Tone is a crucial part of H.L. Mencken's delivery. Describe Mencken's general approach to tone.

Describe Mencken's view of religion. What does it do for believers? What kind of people adhere to religion? Are all forms of religion the same, or are some better than others?

What accounts for Mencken's suspicion of democracy? What is Mencken's ideal form of government/citizenship?

Buncombe, hokum, balderdash, and quackery are some of the colorful terms Mencken uses to describe, essentially, nonsense. What kinds of nonsense are there in Mencken's worldview? In the midst of all sorts of nonsense, is there something real and genuine to hold on to?

Editor Alistair Cooke provides his own brief explanation for why Mencken became irrelevant during the Roosevelt administration. Considering Mencken's body of work, beliefs, and authorial voice, what do you think accounts for Mencken's waning power after 1933? In contrast...