The Secret Knowledge: On the Dismantling of American Culture Papers & Assignment Topics

Essay Topics/Writing Assignments

These 20 essay questions can be used as essay questions on a test, or as stand-alone essay topics for a take-home or in-class writing assignment. Students should have a full understanding of the text in order to answer these questions. They ask for a thorough analysis of the text.

1. Define and discuss the terms the Left, the Right, fiscal conservatism, liberalism and conservatism. How do Mamet's definitions of these terms relate to dictionary definitions?

2. Discuss the 2008 U.S. Presidential election through the scope of Mamet's views. What did Mamet oppose in the Obama campaign and why?

3. Describe and discuss the book "White Guilt" by Shelby Steele. What political and social viewpoints does the book present? How did it influence Mamet?

4. Describe the book "Lost Horizon" and the correlation between the protagonist and liberal youth today. Why does Mamet compare the...
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