Fundamentals of Literature Test 3, Unit 3: Theme

Which two of the following works contain explicit themes? (Choose 2 answers." "Do not go gentle into that good night" "A Black Man Talks of Reaping" "Go Down, Death" "When You Are Old"

"Do not go gentle into that good night" Go Down, Death

In one paragraph, describe the two views of death presented by "Go Down, Death" and "Do not go gentle into that good night" and show which poem comes closer to a biblical perspective on death.

"Go Down, Death" comes closer to a biblical view of death. In this poem, the speaker's response to death is based on biblical truth. He acknowledges that death is under God's loving control and sees it as the doorway to eternal life for the believer. Thomas's "Do not go gentle into that good night" presents a bleak view of death. The poet knows death with come but sees nothing beyond it, only "night" and "dark." He therefore has no hope for eternity. His advice is to merely to fight death until the end.

Which sentence below best sums up Bontemps's main message? African-American freedmen were allowed to farm only the worst land. African Americans were robbed of the rewards due their labors. African-American slaves dreaded the grueling labor of harvest. African Americans were finally able to reap the rewards of freedom.

African Americans were robbed of the rewards due their labors.

Which TWO of the following true statements best qualify as universal themes? Appearances do not always reflect reality. Man's nature is inherently flawed. Industrialism brings certain disadvantages. Black Americans struggled against discrimination.

Appearances do not always reflect reality. Man's nature is inherently flawed.

Which of the following best describes the central theme of "Go Down, Death"? Death is a frightening and ugly thing. Death comes to us all whether we like it or not. Believers should prepare for death by investing in eternal things. Believers should not view death without any hope.

Believers should not view death without any hope.

Identify the extended metaphor of "A Black Man Talks of Reaping" and trace its meaning through the poem.

Bontemps draws a comparison between the process of farming (sowing, tending, and reaping) and the life labors of African Americans.

What does the prince in "Beauty and the Beast" mean by the advice he gives Beauty in her dream: "Do not trust too much to your eyes"?

Do not make judgments based on outward appearances only.

T/F "Go Down, Death" is based on a folk song.

False

T/F In Dr Heidegger's Experiment," the butterfly acts as a symbol of lost youth and hopes.

False

T/F In Yeat's poem, an old woman remembers her first love.

False

T/F The central conflict of Hawthorne's story is man v. man.

False

T/F The theme of "Quality" is an explicit theme.

False

What does Hawthorne's story reveal about his view of man's nature? In one or two sentences, explain how he conveys this opinion.

He believes man's nature is fundamentally flawed. Hawthorne reveals this opinion by the reaction of the four friends to regaining youth. They turn right back to the besetting sins that ruined them in youth.

In "When You Are Old," the speaker contrasts his love with that of others. What is the main difference he mentions?

He loves the woman's inner soul more than her outer beauty. Thus he loves her through all the changes of life.

Why does Dr. Heidegger refuse to pursue the Fountain of Youth any more?

He sees how it affects the four friends and decides that he has no wish to repeat his youthful errors as they do. For him, the return of physical youth would not outweigh the painful consequences of these errors.

Which TWO of the following themes work together to create the central message of "Beauty and the Beast"? Self-sacrifice is the key to happiness. Surface appearances are often misleading. Inner beauty is more valuable than outer beauty. True love demands courage.

Inner beauty is more valuable than outer beauty. Surface appearances are often misleading..

Which of the following is NOT true of a moral? It is an explicit statement of a theme. It most often appears in novels. It teaches broad life lessons. It is the simplest form of theme.

It most often appears in novels

Though only mentioned once in the story, what important part does the concept of quality play in Galworthy's short story "Quality"?

Quality in their work is what the Gessler brothers prize above all. However, because of social changes, striving for that goal leads to their downfall.

What is the central message of "When You Are Old"? Inner beauty is more important than external beauty. Rejection is painful but instructive. Old Age can bring greater wisdom. Real love should be cherished lest it be lost.

Real love should be cherished lest it be lost.

Which of the following themes is NOT explored in "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment"? Science can reveal only partial truths. Human beings are by nature flawed. Old age does not guarantee wisdom. Fulfilling fleshly appetites brings temporary pleasure.

Science can reveal only partial truths.

In "The Silver Mine," how does the parson's tale shape the king's decision?

The parson's story reveals that wealth is often corrupting. It also reveals that the upright and content citizens the king had admired are the result of the parson's refusal to seek happiness from wealth. As a result, the king realizes that what he needs most is not money to fund his war (as he had thought) but honest and loyal citizens to support him.

How does requesting a rose symbolize Beauty's nature in contrast to her sisters'?

The rose is a naturally beautiful yet inexpensive object. Requesting it for her gift from her father reveals Beauty's unpretentious and loving spirit in contrast to her sisters' greedy and selfish demands for jewels and finery.

Name one example of irony from Bontemps's poem.

There are two possible answers: Though the speaker sowed a vast quantity of seed, he has only a handful of harvest to show for it. Though he prepared for many possible natural disasters, it is his brother's sons who take away the harvest.

When considering the narrator's assessment of the last boots Mr. Gessler made for him, which statement best supports the theme? The narrator has already given up on them when they arrive. The bill is inside one of the boots. The amount is the same as usual. They are the finest boots that Mr. Gessler has ever made for him.

They are the finest boots that Mr. Gessler has ever made for him.

T/F "A Black Man Talks of Reaping" is an example of persuasive writing.

True

T/F "Beauty and the Beast" qualifies as an allegory.

True

T/F "When You Are Old" presents a view of love similar to that in "Beauty and the Beast."

True

T/F All the men in "Do not go gentle into that good night" experience some sort of regret.

True

T/F Heidegger's four friends return to sins similar to those that ruined them in youth.

True

T/F In "Quality," Galsworthy developed his theme primarily through his characters.

True

T/F The theme of "Beauty and the Beast" is universal.

True

T/F The theme of "When You Are Old" is implicit.

True

Which of the following is NOT true of universal themes? Universal themes are found throughout world literature. Universal themes are less useful than highly specific themes. Universal themes are often found in classic literature. Universal themes can be understood by people of all backgrounds.

Universal themes are less useful than highly specific themes.

Which idea best relates to the central theme of "The Silver Mine"? Wealth has corrupting power Integrity is important. Idleness leads to evil conduct. One must reap the consequences of deceit.

Wealth has corrupting power

Does Galworthy sympathize with the Gessler brothers? How does his attitude affect readers' opinions of the brothers?

Yes. He finds the brothers' ideals admirable. Though he knows those ideals are out of place, he regrets the loss of them. Because of his attitude, readers also see the loss of these ideals as regrettable.

In the story "Quality" against whom or what do the Gessler brothers primarily struggle? the new shop owner next door a growing industrial society their own obsession overly demanding customers

a growing industrial society

What is an extended metaphor used to form a story on two levels? allegory, symbol, verbal irony, dramatic irony, situational irony

allegory

A reader begins finding a work's theme by: analyzing the characters and conflicts of the story deciding whether he likes the story relating the story to his own life experience reading about the author's life

analyzing the characters and conflicts of the story

What is "The tall mirror is said to have reflected the figures of the three old, gray, withered grandsires, ridiculously contending for the skinny ugliness of a shriveled grandam" an example of? allegory, symbol, verbal irony, dramatic irony, situational irony

dramatic irony

What is reader awareness of a plot development of which the characters are unaware? allegory, symbol, verbal irony, dramatic irony, situational irony

dramatic irony

To whom is Dylan Thomas speaking through his poem?

his dying father

By participating in the experiment, Dr. Heidegger's guests finally learn: the importance of inner beauty nothing contentment the importance of youth

nothing

Of what does the poet primarily warn his listener in "Do not go gentle into that good night"? of not fighting for his rights of allowing his fame to simply fade away of dying without a struggle of giving up on his dreams

of dying without a struggle

What is "I scattered seed enough to plant the land/ In rows from Canada to Mexico,/ But my reaping only what the hand/ Can hold at once is all that I can show." an example of? allegory, symbol, verbal irony, dramatic irony, situational irony

situational irony

What is an event in a story that violates normal expectations? allegory, symbol, verbal irony, dramatic irony, situational irony

situational irony

What is "He seemed to see the whole community before him, and he pictured to himself how this silver mine would destroy on after another." an example of? allegory, symbol, verbal irony, dramatic irony, situational irony

symbol

What is a person, place, thing, or idea that means something in addition to itself? allegory, symbol, verbal irony, dramatic irony, situational irony

symbol

"A Black Man Talks of Reaping" came from what era of African-American history? pre-Civil War Abolitionism in the 1850s Reconstruction during the 1860s and '70s the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s

the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s

A literary work's theme is: summarized near the end of the work. a statement of what the work teaches. the central recurring idea of the work. all of the above

the central recurring idea of the work

What is the meaning of a statement differing from what is expressed in the words? allegory, symbol, verbal irony, dramatic irony, situational irony

verbal irony