Symbolism in Literature

When a literary artist uses a concrete or perceptible thing to suggest something abstract and not clearly defined, he or she is using

a. symbolism
b. imagery
c. simile
d. diction

The poem “Paralytic” illustrates the fact that the first person

a. may be employed to create a character separate from the poet
b. is effective only when it refers to the author’s actual experience
c. is effective only when it refers to another person’s actual experience
d. is generally effective

The basic medium of literature is

Select one:
a. the written word
b. sense
c. spoken language
d. narration

Dylan Thomas’s “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” is written in which of the following forms?

a. villanelle
b. free verse
c. sonnet
d. sestina

One example of a quest narrative is

a. “Piano”
b. “Paralytic”
c. Huckleberry Finn
d. “The Tyger”

What type of comparison is contained in the line, “tissue of mist that veils a valley’s lap”?

a. simile
b. metrical
c. alliteration
d. metaphor

A comparison between two things—made by the poet to help the participant perceive new aspects of one or both of them—is called

a. metaphor
b. symbolism
c. imagery
d. diction

Which of the following implies contradiction of some kind?

a. symbolism
b. simile
c. irony
d. diction

Language used to help the participant picture what is being described is called

a. simile
b. metaphor
c. symbolism
d. imagery

The lyric is best described as

a. using rhyming words exclusively
b. an organic narrative
c. revealing feelings
d. an episodic narrative

Traditional tragedy tends to

a. exalt the worth of the characters
b. show that misfortune is beyond the control of the characters
c. show that misfortune is ultimately due to flaws within the characters
d. use many stereotypes

Comedy tends to

a. exalt the worth of individuals
b. place the characters in difficult, irresolvable situations
c. satirize the weaknesses of individuals and their societies
d. use stereotypes more than types

A character who displays often – repeated behavior in comedy is known as

a. an archetypal character
b. a blocking character
c. a heroic character
d. a type character

Tragicomedy is most likely to

a. end with a death
b. end with a marriage
c. reveal the ambiguities of the world
d. include music

Which of the following did Aristotle call the moment of truth for the tragic hero?

a. denouement
b. recognition
c. reversal
d. catharsis

According to the text, one of the ways modern tragedy differs from ancient tragedy is

a. its reliance on myth
b. its acceptance of chance as a powerful force
c. its emphasis on the supreme power of fate
d. its reliance on great protagonists with tragic flaws

Which of the following is a purging of emotions?

a. denouement
b. recognition
c. reversal
d. catharsis

Which of the following is not a description of archetypal patterns?

a. structural patterns that seem to have their origins deep in our culture or psyche
b. faithful reproduction of an actual historical occurrence
c. subconscious memory of numberless experiences of the same type
d. a link with the four seasons and the pattern of agricultural growth and decay

Which of the following characterizes Old Comedy?

a. it is associated with burlesque and slapstick
b. it is suave and subtle
c. it avoids brutal attacks on individuals
d. it concentrates on manners

Which of the following elements of drama includes set design?

a. plot
b. diction
c. spectacle
d. music

The playing of one or more motives, themes, or melodies against each other is called

a. tempo
b. contrast
c. counterpoint
d. harmony

The term for a sound that has one definite frequency is

a. tone
b. rhythm
c. tempo
d. harmony

“Allegro” means

a. slow
b. fast
c. dance – like
d. with feeling

The first movement of Beethoven’s Eroica differs from the first movements of earlier symphonies in being

a. in sonata form
b. much longer
c. more whimsical
d. more somber

When notes sounded together tend to be grating or unpleasant, the resulting sound is called

a. harmony
b. timbre
c. dissonance
d. consonance

Which of the following labels is used for a slow movement?

a. allegro
b. andante
c. presto
d. molto allegro

Dynamics in music refer to its

a. rhythm
b. consonance or dissonance
c. loudness or softness
d. harmonic relationship

The pattern of the sonata form is

a. theme, new material, theme
b. a series of variations on the same theme
c. exposition, development, recapitulation
d. ABACABA

A structure in which a refrain is repeated after episodes with a different melody is a

a. rondo
b. fugue
c. symphony
d. sonata

A structure in which the melody is stated, then repeated with the first statement being played as background, as in “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” is a

a. fugue
b. sonata
c. fantasia
d. symphony

The basic medium of literature is
a. sound
b. sense
c. spoken language
d. narration

Literature is what kind of art?
a. narrative
b. serial
c. sound
d. sense

In Dylan Thomas’s “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night,” the following is impossible to describe:
a. content
b. subject matter
c. form
d. narration

The lyric is best described as
a. using rhyming words exclusively
b. an organic narrative
c. revealing feelings
d. an episodic narrative

Language used to help the participant picture what is being described is called
a. simile
b. metaphor
c. symbolism
d. imagery

A comparison between two things—made by the poet to help the participant perceive new aspects of one or both of them—is called
a. metaphor
b. symbolism
c. imagery
d. diction

When a literary artist uses a concrete or perceptible thing to suggest something abstract and not clearly defined, he or she is using
a. symbolism
b. imagery
c. metaphor
d. diction

The “point of view” of a lyric poem is said to be in the first person when the narrator relates events as if they were experienced by
a. the reader
b. another person
c. the poet
d. God

The poem “Paralytic” illustrates the fact that the first person
a. may be employed to create a character separate from the poet
b. is effective only when it refers to the author’s actual experience
c. is effective only when in refers to another person’s actual experience
d. is generally effective

The episodic narrative is a story
a. relating a single episode or event
b. relating a series of events not closely connected
c. of someone’s search for an important goal
d. that is unresolved

The quest narrative is a story in which
a. the leading character or characters search for something of great importance to themselves
b. the leading character or characters have to complete certain assigned tasks in order to receive their rewards.
c. a series of seemingly unrelated events are related by a surprising conclusion
d. a mystery is solved

One example of a quest narrative is
a. “Piano”
b. “Paralytic”
c. Huckleberry Finn
d. “The Tyger”

Of the following references to symbolism, the most accurate statement is
a. the author usually identifies clearly the meaning of the symbol
b. symbolism is a comparison of two things, only one of which is clearly stated
c. symbols are not meant to be understood by most readers
d. symbolism is not metaphoric

What type of comparison is contained in the line, “tissue of mist that veils a valley’s lap”?
a. simile
b. metrical
c. alliteration
d. metaphor

Pound’s haiku poem, “In a Station of the Metro” reveals
a. the tense feelings of a rush-hour crowd in a train station
b. the beauty of petals on a wet tree limb
c. the chaotic noise in a train station
d. the image of crowds in a train station

The basic medium of drama is
a. acting
b. the stage
c. spoken language acted
d. lighting

Anna Deavere Smith’s performances focus on
a. the story of Christ
b. racial and religious violence
c. an imitation of Emily Dickinson
d. the willing suspension of disbelief

Drama that imitates an action by allusion
a. must be true to the historical event
b. can omit much and admit purposeful distortion
c. reenacts a historical event
d. is always a tragedy

Aesthetic distance in drama refers to
a. when the historical event actually happened
b. position of the audience in relation to the stage
c. awareness of difference between life and art
d. the use of scenery, lighting, and music to identify characters

According to Aristotle, the tragic hero
a. searches for truth
b. must die
c. is a philosopher king
d. must be married to a beautiful woman

Comedy tends to
a. exalt the worth of individuals
b. place the characters in difficult, unresolvable situations
c. satirize the weaknesses of individuals and their societies
d. use stereotypes more than types

Traditional tragedy tends to
a. exalt the worth of the characters
b. show that misfortune is beyond the control of the characters
c. show that misfortune is ultimately due to flaws within the characters
d. use many stereotypes

The manner in which drama imitates life, according to Aristotle, is best described as
a. realism
b. fantasy
c. mimesis
d. surrealism

Which of the following is not a description of archetypal patterns?
a. structural patterns that seem to have their origins deep in our culture or psyche
b. faithful reproduction of an actual historical occurrence
c. subconscious memory of numberless experiences of the same type
d. a link with the four seasons and the pattern of agricultural growth and decay

Which of the following contains an element not listed by Aristotle as part of tragedy?
a. plot, character, spectacle
b. character, diction, music
c. plot, rhythm, thought
d. thought, diction, plot

With reference to Aristotle’s parts of tragedy, the most likely missing part in modern tragedy is
a. plot
b. character
c. music
d. spectacle

According to Aristotle, tragic action should be caused by
a. mere chance
b. unchangeable destiny
c. character flaws
d. the situation

According to the text, modern tragedy differs from ancient tragedy because
a. the stages are so different
b. their concepts of fate are so different
c. the spectacles are so different
d. modern characters are less interesting

New Comedy is reflected in the following type or types of modern comedy
a. of manners
b. musicals
c. farce
d. all of the above

A character who displays often-repeated behavior in comedy is known as
a. an archetypal character
b. a blocking character
c. a heroic character
d. a type character

The movement of air in the form of waves most frequently produces
a. noise
b. pure tone
c. harmony
d. consonance

A pure tone may be produced by
a. wind instruments
b. stringed instruments
c. electronic instruments
d. an organ

When notes sounded together tend to be grating or unpleasant, the resulting sound is called
a. harmony
b. timbre
c. dissonance
d. consonance

A group of notes played in succession with a perceivable “shape”
a. is called a melody
b. produces harmony
c. produces consonance
d. produces dissonance

Dynamics in music refer to its
a. rhythm
b. consonance or dissonance
c. loudness or softness
d. harmonic relationship

Atonal music may be produced by
a. playing two different melodies in different keys at the same time
b. using sounds that are not in tune
c. delaying a return of the melody to a “home tone”
d. giving each tone equal value

The primary subject matter of music, according to the text, is
a. sound
b. feeling
c. states of mind
d. a narrative

The element of music that most helps us identify a waltz is its
a. timbre
b. melody
c. harmony
d. rhythm

A musical structure in which the same melody is repeated over and over again with different treatment and without intervening new materials is a
a. fantasia
b. symphony
c. theme and variations
d. rondo

A structure in which a refrain is repeated after statements of different material is a
a. rondo
b. fugue
c. symphony
d. sonata

A structure in which the melody is stated, then repeated with the first statement being played as background, as in “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” is a
a. fugue
b. sonata
c. fantasia
d. symphony

The pattern of the sonata form is
a. theme, new material, theme
b. a series of variations on the same theme
c. exposition, development, recapitulation
d. ABACABA

“Allegro” means
a. slow
b. fast
c. dance-like
d. with feeling

“Adagio” means
a. slow
b. fast
c. dance-like
d. with feeling

The first movement of Beethoven’s Eroica differs from the first movements of earlier symphonies in being
a. in sonata form
b. much longer
c. more whimsical
d. more somber

The basic medium of literature is
a. the written word
b. sense
c. spoken language
d. narration

Which of the following implies contradiction of some kind?
a. symbolism
b. simile
c. irony
d. diction

Which of the following elements of drama includes set design?
a. plot
b. diction
c. spectacle
d. music

Which of the following did Aristotle call the moment of truth for the tragic hero?
a. denouement
b. recognition
c. reversal
d. catharsis

Hegel believes that which of the following leads to the tragic?
a. the protagonist’s tragic flaw
b. social conditions
c. the collision of good intentions
d. mere chance

According to the text, one of the ways modern tragedy differs from ancient tragedy is
a. its reliance on myth
b. its acceptance of chance as a powerful force
c. its emphasis on the supreme power of fate
d. its reliance on great protagonists with tragic flaws

Which of the following characterizes Old Comedy?
a. it is associated with burlesque and slapstick
b. it is suave and subtle
c. it avoids brutal attacks on individuals
d. it concentrates on manners

The term for a sound that has one definite frequency is
a. tone
b. rhythm
c. tempo
d. harmony

The playing of one or more motives, themes, or melodies against each other is called
a. tempo
b. contrast
c. counterpoint
d. harmony

Which of the following is to the sonata form what free verse is to the sonnet?
a. rhapsody
b. rondo
c. nocturne
d. fantasia

Which of the following labels is used for a slow movement?
a. allegro
b. andante
c. presto
d. molto allegro

Which of the following are strong sensations felt as related to a specific stimulus?
a. tones
b. passions
c. moods
d. emotions

Scott Joplin was the master of which musical style?
a. ragtime
b. blues
c. jazz
d. pop