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19 Century American Literature Practice Test
th
1. Which of the sentences below best
expresses the essential information in The Revolutionary War brought an end to
the highlighted sentence in the America’s political dependence on England, but the 1
passage? Incorrect choices change the cultural lifeline proved much harder to cut. For
meaning in important ways or leave nearly two centuries, the American colonies had Reading
out essential information. simply been viewed as the furthest outposts of
A As the furthest outposts of English and, in a broader sense, European culture,
English culture, the American and the literature of the colonies had reflected this
colonies did little more than copy view, aping European themes and conventions. The
European literature for two war and the gaining of independence, however, had
hundred years. made it clear to most Americans that they were, in
B For two hundred years, the fact, no longer Europeans. Their values, sensibilities,
American colonies were and concerns were no longer those of the English,
considered offshoots of European but something entirely new, and yet their literature
culture, which was reflected in failed to reflect this. The novels of Charles Brockden
their literature. Brown, essentially facsimiles of English Gothic
C As an outpost of English culture, novels, provide a good example of the type of
American literature had little writing being produced in America at the time.
experience with the themes and Slowly, however, writers began to emerge whose
conventions of broader European work could honestly be said to be unique and truly
culture. American.
D For nearly two hundred years, One of the first such authors was Washington
American literature aped the Irving. Irving’s work possessed a sharp satirical wit,
culture of Europe, hoping to which along with the rough hewn voice of his
become an outpost for England. narration, differentiated him from European writers of
his time. Irving first gained notice with his A History
of New-York from the Beginning of the World to the
End of the Dutch Dynasty, which he published under
the pseudonym Diedrich Knickerbocker. The work
was a comedic yet caustic look at New England
society and lampooned many of New York’s leading
families. Still, the book was highly popular, and
Irving began to receive widespread recognition both
at home and abroad.
In 1815, Irving left for Europe on a trip that
would ultimately take him away from home for 17
years. Irving was immensely popular at this time

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