This document provides instructions for examining key art and literary works from the Gilded Age and how they affected American society during that time period in the late 19th century. Students are asked to form groups with one critic focusing on literature and one on art. They will research prominent authors, novels, poets, paintings and artistic styles from this era. Their task is to compile this information into a 4+ page report or create a PowerPoint presentation analyzing how art and literature reflected and influenced Gilded Age culture. Questions are provided to guide the students' research into dominant authors, folk heroes, influential novels, prominent poets, popular artistic styles and the role of patrons in beautifying American cities during this period.

1. Introduction: Welcome! The Gilded Age was also a time of great Literary and
Artistic Upheaval. You are living the high life during this time period, and are a
prominent Art and Literary Critic of this time. It is your job to examine the key
artwork, and literature of this time period and how it affected the era in which it
was made.
Task:Your task is to examine the key art and literary works of the Gilded Age and
how they affected the time period. You will break down into groups of 2, each
being a critic of either art or literature from this time period, and commenting on
how it affected this period of time. You will have 2 weeks to accomplish this
assignment. As you look into this topic, think about how Literature and Art played
a key role in Society during this time, and if Art and Literature hold the same
weight today, as they did 200 years ago.
Process:
Literary Critic: Click here http://www.ushistory.org/us/38f.asp and here
http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=18950 to gain perspective on this topic.
1. Who was the dominant Author of this time period?
2. Who were two genuine American Folk heroes of this time period?
3. What novel became a manifesto for future Feminists?
4. Who wrote “Belles Demoiselles Plantation” and what was important about this

2. novel that made it so controversial?
5.What prolific poet lived during this time period, but most of her poems were
published well after her death?
6. Who was the author of “Leaves of Grass?”
7. What was the prominent literary movement of this time period?
Art Critic: Click here http://www.ushistory.org/us/38f.asp and here
http://metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1996.95 to learn more about art during
this time.
8. Who painted Madame X?
9. Who were the most sought after portrait artists of this time?
10. Who was arguably the most famous PostWarAmerican Painter?
11. What style of art flourished during this time?
12. Why would the market for interior design have increased during this time?
13. What role did Patrons play in beautifying American Cities?
14. Who pioneered the art of tapestry weaving?
The end result of finding this information will be to compile it into a word
document report consisting of 4 or more pages, (2 pages dedicated to Literature, 2
to Art), turning the information into a PowerPoint Presentation, collaborating on a
movie maker project, or acting out one of the short stories that you examined from
this period.

3. Evaluation: You will be assessed uponthe completion of this webquest. This
entails answering the questions, along with doing any of the projects listed at the
end of the process page. Please use your own, original ideas and content when
doing this projects.
Conclusion:Now that you are familiar with the Art and Literature of the Gilded
Age, you should have a better grasp of the era as a whole. If anything is more
reflective of the time period, it is the literature and the art. We will continue diving
into the Gilded Age with your context about this part of a much larger era.