Response to Dan's metaphor.

I also think this metaphor will give you great flexibility. I very interested in what works and/or research paper topics will end up coming out of this metaphor. I know that your interested in 19th century American literature. It may be interesting to chronologically map out through your paper topics the change from spring as a prevalent metaphor in American literature( the birth of a new nation) to winter (the decay caused by industrial revolution and/or the decline of the American dream in the early 20th century).