18. Document Project 18: “Melting Pot” or “Vegetable Soup”?

**Quiz for Document 18.5 Israel Zangwill, The Melting-Pot, 1908**

Quiz for Document 18.5: Israel Zangwill, The Melting-Pot, 1908

Document 18.5: Israel Zangwill, The Melting-Pot, 1908

Choose the best answer to the question.

Question 1

1. In The Melting-Pot , Israel Zangwill’s character David claims that the “real American has not yet arrived [and] . . . will be the fusion of all races.” How does he think this fusion would occur?

More immigrants need to come to America before a national identity can be born.

Different nationalities will interact and reproduce, creating a new American race.

The American race will develop from breaking down past cultural ideals and starting from scratch.

The European culture with the largest immigrant population will define what it means to be American.

Question 2

2. What is the significance of David’s use of religious references within his explanation of the American melting pot?

Despite the variety of religions in America, he believes God brought them all together peacefully.

David viewed religion as the one consistent element among the new race of Americans.

America was still a nation that only included Christians, so they would understand the references.

Religion was so divisive that David used references to isolate the various denominations.

Question 3

3. According to David, what was the “fig” that would eliminate feuds, rivalries, and “blood hatreds” among the immigrant groups?

Religion

Common language

Music

America

Question 4

4. To what does David compare future generations of Americans?

Cockleshells

Figs

Music

Crucible

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