American Studies- Final Exam Review

Semester #2

American Studies (English portion)

Material covered

A Separate Peace by John Knowles

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

“The Weapon” by Fredric Brown

The Crucible by Arthur Miller

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

Research paper- see separate attachments

American Studies- Final Exam review

A Separate Peace by John Knowles

Plot Overview
Conflicts
Point of View
Finny
Gene
Brinker
Leper
Setting
Symbols
Motif
Themes

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Plot Overview
Conflict
Point of View
Holden
Allie
Phoebe
Jane Gallagher
Sally Hayes
D.B.
Antolini
Stradlater
Luce
Ackley
Setting
Symbols
Motif
Themes

Research Paper

Introductory paragraph/ thesis statement

Citation format

Works Cited page

Block quote format

Outline Format

“The Weapon” by Fredric Brown

Plot Overview
Setting
Conflict
Themes
Dr. Graham
Harry
Mr. Niemand
Symbols
Message
Additional Info

The Crucible by Arthur Miller

Plot Overview
Conflicts
Themes
John Proctor
Elizabeth Proctor
Abigail Williams
Reverend Parris
Reverend Hale
Putnams
Tituba
Giles Corey
HUAC Connection
Symbolism
Irony

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

Plot Overview
Setting
Conflict
Themes
Walter Younger, Jr.
Ruth Younger
Travis Younger
Mama (Lena)
Beneatha Younger (a.k.a. “Alaiyo”)
Joseph Asagai
George Murchison
Willie Harris
Karl Lindner
Significance of the title

The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

Characters to Know

Tim O’Brien-

Elroy Berdahl-

Ted Lavender-

Jimmy Cross-

Martha-

Rat Kiley-

Kiowa-

Kathleen-

Norman Bowker-

As you review for the final exam, it will be important to look over the discussion questions as well as your notes from class.

Intro to Tim O’Brien and the book

1. Where was O’Brien raised? How did this have an influence on O’Brien and his thoughts on serving in Vietnam?

1. According to O’Brien, why did he go to Vietnam? How does he feel about that decision?

1. Describe O’Brien’s education. What colleges did he attend?

“On the Rainy River”

1. What is the crucible O’Brien faces?

2. Where is the RainyRiver?

“The Things They Carried”

1. What are some of the intangible things that the men carry?

2. Why does Jimmy Cross burn the letters? Why does he feel guilty?

3. What does he vow to do? Does it make a difference? Give evidence.

“The Man I Killed”

1. How does O’Brien describe the man he killed?

2. What do O’Brien and the man he killed have in common?

“Ambush”

1. How does O’Brien act like a “catcher in the rye”?

2. “And it will always be that way.” (133) What does O’Brien mean by this? Why is it important?

3. How is the title “Ambush” ambiguous?

“Speaking of Courage”

1. What thoughts are bothering Norman Bowker?

2. “Sometimes …the difference between courage and cowardice was something small and stupid.” (147) Explain how this relates to the event that Norman is recalling.

“Notes”

1. Norman writes a letter to Tim. What does the letter say?

2. What revelation does O’Brien make in the final paragraph of the chapter?

“In the Field”

1. Why does the young soldier blame himself for Kiowa’s death? What “stupid thing” had he done? (170)

1. “He watched the young soldier wading through the water, bending down and then standing and then bending down again, as if something might finally be salvaged from the waste.” (172-173) How can this line be interpreted on more than one level?

1. “You could blame people who were too lazy to read a newspaper, who were bored by the daily body counts, who switched channels at the mention of politics.” (177) Explain why you agree or disagree with this statement. How does it relate to the American involvement in places like Iraq or Afghanistan today?