Literary Criticism: A Comprehensive Guide to Approaches and Methods

Question 1

Structuralist criticism primarily focuses on:

Accepted Answer

The interconnections and patterns within the text

Answer

The author's intent

Answer

The historical context of the work

Answer

The reader's response to the work

Question 2

Which critical approach emphasizes the way a work reflects and shapes the social, political, and cultural context in which it was created?

Accepted Answer

New Historicism

Answer

Formalism

Answer

Reader-Response

Answer

Feminist Criticism

Question 3

Which of the following is a fundamental concept in deconstructionist criticism?

Accepted Answer

Textual indeterminacy

Answer

Authorial intention

Answer

Narrative structure

Answer

Character analysis

Question 4

Reader-Response criticism emphasizes the:

Accepted Answer

Subjectivity of the reader's experience

Answer

Objectivity of the literary text

Answer

Importance of the author's biography

Answer

Historical context in which the work was written

Question 5

Which critical approach focuses on analyzing the gendered aspects of a literary work?

Accepted Answer

Feminist

Answer

Structuralist

Answer

Marxist

Answer

Deconstructionist

Question 6

Which of the following is a characteristic of Marxist criticism?

Accepted Answer

emphasis on class struggle

Answer

focus on the author's psychology

Answer

analysis of the text's style and language

Answer

examination of the work's mythological underpinnings

Question 7

Which critical approach examines the ways in which race, ethnicity, and culture influence literary works?

Accepted Answer

Postcolonial

Answer

Formalist

Answer

Structuralist

Answer

Biographical

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT an objective of literary criticism?

Accepted Answer

To provide a definitive interpretation of a text

Answer

To interpret and analyze literature

Answer

To judge the value of a literary work

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To understand the cultural context of a work

Question 9

Which approach to literary criticism combines elements of other approaches to create a comprehensive analysis?

Accepted Answer

Eclectic Criticism

Answer

Formalist Criticism

Answer

Reader-Response Criticism

Answer

Deconstructionist Criticism

Question 10

Which critical approach primarily examines the social, historical, and cultural context that shaped a literary work?

Accepted Answer

Historical criticism

Answer

Formalist criticism

Answer

Marxist criticism

Answer

Structuralist criticism

Question 11

What is the central aim of feminist criticism?

Accepted Answer

To analyze how language constructs gender roles

Answer

To interpret literary works through the lens of psychoanalysis

Answer

To examine the influence of the author's personal experiences on the text

Answer

To explore the interplay between literature and societal norms

Question 12

Which critical theory emphasizes the interconnectedness and ambiguity of meaning in literary texts?

Accepted Answer

Post-structuralism

Answer

New Historicism

Answer

Cultural materialism

Answer

Cognitive psychology

Question 13

What is a key aspect of Marxist literary criticism?

Accepted Answer

It examines the ways in which economics and class struggle shape literature.

Answer

It emphasizes the role of the reader in creating meaning.

Answer

It focuses on the relationship between literature and psychology.

Answer

It analyzes how literary techniques influence the reader's emotions.

Question 14

Which critical approach emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind in shaping literary works?

Accepted Answer

Psychoanalytic criticism

Answer

Structuralist criticism

Answer

Post-colonial criticism

Answer

Feminist criticism

Question 15

How can literary criticism enhance our appreciation of a literary work?

Accepted Answer

By providing diverse perspectives on the text

Answer

By presenting a definitive interpretation of the text

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By identifying the author's hidden intentions

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By dictating the correct way to read the text

Question 16

How does New Historicism relate to other critical approaches?

Accepted Answer

It integrates historical and cultural context into literary analysis

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It rejects all other critical approaches as invalid

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It focuses exclusively on the author's biography

Answer

It emphasizes the importance of close reading

Question 17

Which element is central to Marxist literary criticism?

Accepted Answer

Economic and social class analysis

Answer

Emphasis on the author's personal experiences

Answer

Exploration of psychological themes in literature

Question 18

The New Criticism movement emphasizes:

Accepted Answer

Close reading and textual analysis

Answer

Historical and cultural context

Answer

Biographical influences on the author

Question 19

Which type of criticism focuses on the intersection of gender and power in literature?

Accepted Answer

Feminist criticism

Answer

Structuralist criticism

Answer

Post-colonial criticism

Question 20

The primary goal of deconstructionist criticism is to:

Accepted Answer

Subvert traditional interpretations and expose hidden power dynamics in texts

Answer

Provide a comprehensive interpretation of literary works

Answer

Analyze the author's conscious intentions and motivations

Question 21

Which characteristic is associated with psychoanalytic criticism?

Accepted Answer

Exploration of unconscious desires and motivations

Answer

Focus on the author's personal life and experiences

Answer

Emphasis on examining the historical and social context

Question 22

Post-colonial criticism examines how literature reflects and shapes:

Accepted Answer

The impact of colonialism and imperialism

Answer

The dynamics of the publishing industry

Answer

The psychological development of characters

Question 23

Which critical approach emphasizes the social and historical context surrounding a literary work?

Accepted Answer

Historical criticism

Answer

Formalist criticism

Answer

Reader-response criticism

Question 24

Reader-response criticism highlights the:

Accepted Answer

Influence of the reader's perspective and experiences in interpreting a literary work

Answer

Objectivity and universality of literary analysis

Answer

Importance of the author's background and intentions

Question 25

Which of the following is a primary objective of feminist criticism?

Accepted Answer

Challenging traditional gender stereotypes and representations

Answer

Analyzing the use of language and imagery in literary works

Answer

Exploring the historical development of literary genres

Question 26

The purpose of biographical criticism is to:

Accepted Answer

Examine the relationship between an author's life experiences and their literary works

Answer

Provide a definitive interpretation of a literary work

Answer

Identify the literary influences that shaped an author's writing

Question 27

Identify the main purpose of New Historicist literary criticism.

Accepted Answer

To explore the historical context influencing a literary work

Answer

To analyze the author's personal experiences in relation to the work

Answer

To delve into the psychological motivations of literary characters

Answer

To evaluate a literary work based on its aesthetic qualities

Question 28

What is a defining characteristic of Structuralist literary criticism?

Accepted Answer

Identifying patterns and interconnections within a text

Answer

Interpreting a work based on the author's intended message

Answer

Exploring the social and cultural implications of a work

Answer

Focusing on the emotional impact of a work on the reader

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT considered a type of literary theory?

Accepted Answer

Biography

Answer

Formalism

Answer

Marxism

Answer

Postcolonialism

Question 30

What is the primary focus of Feminist literary criticism?

Accepted Answer

Examining the representation of gender and women in literature

Answer

Exploring the role of class and race in literature

Answer

Investigating the relationship between literature and history

Answer

Evaluating the use of language in literature

Question 31

Which key term is associated with Postcolonial literary criticism?

Accepted Answer

Otherness

Answer

Canon

Answer

Imagery

Answer

Allegory

Question 32

What is the primary objective of Archetypal literary criticism?

Accepted Answer

To identify recurring patterns, symbols, and motifs in literature

Answer

To interpret a work based on its historical context

Answer

To analyze the psychological motivations of literary characters

Answer

To evaluate the aesthetic qualities of a literary work

Question 33

Which literary theorist is closely associated with the New Criticism movement?

Accepted Answer

T.S. Eliot

Answer

Karl Marx

Answer

Simone de Beauvoir

Answer

Michel Foucault

Question 34

Identify a potential limitation of Reader-Response literary criticism.

Accepted Answer

It can lead to highly subjective interpretations

Answer

It neglects the author's intended meaning

Answer

It focuses too heavily on the historical context of a literary work

Answer

It ignores the formal qualities of a literary text

Question 35

What is a benefit of employing multiple literary theories to analyze a literary work?

Accepted Answer

It allows for a more comprehensive and nuanced interpretation

Answer

It eliminates the need for close reading and textual analysis

Answer

It ensures that the reader's personal biases are not reflected in the interpretation

Answer

It reduces the time required to analyze a literary work

Question 36

What is an ethical responsibility of a literary critic?

Accepted Answer

To provide an objective and unbiased interpretation of a literary work

Answer

To advocate for the author's intended meaning

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To use the literary work as a means of self-expression

Answer

To prioritize the entertainment value of the literary work

Question 37

Which step is not a characteristic of formalist criticism?

Accepted Answer

Considering the author's personal experiences

Answer

Analyzing the text's structure and form

Answer

Examining the text's language and style

Question 38

How do a reader's personal experiences and background influence their interpretation of a literary work?

Accepted Answer

They significantly influence interpretation.

Answer

They have no impact.

Answer

They provide an objective lens.

Answer

They enhance understanding but don't influence interpretation.

Question 39

Which critical approach focuses on analyzing a literary text's structure, such as its form, imagery, and language?

Accepted Answer

Formalist Criticism

Answer

Marxist Criticism

Answer

Structuralist Criticism

Answer

Feminist Criticism

Question 40

Which critical approach focuses on exploring the social and economic influences that shape a literary work?

Accepted Answer

Marxist

Answer

Formalist

Answer

Deconstructive

Answer

Structuralist

Question 41

A key concept in New Criticism is:

Accepted Answer

The text should be analyzed objectively, without considering the author's intent or external factors.

Answer

The text's historical and cultural context is essential for understanding its meaning.

Answer

The text's language and structure should be deconstructed to reveal hidden meanings.

Answer

The text's meaning is subjective and determined solely by the reader's interpretation.

Question 42

Which critical approach examines the language, structure, and form of a literary text?

Accepted Answer

Formalist

Answer

Biographical

Answer

Historical

Answer

Reader-response

Question 43

Which critical approach investigates the relationship between a literary text and its historical context?

Accepted Answer

Historical

Answer

Cultural

Answer

Psychological

Answer

Ethical

Question 44

Which critical approach emphasizes the role of the reader in shaping the meaning of a literary text?

Accepted Answer

Reader-Response

Answer

Feminist

Answer

New Historicist

Answer

Marxist

Question 45

Which critical approach analyzes the ways in which a literary work reflects the values, beliefs, and norms of a particular culture?

Accepted Answer

Cultural

Answer

Ethical

Answer

Archetypal

Answer

Formalist

Question 46

Which critical approach focuses on exploring the psychological motivations of characters and authors?

Accepted Answer

Psychoanalytic

Answer

Historical

Answer

Marxist

Answer

Structuralist

Question 47

A primary goal of Feminist Criticism is to:

Accepted Answer

Highlight and analyze the experiences, perspectives, and contributions of women in literature.

Answer

Uncover the unconscious motivations and desires of authors.

Answer

Interpret historical events and their impact on literary works.

Answer

Examine the linguistic structures and patterns in a text.

Question 48

Which fundamental principle underscores feminist criticism?

Accepted Answer

Literature mirrors the societal and political experiences of women.

Answer

Literary works serve as personal expressions of the author.

Answer

Literary merit should be assessed exclusively on aesthetic criteria.

Question 49

Which critical approach examines the historical context in which literature was created?

Accepted Answer

Historical criticism

Answer

Psychological criticism

Answer

Marxist criticism

Answer

Formalist criticism

Question 50

A key concept in Marxist criticism is:

Accepted Answer

Exploring class struggle as depicted in literature.

Answer

Analyzing the aesthetic structure of literary works.

Answer

Examining the impact of unconscious desires in literature.

Question 51

Which critical theory emphasizes the role of the reader in shaping meaning?

Accepted Answer

Reader-response criticism

Answer

Structuralist criticism

Answer

New Historicism

Answer

Deconstructive criticism

Question 52

A primary objective of post-colonial criticism is to:

Accepted Answer

Uncover the power dynamics between colonizers and the colonized.

Answer

Analyze the symbolic elements in literary works.

Answer

Explore the psychological motivations of authors.

Question 53

Which critical approach explores the relationship between language and meaning?

Accepted Answer

Linguistic criticism

Answer

Feminist criticism

Answer

Historical criticism

Question 54

Deconstructive criticism is known for its ability to:

Accepted Answer

Challenge established assumptions about literary meaning.

Answer

Offer definitive and objective interpretations of literature.

Answer

Provide an extensive overview of literary periods.

Question 55

Which critical theory examines the connection between literature and society?

Accepted Answer

Sociological criticism

Answer

Mythological criticism

Answer

Psychological criticism

Answer

Formalist criticism

Question 56

Cultural criticism may be limited by its tendency to be:

Accepted Answer

Subjective and impressionistic.

Answer

Exhaustive in its exploration of historical context.

Answer

Applicable to the universal themes found in literature.

Answer

Precise and objective in its analysis of literature.

Question 57

Which critical approach centers on the study of archetypes and myths in literature?

Accepted Answer

Mythological criticism

Answer

Reader-response criticism

Answer

Marxist criticism

Answer

Historical criticism