Masterpieces of literature are “intertextual”; that is, they tend to b

Question

Q. Masterpieces of literature are “intertextual”; that is, they tend to be written in response not to reality but to to other works of literature. To the extent that a writing is intertextual, it becomes clouded as a mirror of social reality.

The statements above provide the most support for which of the following conclusions?

a. To the extent that a writing fails to mirror social reality, the writing is intertextual. 
b. The author who wishes to write a masterpiece should avoid being influenced by other works of literature. 
c. A writing that is not intertextual can have no significant relationship to any other writings. 
d. Literary masterpieces of the past are suspect as sources of information about the social reality of the past. 
e. A work of literature is not intertextual if it is written in response to a writing that accurately mirrors social reality.

Guys I could home down to the OA but left it just with a thought that it is an assumption which make the above argument valid and therefore I chose C.

Guys plz provide ans with explanation

cellydan · Answer

C is out of scope. It talks about non intertextual works. D stays in the realm of intertextual and thus is a better choice.

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viks4gmat · Answer

Ravi..

frankly this is one of the most common traps gmat sets for its takers. so every time you see something like this, think about it and ensure u dont fall for it

the passage states an intertextual means DEFINATELY written in response to some one else's literature. but non intertextual DOES NOT NECESSARILY mean that there could be no relationships with other works.

Thats where C falters... it says

if inter textual -- > works are related ( one is written in response to another)
if not ---> The works are not related.

here is an example.

lets say u designed a concept 2+2 =4 
if i say 2+2 is not 4 but 2+2 = 5 then thats intertextual

but if i state a new theory that 2+2 + 4 = 4+ 4 = 8
i am not creating a work in response to yours (im not conflicting your statements) but at the same time i am using SOME of your concepts.. some of celly's concepts maybe, some my own and then im creating a new one altogether.

so C misses out on this kind of possibility

D echoes the last sentence in the CR nicely. hope this helps.

ravi67741 · Answer

awesome Viks4gmat.....thanx buddy for such a nice explanation.

OptimusPrimea1 · Answer

C is definitely wrong..But can any one explain how D can be the answer..Still not getting it..

Marcab · Answer

+1 for D

nishtil · Answer

D is the asnwer as it is restates the last line of the argument

arzad · Answer

I picked B but I see why D is correct.

Conclusion: "Masterpieces of literature are “intertextual”"
Premise: "To the extent that a writing is intertextual, it becomes clouded as a mirror of social reality."

Therefore: Masterpieces can be consider a mirror of social reality.

Option D: "Literary masterpieces of the past are suspect as sources of information about the social reality of the past."

GMATPASSION · Answer

I guessed D on this. Although did some eliminations.

Would have definitely guessed this one on actual GMAT. Tough to understand the language used.

SaraLotfy · Answer

In choice "D", does "suspect as sources of information about the social reality of the past" mean that they are bad sources of information to mirror social reality of the past? if that's the case then I understand why D is the correct answer. But perhaps it could've been written in a clearer way to clarify the meaning of  "suspect as sources of information"

rsrighosh · Answer

I still dont get how D is the answer

d. Literary masterpieces of the past are suspect as sources of information about the social reality of the past.

But the passage says  Masterpieces of literature are “intertextual” that is, they tend to be written in response not to reality but to to other works of literature.

This means Masterpieces of the  past  are also written in response to  past works of literature

Isnt this totally opposite of what D is written? Can anybody share your insight on this?

GMATNinja   GMATinsight ... can you please guide?

VerbalBot · Answer

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Masterpieces of literature are “intertextual”; that is, they tend to b

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Masterpieces of literature are “intertextual”; that is, they tend to b

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