Authors (Particularly Sensitive Poets) Have Been at All Times the Sport and Plaything of the Critics.

Reading Passage Question

Authors (particularly sensitive poets) have been at all times the sport and plaything of the critics. Mrs. Oliphant, in her -Literary History of England -, said with much truth: "There are few things so amusing as to read a really 'slashing article'--except perhaps to write it. It is infinitely easier and gayer work than a well weighed and serious criticism, and will always be more popular. The lively and brilliant examples of the art which dwell in the minds of the readers are invariably of this class." Thus it happens that we remember the witty onslaughts of the reviewers, and often ignore the fact that certain witticisms drove Byron, for example, into a frenzy of anger that called forth the most vigorous satire of the century; and others so completely unnerved. Shelley that he felt tempted to write no more; and still others were so unanimously hostile in tone that Coleridge thought the whole detested tribe of critics was in league against his literary success.

There were, of course, such admirable personalities as Wordsworth's—for the most part indifferent to the strongest torrent of abuse; and clever craftsmen like Tennyson, who, although hurt, read the criticisms and profited by them; but, on the other hand, there are still well-informed readers who believe that the _Quarterly Review_ at least hastened the death of poor Keats.

“Authors (particularly sensitive poets) have been at all times the sport and plaything of the critics”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 2 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solution and Explanation

1. What is the main point of the passage?

1. To evaluate the sentiments of the sensitive poets stirred by their critics
2. illustrate how casual criticism and deliberate derision can have different responses from the affected poets
3. To enumerate a set of famous poets affected by slashing criticism by casual authors
4. To summarize the effect of derision by some critics on some persons of literary eminence.
5. To distinguish between sets of poets such as Wordsworth and Tennyson on their treatment at the hands some intentional denigration

2. The author of the passage would be most likely to assert which one of the poetic scholars who was not negatively impacted by review of his literature?

1. Lord Byron
2. Keats
3. Tennyson
4. Wordsworth
5. Shelly

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