The Poetry by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The poetry by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is titled "Aftermath" because it is set in a post-harvest environment. It provides a detailed account of a land's transformation from being green with crop to being barren after harvest. The area is now overgrown and tangled with weeds. The poem depicts a once-beautiful world that is now the result of war, presumably a war against the environment. The impacts of conflicts on the past and present can be seen. When there was peaceful coexistence, conflicts erupted, and when they did, we had to deal with the results. The damages on the land and people are substantial and repairing is close to impossible. Everything that we have lost and the war is referred to by "Where the poppy drops its seeds." In my opinion, the poem is deep in the way it addresses the matter of war against the environment leaving the earth empty. This is approached in a manner that hopelessness and dreariness are avoided.
Hope Leslie by Catharine Maria Sedgwick, Chapter 1
The book starts with a letter from Sir William Fletcher addressed to his brother. In the letter, Sir William articulates his plans of having William Fletcher, his brother's son (nephew) being his next of keen, which also includes a marriage between the nephew and his daughter. The offer though is presented with a condition, requiring the nephew to have an allegiance sworn to the King and the crown. It also demands of him that he stops all contact and interactions with the Puritans. At the time of this letter, Fletcher and Alice are already seeing each other and arrival of this news hits the boy with a revelation that he will also be required to have an allegiance sworn to the church which the King had put up. He makes up his mind to go back to London to check on his father and to cut all communication with Alice. The setting is a 17th-century environment, with the Puritans regarded as the self-righteous, people who saw their doctrine as the best of them all.
The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe
The short story writer, Edgar Allan Poe, begins with a vivid description of a scene "During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year..." he is arriving at his childhood friend's home, which is far from other people's residence one evening on a horseback after receiving a letter. His friend, Roderick and her sister, Madeline are the last of their bloodline, a family that had a deep interest in the art such as paintings, etc. the house is a mansion, a grotesque building that even the narrator pauses to take a gaze before entering. He finds his old-time friend in a strange state, with his senses hyped and the sister experiencing seizures. The narrator places the reader in his position, as the host start experiencing astonishing episodes that could only define him as mad. The prose and tone of the story engage the reader in a manner that turns out to be interesting. The sister to the host who had been kept in a vault appears with clothes that are stained with blood as the visitor takes on his heels to leave the house and at that moment, the house sinks. This can be used as imagery since not long after publishing the book, Poe dies, symbolizing falling of his house too.
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
The poem "The Raven" presents loneliness in a setting that can be described as gothic, with the narrator reading a book beside a fire. The fire is almost dying, symbolizing a melancholic mood as the subject in the poem tries not to think of his troubles. The thoughts are under control, but it requires energy and tires him. The agitation makes his thinking and actions to be interfered with, which is represented by how the monologue is full of exclamations, the memories of the demised woman continuously disturbing him. It is clear that the protagonist in the poem had deep feelings and connection to Lenore, whose death continuously disturbs him. The questions he asks the raven are a clear depiction of how he cannot move on from her death which is crystal clear that it was premature. Towards the end of the poem, the narrator has now refused to consider the raven's opinion and formulates his own from his head, making the raven represent a part of his soul.
The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
The setting is a time of slavery, which is backed by the fact that even birthdays were not recorded, and if they were, the information was kept from slaves during that time. The narrator never having a chance to see his father, and his mother was also rarely present. Slavery takes more ground when Douglass is on the plantation of the Colonel, and how the songs were used to depict the tough lives led by slaves. His new owner treats him well that he has a chance to read for himself. The movement of Douglass from one slave owner to another shows how slaves were treated as property, with no regard at all. Denied privileges such as reading and acquiring information. The slaves were battered mercilessly, even when they were unable to complete their duties due to genuine reasons such as sickness. Brutality and humanity are vividly described. The narrative presents a sad life in which Douglass experiences episodes that define a man who is strongly built on tough experiences, before he finds life and independence in New York.
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Chapter 1 & 2
The first two chapters of Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne introduces us to some major symbols of the book. The rosebush outside the prison next to the heavy wooden door with the ironwork covered in rust is the primary factor to consider. It is hoped to symbolize a sweet moral blossom. Humanity sorrow as the main theme of the book is pictured by the location of the rosebush that is at the prison place next to a cemetery. We meet Hester Prynne- the main character in the second chapter who has been sentenced to public humiliation as a punishment for her crimes-adultery. The description of her features and her confidence leaves us with a depiction of her character and what she is facing. It gives a reason to venture into her life and be able to learn from her experience. Sin has always been described as the main reason for humanity sorrow by many theologians. Being the theme depicted in our introduction to the book, one can figure out the reason for the building of the prison and the cemetery as explained in the first chapter. Criticism on the mode of punishment arises from what the author has given. It seems harsh and unusual. However, it is quite lenient compared to what would have been done to Hester regarding those times. Punishment on adultery as indicated by the author is a crime of the heart, which the present day society agrees to, and consequences ought to be guilt, shame, personal indiscretion and self-inflicted suffering.
Moby Dick by Herman Melville Chapter 67
Herman Melville's Moby Dick Chapter 67 draws us to more understanding of religion. Moby Dick, the main character, in the book depicts his religious philosophy. This chapter implores on the capture of the white whale which is associated with both good and evil. Whatever the characters in the book do to the while reveals a take in religion perspective regarding what is good and evil. It is on a Sunday, a religious day of rest. However, the crew continues with their mission of harvesting the blubber. The crew uses various slicing devices to harvest blubber from the whale. The tone of the chapter is objective and businesslike. The main interest of the whalers being the head and the blubber. Ahab, in the book, views the head more as a mysterious sphinx rather than a source of revenue. The chapter brings out the central conflict between Ahab and the whale Moby Dick elaborately. The conflict between them is what drives the novel. Ahab's quest at this point with the theme of consuming nature of revenge is realized. One understands the theme of the book at this point and can see the revealing of the opposite take of both Ishmael and Ahab in the book. Ishmael's confusion on what he stands for is seen. He claims to be a Hebrew, yet he takes in the merciless slaughter of the whale which is evil in the eyes of an animal lover or rather put it to a person who appreciates a Deity's creature.
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs
The book can be taken as an excellent elaboration of female friendship and community, trust, motherhood, and a hindrance to all these by the factors of corruption and cruelty. Harriet Jacobs has her bibliography wired in the book with her being the main character Linda Brent. The horrors of slavery take upon her life when her mother dies. Linda Brent grows older and experiences persecutions from Dr. Flint. The hypocrisy of the Christian whites in the south is an identity of religious themes and how societies overtime have lived up to what they believe in. Harriet uses the sentimental novel style where a young heroine is up against forces that threaten her moral and spiritual character as depicted by the said character Linda Brent. Historical events are also recounted which includes the Nat Turner's Rebellion in 1831 and the passing of the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850. The rebellion intensifies persecutions on slaves. The book has attracted attention to cover college courses on slavery. In my opinion, the life of Linda Brent creates a feeling of empathy with what she undergoes which one may say was the reason slavery came to an end with people standing up for their rights just as Benjamin in the book who runs away to the north.
Washington Square by Henry James Chapter 1 & 2
Washington Square with the theme of civic nostalgia and the Old New York is described by the contradictions in the personal views of the two characters Catherine and Dr. Sloper. The first chapter introduces to Austin Sloper, a medical doctor, who views himself as a reputable extremely intelligent man. The chapter explores more on the intention of Dr. Sloper to marry Catherine, a wealthy young woman despite him not being very rich. In his eyes, Catherine is not clever, who should be molded into one by his instructions to Aunt Penniman. He comes out as a figure of great irony. Despite being a doctor, he is rather cruel. The disappointment by Dr. Sloper is rather not worthy according to one as his name depicts. He is a public celebrity ho should appreciate and be a pinnacle of goodness. Chapter 2 elaborates the development of Catherine to a refined young woman. The description of Dr. Sloper on her is written. Catherine from the beginning and throughout the novel strives to be good but is disillusioned by her father. Betrayal, the dominant theme of the novel, is brought by these two characters. Dr. Sloper feels betrayed by Catherine by her failure to follow his advice. These two chapters are the basis of the antagonism of the two characters of failed expectations and broken promises.
Private Lives of Adam and Eve by Mark Twain
The book retells the religious story of Adam and Eve charmingly. Sarcasm and incisive intelligence bring out the fable of the origin of the human race. Adam comes across a new creature with a different shape whom he views as a pester to him. Eve, on the other hand, is the opposite of him. She is more talkative and inquisitive with her eventually discovering fire. Adam ignores the birth of his sons while Eve concentrates on bringing them up. The skepticism of religion has been brought out by the character Eve. She is confronted by sadness that she endures. Twain indulges both personal and cultural sentiments in the book.
