Emerson - The American Scholar, Faulkner - Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech, Thoreau - Walden, James Thurber - The Owl in the Attic - Question Bank
1. James Thurber's humor often relies on his keen observation of:
2. Thoreau's famous quote, 'The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation,' is a critique of:
3. Faulkner insists that the writer must write of the human heart 'not merely with malice, but with malice toward none.' What does this imply?
4. Emerson's address 'The American Scholar' was delivered at what institution?
5. Which of the following best describes the tone of James Thurber's 'The Owl in the Attic'?
6. Thoreau's experience at Walden Pond was an experiment in:
7. Faulkner's Nobel Prize speech is a testament to his belief in the enduring power of:
8. What does Emerson mean by the 'Past' as an influence on the scholar?
9. James Thurber's essays, like 'The Owl in the Attic,' are often classified as:
10. Thoreau's decision to live at Walden Pond was influenced by his belief in:
11. Faulkner uses the phrase 'the human heart in conflict with itself' to describe the core subject of literature. This implies:
12. In 'The American Scholar,' Emerson argues that the scholar's authority comes from:
13. The humor in Thurber's 'The Owl in the Attic' often arises from the contrast between:
14. Thoreau's critique of 'progress' in 'Walden' is directed at:
15. What literary device does Faulkner employ when he speaks of the 'old verities and truths' that may be 'forgotten'? This suggests a focus on timeless values.
16. Emerson's concept of the scholar as a 'Man Thinking' implies that the scholar's primary function is:
17. James Thurber's illustrations often complement his writing. What is a common characteristic of his drawings?
18. Thoreau's chapter 'Economy' in 'Walden' primarily discusses:
19. Faulkner's Nobel Prize speech was delivered in 1950. What major global context might have influenced his reflections on the human condition?
20. In 'The American Scholar,' Emerson emphasizes the importance of the scholar's individual intuition and experience over:
21. James Thurber's writing style is often described as:
22. Thoreau's retreat to Walden Pond was a deliberate act of:
23. Faulkner, in his Nobel speech, argues that the writer's role is to affirm the dignity and resilience of:
24. Emerson's 'The American Scholar' can be seen as a call to action for intellectuals to:
25. Which of the following is a recurring motif in Thurber's work?
26. The title 'The Owl in the Attic' itself suggests a sense of:
27. What kind of characters does Thurber typically create?
28. Thurber's writing is known for its unique blend of humor and what other element?
29. In 'The Owl in the Attic,' Thurber often employs a gentle, observational style. What is a common target of his gentle mockery?
30. What is the central subject of James Thurber's humor in many of his works, including 'The Owl in the Attic'?
31. James Thurber's 'The Owl in the Attic' is primarily characterized by its:
32. What economic philosophy does Thoreau explore and implicitly critique in 'Walden'?
33. What is the significance of the bean-field in Thoreau's 'Walden'?
34. Thoreau famously states, 'Simplify, simplify.' What is he advocating for?
35. In 'Walden,' Thoreau critiques the 'lives of quiet desperation' led by most people. What is he referring to?
36. What does Thoreau mean when he says, 'I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately'?
37. Thoreau's experiment at Walden Pond was an attempt to:
38. What is the central theme of Henry David Thoreau's 'Walden'?
39. In his Nobel speech, Faulkner emphasizes that the writer's work should be about the 'universal man.' What does he mean by this?
40. Faulkner expresses concern about the 'fear' that writers face. What kind of fear does he primarily allude to?
41. What does Faulkner suggest is the only thing 'worth writing about'?
42. Faulkner states that the writer's duty is to help man endure by giving him 'courage and hope.' What does he see as the ultimate themes of literature?
43. William Faulkner, in his Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech, addresses the 'great, disturbing, and often terrifying truths' of the human condition. What does he believe is the writer's role in confronting these truths?
44. In 'The American Scholar,' Emerson critiques the scholar's tendency to be overly reliant on what?
45. Emerson urges the scholar to overcome conformity and develop self-reliance. What key concept does he emphasize for this?
46. What does Emerson mean by 'Action' as an influence on the scholar?
47. According to Emerson in 'The American Scholar,' what three influences shape the scholar?
48. Emerson's 'The American Scholar' is also famously known by what other title?
49. In Ralph Waldo Emerson's 'The American Scholar,' what is the primary role of the scholar?