Though he left us with numerous great works and, to be sure, is widely

Question

Aristotle RC 99 - Passage 15     
   Though he left us with numerous great works and, to be sure, is widely regarded as America‘s first internationally renowned author, Washington Irving‘s sometimes enigmatic tendencies and techniques have left literary critiques and academics to ponder his motives more than 140 years after his death. One such trait that raises the proverbial eyebrow of the community of readers and critiques is Irving‘s repeated, and varied, use of pseudonyms throughout his career.

One of the most well-known female writers to adopt a pen name was George Sand, born Aurore Dupin in 1804, who became one of the most prolific and admired French authors – female or male – during the nineteenth century. The true identity of George Sand did not remain a secret for long, for after 1830 the author used this name in her everydaylife, and close friends commonly referred to her as ―George

Most portraits of the author as an adult are entitled simply George Sand and make no reference to her given name. Her son, too, adopted this new last name even though association with his famous authormother did not bring him any obvious benefits, other than to indicate that his relationship with his mother was closer than that of his sister. Given that the name ―George Sand‖ is radically different from Aurore Dupin‘s birth name, many readers have wondered how the author formulated her masculine pen name.

At least two possible answers spring to mind. The first, as indicated in Curtis Cate‘s biography George Sand, is that the idea for this pseudonym arose from a collaboration with her first lover, Jules Sandeau, with whom she co-authored several articles as well as a full-length novel entitled Rose et Blanche. Since her own literary output was a great success in the 1830s-1850s, she quickly became known by this name, and began to use her pen-name on a daily basis.

By continuing to use the name initially assigned to collaborative writings with her lover, perhaps Aurore hoped to maintain her connection to Sandeau. Perhaps she fondly remembered their time together and wished to have a permanent reminder of their relationship. Or perhaps she simply realized that it would be much more expedient to continue to write under a name which was already familiar to her audience thanks to the joint works she and Sandeau had published.

Given that George Sand began writing under this masculine name at around the same time as she began to roam around Paris in pants and a jacket – typically male clothing – it is not hard to understand why she chose a masculine pseudonym, since, like her choice of clothes, this male identity gave her more freedom of expression, both literally and figuratively. Writing under a false name allowed her to distance parts of her character – her roles as wife, mother, and lover – from the creative and literary parts that formed the basis for her role as an author. Using a male name set her apart and added to her persona as an unusual and fascinating woman. And in the end, the reason why she chose this particular pen-name is not nearly as important as the vast quantity of writing – articles, letters, novels, plays – that forms her legacy to the field of French literature.   1 
 1. The author‘s attitude towards the use of male pseudonyms by female authors as noted in the passage can best be described as:

A. skeptical of the usefulness of pseudonyms.
B. critical of the women‘s adoption of a male name.
C. appreciative of female authors‘ efforts to be published at any cost.
D. intrigued by the creation of a pseudonym.
E. disillusionment at the idea of discrimination against women

2 
 2. According to the passage, the following were all possible reasons for George Sand to create a pseudonym EXCEPT:

A. she began publishing collaborative works with Jules Sandeau.
B. her new name reflected important parts of her life.
C. she was not able to publish any works under her own given name.
D. the works published under her pen name sold well.
E. the male identity gave her greater freedom of expression

3 
 3. What is the main purpose of the passage?

A. to criticise females writers who use male names
B. to discuss why some female writers use male names
C. to applaud female writers for using male names
D. to encourage female writers to use their own names
E. to suggest that male writers should use females names

4 
 4. With which of the following statements would the author most likely agree?

A. Aurore Dupin should have written works under her own name once the secret of her pseudonym was revealed.
B. By writing under a pseudonym, George Sand created for herself a new identity which allowed her to transcend the limitations of society.
C. George Sand owed her early success to her partner, Jules Sandeau.
D. The choice of a masculine pseudonym was restrictive for George Sand and forced her to live as a man throughout her life.
E. The use of pseudonyms in general by authors of both the sexes should be avoided

warrior1991 · Accepted Answer

Throughout the passage author wants us to explain about why most female authors used masculine names.

warrior1991 · Answer

Read the lines below:-

After reading the above lines one can easily deduce C as the answer. Let me know if anyone has concerns.

IMO C.

warrior1991 · Answer

IMO B.

warrior1991 · Answer

IMO B.

honneeey · Answer

7:23 Minutes. All correct!
Relatively easy one as far as answer choices are concerned.

1. The author‘s attitude towards the use of male pseudonyms by female authors as noted in the passage can best be described as:

A. skeptical of the usefulness of pseudonyms.-No, author was not at all skeptical for the use of pseudonyms!
B. critical of the women‘s adoption of a male name.-No, author was inquisitive not critical!
C. appreciative of female authors‘ efforts to be published at any cost.-Nopes, its no where mentioned that females authors were not getting published!
D. intrigued by the creation of a pseudonym.- Correct,  Refer"Given that the name ―George Sand‖ is radically different from Aurore Dupin‘s birth name, many readers have wondered how the author formulated her masculine pen name.

At least two possible answers spring to mind. The first, as indicated in Curtis Cate‘s biography George Sand, is that the idea for this pseudonym arose from a collaboration with her first lover". this excerpt shows that author's ideology was in line with other " many readers"
E. disillusionment at the idea of discrimination against women-False no sense of disillusionment!

2. According to the passage, the following were all possible reasons for George Sand to create a pseudonym EXCEPT:

A. she began publishing collaborative works with Jules Sandeau.-Mentioned
B. her new name reflected important parts of her life.-Mentioned
C. she was not able to publish any works under her own given name.- Correct answer, False, no where mentioned! 
D. the works published under her pen name sold well.-Mentioned!
E. the male identity gave her greater freedom of expression-Mentioned.

3. What is the main purpose of the passage?

A. to criticise females writers who use male names-No author didn't criticize "George"
B. to discuss why some female writers use male names- True , author was into inquisitive and answer finding mode.
C. to applaud female writers for using male names-No, no sense of applause shown by author!
D. to encourage female writers to use their own names-Nopes, author never encourages writers to use their own name!
E. to suggest that male writers should useles names-OFS.

4. With which of the following statements would the author most likely agree?

A. Aurore Dupin should have written works under her own name once the secret of her pseudonym was revealed._no author didnt agree with this!

B. By writing under a pseudonym, George Sand created for herself a new identity which allowed her to transcend the limitations of society.- True,  refer"Writing under a false name allowed her to distance parts of her character – her roles as wife, mother, and lover – from the creative and literary parts that formed the basis for her role as an author. Using a male name set her apart and added to her persona as an unusual and fascinating woman."

C. George Sand owed her early success to her partner, Jules Sandeau.-No, they both were responsible for the success!

D. The choice of a masculine pseudonym was restrictive for George Sand and forced her to live as a man throughout her life.-No, cant be inferred! as it didnt "force her"

E. The use of pseudonyms in general by authors of both the sexes should be avoided-Too much derivation, OFS.

pk123 · Answer

Let me try

Para1: Pseudonym, one of trait, use through Irving's career kept critics and academics ponder
Para2: Similar case with GS (George Sand), f emale or male  but identity revealed later
Para3: GS works as pseudonym, readers wonder how GS used masculine name
Para4: Author gives 2 answers, talks of one
Para5: Talks of another reason
Para6: Author speaks on positives (express freely) of GS who kept pseudonym , also says name is not that important as the vast quantum of works GS has done is.

Q1 can be answered using above summary
Q1. The author‘s attitude towards the use of male pseudonyms by female authors as noted in the passage can best be described as: 
A. skeptical of the usefulness of pseudonyms.--- he was supportive for GS case, not skeptical
B. critical of the women‘s adoption of a male name--- he never critiqued adoption of male name
C. appreciative of female authors‘ efforts to be published at any cost--appreciative of female author's but not for publishing at any cost but for able to express freely
D. intrigued by the creation of a pseudonym--Earlier author was intrigued, in 2nd para male/female, why Irvings kept pseudonym ...hence apt for an answer
E. disillusionment at the idea of discrimination against women-- discrimination nowhere in the scope of passage

Detail question: Can be accessed in Para 4 and Para 5
 2. According to the passage, the following were all possible reasons for George Sand to create a pseudonym EXCEPT:

A. she began publishing collaborative works with Jules Sandeau.--- (Para 4:....as indicated in Curtis Cate‘s biography George Sand, is that the idea for this pseudonym arose from a collaboration with her first lover, Jules Sandeau,....)
B. her new name reflected important parts of her life.( Para 5: Perhaps she fondly remembered their time together and wished to have a permanent reminder of their relationship.
C. she was not able to publish any works under her own given name.---No where its mentioned in the passage and hence this is the answer
D. the works published under her pen name sold well. (Para 4: Since her own literary output was a great success in the 1830s-1850s,.....)
E. the male identity gave her greater freedom of expression (This is not found in Para 4 and Para 5 but can be found in Para 6, this is why I believe this is global detail question ( details can be found anywhere)...Para 6 excerpts......since, like her choice of clothes, this male identity gave her more freedom of expression, both literally and figuratively)

Can be answered using Paragraph summary
 3. What is the main purpose of the passage?

A. to criticise females writers who use male names ----criticise writers no way...author was netural to favouring GS 
B. to discuss why some female writers use male names --Yes author was constantly saying why people keep peudonym..male or female..also gives 2 reasons as not sure which one is right...
C. to applaud female writers for using male names-- Author just appreciated GS that too for taking pseudonym to express her ...Author also says pseudonym is not that important as the volume of work
D. to encourage female writers to use their own names ---- Author never says anything on encouragement to use pseudonym
E. to suggest that male writers should use females names--- Male writers to use female ...no way ...exploits our gender thoughts..real world

Again can be answered using paragraph summary...authors full expression comes out in Para 6
 4. With which of the following statements would the author most likely agree?

A. Aurore Dupin should have written works under her own name once the secret of her pseudonym was revealed.---Nothing of such sort told by author

B. By writing under a pseudonym, George Sand created for herself a new identity which allowed her to transcend the limitations of society.----Great, this is paraphrase of Para 6... Writing under a false name allowed her to distance parts of her character – her roles as wife, mother, and lover – from the creative and literary parts that formed the basis for her role as an author. Using a male name set her apart and added to her persona as an unusual and fascinating woman. )

C. George Sand owed her early success to her partner, Jules Sandeau.---GS collaborated with her partner not that owed success to Jules.

D. The choice of a masculine pseudonym was restrictive for George Sand and forced her to live as a man throughout her life.----Para 2 just negates this... a complete 180 degree

E. The use of pseudonyms in general by authors of both the sexes should be avoided--- Both the sexes..well nothing of this sort is discussed....

hiranmay · Answer

Summary :
P1: use of pseudonym by Irving left critics and reader to ponder.
P2: similar case: George Sand used of pseudonym 
P3: similar case: use of pseudonym by George Sand left critics and reader to ponder. and they tried to find out the reason behind this male pseudonym
P4: George Sand wrote using this pen name with her lover in her early life. And it was a great success
P5: she hoped to remember their connection using this name. Also the pen name was already famous- so there was no point of changing the name.
P6: she felt more freedom. she can separate her personal and literary/professional life. Finally it is not import what was her pen name, her vast quantity of writing is more important

main point: author discuss about George Sand and her writing. Also discuss about her pen name & reasons behind this male pen name.

1. The author‘s attitude towards the use of male pseudonyms by female authors as noted in the passage can best be described as: ( tone Q )

A. skeptical of the usefulness of pseudonyms. -->  author was never skeptical in the entire passage 
B. critical of the women‘s adoption of a male name. -->  author was never critical in the entire passage 
C. appreciative of female authors‘ efforts to be published at any cost. -->  it is no where mentioned that female author published at any cost 
D. intrigued by the creation of a pseudonym. -->  correct: author was interested to know why the pseudonym was created 
E. disillusionment at the idea of discrimination against women -->  there is no discussion of discrimination in the passage

2. According to the passage, the following were all possible reasons for George Sand to create a pseudonym EXCEPT: ( detail Q/must be true Q )

A. she began publishing collaborative works with Jules Sandeau. -->  this reason has been mentioned in the passage "the idea for this pseudonym arose from a collaboration with her first lover, Jules Sandeau, with whom she co-authored several articles" 
B. her new name reflected important parts of her life. --> this reason has been mentioned in the passage "the idea for this pseudonym arose from a collaboration with her first lover, Jules Sandeau, with whom she co-authored several articles ... Since her own literary output was a great success" 
C. she was not able to publish any works under her own given name. -->   correct :   not mentioned in the passage  
D. the works published under her pen name sold well. -->  this reason has been mentioned in the passage "the idea for this pseudonym arose from a collaboration with her first lover, Jules Sandeau, with whom she co-authored several articles ... Since her own literary output was a great success" 
E. the male identity gave her greater freedom of expression -->  this reason has been mentioned in the passage "this male identity gave her more freedom of expression"

3. What is the main purpose of the passage? ( main point Q )

A. to criticise females writers who use male names -->  author never criticise in the entire passage 
B. to discuss why some female writers use male names -->  correct: matches with our main point summary 
C. to applaud female writers for using male name -->  author never applaud for using male name. he even said in the last line of the passage "it is not import what was her pen name, her vast quantity of writing is more important" 
D. to encourage female writers to use their own names -->  author never encourage anyone to do anything, he just describe different things in the passage 
E. to suggest that male writers should use females names -->  same as D

4. With which of the following statements would the author most likely agree? ( Inference Q/must be true Q )

A. Aurore Dupin should have written works under her own name once the secret of her pseudonym was revealed. -->  not mentioned in the passage. Also the author never suggest that "Aurore Dupin should have written works under her own name" 
B. By writing under a pseudonym, George Sand created for herself a new identity which allowed her to transcend the limitations of society. -->  correct: "Using a male name set her apart and added to her persona as an unusual and fascinating woman.it is not import what was her pen name, her vast quantity of writing is more important" 
C. George Sand owed her early success to her partner, Jules Sandeau. -->  author never mentioned/agreed on this 
D. The choice of a masculine pseudonym was restrictive for George Sand and forced her to live as a man throughout her life. -->  it is mentioned in the passage that "like her choice of clothes, this male identity gave her more freedom of expression" , but author never mentioned/agreed that "a masculine pseudonym forced her to live as a man throughout her life" 
E. The use of pseudonyms in general by authors of both the sexes should be avoided -->  author never mentioned/agreed on this

tahvorian · Answer

"...pants and a jacket – typically male clothing –  it is not hard to understand why she chose a masculine pseudonym,  since, like her choice of clothes, this male identity gave her more freedom of expression, both literally and figuratively. Writing under a false name allowed her to distance parts of her character – her roles as wife, mother, and lover – from the creative and literary parts that formed the basis for her role as an author. Using a male name set her apart and added to her persona as a n unusual and fascinating  woman. " 
These are all about answer C on the Q1.

akshayshukla1991 · Answer

What would be the overall difficulty level for the passage?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Following should be the difficulty level of each question.

Question #1: 650
Question #2: 500
Question #3: 500
Question #4: 450-500

Overall: 500-550 (Easy)

VerbalBot · Answer

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