We considered a list of the best American books. Here are five that may help accurately show the national character. Most from a century or so ago, they still entertain, teach, and inspire:
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
First published in 1851, the adventure stories of Captain Ahab and his monomaniacal(偏执的) pursuit of the white whale draw us into a universe full of fascinating characters and stories.
The Education of Henry Adams by Henry Adams
Published in 1918, the book was an autobiography. Born in one of America’s most famous political families, Adams provides insight into his family, including his experience as private secretary to his father, minister to England during the American Civil war.
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
When Whitman published Leaves of Grass in 1855, he wanted to accurately describe the American experience and reflect the great changes in the American literary world that had taken place during his lifetime.
Poems by Emily Dickinson
An enthusiastic poet whose works have had considerable influence on modern poetry, Dickson’s frequent use of dashes, occasional capitalization(大写) of nouns, and unconventional metaphors(隐喻) have contributed to her reputation as one of the most inventive poets of the 19th century American literature. However, most of her poems were not published during her lifetime.
The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
First published in 1855, this is Longfellow’s most popular and most recognized poem, the heroic life and death of a magic American Indian, sent by the Great Spirit to guide the nations in the ways of peace.
小题1:Walt Whitman wrote Leaves of Grass in order to _______.
A．show his talent and heroic life to us
B．draw us into a fascinating universe
C．provide insight into his family
D．reflect the great changes in the American literary world小题2:If you want to read a story about a magic American Indian, you can read _______.
A．Moby-Dick
B．The Song of Hiawatha
C．Poems
D．Leaves of Grass小题3:Which statement is TRUE according to the passage?
A．Because the five books are from a century or so ago, they can’t teach and inspire us.
B．Herman Melville was considered as one of the most inventive poets of the 19th century American literature.
C．The Education of Henry Adams is a non-fiction book.
D．Of the five books, Moby-Dick was published last.小题4:Why did the author write the passage?
A．To introduce several best American books to readers.
B．To make an advertisement for a book store.
C．To tell stories of several famous writers.
D．To talk about some knowledge about literature.
