DO ESTADO DO PIAUÍ

ADE ESTADUAL DO PIAUÍ-UESPI

ADE ABERTA DO BRASIL-UAB
NÚCLEO DE
EDUCAÇÃO À DISTÂNCIA-
NEAD

BLOCO VI - POESIA NA LITERATURA DE LÍNGUA INGLESA 60H (2023.1) Prof.

Francisco Romário Nunes (E-mail: francisco.nunes@prp.uespi.br)

ACITIVITY 03

Student Name: _____Ângela Maria Pontes Oliveira__________________________________

According to the material you have read in our poetry, answer the study questions below:

1. In the Nineteenth Century America, young intellectuals of Boston dissatisfied with the
old patriotism formed a movement called Transcendentalism. Who were ahead of this
movement, and what did they try to convey? The Transcendentalist movement in 19th-
century America was led by prominent figures like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David
Thoreau, and Margaret Fuller. They aimed to convey the idea of self-reliance,
individualism, and the importance of a direct and personal connection with nature and the
divine. Transcendentalists emphasized the inherent goodness of people and believed in
the importance of non-conformity, self-discovery, and the inherent wisdom of the
individual soul.

2. Walt Whitman is perhaps the first democratic poet of The United States. Explain why
Whitman’s two favorite words are “sing” and “absorb”. Walt Whitman's favorite words,
"sing" and "absorb," reflect his democratic and all-encompassing approach to life and
humanity. "Sing" embodies the idea that every individual has a unique story to tell and
should express themselves freely, contributing to the collective song of humanity.
"Absorb" represents his belief in embracing all experiences and people without
discrimination, absorbing the diversity of human existence.

3. Emily Dickinson is known as a reclusive poetess. Choose a poem by the author and
analyze its subjects. Emily Dickinson's poems often explore themes of death,
immortality, nature, and the human psyche. One of her famous poems, "Because I could
not stop for Death," delves into the subject of mortality and the afterlife, as the speaker
takes a journey with Death personified as a courteous and patient escort. The poem
reflects on the inevitability of death and the transition to an eternal existence.

4. Edgar Allan Poe evokes dark aspects of the human soul in some of his poems. Explain
why the author portrays mournful experiences in his poems. What kind of poetic quality
does the poet build from such themes? Edgar Allan Poe's portrayal of mournful
experiences in his poems is influenced by his fascination with the macabre and the dark
 aspects of human nature. He explores themes of death, loss, and the fragility of the
human psyche. Poe's poetic quality emerges from his ability to create an eerie and
unsettling atmosphere, utilizing vivid imagery and intricate rhyme and meter to convey
the deep emotional impact of his themes.

5. In the 1920s, African American writers were influenced by experimental styles of

European and American literature. They tried using new forms to talk about the
experience of black people in American Society. What movement did they form in New
York?
Describe how this movement changed black experiences and arts. Then, read the poem
“I, too”, by Langston Hughes, and discuss how the poet portrays black identity.

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.

They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.

Tomorrow,
I’ll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody’ll dare
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UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL DO PIAUÍ-UESPI
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NEAD

Say to me, “Eat in

the kitchen,” Then.

Besides,
They’ll see how beautiful I am And
be ashamed—

I, too, am America.
In the 1920s, African American writers formed the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural and artistic
movement based in Harlem, New York. This movement aimed to celebrate and promote Black
culture, art, and literature, and it significantly changed Black experiences and arts by providing a
platform for Black voices and creative expression. The Harlem Renaissance encouraged the
exploration of African American heritage and history, leading to a flourishing of artistic, literary,
and musical achievements. Langston Hughes' poem "I, too" portrays Black identity and the
struggle for equality. The poem speaks to the idea that Black Americans, despite being
marginalized and segregated, are an integral part of America's identity and future. It reflects the
determination of Black individuals to overcome discrimination and exclusion, asserting their
rightful place at the table of American society.