Lesson 4: A Growing Nation (1800–1870): Part I
Objectives
After successfully completing this lesson, you should be able to
- generally describe the historical background of American literature during the era of 1800–1870.
- identify and discuss development of three literary features: third person omniscient point of view, characterization (direct and indirect), and cultural attitudes.
- identify and discuss literary characteristics shared by the Fireside Poets, including subject matter, mood, and meter.
- identify and discuss descriptive techniques found in nonfiction accounts.
- identify and discuss the elements of single effect and the Gothic style.
- identify and discuss the characteristics of a parable.
- define symbolism, the ways in which it is developed, and items that are specifically symbolized in Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick.
