Homework 2, passage #11: Q 8

[lbayliyeva@unm.edu]

Why is the answer to question 8 C?

[David Boyle]

Why is the answer to question 8 C?

Hello lbayliyeva,

Lines 5-10 of the passage set up a dichotomy, a false one, by which true literature has to be boring. (The false dichotomy being that literature cannot be

a. great, and
b. entertaining

, at the same time.) Answer C exemplifies this dichotomy, in saying that great literature should be taxing to readers, instead of merely providing some diversion.

Hope this helps,
David

[starre]

Could you explain why E is wrong? Is it because the focus on genre appears in a different part of the passage?

[Emily Haney-Caron]

Hi starre,

Because this question is directing you to specific lines, you need to make sure to use that info in choosing your answer. Here, we're being directed to the attitude that enjoyable novels are lowbrow, and true literature has to be a bit dull. E doesn't talk about enjoyable vs. dull at all, and we can't infer that at all; it just has nothing to do with the lines referenced. Does that make sense?