- 1. Eminent Victorians, written by Lytton Strachey and published in 1918, is a pioneering work of biography that offers a critical and often irreverent examination of the lives of four prominent figures from the Victorian era: Cardinal Manning, Florence Nightingale, Thomas Arnold, and Dr. Samuel Butler. Strachey, through his keen insights and distinctive prose style, challenges the conventional hagiographies of the time, presenting his subjects with a blend of admiration and skepticism. He deftly explores the complexities of their characters, revealing the often contradictory nature of their public personas and personal lives. For instance, he portrays Florence Nightingale not just as the saintly figure known for her contributions to nursing but also as a strong-willed and sometimes controversial individual with her own ambitions. Strachey's work is notable not only for its biographical content but also for its innovative approach to narrative, blending incisive social critique with a literary flair that has influenced subsequent biographical writing. His witty and engaging style invites readers to reconsider the legacies of these historical figures, making Eminent Victorians a seminal text that remains relevant for its exploration of the interplay between individual lives and the wider societal values of the period.
What is the main theme of 'Eminent Victorians'?
A) Travel narrative
B) Biographical critique of Victorian figures
C) Poetry analysis
D) Historical fiction
- 2. What is the structure of 'Eminent Victorians'?
A) Biographical essays
B) A historical timeline
C) A series of poems
D) A singular narrative
- 3. In which year was 'Eminent Victorians' published?
A) 1932
B) 1901
C) 1918
D) 1925
- 4. What is Strachey's critique primarily focused on?
A) The successes of the Victorian regime
B) The hypocrisy of the Victorian era
C) International politics
D) Victorian literature
- 5. Which figure is depicted as a military hero in the book?
A) General Gordon
B) Charles Grey
C) Thomas Arnold
D) Samuel Butler
- 6. What literary movement is Strachey associated with?
A) Victorianism
B) Realism
C) Modernism
D) Romanticism
- 7. Strachey was part of which literary group?
A) The Romantics
B) The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood
C) The Bloomsbury Group
D) The Inklings
- 8. Who is the author of 'Eminent Victorians'?
A) George Orwell
B) Lytton Strachey
C) Virginia Woolf
D) H.G. Wells
- 9. What literary technique does Strachey frequently employ?
A) Juxtaposition
B) Allegory
C) Metaphor
D) Alliteration
- 10. What tone does Strachey often maintain in his critiques?
A) Sentimental
B) Optimistic
C) Nostalgic
D) Cynical
- 11. Which Victorian figure is known for modern nursing?
A) Florence Nightingale
B) Cardinal Manning
C) John Stuart Mill
D) Thomas Arnold
- 12. Strachey's writing style in 'Eminent Victorians' is often characterized as:
A) Technical and dry
B) Dull and pedantic
C) Witty and ironic
D) Overly sentimental
- 13. 'Eminent Victorians' includes a portrayal of which educational figure?
A) Thomas Arnold
B) George MacDonald
C) John Henry Newman
D) Matthew Arnold
- 14. Cardinal Manning was associated with which institution?
A) The Baptist Church
B) The Methodist Church
C) The Anglican Church
D) The Catholic Church
- 15. Strachey's view of the Victorian era is largely:
A) Critical and ironic
B) Unbiased and neutral
C) Positive and celebratory
D) Romantic and nostalgic
- 16. In which city did Lytton Strachey primarily write 'Eminent Victorians'?
A) Paris
B) London
C) Cambridge
D) Oxford
- 17. What kind of research did Strachey conduct for his biographies?
A) Field research
B) Extensive archival research
C) No research at all
D) Only interviews
- 18. What literary device does Strachey frequently utilize?
A) Game theory
B) Anecdotes
C) Mathematics
D) Allegory
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