Early American Literature discussion
Introductions and Chat
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Early American Authors Quiz Game
Pamela wrote: "Emma wrote: "Meg wrote: "My goodness, you people keep strange hours! π I really enjoyed reading through this conversation though! Pamela, I assume you have seen the Ken Burns documentary on the Civ..."Oh well, everyone has a different schedule I guess!! ππ€ My lifestyle sure wouldn't allow for that!! ππβ€οΈ
Hannah wrote: "I love this discussion with a sane view of the Civil War era...I hate it when the north is portrayed as 100% anti-slavery when they were definitely not, and when the south is portrayed as a bunch o..."There were many ironies in the Civil War. It was very tragic. To this day, there were more American lives lost during that war than any other war before or since. I know the quote you are thinking of, but can't remember exactly what it is either.
You are right about England considering recognizing the Confederate government. They relied on Southern cotton, which was cut off during the war. Then came Gettysburg. The fate of the Confederacy was sealed after that. England backed off supporting the South, Lee's army never regained it's strength, and the War was basically decided, even though it took 2 more years for it to end.
There were many oddities like the one related to Grant and Lee. Did you know that Mary Todd Lincoln's brothers fought for the Confederate side? How awkward that must have been for the President!
Pamela
Pamela wrote: "It angers me so, and also scares me, to see so many monuments being destroyed throughout the country. I have heard that some are calling for Mt. Rushmore to be destroyed because of Washington and Jefferson being part of it. For lack of a better way to say this, it is what is and it was what it was! Many great societies...I know, it makes me boiling mad too. I'm not sure what I'd do if I was somewhere and saw people vandalizing these monuments...but I'm pretty sure I'd get myself in big trouble. π We all know these men weren't perfect. But we remember them for their virtues and what they did for our country. Let him who is without sin cast the first stone!
Meg wrote: "Pamela wrote: "It angers me so, and also scares me, to see so many monuments being destroyed throughout the country. I have heard that some are calling for Mt. Rushmore to be destroyed because of W..."I understand what you mean when you say you'd get in big trouble Meg! I've always said it's a good thing I wasn't alive when the whole slavery thing was happening, because the thought of it, reading about it makes me so mad! I would've got myself in trouble over that. π
Meg wrote: "Pamela wrote: "It angers me so, and also scares me, to see so many monuments being destroyed throughout the country. I have heard that some are calling for Mt. Rushmore to be destroyed because of W..."Society today reminds me of living in the French or Russian revolutions. For the sake of a man-made Utopia or a "back to Eden" idealism, life is made a living hell.
One of my new favorite genres is dystopian because it's so eye-opening to modern times. In Fahrenheit 451, books are banned - extreme censorship is in place for the sake of being un-offensive. All that's allowed is TV and sports because it no one has to think.....and the suicide rate is through the roof!
In The Giver, memories of the past are erased in order to create a "more perfect present". Even the climate is controlled to a cool 70 degrees. One has to say things in JUST THE RIGHT WAY in order to not offend. The family is broken down - no one is allowed to be sad.
Meg wrote: "Pamela wrote: "It angers me so, and also scares me, to see so many monuments being destroyed throughout the country. I have heard that some are calling for Mt. Rushmore to be destroyed because of W..."I know , it makes me so mad, too. We live in a mad society at the moment. It's hurting everyone, including innocent victims of the rioting. As if the virus isn't bad enough! You are absolutely correct about letting him who is without sin cast the first stone. I can only imagine what our Creator and our Savior think of the mess the world is currently dealing with. So very sad. I have no doubt that tears are being shed in Heaven.
Pamela
Emma wrote: "I understand what you mean when you say you'd get in big trouble Meg! I've always said it's a good thing I wasn't alive when the whole slavery thing was happening, because the thought of it, reading about it makes me so mad! I would've got myself in trouble over that. π
"You would have been another Harriet Beecher Stowe! π
Meg wrote: "Emma wrote: "I understand what you mean when you say you'd get in big trouble Meg! I've always said it's a good thing I wasn't alive when the whole slavery thing was happening, because the thought ..."ππ Probably!!
Hannah wrote: "Society today reminds me of living in the French or Russian revolutions. For the sake of a man-made Utopia or a "back to Eden" idealism, life is made a living hell.Yes, it reminds us of that too. There is a scary prophecy that "What began in Russia will end in America".
One of my new favorite genres is dystopian because it's so eye-opening to modern times. In Fahrenheit 451, books are banned - extreme censorship..."
Wow, I haven't read either of those books, but that sure does sound like where we're heading. Terrifying.
But thankfully we have a hope! God has never been out of control in these issues.These times it's like watching the Book of Revelation come to life!
Emma wrote: "Meg wrote: "Pamela wrote: "It angers me so, and also scares me, to see so many monuments being destroyed throughout the country. I have heard that some are calling for Mt. Rushmore to be destroyed ..."Emma,
I know how you feel! I have no tolerance for injustice in any form. Where I live, near Quakertown, many residents were active with the Underground Railroad. The Quakers were known for their compassion. I'm sure I would have assisted in some way had I lived during that time.
Pamela
Pamela wrote: "Meg wrote: "Pamela wrote: "It angers me so, and also scares me, to see so many monuments being destroyed throughout the country. I have heard that some are calling for Mt. Rushmore to be destroyed ..."A line from Whittier's poem on Robert Burns...
Let those who never erred forget
His worth, in vain bewailings.
Meg wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Society today reminds me of living in the French or Russian revolutions. For the sake of a man-made Utopia or a "back to Eden" idealism, life is made a living hell.Yes, it reminds ..."
It really is scary, Meg! I haven't read those books, but it sounds much like the world we live in today! Just frightening!
Pamela
Hannah wrote: "But thankfully we have a hope! God has never been out of control in these issues.These times it's like watching the Book of Revelation come to life!"
Amen! I don't have a lot of hope for things to get better...this is the post-Christian age and the end is coming.
Meg wrote: "Hannah wrote: "But thankfully we have a hope! God has never been out of control in these issues.These times it's like watching the Book of Revelation come to life!"
Amen! I don't have a lot of ..."
I agree. I can't think things can continue like this much longer.
Pamela
Pamela wrote: "Emma wrote: "Meg wrote: "Pamela wrote: "It angers me so, and also scares me, to see so many monuments being destroyed throughout the country. I have heard that some are calling for Mt. Rushmore to ..."That is so neat that you live near that Pamela!! That's a place I'd love to see one day. πβ€οΈ
I like your point, Hannah.What impressed me most about
about Gen. Lee is that he was not
destructive and knowing the south
lost the war, he knew it was time to
turn himself in. He got up early, tend
to his ablutions, well dressed and
groomed walked into Grant's camp.
The soldiers on both sides watched
in amazement as he did so with dignity,
and respect where as Grant was haggard and run down. The Union soldiers wrote home to their families the character of Lee,
it was their reaction to his character that so impressed the soldiers, which could not
be said of Grant.
The view points of the soldiers and
their first hand account adds to much
to the history.
Pamela wrote: "Perhaps the three of us should start a group called "Late Night Rants and Musings of American History Buffs"... How long do you think we would last before being shut down because of political corre..."Good idea, Pammy.
That would be fun.
Ruth,Robert E. Lee was a gentleman to the end.
Pammy Jo
Pamela wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Pamela wrote: "I believe that Robert E. Lee said it best when he said:"If Virginia stands by the old Union, so will I. But if she secedes, though I do not believe in secession as a c..."
Had Lee accepted his commissions
from Lincoln he would have been brilliant.
I shudder to think who would have
been the Southern general and how
longer the war could have lasted.
Ruth wrote: "I like your point, Hannah.What impressed me most about
about Gen. Lee is that he was not
destructive and knowing the south
lost the war, he knew it was time to
turn himself in. He got up early,..."
Of what I remember reading, the North did have some pretty incompetent generals.
Ruth wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Pamela wrote: "I believe that Robert E. Lee said it best when he said:"If Virginia stands by the old Union, so will I. But if she secedes, though I do not believe in s..."
Do you think, if Lee HAD accepted his commission from Lincoln, if the war would have been over sooner? I wonder if it would have limited the turn-about in generals and incompetency.
Ruth wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Pamela wrote: "I believe that Robert E. Lee said it best when he said:"If Virginia stands by the old Union, so will I. But if she secedes, though I do not believe in s..."
Ruth,
I think the war would have been won far earlier if Lee had commanded the Union Army. We'll never know for certain.
Hannah is correct about the Union and incompetent leaders. Prior to 1863, the Union leaders were lacking in ability. That changed after Vicksburg, MS fell and U.S. Grant was sent to command the Eastern based Army of the Potomac. Gen. Sherman also contributed to the defeat of the South with his march through Georgia to the sea. It was brutal and basically cut the South in two. He believed in the need for complete destruction of the South on both military and civilian fronts. He succeeded, as did Grant.
I've often thought that if Lee had fought for the Union the war would have been much shorter and many lives spared, too. But like you said, who knows? I recently read Reminiscences of the Civil War, by the Confederate General John B. Gordon. It was so good. He shared many stories of heroism and chivalry on both sides. After the war, he became friends with Grant and many other Union men.
Pamela wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Pamela wrote: "I believe that Robert E. Lee said it best when he said:"If Virginia stands by the old Union, so will I. But if she secedes, though I do not..."
A rather insane approach,
Sherman took pleasure in the destruction
of Georgia, making no distinction between
soldiers and civilians-especially women
and children.
It is to the North's everlasting disgrace
to employ a madman as a general,
it's anything goes.
Hannah wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Pamela wrote: "I believe that Robert E. Lee said it best when he said:"If Virginia stands by the old Union, so will I. But if she secedes, though I do not..."
I partly agree with Pamela,
yet I wonder about who would have
been the general of the South,
would they have been as vehement
about maintaining the Confederacy-
that is the wild card.
Meg wrote: "I've often thought that if Lee had fought for the Union the war would have been much shorter and many lives spared, too. But like you said, who knows? I recently read [book:Reminiscences of the C..."
Meg,
Thanks for the recommendation,
that is the just the type of book
I like to read.π
Ruth, is it your turn for the question?
Sorry I hope that wasn't rude!! π¬
Emma wrote: "Ruth, is it your turn for the question?"Shall I start a history channel thread? π
Oh, sorry Emma.Today's quiz:
This N.E.L. author, loved here and abroad,
was first American to be honored by the placing of a memorial bust in Poetsβ Corner of Westminster Abbey.
Who was it?
Meg wrote: "Emma wrote: "Ruth, is it your turn for the question?"Shall I start a history channel thread? π"
Now there's an idea! π€£
Hey Meg, where's Dorry been? She's only been on like twice in the last few days, and that was just to correct us!! π
Ruth wrote: "Oh, sorry Emma.Today's quiz:
This N.E.L. author, loved here and abroad,
was first American to be honored by the placing of a memorial bust in Poetsβ Corner of Westminster Abbey.
Who was it?"
Longfellow?
Emma wrote: "Hey Meg, where's Dorry been? She's only been on like twice in the last few days, and that was just to correct us!! π"She's been on...I guess she's just sitting back and monitoring us. π
Ruth wrote: "Oh, sorry Emma.Today's quiz:
This N.E.L. author, loved here and abroad,
was first American to be honored by the placing of a memorial bust in Poetsβ Corner of Westminster Abbey.
Who was it?"
John Greenleaf Whittier? (Meg's probably cringing from that guess! π)
Meg wrote: "Emma wrote: "Hey Meg, where's Dorry been? She's only been on like twice in the last few days, and that was just to correct us!! π"She's been on...I guess she's just sitting back and monitoring us. π"
ππ Well tell her I miss her kerfuffle.
Ruth wrote: "Meg,Thanks for the recommendation,
that is the just the type of book
I like to read.π"
I hope enjoy it as much as I did, Ruth! π
Emma wrote: "ππ Well tell her I miss her kerfuffle."She's taking a nap right now (it's hot today). I told her but all I got for an answer was "Hmmm"! π
Meg wrote: "Emma wrote: "ππ Well tell her I miss her kerfuffle."She's taking a nap right now (it's hot today). I told her but all I got for an answer was "Hmmm"! π"
ππ Well you'll have to tell her when she wakes up that she hurt my feelings!! π€£π€£
Hmmm...which instinct to go with first...β¦..welp, I automatically thought Longfellow when I saw the question, so I'll guess that.
Emma wrote: "Meg wrote: "Emma wrote: "ππ Well tell her I miss her kerfuffle."She's taking a nap right now (it's hot today). I told her but all I got for an answer was "Hmmm"! π"
ππ Well you'll have to tell h..."
π«
Meg wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Meg,Thanks for the recommendation,
that is the just the type of book
I like to read.π"
I hope enjoy it as much as I did, Ruth! π"
I know I will.π
Dorothy wrote: "Emma wrote: "Meg wrote: "Emma wrote: "ππ Well tell her I miss her kerfuffle."She's taking a nap right now (it's hot today). I told her but all I got for an answer was "Hmmm"! π"
ππ Well you'll h..."
Was there an error?πΆ
Ruth wrote: "Was there an error?πΆ"No, that's just my tired face.
I'm going to say Longfellow, too. I'm not quite sure, but he was the first to come to mind.Pammy Jo
Recap:Today's quiz:
This N.E.L. author, loved here and abroad,
was first American to be honored by the placing of a memorial bust in Poetsβ Corner of Westminster Abbey.
Who was it?
Meg- Longfellow
Emma- John Greenleaf Whittier
Hannah- Longfellow
pammy- Longfellow
Dorry- π«π΄ (poor Dorryπ¦)
Allyson- ?
ππ£Lissy!! Cutie patootie, where are you?
Dorothy wrote: "Emma wrote: "Meg wrote: "Emma wrote: "ππ Well tell her I miss her kerfuffle."She's taking a nap right now (it's hot today). I told her but all I got for an answer was "Hmmm"! π"
ππ Well you'll h..."
Looks more like a sad face! π Did you have a nice nap? π
Cutie patootie?ππ Wow, that is some question! Who thought this up?? Hmm. The majority vote is Longfellow so that's probably the right answer so I'll say Mark Twain.π
Early American Literature
Books mentioned in this topic
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (other topics)Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (other topics)
Explorers of the Infinite: Shapers of Science Fiction (other topics)
The HarperCollins Reader's Encyclopedia of American Literature (other topics)
Emily and Carlo (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Lafcadio Hearn (other topics)George MacDonald (other topics)
Elizabeth Goudge (other topics)
Washington Irving (other topics)
Washington Irving (other topics)
More...
Oh Dear Emma. I do keep strange hours, indeed. I went to bed around 2:00 a.m. and woke for the day at 4:30 a.m. How 'bout them apples?!! I just got in from doing a little yard work before it gets too hot. : )
Pamela