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Discussion Questions
3. What is one thing that helps to accomplish the idea of unity in America, according to the
author?
a. Ethic pride as each individual’s highest value
b. A Calvinist love of mastering the impossible
c. An idea that today’s immigrants differ from those of the past
d. Understanding that America is like many other places
4. According to Quindlen, the “vanilla pudding word” used when various ethnic groups get along is
a. Unity
b. Patriotism
c. Freedom
d. Tolerance
5. Does Quindlen agree with historians who say that a new pride in one’s ethnicity in America is
preventing unity?
6. Does Quindlen say she is the product of a mixed marriage? How might that shape her opinions?
7. Does Quindlin suggest that the cold war had some positive effects for America?
8. A 1994 survey showed that most people agree that the United States is not unique. Is this true
or false? What does this say about our culture?
9. In the first paragraph, how does Quindlen compare the qualities of the United States to those of
a quilt? How does she weave imagery throughout the essay?
10. What does the author mean by mongrel nation in the second sentence? Why does she return to
that phrase in the second-to-last sentence of the essay?
11. Why does the author say “you know the answer” at the end of the third paragraph? How does
that affect the tone of the piece and her relationship with readers?
12. What does the author mean when she says people were concerned that “the left side of the
hyphen — African-American, Mexican-American, Irish American—would overwhelm the right”?
13. What can you infer about the author’s childhood and parent’s neighborhood?
14. How does one’s race, class, religion, and/or gender influence an individual’s goals or
aspirations? How does this trouble the idea of the American Dream?
16. What does racism/sexism look like today? How do the media and other prominent figures
contribute to sustaining stereotypes?
21. What is the overall message that Quindlen conveys about America? (Theme)
22. What questions does the text raise but not answer?