Research paper on an author in the Romantic Period

[kateyes]

I'm a thirty-something, just-started-college mom. I'm having the hardest time choosing an author from the Romantic Period to do my research paper on. I have only read one or two poems from this era, so I don't know much about any of these authors. I've been doing research online for days, trying to find one that is fascinating enough to do a 15 page paper on. There is sooo much information out there that I don't know how to process it all.
I have to make a case in support of a thesis about an author in an age that I know next to nothing about.
Any ideas?
Kat

[Sitaram]

Can you give me a little more information? Is it American or European literature? What is the time period (from what year to what year?) What have you found so far in the way of poems (author, title). List the authors which shall be studied.

A year or so ago, I helped a student with a question on the Romantic period in American literature, but it is best to be very explicit about dates and authors, so we don't "spin our wheels."

[Scheherazade]

I have to make a case in support of a thesis about an author in an age that I know next to nothing about.
Any ideas?
Kat

How can you write anything in support of a thesis if you know nothing about it??

I agree with Sitaram that you need to be more specific regarding your assignment topic and what you are required to do.

The amount of information available can be intimidating at times but since you are at the very beginning of your studies, try to choose someone who seems interesting to you at a glance and stick with it. If, after completing your assignment, you decide that you don't like him/her much, that will be one thing you have learnt from your assingment(if nothing else)!

Good luck!

[kateyes]

Everyone on here seems so smart I thought you could read minds too
Sitaram, it's British Literature (1785-1830), Blake, Coleridge, Byron, Keats, Scott, EB Browning, Tennyson, E or C Bronte, Ruskin, Wilde, Kipling, Lawrence, TS Eliot (and many more, but these are the names I've actually heard of )

Most of the poems seem to be about war (French Revolution?), so I guess I was hoping one of the authors stands out above the rest, either by disagreeing or being totally crazy and over-the-top.

"How can you write anything in support of a thesis if you know nothing about it??" Yep, Scheherazade, there lies the problem
Seriously though, I'm pretty good at research, once I have something/someone to research.

Thanks so much for your replies already.

[Scheherazade]

If you are after a poet, then it has to be EB Browning! Not only a wonderful poet but also an intriguing biography(oppressive father, romantic love affair with Robert which ended in an elopement and marriage and she overcame her illness after her marriage).
For an writer, either one of the Brontes or DH Lawrence or Wilde(my favorite author of all times)... Both Lawrence ( interesting relationship with mother which resulted in 'Sons and Lovers') and Wilde(too open minded for his time and openly gay-jailed for being gay, which hastened his death)... again interesting biographies...

[Sitaram]

At first glance, Blake and T.S. Eliot stand out as very interesting; something which might be "up my alley" as far as being philosophical or transcendental.


Here are a few links on Blake.

The first one has a smashing illustration...

http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/exhib...lakethemes.htm


http://www.glc.k12.ga.us/BuilderV03/...asp?LPID=16514

http://www.eriding.net/amoore/poetry/blake.htm

http://www.nortexinfo.net/McDaniel/2-03-blake.html

http://www.betatesters.com/penn/blake1.htm

[Jay]

I'd also recommend EB Browning, same reasons Scher has, unusual life 'story' and great poems.

[R. Schmidt]

Kateyes, the dates you give (1785-1830) wouldn't include many of the authors you've listed! For instance, TS Eliot was born in 1888; also, I don't think he is generally considered a Romantic. I am also taking a British Romanticism class, and the primary poets we are studying are Blake, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Lord Byron, Percy Shelley, and Keats. My only advice is if you are going to be writing about the author as well as their work, stay away from Wordsworth--the other poets led much more fascinating lives, especially Byron (although I think his poetry doesn't rank as high as the others on the list!).

[OedipusReD]

seeing that you're a thirty-something mother, i'd recommend Mary Wollstonecraft's A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, Mary Shelly's Frankenstein, or maybe some Dorthy Woodsworth, though, I love Percy Shelley and Coleridge myself.

[Justyna]

I have to find a topic I could devote my dissertation to. It has to deal with British Literature up to 19th century!!!! Help me please! I have 2 days only.

[yellowfeverlime]

Sounds like me...

[yellowfeverlime]

Google it... it always, almost always, works

[Justyna]

thanks for reply. the time is passing by I need someone's help immediately!

[yellowfeverlime]

Are you 2 the same people???????

[Justyna]

what do you mean by that?