1. According to Eagleton, what is ironic about those who complain of the difficulty of literary theory?
(a) "That those who complain are often civilised and educated."
(b) "That those who complain are often uncivilised and uneducated."
(c) "That those who complain would expect to understand a textbook of biology or chemical engineering."
(d) "That those who complain would not expect to understand a textbook of biology or chemical engineering."

2. According to Viktor Shklovsky, what novel was "the most typical novel in world literature" because it impeded its own story-line so that it never gets off the ground?
(a) "Don Quixote."
(b) "Animal Farm."
(c) "Tristram Shandy."
(d) "History of the Rebellion."

3. According to Eagleton, why did the Russian formalists NOT see a literary work as a vehicle for ideas, reflection of reality, or transcendental truth?
(a) Because they saw language as obtuse, vague, and ephemeral.
(b) Because they saw language as words and not objects or feelings.
(c) Because they saw language as potentially empowering the masses.
(d) Because they saw language as a mode of speech for the wealthy.

4. The distinction between fact and fiction in defining literature is what?
(a) Questionable.
(b) Important.
(c) Difficult.
(d) Complicated.

5. How many decades, according to Eagleton, has there been a "striking proliferation of literary theory" since the publication of the Russian formalist's pioneering essay?
(a) One.
(b) Five.
(c) Six.
(d) Two.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the name of the pioneering essay the Russian formalist wrote that is the "beginnings of the transformation which has taken over literary theory in this century"?

2. According to Eagleton, what idea is "truly elitist" in literary studies?

3. What kind of language does Eagleton say people think of literature as?

4. According to Eagleton, the "very meaning of _______, ________ and _________ has undergone deep alteration."

5. During the 1960s, what kind of students began to enter higher education that broke down assumptions about literary studies?

(see the answer key)

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