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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. What does Cortez think when he enters the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan?
2. Where do De Soto and his men retreat to after the Indians burn their camp?
3. What does Gregory say about the way in which the reputation of In the American Grain grew?
4. Why does Columbus count fewer leagues than he knows he has traveled?
5. Why is De Soto uncertain whether he wants to meet Francisco Maldonado?
Short Essay Questions
1. How do Columbus' voyages east, returning to Spain, differ from his voyages west, heading to the New World?
2. What does Williams think about Lincoln's assassin?
3. Why does Gregory think that history is important?
4. How could Raleigh have avoided being beheaded?
5. What does William Carlos Williams think of Eric the Red? What kind of person does he think Eric is?
6. Why did Williams compare the Puritans to dwarves in fairy tales? What does he mean by this?
7. Why does Gregory not fully appreciate the chapter on Cotton Mather?
8. Why did the English put a price on Pire Rasles' head? Why did they want him killed?
9. How does Williams think the rest of the world reacts when the United States sends aid overseas?
10. Gregory says that In the American Grain is not a historical textbook or book of essays. What is it?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Does Williams admire Sir Walter Raleigh? Why or why not? Support your answer with evidence from In the American Grain.
Essay Topic 2
William Carlos Williams includes, as part of In the American Grain, several essays about historical figures who served in the military: George Washington, John Paul Jones, Aaron Burr, Alexander Hamilton. How does military life fit into the American Grain? Does military life only affect those who serve in the military, or is it also a part of being American for those who never do any military service? Write an essay responding to this question in which you cite the experiences of these four men as they are depicted in Williams' essays, and also draw upon your own experiences and values in contemporary America.
Essay Topic 3
Why do you think Williams chooses to tell the stories of Eric the Red and Freydis? What makes these tales part of the American grain? Use evidence from the narratives to support your answer.
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This section contains 953 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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