studyguide

books used;
Appelbaum, Stanley, ed. English Romantic Poetry: An Anthology. Mineola, NY: Dover Thrift Editions, 1996.
Turgenev, Ivan. Fathers and Children. Trans. Michael R. Katz. 2nd Ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Co. 2009.
Ibsen, Henrik. Four Major Plays. Trans. James McFarlance and Jens Arup. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.

1. Romanticism was a “reaction” of sorts to the ideals of the Enlightenment period. The realist movement, in a somewhat similar sense, responded to Romantic ideals. Discuss these different periods, along with the values/ideals that are associated with these movements. As you answer this, include a general discussion of some – at least two – of the poets/authors we have studied in class thus far (Romantic poets: Keats, Coleridge, Shelley, Blake, Byron, Wordsworth; Realist author and playwright: Turgenev and Ibsen), paying particular attention to how they employed these ideals in their works.

2. Lord Byron’s “She walks in beauty” utilizes several formal (i.e. relating to the form of the poem) characteristics. After re-reading the poem [which will be attached] give an analysis based on at least 3 formal features (e.g. rhyme scheme, meter, figures of speech, imagery), using portions of the poem in your discussion. Make sure you relate the form to the content of the poem.

3. One of the major themes in Fathers and Children is the clash between ideas of two generations. Discuss this theme as it relates to at least two of the main characters: Nikolai, Pavel, Arkady, and Bazarov.

4. Bazarov is a man of science who scoffs at love and relationships between men and women. Yet he falls in love with Madame Odintsova and goes so far as to admit his feelings to her. Explain as best as you can this progression of change in Bazarov.

5. The main characters in Fathers and Sons all have their own definitions of nihilism. Pick two of these characters (e.g. Bazarov, Arkady, Pavel, Nikolai, Odintsova) and discuss how each of these two characters views nihilism.

6. Arkady and Bazarov treat their parents differently. Discuss this treatment and what it means about their individual characters as well as what it means about the novel as a whole.

7. In class I showed some of Blakes handcrafted engravings. These engravings are now, as we know, not included in anthologies of his poetry. Discuss the significance of these engravings to his poetry. Why were/are they important to a better understanding of his poetry?

8. Which ending of Dolls House do you feel is the better one “ the original or the alternative, the latter of which Ibsen considered a barbaric outrage? Defend your answer by using the text and also, taking into consideration the time period during which the play was written.

9. Discuss the idea of appearances and performance in Dolls House. To answer this question, look at at least two characters from the play.

10. In Doll’s House, Torvald scolds Nora for her silliness but at the same time he praises her for this same behavior. How can we reconcile this contradiction AND what does it tell us about their relationship?