2008 Midyear Mourning Customs

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American American Literature Literature Mid-Term Exam Mid-Term Exam Part 2: Part 2: American Romanticism and American Romanticism and Victorian Mourning Victorian Mourning Customs Customs

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Mr. Collins MidYear Exam 2008-09 part 2

Transcript of 2008 Midyear Mourning Customs

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American Literature American Literature Mid-Term ExamMid-Term Exam

Part 2:Part 2:

American Romanticism and American Romanticism and

Victorian Mourning CustomsVictorian Mourning Customs

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InstructionsInstructions

This PowerPoint presentation This PowerPoint presentation includesincludes PicturesPictures DocumentsDocuments ArticlesArticles MusicMusic

which we have not studiedwhich we have not studied

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In addition to using PowerPoint to In addition to using PowerPoint to look at the pictures, you will need to look at the pictures, you will need to use use Acrobat ReaderAcrobat Reader to read the to read the articles. (You can also print them out, articles. (You can also print them out, if you wish.)if you wish.)

Then return to this presentationThen return to this presentation..

Let’s begin…Let’s begin…

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American RomanticismAmerican Romanticism Recall that Romanticism was, in part, a Recall that Romanticism was, in part, a

response to the Age of Reason. (not a response to the Age of Reason. (not a rejection of it, rejection of it, per seper se, but a challenge), but a challenge)

During the Age of Reason, the Founding During the Age of Reason, the Founding Fathers believed that Fathers believed that INSTITUTIONSINSTITUTIONS were were essential conduits of the rights of essential conduits of the rights of mankind, meaning that rights might exist mankind, meaning that rights might exist theoretically in nature, but theoretically in nature, but social, political social, political and legal and legal institutionsinstitutions are necessary to give are necessary to give them formthem form..

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In other words, men might indeed be In other words, men might indeed be “endowed by “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,”their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,” but but the second half of that statement is equally the second half of that statement is equally important: important: “to “to secure these rightssecure these rights, Governments , Governments are are institutedinstituted among Men” among Men”

The The Romantics Romantics had a different view of natural had a different view of natural rights. Emerson wrote (in his essay “Nature”): rights. Emerson wrote (in his essay “Nature”):

““Why should not we enjoy an Why should not we enjoy an original relation original relation to the universe? to the universe? Why should not we have aWhy should not we have a poetry and philosophy poetry and philosophy of insightof insight and and not of tradition;not of tradition; a religion a religion by revelation to usby revelation to us,, and not the history and not the history of theirs? Embosomed for a season in nature, whose floods of life of theirs? Embosomed for a season in nature, whose floods of life stream around and through us. . .why should we grope among stream around and through us. . .why should we grope among the dry bones of the past? The sun shines to-day also.”the dry bones of the past? The sun shines to-day also.”

This is a revolutionary idea. It not only bypasses This is a revolutionary idea. It not only bypasses

the concept of government being necessary to the concept of government being necessary to secure rights, it proposes an entire American secure rights, it proposes an entire American culture based on culture based on insightinsight and and revelationrevelation springing springing from a from a personal relationship with the universe.personal relationship with the universe.

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Note: Though Emerson is Note: Though Emerson is more closely identified with more closely identified with TranscendentalismTranscendentalism, his ideas , his ideas are firmly rooted in the are firmly rooted in the Romantic tradition:Romantic tradition: Firm belief in the power of Firm belief in the power of

spontaneous imaginationspontaneous imagination Supremacy of individual over Supremacy of individual over

institutionsinstitutions Nature as the source of the Nature as the source of the

human soulhuman soul

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So, Emerson and So, Emerson and other American other American Romantics sought Romantics sought to create a to create a uniquely uniquely American cultureAmerican culture, , free of influences free of influences from abroad or from from abroad or from the past (that is, the past (that is, historichistoric past, as past, as opposed to opposed to mythicmythic) ) and based on these and based on these beliefs.beliefs.

Imagination Nature

Individuality

AmericanCulture

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Read 2 documentsRead 2 documents

O.K., pause this presentation and O.K., pause this presentation and open these two documents from the open these two documents from the Moodle siteMoodle site ““Circles by Emerson”Circles by Emerson” ““Analysis of Circles”Analysis of Circles”

Then return to this presentationThen return to this presentation

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Emerson, Death and Emerson, Death and the Cycles of Naturethe Cycles of Nature

As we see from these readings, Romantics As we see from these readings, Romantics were fascinated with death, mostly were fascinated with death, mostly because they were also fascinated by because they were also fascinated by nature:nature: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring… = Birth, Growth, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring… = Birth, Growth,

Decline, Death, Rebirth…Decline, Death, Rebirth… Note that these cycles are Note that these cycles are similarsimilar to the to the

cycles we discussed with regard to the cycles we discussed with regard to the ideas of the Age of Reason: ideas of the Age of Reason: the “course” in the “course” in the Declaration of Independence, the rise the Declaration of Independence, the rise and fall of societies, the elliptical path of and fall of societies, the elliptical path of planets, etcplanets, etc.. Similar, but not identical. Similar, but not identical.

How is the Romantic view different?How is the Romantic view different?

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Cycles of SocietyCycles of Society First of all (to recap), the men of the First of all (to recap), the men of the

Age of Reason believed that all Age of Reason believed that all societies go through the cycles of the societies go through the cycles of the ““saeculumsaeculum” ” (establishment of order, (establishment of order, progressionprogression, , declinedecline, , crisiscrisis, followed , followed by the establishment of a by the establishment of a new ordernew order)). .

Note how the Great Seal of the US is clearly based on geometric forms: straight lines,

pyramids, circles (not to be confused with cycles, though they are connected).

The phrase “Novus Ordo Seclorum” means “New Order of the Ages” which symbolizes the

United States replacing the British Empire in North America

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But by the 1840’s, the Revolutionary But by the 1840’s, the Revolutionary War was 60+ years in the past, the War was 60+ years in the past, the US government was over 50 years US government was over 50 years old, and we had already had 10 old, and we had already had 10 Presidents.Presidents.

The “new order” had clearly been The “new order” had clearly been established, and now (the Romantics established, and now (the Romantics believed) the “progression” of believed) the “progression” of American society must take over.American society must take over.

And while Washington, D.C. might And while Washington, D.C. might have been founded on the Roman have been founded on the Roman Republic, the Republic, the heartland of Americaheartland of America was being was being forged by the wilderness.forged by the wilderness.

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• So…Emerson and others agreed that the So…Emerson and others agreed that the American Revolution had called for a American Revolution had called for a “new order “new order of the ages,”of the ages,” but once that was established, but once that was established, “progress”“progress” must take over. must take over.

• This progress is found in the cycles of This progress is found in the cycles of naturenature, , old ideas old ideas constantlyconstantly giving way to new ideas. giving way to new ideas.

Richard Caton Woodville's Old '76 and Young '48

(note: this is a “genre painting” from 1849. Genre paintings told stories by depicting a single, important, dramatic moment. This particular painting is not about Romanticism replacing Rationalism – but its theme can be adapted to ours.)

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Creating an American Creating an American ReligionReligion

So, there seemed to be several powerful forces So, there seemed to be several powerful forces at work in American society in the early 1800’s at work in American society in the early 1800’s which pushed for the following:which pushed for the following:

Cut off ties with any tradition that is too Cut off ties with any tradition that is too “European”“European”

Create “American” myths, philosophies, religions, Create “American” myths, philosophies, religions, art and literature in which the individual is more art and literature in which the individual is more important than the group or the institutionimportant than the group or the institution

Look to Nature and its cycles for inspirationLook to Nature and its cycles for inspiration Celebrate progress, newness, imagination and Celebrate progress, newness, imagination and

“American Ingenuity:“American Ingenuity:

Read the poems on the following slides (if you can’t see them Read the poems on the following slides (if you can’t see them because they’re too small, there are copies on the Moodle site.because they’re too small, there are copies on the Moodle site.

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The River The River by Ralph Waldo Emersonby Ralph Waldo Emerson

And I behold once moreAnd I behold once moreMy old familiar haunts; here the blue river,My old familiar haunts; here the blue river,The same blue wonder that my infant eyeThe same blue wonder that my infant eyeAdmired, sage doubting whence the Admired, sage doubting whence the traveler came,--traveler came,--Whence brought his sunny bubbles ere he Whence brought his sunny bubbles ere he washedwashedThe fragrant flag-roots in my father's fields,The fragrant flag-roots in my father's fields,And where thereafter in the world he went.And where thereafter in the world he went.Look, here he is, unaltered, save that nowLook, here he is, unaltered, save that nowHe hath broke his banks and flooded all the He hath broke his banks and flooded all the valesvalesWith his redundant waves. With his redundant waves. Here is the rock where, yet a simple child,Here is the rock where, yet a simple child,I caught with bended pin my earliest fish,I caught with bended pin my earliest fish,Much triumphing,--and these the fieldsMuch triumphing,--and these the fieldsOver whose flowers I chased the butterfly,Over whose flowers I chased the butterfly,A blooming hunter of a fairy fine.A blooming hunter of a fairy fine.And hark! where overhead the ancient And hark! where overhead the ancient crowscrowsHold their sour conversation in the sky:--Hold their sour conversation in the sky:--These are the same, but I am not the same,These are the same, but I am not the same,But wiser than I was, and wise enoughBut wiser than I was, and wise enoughNot to regret the changes, tho' they costNot to regret the changes, tho' they costMe many a sigh. Oh, call not Nature dumb;Me many a sigh. Oh, call not Nature dumb;

These trees and stones are audible to me,These trees and stones are audible to me,These idle flowers, that tremble in the These idle flowers, that tremble in the wind,wind,I understand their faery syllables,I understand their faery syllables,And all their sad significance. The wind,And all their sad significance. The wind,That rustles down the well-known forest That rustles down the well-known forest road--road--It hath a sound more eloquent than It hath a sound more eloquent than speech.speech.The stream, the trees, the grass, the The stream, the trees, the grass, the sighing wind,sighing wind,All of them utter sounds of 'monishmentAll of them utter sounds of 'monishmentAnd grave parental love.And grave parental love.They are not of our race, they seem to They are not of our race, they seem to say,say,And yet have knowledge of our moral And yet have knowledge of our moral race,race,And somewhat of majestic sympathy,And somewhat of majestic sympathy,Something of pity for the puny clay,Something of pity for the puny clay,That holds and boasts the immeasurable That holds and boasts the immeasurable mind.mind.I feel as I were welcome to these treesI feel as I were welcome to these treesAfter long months of weary wandering,After long months of weary wandering,Acknowledged by their hospitable Acknowledged by their hospitable boughs;boughs;They know me as their son, for side by They know me as their son, for side by side,side,They were coeval with my ancestors,They were coeval with my ancestors,Adorned with them my country's primitive Adorned with them my country's primitive times,times,And soon may give my dust their funeral And soon may give my dust their funeral shade. shade. --June, 1827 --June, 1827

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Some Keep the SabbathSome Keep the Sabbath Some keep the Sabbath going to Some keep the Sabbath going to Church— Church—

I keep it, staying at Home— I keep it, staying at Home—

With a Bobolink for a Chorister—With a Bobolink for a Chorister—

And an Orchard, for a Dome— And an Orchard, for a Dome—

Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice— Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice—

I just wear my Wings— I just wear my Wings—

And instead of tolling the Bell, for And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church, Church,

Our little Sexton—sings. Our little Sexton—sings.

God preaches, a noted Clergyman— God preaches, a noted Clergyman—

And the sermon is never long, And the sermon is never long,

So instead of getting to Heaven, at So instead of getting to Heaven, at least— least—

I’m going, all along.I’m going, all along.

"Faith" is a fine invention When Gentlemen can see— But Microscopes are prudent In an Emergency.

"Faith" is a Fine Invention

by Emily by Emily DickinsonDickinson

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What do we see here? Clearly, these poets praise What do we see here? Clearly, these poets praise Nature. Additionally, Emerson touches upon Nature. Additionally, Emerson touches upon death, and Dickinson (in “Faith…Invention”) death, and Dickinson (in “Faith…Invention”) extols the power of science and technology.extols the power of science and technology.

•In addition, Emily Dickinson, whose In addition, Emily Dickinson, whose poetry is “the power of imagery poetry is “the power of imagery blooming in isolation” was a blooming in isolation” was a recluse. Whether or not the cause recluse. Whether or not the cause for her seclusion was some for her seclusion was some emotional disorder, she clearly emotional disorder, she clearly remained an remained an individualindividual uninvolved uninvolved with society at large…hence, she with society at large…hence, she may be the ultimate Nineteenth may be the ultimate Nineteenth Century Romantic and/or Century Romantic and/or Transcendentalist.Transcendentalist.

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Popular CulturePopular Culture

However, Emerson’s audience was However, Emerson’s audience was mostly an educated elite, and Dickinson mostly an educated elite, and Dickinson was largely unknown in her own lifetimewas largely unknown in her own lifetime

Many ordinary Americans shared Many ordinary Americans shared Emerson’s beliefs about the role of Emerson’s beliefs about the role of American Culture, but in American Culture, but in popular culturepopular culture it would manifest itself in other, much it would manifest itself in other, much simpler, ways.simpler, ways.

Which brings us to Which brings us to SpiritualismSpiritualism and the and the Fox SistersFox Sisters

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Spiritualism as an attempt to create an Spiritualism as an attempt to create an American (Romantic) religionAmerican (Romantic) religion

(I’ll presume you remember the (I’ll presume you remember the history of Spiritualism)history of Spiritualism)

The Fox sisters inadvertently The Fox sisters inadvertently founded a “religion” because founded a “religion” because their childish game was their childish game was interpreted by local adults who interpreted by local adults who had come of age in the Romantic had come of age in the Romantic eraera and were influenced by the and were influenced by the ideas of men like Emerson, ideas of men like Emerson, though they probably poorly though they probably poorly understood those ideas. understood those ideas.

Note: Doesn’t this sound like Note: Doesn’t this sound like Salem in 1692? An event being Salem in 1692? An event being interpreted in a certain way interpreted in a certain way because of the inherent beliefs because of the inherent beliefs of the adults in the community of the adults in the community living during a particular period living during a particular period in time?in time?

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Séance and ScienceSéance and Science

Perhaps the most powerful force behind the Perhaps the most powerful force behind the popularity of Spiritualism was popularity of Spiritualism was notnot (to quote P.T. (to quote P.T. Barnum) that “there’s a sucker born every Barnum) that “there’s a sucker born every minute,” but rather that it gave Americans an minute,” but rather that it gave Americans an opportunity to finally fulfill the goal of American opportunity to finally fulfill the goal of American Romanticism. A religion which Romanticism. A religion which

Glorified the individual over the institutionGlorified the individual over the institution Was connected to the cycles of natureWas connected to the cycles of nature Was disconnected from traditional religionsWas disconnected from traditional religions Celebrated ingenuity and technologyCelebrated ingenuity and technology

How did séances and mediums and “communication with the dead” accomplish this?

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The Spirit PhotographThe Spirit Photograph

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Memorial PhotographyMemorial Photography

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Memorial PhotographyMemorial Photography

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O.K. now read the article entitled O.K. now read the article entitled “Popularity of Post-Mortem “Popularity of Post-Mortem Photographs” and then return to this Photographs” and then return to this presentation.presentation.

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American MourningAmerican Mourning So, in the 1800’s, So, in the 1800’s, death and mourning became death and mourning became

an “American” institutionan “American” institution. In other words, . In other words, death and its “rituals” became part of the death and its “rituals” became part of the American scene. In the process of fulfilling American scene. In the process of fulfilling Emerson’s vision, Americans developed ways of Emerson’s vision, Americans developed ways of dealing with death that forever remain part of dealing with death that forever remain part of our culture.our culture.

Though they have taken various forms over the Though they have taken various forms over the years, there are essential qualities in our years, there are essential qualities in our mourning behaviors that are uniquely American mourning behaviors that are uniquely American and and whose roots are to be found in the whose roots are to be found in the Romantic traditionRomantic tradition. Some of these customs are . Some of these customs are musical…musical…

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Mourning and Music 1800’sMourning and Music 1800’s ““Parlor” musicParlor” music was popular in the 1800’s. It was called was popular in the 1800’s. It was called

this because, at family gatherings and parties, most this because, at family gatherings and parties, most middle-class people had a piano in the parlor where middle-class people had a piano in the parlor where they would play and sing the latest songs.they would play and sing the latest songs.

Sad songs, like Sad songs, like “The Fatal Wedding”“The Fatal Wedding” were very popular were very popular and taken very seriously.and taken very seriously.

The song is about a poor abandoned woman with a The song is about a poor abandoned woman with a sickly child who stops at a wedding. She recognizes the sickly child who stops at a wedding. She recognizes the groom as the husband who abandoned her. She stops groom as the husband who abandoned her. She stops the wedding, and as she does, her baby dies. The the wedding, and as she does, her baby dies. The parents of the bride are so grateful, however, that they parents of the bride are so grateful, however, that they take her in. After the shame of being exposed, the take her in. After the shame of being exposed, the groom commits suicide.groom commits suicide.

All the words to “Fatal Wedding” can be found in the All the words to “Fatal Wedding” can be found in the document “Come Home.” Some of the lyrics are on the document “Come Home.” Some of the lyrics are on the next slide, which also contains the melody.next slide, which also contains the melody.

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The Fatal Wedding by Gussie L. Davis

The wedding bells were ringing on a moonlit winter's nightThe church was decorated, all within was gay and bright.A woman with a baby came and saw the lights aglow,She thought of how those same bells chimed for her three years ago.

I'd like to be admitted, sir, she told the sexton oldJust for the sake of baby to protect him from the cold.He told her that the wedding was only for the rich and grand,And with the eager watching crowd, outside she'd have to stand.

While the wedding bells were ringing,While the bride and groom were there,Marching up the aisle together,While the organ pealed an air;And tales of fond affection,Vowing never more to part,Just another fatal wedding,Just another broken heart.

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Mourning and Music 1999Mourning and Music 1999

Last Kiss Last Kiss ( Pearl Jam )( Pearl Jam )

Oh where, oh where can my baby be?Oh where, oh where can my baby be?The Lord took her away from meThe Lord took her away from meShe's gone to Heaven so I got to be goodShe's gone to Heaven so I got to be goodSo I can see my baby when I leave this So I can see my baby when I leave this worldworld

We were out on a date in my daddy's carWe were out on a date in my daddy's carWe hadn't driven very farWe hadn't driven very farThere in the road, straight aheadThere in the road, straight aheadA car was stalled, the engine was deadA car was stalled, the engine was deadI couldn't stop, so I swerved to the rightI couldn't stop, so I swerved to the rightI'll never forget the sound that nightI'll never forget the sound that nightThe screaming tires, the busting glassThe screaming tires, the busting glassThe painful scream that I heard lastThe painful scream that I heard last

Oh where, oh where can my baby be?Oh where, oh where can my baby be?The Lord took her away from meThe Lord took her away from meShe's gone to Heaven, so I got to be goodShe's gone to Heaven, so I got to be goodSo I can see my baby when I leave this So I can see my baby when I leave this worldworld

When I woke up the rain as pouring downWhen I woke up the rain as pouring downThere were people standing all aroundThere were people standing all aroundSomething warm flowing through my eyesSomething warm flowing through my eyesBut somehow I found my baby that nightBut somehow I found my baby that nightI lifted her head, she looked at me and saidI lifted her head, she looked at me and saidHold me darling just a little whileHold me darling just a little whileI held her close, I kissed her our last kissI held her close, I kissed her our last kissI found the love that I knew I had missedI found the love that I knew I had missedWell, now she's gone even though I hold Well, now she's gone even though I hold her tighther tightI lost my love, my life, that nightI lost my love, my life, that night

An MP3 is on the Moodle site

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O.K., now read the document entitled O.K., now read the document entitled “Reviews of Last Kiss”“Reviews of Last Kiss”

Then return to this presentationThen return to this presentation

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While the musical style from “Parlor While the musical style from “Parlor Songs” to “Pop” (or “Alternative” to Songs” to “Pop” (or “Alternative” to use the general term applied to Pearl use the general term applied to Pearl Jam) is vastly different, little else Jam) is vastly different, little else seems to have changed in seems to have changed in sentimental “death” songs like “The sentimental “death” songs like “The Fatal Wedding” and “Last Kiss.”Fatal Wedding” and “Last Kiss.”

Therefore, it is likely that some of the Therefore, it is likely that some of the other elements of the American other elements of the American Romantic view of death are Romantic view of death are still part still part of today’s culture.of today’s culture.

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Public Mourning in the 20Public Mourning in the 20thth/21/21stst CenturyCentury

PrivatePrivate forms of grief today probably don’t reflect American forms of grief today probably don’t reflect American Romantic qualities, because they are most likely personal and Romantic qualities, because they are most likely personal and not subject to fashions or trends as they were in the 1800’s.not subject to fashions or trends as they were in the 1800’s.

However, However, in the past decadein the past decade there has been a noticeable trend there has been a noticeable trend in in Public forms of grief Public forms of grief – namely, those temporary public – namely, those temporary public memorials erected at the site of tragic events: Columbine High, memorials erected at the site of tragic events: Columbine High, the Oklahoma Courthouse, and Ground Zero, to name just a few.the Oklahoma Courthouse, and Ground Zero, to name just a few.

Memorial at Columbine High Tennis courts

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What is perhaps most striking about these recent public What is perhaps most striking about these recent public displays of grief following major tragedies is the inclusion displays of grief following major tragedies is the inclusion (sometimes temporarily) of a (sometimes temporarily) of a “wall of grief”“wall of grief”

On these walls, memorials, often involving On these walls, memorials, often involving photos and photos and poetrypoetry are posted, each like a shrine to one or more are posted, each like a shrine to one or more individuals.individuals.

The trend began perhaps with the Vietnam Memorial. The The trend began perhaps with the Vietnam Memorial. The design (at first design (at first veryvery controversial) was originally meant to controversial) was originally meant to be a “gash in the ground,” symbolic of the pain caused by be a “gash in the ground,” symbolic of the pain caused by the war. However, within a short time, the public the war. However, within a short time, the public gradually turned it into an “interactive” memorial.gradually turned it into an “interactive” memorial.

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Visitors started leaving personal tributes and mementos, and in so doing, public grief became not only acceptable for the first time in decades, but to some extent expected. The Wall became a place where we (perhaps) could return to our American Romantic roots.

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9-11 tribute

Columbine

Oklahoma City

And so, the WALL – wherever it may be – legitimizes and facilitates the act of publicly displaying grief.

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What is perhaps most remarkable about this photo is that the chain link fence has been added outside the entrance to the Official Oklahoma City Memorial…the memorial itself may not be sufficient for public grieving.

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Read some criticisms of this recent trend Read some criticisms of this recent trend by opening the following documents:by opening the following documents: Tears of a CrowdTears of a Crowd Public Grief Rant Public Grief Rant

Note: “Tears of a Crowd” refers to recent British displays of Note: “Tears of a Crowd” refers to recent British displays of grief, which are larger and, unlike the American “wall,” grief, which are larger and, unlike the American “wall,” result in huge mounds of flowers and stuffed animals. (It is result in huge mounds of flowers and stuffed animals. (It is likely that these British displays were influenced by ours.)likely that these British displays were influenced by ours.)

After reading, return to this presentationAfter reading, return to this presentation

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ESSAY PROMPT:ESSAY PROMPT: In an essay of 3-4 pages, address the following:In an essay of 3-4 pages, address the following:

American Mourning Rituals are rooted in the American American Mourning Rituals are rooted in the American Romantic Movement of the 19Romantic Movement of the 19thth century; they are not only century; they are not only uniquely American, they sprang from a view of Nature as uniquely American, they sprang from a view of Nature as benevolent, from a love of newness and from a belief that the benevolent, from a love of newness and from a belief that the individual superceded the group. Explain this set of beliefs and individual superceded the group. Explain this set of beliefs and why they manifested themselves in the mourning rituals of the why they manifested themselves in the mourning rituals of the 1919thth century. century.

THEN, speculate on why we have developed the current form THEN, speculate on why we have developed the current form of public grief. Does it reflect some version of the American of public grief. Does it reflect some version of the American Romantic ideal? If so, what ideals? And how are they Romantic ideal? If so, what ideals? And how are they manifested. If not, why not? And what does all this tell us manifested. If not, why not? And what does all this tell us about Americans in the 21about Americans in the 21stst century? century?

Your essay Your essay mustmust contain references to the material provided contain references to the material provided in this presentation.in this presentation.

There is a copy of this prompt on the Moodle page (“Mourning There is a copy of this prompt on the Moodle page (“Mourning Essay Prompt”) as well as the rubric I will use to grade it. Essay Prompt”) as well as the rubric I will use to grade it. Essay due no later than January 9Essay due no later than January 9thth..

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Good Luck!Good Luck!