1) Why does New York matter in Wharton’s “Pomegranate Seed?”
2) Who or what is the ghost in James’ “The Jolly Corner?”
3) How does Whitman’s New York differ from James’?
4) Select a passage from Whitman’s “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” and analyse it.
5) Is Luc Sante’s LOW LIFE a work of history? Why? Why not?
6) Who was Jacob Riis? Why does he matter to the history of New York?
7) Respond and attempt to analyze Riis’ “Fire escape” (featured on this site)- use a quote from Sante’s “Home” to help explain the image. (Written out-of-class).
8 ) What is the purpose of the saloon in Old New York City?
9) Write about a lure or snare in contemporary New York, using Sante’s method on pg. 117 of LOW LIFE as an example. (Written out-of-class).
10) Why doesn’t Bill the Butcher kill Amsterdam when he has the chance in the Chinese Pagoda Theater?
11) Discuss some of the differences between those living above Bleecker (the “uppertens” in Gotham) and those living below (Low Life).
12) Why did Henry James set his novel in Washington Square?
13) Who is Morris Townsend? What does Dr. Austin Sloper think of him? Use one citation in your response.
14) What does Europe reveal about Dr. Austin Sloper and Catherine? Use one citation in your response. (Written out of class).
15) How has Catherine’s character changed since the beginning of the novel?
16) Name a major theme in Washington Square and explain its development.
17) What were some of the obstacles you met in writing your research paper?
18) Identify a fear that H.P. Lovecraft exploits in “He.” Use a quote to support your idea.
19) Identify a theme in “The Screwfly Solution.” Use a quote to support your idea.
