Unit 4 Contemporary Postmodernism Unit Test.

57. Read the following poem by Grace Paley and answer the question that follows. Your
response should be 2–3 sentences in length.

"Family"

by Grace Paley

My father was brilliant embarrassed funny handsome

my mother was plain serious principled kind

my grandmother was intelligent lonesome for her

other life her dead children silent

my aunt was beautiful bitter angry loving

I fell among these adjectives in earliest childhood

and was nearly buried with opportunity

some of them stuck to me others

finding me American and smooth slipped away

What does the speaker of the poem imply about being American?

Student Response: The speaker of the poem implies that being American gives the
chance of change and freedom in that they are good adjectives. The author listed many
descriptions for each person and then said that "American and smooth slipped away"
which feels to me like freedom from the descriptions of her family.

58. Explain the impact of female writers during the Post-modernist literary period. Using the
stories I Want to Be Miss America and The Struggle to Be an All-American Girl, explain how
stereotypes were discussed in literature during this time period. Use two examples from
either of the stories to support your response.

Student Response: The impact of female writers during the Post-modernist literary
period was significant. Their voices were rich with stark reality about their lives. They
were very forward with their wording which was a part of the Post-modernist literary
period. These voices changed the tide towards women and helped them move forward
in their ideals for what should be in their lives.
Stereotypes are often used as a major way to express an idea. In both stories the girl's
write about freedom to be what they want. Every girl wants to be popular and with "I
Want to Be Miss American" it is in the very title, choose me, give me all your attention,
that's what happens during a pageant. It is all about that one girl who wants to be 'it'.
The light shining upon her, gives her all the attention she seeks in a time where women
were struggling with their roles in society. "Watching the pageant became an annual
event in our family." Girls would see the pageants and want to be that girl, the winner
with all that attention and popularity. To watch it every year reinforced these ideas.
"Down the walkway she paraded, smiling and waving while Bert sang his sappy song
that made or eyes fill with tears. When she stopped at the very end of the stage and
the camera zoomed in on her misty-eyed beauty and the credits began to appear on
the screen. I always felt let down. I knew I would never be one of those girls, ever."
Girls compare themselves in every way to the pageant contestants. If they are all
blonde but the girls aren't, they don't feel good about themselves because they are
different.