Quick Quiz “A Worn Path” and “The Reach of Imagination”
1. List three specific images from “A Worn Path” that foreshadow
the death of the grandson.
2. What purpose does the hunter serve in “A Worn Path”? What do
Phoenix’s reactions to him reveal about her character?
3. Considering the ending of the story, what is the double meaning
of the title “A Worn Path”?
4. Jacob Bronowski earned a PHD in what subject? What effect
does his education have on the subject he tackles?
5. What is the thesis of “The Reach of the Imagination”? Identify
one sentence that you feel best represents Bronowski’s
argument.
6. According to paragraphs 10-11, page 618, what is the
connection between imagination and human brains? Why is
symbolism important?
7. Reread paragraph #14, pages 618-619. How does Keat’s phrase “the
unheard melodies are sweeter” apply to both Gatsby and Phoenix
Jackson? What role does memory play in each story?
8. Considering paragraphs #20 and #22 and current school budget cutting
debates, what would happen to the sciences if all humanities education
was cut from university budgets?
9. Reread the sentence in paragraph #21, page 621 that starts, “When a
man counts. . .” then reconsider Henry David Thoreau’s assertion, “I
cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet.” How does
each of these writers use counting as a metaphor? What is meant by
each phrase?
10. Why does Bronowski end with man’s quest to go to the moon (notice
the year of publication)? What does he suppose this achievement
represents? What is a modern equivalent for this kind of scientific
achievement– the kind of achievement which requires this marriage of
imagination and science for man to achieve?