How is the humorous effect secured?
Why does it not make us dislike the Dutch? Why is this _History_ an
original work? Why have _Rip Van Winkle_ and _The Legend of Sleepy Hollow_
been such general favorites? Compare these with any of Addison's _Sir Roger
de Coverley Papers_ and with any modern short story. Is Irving a romantic
writer? Compare his style with Addison's and with Goldsmith's in _The Vicar
of Wakefield._
Why does Cooper deserve to rank as an original American author? What is his
chosen field? In what does his special power consist? Who before him made
use of the Indian in literature? Can you find any point of similarity
between his work and _The Legend of Sleepy Hollow_? What are the most
striking points of dissimilarity? How does his use of the romantic element
differ from Irving's? What blemishes have you actually noticed in Cooper?
What lines in Bryant's _Thanatopsis_ are the keynote of the entire poem?
What are its general qualities? What are the finest thoughts in _A Forest
Hymn_? What do these suggest in regard to Bryant's early training and the
cast of his mind? Of all Bryant's poems indicated for reading, which do you
prefer? Which of his references to nature do you like best? Compare his
poem: _O fairest of the rural maids!_ with Wordsworth's: _Three years she
grew in sun and shower_.
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