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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 5, Morals, Chapter 6, Crime and Punishment.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the purpose of monogamy, according to Mencken?
(a) Marriage serves to enhance and legitimize passion.
(b) Marriage serves to protect society from itself.
(c) Marriage serves to emphasize romantic love.
(d) Marriage serves to kill and restrain passion.

2. What does Mencken NOT believe about the possibility for morality to change over time?
(a) Different subsections of morality can grow over time.
(b) Morality evolves and grows over time.
(c) Morality was determined in ancient times, and has not changed.
(d) Morality can adopt new ideas, like Christian beliefs.

3. What is Mencken's opinion of original Christians?
(a) The historical record is so poor that Mencken cannot form an opinion.
(b) They were "men's men" and should be looked upon as examples.
(c) They were patriots, akin to the Founding Fathers.
(d) They were vulgar cads without imagination.

4. What is the proper function of punishment for crimes?
(a) As a mere incentivizing device.
(b) As a deterrent only.
(c) As a deterrent, but also more.
(d) To create a sense of false dignity in society.

5. Which is NOT one of Mencken's view of humankind as expressed in Chapter 1?
(a) Man is the center of the universe, and rightly so.
(b) Man is prone to believe in ridiculous things.
(c) Man is the product of random and meaningless processes.
(d) Man is full of errors.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Mencken feel about the overall capacity for virtue in the human race?

2. Why is the "pretty man" hated?

3. Who is the "ideal citizen of Christendom" according to Chapter 3?

4. What is Mencken's belief about morality?

5. How does Mencken characterize a woman's level of civility?

(see the answer key)

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