E. M. Forster is an Edwardian in point of time, and he is equally so

Question

E. M. Forster is an Edwardian in point of time, and he is equally so in spirit. His outlook on the world and his literary manner were already thoroughly developed in that epoch and have passed through the subsequent years of turbulence and cataclysm with remarkably little modification. The various modern revolutions in physics, in psychology, in politics, even in literary style, have not escaped his intelligent notice, but they can scarcely be said to have influenced him deeply. His response to the explosion of the Victorian dream of benevolent progress has been a modest and orderly retreat to safer ground—to a tolerant individualism now unmixed with Utopian dreams, but nevertheless closer to Victorian ideals than to any of the popular creeds of today. Rather than conform to bad times, Forster prefers to remind us cheerfully that his  views are atavistic .

The strength of Forster's resistance to the twentieth century is especially apparent when we place him pm beside some of his fellow writers. If Joyce, Lawrence, Pound, and the early Eliot represent the main current of the modern literary movement in English, we must admit that Forster's private stream runs in an older channel. These others were radical iconoclasts whose rejection of bourgeois-democratic life was violent and shattering. Equally shattering was their fragmentation of the polite cadences of Victorian literature. In seeing the falseness of the old psychology, they conceived a scorn for the hypocrite lecteur; their role as apocalyptic prophets, as naysayers to the boredom and specious rationality of modern life, demanded that they be obscure and idiosyncratic. Forster, in contrast, unashamedly calls himself a bourgeois and remains faithful to the tradition of calm intelligibility.

He is anti-apocalyptic in both his politics and his literary sense. To some degree his novels return us to the congenial Victorian relationship between writer and reader, with its unspoken agreement over the usefulness of the sociable virtues and its apotheosis of the happy family. Though Forster's heroes struggle against "society" as a body of inhibitions, their revolt is never truly radical. And Forster's ironical style, though it is unsparing in its probing at shams and half-truths, presupposes a confidence in the reader's sympathy and good judgment—a confidence that seemed quite archaic to the other writers named.

Forster's resistance to modernity may account for the fact that his novels, though they are almost universally esteemed, have never won him a cult of fanatical disciples. With a few exceptions, critics have tended to explicate and admire his works without becoming heated over the possible merit of his ideas. Yet Forster decidedly is a novelist of ideas, and didactic moral content is hardly less conspicuous in his work than in Lawrence's. Forster's persistent "moral" is that the life of affectionate personal relations, disengaged from political and religious zeal by means of a tolerant eclecticism, is supremely valuable. This is not a stirring creed; in fact, it is a warning against allowing oneself to be stirred by any creed.    1 
 1. The author's primary purpose in this passage is to

A. discuss E. M. Forster and his writing, particularly in the context of his reaction to modernity 
B. compare E. M. Forster to other writers of the twentieth century such as Joyce and Lawrence 
C. affirm that E. M. Forster is as much a novelist of ideas as other modern writers 
D. suggest that E. M. Forster's writing is a reflection of not only Victorian ideals but also Edwardian 
E. analyze E. M. Forster's response to the revolutions in science and art and how it affected his work

2 
 2. According to the passage, Forster's relationship to Victorianism is which of the following?

A. He believed Victorian ideals were preferable to those of modernity. 
B. He did not believe in Victorian ideals but nevertheless clung to them. 
C. He considered Victorian ideals to be not only oppressive but also false. 
D. He rejected Victorian ideals, but not so completely as other modern writers. 
E. He incorporated Victorian ideals into his own personal ideals.

3 
 3. The author most likely refers to Forster saying his " views are atavistic " in order to

A. make a case for the importance of individualism to Forster and his work 
B. isolate Forster as a writer unconnected to the revolutions of the modern world 
C. emphasize that Forster was an atypical modern writer 
D. suggest that Forster was an ardent supporter of the popular beliefs of his time 
E. point out Forster's inherent belief in Victorianism

4 
 4. The passage suggests which of the following about other writers who produced works in the same period as did Forster?

I. These writers, like Forster, rejected bourgeois values and directed their writing away from a style of polite veneer toward peculiar and individualized voices. 
II. These writers showed a greater willingness to embrace modernity than did Forster, who did not give up his belief in the importance of certain societal virtues. 
III. These writers, much like Forster, used their writing to instruct readers about their moral viewpoint, even if their styles differed from that of Forster.

A. I and II
B. I and III
C. II and III
D. I, II, and III
E. None of the above

5 
 5. The author's reaction to Forster's novels can best be described as one of

A. disparagement 
B. skepticism 
C. neutrality 
D. appreciation 
E. enthusiasm

6 
 6. Consider each of the choices separately and select all that apply.

It can be inferred from the passage that Joyce, Lawrence, Pound, and Eliot in his early period were all writers who

I. wrote in a style ahead of the spirit of their time. 
II. were often rude and offensive. 
III. lacked confidence in their audiences' sympathy

A. I
B. II
C. III
D. I and II
E. I and III

Carcass · Answer

OE QUESTION #1

The support for the answer to this primary purpose question is provided by the statement in the passage regarding “Forster’s resistance to the twentieth century.” Choice (B) is recycled language, as the passage does compare Forster to Joyce and Lawrence but focuses on characteristics of Forster rather than continuing to discuss Joyce and Lawrence. Eliminate (C), as the passage provides no such comparison between the degree to which Forster versus other modern writers are equally novelists of ideas. Choice (D) is recycled language, as the passage does describe Forster as Edwardian, but does not describe his writing as Edwardian or explain what Edwardian writing would entail. Choice (E) is a reversal, as the passage states that Forster noticed revolutions in physics and literary style, but they did not influence him deeply. The correct answer is (A).

Carcass · Answer

OE QUESTION #2

The support for the answer to this retrieval question is provided by the statement in the passage that Forster’s “response to the explosion of the Victorian dream… has been a modest and orderly retreat to safer ground… but nevertheless closer to Victorian ideals” than to other ideals. Choices (A), (B), and (E) are reversals, as the passage distinguishes between Forster’s beliefs and Victorian ideals. Choice (C) can be eliminated as the word “oppressive” is extreme language that is not supported by the statement in the text that Forster’s beliefs are “unmixed with Utopian dreams.” The correct answer is (D).

Carcass · Answer

OE QUESTION #3

The support for the answer to this purpose question is provided by the statement in the passage that Forster’s beliefs are “closer to Victorian ideals than to any of the popular creeds of today.” Choice (A) is recycled language as “individualism” is used to describe Forster, not to describe something important to Forster’s work. Choice (B) can be eliminated, because “isolate” and “unconnected” are extreme language that is not supported by the text, which states that “modern revolutions… have not escaped his intelligent notice.” Choice (D) can be eliminated, because “ardent supporter” is extreme language that is not supported by the text, which claims that Forster’s beliefs are in line with Edwardian ideals, but makes no statement about Forster’s political actions. Choice (E) can be eliminated, because inherent belief in Victorianism is extreme language that is not supported by the text, which states that Forster’s beliefs are “now unmixed with Utopian dreams,” and differ from Victorianism. The correct answer is (C).

Carcass · Answer

OE QUESTION #4

The support for the answer to this inference question is provided by the statements in the passage that “Forster’s didactic moral content is hardly less conspicuous in his work than Lawrence’s,” that Forster’s novels promote “the usefulness of the sociable virtues,” and that “the strength of Forster’s resistance to the twentieth century is especially apparent when we place him beside some of his fellow writers.” Choice (A) is a reversal, as the passage states that Forster “unashamedly calls himself a bourgeois.” The correct answer is C.

Carcass · Answer

OE QUESTION #5

This is a tone question, which requires analyzing the author’s choice of language toward the subject. The author references Forster’s novels with such language as congenial, heroes, ironical, unsparing in its probing at shams and half-truths, and almost universally esteemed. Thus, the author’s attitude toward Forster’s novels is positive, eliminating (A), (B), and (C). Choice (E) can be eliminated, as enthusiasm is extreme language that is not supported by the text and contradicts the author’s statement that Forster’s novels do not present a stirring creed. The correct answer is (D).

Carcass · Answer

OE QUESTION #6

The support for the answer to this inference question is provided by the statements in the passage both that Forster’s “ironical style… presupposes a confidence in the reader’s sympathy and good judgment” in contrast to “the other writers named,” and also that in referring to Forster’s style as older while naming his “spirit… Edwardian,” the passage implies that the other writers are ahead of the Edwardian spirit. Choice (B) can be eliminated, as “rude and offensive” are extreme language that is not supported by the text, which refers poetically to the “polite cadences of Victorian literature.” The correct answer is E.

Ilanchezhiyan · Answer

Very tough passage; Especially the language, and the choice of words- victorian, atavastic; Can anyone explain how to deal with such passages?

Carcass · Answer

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gullyboy09 · Answer

Hi  KarishmaB  , can you please help me with the below question? I am always confused between appreciation and enthusiasm!

5. The author's reaction to Forster's novels can best be described as one of

A. disparagement
B. skepticism
C. neutrality
D. appreciation
E. enthusiasm

guddo · Answer

5. The author's reaction to Forster's novels can best be described as one of

The author presents Forster as a writer who stayed largely outside the main modernist movement. Although the author notes that Forster is not radical, not apocalyptic, and not likely to inspire fanatical followers, the overall tone is clearly respectful. The passage consistently emphasizes his clarity, moral seriousness, and distinctive value. So the author’s attitude is best described as  respectful approval , not excitement.

(A) disparagement

This is too negative. The author does not dismiss or belittle Forster. On the contrary, the passage speaks of him with clear respect.

(B) skepticism

This is not right. The author is not doubtful about Forster’s value. He makes a fairly confident and favorable assessment.

(C) neutrality

This is too flat. The passage is evaluative throughout, not neutral.

(D) appreciation

This is correct.  The author clearly admires Forster’s qualities , even while recognizing his limits and differences from the major modernists.

(E) enthusiasm

This is too strong. The tone is warm and respectful, but not excited or passionate.

Answer: (D)

E. M. Forster is an Edwardian in point of time, and he is equally so

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

E. M. Forster is an Edwardian in point of time, and he is equally so

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