Question

question 8 (1 poi read the excerpt below from the speech. terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of america. these acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of american resolve. america was targeted for attack because were the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. and no one will keep that light from shining. what is the president alluding to in the phrase \the foundation of america\? a the united states constitution b the land upon which the united states was built c the people who fought for american independence d qualities such as liberty and determination question 9 (4 points) the essential question of unit 2 in american literature is: what principles unify americans and impact american literature? considering \the names\ by billy collins, 1. identify the purpose of the poem. 2. identify at least one other soapstone element and explain 3. last, discuss one principle in the poem and how the tragedy of 9/11 unified americans. your essay should be at least 7 sentences long, including an introduction, supporting details, and conclusion. (this question is worth 4 times as much credit as a multiple choice question, so please do not skip it. extra credit points may be awarded for exceptional answers.)

Explanation:

Question 8

To solve this, we analyze the context of the speech. The speech mentions "freedom and opportunity" and "American resolve". Option a (Constitution) is a document, not the foundational spirit. Option b (land) is physical and doesn't match the metaphor. Option c (people of independence) is historical figures, not the core foundation now. Option d (liberty, determination) aligns with the themes of freedom, resolve, and the "beacon for freedom" mentioned, as these qualities are the ideological foundation of America.

Answer:

d. qualities such as liberty and determination

Question 9 (Essay Response)

Introduction:

Billy Collins’ “The Names” and the tragedy of 9/11 both reflect and reinforce principles that unify Americans, with the poem’s purpose and SOAPSTONE elements illuminating this unity.

1. Purpose of the Poem:

The purpose of “The Names” is to honor the victims of 9/11 by memorializing their names while also capturing the collective grief and resilience of Americans. Collins lists names in a way that humanizes the tragedy, reminding readers of the individual lives lost and the shared sorrow that bonded the nation.

2. SOAPSTONE Element (Speaker):

The speaker of the poem is a voice of collective American empathy. The tone is solemn and reflective, as the speaker navigates the weight of the tragedy. For example, the repetitive listing of names (“David Angelo Ortiz, David Paul Anguiano...”) creates a personal, intimate tone, showing the speaker’s (and by extension, America’s) commitment to remembering each victim, which reflects the principle of unity in mourning.

3. Unifying Principle (Resilience):

One principle in the poem is resilience, which also unified Americans after 9/11. The act of naming victims is an act of refusing to let the tragedy erase their stories, mirroring how Americans refused to let fear or hatred destroy their values. After 9/11, people came together to support one another, volunteer, and rebuild—just as the poem’s focus on names preserves the humanity of the loss, the nation’s resilience preserved its spirit. The shared grief over the loss of life (honored in the poem) and the shared resolve to persevere (seen in the nation’s response) unified Americans under the principle of resilience: even in devastation, they held onto hope and community.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, “The Names” serves to memorialize 9/11 victims (purpose), with a speaker embodying collective empathy (SOAPSTONE), and reflects the unifying principle of resilience. This principle, seen in both the poem and the national response to 9/11, shows how tragedy can strengthen the bonds of liberty, compassion, and determination that define America.