- 1. Anatomy of Criticism, written by the renowned Canadian literary critic Northrop Frye and published in 1957, is a foundational text in the field of literary theory that seeks to offer a comprehensive framework for understanding literature and its various forms. In this influential work, Frye proposes that literature can be understood through a series of archetypes and genres, drawing connections between myth, symbolism, and cultural expressions. He delineates a systematic approach to literary criticism by categorizing literary works into distinct modes, such as mythic, romantic, and ironic, while exploring the relationship between literature and human experience. Frye's analytical outlook emphasizes the importance of patterns within literary texts, advocating for a structured approach to criticism that goes beyond mere historical or biographical analysis. His assertion that literature exists in a context of interconnected narratives allows readers and critics alike to appreciate the depth and universality of literary themes, making Anatomy of Criticism a pivotal text for scholars and students alike who seek to unravel the complexities of literary works and their implications in the human condition.
According to Frye, what are the four main narrative patterns, or 'mythoi'?
A) Myth, Legend, Folktale, and Fable. B) Romance, Tragedy, Irony/Satire, and Comedy. C) Realism, Naturalism, Romanticism, and Modernism. D) Epic, Lyric, Drama, and Novel.
- 2. In which literary season does the mythos of comedy primarily occur?
A) Summer. B) Winter. C) Spring. D) Autumn.
- 3. Frye's concept of 'archetype' refers to what?
A) A highly original and unique character. B) A recurring symbol, character, or pattern in literature. C) The original manuscript of a literary work. D) The psychological profile of an author.
- 4. The mythos of romance is most closely associated with which season?
A) Summer. B) Autumn. C) Winter. D) Spring.
- 5. What is the primary theme or concern of the mythos of irony and satire?
A) The triumphant victory of good over evil. B) The absurdity and chaos of human experience. C) The noble sacrifice of a leader. D) The integration of the hero into society.
- 6. In which mode are characters presented as inferior in power or intelligence to the reader?
A) Romantic. B) High Mimetic. C) Mythic. D) Ironic.
- 7. What does Frye call the ultimate goal or unifying principle that literature points toward?
A) The ironic world of experience. B) The apocalyptic world of desire. C) The mimetic world of reality. D) The historical world of fact.
- 8. Which of Frye's mythoi is associated with the imagery of winter and darkness?
A) Tragedy. B) Irony and Satire. C) Comedy. D) Romance.
- 9. Frye's theory is often described as what type of criticism?
A) Archetypal Criticism. B) Reader-Response Criticism. C) Marxist Criticism. D) Deconstruction.
- 10. In the tragic mythos, what is the typical role of the 'sparagmos'?
A) The romantic union of lovers. B) The hero's final moment of recognition. C) The comic resolution of the plot. D) The tearing apart or dismemberment of the hero.
- 11. What are Frye's four phases of symbolism?
A) Literal, Descriptive, Formal, Anagogic B) Personal, Social, Universal, Cosmic C) Symbolic, Allegorical, Moral, Anagogical D) Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Quaternary
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