Colonial Literature Exam Review Sheet
Please complete this review sheet for +10 bonus points on your test
“The World on Turtle’s Back”
1. How does this selection show the Native American reverence for nature?
2. What are the characteristics of a creation myth?
3. How did the Iroquois view their gods?
4. How was the universe created, according to the story?
5. When the woman falls from the Sky-World, how do the animals help her?
6. What is one conflict between the two twin brothers?
7. What does this story reveal about Native American culture?
“La Relacion”
1. What did the Spaniards try to do after they received food and supplies from the Native Americans?
2. When the Native Americans saw the two drowned Spaniards, how did they feel?
3. When the Spaniards and Native Americans first met, what did the Native Americans do?
4. Who wrote this account?
“Olaudah Equiano”
1. Why does Equiano include the account of the sailors throwing the fish overboard?
2. Why does he include the detail of the white man who was flogged to death?
3. Why do the sailors whip Equiano?
4. What did Equiano find most disturbing about the slave markets?
5. Which part of the narrative explains why Equiano feared the sailors?
6. Which detail helps explain the culture shock Equiano felt on the slave ship?
“Of Plymouth Plantation”
1. The “First Encounter” is what the colonists called their first experience with whom?
2. Which detail shows the colonists acting fairly with the Native Americans?
3. Summarize “The Starving Time” in one sentence
4. How did Squanto help the colonists?
5. What is significant about William Brewster and Myles Standish?
6. What is the purpose of the treaty that the Puritans developed?
7. What do you think Bradford was feeling when he wrote these accounts?
Anne Bradstreet Poetry
1. In “House Burning” when Bradstreet writes, “I blest His name that gave and took…” what does she
imply?
2. In her “House Burning” poem, Bradstreet mostly criticizes herself for what?
3. What is a metaphor Bradstreet uses to describe her love for her husband?
4. Summarize “House Burning” in one sentence.
5. How does Bradstreet show that she is a God-loving Puritan woman?
6. How does “Loving Husband” show Bradstreet’s love for God?
“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”
1. What happens to unrepentant sinners when they die?
2. What is the theme of this sermon?
3. What is the only way to escape God’s wrath?
4. How will most of his congregation react to Edward’s sermon?
5. What does Edwards mean when he says that natural men are being held in the hand of God?
6. What is the purpose of the spider analogy?
7. What is the only thing that can save you from hell, according to Edwards?
Colonial and Revolutionary Literature Group Notes
1. Who were the first people to live in North America?
2. What was the first North American colony?
3. What happened to 90% of Native Americans?
4. Describe early Native American literature.
5. Describe the literature of the early European settlers.
6. Why did Britain go to war with the colonies?
7. What was the Enlightenment?
8. What was the major emphasis of the Great Awakening?
9. William Bradford was governor of where?
10. Why did the Puritans leave England?
11. What are the characteristics of Puritan beliefs? What did they value?
12. What do the Puritans believe about the Bible?
13. Describe the literature of the Puritans.
14. Who were the Revolutionary writers?
15. What did most of the Revolutionary Literature consist of?
16. Who wrote about the natural rights of African Americans?
17. What did Thomas Jefferson write?
In addition, you will have one short answer question. You will choose one of the following prompts to respond
to.
1. Explain and cite examples of how “The World on Turtle’s Back” fits the characteristics of a Native
American creation myth.
2. How do you account for the human cruelty as described in “Olaudah Equiano”? What are some of the
injustices he describes? What current events reveal a similar capacity for brutishness in human nature?
3. What do Anne Bradstreet’s two poems reveal about her attitude towards marriage, her religious
beliefs, and daily life as a Puritan? Are her values representative of a typical Puritan? Why or why not?