- 1. My Father and Myself is a profoundly moving memoir by J. R. Ackerley that intricately explores the complex relationship between the author and his father, a man of strict demeanor and high expectations. The narrative unfolds with Ackerley's candid reflections on his upbringing in a household characterized by his father's authoritative presence and the emotional distance that often defined their interactions. Ackerley delves into the nuances of their relationship, revealing his father's stern yet protective nature, while also grappling with feelings of inadequacy and a longing for approval. As Ackerley recounts his childhood experiences, he paints a vivid picture of the tensions between familial duty and personal desire, highlighting how these dynamics shaped his identity as a writer and as an individual. The memoir is not just a personal reflection but also an exploration of broader themes such as masculinity, love, and the yearning for connection, making it a poignant tribute to both the complexities of father-son relationships and the often unspoken emotional legacies that persist across generations.
Who is the author of 'My Father and Myself'?
A) Christopher Isherwood
B) J. R. Ackerley
C) W. H. Auden
D) E. M. Forster
- 2. What genre is 'My Father and Myself' primarily considered?
A) Biography
B) Memoir
C) Novel
D) Literary criticism
- 3. What was the profession of J. R. Ackerley's father, Roger Ackerley?
A) Banker
B) Army officer
C) Fruit importer
D) Politician
- 4. What major secret about his father's life did Ackerley discover after his death?
A) He had committed a crime.
B) He was a spy.
C) He had a second, secret family.
D) He was not his biological father.
- 5. How is the tone of 'My Father and Myself' often described?
A) Humorous and lighthearted
B) Candid and searching
C) Angry and resentful
D) Sentimental and nostalgic
- 6. Besides being an author, what was J. R. Ackerley's profession for many years?
A) University professor
B) Newspaper reporter
C) Literary editor of The Listener
D) Playwright
- 7. What war did J. R. Ackerley serve in?
A) The Boer War
B) World War II
C) The Korean War
D) World War I
- 8. Ackerley's memoir is also a portrait of which historical period in England?
A) Late Victorian and Edwardian era
B) The Roaring Twenties
C) The Swinging Sixties
D) The Industrial Revolution
- 9. What aspect of his own life does Ackerley contrast with his father's secretive one?
A) His homosexuality
B) His pacifism
C) His financial struggles
D) His literary ambitions
- 10. In which decade was 'My Father and Myself' published?
A) 1970s
B) 1940s
C) 1960s
D) 1950s
- 11. What literary quality is Ackerley particularly praised for in this memoir?
A) Honesty and clarity of prose
B) Use of complex poetic metaphors
C) Experimental narrative structure
D) Extensive use of dialogue
- 12. What was the name of Ackerley's sister?
A) Eleanor
B) Diana
C) Nancy
D) Penelope
- 13. What was the title of Ackerley's well-known book about his dog?
A) Faithful Companion
B) My Dog Tulip
C) The Life of a Dog
D) An Alsatian's Tale
- 14. What did Ackerley's father initially want him to do for a career?
A) Study law
B) Enter the church
C) Join the family business
D) Become a soldier
- 15. Ackerley's work is often associated with which group of writers?
A) The Angry Young Men
B) The Lake Poets
C) The Bloomsbury Group
D) The Beat Generation
- 16. What is the significance of the title 'My Father and Myself'?
A) It is the name of a business they owned.
B) It highlights the central relationship and self-exploration.
C) It refers to a legal document.
D) It is a quote from a poem.
- 17. Ackerley's father served as an officer in which conflict?
A) The Boer War
B) The Indian Rebellion of 1857
C) The Crimean War
D) World War I
- 18. The memoir is considered a classic of what kind of literature?
A) Gay literature
B) War literature
C) Nature writing
D) Travel literature
- 19. What was the name of the woman with whom his father had his second family?
A) Doris Smith
B) Sarah Jenkins
C) Eleanor Rigby
D) Muriel Perry
- 20. In which branch of the military did Ackerley serve?
A) Royal Navy
B) Intelligence Corps
C) British Army
D) Royal Air Force
- 21. What was the rank of Ackerley's father during his own military service?
A) Lieutenant
B) Captain
C) Colonel
D) Major
- 22. When was 'My Father and Myself' published?
A) 1968
B) 1958
C) 1948
D) 1978
- 23. Which other writer was a close friend and influence on Ackerley?
A) D. H. Lawrence
B) Virginia Woolf
C) George Orwell
D) E. M. Forster
- 24. What literary term describes the memoir's structure of moving back and forth in time?
A) Epistolary form
B) Stream of consciousness
C) Bildungsroman
D) Non-linear narrative
- 25. Besides 'My Father and Myself', which of these is another major work by Ackerley?
A) The Naked Civil Servant
B) Hindoo Holiday
C) A Passage to India
D) Goodbye to Berlin
- 26. How many children did Roger Ackerley have with his secret mistress?
A) Four
B) Five
C) Three
D) One
|