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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 idea did Rousseau help to develop?

2. What is the purpose of literary theory, according to "What is Theory?"

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

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

5. According to Chapter 4, what effect should the words have on the reader?

Short Essay Questions

1. Based on Chapter 1, what is the purpose of the critique that often comes from literary theory?

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

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

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

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

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

7. What was the theme of Goethe's work as discussed in "Chapter 1, What is Theory"?

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

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

10. In Chapter 2, why are the use of words and language so meaningful to literature?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

For an author, the opportunity to be published is a hurdle to overcome when it comes to having a work declared literary. Why is publication so important to the literary process? Create an argument citing specific examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

The purpose of literary theory is multifaceted yet does not always provide a conclusive result. Write an essay discussing:

1) The various facets of literary theory.

2) What literary theory aims to accomplish.

3) The end result of literary theory.

(see the answer keys)

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