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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. What political group does Marcus compare to Sly Stone's music in "Sly Stone"?
2. What single did Sly release that was the "most optimistic of all"?
3. Who does Marcus quote to introduce the chapter "Randy Newman"?
4. What church did Elvis attend as a boy?
5. In what voice does Newman sing his songs?
Short Essay Questions
1. In "Elvis," Marcus discusses the Pink Cadillac as being the downfall of Elvis. What does the Pink Cadillac symbolize and how is it Elvis' downfall?
2. In "Sly Stone," how are the first two albums produced by Sly and the Family Stone similar and different?
3. 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)?
4. According to Marcus in "Elvis," in what ways can Elvis be considered a myth?
5. In "Randy Newman," does Randy Newman care if he is popular or not?
6. In "Elvis," what is Elvis' "Rockabilly Moment" (141)?
7. How does Marcus define pop culture optimism and pessimism in "Sly Stone"?
8. According to Marcus in the section "Sly Versus Superfly," why does Riot matter?
9. According to Marcus in "Randy Newman," what is important about the Beach Boys? (101)
10. Why was "Short People" so controversial? What did this mean for Newman?
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
Many people believe that Elvis Presley stole his sound from black blues artists but others believe that while the sound is similar it is entirely his own. Marcus claims that because Elvis made the sound his own and changed it, that he does not owe anyone anything. In an essay explore this predicament and decide whether Elvis "Stole the Blues" (152).
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 1,321 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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