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| Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. According to Marcus in "Sly Stone," what is the spirit behind Riot?
2. Who wrote "Hound Dog"?
3. What is the name of Elvis' mother?
4. In the introduction to "Elvis," Marcus claims that Elvis epitomizes what?
5. What controversial topics are addressed in Randy Newman's song "Sail Away"?
Short Essay Questions
1. In "Elvis," Marcus compares Elvis Presley to Abraham Lincoln, why?
2. Why does Marcus compare the Fresh album by Sly to "Nietzsche's belief that he who gazes into the abyss will find the abyss looking back; that he who looks too long at monsters may well become one" (90)?
3. Why did Marcus entitle a section "Mystery Train" in "Elvis"? Why is this also the title of the book?
4. What type of risk does Randy Newman make in his music? What risk does he avoid?
5. According to Marcus in "Randy Newman," what is important about the Beach Boys? (101)
6. What does Marcus mean when he wrote: "Instead of breaking the bartender's glass Stack found himself aiming at the mirror behind the bar, and thus discovered that the target was himself" (78)?
7. According to Marcus in "Randy Newman" what is a shared culture? Why is the shared culture important?
8. In "Randy Newman," does Randy Newman care if he is popular or not?
9. What is the basic plot for the Myth of Staggerlee?
10. What is the epitaph written by John Hurt? Why does Marcus include the Stag-o-lee epitaph at the end of "Sly Stone: The Myth of Staggerlee"?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Both Harmonica Frank and Robert Johnson have some claim as the originator of rock 'n' roll. In an essay, compare and contrast the two men including their styles, their audiences, and their legacies. At the end of your essay, identify if Harmonica Frank, Robert Johnson, or both are the true originator of rock 'n' roll. Use details from Mystery Train to support your conclusions.
Essay Topic 2
The Band used a lot of symbolism in their songs. Focusing on one or two of the songs discussed in Mystery Train, write an essay examining the symbols used in the song. How does this use of symbolism affect the song? How does it affect your understanding of that song?
Essay Topic 3
The Fall of Man Motif is about a man (or woman, but typically a man) who has everything he needs, but is so trapped by his desires that it is his undoing. Finally the man loses his home and or his soul. Several of the figures described by Greil Marcus in Mystery Train match this description. In an essay discuss two to three figures, their rise, their desire, and their undoing. Why does Marcus choose to discuss figures who go through this process? Is redemption possible?
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This section contains 1,386 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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