Angelina Korakakos
Liberty University
ENGL201 American Literature
Professor Stephanie Hobson
May 7 2023
THE ROMANTIC PERIOD ASSIGNMENT
American Renaissance Assignment: Washington Irving, Cullen Bryant, and David Thoreau Anal-
ysis
1
2 THE ROMANTIC PERIOD ASSIGNMENT Washington Irving, William Cullen Bryant, and
Henry David Thoreau are three
prominent writers of the 19th century from different backgrounds, each uniquely inspired by
the
natural world. For instance, Washington Irving used nature to create a sense of atmosphere
and
mood; William Cullen Bryant used nature to convey his philosophical views; Henry David
Thoreau used nature to inspire and encourage self-discipline and spiritual life. While all
writers
had a clear deep appreciation for nature, their writing styles and portrayal of the subject
matter
.was approached in different ways with an overall distinct perspective
To begin, Washington Irving was born in New York in 1783. In 1802, he began writing a
few satirical pieces for his brothers newspaper, the Morning Chronicle. After years of writing,
he
became most noted for his short stories, which often blended historical and fantastical
elements
and illustrated romanticized depictions of New York and other natural landscapes. In his
writing
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Irving describes the beauty of the countryside surrounding the
village: "The sequestered situation of this church seems always to have made it a favorite
haunt
of troubled spirits. It stands on a knoll, surrounded by locust-trees and lofty elms, from
among
which its decent, whitewashed walls shine modestly forth, like Christian purity beaming
through
the shades of retirement.” Irving's prose is rich with sensory detail, inviting the reader to
3 THE ROMANTIC PERIOD ASSIGNMENT and again, dresses up his nightmares in the more
becoming apparel of the pastoral or the
comedic” (Hughes 2005). Irving’s style of writing is ornate and poetic with Gothic suspense.
Moreover, Irving utilizes vivid imagery and a romanticized view of nature, to ultimately bring
the natural world to life thus creating an overall sense of atmosphere and mood in each of his
.literary works
William Cullen Bryant, an American poet and journalist, also used nature in his writing,
but in a more philosophical sense. “In 1821, Bryant published his first book, Poems, which
included a revised version of Thanatopsis and sensitive poems like The Yellow Violet and To a
Waterfowl, in which he found in nature both moral lessons about temporal life and reassuring
signs of the presence and power of a divine being” (Belasco 2019). In his poem To a Waterfowl,
Bryant portrays nature as a guide and protector, as he writes, "He who, from zone to zone, /
Guides through the boundless sky thy certain flight, / In the long way that I must tread alone, /
Will lead my steps aright." Here, Bryant draws on the natural world to emphasize the
interconnectedness of all things, a common theme in his literary works. In his poem Thanatopsis,
he contemplates the interconnectedness of life and death. He suggests death is a natural part of
the cycle of life, while drawing inspiration from the natural landscape; he writes, “So live, that
when thy summons comes to join/ The innumerable caravan, which moves/ To that mysterious
realm, where each shall take/ His chamber in the silent halls of death,/ Thou go not, like the
quarry-slave at night,/ Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed/ By an unfaltering
trust, approach thy grave,/ like one who wraps the drapery of his couch/ About him, and lies
down to pleasant dreams.” These lines reflect Bryant's straightforward language contrasting the
descriptive language of Irving’s literary works. He focuses on conveying a sense of natural
beauty and harmony. Moreover, “he combines the old Puritanical sense of the brevity of life, of
4 THE ROMANTIC PERIOD ASSIGNMENT the ever-present grave, with something new: the
worship of nature. Daringly, Bryant suggests
that our final home and spiritual destiny rests not in Heaven, but in the ever living bounty of
nature, into which we will merge when we die” (Archambeau 2012). All in all, his poems display
an extensive use of our natural world to compliment his philosophical views towards the vastness
.of nature against the irrelevant, short term life of mankind
To continue, Henry David Thoreau also had a powerful view of nature and the vital
connection that mankind has with it. He strongly believed that morality and one’s conscience
outweighs any political law, especially those unjust. Thoreau believed one should treat life and
another man how one should treat nature: with the most joyous and sincere intentions. This
attitude inspired, not only his literary works such as Walden, but the environmental movement as
a whole. “Readers have been drawn to Walden by Thoreau’s eloquent advocacy of the simple
life, with its emphasis on spiritual ends over material gains” (Belasco 2019). Using this common
theme of simplicity and self-sufficiency, Thoreau writes extensively about his experiences living
in a cabin in the woods, exploring the natural world around him. His writing reflects a deep
reverence for nature, while recognizing its power and unpredictability, yet its delicate
complexion. In his poem Economy, he writes “From thence our kind hearted is, enduring pain
and care/ Approving that our bodies of a stony nature are/ The finest qualities of our nature, like
the bloom on fruits, can be preserved only by the most delicate handling. Yet, we do not treat
ourselves nor one another thus tenderly.” Thoreau’s direct and sometimes blunt style, reflects his
commitment to living a simple, authentic life filled with the common characteristics of nature:
.self-sufficiency, strength, and tenderness
To conclude, Washington Irving, William Cullen Bryant, and Henry David Thoreau each
5 THE ROMANTIC PERIOD ASSIGNMENT share a similar passion for nature, their approaches and
styles differ in significant ways. For
example, Irving's writing is characterized by a romanticized vision of nature written in a
descriptive and poetic style, creating an atmosphere and mood in each of his literary works. In
contrast, Bryant's poetry emphasizes the philosophical power of nature and its
interconnectedness with mankind. Finally, Thoreau uses his admiration of nature to illustrate his
spiritual views on life and morality; “later that year he would similarly note that ‘all nature is to
be regarded as it concerns man;’ in other words, our understanding and experiences of nature
derive from how we think, feel, imagine, speak, write, and otherwise act in relation to it” (Spratt
2012). To sum up, each of these significant 19th century writers use the natural world in their
.writings in unique ways to share their distinct perspectives on life and nature
THE ROMANTIC PERIOD ASSIGNMENT
Bibliography
Belasco, Susan. (2019). The Bedford Anthology American Literature, Volume 1, Second Edition,
Liberty University (2nd ed.). Macmillan Higher Education. https://
books/9781319324414libertyonline.vitalsource.com/
6
Archambeau, R. (2012). The State of the Art. The Virginia Quarterly Review,
http://www.jstor.org/stable/26446889 88(2), 89–96.
Hughes, Robert. (2005). “Sleepy Hollow: Fearful Pleasures and the Nightmare
of History.” Arizona Quarterly: A Journal of American Literature,
Culture, and Theory,Vol. 61, No. 3, 1–26.
.https://doi.org/10.1353/arq.2005.0007
Spratt, Stephen. (2012). “To find God in nature”: Thoreau’s Poetics of Natural
An Interdisciplinary Critical Journal, 45(1), 155– History. Mosaic:
44029790169. http://www.jstor.org/stable/
