Short Answer Questions : 1. Quite a few writers we’ve ✓ Solved

1. Choose three writers we’ve covered since the last test and discuss how each was a literary pioneer.

2. Compare the narrative voices of Phyllis Wheatley and Olaudah Equiano. Discuss how each appears to feel about his/her captivity and about the dominant “white” society.

3. How does the possibility that Equiano may have been born in South Carolina change your assessment of his narrative?

4. Discuss Thoreau’s statement “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation” and his observation about desperation in various aspects of life.

5. Analyze the assertion that “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” represents Irving’s view of what the world is becoming in relation to both “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle.”

6. Discuss the subject of death in either Freneau’s “The Indian Burying Ground” or Bryant’s “Thanatopsis.”

7. Define “frame story” and discuss Irving’s use of it in “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”

8. Discuss similarities between Franklin’s Autobiography and Equiano’s Interesting Narrative.

9. Summarize Emerson’s “Self-Reliance” and its main themes.

10. Explain why Thoreau undertook the experiment at Walden Pond.

11. Define “frame story” and discuss Irving’s purpose in its use.

12. What is the major “errata” of Franklin’s life and why does he mention these prominently in the autobiography?

13. In your opinion, what would Franklin most want to be remembered for?

14. Compare Ben Franklin’s Autobiography and Olaudah Equiano’s Narrative as “rags to riches” success stories.

15. Discuss Emerson’s statement, “No law can be sacred to me but that of my nature.”

16. Discuss the melodramatic elements of Lydia Maria Child's “The Quadroons” and their relation to the abolitionist cause.

17. Aside from his poetry, what other accomplishments was Philip Freneau known for?

18. Discuss some ways Equiano’s slave narrative is typical of ante-bellum slave narratives.

19. What “marvels” does Equiano encounter during his travels?

20. What qualities in Equiano’s prose style suggest it was directed at a white, middle-class audience?

21. What elements of satire does Irving employ in “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow?”

22. Discuss Thoreau’s observation about desperation in various life contexts.

23. Discuss themes of simple living in Thoreau’s experiment at Walden Pond.

24. Discuss the theme of beauty in any two poems by Freneau or Emerson.

25. Discuss Ben Franklin’s plan for achieving moral perfection.

26. Analyze how Wheatley and Equiano write to a primarily white, middle-class audience.

27. Discuss Emerson’s concept of “self-reliance.”

28. Discuss Emerson’s ideas on individualism, nonconformity, and genius in “Self-Reliance.”

29. In what ways is Ben Franklin a representative American of his era?

Paper For Above Instructions

Writers often serve as cultural pioneers, adopting new techniques and exploring themes that challenge the status quo of their time. In the context of American literature, several authors have carved unique paths through their innovative works. Three such writers are Willa Cather, Emily Dickinson, and William Faulkner. Each of these writers broke new ground in their respective genres, contributing significantly to American literature's evolution.

Willa Cather is renowned for her portrayals of frontier life in the Great Plains, providing readers with a vivid understanding of the American experience during the westward expansion. Her novels, such as "My Ántonia" and "O Pioneers!", featured strong characters, particularly women, and depicted the struggles and triumphs of those who settled the vast, often unforgiving landscape of the Midwest. Cather's focus on the rural experience and her ability to infuse her characters with profound depth earned her a place as a literary pioneer. Her narratives often reflect themes of belonging and identity, making her an essential figure in American literature.

Emily Dickinson, another literary pioneer, is celebrated for her unique poetic style characterized by unconventional punctuation, slant rhyme, and profound thematic explorations of death, immortality, and nature. Despite her reclusive lifestyle, Dickinson produced a prolific body of work that questioned societal norms and the nature of existence. Her poems invite readers to consider complex emotional landscapes and universal themes, creating a distinct voice that was ahead of its time. Dickinson's innovative use of language and form has greatly influenced contemporary poetry, making her a cornerstone of American literature.

William Faulkner, recognized for his contributions to literary modernism, employed intricate narrative structures and explored the complexities of human psychology. His works often diverged from traditional storytelling methods, employing stream-of-consciousness techniques and fragmented timelines. Faulkner's novels, such as "The Sound and the Fury" and "As I Lay Dying," grapple with themes of identity, memory, and the human condition. His innovative approach to storytelling not only garnered him critical acclaim, including the Nobel Prize in Literature, but also paved the way for future writers to experiment with narrative techniques, cementing his status as a literary pioneer.

Phyllis Wheatley and Olaudah Equiano provide compelling narratives that reflect their experiences of captivity and their responses to the dominant “white” society. Wheatley, an enslaved African poet, perceived her captivity as a fortune that allowed her to receive an education and prosper, as evidenced by her poetry, which often eluded expectations of her background. In contrast, Equiano portrayed his captivity with complex emotions, highlighting both the beauty of his African heritage and the kindness shown to him by some of his captors. His narrative reflects a deep ambivalence toward the cultural reality he faced, illustrating a nuanced view of his captivity and interactions with white society.

The possibility that Equiano was born in South Carolina transforms our understanding of his narrative. If born in America, his romanticized view of Africa may stem from a less authentic experience, leading to questions about his identification with the continent. This adjustment necessitates a reevaluation of his perspectives and implies a sense of disconnect or a constructed identity influenced by his experiences in a new society.

Thoreau's observation that "the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation" reveals the pervasive sense of unfulfillment experienced by individuals across society. Thoreau argues that individuals become trapped in societal expectations, leading to lives devoid of genuine purpose or satisfaction. His assertion resonates with modern readers and invites reflection on the quest for simplicity and authenticity in contemporary life.

Washington Irving’s works, particularly "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," reflect a critical paradox of American identity in the face of changing societal norms. The nostalgic yearning for a simpler past intertwines with critiques of burgeoning American individualism, showcasing Irving’s complex relationship with the evolving American landscape.

Moreover, the treatment of death within Freneau’s "The Indian Burying Ground" portrays a unique cultural perspective on mortality, depicting rituals that honor the deceased in ways that contrast with mainstream American views, emphasizing respect for ancestral heritage.

Frame stories, such as those used by Irving, are narratives within narratives that serve to provide context and separate the author from the tale. In "Rip Van Winkle," the frame story sets the stage for the fantastical elements that follow, allowing readers to navigate the bridging of fiction and reality more comfortably.

References

• Cather, W. (1918). My Ántonia. Houghton Mifflin Company.
• Dickinson, E. (1890). The Collected Poems of Emily Dickinson. Roberts Brothers.
• Faulkner, W. (1930). The Sound and the Fury. Jonathan Cape.
• Equiano, O. (1789). The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano. Oladah Equiano.
• Wheatley, P. (1773). Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. Archibald Bell.
• Thoreau, H. D. (1854). Walden. Ticknor and Field.
• Irving, W. (1819). The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Charles Scribner's Sons.
• Irving, W. (1820). Rip Van Winkle. C. & A. Conrad.
• Freneau, P. (1787). The Indian Burying Ground. Printed for John Lang.
• Emerson, R. W. (1841). Self-Reliance. James Munroe and Company.