Section I: Literary Knowledge & Identification (Multiple Choice) (36 Points Total | Recommended Time: 20 minutes)
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.
- Which of the following literary periods is characterized by a renewed interest in classical forms, emphasis on reason and order, and often features satire and wit?
The epic poem Beowulf originated in which literary period?
Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales is a seminal work from which era?
John Milton's Paradise Lost is an epic poem that primarily retells the biblical story of:
Which rhetorical device involves a contrast between what is said and what is actually meant?
A key characteristic of the Romantic literary movement is its emphasis on:
Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal is a prime example of what literary form?
Which of the following novels is NOT written by Jane Austen?
The literary term for the use of an object or idea to represent something else is:
A 'tragic flaw' or 'hamartia' is a concept most closely associated with the works of:
Which of the following is a common theme in Shakespearean tragedies?
The term 'Byronic hero' is associated with which literary movement?
What is the metrical pattern most commonly associated with Shakespeare's plays?
The concept of the 'sublime'—a sense of awe mixed with terror—is a significant element in the works of which period?
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is often considered a foundational text of which genre?
Which of the following poets is NOT typically associated with the Romantic period?
The Restoration Period in English literature followed which major political event?
The concept of 'Carpe Diem' (seize the day) is a common theme in the works of which group of poets?
Section II: Short Answer Literary Analysis (24 Points Total | Recommended Time: 30 minutes)
Instructions: Respond to each prompt in 1-2 well-developed paragraphs. Be sure to use specific textual details to support your claims.
- Analyze how Shakespeare develops the theme of appearance versus reality in Macbeth. Discuss at least two specific instances from the play that illustrate this theme.
Discuss how Jonathan Swift uses rhetorical devices such as irony, hyperbole, and understatement to achieve his satirical purpose in A Modest Proposal. Provide specific examples for at least two devices.
Choose ONE significant character from a British novel studied (e.g., Elizabeth Bennet, Victor Frankenstein, Heathcliff, or Jane Eyre) and analyze how their characterization contributes to a major theme of the novel. Be specific with textual evidence.
Section III: Analytical Essays (40 Points Total | Recommended Time: 45-60 minutes for BOTH essays)
Instructions: Choose TWO of the following three essay prompts. Write a well-organized, thesis-driven analytical essay for each chosen prompt. Support your arguments with specific, relevant evidence from the texts.
- Essay Prompt Option 1: Comparative Heroism Compare and contrast the concept of heroism as presented in an Anglo-Saxon epic (e.g., Beowulf) with the concept of heroism (or anti-heroism) in a Romantic period poem (e.g., from Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, or Shelley). Analyze how the cultural values and literary conventions of each period shape the portrayal of the hero.
Essay Prompt Option 2: Shakespearean Drama Analysis Choose ONE Shakespearean play studied in class (e.g., Macbeth, Hamlet, Othello). Analyze how Shakespeare uses specific dramatic techniques (e.g., soliloquies, asides, imagery, dramatic irony) to develop a central theme or to reveal the psychological complexity of a key character.
Essay Prompt Option 3: Satire in British Literature Analyze the use and effectiveness of satire in one or more British literary works studied (e.g., Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal, Alexander Pope's The Rape of the Lock). Discuss the specific targets of the satire, the satirical techniques employed, and the overall message the author aims to convey.
Section IV: Research Project Proposal Outline (10 Points Total | Recommended Time: 20 minutes)
Instructions: Outline a potential research paper on a British Literature topic from the Anglo-Saxon to Victorian periods. Your outline should include the following components:
- a. Proposed Research Question/Thesis Statement: A clear, arguable thesis statement for your paper.
- b. Primary Sources: List at least three primary literary texts (actual works, not just authors) that you would analyze.
- c. Secondary Sources: List at least two hypothetical or representative secondary scholarly sources (e.g., literary criticism, historical analyses) that would support your argument.
- d. Brief Outline of Key Arguments/Sections: Provide a brief point-form outline of the main arguments or sections you would develop in your paper.
- e. Research Methodology: Briefly explain how you would approach your research (e.g., close reading, historical analysis, feminist criticism, etc.).