View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Chapter 1, what does literary theory often critique?

2. Many theorists believe that understanding the meaning of words in a text is ___________.

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

4. What theory analyzes the relationship between mass culture and popular culture?

5. What form of structuralism organizes culture into certain, rule-based practices?

Short Essay Questions

1. Modern Western literature can be traced back to what group and when?

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

3. What does literary theory work to uncover, according to Chapter 1?

4. Why does Culler believe that Shakespeare has remained widely read and discussed while other writers from that time period have not?

5. According to Chapter 2, what style and subject make up literature?

6. According to Rousseau's argument, what does writing have the power to clarify?

7. What factors determine what will be read by a particular society?

8. How do literary theorists explain the procedure used by poetics?

9. In Chapter 3, what are the two topics on which cultural studies and literary theory attempt to compromise?

10. According to Noam Chomsky, linguists help raise the quality of language for what purpose?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

According to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, words can limit the ability of thought and, therefore, the reading experience.

1) What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

2) Who created it?

3) What are the implications of this theory, in terms of its impact upon classical literature?

Essay Topic 2

Literary theorists use poetics and hermeneutics to translate the meaning of a text. Write a brief essay examining these two methods and their function in understanding literature.

Essay Topic 3

As time changes perspectives, many of the ideas that appear in literary theory from past centuries seem outdated. Yet, others have managed to remain relevant. Choose an example of literary theory that has held the test of time, citing support as to why this objective has been achieved.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 574 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample