HIS101 Research
Assignment: Create a fictional character, who could be assimilated into late 1776 America. Decide which side of the Revolutionary War this character will support (for, against, or neutral.) Devise a creative way to tell who the character is, what side of the war they support, and why.
I’ve decided my character will be a woman, Bess Aldridge, who is a wife and mother. When the war started, the family was split. She had a son fight on either side of the war, and both were killed. (I’m not sure if the father’s stance on the war will be of consequence to the project – probably it will.) Bess is in mourning, and no matter the justice she found in the Revolution to begin with, now she is bitter towards the war in general.
As for my ‘creative project,’ I am writing a poem. I want it to sound period, so I am reading up on poetry from the late 18th century.
TO A LLANGOLLEN ROSE,
THE DAY AFTER IT HAD BEEN GIVEN BY MISS PONSONBY.
Soft blushing flow’r! my bosom grieves,
To view thy sadly drooping leaves:
For, while their tender tints decay,
The rose of Fancy fades away!
As pilgrims, who, with zealous care,
Some little treasur’d relic bear,
To re-assure the doubtful mind,
When pausing memory looks behind;
I, from a more enlighten’d shrine,
Had made this sweet memento mine:
But, lo! its fainting head reclines;
It folds the pallid leaf, and pines,
As mourning the unhappy doom,
Which tears it from so sweet a home!
Written by Matilda Betham, July 22, 1799.
Taken from this site.
