Literary Criticism Approaches Test
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of the following is a central focus of the Formalist approach in literary
criticism?
a) The author's biography
b) The social class of the characters
c) The formal elements of the text, such as structure and language
d) The historical context of the work
2. According to Marxist criticism, literature is a reflection of:
a) The emotional experiences of the author
b) The intellectual movements of the time
c) The class struggles and economic forces in society
d) The aesthetic qualities of the text
3. The Historical approach in literary criticism is primarily concerned with:
a) The moral lessons of the story
b) The political or gender perspectives presented in the text
c) The historical context and how it influences the work
d) The way readers interpret the text based on their own experiences
4. Feminist criticism focuses on:
a) The economic power structures within a society
b) How literature presents and influences gender roles
c) The author's personal life
d) The symbolism within the text
5. Reader-Response criticism suggests that:
a) The meaning of the text is fixed and unchangeable
b) Literature should be analyzed based on the historical period in which it was written
c) The reader’s experience and interpretation create the meaning of the text
d) All texts should be viewed through a moral lens
6. Which of the following would be a concern of the Moralist approach in literary
criticism?
a) Analyzing the social class of the characters
b) Focusing on how well the text adheres to moral or ethical standards
c) Examining the emotional response of the reader
d) Studying the linguistic structure and form of the text
True/False Questions
7. Formalist critics focus on the external influences on the author and their social
context.
True / False
8. Marxist critics believe that literature is a tool used to reinforce social power and
class divisions.
True / False
9. Historical critics argue that understanding the author’s intentions is crucial to
interpreting a text.
True / False
10.Feminist literary criticism focuses on interpreting texts from a perspective that
seeks equality between genders.
True / False
11.Reader-Response criticism argues that the author's intent is the only valid way to
interpret a text.
True / False
12.A Moralist approach would argue that literature’s primary purpose is to teach
readers about right and wrong.
True / False
Short Answer Questions
13.What is the main focus of Marxist criticism in literature?
14.In the Feminist approach, what is meant by 'patriarchal ideology' in literature?
15.Explain how the Historical approach to literary criticism might interpret a work
differently than the Formalist approach.
16.How does Reader-Response criticism differ from the Formalist approach when it
comes to meaning-making in literature?
17.What role does the concept of morality play in Moralist literary criticism?
Essay Question
Which approach do you find most interesting or helpful when reading literature?
Why?
Prepared by:
ANNAH-LYNN A. BURGOS
(Subject Teacher)
Answer Key
Multiple Choice Questions
1. c) The formal elements of the text, such as structure and language
2. c) The class struggles and economic forces in society
3. c) The historical context and how it influences the work
4. b) How literature presents and influences gender roles
5. c) The reader’s experience and interpretation create the meaning of the text
6. b) Focusing on how well the text adheres to moral or ethical standards
True/False Questions
7. False – Formalist critics focus on the structure, language, and form of the text, not external influences.
8. True – Marxist critics see literature as a reflection of societal power and class issues.
9. False – Historical critics focus on the historical context of the text, not just the author’s intentions.
10. True – Feminist criticism challenges gender inequality and stereotypes in literature.
11. False – Reader-Response criticism places the reader’s experience at the center of meaning-making.
12. True – Moralist critics focus on how literature teaches ethical or moral lessons.
Short Answer Questions
13. The main focus of Marxist criticism in literature is the examination of class struggles, economic
power, and social inequality, often focusing on how literature reflects or perpetuates these societal
issues.
14. In feminist literary criticism, 'patriarchal ideology' refers to the belief system that supports male
dominance and female subordination, often evident in literature through traditional gender roles
and unequal relationships between men and women.
15. The Historical approach focuses on how the time period in which a work was written influences its
themes, characters, and settings. In contrast, the Formalist approach analyzes the text itself,
focusing on elements like structure, symbolism, and language without considering historical
context.
16. Reader-Response criticism asserts that the reader’s own experiences and emotions shape the
interpretation of a text, whereas Formalist criticism views the text as an independent entity whose
meaning is derived from its formal elements, such as narrative structure and language.
17. In Moralist literary criticism, morality is central to interpreting a text. Critics analyze how
literature conveys ethical or moral lessons, focusing on how characters’ actions align with or
deviate from societal standards of right and wrong.
Essay Questions
18. A Marxist critic of The Great Gatsby might examine how the novel critiques the American Dream
by showing the divide between the wealthy and the poor. The character of Gatsby, for example,
embodies the illusion of social mobility, while the novel as a whole highlights the persistence of
class divisions, where wealth remains an elusive goal for those in the lower classes. The economic
realities of the 1920s, especially after the Great War, would be integral to understanding the
novel’s critique of capitalist society.
19. A Feminist critic analyzing Jane Eyre might explore the power dynamics between Jane and the
male characters, particularly Mr. Rochester. Feminist criticism would focus on how Jane
challenges gender norms of the time by asserting her independence and intellectual autonomy.
The novel’s critique of social expectations for women, as well as Jane’s resistance to being defined
by marriage or submission to patriarchal authority, would be key elements in a feminist reading.
20. The Historical approach to Pride and Prejudice would focus on the social context of early 19th-
century England, especially the class structures, marriage norms, and gender roles of the time. A
Historical critic might examine how the societal expectations of marriage and inheritance
influence the characters’ decisions. In contrast, a Reader-Response critic would focus on how
different readers might interpret the text based on their personal experiences and perspectives.
For instance, a modern reader might relate differently to Elizabeth’s resistance to marriage for
financial stability compared to a reader from Jane Austen’s time.
