AP Language And Composition The Thirties
The Thirties: The Best and Worst of Times
Steinbeck Assessment
Brittany Munn
1. The author says the decade had "a beginning, middle and end." His essay also has this structure. Briefly describe these three sections in Steinbeck's essay.
2. What is Steinbeck's attitude towards those who "had it made" at the beginning of the decade? Quote the words or phrases that lead you to this conclusion.
3. Steinbeck's use of sensory details provides a vivid description of life during that period. Choose two phrases containing sensory details and discuss why these effectively convey the author's image.
4. Within the essay are assertions that can relate to our times. For example: "You have to have money to be sick--or did then." Today, medical insurance is a must for any family or individual. Fees for hospital stay, medicines or doctor's care are outrageous. Find another assertion in the essay and relate it to a current status or event.
5. What is Steinbeck's attitude towards material wealth at the end of the essay? Quote the words or phrases that convey this tone.
6. The excerpt begins narrating the plight of the farmer, and ends by narrating the plight of the starving poor people. Which struggle, the farmer's or the people's, is more compelling to you? Explain why.
7. What is the tone of this excerpt? How does Steinbeck use rhetorical strategies to convey this tone?
8. Find an example of repetition and explain how it impacts this excerpt.
9. What is "the crime... that goes beyond denunciation"?
10. Explain the implications of Steinbeck's powerful final metaphor, "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heav for the vintage."
11. Copy and paste one photograph from the University of California web site that you think could accompany this excerpt. Explain your choice.
Steinbeck Assessment
Brittany Munn
1. The author says the decade had "a beginning, middle and end." His essay also has this structure. Briefly describe these three sections in Steinbeck's essay.
2. What is Steinbeck's attitude towards those who "had it made" at the beginning of the decade? Quote the words or phrases that lead you to this conclusion.
3. Steinbeck's use of sensory details provides a vivid description of life during that period. Choose two phrases containing sensory details and discuss why these effectively convey the author's image.
4. Within the essay are assertions that can relate to our times. For example: "You have to have money to be sick--or did then." Today, medical insurance is a must for any family or individual. Fees for hospital stay, medicines or doctor's care are outrageous. Find another assertion in the essay and relate it to a current status or event.
5. What is Steinbeck's attitude towards material wealth at the end of the essay? Quote the words or phrases that convey this tone.
6. The excerpt begins narrating the plight of the farmer, and ends by narrating the plight of the starving poor people. Which struggle, the farmer's or the people's, is more compelling to you? Explain why.
7. What is the tone of this excerpt? How does Steinbeck use rhetorical strategies to convey this tone?
8. Find an example of repetition and explain how it impacts this excerpt.
9. What is "the crime... that goes beyond denunciation"?
10. Explain the implications of Steinbeck's powerful final metaphor, "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heav for the vintage."
11. Copy and paste one photograph from the University of California web site that you think could accompany this excerpt. Explain your choice.