- 1. Main Currents in American Thought is a seminal work by Vernon L. Parrington, first published in three volumes between 1927 and 1930, that explores the evolution of American intellectual history from the colonial period through the early 20th century. Parrington's scholarship is characterized by its comprehensive analysis of the interplay between different intellectual currents and American society, placing a strong emphasis on the significance of democratic ideals and pragmatism in shaping American thought. In this historical narrative, Parrington meticulously examines the contributions of key figures such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry James, and John Dewey, situating their ideas within the broader context of American cultural and political developments. He argues that American thought is marked by a distinctively optimistic belief in progress and innovation, often contrasting with European philosophies that may lean towards skepticism and elitism. By weaving together literary criticism, historical analysis, and philosophical inquiry, Parrington offers a rich tapestry that not only outlines the major themes in American thought but also critiques the socio-economic conditions that influenced these ideas. Through his work, he advocates for a deeper understanding of the American experience, urging readers to recognize the vital connection between intellectual currents and the democratic ideals that underpin American society.
What is the primary focus of Vernon L. Parrington's 'Main Currents in American Thought'?
A) The history of American ideas and literature
B) The economic policies of American presidents
C) The biographies of famous American inventors
D) The military history of the United States
- 2. How many volumes is 'Main Currents in American Thought' composed of?
A) Four
B) Three
C) One
D) Two
- 3. For which work did Parrington win a posthumous Pulitzer Prize?
A) The Colonial Mind
B) The American Novel
C) Main Currents in American Thought
D) The Romantic Revolution
- 4. What is the subtitle of Parrington's work?
A) The Development of Modern America
B) An Interpretation of American Literature from the Beginnings to 1920
C) The Economic Basis of Politics
D) A History of the American People
- 5. Which founding father is analyzed as a central figure in Volume One?
A) George Washington
B) Alexander Hamilton
C) Benjamin Franklin
D) Thomas Jefferson
- 6. Parrington frames American history as a conflict between which two primary forces?
A) Liberalism and conservatism
B) Federalism and anti-federalism
C) North and South
D) Industry and agriculture
- 7. What was Parrington's profession?
A) Theologian
B) U.S. Senator
C) English professor
D) Newspaper editor
- 8. At which university was Parrington a long-time faculty member?
A) University of Washington
B) University of Oklahoma
C) Harvard University
D) Yale University
- 9. The third volume of 'Main Currents' is entitled:
A) The Gilded Age
B) The Beginnings of Critical Realism in America
C) The Rise of the American Nation
D) The Age of Jackson
- 10. Parrington's work is considered a foundational text for which field?
A) Sociology
B) American Studies
C) Economics
D) Political Science
- 11. The first volume of 'Main Currents' is entitled:
A) The Roots of Revolution
B) The Puritan Legacy
C) The Founding Fathers
D) The Colonial Mind
- 12. Parrington's methodology primarily connects literature to its:
A) Aesthetic form alone
B) Political and economic context
C) Psychological underpinnings
D) Religious symbolism
- 13. A major criticism of Parrington's work is that it:
A) Ignores the Revolutionary period
B) Focuses only on poetry
C) Is too short
D) Oversimplifies complex figures
- 14. Which figure does Parrington identify as a key intellectual opponent of Jeffersonian democracy?
A) James Madison
B) Benjamin Franklin
C) John Jay
D) Alexander Hamilton
- 15. Parrington's interpretation of American history is often described as what?
A) Neoconservative
B) Postmodern
C) Progressive
D) Apolitical
- 16. Parrington's analysis is particularly attentive to the influence of which European thinker on the Founding Fathers?
A) Sigmund Freud
B) John Locke
C) Friedrich Nietzsche
D) Karl Marx
- 17. Which American poet is praised by Parrington for his democratic vision?
A) Edgar Allan Poe
B) Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
C) Emily Dickinson
D) Walt Whitman
- 18. Parrington's work was left unfinished due to what?
A) Publisher cancellation
B) His death
C) Academic censorship
D) A loss of funding
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