Theories of History and Literature: A Comprehensive Guide for Literary Analysis

Question 1

Which tenet is NOT characteristic of Marxist criticism?

Accepted Answer

Literature inherently lacks political and ideological implications.

Answer

Literature mirrors the economic and social structures of its time.

Answer

The ruling class ideology pervades literary works.

Answer

Literature can subvert prevailing ideologies.

Question 2

Which criticism is NOT commonly leveled against Marxist criticism?

Accepted Answer

Lack of relevance in contemporary society.

Answer

Tendency towards oversimplification and determinism.

Answer

Overlooking individual agency in shaping literature.

Answer

Prioritizing economic factors to the exclusion of other social factors.

Question 3

New historicism aims to examine literature primarily within:

Accepted Answer

Its own historical context

Answer

The author's biography

Answer

Universal human themes

Answer

A framework of social commentary

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a key concept in Marxist literary criticism?

Accepted Answer

Reader-response theory

Answer

Hegemony

Answer

False consciousness

Answer

Surplus value

Question 5

How does the historical context of a literary work influence its interpretation by readers?

Accepted Answer

It provides additional insights into the work's characters, setting, and plot, leading to a more comprehensive understanding.

Answer

It has no impact on the interpretation of a literary work.

Answer

It serves only as a measure of the work's historical accuracy.

Answer

Interpretations of literary works are purely subjective and unaffected by historical context.

Question 6

Which of the following concepts is not considered relevant to the study of theories of history and literature?

Accepted Answer

Phenomenology

Answer

Intertextuality

Answer

Historiography

Answer

Post-structuralism

Question 7

How does Marxist criticism differ in its approach to literature compared to new historicism?

Accepted Answer

Marxist criticism centers on economic relations, while new historicism emphasizes cultural context.

Answer

New historicism focuses on the author's intention, while Marxist criticism disregards it.

Answer

Marxist criticism is considered a more objective approach, while new historicism is more subjective.

Answer

None of the options accurately describes the difference in approach.

Question 8

Which of the following historical events significantly contributed to the development of cultural studies?

Accepted Answer

All of the options significantly contributed to the development of cultural studies.

Answer

The Vietnam War

Answer

The Civil Rights Movement

Answer

The proliferation of mass media

Question 9

Which of the following is an important ethical consideration when using theories of history and literature in literary analysis?

Accepted Answer

All of the options are important ethical considerations when using theories in literary analysis.

Answer

Respecting the integrity of the text.

Answer

Avoiding anachronistic readings.

Answer

Acknowledging the limitations of theory.

Question 10

Which theory emphasizes the self-referential nature of literary texts and the role of the reader in constructing meaning?

Accepted Answer

Deconstructive criticism

Answer

Formalist criticism

Answer

Historical criticism

Answer

Marxist criticism

Question 11

Which theory focuses on the social and political implications of literature, exploring how it shapes and is shaped by ideologies and power structures?

Accepted Answer

Marxist criticism

Answer

Structuralist criticism

Answer

Formalist criticism

Answer

New historicism

Question 12

Which theory posits that history is not a fixed entity but rather a construct that is continually shaped and reshaped through literature and other cultural forms?

Accepted Answer

New historicism

Answer

Deconstructive criticism

Answer

Structuralist criticism

Answer

Positivist criticism

Question 13

Which theory examines the ways in which gender, sexuality, and race intersect and shape the production and reception of literary texts?

Accepted Answer

Feminist criticism

Answer

Post-colonial criticism

Answer

Psychoanalytic criticism

Answer

Marxist criticism

Question 14

Which theory investigates the relationship between literature and the cultural norms, values, and beliefs of the society in which it is produced?

Accepted Answer

Cultural studies

Answer

New historicism

Answer

Marxist criticism

Answer

Reader-response theory

Question 15

Which theory explores the unconscious mind and its influence on the creation and interpretation of literary texts?

Accepted Answer

Psychoanalytic criticism

Answer

Historical criticism

Answer

Deconstructive criticism

Answer

Formalist criticism

Question 16

Which theoretical lens primarily focuses on the economic and social structures influencing the production and reception of literature?

Accepted Answer

Marxist criticism

Answer

New historicism

Answer

Formalism

Answer

Cultural studies

Question 17

New Historicism challenges the traditional view of history as a neutral backdrop to literature by arguing that:

Accepted Answer

History is a subjective narrative shaped by power dynamics and ideology.

Answer

Literary texts offer a transparent window into the past.

Answer

Historical events dictate the meaning of literary works.

Question 18

A cultural studies approach to analyzing Jane Austen's *Pride and Prejudice* would likely focus on:

Accepted Answer

The novel's representation of class, gender, and marriage within early 19th-century English society.

Answer

The author's biographical experiences and their influence on the narrative.

Answer

The universal themes of love and marriage that transcend historical contexts.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a key concept in Marxist literary criticism?

Accepted Answer

The author's unconscious desires and anxieties

Answer

Class struggle and material conditions

Answer

Ideology and hegemony

Answer

Base and superstructure

Question 20

New Historicists often analyze non-literary texts alongside literary works. Which of the following would be considered a relevant primary source for a New Historicist analysis of Mary Shelley's *Frankenstein*?

Accepted Answer

Scientific treatises on galvanism and anatomy from the early 19th century

Answer

Mary Shelley's personal letters to her husband, Percy Shelley

Answer

20th-century film adaptations of *Frankenstein*

Question 21

Cultural materialism, a key aspect of cultural studies, argues that:

Accepted Answer

Culture is a material force shaped by both economic structures and human agency.

Answer

Cultural products reflect a universal human experience independent of social context.

Answer

Culture is primarily determined by individual artistic genius and creativity.

Question 22

Which of the following statements best exemplifies the concept of ideology as understood by Marxist critics?

Accepted Answer

Dominant societal values often appear natural and inevitable, but they serve to maintain existing power structures.

Answer

Literary texts reflect the unique and individual experiences of their authors.

Question 23

New Historicists often use the term "thick description" to refer to:

Accepted Answer

A detailed and nuanced analysis of historical contexts that recognizes the interconnectedness of various social, cultural, and political factors.

Answer

A simplified and generalized account of the past that focuses on major events and figures.

Question 24

Which of the following research topics would be most appropriate for a dissertation exploring the intersection of history and literature through a cultural studies lens?

Accepted Answer

Representations of race and ethnicity in 20th-century American science fiction literature.

Answer

A close reading of Shakespeare's sonnets, focusing on their formal elements and poetic techniques.

Answer

The influence of classical mythology on the works of John Milton.

Question 25

What is the primary difference between Marxist criticism and New Historicism?

Accepted Answer

Marxist criticism emphasizes economic determinism, while New Historicism focuses on the fluidity of power and the multiplicity of historical narratives.

Answer

Marxist criticism ignores historical context, while New Historicism prioritizes historical accuracy.