Restoration Test ReviewAnswers Part II

The Diary of Samuel Pepys

1. Form: prose diary

2. Can be considered to fit into the Public Sphere and Civil Societya. This just means that the diary shows examples of the people and time period. We see what is

important to the individuals, particularly Pepys.

3. What are Pepys’s principle concerns in reviewing the progress of the fire? a. Seeing the fire and people and spreading the word of the fire’s destructionb. Maintaining his social calls and companyc. Saving his possessions from the fire

4. What emotions does he experience and why?a. Eagerness – He desires to be in the middle of the news of the fire.b. Remember, he is trying to elevate his social status within London.

5. How does Pepys feel about Deb Willet?a. He seems to love her. He has carried on an affair with her, but is consumed with thoughts of her

when his wife forbids him to see Deb.

6. What does Pepys’s prolonged agony over, and persistence in, the affair with Deb suggest about his character?

a. Pepys is obsessed with what he cannot have. He is not allowed to have Deb, therefore, he can think of nothing else. He is obsessed with raising his social status, so he can only think about what and who will make him a prominent member of society.

7. What does that suggest about Pepys’s marriage?a. His marriage is more for status and show, as he is not concerned with his wife’s desires. He wants to

respect her wishes, but he cannot sacrifice his own wants.

8. Why does Pepys write these entries?a. He has taken on a new project of documenting his life. Keeping a diary was becoming increasingly

popular. He is able to reflect on his day, actions, and life. This creates/adds to the idea of tabula rasa – blank slate. Pepys is shaped by his experiences.

9. What do his entries record?a. Daily life, thoughts, feelings, indiscretions, social occurrences, tragedy (the Great Fire)

10. What is the value of the entries for today’s readers?a. Chronicles the age and makes concrete the historical and cultural issues of the day.

A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift

11. What is the speaker’s proposal?a. To cook and eat babies at one-year-old.

12. What metaphor exists in this piece?a. The English are devouring the Irish by taking their land and forcing them into poverty.

13. The rhetorical devices ethos, logos, and pathos are used to convey his message. Note an example of each.a. Ethos – ethical – The speaker sounds reasonable; he is trying to be responsible with his actions; he

has the public interest in mind; he presents numbers and facts; he is literal; he is anti-Papistb. Logos – logical – Uses facts and statistics in a logical argument; supplies other authorities he has

consulted on the matter; perfectly reasoned and seemingly plausible.c. Pathos – emotional – uses emotional appeals to play off sympathies of audience; appeals to national

pride;

14. What are some of the reasonable solutions Swift claims he will not consider?a. You can find these at the top of page 2638 beginning in the second line.

15. The image of eating babies is brutal, but Swift chose it for a specific reason. To what extent is this effective, and why is it effective?

a. It is effective because the idea of killing and eating innocent babies is atrocious. It forces the Irish to look closely at their circumstances and find actual solutions.

The Rape of the Lock by Alexander Pope Study Questions

16. What are the three levels of reading for this poem?a. Literalb. Poetic or Symbolic Functionc. Satiric Implications

17. Form: mock-epic

18. What is significant about the game of ombré?a. The name means “the man,” which is what Belinda was warned against.

19. According to the narrator, what is Hampton Court?a. A royal palace, a meeting place for young men and women

20. What type of scene regarding Hampton Court is described at the beginning of Canto 3?a. A majestic location, a place to discuss politics and gossip

21. What, other than desire, causes the Baron to cut the lock?a. Revenge – he lost the game ombré to a woman

22. What are Sylphs? What purpose do they serve in the poem?a. Invisible beingsb. They are guardians of nymphs

23. Describe Belinda’s reaction to the Baron’s action.a. rage

24. What social commentary does Pope make through the mock battle that ensues?a. People are more concerned with their looks and social engagements rather than doing their jobs and

upholding justice.

25. How can you tell that the Baron has romantic feelings for Belinda?a. The poem mentions that Belinda rejected him in the past. He wants to add her trophy to his

collection.

26. What does the narrator say the lock will do for Belinda’s eternal reputation?a. Her name will be inscribed in the stars.b. It will make her immortal through reputation, must like Beowulf.

Note to Students27. Make sure you look over your temperament notes and the Latin phrases we discussed with the various

pieces.