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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. Thanks to cultural studies, what has happened to many previously discarded works?

2. According to Chapter 4, what is a secret message placed within the broader scope of a text?

3. Who believed that linguists have the ability to help others speak, read, and understand never seen before words and sentence structures?

4. According to Ferdinand de Saussure, the elements of language become unique based on their _________.

5. What has literary theory helped add to the study of classics?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. According to Culler, what do most literary works resemble?

4. According to Chapter 3, how have cultural studies expanded the literary canon?

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

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

7. Why did Foucault consider "The History of Sexuality" to be repressed?

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

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

10. Theorists believe it is important to challenge ideas presented in literature for what reason?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Literary theory has the power to create new ideas and to destroy old ones. Write an essay on the power of literary theory to change a social mindset based on its social influence.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Literary performatives shape the words and phrases used in literature and conversation. Write a brief essay supporting or refuting the following statement, citing examples from the text to support your theory: Literary performatives have the power to change the way society communicates.

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