Short Answer Questions: Writers We've Discussed
Short Answer Questions1 Quite A Few Writers Weve Discussed Have Bee
Choose three writers discussed since the last test—such as Willa Cather, Emily Dickinson, and William Faulkner—and analyze how each was a literary pioneer. William Faulkner pioneered literary modernism by diverging from traditional novel structures, which contributed to his Nobel Prize. Emily Dickinson was a pioneer in poetry; despite living a secluded life, she questioned themes like death and transformed poetic conventions. Willa Cather broke ground through her depiction of frontier life on the Great Plains, establishing a new American literary voice.
Compare the narrative voices of Phyllis Wheatley and Olaudah Equiano, focusing on their feelings about captivity and white society. Wheatley perceived captivity positively, viewing her treatment as fortunate, evidenced by her education and acceptance. Equiano, however, depicted Africa as beautiful but also described captivity as a mixed experience, influenced by his possible birth in South Carolina, which alters his portrayal of Africa and captivity.
Recent research proposing that Equiano may have been born in South Carolina rather than Africa affects interpretation of his narrative. It suggests that his depiction of Africa as a land of beauty and leadership might be influenced by secondhand knowledge rather than lived experience, calling into question some of his portrayals of African culture and society.
Thoreau’s statement that “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation” reflects the idea that many people, whether in cities or countryside, live unfulfilled lives due to societal pressures and conformity. Thoreau observes that this desperation exists in all facets of life, including leisure and entertainment, highlighting societal discontent and the desire for authenticity.
Regarding “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle,” Irving’s use of a frame story sets the narrative within a larger context, separating the storyteller from the story. This technique establishes a layered narrative, allowing Irving to critique society indirectly and create a sense of timelessness, reflecting views on America’s emerging identity—rougher, less refined, or “uncouth,” as suggested.
In “The Indian Burying Ground,” Freneau explores death by depicting Native American burial customs—burying in sitting positions—highlighting their spiritual relationship with death, contrasting with European traditions. Bryant’s “Thanatopsis” offers a meditation on death’s universality and nature’s cyclical order, encouraging acceptance and reflection on mortality as part of natural harmony.
A “frame story” is a narrative device where one story is embedded within another. Irving employs it in “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” to create distance between the narrator and the main story, allowing for reflection and satire of American society’s transformation. The frame provides context, emphasizing themes of change and nostalgia.
Ben Franklin’s Autobiography and Equiano’s Narrative share themes of upward mobility and self-improvement. Both depict humble beginnings and highlight personal resilience—the “rags-to-riches” motif—offering models of perseverance that inspire readers to overcome adversity.
Emerson’s “Self-Reliance” emphasizes individual intuition over societal conformity, advocating independence of thought and action. He urges readers to trust their inner voice, considering societal norms as often mistaken. This promotes personal growth, authenticity, and nonconformity as essential virtues.
Thoreau’s Walden experiment aimed to answer why he chose solitary living—seeking simplicity, self-awareness, and a deeper connection to nature. His minimalistic lifestyle challenged societal conventions, demonstrating how living deliberately can lead to personal fulfillment.
A “frame story” is a narrative structure where a secondary story is set within a primary story. Irving’s use of the frame in “Rip Van Winkle” and “Sleepy Hollow” serves to introduce a mythic quality and provides commentary on societal change—preserving tradition amid transformation.
Benjamin Franklin’s major “errata” include his youthful misadventures like fleeing Boston, romantic indiscretions, and his writing on liberty. He highlights these missteps to demonstrate humility and the importance of moral self-awareness, emphasizing personal growth through reflection.
Franklin might most want to be remembered for his contributions to American independence, moral philosophy, and ingenuity—such as his inventions and civic activism—embodying the ideals of self-improvement and virtue.
Both Franklin’s Autobiography and Equiano’s Narrative exemplify “rags-to-riches” stories: humble beginnings, perseverance, and eventual success. Franklin’s rise from modest origins to a founding father mirrors Equiano’s journey from slavery to freedom and influence.
Emerson’s statement that “No law can be sacred to me but that of my nature” underscores his belief in individual moral intuition. It aligns with his “Self-Reliance” philosophy, emphasizing internal moral authority over external rules. This concept encourages personal authenticity and integrity, serving as a guide for living according to one’s true self.
Lydia Maria Child’s “The Quadroons” uses melodramatic elements like exaggerated emotion and tragic circumstances to illuminate the brutal realities of slavery, engaging readers emotionally to support abolitionist ideals and provoke moral reflection.
Besides poetry, Philip Freneau was known for his role as a political essayist and newspaper editor, often advocating for American independence and Enlightenment ideals through his writings.
Equiano’s slave narrative shares features of antebellum slave narratives: personal testimony, vivid descriptions of brutality and resilience, and a focus on the fight for freedom. Such narratives aimed to elicit empathy and support abolition.
Equiano encounters marvels like the vast ocean voyage and fantastical visions, which impress him by showcasing nature’s grandeur and spiritual significance, emphasizing the interconnectedness of divine and natural worlds.
His prose style, rich with allusions to Christianity and classical literature, along with detailed descriptions appealing to middle-class, white readers, aimed to persuade and evoke moral and religious sentiments aligned with the abolitionist cause.
Irving’s stories contain satire—mocking superficiality in “Rip Van Winkle” and the credulousness of Sleepy Hollow villagers—highlighting societal folly and the transformation from traditional to modern values.
Thoreau’s “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation” implies widespread dissatisfaction. His observation encompasses urban and rural life, suggesting societal pressures lead individuals away from authentic fulfillment, motivating the pursuit of truth and simplicity.
Thoreau simplifies his life by living deliberately at Walden Pond, cultivating self-sufficiency, reducing possessions, and embracing nature’s rhythms, demonstrating that true happiness arises from minimalism and introspection.
Both Freneau and Emerson explore the theme of beauty—Freneau through poetic natural imagery and Emerson through spiritual transcendence—highlighting nature’s divine qualities and its capacity to inspire moral and aesthetic appreciation.
Benjamin Franklin’s moral perfection plan involved a systematic approach—tracking virtues like temperance, order, and silence—aiming at self-improvement through deliberate practice and self-awareness.
Wheatley’s and Equiano’s writings target mostly white, middle-class audiences through shared religious references, moral lessons, and accessible language, intending to foster empathy and abolitionist sentiments.
Emerson’s “self-reliance” advocates trusting one’s inner voice, resisting societal conformity, and recognizing individual genius, thus emphasizing originality, independence, and moral integrity.
Examples from “Self-Reliance” highlight individualism as the foundation of personal greatness, nonconformity as necessary for authenticity, and genius as the unique expression of individual inner truth, rejecting societal expectations.
Benjamin Franklin embodies American values—ingenuity, pragmatism, self-improvement—and demonstrates both virtues and flaws, teaching readers the importance of moral discipline, humility, and innovation rooted in practical wisdom.