Considered one of the most influential thinkers of the Harlem Renaissance, this writer claimed both Walt Whitman and jazz as important influences in writings—

Essay Question Using at least three of the assigned readings we went over this semester (not the author biographies), discuss the theme of identity, especially in relation to the world you currently live in. You should explore the meaning of the idea, the importance of it as part of the American identity, and why and/or how you think we should talk about it today. You must use specific examples from at least three texts (summary and paraphrase is fine, so long as you highlight details) AND connections to specific modern real world issues and events (can be personal or non-personal). At least one of the readings should be from this last group of authors, but feel free to use readings from the beginning for the other two as well if you’d like. This should be at least three paragraphs.

The authors of early Native American stories-

All of the following are true of the writer Flannery O’Connor, except–

Identify the quote by listing 1) the author of the work, 2) the title, 3) the speaker (if any), and 4) briefly describe in 1-2 sentences what is the significance the quoted passage.  “This is the south. I look for evidence/ of other Creeks, for remnants of voices,/ or for tobacco brown bones to come wandering/ down Conti Street, Royal, or Decatur.” author-work-speaker (if any)-significance (1-2 sentences)-

Current horror and suspense works, such as Stephen King’s novels, are the legacy of- 

This author was born with the name Samuel Clemens–

Short Answer List the five writing techniques discussed in our class that Zora Neale Hurston uses in her works. [Each technique worth 2 points]             1.             2.             3.             4.             5.

e. e. cummings’s poetry- 

Identify the quote by listing 1) the author of the work, 2) the title, 3) the speaker (if any), and 4) briefly describe in 1-2 sentences what is the significance the quoted passage.  “There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights […] But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the worn threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds.” author-work-speaker (if any)-significance (1-2 sentences)-