ENG 216 Final, Spring 1998

DR. SYRINE C. Hout FINAL EXAM ’ THE ENLIGHTENMENT IN EUROPE (ENG 216) oan SPRING 1993 Texts read: The Tatler & The Spectator (Addison and Steele) An Essay on Man (Pope) se Discourse on the Origin and Foundations of inequatbity Amono Mem _- (Rousseau) Gulliver's Travels (Swift): Lilliputians, Yahoos, H. (for the horses) Rasselas (Johnson): Imlac, Nekayah, Pekuah Candide (Voltaire): Cunegonde, Pangloss, Martin, Cacambo A Sentimental Journey (Sterne): Yorick On the Origin of languages (Rousseau) Or—the—Origqin_ef _barguage— Herder) Vathek (Beckford): Nourinahar, Giaour, Fakreddine, Gulchenrouz Reflections on the Revolution in France (Burke) The Rights of Man (Paine) Faust (Goethe) Frankenstein (Shelley) Choose 2 from the following 3 comparative essay questions. You can discuss a maximum of 2 texts (out of 4) from the first half of the syllabus (dotted line). Select 2 texts for each essay. Do not duplicate! Formulate a thesis and back it up by specific examples from the readings. Write legibly! Good Luck! 1. Some characters we have seen were extremely restless and relentless in their pursuit of forbidden fruits, such as power, riches, love, fame, activism, etc. In some cases, they crossed “.. the line separating the natural from the supernatural realms. Is “man allowed to transgress, using all means available, to attain is objects of desire? Discuss texts that convey similar and/or different moral lessons about man's essence and development by focusing on@ distinct examples of boundless ambition. 2. Different political theorists have discussed man's responsibility in making his own history and destiny by looking at the individual-society/culture dichotomy. How far is man allowed by nature and/or society to change his socio-political and economic environment? What validates revolution as opposed to evolution and reform? Elaborate on2 contrasting views on the role of man as a political animal. 3. The relationship between language (oral and written) and action has fascinated numerous authors of fiction and non-fiction alike. Does language facilitate or debilitate action? What type of action? How and when does language become tyrannical? How and when is it the only bridge between different people and peoples? Is language an innocent, tool for communication or does it distort human reality? Compare 2 different views on the various uses and abuses of language in human society or societies.