Comprehensive Study Guide for the History of World Literature XIX-XX Century
Administrative and Procedural Guidelines for the Final Control Exam
The final control examination for the module "History of World Literature XIX-XX Century" is overseen by the Head of the Department of Russian Language and Literature, Associate Professor . This specific assessment is designated for the date of and is identified under Tour Number , Cipher Number , and Variant . The examination serves to evaluate the student's level of preparedness and to identify specific topics that present difficulties, facilitating their eventual resolution.
The test structure is rigorous, consisting of a total of individual questions. Each correct answer is valued at point, totaling an overall maximum score of points. The grading scale is divided into four distinct categories based on the final point threshold: students scoring between and receive an "unsatisfactory" grade; those scoring between and receive a "satisfactory" grade; scores ranging from to are marked as "good"; and the highest bracket of to points constitutes an "excellent" grade.
Students must adhere to strict formatting rules. Answers must be indicated only with a pen by circling the chosen option from four available choices for each question. No corrections, use of correction fluid (white-out), or crossed-out answers are permitted on the test paper or the corresponding answer sheet. The thematic scope of the questions encompasses the history of world literature throughout the th and th centuries, including mandatory reading lists, lecture materials, practical seminar content, and independent study assignments.
British and German Romanticism and Poetry
Percy Bysshe Shelley, a pivotal figure in English Romanticism, is featured through his lyric-epic works. Information is required regarding the structure of his poem "Queen Mab," specifically the number of songs (cantos) it contains, with options provided as , , , or . Additionally, his other famous long-form works are noted for identification, such as the second famous lyrical-epic poem, with potential titles including "Ode to the West Wind," "Prometheus Unbound," "Arietta for Music," or "The Revolt of Islam."
German Romanticism and subsequent movements are represented by Heinrich Heine and E. T. A. Hoffmann. For Heine, the quiz requires the exact range of years for the composition of his poem "Germany: A Winter's Tale," with choices spanning , , , or . Furthermore, his birth date is a point of concern, with options including December , ; December , ; December , ; or December , . Hoffman's literary style is explored through its defining characteristics, such as "dual-worldliness" (dvoiemirie), the distinction between philistines and enthusiasts, and the technique of the "flickering of meaning."
In the realm of collaborative Romantic works, the transcript highlights the joint efforts of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth, specifically their foundational volume "Lyrical Ballads," as well as other potential titles like "Biographia Literaria," "Sibylline Leaves," or "Monody on the Death of Chatterton." German collaborators Clemens Brentano and Achim von Arnim are identified by their famous shared collection, “The Boy's Magic Horn” (Des Knaben Wunderhorn).
French Literature from the 19th and 20th Centuries
The French literary tradition is covered extensively, starting with the transition into the th century. Central emphasis is placed on François-René de Chateaubriand and his significant works, including "Atala, or the Love of Two Savages in the Desert," "The Martyrs," "René, or the Effects of Passion," and "The Genius of Christianity." Honoré de Balzac's monumental cycle "The Human Comedy" is assessed based on the number of thematic parts or cycles it is divided into, with options ranging from to .
Transitioning into the th century, the transcript addresses the structure of Marcel Proust’s "In Search of Lost Time," questioning whether the cycle consists of , , , or novels. Romain Rolland’s multi-volume work "The Soul Enchanted" is also included, specifically identifying the title of the second book in the series from options like "Summer," "Annette and Sylvia," "Mother and Son," or "The Herald."
The development of French literature in the second half of the th century is categorized chronologically. Students are asked to identify how many distinct periods can be highlighted in this literary process, with choices of , , , or . Additionally, the "New Novel" (nouveau roman) movement in the first half of the th century is credited to its primary founder, with candidates including Robert Merle, Alain Robbe-Grillet, Louis Aragon, and Jean Anouilh. Notable contemporary figures like Louis Aragon are also included, with his birth date being questioned (options: October , ; October , ; November , ; or November , ).
American Literature, Realism, and the Lost Generation
American literature is surveyed through its progression from early Romanticism to mid-th-century works. The "Mature" stage of American Romanticism is defined by a specific timeframe, with options including , , , or . Notable early figures include James Fenimore Cooper, specifically his "Indian Cycle" of novels (, , , and ), and Edgar Allan Poe, who is noted for introducing the "internal rhyme" to world poetry.
The "Lost Generation" is a focal point of the exam, characterized by three key world-class works that served as its foundation: Ernest Hemingway’s "A Farewell to Arms," Richard Aldington’s "Death of a Hero," and Erich Maria Remarque’s "All Quiet on the Western Front." Hemingway’s later career is also touched upon regarding his Nobel Prize for Literature, which he received for the novella "The Old Man and the Sea."
Realism and modernism in the American context include Theodore Dreiser’s "An American Tragedy," specifically its primary setting in the town of Lycurgus. The transcript also mentions J.D. Salinger’s "The Catcher in the Rye," focusing on the protagonist Holden Caulfield and his former romantic interest, Jane Gallagher. Kurt Vonnegut’s postmodern work "Slaughterhouse-Five, or The Children's Crusade" is represented by protagonist Billy Pilgrim and the science fiction element of being abducted by aliens from the planet Tralfamadore.
Modern Drama and Post-War World Fiction
The examination includes a substantial focus on th-century drama. Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s play "The Physicists" is identified by its writing year () and its primary characters: Newton, Einstein, and Möbius. Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot,” a landmark of the Theatre of the Absurd, centers on Vladimir and Estragon. Edward Albee’s "The Zoo Story" features the characters Peter and Jerry, while Bernard Shaw’s "Heartbreak House" is analyzed by its act structure—, , , or acts. In English drama, John Osborne’s "Look Back in Anger" is identified through its characters: Cliff Lewis, Jimmy Porter, Colonel Redfern, and Alison Charles.
In fiction, the transcript highlights William Golding’s "Lord of the Flies," noting its publication year as and the leadership conflict between Ralph and Jack. The structural makeup of Charles Dickens’ "Oliver Twist" is also questioned regarding the total number of chapters it contains, with options of , , , or . Sir Walter Scott’s historical novels are tested by identifying characters who do or do not belong to them, listing Ulrica, Marmion, Rowena, and Rebecca. Heinrich Böll’s "The Clown" is associated with its setting in the city of Bonn, and Max Frisch’s novel "Stiller" is noted for its non-traditional narrative form consisting of diaries.
Finally, the transcript addresses Graham Greene's "Dr. Fischer of Geneva or The Bomb Party," focusing on the identity of Dr. Fischer's daughter, named Anna-Luise. In American tragedy, Eugene O'Neill’s "Desire Under the Elms" features the protagonist Ephraim Cabot and his sons, whose count—, , , or —is a subject of the exam. The post-war German literary landscape is also represented by the assembly "Group ," which modeled itself after a previous generational grouping of writers, specifically the "Generation of '".