Era of Change, Optimism, New Beginnings, & Pessimism

Question 1

What had to occur before a distinctly American Literature could exist?

Answer 1

Dependence on English literature had to be abandoned before a distinctly American Literature could exist.

Question 2

Where was the first permanent settlement in the New World?

Answer 2

Jamestown, Virginia

Question 3

What sustained the Pilgrims through the hardships of their first years in New England?

Answer 3

1) will to succeed

2) confidence in Gods providential care.

Question 4

What was the cause of Puritanism’s decline?

Answer 4

1) spiritual fervor declined
2) material prosperity brought worldly interests and goals.
3) secular values were replacing religious ones.

Question 5

Because colonial literature naturally reflected the interests and concerns of its writers, it is not surprising that the earliest authors wrote mostly about-

Answer 5

Adversity.

Question 6

Once the colonists had established permanent settlements, the subject matter of literature predominantly concerned -

Answer 6

Religion

Question 7

Underlying the literary romanticism of the period of National Optimism was -

Answer 7

1) a national mood of optimism.

2) a spirit of confidence in the economy, political system, and the citizenry of the nation.

Question 8

Literary Romanticism was a revolt against the literary values of -

Answer 8

Previous Age.

Question 9

As Romanticism brought respectability to american letters, american writers made important contributions to what 2 genres?

Answer 9

1) short story

2) the novel.

Question 10

The crucial turning point in our national spirit came thus during-

Answer 10

American Romanticism.

Question 11

What event brought more attacks against the Bible than did any other source?

Answer 11

Publication of Darwin’s, Origin of Species.

Question 12

The new literary spirit of romanticism dominated American literature during what years?

Answer 12

1820-1865.

Question 13

Realism and Naturalism appeared on the literary scene in the period-

Answer 13

1865- 1914.

Question 14

The 3 major groups of writers during this period were -

Answer 14

1) regionalists
2) realists
3) naturalists

Question 15

The 3 writers who are considered the ‘ masters of realism’ are -

Answer 15

1) Howell
2) James
3) Clemens.

Question 16

How are the naturalists best described? What is their belief?

Answer 16

Naturalists are best described as they believed that life was controlled be inexplicable forces. They portrayed man as more beast than human.

Question 17

The regionalists served as the transition between what 2 groups of writers?

Answer 17

Major romantics and major realists.

Question 18

What event in 1914 marred the end of the literary period characterized by the emergence of realism and naturalism?

Answer 18

The beginning of WW1.

Question 19

What spirit or literary force did each of the following authors embody? Howells, James, Clemens

Answer 19

Howells - middle class spirit. 
James - cosmopolitan or international spirit. 
Clemens - frontier spirit.

Question 20

At the end of the literary period of realism and naturalism, what was the prevailing spirit?

Answer 20

Pessimism.

Question 21

What does literature of the 1930’s , like John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath, generally emphasize?

Answer 21

It emphasizes social issues.

Question 22

What primarily characterizes the Modern Era?

Answer 22

The Modern Era is characterized by pessimism.

Question 23

According to Freud, what is conscience a result of?

Answer 23

It is a result of social conditioning

Question 24

What author and book have had the most significant lasting effects on the modern debasement of man?

Answer 24

Charles Darwin and his book Origin of Species has had the most significant lasting effects on the modern debasement of man.

Question 25

What are the 2 contrasting and erroneous views of man that have effected the American thought since World War 1?

Answer 25

1) man is merely an animal.

2) man is his own god.

Question 26

What is the name of the substitute religion that defies man, rejects God and advocates a one world system?

Answer 26

Humanism.

Question 27

Liberalism attempts to reconcile what 2 entities ?

Answer 27

1) traditional Christianity

2) modern world view.