Literary Theory and Criticism: Master Literary Analysis

Question 1

How does postcolonial theory enhance our understanding of the themes and characters in Joseph Conrad's *Heart of Darkness*?

Accepted Answer

It reveals the novel's exploration of racial and imperial power dynamics between colonizers and colonized.

Answer

It dismisses the novel's literary value, focusing solely on its historical and political context.

Answer

It is not applicable to *Heart of Darkness* because the novel is not set in a colonial context.

Answer

It provides a narrow and exclusive interpretation of the novel, ignoring other critical approaches.

Question 2

How has gender studies influenced the interpretation and canonization of literary works? Provide specific examples from the works of female authors.

Accepted Answer

Gender studies has led to a reevaluation of the literary canon, resulting in works by female authors being recognized as equally valuable as those by male authors.

Answer

Gender studies has had minimal impact on the understanding and appreciation of literature.

Answer

The impact of gender studies is limited to the interpretation of works by contemporary female authors.

Answer

As a result of gender studies, the popularity of works by male authors has declined.

Question 3

How does Bertolt Brecht's alienation technique in 'Mother Courage and Her Children' align with Marxist principles?

Accepted Answer

It distances the audience, allowing critical examination of social and economic influences.

Answer

It glorifies the working class as heroic figures overcoming adversity.

Answer

It conveys political ideas through symbolism and allegory.

Answer

It serves solely as comedic entertainment.

Question 4

Which characteristic is NOT a feature of Marxist literary criticism?

Accepted Answer

Belief in the autonomy of the literary text

Answer

Emphasis on the socio-economic context of literature

Answer

Recognition of the influence of ideology on literary works

Question 5

Which concept is NOT a fundamental principle of Marxist literary theory?

Accepted Answer

Individualism

Answer

Class struggle

Answer

Alienation

Answer

Historical materialism

Question 6

Which of the following is **not** a core concept in Marxist literary theory?

Accepted Answer

Individual agency

Answer

Ideology

Answer

Class conflict

Answer

Base and superstructure

Question 7

Which characteristic is a defining feature of post-structuralist literary theory?

Accepted Answer

Power dynamics shape the creation and reception of texts.

Answer

Authorial intent is the primary basis for interpreting a text.

Answer

Language has fixed and unchanging meanings.

Question 8

According to post-structuralism, what is a key factor in determining the meaning of a text?

Accepted Answer

The reader's interpretation

Answer

The author's sole intention

Answer

The historical context is irrelevant

Question 9

In post-structuralist theory, how is meaning primarily understood to be created?

Accepted Answer

Meaning is constructed through the interaction of the text, reader, and context.

Answer

Meaning is inherent in the text and independent of the reader.

Answer

Meaning is solely determined by the author's intention.

Answer

Meaning is fixed and unchanging, regardless of interpretation.

Question 10

Which literary theory emphasizes the historical and social context of a literary work?

Accepted Answer

New Historicism

Answer

Formalism

Answer

Structuralism

Answer

Reader-response theory

Question 11

According to Reader-Response Theory, which of the following is NOT a key principle?

Accepted Answer

The text has a fixed and unchanging meaning.

Answer

The meaning of a text is subjective and shaped by the reader's experiences.

Answer

The reader's background influences their interpretation of a text.

Question 12

Which literary theory focuses on the relationship between a text and the historical, social, and political context in which it was created?

Accepted Answer

New Historicism

Answer

Formalism

Answer

Structuralism

Answer

Reader-Response Theory

Question 13

In Structuralism, which principle is considered fundamental?

Accepted Answer

Structure and form are key to understanding a text's meaning.

Answer

Author's intent determines a text's meaning.

Answer

Reader's interpretation is the only valid meaning.

Answer

Historical context is irrelevant to interpreting a text.

Question 14

Which principle is NOT a defining characteristic of structuralism?

Accepted Answer

The reader's interpretation solely determines a text's meaning.

Answer

Texts possess an underlying structure that shapes their meaning.

Answer

Texts are interconnected elements within a broader system of signs.

Question 15

Which literary theory prioritizes the historical and social context in which a literary work was created?

Accepted Answer

New Historicism

Answer

Formalism

Answer

Structuralism

Answer

Reader-response theory

Question 16

Which literary theory focuses on the connections between a text and its historical and social context?

Accepted Answer

New Historicism

Answer

Formalism

Answer

Structuralism

Answer

Postcolonialism

Question 17

Which literary theory prioritizes the historical and cultural context of a literary work in its analysis?

Accepted Answer

New Historicism

Answer

Formalism

Answer

Reader-response theory

Question 18

Which concept is not a central tenet of Marxist literary theory?

Accepted Answer

Literature's primary purpose is entertainment.

Answer

The economic base influences the superstructure.

Answer

Literature reflects the dominant ideology of society.

Answer

Literature can serve as a vehicle for criticizing societal norms.

Question 19

According to structuralist literary theory, what is the text regarded as?

Accepted Answer

A self-contained system of signs

Answer

A reflection of the author's intentions

Answer

A product of its social and historical context

Answer

Open to multiple interpretations

Question 20

Which of the following concepts is central to feminist literary theory?

Accepted Answer

Patriarchy

Answer

Capitalism

Answer

Structuralism

Answer

Post-modernism

Question 21

Which critical approach examines the impact of social and historical factors on literature?

Accepted Answer

Marxist

Answer

Formalist

Answer

Structuralist

Answer

Psychological

Question 22

Which literary theory emphasizes the active role of the reader in shaping the meaning of a text?

Accepted Answer

Reader-Response

Answer

Structuralism

Answer

Deconstruction

Answer

New Historicism

Question 23

Which literary theory views all literature as inherently political, shaped by the social and economic forces of its time?

Accepted Answer

Marxism

Answer

Formalism

Answer

Deconstruction

Answer

New Historicism

Question 24

Which critical approach focuses on the psychological motivations and unconscious desires that drive characters and shape the narrative?

Accepted Answer

Psychoanalytic

Answer

Formalism

Answer

Structuralism

Answer

Post-colonial

Question 25

Which theory argues that literary texts are not fixed in meaning but rather are constantly reinterpreted and reshaped by different readers?

Accepted Answer

Post-structuralism

Answer

Formalism

Answer

Structuralism

Answer

New Historicism

Question 26

Which critical approach examines the relationship between literature and the historical and cultural context in which it is produced?

Accepted Answer

New Historicism

Answer

Reader-Response

Answer

Structuralism

Answer

Feminist

Question 27

Which theory explores the ways in which race, colonialism, and power dynamics shape literary texts and their interpretations?

Accepted Answer

Post-colonial

Answer

Feminist

Answer

Marxist

Answer

Psychoanalytic

Question 28

Which term refers to the author's intended meaning or purpose behind a literary work?

Accepted Answer

Authorial intention

Answer

Structuralism

Answer

New Criticism

Answer

Deconstruction

Question 29

According to New Criticism, the primary focus of literary analysis should be on:

Accepted Answer

The text itself

Answer

The author's life experiences

Answer

The social and historical context

Answer

The reader's interpretation

Question 30

Which of the following is a key characteristic of Marxist literary criticism?

Accepted Answer

Emphasizes the impact of class and economic factors on literature

Answer

Prioritizes authorial intent and biography

Answer

Focuses primarily on the psychological motivations of characters

Answer

Values aesthetic beauty as the primary literary concern

Question 31

Deconstruction, a literary theory, is primarily associated with which philosopher?

Accepted Answer

Jacques Derrida

Answer

Jacques Lacan

Answer

Mikhail Bakhtin

Answer

Roland Barthes

Question 32

In feminist literary criticism, the term 'écriture féminine' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Writing that challenges traditional gender roles and power structures

Answer

A type of writing specific to women

Answer

A patriarchal literary tradition

Answer

A form of writing that emphasizes domesticity

Question 33

Which of the following is a qualitative method of literary analysis?

Accepted Answer

Formalist analysis

Answer

Statistical analysis of word frequency

Answer

Digital text mining

Answer

Computational stylistics

Question 34

Which of the following is a central tenet of postcolonial literary theory?

Accepted Answer

Examines the impact of Western colonialism on literature and culture

Answer

Focuses exclusively on the experiences of majority cultures

Answer

Rejects the concept of cultural diversity

Answer

Prioritizes the study of canonical works from the Western tradition

Question 35

In ecocritical literary theory, the term 'biocentrism' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The belief that all living beings have inherent value

Answer

The study of the relationship between literature and technology

Answer

The analysis of literary texts from a political perspective

Answer

The use of literary techniques to critique environmental degradation

Question 36

Select the option that accurately describes a defining characteristic of post-colonial theory:

Accepted Answer

Encompasses all of the above characteristics

Answer

Focuses on the influence of colonialism on literature

Answer

Highlights the experiences of marginalized groups

Answer

Challenges traditional literary canons

Question 37

According to feminist literary theory, how can the gender of the reader potentially impact their interpretation of a text?

Accepted Answer

Influence their understanding and interpretation

Answer

Limit their ability to comprehend the text

Answer

Have no effect on their perception of the text

Answer

Only affect their understanding of texts written by women

Question 38

Identify the key concept that is central to structuralist literary theory:

Accepted Answer

Binary oppositions

Answer

Intertextuality

Answer

Hermeneutics

Answer

Authorial intention

Question 39

According to deconstructionist theory, the meaning of a text is considered to be:

Accepted Answer

Multiple and unstable

Answer

Fixed and unchanging

Answer

Derived solely from the author's intention

Answer

Determined solely by the reader's interpretation

Question 40

When applying a specific literary theory to a text, it is crucial to consider:

Accepted Answer

All of the mentioned factors

Answer

The text's historical and cultural context

Answer

The reader's own biases and assumptions

Answer

The limitations of the theory itself

Question 41

Which literary theory prioritizes the cultural and historical context in which a literary work was created?

Accepted Answer

Historical materialism

Answer

Formalism

Answer

New Criticism

Answer

Structuralism

Question 42

Which critical approach focuses on examining the author's life experiences and their impact on their writing?

Accepted Answer

Psychoanalytic criticism

Answer

Deconstruction

Answer

Feminist criticism

Answer

Reader-response criticism

Question 43

A fundamental concept in structuralist theory is the use of:

Accepted Answer

Binary oppositions

Answer

Metaphors

Answer

Historical contexts

Answer

Authorial intentions

Question 44

Which literary device employs a word or phrase to represent something else, often creating a deeper meaning?

Accepted Answer

Metaphor

Answer

Symbol

Answer

Simile

Answer

Allegory

Question 45

In literary study, what is the primary purpose of employing theory?

Accepted Answer

To provide a framework for analyzing and interpreting texts

Answer

To establish a definitive and singular interpretation of a text

Answer

To replace traditional approaches to studying literature

Answer

To diminish the importance of the author's role in literary analysis

Question 46

Which critical approach places emphasis on the reader's experiences, interpretations, and responses to a literary text?

Accepted Answer

Reader-response criticism

Answer

Marxist criticism

Answer

New Historicism

Answer

Cultural studies

Question 47

Which literary theory examines the connections between literature and issues of power, class, and ideology?

Accepted Answer

Marxist criticism

Answer

Formalism

Answer

Psychoanalytic criticism

Answer

Feminist criticism

Question 48

In literature, the term for a narrative told from the perspective of the protagonist using "I" is:

Accepted Answer

First-person narrative

Answer

Autobiography

Answer

Biography

Answer

Autofiction

Question 49

Which of the following is a central principle of Marxist literary criticism?

Accepted Answer

The significance of the conflict between social classes

Answer

The dominance of personal narratives

Answer

The impact of language in shaping reality

Answer

The influence of the cultural context

Question 50

According to Marxist literary theory, what is the primary influence on a work's meaning?

Accepted Answer

The economic and political conditions of the time

Answer

The author's social class

Answer

The reader's subjective interpretation

Answer

The work's intrinsic aesthetic qualities

Question 51

What is a defining characteristic of post-structuralist literary criticism?

Accepted Answer

Deconstruction of binary oppositions

Answer

Belief in the existence of a fixed meaning

Answer

Emphasis on the importance of the author's biography

Answer

Focus on the reader's role in shaping meaning

Question 52

Which of the following is NOT a potential benefit of applying literary theory to the study of literature?

Accepted Answer

Limits the number of possible interpretations

Answer

Provides a structured framework for analysis

Answer

Enhances understanding of the work's historical context

Answer

Allows for a more nuanced understanding of the work

Question 53

Which literary critic is associated with the concept of the 'death of the author'?

Accepted Answer

Roland Barthes

Answer

Jacques Lacan

Answer

Michel Foucault

Answer

Julia Kristeva

Question 54

Which of the following is a key concept in the theory of deconstruction?

Accepted Answer

Differance

Answer

Binary oppositions

Answer

Free play of signifiers

Answer

Sublimation

Question 55

Identify the concept that is central to structuralist literary theory:

Accepted Answer

The meaning of a text is derived from its underlying structure and system of signs.

Answer

The author's intention is the sole determinant of a text's meaning.

Answer

The reader's interpretation is the only valid meaning of a text.

Answer

A text has multiple interpretations that are all equally valid.

Question 56

According to Marxist literary criticism, literature primarily reflects:

Accepted Answer

The economic and social conditions of the era.

Answer

The author's personal experiences and beliefs.

Answer

The universal human condition.

Answer

The formal and aesthetic qualities of language.

Question 57

'Close reading' in literary criticism involves:

Accepted Answer

Analyzing a text in detail, paying attention to its language, structure, and imagery.

Answer

Interpreting a text based on the author's biography and historical context.

Answer

Applying a specific theoretical framework to analyze a text.

Answer

Summarizing the main points and themes of a text.

Question 58

'Intertextuality' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The relationship between a text and other texts it references or alludes to.

Answer

The way a text reflects its historical and cultural context.

Answer

The use of irony and satire in a text.

Answer

The author's personal experiences and beliefs that shape the text.

Question 59

The 'new historicism' approach to literary criticism emphasizes:

Accepted Answer

The historical and cultural context that shapes a text.

Answer

The author's biography and intentions.

Answer

Close reading of the text's formal elements.

Answer

Marxist theory to understand economic and social influences.

Question 60

'Hermeneutics' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The study of text interpretation.

Answer

The use of close reading to analyze language and imagery.

Answer

The application of Marxist theory to literary analysis.

Answer

The historical and cultural context that shapes a text.

Question 61

Who is widely regarded as the father of modern literary criticism?

Accepted Answer

Aristotle

Answer

Horace

Answer

Samuel Johnson

Answer

T.S. Eliot

Question 62

Reader-Response Theory emphasizes the importance of:

Accepted Answer

Subjective interpretation.

Answer

Objective, structural analysis.

Answer

Authorial intent.

Answer

Historical context.

Question 63

Which characteristic is a hallmark of postmodern literature?

Accepted Answer

Fragmentation and discontinuity in narrative.

Answer

Emphasis on the authority of the author.

Answer

Linear and straightforward plotlines.

Answer

Conventional and unambiguous language.

Question 64

Deconstruction aims to:

Accepted Answer

Uncover hidden meanings and biases within a text.

Answer

Identify universal and objective interpretations.

Answer

Establish a single, definitive reading of a work.

Answer

Promote traditional literary canons.