Reading Passage Question
Is the literary critic like the poet, responding creatively, intuitively, subjectively to the written word as the poet responds to human experience? Or is the critic more like a scientist, following a series of demonstrable, verifiable steps, using an objective method of analysis?

For the woman who is a practitioner of feminist literary criticism, the subjectivity versus objectivity, or critic-as-artist-or-scientist, debate has special significance; for her, the question is not only academic, but political as well, and her definition will court special risks whichever side of the issue it favors. If she defines feminist criticism as objective and scientific-a valid, verifiable, intellectual method that anyone, whether man or woman, can perform -the definition not only precludes the critic-as-artist approach, but may also impede accomplishment of the utilitarian political objectives of those who seek to change the academic establishment and its thinking, especially about sex roles. If she defines feminist criticism as creative and intuitive, privileged as art, then her work becomes vulnerable to the prejudices of stereotypic ideas about the ways in which women think, and will be dismissed by much of the academic establishment. Because of these prejudices, women who use an intuitive approach in their criticism may find themselves charged with inability to be analytical, to be objective, or to think critically. Whereas men may be free to claim the role of critic-as-artist, women-run different professional risks when they choose intuition and private experience as critical method and defense.

These questions are political in the sense that the debate over them will inevitably be less an exploration of abstract matters in a spirit of disinterested inquiry than an academic power struggle in which the careers and professional fortunes of many women scholars only now entering the academic profession in substantial numbers-will be at stake, and with them the chances for a distinctive contribution to humanistic understanding, a contribution that might be an important influence against sexism in our society. As long as the academic establishment continues to regard objective analysis as "masculine" and an intuitive approach as "feminine," the theoretician must steer a delicate philosophical course between the two. If she wishes to construct a theory of feminist criticism, she would be well advised to place it within the framework of a general theory of the critical process that is neither purely objective nor purely intuitive. Her theory is then more likely to be compared and contrasted with other theories of criticism with some degree of dispassionate distance.

Solution and Explanation

1. Which of the following titles best summarizes the content of the passage?

(A) How Theories of Literary Criticism Cart Best Be Used
(B) Problems Confronting Women Who Are Feminist Literary Critics
(C) A Historical Overview of Feminist Literary Criticism
(D) A New Theory of Literary Criticism
(E) Literary Criticism: Art or Science?

2. It can be inferred that the author believes which of the following about women who are literary critics?

1. They can make a unique contribution to society.
2. They must develop. a new theory of the critical process.
3. Their criticisms of literature should be entirely objective.

(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) I and III only
(D) II and III only
(E) I, II, and III

3. The author specifically mentions all of the following as difficulties that particularly affect women who are theoreticians of feminist literary criticism EXCEPT the

(A) tendency of a predominantly male academic establishment to form preconceptions about women
(B) limitations that are imposed when criticism is defined as objective and scientific
(C) likelihood that the work of a woman theoretician who claims the privilege of art will be viewed with prejudice by some academics
(D) inescapability of power struggles between women in the academic profession and the academic establishment
(E) tendency of members of the academic establishment to treat all forms of feminist literary theory with hostility

4. According to the author, the debate mentioned in the passage has special significance for the woman who is a theoretician of feminist literary criticism for which of the following reasons?

(A) There are large numbers of capable women , working within the academic establishment.
(B) There are a few powerful feminist critics who have been recognized by the academic establishment.
(C) Like other critics, most women who are literary critics define criticism as either scientific or artistic.
(D) Women who are literary critics face professional risks different from those faced by men who are literary critics.
(E) Women who are literary critics are more likely to participate in the debate than are men who are literary crictics.

5. Which of the following is presented by the author in support of the suggestion that there is stereotypic thinking among members of the academic establishment?

(A) A distinctively feminist contribution to humanistic understanding could work against the influence of sexism among members of the academic establishment.
(B) Women who define criticism as artistic may be seen by the academic establishment as being incapable of critical thinking.
(C) The debate over the role of the literary 'critic is often seen as a political one.
(D) Women scholars are only now entering academia in substantial numbers.
(E) The woman who is a critic is forced to construct a theory of literary criticism.

6. Which of the following is most likely to be one of, the "utilitarian political objectives" mentioned by the author in line 16 ?

(A) To forge a new theory of literary criticism
(B) To pursue truth in a disinterested manner
(C) To demonstrate that women are interested in literary criticism that can be viewed either subjectively or objectively
(D) To convince the academic establishment to revise the ways in which it assesses women scholars' professional qualities
(E) To dissuade women who are literary critics from taking a subjective approach to literary criticism

7. It can be inferred that the author would define as "political" questions that

(A) are contested largely through contentions over power
(B) are primarily academic in nature and open to abstract analysis
(C) are not in themselves important
(D) cannot be resolved without extensive debate
(E) will be debated by both men and women

“Is the literary critic like the poet, responding creatively, intuitively”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 7 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

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