- 1. Common Ground by J. Anthony Lukas is a profound exploration of the social and racial tensions that characterized Boston during the tumultuous period of school desegregation in the 1970s. The book intricately weaves together the lives of three main characters: a working-class white family, a black family from the housing projects, and a middle-class liberal family, each representing different perspectives and experiences within the broader context of the city's struggle with racial integration and equality. Lukas meticulously documents the emotional and societal impacts of desegregation, highlighting how policies intended to promote fairness often led to conflict and division. Through a combination of personal anecdotes, historical detail, and vivid political commentary, Lukas paints a rich tapestry of the hopes, frustrations, and realities faced by individuals as they navigate the complexities of race, class, and community. 'Common Ground' serves not only as a historical account but also as a poignant reminder of the ongoing challenges in the pursuit of justice and understanding in American society.
What is the primary subject of 'Common Ground' by J. Anthony Lukas?
A) The civil rights movement in Alabama
B) The busing crisis in Boston
C) The Vietnam War protests
D) The labor movement in New York
- 2. What prestigious award did 'Common Ground' win?
A) The National Book Award
B) The Pulitzer Prize
C) The PEN/Faulkner Award
D) The Booker Prize
- 3. Who was the federal judge who ordered busing in Boston?
A) Learned Hand
B) John J. Sirica
C) Thurgood Marshall
D) W. Arthur Garrity
- 4. In what neighborhood did much of the anti-busing violence occur?
A) Beacon Hill
B) Back Bay
C) The North End
D) South Boston
- 5. What was the name of the newspaper where columnist Lisa McGoff worked?
A) The Boston Herald
B) The Boston Globe
C) The Christian Science Monitor
D) The Phoenix
- 6. How does the book primarily structure its narrative?
A) In strict chronological order of events
B) As the author's personal memoir
C) By interweaving the stories of the three families
D) As a series of interviews with politicians
- 7. What was a major consequence of the busing crisis explored in the book?
A) A rapid improvement in test scores
B) Deepening racial and class divisions
C) Mass migration from the suburbs to the city
D) The dissolution of the Boston school committee
- 8. The book is considered a classic example of which genre?
A) Science fiction
B) Political satire
C) Literary journalism / narrative nonfiction
D) Historical romance
- 9. What happened to J. Anthony Lukas after the publication of 'Common Ground'?
A) He won a second Pulitzer Prize
B) He became a politician
C) He retired from writing
D) He died by suicide
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