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Lit 100: Introduction To Literary Studies Question Paper

Lit 100: Introduction To Literary Studies

Course:Bachelor Of Education Arts

Institution: Masinde Muliro University Of Science And Technology question papers

Exam Year:2008

Page 1 of 5

MASINDE MULIRO UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY(MMUST)
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
2008/2009 ACADEMIC YEAR
FIRST YEAR FIRST SEMESTER EXAMINATION
FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (ARTS)
COURSE CODE: LIT 100
COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO LITERARY STUDIES

DATE: 3rd December 2008 TIME: 11.30 a.m. – 2.30 p.m.

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Answer four questions. Question one is compulsory. Credit will be given for
clarity of explanation and critical insights.

page 2 of 5

1. a) Identify and explain three approaches to the study and analysis of
literary texts.

b) Briefly define the term criticism and explain three functions of a
literary critic.

c) In your own words explain what you may consider good literature
or bad literature.

2. What are the main elements of a short story? Explain with illustrations
from two short stories from the anthology Half a Day and Other stories.

3. Define the following literary terms with illustrations from one novel
studyied in this course.
a) plot
b) setting
c) dialogue
d) stream – of-consciousness

4. Identify and discuss the qualities that would make you consider A walk
in the Night by Alex la Guma a novella.

5. EITHER
a) Define comedy. What are the techniques playwrights use to achieve the
comic effect in their works? Use Trevor Rhone’s Smile Orange or Wole
Soyinka’ The Trials of Brother Jero to illustrate

OR

b) Define tragedy. Discuss its main characteristics using either The Black
Hermit by Ngugi wa Thiong’o or Riders to the Sea by John Synge to
illustrate.

6. Discuss five characteristics of Oral Literature. Also identify five functions
of Oral Literature in the society.

7. Using the attached poem:

Page 3 of 5

a) Explain why it’s a poem

b) State its main theme

c) Four techniques used

I speak for the Bush (Everett Standa)
When my friend sees me
He swells and pants like a frog
Because I talk the wisdom of the bush!
He says we from the bush
Do not understand civilized ways
For we tell our women
To keep the hem of their dresses
Below the knee.
We from the bush, my friend insists,
Do not know how to ‘enjoy’:
When we come to the civilized city,
Like nuns, we stay away from nightclubs
Where women belong to no men
And men belong to no women
And these civilized people
Quarrel and fight like hungry lions!

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But, my friend, why do men
With crippled legs, lifeless eyes,
Wooden legs, empty stomachs
Wander about the streets
Of this civilized world?

Teach me, my friend, the trick,
So that my eyes may not
See those whose houses have no walls
But emptiness all around;
Show me the wax you use
To seal your ears
To stop hearing the cry of the hungry;
Teach me the new wisdom
Which tells men
To talk about the money and not love,
When they meet women;
Tell your god top convert
Me to the faith of the indifferent,
The faith of these
Who will never listen until
They are shaken with blows.

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I speak for the bush:
You speak for the civilized –
Will you hear me?

(Poem from: Poems from East Africa (1971) edited by David Cook and David Rubadiri.
Nairobi E.A.E.P)

Lit 100: Introduction To Literary Studies Question Paper

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