american literature: test 1

Question 1

three main themes in american literature:

Answer 1

1. american individualism
   2, the american dream
2. equality

Question 2

what are two parts to the idea of american individualism?

Answer 2

1. the self-made man
2. celebrates ambition and achievement

Question 3

in your own words, what does american individualism mean?

Answer 3

working hard for what you desire

Question 4

definition of the american dream:

Answer 4

anyone can become whatever she or he wants to become through hard work, determination, and perseverance.

Question 5

who embodies the first example of the american dream in american literature?

Answer 5

john smith

Question 6

who was originally excluded from this idea when the declaration of independence was written?

Answer 6

africans, native americans, women

Question 7

what is the melting pot theory?

Answer 7

immigrants assimilate into our culture and become americans

Question 8

who first coined the term “melting pot?”

Answer 8

hector st. jean de clevecoeur

Question 9

what is the salad bowl theory

Answer 9

immigrants retain separate identities while making up part of the whole and adopt a hyphenated american name.

Question 10

native american literature dates:

Answer 10

pre-1620

Question 11

colonial literature dates:

Answer 11

1620-1750

Question 12

revolutionary literature dates:

Answer 12

1750-1815

Question 13

romantic literature dates:

Answer 13

1800-1865

Question 14

realism literature dates:

Answer 14

1850-1900

Question 15

maturalism literature dates:

Answer 15

1880-1940

Question 16

modernism literature dates:

Answer 16

1900-1950

Question 17

postmodernalism literature dates:

Answer 17

1950-present

Question 18

the native american period began an oral tradition of

Answer 18

songs and stories

Question 19

when were the oral stories and songs recorded in writing?

Answer 19

after colonization

Question 20

what did early colonists create and establish?

Answer 20

towns and new governments

Question 21

what two things did early colonists want?

Answer 21

religious freedom and opportunities

Question 22

did all early colonists travel to the new world for religious freedom?

Answer 22

no

Question 23

when did colonists begin using the term “american?”

Answer 23

mid-1700s

Question 24

most colonists were from __________

Answer 24

England

Question 25

other colonists arrived from what european countries?

Answer 25

France, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, and Spain

Question 26

t/f: the colonial population included enslaved africans

Answer 26

true

Question 27

t/f: many native american tribes were displaced due to colonial settlement

Answer 27

true

Question 28

t/f: puritans dominate the literature of the colonial era

Answer 28

true

Question 29

what is puritan plain style?

Answer 29

writing that is simple and direct

Question 30

what is “theocracy?”

Answer 30

government in which God is recognized as the supreme authority

Question 31

explain faith, original sin, work ethic, and simplicity in the colonial era:

Answer 31

faith: daily life
Original sin: all are corrupt and need a savior
work ethic: belief in hard work
simplicity: no frill living, Plain colors, plain hairstyles, etc.

Question 32

puritan writing is ________ and __________

Answer 32

utilitarian, instructive

Question 33

t/f: puritan writers wanted to be professional writers

Answer 33

false

Question 34

four types of puritan writings:

Answer 34

sermons, diaries, personal narratives, poetry

Question 35

representative authors:

Answer 35

1. John Smith
2. William Bradford
3. John Winthrop
4. Jonathan Edwards
5. Anne Bradstreet
6. Phillis Wheatley
7. Olaudah Equiano