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American Romanticism Trivia Quiz

American Romanticism was as much a spiritual movement as it was a literary one. Test your knowledge of Emerson, Whitman, and Hawthorne with this tasty little quiz!

A multiple-choice quiz by gypsyqueen. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
gypsyqueen

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
60,957

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1206

Last 3 plays: Guest 204 (2/10), Guest 152 (2/10), Guest 174 (10/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which of these is NOT a section in Walt Whitman's 'Leaves of Grass'? Hint

Children of Adam

Drum-Taps

Native Visions

Song of Myself

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which of these stories did Herman Melville NOT write? Hint

Man and Master

Bartleby the Scrivener

Benito Cereno

Moby Dick

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Question 3 of 10

3. Emily Dickinson tried to publish some of her poems.

True

False

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Question 4 of 10

4. Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote 'The Scarlet Letter'. Which is NOT usually cited as a reason that he did so? Hint

He was supporting the use of civil disobedience, as created by Emerson and Thoreau

His ancestor persecuted women in Salem, Massachusetts

He had committed adultery himself and felt remorse because of it

He thought that society was becoming intolerant and ignorant, as it had years ago

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Question 5 of 10

5. This former slave wrote a novel about his or her early life and was used (and misused) by abolitionists as an example of an intelligent black person. Hint

Harriet Tubman

Frederick Douglass

Sojourner Truth

Phyllis Wheatley

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Question 6 of 10

6. Where did Emily Dickinson spend almost all of her adult life? Hint

Amherst

Salem

Boston

Concord

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Question 7 of 10

7. Not always considered writers in the American Romantic style, which two authors shared tales of supernatural phenomena and storytelling prowess that surpassed the other Romantics? Hint

Poe and Irving

Dickinson and Poe

Irving and Whitman

Hawthorne and Melville

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which was NOT a main focus of the American Romantic movement in general? Hint

A deep and spiritual respect for nature and natural laws

A return to eastern philosophy

A demand for progress and productivity

The introduction of self-salvation as opposed to salvation through Christ

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which of the following American Romantics made a public display of not accepting Christ? Hint

Walt Whitman

Emily Dickinson

Henry David Thoreau

Edgar Allan Poe

10. Whitman's poetry was received poorly by the masses, who found it sexually deviant and crude. However, one very influential man thought it brilliant, and called Whitman the poet America was waiting for. Who was it? Hint

Abraham Lincoln

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Jefferson Davis

Frederick Douglass

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 08 2024 : Guest 204: 2/10
Oct 20 2024 : Guest 152: 2/10
Sep 27 2024 : Guest 174: 10/10
Sep 27 2024 : Guest 106: 1/10
Sep 26 2024 : Guest 73: 2/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of these is NOT a section in Walt Whitman's 'Leaves of Grass'?

Answer: Native Visions

As famous as he is now, Whitman only wrote one book. He revised it several times during his life, and the edition that exists today is usually called the deathbed edition. So bleak for a man who was so full of life and love!

2. Which of these stories did Herman Melville NOT write?

Answer: Man and Master

'Man and Master' isn't even American! It was written by a Russian: Leo Tolstoy.

3. Emily Dickinson tried to publish some of her poems.

Answer: True

So much for the idea of the humanity-hating hermit! She actually met with a man who wanted to publish her works. However, he found them too obscure and, sadly, turned her down.

4. Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote 'The Scarlet Letter'. Which is NOT usually cited as a reason that he did so?

Answer: He had committed adultery himself and felt remorse because of it

The first novel to be written about the Puritan era, Hawthorne's tight tale of adultery, deceit, revenge, and hypocrisy set contemporary views of the Puritans on their ears!

5. This former slave wrote a novel about his or her early life and was used (and misused) by abolitionists as an example of an intelligent black person.

Answer: Frederick Douglass

A literate black was difficult to find back then, much less one who was willing to write about his life. Douglass was forced into being put on display as a literate ex-slave, only to show that he had the capability of being as intelligent (i.e. useful) as a white man.

6. Where did Emily Dickinson spend almost all of her adult life?

Answer: Amherst

Years after her death, a one-woman play was written about her, 'The Belle of Amherst'. Pretty clever piece, actually.

7. Not always considered writers in the American Romantic style, which two authors shared tales of supernatural phenomena and storytelling prowess that surpassed the other Romantics?

Answer: Poe and Irving

Though many of the Romantic writers used supernatural events (the blazing 'A' in the sky in 'The Scarlet Letter', for example), Poe and Irving were masters at it. Just read 'Rip Van Winkle' or 'The Fall of the House of Usher' to understand why.

8. Which was NOT a main focus of the American Romantic movement in general?

Answer: A demand for progress and productivity

In fact, their view toward progress was one of the few things all the Romantics shared: they hated it! All wanted to return to simpler, nobler ways of life. Read 'Walden' to understand why!

9. Which of the following American Romantics made a public display of not accepting Christ?

Answer: Emily Dickinson

During her one year away from home at Mount Holyoke Academy for Girls, Dickinson was placed into the category of girls labeled 'Hopeless Concerning Salvation'. She made no attempt to break out of this division, and did not return to school the following year. However, her poems reveal a deep-seated belief in God and the wonder of his works, particularly nature and animal life.

Answer: Ralph Waldo Emerson

In a famous letter to Whitman, Emerson praises him mightily. The story goes that Whitman, in an effort to publicize his poetry, printed a copy of Emerson's letter without his permission. Emerson was thoroughly annoyed, and while he still praised Whitman's poetry, he grew to disrespect the poet himself.

Source: Author gypsyqueen

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