ENG302B: American Literature
This assignment covers key concepts and texts in American literature.
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Graded Assignment ENG302B: American Literature | Unit 2 | Lesson 13: Unit Test
© 2009 K12 Inc. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 2
Copying or distributing without K12’s written consent is prohibited.
Graded Assignment
Unit Test, Part 2: American Renaissance
Answer the questions using complete sentences. You may use your text to support your answers.
(15 points)
1. Compare and contrast Emerson’s poem “The Snow-Storm” with Emily Dickinson’s poem “It
Sifts from Leaden Sieves.” In what ways are their depictions of the snowstorms similar and
different? How do the differences affect the mood of each piece?
Answer:
The most important difference I found in the two poems is that in Emily Dickinson’s “It sifts from the Leaden
Sieves” the fact that it is snowing hasn’t been mentioned at all, the speaker is more concentrated on narrating his
thoughts on the snow and she is so deep in thought she fails to mention it at all, the snow is giving the speaker a
profound sense of peace there hasn’t been any mention of any human interaction with the snow, only the change
in natural surroundings are depicted. ”The Snow Storm” by Emerson is like an account by an excited young man
who has been eagerly awaiting the snow. The snow has been shown as a huge travelling party arriving amidst
pomp and show and impacting everything around it. Also in Emerson’s poetry the snowing and its effects have
been shown to be going on and on as long as it snows and even after it stops snowing.whereas in Dickinson’s
poem snow seems to be going about its routine at an easygoing pace. Emerson is curious about the
phenomenon, ‘north wind's masonry; out of an unseen quarry’ is aware of the after effects thereby accepting it as
a force beyond his control which though beautiful can be very damaging. Dickinson on the other hand is seeing
the event shrouded in a somber mood and is communicating her feelings through her narration.
The two poems have similarities in their accounts of the snow storm in that both the speakers appreciate and
acknowledge the snow, Dickinson mentions the snow covering acres and acres of harvest fields and decorating
the base of street lights and posts while Emerson points out that the snow is covering rooftops and kennels and
forming a mound on turrets both are consistent in describing these basic views after a snowfall and both poems
give the indication that the fact the fallen snow is temporary is something that is very much present in their
subconscious and both wish it could last a bit longer.
Emily Dickinson’s “It Sifts from Leaden Sieves” highlights a sad mood. The mention of the overcast sky suggests
some sort of crisis in the speaker’s life and the description of the snow is a mirror to her feelings.
Ralph Emerson’s “The Snow Storm” is an account of young man who has been looking forward to the snow and
upon its arrival he is expressing his views about it, He realizes that it is not a very happy time for everyone, travel,
transport is at a standstill, people have lost contact with their friends and there is loss of harvest amongst other
things but nonetheless he is finds the beauty overwhelming and feels a little sad that his joy will be short lived.
(20 points)
2. Choose a poem from Whitman, and explain how it reveals Romantic thinking. Cite examples
from the poem as your support.
Answer:
Name: Date:
Score
Score
© 2009 K12 Inc. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 2
Copying or distributing without K12’s written consent is prohibited.
Graded Assignment
Unit Test, Part 2: American Renaissance
Answer the questions using complete sentences. You may use your text to support your answers.
(15 points)
1. Compare and contrast Emerson’s poem “The Snow-Storm” with Emily Dickinson’s poem “It
Sifts from Leaden Sieves.” In what ways are their depictions of the snowstorms similar and
different? How do the differences affect the mood of each piece?
Answer:
The most important difference I found in the two poems is that in Emily Dickinson’s “It sifts from the Leaden
Sieves” the fact that it is snowing hasn’t been mentioned at all, the speaker is more concentrated on narrating his
thoughts on the snow and she is so deep in thought she fails to mention it at all, the snow is giving the speaker a
profound sense of peace there hasn’t been any mention of any human interaction with the snow, only the change
in natural surroundings are depicted. ”The Snow Storm” by Emerson is like an account by an excited young man
who has been eagerly awaiting the snow. The snow has been shown as a huge travelling party arriving amidst
pomp and show and impacting everything around it. Also in Emerson’s poetry the snowing and its effects have
been shown to be going on and on as long as it snows and even after it stops snowing.whereas in Dickinson’s
poem snow seems to be going about its routine at an easygoing pace. Emerson is curious about the
phenomenon, ‘north wind's masonry; out of an unseen quarry’ is aware of the after effects thereby accepting it as
a force beyond his control which though beautiful can be very damaging. Dickinson on the other hand is seeing
the event shrouded in a somber mood and is communicating her feelings through her narration.
The two poems have similarities in their accounts of the snow storm in that both the speakers appreciate and
acknowledge the snow, Dickinson mentions the snow covering acres and acres of harvest fields and decorating
the base of street lights and posts while Emerson points out that the snow is covering rooftops and kennels and
forming a mound on turrets both are consistent in describing these basic views after a snowfall and both poems
give the indication that the fact the fallen snow is temporary is something that is very much present in their
subconscious and both wish it could last a bit longer.
Emily Dickinson’s “It Sifts from Leaden Sieves” highlights a sad mood. The mention of the overcast sky suggests
some sort of crisis in the speaker’s life and the description of the snow is a mirror to her feelings.
Ralph Emerson’s “The Snow Storm” is an account of young man who has been looking forward to the snow and
upon its arrival he is expressing his views about it, He realizes that it is not a very happy time for everyone, travel,
transport is at a standstill, people have lost contact with their friends and there is loss of harvest amongst other
things but nonetheless he is finds the beauty overwhelming and feels a little sad that his joy will be short lived.
(20 points)
2. Choose a poem from Whitman, and explain how it reveals Romantic thinking. Cite examples
from the poem as your support.
Answer:
Name: Date:
Score
Score
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University
Ashford University
Subject
English