2023-2024 American Literature Review Questions PDF

Review for Option 1 1. Native American literature primarily consisted of oral traditions such as __________. 2. Creation myths often describe the origins of the __________. 3. Much of Native American literature was lost due to __________. 4. Native American creation myths often e...

Review for Option 1 1. Native American literature primarily consisted of oral traditions such as __________. 2. Creation myths often describe the origins of the __________. 3. Much of Native American literature was lost due to __________. 4. Native American creation myths often explain __________ and humankind's origins. 5. The oral tradition was essential for preserving Native Americans’ __________. 6. Exploration narratives were written by early settlers to __________. 7. Travel narratives provided accounts of __________ through the developing country. 8. Religious writings dominated the literature of the __________ period. 9. The Salem Witch Trials influenced Puritan literature’s focus on __________. 10. The first American novel, The Power of Love, was written by __________. 11. Anne Bradstreet’s poetry reflected inspiration from the __________ environment of America. 12. The first volume of poetry in America was titled __________ and published in 1650. 13. Early American fiction began to develop after the __________ Revolution. 14. The Enlightenment introduced ideas of __________ and scientific discovery into American literature. 15. Political writings during the Enlightenment promoted __________ as a natural right. 16. Romanticism stressed __________ over reason. 17. Washington Irving’s The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon helped shape American __________. 18. Rip Van Winkle slept for __________ years. 19. Rip Van Winkle reflects the transition from colonial America to __________ America. 20. The Catskill Mountains in Rip Van Winkle symbolize the __________ of nature. 21. Rip Van Winkle slept through the __________ Revolution. 22. Romanticism often romanticized __________ life and the frontier. 23. Washington Irving’s works reflect themes of nostalgia and __________. 24. Transcendentalist literature emphasized individualism and a connection to __________. 25. Romantic poetry often used __________ to highlight emotional intensity. 26. Symbolism in Transcendentalist literature ties abstract ideas to __________ elements. 27. Uncle Tom’s Cabin critiques the institution of __________. 28. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin to promote the abolition of __________. 29. Simon Legree in Uncle Tom’s Cabin symbolizes the __________ of slavery. 30. The martyrdom of Uncle Tom serves as a critique of __________. 31. Uncle Tom’s Cabin emphasizes the moral conflict of __________. 32. The North and South in Uncle Tom’s Cabin reflect broader themes of __________. 33. Harriet Beecher Stowe used religion to highlight the injustice of __________. 34. Realist literature focuses on the accurate depiction of __________ life. 35. Realism avoids romanticized depictions of __________. 36. Naturalist literature often highlights characters struggling against __________. 37. Naturalist literature portrays characters as shaped by __________ forces. 38. Realism emerged in American literature after the __________ War. 39. Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer satirizes the __________ of small-town life. 40. The whitewashing scene highlights Tom Sawyer’s __________ and resourcefulness. 41. Aunt Polly punishes Tom by making him __________ the fence. 42. Tom uses trinkets to buy tickets in __________ school. 43. Huckleberry Finn serves as a foil to Tom Sawyer, reflecting __________ values. 44. The Mississippi River symbolizes freedom and the possibility of __________. 45. Twain uses humor to contrast Tom’s imagination with adult __________. 46. Twain critiques societal norms using satire and __________. 47. Twain’s portrayal of Injun Joe highlights racial and cultural __________. 48. Modernism deliberately breaks away from __________ themes and styles. 49. Modernist literature focuses on searching for __________ and breaking with tradition. 50. Hemingway’s writing style is characterized by __________ dialogue and simplicity. 51. The Old Man and the Sea is set near a __________ and the Gulf of Mexico. 52. Santiago battles the marlin for __________ without giving up hope. 53. The marlin in Hemingway’s novella symbolizes pride and __________. 54. The novella demonstrates the theme of __________ through perseverance. 55. Hemingway’s iceberg theory emphasizes what is left __________ the surface. 56. Hemingway uses repetition to reflect Santiago’s __________. 57. Sparse dialogue underscores themes of isolation and __________. 58. Hemingway’s vivid description of the marlin highlights his use of __________ and symbolism. 59. Naturalist literature often portrays the struggle between humans and __________ forces. 60. The Old Man and the Sea critiques societal definitions of success and __________. 61. Santiago refers to the marlin as his __________, symbolizing respect for nature. 62. Native American legends often employ vivid __________ imagery. 63. The Enlightenment introduced ideas of reason and __________ into American literature. 64. Travel narratives reflected the diversity and challenges of __________. 65. Romanticism emphasizes __________ and emotional depth. 66. Washington Irving’s stories depict America’s transformation through __________. 67. Harriet Beecher Stowe used the death of Uncle Tom to inspire readers to __________. 68. Twain critiques the small-mindedness of authority figures using __________. 69. Santiago’s long battle represents the human capacity for __________.  70. Modernism reflects the increasing __________ of 20th-century society. Suggested answers: 1. legends and myths 2. world and humankind 3. colonization 4. natural phenomena 5. culture and traditions 6. document their discoveries 7. landscape and challenges 8. Puritan 9. sin and morality 10. William Hill Brown 11. New England 12. "The Tenth Muse" 13. American 14. reason 15. freedom 16. emotion 17. American literature 18. twenty 19. post-Revolutionary 20. power 21. American 22. rural 23. change 24. nature 25. imagery 26. concrete 27. slavery 28. slavery 29. cruelty 30. injustice 31. freedom 32. oppression 33. slavery 34. ordinary 35. idealized realities 36. harsh environments 37. external 38. Civil 39. hypocrisy 40. creativity 41. whitewash 42. Sunday 43. independent 44. escape 45. responsibilities 46. irony 47. biases 48. traditional 49. new ideas 50. concise 51. fishing village 52. three days 53. dignity 54. strength 55. beneath 56. perseverance 57. solitude 58. imagery 59. natural 60. achievement 61. brother 62. visual 63. logic 64. early America 65. imagination 66. nostalgia 67. abolish slavery 68. satire 69. resilience 70. complexity Review questions for Option 2 1. How does Rip Van Winkle reflect the cultural changes in America after the Revolution? 2. Analyze the whitewashing scene in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. What does it reveal about Tom’s character and Twain’s critique of societal values? 3. Explain the symbolism of the marlin and the sharks in The Old Man and the Sea. 4. Discuss how Harriet Beecher Stowe portrays the humanity of enslaved people in Uncle Tom’s Cabin. 5. What role do oral traditions play in Native American literature, and how do they preserve cultural values? 6. How does Washington Irving use irony in Rip Van Winkle to highlight Rip’s relationship with his wife? 7. Discuss the significance of Huck Finn as a foil to Tom Sawyer in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. 8. Explain how the setting of the Catskill Mountains in Rip Van Winkle shapes the story's tone and themes. 9. In The Old Man and the Sea, what does Santiago’s struggle with the marlin reveal about human dignity and resilience? 10. How does Harriet Beecher Stowe use contrasting characters to symbolize different attitudes toward slavery in Uncle Tom’s Cabin? 11. How does Rip Van Winkle explore themes of nostalgia and the transition from colonial to post-Revolutionary America? 12. Analyze the role of humor in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, particularly in contrasting Tom’s imaginative world with adult responsibilities. 13. How does Hemingway’s minimalist style in The Old Man and the Sea enhance the story’s themes of perseverance and isolation? 14. What is the significance of Eliza’s escape across the ice in Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and what does it reveal about maternal love and freedom? 15. Discuss how Twain’s use of Southern dialects in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer adds authenticity to the narrative and reflects societal norms. Suggested answers: 1. Rip Van Winkle reflects the cultural changes in post-Revolutionary America through its exploration of personal and societal transformation. Rip’s long sleep symbolizes a transition from colonial rule to independence, marked by new values and institutions. The replacement of the king’s portrait with George Washington’s represents a shift in national identity, while Rip’s unchanged demeanor highlights resistance to change amid societal progress. 2. The whitewashing scene in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer reveals Tom’s cleverness and ability to manipulate others by turning work into a desirable activity. Twain uses this scene to critique societal values, showing how perception can influence behavior and how easily people are swayed by appearances, reflecting broader societal gullibility and conformity. 3. The marlin in The Old Man and the Sea symbolizes Santiago’s ultimate challenge and human dignity, while the sharks represent destructive forces that diminish achievements. Together, they emphasize the inevitability of struggle and loss in life. The marlin embodies Santiago’s respect for nature, while the sharks underline the harshness of fate and survival. 4. Harriet Beecher Stowe portrays the humanity of enslaved people in Uncle Tom’s Cabin through characters like Uncle Tom and Eliza, who display deep love, sacrifice, and moral integrity. By showing their struggles and resilience, Stowe challenges the dehumanizing stereotypes of slavery, evoking empathy from readers and urging them to question the morality of the institution. 5. Oral traditions in Native American literature preserve cultural values by passing down legends, creation myths, and moral lessons. They emphasize the interconnectedness of humans with nature and the spiritual world. These stories also function as historical records, teaching younger generations about the beliefs, values, and practices of their communities. 6. Washington Irving uses irony in Rip Van Winkle to highlight Rip’s strained relationship with his wife, Dame Van Winkle. Rip’s escape to the mountains and his eventual long sleep represent his subconscious desire to evade her nagging. The humor in Rip’s passive resistance contrasts with the drastic societal changes he encounters upon waking. 7. Huck Finn serves as a foil to Tom Sawyer by embodying freedom, independence, and moral integrity, contrasting with Tom’s playful and imaginative nature. Huck’s pragmatic outlook highlights societal hypocrisy and injustice, while Tom’s focus on adventure and rules underscores Twain’s critique of societal conventions. 8. The Catskill Mountains in Rip Van Winkle provide a magical and timeless setting that enhances the story’s nostalgic tone. The isolation of the mountains allows Rip to escape from his responsibilities and contrasts with the bustling, changed village he encounters after his sleep. This setting reflects themes of personal and societal transformation. 9. Santiago’s struggle with the marlin in The Old Man and the Sea reveals the human capacity for dignity and resilience. Despite his physical suffering, Santiago demonstrates unwavering determination, reflecting a universal theme of enduring hardship with grace. His battle also symbolizes the human drive to achieve greatness against overwhelming odds. 10. Harriet Beecher Stowe contrasts characters like the kind-hearted Shelbys and the cruel Simon Legree in Uncle Tom’s Cabin to symbolize different attitudes toward slavery. The Shelbys’ reluctance to sell Tom reflects moral conflict, while Legree’s brutality embodies the dehumanizing effects of slavery. These contrasts emphasize the need for abolition and moral accountability. 11. Rip Van Winkle explores themes of nostalgia and transition by portraying Rip’s unchanged personality against the backdrop of a dramatically altered society. His sleep symbolizes the passing of colonial America, while his awakening reflects the emergence of an independent nation. The story highlights the inevitability of change and the challenges of adaptation. 12. Humor in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer contrasts Tom’s imaginative world with adult responsibilities. For instance, his antics, like persuading friends to whitewash the fence, showcase his cleverness and playfulness. Twain uses humor to highlight the innocence and creativity of childhood while subtly critiquing adult rigidity and societal norms. 13. Hemingway’s minimalist style in The Old Man and the Sea enhances the themes of perseverance and isolation by focusing on essential details and omitting unnecessary exposition. This spare prose mirrors Santiago’s solitary struggle and emphasizes the universality of his experience, making the story emotionally resonant and timeless. 14. Eliza’s escape across the ice in Uncle Tom’s Cabin symbolizes maternal love and the pursuit of freedom. Her desperate act to save her child highlights the moral urgency of the abolitionist cause. This dramatic scene underscores the inhumanity of slavery and appeals to readers’ emotions, fostering empathy and support for change. 15. Twain’s use of Southern dialects in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer adds authenticity to the narrative, immersing readers in the culture and speech of the time. These dialects reflect regional identity, societal norms, and characters’ personalities, enhancing the realism of the story and Twain’s critique of societal flaws.