Section Week 2Section Week 2

Walt WhitmanWalt Whitman Herman MelvilleHerman Melville Ambrose BierceAmbrose Bierce Louisa May AlcottLouisa May Alcott Emily DickinsonEmily Dickinson

Walt WhitmanWalt Whitman

““Crossing Brooklyn Ferry”Crossing Brooklyn Ferry”– Overall feel/focus of this poem?Overall feel/focus of this poem?

““When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d”When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d”– Who/What is this poem about?Who/What is this poem about?

Interesting source for interested parties: The Walt Whitman Archive Interesting source for interested parties: The Walt Whitman Archive at http://www.whitmanarchive.org/at http://www.whitmanarchive.org/

““Drum-Taps”Drum-Taps”

Includes “The Wound-Dresser” (many Includes “The Wound-Dresser” (many poems were added over time to this poems were added over time to this collection, folded into collection, folded into Leaves of Leaves of Grass/Song of MyselfGrass/Song of Myself in its different in its different permutations and editions)permutations and editions)

““The two, the past and present, have The two, the past and present, have interchanged, / I myself as connector” interchanged, / I myself as connector” (434, from “The Centenarian’s Story”)(434, from “The Centenarian’s Story”)

Note some repeating images: flags, drums Note some repeating images: flags, drums and trumpets (noise), lines marching, and trumpets (noise), lines marching, ships/ocean, the woundedships/ocean, the wounded

Death: comrade, merciful, Death: comrade, merciful, cyclicalcyclical

““(Come sweet death! be persuaded O beautiful death! / In mercy (Come sweet death! be persuaded O beautiful death! / In mercy come quickly.)” (“The Wound-Dresser,” 444)come quickly.)” (“The Wound-Dresser,” 444)

““Then with the knowledge of death as walking one side of me, / And Then with the knowledge of death as walking one side of me, / And the thought of death close-walking on the other side of me, / And I in the thought of death close-walking on the other side of me, / And I in the middle as with companions, and as holding the hands of the middle as with companions, and as holding the hands of companions” (“Lilacs,” lines 120-21)companions” (“Lilacs,” lines 120-21)

““Come lovely and soothing death / … / Sooner or later delicate deathCome lovely and soothing death / … / Sooner or later delicate death” ” (“Lilacs,” lines 135 and 138)(“Lilacs,” lines 135 and 138)

““They [the dead] themselves were fully at rest, they suffer’d not / The They [the dead] themselves were fully at rest, they suffer’d not / The living remain’d and suffer’d, the mother suffer’d” (“Lilacs,” lines 181-living remain’d and suffer’d, the mother suffer’d” (“Lilacs,” lines 181-82)82)

““I leave thee [sprig of lilac] there in the door-yard, blooming, I leave thee [sprig of lilac] there in the door-yard, blooming, returning with spring” (“Lilacs,” line 194)returning with spring” (“Lilacs,” line 194)

““Comrades mine and I in the midst, and their memory ever to keep, Comrades mine and I in the midst, and their memory ever to keep, for the dead I loved so well” (“Lilacs,” line 203)for the dead I loved so well” (“Lilacs,” line 203)

SentimentSentiment– Contradictions re: being sentimental and not (in “Drum-Taps”)Contradictions re: being sentimental and not (in “Drum-Taps”)

““No dainty rhymes or sentimental love verses for you terrible year, No dainty rhymes or sentimental love verses for you terrible year, / Not you as some pale poetling seated at a desk lisping cadenzas / Not you as some pale poetling seated at a desk lisping cadenzas piano, / But as a strong man erect, clothed in blue clothes, piano, / But as a strong man erect, clothed in blue clothes, advancing, carrying a rifle on your shoulder.” Hears the soldier’s advancing, carrying a rifle on your shoulder.” Hears the soldier’s “masculine voice” (418, from “Eighteen Sixty-One”)“masculine voice” (418, from “Eighteen Sixty-One”)

““Mind not the timid—mind not the weeper or prayer, / Mind not the Mind not the timid—mind not the weeper or prayer, / Mind not the old man beseeching the young man, / Let not the child’s voice be old man beseeching the young man, / Let not the child’s voice be heard, nor the mother’s entreaties” (420, from “Beat! Beat! heard, nor the mother’s entreaties” (420, from “Beat! Beat! Drums!”)Drums!”)

““It sickens me yet, that slaughter! / I saw the moisture gather in It sickens me yet, that slaughter! / I saw the moisture gather in drops on the face of the General. / I saw how he wrung his hands drops on the face of the General. / I saw how he wrung his hands in anguish” (433, from “The Centenarian’s Story”—on George in anguish” (433, from “The Centenarian’s Story”—on George Washington)Washington)

See “Come Up from the Fields Father” pages 436-38 (news sent to See “Come Up from the Fields Father” pages 436-38 (news sent to a family of son’s wounding [he’s actually dead]). a family of son’s wounding [he’s actually dead]).

See “Vigil Strange I Kept on the Field One Night” pages 438-39 See “Vigil Strange I Kept on the Field One Night” pages 438-39 (about a father burying his son where he falls on the field)(about a father burying his son where he falls on the field)

Unity/UniversalityUnity/Universality– Unity of humanity; recall Transcendentalist thoughtUnity of humanity; recall Transcendentalist thought– Even between North and South; often catalogues Even between North and South; often catalogues

different statesdifferent states

““To sing first, (to the tap of the war-drum if need be,) / The To sing first, (to the tap of the war-drum if need be,) / The idea of all, of the Western world one and inseparable, / And idea of all, of the Western world one and inseparable, / And then the song of each member of these States” (420, from then the song of each member of these States” (420, from “From Paumanok Starting I Fly like a Bird”)“From Paumanok Starting I Fly like a Bird”)

““Not now are we any one of these spacious and haughty Not now are we any one of these spacious and haughty States, (nor any five, nor ten)” (424, from “Song of the States, (nor any five, nor ten)” (424, from “Song of the Banner at Daybreak”). In this section he extends to both Banner at Daybreak”). In this section he extends to both shores, the entire continent (see page 425).shores, the entire continent (see page 425).

““Of unsurpass’d heroes, (was one side so brave? the other Of unsurpass’d heroes, (was one side so brave? the other was equally brave;)” (443, from “The Wound-Dresser)was equally brave;)” (443, from “The Wound-Dresser)

TimeTime

– The continuance and blending of warsThe continuance and blending of wars

See “The Centenarian’s Story” on See “The Centenarian’s Story” on remembering the Revolutionary War (430-remembering the Revolutionary War (430-35). 35). What’s the Virginia connection?What’s the Virginia connection?

““Ethiopia Saluting the Colors” (in “Drum-Taps,” 451-Ethiopia Saluting the Colors” (in “Drum-Taps,” 451-52)52)

Who are you dusky woman, so ancient hardly human,Who are you dusky woman, so ancient hardly human,With your woolly-white and turban’d head, and bare bony feet?With your woolly-white and turban’d head, and bare bony feet?Why rising by the roadside here, do you the colors greet?Why rising by the roadside here, do you the colors greet?

(’Tis while our army lines Carolina’s sands and pines,(’Tis while our army lines Carolina’s sands and pines,Forth from thy hovel door thou Ethiopia com’st to me,Forth from thy hovel door thou Ethiopia com’st to me,As under doughty Sherman I march toward the sea.)As under doughty Sherman I march toward the sea.)

Me master years a hundred since from my parents sunder’d,Me master years a hundred since from my parents sunder’d,A little child, they caught me as the savage beast is caught,A little child, they caught me as the savage beast is caught,Then hither me across the sea the cruel slaver brought.Then hither me across the sea the cruel slaver brought.

No further does she say, but lingering all the day,No further does she say, but lingering all the day,Her high-borne turban’d head she wags, and rolls her darkling eye,Her high-borne turban’d head she wags, and rolls her darkling eye,And courtesies to the regiments, the guidons moving by.And courtesies to the regiments, the guidons moving by.

What is it fateful woman, so blear, hardly human?What is it fateful woman, so blear, hardly human?Why wag your head with turban bound, yellow, red and green?Why wag your head with turban bound, yellow, red and green?Are the things so strange and marvelous you see or have seen?Are the things so strange and marvelous you see or have seen?

Major General William Tecumseh Major General William Tecumseh Sherman’s March to the Sea (Savannah Sherman’s March to the Sea (Savannah

Campaign), Nov.-Dec. 1864Campaign), Nov.-Dec. 1864[engraving, Alexander Hay Ritchie][engraving, Alexander Hay Ritchie]

Gone with the WindGone with the Wind (1939) (1939) Destruction of the SouthDestruction of the South

Set in Atlanta, based on the Set in Atlanta, based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell novel by Margaret Mitchell (1936; won the Pulitzer in (1936; won the Pulitzer in 1937)1937)

Hattie McDaniel (Mammy—Hattie McDaniel (Mammy—House Servant). First House Servant). First African American to win an African American to win an Academy Award (Best Academy Award (Best Supporting Actress)Supporting Actress)

Food for Thought re: Food for Thought re: WhitmanWhitman

– ““Traveling roads all even and peaceful you learn’d from Traveling roads all even and peaceful you learn’d from joys and prosperity only, / But now, ah now, to learn from joys and prosperity only, / But now, ah now, to learn from crises and anguish, advancing, grappling with direst fate crises and anguish, advancing, grappling with direst fate and recoiling not, / And now to conceive and show to the and recoiling not, / And now to conceive and show to the world what your children en-masse really are” (445, from world what your children en-masse really are” (445, from “The Wound-Dresser” in “Drum-Taps”)“The Wound-Dresser” in “Drum-Taps”)

– See “Give Me the Splendid Silent Sun”—yearning for See “Give Me the Splendid Silent Sun”—yearning for normalcy, “a rural domestic life,” “solitude,” “Nature” normalcy, “a rural domestic life,” “solitude,” “Nature” (page 446 in “Drum-Taps”). But “give me the streets of (page 446 in “Drum-Taps”). But “give me the streets of Manhattan! Give me Broadway, with the soldiers Manhattan! Give me Broadway, with the soldiers marching—give me the sound of the trumpets and marching—give me the sound of the trumpets and drums!” (447).drums!” (447).

*consider contradictions—idealizing and lamenting the *consider contradictions—idealizing and lamenting the character of US citizenry; conflicting desirescharacter of US citizenry; conflicting desires

Herman MelvilleHerman Melville

What’s “The Portent” about?What’s “The Portent” about?

John BrownJohn Brown

AbolitionistAbolitionist Led the 1856 Pottawatomie Massacre Led the 1856 Pottawatomie Massacre

(Kansas)(Kansas) Led the 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry (Virginia, Led the 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry (Virginia,

now West Virginia) for munitions, for which now West Virginia) for munitions, for which he was publicly hangedhe was publicly hanged

““John Brown’s Body” became a popular John Brown’s Body” became a popular Union Song during the Civil War.Union Song during the Civil War.

See Franny Nudelman’s See Franny Nudelman’s John Brown’s Body: John Brown’s Body: Slavery, Violence, and the Culture of WarSlavery, Violence, and the Culture of War

Imaginings of John Brown—his execution and

legacy

Spectacle of WarSpectacle of War Whitman imagines spectacle, too, in “Drum-Taps”: Whitman imagines spectacle, too, in “Drum-Taps”:

– ““The unpent enthusiasm, the wild cheers of the crowd for their The unpent enthusiasm, the wild cheers of the crowd for their favorites.” But the cannons will “begin the red business” (417).favorites.” But the cannons will “begin the red business” (417).

– ““The women volunteering for nurses, the work begun for in The women volunteering for nurses, the work begun for in earnest, no mere parade now” (418).earnest, no mere parade now” (418).

Melville critiques it more forcefully: Melville critiques it more forcefully: – ““In Bacchic glee they file toward Fate, / Moloch’s uninitiate” (“The In Bacchic glee they file toward Fate, / Moloch’s uninitiate” (“The

March into Virginia,” page 44, lines 22-23)March into Virginia,” page 44, lines 22-23)– See “Misgivings”—“Nature’s dark side is heeded now” (page 37, See “Misgivings”—“Nature’s dark side is heeded now” (page 37,

line 8)line 8)– The young celebrate war while the old despair (they know better).The young celebrate war while the old despair (they know better).– ““I saw a sight—saddest that eyes can see— / Young soldiers I saw a sight—saddest that eyes can see— / Young soldiers

marching lustily / Unto the wars, / With fifes, and flags in mottoed marching lustily / Unto the wars, / With fifes, and flags in mottoed pageantry; / While all the porches, walks, and doors / Were rich pageantry; / While all the porches, walks, and doors / Were rich with ladies cheering royally” (“Ball’s Bluff,” pages 46-48, lines 2-with ladies cheering royally” (“Ball’s Bluff,” pages 46-48, lines 2-7)7)

– Fears that mechanization will become a trap, snare, or grave for Fears that mechanization will become a trap, snare, or grave for soldiers. See “In the Turret” on the “iron battle’s burden” as the soldiers. See “In the Turret” on the “iron battle’s burden” as the sailor tries to survive the sinking of his battle ship (pages 66-67)sailor tries to survive the sinking of his battle ship (pages 66-67)

– Yet he celebrates “brave Lyon” in the poem “Lyon” (see page 44) Yet he celebrates “brave Lyon” in the poem “Lyon” (see page 44) from the Battle of Springfield, Missouri, 1861.from the Battle of Springfield, Missouri, 1861.

The Sea/PortsThe Sea/Ports

o Imagery of the port and the sea—he and Imagery of the port and the sea—he and Whitman are tied to New York, so they often Whitman are tied to New York, so they often mention Manhattan and sometimes Brooklyn mention Manhattan and sometimes Brooklyn (for example, see Whitman’s “Drum-Beats” (for example, see Whitman’s “Drum-Beats” re: “City of Ships” pp. 429-30).re: “City of Ships” pp. 429-30).

o See See Gangs of New YorkGangs of New York (2002) for a (2002) for a reminder of the ports of New York: reminder of the ports of New York: transferring the dead back home and transferring the dead back home and sending out fresh troops from the same sending out fresh troops from the same ports, using the same ships.ports, using the same ships.

o A ship on a stormy sea is an apt metaphor A ship on a stormy sea is an apt metaphor for war (and perhaps particularly a civil war).for war (and perhaps particularly a civil war).

Ambrose BierceAmbrose Bierce

““An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”Reality and fantasy—North and SouthReality and fantasy—North and South

Twilight Zone Twilight Zone episode: episode: http://www.viddler.com/explore/nzgmediefag/videos/12/http://www.viddler.com/explore/nzgmediefag/videos/12/

YouTube has other versions/clipsYouTube has other versions/clips

Alcott’s “Hospital Sketches”Alcott’s “Hospital Sketches”

Performance:Performance:

““I add some of my notes made by the way, I add some of my notes made by the way, hoping that they will amuse the reader, hoping that they will amuse the reader, and convince the skeptical that such a and convince the skeptical that such a being as Nurse Periwinkle does exist, that being as Nurse Periwinkle does exist, that she really did go to Washington, and that she really did go to Washington, and that these Sketches are not romance” (12).these Sketches are not romance” (12).

What’s the role of the postscript (chapter What’s the role of the postscript (chapter 6)?6)?

Plays with Gender (Topsy-Plays with Gender (Topsy-Turvy)Turvy)

Feminized:Feminized:– ““I’m a woman’s rights women, and if any man had offered help in the I’m a woman’s rights women, and if any man had offered help in the

morning, I should have condescendingly refused it, sure that I could do morning, I should have condescendingly refused it, sure that I could do everything as well, if not better, myself. My strong-mindedness had rather everything as well, if not better, myself. My strong-mindedness had rather abated since then, and I was now quite ready to be a ‘timid trembler,’ if abated since then, and I was now quite ready to be a ‘timid trembler,’ if necessary. Dear me! how easily Darby did it all: he just asked one necessary. Dear me! how easily Darby did it all: he just asked one question, received an answer, tucked me under his arm, and in ten minutes question, received an answer, tucked me under his arm, and in ten minutes I stood in the presence of Mc K., the Desired” (9).I stood in the presence of Mc K., the Desired” (9).

– ““I just put my arms about her, and began to cry in a very helpless but I just put my arms about her, and began to cry in a very helpless but hearty way; for, as I seldom indulge in this moist luxury, I like to enjoy it hearty way; for, as I seldom indulge in this moist luxury, I like to enjoy it with all my might, when I do” (67).with all my might, when I do” (67).

– ““a woman’s heart yearns over anything that has clung to her for help and a woman’s heart yearns over anything that has clung to her for help and comfort. I never liked these breakings-up of my little household” (69).comfort. I never liked these breakings-up of my little household” (69).

– In the end, when she’s sick she resists going home until her father visits: In the end, when she’s sick she resists going home until her father visits: “when he said, ‘Come home,’ I answered, ‘Yes, father;’ and so ended my “when he said, ‘Come home,’ I answered, ‘Yes, father;’ and so ended my career as an army nurse” (60).career as an army nurse” (60).

The wounded men:The wounded men:– John, though feminized, is also concerned with his masculinity. He cares for John, though feminized, is also concerned with his masculinity. He cares for

his family as a provider (brother to his siblings and stand-in husband to his his family as a provider (brother to his siblings and stand-in husband to his mother), and he worries about how he was wounded: “I’ve shown I was mother), and he worries about how he was wounded: “I’ve shown I was willing to give my life, and perhaps I’ve got to; . . . I’m a little sorry I wasn’t willing to give my life, and perhaps I’ve got to; . . . I’m a little sorry I wasn’t wounded in front; it looks cowardly to be hit in the back, but I obeyed wounded in front; it looks cowardly to be hit in the back, but I obeyed orders, and it doesn’t matter in the end, I know” (42). orders, and it doesn’t matter in the end, I know” (42).

– Compare to how the soldier Fitz was “ashamed to show fear before a Compare to how the soldier Fitz was “ashamed to show fear before a woman” (71).woman” (71).

Gender Cont.Gender Cont. Masculinized or challenging accepted roles:Masculinized or challenging accepted roles:

– ““I’ve enlisted!” (4).I’ve enlisted!” (4).– ““Having heard complaints of the absurd way in which American women become images of Having heard complaints of the absurd way in which American women become images of

petrified propriety, if addressed by strangers, when traveling alone, the inborn perversity petrified propriety, if addressed by strangers, when traveling alone, the inborn perversity of my nature causes me to assume an entirely opposite style of deportment” (13).of my nature causes me to assume an entirely opposite style of deportment” (13).

– ““Having a taste for ‘ghastliness,’ I had rather longed for the wounded to arrive, for Having a taste for ‘ghastliness,’ I had rather longed for the wounded to arrive, for rheumatism wasn’t heroic, neither was liver complaint, or measles” (21).rheumatism wasn’t heroic, neither was liver complaint, or measles” (21).

– ““I was there to work, not to wonder or weep; so I corked up my feelings, and returned to I was there to work, not to wonder or weep; so I corked up my feelings, and returned to the path of duty” (22).the path of duty” (22).

– She’s washing men’s bodies, clutching her soap “manfully” (23).She’s washing men’s bodies, clutching her soap “manfully” (23).– Wounded are likened to children (sometimes girls; see feminized John in chapter 4) and Wounded are likened to children (sometimes girls; see feminized John in chapter 4) and

herself as a parent; but also a queen (“my reign” p. 32) and sacrifices more than the herself as a parent; but also a queen (“my reign” p. 32) and sacrifices more than the surgeons (50). She feels like being a preacher in the hospital (65) and has “a fellow surgeons (50). She feels like being a preacher in the hospital (65) and has “a fellow feeling for lads” (68). She sees operations, and “the height of my ambition was to go to feeling for lads” (68). She sees operations, and “the height of my ambition was to go to the front after a battle” (69). Surprised to find how many men treat her as an equal, a the front after a battle” (69). Surprised to find how many men treat her as an equal, a colleague (72).colleague (72).

– Unexpected comments and tone—“I remember that, at the swimming school, fat girls Unexpected comments and tone—“I remember that, at the swimming school, fat girls always floated best, and in an instant my plan is laid. At the first alarm I firmly attach always floated best, and in an instant my plan is laid. At the first alarm I firmly attach myself to the plump lady, and cling to her through fire and water; for I feel that my old myself to the plump lady, and cling to her through fire and water; for I feel that my old enemy, the cramp, will seize me by the foot, if I attempt to swim” (14; note tense here, enemy, the cramp, will seize me by the foot, if I attempt to swim” (14; note tense here, too).too).

– Unlike Whitman, she doesn’t want to show mercy to the Rebels/Confederate soldiers; she Unlike Whitman, she doesn’t want to show mercy to the Rebels/Confederate soldiers; she plans to pour soap in one’s eyes (25).plans to pour soap in one’s eyes (25).

– The youngest surgeon “seemed to consider me a frail young blossom, that needed much The youngest surgeon “seemed to consider me a frail young blossom, that needed much cherishing, instead of a tough old spinster, who had been knocking about the world for cherishing, instead of a tough old spinster, who had been knocking about the world for thirty years” (47).thirty years” (47).

– On her hospital room: It has “[a] mirror (let us be elegant!)” (48; sarcastic tone).On her hospital room: It has “[a] mirror (let us be elegant!)” (48; sarcastic tone).– Statues of women in the capital: “Several robust ladies attracted me . . . but which was Statues of women in the capital: “Several robust ladies attracted me . . . but which was

America and which Pocahontas was a mystery, for all affected much looseness of costume, America and which Pocahontas was a mystery, for all affected much looseness of costume, dishevelment of hair, swords, arrows, lances, scales, and other ornaments quite dishevelment of hair, swords, arrows, lances, scales, and other ornaments quite passé passé with damsels of our day, whose effigies should go down to posterity armed with fans, with damsels of our day, whose effigies should go down to posterity armed with fans, crochet needles, riding whips, and parasols, with here and there one holding a pen or crochet needles, riding whips, and parasols, with here and there one holding a pen or pencil, rolling-pin or broom” (54).pencil, rolling-pin or broom” (54).

People and Wounds/People As People and Wounds/People As WoundsWounds

Compare to Whitman’s “The Wound-Dresser” (Norton version)Compare to Whitman’s “The Wound-Dresser” (Norton version)– ““Straight and swift to my wounded I go” (line 26)Straight and swift to my wounded I go” (line 26)– ““To each and all one after another I draw near, not one do I miss” To each and all one after another I draw near, not one do I miss”

(line 31)(line 31)– Section 3: “The crush’d head I dress, (poor crazed hand tear not Section 3: “The crush’d head I dress, (poor crazed hand tear not

the bandage away)”the bandage away)”– ““Hard the breathing rattles, quite glazed already the eye” (line 42)Hard the breathing rattles, quite glazed already the eye” (line 42)– ““I dress a wound in the side, deep, deep” (line 50)I dress a wound in the side, deep, deep” (line 50)– ““I dress the perforated shoulder, the foot with the bullet-wound” I dress the perforated shoulder, the foot with the bullet-wound”

(line 53)(line 53)

Alcott identifies more of her patients by name but still Alcott identifies more of her patients by name but still chronicles wounds. Critiques one doctor for treatment of chronicles wounds. Critiques one doctor for treatment of wounds vs. men:wounds vs. men:– ““Dr. P., through long acquaintance with many of the ills flesh is heir Dr. P., through long acquaintance with many of the ills flesh is heir

to, had acquired a somewhat trying habit of regarding a man and to, had acquired a somewhat trying habit of regarding a man and his wound as separate institutions, and seemed rather annoyed his wound as separate institutions, and seemed rather annoyed that the former should express any opinion upon the latter, or claim that the former should express any opinion upon the latter, or claim any right in it, while under his care” (70).any right in it, while under his care” (70).

An example of Alcott’s travels An example of Alcott’s travels (mobility)(mobility)

Disparages Baltimore pp. 16-18 and buries African Americans in Disparages Baltimore pp. 16-18 and buries African Americans in this description: “A big, dirty, shippy, shiftless place, full of goats, this description: “A big, dirty, shippy, shiftless place, full of goats, geese, colored people, and coal” (16). geese, colored people, and coal” (16).

Note her descriptions of African Americans in this city: “We often Note her descriptions of African Americans in this city: “We often passed colored people, looking as if they had come out of a passed colored people, looking as if they had come out of a picture book, or off the stage, but not at all the sort of people I’d picture book, or off the stage, but not at all the sort of people I’d been accustomed to see at the North” (17). Stereotypes on page been accustomed to see at the North” (17). Stereotypes on page 58, too.58, too.

Notes riot in Baltimore, Maryland. April 19, 1861 (Pratt Street Notes riot in Baltimore, Maryland. April 19, 1861 (Pratt Street Massacre, just before battle at Fort Sumter)Massacre, just before battle at Fort Sumter)

Baltimore riotBaltimore riot Fort Sumter, South Carolina Fort Sumter, South Carolina

Death and BurialDeath and Burial Remember Whitman’s “Drum-Taps”: “And there and then and Remember Whitman’s “Drum-Taps”: “And there and then and

bathed by the rising sun, my son in his grave, in his rude-dug bathed by the rising sun, my son in his grave, in his rude-dug grave I deposited” (439, from “Vigil Strange I Kept on the Field grave I deposited” (439, from “Vigil Strange I Kept on the Field One Night”).One Night”).

Alcott comments on hasty burials. On John: “When they had made Alcott comments on hasty burials. On John: “When they had made him ready for the grave, John lay in state for half an hour, a thing him ready for the grave, John lay in state for half an hour, a thing which seldom happened in that busy place” (45).which seldom happened in that busy place” (45).

““In most Hospitals I hope there are [religious services at In most Hospitals I hope there are [religious services at deathbeds]; in ours, the men died, and were carried away, with as deathbeds]; in ours, the men died, and were carried away, with as little ceremony as on a battlefield” (62).little ceremony as on a battlefield” (62).

But, as with Whitman, death can be a comfort and companion But, as with Whitman, death can be a comfort and companion (personified). On John: “half an hour’s acquaintance with Death (personified). On John: “half an hour’s acquaintance with Death had made them friends” (46).had made them friends” (46).

People also look better dead than alive—Whitman compares a People also look better dead than alive—Whitman compares a corpse’s face to that of Christ (441). Alcott on a boy: “the subtle corpse’s face to that of Christ (441). Alcott on a boy: “the subtle fever, burning his strength away, flushed his cheeks with color, fever, burning his strength away, flushed his cheeks with color, filled his eyes with lustre, and lent a mournful mockery of health filled his eyes with lustre, and lent a mournful mockery of health to face and figure, making the poor lad comelier in death than in to face and figure, making the poor lad comelier in death than in life” (66).life” (66).

Alcott’s “My Contraband”Alcott’s “My Contraband” Contraband: Contraband:

––noun noun 1. anything prohibited by law from 1. anything prohibited by law from

being being imported or exported. imported or exported. 2. goods imported or exported illegally. 2. goods imported or exported illegally. 3. illegal or prohibited trade; 3. illegal or prohibited trade;

smuggling. smuggling. 4. 4. International Law:International Law: contraband of war. contraband of war. 5. (during the American Civil War) a 5. (during the American Civil War) a black slave who escaped to or was black slave who escaped to or was

brought brought within the Union lines. within the Union lines. ––adjective adjective

6. prohibited from export or import.6. prohibited from export or import.

*Reminds us of the dehumanization of slaves as chattel or *Reminds us of the dehumanization of slaves as chattel or propertyproperty

From Dictionary.comFrom Dictionary.com

What’s the role of revenge in What’s the role of revenge in

““My Contraband”?My Contraband”?

See See Glory Glory (1989) trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?(1989) trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHpifdzpXUg&feature=relatedv=AHpifdzpXUg&feature=related

Emily DickinsonEmily Dickinson

Wrote mostly from home in Massachusetts; published little in her lifetime. Wrote mostly from home in Massachusetts; published little in her lifetime. In later years she bound her poems in groupings called “fascicles.” Close In later years she bound her poems in groupings called “fascicles.” Close relationships with women around her (scholars debate about her sexual relationships with women around her (scholars debate about her sexual orientation). Scholars also often label many of her poems feminist.orientation). Scholars also often label many of her poems feminist.

Some of her most famous poems: “My Life had stood – a Loaded Gun,” Some of her most famous poems: “My Life had stood – a Loaded Gun,” “Because I could not stop for Death,” “I Felt a Funeral, in my Brain,” “I “Because I could not stop for Death,” “I Felt a Funeral, in my Brain,” “I heard a Fly buzz – when I died”heard a Fly buzz – when I died”

Wrote a lot on death, perception and truth, faith, gender, nature, the act of Wrote a lot on death, perception and truth, faith, gender, nature, the act of writing/publishingwriting/publishing

#339#339

I like a look of Agony,I like a look of Agony,Because I know it’s true –Because I know it’s true –Men do not sham Convulsion,Men do not sham Convulsion,Nor stimulate, a Throe –Nor stimulate, a Throe –

The eyes glaze once – and that is Death –The eyes glaze once – and that is Death –Impossible to feignImpossible to feignThe Beads opon [sic] the ForeheadThe Beads opon [sic] the ForeheadBy homely Anguish strung. (85)By homely Anguish strung. (85)

#479#479Because I could not stop for Death –Because I could not stop for Death –He kindly stopped for me –He kindly stopped for me –The Carriage held but just Ourselves –The Carriage held but just Ourselves –And Immortality.And Immortality.

We slowly drove – He knew no hasteWe slowly drove – He knew no hasteAnd I had put awayAnd I had put awayMy labor and my leisure too,My labor and my leisure too,For His Civility –For His Civility –

We passed the School, where Children We passed the School, where Children strovestrove

At recess – in the Ring –At recess – in the Ring –We passed the Fields of Grazing Grain –We passed the Fields of Grazing Grain –We passed the Setting Sun –We passed the Setting Sun –

Or rather – He passed us –The Dews drew quivering and Chill –For only Gossamer, my Gown –My Tippet – only Tulle –

We paused before a House that seemedA Swelling of the Ground –The Roof was scarcely visible –The Cornice – in the Ground –

Since then – ’tis Centuries – and yetFeels shorter than the DayI first surmised the Horses’ HeadsWere toward Eternity – (88)