The lithograph above by Currier & Ives was inspired by Longfellows poem The Village Blacksmith. The image shows the village in muted tones surrounded by softly rendered trees, conveying a feeling of nostalgia of days gone by. Children gather around the blacksmiths forge to watch him work. For your assignment, select one of the poems from Week 3 or Week 4 that exemplifies the spirit of romanticism. Find an image, photo, or drawing (Google search) that visually demonstrates this spirit. As a reminder, the romanticism style:
- Values freedom and the democratic spirit
- Expresses admiration of everyday workers and common people
- Exalts and idealizes nature and the natural world
- Uses poetry as personal self-expression
Insert your image into your document, and then write a 1-2 page [275-550 words] reflection. What elements of this poem do you connect with romanticism? How does the image you selected convey the spirit of romanticism? Explain. Be sure to provide details (quotes and examples) from the poem and image to support your ideas.
