Exploring the Text

  1. In paragraph 2, Sarah Vowell purposely confuses Mel Gibson, the actor, with his character, Benjamin Martin. How does this strategy support her contention that “American history is a quagmire”?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Partly Cloudy Patriot - Exploring the Text: In paragraph 2, Sarah Vowell purposely confuses Mel Gibson, the actor, with his character, Benjamin Martin. How does this strategy support her contention that “American history is a quagmire”?
  2. Vowell writes, “I’ve always been more of a Jeffersonhead” (para. 3). What is the effect of such diction?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Partly Cloudy Patriot - Exploring the Text: Vowell writes, “I’ve always been more of a Jeffersonhead” (para. 3). What is the effect of such diction?
  3. What is the primary implication of paragraph 4?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Partly Cloudy Patriot - Exploring the Text: What is the primary implication of paragraph 4?
  4. What is the definition of “patriotic”? What is the definition of “jingoistic” (para. 5)? What are Vowell’s definitions of the terms? How does knowing the difference affect your understanding of her essay?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Partly Cloudy Patriot - Exploring the Text: What is the definition of “patriotic”? What is the definition of “jingoistic” (para. 5)? What are Vowell’s definitions of the terms? How does knowing the difference affect your understanding of her essay?
  5. How does the addition of the word “Chinese” contribute to the tone and meaning of paragraph 6?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Partly Cloudy Patriot - Exploring the Text: How does the addition of the word “Chinese” contribute to the tone and meaning of paragraph 6?
  6. In discussing the American flag, Vowell writes, “The meaning had changed; or let’s say it changed back” (para. 7). What does she mean?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Partly Cloudy Patriot - Exploring the Text: In discussing the American flag, Vowell writes, “The meaning had changed; or let’s say it changed back” (para. 7). What does she mean?
  7. In paragraph 11, Vowell writes, “I like the black and white of Paine’s words.” And she concludes the paragraph with the phrase, “the partly cloudy patriot I long not to be.” What has caused her to be a “partly cloudy patriot”? How effectively does this phrase serve as the title of the essay?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Partly Cloudy Patriot - Exploring the Text: In paragraph 11, Vowell writes, “I like the black and white of Paine’s words.” And she concludes the paragraph with the phrase, “the partly cloudy patriot I long not to be.” What has caused her to be a “partly cloudy patriot”? How effectively does this phrase serve as the title of the essay?
  8. Choose either paragraphs 1 and 2 or 13 and 14, and rewrite them in what you imagine would be Vowell’s sincere voice, meaning without irony or sarcasm. Compare the two. Why has Vowell chosen to write with an ironic persona in the voice of a “cranky stylist,” as Newsweek has said?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Partly Cloudy Patriot - Exploring the Text: Choose either paragraphs 1 and 2 or 13 and 14, and rewrite them in what you imagine would be Vowell’s sincere voice, meaning without irony or sarcasm. Compare the two. Why has Vowell chosen to write with an ironic persona in the voice of a “cranky stylist,” as Newsweek has said?
  9. What is the effect of the narrative portion of the essay that runs from paragraph 15 through 17?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Partly Cloudy Patriot - Exploring the Text: What is the effect of the narrative portion of the essay that runs from paragraph 15 through 17?
  10. In paragraph 18, Vowell lists “the national events that have made the deepest impressions” on her and explains what she learned from them. What historical events have made the deepest impressions on you? What have you learned from them?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Partly Cloudy Patriot - Exploring the Text: In paragraph 18, Vowell lists “the national events that have made the deepest impressions” on her and explains what she learned from them. What historical events have made the deepest impressions on you? What have you learned from them?
  11. How does the section on Abraham Lincoln (paras. 19–21) contribute to the essay as a whole?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Partly Cloudy Patriot - Exploring the Text: How does the section on Abraham Lincoln (paras. 19–21) contribute to the essay as a whole?
  12. Moving toward her conclusion, Vowell begins a discussion of her parents and her personal beliefs (para. 24). What is the rhetorical effect of this shift? How does it prepare the reader for the conclusion of the essay?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Partly Cloudy Patriot - Exploring the Text: Moving toward her conclusion, Vowell begins a discussion of her parents and her personal beliefs (para. 24). What is the rhetorical effect of this shift? How does it prepare the reader for the conclusion of the essay?
  13. Read the headnote above the opening paragraph, and find several examples in the essay that support Vowell’s characterization by the New York Times. How do those examples contribute to the essay as a whole?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Partly Cloudy Patriot - Exploring the Text: Read the headnote above the opening paragraph, and find several examples in the essay that support Vowell’s characterization by the New York Times. How do those examples contribute to the essay as a whole?