James Russell Lowell

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James Russell Lowell

• He wrote of Harvard, "During Freshman year, I
  did nothing, during Sophomore year I did nothing,
  during Junior year I did nothing, and during
  Senior year I have thus far done nothing in the
  way of college studies."
• "I was as great an ass as ever brayed thought
  it singing."

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• Poet Walt Whitman said "Lowell was not a
  growerhe was a builder. He built poems he
  didn't put in the seed, and water the seed, and
  send down his sunletting the rest take care of
  itself he measured his poemskept them within
  formula."
• Praised by all kinds of writers of the time

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Read The Courtin

• How is Lowell formulaic in his poem?
• Explain 2 reasons for why Lowells poetry would
  appeal to the masses? (HINT Think style and
  topic here).
• Answer study and discuss questions 1 and 2 on pg.
  317

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Publication---is the Auction/Of the Mind of Man

• Didnt write for money, fame, or publication
• Only published 7 of nearly 1800 poems while she
  was alive
• All anonymously and some against her wishes
• Most works published posthumously
• T.W. Higginson and Mabel Loomis Todd

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Wrote letters to the world that described love,
celebrated nature, and personified death

• Did this insightfully despite being closed off
  from the world for the last 10 years of her life

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How did she accomplish such insight?

• Perspective
• Lived outside of her life like an observer

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Her Poetry

• Traditional and unusual
• Subjects are mostly the connection between the
  happenings of everyday life and the world of the
  spirit (similar to works of older New England
  writers)
• Rhythms based upon the rhythms of church hymns
• Concise, informal, often abrupt
• Common theme if faith, believing in
  something/someone you cannot see

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This is My Letter to the World

• Letter of introduction to her unknown readers
• Purpose---to relay the news that Nature told
• Request---to judge her tenderly