Final Exam Flashcards
What is a genre?
Genre is a term used to define the elements that repeat themselves in similar kinds of movies, books, television shows, music, and more. It describes the categories developed over time for what we read, watch, and listen to.
What are the main kinds of literary genres?
The main kinds of literary genres are fiction, poetry, and nonfiction.
What is an example of nonfiction?
Nonfiction can encompass memoirs, biographies, and instruction manuals, all of which are not made up.
What do we expect when reading fiction?
When reading fiction, we expect the narrative to be made up.
What do we expect when reading poetry?
When reading poetry, we expect lines to match in a particular way, rhyme, or use figurative language.
What is an example of a specific genre within a larger genre?
An example is the superhero genre, which includes action movies, superhero action movies, and parody superhero action movies.
What is the significance of the superhero genre?
In the superhero genre, there is usually an evil villain and a superhero who triumphs, often using superpowers.
How do we analyze literary works?
We analyze literary works by looking for shared features such as characters, plots, settings, or themes.
What is the difference between genre and medium?
A medium is the form in which something is delivered, such as a printed book or film, while genre refers to the category of the content.
Who is Edgar Allan Poe?
Edgar Allan Poe is a master of the macabre, known for his horror, poetry, criticism, fiction, and mystery.
What is Edgar Allan Poe known for?
He is known for inventing detective fiction and for his famous poem ‘The Raven.’
What is the significance of ‘The Murders in the Rue Morgue’?
‘The Murders in the Rue Morgue’ is considered the first detective story, starting the tradition of detective fiction.
What was Edgar Allan Poe’s personal life like?
Poe lived in poverty, struggled with alcoholism, and was haunted by the loss of his mother and wife.
Why should you read Edgar Allan Poe?
Poe’s innovative stories of gothic horror explore complex themes of love, grief, and guilt, using a unique style that commands attention.
What makes James Joyce a significant author?
Joyce is known for his humor, wordplay, and ability to capture the inner dialogue of characters, making his writing both exciting and relatable.
What is the context of Flannery O’Connor’s ‘A Good Man is Hard to Find’?
The story was written in the 1950s in the American South and is one of O’Connor’s most famous works.
What is the context of the story discussed?
The story was written in the 1950s in the American South, influenced by the history of American slavery and the prominence of the Ku Klux Klan during that time.
Who are the main characters in the story?
The main characters are the grandmother, who is the protagonist, and the Misfit, who is the antagonist.
What role does memory play in the story?
Memory is significant as the grandmother reminisces about the past, highlighting the juxtaposition between remembering and forgetting, which reflects on societal memory of American slavery.
What does the grandmother’s hat symbolize?
The grandmother’s hat symbolizes her status as a lady of white society and foreshadows her death on the side of a gravel road.
What does the restaurant named ‘The Tower’ represent?
The Tower symbolizes a warning of impending disaster, foreshadowing the car accident that serves as the climax of the story.
How is the graveyard significant in the story?
The graveyard symbolizes the death of the plantation family and foreshadows the family’s fate in the story.
What is the significance of the conversation between the Misfit and the grandmother?
It reflects themes of memory and recognition, as the grandmother acknowledges a connection to the Misfit, representing a generational crisis.
What does grace and redemption mean in the story?
Grace and redemption are complex themes, with the grandmother’s death potentially representing a moment of grace as she recognizes her own humanity and that of the Misfit.
Who is considered one of the most important writers in Canadian literature?
Alice Munro is regarded as one of the most important and amazing writers in fiction today, alongside Margaret Atwood.
What major literary awards has Alice Munro won?
Alice Munro has won numerous literary prizes in Canada, including the Man Booker International Prize and the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Why might Alice Munro not be as widely read despite her accolades?
Jonathan Franzen suggests that Munro’s lack of mainstream adoration may be due to her unassuming book titles and friendly jacket photos.
What is a key piece of advice for reading Alice Munro’s stories?
It is recommended to read her stories in a single sitting to fully grasp their complexity and structure.
What is a notable story to start with when reading Alice Munro?
A great starting point is ‘The Beggar Maid,’ which captures themes of class, memory, and identity.
What is the premise of ‘The Bear Came Over the Mountain’?
‘The Bear Came Over the Mountain’ tells the story of Fiona and Grant, who face the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease after 60 years of marriage.
What interconnected stories are found in Alice Munro’s collection ‘Runaway’?
The stories ‘Chance,’ ‘Soon,’ and ‘Silence’ are interconnected in the collection ‘Runaway.’
Which of Alice Munro’s collections is not recommended for beginners?
‘The Dance of Happy Shades’ is not recommended as a starting point due to its haphazard nature and older stories.
What is the significance of the title ‘Gravel’ in Alice Munro’s story?
The title ‘Gravel’ symbolizes the roughness of the narrator’s soul as she deals with past trauma.
What traumatic event does the narrator in ‘Gravel’ reflect on?
The narrator reflects on the drowning of her sister, Carol, in a gravel pit, which is central to the story.
What role does the character Neil play in ‘Gravel’?
Neil, the mother’s boyfriend, represents a haunting presence in the narrator’s life, reflecting themes of responsibility and neglect.
What themes are explored in ‘My Lucy Friend Who Smells Like Corn’ by Sandra Cisneros?
The story explores themes of identity, cultural heritage, and the complexities of childhood friendships.
Who is Sandra Cisneros?
Sandra Cisneros is a Chicana writer known for her work that reflects the experiences of Mexican-Americans.
Who is the author of ‘My Lucy Friend Who Smells Like Corn’?
The author is Sandra Cisneros.
What is Sandra Cisneros’ cultural background?
She is a Chicana writer, a Mexican-American writer.
Where does Sandra Cisneros live?
She lives on the West Coast of the United States, around the San Diego area.
What significant cultural issue do many Chicano writers address?
They write about the contested space of the Mexican-American border and complex identities.
What is the title of Sandra Cisneros’ most famous book?
The House on Mango Street.
What narrative style is used in ‘My Lucy Friend Who Smells Like Corn’?
The story employs a stream-of-consciousness narrative style.
What is a central image introduced in the story?
The image of paper-cut dolls is central to the story.
How does the narrator’s child perspective influence the story?
The child narrator uses child-like language and imagery throughout the story.
What themes are juxtaposed in Cisneros’ writing?
Cisneros juxtaposes beautiful and violent imagery.
What does the narrator express about her feelings towards Lucy?
The narrator expresses feelings of jealousy and possessiveness towards Lucy.
What does the ending of the story symbolize?
The ending symbolizes hope and the longing for better luck or life.
Who is Eden Robinson?
Eden Robinson is a writer and a Writer’s Trust Fellow.
What inspired Eden Robinson to become a writer?
She was inspired after her English teacher read a short story in class that the class enjoyed.
What is the title of Eden Robinson’s notable work?
Son of the Trickster.
What challenges did Eden Robinson face as an indigenous writer?
There was a lack of interest in traditional stories and a tendency to shy away from complex characters.
What does Eden Robinson say about writing?
She describes writing as medicine and a huge leap of faith.
What is the premise of Margaret Atwood’s ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’?
It depicts a near-future takeover of the U.S. by religious zealots forcing fertile women into sexual servitude.
What is the significance of the title ‘The Testaments’?
It is the sequel to ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and explores the continuation of its themes.
What does Margaret Atwood think about the phenomenon of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’?
She finds it to be ‘out of control’ and acknowledges its cultural impact.
What is the phenomenon that Margaret Atwood discusses?
The Handmaid’s Tale has grown into a significant cultural phenomenon.
What adaptations have been made from The Handmaid’s Tale?
It has been adapted into a 1990 film, an opera, a ballet, a graphic novel, and an Emmy Award-winning Hulu series.
What is the title of Margaret Atwood’s sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale?
The Testaments.
What motivated Atwood to write The Testaments?
Atwood wanted to address the unanswered questions and continued interest from readers after The Handmaid’s Tale.
How is The Testaments narrated?
It is told through three testimonies: two young women and an older woman, Aunt Lydia.
Who is Aunt Lydia in The Testaments?
Aunt Lydia is a powerful woman in Gilead and serves as the principal enforcer for the young handmaids.
What does Atwood question about Aunt Lydia’s character?
Atwood questions whether Aunt Lydia is truly evil and explores how people end up in positions of power.
What historical context does Atwood reference in her works?
Atwood emphasizes that nothing in her books is without precedent in human history.
What is the setting of The Testaments?
The novel is set in a dystopian future, primarily in a fictional place called Gilead, which represents a future USA.
What is Gilead?
Gilead is a patriarchal regime that has replaced democracy in the future USA.
What is the relationship between The Handmaid’s Tale and The Testaments?
The Testaments is a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, but it can be read independently.
What genre does The Testaments belong to?
It is classified as speculative fiction and dystopian fiction.
What is the timeline of events in The Testaments?
The story takes place 15 years after The Handmaid’s Tale and is set in a post-Gilead future.
Who are the three narrators in The Testaments?
The narrators are Aunt Lydia, Agnes, and Daisy.
What role does Agnes play in The Testaments?
Agnes is being groomed to be a wife of a commander in Gilead.
Where is Daisy from in The Testaments?
Daisy is from Canada.
What themes does Atwood explore in The Testaments?
Atwood explores women’s rights, power dynamics, and the consequences of oppressive regimes.
What does Atwood say about the current political climate?
She notes that women’s rights are under threat, prompting her to write the sequel.
What is Atwood’s view on the portrayal of women in her works?
She emphasizes that her works make women central and address reproductive rights, but do not portray all women as perfect.
What warning does Atwood convey through her novels?
She warns against making choices that could lead to oppressive regimes.
What is the significance of the year 2197 in The Testaments?
The novel ends with a historian discussing the events of Gilead in the year 2197.
Where does part of The Testaments take place?
Part of The Testaments takes place in Canada, while most of it occurs in Gilead.
Who are the three narrators in The Testaments?
The three narrators are Aunt Lydia, Agnes, and Daisy from Canada.
What are the roles of women in Gilead?
Women in Gilead have limited roles, including Wives, Marthas, Handmaids, and Aunts.
What is the role of a Wife in Gilead?
Wives are married to commanders and hold a position of power.
What is the role of a Martha in Gilead?
Marthas are servants responsible for domestic work in the household.
What is the role of a Handmaid in Gilead?
Handmaids bear children for commanders when their wives cannot.
What is the role of an Aunt in Gilead?
Aunts are responsible for teaching younger women and maintaining the system.
What significant revelation does Daisy learn about her identity?
Daisy learns that she is actually Baby Nicole, a figure Gilead is trying to reclaim.
What does Daisy’s 16th birthday symbolize?
Daisy’s 16th birthday marks a significant turning point in her identity.
What is the significance of the name ‘Jade’ for Daisy?
Daisy chooses the name ‘Jade’ to symbolize strength, contrasting with her previous name.
What does the tattoo ‘L-O-V-E’ signify for Daisy?
The tattoo is a signal for the Pearl Girls to pick her up, indicating her mission.
How does Agnes’s narrative contrast with Daisy’s?
Agnes is being groomed for marriage while Daisy is being trained to fight.
What is the theme of revenge in Aunt Lydia’s narrative?
Aunt Lydia seeks revenge against Commander Judd, paralleling her past experiences.
What does the title ‘Secateurs’ refer to in Agnes’s story?
Secateurs refer to pruning shears, symbolizing both violence and shaping.
How does Atwood reverse traditional marriage tropes in Agnes’s story?
Agnes and others resist marrying high-ranking men, contrasting with typical fairy tale narratives.
What do the top secret files reveal to Agnes in chapters 51-60?
The files reveal crimes and systematic problems in Gilead.
What begins in Chapter 51 of The Testaments?
Agnes receives top secret files revealing crimes and systematic problems in Gilead.
Who is providing Agnes with the top secret files?
It is initially unknown, but later revealed to be Aunt Lydia.
What parallels exist between Agnes and Daisy/Baby Nicole?
Both are coming-of-age characters transitioning from childhood innocence to adulthood knowledge.
How does Agnes begin her awakening?
Agnes starts to come to awareness through reading and interpreting texts.
What does Becca warn Agnes about reading the Bible?
Becca tells Agnes that reading it herself will reveal that their interpretations may not be correct.
What is Aunt Lydia’s role in the story?
Aunt Lydia is a complex character who provides Agnes with files and has a sympathetic backstory.
What is the quest narrative in the novel?
The quest is to take down the oppressive regime of Gilead and seek justice and freedom.
What significant meeting occurs in Chapter 60?
Aunt Lydia reveals that Agnes and Jade are sisters and they will journey back to Canada.
What does the chip inserted into Jade’s tattoo symbolize?
It serves as a message containing documents that will expose Gilead’s crimes.
What does the orange symbolize in the story?
The orange symbolizes knowledge and experience, referencing the forbidden fruit and empowerment.
What challenges do Agnes and Jade face on their journey?
They encounter various obstacles, including Jade’s infected tattoo and the need to escape Gilead without a plane.
What is the significance of the Nellie J. Banks?
It is a reference to a real boat that smuggled liquor during Prohibition, paralleling the characters’ escape.
What themes are explored in the final chapters of the novel?
The balance between faith and action, as well as the journey of personal and communal closure.
What happens when Agnes and Daisy arrive in Canada?
They are reunited with their birth mother, and the documents exposing Gilead’s crimes are released.
How does the story conclude on a personal level for Agnes and Daisy?
They experience a sense of closure by returning to their origins and meeting their mother, Offred.
What happens to the chip in Jade’s arm?
The chip has been successfully smuggled out, and the documents are being exposed.
What is the broader impact of the events in Gilead?
The people of Gilead are being freed, bringing a broader sense of resolution and purpose.
What spiritual component is present in Jade’s experience?
Jade senses Becca’s presence as she arrives in Canada, which can be interpreted as part of her delirium or as Becca’s genuine spiritual presence.
How does Jade perceive Becca upon arriving in Canada?
Jade feels Becca’s presence and knows that Becca is there in spirit, making Becca a kind of angel.
What happens at the end of Aunt Lydia’s story?
Aunt Lydia dies after taking a vial of morphine and narrates her own death, reflecting her completion of freeing Gilead.
How is Aunt Lydia characterized in the novel?
She is portrayed as a hero who has completed her mission.
What does Lydia’s line, ‘I’m petrified even though I’m still living,’ suggest?
It suggests that she feels like a monument of stone, echoing the author’s own fame before her death.
What does Lydia hope for at the end of her life?
She hopes to look over the shoulders of future artists, reflecting Atwood’s own legacy.
How does the ending of the novel relate to Shakespeare’s The Tempest?
It aligns with Prospero putting down his magic staff, symbolizing the end of the playwright’s journey.
What is the significance of Ali’s poem ‘Me, we’?
It raises the question of what makes a poem a poem, emphasizing unity and friendship.
What are some characteristics of poetry?
Poems emphasize language’s musical qualities, use condensed language, and often feature intense feelings.
Can poetry take forms other than lyrical?
Yes, poetry can include visual art and prose poems, which use vivid imagery but are formatted like paragraphs.
What is the relationship between songs and poetry?
While many don’t regard songwriters as poets, lyrics often hold poetic elements that stand alone without music.
What is a prose poem?
A prose poem uses vivid images and wordplay but is formatted like a paragraph.
What does the word ‘poetry’ originally mean?
It comes from the ancient Greek ‘poiesis,’ meaning to create.
What is the main theme of Wallace Stevens’ poem ‘The Snow Man’?
It explores human consciousness in relation to nature and questions the grounds for value.
How does the speaker in ‘The Snow Man’ perceive winter?
The speaker suggests one must have the ‘mind of winter’ to truly regard the cold and barren landscape.
What dual meaning does the word ‘cold’ have in the poem?
It refers to both the physical chill of winter and emotional coldness or lack of compassion.
What does the speaker project onto the environment?
The speaker projects their own sense of misery onto the cold landscape.
What is the speaker projecting onto the landscape?
The speaker is projecting their own sense of misery onto the environment.
Who is the listener in the poem?
The listener can be the reader or the poet, who listens to their surroundings.
What does the speaker hear in the sound of the wind?
The speaker hears misery in the sound of the wind and the sound of a few leaves.
How does the landscape reflect the speaker’s feelings?
The feelings of the speaker are described and depicted by the landscape.
What is enjambment?
Enjambment is when there’s a line break that requires moving to the next line to understand the full meaning.
How does Stevens use enjambment?
Stevens uses enjambment even between stanzas, requiring the reader to continue to the next line for full understanding.
What does the final stanza convey?
The final stanza discusses the listener who beholds nothing that is not there and the nothing that is.
What philosophical idea is presented in the poem?
The poem explores the idea of the self as nothing, where the listener is simply a beholder of the environment.
What does Adam Dickinson believe about poetry’s relevance?
Dickinson believes poetry is needed now more than ever due to its marginalized status, allowing poets to take risks.
What is the focus of Dickinson’s book ‘Anatomic’?
The book examines how the environment affects our bodies through testing for chemicals and microbes.
What is the significance of microbes according to Dickinson?
Some microbes are necessary for the production of neurotransmitters that regulate our moods.
What does Dickinson think about Jason Stefanik’s book?
He finds it phenomenal for its exploration of placeless identity.
What themes does Angela Rawlings explore in her work?
Rawlings is interested in landscapes, ecologies, and their influence on linguistic possibilities.
What is the strength of Canadian poetry right now?
The strength lies in its diversity of approaches, forms, and perspectives that have not been given enough attention.
