Modern American Literature Fall 2021exam 2instructions For The Exam ✓ Solved
Modern American Literature Fall 2021 Exam 2 Instructions for the exam: · Answers must be in complete sentences, coherent, and address the question(s) being asked. · Make sure that you answer everything that is asked in the question. Failure to do so will result in a deduction of points. · Your answers must be at least 5 sentences each; anything less will receive an automatic deduction of points. · Don’t forget proper punctuation for titles of works! · No plagiarism tolerated on this exam. If anything is plagiarized, you will receive a 0 (zero) for the entire exam. · Please delete these instructions from your document before turning in your exam. Do include the questions along with your answers. · 10 points each maximum/100 points total possible Elements of Fiction - Short Answer For each element of fiction listed below, define the element, give an example from one of the works we have read since our last exam, and explain the element in context of the story/poem.
A work may only be used once for #1 through #7. If a work is repeated, even if the answer is correct, I will mark it wrong. Don’t repeat works. 1. Plot 2.
Character 3. Setting 4. Point of View 5. Style, Tone & Language 6. Theme 7.
Symbolism & Imagery Short Answer ( 15 points each ) 8. This semester we have studied women who wrote at the end of the 1800’s and beginning of the 1900’s. What did these women write about? What was going on with women during this time period that affected their writing? Use one or more of the women and/or their work(s) to help illustrate your answer.
9. Compare and contrast Booker T. Washington and W. E. B.
Du Bois: their lives, their works, their philosophies, etc. Name three things that are similar about the two men and three things that are different. This should be in sentence form, and you should explain your answers. Similar 1. 2.
3. Different 1. 2. 3.
Paper for above instructions
Modern American Literature Fall 2021 Exam 2Elements of Fiction
1. Plot
The plot refers to the sequence of events that comprise a story, including the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. In the short story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, the plot unfolds in a small town where an annual lottery occurs, leading to a chilling and unexpected climax where the townspeople turn on one of their own. This plot is effective because it creates a sense of normalcy before introducing horror, illustrating how societal norms can hide dark realities. The shocking conclusion forces readers to confront the themes of tradition and violence embedded in the story (Jackson, 1948).
2. Character
Character refers to the individuals who populate a story and their moral, ethical, and psychological traits. In Zora Neale Hurston's novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God," the protagonist Janie Crawford is a dynamic character who grows throughout her life seeking love and fulfillment. Janie's character development is crucial, as it reflects her quest for self-identity in the face of societal expectations. Her relationships with other characters, such as Mr. Logan Killicks and Tea Cake, highlight her struggle between societal constraints and personal desires, making her journey relatable and poignant (Hurston, 1937).
3. Setting
The setting encompasses the time and place in which a story occurs, influencing its characters and plot. In the poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot, the urban setting of early 20th-century America is significant. The poem’s references to modernity, such as crowded streets and sterile rooms, create an atmosphere of alienation and introspection. Prufrock's existential musings are deeply rooted in this setting, as the modern city serves both as a backdrop for his insecurities and a symbol of the overwhelming complexity of contemporary life (Eliot, 1915).
4. Point of View
Point of view refers to the perspective from which a story is told. In "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner, the first-person plural perspective engages the reader as part of the community observing Emily Grierson's life. This collective viewpoint shapes the narrative, allowing readers to experience both the fascination and pity the townsfolk hold for Emily, while simultaneously creating a sense of foreboding. The choice of this point of view invites readers to reflect on themes of isolation and societal decay, as the community's perspective directly influences the understanding of Emily's character and her tragic fate (Faulkner, 1930).
5. Style, Tone & Language
Style refers to the author's unique way of expressing ideas, while tone indicates the attitude toward the subject matter. In "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the style is characterized by vivid imagery and a confessional tone that reflects the protagonist’s mental deterioration. The language used to describe the wallpaper itself is rich with symbolism and reflects her growing obsession. The oppressive tone serves to illustrate the constraints placed on women during the 19th century, while the protagonist's descent into madness becomes a powerful critique of the treatment of women and their mental health during that era (Gilman, 1892).
6. Theme
Theme is the central idea or underlying message of a literary work. In "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the theme of the American Dream is critically explored through the rise and fall of Jay Gatsby. The novel demonstrates how the pursuit of wealth and status can lead to disillusionment and moral decay. Gatsby's tragic fate encapsulates the emptiness behind the façade of wealth, ultimately suggesting that the American Dream is an unattainable illusion for many. This theme resonates throughout the narrative, giving readers a profound understanding of the era's socio-economic dynamics (Fitzgerald, 1925).
7. Symbolism & Imagery
Symbolism involves the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, while imagery refers to descriptive language that appeals to the senses. In "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the scarlet letter "A" serves as a multifaceted symbol representing sin, shame, and identity. As the story progresses, the letter evolves in meaning, reflecting Hester Prynne’s journey toward redemption and her struggle against societal judgment. The imagery associated with the letter and Hester’s experiences deepens the reader's understanding of the themes of guilt and moral complexity at play in early Puritan society (Hawthorne, 1850).
Short Answer Questions
8. Women Writers of the Late 1800s and Early 1900s
Women writers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries primarily focused on themes of identity, societal constraints, and the quest for autonomy. Notable figures include Kate Chopin, whose work "The Awakening" challenges traditional gender roles by portraying a woman's struggle for self-discovery in a repressive society. This period was marked by significant social change, including the women's suffrage movement, which influenced these writers to address female empowerment and independence in their works. The struggles and yearnings of women for rights and recognition are vividly depicted in their literature, highlighting the complexities of gender relations and societal expectations of the time (Chopin, 1899; Showalter, 1990).
9. Comparing and Contrasting Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois
Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois were prominent African American leaders with distinct philosophies. Similarities include their shared goal of advancing the lives of African Americans post-Reconstruction, their recognition of education as vital for empowerment, and their roles as public figures advocating for African American rights. However, their approaches diverged significantly. Washington advocated for vocational education and economic self-reliance, believing that this would lead to gradual social acceptance (Washington, 1901). In contrast, Du Bois emphasized the need for political action and civil rights, arguing that higher education and immediate equality were essential for true progress (Du Bois, 1903). Additionally, Washington favored accommodation with white society, while Du Bois championed activism and protest against racial injustice.
References
1. Chopin, Kate. The Awakening. Herbert S. Stone & Company, 1899.
2. Du Bois, W.E.B. The Souls of Black Folk. A.C. McClurg & Co., 1903.
3. Eliot, T.S. The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. Alfred A. Knopf, 1915.
4. Faulkner, William. A Rose for Emily. The Forum, 1930.
5. Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1925.
6. Gilman, Charlotte Perkins. The Yellow Wallpaper. Small & Maynard, 1892.
7. Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Ticknor, Reed & Fields, 1850.
8. Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1937.
9. Jackson, Shirley. The Lottery. The New Yorker, 1948.
10. Showalter, Elaine. Sister’s Choice: Tradition and Change in American Women’s Writing. Oxford University Press, 1990.