一些美国文学重要作品简答题汇总

20151120美国文学必考点总结By Wang HX.说明：1，名词解释可参考我以前发的资料或者自己的资料，也可在网上搜美国文学名词解释。

2，作家作品一定要正确搭配，还要会写下面我列出的作家和作品。

作者是什么时代的代表，有什么称号要记住。

1,英国最早移民到美国的诗人：Anne Bradstreet，作品<The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up In America>first woman poet.2,Edward Taylor超验主义的先驱。

3，Hard work,thrift,piety and sobriety。

清教徒强调的四点，会写，可能填空。

4，Benjamin Franklin，作品"Poor Richard's Almanac"包括很多collection of proverbs流行谚语集。

The Autobiography自传。

5，Thomas Paine托马斯·佩因1737-1809"Great Common of Mankind"最平凡的人。

作品"American Crisis"《美国危机》，Common Sense常识。

6，Thomas Jefferson托马斯·杰弗逊，drafted the Declaration of Independence.起草了独立宣言。

All Men are created equal,that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,that among these are Life,Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness.人人生而平等，他们都从“造物主”那边被赋予了某些不可转让的权利，其中包括生命权、自由权和追求幸福的权利。

美国文学考试重点美国文学考试的重点可以分为以下几个方面：1. 早期美国文学：- 殖民时期文学：包括早期殖民地的日记、信件和宗教作品等，如《普利茅斯纪事》和《普罗维登斯计划》。

- 紧随其后的大量宗教文学作品，如《新英格兰的校训》。

- 托马斯·佩恩的《常识》：这本书在美国独立运动中起到了重要的作用。

2. 美国文学的形成与发展：- 19世纪初的浪漫主义文学：如华盛顿·欧文的《睡美人和其他故事》和詹姆斯·菲尼莫尔·库珀的《最后的莫西干人》。

- 华尔特·惠特曼的《草叶集》：这本诗集在美国文学史上具有重要地位。

- 女性作家：如哈丽特·比彻·斯托的《汤姆叔叔的小屋》和艾米莉·迪金森的诗歌作品。

3. 20世纪的美国文学：- 现代主义文学：如欧内斯特·海明威的《老人与海》和威廉·福克纳的《喧哗与骚动》。

- 战争文学：如约翰·史坦贝克的《愤怒的葡萄》和约瑟夫·海勒的《23个故事和一个司令》。

- 迈尔斯·杰克逊的《杀死一只知更鸟》：这是美国文学中一本重要的反种族主义作品。

4. 当代美国文学：- 现实主义：如托尼·莫里森的《亲爱的》和唐·德里罗的《百年孤独》。

- 同性恋与性别研究：如杰夫·艾斯特里奇的《中性国度》和艾美丽·P. 亨德森的《一个男小地方》。

此外，还需要了解美国文学的主要流派和文学理论，如现实主义、象征主义、后现代主义等，以及相关的文学批评方法。

最好的准备方式是广泛阅读美国经典文学作品并理解其背后的文化、历史和社会背景。

外国文学史简答题及答案第一篇：外国文学史简答题及答案外国文学史简答题及答案《外国文学》题库之简答题及答案1、简述《俄狄浦斯王》中的命运观：《俄狄浦斯王》展示的是人与命运的冲突。

在索福克勒斯看来，俄狄浦斯为躲避杀父娶母的厄运四处奔走，力图自己来掌握自己的命运，这是值得肯定和歌颂的。

然而，他的抗争却归于失败，命运使这样一个优秀人物成了罪人。

因此，他对命运的正义性和合理性提出了怀疑。

这种对与命运抗争的英雄的肯定和在客观上对命运合理性的怀疑，正是雅典奴隶主政治由盛及衰时期民主派意识的特点。

面对尖锐的社会矛盾，雅典的自由民一方面相信自己的力量，另一方面又对社会危机感到惶惑与无能为力，表现出强烈的悲愤情绪。

2、简析《堂•吉诃德》的思想意义：《堂•吉诃德》是一部反封建的杰作。

它以深刻的内容、典型的人物和辛辣的讽刺，抨击嘲笑了腐朽荒唐的骑士制度和流行的骑士小说，生动地表现出骑士的长矛、甲胄已进了历史陈列馆，逆时代车轮而行必将碰得头破血流。

事实上，小说问世后，骑士小说在西班牙就销声匿迹了。

小说为后人提供了16世纪末到17世纪初西班牙社会的政治、经济、道德生活的广阔画面，揭露了封建贵族的骄奢淫逸，官僚衙门的贪污纳贿，反映了封建统治下人民的苦难生活。

小说在典型人物的塑造上为后人提供了很多借鉴。

全书中虽然只写了两个主要人物：堂•吉诃德和桑丘，但以他们的游侠经历为线索，反映了广阔的社会生活。

堂•吉诃德以其脱离实际、盲目蛮干的性格特征而成为这类人物的代名词，但是他的人文主义理想和他为实现理想勇往直前的精神，又令人感动，有值得肯定的可贵品质。

他和桑丘都不是类型化的人物。

3、简析海明威的思想经历了怎样的发展历程：海明威是一位具有民主思想的资产阶级作家，“迷惘的一代”的代表。

海明威的思想与战争有着密切的关系。

青年时期，他怀着满腔热情参加第一次世界大战，但战争给他的身体、心理、精神和感情留下了严重的创伤，使他感到理想的幻灭。

他厌恶战争，却又无力制止战争，看不见希望，却又不愿放弃希望。

美国文学简答题（自己整理归纳的）1. American TranscendentalismNew England Transcendentalism was, in essence, romantic idealism on Puritan soil. It was a system of thought that originated from three sources. First William Ellery Channing (1780---1842) was an American Unitarian clergyman. His Unitarianism represented a thoughtful revolt against orthodox Puritanism. Unitarianism believed God as one being, rejecting the doctrine of trinity, stressing the tolerance of difference in religious opinion, and giving each congregation the free control of its own affairs and its independent authority. It laid the foundation for the central doctrines of transcendentalism. Secondly, the idealistic philosophy from France and Germany exerted enormous impact on American intellectuals. Thirdly, oriental mysticism as revealed in Hindu and Chinese classics reached America in English translations. As a result, New England Transcendentalism blended native American tradition with foreign influences.2. American Realism Realism is the theory of writing in which familiar aspects of contemporary life and everyday scenes are represented in a straightforward or matter-of-fact manner. This is the theory that authors try to use and guide them in their writing. It stresses truthful treatment of material. It is anti-romantic, anti-sentimental, and without abstract interest in nature, death, etc. Mark Twain laughed at people who were caught up in the world of illusions, who were not mature enough to see real situations. This is one example of the truthful treatment of material.3. American RomanticismRomanticism was a rebellion against the objectivity ofrationalism. It was a movement of conscious rebellion against being too objective. The romantic spirit was one of subjectivity of inward feelings that one could trust one?s subjective responses. Romantics placed a high premium upon the creative function of imagination, and saw art as a formulation of intuitive and imaginative perceptions that tend to speak a nobler truth than that of fact.4. Why are naturalists inevitably pessimistic in their view?Please discuss the above question in relation to the basic principles of literary naturalism.A. They accept the negative implication of Darwin?s theory of evolution, and believethat society is a "jungle" where survival struggles go on.B. They believe that man?s instinct, the environment and other social and economicforces play an overwhelming role and man?s fate is "determined" by such forces beyond his control.5. Some of Hemingway?s heroes are regarded as the Hemingway code heroes. Whatever the differences in experience and age，they all have something incommon Which Hemingway V alues．What are the characteristics of the Hemingway Code hero?6. What are the major features of New England Transcendentalism?7. What are the simil arities and differences between Whitman and Dickinson’s poetry?1) Dickinson?s poems are usually based on her own experiences, her sorrows and joys. But within her little lyrics Dickinson addresses those issues that concern the whole human beings, which include religion, death, immortality,love, and nature. (theme) 2) Her masterpiece -----"I heard a Fly buzz---when I died", she looked at death from the point of view of both the living and the dying. She even imagined her own death, the loss of her own body, and the journey of her soul to the unknown.3) The style of Dickinson:A: A particular stress pattern: dash“-------”B: Capital letters as a means of emphasis;C: Language: brief, direct, and plain;D: Poem: short, always on single image or symbol (e.g. "I like to see it lap the miles"---------describe a train in the personification of the literary device)E: Her poems tend to be personal and meditative (e.g. “Because I could not stop for Death”).8. Reality reflected in realistic writingsRealism came a s a reaction against …the lie? of romanticism and sentimentalism. The battle between …idealists? and …realists? provided the major issue of American literary history after the Civil war (1861-1865). Literature began to pay less attention to general ideas and more to the immediate facts of life. As a way of writing, realism has been applied in almost every literature throughout history. But as a literary movement, realism is a period concept and it refers to the approach of realist fiction occurred at the latter part of the 19th century.In part, the rise of realism came as a protest against the falseness and sentimentality seen in romantic literature. The realists were determined to create a new kind of literature that was completely and totally realistic.Major Features1Realism is the theory of writing in which familiar aspects ofcontemporary life and everyday scenes are represented in a straightforward or matter-of-fact manner.This is the theory that authors try to use in their writing. It stresses truthful treatment of material. It is anti-romantic, anti-sentimental, and without abstract interest in nature, death, etc.2In realist fiction characters from all social levels are examined in depth. The realist writers hold on to characters and keep examining how these people relate to each other.3Open ending is also a good example of the truthful treatment of material.4Realism focuses on commonness of the lives of the common people who are customarily ignored by the arts. Realists are interested in commonplace, the everyday, the average, the trivial, and the representative.5Realism emphasizes objectivity and offers an objective rather than an idealistic view of human nature and human experience. The realist writers are detached observers of life. They are like scientists, making an investigation.Realism presents moral visions. The author has a purpose for presenting an objective account of real life in order to express his moral sense. Realists are ethical writers, interested in the problems of the individual conscience in conflict with social institutions. Many of their works show the American businessman in the conflict over whether he should accept a bribe, give a bribe, participate in unfair business practices, etc. Generally, these writers show how the individual conscience wins when he opposes social conventions and social practices and they are always interested in focusing on the dilemma. This indicates their disbelief in romantic individualism.10. The difference between Realism and NaturalismThe literary naturalists have a major difference from the realists. The naturalists also describe real life, the way things really are. They do not escape into a world of imagination, but they dismiss the realists as far too …genteel?. The naturalists look at a different spot to find real life. They do not look at the average, but at the violent, sensational, sordid, unpleasant and ugly aspects of life. Instead of going to a middle-class neighborhood and write about middle-class life, the naturalists would go to the slums and write about the life of poverty and crime. This fits their theory that they have adopted by applying Darwinian techniques to the behavior of human. They think that the true reality is not found in the smiling aspects of middle-class life. The true reality is found when forces of Nature are most dominant in stopping human desires, in keeping humans from accomplishing their dreams. They write about war, about prostitution, about criminals which form the aspects of life that are not too pleasant to consider.What distinguishes realist from naturalist texts is restraint, not action itself. After all, naturalist characters act out of a similar set of motives and desires, and they differ from their realist counterparts only in being unable to resist the conditions that press upon them.Realists present their character as a unified self, subjectively whole and self-consistent, but naturalists see this self as no more than an illusion. Characters in naturalist texts are portrayed as more or less combinations of innate traits and socialized habits.11. The influence of TranscendentalismTranscendentalism can be best understood as a late and localized manifestation of romantic movement in literature and philosophy. The triumph of intuition over five senses, theelevation of the individual over society, the critical attitude toward formalized religion, the rejection of any kind of restraint or bondage to custom, the new and thrilling delight in nature --- all these were characteristics of transcendentalism.As formulated by Emerson, transcendentalism became a loud and clear call to action, urging young people to cast off their enslavement to the past, to follow God within, and to live every moment of life with great effort, to regard nature as the great objective lesson proving God?s presence everywhere in His creation.Transcendentalism was also an ethical and moral guide to life for a young nation of America. It preached the positive life and appealed to the best side of human nature. Therefore, it stressed the tolerance of difference in religious opinion and the free control of its own affairs by each congregation, and called to throw off shackles of custom and tradition, and to go forward to the development of a new and distinctlyAmerican culture.Transcendentalism is important to American literature at least for two reasons: 1)It is represented by two major writers of the country, Emerson and Thoreau. Theybecame movers and shakers whose writings have had more and more impact with the passage of time.A new group of writers under the influence of Emerson and Thoreau began to apply transcendental ideas in their works. Hawthorne, Melville, Lowell, Dickinson, and Whitman were all exponents of transcendentalism in one way or another. They created one of the most prolific periods in the history of American literature.12. Why are naturalists inevitably pessimistic in their view?Please discuss the above question in relation to the basic principles of literary naturalism.A. They accept the negative imp lication of Darwin?s theory of evolution, and believe that society is a "jungle" where survival struggles go on.B. They believe that man?s instinct, the environment and other social and economic forces play an overwhelming role and man?s fate is "determin ed" by such forces beyond his control.。

Realism1、It aims at the interpretation of actualities of any aspect of life, free from subjective prejudice, idealism, or romantic color.2、Major features：（Familiar aspects of contemporary and everyday life are represented in a）straightforward or matter-of-fact manner;Characters from all social levels社会阶层; Open ending; Focus on commonness of the lives of the common people;objectivity客观; it presents moral visions.American realistic authors1、Bret Harte：the first American writer of local color .2、William Dean Howells: the arbiter of American realism /holds that truth is the highest beauty.3、Henry James insisted that art must be related to life.4、Henry James / Mark Twain: the greatest of American realists.5、Samuel Langhorne Clemens：American writer and humorist, whose best work is characterized by broad, often irreverent humor or biting social satire.（无礼的幽默和尖锐的社会讽刺）Twain's writing is also known for realism of place and language, memorable characters, and hatred of hypocrisy and oppression（憎恨虚伪和压迫）.6、Mark Twain's work during the 1890s and the 1900s is marked by growing pessimism and bitterness（不断增长的悲观和痛苦）Major works: The Gilded Age镀金时代（第一部长篇小说）: A Tale of To-day (1873); The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894);The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876);The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884)《哈克贝里·费恩历险记》Travel fiction: The Innocents Abroad (or The New Pilgrim’s Progress)(1869) 《傻子国外旅行记》;Roughing It (1873) 艰难生涯;Life on the Mississippi (1883) 密西西比河上的生活，combines an autobiographical account(结合了自传)7、Historical Romance: The Prince and the Pauper(1882)（王子与贫儿）, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court（在亚瑟王朝廷中的康涅狄格州美国人）, It isa parable of colonialization(这是一个殖民化的寓言).8、The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County (1865) 《卡拉维拉斯县驰名的跳蛙》充满夸张和喜剧的边疆生活。

《美国⽂学》题库及答案《美国⽂学》题库及答案I.Multiple Choice1. American literature is only more than ____ years old.A. 500B.400C. 200D.1002. The Puritan values did no include______.A. wastefulnessB. thriftC. pietyD. hard work3. The 18th century was the age of the Enlightenment.______was the dominant spirit.A. HumanismB. RationalismC. RomanticismD. Realism4. Franklin was the epitome of the______.A. American EnlightenmentB. Sugar ActC. Charlist movementD. Romanticism5. _____was the most leading spirit of the Transcendentalism.A. FranklinB. HawthorneC. PaineD. Emerson6. “Moby Dick was written by_____A. Mark TwainB. ThoreauC. MelvilleD. Whitman7. “The Scarlet Letter” is characterized by its______.C. PlatonismD. classicism8. “Huckleberry Finn is the masterpiece of________.A. Henry JamesB. Jack LondonC. Mark TwainD. Stephen Crane9. Choose the novel written by Henry JamesA. The Golden BowlB. The Portrait of a LadyC. Sister CarrieD. Daisy Miller10. Early in the 20th century, _____ published works that would change the nature of American poetry.A. Ezra PoundB. T.S. EliotC. Robert FrostD. both A and B11._____ is the founder of “Imagist” movement.A. Ezra PoundB. HemingwayC. Robert FrostD. Steinbeck12. Mark Twain’s works are characterized by_____A. NaturalismB. TranscendentalismC. Local ColorismD. Imagism13. ________ is said to be the father of American poetryA. T.S. EliotB. E.D. RobinsonC. Philip FreneauD. Dreiser14. Hawthorne is regarded as a _______.C. realistD. romanticist15. ______ represents the most leading spirit of American Transcendentalism.A. EmersonB. FranklinC. Mark TwainD. Whitman16.“The Art of Fiction” was written by_____A. LongfellowB. Henry JamesC. FitzgeraldD. Faulkner17. Imagination plays the most important part in________.A. realismB. romanticismC. naturalismD. classicism18. ______ is considered to be the masterpiece of John Steinbeck.A. Mending WallB. Dry SeptemberC. A Farewell to ArmsD. The Grapes of Wrath19. Uncle Tom in the novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin was a(n)______A. Negro slaveB. salesmanC. industrialistD. officer20. Mark Twain’s works are characterized by______A. NaturalismB. TranscendentalismC. Local ColorismD. Imagism21. “The Great Gatsby” is the masterpiece of_____C. DickinsonD. Hemingway22. The United States of America was founded in______.A. 1776B. 1876C. 1789D.168923. The ancestors of American Indians were______A. AsiansB. AfricansC. EuropeansD. Australians24. “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” was written by______.A. H.B. Stowe B. John SteinbeckC. HawthorneD. Mark Twain25. ______ does not belong to the lost generation.A. DreiserB. T.S. EliotC. FaulknerD. Hemingway26. ______ was well known for his story “Rip Van Winkle.”A. BryantB. Washington IrvingC. Allan PoeD. Philip Freneau27. “Farewell to Arms” is the master pieced produced by______A. FaulknerB. DreiserC. HemingwayD. Longfellow28. It was ______ who wrote the formal declaration of independence.A. Thomas JeffersonB. Benjamin FranklinC. WashingtonD. Washington Irving29. _____has been exerting a great and enduring influence upon world literature, especially that of France and European symbolism.A. FranklinB. BradstreetC. Edgar Allan PoeD. Philip Freneau30. The masterpiece of Hawthorne is _________.A. The Scarlet LetterB. Sister CarrieC. Richard CoryD. A Psalm of Life31. Engene O’Neill is a _______.A. novelistB. poetC. puritanD. dramatist32.Hemingway’s style of writing is characterized by______.A. high-sounding wordsB. simple dictionC. complicated sentencesD. mix metaphor33. T.S. Eliot is not only a poet but also a ______.A. criticB. statesmanC. churchmanD. novelists34. “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” was written by_____.A. T.S. EliotB. O’NeillC. Stephen CraneD. Saul Bellow35. “The Grape of Wrath” is one of the remarkable novels of_____.A. the Civil WarB. DepressionC. SuppressionD. Aggression36. Theodore Dreiser showed the_____ tendency in his novels.A. PuritanismB. classicismC. romanticismD. naturalism37. Ralph Waldo Emerson was the leading figure of________.A. TranscendentalismB. RomanticismC. RationalismD. Naturalism38. “The Sound and the Fury” was the masterpiece of ______A. Robert Lee FrostB. T.S. EliotC. FaulknerD. Steinbeck39. Emily Dickinson is an American________.A. dramatistB. novelistC. female poetD. male poet40. “Th Emily Dickinson is an American ark Twain’s______A. materialismB. classicismC. socialismD. colorism41. “The Portrait of a Lady” is one of best novels of_________.A. Henry JamesB. John SteinbeckC. William FaulknerD. Walt Whitman42. What Whitman is famous for his_________.A. “Leaves of Grass”B. “Mending Wall”C. “Richard Cory”D. “The Burial of the Dead”43. “Catch-22” is the masterpiece of______A. Saul BellowB. Joseph HellerC. DreiserD. Fitzgerald44. The English settlement in America began in_________A.1507B.1607C.1707D.180745. The first World War broke out in______.A.1614B.1714C.1814D.191446. The jazz age refers to the decade ofA.1950’sB.1980’sC.1920’sD.1820’s47. Franklin was a _____.A. PuritanB. romanticistC. classicistD. imagist48. “Rip Van Winkle” was written by_______.A. FreneauB. Allan PoeC. Washington IrvingD. Thomas Jefferson49.“The Scarlet Letter” is the masterpiece of______.C. BradstreetD. Allan Poe50.It was______who wrote “The Age of Reason”A. WashingtonB. JeffersonC. Benjamin FranklinD. Thomas Paine51.“Song of Myself” is a ______written by Whitman.A. novelB. poemC. dramaD. essay52.Tom in Beecher Stowe’s novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin is a _____.A. Negro slaveB. American IndianC. School masterD. industrialist53. Mark Twain belongs to the literary school of_____.A. transcendentalismB. realismC. romanticismD. naturalism54._______is a famous American female poet.A. Allan PoeB. FreneauC. Emily DickinsonD. Robinson55. “The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn” is the masterpiece of_____.A. Mark TwainB. Henry JamesC. Stephen CraneD. Robert Lee Frost56. It was____ who wrote the poem “The Road Not Taken.”C. Robert Lee FrostD. T.S.EliotⅡ Define the literary terms briefly in English1. American Transcendentalism2. Romanticism3. The Puritans4. Realism5. Enlightenment6. Transcendentalism7. EnlightenmentIII Explain the following quotations in your own words.1. Success is counted sweetest By those who ne’er succeed.2. Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by And that has made all the difference.3. Let us, then, be up and doing, With heart for any fate;Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait.4. And he was always quietly arrayed, And he was always human when he talked.5. Tell me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream!_____6. To comprehend a nectar Requires sorest need.7. But still he fluttered pulses when he said,“Good morning”, and he glittered when he walked.8. something there is that doesn’t love a wall,He says again, “Good fences make good neighbors.”9. Fair flower, that dost so comely grow, Hid in this silent, dull retreat10. But to act, that each tomorrow Find us farther than today11. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. Ⅳ Answer the following questions in English1. Why is American literature important for you?2. What is the theme of “The Waste Land”?3. Whose novel (or which novel) do you enjoy most?Why?4. What is the style of Hemingway’s novel?5. What is the significance of American literature?6. Do you like American literature? Why?7. What is the real theme in “Sister Carrie”?8. What is the central subject and primary significance of Hawthorne’s major works?9. Which American writer do you like best? Why?10. What is the theme of “Catch-22”?11. What are the features of Emily Dickinson’s poems?12. Why should we learn American literature?13. Which poem do you enjoy most? Why?《美国⽂学》作业参考答案I.Multiple Choice1.C2.A3.B4.A5.D6.C7.A8.C9.B 10.D11.A 12.C 13.C 14.D 15.A 16.B 17.B 18.D 19.A 20.C21.B 22.C 23.A 24.D 25.A 26.B 27.C 28.A 29.C 30.A31.D 32.B 33.A 34.B 35.B 36.D 37.A 38.C 39.C 40.D41.A 42.A 43.B 44.B 45.D 46.C 47.A 48.B 49. A 50.D51.B 52.A 53.B 54.C 55. A 56. CII.Define the literary terms briefly in English1.American transcendentalism was a philosophical dissent from Unitarianism. Transcendentalists rejected the materialistic psychology in favor of the idealism of Kant who asserted that intuition could surpass reason as a guide to the truth. To transcendentalists, spirit is inherent and pervading and is the only reality in the universe in which nature stood as a symbol of Spirit. Transcendentalismemphasized the divinity of man, the significance and right of the individual, and the possibility of the self-perfection of the individual.2. Romanticism is characterized by the pursuit of freedom, emphasis of individualism, a reliance upon the good of nature and “natural” man, and an abiding faith in the boundless resources of the human spirit and imagination.3.The Puritans were members of the church of England who at first wished to reform or “Purify its doctrines. They kept in common with all advocates o f strict Christian orthodox, insisting on man’s original sin and depravity.4. Realism is a literary school. The American realist William Dean Howells refered to the method of realistic literary creation as “nothing more and nothing less than the truthful treatment of material. The realists tended to be highly selective in their choice of material, focusing upon what seemed real to their largely middle-class readers.5. Enlightenment in America was a progressive “intellectual movement which contributed to free the Americans from the limitation of Puritanism which had been prevailing in American society, and stimulate them to strive for the establishment of their independent and democratic nation. The enlighteners were confident in the proqress by education and appealed to Reason.6．American transcendentalism was a political dissent from Unitarianism. Transcendentalists rejected the materialistic psychology in favour of the idealism of kant who asserted that intuition could surpass reason as a guide to the truth. To transcendentalists, spirit is inherent and pervading and is the only reality in the universe in which nature stood as a symbol of Spirit. Transcendentalists emphasized the divinity of man, the significance and right of the individual, and the possibility of the self-perfection of the individual.7. Enlightenment in America was a progressive intellectual movement which contributed to free the Americans fromthe limitations of Purtanism which had been prevailing in American society, and stimulate them to strive for their independent and democratic nation. The enlighteners were confident in the proqress of education and appealed to reason.III Explain the following quotations in your own words.1. Those who have never succeeded before will enjoy the sweetness o success most.2. In my life and literary creation, I did not follow others’ footsteps (or footprints). SometimesI chose a different way. That was the reason why I was unique and different from them both in life and poetic writing.3. Let us rise up and take actionTo meet any challenge in our life.We should learn to work and to be patientAnd persevere in pursuing our goalTill we reap the fruit of achievement one after another.4. He always dressed himself properly and elegantly And he showed his kindness and considerateness when talked with others.5. Don’t tell me in sad voice that life is nothing but an meaningless and empty dream.6. Only when you feel thirstiest and bitterest, can you really understand and enjoy the holy sweet drink.7. He stirred the pulses of the persons he was greeting with “Good morning”. While he was walking, his manners appeared to be so brilliant and attractive that he drow much public attention.8. Wall, as a barrier for communication or mutual understanding, is not good at all. Sometimes, it is necessary to remove the wall.Wall, as a boundary or limitation or border, is needed sometimes, so that good relations can be kept among different strata of people, or different countries.Wall is a paradox, which is both good and bad in haman life9.The honeysuckle qrows so agreeably and beautifully.However the beautiful flower hid its beauty in the quiet and lonely place.10.We had better take action every day, not remain idle and inactive so that we can make progress each day.11.I have a lot of obligations and duties to fulfill, so there is still a long way for me to go beforeI can relax or leave this world.Ⅳ Answer the following questions in English1. Key points:① the significance of American literature in the world literature ② the manifestation of American life and culture③the requirement of improving English2. The theme of the poem is modern spiritual barrenness, the despair and depression that followed the first world war, the sterility and turbulence of the modern world, and the decline and breakdown of Western culture.3. The answer depends on individual student’s inclination.4. His style of writing is characterized by short and terse sentences, simple diction filled with emotion, vivid colloquialisms, and particularly the simplicity of his laconic statements.5. Key points: ① its place in the world literature② the manifestation of American life and culture③ the requirement of professional knowledge and skills as English majon.6. The answer is flexible. It de pends on an individual Student’s inclination.7. The real theme in Sister Carrie is the purposelessness of life. While looking at individuals with warm, human sympathy, he also sees the disorder and cruelty of life in general.8. The central subject of Haw thorne’s major works was the human soul. His exploration of the soul resulted from his skeptical attitude toward the social reality that was characterized by a rapid change in almost all aspects of social life, and from his ambition to probe into the nature of man. The primary significance of his major works dwells in the interect and the consistend vitality of his criticism of life.9. The answer is flexible, depending on students’ inclination, logic and language skills.10. Its real theme is to expose the dehumanization of all contemporary institutions, the absurd and corrupt bureancracy and the alienation of individuals existing in a systemized chaotic condition, such as war.punctuation and capitalization. Her mode of expression is characterized by clear-cut and delicately original imagery, precise diction, and fragmentary and enigmatic metrical pattern.12. Key points: ①the significance of American literature in the world literature ② the manifestation of American life and culture ③ the requirement of improving English.13. The answer is flexible and depends on student’s inclination.。

一．殖民地时期（约1607-1765）（清教主义思想）Tips：1.1607年约翰史密斯船长带领第一批移民在北美大陆建立第一个英国殖民地。

当时宗教领袖和殖民地区领导人如布雷福德（William Bradford,1590-1657）等人的书籍多半关于讲经布道等有关神学的材料或日记。

有些介绍新大陆的风景和日常生活2. 史密斯船长（Captain John Smith）为英国在北美建立第一个殖民地起重要作用3. 安妮布雷特兹里特（Anne Bradstreet）------第十个缪斯，北美第一位女诗人二．启蒙时期和独立战争时期（1765-18世界末）1. 启蒙运动代表人物：富兰克林（Benjamin Franklin）.Self bused /天助自助者。

他著作有《格言历书》（poor Richard’s Almance）,他的《自传》（autobiography）开启了传记文学先河。

富兰克林还是American dream 的代言人。

2. Thomas Paine著有《常识》commen sense 和American crisis三．浪漫主义时期（1800-1865）1. 早期浪漫主义作家：欧文（Washington Irving）和库柏（James Fenimore Cooper）2. 欧文著有：the sketch book,开创美国短篇小说传统。

《睡谷传说》the legend of sleeping hollow 和Rip Van Winkle3. 库柏主要写长篇小说：历史小说historical、冒险小说adventure、边疆小说frontier ，边疆小说有《皮袜子故事》the leather stocking tales4. 布莱恩特Bryant : 《致水鸟》to a waterfowl、《黄色的堇香花》the yellow violet5: 超验主义transcendentalism：崇尚直觉，反对理性和权威，强调人有能力凭直觉认识真理6. 爱默生Ralph Waldo Emerson是超验主义奠基人，创办杂志《日晷》the dial ，创作有《论自然》the nature 、《论独立》self reliance7. 梭罗（Henry David Thoreau）：瓦尔登湖Walden 、论公民的不服从civil disobedience8. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 朗费罗：海华沙之歌the song of Hiawatha9. Walt Whitman 惠特曼：free verse 自由主义诗诗人，著有O！Captain, my Captain10. Emily Dickinson 狄金森11. 霍桑Nathaniel Hwathorne 不赞成超验主义，他对社会改革、生产发展和科学进步也表示疑虑和不安，反对清教主义对人的压迫12：霍桑：the minister’s black veil、young good man Brown、the Birthmark 、Rappaccini’s Daughter13. 梅尔维尔Herman Melville: 《白鲸》Mobby Dick14. Edgar Allan poe : the Raven 《乌鸦》、the fall of the house of usher、murders in the Rue Morgue、the Purloined letter、the poetic principle、the philosophy of composition15. 斯托夫人：《汤姆叔叔的小屋》Uncle Tom’s Cabin四．现实主义（1865-1918）1. 朱厄特Jewett: 尖从树之乡the country of pointed Firs2. Bret Harte: The lucky of Roaring Camp3. Mark Twain: 《败坏了哈德莱堡的人》the man that corrupted Hadleyburd、《跳蛙》the celebratedJumping Frog of Calaveras Country他的作品特点是local colorist / collocual language (本土色彩和口头化)4.詹姆斯James: the portrait of a lady’s/the wings of the dove/the ambassadors/ the golden bowl5. Stephen Crane: 商场描写战争，著作有《红色英勇勋章》the red badge of courage6. Jack London: Martin Eden The call of wild7. Theodore Dreiser: Sister Carrie An American Tragedy五．现代主义时期(the lost generation)1. Ezra Pound庞德：The Cantos Hugh Selwyn Mauberley2.Eugene O’neill: 《天边外》Beyond the Horizon Emperor Jones The hairy Ape3. Edith Whaton: 《快乐之家》the house of Mirth 《天真时代》the age of innocence4. Lewis刘易斯：《大街》Main Street 《巴比特》Babbit5. Sherwood Anderson: Winesburg, Ohio6. John Steinbeck : (大萧条时期) the grapes of Wrath7. 哈莱姆文化：表现黑人悲惨生活8. 休斯Langston Hughs : “哈莱姆桂冠诗人”9. Richard Wright: Native Son10. Jack Kerouac: <on the road>11. Joseph Heller: 黑色幽默作家，《第二十二条军规》catch-2212. Ralph Ellison: invisible man13. Alice Walker: the color purple14. Toni Morrison: 1993,诺贝尔文学奖，著song of Solomon15. Saul Bellow: Herzog Anderson the Rain King16: Bernard Malamud: The assistant17. J.D Salinger: Catcher in the Rye麦田守望者18. Allen Ginsberg: Howl19. Tennessee Williams: A streetcar Named Desire / All my sons / Cat on a Hot Tin Roof20. Arthur Miller米勒：《推销员之死》Death of a salesman第二部分：简答题相关简答部分复习（北信科2013）1.Nathaniel Hawthorne-----the scarlet letter(chapter 2)Works: twice-told tales / Mosses from an old manIdeas 思想:作品涉及人物：妻子白兰（Hester Prynne）、丈夫齐里沃斯(Chillingworth)、迪姆斯台尔(Dimmesdale)作品情节：妻子和牧师私通后遭到丈夫的一系列调查和报复，最后妻子被印上了字母“A”，代表着私通“adultery”，随着剧情发展，妻子白兰用正直和善良的品格打动了社会，赢得了承认，字母A也变成了angel和able的代表，牧师胸膛上也印了字母A，这明显是用道貌岸然的外表去掩饰他躲避责任带来的内心痛苦。

美国文学试题库
一、选择题
1. 下列哪位作家被誉为“美国短篇小说之父”？
A.马克·吐温
B.爱默生
C.莎士比亚
D.海明威
2. 著名小说《傲慢与偏见》的作者是？
A.查尔斯·狄更斯
B.简·奥斯汀
C.夏洛蒂·勃朗特
D.莫言
3. 哪位作家被称为“美国现代诗歌之母”？
A.西莉亚·普拉斯
B.艾米丽·狄金森
C.露易丝·格莱兹
D.玛丽·奥利弗
4. 林肯总统的“葬礼演说”是由哪位作家完成的？
A.埃德加·爱伦·坡
B.拉尔夫·沃尔多·爱默生
C.赫尔曼·梅尔维尔
D.爱米莉·狄金森
5. 下列哪部作品是由海明威创作的？
A.《傲慢与偏见》
B.《老人与海》
C.《威尼斯商人》
D.《包法利夫人》
二、简答题
1. 请简要介绍一下美国文学的发展历程以及其代表作品。

2. 谈谈你对马克·吐温作品的理解以及他在美国文学史上的地位。

3. 分析简·奥斯汀小说《傲慢与偏见》中人物形象和情节发展。

4. 通过阅读爱默生的论文，你认为他对美国文学和文化的影响是什么？
5. 谈谈海明威的小说创作风格及其代表作品对世界文学的影响。

三、论述题
请结合你对美国文学史上的经典作品和作家进行深入分析，论述美国文学对世界文学的影响以及其独特之处。

Henry David ThoreauWalden:This book, entitled Walden (1854), explained his ideas about how a person should live, being consciously aware of his or her own nature and of the natural world itself.◆is a great Transcendentalist work超验主义作品that came out of the period under discussion. He took a more than usual interest in the natural world自然世界.and tried to seek a way to unlock the secrets of the spirit.◆it is a faithful record of his reflections when he was in solitary communion with nature, of how he tries to minimize his own needs on Walden Pond. It is an eloquent indication that he not only embraced Emerson’s Transcendentalist philosophy but went further to illustrate the pantheistic quality of nature.梭罗不仅吸收爱默生超验主义哲学，还进一步说明自然的泛神特性◆he was very critical of modern civilization, the book is full of people waking up批评现代文明唤醒人类.“Civilized man is the slave of matter,” As he saw it, modern civilized life has dehumanized man and placed him in a spiritual quandary: by trying to amass material possessions, man is not really living, he is digging his own grave.只是试图积累物质财富，人们不是真正在生活而是在自掘坟墓Nathaniel HawthorneThe Scarlet Letter: Both Hester and Dimmesdale are morally weak and deficient as we all are, according to Hawthorne, then Roger Chillingworth is guilty of the unpardonable sin: the invasion into another person’s soul in order to control the other’s will for a very selfish purpose. To him this is the worst sin and a person guilty of this sin is a completely corrupt.The Scarlet Letter, always regarded as the best of his works, tells a simple but very moving story in which four people living in a Puritan community are involved in and affected by the sin of adultery in different ways. In this novel , Hawthorne focuses his attention on the moral, emotional, and psychological effects or consequences of the sin on the people in general and those main charaters in particular, so as to show us the tension between society and individuals. “The Custom-House”（海关）as an introductory note to The Scarlet Letter proves fruitful to Hawthorne’s imagination. By relating his own experience, Hawthorne succeeds in giving his tale a sense of historical reality. By using Pearl as a thematic symbol, Hawthorne emphasizes the consequence the sin of adultery has brought to the community and the people. With the scarlet letter A as the biggest symbol of all, Hawthorne proves himself to be one of the best symbolists. As a key to the whole novel, the letter A takes on different layers of symbolic meanings as the plot develops.The scarlet letter A is ambiguous. And ambiguity is one of the most important characteristics of Hawthorne’s art.◆symbolism: It is rich in symbolism. The title, itself, keynotes the book.. “A” in the book represents the adultery, also symbolizes Able or Angel or Adamic or prehistoric, an archetypal vice suggestive of “original sin” or any other meaning a creative reader would suggest. Pearl, brilliantly dressed, is a living symbol of Hester’s sin.Herman MelvilleMoby Dick1. Characters:◆Ishmael: schoolteacher and part-time sailor; a Presbyterian, like Melville, he projects Calvinistic thinking tempered by his background in literature and philosophy. He discusses such issues as free will, predestination, necessity, and damnation. He is the sole survivor of the Pequod.◆Captain Ahab:A man who is obsessed with the killing of a white whale that has maimed him. He has a scar which extends from his head to his leg.◆Starbuck:He the first mate, is bold enough to criticize Ahab's vengeance, considers mutiny but fails.◆Stubb:He is the second mate who is carefree, indifferent, and fatalistic.◆Moby Dick:It is the White Whale; the world’s largest creature. It is powerful, legendary image of nature. It swims peacefully in the sea until disturbed by humans, then shows a terrible fury and anger. For Ahab, Moby Dick is the symbol of evil.2. Themes:◆Search for truth:the story deals with the human pursuit of truth and the meaning of existence.◆Conflict between Good and Evil.◆Conflict between Man and Nature.◆Isolation between man and man; man and nature; man and society.3.★Symbols:象征意义★(1)The Pequod: is a symbol of doom. It is painted a gloomy black and covered in whale teeth and bones, literally bristling with the mementos of violent death. It is, in fact, marked for death. Adorned like a primitive coffin, the Pequod becomes one.(2)Moby Dick:Moby Dick possesses various symbolic meanings for various individuals. Symbol of nature for human beings, because it is mysterious, powerful, unknown/ Symbol of evil for the Captain Ahab/ Symbol of good and purity because of its whiteness.自然;邪恶;纯洁.(3)V oyage of the Pequod:Symbol of the pursuit of ideals, adventure, and the hunt in the vast wilderness.Evaluation:(1)Moby Dick is, critics have agreed, one of the world’s greatest masterpieces. To get to know the 19th century American mind and America itself, one has to read this book.想了解19世纪的美国必须读(2)One of the classics of American Literature and even world literature. The main theme of it is about alienation between man and man, man and society, and man and nature人与人，人与社会，人与自然之间的疏远. This work also reveals the basic pattern of nineteenth century American life: loneliness and suicidal individualism in a self-styled democracy. 在自称的民主下的孤独和自杀式的个人主义(3)Moby Dick is an encyclopedia of everything, history, philosophy, religion, etc. in addition to a detailed account of the operations of the whaling industry.百科全书(4)In this work Melville shows that Man in this universe lives a meaningless and futile life, 没有意义无用的meaningless because futile. Man can observe and even manipulate in a prudent way, but he cannot influence and overcome nature at its source. He must, ultimately, place himself at the mercy of nature. Once he attempts to seek power over it he is doomed. It show us the “the absurdity of man’s attempts to attribute meaning and value to a world in wh ich these can have no ground or status.”（the main reason for Melville’s resurrection in the present century.）(5)Symbolism and ambiguity is the major characteristics of writing techniques. 象征主义和模糊是主要的写作技巧Mark TwainHe wrote his masterpiece, Huckleberry Finn, at a time when the light-hearted qualities ofhis earlier days were in balance with his later skepticism, and the novel has come to be recognized as one of the great works of American literature. It displayed the major achievements of his art: the carefully controlled point of view with its implicit ironies expressed through the voice of a semi-literate boy, the masterful use of dialects, the felicitous balancing of nostalgic romanticism and realism, humor and pathos, innocence and evil, all united fo r a journey down a river that serves as the novel’s mythic center.●Through such works as Huckleberry Finn and Life on the Mississippi Twain shaped theworld’s view of America and had a profound impact on the development of American writing.His presentation of native American material, his use of the vernacular idiom, his departures from the traditions of nineteenth-century gentility, and his sense of alienation influenced numerous American writers of the twentieth century, among them Ernest Hemingway, who acknowledged their common debt by writing, “All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn….”●He developed a clear, vigorous colloquial style which has great influence over later writers. Henry JamesThe Portrait of a LadyIsabel Archer:Intelligent and formidable, energetic, knowledgeable, inexperience, proud, love of independence, with a chance to develop, a girl of many theories,international themeThis novel deals with the author’s international theme. His fame generally rest upon his novels and stories with it. It is about the conflicts between American and European manners and customs, the simple-minded and kind-hearted innocent American individuals and those well-educated sophisticated Europeans with good taste for arts and culture. This novel is also set against a larger international background, in which most of the American characters are expatriates. The typical pattern of the conflict between the two cultures would be that of an American young man or an American girl who goes to Europe and affronts his or her destiny. The unsophisticated boy or girl would be beguiled, betrayed, cruelly wronged at the hands of those who pretend to stand for the highest possible civilization. Marriage and love are used by James as the focal point of the confrontation between the two value systems: American moral innocence and European decadence 衰落. The protagonist usually goes through a painful process of a spiritual growth, gaining knowledge of good and evil from the conflict.了不起的盖茨比The Great GatsbyThe theme of the novel: The Great Gatsby, by summarizing the experiences and attitudes of the glamorous and wild 1920s, deals with the bankruptcy of the American Dream, which is high1ighted by the disillusionment of the protagonist's personal dream due to the clashes between his romantic vision of life and the relentless reality. American Dream is a popular belief that people can achieve success, whether it is wealth, fame or love through honest hard working in a new world of liberty, equality, chances and promises. Yet in the 1920s, the American Dream was bankrupt in the sense that the wealthy people were spiritually disorientated and morally corrupted. The fact that the rich people turned to be more indifferent and careless brought forth the disillusionment of American Dream.The story of The Great Gatsby is a good illustration. At the beginning of the story, Gatsby, apoor young man from the Midwest, is in love with but rejected by an upper-class woman, Daisy. He later attains the wealth by bootlegging and other criminal activities. Yet his fascination with and pursuit of money is but the means of recapturing the past and regaining his lost love. And for him, Daisy is the representation of a kind of idealized happiness. So Gatsby's real dream is that of achieving a new status and a new essence, of rising to a loftier place in the mysterious hierarchy of human worth. That is why Daisy Buchanan seems so charming to Gatsby and that is why Gatsby has directed his who1e life to winning back her love. Yet his dream ended up with Daisy's indifference and carelessness. Under this thematic design, the novel displays some modern motifs like the Waste-land theme as symbolized by the Valley of Ashes and boredom as reflected in Daisy and Tom.Ernest Hemingway➢Works of Hemingway, portraying as they do the dilemma of modern manutterly thrown upon himself for survival in an indifferent world, reveal man'simpotence and his despairing courage to assert himself against overwhelming odds.To Hemingway, man's greatest achievement is to show grace under pressure, whichis a repeated theme in his novels.For him, in a world which is crazy and meaningless,there is nothing one can do but to be tough and fight against fate with dignity andcourage.The Sun Also Rises太阳照常升起The Sun Also Rises is about the disillusionment of the “lost generation”. In the book ,the panorama of the life of Jake Barnes and his group of expatriates in Paris is laid out scene by scene. There are innumerous parties on nearly each of which Hemingway lavishes detailed depiction of the sceneries and the environment, the word-to-word recording of the conversations and, occasionally, exhaustive presentation of people’s behaviors and even actions. By those scenes ful l of drinks, meaningless conversations and libertinism, Hemingway makes their lives smell of a tinge of corruption. This part also introduces the anguish of the main characters. Jake’s affliction explains itself in his sleepless nights, while Ashley tells all her agony in the simple confession: “Oh, darling, I’ve been so miserable.” Behind the faithfully documented facts, the emotions denoting idleness and suffering combine to settle the fundamental key of the book.Theodore Dreiser❖嘉莉妹妹The theme in Sister Carrie, a novel written by Theodore Dreiser, is materialism. The theme is primarily personified through Carrie with her desire for a fine home, clothes and everything else money can buy.❖美国悲剧An American TragedyIt’s a story about the tragic downfall of Clyde Griffiths, the son of poor street evangelist parents. Starting out as a door boy in a hotel later to a worker in a collar factory, Clyde dreamed of wealth and success. Then he met a rich girl Sondra with whom he hoped to marryso as to have a chance to climb into the upper class. For that purpose, he planned to murder his girl friend Roberta but was unable to act. Then by accident, Roberta got drowned and Clyde was sentenced to death.Clyde is a typical example of those who are destroyed by the environment, by the cruelty and callousness of a selfish capitalistic society. He commits his crime more out of a muddled desire to escape from his situation than out of ruthless ambition.。

外国文学史试题及答案一、选择题1.以下哪位作家是英国文学的代表人物?A. 陀思妥耶夫斯基B. 维克多·雨果C. 威廉·莎士比亚D. 弗朗索瓦·拉伯雷答案：C. 威廉·莎士比亚2.以下作品属于美国文学的是哪一部?A. 《战争与和平》B. 《老人与海》C. 《麦田里的守望者》D. 《安娜·卡列宁娜》答案：C. 《麦田里的守望者》3.以下哪位作家是法国文学的代表人物?A. 托马斯·曼B. 弗兰兹·卡夫卡C. 荷马D. 阿尔贝·加缪答案：D. 阿尔贝·加缪4.下列哪部作品是俄国文学的经典之作?A. 《安娜·卡列宁娜》B. 《麦田里的守望者》C. 《老人与海》D. 《战争与和平》答案：D. 《战争与和平》5.以下哪位作家与德国文学相关?A. 夏目漱石B. 弗朗茨·卡夫卡C. 威廉·莎士比亚D. 陀思妥耶夫斯基答案：B. 弗朗茨·卡夫卡二、简答题1.请简要描述意大利文艺复兴时期对文学发展的影响。

答案：意大利文艺复兴时期对文学发展影响深远。

首先，意大利文艺复兴时期重视古希腊、古罗马文化的复兴，人们开始重新研究古典文学作品，这使得古代文学作品重新受到重视并成为现代文学的重要源泉。

其次，意大利文艺复兴时期的人文主义思潮推动了人们对人性、人类价值和社会伦理的关注，这对后来欧洲的文学发展起到了重要的推动作用。

此外，意大利文艺复兴时期的艺术家和文学家们通过对古代希腊、罗马作品的研究与模仿，开展了大量的文学创作实践，推动了文学的多样性与创新。

2.阐述浪漫主义对欧洲文学的影响。

答案：浪漫主义对欧洲文学的影响巨大。

浪漫主义强调个体的内心体验、情感的自由流露和对自然、想象力的推崇，这对欧洲文学的形式和内容都产生了深远影响。

在浪漫主义的影响下，欧洲文学中出现了众多热情洋溢的感伤诗歌，作家们追求超凡脱俗、超越现实的主题和形式，文学作品中常常出现的浪漫情节、奇遇故事和对自然的描写，都是浪漫主义在欧洲文学中的表现。