Name ________________________________________________ Pd. ___________

“Harrison Bergeron” – Theme (Keystone Style Questions)

Excerpt from: The Life of Swift (excerpt)Samuel Johnson

Whatever was his birth, his education was Irish. He was sent at the age of six to the school at Kilkenny, and in his fifteenth year (1682) was admitted into the University of Dublin. In his academical

studies he was either not diligent or not happy. It must disappoint every reader's expectation, that, when at the usual time he claimed the Bachelorship of Arts, he was found by the examiners too

conspicuously deficient for regular admission, and obtained his degree at last by SPECIAL FAVOUR; a term used in that university to denote want of merit.

Of this disgrace it may be easily supposed that he was much ashamed, and shame had its proper effect in producing reformation. He resolved from that time to study eight hours a day, and continued his industry for seven years, with what improvement is sufficiently known. This part of his story well deserves to be remembered; it may afford useful admonition and powerful encouragement to men whose abilities have been made for a time useless by their passions or pleasures, and who having

lost one part of life in idleness, are tempted to throw away the remainder in despair. In this course of daily application he continued three years longer at Dublin; and in this time, if the observation and

memory of an old companion may be trusted, he drew the first sketch of his "Tale of a Tub.

1. In these two paragraphs of the text, how might it be said that the two themes of failure and perseverance interact with one another in Swift's life?A. Swift persevered in his young life, but became a failure later on.B. Swift failure as an author led to his perseverance in academic pursuits.C. Swift's perseverance as an author nevertheless resulted in ultimate failureD. Swift initially failed academically, but afterwards persevered and became a success.

Explain answer choice. ___________________________________________________________________

Excerpt from: The Path to Rome: How to Write RhymesHilaire Belloc

I say a book might be written upon it, and there is no doubt that a great many articles and pamphlets must have been written upon it, for the French are furiously given to local research and reviews, and

to glorifying their native places: and when they cannot discover folklore they enrich their beloved homes by inventing it.

There was even a man (I forget his name) who wrote a delightful book called Popular and Traditional Songs of my Province, which book, after he was dead, was discovered to be entirely his own

invention, and not a word of it familiar to the inhabitants of the soil. He was a large, laughing man that smoked enormously, had great masses of hair, and worked by night; also he delighted in the

society of friends, and talked continuously. I wish he had a statue somewhere, and that they would pull down to make room for it any one of those useless bronzes that are to be found even in the little

villages, and that commemorate solemn, whiskered men, pillars of the state. For surely this is the habit of the true poet, and marks the vigour and recurrent origin of poetry, that a man should get his

head full of rhythms and catches, and that they should jumble up somehow into short songs of his

own. What could more suggest (for instance) a whole troop of dancing words and lovely thoughts than this refrain from the Tourdenoise –

2. Which phrase from this section best summarizes how the theme of French ethnic pride and the theme of creative endeavor could be seen to intersect with one another in this selection?A. He was a large, laughing man that smoked enormously, had great masses of hair..."B. "...and when they cannot discover folklore they enrich their beloved homes by inventing it."C. "There was even a man (I forget his name) who wrote a delightful book called Popular and Traditional Songs

of my Province..."D. "I say a book might be written upon it, and there is no doubt that a great many articles and pamphlets must

have been written upon it..."

Explain answer choice. ______________________________________________________________________

3. The themes of individualism and non-conformity were most common during which American literary period?A. RealismB. PuritanismC. Post-ModernismD. Transcendentalism

A Radiant PursuitMarie Devers

I like hunting sunsets1

through horizons far and wide—2

Emerging nightly, even though, 3all day in clouds, they hide. 4

When I venture far from home5

and need some quick familiar, 6

“around six” I tell myself,7

I’ll have the sun, I’m sure. 8

The sun is a fine friend, you see—9

warm, unique, and steady. 10

When you make appointments with the sun, 11 it’s punctual and ready. 12

There’s not too much that’s definite, 13

on no account, to change; 14

yet the sunshine and the starry night—15

for lifetimes, will exchange. 16

And every night and morning, 17

restlessly, you’ll look18

as the sun paints one more masterpiece. 19

Upon the sky, it writes a book, 20

and every day enfolds into a21

hypnotizing light. 22

When the sun dips so industriously, 23

we know that all is right. 24

So when you sense that you could use25

a phenomenon or friend, 26

Remember that a sunset27

is a pleasant narrative end, 28

and with its art, comes comfort29

that whichever path you choose, 30

a sunset waits—a nightly game31

that by no means, you’ll lose. 32

4. How is the sunset described in this poem used to convey the theme?A. The sunset is used to convey the beauty of nature.B. The sunset is used to convey the importance of solitude.C. The sunset is used to convey the need for power and controlD. The sunset is used to convey the everlasting quality of love.

Explain answer choice. ___________________________________________________________________

5. A beautiful sunset is the subject of both the photograph and the poem. What theme is similar in both?A. People often forget to watch the sunset each day.B. Sunsets contain hues of orange prior to an evening storm.C. Sunsets are always beautiful because of the array of colors.D. Beautiful aspects of nature have the ability to bring serenity to our lives.

Explain answer choice. __________________________________________________

Aunt Elizabeth’s DreamMatthew Ramirez

1. United States, 1919. Hanna and her sister, Ali, anxiously await their mother’s return. Their mother, who is the niece of the late Elizabeth Cady Stanton, is out voting for the first time since the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment—a law which guaranteed women the right to vote.

2HANNA: I’m still astonished that mother is out voting in the election today! Mother must be very proud of her Aunt Elizabeth—after all, it was the work of the suffragists that helped women gain the right to vote. She even helped organize the convention about women’s rights

in Seneca Falls.

3ALI: I wish that Aunt Elizabeth was alive to participate in today’s election. From what mother says about her, Aunt Elizabeth would have enjoyed showing others why it is critical for women to take part in the political process.

4HANNA: It was always Aunt Elizabeth’s dream for women to win the right to vote. She spent many years lobbying politicians to get women the same rights as men.

5MOTHER enters the room, smiling and wearing a pin that reads, “I voted today.” Hanna and Ali rush toward their mother and hug her.

6ALI: Mother, did you vote in the election?

7MOTHER: Yes, I did! I wish more women had participated in today's election, but I’m sure they will take advantage of this right in the future. Aunt Elizabeth and her friends would have been extremely proud. They spent many years trying to make politicians understand that women deserved the same rights as men. All of the American women who voted today owe them a debt of gratitude for their bravery.

8HANNA: Mother, I am very proud of you for voting today. All the women who voted today helped show the nation and the world that American women are ready to take part in the political process.

9ALI: I agree, Hanna. Mother, you set a great example for Hanna and me. Someday, I hope we are just like you and Aunt Elizabeth!

Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Declaration of Sentiments

10Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a suffragist who worked to gain voting rights for American women. During her struggle for women’s suffrage, Stanton helped organize a convention that took place in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848. At the convention, Stanton and other suffragists developed a document they called the Declaration of Sentiments. This document asserted that women in the United States were suppressed by men, and they deserved rights—including the right to vote—equal to those of their male counterparts. Among other things, the document claimed:

11The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny [SIC] over her. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.12He has never permitted her to exercise her inalienable right to the elective franchise.13He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which she had no voice. . . . 14He has taken from her all right in property, even to the wages she earns. . . .15Now, [women] insist that they have immediate admission to all the rights and privileges which belong to them as citizens of the United States.

6. What is the theme of this play?

A. helping those in needB. being honest with oneselfC. showing kindness toward othersD. fighting for an important cause

Explain answer choice. _________________________________________________________________

7. Which quotation from the play BEST states that main idea of the Declaration of Sentiments?A. “Mother, I am very proud of you for voting today.”B. “I’m still astonished that mother is out voting in election today!”C. “She even helped organize the convention about women’s rights in Seneca Falls.”D. “They spent many years trying to make politicians understand that women deserved the same rights as

men.”

Explain answer choice. __________________________________________________________________An excerpt from: A Comparison of Two Classic Novels

Jane Austen & Edith Wharton

Read these excerpts from the British novel Sense and Sensibility and the American novel House of Mirth.

An excerpt from Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

1Some mothers might have encouraged the intimacy from motives of interest, for Edward Ferrars was the eldest son of a man who had died very rich; …it was enough for her that he appeared to be amiable, that he loved her daughter, and that Elinor returned the partiality. It was contrary to every doctrine of hers that difference of fortune should keep any couple asunder who were attracted by resemblance of disposition….

2No sooner did she perceive any symptom of love in his behaviour to Elinor, than she considered their serious attachment as certain, and looked forward to their marriage as rapidly approaching.

3"In a few months, my dear Marianne," said she, "Elinor will, in all probability, be settled for life. We shall miss her; but SHE will be happy."

4"Oh! Mamma, how shall we do without her?"

5"My love, it will be scarcely a separation. We shall live within a few miles of each other, and shall meet every day of our lives. You will gain a brother, a real, affectionate brother. I have the highest

opinion in the world of Edward's heart. But you look grave, Marianne; do you disapprove your sister's choice?"

6"Perhaps," said Marianne, "I may consider it with some surprise. Edward is very amiable, and I love him tenderly. But yet—he is not the kind of young man—there is something wanting—his figure is not striking; it has none of that grace which I should expect in the man who could seriously attach my sister. His eyes want all that spirit, that fire, which at once announce virtue and intelligence. And besides all this, I am afraid, Mamma, he has no real taste. Music seems scarcely to attract him, and though he admires Elinor's drawings very much, it is not the admiration of a person who can understand their worth. It is evident, in spite of his frequent attention to her while she draws, that in fact he knows nothing of the matter. He admires as a lover, not as a connoisseur. To satisfy me, those characters must be united. I could not be happy with a man whose taste did not in every point coincide with my own. He must enter into all my feelings; the same books, the same music must charm us both. Oh! Mama, how spiritless, how tame was Edward's manner in reading to us last night! I felt for my sister most severely. Yet she bore it with so much composure, she seemed scarcely to notice it. I could hardly keep my seat. To hear those beautiful lines which have frequently almost driven me wild, pronounced with such impenetrable calmness, such dreadful indifference! …He would certainly have done more justice to simple and elegant prose. I thought so at the time; but you WOULD give him Cowper."

7"Nay, Mamma, if he is not to be animated by Cowper!—but we must allow for difference of taste. Elinor has not my feelings, and therefore she may overlook it, and be happy with him. But it would have broke MY heart, had I loved him, to hear him read with so little sensibility. Mama, the more I know of the world, the more am I convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much! He must have all Edward's virtues, and his person and manners must ornament his goodness with every possible charm."

An excerpt from The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

8Lily sank with a sigh into one of the shabby leather chairs.

9"How delicious to have a place like this all to one's self! What a miserable thing it is to be a woman." She leaned back in a luxury of discontent….

10"Even women," [Selden] said, "have been known to enjoy the privileges of a flat."

11"Oh, governesses—or widows. But not girls—not poor, miserable, marriageable girls!"

12"Is it so very bad?" he asked sympathetically.

13She smiled at him across the tea-pot which she was holding up to be filled.

14"That shows how seldom you come…. You don't come at all—and yet we get on so well when we meet."

15"Perhaps that's the reason," he answered promptly. …

16"But that is not the reason," she insisted. She leaned forward with a shade of perplexity in her charming eyes. "I wish I knew—I wish I could make you out. Of course I know there are men who don't like me—one can tell that at a glance. And there are others who are afraid of me: they think I want to marry them." She smiled up at him frankly. "But I don't think you dislike me—and you can't possibly

think I want to marry you."

17"No—I absolve you of that," he agreed.

18"Well, then——?"

19"Well, then," he said with a plunge, "perhaps THAT'S the reason."

20"What?"

21"The fact that you don't want to marry me. Perhaps I don't regard it as such a strong inducement to go and see you." He felt a slight shiver down his spine as he ventured this, but her laugh reassured

him.… "Isn't marriage your vocation? Isn't it what you're all brought up for?"

22She sighed. "I suppose so. What else is there?"

23"Exactly. And so why not take the plunge and have it over?"

24She shrugged her shoulders. "You speak as if I ought to marry the first man who came along."

25"I didn't mean to imply that you are as hard put to it as that. But there must be someone with the requisite qualifications."

26She shook her head wearily. "I threw away one or two good chances when I first came out—I suppose every girl does; and you know I am horribly poor—and very expensive. I must have a great deal of money…. Don't you ever mind," she asked suddenly, "not being rich enough to buy all the

books you want?"

27He followed her glance about the room, with its worn furniture and shabby walls.

28"Don't I just? Do you take me for a saint on a pillar?"

29"And having to work—do you mind that?"

30"Oh, the work itself is not so bad—I'm rather fond of the law."

31"No; but the being tied down: the routine—don't you ever want to get away, to see new places and people?"

32"Horribly—especially when I see all my friends rushing to the steamer."

33She drew a sympathetic breath. "But do you mind enough—to marry to get out of it?"

34Selden broke into a laugh. … 35"Ah, there's the difference—a girl must, a man may if he chooses." She surveyed him critically.

"Your coat's a little shabby—but who cares? It doesn't keep people from asking you to dine. If I were shabby no one would have me: a woman is asked out as much for her clothes as for herself. The

clothes are the background, the frame, if you like: they don't make success, but they are a part of it. Who wants a dingy woman? We are expected to be pretty and well-dressed till we drop—and if we

can't keep it up alone, we have to go into partnership."

8. Which best describes the differing tone these two passages take toward marriage?A. Marianne has a very high and romantic conception of marriage, while Lily is much more realistic and jaded.B. Lily clearly wants to get married as soon as possible, while Marianne is putting off marriage for as long as she

can.C. While the first passage presents a balanced view of marriage, the second passage contains an extremely

biased, one-sided version.D. Lily celebrates marriage as the most wonderful achievement a woman can have, while Marianne has no

interest in getting married at all.

Explain answer choice. ___________________________________________________________________

Marianne is one of the two protagonists in Austen's Sense and Sensibility. Although she lives in England at the beginning of the 19th century, a time and place where marriage is very much a business, and involves family and rank as much as it involves the compatibility of two people, she has very strong opinions about her future husband.Wharton's The House of Mirth is set in New York City nearly 100 years later, in the 1890s. Because it deals with society's elite, the social expectations are nearly as restrictive as the ones in the earlier work. Lily Barton expresses her views about what a woman must do to survive in her world.

9. Which BEST summarizes the difference in how these characters view marriage?A. Neither character has a clear understanding of what marriage is like.B. Both women wish they could marry for love, but in the end they have to make a match that will support

their families and maintain their rank in society.C. Marianne is a romantic and wants a fairy tale husband who sees the world like she does. Lily is a realist who

knows that women must marry for money to remain respectable in the eyes of society.D. Lily is a romantic and wants a fairy tale husband who sees the world like she does. Marianne is a realist who

knows that women must marry for money to remain respectable in the eyes of society. Explain answer choice. Explain answer choice. ___________________________________________________________

An excerpt from: "The Family" from Run With the HorsemenFerrol Sams

The family was poor. It was "poor but proud." The confused boy grew up thinking one should be proud of being poor. One of the in-laws slipped around occasionally and made liquor. He had plenty of cash, did not read books, and was tolerated but not admired. A cousin had surrendered to the boll weevil, moved out of the county, and bought Coca-Cola stock. He was rich, but there was unspoken disdain for him because he had left the land.

The grandparents told horror stories of having to boil dirt from under the smokehouse to retrieve salt after the Yankees had been on the land. They had learned to eat a weed called poke salad as a means of survival in those days, a custom that they passed on as a springtime ritual of communion to their descendants. Things apparently got a little better for awhile, but then the Great Depression hit the South like aftershock from the earthquake of Reconstruction, and the children knew poverty firsthand. They also, however, knew pride. No one in the county had any money to spend, and there was a security of blood that transcended the possession of material things. When one is convinced that one is to the manor born, the actual physical condition of the manor itself is of negligible importance.

10.Which line from the passage communicates a sentiment similar to the disdain spoken of in the first paragraph?A. "...having to boil dirt from under the smokehouse..."B. "...the actual physical condition of the manor itself..."C. "...was tolerated but not admired..."D. "...then the Great Depression hit the South like aftershock..."

Explain answer choice. ____________________________________________________________________