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This is the page for daily questions (in English) for Lesson 18. Modernism
(continued): Rodó, Silva
Lesson 18A. José Enrique Rodó
18-1. What characteristics of the literary movement the author belongs
to appear in this work?
18-2. How does the author reflect his political and social environment?
(N.B.: "Ariel" was written in 1900).
18-3. What motivated the author to write this work?
18-4. What is the author's style like?
18-5. What is the simplistic interpretation of "Ariel"?
18-6. Beyond the simplistic interpretation of "Ariel", what
is the more complete interpretation?
18-7. Explain the symbolism of Prospero, Ariel and Caliban.
18-8. What is "nordomanía", and what are its attractions
and dangers?
18-9. Why is it said that Rodó's ideas are "anti-positivist"?
18-10. According to Rodó, what is the principal contribution
that the United States has made to humanity?
18-11. What is the meaning of the word "delatinization" in
Rodó's essay?
18-12. Compare federalism in the work of Bolívar and in that
of Rodó.
18-13. For Rodó, what do the steam boiler and the electric dynamo
symbolize?
18-14. What would Rodó say if he were to analyze the U.S. today?
18-15. Do you feel Rodó was right when he says (U.S.) Americans
"have not been able to acquire the carefully selected note of good
taste"?
Lesson 18B. José Asunción Silva
18-21. How does the author's personality appear in this work?
18-22. What characteristics of the literary movement the author belongs
to appear in this work?
18-23. What important facts do we know about the author's life?
18-24. What motivated the author to write this work?
18-25 What is the author's style like?
18-26. Explain the meaning of the phrase "and they were a long
shadow".
18-27. Does the "Nocturne" end with a pessimistic or an optimistic
tone? Explain.
18-28. At what time of day does Silva place his "Nocturne",
and why?
18-29. What is the symbolism of cold in the "Nocturne"?
18-30. How did you react to the "Nocturne"?
18-31. Is the other character in the "Nocturne" the lover,
or something else?
18-32. What musical effects does Silva use in the "Nocturne"?
18-33. Explain the symbolism of the shadows in the "Nocturne".
18-34. Silva has been compared with Edgar Allan Poe. What do you think
about this comparison?