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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What type of literary work is "Jane Eyre"?

2. In the West, most theorists believe language allows for _____________.

3. Who believed language is made up of a system of differences?

4. According to the majority of theorists, who has the power to determine what can be known as literature?

5. On a grand scale, scholars believe literature to have the capability to speak for __________.

Short Essay Questions

1. According to the Western culture, what does language help to express?

2. Why is there concern that cultural study may surpass literary theory?

3. What types of writing topics have been used to create literary theory and why?

4. According to Chapter 4, what does "reader-response" criticism depend upon?

5. Why is publishing considered a stamp of approval on a literary work?

6. According to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, what does language determine?

7. Does pop culture change the relevance of classical literature?

8. Why did Foucault consider "The History of Sexuality" to be repressed?

9. Theorists believe it is important to challenge ideas presented in literature for what reason?

10. When was literature used in Britain to control the masses?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Much English literature sought to control the masses and instill a sense of national pride. Create an argument for or against the following topic, citing specific examples from the text: Although literature sought to control the masses, this technique often backfired. Literature allowed the lower class to understand the difference in the class system. This instilled a desire for the lower class to obtain the same lifestyle as the upper class.

Essay Topic 2

In the twentieth century, the novel became a focus in literary education and extremely popular among the masses. Create a supporting argument for the following statement, citing examples from the text: The novel is the most popular form of literature in the twentieth century due to a desire for readers to hear and tell new stories.

Essay Topic 3

Within literature, there are several models of identity. Identify and analyze at least three models of identity, citing examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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