Early American Literature Quiz

Stories passed down through generations by word of mouth, often used to teach morals, history, or beliefs.

Myths that explain the creation of the universe, earth, and possibly humanity.

The process of colonization and cultural assimilation led to the loss of many Native American traditions, including written literature.

Stories written by early European explorers about their experiences in the Americas.

These accounts detailed the experiences of travelers in early America, providing a glimpse into different cultures and landscapes.

Writings focusing on the religious beliefs and moral values of puritan society.

The Salem Witch Trials influenced Puritan literature to explore themes of suspicion, guilt, and persecution.

A literary movement that valued emotion, imagination, and individuality over reason and logic, emphasizing nature, spirituality, and the individual.

The accurate representation of everyday life.

Characters facing forces beyond their control.

Twain's novel that satirizes small-town life.

Huckleberry Finn's contrast to Tom Sawyer, representing different values.

A style marked by concise language, simple structures.

Santiago's relentless struggle against the marlin, emphasizing perseverance.

Hemingway's theory, suggesting hidden depth in seemingly simple writing.

A technique using repeated elements to highlight emotions or themes.

A literary technique that uses humor, exaggeration, and irony to critique societal values or individuals.

The ability to recover from difficult situations, often through strength and resilience.

The use of images and descriptive language to create vivid and memorable experiences for the reader.

The ability to endure hardship and challenges, often through determination and courage.

A literary technique that uses words or phrases with a meaning opposite to their literal meaning to create humor or emphasis.

Rip Van Winkle's long sleep symbolizes the transition from colonial rule to independence, reflecting the change in American identity marked by new values and institutions. The replacement of the king's portrait with George Washington's portrays the shift in national identity, while Rip's unchanged demeanor highlights resistance to change amidst a changing society.

Santiago's struggle with the marlin reflects human dignity and resilience. The marlin symbolizes his ultimate challenge and respect for nature, while the sharks represent destructive forces that diminish achievements and highlight the harshness of fate and survival.

The whitewashing scene demonstrates Tom's cleverness and ability to manipulate others by turning work into a desirable activity. Twain critiques societal values by showing how perception can influence behavior and how easily people are swayed by appearances.

Harriet Beecher Stowe uses characters like Uncle Tom and Eliza to highlight the humanity of enslaved people. Characters like Uncle Tom and Eliza display deep love, sacrifice, and moral integrity, contrasting sharply with the cruelty and injustice of slavery.

Eliza's escape across the ice symbolizes maternal love and freedom. Her desperate journey emphasizes the lengths mothers would go to protect their children and fight for their freedom, highlighting the brutality of slavery and the resilience of the human spirit.

Twain uses Southern dialects to add authenticity to the narrative. The dialects provide a realistic portrayal of the time period and the unique speech patterns of the characters, reflecting societal norms of the American South.

The use of humor in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" to highlight the contrast between Tom's imaginative world and the adult responsibilities he faces. Tom's antics, like his clever whitewashing scheme, showcase his playfulness and intelligence, criticizing the seriousness and rigidity of adult life.

Hemingway's writing style in "The Old Man and the Sea" that emphasizes simplicity and clarity, focusing on key details and eliminating unnecessary descriptions. His minimal prose reflects Santiago's solitary struggle and emphasizes the universality of his experience.

The scene in "Uncle Tom's Cabin" where Eliza escapes across the ice, representing the desperation and determination of a mother to secure freedom for her child. This dramatic act highlights the moral urgency of the abolitionist cause and the inhumanity of slavery.

The use of Southern dialects in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" to add authenticity to the narrative, immersing readers in the culture and speech of the time. These dialects reveal regional identity, societal norms, and characters' personalities, enhancing the realism of the story.

A literary device where a character's symbolic awakening signifies a transformation or shift in perspective. In the context of colonial America, a character's awakening often reflects the emergence of a new national identity and independence.

Using contrasting characters, like the kind Shelbys and the brutal Simon Legree, to highlight the moral struggle of slavery and the impact on oppressed people.

The use of irony to show Rip's desire to escape his wife's nagging through his escape to the mountains and his long sleep. The humor of his actions contrasts with the changes he finds upon waking.

The ability of Santiago, despite his struggles, to represent human resilience and dignity in the face of extreme hardship. His fight with the marlin symbolizes the human drive to achieve greatness even when facing great odds.

Huck Finn displays freedom, independence, and morality, contrasting with the playful and imaginative Tom Sawyer. Huck's pragmatism exposes societal flaws, while Tom's focus on adventure highlights Twain's criticism of social norms.

By portraying the unchanged Rip against the backdrop of a transformed society, the story explores themes of nostalgia and the passage of time.

The Catskill Mountains serve as a magical, timeless setting that adds a nostalgic tone to the story. The isolation allows Rip to escape his responsibilities and contrasts with the changed village he encounters upon waking. This setting reflects themes of personal and societal change.

Native American oral traditions preserve cultural values by passing down stories, legends, myths and teachings. They emphasize the connection between humans, nature, and the spirit world. These stories also function as historical records.

Stowe challenges the dehumanizing stereotypes of slavery by focusing on the struggles and resilience of enslaved people, aiming to evoke empathy in readers and inspire a questioning of the institution's morality.