美国文学期末考试试题

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2013级2016-2017-1学期美国文学试题

Note: All the answers should be written on the ANSWER SHEET .

I. Paraphrase the first TWO stanzas of Edgar Allen

Poe’s “The Raven” (25 points).

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore —

While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

“’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door — Only this and nothing more.”

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December; And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.

Eagerly I wished the morrow;—vainly I had sought to borrow From my books surcease of sorrow —sorrow for the lost Lenore — For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore —

Nameless here for evermore.

II. How do you understand the meaning of the

word “Immortality” at the end of the 1st stanza and that of the word “Eternity” at the end of the last stanza of Dickson’s poem “Because I Could Not Stop For Death.” Discuss in the context of the whole poem. (25 points).

–

by Emily Dickinson

Because I could not stop for Death – He kindly stopped for me –

The Carriage held but just Ourselves – And Immortality.

We slowly drove – He knew no haste And I had put away

My labor and my leisure too, For His Civility –

We passed the School, where Children strove At Recess – in the Ring –

We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain – We passed the Setting Sun –

Or rather – He passed Us –

The Dews drew quivering and Chill – For only Gossamer, my Gown

– My Tippet – only Tulle –

We paused before a House that seemed A Swelling of the Ground – The Roof was scarcely visible – The Cornice – in the Ground –

Since then – 'tis Centuries – and yet Feels shorter than the Day

I first surmised the Horses' Heads Were toward Eternity –

Questions 3-4 refer to Fitzgerald’s story “Winter Dreams.”

III. Near the end of the story (the 4th paragraph from the end), Dexter observes that

What does he means when he sa ys that “he knew that he had just lost something more”? Why do you think so? (25 points).

He had thought that having nothing else to lose he was invulnerable at last--but he knew that he had just lost something more, as surely as if he had married Judy Jones and seen her fade away before his eyes.

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IV. A critic says that “in his short story ‘Winter Dreams,’ F. Scott Fitzgerald illustrates the transitory nature of the human ideals of beauty and love, and the way in which women are objectified by men.” Do you agree with his analysis of the story? Please try to elaborate the critic’s statement if you agree with him. Or if not, give reasons why you disagree with him. (25 points).