American Poetry Check for Understanding Spring 2020

In 1931, when writer James Truslow Adams coined the term “the American Dream,” it had more to do with idealism than material prosperity. The American Dream...was:

...That dream of a land in which life should be better and

richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each

according to ability or achievement.” Which of the following is NOT one of the three main components of the American Dream?

• No matter your social rank, you can improve your lot in life through hard work; you can make your life and your family’s life something special.

• All Americans are guaranteed the financial benefits of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"

• The independent, self-reliant individual will achieve.

• The American birthright is one of ever-expanding opportunity: for ourselves, for a family, and for future generations.

According to Walt Whitman, "The United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem." This ultimate extended metaphor, suggests that both poetry and democracy:

• refer to the 50 states that make up the United States.

• derive their power from their ability to create a unified whole out of disparate parts.

• are abstract terms that no one really ever has the power to understand in a truly meaningful way.

• are literary works in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm.

("I Hear America Singing" - Walt Whitman)

In the poem, “singing” is used figuratively to represent the notion of --

• worship

• struggle

• work

• hardship

("I Hear America Singing" - Walt Whitman)

Read the following line from the poem, "Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else." What tone is conveyed by this line?

• Sympathy and regret

• Pride and satisfaction

• Selfishness and greed

• Fatigue and solitude

("I Hear America Singing" - Walt Whitman)

One theme explored in the poem involves--

• the pride that comes from knowing one’s place in society

• the fast pace of an unrelenting American lifestyle

• the sorrow that comes from being a spectator, rather than a participant

• the fatigue that comes from keeping up appearances

("I, Too" - Langston Hughes)

The shift in tone between lines 7 and 8 can best be described as--

• accepting to confident and bold

• reserved to condescending and rude

• measured to whimsical and hopeful

• resigned to optimistic and carefree

("I, Too" - Langston Hughes)

Read the following lines from the poem,

"But I laugh,/And eat well,/And grow strong."

These lines are significant because they demonstrate the speaker’s--

• arrogant attitude toward others

• preparation for change that will take place

• inability to notice that he is unwelcome

• joyful attitude in the midst of loneliness

("I, Too" - Langston Hughes)

How is the detail of the speaker being asked to eat in the kitchen important to the theme?

• It emphasizes the unfair treatment the speaker receives.

• It highlights the speaker’s dissatisfaction with life in America.

• It shows how unfriendly people are in America.

• It reveals how unaffected the speaker is by discrimination.

("I, Too" - Langston Hughes)

Which sentence describes the main theme of the poem?

• It’s important to remain hopeful, even in the face of adversity.

• Social change and progress takes place more quickly than you realize.

• People often don’t realize the depth of their own prejudice.

• The color of your skin doesn’t determine whether or not you’re American.

("I, Too" - Langston Hughes)

Which line from the text best supports the answer to the previous question?

• “I, too, sing America. / I am the darker brother.” (Lines 1-2)

• “They send me to eat in the kitchen / When company comes” (Lines 3-4)

• “Tomorrow, / I’ll be at the table” (Lines 8-9)

• “They’ll see how beautiful I am / And be ashamed—” (Lines 16-17)