American Literature Flashcards: 20 Vocabulary Cards

Vocabulary flashcards derived from the Page 1 notes listing American authors and works.

America for Me

A Henry Van Dyke poem expressing an idealized vision of the United States.

The Flag Goes By

A Henry Holcomb Bennett poem about the flag's symbolism in American life.

A Creed for Americans

A Stephen Vincent Benét poem outlining shared American values and identity.

What Is an American?

Hector St. John de Crévecoeur's essay defining what it means to be American.

America Was Schoolmasters

A Robert P. Tristram Coffin poem praising the influence of teachers in American life.

A Jingle of Words

Elisabeth Scott Stam piece celebrating the power and play of language.

Liberty and Union

Daniel Webster's famous speech urging national unity and the preservation of the Union.

Portland Declaration

Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn's statement on American political philosophy presented as a declaration.

The Nation and the Gospel

James Russell Lowell essay on the relationship between religion and national life.

American Names

Stephen Vincent Benét poem about the origins and naming of Americans.

They Have Yarns

Carl Sandburg poem celebrating the tradition of American storytelling.

My Life Story

Artemus Ward's humorous autobiographical sketch.

A Business Letter

Anonymous satirical piece written in the form of a formal business letter.

The Mule

Josh Billings's humorous essay about a stubborn mule and human folly.

The Bumblebee

Anonymous humorous short piece, likely light and playful.

The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County

Mark Twain's short story about a boastful gambler and his hopping frog.

Innocents Abroad

Mark Twain's travelogue filled with humorous observations of Europe and the Holy Land.

Ballad of the Boll Weevil

Anonymous ballad about the boll weevil and its impact on the American South.

No Letter?

Anonymous short piece titled No Letter?.

Reflections on American Life

Will Rogers's collection of humorous sayings about American life.