Literary Analysis and Historical Speeches: A Comprehensive Guide
Frankenstein
5.1.2 REVIEW
P.Which aspect of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein most clearly indicates that the Industrial Revolution influenced the story?
R.Recent scientific breakthroughs inspire Frankenstein to study the nature of life.
R.Frankenstein looks upon his monstrous creation with horror and disgust.
R.Frankenstein suffers mental torture from his guilt while his monster tortures others for vengeance.
Common Notion from Historical Context
P.Read the following passage from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein:Who shall conceive the horrors of my secret toil, as I dabbled among the unhallowed damps of the grave, or tortured the living animal to animate the lifeless clay? My limbs now tremble and my eyes swim with the remembrance; but then a resistless and almost frantic impulse urged me forward; I seemed to have lost all soul or sensation but for this one pursuit.Which common notion from the historical context surrounding Frankenstein does this excerpt most clearly show?
R.Scientists were willing to do anything to further their pursuit of knowledge.
R.Scientists were willing to interfere with the natural order that was ordained by God, becoming god-like in their explorations.
R.Scientists stepped into the domain of religion, presuming to discover and recreate the essence of life itself.
Element of Gothic Literature
P.Read the following passage from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein:I saw how the fine form of man was degraded and wasted; . . . I saw how the worm inherited the wonders of the eye and brain.Which element of Gothic literature is most evident in this excerpt from Frankenstein?
R.An emphasis on death and decay
R.Physical terror
R.Psychological terror
Theme of Monstrous Appearances
P.Read the following excerpt from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in which the monster tells his story:[I]t was a portrait of a most lovely woman. In spite of my malignity it softened and attracted me. For a few moments I gazed with delight on her dark eyes, fringed by deep lashes, and her lovely lips; but presently my rage returned: I remembered that I was forever deprived of the delights that such beautiful creatures could bestow . . .Which phrase from the passage best supports the theme that monstrous appearances can be deceiving?
R.it softened and attracted me
R.consent to reason
R.harmless, and free
Theme of Human Ability to be Monstrous
P.Read the following excerpt from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, which is narrated by Dr. Frankenstein:But I am a blasted tree; the bolt has entered my soul: and I felt then that I should survive to exhibit, what I shall soon cease to be, — a miserable spectacle of wrecked humanity, pitiable to others, and abhorrent to myself.Which phrase from the passage best supports the theme that humans possess the ability to be monstrous?
R.spectacle of wrecked humanity
R.wickedness of my promise
R.my rage and vengeance
Most Developed Themes in Frankenstein
P.Which of the following two themes are most developed in Frankenstein?
R.The pursuit of technology and the loss of humanity
R.Selfish pursuit and revenge as a consequence of grief
R.The need for companionship and the consequences of revenge
Winston Churchill’s “Their Finest Hour”
Intended Effect of Beginning the Speech
P.Read the following excerpt from Winston Churchill’s”Their Finest Hou” speech presented during World War II:I am not reciting these facts for the purpose of recrimination. That I judge to be utterly futile and even harmful. We cannot afford it. . . . Now I put all this aside. I put it on the shelf, from which the historians, when they have time, will select their documents to tell their stories. We have to think of the future and not of the past.What is most likely the intended effect of beginning the speech this way?
R.The audience will be convinced to focus on hope for the future.
R.The audience will perceive the government as strong and united.
R.The audience will gain a clear understanding of the wisdom and resolve of their leader to see the conflict to an end.
Intended Effect of Ending the Speech
P.Read the following excerpt from the closing of Winston Churchill’s”Their Finest Hou” speech presented during World War II:[W]e in this Island and in the British Empire will never lose our sense of comradeship with the French people. If we are now called upon to endure what they have been suffering, we shall emulate their courage, and if final victory rewards our toils they shall share the gains, aye, and freedom shall be restored to all.What is most likely the intended effect of ending the speech this way?
R.The audience members will be inspired to hope for victory and protect their allies.
R.The audience will be prepared for the worst for the sake of life and country.
R.The audience will see that it must have courage because the stakes are high for the whole world.
Spoken Tone of Churchill’s Speech
P.Which sentence most accurately evaluates the spoken tone of Churchill’s”Their Finest Hou”?
R.Churchill’s tone sounds depressed despite his words calling for determined duty.
R.Churchill’s tone comes across as unmotivated and is not likely to inspire the audience.
R.Churchill’s lack of enthusiasm makes it seem as if he is uninterested in the outcome of the war.
Joseph Stalin’s 1941 Radio Broadcast
Incendiary Excerpt
P.Which of the following excerpts from Joseph Stalin’s 1941 radio broadcast would best be classified as incendiary, or designed to stir up conflict?
R.Which of the following excerpts from Joseph Stalin’s 1941 radio broadcast would best be classified as incendiary, or designed to stir up conflict?
R.[O]ur country has come to death grips with its most malicious and most perfidious enemy — German fascism.
R.The enemy is crafty, unscrupulous, experienced in deception.
Argument Developed by Rhetoric
P.Read the following passage from Joseph Stalin’s radio broadcast shortly after Germany invaded the USSR in 1941:Non-aggression pacts are pacts of peace between two States. It was such a pact that Germany proposed to us in 1939. Could the Soviet Government
have declined such a proposal? I think that not a single peace-loving state could decline a peace treaty with a neighboring state even though the latter was headed by such fiends and cannibals as Hitler and Ribbertrop.Which argument is most clearly developed by the rhetoric used in the passage?
R.Germany’s leaders cannot be trusted.
R.Nothing of value will be overtaken by Germany.
R.Russia will commandeer the nation’s resources to ensure defense.
P.Read the following excerpts from two speeches given by Franklin D. Roosevelt at the onset of America’s entrance into World War II in 1941. The first speech was given to Congress and the second was a radio address to the nation:1. I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
2. We are now in this war. We are all in it — all the way. Every single man, woman and child is a partner in the most tremendous undertaking of our American history. We must share together the bad news and the good news, the defeats and the victories — the changing fortunes of war.Which most accurately describes a major difference in the emphasis between the two speeches?
R.Unlike Speech #1, Speech #2 emphasizes the need to unify for a common cause.
R.Unlike Speech #1, Speech #2 uses emotional language to remind Americans that they are not alone.
R.Unlike Speech #2, Speech #1 promises perseverance to gain victory.
P.Read the following excerpt from Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Address to the Nation:The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.Which sentence most accurately evaluates the rhetoric of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s speech?
R.The president uses parallelism to emphasize how widespread the attacks were.
R.The president uses repetition to emphasize the suddenness of the events.
R.The president repeats the phrase “without warning” to emphasize that these events were unexpected.
P.Read the following excerpt from Joseph Chamberlain’s speech, “The True Conception of Empire,” given in 1906:We began to be, and we ultimately became, a great imperial Power in the eighteenth century, but, during the greater part of that time, the Colonies were regarded, not only by us, but by every European Power that possessed them, as possessions valuable in proportion to the pecuniary advantage which they brought to the mother country, which, under that order of ideas, was not truly a mother at all . . .Which phrase from the excerpt most clearly shows an imperialistic attitude?
R.possessions valuable in proportion
R.never knew these blessings
R.loss of still more precious lives
P.Read the following passage:It is no secret that we live in the greatest country in the world. Every nation need only look to us to see that ours is a free and happy society. It is now time to spread the ideals of our nation, through diplomacy or by force, so that everyone may share in our freedom and happiness.Which phrase from the passage most clearly shows an imperialistic attitude?
R.spread the ideals
R.savage lands
R.fit for civilization
P.Read the following excerpt from Emperor Qian Long’s Letter to King George III in England in 1793:In consideration of the fact that your Ambassador and his deputy have come a long way with your memorial and tribute, I have shown them high favour and have allowed them to be introduced into my presence.Based on this excerpt, what can most logically be concluded about Emperor Qian Long’s point of view?
R.China is a superior nation.
R.The British are too crude to adapt the more refined Chinese customs.
R.Trade with China is an enormous privilege.
P.Read the following excerpt from T. N. Mukharji’s A Visit to Europe:They were as much astonished to see the Indians produce works of art with the aid of rude apparatus they themselves had discarded long ago, as a Hindu would be to see a chimpanzee officiating as a priest in a funeral ceremony and reading out Sanskrit texts from a palm leaf book spread before him.Based on this excerpt, what can most logically be concluded about Mukharji’s point of view?
R.Europeans believe Indians are an ignorant, uncultured people.
R.Europeans’ stereotypes of Indians make them gullible.
R.Europeans do not see Indians as civilized people.
P.In A Room of One’s Own, Woolf explains that many families in the late 1400s arranged marriages. She later tells a story about Shakespeare’s hypothetical sister who had his genius but whose family would not allow her to develop it. Which best states the claim that this information helps to develop?
R.Historically, women had little control over how they lived their lives.
R.Literary writers might pay lip service to women, but historians ignore them.
R.Throughout history, society has worked against ambitious women.
P.Read the following excerpt from A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf:Occasionally an individual woman is mentioned, an Elizabeth, or a Mary; a queen or a great lady. But by no possible means could middle-class women with nothing but brains and character at their command have taken part in any one of the great movements which, brought together, constitute the historian’s view of the past.Which statement best states the idea that this excerpt helps to develop?
R.Women have been historically held back from greatness.
R.Society has held women back from greatness.
R.In the 20th century, women still face hostility as they endeavor to create.
P.Which statement best describes how Samuel Beckett’s Endgame reflects its literary period?
R.Endgame exposes the circular meaninglessness of existence typical of the Theater of the Absurd.
R.It emphasizes the pointless cycles of existence.
R.The pointless cycle of existence.
P.Which statement best describes the difference in purpose between the National Geographic video and the Bloomberg Business article on the flu?
R.The National Geographic video seeks to show how the flu virus spreads, while the Bloomberg Business article seeks to explain the economic impact of the flu.
R.It uses ominous music and a blue filter to make the video more frightening.
R.It quotes experts and facts related only to the economic impacts of the flu.
P.Which statement best describes an organizational strategy the author uses in “How to Prepare for a Road Trip”?
R.The author uses section headings to indicate the main topics in the document.
R.What is one way the author of “How to Prepare for a Road Trip” uses an organizational strategy to convey information?
R.Section headings
P.For which purpose and audience would an email be the most effective type of document?
R.Inquiring about volunteer opportunities for a local political candidate
R.Encouraging the student body to come to the monthly poetry slam
R.Informing the student body about the school’s new recycling program
P.Read this passage from Frankenstein:In a solitary chamber, or rather cell, at the top of the house, and separated from all the other apartments by a gallery and staircase, I kept my workshop of filthy creation; my eyeballs were starting from their sockets in attending to the details of my employment. . . . Urged on by an eagerness which perpetually increased, I brought my work near to a conclusion.What does the setting of this passage most clearly convey about Victor’s character?
R.His sense of isolation from the world
R.That it has restorative powers
R.That he likes to work in secrecy and isolation
P.Which sentence uses a hyphen correctly?
R.Justin was purpose-driven by his motivation to finish well.
R.Roland glanced over his shoulder — John was following him!
R.Emma claimed responsibility for the well-placed American flag.