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Roger Rosenblatt ’s book Black Fiction,in attemptingto apply
literaryratherthansociopolitical criteria to its subject, successfully alters
the approach taken by mostprevious studies. As Rosenblatt notes, criticism of
Black writing has often served as apretextfor expounding on Black
history.Addison Gayle’s recent work, for example, judgesthe value of Black
fiction by overtly political standards, rating each work according tothe notions
of Black identity which it propounds.Although fictionassuredly springs from
politicalcircumstances ，its authors react tothose circumstances in ways other
than ideological, and talking about novels and storiesprimarilyas instrumentsof
ideologycircumvents much of the fictional enterprise.Rosenblatt ’s
literaryanalysisdisclosesaffinitiesand connections among works of Blackfiction
which solely political studies have overlooked or ignored. Writing acceptable
criticism ofBlack fiction, however, presupposes giving satisfactory answers to a
number of questions.First of all, is there a sufficient reason, other than the
facial identity of the authors, to group together works by Black authorsSecond,
how does Black fiction make itself distinct from other modern fiction with which
it islargely contemporaneous Rosenblatt shows that Black fiction constitutes a
distinct bodyof writingthat has an identifiable， coherent
literarytradition.Looking at novels writtenby Black over the last eighty years,
he discovers recurringconcerns and designs independentof chronology. These
structures are thematic, and they spring, not surprisingly, from thecentralfact
that the Black charactersin these novels exist in a predominantlywhite
culture,whether they try to conform to that culture or rebel against it.Black
Fictiondoes leave some aestheticquestions open. Rosenblatt ’s thematic
analysispermits considerable objectivity; he even explicitly states that it is
not his intentionto judge the merit of the various works D yet his reluctance
seems misplaced, especiallysince an attempt to appraise might have led to
interesting results. For instance, some ofthe novels appear to be
structurallydiffuse.Is this a defect,or are the authors workingout of, or trying
to forge, a different kind of aesthetic In addition, the style of someBlack
novels, like JeanToomey’s Cane, verges on expressionism or surrealism; does
thistechnique provide a counterpointto the prevalenttheme that portrays the fate
against whichBlack heroes are pitted,a theme usuallyconveyed by more
naturalisticmodes of expressionIn spite of such omissions, what Rosenblatt does
include in his discussion makes foran astute and worthwhile study. Black Fiction
surveys a wide variety of novels, bringingto our attention in the process some
fascinating and little-known works like James WeldonJohnson’s Autobiography of
an Ex-Colored Man. Its argument is tightly constructed, andits forthright, lucid
style exemplifies levelheaded and penetrating criticism.
1. The author of the text is primarily concerned with __________.
[A] Evaluating the soundness of a work of criticism.[B] Comparing various
critical approaches to a subject.
[C] Discussing the limitations of a particular kind of criticism.
[D] Summarizing the major points made in a work of criticism.
2. The author of the text believes that Black Fiction would have been
improved hadRosenblatt __________.
[A] Evaluated more carefully the ideological andhistoricalaspects of Black
fiction.
[B] Attempted to be more objective in his approach to novels and stories by
Blackauthors.
[C] Explorein greaterdetailthe recurrentthematicconcerns of Black
fictionthroughout its history.
[D] Assessed the relative literary merit of the novels he analyzes
thematically.
3.author ’s discussion of Black Fiction can be best described as
__________.
[A] Pedantic and contentious.
[B] Critical but admiring.
[C] Ironic and deprecating.
[D] Argumentative but unfocused.author of the text employs all of the
following in the discussion ofRosenblatt ’s
4.book EXCEPT： __________.
[A] Rhetorical questions.
[B] Specific examples.
[C] Comparison and contrast.
[D] Definition of terms.
5. The author of the text refers to James WeldonJohnson’s Autobiography of
anEx-Colored Man most probably in order to __________.
[A] point out affinitiesbetween Rosenblatt ’s method of thematic analysis and
earliercriticism.
[B] Clarify the point about expressionistic style made earlier in the
passage.
[C] Qualify the assessment ofRosenblatt ’s book made in the first paragraph
of thepassage.
[D] give a specific example of one of the accomplishments ofRosenblatt ’s
work.
In some countries where racial prejudice is acute, violence has so come to be taken for granted as a means of solving differences, that it is not even questioned. There are countries where the white man imposes his rule by brute force; there are countries where the black man protests by setting fire to
cities and by looting and pillaging. Important people on both sides, who would in other respects appear to be reasonable men, get up and calmly argue in favor of violence – as if it were a legitimate solution, like any other. What is really frightening, what really fills you with despair, is the realization that
when it comes to the crunch, we have made no actual progress at all. We may wear
collars and ties instead of war-paint, but our instincts remain basically
unchanged. The whole of the recorded history of the human race, that tedious
documentation of violence, has taught us absolutely nothing. We have still not
learnt that violence never solves a problem but makes it more acute. The sheer
horror, the bloodshed, the suffering mean nothing. No solution ever comes to
light the morning after when we dismally contemplate the smoking ruins and
wonder what hit us. The truly reasonable men who know where the solutions lie
are finding it harder and herder to get a hearing. They are despised, mistrusted
and even persecuted by their own kind because they advocate such apparently
outrageous things as law enforcement. If half the energy that goes into violent
acts were put to good use, if our efforts were directed at cleaning up the slums
and ghettos, at improving living-standards and providing education and
employment for all, we would have gone a long way to arriving at a solution. Our
strength is sapped by having to mop up the mess that violence leaves in its
wake. In a well-directed effort, it would not be impossible to fulfill the
ideals of a stable social programme. The benefits that can be derived from
constructive solutions are everywhere apparent in the world around us. Genuine
and lasting solutions are always possible, providing we work within the
framework of the law. Before we can even begin to contemplate peaceful
co-existence between the races, we must appreciate each other's problems. And to
do this, we must learn about them: it is a simple exercise in communication, in
exchanging information. "Talk, talk, talk," the advocates of violence say, "all
you ever do is talk, and we are none the wiser." It's rather like the story of
the famous barrister who painstakingly explained his case to the judge. After
listening to a lengthy argument the judge complained that after all this talk,
he was none the wiser. "Possible, my lord," the barrister replied, "none the
wiser, but surely far better informed." Knowledge is the necessary prerequisite
to wisdom: the knowledge that violence creates the evils it pretends to
solve.
1. What is the best title for this passage?
[A] Advocating Violence.
[B] Violence Can Do Nothing to Diminish Race Prejudice.
[C] Important People on Both Sides See Violence As a Legitimate Solution.
[D] The Instincts of Human Race Are Thirsty for Violence.
2. Recorded history has taught us
[A] violence never solves anything. [B] nothing. [C] the bloodshed means
nothing. [D]everything.
3. It can be inferred that truly reasonable men
[A] can't get a hearing.
[B] are looked down upon.
[C] are persecuted.
[D] Have difficulty in
advocating law enforcement.
4. "He was none the wiser" means
[A] he was not at all wise in listening.
[B] He was not at all wiser than nothing before.
[C] He gains nothing after listening.
[D] He makes no sense of the argument.
5. According the author the best way to solve race prejudice is
[A] law enforcement. [B] knowledge. [C] nonviolence. [D] Mopping up the
violent mess.
