The GRE Literature in English Test assesses your knowledge of literature from a variety of historical periods and genres.
Test Overview
What is the GRE Literature in English Test?
The GRE Literature in English Test is a standardized exam that evaluates your understanding of English literature. It is often required for admission to graduate programs in English literature and related fields.
Test Structure
The test comprises approximately 230 questions in multiple-choice format. It is divided into four major areas:
- Literary Analysis: Understanding and analyzing literary works.
- Identification: Recognizing authors, literary movements, and terms.
- Cultural and Historical Contexts: Placing works within their cultural and historical contexts.
- History and Theory of Literary Criticism: Knowledge of critical and theoretical approaches.
Study Strategies
Understand the Test Format
Familiarize yourself with the test format and types of questions. Use official GRE practice tests and materials to get a feel for the actual exam.
Create a Study Schedule
Plan a study schedule that covers all major periods and genres of English literature. Allocate more time to areas where you feel less confident.
Use a Variety of Study Resources
- Primary Texts: Read key works from different periods and genres.
- Study Guides: Use GRE-specific literature guides.
- Critical Essays and Summaries: Read critical essays and summaries to gain deeper insights.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Regularly take practice tests to gauge your progress and adjust your study plan accordingly. Focus on time management to ensure you can complete the test within the allotted time.
Literary Periods and Major Authors
Old English (Anglo-Saxon) Period
Overview
The Old English period (450-1066) is characterized by works written in the Old English language. Major themes include heroism, fate, and religious faith.
Key Works and Authors
- Beowulf: An epic poem about the hero Beowulf and his battles against monsters.
- The Wanderer and The Seafarer: Elegiac poems reflecting on loss and exile.
Middle English Period
Overview
The Middle English period (1066-1500) saw the development of English literature with more complex narratives and diverse genres, influenced by French and Latin works.
Key Works and Authors
- Geoffrey Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales, a collection of stories told by pilgrims.
- William Langland: Piers Plowman, an allegorical narrative poem.
The Renaissance
Overview
The Renaissance (1500-1660) marked a revival of classical learning and an explosion of literary creativity. Themes included humanism, individualism, and exploration.
Key Works and Authors
- William Shakespeare: Plays like Hamlet, Macbeth, and Othello; sonnets.
- Christopher Marlowe: Doctor Faustus, a play about ambition and the supernatural.
- John Milton: Paradise Lost, an epic poem about the fall of man.
The Neoclassical Period
Overview
The Neoclassical period (1660-1798) emphasized order, reason, and classical ideals. Literature often focused on satire, moral instruction, and social commentary.
Key Works and Authors
- Alexander Pope: The Rape of the Lock, a mock-epic poem; The Dunciad.
- Jonathan Swift: Gulliver’s Travels, a satirical novel; A Modest Proposal, a satirical essay.
- John Dryden: Absalom and Achitophel, a political satire.
The Romantic Period
Overview
The Romantic period (1798-1837) celebrated emotion, nature, and the individual. It reacted against the rationalism of the Neoclassical period.
Key Works and Authors
- William Wordsworth: Lyrical Ballads (with Samuel Taylor Coleridge); The Prelude.
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, a narrative poem.
- John Keats: Ode to a Nightingale; Ode on a Grecian Urn.
- Mary Shelley: Frankenstein, a novel exploring themes of creation and responsibility.
The Victorian Period
Overview
The Victorian period (1837-1901) reflected the complexities of industrialization, social reform, and evolving gender roles. Literature ranged from realist novels to dramatic monologues.
Key Works and Authors
- Charles Dickens: Great Expectations; Bleak House.
- Charlotte Brontë: Jane Eyre, a novel exploring themes of independence and morality.
- Alfred Lord Tennyson: In Memoriam A.H.H., an elegiac poem; The Lady of Shalott.
The Modern Period
Overview
The Modern period (1901-1945) broke traditional forms and explored new techniques. Themes included alienation, disillusionment, and the subconscious.
Key Works and Authors
- James Joyce: Ulysses, a stream-of-consciousness novel; Dubliners.
- T.S. Eliot: The Waste Land, a fragmented poem reflecting post-WWI disillusionment.
- Virginia Woolf: Mrs Dalloway; To the Lighthouse, novels using stream-of-consciousness.
The Contemporary Period
Overview
The Contemporary period (1945-present) continues to push boundaries with diverse voices and experimental forms. Themes often include identity, globalization, and technology.
Key Works and Authors
- Toni Morrison: Beloved, a novel addressing the legacy of slavery.
- Salman Rushdie: Midnight’s Children, a novel about postcolonial India.
- Margaret Atwood: The Handmaid’s Tale, a dystopian novel exploring themes of power and gender.
Key Literary Movements and Terms
Major Movements
Romanticism
Focused on emotion, nature, and individualism. Key figures include Wordsworth and Coleridge.
Modernism
Characterized by a break with traditional forms and an exploration of new narrative techniques. Key figures include Joyce and Woolf.
Postmodernism
Known for its skepticism of grand narratives and its playful, experimental approach. Key figures include Pynchon and DeLillo.
Literary Terms
Metaphor
A figure of speech that implies a comparison between two unlike things (e.g., “Time is a thief”).
Allegory
A narrative in which characters and events symbolize deeper meanings (e.g., Orwell’s Animal Farm).
Irony
A literary device where the intended meaning is opposite to the literal meaning (e.g., saying “Great job!” after a mistake).
History and Theory of Literary Criticism
Major Theories
Formalism
Focuses on the form and structure of a text, analyzing literary devices and techniques.
Structuralism
Examines the underlying structures that shape a text, often drawing on linguistic theories.
Post-Structuralism
Challenges the idea of fixed meanings, emphasizing the fluidity and instability of texts.
Feminist Criticism
Analyzes texts through the lens of gender, exploring how literature reflects and constructs gender roles.
Marxist Criticism
Examines texts in the context of class struggle and economic power dynamics.
Important Critics and Theorists
Ferdinand de Saussure
A foundational figure in structuralism, known for his work on the nature of signs.
Jacques Derrida
A key figure in post-structuralism, known for his concept of deconstruction.
Simone de Beauvoir
A major figure in feminist criticism, known for her work The Second Sex.
Practice Questions and Analysis
Sample Questions
Question 1
Which of the following authors is associated with the Modernist movement? a) William Wordsworth b) T.S. Eliot c) Charles Dickens d) Alfred Lord Tennyson
Answer: b) T.S. Eliot
Question 2
In which period did Geoffrey Chaucer write The Canterbury Tales? a) Old English b) Middle English c) Renaissance d) Neoclassical
Answer: b) Middle English
Answer Explanations
Explanation for Question 1
T.S. Eliot is a key figure of the Modernist movement, known for works like The Waste Land. Wordsworth is associated with Romanticism, Dickens with Victorian literature, and Tennyson with Victorian poetry.
Explanation for Question 2
Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales during the Middle English period, characterized by a blend of Old English and Norman French influences.
Test Day Tips
Before the Test
- Get a good night’s sleep before the exam day.
- Eat a healthy breakfast to ensure you have enough energy.
- Bring all necessary materials, including your admission ticket and identification.
During the Test
- Manage your time carefully, allocating appropriate time to each section.
- Read each question thoroughly and eliminate obviously incorrect answers.
- Stay calm and focused, taking deep breaths if you feel anxious.
After the Test
- Review your answers if time permits, ensuring you didn’t miss any questions.
- Celebrate your effort and dedication to preparing for the test!