Thematic Focus: Story of the Times

Using the selection “The Story of the Times” on p432-437 of the textbook, answer the following questions on a sheet of binder paper, in reframed sentences:

Historical Background

1.  What major transformation did America undergo in the years between 1850 and 1914?

2.  In what way did the Civil War surprise both sides? What three factors combined to transform the West in the years after the Civil War?

3.  What were drawbacks to America’s industrialization and expansion?

Literature of the Period

4.  What sources provide a detailed record of the Civil War from the perspective of those who experienced it?

5.  What is Realism? What is Naturalism? (Important: Include how the two movements differ)

6.  In what ways did literary movements like Realism and Naturalism suggest that the country was “growing up”?

*Questions #3 & #6 are “under the surface” so you will need to think (make inferences, draw conclusions, hypothesize, etc). Staple this half-sheet to top of your paper and turn in when finished.

Thematic Focus: Story of the Times

Using the selection “The Story of the Times” on p432-437 of the textbook, answer the following questions on a sheet of binder paper, in reframed sentences:

Historical Background

1.  What major transformation did America undergo in the years between 1850 and 1914?

2.  In what way did the Civil War surprise both sides? What three factors combined to transform the West in the years after the Civil War?

3.  What were drawbacks to America’s industrialization and expansion?

Literature of the Period

4.  What sources provide a detailed record of the Civil War from the perspective of those who experienced it?

5.  What is Realism? What is Naturalism? (Important: Include how the two movements differ)

6.  In what ways did literary movements like Realism and Naturalism suggest that the country was “growing up”?

*Questions #3 & #6 are “under the surface” so you will need to think (make inferences, draw conclusions, hypothesize, etc). Staple this half-sheet to top of your paper and turn in when finished.