American Literature Test Questions

Essay by EmilyGrace July 2006

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1. The Declaration of Independence

Inherent was changed to certain, so that not all rights would be in there but just certain ones. Unremitting is now repeated, a constant behavior is not the same as repeated. Repeated is more mild. They also took out some of Jefferson's own personal feelings such as "Future ages will scarcely believe that the hardiness of one man adventured, within the short compass of twelve years only...". Without Jefferson's personal take on things the piece became more of a political piece rather than one mans desire.

2. In Rappaccini's Daughter, I believe Beatrice is the victim. He is raised by her father who is a man scientist. He is seems to be well known as the old woman warrants he "has been heard of as far as Naples". Her father calls to her in the garden to take care of this plants. She talks to the plant as it were her sister "it shall be Beatrice's task to nurse and serve thee; and thou shalt reward her with thy kisses and perfumed breath, which to her is as the breath of life!" The father doesn't embrace the plants like Beatrice rather he just prunes them with gloves of armor.

He seems to shelter her and keep her in this garden of life.

3. Gettysburg Address

"conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are

created equal"

"we can not dedicate- we can not consecrate- we can not hallow"

"highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain"

4. Frederick Douglass' speech "The Meaning of July fourth for the Negro" is well written with takes from the Declaration of Independence, William Lloyd Garrison, the bible and Thomas Paine. Douglas gave his speech on July 5, 1852 to a group...