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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where did Mencken meet Sister Aimee?

2. In Chapter 23, Mencken attends a church service during the Scopes Monkey Trial. What is his impression of that service?

3. Writers "who cannot write" write in what style?

4. How do bad artists hide their shortcomings?

5. What is the usual relationship between an artist and his countrymen?

Short Essay Questions

1. Summarize Mencken's account of the Scopes Monkey Trial and his impression of the town of Dayton, Tennessee.

2. What is Mencken's opinion of the music of Johann Strauss? Why wasn't Strauss' music more well-received in America?

3. What opinion does Mencken render about the Black Plague that decimated Europe in the Middle Ages?

4. What does Mencken feel is the contemporary state of psychology? How does he feel about Freudianism?

5. Summarize Mencken's view of Ludwig van Beethoven.

6. What opinion does Mencken render about a) Mary Baker G. Eddy and Christian Science, and b) the doctrine of theosophy?

7. Why does Mencken make mention of Charles Joseph Bonaparte? Who was Bonaparte, and what was Mencken's opinion of him?

8. What memorable position does Mencken take on opera?

9. What insight does Mencken provide about physical disease/illness?

10. Why does Mencken criticize the American Medical Association? What is his opinion of doctors as a professional class?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapters 5 and 6, Mencken discusses morality, and crime and punishment, respectively.

1) Discuss Mencken's belief about the origin of morality, and how it evolved. Can morality change, or is it static?

2) Discuss Mencken's thoughts about Christian morality in general.

3) Discuss Mencken's opinion of contemporary forms of punishment for committed crimes. What is the role of punishment?

Essay Topic 2

1) Make the distinction between maxims, epigrams, and apothegms. How were these literary devices used by Mencken? How do they fit his tone and perspective as an author? What did Mencken accomplish with them?

2) Evaluate the following entry: "Q: If you find so much that is unworthy of reverence in the United States, then why do you live here? A: Why do men go to zoos?" How is this entry indicative of Mencken's tone as an author? How is it indicative of his worldview and general view of humanity?

Essay Topic 3

Summarize Mencken's views on government, especially the democratic form of government. Include:

a) The average man's conception of government

b) The history and evolution of democracy as Mencken sees it

c) Why democracy is inherently flawed

d) The effects of democracy -- what it harms, what kind of people it produces

e) Mencken's prescription for an ideal form of government/leadership for the United States

(see the answer keys)

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