- 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) E. M. Forster
D) W. H. Auden
- 2. What genre is 'My Father and Myself' primarily considered?
A) Biography
B) Literary criticism
C) Novel
D) Memoir
- 3. What was the profession of J. R. Ackerley's father, Roger Ackerley?
A) Fruit importer
B) Banker
C) Army officer
D) Politician
- 4. What major secret about his father's life did Ackerley discover after his death?
A) He was not his biological father.
B) He was a spy.
C) He had a second, secret family.
D) He had committed a crime.
- 5. How is the tone of 'My Father and Myself' often described?
A) Angry and resentful
B) Sentimental and nostalgic
C) Humorous and lighthearted
D) Candid and searching
- 6. Besides being an author, what was J. R. Ackerley's profession for many years?
A) Literary editor of The Listener
B) University professor
C) Playwright
D) Newspaper reporter
- 7. What war did J. R. Ackerley serve in?
A) World War II
B) World War I
C) The Boer War
D) The Korean War
- 8. Ackerley's memoir is also a portrait of which historical period in England?
A) The Industrial Revolution
B) The Swinging Sixties
C) Late Victorian and Edwardian era
D) The Roaring Twenties
- 9. What aspect of his own life does Ackerley contrast with his father's secretive one?
A) His pacifism
B) His literary ambitions
C) His homosexuality
D) His financial struggles
- 10. In which decade was 'My Father and Myself' published?
A) 1960s
B) 1940s
C) 1970s
D) 1950s
- 11. What literary quality is Ackerley particularly praised for in this memoir?
A) Honesty and clarity of prose
B) Extensive use of dialogue
C) Use of complex poetic metaphors
D) Experimental narrative structure
- 12. What was the name of Ackerley's sister?
A) Penelope
B) Nancy
C) Diana
D) Eleanor
- 13. What was the title of Ackerley's well-known book about his dog?
A) An Alsatian's Tale
B) Faithful Companion
C) My Dog Tulip
D) The Life of a Dog
- 14. What did Ackerley's father initially want him to do for a career?
A) Join the family business
B) Become a soldier
C) Study law
D) Enter the church
- 15. Ackerley's work is often associated with which group of writers?
A) The Bloomsbury Group
B) The Angry Young Men
C) The Beat Generation
D) The Lake Poets
- 16. What is the significance of the title 'My Father and Myself'?
A) It refers to a legal document.
B) It highlights the central relationship and self-exploration.
C) It is the name of a business they owned.
D) It is a quote from a poem.
- 17. Ackerley's father served as an officer in which conflict?
A) The Indian Rebellion of 1857
B) The Crimean War
C) World War I
D) The Boer War
- 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) Sarah Jenkins
B) Muriel Perry
C) Eleanor Rigby
D) Doris Smith
- 20. In which branch of the military did Ackerley serve?
A) Royal Navy
B) British Army
C) Royal Air Force
D) Intelligence Corps
- 21. What was the rank of Ackerley's father during his own military service?
A) Captain
B) Lieutenant
C) Colonel
D) Major
- 22. When was 'My Father and Myself' published?
A) 1958
B) 1948
C) 1968
D) 1978
- 23. Which other writer was a close friend and influence on Ackerley?
A) D. H. Lawrence
B) E. M. Forster
C) George Orwell
D) Virginia Woolf
- 24. What literary term describes the memoir's structure of moving back and forth in time?
A) Bildungsroman
B) Epistolary form
C) Non-linear narrative
D) Stream of consciousness
- 25. Besides 'My Father and Myself', which of these is another major work by Ackerley?
A) Goodbye to Berlin
B) Hindoo Holiday
C) A Passage to India
D) The Naked Civil Servant
- 26. How many children did Roger Ackerley have with his secret mistress?
A) Four
B) One
C) Three
D) Five
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