What poems encapsulate a period? To answer that question, you must understand two things: the culture of a specific period and the meaning of an individual poem.
Select a poem from the 19th century that you feel best describes this assignment
Write a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper in which you make a persuasive argument that the poem you selected is most representative of the 19th century. To make your argument, you must explain the meaning of the poem, including how it functioned in its historical context.
For example, a specific work that was very popular in its period might be considered quite badly written now. For this assignment, it is the poem's popularity in its period that matters.
Be sure not to make an argument about the best poem or your favorite poem from the period; instead, choose the poem that is most representative of that time's values, tastes, and concerns.
Include summaries of the major cultural forces defining the 19th century.
Support your argument with specific examples from the poem and outside research, as needed.
Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines unless you are an English major; then use MLA.