!n t! "e
$!$./ar a#!n, the reader $."/%c0 4e was aware !& what the $."/%c wanted and he tr%ed t!
,%-e %t t! the#0
120 The cr%t%cs a$$r!ach 6!e &r!# the $ers$ect%-e !& $sych!ana/ys%s+ ana/ys%s -s ana/ysand0
6!etry re/ated t! 6!e that was a $!et re/ated t! c!nsc%!.sness and re/ated t!
.nc!nsc%!.sness0
110 4!w 6!e %dea/%:es h%s characters ".t a/s! -%ct%#%:es the#0 ).a/%ty "etween sadness+ tears
and !n the !ther hand he dec!nstr.cts th%s c!nce$ts "y r%d%c./%n, the#0 An e/e#ent !&
$ar!dy and ".r/esG.e0
1E0 C!#"%nat%!n !& /a.,hter and tears+ the h.#!r!.s+ the c!#%ca/+ the ".r/esG.e -s the tra,%c+
the #e/!dra#at%c+ s!#et%#es we d! n!t n!w at what e9tent h%s /a.,h%n, !r wee$%n, at h%s
creat%!ns0 4e was a"/e t! $r!d.ce an9%ety !n the readers0
)*ILOS)*+ O, COM)OSITION
4e starts the $!e# re&err%n, t! Char/es )%cens0 E#$has%s !n str.ct.re that 6!e #aes e#$has%:%n,
the end%n, !& w!rds0 ?e&!re y!. start wr%t%n, s!#eth%n, y!. #.st ha-e %n #%nd h!w y!. are ,!%n,
t! &%n%sh that $%ece0 In !rder t! wr%te a ,!!d te9t y!. ha-e t! wr%te and rewr%te a /!t !& t%#es+ %t d!es
n!t c!#e !.t !& %ns$%rat%!n+ %t %s a -ery /!,%ca/ $r!cess0 In !rder t! wr%te we// y!. ha-e t! w!r
hard0 4%s modus operandi %s that y!. sh!./d tae the wr%t%n, !& a $!e# as ser%!.s as a sc%ent%&%c
$r!"/e#0 Wh%/e wr%t%n, 7The Ra-en8 he wanted t! sat%s&%ed the #!st de#and%n, cr%t%cs ".t at the
sa#e t%#e he wanted the #a@!r%ty !& the $."/%c t! en@!y %t0 4e &!c.ses !n the /en,th !& the $!e#5 %&
a $!e# %s t!! /!n, t! "e read %n !ne s%tt%n, then the .n%ty %s /!st+ a /!n, $!e# %s a s.ccess%!n !&
"r%e& $!e#s0 4e e#$has%:es t!ta/%ty and .n%ty !& e&&ect0 4e c!nnects "re-%ty t! %ntens%ty+ %& y!. want
the $!e# t! "e %ntense and $!wer %t sh!./d n!t "e /!n,0 The t!ne he wants t! $r!d.ce %s a t!ne !&
sadness0 E#$has%s !n "ea.ty and #e/anch!/y w%th sadness0 4e c!nc/.des that he want s a "r%e&
re&ra%n (1 w!rd*+ he wants the re&ra%n t! "e s!n!r!.s0 Then he %s /!!%n, &!r an e9c.se t! re$eat the
w!rd 7Ne-er#!re8 at the end !& each stan:a0 Acc!rd%n, t! the t!ne !& #e/anch!/y he th%ns !& a
ra-en0 It %s a/ways the w!#an the !ne that d%es and the #an the !ne that s.r-%-es0 '!#et%#es the
/!-er %s the %//er0 The $!et n!ws the answer %n ad-ance ".t he ee$ as%n, G.est%!ns t! the ra-en
e-en th!.,h he n!ws the answer0 When he rece%-es the answer !& the ra-en he e9$er%ences a #%9er
!& $/eas.re and $a%n0 6!e sh!ws h%s ca/c./at%n, #%nd "y !r,an%:%n, the character%st%cs the /!-er ass
t! the ra-en0 Then he &!c.ses !n -ers%&%cat%!n+ he had the %dea !& !r%,%na/%ty %n #%nd+ he says that %t
%s n!t a #atter !& %#$./se !r %nt.%t%!n0 4e wants t! "e !r%,%na/ "y #%9%n, #etr%ca/ &!r#s that
$re-%!.s/y e9%sted+ %t %s the c!#"%nat%!n that #aes the stan:a !r%,%na/0 At the end he .ses a tr!cha%c
(I . >ra -en* #eter !cta#eter and he $/ays w%th the n.#"er !& tr!chees ".t at the end %t d!es n!t
end as a tr!chee %t ends as a cata/ect%c #eter (the &eet are c!#$/ete*0 There %s a/s! a /!t !& a//%terat%!n
and a/s! %nterna/ rhy#e0 The c!nc/.s%!n %s that the !r%,%na/%ty has t! d! w%th the c!#"%nat%!n0 The
sett%n,+ the /!ca/e+ where the act%!n taes $/ace+ he $re&ers a s#a// and c/!se $/ace+ "eca.se %& he %s
/!!%n, &!r %ntens%ty he th%ns that a c/!se $/ace w%// he/$0 The character%st%cs !& the r!!#+
&.rn%shed+ w%nd!w as the %nstr.#ents thr!.,h wh%ch the ra-en ,ets t! the r!!#+ w%nd!ws are #!re
$r!-!cat%-e than d!!rs0 4e .ses a %nd !& dec!rat%-e e/e#ent as an %#$!rtant e/e#ent %n the $!e#+
&!r the c!ntrast "etween "/ac and wh%te+ he tr%es t! #ae a c!nnect%!n "etween the $a/ace and the
w%sd!# !& the st.dent0 4e ,%-es an a%r !& the &antast%c a$$r!ach%n, the /.d%cr!.s t! the ra-en>s
entrance+ des$%te the s!/e#n%ty !& the s%t.at%!n0 4e wants the den.#en t! "e as G.%c as $!ss%"/e %n
!rder t! "e %ntense0 4e c!#es "ac t! the sa#e %dea at the end !& the essay+ he wants t! a-!%d
naedness wh%ch re-ea/s the art%st%c eye+ he wants t! ach%e-e c!#$/e9%ty and s.,,est%-eness0 4e
n!w re&ers t! the transcendenta/%sts wh! were h%s r%-a/s and en@!yed cr%t%c%:%n, the#0 The
transcendenta/%st were n!t -ery ,!!d "eca.se they c/ar%&%ed th%n,s %n e9cess+ "eca.se 6!e %s a,a%nst
that0 At the end !& the $!e# he wants t! trans#%t that the ra-en w%// "e there &!re-er and e-er eat%n,
the heart !& the st.dent as a sy#"!/ !& the $a%n he s.&&ers "eca.se !& E/ean!r0
T4E AALL OA T4E 4OU'E OA U'4ER
The ta/e can "e taen as a #aster te9t &!r the h%st!ry !& A#er%can H!th%c0 It %s a/s! a te9t that
"ea.t%&.//y e9e#$/%&%es 6!e>s n!t%!n .n%ty !& e&&ect5 a// the e/e#ents w!r t!,ether0 A/th!.,h the
ta/e %s &.// !& c/ass%ca/ H!th%c %n,red%ents+ s.ch as the ha.nted #ans%!n+ 6!e #aes an!ther %nd !&
H!th%c0 The terr!r here has t! d! w%th the terr!r !& the #%nd+ $sych!/!,%ca/ terr!r+ a ta/e &.// !&
s.,,est%-eness+ the ta/e ne-er c/ar%&%es %ts c!ntents0 '!#e cr%t%cs ha-e descr%"ed %t as the d%&&%c./ty
the st!ry has t! ,et %tse/& t!/d0 Many G.est%!ns re#a%n .nanswered at the end0
-UOTATION 1
The "e,%nn%n, ant%c%$ated the $/!t %n an %nd%rect #anner0 There are w!rds that s.,,est the
character%st%cs !& the sett%n, acc.#./at%-e e&&ect 6!e .ses w!rds that are $!wer&./ &!r#a//y+
there %s a//%terat%!n that %s #!re c!ncerned w%th c!ntents than w%th the #.s%ca/%ty !& the w!rds
(%ntens%&%cat%!n "y re$et%t%!n*0 The seas!n %s a.t.#n0 A!r# the -ery "e,%nn%n, we sh!./d $ay
attent%!n t! the narrat!r "eca.se %t %s the !n/y c!nnect!r w%th what ha$$ens %n the st!ry+ s!#et%#es
th%s -!%ce %s s."@ect%-e and .nre/%a"/e+ -ery &reG.ent/y 6!e>s narrat!rs sh!w s%,ns !& #adness !r
.nre/%a"%/%ty+ at the "e,%nn%n, the narrat!r says that he %s n!t cra:y ".t as the st!ry ee$s ,!%n, he
c!n&esses h%s &ears and the start%n, !& #adness0 6!e $/ays w%th the reader0 6!e a/s! ta/s a"!.t the
s."/%#e+ $a%n thr!.,h "ea.ty0 The reader can draw a $ara//e/ "etween the &aJade !& the h!.se and
the &ace !& h%s !wner+ ?r!der%c Usher0 The decay %s "!th $hys%ca//y and #enta//y+ the decay !& the
Usher>s0 Ar!# the -ery "e,%nn%n, 6!e s.,,est a c!nnect%!n "etween the rea/ w!r/d and the w!r/d !&
%#a,%nat%!n (that y!. #ay e9$er%ence w%th dr.,s s.ch as !$%.#*+ these w!r/ds are n!t c/ear/y
se$arated0 The c!nc/.s%!n he reaches %s that he cann!t &%nd a s!/.t%!n0 The "e,%nn%n, ant%c%$ates the
"e,%nn%n, and the end%n, !& the st!ry+ the narrat%!n $ays attent%!n t! the re&/ect%!n !& the h!.se !n
the water !& the /ae and %n the end the h!.se %s swa//!wed "y the /ae0
-UOTATION 2
6!e &r!# the "e,%nn%n, $.ts t!,ether the h!.se and the %nha"%tant and !wner !& the h!.se0 When he
wr%tes Usher he re&ers t! a// !& the# %nc/.d%n, a/s! the dynasty0 Ar%st!cracy c/ass%c H!th%c
c!n-ent%!n0 R!der%c Usher %s !"sessed w%th h%s s%ster+ he &ee/s /!-e that end .$ as hatred+ and a/s!
w%th h%# ".rr%n, her a/%-e %n !rder t! a-!%d %ncest !$en t! %nter$retat%!n+ th%s %s n!t c!n&%r#ed %n
the ta/e0 Made/%ne s.&&ers cata/e$sy (she see#s dead ".t she %s n!t*0 There are h%nts ".t thses h%nts
are ne-er res!/-ed0
-UOTATION .
A#"%-a/ence !& the narrat!r+ he tr%es t! e9$/a%n th%n, /!,%ca//y ".t he ,rad.a//y e9$/a%ns h%s
%n&ect%!n and %n c!nseG.ence h%s s.$erst%t%!n and "ad th!.,hts %ncreased0 The h!.se %s the !r%,%n !&
th%s $ec./%ar e&&ect0 We d! n!t n!w t! what e9tent he %s e9$/a%n%n, !r %n-ent%n, th%n,s0 A,a%n the
"e,%nn%n, ant%c%$ates the end%n,0
-UOTATION /
The descr%$t%!n he/$ t! the de-e/!$#ent !& s!rr!w+ s.s$ense+ ,/!!#0 6!e wants t! #ae .s &ee/0
When we read these descr%$t%!ns we ha-e the %#$ress%!n that R!der%c and Made/%ne /%-e %n s!#e
%nd !& $r%s!n and th%s %s #!re e-%dent when the narrat!r says that they ha-e n!t a"and!ned the
h!.se &!r #any years0 They n!w the h!.se %s e-%/ ".t the h!.se %s the%r s.r-%-a/ a %nd !&
$arad!9 that w!rs0
-UOTATION 5
One #!re re&erence t! !$%.#0 6!e %ns%sts !n #ystery and !n ara"esG.e e/e#ents0 The ara"esG.e %s
c!nnected t! a %nd !& art%st%c and dec!rat%-e sty/e+ %t has t! d! w%th a"stract%!n and -a,.eness
"eca.se %t was e#$/!yed #a%n/y w%th M.s/%#s0 They cann!t re$resent any c!ncrete &%,.re s! %n
c!nseG.ence+ they .sed .nrea/ des%,ns0 ?y .s%n, th%s ter# %n the descr%$t%!n !& R!der%c he
e#$has%:es #ystery+ a"stractness and s!#eth%n, that cann!t "e e9$ressed "y #ean !& w!rds0
-UOTATION 6
6!e ant%c%$ates the den.#en %n a -ery !"sc.re way0 4%s #a/ady has t! d! w%th R!der%c>s !"sess%!n
and &ears+ R!der%c %s a&ra%d !& &ear %tse/& and he n!ws he w%// d%e a -%ct%# !& terr!r+ a -%ct%# !& h%s
!wn &ear Made/%ne %s h%s terr!r s! he w%// "e a -%ct%# !& Made/e%ne0 The narrat!r a/s! #any
t%#es re&.ses t! c/ar%&y th%n,s+ th%s has t! d! w%th 6!e>s e&&ect and /ac !& e9$/anat%!n+ /ac !&
c/ar%ty0
-UOTATION 0
I& the narrat!r &ee/s a -%ct%# !& h%s !wn s.$erst%t%!ns he a/s! .ses the# t! s$ea a"!.t R!der%c+ he
ta/s !& R!der%c as a $r%s!ner !& h%s !wn !"sess%!ns0 Once and a,a%n 6!e %ns%sts !n "e%n, !"sc.re
and %n n!t e9$/a%n%n, th%n,s0 What the narrat!r tr%es t! say %s that R!der%c %s a -%ct%# !& the $/ace
he /%-es+ that the /ae has $r!d.ced a ne,at%-e e&&ect !n h%#+ n!t !n/y !n h%s "!dy ".t !n h%s #%nd0
In a way the narrat!r s.,,est that the d%sease !& th%s &a#%/y has t! d! w%th the at#!s$here %n wh%ch
they /%-e0 The $arad!9 here %s e-en %& the $r!ta,!n%st th%n that the h!.se and the at#!s$here %s the
s!.rce !& the%r %//ness they ne-er /ea-e as %& %t was necessary &!r the%r s.r-%-a/0
-UOTATION 8
The narrat!r descr%"es the enterta%n#ent !& the $r!ta,!n%st and th%s G.!tat%!ns &!c.s !n !ne !&
R!der%c>s $a%nt%n,s &.// !& #ystery and a"stract%!n that $!%nts t! re$ress%!n0 The $a%nt%n, $!%nts t!
th%s .n%ty !& e&&ect+ e-eryth%n, !n the st!ry has a #ean%n,0
-UOTATION 9
The narrat!r descr%"es the $/!t !& the ta/e thr!.,h the descr%$t%!n !& the $a%nt%n,0 A -ery c!n&%ned
$/ace the cry$t where Made/e%ne w%// "e ".r%ed a/%-e0
-UOTATION 11
I#$!rtant $assa,e %n the te9t "eca.se %t s.,,ests &!r e9a#$/e that the "r!thers are act.a//y tw%ns+
they had a rea//y c/!se re/at%!nsh%$ %ncest? N!t en!.,h e-%dence0 The cata/e$t%c character !& the
d%sease+ th%s c!./d e9$/a%n t! s!#e e9tent the 7res.rrect%!n8 !& Made/e%ne+ the s#%/e !& Made/e%ne
when she %s dead $r!d.ces &ear and /a.,hter+ c!./d "e an ant%c%$at%!n !& her res.rrect%!n and
&.t.re re-en,e e/e#ent !& the 2r3ts4$+ c!#"%nat%!n !& &ear and h.#!r!.s+ %t %#$/%es
d%st!rt%!n0 The wh!/e $assa,e c!nta%ns $arad!9+ $!ss%"%/%ty that Made/e%ne %s a/%-e and a/s! the
%#$!ss%"%/%ty !& esca$%n, th%s ".r%a/ $/ace h!w can Made/e%ne ,et !.t !& the c!&&%n?
-UOTATION 11
Usher ca//s the narrat!r 7#ad#an8+ there %s -%!/ence+ Made/e%ne %s c!-ered %n "/!!d+ we d! n!t
n!w her #eth!d %n !rder t! ,et !.t !& the c!&&%n ".t there was certa%n/y -%!/ence0 Is a/s! a sy#"!/
!& -%!/ence t! h%s "r!ther0 The &e#a/e &%,.re %s n!t a -%ct%# any#!re (she had "een a".sed* and n!w
she taes her re-en,e !n h%#0 7w%th!.t the d!!r8 a#"%-a/ence+ tw! #ean%n,s+ she %s there "y the
d!!r and a/s! that what was ca,%n, her %s n! /!n,er there+ she %s &%na//y &ree0
7we ha-e $.t her /%-%n, %n the t!#"8 the s."@ect %s n!t I ".t we %t %nc/.des the narrat!r+ .nt%/ n!w
the narrat!r has descr%"ed th%n,s %n an .nattached #anner ".t when R!der%c !$en h%s #!.th he
%#$/%cates the narrat!r %n the cr%#e and a/s! ca//s h%# #ad#an+ that %s what the narrat!r has "een
d!%n, w%th R!der%c0 C!#$/%c%ty "etween #a/es a,a%nst a &e#a/e0 Usher s!#e!ne that
acc!#$an%es !ther $e!$/e (ac!#!dad!r*+ a$$arent/y the .sher %s the narrat!r a/th!.,h $art !& the
,a#e %s n!t n!w%n, wh! the .sher %s0 Us I her 2 #en &%,.res -s Made/e%ne0 R!der%c
ant%c%$ated h%s !wn end%n,0
-UOTATION 1155
The nat.re stresses and ech!es the $/!t and h%s at#!s$here !& terr!r and th%s $!wer&./ den!.e#ent0
It started that n%,ht0 The narrat!r #ent%!ns a "/!!dDred #!!n %s re/ated w%th what Made/e%ne %s
n!w+ the #!!n %s a &e#a/e sy#"!/ and %s ass!c%ated w%th w!#an>s cyc/es0 Red that sy#"!/%:es "!th
$ass%!n and -%!/ence0 There %s a/s! a %nd !& $.n (@.e,! de $a/a"ras* at the end !& the $assa,e
7r.sh%n, as.nder8 r.sh%n, .s .nder0 A/s! there %s a//%terat%!n at the end !& the $assa,e (dee$+
dan+ tarn+ s.//en/y+ s%/ent/y*0 C%rc./ar str.ct.re !& the st!ry+ the &%rst w!rds !& the st!ry are a/s! the
/ast0
I#$!rtance !& the r!#ance t!/d "y the narrat!r t! R!der%c the s!.nd e&&ects !& the st!ry see#ed
t! ech! %n rea/%ty and #atch the n!%ses #ade "y Made/e%ne try%n, t! ,et !.t !& the cry$t0 M%se en
a"y#e (#%rr!rDte9t* when %n &%ct%!n we &%nd an e#"edded te9t that %s $ara//e/ t! the $r%nc%$a/0
-UOTATION 12
Th%s a$$/%es t! 6!e>s &%ct%!n %n ,enera/0 We e#$has%:ed h!w 6!e trans&%,.red the character%st%cs !&
the H!th%c &%ct%!n0 4e dea/s w%th the dec/%ne and e9t%nct%!n !& the &a#%/y /%ne ".t $ay%n, #!re
attent%!n t! the $sych!/!,%ca/ s%de0 The H!th%c t.rns %nwards w%th 6!e0
-UOTATION 1.
Th%s G.!tat%!n e#$has%:es decadence+ the Usher &a#%/y %s -ery ed.cated ".t %t %s a dynasty %n
decadence+ y!. can re/ate these character%st%cs t! th%s at#!s$here !& rac%s# and %neG.a/%ty0
H!"%nea. was an essay%st and the!r%st that wr!te a"!.t rac%s#+ he wr!te a -ery rac%st essay %n wh%ch
he sa%d that the wh%tes were the s.$er%!r race0
-UOTATION 1/
It re&ers t! the c!ntents !& the $!e#0 Th%s cr%t%c a$$r!aches 7the ha.nted $a/ace8 as an %nc!#$/ete
a//e,!r%:at%!n !"sc.re+ the $!e# re#a%ns !$en+ #any read%n,s are $!ss%"/e0 6erha$s th%s w!rds
a/s! re&er t! th%s ,ather%n, !& the tr%"es+ wh%ch re"e//ed0 They #ay a/s! $!%nt t! Made/e%ne and her
-%ct%#%:at%!n0 7The &%ss.re !& the h!.se8 L%nc!/n>s s$eech where he ca//s the U' a 7h!.se
d%-%ded8+ c!nnect%!n w%th destr.ct%!n !& the #ans%!n !& the st!ry0