Which of the following descriptions best defines the literary theory known as formalism ?

Related Mcqs:

1. Which of the following descriptions best defines the literary theory known as formalism ?

   A. An approach that emphasizes literary devices in a text
   B. An approach that emphasizes the historical context of a text
   C. An approach that emphasizes the biographical intent of a text
   D. An approach that emphasizes racial issues in a text

2. As a mode of literary criticism or theory, formalism attempted to bring which of the following to literary studies ?

   A. An awareness of the historical circumstances surrounding a text’s production
   B. A set of objective criteria for critical analysis
   C. An awareness of the economic circumstances surrounding a literary text
   D. Strict criteria for evaluating the quality of a literary text

3. Which of the following serves as the best definition of the literary critical practice of formalism ?

   A. Formalism focuses on examining how a text exemplifies its writer’s psychology.
   B. Formalism focuses on examining the structural dynamics of poems.
   C. Formalism focuses on examining the use of literary devices within a literary text.
   D. Formalism focuses on examining the historical contexts and backgrounds of literary texts.

4. As a mode of literary criticism or theory, gender theory attempts to bring which of the following to literary texts ?

   A. An understanding of the various conceptions and understandings of gender that have carried throughout various cultures
   B. An understanding of gender as a human construct
   C. An understanding of how standard histories of western societies are presented in terms of heterosexual identity
   D. All of these.

5. Some critics of literary theory argue that literary theory is problematic for which reason ?

   A. Literary theory tends to be too political.
   B. Literary theory does not offer a holistic interpretation of a text.
   C. Literary theory depends on specialized knowledge that is outside the realm of literary studies.
   D. All of the above answers are correct.

6. Some critics of literary theory argue that literary theory is problematic for which reason ?

   A. Literary theory does not offer a holistic interpretation of a text.
   B. Literary theory depends on specialized knowledge that is outside the realm of literary studies.
   C. Literary theory is sometimes very abstract and difficult to read.
   D. All of the above.

7. Which of the following best describes the difference between literary criticism and literary theory ?

   A. Literary criticism is concerned only with the meaning of a literary work, while literary theory is concerned only with the structure of a literary work.
   B. Literary criticism draws upon research derived from sources outside literature, while literary theory draws upon sources within a text.
   C. Literary theory is concerned with the method used to interpret a work, while literary criticism is the application of literary theory.
   D. All of the above answers are correct.

8. Which of the following best describes the difference between literary criticism and literary theory?

   A. Literary criticism is concerned only with the meaning of a literary work, while literary theory is concerned only with the structure of a literary work.
   B. Literary criticism draws upon research derived from sources outside literature, while literary theory draws upon sources within a text.
   C. Literary criticism is concerned with how characters in a text act, while literary theory is concerned with why characters act.
   D. Literary theory is concerned with the method used to interpret a work, while literary criticism is the application of literary theory.

9. What is the difference between traditional literary criticism and post-New Criticism literary theory ?

   A. Traditional literary criticism is mainly focused on exploring gender issues.
   B. Traditional literary criticism only examines pre-20th-century literary texts.
   C. Traditional literary criticism focused on tracking influences and textual allusions and considering the historical contexts of literary texts.
   D. Traditional literary criticism attempted to consider the psychological aspects of literary texts.

10. Which of the following theorists is associated with formalism ?

    A. Viktor Shklovsky
    B. Cleanth Brooks
    C. Judith Butler
    D. Mikhail Bakhtin