AN AMERICAN POET
The introduction to Stephen Vincent Benet from the Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism states: "He conveyed his faith in the enduring existence of America's fundamental ideals: the virtues of the democratic system of government, the possibility of a common spirit unifying a diverse populus , and, most importantly, the value of the individual" (TCLC 68). Stephen Vincent Benet was an American poet whose works were a combination of romanticism (idealized, optimistic view of life) and realism (factual, objective details of ordinary life). Benet was an author who had a profound love and vast knowledge of his homeland: Benet, Stephen Vincent, (b. July 22, 1898, Bethlehem, Pa., U.S. - d. March 13, 1943, New York, NY), American poet, novelist, and writer of short stories, best known for John Brown's Body, a long narrative poem on the American Civil War (Fenton). Born into a military family, Stephen was raised on military posts by his father, Colonel James Benet. "His father read poetry aloud to Stephen, an older brother, William Rose, and a sister, Laura, all of whom became writers" (Fenton). Stephen was 17, a student at Yale University, when he published his first book, entitled Five Men and Pompey (Fe
Benet, Stephen Vincent. The Selected Works of Stephen Vincent Benet. The poem Portrait Of Young Love, demonstrates a range of perception and feeling and captures best that combination of romanticism and realism: If you were with me-as you're not, of course, Puzzle for days on one particular stare, And I find just as perfect satisfaction In 1943 Paul Engle stated: "Stephen Vincent Benet's death was a particular loss because he added to the variety of American poetry" (75). Benet had a deep regard for the United States. He believed in this country and how remarkably it permitted human freedom (76). "He knew the misery and corruption, and you'll find them in his books" (76). But, you will also find Benet's fascination to be a place where that reckless and distorted word "liberty" actually means individual rights (76). The strength of his poetry is in the warmth and vigor of human feeling. The romantic message in Benet's poetry was highlighted when Henry Steele Commanger in the New York Herald Weekly, June 27, 1943, stated: Available http://www.eb.com:180/cgi-bin/g?DocF=micro/62/88.html.
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1006
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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