Master exam - 09

             Master’s Degrees— How to answer the exam

                                             English Literature and the History of Ideas

 Exam N° 9 

----- The passage provided delves into the complexity of defining "literature" and how works are classified as "literature" or "non-literature." It touches on the changing standards and criteria over time, emphasizing that definitions and judgments of literature are not fixed and can be influenced by various factors.

----- Discuss the meanings and uses of literature as a mode of representation favored for its refined rhetorical and imaginative qualities over other modes of enunciation.

----- Explain what is meant by literature being a "mode of representation." Discuss how literature uses language to create vivid, imaginative, and artistic expressions that distinguish it from other forms of communication.

----- Discuss how literature is often valued for its rhetorical (persuasive and expressive) and imaginative (creative and evocative) qualities. Provide examples of literary techniques (e.g., metaphors, symbolism, narrative style) that enhance its rhetorical and imaginative appeal.

----- Explain what is meant by "literariness" – the qualities that make a text literary. Discuss intrinsic criteria (qualities within the text itself, such as style, themes, and structure) and extrinsic criteria (factors outside the text, such as historical context, author’s intent, and critical reception).

----- Provide examples from your readings of literary texts to illustrate what you believe constitutes the value of literariness. Discuss specific passages or works and why they are considered valuable literary works.