Introduction to Literary Studies

A. A novel set in the past
B. A novel that consists entirely of dialogue
C. A novel that is set in the countryside of Europe
D. A novel that consists of a series of documents, such as diary entries, letters, and newspaper articles

A. begins at the apparent end of the story.
B. introduces the characters of the play one by one.
C. opens by plunging the viewer into a crucial series of events.
D. begins with a preview of the play’s conclusion.

A. A story of one person’s fall from grace and into destruction
B. A story of one person’s growth and development within a particular social order
C. A story of one person’s success within a capitalistic economic system
D. A story of one person’s selfrealization and attempt to return to innocence

A. Literary theory involves coming to a precise understanding of a writer’s psychology.
B. Literary theory involves measuring the quality of a literary work.
C. Literary theory involves considering the publication history of literary texts.
D. Literary theory involves describing the underlying principles of a literary work.

A. A play that depicts the downfall of a noble person
B. A play in which someone gets revenge
C. A play in which a hero faces likely defeat and overcomes it
D. A play in which no form of humor appears

A. Hamlet’s father’s ghost is not really a ghost.
B. Hamlet feels a sense of desire for both his mother and his father.
C. Hamlet is truly insane in the play.
D. Hamlet is an impossible play to truly understand.

A. “She is a woman of beauty and wonder.”
B. “Death, that which feels nothing.”
C. “Milton, thou shouldst be living at this hour: / England hath need of thee.”
D. “I wandered lonely as a cloud.”

A. A play in which characters make humorous remarks
B. A play in which characters experience reversals of fortune, usually for the better
C. A play in which no characters die or suffer
D. A play in which elite members of society are mocked

A. A recurring element in a story that is symbolically significant
B. A character’s fatal flaw
C. A rhyme scheme
D. A character’s moment of selfrealization in a narrative

A. Ethos refers to a writer’s presentation of character and image.
B. Ethos refers to a writer’s ability to present evidence.
C. Ethos refers to a writer’s ability to inspire action in readers.
D. Ethos refers to a writer’s ability to inspire emotional responses in readers.