Gangster Genre

According to the passage, what is the main concept behind the gangster genre in American cinema?

• The power of the government

• The success of anyone, regardless of humble origins

• The importance of education

• The failure of the American dream

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Fill in the blank: The Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution, passed in 1919, banned the manufacture, sale, and transport of _________.

• alcohol

• tobacco

• firearms

• textiles

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.9

CCSS.RL.8.9

The gangster film genre often turns the rags-to-riches story into a cautionary tale about the consequences of blind ambition.

• True

• False

What was one result of the Depression on American audiences, as described in the passage?

• Decreased interest in movies

• Increased need for vivid, escapist entertainment

• More trust in authority

• Less interest in gangster films

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

According to the passage, what is a common starting point for the protagonist in gangster movies?

• Wealth and power

• Humble origins and initial powerlessness

• Law enforcement background

• Political influence

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

What is unusual about Michael in The Godfather movies, according to the passage?

• He is destroyed by corruption and greed

• He attains power and prestige but is not destroyed (physically, at least) by corruption and greed

• He never gains power

• He is always a law-abiding citizen

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

Fill in the blank: The protagonist in gangster movies often suffers some form of public ________ that motivates his struggle for recognition.

• humiliation

• celebration

• promotion

• admiration

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which character type is usually the only other female character typical to the gangster genre, besides the mother or sister?

• A police officer

• A fellow criminal or a sort of gangster groupie known as a moll

• A judge

• A journalist

True or False: The protagonist in gangster movies never has a sidekick or trusted companion from the old neighborhood.

• True

• False

According to the passage, what is an antihero in gangster films?

• A character who is always courteous and kind

• A character who pursues goals, overcomes obstacles, takes risks, and suffers consequences, but lacks traditional heroic qualities

• A character who is always a law enforcement officer

• A character who never faces any consequences

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5