Humanities4.08 Unit Test: Creating An American Mythology
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4.08 Unit Test: Creating An American Mythology

Tori Watson avatar Tori Watson
25 August 2022
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question
which of the following best describes the style of "Old Ironsides"?
answer
it is similar to that of many european poems

Explanation: Old Ironsides" is an ode, written in 1833 by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. The poem was written to save the USS Constitution from being scrapped. The poem is in iambic pentameter, with each stanza ending in a refrain of "Ay, tear her tattered ensign down!" The poem is patriotic and emotional, with a focus on the history and glory of the ship."
question
why did oliver wendall holmes write about the USS Constitution when rumors held that the ship was going to be scrapped?
answer
The ship was a link to the nations history and symbol of its strength

Explanation: Oliver Wendell Holmes was a Bostonian, and the USS Constitution is a Boston-based ship. At the time that Holmes wrote about the Constitution, rumors were circulating that the ship was going to be scrapped. Holmes felt that the Constitution was an important part of American history, and he wanted to make sure that the ship was preserved.
question
Read this excerpt from the first stanza of "Old Ironsides": Beneath it rung the battle shout, And burst the cannon's roar;— The meteor of the ocean air Shall sweep the clouds no more. The battle imagery in this excerpt suggests
answer
the frenzied danger of war

Explanation: that the speaker is on a ship during a battle. The "it" in the first line refers to the ship, and the "meteor" in the last line is the cannon fire.
question
Holmes description of the old ironsides as "eagle of the sea" is an example of
answer
symbolism in which the ship represents the strength of the united states

Explanation: The phrase "eagle of the sea" is a metaphor used to describe the USS Constitution, a ship that was used by the United States during the War of 1812. The ship was nicknamed "Old Ironsides" because it was able to withstand a large amount of enemy fire.
question
"Old Ironsides" is a poem that focuses on the strength and tradition of the United States in order to __________.
answer
assert that the United States is equal to or better than the nations of Europe

Explanation: The poem "Old Ironsides" focuses on the strength and tradition of the United States in order to inspire patriotism and national pride. The poem describes the USS Constitution, a ship that played a key role in the country's victory in the War of 1812. The poem celebrates the ship as a symbol of American strength and resilience, and calls on Americans to protect and defend their country.
question
What is the character trait in the blacksmith that Henry Wadsworth Longfellow focuses on in the first stanza of his poem, "The Village Blacksmith"?
answer
Longfellow focuses on the blacksmith's physical strength.

Explanation: The character trait in the blacksmith that Henry Wadsworth Longfellow focuses on in the first stanza of his poem, "The Village Blacksmith" is the blacksmith's strength.
question
After reading the lines "His brow is wet with honest sweat, / He earns whate'er he can," readers are likely to view the blacksmith as __________.
answer
industrious

Explanation: The blacksmith is likely to be viewed as a hardworking person.
question
Why is the fact that the blacksmith cries when thinking of his wife something that endears him further to readers?
answer
It shows readers a tender and sensitive side to his personality

Explanation: The fact that the blacksmith cries when thinking of his wife is something that endears him further to readers because it shows that he is a sensitive and caring man. He is not afraid to express his emotions, and this makes him more relatable and likable.
question
By the end of "The Village Blacksmith," Longfellow makes clear to readers that __________.
answer
the blacksmith is someone people would do well to emulate

Explanation: By the end of "The Village Blacksmith," Longfellow makes clear to readers that the blacksmith is a symbol of hope and progress.
question
"The Village Blacksmith" is a part of America's national mythology because the blacksmith __________.
answer
embodies many core American values and serves as the backbone of a typical American community

Explanation: The blacksmith is a figure who represents the hard work and determination that are necessary for success. He is someone who is not afraid of hard work and who is willing to put in the hours to get the job done. He is a symbol of the American dream, of the belief that anyone can make it if they are willing to work hard enough.