Category: English 3: American Literature

Part 3: The Courtship of Miles Standish

The Courtship of Miles Standish—Part 3 by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow III. THE LOVER’S ERRAND.   So the strong will prevailed, and Alden went on his errand,                                      185 Out of the street of the village, and...

Part 2: The Courtship of Miles Standish

The Courtship of Miles Standish—Part 2 by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow II. LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP   Nothing was heard in the room but the hurrying pen of the stripling, Or an occasional sigh from the laboring...

Part 1: The Courtship of Miles Standish

The Courtship of Miles Standish—Part 1 by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow I. MILES STANDISH [1]   In the Old Colony days, in Plymouth the land of the Pilgrims,[2] To and fro in a room of his...

Mark Twain, as photographed by A.F. Bradley, c. 1907, from the Library of Congress.

Mark Twain Resources Index

Resources for Mark Twain (1835-1910) Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835 – 1910), better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer. His best-known novels include The Adventures...

raven

The Raven Poem by Edgar Allan Poe

“The Raven” by American writer Edgar Allan Poe is a narrative poem that tells the story of a mysterious talking raven’s visit to the narrator, who is mourning the loss of his love, Lenore....

Edgar Allan Poe, from a 1904 daguerrotype.

Edgar Allan Poe Resources

Many writers in the American canon have written both poetry and prose; few, however, are equally known for both. Edgar Allan Poe was one such writer. Indeed, it is almost as difficult to find...

Poems by Emily Dickinson - 12 are set to music by composer Aaron Copeland.

Dickinson and Copland: Poems and Music

Composer Aaron Copeland’s Twelve Poems of Emily Dickinson provides a creative musical approach to Emily Dickinson that may help you hear her poems anew. This composition by Aaron Copeland was performed for the recital “For...

Washington Irving Biography

Washington Irving Biography

Washington Irving Biography Irving’s family Boyhood European travels Rising fame Love and poverty Tragedy, memorialized Literature as a profession Home at Sunnyside Minister to Spain Personal appearance and character End of life Sources Other...

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Biography

Family and boyhood Early career and travels A Harvard professor Evangeline Other important works Struck by tragedy Writing until the end Description of the man Longfellow’s poetry His character Sources Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Biography...

Benjamin Franklin Biography (1911)

Benjamin Franklin Biography Family history and education Writing and printing career Helping his fellow man Fight against the Stamp Act Continental Congress Colonial diplomacy in France Making peace Franklin in person Life philosophy Printing...

James Russell Lowell - American Poet

James Russell Lowell Biography (1911)

Family history and childhood Early work and romance Literature, reform, and family life The Biglow Papers Family tragedies Teaching and traveling The Atlantic Monthly Work abroad End of life Overview of writings and influence...

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin Quotes

Benjamin Franklin is one of the most quoted Americans; his wisdom is timeless. Here are a few quotes to inspire you. “Idleness and pride tax with a heavier hand than kings and parliaments. If...

Fable for Critics Poe to Lowell

A Fable for Critics [Poe to Lowell] by James Russell Lowell Famous writers mentioned in this section—click on the name to move to that part of the poem: Edgar Allan Poe: a writer famous...

Fable for Critics Whittier to Cooper

A Fable for Critics [Whittier to Cooper] by James Russell Lowell Famous writers mentioned in this section—click on the name to move to that part of the poem: John Greenleaf Whittier: learn more about...

Fable for Critics Introduction

A Fable for Critics [Introduction] by James Russell Lowell Phoebus, sitting one day in a laurel-tree’s shade, Was reminded of Daphne, of whom it was made, For the god being one day too warm...

Fable for Critics Emerson to Bryant

A Fable for Critics [Emerson to Bryant] by James Russell Lowell Famous writers mentioned in this section—click on the name to move to that part of the poem: Ralph Waldo Emerson (learn more about...

Anne Bradstreet, Puritan poet of North America

The Prologue – A Poem by Anne Bradstreet

The Prologue A poem by Anne Bradstreet 1   To sing of Wars, of Captains, and of Kings, 2   Of Cities founded, Common-wealths begun, 3   For my mean Pen are too superior things; 4   Or...

The Four Ages of Man by Anne Bradstreet

The Four Ages of Man by Anne Bradstreet [Introduction] Childhood Youth Middle Age Old Age [Introduction] 1.1   Lo now! four other acts upon the stage, 1.2   Childhood, and Youth, the Manly, and Old-age. 1.3  ...

Contemplations by Anne Bradstreet

Contemplations by Anne Bradstreet 1   Sometime now past in the Autumnal Tide, 2   When Ph{oe}bus wanted but one hour to bed, 3   The trees all richly clad, yet void of pride, 4   Were gilded...

James Russell Lowell - American Poet

A Fable for Critics by James Russell Lowell

James Russell Lowell’s “A Fable for Critics” (1848) is a funny introduction to many of the nineteenth-century poets and writers. Since the entire poem is very long — it’s really a whole book —...

Anne Bradstreet Poetry

Anne Bradstreet poetry  Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672) was one of the first American poets, and her life and work evoke a vivid picture of Colonial America and reflect her Puritan faith and love for her family....

The Author to Her Book by Anne Bradstreet

The Author to Her Book By Anne Bradstreet 1   Thou ill-form’d offspring of my feeble brain, 2   Who after birth did’st by my side remain, 3   Till snatcht from thence by friends, less wise...