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Identify the author: This well-known American poet is read beginning in elementary school. He is often thought of as an easy poet because his poems seem accessible. Often using scenes from nature, he said that he was not a nature poet because he had no poems that did not have human concerns. It is ironic that he is considered easy to read on the surface because his work has deep insight into profound issues of human existence—death, aging, decision-making, separation from fellow human beings. He frequently uses autumn and winter in his poetry.

Name the title where the following are found: a small boat, a life-saving station in the distance, high waves on the ocean, one oar

Name the speaker: “I know how sincere you are, and how—I wish I had your undoubting spirit! I’ll think it over; I’d like to believe as you do. But I don’t, now; I don’t, indeed. It isn’t this war alone; though this seems peculiarly wanton and needless; but it’s every war–so stupid; it makes me sick. Why shouldn’t this thing have been settled reasonably?”

Identify the title for the quote: My soul has grown deep like the rivers. I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young. I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep. I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it. I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln        went down to New Orleans, and I’ve seen its muddy        bosom turn all golden in the sunset.

Name the speaker: My Brothers and my Friends who are before me today: God Almighty has made us all, and He is here to hear what I have to say to you today. The Great Spirit made us both. He gave us lands and He gave you lands. You came here and we received you as brothers. When the Almighty made you, He made you all white and clothed you. When he made us He made us with red skins and poor. When you first came we were very many and you were few. Now you are many and we are few.  . . .

His wife believing he has been killed in a train accident gets to celebrate in her newfound freedom from the marriage for one hour before he walks in the door very much alive causing her to die from the grief of realizing she is still trapped in the marriage she thought she had escaped.

Who is the speaker?   “My father was a justice of the peace, and I suppose he possessed the power of life and death over all men, and could hang anybody that offended him. This was distinction enough for me as a general thing; but the desire to be a steamboatman kept intruding, nevertheless.”

Name the author of the quote: “Thus is the problem of Rich and Poor to be solved. The laws of accumulation will be left free; the laws of distribution free. Individualism will continue, but the millionaire will be but a trustee for the poor; intrusted for a season with a great part of the increased wealth of the community, but administering it for the community far better than it could or would have done for itself.”

Name the author: This writer helped developed an “American” literature that could not have been written in Europe thus helping free the literature from past influence. Using local color he showed that America was able to develop its own style and themes. He is known by most everyone as a humorous writer, but he seriously pointed out the weaknesses of humanity. He often used the Mississippi River in his works as well as tall tales and folklore. He is considered the greatest American author by many.

Name the title: “So, by and by, I ran away. I said I would never come home again till I was a pilot and could come in glory. But somehow I could not manage it. I meekly aboard a few of the boats that lay packed together like sardines at the long St. Louis wharf, and humbly inquired for the pilots, but got only a cold shoulder and short words from mates and clerks. I had to make the best of this sort of treatment for the time being, but I had comforting day-dreams of a future when I should be a great and honored pilot, with plenty of money . . .”