Unit 3 of 5
Study guide for CLEP CLEP American Literature — Unit 3: Realism and Naturalism (1865-1914). Practice questions, key concepts, and exam tips.
27
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A literary critic is analyzing a novel that depicts the harsh realities of urban life in the late 19th century, including poverty, crime, and corruption. The novel's author aims to show how these conditions are a result of societal and economic factors, rather than individual moral failings. Which literary movement is this novel most likely to be associated with?
Answer: D — This novel is most likely associated with Naturalism because it depicts the harsh realities of urban life and aims to show how these conditions are a result of societal and economic factors. Naturalism is a literary movement that emphasizes the role of environment and heredity in shaping human behavior. The other options are incorrect because Romanticism focuses on emotion and imagination, Transcendentalism emphasizes individual spirituality and the power of nature, and Regionalism focuses on the unique characteristics of a particular region or culture.
A literary critic argues that the works of Stephen Crane and Frank Norris represent a shift towards a more pessimistic view of human nature in American literature. The critic claims that this shift is a result of the influence of which literary movement, characterized by its emphasis on the scientific and deterministic aspects of human experience?
Answer: C — The correct answer is Naturalism because it is a literary movement that emphasizes the scientific and deterministic aspects of human experience, often portraying a pessimistic view of human nature. Naturalism is characterized by its focus on the harsh realities of life, the influence of environment on human behavior, and the idea that human beings are subject to the same laws of nature as animals and plants. In contrast, Romanticism (A) emphasizes emotion, imagination, and individualism, while Transcendentalism (B) emphasizes the spiritual and the potential for human perfectibility. Regionalism (D) focuses on the unique characteristics of a particular region or community, but does not necessarily emphasize scientific or deterministic aspects of human experience.
A literary critic argues that a novel's focus on the harsh realities of urban life, its use of detailed descriptions of setting, and its emphasis on the scientific and philosophical ideas of the time are evidence of its affiliation with the Naturalist movement. However, another critic counters that the novel's attention to the inner lives and emotional experiences of its characters suggests a more Realist approach. Which of the following best explains the difference between the two critics' perspectives?
Answer: A — The correct answer is A because Naturalism tends to focus on the external, environmental factors that shape human experience, while Realism often emphasizes the internal, psychological elements of characters' lives. The first critic is highlighting the novel's Naturalist elements, such as its detailed descriptions of setting and emphasis on scientific and philosophical ideas. In contrast, the second critic is pointing out the novel's Realist aspects, such as its attention to characters' inner lives and emotional experiences. The other options are incorrect because they do not accurately capture the distinction between the two critics' perspectives.
A literary critic argues that a novel's detailed description of the harsh working conditions in a factory during the Industrial Revolution is an example of a literary movement that focuses on the scientific and deterministic aspects of human experience. Which literary movement is the critic most likely referring to?
Answer: D — The correct answer is Naturalism because it is a literary movement that emphasizes the scientific and deterministic aspects of human experience, often focusing on the harsh realities of life, such as poverty and exploitation. Naturalist writers, like Stephen Crane and Theodore Dreiser, sought to accurately depict the lives of ordinary people, often in urban or industrial settings. The other options are incorrect because Romanticism emphasizes emotion and imagination, Transcendentalism focuses on the spiritual and the individual's connection to nature, and Regionalism explores the unique characteristics of a particular region or culture, but does not necessarily focus on the scientific and deterministic aspects of human experience.
Professor Thompson is teaching a course on 19th-century American literature and wants to illustrate the difference between Realism and Naturalism. She assigns two short stories: one by Stephen Crane and one by Edith Wharton. Which of the following best describes the primary distinction between the two literary movements represented by these authors?
Answer: C — Realism, as seen in authors like Edith Wharton, often emphasizes the role of individual agency and free will, portraying characters who make choices that shape their lives. In contrast, Naturalism, as exemplified by authors like Stephen Crane, stresses the influence of environment and determinism, depicting characters whose lives are shaped by forces beyond their control. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately capture the primary distinction between Realism and Naturalism.
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