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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 is the notion of the black Atlantic opposed to as Gilroy defines it?

2. What kind of political community does Gilroy say results from black musical society?

3. What is the effect of collaboration according to Gilroy?

4. How does Gilroy characterize postmodernity?

5. What does Gilroy say led to Jimi Hendrix's triumph in the U.S.?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the language of sexuality distract people from their racial identity in Gilroy's account?

2. What role did music play in slaves' lives according to Gilroy?

3. What critique does Gilroy make of the concepts that governed race and ethnicity when he wrote The Black Atlantic?

4. How does Gilroy describe the modern self and how does this affect our narratives of history?

5. What has music done for black culture in Gilroy's account?

6. What are the two perspectives around which black artistic debate is centered, according to Gilroy?

7. Why is it odd, in Gilroy's opinion, that debates over modernity have ignored music?

8. How does Gilroy describe the black experience in England?

9. What does the search for black roots indicate to Gilroy?

10. What can music accomplish as Gilroy describes it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What cultural forms embody black culture? Popular culture or literature? Is it embodied by black political action, or by the daily lives of ordinary black workers? Is it embodied in a history? How does Gilroy address this question? What conclusion does he come to?

Essay Topic 2

Gilroy celebrates black music for its ability to avoid the monotone discourse that takes place in other parts of black culture. How does Gilroy himself preserve the sound of other voices and perspectives throughout his book?

Essay Topic 3

Evaluate your own reading of The Black Atlantic--did you resist it or were you compelled by the story? What does your reading tell you about yourself and your interests? Use specific examples from the book to describe yourself as a reader.

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This section contains 775 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample