literary theory and criticism MCQs – Page 3

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

literary theory and criticism Mcqs

41. Some critics of literary theory argue that literary theory is problematic for which reason ?
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A. Literary theory does not offer a holistic interpretation of a text.

B. All of the above answers are correct.

C. Literary theory depends on specialized knowledge that is outside the realm of literary studies.

D. Literary theory tends to be too political.

42. In general, what is Judith Butlers concept of gender ?
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A. While gender is not real, the stereotypes that accompany it are true.

B. All of the above answers are correct.

C. Gender is largely a cultural construct.

D. Womens gender is artificial, while mens gender is not.

43. Who proposed that poets should be banished from the ideal Republic ?
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A. Sir Philip Sidney

B. Plato

C. Sir Thomas More

D. Aristotle

44. The statements below are steps on How to Read a Short Story Critically. Which comes in as the last thing to do in the critical reading of a narrative ?
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A. Analyze Rhetorical Elements

B. Analyze the Structure of the Story

C. Analyze the Essential Elements of the Story

D. Analyze the Meaning of the Story (Interpretation)

45. Who called Dryden the Father of English Criticism ?
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A. Joseph Addison

B. Coleridge

C. Matthew Arnold

D. Dr. Johnson

46. Arnolds views on poetry and criticism are discussed in ?
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A. On translating Homer

B. Preface to the Poems

C. Culture and Anarchy

D. Scholar Gypsy

47. How did the New Critics view literature ?
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A. As a historical object that is also aesthetic

B. As an aesthetic object that is independent of historical context

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

D. As a historical object that is not necessarily aesthetic

48. What are some common criticisms of literary theory ?
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A. Many theories have been pushed too far into abstraction

B. Theory has replaced literary appreciation with formulas for understanding

C. The reasoning of theory is often too circular

D. All of the above answers are correct

49. Which of the following statements best explains Mikhail Bakhtins philosophy of language ?
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A. Language is loaded with the intentions of others.

B. Language includes multiple social dialects and jargons.

C. Language can include socio-ideological contradictions from the past.

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

50. What is dialectical materialism ?
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A. A form of literary criticism based on linguistic analysis

B. A form of literary criticism that does not incorporate economic concerns

C. A term related to gender theory that argues that men are dominant in society by virtue of their economic privilege

D. A form of literary criticism that is based on historical context

51. Which school of literary theory is associated with the phrase to make the stones stonier ?
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A. Formalism

B. Structuralism

C. Humanism

D. Marxism

52. Is Drydens Essay of Dramatic Poesy a work of ?
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A. Textual Criticism

B. Interpretative Criticism

C. Legislative Criticism

D. Comparative Criticism

53. Who is the author of the notorious book entitled The School of Abuse ?
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A. Stephen Gosson

B. John Skelton

C. Stephen Hawes

D. Roger Ascham

54. What is generally considered to be Theodor W. Adornos primary concern as a theorist ?
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A. The effect of literature in enlightening the human mind

B. The effect of modern society on human suffering

C. The effect of the economy on womens concerns

D. All of the above answers are correct.

55. A critic of Thomas Otways Venice Preservd wishes to know why the plays conspirators, despite the horrible, bloody details of their obviously brutish plan, are portrayed in a sympathetic light. She examines the authors life and times and discovers that there are obvious similarities between the conspiracy in the play and the Popish Plot. She is most likely a critic ?
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A. Historical

B. Psychological

C. Tory

D. Feminist

56. Which of the following statements best describes Cleanth Brookss attitude towards studying literature ?
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A. Critics should look at the biographical information of authors.

B. Critics should examine historical information surrounding a literary work.

C. Critics should develop universal readings of texts.

D. Critics should attempt to paraphrase texts in order to find out what they mean.

57. What is the meaning of the term Anagnorisis as used by Aristotle in his Theory of Tragedy ?
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A. The heros recognition of his tragic flaw

B. The heros ignorance about his tragic flaw

C. The heros recognition of his tragic end

D. The heros recognition of his adversary

58. From whom did New Historicists draw the idea of self-regulating systems ?
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A. Claude Lvi-Strauss

B. Theodor W. Adorno

C. Julia Kristeva

D. Jacques Derrida

59. According to the Geneva School, what is the function of the reader ?
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A. Understanding the authors ideas in the context of the real world

B. All of the above answers are correct.

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

D. Reproducing the authors thoughts in a critical context

60. Which of the following theorists is associated with formalism ?
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A. Cleanth Brooks

B. Judith Butler

C. Mikhail Bakhtin

D. Viktor Shklovsky

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