Monument Semester Final Notes

2013 AP® English Language and Composition Free-Response Questions

SECTION II

Total time—$2$ hours This section comprises the Free-Response Questions (FRQ) portion of the AP English Language and Composition exam, requiring students to demonstrate advanced analytical and argumentative writing skills within a timed environment.

Question $1$

(Suggested time—$40$ minutes. This question counts for $1/3$ of the total essay section score.)

The need to memorialize events or people is complex; in some cases, monuments honor moments of great achievement, while in other cases, monuments pay homage to deep sacrifice. A monument’s size, location, and materials are all considerations in planning and creating a memorial to the past. Specifically, students are tasked with writing a well-organized argumentative essay that synthesizes information from a minimum of $3$ provided sources regarding the factors a group or agency should consider when memorializing an event or person through a monument. The essay must feature the student's own argument as central, using the sources to illustrate and support their reasoning rather than solely summarizing them. Students must clearly indicate which of the $7$ sources they are using through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary, citing them appropriately (e.g., Source A, Source B, etc., or by description).

• Source A (Savage)

• Source B (photo)

• Source C (Downes)

• Source D (Kosareff)

• Source E (Musser)

• Source F (Roadside America)

• Source G (Lin)

Source A: Savage

Citation: Savage, Kirk. Monument Wars: Washington, D.C., the National Mall, and the Transformation of the Memorial Landscape. Berkeley: U of California P, $2009$. Print.

1. Main Argument: Modern state monumentality provides a face-to-face encounter with significant collective memory in a designated public gathering space.

   • Public monuments serve as tangible symbols that contrast with written accounts, offering a physical embodiment of national identity and shared historical narratives.

   • The experience of engaging with a monument fosters a profound sense of connectivity and shared purpose among community members, creating a collective commemorative experience.

   • The core function of monuments, especially those situated in Washington, D.C., resembles a communal pilgrimage to sacred sites, despite their inherently secular nature:

     • Example: Lincoln Memorial stands as a profoundly representative structure, intentionally devoid of historical relics or personal artifacts belonging to Lincoln.

     • The site itself underwent significant transformation, utilizing materials sourced from the Potomac River, thus existing entirely outside of Lincoln's historical era and geographical context.

     • Major historical speeches, such as the Gettysburg Address, had already gained widespread circulation and significance long before the monument's physical establishment.

   • Pilgrimage and Community: The unique aura and imposing presence of a monument actively attract visitors, encouraging participation in a collective memory experience. This physical manifestation and carefully crafted aesthetic context transform how historical texts and speeches are perceived, imbuing them with considerable emotional weight and resonance.

Source B: Photo

Citation: Deegan, Jim. “A History Lesson on Easton’s Christopher Columbus Monument.” Lehighvalleylive.com. Lehigh Valley Express-Times, $15$ Jan. $2010$. Web. $20$ Dec. $2010$.

1. Description: The source presents a photograph of the Christopher Columbus Monument in Riverside Park, Easton, Pennsylvania. This image visually emphasizes the monument's physical attributes—its size, materials, and specific location—which contribute to its historical and cultural significance within the local community. The presence of such a monument prompts considerations about the figures society chooses to honor, the historical context, and the potential controversies or varying interpretations surrounding their legacy amongst diverse community groups.

Source C: Downes

Citation: Downes, Lawrence. “Waiting for Crazy Horse.” New York Times. New York Times, $2$ Sept. $2009$. Web. $20$ Dec. $2010$.

1. Main Subject: The Crazy Horse Memorial's extensive and ongoing construction, highlighting the considerable challenges—both logistical and symbolic—and the profound intentions behind its commissioning, which began in $"1948"$.

   • Contrast with Mount Rushmore: While Mount Rushmore stands as a massive federal monument celebrating predominantly white historical figures and a particular narrative of American expansion, the Crazy Horse Memorial explicitly seeks to honor an indigenous history and a significant Native American leader whose narrative was often obscured or marginalized by such federal commemorations.

   • Commentary on Cultural and Historical Implications:

     • The memorial's creation has sparked significant debate regarding Native American representation, particularly questioning the authenticity of depicting a man, Crazy Horse, who famously refused to be photographed.

     • Local Sioux artists have expressed mixed reviews, reflecting on the memorial's complex impact on their artistic expression, cultural narrative, and economic opportunities.

     • The monument evokes personal reflections on the landscape itself and triggers a range of emotional responses to the memorial, set against a backdrop of historical appropriations and enduring conflicts concerning land and identity.

Source D: Kosareff

Citation: Kosareff, Jason. “Cemetery Faces an Uncertain Future.” Whittier Daily News, $25$ July $2004$. Print.

1. Situation: Discussion about Savannah Memorial Park facing potential development, highlighting the inherent conflict between historical preservation and the pressures of urban progress and economic growth.

   • Historical Context: The cemetery holds significant historical value, with graves dating back to $"1847"$ that belong to early pioneers and Native American burials, representing a crucial part of regional history and cultural heritage.

   • Economic Constraints: Insufficient operational and maintenance funds severely threaten the cemetery's continued existence as a preserved historical site, making it vulnerable to alternative land uses.

   • Legal and Practical Challenges: The prospect of selling the cemetery for real estate development would necessitate the costly and complex process of relocating numerous graves, involving intricate legal and ethical considerations.

   • Advocacy for Preservation: The ongoing efforts and advocacy for the cemetery's preservation demonstrate a strong community commitment and collective striving to maintain cultural heritage amidst compelling development interests, underscoring the intangible value of such sites.

Source E: Musser

Citation: Musser, Christine. “Preserving Memory: National Holocaust Memorial Museum Controversy.” Suite101.com. Suite101.com Media Inc., $30$ Oct. $2008$. Web. $20$ Dec. $2010$.

1. Core Debate: The appropriateness and moral implications of constructing the National Holocaust Memorial Museum on The Mall in Washington, D.C., set against the historical backdrop of America's initially inadequate and delayed response to the Holocaust itself.

   • Public Reaction: The establishment of the museum elicited mixed responses from both Jewish and non-Jewish communities, with some questioning the nation's moral responsibility in memorializing an event it did not actively prevent, while others saw it as a vital act of remembrance and education.

   • Design Controversy: Early proposed designs for the museum faced significant criticism for being perceived as excessively massive, potentially overshadowing the existing monuments and the historical significance of the National Mall. These criticisms led to substantial revisions in the architectural plans, ultimately emphasizing themes of solemn remembrance and sensitive integration with the surrounding landscape.

   • Connection: The Holocaust Museum's existence on the Mall carries significant symbolic weight, serving as a powerful testament to the importance of honoring difficult histories while simultaneously acknowledging past national failings. These considerations—moral responsibility, public perception, and sensitive design—are essential factors that continue to influence memorial planning and public remembrance.

Source F: Roadside America

Citation: “Obscure Monument to Lobsterdom: Washington, DC.” RoadsideAmerica.com. n.d. Web. $20$ Dec. $2010$.

1. Informative Anecdote: This source describes the Maine Lobsterman statue, presenting its unusual and circuitous journey from its conception through periods of neglect, until its unexpected eventual installation in Washington, D.C. This narrative offers valuable insights into how monuments can acquire unforeseen significance beyond their initial intent.

   • The anecdote highlights how such niche monuments can symbolize the unique cultural quirks and local identities of specific communities, often commemorating histories or industries that are typically underrated or overlooked in national memorial landscapes.

   • It underscores the idea that monumentality is not always grand or universally recognized, but can also exist in smaller, more idiosyncratic forms that resonate deeply with particular groups or regions, demonstrating diversity in memorialization purposes and scales.

Source G: Lin

Citation: Lin, Maya. Personal correspondence and design statements regarding the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. (Implied from common AP English Language source context)

1. Main Contribution/Design Philosophy: Maya Lin’s design for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial revolutionized memorial architecture through its minimalist and deeply reflective approach, aiming to create a space for individual grief and remembrance rather than heroic celebration.

   • Key Features: The memorial consists of two polished black granite walls, forming a V-shape, deeply set into the earth. The names of over $58,000$ fallen or missing soldiers are inscribed chronologically on the reflective surface, encouraging visitors to see their own reflection alongside the names.

   • Controversies (Initial): Upon its selection, Lin's design faced significant initial controversy. Critics argued it was too abstract, lacked traditional heroic figures or symbols, and its black color suggested shame rather than honor, derisively calling it a “black gash in the earth.” This challenged conventional notions of what a war memorial should represent.

   • Impact and Resolution: Despite initial public and political resistance, the memorial gradually overcame opposition to become one of the most visited and revered monuments in the U.S. Its power lies in its ability to facilitate personal connection and emotional healing, shifting the focus from collective triumph to individual loss and the human cost of war. It pioneered a new form of memorialization centered on empathy and private reflection.

   • Factors to Consider: Lin's work exemplifies crucial considerations in memorial planning: the tension between traditional and innovative design, the purpose beyond mere commemoration (e.g., healing), public reception and evolving interpretations, the profound symbolism inherent in material choices (black granite, reflective surface), and its powerful integration with the natural landscape.