10 Questions
Which of the following best describes the theme of self-help books in the 1970s?
Predictable crises of adult life
The newspaper USA Today was first published in 1992.
False
What is the term used to describe software programs distributed for free or at a minimal cost?
Freeware or shareware
The trend of questioning an ordered view of the world is known as ______________________.
Postmodernism
Match the following publications with their locations:
La Voz de Houston = Texas Nguoi Viet = California Korea Times = New York City
Which of the following authors wrote the novel 'Breathing Lessons'?
Anne Tyler
The novel 'The Joy Luck Club' is written by a male author.
False
What is a common theme among writers during this period of uncertainty?
personal change, generational change, and cultural identity
The novel 'The Joy Luck Club' draws upon the author's own _______________________ history.
family
Match the authors with their corresponding cultural heritage:
Toni Morrison = African American Amy Tan = Asian American N. Scott Momaday = Native American Sandra Cisneros = Latin American
Study Notes
The 1970s and Self-Help Books
- The 1970s, referred to as the "Me Decade", saw a rise in popularity of self-help books, such as Gail Sheehy's "Passages: Predictable Crises of Adult Life".
- This trend reflected people's growing interest in personal growth and self-improvement.
The 1980s and 1990s: Racial and Ethnic Concerns
- In the 1980s and 1990s, books focused on racial and ethnic concerns, as well as poverty, became prominent.
- Examples of such books include Richard Rodriguez's "Hunger of Memory" (1981) and Alex Kotlowitz's "There Are No Children Here" (1991), which explores life in a housing project.
New-Style News
- In 1982, USA Today became a successful national newspaper, characterized by its brief articles and bold use of color and graphics.
- The rise of the Internet enabled Americans to access news and feature articles online.
Newcomer Publications
- The resurgence of immigration led to a revival of the foreign-language press, with over 300 newspapers and magazines written in languages other than English.
- Examples of such publications include "La Voz de Houston" in Texas, "Nguoi Viet" in California, and "Korea Times" in New York City.
Postmodernism and Writing
- The post-war period saw a shift towards Postmodernism, characterized by a questioning of fixed standards and an emphasis on diversity and experimentation in writing.
- Writers of this period, such as Anne Sexton, John Updike, and Simon J. Ortiz, explored themes of personal change, generational change, and cultural identity.
Diversity in American Literature
- Immigration and increasing opportunities for women led to a greater diversity of experiences and voices in American literature.
- Writers from diverse backgrounds, such as Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, and Amy Tan, contributed to the enrichment of American cultural heritage.
Notable Literary Works
- Anne Tyler's Pulitzer-Prize novel "Breathing Lessons" (1988) explores the lives of an ordinary middle-aged couple through flashbacks and introspection.
- Amy Tan's novel "The Joy Luck Club" (1989) draws on her own family history to explore themes of gender, generation, culture, and family through the voices of immigrant Chinese women and their Chinese American daughters.
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