American Literature - 6.09 Unit Test: The American Voice Part 1

Read the poem. America by Walt Whitman In this poem, Whitman describes American values, such as freedom and equality, that unify the nation and set America apart from other nations. Centre of equal daughters, equal sons, All, all alike endear'd, grown, ungrown, young or old, Strong, ample, fair, enduring, capable, rich, Perennial with the Earth, with Freedom, Law and Love, A grand, sane, towering, seated Mother, Chair'd in the adamant of Time. Which line from "America" best conveys the idea that Whitman believes America represents the heart of democracy to the rest of the world?

"Centre of equal daughters, equal sons,"

Which ideas from Dickinson's poetry reflect shifts in American literature in the mid and late-19th century? 1. understanding that life processes are directed by the divine 2. reflecting on the meaning of equality and freedom 3. respecting the power of nature 4. appreciating the value of introspection and intuition

1. Yes 2. No 3. Yes 4. Yes

Read the poem. I Hear America Singing by Walt Whitman In this poem, Whitman honors the American work ethic. He describes how the voices of individual citizens come together in unison to represent the pride and joy Americans take in their work. At the same time, this blend of different voices into one is symbolic of American patriotism. I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear, Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong, The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam, The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work, The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singingon the steamboat deck, The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as hestands, The wood-cutter's song, the ploughboy's on his way in the morning, or atnoon intermission or at sundown, The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girlsewing or washing, Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else, The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust,friendly, Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs. Which details belong in an effective summary of "I Hear America Singing"? Select Yes or No for each detail. 1. The characters in the poem represent everyday Americans. 2. Americans are both individuals and part of a collective group. 3. Pride in labor and productivity are American values. 4. American men dominate the workforce.

1. Yes 2. Yes 3. Yes 4. No

Read the poem. For You O Democracy by Walt Whitman In this poem, Whitman celebrates America's infinite possibility as a new nation. Whitman weaves imagery of the American landscape with ideals like unity, harmony, and patriotism. Come, I will make the continent indissoluble, I will make the most splendid race the sun ever shone upon, I will make divine magnetic lands, With the love of comrades, With the life-long love of comrades. I will plant companionship thick as trees along all the rivers of America, and along the shores of the great lakes, and all over the prairies, I will make inseparable cities with their arms about each other's necks, By the love of comrades, By the manly love of comrades. For you these from me, O Democracy, to serve you ma femme! For you, for you I am trilling these songs. Read this line from "For You O Democracy." I will make inseparable cities with their arms about each other's necks What does this line suggest?

Democracy will create unbreakable bonds among people.

Listen to the audio clip of "I Felt a Funeral, in My Brain." Then read the text. I Felt a Funeral, in My Brain by Emily Dickinson I felt a Funeral, in my Brain, And Mourners to and fro, Kept treading—treading—till it seemed That sense was breaking through— And when they all were seated, A Service, like a Drum— Kept beating—beating—till I thought My Mind was going numb— And then I heard them lift a Box And creak across my Soul With those same Boots of Lead, again, Then Space—began to toll, As all the Heavens were a Bell, And Being, but an Ear, And I, and Silence, some strange Race Wrecked, solitary, here— And then a Plank in Reason, broke, And I dropped down, and down— And hit a world, at every plunge, And Finished knowing—then— How does the audio version of "I Felt a Funeral, in My Brain" affect the experience of reading the poem?

It emphasizes how Dickinson's use of irregular punctuation helps to convey the speaker's confusion as she loses touch with reality..

Read the poem. This Is My Letter to the World by Emily Dickinson This is my letter to the World That never wrote to Me— The simple News that Nature told— With tender Majesty Her Message is committed To Hands I cannot see— For love of Her—Sweet—countrymen— Judge tenderly—of Me Part A What is a central idea of "This Is My Letter to the World"? Part B Which detail from the poem best develops the central idea in Part A?

Part A The natural and spiritual worlds are interconnected. Part B "Her Message is committed / To Hands I cannot see—"

Read the two poems by Emily Dickinson. I Heard a Fly Buzz - When I Died I heard a Fly buzz - when I died - The Stillness in the Room Was like the Stillness in the Air - Between the Heaves of Storm - The Eyes around - had wrung them dry - And Breaths were gathering firm For that last Onset - when the King Be witnessed - in the Room - I willed my Keepsakes - Signed away What portion of me be Assignable - and then it was There interposed a Fly - With Blue - uncertain - stumbling Buzz - Between the light - and me - And then the Windows failed - and then I could not see to see - I Felt a Funeral, in My Brain I felt a Funeral, in my Brain, And Mourners to and fro, Kept treading—treading—till it seemed That sense was breaking through— And when they all were seated, A Service, like a Drum— Kept beating—beating—till I thought My Mind was going numb— And then I heard them lift a Box And creak across my Soul With those same Boots of Lead, again, Then Space—began to toll, As all the Heavens were a Bell, And Being, but an Ear, And I, and Silence, some strange Race Wrecked, solitary, here— And then a Plank in Reason, broke, And I dropped down, and down— And hit a world, at every plunge, And Finished knowing—then— Part A Consider Dickinson's poems "I Heard a Fly Buzz —When I Died" and "I Felt a Funeral, in My Brain." Which topic do the two poems share? Part B What evidence from the poems supports the answer to Part A? Select the two correct answers.

Part A the feeling of loss Part B "And then the Windows failed—and then / I could not see to see—" "And then a Plank in Reason, broke, / And I dropped down, and down—"

Read the poem. America by Walt Whitman In this poem, Whitman describes American values, such as freedom and equality, that unify the nation and set America apart from other nations. Centre of equal daughters, equal sons, All, all alike endear'd, grown, ungrown, young or old, Strong, ample, fair, enduring, capable, rich, Perennial with the Earth, with Freedom, Law and Love, A grand, sane, towering, seated Mother, Chair'd in the adamant of Time. The line "Chair'd in the adamant of Time" from the poem "America" implies that America, and all it represents, is here to stay. Given this, what is most likely the meaning of adamant?

unbreakable hold