- 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 economic policies of American presidents
B) The history of American ideas and literature
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) One
C) Two
D) Three
- 3. For which work did Parrington win a posthumous Pulitzer Prize?
A) The American Novel
B) The Romantic Revolution
C) Main Currents in American Thought
D) The Colonial Mind
- 4. What is the subtitle of Parrington's work?
A) An Interpretation of American Literature from the Beginnings to 1920
B) The Development of Modern America
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) Alexander Hamilton
B) Benjamin Franklin
C) Thomas Jefferson
D) George Washington
- 6. Parrington frames American history as a conflict between which two primary forces?
A) Liberalism and conservatism
B) Federalism and anti-federalism
C) Industry and agriculture
D) North and South
- 7. What was Parrington's profession?
A) Newspaper editor
B) U.S. Senator
C) English professor
D) Theologian
- 8. At which university was Parrington a long-time faculty member?
A) University of Oklahoma
B) University of Washington
C) Yale University
D) Harvard University
- 9. The third volume of 'Main Currents' is entitled:
A) The Rise of the American Nation
B) The Beginnings of Critical Realism in America
C) The Gilded Age
D) The Age of Jackson
- 10. Parrington's work is considered a foundational text for which field?
A) American Studies
B) Political Science
C) Economics
D) Sociology
- 11. The first volume of 'Main Currents' is entitled:
A) The Colonial Mind
B) The Roots of Revolution
C) The Founding Fathers
D) The Puritan Legacy
- 12. Parrington's methodology primarily connects literature to its:
A) Religious symbolism
B) Political and economic context
C) Aesthetic form alone
D) Psychological underpinnings
- 13. A major criticism of Parrington's work is that it:
A) Oversimplifies complex figures
B) Focuses only on poetry
C) Ignores the Revolutionary period
D) Is too short
- 14. Which figure does Parrington identify as a key intellectual opponent of Jeffersonian democracy?
A) James Madison
B) Alexander Hamilton
C) John Jay
D) Benjamin Franklin
- 15. Parrington's interpretation of American history is often described as what?
A) Apolitical
B) Progressive
C) Postmodern
D) Neoconservative
- 16. Parrington's analysis is particularly attentive to the influence of which European thinker on the Founding Fathers?
A) Karl Marx
B) Friedrich Nietzsche
C) Sigmund Freud
D) John Locke
- 17. Which American poet is praised by Parrington for his democratic vision?
A) Walt Whitman
B) Emily Dickinson
C) Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
D) Edgar Allan Poe
- 18. Parrington's work was left unfinished due to what?
A) Publisher cancellation
B) His death
C) A loss of funding
D) Academic censorship
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