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Romanticism & Transcendentalism
English 11
Background Scavenger Hunt Activity
Directions: The textbook gives us the background information for this time period beginning
on page 336. Page 338 gives us a timeline and 339, the Celebrations of Self Article. Read these
pages and answer the following questions using complete sentences.
1. On page 336, read the quotation written by Henry David Thoreau. What do you think
Thoreau was advocating with this comment?
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2. On page 337, how do you think the central figure in the painting relates to the theme of
individualism in this unit?
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3. How would you define individualism in your own words?
4. On page 340, Emerson begins with a profound quote. What example does he mention to
reiterate his point?
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5. Around the beginning of the 19th century, romanticism began as a movement in Europe and
America. What was romanticism a reaction to?
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6. Romantic writers, artists, and philosophers saw the splendor of nature and its value. What
fear did they value nature over?
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7. Describe your own perception of nature.
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8. What has remained at the core of American Literature?
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9. Read the poem “Psalm of Life” on pages 345 &346. What is the message of this poem?
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10. How does the speaker’s view of life compare with your own view?
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