During the 18th century, America created an era that was known as American Romanticism. The American Romanticism consisted of a literary movement allowing authors to address important issues in the new nation. At that time, America was still developing making authors create literature that was emphasized on the aspects of the new country such as freedom, individualism, and the supernatural. Romantic ideas were developed amongst these texts showing the emotional and creative state for literature that is taught in today’s society. The authors from the American Romanticism era used literary elements to illustrate the different examples of romantic ideals. In RIP Van Winkle, the author Washington Irving uses imagery and allegory to convey the…show more content… In Civil Disobedience, the government is a symbol for restriction. He states, “Must the citizen for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator?” (Thoreau, page 1). Citizens are revoked from their right to speak up for the government. In that case, they feel as though it is their obligation to give into the government’s mind. This is evident that it doesn’t truly allow anyone to express what they believe in because they think they are undermining the authority. Individualism is portrayed when Thoreau discusses the issue of slavery within the government. “[He] cannot for an instant recognize that political organization as my government which is the slave's government also” (Thoreau, page 2). He believes that it is important to express spirituality in order to become oneself from the government. Slavery symbolizes the entrapment within the government. He cannot express his individuality knowing his government supports slavery. Thoreau urges people to reform against the government to fully gain their individuality through the uses of symbols. As these authors expressed optimistic ideas about romanticism, Emily Dickinson uses pessimistic ideas to portray Dark…show more content… She begins the poem by introducing “Death” himself. In stanza 1, lines 1 and 2, she says, “Because I could not stop for Death - He kindly stopped for me.” Death is being described as a human being who is going to collect her. By giving Death a proper noun, Emily Dickinson is personifying that Death will take her to her eternity. Later in the poem, the author repeats certain phrases to highlight the places she is leaving behind. In stanza 3 she repeats, “We passed the School, where Children strove, We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain.” The author repeats “we passed” twice to demonstrate the places she was in with Death. When Emily Dickinson uses repetition, she is clearly stating that she is no longer presence in the natural world, but rather on her way to the supernatural
