By the 19th Century, many creative people had begun to feel that the world had become too rational, too conventional, perhaps even too civilized. First the Romantics and then the Modernists tried to find ways to reinject excitement, rebellion, and magic into human existence. 

In this class we look at Romantic poets such as Blake and Wordsworth, then Transcendentalists Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman, then the decadence of Poe and Rimbaud and Dostoevsky's proto-existentialism. Continuing into the 20th Century, we encounter Modernists such as Kafka, Woolf, and Hemingway and then, time permitting, conclude with the Beats and magical realism. 

We consider not only the meanings of the works but also what it is about how they are written and constructed that gives them their power. While our approach is grounded in close reading and formal analysis, we also consider historical context and pay attention to how literature sounds and makes us feel. We may also look briefly at corresponding trends in art forms such as painting and music.

Class is conducted as a guided discussion; we work together as a team to get maximum resonance out of each text. Outside of class, students are expected to read short but complex works, write brief informal think pieces, and tackle occasional creative projects such as stylistic imitations. Each student also delivers an oral presentation on a work of their own choosing.

Students learn how to read actively, think analytically, present their ideas effectively (both orally and in written form), and collaborate with their peers—all skills that will be invaluable to them in college and in their personal and professional lives. We also have a lot of fun getting to know these magnificent writers and each other!

Though this course is especially well-suited for students who already have a strong interest in literature, no previous knowledge or course work is required. Please note that some of the material and language we will encounter may be disturbing. Finally, please be aware that we may not be able to cover all the works on our ambitious syllabus; our objective will be to probe deeply into each particular text rather than trying to cover as much material as possible.