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Essay / Whittier's Romanticism - 1245
Most people agree that the abolition of slavery has been a struggle throughout American history. Great writers and thinkers openly expressed their disapproval, particularly during the Romantic era. During this period, strict laws were replaced by artistic freedom, experimentation and critical thinking. Ideas of political freedom were also seriously considered by the Romantics. Through careful examination of the poem "Ichabod", John Greenleaf Whittier is definitively considered a Romantic poet because he forcefully presents his political opposition to slavery, criticizes and questions the moral qualities of man, and expresses ideas religious through a metaphorical comparison with the Bible. .Poets are undoubtedly first recognized for their poetry. Although Whittier took on many political roles, he was above all a poet. His writings concerned the abolitionist movement and were written for purely political reasons. Not only was this pet a Quaker, but he was also a politician and an important moral force in the fight for the abolition of slavery. Lewis Leary confirms the purpose of "Ichabod" in John Greenleaf Whittier's book: This play, the famous "Ichabod", arose more directly from his political commitment than any previous work. “This poem,” Whittier wrote years later, “was the result of the surprise, sorrow, and anticipation of evil consequences which I felt on reading Daniel Webster's March 7 speech...” ( 105) The decade of the 1850s began abruptly. when March 7; Daniel Webster affirmed his support for compromise with the southern slave power. Von Frank describes Whittier as being so "shocked and saddened by this unexpected defection" that it led to the powerful "Ichabod" protest. This...... middle of paper...... death within" (Leary 109). Whittier not only uses religious texts to reinforce his views, but goes further by also emphasizing on his moral and spiritual values Whittier, like other poets, manipulates creative techniques that transform ordinary words into portals of expression. However, his romantic views differentiate him from other poets while emphasizing his role in politics, l. abolition and society. Especially in "Ichabod", a poem through which John Greenleaf Whittier is considered a romantic poet because he greatly exposes his political opposition to slavery, criticizes and questions the moral qualities of man. and depicted religious ideas through a metaphorical comparison with the Bible. This romantic spark in Whittier's heart was just a small piece of the passionate fire that revolutionized a larger movement in America...