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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, according to Burke, must be utilized regularly lest it/they fall into disrepair?

2. How does Burke separate natural and artificial objects?

3. What example does Burke use in his argument that perfection is not the cause of beauty?

4. Why, according to Burke, is proportion not the cause of beauty in animals?

5. What is Locke's general theory of language, as related by Burke?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why, according to Burke, are humans readily affected by the passions of others?

2. What is unique about the historical figure of Campanella, as related by Burke?

3. How does Burke define deformity?

4. How does Burke use women as examples to demonstrate some of the aspects of beauty?

5. What does Burke mean by "fitness," and why is fitness not, according to him, the cause of beauty?

6. In his discussion of proportionality among human figures, what censure does Burke lay upon advocates proportion-as-beauty?

7. What two examples does Burke use to illustrate the sublimity of succession in visual objects? Upon which principles does Burke assert these two examples operate?

8. How does Burke define ugliness, and how does Burke relate ugliness to beauty?

9. How can pain be a cause of delight, in everyday life and in effecting the sublime?

10. Paraphrase Burke's definition of beauty and the distinction he makes between love and lust or desire.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the physical effects of fear and pain, as observed by Burke. How do people in pain look or sound, and what is their state of mind? What passions could they be experiencing? What is the difference Burke identifies between fear and pain, as related to the body and the mind? How can pain be a cause of delight, in everyday life and in effecting the sublime? What examples does Burke use to prove this point?

Essay Topic 2

What, according to Burke, is sublime about religion? What tool do many religions make use of, to what ends? Carefully analyze the example Burke offers in Part II, Section V, beginning on page 61. Pay close attention to Burke's word choice, use of imagery, figurative language, selection of references or allusions, and the general tone with which he writes. How does this example reinforce Burke's assertions about religion and power? Are there any problems you see with this example, or any counter-arguments you can mak?

Essay Topic 3

What is unique about the historical figure of Campanella, as related by Burke? To what effect does Burke employ the example of Campanella? How does Burke's relation of his own experiences reinforce this example? What is the significance of Campanella's story to our understanding of the connection between mind and body? Have you ever encountered this phenomenon yourself, and if so, does it seem to be true? What implications or significance (social, spiritual, or otherwise) do Campanella's abilities have?

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