Reading Passage Question
Thanks to her inclusion in Alexander Pope's mock epic poem "The Dunciad" as a vacuous figure willing to write (and perhaps do) anything for financial recompense, Eliza Haywood was long regarded as of marginal importance in the literary history of the "long"18th century. Many of her best-known novels have been described as "amatory fiction", a genre not considered central to the British novel tradition. Thus, until recently, even her supporters had little to say for her style, often emphasizing the historical importance of her journalism.
A closer examination of Haywood's novels indicates that disregarding her fiction in such a manner would be a mistake. Even if works such as the early "Love in Excess" and the late "The History of Miss Betsy Thoughtless" did not influence 19th-century novelists to the extent that more famous novels such as Richardson's "Pamela" and Fielding's "Tom Jones" did, they reveal a prose writer presenting both structural innovations and a surprisingly forward-looking view of society. Her shifting attitudes regarding class, courtship, and marriage are reflected in a noticeable change from her early novels to her more mature works, suggesting that she ought to be considered as more than a simple polemicist.
In fact, as Paula Backscheider has shown, Haywood's substantial corpus had more of an impact on the British novel tradition than was previously suspected. Haywood's "Anti-Pamela", a satire of Richardson's didactic novel, was as widely read as Fielding's parody of the same, and "Betsy Thoughtless" can be seen as the beginning of a tradition of novels of marriage, which culminated in Bronte's "Jane Eyre". Most importantly, the 18th-century novel was largely concerned with domestic issues hinging on the role of women, and Haywood's dozens of works are among the best representations we have of a female perspective on such topics.
“Thanks to her inclusion in Alexander Pope's mock epic poem "The Dunciad"- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.
This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 8 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.
Solution and Explanation
- The author's main point is that
(A) next to parodies such as "The Dunciad" and "Anti-Pamela", novels of marriage were much more crucial to the development of the novel.
(B) it is a mistake to treat Haywood's polemical journalism as more than a historical curiosity.
(C) Haywood's novels are valuable in more ways than were thought by previous generations of scholars.
(D) 18th-century novels by women such as Haywood deserve more attention that novels by men, such as Richardson and Fielding, on women's topics.
(E) "amatory fiction" influenced many important novelists writing in the 19th century.
Answer: C
Explanation: The significance of her works is indicated by the passage's scope. The first passage explains how earlier generations disregarded her. The next two concentrate on how her work will influence the next authors and how valuable it is to academics. Because it incorporates the themes of all three paragraphs, Option C is the best choice.
- The primary purpose of the passage is to
(A) offer sociohistorical explanations for the prevalence of female novelists in the 18th century
(B) examine how one novelist has been viewed by scholars throughout history
(C) show why an underrated novelist should be taken more seriously
(D) propose a new ranking of prose writers in the 18th century to reflect more modern literary preferences
(E) outline specific distinctions between well-known novelists that have long been considered equals
Answer: C
Explanation: In the first paragraph the author says, “Many of her best-known novels have been described as "amatory fiction." Then in the following paragraph the author says, “suggesting that she ought to be considered as more than a simple polemicist.” The 3rd paragraph says, “Haywood's substantial corpus had more of an impact on the British novel tradition than was previously suspected.” “Haywood's dozens of works are among the best representations we have of a female perspective on such topics.” These lines from the passage give us the passage’s primary purpose.
- According to the passage, which of the following was a primary issue in the 18th-century novel?
(A) The function of women in society
(B) Class distinctions in industrialized London
(C) Feminist perspectives of journalism
(D) Satirical treatments of other prose works
(E) The importance of financial gain
Answer: A
Explanation: As mentioned in the 1st paragraph of the passage. “Eliza Haywood was long regarded as of marginal importance in the literary history of the "long"18th century.” Then in the last paragraph. The author mentions “the 18th-century novel was largely concerned with domestic issues hinging on the role of women.”
- According to the passage, which of the following works influenced “Jane Eyre?” (Highlighted)
(A) Love in Excess
(B) Tom Jones
(C) The History of Miss Betsy Thoughtless
(D) The Dunciad
(E) Anti-Pamela
Answer: C
Explanation: The 3rd paragraph mentioned. “Haywood's substantial corpus had more of an impact on the British novel tradition than was previously suspected. "Betsy Thoughtless" can be seen as the beginning of a tradition of novels of marriage, which culminated in Bronte's "Jane Eyre."
- The author of the passage states that Haywood had which of the following in common with Fielding?
(A) Her novels are often read for their structural innovations.
(B) She penned a parody of Richardson’s “Pamela.”
(C) She was a target of Pope’s in “The Dunciad.”
(D) Her novels were preoccupied with domestic issues.
(E) Her most popular works were as well-known as “Pamela.”
Answer: B
Explanation: Early works like "Love in Excess" and the late "The History of Miss Betsy Thoughtless" did not have the same impact on the 19th-century. Authors of more well-known books like Richardson's "Pamela." They show a prose writer who offers structural improvements as well as an unexpectedly forward-thinking perspective on society. Both Fielding's parody of Richardson's didactic book and Haywood's satire "Anti-Pamela" were extensively read. Additionally, "Betsy Thoughtless" might be considered as the start of a trend of marriage-themed books.
- Which of the following best describes the function of the third paragraph of the passage?
(A) It attempts to reconcile con‡icting views presented in the previous paragraphs.
(B) It presents examples intended to undermine the argument presented in the second paragraph.
(C) It provides evidence that supports the position taken in the first sentence of the second paragraph.
(D) It describes the importance of the works mentioned in the second paragraph.
(E) It suggests that the claims reported in the first paragraph are still valid.
Answer: C
Explanation: The 2nd paragraph mentioned. “A closer examination of Haywood's novels indicates that disregarding her fiction in such a manner would be a mistake.” Then in the 3rd paragraph gives us evidence. As stated, “Haywood's "Anti-Pamela", a satire of Richardson's didactic novel, was as widely read as Fielding's parody of the same.”
- Which of the following best describes the relationship of the second paragraph to the first paragraph?
(A) It presents contrasting explanations for a phenomenon presented in the first paragraph.
(B) It discusses an exception to a general principle outlined in the first paragraph.
(C) It provides an argument to counter the position described in the first paragraph.
(D) It presents an example that strengthens a claim presented in the first paragraph.
(E) It presents an alternative approach to understanding the historical trends discussed in the first paragraph.
Answer: C
Explanation: In the "long" 18th century's literary history, Elizabeth Haywood was once thought to be of only little significance, as stated in the opening paragraph. The term "amatory fiction" has been used to characterise several of her best-known books. Which is not regarded as a staple of the British novel tradition. The third paragraph then said that household themes including women's roles were generally the focus of 18th-century novels. The several paintings by Haywood rank among the greatest illustrations we have of a female perspective on these subjects.
- Which of the following best describes the organization of the first paragraph of the passage?
(A) A viewpoint is introduced, and its historical evolution is outlined.
(B) Opposing viewpoints are discussed, and evidence is provided that supports one of the viewpoints.
(C) A hypothesis is described and then refuted.
(D) An alternative viewpoint is presented, and evidence is provided to question it.
(E) An outline is presented, and then the main point of the outline is shown to be false.
Answer: A
Explanation: Eliza Haywood was for a long time considered to be of little significance in the literary history of the "long" 18th century. Because of her appearance in Alexander Pope's mock epic poem "The Dunciad" as a vacuous figure willing to write anything for monetary reward. As "amatory fiction," a subgenre not seen as essential to the British novel tradition. Several of her best-known books have been characterised. Thus, even her fans had little to say about her approach until lately, frequently emphasising the historical significance of her work.
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