Lit 160 Finl Exam

Here are the first two groups of questions. Be thorough and clear while making specific references to the literature. Be sure to bring a pen and your Literature anthology. Do one question from each group... DO NOT DO BOTH QUESTIONS IN EACH GROUP!!!

Group A
1) What is Modernism? How does it differ from the ideas of the 19th Century writers? How does Richard Wright's "The Man Who Lived Underground" relate to this era? Discuss how at least two other works we covered this semester relate to this school of thought.

2) Discuss Fred Daniel's journey through the sewers. What objects does he find and what do they seem to represent? How do these things seem to teach him about the universe? How does this relate to Plato's "Allegory of the Cave"? How do other works we’ve covered this semester seem to relate to this allegory?

Group B
1) How do writers like Robert Hayden and Loraine Hansberry deal with the place of Africa in the American imagination? In what ways is Hansberry commenting on the ignorance of the American people when Beneatha and Mm discuss Tarzan? How might June Jordan's comments about African politics suggest that writers are expecting more from the readers since the 1960s and 1970s? How do Kindred and "Everyday Use" deal with issues of heritage differently?

2) Discuss the issues of family and responsibility in "A Raisin in the Sun." How does Walter grow into his role as head of household through the play? How are these issues brought to the forefront in other works we've covered recently like Kindred and Hold it 'til it Hurts?

Group C
1)How do "Facing It" and Hold it 'til it Hurts deal with the memories of war? In what ways might the works be commenting on veterans' issues in general while also be relating compelling stories in their own right? How do these works (as well as poems like "In Memory of Radio") suggest that our understandings of reality are always filtered through our ability to "read" our previous experiences?

2) How do works like Hold it 'til it Hurts, "Beautiful Back Men," and "Poem About my Rights" deal with sexuality? In what ways is the sexuality metaphorical and representing things other than simply sex? How might the sexuality lend itself to a feminist reading of these works?