6.2 Sonnets
6 min read•august 21, 2024
American sonnets emerged in the 19th century, blending European influences with uniquely American themes. This poetic form played a crucial role in shaping American poetry, reflecting the nation's evolving cultural identity and artistic sensibilities.
The sonnet's compact structure allowed poets to explore a wide range of topics, from and to social issues and political commentary. As the form evolved, American poets experimented with structure and language, pushing the boundaries of traditional sonnets.
Origins of American sonnets
- American sonnets emerged as a distinct poetic tradition in the 19th century, drawing inspiration from European models while developing unique characteristics
- This form played a crucial role in shaping American poetry during the period of American Literature Since 1860, reflecting the nation's evolving cultural identity
European sonnet influences
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- structure introduced octave-sestet division and specific rhyme schemes
- popularized the three--and- format in English literature
- John Milton's innovative use of enjambment and varied meter influenced later American poets
Early American sonnet writers
- pioneered the American sonnet tradition with works like "Mezzo Cammin"
- incorporated themes of nature and Native American rights in her sonnets
- experimented with sonnet form in poems like "To Science" and "Silence"
Structure and form
- American sonnets maintained traditional structural elements while allowing for greater flexibility and innovation
- The evolution of sonnet structure in American literature reflects broader trends in poetic experimentation and cultural shifts
Petrarchan vs Elizabethan sonnets
- Petrarchan sonnets feature an octave (ABBAABBA) followed by a sestet with varying rhyme schemes
- Elizabethan sonnets consist of three quatrains (ABAB CDCD EFEF) and a concluding couplet (GG)
- American poets often blended elements of both forms, creating hybrid structures
Meter and rhyme schemes
- remains the predominant meter in American sonnets
- Variations in stress patterns and syllable counts create rhythmic diversity
- Rhyme schemes range from strict adherence to traditional patterns to more experimental approaches (slant rhymes, near rhymes)
Volta in American sonnets
- (turn) typically occurs between octave and sestet in Petrarchan sonnets
- American sonnets often place the volta at line 9 or in the final couplet
- Some poets use multiple turns or subtle shifts throughout the poem to create complex emotional arcs
Themes in American sonnets
- American sonnets explored a wide range of themes reflecting the nation's cultural, social, and political landscape
- The compact form of the sonnet allowed poets to distill complex ideas into powerful, concise expressions
Love and romance
- Traditional romantic themes adapted to reflect American sensibilities and experiences
- Exploration of unconventional relationships and diverse perspectives on love
- Use of natural as metaphors for romantic emotions (blooming flowers, changing seasons)
Nature and landscape
- American wilderness and urban environments featured prominently in sonnet imagery
- Poets used sonnets to celebrate the beauty and power of American landscapes
- Environmental concerns and the relationship between humans and nature emerged as recurring themes
Social and political issues
- Sonnets addressed topics such as racial inequality, women's rights, and labor struggles
- Poets used the form to critique societal norms and advocate for social change
- Historical events and figures often served as subjects for politically charged sonnets
Notable American sonneteers
- These poets significantly contributed to the development and popularization of the American sonnet
- Their works exemplify the diverse approaches to sonnet writing in American literature
Emma Lazarus
- Known for "The New Colossus," inscribed on the Statue of Liberty
- Explored themes of Jewish identity and American immigration in her sonnets
- Combined traditional form with contemporary social commentary
Edna St. Vincent Millay
- Pulitzer Prize-winning poet who revitalized the sonnet form in the early 20th century
- Challenged gender norms and explored female sexuality in her sonnets
- Experimented with unconventional rhyme schemes and meter while maintaining the sonnet structure
Claude McKay
- Harlem poet who used sonnets to address racial injustice and social inequality
- Incorporated elements of Jamaican dialect and culture into his sonnets
- "If We Must Die" became an iconic protest poem during the Civil Rights Movement
Modernist innovations
- Modernist poets pushed the boundaries of traditional sonnet forms, reflecting broader trends in American literature
- Experimentation with structure and language led to new possibilities within the sonnet tradition
Experimentation with form
- Poets like deconstructed traditional sonnet elements (typography, punctuation)
- Introduction of non-traditional line lengths and stanza breaks within the 14-line format
- Use of unconventional rhyme schemes and metrical patterns to create new sonic effects
Free verse influence
- Integration of free verse techniques into sonnet writing (variable line lengths, looser rhythms)
- Emphasis on natural speech patterns and colloquial language within the sonnet form
- Blending of sonnet elements with other poetic forms to create hybrid structures
Contemporary American sonnets
- Modern poets continue to engage with the sonnet form, adapting it to address contemporary issues and experiences
- The sonnet remains a vital part of American poetry, evolving to reflect changing cultural landscapes
Revival of traditional forms
- New Formalist movement in late 20th century renewed interest in traditional sonnet structures
- Poets like Marilyn Hacker and Dana Gioia championed the sonnet's expressive potential
- Contemporary sonnets often combine formal elements with modern themes and language
Multicultural perspectives
- Diverse voices in American poetry bring new cultural contexts to sonnet writing
- Exploration of identity, diaspora, and globalization through the sonnet form
- Incorporation of multilingual elements and cultural references in contemporary sonnets
Sonnets in American literature
- The sonnet has played a significant role in shaping American poetic traditions since 1860
- Its evolution reflects broader trends in American literature and cultural history
Role in poetry movements
- Sonnets featured prominently in movements like the Harlem Renaissance and the Beat Generation
- The form served as a vehicle for both traditional and experimental poetic expression
- Sonnets often acted as a bridge between classical and modern poetic traditions
Influence on other poetic forms
- Sonnet techniques influenced the development of other fixed forms in American poetry
- Elements of sonnet structure appear in free verse and prose poetry
- The compression and intensity of sonnet writing influenced broader poetic practices
Analysis techniques
- Developing skills in sonnet analysis is crucial for understanding American poetry since 1860
- These techniques help readers appreciate the complexity and artistry of sonnet composition
Close reading strategies
- Examine the relationship between form and content in sonnet structure
- Analyze the function of the volta and its impact on the poem's meaning
- Identify patterns of imagery, diction, and sound devices throughout the sonnet
Interpreting metaphors and symbols
- Explore how poets use figurative language to convey complex ideas within the sonnet's constraints
- Analyze extended metaphors that develop across the sonnet's quatrains and couplet
- Consider how symbols in sonnets reflect broader themes in American literature and culture
Cultural significance
- Sonnets have maintained a significant presence in American culture beyond the realm of academic poetry
- The form continues to evolve and adapt to new cultural contexts and media
Sonnets in popular culture
- Appearance of sonnets in films, television shows, and popular music lyrics
- Use of sonnet forms in advertising and social media (Twitter sonnets)
- Sonnets as a subject of parody and homage in contemporary literature
Academic study and criticism
- Ongoing scholarly debates about the role of traditional forms in modern poetry
- Feminist and postcolonial reinterpretations of the sonnet tradition in American literature
- Digital humanities approaches to analyzing large corpora of American sonnets
Key Terms to Review (27)
Claude McKay: Claude McKay was a prominent Jamaican-American writer and poet, best known for his role in the Harlem Renaissance, where he contributed to the literary and cultural awakening of African Americans during the early 20th century. His works often explored themes of race, identity, and social justice, connecting with the broader movements in American literature and African American expression.
Couplet: A couplet is a pair of successive lines of verse, typically rhymed and having the same meter. In poetry, especially in forms like sonnets, couplets can serve various purposes, including summarizing a thought or providing a thematic resolution. They are essential for creating rhythm and enhancing the musical quality of a poem.
E.e. cummings: e.e. cummings was an innovative American poet known for his unique style that often challenged traditional forms and conventions of poetry. His work is characterized by unconventional punctuation, lower-case letters, and playful language, reflecting the experimental spirit of his time. Cummings' poetry embodies elements of Dadaism and Surrealism, as he explored themes of individuality and perception, while also contributing to the avant-garde movement by pushing the boundaries of form and structure in poetry.
Edgar Allan Poe: Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic known for his macabre and Gothic themes. His work significantly influenced the development of genre fiction, especially horror and detective stories, while also exploring complex human emotions and the darker aspects of the human psyche. Poe's contributions extend to poetic forms as well, including the sonnet, showcasing his versatility and mastery in literature.
Edna St. Vincent Millay: Edna St. Vincent Millay was an American poet and playwright known for her lyrical poetry and sonnets that explored themes of love, loss, and feminism. Her work often features a modernist style and emotional depth, capturing the complexities of human experience, making her a significant figure in early 20th-century literature.
Emma Lazarus: Emma Lazarus was a Jewish American poet and activist known for her work that highlighted the immigrant experience in America, especially through her famous sonnet, 'The New Colossus.' This poem is best recognized for its depiction of the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of hope and refuge for immigrants arriving in the United States. Lazarus's contributions to both poetry and Jewish American literature have made her a significant figure in exploring themes of identity, belonging, and social justice.
Helen Hunt Jackson: Helen Hunt Jackson was an American poet, novelist, and activist known for her work advocating for the rights of Native Americans in the late 19th century. She became famous for her novel 'Ramona,' which highlighted the injustices faced by Native Americans and stirred public sympathy for their plight.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was an influential American poet and educator, known for his lyrical poetry and narrative verse. His works often reflected themes of American identity, nature, and the human experience, contributing significantly to the popularization of poetry in 19th-century America.
Iambic pentameter: Iambic pentameter is a type of poetic meter that consists of five feet per line, where each foot is an iamb, which is a two-syllable unit with the first syllable unstressed and the second syllable stressed. This rhythmic pattern is fundamental to the structure of many forms of poetry, especially sonnets, and creates a natural flow that mimics human speech. It is one of the most commonly used meters in English poetry, allowing for both expressive and rhythmic qualities.
Imagery: Imagery refers to the use of descriptive language that creates vivid mental pictures, appealing to the senses of sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. This technique enhances the emotional impact of a piece of writing, allowing readers to experience the text more fully and connect with the underlying themes.
John Keats: John Keats was a prominent English Romantic poet known for his vivid imagery and emotional depth, often exploring themes of beauty, mortality, and nature in his work. His innovative use of the sonnet form, particularly in poems like 'Ode to a Nightingale' and 'Bright Star,' showcases his ability to merge personal emotion with broader philosophical reflections.
Love: Love is a complex and multifaceted emotion that encompasses deep affection, attachment, and care for someone or something. In literature, love often serves as a central theme, exploring various forms such as romantic love, familial love, and platonic love, and it can evoke both joy and sorrow. The expression of love in poetry, especially in sonnets, highlights its intricacies and the way it can inspire creativity and reflection.
Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unrelated things, suggesting that they are alike in a significant way. This comparison allows for deeper understanding and insights, as it encourages readers to make connections and see things from a different perspective. Metaphors can reveal emotions, ideas, and themes that resonate throughout literature, often adding layers of meaning to the text.
Modernism: Modernism is a cultural movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by a deliberate break from traditional forms and an exploration of new techniques and ideas in art, literature, and philosophy. This movement reflects the complexities of a rapidly changing world, often questioning established norms and conventions, which connects deeply with various literary styles and thematic explorations.
Mortality: Mortality refers to the state of being subject to death, often highlighting the fragility and transience of human life. This concept is central to many forms of art and literature, prompting reflection on life's meaning, the inevitability of death, and the human experience. In sonnets, particularly those addressing themes of love, beauty, and the passage of time, mortality is often a prominent motif that drives emotional depth and philosophical inquiry.
Nature: Nature refers to the physical world and everything in it, including plants, animals, landscapes, and the environment. It embodies a deep connection to the natural world that transcends human experiences, often serving as a source of inspiration and reflection in literature. Throughout various literary movements, nature has been seen as a means for self-discovery, spirituality, and understanding humanity's place in the universe.
Petrarchan Sonnet: A Petrarchan sonnet, also known as an Italian sonnet, is a poetic form that consists of 14 lines divided into two parts: an octave and a sestet. The rhyme scheme for the octave typically follows ABBAABBA, while the sestet can vary, commonly using CDCDCD or CDECDE. This structure allows poets to present a problem or emotional theme in the octave and then provide a resolution or reflection in the sestet.
Postmodernism: Postmodernism is a cultural, artistic, and literary movement that emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by a skeptical, self-aware approach to narratives, questioning traditional conventions and exploring the complexities of identity and reality. It often embraces irony, paradox, and a playful attitude toward established norms, reflecting the chaotic and fragmented nature of contemporary life.
Quatrain: A quatrain is a stanza or poem consisting of four lines, typically with a specific rhyme scheme. This structure is often used in various forms of poetry, including sonnets, where quatrains play a crucial role in developing themes and ideas. The versatility of quatrains allows poets to convey emotions and narratives effectively through their concise format.
Renaissance: The Renaissance was a cultural and intellectual movement that began in Italy during the 14th century and spread across Europe, marking the transition from the medieval period to the modern age. It emphasized the revival of classical learning and arts, humanism, and the exploration of individual potential, significantly impacting literature, art, science, and philosophy.
Rhyme scheme: A rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhymes at the end of each line of a poem, often described using letters to represent the sounds. It helps establish the rhythm and musicality of the poem, while also contributing to its emotional resonance and thematic development. Different forms of poetry, such as sonnets, utilize specific rhyme schemes that serve as a framework for poets to express their ideas within structured limits.
Romanticism: Romanticism is a cultural movement that emerged in the late 18th century and emphasized emotion, individualism, and the glorification of nature. It challenged the conventions of realism by focusing on imagination and the sublime, often exploring themes of beauty, the supernatural, and personal experience. This movement profoundly influenced various forms of art and literature, manifesting in diverse expressions across different regions and genres.
Shakespearean Sonnet: A Shakespearean sonnet is a 14-line poem structured with three quatrains followed by a final couplet, typically written in iambic pentameter. This form is known for its distinct rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG, allowing for a thematic progression or argument that often culminates in the closing couplet.
Sonnets from the Portuguese: Sonnets from the Portuguese is a collection of 44 sonnets written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, published in 1850. The work is notable for its exploration of love, intimacy, and personal emotion, reflecting Browning's own romantic journey and deep affection for her husband, Robert Browning. This collection is often praised for its lyrical quality and emotional depth, marking a significant contribution to the genre of sonnets in English literature.
The sonnet: an anthology: A sonnet anthology is a collection of sonnets, which are poetic forms traditionally consisting of 14 lines with a specific rhyme scheme and meter, most often iambic pentameter. This form allows poets to express complex emotions and themes, ranging from love to loss, within a structured format. Anthologies play an important role in preserving and showcasing the diversity of sonnet writing across different eras and styles.
Volta: A volta is a rhetorical shift or turn in thought that occurs in a poem, particularly in sonnets. It often marks a change in the speaker's perspective or emotional state, transitioning from one idea to another, which can lead to a resolution or climax in the poem's argument. This shift is especially significant in sonnets, where it helps to delineate the problem and its solution.
William Shakespeare: William Shakespeare was an English playwright and poet, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language. His works, particularly his plays and sonnets, have had a profound influence on literature and drama, shaping the course of storytelling and poetic expression for centuries.