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ASSESSMENT OF THE STUDENTS' LEARNING
As for the strategy to assess what students have learnt about the Rise of the Novel we propose a test in three parts, which starts from specific passages taken from the novels dealt with in the course of the unit. Thus students are required to recognize the novel features that have been discussed so far. Of course the test can be given to students in three different moments as the whole test takes about two hours.
TEST
PART A. Read this extract from chapter 1 in Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe:
I was born in the year 1632, in the city of York, of a good family, though not of that country, my father being a foreigner of Bremen, who settled first at Hull. He got a good estate by merchandise, and leaving off his trade, lived afterwards at York, from whence he had married my mother, whose relations were named Robinson, a very good family in that country, and from whom I was called Robinson Kreutznaer; but, by the usual corruption of words in England, we are now called - nay we call ourselves and write our name - Crusoe; and so my companions always called me.
(…)
Being the third son of the family and not bred to any trade, my head began to be filled very early with rambling thoughts. My father, who was very ancient, had given me a competent share of learning, as far as house-education and a country free school generally go, and designed me for the law; but I would be satisfied with nothing but going to sea; and my inclination to this led me so strongly against the will, nay, the commands of my father, and against all the entreaties and persuasions of my mother and other friends, that there seemed to be something fatal in that propensity of nature, tending directly to the life of misery which was to befall me.
My father, a wise and grave man, gave me serious and excellent counsel against what he foresaw was my design. He called me one morning into his chamber, where he was confined by the gout, and expostulated very warmly with me upon this subject. He asked me what reasons, more than a mere wandering inclination, I had for leaving father's house and my native country, where I might be well introduced, and had a prospect of raising my fortune by application and industry, with a life of ease and pleasure. He told me it was men of desperate fortunes on one hand, or of aspiring, superior fortunes on the other, who went abroad upon adventures, to rise by enterprise, and make themselves famous in undertakings of a nature out of the common road; that these things were all either too far above me or too far below me; that mine was the middle state, or what might be called the upper station of low life, which he had found, by long experience, was the best state in the world, the most suited to human happiness, not exposed to the miseries and hardships, the labour and sufferings of the mechanic part of mankind, and not embarrassed with the pride, luxury, ambition, and envy of the upper part of mankind. He told me I might judge of the happiness of this state by this one thing - viz. that this was the state of life which all other people envied; that kings have frequently lamented the miserable consequence of being born to great things, and wished they had been placed in the middle of the two extremes, between the mean and the great; that the wise man gave his testimony to this, as the standard of felicity, when he prayed to have neither poverty nor riches.
(…)
It was not till almost a year after this that I broke loose, though, in the meantime, I continued obstinately deaf to all proposals of settling to business, and frequently expostulated with my father and mother about their being so positively determined against what they knew my inclinations prompted me to.
(…)
on the 1st of September 1651, I went on board a ship bound for London.
UNDERSTANDING
1. Say whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE and correct the false ones.
a) Robinson’s family was middle class. T F
b) Robinson’s family was poor. T F
c) Robinson’ s father wanted him to be a lawyer. T F
d) He wanted to go to sea. T F
e) Robinson’ s father thinks middle-class people should be enterprising adventurers. T F
f) After talking with his father Robinson changed his mind. T F
g) Robinson went to sea aboard a ship bound for America. T F
2. Fill in the summary with the appropriate words from the list below.
apathy - autobiography - wealth - psychological - novel - looks - curiosity - do - allegory - spiritual - watches - materialistic - romance - make -realistic - coins
“Robinson Crusoe” reflects the ……………………….(1) middle-class culture of 18th-century England. The first page of the ……………………….(2) displays Defoe’s interest n the key issues of middle-class life: how to ……………………….(3) money and how to attain social respectability. Robinson also embodies the restlessness and ……………………….(4) of an age that was increasing its knowledge of the world through exploration. In his memoir Robinson …………………….(5) back on himself as a restless young man dreaming of adventure and amassing …………………….(6). From the very start the novel is presented in the form of an ……………………(7) and provides a …………………….(8) picture of middle-class values.
NARRATIVE TECHNIQUE
3. Answer the following questions:
a)From whose point of view is this passage told?
- Robinson’s.
- the author’s.
- another character’s.
b)Who is the narrator?
- Robinson Crusoe.
- the author.
- another character.
c) Does the text offer a description of the hero’ s social situation?
d) What other details do we learn from the text?
e) What does the use of detail enhance?
INTERPRETATION
4. Tick which of the following features apply to Robinson and justify your answer:
- a) dynamic
- b) resourceful
- c) courageous
- d) weak
- e) irresolute
- f) enterprising
5. The text sets out a contrast between two views of life and work. Can you say which?
PART B. Read this extract from Clarissa Harlowe by Samuel Richardson:
I may as well try to write; since, were I to go to bed, I shall not sleep. I never had such a weight of grief upon my mind in my life, as upon the demise of this admirable woman; whose soul is now rejoicing in the regions of light.
You may be glad to know the particulars of her happy exit. I will try to proceed; for all is hush and still; the family retired; but not one of them, and least of all her poor cousin, I dare say, to rest.
At four o'clock, as I mentioned in my last, I was sent for down; and, as thou usedst to like my descriptions, I will give thee the woeful scene that presented itself to me, as I approached the bed.
The Colonel was the first that took my attention, kneeling on the side of the bed, the lady's right-hand in both his, which his face covered, bathing it with his tears; altho' she had been comforting him, as the women since told him, in elevated strains, but broken accents.
On the other side of the bed sat the good Widow; her face overwhelmed with tears, leaning her head against the bed's head in a most disconsolate manner; and turning her face to me, as soon as she saw me, O Mr. Belford, cried she, with folded hands—The dear lady—a heavy sob not permitting her to say more.
(…)
The lady had been silent a few minutes, and speechless as they thought, moving her lips without uttering a word; one hand, as I said, in her cousin's. But when Mrs. Lovick on my approach pronounced my name, Oh! Mr. Belford, said she, in broken periods; and with a faint inward voice, but very distinct nevertheless—Now!—Now! —(I bless God for his mercies to his poor creature) will all soon be over—A few—A very few moments—will end this strife—And I shall be happy!
UNDERSTANDING
1. Answer the following questions:
- a) Who is writing this letter?
- b) Who is this letter addressed to?
- c) What is this letter describing?
2. There is a contrast between these two elements:
positive: her …………exit. This aspect is reinforced by other words. Quote them:__________________________________
negative: the ………… scene.
NARRATIVE TECHNIQUE
3. Does this passage conform with the technique Richardson usually employed in his novels? Justify your answer and explain the advantages of the form used in this novel.
4. Choose the correct answer.
The narration is in:
- the first person.
- the third person.
INTERPRETATION
5. Which of the following themes characterizing the novel are present in this short extract? Give reasons for your answers.
- The immoral rake versus the innocent heroine.
-The individual versus society.
-The rewards of virtue.
-The Critisism over greed.
6. Complete these statements:
The passage offers an example of Richardson’s ………………….. purpose, as it describes the final triumph of Clarissa who find in death hope for supernatural joys and rewards.
The …………………. form employed in this novel makes the reader share the emotions and experiences of characters.
PART C. Read this extract from Tom Jones by Henry Fielding (book VI, chapter 7):
It was well remarked by one (and perhaps by more), that misfortunes do not come single. This wise maxim was now verified by Sophia, who was not only disappointed of seeing the man she loved, but had the vexation of being obliged to dress herself out, in order to receive a visit from the man she hated.
That afternoon Mr Western, for the first time, acquainted his daughter with his intention; telling her, he knew very well that she had heard it before from her aunt. Sophia looked very grave upon this, nor could
she prevent a few pearls from stealing into her eyes. "Come, come," says Western, "none of your maidenish airs; I know all; I assure you sister hath told me all."
"Is it possible," says Sophia, "that my aunt can have betrayed me already?"--"Ay, ay," says Western; betrayed you! ay. Why, you betrayed yourself yesterday at dinner. You showed your fancy very plainly, I think. But you young girls never know what you would be at. So you cry because I am going to marry you to the man you are in love with! Your mother, I remember, whimpered and whined just in the same manner; but it was all over within twenty-four hours after we were married: Mr Blifil is a brisk young man, and will soon put an end to your squeamishness. Come, chear up, chear up; I expect un every minute."
Sophia was now convinced that her aunt had behaved honourably to her; and she determined to go through that disagreeable afternoon with as much resolution as possible, and without giving the least suspicion in the world to her father.
Mr Blifil soon arrived; and Mr Western soon after withdrawing, left the young couple together.
Mr Blifil soon arrived; and Mr Western soon after withdrawing, left the young couple together.
Here a long silence of near a quarter of an hour ensued; for the gentleman who was to begin the conversation had all the unbecoming modesty which consists in bashfulness. He often attempted to speak, and as often suppressed his words just at the very point of utterance. At last out they broke in a torrent of far-fetched and high-strained compliments, which were answered on her side by downcast looks, half bows, and civil monosyllables. Blifil, from his inexperience in the ways of women, and from his conceit of himself, took this behaviour for a modest assent to his courtship; and when, to shorten a scene
which she could no longer support, Sophia rose up and left the room, he imputed that, too, merely to bashfulness, and comforted himself that he should soon have enough of her company.
UNDERSTANDING
1. Answer the following questions:
- a) What did Mr Western tell his daughter Sophia?
- b) What did Mr Western think about Sophia’ s tears?
- c) What did Blifil utter when he finally spoke?
- d) How did Sophia answer Blifil? And how did Blifil interpret Sophia ‘s behaviour?
- e) Why did Sophia leave the room? And why did Blifil think Sophia left the room?
NARRATIVE TECHNIQUE
2.Which narrative technique does Fielding use? First person or third person narrator?
3. Does the narrator guide the reader in his judgement of character? If so, give examples from the text.
4. How would you define Fielding as a narrator? Choose from the list below.
unobtrusive - invisible - omniscient - impersonal - omnipresent
INTERPRETATION
5. This extract focuses on the theme of love related to misunderstandings and lack of communication. Complete the sentences below:
Sophia is in love with ……………………., but she cannot express her feelings. Mr Western thinks she ……………………..
Sophia cries because she thinks her aunt ……………………., Mr Western thinks she cries because …………
Blifil is sure …………………….. Sophia cries.
6. Like all Fielding’ s novels, Tom Jones offered a realistic and genuine picture of eighteenth-century England. This passage reflects the traditional view of marriage. Can you sum it up?
CONNECTION
7. Now compare Fielding’ s features with Defoe’s and Richardson’s. For each feature tick D (if it refers to Defoe), R (if it refers to Richardson)or F (if it refers to Fielding).
1. first-person narration D R F
2. third-person narration D R F
3. autobiographical D R F
4. episodic structure D R F
5. epistolary form D R F
6. use of dialogues D R F
7. omnipresence of the author D R F
8. picaresque D R F
9. realistic D R F
10. melodramatic D R F
11. didactic D R F
12. satirical D R F
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