Mr. Gavin
12 CP
The Age of Reason and Romanticism
The Age of Reason
Emphasis on the Intellect
Romanticism
Emphasis on the Emotional
Emphasis on the Rational
Emphasis on the Intuitive
Emphasis on the Sensible
Emphasis on the Mysterious and
Supernatural
Emphasis on the Realistic
Emphasis on the Imaginary, Idealistic
Emphasis on the Sophisticated
Emphasis on the innocent
Emphasis on the Satirical and Ironic
Emphasis on the lyrical and reflective
Emphasis on the urbane society
Emphasis on the rustic
Emphasis on the conservative
Emphasis on the liberal or radical
Emphasis on the formal or Deistic religions
Emphasis on the rustic
Emphasis on emulating Roman and Greek
Emphasis on the liberal or radical
Emphasis on viewing the present
Emphasis on the stability of nature
Emphasis on the individual or pantheistic
religion
Emphasis on orderliness
Emphasis on recalling the Middle Ages
Emphasis on consistency
Emphasis on nostalgia
Emphasis on disciplined form
Emphasis on growth in nature
Emphasis on irregularity
Emphasis on variety
Emphasis on free form
The Age of Reason: 3 ideas
1.
2.
3.
Romanticism: 3 Conflicts
Conflict
1.
2.
3.
Drawing
Mr. Gavin
12 CP
Question Packet “The Age of Reason”
Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”
1. What is ironic about the title?
2. When I was in college we read this story and several students thought Swift was
serious. At what point did you, showing more brains then my classmates, realize
that Swift was not serious? How could you tell?
3. Why, according to Swift, should we not eat the older children?
4. In what way is the eating of children reflective of what the English are already
doing to the Irish?
5. Why do you think Swift ends the essay by saying he has nothing to gain from this
proposal?
Pope’s An Essay on Man
1. The thesis of the small section we have is in line 3. How is that thesis developed
throughout the course of the cutting?
Pope’s An Essay on Criticism
1. Often we use the word “criticism” to mean pointing out what is wrong or bad
about something. Does Pope use the word that way in the cutting from the Essay
we have?
Johnson’s Dictionary of the English Language
1. Choose two words from the dictionary and compare Johnson’s definition to a
current dictionary’s definition.
Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”
1. What is an elegy?
2. How is the setting of the sun in ll. 1-4 thematic?
3. Gray discusses the idea that poverty is both a blessing and a curse. How does it
function as each?
4. What is personification?
5. Find three examples of personification.
Mr. Gavin
12 CP
“A Modest Proposal”
1. “A Modest Proposal” is an ironic essay: the author deliberately writes what he
does not mean. What is the real thesis? Is there more than one?
2. A clear difference exists between Swift and the persona who makes this proposal.
Characterize the proposer.
3. Would it be possible to read this essay as a serious proposal? Why or why not?
4. Look closely at paragraphs 4, 6, and 7, and study how the appeals to logic are put
in mathematical and economic terms. Write those words and phrases here.
5. When does the reader begin to realize that the essay is ironic? Before or after the
actual proposal is made in paragraph 10? Why begin the piece realistically?
6. Which groups of people are singled out as special targets for Swifts’ attack? Are
the Irish presented completely as victims, or are they also to blame?
7. Does the essay merely function as a satirical attack? Does Swift ever present any
serious proposals for improving conditions? If so, where?
8. What is the purpose of the last paragraph?
Mr. Gavin
12 CP
Your Modest Proposal
Choose one of the following issues and craft a letter to the editor describing your Modest
Proposal for its solutions. Make sure to explain why your proposal will be effective.
Remember, you need to be as outrageous as Swift, but try to be controversial without
becoming totally offensive (i.e. don’t get personal or make attacks on race, religion, etc.).
Try starting your letter in such a way to gain your audience’s trust before you shock them
with your proposal.
Possible topics are: crime, pollution, political corruption, unwed mothers, illiteracy,
smoking, school/educational ineffectiveness, etc. You may choose something else, but
please check with me first. Your letter should be no shorter than one page long. Below I
have started a letter as an example. This letter is about growing concerns over
environmental issues.
Dear Editor:
I am writing in reaction to some people’s concern over our mismanagement of natural
resources. Yesterday you published a letter which showed concern for the mistreatment
of forest lands in our state. I believe a compromise can be reached if both parties are
willing to make an effort.
I believe if we simply burnt down all the trees in the state our problems would be fixed. I
see this being the ultimate compromise between the two positions. No more can the
environmentalist complain that the forest are being abused because they will all be gone.
This will save both time and money. No more will we have to waste countless hours
listening to people tell us what will happen if all the trees are gone. We will know. Plus
we can greatly cut funding to the National Parks Committee.
Mr. Gavin
12 CP
“An Essay on Criticism”
Directions. An epigram is a short statement which experiences some type of truth.
Reference such literary stables as “101 life lessons golf taught me.” The cutting of An
Essay on Criticism we have is a list of epigrams. You’re job today is twofold. First, you
need to design a poster which illustrates your epigram. On one side of your poster you
should somehow illustrate your epigram. On the other side of the poster you should put
the epigram in your own words and describe an event from a movie which illustrates this
truth. You must describe the event in detail and explain how it demonstrates the epigram.
Below is rubric.
______ / 10 Your illustration shows effort
______ / 10 Your example fits the epigram
______ / 5 Your adequately explain how your example exemplifies your epigram
Mr. Gavin
12 CP
Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary
Directions. Make up your own definition and example and then supply Johnson’s
definition.
Word
Club n.
Kind adj.
Man n.
Moppet n.
Slothful adj.
Sneeze n.
Youth n.
Your Definition
Your Example
Johnson’s Definition
Mr. Gavin
12 CP
“Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”
Section 1. Directions. For each section of the poem, identify the image you find most
suggestive. Then summarize the main idea of the section.
Stanzas
Stanzas 1-3
Stanzas 4-7
Stanzas 8-11
Stanzas 12-23
Stanzas 24-29
Epitaph
Image
Main Idea
Section 2. Directions. Answer each question
1. What is the definition of elegy?
2. What does the epitaph suggest about what Gray valued in life?
3. Gray discusses the idea that poverty is both a blessing and a curse. How does it
function as each?
4. What is personification?
5. Find three examples of personification.