Presenting a summary

Interesting to know!

Students! In order to get a passing grade (a “4”, a “5”, etc.) you should

1) know the time frame, characteristic features, representatives (and their main works!) of each of the periods; your grade will depend on how fully your answer has covered the aspects of the question;

2) read at least some literary works from the list below (you are permitted to take out the card with a lit. work three times – without any deduction) and be ready to give the plot and main idea (the author’s message) of the given one according to the following scheme:

PRESENTING A SUMMARY

Introduction	“……………..” is one of the novels/stories/plays/poems (included in the book “……………”) (written) by ………….., a famous (prominent, great, etc.) American writer/poet of the (early/late) 18^th/19^th. … century. His/her other well-known works are: ……….. It’s a fairy tale (a detective, adventure, love, humorous, etc. story).
Main body	1. The scene is laid The action takes place in … (location and time: in Chicago in the early 19^th century The story is set /at the beginning of the 20^th century / in the 1930s …) 2. The author gets us acquainted with (introduces) ……… (name the characters). The opening scene shows ……… (the event) / The narrative begins with the description of (the introduction of, the mention of). 3. While reading, we learn about / we find out that ………. The author describes (depicts, touches upon, characterises, mentions, points out); criticises (makes critical remarks on…, is ironical about…, reveals, mocks at, disapproves of); sympathises with (praises, approves of); gives his opinion of (gives a summary of, gives a detailed analysis of). 4. Describe the characters: We see ……… as a proud (lonely, agreeable, kind-hearted, emotional, vain, conceited, self-centred, etc.) person when he / she ……… (support your opinion with an example of the character’s behaviour). 5. It happened that …………/He (she) faced/appeared to be involved in (some mystery, predicaments, etc.) (Please, describe the events that follow using PAST tenses!) 6. At the end of the story/… the author ……… / The story/… ends with ……… 7. I think the main idea of the work/poem… is …………………….
Conclusion	Summarise your opinion of the characters or events described: I was impressed by/ I wasn’t much impressed by the story/novel/book/play because …………/ I liked (didn’t like) the story/novel/book/play because ………….(give and prove your opinion of the literary work)

You can use this scheme at the exam! As to the pieces of poetry, you should choose a poem by Dickinson, Poe, Longfellow, Whitman (you may have a copy of it at the exam – you needn’t learn it by heart!) and analyse it (the same scheme can be used, with some points omitted or changed).

The following literary works are to be read:

1. Дикинсон Э. Лирика

2. Драйзер Т. Американская трагедия / Сестра Кэрри

3. Ирвинг В. Легенда о Сонной Лощине. Рип Ван Винкль

4. Ли Х. Убить пересмешника

5. Лондон Дж. Мартин Иден

6. Лонгфелло Г.У. «Песнь о Гайавате», лирика

7. О.Генри Рассказы

8. По Э.А. Рассказы

9. Сэлинджер Дж.Д. Над пропастью во ржи

10. Стейнбек Дж. О мышах и людях

11. Твен М. Приключения Гекльберри Финна

12. Уильямс Т. Пьесы (на выбор)

13. Уитмен У. Листья травы

14. Фицджеральд Ф.С. Великий Гэтсби

15. Хемингуэй Э. Прощай, оружие! Старик и море

16. Хеллер Дж. Уловка - 22

American Literature

1. Colonial writing in American literature. Main literary forms.

2. The birth and rise of a national American literature.

3. American Romanticism (periods, characteristic features, representatives).

4. American Romanticism. Transcendentalists.

5. American Romanticism. The Boston Brahmins.

6. American Romanticism. “Individuals”.

7. Humorists and colorists in 19^th century American literature.

8. The rise of realism in American literature.

9. Naturalism and muckraking in American literature.

10. Realism and naturalism as literary trends in American literature.

11. The “Lost Generation” literature.

12. The “Lost Generation” hero in 20^th century American literature.

13. The “Lost Generation”. Modernism in prose.

14. “American dream” in the works of American writers of the 20^th century.

15. The 1^st half of the 20^th century. Modernism in poetry

16. Escapism and war in 20^th century American literature.

17. Postwar American literature. Main literary trends.

18. The 2^nd half of the 20^th century. Main trends in prose and poetry.

19. 20^th century American drama.

20. The American short story.

English literature (This concerns those who wish to get a “9” or “10” or just a higher mark than their rank permits. These students should be able to compare the mentioned below literary trends in English and American literatures: time frame, characteristic features, main representatives and their most important works).

1. Renaissance in English literature (3 periods).

2. English Enlightenment (3 periods).

3. Romanticism in English poetry.

4. Romanticism in prose.

5. Modernism in English literature.

6. English literature between the wars (main trends).

7. English authors of the “Lost Generation”.

8. Philosophical trend in English literature.

9. English postwar drama.

10. Postmodernism in English literature.

Students! In fact, the information presented in the lectures will permit you to pass the exam successfully (authors’ names and their works are given in italics). But you can use any extra sources you like. If you have any questions, you are welcome 22.01.2014 (15.00).

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14