introduction to literary theory MCQs – Page 5

Practise focused introduction to literary theory questions with marked answers for exam preparation and subject revision.

introduction to literary theory Mcqs

81. What does hermeneutic theory suggest about how readers view literature ?
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A. It is impossible to view a piece of literature correctly, because we can only work within the hetero-normative paradigm.

B. It is impossible to view a piece of literature as its author intended.

C. It is impossible to divorce a text from capitalist ideology.

D. It is impossible to separate a text from the linguistics that compose it.

82. What is New Historicism ?
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A. A theory that capitalizes on the interplay between literature and history

B. All of the above

C. A theory that abandons the idea of history as an imitation of events

D. A theory that regards history as a series of narratives

83. The concept of otherness is related to which of the following theories ?
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A. Feminist theory

B. Postcolonial theory

C. All of the above.

D. Ethnic criticism

84. According to Plato, what is the moral purpose of art ?
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A. To bring to light social oppressions

B. To criticize society through satire

C. To connect human beings with a higher ideal

D. To entertain those who enjoy it

85. Some critics of literary theory argue that literary theory is problematic for which reason ?
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A. Literary theory depends on specialized knowledge that is outside the realm of literary studies.

B. All of the above.

C. Literary theory is sometimes very abstract and difficult to read.

D. Literary theory does not offer a holistic interpretation of a text.

86. Which of the following statements best explains Mikhail Bakhtins philosophy of language ?
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A. Language includes multiple social dialects and jargons.

B. Language can include socioideological contradictions from the past.

C. Language is loaded with the intentions of others.

D. Language exhibits and is bound up in the social lives and historical context of the people who speak it.

87. What does gynocriticism recommend as an approach to literature ?
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A. Considering womens literature outside of its historical context

B. Examining only female-authored literature more critically

C. Studying womens literature for its linguistic qualities only

D. Becoming more familiar with the history of women and womens writing

88. What is the main function of literary theory ?
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A. All of the above.

B. To evaluate the role of historical context in the interpretation of literature

C. To formulate relationships among an author, a reader, and a literary work

D. To understand the role of sexuality, gender, race, and ethnicity in literary study

89. How does New Historicism differ from traditional historicism ?
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A. All of the above.

B. New Historicism is interested in how texts help us understand economic realities.

C. New Historicism does not make strict delineations between literary and nonliterary texts.

D. New Historicism takes a particular interest in marginalized peoples.

90. In his essay The Business of Theory, William Deresiewicz argues which of the following about Terry Eagletons book After Theory ?
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A. It should not be read or considered by any student or scholar.

B. It offers some valid ideas and critiques, but its author is not entirely trustworthy.

C. It offers a strong counterpoint to Jacques Derridas notion of deconstruction.

D. It offers a strong outline for how theory can be conducted in the 21st century.

91. With what literary critic is the term the author function most closely associated ?
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A. Claude Lvi-Strauss

B. Michel Foucault

C. Jacques Derrida

D. Jacques Lacan

92. In Fredric Jamesons book The Political Unconscious, what does Jameson suggest about literature ?
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A. Biography is essential to literary analysis

B. Politics and the economy are the most important factors in literary analysis

C. History comprises the essential framework for the performance of literary analysis

D. Psychoanalysis is critical to literary analysis

93. What is defamiliarization ?
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A. An idea explored by Viktor Shklovsky

B. A term that describes the capacity of art to counter the effects of habit

C. All of the above.

D. A concept associated with Russian formalism

94. Christopher Ricks would most likely DISAGREE with which of the following claims about literary theory ?
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A. Literary theory is employed mostly by academics.

B. Literary theory should not be an academic focus in English departments.

C. Literary theory is the only proper way to conceptualize literary texts.

D. Literary theory often depends on esoteric knowledge to be properly understood.

95. What is false consciousness ?
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A. Another term for the unconscious C. A term related to the period of psychosexual development that occurs before an infant reaches the mirror stage

B. An ideology that involves dominating the consciousness of exploited classes

C. A feminist term for the state that occurs when texts written by women are not considered in the study of literature

96. According to the Geneva School, what is the function of the reader ?
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A. All of the above.

B. Understanding the authors consciousness

C. Reproducing the authors thoughts in a critical context

D. Entering the authors mind through his or her literary works

97. What is phenomenology ?
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A. The examination of desires informing our consciousness

B. The examination of our unconscious experience

C. The examination of intricate structures within our unconscious

D. The examination of structures informing our conscious experience

98. According to trauma theorists, a testifying subject needs which of the following to deliver a successful testimony ?
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A. Psychological treatment

B. A figure of judgment

C. A witness

D. Religious belief

99. Ecotheorists tend to show an interest in which of the following ?
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A. How writers conceptualize natural environments and the representation of environmental issues in literature and culture

B. How writers have damaged the environment

C. How the environment can be repaired

D. Who is responsible for damaging the environment

100. How did the New Critics view literature ?
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A. As an aesthetic object that is independent of historical context

B. As an aesthetic object that is influenced by historical context

C. As a historical object that is also aesthetic

D. As a historical object that is not necessarily aesthetic

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