Category: Introduction to Literary Theory

A. A theory of practical actions developed by William James
B. An idea used to guide conduct towards clear objectives
C. A concept derived from the ancient Greek word pragma, meaning action
D. All of the above.

A. Entering the author’s mind through his or her literary works
B. Understanding the author’s consciousness
C. Reproducing the author’s thoughts in a critical context
D. All of the above.

A. Biographical information about the author must be considered when evaluating literature.
B. A text and its author text are unrelated.
C. It is possible to distill meaning from a work based on the author’s politics.
D. Authorial intent must be considered when evaluating literature.

A. Kristeva wholly rejects Lacan’s theory of psychosexual development.
B. Kristeva centralizes the maternal and the feminine in her revisions of Lacan’s theory.
C. Kristeva argues that the mirror stage does not occur until the individual embraces a distinct gender role.
D. All of the above.

A. A term that describes the absence of racial others in the canon
B. A term that describes the attempt to read homosexuality into literature
C. A term that describes the effect of autobiography on text
D. A term that describes the interpretation of meaning

A. To formulate relationships among an author, a reader, and a literary work
B. To understand the role of sexuality, gender, race, and ethnicity in literary study
C. To evaluate the role of historical context in the interpretation of literature
D. All of the above.

A. It offers a strong outline for how theory can be conducted in the 21st century.
B. It should not be read or considered by any student or scholar.
C. It offers some valid ideas and critiques, but its author is not entirely trustworthy.
D. It offers a strong counterpoint to Jacques Derrida’s notion of deconstruction.

A. As an aesthetic object that is independent of historical context
B. As an aesthetic object that is influenced by historical context
C. As a historical object that is also aesthetic
D. As a historical object that is not necessarily aesthetic

A. Julia Kristeva
B. Fredric Jameson
C. Terry Eagleton
D. Edward Said

A. Language includes multiple social dialects and jargons.
B. Language can include socioideological contradictions from the past.
C. Language exhibits and is bound up in the social lives and historical context of the people who speak it.
D. Language is loaded with the intentions of others.