Assignment Questions:

Question 1

In his article “Walt Whitman and the Culture of Democracy,” George Kateb argues that, “Democratic connectedness is mutual acceptance. Rejection of any other human being, for one reason or another, for apparently good reasons as well as for bad ones, is self-rejection. A principal burden of Whitman’s teaching, therefore, is that the differences between individuals do not go as deep as the commonalities” (552).

Examine the implications of this quotation in relation to “Song of Myself.” Determine why and how Walt Whitman creates a democratic epic celebrating “commonalities” between us.

Compose an essay of no more than 1,200 words, making use of George Kateb’s article “Walt Whitman and the Culture of Democracy” and the Study Guide.

Question 2

Part A Discussion Board

Before the Birth of One of Her Children

All things within this fading world hath end,

Adversity doth still our joys attend;

No ties so strong, no friends so dear and sweet,

But with death’s parting blow is sure to meet.

The sentence past is most irrevocable,

A common thing, yet oh inevitable.

How soon, my Dear, death may my steps attend,

How soon’t may be thy lot to lose thy friend,

We are both ignorant, yet love bids me

These farewell lines to recommend to thee,

That when that knot’s untied that made us one,

I may seem thine, who in effect am none.

And if I see not half my days that’s due,

What nature would, God grant to yours and you;

The many faults that well you know I have

Let be interred in my oblivious grave;

If any worth or virtue were in me,

Let that live freshly in thy memory

And when thou feel’st no grief, as I no harms,

Yet love thy dead, who long lay in thine arms,

And when thy loss shall be repaid with gains

Look to my little babes, my dear remains.

And if thou love thyself, or loved’st me,

These O protect from stepdame’s injury.

And if the chance to thine eyes shall bring this verse,

With some sad sighs honor my absent hearse;

And kiss this paper for thy love’s dear sake,

Who with salt tears this last farewell did take.

Anne Bradstreet

Read the poem by Anne Bradstreet below. It is not in the small selection in the ELT372e Study Guide Readings anthology. In no more than 120 words, write a single paragraph answering this question:

What are the strengths and weaknesses of this poem?

Part B Essay

Analyze the passage below and determine the ways in which it is a typical example of Benjamin Franklin’s style and purpose in The Autobiography, as well as of eighteenth-century prose.

Understanding that Colonel French had brought on board the governor’s despatches, I asked the captain for those letters that were to be under my care. He said all were put into the bag together and he could not then come at them; but, before we landed in England, I should have an opportunity of picking them out; so I was satisfied for the present, and we proceeded on our voyage. We had a sociable company in the cabin, and lived uncommonly well, having the addition of all Mr. Hamilton’s stores, who had laid in plentifully. In this passage, Mr. Denham contracted a friendship for me that continued during his life. The voyage was otherwise not a pleasant one, as we had a great deal of bad weather.

When we came into the Channel, the captain kept his word with me and gave me an opportunity of examining the bag for the governor’s letters. I found none upon which my name was put as under my care. I picked out six or seven, that, by the handwriting, I thought might be the promised letters, especially as one of them was directed to Basket, the king’s printer, and another to some stationer. We arrived in London on the 24th of December, 1724. I waited upon the stationer, who came first in my way, delivering the letter as from Governor Keith. “I don’t know such a person,” says he; but, opening the letter, “O! this is from Riddlesden. I have lately found him to be a complete rascal, and “…I will have nothing to do with him, nor receive any letters from him.”

But what shall we think of a governor’s playing such pitiful tricks, and imposing so grossly on a poor ignorant boy! It was a habit he had acquired. He wish’d to please everybody; and, having little to give, he gave expectations. He was otherwise an ingenious, sensible man, a pretty good writer, and a good governor for the people, tho’ not for his constituents, the proprietaries, whose instructions he sometimes disregarded. Several of our best laws were of his planning and passed during his administration.