English Language

Literary Analysis

4,495 Questions

Analyze classic and modernist novels, autobiographies, plays, and graphic novels across various genres. This topic tests your familiarity with prominent authors, literary movements, and thematic elements. Questions appear regularly in the English language sections of SSC, banking, and teaching competency exams.

Classic and modernist novelsAutobiographies and biographiesPoetic language and farcesThematic literary elements

Literary Analysis Questions

Multiple choice

In the book "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss, what does the Once-ler do to the Truffula Trees?

  1. He plants them.

  2. He chops them down.

  3. He waters them.

  4. He fertilizes them.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Once-ler chops down the Truffula Trees to make Thneeds, a product that he sells for profit.

Multiple choice

In the book "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein, what does the tree give to the boy?

  1. Her leaves.

  2. Her branches.

  3. Her trunk.

  4. Her fruit.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
Correct answer
Explanation

The tree gives the boy her leaves, branches, trunk, and fruit throughout his life, even though it means sacrificing her own well-being.

Multiple choice

In the book "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams, what does the rabbit need to become real?

  1. Love.

  2. Magic.

  3. Time.

  4. Money.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The rabbit needs love to become real.

Multiple choice

In the book "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins, what is the name of the annual event in which children are forced to fight to the death?

  1. The Hunger Games.

  2. The Reaping.

  3. The Capitol.

  4. The Districts.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The annual event in which children are forced to fight to the death is called The Hunger Games.

Multiple choice

In the book "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green, what is the name of the cancer support group that Hazel and Gus attend?

  1. The Support Group.

  2. The Cancer Support Group.

  3. The Fault in Our Stars Support Group.

  4. The Hazel and Gus Support Group.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Hazel and Gus attend a cancer support group simply called The Support Group.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of an absurdist novel?

  1. Pride and Prejudice

  2. The Great Gatsby

  3. The Trial

  4. To Kill a Mockingbird
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Kafka's 'The Trial' exemplifies absurdist literature with its portrayal of a protagonist facing an incomprehensible legal system and an inexplicable trial.

Multiple choice

Which play by Bertolt Brecht explores the rise of fascism in Germany?

  1. Mother Courage and Her Children

  2. The Threepenny Opera

  3. The Good Person of Szechwan

  4. Life of Galileo
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Mother Courage and Her Children is a play by Bertolt Brecht that follows the story of a woman who sells goods to soldiers during the Thirty Years' War. The play explores the themes of war, capitalism, and the rise of fascism.

Multiple choice

Which play by Henrik Ibsen deals with the issue of social inequality?

  1. A Doll's House

  2. Hedda Gabler

  3. The Wild Duck

  4. Peer Gynt
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A Doll's House is a play by Henrik Ibsen that explores the themes of gender roles, marriage, and social inequality. The play follows the story of Nora Helmer, a woman who leaves her husband and children in order to find independence and self-fulfillment.

Multiple choice

In George Orwell's play "Animal Farm", what does the windmill symbolize?

  1. The promise of a better future

  2. The power of the working class

  3. The futility of revolution

  4. The corruption of power
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Animal Farm is a play by George Orwell that satirizes the Russian Revolution. The windmill in the play symbolizes the promise of a better future for the animals, but it is ultimately destroyed by the pigs, who represent the corrupt leaders of the revolution.

Multiple choice

In Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman", what is the protagonist's main conflict?

  1. His conflict with his son

  2. His conflict with his wife

  3. His conflict with his boss

  4. His conflict with himself
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Death of a Salesman is a play by Arthur Miller that explores the themes of the American Dream, capitalism, and the failure of the individual. The protagonist, Willy Loman, is a salesman who struggles to come to terms with his own failures and the changing world around him.

Multiple choice

Which play by Tennessee Williams deals with the issue of mental illness?

  1. A Streetcar Named Desire

  2. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

  3. The Glass Menagerie

  4. Suddenly, Last Summer
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Glass Menagerie is a play by Tennessee Williams that explores the themes of mental illness, family, and the American Dream. The play follows the story of Amanda Wingfield, a single mother who struggles to raise her two children, Tom and Laura, in the aftermath of her husband's abandonment.

Multiple choice

Which play by Henrik Ibsen deals with the issue of women's rights?

  1. A Doll's House

  2. Hedda Gabler

  3. The Wild Duck

  4. Peer Gynt
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A Doll's House is a play by Henrik Ibsen that explores the themes of gender roles, marriage, and women's rights. The play follows the story of Nora Helmer, a woman who leaves her husband and children in order to find independence and self-fulfillment.

Multiple choice

Which play by Samuel Beckett explores the theme of the absurdity of life?

  1. Waiting for Godot

  2. Endgame

  3. Happy Days

  4. Krapp's Last Tape
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Waiting for Godot is a play by Samuel Beckett that explores the themes of existentialism and the absurdity of life. The play follows the story of two men, Vladimir and Estragon, who are waiting for a man named Godot, who never arrives.

Multiple choice

In George Orwell's play "Animal Farm", what does the windmill symbolize?

  1. The promise of a better future

  2. The power of the working class

  3. The futility of revolution

  4. The corruption of power
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Animal Farm is a play by George Orwell that satirizes the Russian Revolution. The windmill in the play symbolizes the promise of a better future for the animals, but it is ultimately destroyed by the pigs, who represent the corrupt leaders of the revolution.

Multiple choice

Which play by Henrik Ibsen deals with the issue of social inequality?

  1. A Doll's House

  2. Hedda Gabler

  3. The Wild Duck

  4. Peer Gynt
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A Doll's House is a play by Henrik Ibsen that explores the themes of gender roles, marriage, and social inequality. The play follows the story of Nora Helmer, a woman who leaves her husband and children in order to find independence and self-fulfillment.