The poem ‘Old Ironsides’ By Oliver Wendell Holmes is a poem that illustrates romanticism. Romanticism is the literary and artistic movement of the 19th century that arose in reaction against 18th century neoclassicism. Romanticism places a premium on imagination, emotion, nature, individuality and imagery. The general theme of the poem of “Old Ironsides” is about being patriotic and reveals that old war mementos are important to the history of the country and that it should be preserved.
In the first stanza of this poem the author utilizes the romanticism idea of imagery. The ship described by how it appeared before it had been sent into war and destroyed. In this stanza the author states, “Ay tear her tattered ensign down / Long has it waved