1. "we hold these truths to be self-evident: -that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their
creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
what does this mean? why did jefferson, one of the creators of our declaration of independence, place
these words into such a vital document? what comments does gardner make about this portion of the
declaration of independence?

Directions: in 2 - 3 paragraphs respond to mack's idea about the "interplay of life and literature" in lines 92 - 100 in " why read shakespeare". 1. explain what it means to say that finding meaning in shakespeare "is a sort of proving ground for finding beauty and meaning in life". provide reasons that support your claim. 2. explain which is more important - that literature teaches readers about life or that understanding life readers understand literature. identify examples from literature you have read. 3. summarize your view of the interplay between literature and your own lives, explaining whether you see a connection or not and why.