American Realism and Naturalism Practice Quiz
Which of the following authors is considered one of the primary figures in the American Realism movement?
A) Walt Whitman
B) Nathaniel Hawthorne
C) Mark Twain
D) Edgar Allan Poe
Answer: C
The protagonist in Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn represents which major theme of Realism?
A) The corrupting influence of wealth
B) The innocence of childhood
C) The triumph of idealism over reality
D) The search for individual freedom
Answer: D
In The Awakening, Kate Chopin explores the themes of:
A) Nature versus civilization
B) The independence of women
C) The struggles of the working class
D) The pursuit of happiness
Answer: B
Henry James is known for his use of which narrative technique in his works?
A) Stream of consciousness
B) Psychological realism
C) Naturalistic determinism
D) Hyperbolic symbolism
Answer: B
The novel Maggie: A Girl of the Streets by Stephen Crane is an example of which literary movement?
A) Transcendentalism
B) Realism
C) Naturalism
D) Romanticism
Answer: C
What is a primary characteristic of Naturalist literature?
A) Emphasis on the supernatural and the mysterious
B) Focus on everyday life and the ordinary
C) Depiction of human beings as controlled by forces beyond their control
D) Exploration of the idealized American dream
Answer: C
Which of the following works is written by Theodore Dreiser?
A) The Red Badge of Courage
B) The Jungle
C) Sister Carrie
D) The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Answer: C
In The Red Badge of Courage, Crane uses which literary technique to portray the internal struggle of the protagonist?
A) Allegory
B) Free verse
C) Symbolism
D) Psychological realism
Answer: D
Mark Twain’s The Gilded Age is a critique of:
A) The social and political corruption in post-Civil War America
B) The industrial revolution’s effects on workers
C) The rise of women’s rights movements
D) The impact of immigration on American culture
Answer: A
Which of these authors is associated with the theme of the disillusionment of the American Dream in Sister Carrie?
A) Mark Twain
B) Henry James
C) Theodore Dreiser
D) Kate Chopin
Answer: C
Which work by Henry James explores the moral and psychological complexities of an American family living in Europe?
A) The Portrait of a Lady
B) The Turn of the Screw
C) Daisy Miller
D) The Bostonians
Answer: A
Stephen Crane’s The Open Boat is based on his real-life experience of surviving a shipwreck. This work is an example of:
A) Romanticism
B) Naturalism
C) Realism
D) Modernism
Answer: B
Which of the following authors is best known for writing short stories that focus on the lives of working-class people?
A) Herman Melville
B) Kate Chopin
C) Ambrose Bierce
D) Edith Wharton
Answer: C
Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is often considered a critique of which societal institution?
A) Organized religion
B) Slavery and racism
C) The political system
D) Capitalism
Answer: B
Which of these works is associated with the theme of social Darwinism and the impact of environment on human behavior?
A) The Great Gatsby
B) The Jungle
C) The Call of the Wild
D) Sister Carrie
Answer: B
What is the major theme of Kate Chopin’s short story The Story of an Hour?
A) The joys of marriage
B) The oppressive nature of societal expectations for women
C) The importance of family ties
D) The value of material wealth
Answer: B
In The Souls of Black Folk, W.E.B. Du Bois explores the concept of:
A) The double consciousness of African Americans
B) The importance of industrialization for African American progress
C) The role of religion in African American culture
D) The idealization of rural life for African Americans
Answer: A
Which of the following characters is a naturalistic representation of a man caught in the forces of nature and society in The Call of the Wild?
A) Buck
B) Jurgis Rudkus
C) Carrie Meeber
D) Maggie Johnson
Answer: A
In The Jungle, Upton Sinclair exposes the harsh working conditions in:
A) The coal mines of Pennsylvania
B) The meatpacking industry in Chicago
C) The cotton fields of the South
D) The steel mills of Pittsburgh
Answer: B
In The Turn of the Screw, Henry James uses which literary device to create ambiguity about the reality of the supernatural events?
A) Allegory
B) Unreliable narrator
C) Flashbacks
D) Symbolism
Answer: B
In which of these works does the protagonist struggle with his inner fears about war and heroism?
A) The Red Badge of Courage
B) The Awakening
C) Maggie: A Girl of the Streets
D) The House of Mirth
Answer: A
Which of these authors is known for his stories set in the American West, especially focusing on the lives of working-class or struggling individuals?
A) Ernest Hemingway
B) Jack London
C) William Faulkner
D) Henry James
Answer: B
In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck’s decision to help Jim escape slavery is an example of:
A) The pursuit of happiness
B) The rejection of social conformity
C) The consequences of individualism
D) The triumph of education over ignorance
Answer: B
Stephen Crane’s portrayal of soldiers in The Red Badge of Courage is largely characterized by:
A) Their idealization as heroic figures
B) Their fear and vulnerability
C) Their strategic brilliance in battle
D) Their overwhelming love for country
Answer: B
Which of the following was a significant theme in Henry James’ works during the period of American Realism and Naturalism?
A) The exploration of human consciousness and personal identity
B) The celebration of the American frontier
C) The romanticization of rural life
D) The rejection of European influence
Answer: A
In The Awakening, what does Edna Pontellier’s eventual suicide symbolize?
A) Her refusal to conform to societal expectations
B) Her desire for self-realization at all costs
C) Her rejection of materialism
D) Her ability to find peace after conflict
Answer: B
Mark Twain often criticized which aspect of American society in his works?
A) The political corruption and greed of industrial society
B) The importance of education
C) The nature of European aristocracy
D) The role of religion in public life
Answer: A
What does the “Red Badge” in The Red Badge of Courage symbolize?
A) Honor in battle
B) Fear and shame
C) A hero’s badge of courage
D) A soldier’s death
Answer: B
In Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, Stephen Crane explores the:
A) Economic hardships and social pressures in urban America
B) Power of education to transform lives
C) Influence of rural family traditions
D) Cultural differences between North and South
Answer: A
The naturalistic themes in Dreiser’s Sister Carrie explore:
A) The role of love in human life
B) The impact of nature on personal growth
C) The destructive forces of urbanization and capitalism
D) The importance of family and tradition
Answer: C
Which of these writers is associated with the theme of individualism and personal morality in the context of American Realism?
A) Mark Twain
B) Kate Chopin
C) Henry James
D) Ambrose Bierce
Answer: C
In The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton explores the consequences of:
A) A failed marriage
B) Classism and social expectations
C) A rebellion against tradition
D) The breakdown of moral values in war
Answer: B
In The Call of the Wild, Jack London uses which of the following to depict the struggle for survival in the wilderness?
A) Symbolism
B) Allegory
C) Naturalism
D) Magical realism
Answer: C
The character of Maggie in Maggie: A Girl of the Streets can be interpreted as:
A) A symbol of innocence
B) A victim of her environment and social circumstances
C) A representation of feminine strength
D) A critique of rural life
Answer: B
In The Awakening, Edna Pontellier’s desire for independence is symbolized by:
A) Her abandonment of traditional clothing
B) Her pursuit of a career in painting
C) Her physical isolation at sea
D) Her refusal to marry
Answer: C
Which of the following novels critiques the American industrial system, particularly focusing on workers in the meatpacking industry?
A) The Jungle
B) Sister Carrie
C) The Red Badge of Courage
D) Maggie: A Girl of the Streets
Answer: A
In The Portrait of a Lady, the character of Isabel Archer represents:
A) The innocence and optimism of American youth
B) The moral complexities of personal freedom
C) The rejection of European society
D) The struggle between idealism and reality
Answer: B
What is a defining feature of the writing style of Mark Twain?
A) Use of elaborate metaphors
B) A casual, colloquial tone with regional dialects
C) Use of complex narrative structures
D) Poetic imagery and symbolism
Answer: B
In Sister Carrie, Dreiser suggests that:
A) Moral choices are influenced by one’s environment and circumstances
B) Women can achieve independence through self-sacrifice
C) Success is the result of personal virtue
D) The American Dream is easily attainable through hard work
Answer: A
The setting of The Red Badge of Courage primarily serves to:
A) Highlight the natural beauty of rural America
B) Depict the psychological horrors of war
C) Illustrate the grandeur of military victories
D) Show the peaceful nature of life before war
Answer: B
The concept of “double consciousness,” explored in W.E.B. Du Bois’s The Souls of Black Folk, refers to:
A) The dual identity of African Americans living between two cultures
B) The philosophical contradiction within African American culture
C) The separation of black and white communities
D) The intellectual struggle between African heritage and American ideals
Answer: A
Which of the following is true about the genre of Naturalism?
A) It focuses on the impact of nature on the soul
B) It emphasizes the influence of genetics, environment, and social forces on individuals
C) It idealizes the human spirit and individual will
D) It involves supernatural or mystical elements
Answer: B
In The Turn of the Screw, the governess’s perceptions of the supernatural are primarily questioned because:
A) She has a mental breakdown
B) The ghosts are only seen by her
C) She is a highly unreliable narrator
D) The plot is centered around the idea of fate
Answer: C
The main focus of the short stories of Ambrose Bierce is often:
A) The exploration of the supernatural
B) The examination of the harsh realities of war and death
C) The idealization of the American frontier
D) The romanticization of small-town life
Answer: B
In Daisy Miller, Henry James critiques:
A) The European aristocracy’s attitude toward American culture
B) The clash between traditional American values and European customs
C) The importance of romantic relationships over social status
D) The empowerment of women in society
Answer: B
Which of the following best describes the theme of Stephen Crane’s The Open Boat?
A) The destructive nature of love
B) The randomness and indifference of nature to human survival
C) The ability of humans to conquer all adversity
D) The triumph of individual will
Answer: B
The primary theme of The Souls of Black Folk is the exploration of:
A) The racial inequalities of the South
B) The possibility of a unified American identity
C) The need for a national education system for African Americans
D) The psychological and emotional toll of racism on African Americans
Answer: D
In The Jungle, Upton Sinclair’s primary goal was to:
A) Criticize the immigrant experience in America
B) Highlight the moral failures of the American government
C) Expose the unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry
D) Depict the joys of industrial progress
Answer: C
In the context of Realism, “verisimilitude” refers to:
A) The depiction of the supernatural in everyday life
B) The pursuit of idealistic goals in society
C) The attempt to represent life accurately without romanticizing it
D) The portrayal of human nature as perfect and unflawed
Answer: C
Which of these authors is known for their exploration of the psychological complexities of characters, especially in regards to individual choices and moral dilemmas?
A) Mark Twain
B) Henry James
C) Kate Chopin
D) Jack London
Answer: B
The Awakening is considered a landmark in feminist literature because it addresses:
A) The role of women in the family
B) The conflict between personal desire and social obligation for women
C) The importance of maternal sacrifice
D) The glorification of motherhood
Answer: B
In The Call of the Wild, Buck’s transformation from a domestic dog to a wild animal is symbolic of:
A) The corruption of civilization
B) The power of love to overcome adversity
C) The primal instinct and survival of the fittest
D) The importance of family bonds
Answer: C
The character of Jim in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn represents:
A) The idealized American Dream
B) The moral compass of the novel and a critique of slavery
C) The failure of social institutions
D) The romanticization of the South
Answer: B
In Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, Stephen Crane uses the character’s fall from innocence to:
A) Illustrate the inevitability of fate
B) Depict the role of environment and poverty in shaping individuals
C) Highlight the virtues of self-reliance
D) Emphasize the power of education in overcoming adversity
Answer: B
What is the significance of the setting in Henry James’ The Portrait of a Lady?
A) It symbolizes the conflict between the old world (Europe) and the new world (America)
B) It represents the decay of American values
C) It reflects the moral and emotional turmoil of the protagonist
D) It offers a utopian vision of European society
Answer: A
Which of these works focuses on the effects of capitalism on working-class immigrants?
A) The Jungle
B) The Red Badge of Courage
C) The House of Mirth
D) Sister Carrie
Answer: A
In The Turn of the Screw, Henry James’s use of ambiguity forces readers to:
A) Focus on the plot rather than character development
B) Question the nature of reality and perception
C) Embrace the supernatural as truth
D) Reject the notion of personal responsibility
Answer: B
In The Open Boat, the relationship between the four men in the lifeboat represents:
A) The power of human unity against nature
B) The isolation of human beings from each other
C) The individual quest for survival at all costs
D) The futility of hope in the face of natural forces
Answer: D
In The House of Mirth, Lily Bart’s downfall is largely caused by:
A) Her inability to marry a wealthy man
B) Her failure to manage her finances and her social relationships
C) Her decision to reject the idea of marriage altogether
D) Her refusal to leave New York
Answer: B
The use of dialect in Mark Twain’s works serves to:
A) Show regional differences and add authenticity to characters’ voices
B) Mock the intellect of the characters
C) Emphasize the importance of formal language
D) Depict a timeless, universal experience
Answer: A
In The Awakening, Edna Pontellier’s defiance of societal norms is exemplified by:
A) Her refusal to marry
B) Her affair with Robert Lebrun
C) Her decision to leave her children behind
D) Her decision to move to Paris
Answer: B
In The Red Badge of Courage, Henry Fleming’s internal conflict centers around:
A) His desire to prove himself as a leader
B) His fear of death and cowardice in battle
C) His romanticized view of war
D) His dedication to the Union cause
Answer: B
The major theme of The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois is:
A) The effects of European immigration on America
B) The legacy of slavery and the struggles of African Americans
C) The role of religion in African American culture
D) The challenges of political corruption in the post-Civil War era
Answer: B
The concept of “nature versus nurture” is explored in which of these novels, showcasing how human behavior is influenced by both environment and genetics?
A) The Call of the Wild
B) Sister Carrie
C) Maggie: A Girl of the Streets
D) The Jungle
Answer: C
In Daisy Miller, the character of Daisy can be seen as a critique of:
A) The American social system
B) European ideals of modesty and propriety
C) The role of women in European aristocratic society
D) The materialism of American culture
Answer: B
The themes of survival and the brutality of nature are most prominently explored in:
A) The House of Mirth
B) The Call of the Wild
C) The Portrait of a Lady
D) Sister Carrie
Answer: B
Which of the following novels is often considered a critique of capitalism and the American Dream?
A) The Jungle
B) The Awakening
C) The Turn of the Screw
D) The Red Badge of Courage
Answer: A
Ambrose Bierce’s An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge examines the relationship between:
A) Political power and social justice
B) The idealization of romantic love and the harsh realities of war
C) The mind’s perception of time and reality in life and death
D) Social class struggles in the post-Civil War South
Answer: C
The character of Jurgis Rudkus in The Jungle represents:
A) The strength of human perseverance against all odds
B) The moral degradation of a capitalist society
C) The triumph of the American Dream
D) The success of industrial progress
Answer: B
In Sister Carrie, the title character’s moral decline is largely caused by:
A) Her relationships with men who exploit her
B) Her pursuit of social respectability
C) Her love for material wealth
D) Her commitment to education and self-improvement
Answer: A
In Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw, the ambiguity of the story leads readers to question:
A) Whether the governess is truly seeing ghosts or is suffering from mental illness
B) The morality of the children in her care
C) The significance of the family’s wealth
D) The role of the supernatural in British society
Answer: A
What is the significance of the setting in Maggie: A Girl of the Streets?
A) It represents the unchanging nature of the countryside
B) It depicts the harsh realities of urban poverty
C) It highlights the opulence of industrialized America
D) It showcases the idyllic nature of rural life
Answer: B
The idea of “survival of the fittest” is reflected in which of these Naturalist novels?
A) The Awakening
B) The Call of the Wild
C) The Souls of Black Folk
D) The Jungle
Answer: B
In The House of Mirth, Lily Bart’s ultimate downfall can be attributed to:
A) Her poverty
B) Her lack of personal morality
C) Her inability to marry wealthy men
D) Her rejection of conventional gender roles
Answer: C
The main focus of Naturalism in literature is:
A) The glorification of nature and human potential
B) The representation of the harsh, uncontrollable aspects of life
C) The exploration of psychological trauma
D) The idealization of rural life
Answer: B
Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn critiques:
A) The moral shortcomings of urban society
B) The value of formal education in rural areas
C) The institution of slavery and racial prejudice
D) The oppressive nature of aristocracy
Answer: C
Which of these works portrays the personal struggles of a young woman navigating her independence and sexuality?
A) The Awakening
B) The Portrait of a Lady
C) Sister Carrie
D) The Turn of the Screw
Answer: A
The character of the “wolf” in The Call of the Wild is symbolic of:
A) The threat of death in the wilderness
B) The animalistic instincts that Buck must embrace to survive
C) The inevitable fate of all men in the natural world
D) The beauty of nature and its healing powers
Answer: B
Which of the following is a recurring theme in the works of Henry James?
A) The clash of European and American cultural ideals
B) The destructiveness of war
C) The idealization of the American frontier
D) The heroism of individual characters
Answer: A
In Sister Carrie, the novel critiques which societal institution?
A) The educational system
B) The entertainment industry
C) The capitalist economy and social mobility
D) The importance of family values
Answer: C
The portrayal of a man’s isolation from society is central to which work by Jack London?
A) The Call of the Wild
B) The Sea Wolf
C) White Fang
D) The Iron Heel
Answer: B
The emotional conflict of Huck Finn, especially his moral dilemmas regarding Jim’s freedom, demonstrates Twain’s critique of:
A) The concept of destiny and fate
B) The hypocrisy of societal norms
C) The idealization of frontier life
D) The role of religion in society
Answer: B
What is the central idea of Naturalism in The Jungle by Upton Sinclair?
A) Human beings are capable of great moral progress despite hardship
B) The struggle for survival is shaped by the individual’s moral choices
C) Environment and social circumstances determine individual fate
D) Human beings can rise above social conditions through education
Answer: C
The work of Ambrose Bierce often focuses on:
A) The spiritual aspects of human existence
B) The disillusionment of soldiers in wartime
C) The hardships of immigrants in America
D) The moral purity of human beings
Answer: B
Which of the following authors is considered a leader of the American Realism movement?
A) Nathaniel Hawthorne
B) Walt Whitman
C) Mark Twain
D) Edgar Allan Poe
Answer: C
The unreliable narrator in The Turn of the Screw serves to:
A) Encourage the reader to interpret events in a way that fits their own beliefs
B) Create a sense of mystery and uncertainty
C) Confirm the supernatural elements of the story
D) Offer a more straightforward perspective on the plot
Answer: B
In The Red Badge of Courage, what does the “red badge” symbolize?
A) The badge of military honor
B) A soldier’s experience with fear and bloodshed
C) The symbol of leadership in battle
D) The red of the Union flag
Answer: B
Which of the following authors is associated with the Naturalist theme of human beings being controlled by forces beyond their control?
A) Henry James
B) Mark Twain
C) Jack London
D) Kate Chopin
Answer: C
The portrayal of the American frontier in The Call of the Wild emphasizes:
A) The beauty and serenity of the natural world
B) The challenges of survival in a harsh, uncaring environment
C) The triumph of human civilization over wilderness
D) The moral superiority of the native cultures
Answer: B
In Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, Crane portrays Maggie’s downfall as a direct result of:
A) Her lack of education
B) Her weak moral character
C) Her environment and social circumstances
D) Her refusal to work hard
Answer: C
The protagonist of The Call of the Wild, Buck, ultimately:
A) Returns to civilization
B) Becomes the leader of a wolf pack
C) Finds peace with his human owners
D) Dies in a heroic battle
Answer: B
In The Jungle, Jurgis Rudkus’s experiences demonstrate the destructive power of:
A) The American government
B) Industrialization and capitalism
C) The failure of traditional family values
D) Educational inequality
Answer: B
In The Awakening, Edna Pontellier’s ultimate act of rebellion is:
A) Her decision to leave her children
B) Her affair with Arobin
C) Her suicide at the end of the novel
D) Her refusal to return to her husband
Answer: C
Henry James’s The Portrait of a Lady explores which central theme?
A) The conflict between social expectations and individual desires
B) The effects of war on European culture
C) The corruption of the American political system
D) The survival of the fittest in a capitalist society
Answer: A
The main focus of The Red Badge of Courage is:
A) The heroism of soldiers in the American Civil War
B) A young soldier’s fear and self-doubt during battle
C) The political causes of war
D) The psychological trauma experienced after war
Answer: B
Which of the following is a prominent theme in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening?
A) The search for spiritual enlightenment
B) The exploration of a woman’s sexual awakening and independence
C) The importance of traditional gender roles in society
D) The romanticization of rural life
Answer: B
In Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, Stephen Crane portrays Maggie’s fate as largely determined by:
A) Her character flaws and moral choices
B) Her romantic relationships and ambitions
C) The oppressive environment of poverty and urban life
D) Her desire to escape from the city
Answer: C
In The Souls of Black Folk, W.E.B. Du Bois addresses the concept of:
A) African Americans’ role in shaping American culture
B) The two-ness or “double consciousness” of African Americans
C) The historical importance of slavery
D) The struggle for economic independence
Answer: B
In Sister Carrie, the novel critiques the:
A) Life of rural Americans during industrialization
B) Consequences of American materialism and the pursuit of wealth
C) Development of gender equality in the workplace
D) Dangers of immigrant labor exploitation
Answer: B
What role does the setting of New York City play in Sister Carrie?
A) It symbolizes hope and opportunity for all immigrants
B) It acts as a backdrop for Carrie’s moral and emotional decline
C) It showcases the peaceful life of the working class
D) It represents the transition from rural to urban American life
Answer: B
Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn critiques which social institution?
A) Slavery and racial inequality
B) The idea of the American Dream
C) The rise of industrial capitalism
D) The moral values of European aristocracy
Answer: A
Ambrose Bierce’s An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge focuses on:
A) The heroism of soldiers in the Civil War
B) The psychological torment of a man about to be hanged
C) The power of family loyalty
D) The justification of war
Answer: B
In The Jungle, Upton Sinclair exposes the:
A) Joys of living in an industrial society
B) Horrors of the meatpacking industry and exploitation of workers
C) Philosophical debate over labor unions
D) Success of the American Dream
Answer: B
The character of Isabel Archer in The Portrait of a Lady is most concerned with:
A) Struggling to maintain her independence while navigating the constraints of marriage
B) Pursuing material wealth through marriage
C) Returning to her native country
D) Living in a foreign country without attachments
Answer: A
In The Souls of Black Folk, Du Bois argues that the African American experience is defined by:
A) The struggle for personal achievement
B) The difficulty of achieving full civil rights
C) The division between their dual identity as both black and American
D) The need for integration into white society
Answer: C
What aspect of Naturalism is highlighted in Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage?
A) The unpredictability of human emotions in wartime
B) The psychological effects of war and the social consequences of violence
C) The harsh realities of nature in the lives of the characters
D) The importance of personal responsibility in the survival of soldiers
Answer: B
In The Awakening, Edna’s relationship with Robert is significant because:
A) It represents her first experience of true love and self-discovery
B) It highlights the economic disparities between the classes
C) It shows the flaws in traditional marriage
D) It portrays the futility of escaping societal norms
Answer: A
In Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, Stephen Crane uses naturalist techniques to show that:
A) Maggie’s fate is controlled by forces beyond her control, such as poverty and her environment
B) People can escape the cycle of poverty if they are hardworking enough
C) There is always a way for individuals to rise above their circumstances
D) The power of religion can transform even the most desperate lives
Answer: A
In Sister Carrie, Dreiser’s portrayal of Carrie’s rise to fame through relationships with wealthy men suggests:
A) The corrupting influence of wealth and social status
B) The virtues of romantic love and personal connections
C) The moral superiority of those who stay true to their values
D) The suffocating control of traditional gender roles
Answer: A
Which of the following themes is central to both The Jungle and Sister Carrie?
A) The pursuit of the American Dream and the consequences of that pursuit
B) The beauty of nature as a means of redemption
C) The exploration of the inner lives of women
D) The effects of colonialism on native populations
Answer: A
In The Call of the Wild, Buck’s transformation into a wild animal symbolizes:
A) The human desire for companionship
B) The struggle to survive in a competitive, hostile environment
C) The failure of the American Dream
D) The return to civilization and social order
Answer: B
In The Portrait of a Lady, Isabel Archer’s decision to marry Gilbert Osmond represents:
A) Her rejection of personal independence
B) Her desire for personal freedom and adventure
C) Her desire for financial security and social standing
D) Her emotional rebellion against her family
Answer: A
The unreliable narration in The Turn of the Screw serves to:
A) Solidify the supernatural elements of the story
B) Challenge the reader to question the validity of the governess’s perceptions
C) Create a more predictable and traditional narrative structure
D) Explain the events in a straightforward and logical way
Answer: B
In The Souls of Black Folk, Du Bois calls for:
A) Complete segregation of African Americans from whites
B) Full integration and equality of African Americans in American society
C) A return to Africa for African Americans
D) The establishment of a separate government for African Americans
Answer: B
The central motif of survival in the wilderness in Jack London’s White Fang focuses on:
A) The inner strength and spiritual awakening of the protagonist
B) The relationship between humans and nature in a harsh environment
C) The corruption of human civilization by animal instincts
D) The defeat of the wilderness through technological advancement
Answer: B
Mark Twain’s use of dialect in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn serves to:
A) Depict characters’ unique voices and regional identities
B) Suggest that the characters are uneducated and inferior
C) Show the universality of human experiences across cultures
D) Depict all characters as living in a utopian society
Answer: A
In The Red Badge of Courage, Henry Fleming’s sense of heroism is challenged when:
A) He is praised by his comrades for his bravery
B) He experiences fear and cowardice during battle
C) He is given a promotion for his leadership skills
D) He becomes disillusioned with the Union cause
Answer: B
The Naturalist perspective in The Jungle suggests that:
A) Human beings have the ability to change their fate through education
B) Social and environmental forces, such as poverty and industrialization, largely determine one’s destiny
C) The natural world is a peaceful refuge from the harshness of urban life
D) Individual perseverance is enough to overcome hardship
Answer: B
In The House of Mirth, Lily Bart’s downfall can be attributed to her:
A) Strong moral convictions
B) Lack of ambition
C) Dependence on beauty and social connections for survival
D) Commitment to living a simple life
Answer: C
Which of the following best describes the theme of The Call of the Wild?
A) The struggle for survival and the return to one’s primal instincts
B) The triumph of civilization over nature
C) The moral responsibility of humans to protect animals
D) The complexity of human relationships in a wilderness setting
Answer: A