01-12年自考英美文学英国部分问答题.doc

1. What is the theme of Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice ?(12-.45) Pride and Prejudice, originally drafted as “First Imperssions”in 1796, is the most delightful of Jane Austens works.(3分). The title tells of a major concern of the novel: Pride and prejudice. (3分)2. What does the poem “ The Chimney Sweeper (from Songs of Experience)” reveal?(12-46)The two “Chimney Sweeper”poems are good examples to reveal the relation between an economic circumstance, i.e. the exploitation of child labor.(2分) and an ideological circumstance, i.e. the role played by religion in making people compliant to exploitation.(2分) The poem from the Songs of Experience reveals the true nature of religion which helps bring misery to the poor childern.(2分)3. Discuss briefly Thomas Hardys literary achievement in terms of setting, the literary tendency and literary features. (12-49)A. Hardys novels are all Victorian in date. Most of them are set in Wessex, the fictional primitive and crude rural region which is really the home place he both loves and hates, such as The Return of the Native, Tess of the DUrbervilles, Jude the Obscure. These works, known as “novels of character and environment,”are the most representative of him as both a naturalistic and a critical realist writer. (3分)B. Living at the turn of the century, Hardy is often regarded as a transitional writer. In him we see the influence from both the past and the modern. The pessimistic view of life predominates most of Hardys later works and earns him a reputation as a naturalistic writer. Though naturalism seems to have played an important part in Hardys works, there is also bitter and sharp criticism and even open challenge of the irrational, hypocritical and unfair Victorian institutions, conventions and morals.(4分)C. He tells very good stories and he is a great painter of nature. His heroes and heroines, those unfortunate young men and women in their desperate struggle for personal fulfillment and happiness, are all vividly and realistically depicted. And all the works of Hardy are noted for the rustic dialect and a poetic flavor which fits well into their perfectly designed architectural structures. They are the product of a conscientious artist. (3分)4. Whats the theme of Emily Bronte s Wuthering Heights? (11-45)A. The novel is a riddle which means different things to different people. B. From a social point of view, it is a story about a poor man abused; C. As a love story, beautiful and horrible passion in human beings. A、B、C三各点2分。语言错误酌情扣分。5. It is said that B. Shaw s play Mrs. Warren s Profession, has a strong realistic theme, which fully reflects the dramatists Fabianist idea. Whats the theme of the work?(11-46)A. As one of the influential members of the Fabian Society, Shaw regarded the establishment of socialism by the emancipation of land and industrial capital from individual and class ownership as the final goal. B. As a realistic dramatist, he took the modern social issues as his subjects. Most of his plays are concerned with political, economic, moral, or religious problems. C. Mrs. Warrens Profession is a play about the economic oppression of women. A、B、C三各点2分。语言错误酌情扣分。6. Make a comment on the character of Jane Eyre, the heroine of the novel by Charlotte Bronte.(11-49)A. Jane Eyre is an orphan child with a fiery spirit and a longing for love and be loved. (3分) B. She is a poor, plain, little governess who dares to love her master and cuts a completely new woman image. (3分) C. Jane Eyre represent those middle-class working women who are struggling for recognition of their basic rights and equality as a human being. (4分) 语言错误酌情扣分。7. Working through the tradition of a Christian humanism, Milton wrote Paradise Lost, intending to expose the ways of Satan and to “justify the ways of God to men. ” What is Milton s fundamental concern in Paradise Lost? (10-45)At the center of the conflict between human love and spiritual duty lies Miltons fundamental concern with freedom and choice.The theme is the Fall of Man, i.e. mans disobedience and the loss of Paradise.In the fall of man Adam discovered his full humanity. The freedom of the will is the keystone of Miltons creed.8. Briefly introduce Blake s Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience.(10-46)The Songs of Innocence (1809) is a lovely volume of poems, presenting a happy and innocent world, though not without its evils and sufferings. His Songs of Experience (1794) paints a different world, a world of misery, poverty, disease, war and repression with a melancholy tone. Childhood is central to Blakes concern in the Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience.9. Why is Hardy regarded as a naturalistic writer in English literature? Discuss in relation to his novels you know.(10-49)A. He read Darwins The Origin of Species and accepted the idea of survival of the fittest. He was also influenced by Spencers The First Principle, which led him to the belief that mans fate is predeterminedly tragic, driven by a combined force of nature, both inside and outside. In his works, man is shown inevitably bound by his won inherent nature and hereditary traits which prompt him to go and search for some specific happiness or success and set him in conflict with the environment. Man proves impotent before Fate, however he tries, and he seldom escapes his ordained destiny. This pessimistic view of life predominates most of Hardys later works and earns him a reputation as a naturalistic writer.B. His best local-colored works are his later ones, such as The Return of the Native (1878), The Trumpet Major (1880), The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886), The Woodlanders (1887), Tess of the DUrbervilles and Jude the Obscure. These works, known as novels of character and environment, are the most representative of him as both a naturalistic and a critical realist writer.10. List at least two leading neoclassicists in England. What did Neoclassicists celebrate in literary creation? (09-45)A. Alexander Pope, John Dryden, Samuel Johnson (任选2位作家). (2分) B. They believed that the artistic ideals should be order, logic, restrained emotion and accuracy and that literature should be judged in terms of its service to humanity. (2分) They seek proportion, unity, harmony and grace in literacy expression, in an effort to delight, instruct and correct human beings. Thus a polite, elegant, witty and intellectual art developed. (2分)11. Jane Eyre is one of the most popular and important novels of the Victorian Age. Why is Jane Eyre such a successful novel? (09-46)A. It is noted for its sharp criticism of the existing society. (2分) B. It is an intense moral fable. (2分) C. The success of the novel is also due to its introduction to the English novel the first governess heroine. (2分)12. Briefly discuss William Shakespeares artistic achievements in characterization, plot construction and language. (09-49)A. Shakespeares major characters are neither merely individual ones nor type ones; they represent certain types; they are individuals representing certain types. By employing a psycho-analytical approach, Shakespeare succeeds in exploring the characters inner world. Shakespeare also portrays his characters in pairs. Contrasts are frequently used to bring vividness to his characters. (3分) B. Shakespeare seldom invents his own plot; instead, he borrows them from old plays or storybooks, from ancient Greek or Roman sources. In order to make the play more lively and compact, he would shorten the time and intensify the story. There are usually several clues running through the play, thus providing the story with the suspense and apprehension. (3分) C. Shakespeare can write skillfully in different poetic forms, such as the sonnet, the blank verse and the rhymed couplet. He has an amazing wealth of vocabulary and idiom. His coinage of new words and distortion of the meaning of the old words also creates striking effects on the readers. (4分)13. “My boy! said the old gentleman, leaning over the desk. Oliver stated at the sound. He might be excused for doing so, for the words were kindly said, and strange sounds frighten one. He trembled violently, and burst into tears.”（from Charles Dickens Oliver Twist）Explain why Oliver Twist started first, then trembled violently and burst into tears when the words were “kindly” said. (08-45)同(01-45)The boy started at the words because kind words were not expected; it is (was, must be) the first time in all his life that Oliver Twist had ever been “kindly” greeted; strange sounds may predict another suffering/misfortune/torture.论述占4分，例子占2分，语言错误酌情扣分。14. It is said that B. Shaws play, Mrs. Warrens Profession, has a strong realistic theme, which fully reflects the dramatists Fabianist idea. Try to summarize this theme briefly.（08-46）同（11-46）15. Daniel Defoes novel Robinson Crusoe was a great success partly because the protagonist was a real middle-class hero. Discuss Crusoe, the protagonist of the novel, as an embodiment of the rising middle-class virtues in the mid-eighteenth century England.（08-49）A. Social background: The Eighteenth Century England witnessed the growing importance of the bourgeois or middle class.a. The Industrial Revolutionb. The expansion of international markets;c. Values/virtues/ moral standards/- different from those of the feudal aristocratic class- courageous, full of energy, hard working, practical, resourceful, self-reliant,etc.d. Literature should give/provide a realistic presentation of the life of the common people; it should meet the demand/interest of the middle class people.B. Robinson Crusoe embodies the virtues of the middle class people.a. Crusoe as an adventurous/courageous man full of energy and courage(example from the text);b. Crusoe as a practical man (example from the text);c. Crusoe as a resourceful/self-reliant man(example from the text);d. Crusoe as a patient/persistent man (example from the text);e. And others.A、B两点各5分。语言错误酌情扣分16. William Shakespeare is one of the most remarkable playwrights the world has ever known.( 1) Name his four greatest tragedies.(2) What are the characteristics of the four tragedies in common?(3) Briefly summarize each hero s weakness of nature. (07-45)A. Shakespeares four greatest tragedies are: Hamlet, Othello, King Lear,and Macbeth.B. Each portrays somke noble hero, who faces the injustice of human life and is caught in a difficult situation and whose fate is closely connected with the fate of the whole nation.C. Each hero has his weakness of nature: Hamlet, the melancholic scholar; Othello s inner weakness is made use of by the outside evil force; the old king Lear who is unwilling to totally give up his power; and Macbeth s lust for power stirs up his ambition and leads him to incessant crimes.17. Analyze the character of Jane Eyre based on the selection taken from Chapter X X of Jane Eyre.(07-49) A. Jane Eyre, an orphan child with a fiery spirit and a longing to love and be loved, a poor, plain,little governess who dares to love her master.B. In Chapter X X , Jane finds herself hopelessly in love with Mr. Rochester but she is aware that her love is out of the question. When forced to confront Mr. Rochester, she desperately and openly declares her equality with him and her love for him.18. English Romanticism is generally said to have begun in 1798 with the publication of Wordsworth and Coleridge s Lyrical Ballads.Why is Lyrical Ballads considered the milestone to mark the beginning of English Romanticism?（06-46）A. In this book, Wordsworth and Coleridge explored new theories and innovated new techniques in poetry writing.B. The preface to the Lyrical Ballads acts as a manifesto for the new school. In the preface, Wordsworth defines poetry and poets.C. Wordsworths poems in this book differ in marked ways from his early poetry: simplicity of the language, sympathy for the poor, and expressions of inward states of mind. 以上三点各2分，语言错误酌情扣分19. Under the influence of the leading romantic thinkers like Kant and the Post-Kantians, Romanticists demonstrated a strong reaction against the dominant modes of thinking of the 18th century s Neo - classicists. Discuss, in relation to the works you know, the difference between Romanticism and Neo- classicism.(06-49)A. Neo-classicists upheld that artistic ideals should be order, logic, restrained emotion and accuracy, and that literature should be judged in terms of its service to humanity, and thus, literary expressions should be of proportion, unity, harmony and grace. Popes An Essay on Criticism advocates grace, wit (usually through satire/humour), and simplicity in language(and the poem itself is a demonstration of those ideals, too); Fieldings Tom Jones helped establish the form of novel; Grays “Elegy Written in a Country Churcbyard” displays elegance in style, unified structure, serious tone and moral instruction.B. Romanticists tended to see the individual as the very center of all experience, including art, and thus, literary work should be “spontaneous overflow of strong feelings,” and no matter how fragmentary those experiences were (Wordsworths “I wandered Lonely as a Cloud, ” or “The Solitary Reaper,” or Coleridges “Kubla Khan” , the value of the work lied in the accuracy of presenting those unique feelings and particular attitudes.C. In a word, Neo-classicism emphasixed rationality and form but Romanticism attached great importance to the individuals mind (emotion, imagination, temporary experience-) A、B两点各4分，C点2分，语言犯错误酌情扣分。20. As a rule, an allegory is a story in verse or prose with a double meaning: a surface meaning, and an implied meaning. List two works as examples of allegory. What is the implied meaning an allegory is usually concerned with? （05-45） A. Bunyans Pilgrims Progress and Spensers The Faerie Queene, etc B. it is usually concerned with moral，religious，political，symbolic or mythical ideas. A点2分，B点4分。21. “Let it not be supposed by the enemies of the system , that during the period of his solitary incarceration, Oliver was denied the benefit of exercise, the pleasure of society, or the advantages of religious consolation.” What do you think Charles Dickens intends to say in the above ironic statement taken from Oliver Twist? （05-46）A. The sentence is a typical example of ironyWhat Dickens intends to say is just the opposite of the sentences literal meaning B. For the“benefit”of exercise，Oliver was whipped every morning in a stone yard；for the“pleasureof society，he was carried every other day into the dining hall and flogged as a public warning and example to the boys；and as for the“advantages of religious consolation，he was kicked into the same apartment every evening at prayer time and listened to the boysprayer to be guarded against his sins and vices C. The ironic statement is，in fact，a bitter denunciation and fierce attack at the brutal，inhuman treatment of the poor orphan by the workhouse authority. A、B、C三点各占2分；只李考生答对任意两点即可给满分。语言错误酌情扣分22. Elizabeth Bennet, the heroine in Pride and Prejudice, is often regarded as the most successful character created by Jane Austen. Make a brief comment on Elizabeths character. (05-49) A. Elizabeth is clever，alert，observantShe is more observant and less charitable than Jane in recognizing the Characters of Bingleys sistersShe recognizes MrCollinscharacter in his letter and after meeting him turns down firmly and with dignity his patronizing proposalShe is able to match wits with Darcy several times and with Colonel Fitzwilliam，earning their respect and admiration BFearless and frank，not rattled by the attack of Lady Catherine de Bourgh，she wins a notable victory, sending her Ladyship away completely routedShe is independent but not infallible in her judgment-taken in by the charm of the worthless WickhamShe cannot be blamed for misjudging Darcy CShe shows flexibility，discernment，and honesty of mind when she reads Darcys defense in his letter and admits the justice of mach of what he saysThus beginning to lose her prejudice against himShe recognizes and values true worth when She encounters it in Jane，the Gardiners，and，near the end of the novel，in DarcyShe sees more clearly than her father the danger of sending Lydia to Brighton DShe is able to control her emotions at times of stress-when she first encounters Darcy at Pemberley；when she realizes that she loves Darcy and has good reason to fear that She has lost him，She waits without repining for time to bring a solutionShe is witty，funloving，recognizes humor in herself and in others，but ridiculing only folly，nonsense，and inconsistencies. She recognizes the follies of her own family and their shortcomings as well as their virtuesEShe is considerate of others but quite capable of asserting herself when occasion demandsShe has a playful and unaffected manner，sunny disposition，natural animation，sense of fun，and sweet reasonablenessShe is ready to laugh at herself and everything save What is Wise and goodShe Shows a sense of humor by telling what Darcy has said about her at the Meryton ball. A、B、C、D、E五点各2分；只要考生答对任意三点即可给满分。语言错误酌情扣分23. It is said that B. Shaws play, Mrs. Warrens Profession, has a strong realistic theme, which fully reflects the dramatists Fabianist idea. Try to summarize this theme briefly.（04-45）（11-46）（08-46）24. Emily Bronte used a very complicated narrative technique in writing her novel Wuthering Heights. Try to tell Brontes way of narration briefly.（04-46）A. Emily Bronte starts the story from towards the end when Heathcliff is master of both Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange and little Cathy and Harctor are still in his clutch, and then goes back to the very beginning and mov