The Man Without a Country

Question

Hackett, Walter (adaptation)

Characters

NARRATOR
COLONEL
AARON BURR

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Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

How does the play develop a theme about corruption?

(1 point)
Responses

The corrupt justice system exerts power over Nolan’s destiny and forces him to change his loyalties.
The corrupt justice system exerts power over Nolan’s destiny and forces him to change his loyalties.

The corrupt justice system exiles Nolan while guilty people go free, and its negligence keeps him from ever seeing his home country again.
The corrupt justice system exiles Nolan while guilty people go free, and its negligence keeps him from ever seeing his home country again.

The corrupt justice system forever turns Nolan against his beloved country.
The corrupt justice system forever turns Nolan against his beloved country.

The corrupt justice system favors certain people to prevent anyone important from being punished for their crimes.

Answer 1

The best response that illustrates how the play develops a theme about corruption is:

"The corrupt justice system exiles Nolan while guilty people go free, and its negligence keeps him from ever seeing his home country again."

This response highlights how the justice system can be corrupt and unjust, affecting Nolan's life significantly and emphasizing the theme of corruption in the play.

Answer 2

Use the poem to answer the question.

Fast as a cheetah,
I run through the field. The wind
sings words of support.
Name the three types of figurative language in the poem. Then, choose one example of figurative language and analyze the effect it has on the poem.

Answer 3

The three types of figurative language present in the poem are:

1. Simile - "Fast as a cheetah" compares the speaker's speed to that of a cheetah using "as."
2. Personification - "The wind sings words of support" gives human qualities to the wind, suggesting it can sing and provide encouragement.
3. Imagery - The imagery created by the descriptions of running through a field and feeling the wind evokes a sense of freedom and movement.

Analysis of Example:

Example: "The wind sings words of support."

Effect: This line employs personification, giving the wind human-like qualities that imbue it with a benevolent presence. By suggesting that the wind sings words of support, the speaker creates a comforting atmosphere that enhances the overall feeling of empowerment and connection with nature. This figurative language evokes a sense of camaraderie and encouragement as the speaker runs, suggesting that nature itself is cheering them on. This connection amplifies the theme of personal strength and freedom, making the experience of running feel both exhilarating and supported.

Answer 4

Sojourner Truth
by Joanna Evans

The fight for suffrage drives a wedge between a spirited young woman and her mother. . . .

Characters

NARRATOR

REBECCA, 17 years old

MAMA, her mother

BEFORE RISE: NARRATOR enters, addresses audience.

NARRATOR: Did you know that women in the United States weren’t allowed to vote until 1920? That’s when the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, extending voting rights to all women. If you do your math, you’ll find that women couldn’t vote for nearly 150 years after our nation was created out of the Revolutionary War. . .talk about injustice!

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Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

Both Rebecca’s father and Sojourner Truth are influential in the play, but neither of them appears. In 3-5 sentences, draw conclusions about why the playwright did not include these characters in the play’s action.

(4 points)

Answer 5

The playwright likely chose not to include Rebecca's father and Sojourner Truth in the direct action of the play to emphasize the internal conflicts faced by Rebecca and her mother, "Mama." By focusing on their relationship, the playwright highlights the generational divide and differing perspectives on women's suffrage, which is central to the theme. Additionally, the absence of these influential figures allows the audience to concentrate on Rebecca’s personal struggle and the emotional weight of her motivations, making her journey more relatable and impactful. This choice serves to underscore the importance of individual voices in the fight for social change, rather than relying solely on well-known historical figures.

Answer 6

Sojourner Truth
by Joanna Evans

The fight for suffrage drives a wedge between a spirited young woman and her mother. . . .

Characters

NARRATOR

REBECCA, 17 years old

MAMA, her mother

BEFORE RISE: NARRATOR enters, addresses audience.

NARRATOR: Did you know that women in the United States weren’t allowed to vote until 1920? That’s when the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, extending voting rights to all women. If you do your math, you’ll find that women couldn’t vote for nearly 150 years after our nation was created out of the Revolutionary War. . .talk about injustice!

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Question
Use the story to answer the question.

In 3–5 sentences, describe what the audience knows that the characters do not. Then, explain how this knowledge most likely affects the audience’s perception of the characters and their actions.

(4 points)

Answer 7

The audience knows the historical context that women's suffrage was not achieved until 1920, which involved a long struggle for equality and rights that Rebecca and her mother are navigating. This knowledge creates a sense of urgency and gravity regarding the characters' actions and decisions, as the audience understands the significance of their fight for suffrage in the face of societal oppression. Additionally, the audience is aware of the broader historical implications of this struggle, which can evoke empathy for Rebecca's passion and frustration, while also highlighting the mother's potential fear or caution stemming from the social norms of their time. This background fosters a deeper emotional connection to the characters and amplifies the tension in their relationship, as the audience recognizes the stakes involved in their differing viewpoints.