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CLEP American Literature

Subjects : clep, literature
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
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  • Match each statement with the correct term.
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This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A 14-line poem with a set rhythm and rhyme scheme.






2. Friedrich Nitezche's belief in the 'will to power' as the primary force of society and the individual.






3. An artistic and intellectual movement originating in Europe in the late 18th Century and characterized by a heightened interest in nature - emphasis on the individual's expression of emotion and imagination - departure from the attitudes and forms of






4. Wrote 'The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man' and 'Lift Every Voice and Sing -' (The Black National Anthem)






5. (Colonial Period) Primarily written to set forth orthodox Calvinist Christianity. Not considered the best representation of poetry during the whole period. Rarely approached excellence of English models. Too much of an emphasis on heavenly values and






6. Chicago School - Wrote 'Lucinda Matlock' - Created 'Spoon River Anthology' - Spoon River poems are characterized by: An unpoetic - colloquial style - frank descriptions of sex - a very critical view of small town life - and a description of he inner






7. Book of feline poems - 'Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats -' formed the basis of the Broadway hit 'Cats.' Wrote 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock - Published 'The Waste-Land' which became the most famous poem of the first half of the 20th Centur






8. Best-known and most influential early Naturalist. Rougon-Marcquart






9. Father of American Literature - First American writer to achieve an international reputation. Rip Van Winkle (antihero). Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The Devil and Tom Walker. Was 50 years old before his real name appeared on any of his books. Used alias






10. Coined the term 'Beat Generation' - Wrote 'On the Road' - All of his books are Autobiographical






11. Applying the evolutionary 'survival of the fittest' concept to a world marked by struggle and competition. (Promulgated by Herbert Spencer - a best-selling sociologist of the late 19th Century.






12. The Bard of Harlem; most successful black writer in America during the Harlem Renaissance. Wanted to capture the dominant oral traditions of black culture in written form. Best known for his poetry: 'The Weary Blues -' 'Fields of Wonder -' and 'The D






13. Considered the voice of the Twenties. Wrote 'The Great Gatsby' - Heavy drinking problem.






14. Won 4 Pulitzers - Top 20th Century Poet - Wrote 'The Road Not Taken -' ' Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening -' and 'Mending Wall'






15. The repeated use of identical sounds.






16. A long narrative that represents characters in a high position who take part in a series of adventures of significance.






17. Writings portray the lives of poor - oppressed black women in the early 1900s.






18. Wished to return to more primitive principles - to simplicity - sobriety - religious earnestness - and personal self-control. Aim was to purify church of England from 'Popery' - Persecuted harshly by Charles I and Archbishop of Canterbury William Lau






19. Chicago School - Work bridges folk poetry and modernist poems. Used music and strong rhythm - Wrote 'The Congo'






20. That America's unique identity transcends ethnic - cultural - or religious backgrounds. Idea given by St. Jean de Crevecoeur






21. Wrote 'The Souls of Black Folk' - Founder of the NAACP






22. Stylistic Elements Parallel Structure: repeated used of phrases - clauses - or sentences that are similar in structure. Rhythm - Forceful and Direct Language






23. Ezra Pound and T.S Eliot






24. Wrote 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' - first American novel to sell a million copies. The most influential book of the 19th century. Credited with starting the Civil War. Most famous American woman of her day.






25. Famous for writing - marriages - divorces and media hype. Wrote 'The Executioner's Song.'






26. Wrote 'The Call of the Wild -' 'White Fang -' ' Sea Wolf -' and 'To Build a Fire.' Socialist. Naturalist






27. (Colonial Period) Stands in direct opposition to the principles - personalities and literary styles of William Bradford and John Winthrop. Did not come to settle the land and establish God's Kingdom - but to trade beaver pelts and live pleasantly. Es






28. All events follow natural laws.






29. Local Colorist Wrote 'The Awakening' Writing is memorable for its : Vivid and economical style - Rich Local Dialect - and Penetrating view of the culture of South Louisiana.






30. A stanza.






31. Work did not have a political agenda. Wrote 'Their Eyes Were Watching God -' 'Mules and Men -' and 'Jonahs Gourd Vine.' Considered one of the key black writers of the 20th Century.






32. Pattern of five feet (groups of syllables) - each having one unstressed syllable and one stressed syllable.






33. A social and artistic movement of the 1950's stressing unrestrained literary self expression and nonconformity with the mainstream culture






34. Written by Cottonn Mather - to justify the execution of 19 women during the Salem Witch Trials.






35. A false science that argued tat different human races possessed distinguishing traits that determined their particular behavior and achievement in society.






36. Literary movement of the 19th century Presented the details of ordinary life in art. Realists rejected the heroic and adventurous and concentrated on pessimistic views of poverty - prostitution and pain. Reaction to Romanticism.






37. Wrote 'The Red Badge of Courage' and 'Maggie: A Girl of the Streets -' and 'The Open Boat.' Red Badge of Courage is considered the first modern war novel. Work is celebrated for its images and symbolism. Work is often described as impressionist due t






38. A pattern of stressed unstressed syllables that create a beat - as in music.






39. Confessional Poet - Won a Pulitzer for 'Live or Die'






40. Wrote Catcher in the Rye






41. A story in poetic form. Has plot. characters and theme.






42. (Colonial Period) First writer of American Literature. Wrote 'The Generall Historie of Virginia - New England - and The Summer Isles.' Archetypal American.






43. Written by Michael Wigglesworth - the most famous poem of 17th Century - proceeds from judgement day to hell and then to paradise. First American Best Seller.






44. Words that carry a strong emotional overtones.






45. A story told in song form. Ballads often tell stories of adventure and love.






46. Wrote 'Howl -' ' Empty Mirror -' and 'Kaddish and Other Poems' - Poet






47. Leader of naturalism in American writing. Wrote 'An American Tragedy'






48. The primacy of science over religious - mythical - or spiritual interpretations of life.






49. A single sheet of paper printed on one or both sides. 'The Dying Redcoat'






50. Writings interweave sexual and racial concerns; what it means to be black and homosexual in America in the 2nd half of the 20th Century.