Scandinavian Studies 374/Literature in Translation 274
Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature:
The Twentieth Century. 

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Time permitting, your T.A.'s will discuss with you tips for writing the exams in this class. Below you will find an example of a good answer to a 10-minute question.

It is recommended that students underline key words - make sure your exam grader notices you've covered it! Note that each key point is followed by an example from the text. The quality of the examples will make the difference between an "A" and a "B". 

1) In what ways can Strindberg's "Bad Luck" be considered representative of the Modern Breakthrough? 

 The Modern Breakthrough was a literary period (1870-1890) which arose in response to major social and intellectual changes in the middle of the 19th Century: Darwinism, Marxism, the Women's Movement, and Industrialization.  The characteristic features of this period can be found in "Bad Luck" 

 During the Modern Breakthrough a belief in God was replaced by a belief in science and reason.  In "Bad Luck," the unhappy marriage of Ernst is the result of bad luck and Darwinian natural selection, not divine providence.  His wife treats him badly because it is her biological nature to do so -- not because she is morally bad.  What happens to Ernst can be explained according to the laws of science -- The world is explainable and logical. 

 The tale is realistic, set in an identifiable place and time.  The main character is a wholesaler, not a knight in shining armor.  Realistic details, like corsets, give us a historical feel.  The narrator speaks with an authoritative objective voice, so that we will believe what he describes is true. 

 Strindberg is addressing the social issue of the institution of marriage.  Social conventions result in men and women not getting to know each other before marriage, and a woman may marry for freedom, not love.  Strindberg brings up this issue so that it might be solved in public debate. 

OK -- Want to practice? Try this one...

2) In what ways can Lagerkvist's "Love and Death" be considered representative of Modernism? 
 

Copyright © 2001 Susan Brantly. All Rights reserved.