Quilt of a Country Overview

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Questions and Answers

How is the United States similar to a quilt?

It is patched together from dissimilar parts.

What ideals are in constant conflict in the United States?

Community and Individualism.

How did the two world wars and the Cold War unite the people of the United States?

They provided a common enemy upon whom Americans could focus.

Why do many Americans accept new immigrants to this country?

Because they are a reminder of how Americans' immigrant ancestors adapted to American life. Signup and view all the answers

Which word is an antonym for discordant?

Harmonious Signup and view all the answers

What gives the most accurate description of a pluralistic society?

A pluralistic society contains a mix of religions, cultures, and traditions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the best example of diversity in a town?

The town has residents from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Signup and view all the answers

What point is the author making about her father's old neighborhood?

Conflicts and divisions between immigrant groups have appeared throughout history. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main message the writer is trying to communicate?

It is amazing that a country made up of such diverse people can be united as one nation. Signup and view all the answers

How does Quindlen link the citizens and the new immigrant populations?

By claiming that most Americans can see how the new immigrants are very similar to their own immigrant ancestors. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does Quindlen create by repeating the word enormous?

The effect is to help the reader shift from one idea, tragedy, to its opposite, blessings. Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's main purpose in 'A Quilt of a Country'?

To reflect on how America is united despite its many ethnic groups. Signup and view all the answers

How does the author use her own experience to illustrate a key point about American identity?

It uses her own experience to illustrate a key point about American identity. Signup and view all the answers

What difficulty or contradiction in American identity does the analogy of the quilt capture?

Because a quilt provides comfort, the analogy captures the way immigrants have been able to make the United States into a home. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most likely purpose for Quindlen's offering the analogy of a quilt during September 11 attacks?

She celebrates the diversity of a quilt as a way of lifting people above sorrow by reinforcing their pride in their country. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Latin prefix dis- affect the meaning of a word?

It changes the word to mean its opposite. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most likely meaning of the verb discredit?

To damage the reputation of someone. Signup and view all the answers

Choose two precise nouns from the sentence that are most precise: 'there is that Calvinist undercurrent in the American psyche that loves the difficult...'

Prairie Signup and view all the answers

What are two vivid words in the excerpt 'mixed marriage, Italian girl, Irish boy'?

Quaint and incendiary. Signup and view all the answers

What idea does Quindlen convey by using the precise noun 'mongrel'?

The word mongrel implies a humorous pride in the quirky, unexpected characteristics of a mixed-breed dog. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Quilt of a Country Overview

The United States is compared to a quilt, symbolizing its diverse and dissimilar parts that come together harmoniously.
Community and individualism are ideals in constant conflict within American society.

Historical Context

World War I, World War II, and the Cold War unified Americans by providing common enemies to rally against.
Acceptance of new immigrants often stems from their resemblance to the immigrant ancestors of many Americans.

Pluralism and Diversity

A pluralistic society is characterized by a mix of religions, cultures, and traditions.
Examples of diversity can be seen in towns with residents from various continents, such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Immigrant Experiences and Encounters

Historical divisions between immigrant groups, such as Jewish and Irish communities, illustrate ongoing conflicts.
Quote highlights that the coexistence of different immigrant groups varies over time, reflecting historical tensions.

Main Themes

Overall message emphasizes America’s remarkable unity in diversity.
Struggles and tragedies, such as the September 11 attacks, reinforce a collective identity among the diverse population.

Quotations and Support

Use of personal experiences, like being from a mixed marriage background, enhances the narrative about American identity.
The analogy of a quilt symbolizes comfort and home, showcasing how immigrants have contributed to building the nation.

Language and Literary Devices

Repetition of "enormous" shifts focus from tragedy to blessings, creating a powerful contrast.
The prefix "dis-" alters words to imply oppositeness, exemplified by "discredit," which means to damage someone's reputation.

Reflection and Pride

Patriotism in America involves taking pride in the ability to unify diverse groups under one nation despite differences.
The term "mongrel" conveys a humorous pride in American diversity, highlighting the mix of cultures that define the nation.

Visual Representation

Assembling photographs of the fallen from the World Trade Center portrays a tapestry of skin colors and features, symbolizing the global fabric of American society.

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Description

Explore the concept of the United States as a quilt, representing its various cultures and ideals of community versus individualism. This quiz delves into the historical context of American unity during major conflicts and examines the diversity and immigrant experiences throughout history.