David Foster Wallace’s Postmodern Voices

Question 1

Which of the following statements best describes how time progresses in the chapter?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

B: Time progresses mostly chronologically with one flashback and a return to the original time.

Question 2

Which words help you understand that this passage is a flashback?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

C: recall, remember

Question 3

The most likely reason for this flashback is that it provides a(n) explanation for his extreme intelligence✔ memory associated with his commentargument for getting into the university.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

B: ✔ memory associated with his comment

Question 4

What about Harold’s characterization is nontraditional and postmodern?An outsider misunderstands the narrator.✔ An outsider is telling him who he is.An outsider knows more than the narrator.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

B: ✔ An outsider is telling him who he is.

Question 5

What are two effects of this method of characterization? Check all that apply.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

B: It makes the narrator powerless.; D: It makes the reader wonder why the narrator needs to be told who he is.

Question 6

Which of the following describes the general type of information the narrator provides?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

C: He gives both objective descriptions and subjective commentaries.

Question 7

Identify the following statements as either subjective voice or objective voice.“His hands come together on the conference table’s surface.” ✔ objectivesubjective“The facial creases of the shaggy middle Dean are now pursed in a kind of distanced affront, an I’m-eating-something-that-makes-me-really-appreciate-the-presence-of-whatever-I’m-drinking-along-with-it look.” objective✔ subjective“The room’s carbonated silence is now hostile.” objective✔ subjective“My uncle looks to Athletics as if puzzled. He shifts slightly in his chair.” ✔ objectivesubjective

Revolt · Accepted Answer

A: ✔ objective; B: subjective

Question 8

Which words best describe the narrator’s voice in this passage?uneasy and angry✔ imaginative and observanthostile and sullencreative and inattentive

Revolt · Accepted Answer

B: ✔ imaginative and observant

Question 9

What effects does naming the deans only by their titles have?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

C: It distances the narrator and makes the deans seem less like people.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the narrator’s viewpoint throughout the passage?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

B: He is frustrated by his inability to communicate his intelligence.

David Foster Wallace’s Postmodern Voices Answers

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