American Literature Exam PT2

Vocabulary flashcards covering the Reconstruction amendments, women's suffrage milestones, rhetorical appeals, and Rebecca Harding Davis's novella 'Life in the Iron Mills'.

13th Amendment

Constitutional amendment passed in 1865 that abolished slavery.

14th Amendment

Constitutional amendment passed in 1868 that granted citizenship to former slaves.

15th Amendment

Constitutional amendment introduced in 1869 and ratified in 1870 that granted Black men the right to vote.

Women's Rights Convention (Seneca Falls, NY)

A landmark convention for women's rights held in Seneca Falls, NY (recorded in notes as 1847).

Women's Suffrage Leaders

Prominent activists noted for advancing women's voting rights, including Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sarah and Angelina Grimke, and Sojourner Truth.

Ethos

A rhetorical appeal based on credibility that answers the question: 'Why should I trust you?'

Logos

A rhetorical appeal to logic that answers the question: 'does this make sense?'

Pathos

A rhetorical appeal to emotion that answers the question: 'Why should I care?'

19th Amendment

The suffrage amendment first introduced to Congress in 1878, passed in 1919, and ratified in 1920 (with TN being the last state to ratify), enabling 26 million women to vote in the 1920 election.

Rebecca Harding Davis

A prolific author with over 500 published works who lived in Florence, AL as a child and wrote 'Life in the Iron Mills.'

Life in the Iron Mills

A story published in the Atlantic Monthly the same month the Civil War broke out, highlighting the reality and exploitation of immigrant workers and the human cost of industrial society.

Working Class / Cycle of Poverty

The condition of individuals who work hard with multiple jobs but cannot get ahead or make ends meet due to an imposed cycle of poverty.

Realism

A literary period characterized by themes depicting personal struggle and dilemma.

Davis's Later Writings

Works that addressed gender conflicts between motherhood and career aspirations, as well as injustices facing African Americans during Reconstruction after the Civil War.

Bible Allusions in 'Life in the Iron Mills'

Literary references to scripture employed by Rebecca Harding Davis throughout the text, alongside the sentiment that everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

'She be hungry'

A phrase in 'Life in the Iron Mills' referring to Hugh's internal hunger to make life full, rather than a literal hunger for food.