Three Essay Questions

1. 1977 A character's attempt to recapture or to reject the past is important in
many plays, novels, and poems.  Choose a literary work in which a
character views the past with such feelings as reverence, bitterness, or
longing. Show with clear evidence from the work how the character's view
of the past is used to develop a theme in the work.

2. 1973     An effective literary work does not merely stop or cease; it concludes.
In the view of some critics, a work that does not provide the pleasure of
significant closure has terminated with an artistic fault.  A
satisfactory ending is not, however, always conclusive in every sense;
significant closure may require to the reader to abide with or adjust to
ambiguity and uncertainty.  In an essay discuss the end of a novel or play
of acknowledged literary merit.  Explain precisely how and why the ending
appropriately or inappropriately concludes the work.  Do not merely
summarize the plot.

3. 1982 In great literature, no scene of violence exists for its own sake. Choose a
work of literary merit that confronts the reader or audience with a scene or
scenes of violence. In a well-organized essay, explain how the scene or scenes
contribute to the meaning of the complete work. Avoid plot summary.