Southern Literature and Gilded Age Themes

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Questions and Answers

What is a central theme associated with characters who are described as aristocratic, young, handsome, witty, and free?

They are characterized by their strong desire to grow and evolve.

They are typically content with their lives and avoid seeking change.

Their experiences are shaped by a deep understanding of the world around them.

They often experience disappointment due to their lack of development. (correct)

What was a key consequence of the South losing the Civil War?

Southerners began to question assumptions about their lives before the war. (correct)

There was a widespread embrace of the changes brought about by the Reconstruction Era.

The South experienced a rapid economic boom due to new opportunities in the North.

Southerners actively sought to restore their pre-war social hierarchy and political power.

What time period saw the emergence of the 'New South'?

The New South (1970s to present day) (correct)

The First Great Migration (1910-1930)

The Reconstruction Era (1865-1877)

The Antebellum Period (1800-1860)

What is a key feature of Southern Literature during the Southern Literary Renaissance Era (1929-1955)?

A renewed interest in exploring the realities of Southern life and identity. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key contribution of Charles Waddell Chesnutt to American literature?

He was the first African American author to be published in the prestigious Atlantic Monthly. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable characteristic of Ellen Glasgow's work?

She sought to portray the South in a more realistic and nuanced light. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of realism in art?

Accurate, unromanticized observation of life and nature (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which societal change followed the Civil War, leading to the emergence of realism in literature?

Shift from agrarian society to urban industrialism (A) Signup and view all the answers

Who were the businessmen often referred to as 'robber barons' during the Gilded Age?

Business leaders who became rich through ruthless and manipulative tactics (A) Signup and view all the answers

What key themes did realism in literature focus on during the Gilded Age?

Everyday existence and social realities (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant result of westward expansion during the Gilded Age?

Rapid urbanization and development of railroads (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the primary motivations for the establishment of Jamestown, Virginia?

Economic gain (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which document is associated with William Bradford's account of Plymouth Colony?

History of Plymouth Plantation (B) Signup and view all the answers

How did Puritans view human nature according to their beliefs?

Evil and sinful, needing divine intervention (D) Signup and view all the answers

What principle underlied the Puritan belief in predestination?

A chosen few are saved by God's grace (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of worship did Puritans seek to reform in the Church of England?

Simplifying worship and organization (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was considered a sign of God's grace by the Puritans?

Personal wealth and success (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to Edmund Morgan, what dilemma did Puritanism create for individuals?

It taught them they could do evil yet still hope for salvation (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why was literacy considered essential among the Puritans?

To read the Bible, as it was their most important text (C) Signup and view all the answers

What role did setting play in local color and regional literature?

It was integral to the story and could act as a character. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What thematic tension is commonly present in regional literature?

Conflicts between urban ways and nostalgic rural values. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which author is NOT considered a representative of Southern local color literature?

Harriet Beecher Stowe (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the aim of modernism in literature during the early 20th century?

To respond critically to the loss of confidence in absolutes. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT typical of local color stories?

Involvement of complex, dynamic plots. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which author is known for the phrase 'to make it new' in relation to modernist literature?

Ezra Pound (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was a common feature of characters in local color stories?

They adhered to the old ways and depicted regional dialects. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What did the beginning of modernism in literature signify?

A reaction against Romanticism and a shift in cultural values. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus of American realism in literature?

Accuracy and objectivity of representation (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT commonly associated with realism?

Use of poetic and elevated language (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which genre does 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' NOT belong to?

Romanticism (B) Signup and view all the answers

What societal conflict is explored in 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'?

Natural goodness vs false ideals of society (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was one reason for the controversy surrounding 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'?

The perceived immorality and bad grammar in the text (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the setting of 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'?

St. Petersburg, Missouri, before the Civil War (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following authors is considered a representative of American realism?

William Dean Howells (C) Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of language is highlighted in the characters of American realism?

Reflective of dialects, class, and race (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a typical theme found in Faulkner's writing?

The desire for a return to traditional values and a romanticized past (C) Signup and view all the answers

Faulkner's use of "stream of consciousness" can best be characterized by which of the following?

A focus on the inner thoughts and feelings of characters, often presented in a non-linear way (A) Signup and view all the answers

Malcolm Cowley's contribution to Faulkner's literary recognition was primarily in:

Organizing Faulkner's previously scattered works into a chronological sequence (D) Signup and view all the answers

How did Faulkner's work differ from the traditional realist fiction of his time?

Faulkner rejected linear narratives and embraced a more fragmented and ambiguous approach to reality. (A) Signup and view all the answers

The use of "colloquial dialogue of Mississippi" in Faulkner's writing contributes to which of the following?

A sense of realism and authenticity in depicting Southern culture (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about the impact of the publication of Malcolm Cowley's chronological arrangement of Faulkner's works?

It established Faulkner as a major literary figure and solidified his reputation. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Faulkner's writing style?

Focus on creating a clear and straightforward narrative (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following American literary periods is NOT mentioned in the context of the provided content?

Realism (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Puritan Beginnings of American Literature

Puritans migrated to the New World for economic reasons (to establish a colony) and idealistic reasons (seeking religious freedom)
Jamestown, Virginia was the first permanent English settlement in 1607
Captain John Smith's writings documented the early Virginia colony
Pocahontas was a notable figure in early Virginia history
Puritans believed God had entrusted them with a mission
Plymouth, Massachusetts was settled in 1630
William Bradford's narrative of Plymouth Plantation provided valuable insights into Puritan life
Puritans believed in predestination and that human nature was inherently evil, requiring grace from God to be saved

Pilgrims and Puritans

Puritans were a general term for English Protestants who wanted to purify the Church of England
They objected to rituals, decorations, and organizational aspects of the Church of England
Puritans followed the principle of forming churches through voluntary compacts or covenants
The idea of forming churches through voluntary compacts or covenants was central to Puritan social, political, and religious organizations

Puritan Beliefs

Puritans believed human nature was inherently evil and sinful
Predestination meant God pre-ordained who would be saved
God's grace was irresistible, only a select few would be saved
Success in worldly endeavors reflected God's grace
Literacy was essential; everyone needed to know how to read the Bible

The Puritan Dilemma

Puritanism required devotion to seeking salvation, but individuals felt powerless to affect their fate
Faith in Christ was paramount, but salvation was pre-ordained
Individuals felt conflicted between their devout nature and the uncertainty of God's will

Mayflower Compact

The earliest document of democracy in America which laid the foundation for direct popular government
It was drawn up by the majority of the people for the general good by mutual agreement

Puritan Literature

Puritans read the Bible, religious essays, and philosophical books
Their writing style emphasized clarity and theological purpose
They avoided drama and fiction
They wrote histories, chronicles, auto-biographies, diaries, and meditations
William Bradford's "Of Plymouth Plantation" offers significant insights into the Puritans

American Enlightenment

18th-century period in America inspired by British and French Enlightenment thought
Inspired skeptical and optimistic views on religion, human nature, and politics
Influenced by leading thinkers such as Isaac Newton and John Locke
Puritan/Calvinist beliefs gave way to new ideas about religious experience, shifts in religious views, human experience, individual reason, and nature being superior to religion
Deism - Belief in God as the creator but not necessarily intervening in the world.

Jonathan Edwards

He was a prominent figure in The Great Awakening, a religious revival movement in 18th-century America
Edwards’s fiery sermons emphasized sin, God’s wrath, and the importance of salvation.
He preached the doctrine of predestination.
He was a skillful writer and theologian

Thomas Jefferson

Author of the Declaration of Independence
Inspired by John Locke and the Enlightenment’s emphasis on natural rights (life, liberty, and property)
Believed that governmental authority stems from the consent of the governed

Enlightenment Writing in America

Political journalism was a predominant form of writing
Pamphlets and newspaper articles provided important political commentaries
Benjamin Franklin's "Poor Richard's Almanack" featured practical advice and observations
This writing style aimed to serve a purpose to convey a certain political view

Poor Richard's Almanack

Written and edited by Benjamin Franklin.
It featured calendars, weather predictions, and aphorisms (short, pithy sayings)
Offered practical wisdom and ethical advice

Washington Irving

Widely considered the father of American literature for his writing of the first stories.
Focused on folklore, history, and creating narrative of the American character
His stories such as "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" used American folklore

James Fenimore Cooper

Established as the first major American novelist
Credited with creating the American ideal of the “noble savage”
His Leatherstocking Tales introduced Natty Bumppo, a frontiersman character, who embodied the virtue, courage, and connection with nature

Washington Irving, and James Fenimore Cooper

They were significant figures in the development of American national identity
Their writings reflected the nascent American identity while drawing on the American past
They were important pioneers of the American short story

Transcendentalism

Emphasized intuition, self-reliance, and the importance of nature
Leaders like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Margaret Fuller influenced American thought and literature.
These writers explored the individual’s relationship to nature and society

Dark Romanticism

Authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Herman Melville questioned the optimistic views of Transcendentalism
Focused on darker themes like sin, guilt, despair, and the human capacity for evil
Their works often explored deeply psychological aspects of the human condition

Individualism

It was an important aspect of Transcendentalist writings, focusing on the ability of each person to cultivate their unique character and spirituality without being influenced by society
A reaction to the restrictive social norms of the past generations

Nature

Represents natural world as a source of inspiration, truth, and deeper understanding
Writers viewed it as integral to the spiritual experience and individual connection with God

Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick

Moby-Dick became highly regarded by many in later centuries as an exemplary work
The book was a deep exploration of human nature, good vs evil, and the search for knowledge

Realism

Authors like Mark Twain and Kate Chopin reflected a new approach to American literature
Focused on portraying life realistically, often addressing social issues and challenges

Modernism

A reaction to the societal changes of the time, authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald and T.S. Eliot explored the challenges of modern life
Modern writers often used a stream-of-consciousness technique to mimic flow of thought and feelings to readers

The Harlem Renaissance

A cultural movement centered in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City.
It encompassed a period (1920-1930) of literary and artistic flourishing in the African-American community
Celebrated African Americans’ histories, experiences, and artistic achievements

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Explore key themes, characters, and significant events from Southern literature and the Gilded Age through this quiz. You'll encounter questions about notable authors, societal changes, and the impact of historical events on literature. Test your knowledge on the intricacies of realism and the Southern Literary Renaissance.