English 10 Midterm

What are the key traits of the Romantic Period (1776–1870)?

A reaction against Enlightenment rationalism and the Industrial Revolution, emphasizing emotion, individualism, and nature.

What does 'American Romanticism' explore?

The unique American identity, imagination, and the darker aspects of human nature.

What is the main idea of 'Bartleby the Scrivener' by Herman Melville?

The emotional emptiness of capitalist systems leads to total human isolation and the decay of the individual.

What does the character Bartleby symbolize in Melville's story?

Passive resistance against the routine-driven work of the Industrial Revolution.

What does Modernism (1910–1950) characterize?

A disruption of traditional stabilities like religion and society, often marked by pessimism and fragmentation.

What literary technique is associated with Modernism?

Interiority, or stream of consciousness, to reveal unfiltered thoughts.

What does 'Life of Ma Parker' by Katherine Mansfield represent?

Exhibits Modernist pessimism and the chaotic inner life of individuals.

What is the main theme of 'The Garden Party' by Katherine Mansfield?

The disconnect between the privileged upper-class life and the reality of human suffering.

What do selected poems by Langston Hughes and Claude McKay address?

The struggle for identity and dignity within systems of racial and economic oppression.

What does Marx mean by 'estranged labor'?

How workers become alienated from their work, themselves, and nature under capitalism.

What does 'Work Won't Love You Back' by Sarah Jaffe critique?

The ideology of expecting emotional fulfillment from work, which perpetuates exploitation.

What is the central message of 'A Raisin in the Sun' by Lorraine Hansberry?

Family unity and human dignity are more valuable than financial security bought through humiliation.

What is the significance of the term 'Kitchenette' in social realism?

It signifies small, overcrowded apartments that reflect the deferred dreams and struggles of the working class.

What does the term 'alienation' refer to in Marxist theory?

The separation of workers from their products, the act of working, their own humanity, and their social relationships.

What is the 'Harlem Renaissance'?

An explosion of African American creativity in the 1920s, focused on self-definition and cultural expression.

What does Social Realism focus on?

The lives of poor and working-class people, critiquing societal structures that perpetuate inequality.

What is the role of ideology in literature?

It serves as a lens for understanding the worldviews that shape characters and narratives.

What is the literary significance of 'Modernism'?

It breaks away from past traditions, questioning societal norms in response to rapid changes in the world.

What does 'alienation from the act of working' mean in Marx's theory?

Work feels forced rather than chosen, draining the worker of self-expression and fulfillment.

What does the term 'fragmentation' refer to in Modernist literature?

The disjointed structure of a narrative, reflecting the chaotic experience of modern life.

What is 'interiority' in the context of Modernism?

The exploration of a character's inner thoughts and feelings, often through stream of consciousness.

How does the concept of capitalism relate to estranged labor?

Under capitalism, workers produce more but lose value and connection to their labor and products.

What does the character Laura Sheridan represent in 'The Garden Party'?

The awareness of class divisions and the moral implications of privilege and indifference.

What is the concept of 'decay of character' in Modernist literature?

The breakdown of traditional moral values and social order, representing chaos and loss of meaning.

What is the importance of 'intimate labor'?

Work that requires emotional or physical closeness, blurring the lines between personal care and paid work.

What does Jaffe suggest about 'Do What You Love' ideology?

It is often a misleading concept used to justify low wages and poor working conditions.

What key themes are present in 'Puerto Rican Obituary' by Pedro Pietri?

Exploitation of workers and the critique of the American Dream, reflecting on unmet aspirations.

What narrative does 'God to Hungry Child' by Langston Hughes present?

A critique of society prioritizing capital over basic human needs.

What does the concept of 'death of the author' in literary theory imply?

The author’s intent is irrelevant once a text is published; meaning resides with the reader.

What literary movement does 'Bartleby the Scrivener' belong to?

American Romanticism.

What thematic element does 'Brass Spittoons' by Langston Hughes explore?

The dignity found amidst dehumanizing labor.

What structural element does the 'Kitchenette' represent in literature?

The physical representation of socioeconomic struggles faced by marginalized communities.

How does 'The Harlem Dancer' by Claude McKay highlight objectification?

By contrasting the dancer's outward grace with her inner exhaustion and the emotional toll of performance.

What sociopolitical critique is offered in 'A Raisin in the Sun'?

The exploration of social injustice and disillusionment with the American Dream.

How does 'estranged labor' impact workers, according to Marx?

It enforces a diminished sense of self-worth as workers become alienated from their labor.

What concept does Katherine Mansfield's work respond to?

Class consciousness and the inner lives of working-class individuals.

What role did Redlining play in housing inequality?

It denied home loans to Black neighborhoods, perpetuating systemic racism and economic disadvantage.