Detractors argue that such an approach can be too “judgmental.” Some believe literature should be judged primarily (if not solely) on its artistic merits. What approach possess this disadvantage ?

Modern literary theory began with the work of which theorist ?

A. Ferdinand de Saussure

B. Viktor Shklovsky

C. Roland Barthes

D. Michel Foucault

One archetype in literature is the scapegoat. Which of these literary characters serves that purpose ?

A. Billy Budd

B. Hamlet

C. Captain Ahab

D. Ophelia

How does New Historicism differ from traditional historicism ?

A. New Historicism rejects the idea that history is neutral.

B. New Historicism does not make strict delineations between literary and non-literary texts.

C. New Historicism takes a particular interest in marginalized peoples.

D. All of the above answers are correct.

Plato used the word mimesis in relation to literature with the meaning ?

A. Copying

B. Criticism of life

C. Representation

D. Interpretation

What is the main function of postcolonial criticism ?

A. To represent the relationship between colonizers and the colonized

B. To draw attention to the positive effects of colonization on literature

C. To explain why there are few examples of successful non-Western literature

D. To show the ways in which most Western literature is superior