Roger Rosenblatt’s book Black Fiction, in attempting to apply literary

Question

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Passage # 135, Date: 07-Jun-2020
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6-1 SECTION A

Roger Rosenblatt’s book Black Fiction, in attempting to apply literary rather than sociopolitical criteria to its subject, successfully alters the approach taken by most previous studies. As Rosenblatt notes, criticism of Black writing has often served as a pretext for expounding on Black history. Addison Gayle’s recent work, for example, judges the value of Black fiction by overtly political standards, rating each work according to the notions of Black identity which it propounds.

Although fiction assuredly springs from political circumstances, its authors react to those circumstances in ways other than ideological, and talking about novels and stories primarily as instruments of ideology circumvents much of the fictional enterprise. Rosenblatt’s literary analysis discloses affinities and connections among works of Black fiction which solely political studies have overlooked or ignored.

Writing acceptable criticism of Black fiction, however, presupposes giving satisfactory answers to a number of questions. First of all, is there a sufficient reason, other than the racial identity of the authors, to group together works by Black authors? Second, how does Black fiction make itself distinct from other modern fiction with which it is largely contemporaneous? Rosenblatt shows that Black fiction constitutes a distinct body of writing that has an identifiable, coherent literary tradition. Looking at novels written by Blacks over the last eighty years, he discovers recurring concerns and designs independent of chronology. These structures are thematic, and they spring, not surprisingly, from the central fact that the Black characters in these novels exist in a predominantly White culture, whether they try to conform to that culture of rebel against it.

Black Fiction does leave some aesthetic questions open. Rosenblatt’s thematic analysis permits considerable objectivity; he even explicitly states that it is not his intention to judge the merit of the various works—yet his reluctance seems misplaced, especially since an attempt to appraise might have led to interesting results. For instance, some of the novels appear to be structurally diffuse. Is this a defect, or are the authors working out of, or trying to forge, a different kind of aesthetic? In addition, the style of some Black novels, like Jean Toomer’s Cane, verges on expressionism or surrealism; does this technique provide a counterpoint to the prevalent theme that portrays the fate against which Black heroes are pitted, a theme usually conveyed by more naturalistic modes of expression?

In spite of such omissions, what Rosenblatt does include in his discussion makes for an astute and worthwhile study. Black Fiction surveys a wide variety of novels, bringing to our attention in the process some fascinating and little-known works like James Weldon Johnson’s Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man. Its argument is tightly constructed, and its forthright, lucid style exemplifies levelheaded and penetrating criticism.  
 1 
 1. ​The author of the passage objects to criticism of Black fiction like that by Addison Gayle because it

(A) emphasizes purely literary aspects of such fiction
(B) misinterprets the ideological content of such fiction
(C) misunderstands the notions of Black identity contained in such fiction
(D) substitutes political for literary criteria in evaluating such fiction
(E) ignores the interplay between Black history and Black identity displayed in such fiction

2 
 ​2. ​The author of the passage is primarily concerned with

(A) evaluating the soundness of a work of criticism
(B) comparing various critical approaches to a subject
(C) discussing the limitations of a particular kind of criticism
(D) summarizing the major points made in a work of criticism
(E) explaining the theoretical background of a certain kind of criticism

3 
 3. ​​​The author of the passage believes that Black Fiction would have been improved had Rosenblatt

(A) evaluated more carefully the ideological and historical aspects of Black fiction
(B) attempted to be more objective in his approach to novels and stories by Black authors
(C) explored in greater detail the recurrent thematic concerns of Black fiction throughout its history
(D) established a basis for placing Black fiction within its own unique literary tradition
(E) assessed the relative literary merit of the novels he analyzes thematically

4 
 4. ​​​​​​​The author’s discussion of Black Fiction can be best described as

(A) pedantic and contentious
(B) critical but admiring
(C) ironic and deprecating
(D) argumentative but unfocused
(E) stilted and insincere

5 
 5. ​​​​It can be inferred that the author of the passage would be LEAST likely to approve of which of the following?

(A) An analysis of the influence of political events on the personal ideology of Black writes
(B) A critical study that applies sociopolitical criteria to autobiographies by Black authors
(C) A literary study of Black poetry that appraises the merits of poems according to the political acceptability of their themes
(D) An examination of the growth of a distinct Black literary tradition within the context of Black history
(E) A literary study that attempts to isolate aesthetic qualities unique to Black fiction

6 
 6. ​​​​​​The author of the passage uses all of the following in the discussion of Rosenblatt’s book EXCEPT

(A) rhetorical questions
(B) specific examples
(C) comparison and contrast
(D) definition of terms
(E) personal opinion

7 
 7. ​​​​​The author of the passage refers to James Weldon Johnson’s Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man most probably in order to

(A) point out affinities between Rosenblatt’s method of thematic analysis and earlier criticism
(B) clarify the point about expressionistic style made earlier in the passage
(C) qualify the assessment of Rosenblatt’s book made in the first paragraph of the passage
(D) illustrate the affinities among Black novels disclosed by Rosenblatt’s literary analysis
(E) give a specific example of one of the accomplishments of Rosenblatt’s work

bM22 · Accepted Answer

Hi @MayankDimiri,  Adi88 ,  Pranav2704 ,  mukherjeeabhish ,  deep31993 ,

Let me know if this helps.

1. ​The author of the passage objects to criticism of Black fiction like that by Addison Gayle because it

(A) emphasizes purely literary aspects of such fiction
(B) misinterprets the ideological content of such fiction
(C) misunderstands the notions of Black identity contained in such fiction
 (D) substitutes political for literary criteria in evaluating such fiction
 (E) ignores the interplay between Black history and Black identity displayed in such fiction

Correct Answer: D,
 Explanation: can be interpreted by the lines in the passage: "Addison Gayle’s recent work, for example,  judges  the value of Black fiction by  overtly political standards , rating each work according to the notions of Black identity which it propounds.", implying that Addison openly judges the Black Fiction based on political criteria, and though fictions stem from political circumstances, and when authors of such fictions approach novels and stories primarily as instruments of ideology, it restrict the purpose and creativity of fictions.

2. ​The author of the passage is primarily concerned with

(A) evaluating the soundness of a work of criticism
 (B) comparing various critical approaches to a subject
(C) discussing the limitations of a particular kind of criticism
(D) summarizing the major points made in a work of criticism
(E) explaining the theoretical background of a certain kind of criticism

Correct Answer: A,
 Explanation: Throughout the passage, we can see that author evaluates and reviews the validity of Rosenblatt’s book "Black Fiction". The author doesn't mention any kind of information about limitations of a particular kind of criticism, neither does summarize any major points, nor he explains any background of a certain kind of criticism. He simply reviews the author's book and can been favoring him.

3. ​​​The author of the passage believes that Black Fiction would have been improved had Rosenblatt

(A) evaluated more carefully the ideological and historical aspects of Black fiction
(B) attempted to be more objective in his approach to novels and stories by Black authors
(C) explored in greater detail the recurrent thematic concerns of Black fiction throughout its history
(D) established a basis for placing Black fiction within its own unique literary tradition
 (E) assessed the relative literary merit of the novels he analyzes thematically

Correct Answer : E. 
Explanation: as mentioned in the passage: "Black Fiction does leave some aesthetic questions open. Rosenblatt’s thematic analysis permits considerable objectivity; he even explicitly states that it is not his intention to judge the merit of the various works—yet his reluctance seems misplaced", implying that Rosenblatt’s thematic analysis does leave room for some impartiality, making Option E a better choice.

4. ​​​​​​​The author’s discussion of Black Fiction can be best described as

(A) pedantic and contentious
 (B) critical but admiring
 (C) ironic and deprecating
(D) argumentative but unfocused
(E) stilted and insincere

Correct Answer: B.
 Explanation: An easy one, can be easily inferred from the pasage, since throughout the passage, author can be seen critically reviewing Rosenblatt’s book and favoring him and his approach at the same time, as mentioned in the passage: "In spite of such omissions, what Rosenblatt does include in his discussion makes for an astute and worthwhile study".

5. ​​​​It can be inferred that the author of the passage would be LEAST likely to approve of which of the following?

(A) An analysis of the influence of political events on the personal ideology of Black writes
(B) A critical study that applies sociopolitical criteria to autobiographies by Black authors
 (C) A literary study of Black poetry that appraises the merits of poems according to the political acceptability of their themes
 (D) An examination of the growth of a distinct Black literary tradition within the context of Black history
(E) A literary study that attempts to isolate aesthetic qualities unique to Black fiction

Correct Answer : C.
 Explanation: Again a fairly easy and a direct one, as the author doesn't discuss a literary study of Black poetry. All of the other points are mentioned in the passage. Options A, B are discussed in the passage as: "criticism of Black writing has often served as a pretext for expounding on Black history. Addison Gayle’s recent work, for example, judges the value of Black fiction by overtly political standards, rating each work according to the notions of Black identity which it propounds."

6. ​​​​​​The author of the passage uses all of the following in the discussion of Rosenblatt’s book EXCEPT

(A) rhetorical questions
(B) specific examples
(C) comparison and contrast
 (D) definition of terms 
(E) personal opinion

Correct Answer: D.
 Explanation: Rest all the of the options have been discussed by the author. He analyses different rhetorical questions, provides specific examples to support his argument. He can also been seen comparing and contrasting different works, providing personal opinion, but never throughout the passage, does he define Black Fiction, or any other term.

7. ​​​​​The author of the passage refers to James Weldon Johnson’s Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man most probably in order to

(A) point out affinities between Rosenblatt’s method of thematic analysis and earlier criticism
(B) clarify the point about expressionistic style made earlier in the passage
(C) qualify the assessment of Rosenblatt’s book made in the first paragraph of the passage
(D) illustrate the affinities among Black novels disclosed by Rosenblatt’s literary analysis
 (E) give a specific example of one of the accomplishments of Rosenblatt’s work
 
Correct Answer : E.
Explanation: as mentioned in the last sentences of the passage: "Black Fiction surveys a wide variety of novels, bringing to our attention in the process some fascinating and little-known works like James Weldon Johnson’s Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man. Its argument is tightly constructed, and its forthright, lucid style exemplifies levelheaded and penetrating criticism.", implies: the author suggests that through his work, Rosenblatt brought to light some fascinating and little known works. The author provides the example of James Weldon Johnson’s Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man.

Thanks.

Lenak · Answer

​2. ​The author of the passage is primarily concerned with

(A) evaluating the soundness of a work of criticism
(B) comparing various critical approaches to a subject
(C) discussing the limitations of a particular kind of criticism
(D) summarizing the major points made in a work of criticism
(E) explaining the theoretical background of a certain kind of criticism

What is the difference between answer choices A and C? 
  And why is C not the answer?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

The official answer of question #2 is A not C, please double check the answer or clarify your question If i missed something.

Thanks

Lenak · Answer

SajjadAhmad

Sorry, I edited my question 
I meant why C is not the answer

Sajjad1994 · Answer

The difference between  A and C  is the same the difference between the   evaluating the soundness   and   discussing the limitations   is. If you pay some attention on  para 1  and  last para  they suggests to answer A. In the  first para  author introduces the topic  (Roger Rosenblatt’s book Black Fiction)  and provides background information about the topic. In the  last para  author shows his/her biasness towards  one side  (Positive) in the lines:

in spite of such omissions, what Rosenblatt does include in his discussion makes for an astute and worthwhile study.

It shows he/she want to evaluate the Roger Rosenblatt’s work. Meanwhile if this would just be a discussion author would not have shown his/her biasness otherwise.

Adi88 · Answer

Can someone please explain the answer to question no. 5. Why is B not a correct option.

Pranav2704 · Answer

Can someone summarize the passage.

Thanks in advance

Fdambro294 · Answer

My take on this question.....

Throughout the passage the author praises Rosenblat’s analysis of a work of creative fiction. He admires the fact that Rosenblatt avoided political analysis of the content and instead focused on the structure, similarities, and style of the works.

The reason why I picked C is because we have another creative work (poetry) analyzed based on its political merits. This is the exact thing that the author praises Rosenblatt for avoiding.

Therefore, if someone did a critical analysis just like the one Answer C describes, I believe the author would not approve.

A and B are not focused on “creative content.” The author is primarily concerned throughout the passage with admiring a certain type of criticism of creative works, namely fiction.

He even says in the 1st paragraph how he approves of Rosenblatt’s criticism of creative work that avoids looking at the creative work in the context of the political atmosphere.

Answer A’s focus on the writer’s own “ideologies” moves away from the criticism of a creative piece of work like fiction.

Similarly, an autobiography is not as much a creative work as it is a historical documentation of somebody’s life. This type of work is dissimilar to the African American fiction discussed in the passage.

I tried to explain my interpretation without using verbose language......but it’s a hard feat to accomplish when we are discussing this passage lol

Posted from my mobile device

ricardorr04 · Answer

great passage for practice - 14 minutes and all correct, including 5 minutes to read

anshul0130 · Answer

KarishmaB  - Can you pls explain why author will agree with options A, B, D, E?

Thank you in advance.

SuprotimRoy · Answer

Roger Rosenblatt’s Black Fiction presents a significant shift in the critical evaluation of African American literature by emphasizing literary analysis over sociopolitical commentary. Challenging the prevailing trend of interpreting Black fiction primarily through ideological frameworks, Rosenblatt argues that while such works are politically informed, they also possess distinct thematic and structural qualities that merit literary scrutiny. His analysis identifies a coherent tradition within Black fiction, unified by recurring themes rooted in the Black experience within a predominantly White society. While the study avoids making aesthetic judgments—a limitation that may obscure deeper insights into form and style—it nonetheless offers a rigorous and illuminating survey of the field. By highlighting underappreciated works and providing a tightly argued, lucid critique, Black Fiction emerges as a valuable contribution to the study of African American literature.

Pranav2704

Can someone summarize the passage.

Thanks in advance

Roger Rosenblatt’s book Black Fiction, in attempting to apply literary

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Roger Rosenblatt’s book Black Fiction, in attempting to apply literary

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