Literary scholars examining the evolution of supernatural themes in Gothic fiction have focused extensively on the work of Ann Radcliffe,...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Literary scholars examining the evolution of supernatural themes in Gothic fiction have focused extensively on the work of Ann Radcliffe, particularly her 1794 novel The Mysteries of Udolpho. Through detailed analysis of Radcliffe's narrative techniques, researchers discovered that she consistently employed 'explained supernatural' devices—apparent supernatural events that receive rational explanations. Her correspondence reveals that this approach was intentional, designed to satisfy both readers' desire for mystery and the era's emphasis on reason. Since Radcliffe's rational approach to Gothic elements influenced countless later writers including the Brontës and Edgar Allan Poe, her innovations represent a pivotal shift in how supernatural themes function in literature.
Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?
It questions how scholars determined that Radcliffe's supernatural elements were intentionally explained.
It presents an interpretation about Gothic literature's development based on the scholars' analysis.
It explains why Radcliffe focused on supernatural themes rather than realistic narrative techniques.
It describes the relationship between Radcliffe and later Gothic writers like the Brontës.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Literary scholars examining the evolution of supernatural themes in Gothic fiction have focused extensively on the work of Ann Radcliffe, particularly her 1794 novel The Mysteries of Udolpho.' |
|
| 'Through detailed analysis of Radcliffe's narrative techniques, researchers discovered that she consistently employed 'explained supernatural' devices—apparent supernatural events that receive rational explanations.' |
|
| 'Her correspondence reveals that this approach was intentional, designed to satisfy both readers' desire for mystery and the era's emphasis on reason.' |
|
| 'Since Radcliffe's rational approach to Gothic elements influenced countless later writers including the Brontës and Edgar Allan Poe, her innovations represent a pivotal shift in how supernatural themes function in literature.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Ann Radcliffe's intentional use of rational explanations for supernatural elements represents a pivotal shift in Gothic literature that influenced many later writers.
Argument Flow: The passage begins by establishing scholarly interest in Radcliffe's work, then presents evidence of her specific technique and its intentional nature, and concludes by arguing for the broader literary significance of this innovation.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The underlined sentence comes at the end and draws a broad conclusion about Radcliffe's significance
- It takes the specific evidence presented earlier (her technique, her intentional approach) and makes a larger claim about her impact on literature as a whole
- The correct answer should indicate that this sentence presents an interpretation or conclusion about Gothic literature's development based on the scholars' findings
It questions how scholars determined that Radcliffe's supernatural elements were intentionally explained.
✗ Incorrect
- Says the sentence 'questions how scholars determined' something
- The underlined sentence doesn't question anything—it makes a definitive claim about Radcliffe's influence
It presents an interpretation about Gothic literature's development based on the scholars' analysis.
✓ Correct
- Says it 'presents an interpretation about Gothic literature's development based on the scholars' analysis'
- This matches exactly—the sentence takes the scholars' findings and draws a broader conclusion about literary development
It explains why Radcliffe focused on supernatural themes rather than realistic narrative techniques.
✗ Incorrect
- Says it 'explains why Radcliffe focused on supernatural themes'
- The sentence doesn't explain her motivations for choosing supernatural themes; it discusses the impact of her approach
It describes the relationship between Radcliffe and later Gothic writers like the Brontës.
✗ Incorrect
- Says it 'describes the relationship between Radcliffe and later Gothic writers'
- While it mentions influence on later writers, it doesn't describe any relationship but makes a claim about literary significance