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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the only person in America who can live a life of leisure, like a gentleman, according to an early American saying that Franklin mentions?

2. Who raises Sam Houston during the early years of his life?

3. According to the narrator, what was Boone's emotional state when he lived alone in the wilderness for three months?

4. What part of Poe's reputation does Williams say is undeserved?

5. What reason does the narrator give for believing that Americans have trouble understanding their own national character?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the end of "Poor Richard," Williams states, "...almost nothing remains of the great American New World but a memory of the Indian." What do you think Williams means by this? Write an essay explaining the connection of the Indian to the American Grain. Support your answer with evidence from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Williams writes about three historical figures who admired Indians and who preferred living with Indians to living with white settlers. Who are those three figures? Write an essay in which you draw on details from each of their stories to explain why Williams so idolizes men who made this kind of choice.

Essay Topic 3

Consider the story of Pere Rasles. Why do you think William Carlos Williams admires Rasles so much? Write an essay explaining Williams' admiration for Rasles, supporting your thesis with evidence from In the American Grain. Do not rely only on evidence that you can find in the chapter, Pere Sebastian Rasles--include evidence from other chapters as well.

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