CREATION STORIES & NATIVE VOICES
What do creation stories often reveal about a culture?
A society’s values, beliefs, environment, and traditions.
What event inspired Anne Bradstreet’s poem “Upon the Burning of Our House”?
The destruction of her home by fire.
What type of writing is Equiano’s work?
Autobiographical narrative.
What is the main purpose of the Declaration of Independence?
To justify separation from Britain.
What is Thomas Paine’s main argument in Common Sense?
America should seek independence from Britain.
Which value is emphasized in “The World on the Turtle’s Back” through the balance between the twins?
Balance between good and evil is necessary.
What inner conflict does Bradstreet struggle with in the poem?
Her attachment to material possessions versus her faith in God.
Which rhetorical appeal is most strongly used in Equiano’s description of the Middle Passage?
Pathos
Which rhetorical appeal is strongest in the phrase “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”?
Logos.
How does Paine use rhetorical questions to persuade readers?
By forcing readers to confront emotional and moral consequences.
In several Native creation stories, the grandmother becomes the moon. What does this transformation symbolize?
It symbolizes guidance, protection, wisdom, and the grandmother’s continued presence watching over the world and maintaining balance.
Which literary movement does “Upon the Burning of Our House” reflect?
Puritanism
Why does Equiano include vivid sensory details about the slave ship?
To evoke sympathy/empathy and expose the cruelty of slavery.
Which appeal does Ben Franklin use when he admits he has changed opinions over time?
Ethos.
Which appeal does Paine use when he explains America’s natural resources and ability to support itself?
Logos.
Why are animals important in many Native American creation stories?
They represent balance, responsibility, and harmony with nature.
How does Bradstreet’s language help reveal her tone in the poem?
Simple, reflective language shows humility, grief, and religious acceptance.
Who was Equiano’s intended audience?
European readers, especially those with political or social influence.
Which rhetorical device does Patrick Henry use when he compares British rule to chains?
Extended Metaphor.
Why does Paine emphasize unity over numbers in battle?
To argue that cooperation creates strength.
How do Native creation stories challenge modern ideas of progress or dominance over nature?
They emphasize cooperation and balance rather than control or conquest.
How does Bradstreet ultimately resolve her loss by the end of the poem?
She accepts God’s will and focuses on her eternal home in heaven rather than earthly possessions.
What was Equiano’s main purpose in writing his narrative?
To persuade readers that slavery was immoral and should be abolished.
Why does Patrick Henry rely heavily on pathos in his speech?
To inspire urgency, fear, and emotional commitment to independence.
How does Paine’s tone help him persuade common colonists?
His direct, emotional tone makes complex ideas accessible and urgent.