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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the "impotence" of liberal humanism a symptom of, according to Eagleton?
(a) Its refusal to examine the facts.
(b) Its sense of entitlement in relation to the world.
(c) Its absurd claims in the face of suffering.
(d) Its contradictory relationship to capitalism.

2. According to Eagleton, what term is "most-widely touted" in cultural theory?
(a) Modernism.
(b) Postmodernism.
(c) Premodernity.
(d) Postmodernity.

3. How did post-structuralism respond to France's student movement's failed attempt to break state power?
(a) Post-structuralism sought to create a more powerful language.
(b) Post-structuralism sought to break the structures of language.
(c) Post-structuralism sought to break state power.
(d) Post-structuralism sought to create a free language.

4. What is the example Eagleton provides of a metalanguage, where one sign-system denotes another sign-system?
(a) The relation between literary criticism and literature.
(b) The relation between literary criticism and religion.
(c) The relation between philosophy and literature.
(d) The relation between philosophy and religion.

5. When did Sigmund Freud develop psychoanalysis?
(a) Late-nineteenth century.
(b) Mid-twentieth century.
(c) Mid-nineteenth century.
(d) Late-twentieth century.

6. According to the Soviet semiotician Yury Lotman, a poetic text is "semantically _________."
(a) Rational.
(b) Saturated.
(c) Irrational.
(d) Transparent.

7. What is the root of the present crisis in literary studies, according to Eagleton?
(a) The inclusion of non-canonical works.
(b) The definition of the subject.
(c) The subjugation of theory.
(d) The conflict over methodology.

8. Why do feminists embrace the work of Jacques Lacan, despite the fact that he was contemptuous of the women's movement?
(a) Because Lacan rejected Freudianism.
(b) Because Lacan embraced Freudianism.
(c) Because Lacan taught Freudianism.
(d) Because Lacan rewrote Freudianism.

9. According to Sigmund Freud, what distinguishes humans from other animals?
(a) We experience pain.
(b) We have unfulfilled desires.
(c) We are born helpless and dependent.
(d) We mature early and die later.

10. Eagleton writes that his book is less an introduction to literary theory than a what?
(a) An answer.
(b) A homage.
(c) An obituary.
(d) A polemic.

11. For Eagleton, what are the two ways in which literary theory can have a distinct purpose and identity?
(a) It can define itself in terms of eradicating inquiry or the object being enquire into.
(b) It can define itself in terms of methods of inquiry or the object being enquired into.
(c) It can define itself in terms of methods of inquiry and the manner of enquiry.
(d) It can define itself in terms of other methods of inquiry and the manner of enquiry.

12. According to Eagleton, if structuralism examined the "product" of literature, but left out what?
(a) The immaterial conditions inherent in the product.
(b) The immaterial conditions that produced literature.
(c) The material conditions that destroyed literature.
(d) The material conditions that produced literature.

13. Why should politics engage with questions of sexual ideology, according to Eagleton?
(a) Because sexism and gender roles do not exist in human experience.
(b) Because sexism and gender roles are not deeply integrated in human experience.
(c) Because sexism and gender roles should persist in human experience.
(d) Because sexism and gender roles are deeply integrated in human experience.

14. Why is structuralism "anti-humanist," for Eagleton?
(a) Because it rejected the myth the individual experience begins and ends with structure.
(b) Because it rejected the myth that humanity was humane.
(c) Because it rejected the myth that meaning begins and ends with individual experience.
(d) Because it rejected the myth that individuality was humanist.

15. According to Eagleton, one of the gains of structuralism is that it represents a "remorseless _____of literature."
(a) Demystification.
(b) Mystification.
(c) Idealization.
(d) Rationlization.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to the feminist philosopher Julia Kristeva, the language of the semiotic is a means of what?

2. Why is psychosis difficult to cope with, according to Sigmund Freud?

3. According to Eagleton, "the idea that there are 'non-political' forms of criticism" is a what?

4. According to Eagleton, why did the women's movement reject the economic focus of classical Marxist thought?

5. Literary texts are code-productive, code-transgressive, and code_____.

(see the answer keys)

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