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 an excuse for expounding on Black history. Addison Gayle’s recent work, for example, judges the value of Black fiction by overtly political standards, faring each work according to the notions of Black identity which it put forward. 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 limits much of the fictional enterprise. Rosenblatt’s literary analysis discloses relations and connotations 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 modem fiction with which it is largely contemporaneous Rosenblatt’s idea 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 or rebel against it. Black Fiction does leave some aesthetic questions open. Rosenblatt’s thematic analysis permits considerable objectivity; he even 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 diffused. Is this a defect, or are the authors working out of, or trying to create, 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 popular theme that describes the fate against which Black heroes are struggling, a theme usually conveyed by more naturalistic modes of expression In spite of such omissions, what Rosenblatt does include in his discussion makes for a keen 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, clear style exemplifies levelheaded and penetrating criticism. Roger Rosenblatt looked at Addison Gayle’s criticism of Black Fiction with a(n) ______ attitude.
A. disapproving
B. consenting
C. objective
D. cautious
Decide which of the choices given below would best complete the passage if inserted in the corresponding blanks. Mark the best choice for each blank on your answer sheet. Many theories concerning the causes of juvenile delinquency (crimes committed by young people) focus either on the individual or on society as the major contributing influence. Theories (31) on the individual suggest that children engage in criminal behavior (32) they were not sufficiently penalized for previous misdeeds or that they have learned criminal behavior through (33) with others. Theories focusing on the role of society suggest that children commit crimes in (34) to their failure to rise above their socioeconomic status, (35) as a rejection of middleclass values. Most theories of juvenile delinquency have focused on children from disadvantaged families, (36) the fact that children from wealthy homes also commit crimes. The latter may commit crimes (37) lack of adequate parental control. All theories, however, are tentative and are (38) to criticism. Changes in the social structure may indirectly (39) juvenile crime rates. For example, changes in the economy that (40) to fewer job opportunities for youth and rising unemployment (41) make gainful employment increasingly difficult to obtain. The resulting discontent may in (42) lead more youths into criminal behavior. Families have also (43) changes these years. More families consist of one-parent households or two working parents (44) , children are likely to have less supervision at home (45) was common in the traditional family (46) This lack of parental supervision is thought to be an influence on juvenile crime rates. Other (47) causes of offensive acts include frustration or failure in school, the increased (48) of drugs and alcohol, and the growing (49) of child abuse and child neglect. All these conditions tend to increase the probability of a child committing a criminal act, (50) a direct causal relationship has not yet been established.
A. case B. short C. turn D. essence
Decide which of the choices given below would best complete the passage if inserted in the corresponding blanks. Mark the best choice for each blank on your answer sheet. Many theories concerning the causes of juvenile delinquency (crimes committed by young people) focus either on the individual or on society as the major contributing influence. Theories (31) on the individual suggest that children engage in criminal behavior (32) they were not sufficiently penalized for previous misdeeds or that they have learned criminal behavior through (33) with others. Theories focusing on the role of society suggest that children commit crimes in (34) to their failure to rise above their socioeconomic status, (35) as a rejection of middleclass values. Most theories of juvenile delinquency have focused on children from disadvantaged families, (36) the fact that children from wealthy homes also commit crimes. The latter may commit crimes (37) lack of adequate parental control. All theories, however, are tentative and are (38) to criticism. Changes in the social structure may indirectly (39) juvenile crime rates. For example, changes in the economy that (40) to fewer job opportunities for youth and rising unemployment (41) make gainful employment increasingly difficult to obtain. The resulting discontent may in (42) lead more youths into criminal behavior. Families have also (43) changes these years. More families consist of one-parent households or two working parents (44) , children are likely to have less supervision at home (45) was common in the traditional family (46) This lack of parental supervision is thought to be an influence on juvenile crime rates. Other (47) causes of offensive acts include frustration or failure in school, the increased (48) of drugs and alcohol, and the growing (49) of child abuse and child neglect. All these conditions tend to increase the probability of a child committing a criminal act, (50) a direct causal relationship has not yet been established.
A. incidence B. awareness C. exposure D. popularity
Cooperation is the only safeguard we have against the development of neurotic tendencies. It is therefore very important that children should be trained and encouraged in cooperation, and should be allowed to find their own way amongst children of their own age, in common tasks and shared games. Any barrier to cooperation will have serious consequences. The spoilt child, for example, who has learned to be interested only in himself, will take this lack of interest in others to school with him. His lessons will interest him only in so far as he thinks he gains his teachers’ favor. He will listen only to what he considers advantageous to himself. As approaches adulthood, the result of his lack of social feeling will become more and more evident. When he first misunderstood the meaning of life, he ceased training himself for responsibility and independence. By now he is painfully ill-equipped for life’s tests and difficulties. We cannot blame the adult for the child’s early mistakes. We can only help him to remedy them when he begins to suffer the consequences. We do not expect a child who has never been taught geography to score high marks in an examination paper on the subject. Similarly, we cannot expect a child who has never been trained in cooperation to respond appropriately when tasks that demand cooperation are set before him. But all of life’s problems demand an ability to cooperate if they are to be resolved; every task must be mastered within the framework of human society and in a way that furthers human welfare. Only the individual who understands that life means contribution will be able to meet his difficulties with courage and with a good chance of Success. If teachers, parents and psychologists understand the mistakes that can be made in ascribing a meaning to life, and provided they do not make the same mistakes themselves, we can be confident that children who lack social feeling will eventually develop a better sense of their own capacities and of the opportunities in life. When they meet problems, they will not stop trying; they will not look for an easy way out, try to escape or throw the burden onto the shoulders of others; they will not demand extra consideration or special sympathy; they will not feel humiliated and seek revenge, or ask, "what is the use of life What do I get from it" They will say, "we must make our own lives. It is our own task and we are capable of performing it. We are masters of our own actions. If something new must be done or something old replaced, no one can do it but ourselves." If life is approached in this way, as a cooperation of independent human beings, there are no limits to the progress of our human civilization. The main idea of the passage is
A. facing life’s tests and difficulties with courage.
B. the progress of human civilization.
C. the importance of learning to cooperate.
D. the early education of children.