Literature: New Poetry

1. ENGLISH 9:American Stream – New Poetry English and American Literature Prepared by: MR. REGIE A FRANCISCO Universidad de Zamboanga Technical High School

2. 4th Prelim: Topic 3 Introduction to New Poetry, Authors and Poetry

3. Background • Early American poetry was very similar in form, diction and themes to their British counterparts. • By the 19th century, a distinctly American form started to develop. Truly American poetry is said to have started from the work of two poets, Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson.

4. Two Noble Authors • On the other hand, Emily Dickinson’s poetry, with its concentrated phrases, short lines and stanzes reminiscent of Protestant hymnals, pioneered gnomic obscurity and irony. • The daring originality of these two poets would profoundly influence 20th century American poetry.

5. Two Noble Authors • Whitman’s poetry, characterized by democratic inclusiveness and long lines that hark back to the metric of the King James Bible, provided a template for free metric verse and direct emotional expression.

6. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow • (1807 -1882) was the most loved poet in America during his lifetime. He has been called America’s household poet. He writes about the beauty of simple affections and the pleasures of the home, he tells us to have faith and confidence in God.

7. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow • Title of his famous literary piece: • Poem: A Rainy Day • (ECAS 9 Pages 234 - 235)

8. ENGLISH 9:American Stream – New Poetry English and American Literature Prepared by: MR. REGIE A FRANCISCO Universidad de Zamboanga Technical High School