Choose one 19th century American poem or short story and one historical document.

write two to three paragraphs 

Write to compare the ways in which each of these represents the changing popular idea of democracy from the time period in which it was written. Cite specific evidence from the literature to support your ideas.

Below is a list of reading selections that can be used for this assessment:

• "The Story of an Hour" (1894) by Kate Chopin (short story)
  
• "How to Tell a Story" (1835-1910) by Mark Twain (short story)
  
• "The Raven" (1845) by Edgar Allan Poe (poem)
  
• "Ain't I a Woman" (1851)  by Sojourner Truth (historical document)
  
• "Declaration of Sentiments" (1848) from the first women's rights convention (historical document)