Here's why they were called "poets":
* Their work was highly accessible and popular: Their poems were written in a clear, simple style, often using traditional poetic forms like ballads and sonnets. This made their works easy to understand and enjoy by a wide audience.
* They dealt with themes relevant to the American experience: They explored themes like nature, patriotism, family, and morality, which resonated with the values of the time.
* They were widely published and celebrated: Their works were frequently published in magazines and newspapers, and they often gave readings to large audiences.
Here are some of the most prominent poets often included in the "Fireside Poets" group:
* Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Known for his long narrative poems like "Evangeline" and "The Song of Hiawatha."
* John Greenleaf Whittier: Wrote poems about social justice and the abolitionist movement, including "Snow-Bound" and "The Barefoot Boy."
* Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.: Known for his humorous poems like "The Deacon's Masterpiece" and his essays.
* James Russell Lowell: Wrote poems on various topics, including social reform and American history, and was a prominent abolitionist.
* William Cullen Bryant: Known for his nature poems like "Thanatopsis" and "To a Waterfowl."
While they may not have formed a formal group or shared a specific artistic manifesto, the "Fireside Poets" were a significant force in American literature, shaping the nation's literary landscape and popularizing poetry among a wide audience.