陶洁《美国文学选读》(第2版)课后习题详解(第17单元 20世纪美国诗人(1))【圣才出品】

13.2课后习题详解1.What are the qualities that Granny possesses which help her live successfully? Key:Granny is very responsible for her family,and she is always ready to do what she should do,therefore,she struggles live successful for the sake of her children. She loves her children very much.Granny is also very diligent,and keeps everything in order.She is very strong-minded,and has the will to go through hardships.After she is abandoned by her lover,she still has courage to live on.She is very intelligent, and her children like asking her for advice.However,in some way,she is a little stubborn,sticking to her own opinions.Perhaps,that is also a helpful quality for her to live successfully.2.Does Granny have any weaknesses?If so,what are they?Key:Yes,Granny has some weaknesses.She,sometimes,likes complaining about something.She is a little stubborn,and cannot forget about what and who has done harm to her and she is tortured.She is a little bad-tempered and impatient. She is,in some way,not very friendly to others.She is also nostalgic and cannot accept the truth that she is already eighty years old.3.What intelligent advice and wisdom does Granny give her family?Key:Granny gives her family many intelligent advice and wisdom through her own actions.She teaches her children to be diligent,economical and strong-minded. More importantly,she lets them know that a person,especially a woman,should be independent.4.Try to reorder the events told in the story as they would have happened in real life or as they flashed through Granny’s mind.Key:Granny’s boyfriend,George didn’t show up on their wedding,thus,Granny was abandoned by him.Then,Granny was married to Jack,who died at an early age, and left children with her.She raised her children all by herself,and had good times with them until they left her and built their own families.After they left,they still came to her home to seek advice from her,even when she was very old.。

第二部分章节题库第1单元本杰明·富兰克林І.Fill in the blanks.1.If we say Jonathan Edwards represents the upper levels of the American mind, _____represents the lower levels.【答案】Benjamin Franklin【解析】美国文学评论家范·威克·布鲁克斯（Van Wyck Brooks）在《美国的成年》(America’s Coming of Age)中指出乔纳森·爱德华兹和本杰明·富兰克林是美国18世纪的两位重要的哲学家，他们是不同层次思想的代表。

2.Franklin’s claim to a place in literature rests chiefly on his_____and_____.【答案】Poor Richard’s Almanac，The Autobiography【解析】富兰克林在文学上的地位主要取决于《穷查理历书》和《自传》。

3.In American literature,the eighteenth century was an Age of_____and Revolution.【答案】Reason【解析】18世纪的美国处于理性与革命时期。

这一时期的美国深受法国启蒙思想的影响，且处于独立革命时期。

4.Franklin was the epitome of the_____,the versatile,practical embodiment of national man in the18th century.【答案】Enlightenment【解析】富兰克林是启蒙思想的缩影，是18世纪理性的代表。

5.Benjamin Franklin’s best writing is found in his masterpiece_____.【答案】The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin【解析】本杰明·富兰克林文学上最大的成就体现在他的作品《本杰明·富兰克林自传》上。

20.1复习笔记Tennessee Williams(1911-1983)（田纳西·威廉斯）1.Life（生平）Tennessee Williams was one of the greatest American dramatists.He was born Thomas Lanier Williams but he changed“Thomas”to“Tennessee”in1939.He was born in Columbus,Mississippi,in1911.Several years later,the family moved to the University City neighborhood of St.Louis,Missouri.In1929attended the University of Missouri,and dropped out in1932because of poverty.He finally earned a degree in1938from the University of Iowa.His first play,Battle of Angels, proved to be such a fiasco that he did not surface again,until1945when The Glass Menagerie won him international recognition.After that he kept writing at the rate of every two years and enjoyed popularity all along.He was also a novelist and a poet.He wrote a novel,two volumes of poetry,and six volumes of prose,including three collections of short stories.田纳西·威廉斯是美国最伟大的剧作家之一。

第1单元本杰明•富兰克林1. Why did Franklin write his Autobiography?Key: Because that when he was young, he has “never had a pleasure in obtaining any anecdotes” of his ancestors, and he held that it was a great pity because he was curious about them. So, he thought that his son would also want to know the story of him and he himself also had responsibility to share it with his son. In addition, he thought that his experiences and success would give some useful advice to his son. With such consideration in mind, Franklin wrote his autobiography.2.What made Franklin decide to leave the brother to whom he had been apprenticed?Key: The altercation between Franklin and his brother made him decide to leave. His brother considered himself as Franklin’s master and treated him harshly and tyrannically. This kind of treatment annoyed Franklin, so he decided to leave.3. How did he arrive in Philadelphia?Key: He arrived in Philadelphia with great difficulties. At the very start, he set out in a boat for Amboy, and in crossing the bay he, along with his companions, met with a squall that tore the rotten sails to pieces and drove him upon Long Island.On approaching the island, they had to drop anchor and swim out their cable towards the shore, etc. In a word, he went through many hardships on the way to Philadelphia.4. What features do you find in the style of the above selection?Key: This selection is written in the form of letters to his son. By this way, it can show the author’s honesty and frankness, which will make the reader stand close to him and actually feel and understand his emotions and experiences. Another feature is that this biography has a good narrative and reads like a story, which can arouse the readers’ reading interest and curiosity.。

4.1复习笔记I.Introduction to author（作者简介）Nathaniel Hawthorne(1804-1864)is a novelist.纳撒尼尔·霍桑（1804-1864）是一位小说家。

1.Life（生平）Hawthorne was born in Salem,Massachusetts.Some of his ancestors were men of prominence in the Puritan theocracy.One of his ancestors was a colonial magistrate,notorious for his part in the persecution of the Quakers,and another was a judge at the Salem Witchcraft Trial in1692.Gradually,the family fortune declined.Hawthorn was intensely conscious of the wrongdoing of his ancestors, and this awareness led to his understanding of evil being at the core of human life, so he seemed to be haunted by his sense of sin and evil in his life.霍桑出生于马萨诸塞州的萨勒姆镇，他的一些祖先是17世纪新英格兰清教神权统治中的显赫人物。

他的一位祖先是殖民地行政官，因参与迫害贵格派教徒而臭名昭著。

另一位祖先则是1692年萨勒姆审巫案的法官。

家族渐渐走向没落。

霍桑强烈地意识到他祖先的罪恶，这也让他明白了邪恶存在于人生命的核心部分，因此终其一生，他心中的罪恶感都挥之不去。

22.1复习笔记Robert Lowell(1917-1977)（罗伯特·洛威尔）1.Life（生平）Lowell came from a distinguished New England family.This background endowed him with culture and taste in the very texture of his being,and meanwhile offered a window of opportunity for him to scrutinize and dissect the decline of his New England tradition.He was well educated at Harvard and then at Kenyon College,Ohio under the well-known New Critical poet and critic John Crowe Ranson.Lowell’s poetic career reached a height when he received a Pulitzer for his second volume,Lord Weary’s Castle in1946.In1959his Life Studies came out,at that time he had switched from the New Critical style to open form,and had inadvertently initiated a new school of verse,the Confessional School poetry.He received the National Book Award for the new book.In the late1960s he once was arrested for his part in the march on the Pentagon against the Vietnam War.洛威尔来自显赫的新英格兰家庭。

美国文学课后习题集团文件版本号：（M928-T898-M248-WU2669-I2896-DQ586-M1988）U n i t2E d g a r A l l a n P o e 1)Who is the narrator? What wrong does he want to redress?It is Montresor. Fortunato has given Montresor thousands of injuries that he has to bear before he has this opportunity of taking revenge.2)What is the pretext Montresor uses to lure Fortunado to hiswine cellar?He claims that he has just got a cask of Amontilado and stores it in the wine cellar before he may find a connoisseur totestify to its authenticity.3)What happens to Fortunado in the end?The deceived Fortunado is killed because of his inability of getting out of the catacomb.4)Describe briefly how Poe characterizes Mortresor andFortunado as contrasts.Poe characterizes Mortresor and Fortunado as seemingly contrasting characters chiefly by presenting their identical habit in wine and their different manners towards each other, but actually he intends to show some similarly defective aspects in their nature. The similarity in their nature is also suggested by their names as synonyms in Italian: Mortresor means “fortune” while Fortunado “treasure”. Their defectivenature is highlighted when the revenger Mortresor, who is fully prepared on psychological and operating levels, throws the hardly prepared but totally deceived wrong-doer Fortunado into the deep and damp catacomb and blocks up its entrance with huge rocks.Unit 7 19th Century American Poets1.Henry Wadsworth Longfellow(1)I Shot an Arrow…1. Why did the speaker lose sight of his arrow and song?The arrow flies too swiftly and too far away to be seen by the speaker; whereas the song is naturally invisible.2.In what circumstances did he find them again?He finds them unexpectedly years later from the trunk of a tree and the heart of a friend.3.What do arrow and song stand for in this poem?The images of arrow and song here may stand for friendship.(2) A Psalm of Life1. What kind of person is the speaker of this poem?The speaker is a man of action, always optimistic and cheerful, trying to achieve as much as possible in the short span of life.2. According to the poem, how should our lives be led to overcome the fact that each day brings us nearer to death?We should work harder and live happier.3. Interpret the metaphor of "Footprints on the sand of time" (line 28).The metaphor refers to human deeds in real life.2. Walt Whitman(1)One's Self I Sing1. What is the significance of singing about one's self?It is an exaltation of the individual spirit, which is typicalof American people.2. What is the difference between physiology and physiognomy? Physiology is a science that deals with the functions and life process of human beings, whereas physiognomy refers to an artof judging character from contours of face itself or the appearance of a person.3. What does Whitman mean by the term of "the Modern Man"?He means that a man should be free from any prejudice and pride, totally different from the traditional one, that is full of bias.(3)O Captain! My Captain!1.Why is the word "Captain" capitalized throughout the poem?In this poem the word “Captain” specially refers to Abraham Lincoln, president of the United States.2.What overall metaphor does the poet employ in this poem?Life is a journey.3.Why do people on the shores exult and bells ring, while thespeaker remains so sad?They welcome the ship returning from its hard trip, whereas the speaker is sad because the captain fails to receive his own honor.3.Emily Dickinson(1) To Make a Prairie …1. What things are needed to "make" a prairie? In what sense can one really do it?Some grass and insects and small animals. People can make a prairie with their imagination.2. How can "revery alone" create a prairie?The prairie stays in one's mind.(2) Success Is Counted Sweetest1. Why is success "counted sweetest by those who ne'er succeed"? Those who have tasted the bitterness of failure would have a keener desire for success.2. Who are "the purple host"?The so-called successful people in the world.3. Who is "he" in the last stanza?Anyone who is pursuing his success.(3) I'm Nobody!1. Who are the "pair of us" and "they" in this poem?The "pair of us" refers to the speaker in the poem and the reader, and "they" refers to the public, especially those in power.2. What does "an admiring bog" really mean?" (line 28).It Implies the vain and empty common people, who are always admiring and pursuing the celebrities.3. What is the theme of this poem?The real admirable life is a secluded and common one.4. Do you want to be "nobody" or "somebody"? Explain your reasons.Different persons would have different answers to this question. Personally, I prefer to be nobody.Unit 17 20th-Century American Poets1. Ezra PoundIn A Station of the Metro1. Why does the poet call the faces of pedestrians "apparition"? These pedestrians are all walking in a hurry amidst thedrizzling rain.2. What do "petals" and "bough" stand for?Petals refer to the faces while the bough stands for the floating crowd.2. Wallace StevensAnecdote of the Jar1. What does the jar in poem symbolize? Why does the speaker place it on top of a hill?The jar here symbolizes a certain perspective on looking atthis world. If the perspective of the viewing is creative and unique, it will change the conventional order of the old world. When a new perspective comes out, it will certainly hold attention from the rest.2. The jar is "round" and "of a port in air," meaning that it has a stately importance. What effect does it have on surroundings when placed on the ground?Maybe the round jar assumes the air of a domineering figure, which helps to form a certain order out of the disordered surrounding.3. How did the wilderness of Tennessee characterized? What words or phrases does the poet use to describe it?Tennessee seems to a place full of life and energy. “Slovenly,” “sprawl” and “wild” are some of the words used to describe the place. (See Anecdote of the Jar )3. William Carlos WilliamsWilliam Carlos Williams1. How does the first two lines differ from the other pairs of lines?Each of the last three couplets creates a visual image (“a red wheelbarrow,” “glazed with rainwater,” and “the white chickens”), whereas the first one does not.2. What is the most visually compelling word in each of the last three pairs of lines?They are “red, glazed and white”. (See EXPLANATION: “The Red Wheelbarrow” below)3. What is the meaning of "depends upon" in the first pair of lines?The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem. Since the poem is composed of one sentence broken up at various intervals, it is truthful to say that 'so much depends upon' each line of the poem. This is so because the form of the poem is also its meaning. This may seem confusing, but by the end of the poem the image of the wheelbarrow is seen as the actual poem, as in a painting when one sees an image of an apple, the apple represents an actual object in reality, but since it is part of a painting the apple also becomes the actual piece ofart. These lines are also important because they introduce the idea that 'so much depends upon' the wheelbarrow.SEE answer 1.4.Robert Frost(1)Fire and Ice1. What are the symbolic meanings of fire in this poem?Fire symbolizes natural disaster, human passion, as well as war.2. Why does the speaker say that ice is also great for destruction? Explain what ice stands for here.Ice, oppose to fire, is also a dreadful natural disaster inthis world, and ice is always related to indifference, coldness, hatred, and the other negative sentiments of human beings.3. What is your opinion about fire and ice? Which one is more destructive?Both fire and ice can destroy this beautiful world if they are beyond control of human beings. Therefore we should be open-minded and reduce our prejudice and pride so as to keep this world in peace.(2)Stopping By Woods On a Snowy Evening1. In your opinion, what was the reason that made the speaker stop by the woods on a snowy evening?The poet was deeply attracted by the natural beauty of thescene at that very moment.2. Why did the horse give the harness bell a shake?The horse grew impatient by stopping in the middle of the dark, cold woods at midnight. It was eager to go home.3. Why couldn't the speaker stay longer by the woods to appreciate its mysterious beauty?He realized that it was late at night and he would have tohurry home to get some food and sleep, because the next morning he would have a lot of work to do.4. What is the effect of repetition in the last two lines?The refrain-like repetition in the last two lines reminds the reader a simple fact of life: whatever happens, one must go forward in the journey of his or her life.(3) The Road Not Taken1. What is the speaker's initial response to the divergence of the two roads?The speaker is at a loss which road he should choose, and he feels sorry that he cannot explore both roads at the same time. 2. Describe the similarities and differences of these two roads. Which one does the speaker take?Two roads are similar except one of t hem is more “grassy,” which implies that it is less traveled by people. The speaker prefers the less traveled one, because he likes adventure.3. What might the two roads stand for in the speaker's mind? One road stands for the traditional one and the other is unconventional one and full of challenges and difficulties. To follow other people's footsteps or to open a new road for himself is really not an easy decision for us to make in our lives.5. Langston Hughes(1)Dreams1. Why must we stick to our dreams?If God is not the first move in our life, surely our dreams are the same.2. What images does the poet employ to describe the life once we lose our dreams?Without dreams our life will be a broken bird and a barren field. I think without dream our life will be a grand ship drifting on the vast ocean, never knowing its destination.(2)Me And The Mule1. Why does the speaker identify himself with the mule?They share a lot in their life: hard-working and full of strength, submissiveness and kindness and honesty.2. What figure of speech does the poet employ in describing the mule?Personification.。

第1单元本杰明•富兰克林1.1 复习笔记I. Introduction to author（作者简介）Benjamin Franklin (1706—1790) was a rare genius in human history. He became everything: a printer, postmaster, almanac maker, essayist, scientist, inventor, orator, statesman, philosopher, political economist, ambassador, —“Jack of all trades.”本杰明·富兰克林(1706—1790)是人类历史上少有的天才。

他是出版家、邮政总长、历书作者、散文家、科学家、发明家、演说家、政治家、哲学家、政治经济学家、大使等等。

1. Life（生平）He was born into a poor family. He was a voracious reader. At 16 he published essays under the pseudonym Silence Dogood. At 17 he ran away to Philadelphia to make his own fortune. He became a printer. He helped found the Pennsylvania Hospital, an academy which led to the University of Pennsylvania, and the American Philosophical Society. He was a preeminent scientist of his day. He signed the Declaration of Independence. He was one of the makers of the new nation.富兰克林出生于一个贫穷的家庭。

陶洁《美国⽂学选读》笔记和课后习题（含考研真题）详解（斯蒂芬克莱恩）【圣才出品】第10单元斯蒂芬?克莱恩10.1 复习笔记I. Introduction to author（作者简介）1. Life（⽣平）Stephen Crane was an American novelist, short story writer, poet and journalist. Prolific throughout his short life, he wrote notable works in the Realist tradition as well as early examples of American Naturalism and Impressionism. He is recognized by modern critics as one of the most innovative writers of his generation.斯蒂芬·克莱恩是美国⼩说家、短篇⼩说家、诗⼈、记者。

他在短暂的⼀⽣中著作颇丰，在现实主义传统下写了许多著名作品，也成为美国⾃然主义和印象主义的早期范例。

他被当代批评家认为是同时代最具有创意的作家。

2. Major Works（主要作品）Maggie: A Girl of the Street (1893) 《街头⼥郎麦姬》The Red Badge of Courage (1895) 《红⾊英勇勋章》“The Open Boat” (1897) 《海上扁⾈》The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky (1898)《新娘来到黄天镇》The Blue Hotel (1898) 《蓝⾊旅店》Ⅱ. Selected works（选读作品）◆The Open Boat《海上扁⾈》This story is based on Crane’s personal experiences. While traveling to Cuba to work as a newspaper correspondent during the Cuban insurrection against Spain, Crane was stranded at sea after his ship the Commodore sank off the coast of Florida. Stephen Crane and three others endured the rage of the sea for thirty hours. Billy Higgins a friend of Cranes drowned while swimming to shore. This realistic story of their life-threatening ordeal captures the emotions of four men in a fight against nature.Th e most significant aspect of this struggle lies in the men’s attempts to help one another survive when they are confronted with danger and disaster.故事取材于克莱恩真实的个⼈经历。

第1单元本杰明•富兰克林1.1 复习笔记I. Introduction to author（作者简介）Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was a rare genius in human history. He became everything: a printer, postmaster, almanac maker, essayist, scientist, inventor, orator, statesman, philosopher, political economist, ambassador,—“Jack of all trades.”富兰克林是人类历史上少有的天才。

他是出版家、邮政总长、历书作者、散文家、科学家、发明家、演说家、政治家、哲学家、政治经济学家、大使、业务员等等。

1. Life（生平）He was born into a poor family. He was a voracious reader. At 16 he published essays under the pseudonym Silence Do good. At 17 he ran away to Philadelphia to make his own fortune. He became a printer. He helped found the Pennsylvania Hospital, an academy which led to the University of Pennsylvania, and the American Philosophical Society. He was a preeminent scientist of his day. He signed the Declaration of Independence. He was one of the makers of the new nation.富兰克林出生于一个贫穷的家庭。