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Unit#2 THEMATIC QUESTIONS

Choose FIVE questions from the following. You must answer the first question and at least one

question from Topic 4 and one from Topic 5.

Everyone MUST answer this question:

1. What are some of the differences between the Romantic view of Nature and the Enlightenment view
of Nature? (How did each view the principles of Nature, how did they view the function of Nature,

how did Nature lead each to understanding of divinity, and what did they think they could gain from

Nature, etc?) You should use the poetry read for class to support and defend your explanation

of the Romantic view of Nature.

Topic 4:

2. How does Wordsworth describe Nature in the assigned poems you read? What are some of the
qualities he attributes to Nature? What are some of the effects Nature can have on the people? How

do the answers to the above questions inform his question, “Have I not reason to lament what man

has made of man?” Cite specific lines from the poems to support your answer.

3. Define and describe the two different representations of Nature we see in Romantic landscape
painting. What are the terms that apply to these difference experiences/representations of Nature?

Provide and describe an example of each either from art or real life. Do you feel that these ideas

compliment or contradict each other?

4. What are some of the similarities American Romanticism shares with European Romanticism? What
are some of the important differences? How or why do these differences arise? Cite examples from

the assigned readings to support your answers.

5. How and why does American Romantic landscape painting develop? What are some of its defining
and/or unique characteristics? What is the American landscape associated with? Use descriptive

examples from the paintings in the textbook or Lecture Presentation in your answer.

Topic 5:

6. Describe the Romantic Hero. What makes a Romantic Hero different from a traditional hero? What
makes a Romantic Hero ‘heroic?’ Select one of the figures mentioned in the textbook or Lecture

Presentation and explain why they fit your definition of the Romantic Hero. You must cite

examples from at least one reading to support your answer.

7. Discuss some of the main Romantic themes found in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. How does the
subtitle to the novel help inform our understanding of the novel’s focus? Who or what is

Frankenstein?

8. Describe what Gothic means as applied to Romantic art. Why do the Romantics branch out into
Gothic themes? Provide and explain at least two examples of the Gothic in Romantic art.

9. What do the works of Goya, Gericault, and Delacroix discussed in this Unit have in common? What
separates their work, in both content and style, from the previous generation (Neoclassical) of

painters? Cite and describe the characteristics at least one of their paintings as an example.