The Great Gatsby, The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn, On the Road, The Sunset Limited, and Housekeeping.
Directions:
Answer all of the following questions in well-thought out paragraphs. Your paragraphs should be at least
five to seven sentences each. All of your answers should also include at least one quotation from two
different texts (books in this class). These quotations will count for one sentence each within your
paragraph sentence count. You should not have to consult outside sources to answer these questions
.
Questions:
1. Discuss what you believe the American Dream to be. How is it exemplified in the books we have
studied. How do they conflict with each other and work together to explain what the American
Dream is or what it could be? Do you think the underlying spirit of the American Dream is the
same today as it was years before? If so, why? And if not, why and how do you think it has
changed?
2. What does it mean to be an American? What do you feel makes you American or not? How do
you see this supported or challenged within the books we have read?
3. What do you feel is the most recurring lesson, topic, or theme in the books we have read this
year? Where do you see it? How has it changed or stayed the same from book to book?
4. Also, what is the most common theme or topic you have encountered within these books? Why
do you feel it is so prominent? What does that tell us about the way people think and relate to
stories?
5. Which character do you think is most truthful from all of the books we have read? What makes
someone truthful, and how does it set that character apart from those around him or her? Do you
feel, based on this character, that being truthful is worthwhile? If so, why? If not, why not? How
can truth help and hurt a person or a situation?
6. What was the most difficult book to read this semester and why? Discuss what made it a struggle,
what the author could have done differently to make it more enjoyable to read, and how you
would approach writing a story to avoid those same issues.
them! Make sure
there is variety and style to your writing.
Address the questions and respond sufficiently. Your response needs to stay on topic and
follow through with each of the questions. If you stray from the topic or fail to completely address
it, there will be a point deduction.
. Textual evidence. with page numbers You must directly cite and correctly incorporate at least two quotations
in each of your answers. All of your answers should also include at least one quotation from two
different texts. These quotations will count for one sentence each within your paragraph sentence
count.
