Connection: F. Scott Fitzgerald utilizes The Great Gatsby to show life in the roaring 1920's. Tom states, "’Something was making him nibble at the edge of stale ideas as if his sturdy physical egotism no longer nourished his peremptory heart’" (Fitzgerald 18). Tom's statement shows the doubt and fragmentation of belief during Modernism. Nobody in the 1920's were content with their realistically bland lives. Nick claims, "She wanted her life shaped now, immediately — and the decision must be made by some force” (Fitzgerald 118). This quote connects to both World Wars that occur in this era.

Major Historical Events: Declaration of Independence (1776), The American Revolution (1765-1783), The Articles of Confederation (1781), Bill of Rights (1791)

Major authors: John Locke, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Abigail Adams, Phillis Wheatley, Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Major Historical Events: The Missouri Compromise, The Second Great Awakening, Indian Removal Act, The Liberator begins publication, The Trail of Tears

Major authors: Washington Irving, William Cullen Bryant, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allan Poe, Henry Longfellow

Major authors: Fredrick Douglas, Olaudah Equiano, Sojourner Truth

Connection: Nathaniel Hawthorne uses The Scarlet Letter to highlight the importance of nature, freedom, and sin during Dark Romanticism. Hester Prynne states, "It had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and inclosing her in a sphere by herself" (Hawthorne 5). This quote expresses the independence and isolation throughout the novel. Hawthorne states, "I charge thee to speak out the name of thy fellow-sinner and fellow-sufferer" (Hawthorne 56). This quote relates to the Trail of Tears which occurs from 1831-1838 where the Indians are forcefully moved out of Oklahoma.

Connection: Emily Dickinson incorporates many of her Transcendentalist ideas into her writing, specifically nature. Nature’s role in this poem is to show the simplicity of life for Dickinson. Dickinson states, "Too bright for our infirm Delight / The Truth's superb surprise" (3-4). These lines show the inspiration that leads to beliefs for Transcendentalists. The bright future relates to the Freeport Doctrine that states that slaves could be excluded from certain territories. Dickinson later states, "As Lightning to the Children eased / With explanation kind" (Dickinson 5-6). Dickinson incorporates nature into these lines to add to the depth of her poem.