美国文学习题与练习

美国文学习题与练习

I. Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

Questions for Reading Comprehension

1. Who are the sinners in the hands of an angry God?

2. What does the expression that the speaker has chosen imply?

3. Why can t the wicked Israelites foresee the destruction to which they are exposed?

4. Why do wicked men deserve to be cast into hell?

5. Why are the wicked Israelites not fallen already?

6. Is there anything a natural man can do to secure himself from hell?

7. What can keep wicked men out of hell?

8. Why is God so angry with the wicked men who are now on earth?

9. What would happen if God should withdraw his restraining power?

10. Under what circumstances is God under an obligation to keep a natural man from eternal destruction?

Discussion Questions for Appreciation

1. What imagery does the speaker use to describe the invincibility of God？

2. Give one example of the speaker s metaphorical mode of perception.

3. Find two epigrams in the texts.

4. What is the speaker s purpose of depicting such a horrifying image of the wicked men dangled over the pit of hell?

5. What effect do you think this sermon will have on the listeners?

A Question for Writing

What religious doctrines of the Puritans are portrayed in Jonathan Edwards sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”?

II. From The Autobiography

Questions for Reading Comprehension

1. Why did Franklin set up a Public Subscription Library in Phila-delphia?

2. What did the Library afford him?

3. What did he consider as a means of obtaining wealth and distinction?

4. What did Franklin regard as the essentials of every religion?

5. Make a shorthand list of the memorable anecdotes Franklin tells about himself.

6. According to the selection, why did Franklin cr eate his “Method” for “moral perfection”?

7. Can you summarize Franklin s “Method”for “moral perfection”?

8. What surprised Franklin when he began to follow his plan for self-examination?

9. What satisfaction did he have? What gave him the most trouble?

10. At first Franklin s list contained twelve virtues. Why did he later add Humility to his list?

Discussion Questions for Appreciation

1. How would you describe Franklin s writing style?

2. What is Franklin s purpose of writing The Autobiography? And how does that purpose change throughout the work?

3. Franklin often struggles to strike a balance between promoting humility and promoting his accomplishments. How successful is he in maintaining this balance?

4. Discuss Franklin s optimism as a young man versus the diminished optimism he has as an adult looking back on his life. How do the two work together?

5. How does Franklin employ humor in The Autobiography? Find three examples of humor or worldly wisdom that help illustrate why Franklin was regarded as one of the wittiest Americans of the eighteenth century.

6. How can writing an autobiography contribute to self-knowledge? By way of example, explain what Benjamin Franklin The Autobiographer comes to see about Benjamin Franklin the young man.

A Question for Writing

Many critics regard The Autobiography as a statement about American national identity. What ideals does the book convey? And why are these ideas worth pursuing?

III. From Nature

Questions for Reading Comprehension

1. According to paragraph 1 in the “Introduction”, what does Emerson say would happen if the stars appeared one night in a thousand years?

2. According to paragraph 2, why does Emerson believe that the stars awaken a reverence in people?

3. When do natural objects make a similar impression of reverence?

4. How does Emerson describe the lover of nature?

5. What does Emerson mean when he says, “In the woods too, a man casts off his years”?

6. Why does Emerson say, “I am part particle of God”?

Discussion Questions for Appreciation

1. What is Emerson s idea about the relationship between man and nature?

2. According to Emerson, what is the distinction between adult and children?

3. Where does Emerson believe the power for a true relationship between man and God comes from?

4. What Transcendental ideas does Emerson express in this essay?

A Question for Writing

What does Emerson mean when he describes himself as “a transparent eyeball” when he is in the woods? How does this state of mind affect his relationship with God?

From Self-Reliance

Questions for Reading Comprehension