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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which is NOT one of the benefits Mencken sees should America put into place his ideas in "Utopian Flights"?

2. What is Mencken's view of chiropractors?

3. What is the usual relationship between an artist and his countrymen?

4. What word might Mencken use to characterize Mary Baker G. Eddy?

5. Mencken sees authors as divided into which two classes?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 24, Mencken discusses art and literary criticism. How do critics influence artists? And what makes for the best kind of literary critics?

2. What should poetry ideally be, according to Mencken? What makes for a good poem? And how does taste in poetry reflect upon a person's qualities?

3. Why does Mencken criticize the American Medical Association? What is his opinion of doctors as a professional class?

4. What memorable position does Mencken take on opera?

5. Summarize Mencken's views on William Dean Howells.

6. What opinion does Mencken render about a) Mary Baker G. Eddy and Christian Science, and b) the doctrine of theosophy?

7. In "Utopian Flights," how does Mencken suggest that legislators be chosen? What benefits would this method have, in his opinion?

8. What does Mencken believe about contemporary new inventions? Mention the telephone as well as the thermostat in your response.

9. In Chapter 19, Mencken discusses science. Discuss his views of a) the scientific hypothesis, b) Charles Darwin, and c) Mr. Ayres' and his philosophy.

10. Why does Mencken make mention of Charles Joseph Bonaparte? Who was Bonaparte, and what was Mencken's opinion of him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Make the distinction between maxims, epigrams, and apothegms. How were these literary devices used by Mencken? How do they fit his tone and perspective as an author? What did Mencken accomplish with them?

2) Evaluate the following entry: "Q: If you find so much that is unworthy of reverence in the United States, then why do you live here? A: Why do men go to zoos?" How is this entry indicative of Mencken's tone as an author? How is it indicative of his worldview and general view of humanity?

Essay Topic 2

Summarize Mencken's views on government, especially the democratic form of government. Include:

a) The average man's conception of government

b) The history and evolution of democracy as Mencken sees it

c) Why democracy is inherently flawed

d) The effects of democracy -- what it harms, what kind of people it produces

e) Mencken's prescription for an ideal form of government/leadership for the United States

Essay Topic 3

1) Discuss Mencken's thoughts on death and suicide. What is the popular misconception of death? What is the use of suicide, and why might people refrain from committing it?

2) Discuss Mencken's thoughts on death and suicide in the context of a) his view of human nature in general, and b) his view on religion. How do these viewpoints inform one another?

(see the answer keys)

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