Midterm review

Why do cultures create stories? | To explain the world, human behavior, and shared values

How do belief systems shape society? | They influence laws, behavior, and power structures

How is fear used as a tool of control? | Fear forces obedience without questioning authority

Conflict between reason and emotion | Logic versus fear-driven decisions

Authority vs. freedom | Control by leaders versus individual rights

How do writers warn society? | By showing the dangers of fear and unchecked power

Origin myth | A story explaining creation and how the world works

Archetype | A universal symbol or character type

Creation | How the world and humans began

Harmony | Balance between humans, nature, and spirits

Punishment | Consequences that explain why the world is imperfect

Purpose of Native American origin myths | To explain creation, behavior, and natural order

Role of animals in Native American myths | Animals are equal partners in creation

Importance of cooperation in creation myths | Creation succeeds through teamwork

View of nature in Native American literature | Nature is respected and sacred

Earth on Turtle’s Back | Animals cooperate to create land on a turtle’s back

When Grizzlies Walked Upright | Abuse of power leads to punishment

Puritanism | Strict religious belief system based on God’s will

Predestination | God already decided who will be saved

Covenant | Agreement with God to follow His laws

Theocracy | Government ruled by religion

Sin | Any action against God’s will

Why Puritans left England | To practice religion freely

Religion’s role in Puritan government | Religion controlled laws and society

Importance of community in Puritan society | One person’s sin affected everyone

Fear in Puritan society | Fear enforced moral behavior

Puritan beliefs and Salem Witch Trials | Fear and strict beliefs caused hysteria

Metaphor | A comparison without using like or as

Theme | The central message of a text

Devotion | Deep love or commitment

Eternal life | Life after death in heaven

To My Dear and Loving Husband | Poem celebrating love as God-approved

How Bradstreet challenges Puritan stereotypes | She shows personal emotion and love

Bradstreet’s metaphors for love | Wealth, gold, rivers

Earthly and heavenly love | Love on Earth continues in heaven

Great Awakening | Religious revival emphasizing emotion

Fire and brimstone | Fear-based preaching style

Wrath | God’s anger

Salvation | Being saved from sin

Figurative language | Imagery, metaphors, symbolism

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God | Sermon using fear to inspire repentance

Jonathan Edwards’s goal | To make people repent and obey God

Edwards’s view of humanity | Humans are weak and sinful

Edwards’s use of imagery | Vivid images of hell and danger

Connection to Puritan beliefs | Salvation depends on God alone

Mass hysteria | Widespread irrational fear

Authority | Power held by leaders

Reputation | Public image

Outsider | Someone excluded from society

Cause of Salem Witch Trials hysteria | Fear, religion, and suspicion

Why accusations were powerful | Evidence was not required

Fear’s effect on justice | Logic and fairness disappear

Lesson of Salem Witch Trials | Fear destroys truth and justice

Allegory | A story with a deeper symbolic meaning

Tragic flaw | A character’s weakness

Reputation in The Crucible | Social image valued over truth

John Proctor | Symbol of integrity and moral struggle

Abigail Williams | Manipulative and power-hungry

Judge Danforth | Rigid authority obsessed with control

Reverend Hale | Chooses reason over blind faith

Why Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible | To criticize McCarthyism

Role of fear in The Crucible | Fear drives lies and bad decisions

Authority’s role in hysteria | Leaders reinforce injustice

American Nightmare | Fear destroys freedom and justice

Rationalism | Belief in reason over emotion

Tyranny | Abusive use of power

Independence | Freedom from control

Reason | Logical thinking

Persuasion | Convincing an audience

Common Sense | Pamphlet arguing for independence

Thomas Paine’s purpose | Convince colonists to break from Britain

Paine’s view of monarchy | Unnatural and unjust

How Paine persuades readers | Uses logic and clear language

Why Common Sense was influential | It united colonists