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MA English Literature Romantic Theory — practice questions

Explore 2 free Romantic Theory questions in MA English Literature English Literature. Open each question or exercise to read its content, reference answers and available explanation.

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Romantic Theory questions and exercises with answers

Showing questions 1–2 of 2.

In Wordsworth's theory, true poetry takes its origin from:Read the answer and worked solution →The 'two-step' Wordsworth describes for poetic composition is:Read the answer and worked solution →

Worked practice questions

In Wordsworth's theory, true poetry takes its origin from:

  1. Direct observation only
  2. Religious revelation
  3. Emotion recollected in tranquility
  4. Classical imitation
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Correct answer: C. Emotion recollected in tranquility

1. The full phrase emphasises temporal distance + reflection. 2. The poet experiences feeling, then later recalls it. 3. A 'species of reaction' regenerates the original emotion in tranquil contemplation. _Source: Project Gutenberg #8905 — Wordsworth's Preface to Lyrical Ballads (1800) — "it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility"_

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The 'two-step' Wordsworth describes for poetic composition is:

  1. Feel deeply, then recollect in tranquility
  2. Observe nature, then versify
  3. Read classics, then imitate
  4. Pray, then write
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Correct answer: A. Feel deeply, then recollect in tranquility

1. Step 1: the original 'powerful feelings.' 2. Step 2: 'emotion recollected in tranquility' — a later contemplative phase. 3. Composition occurs during the regenerated emotion of step 2. _Source: Project Gutenberg #8905 — Wordsworth's Preface to Lyrical Ballads (1800) — "emotion recollected in tranquility"_

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ShakespeareLiterary TheoryIndian English LiteratureAmerican LiteratureTagoreModernismWhitmanLiterary History