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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. Who wrote "Papa Was a Rolling Stone?'
2. Who said "if I couldn't perform I'd give up . . . It's not a question of the money side of it. . . not having that ninety minutes up there anymore. Phew. I don't like to think about it"?
3. How many people came to see Elvis open a shopping center after he produced only one record?
4. Where does the line "They're animals anyway . . . let them lose their souls" come from?
5. What does Sly shout back at the band in "Africa Talks to You 'the Asphalt Jungle'"?
Short Essay Questions
1. Why did Marcus entitle a section "Mystery Train" in "Elvis"? Why is this also the title of the book?
2. According to Marcus in "Elvis," what racial issues exist with Elvis' music?
3. According to Marcus in "Elvis," in what ways can Elvis be considered a myth?
4. 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?
5. What is the basic plot for the Myth of Staggerlee?
6. 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"?
7. According to Marcus in "Elvis," what was ironic about Elvis' natural, spontaneous appearance and sound in his music?
8. According to Marcus in the section "Sly Versus Superfly," why does Riot matter?
9. What type of risk does Randy Newman make in his music? What risk does he avoid?
10. According to Marcus in "Sly Stone," how did Newton and Cleaver use the myth of Staggerlee?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
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 2
Freedom is an American theme explored in rock 'n' roll. Choose one artist and using their lyrics identify their concept of freedom (or the lack of it). Does the artist's music reflect the American idea of freedom?
Essay Topic 3
Randy Newman's music dripped with satire that many people did not understand. In an essay, analyze two of the songs discussed in Mystery Train. How are they examples of satire? What is satirized? What message is Newman trying to get across?
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This section contains 1,187 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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