Question

what compelled the grimms to concentrate on old german epics, tales, and literature was a belief that the most natural and pure forms of culture-those which held the community together-were linguistic and based in history. according to them, modern literature, even though it might be remarkably rich, was artificial and thus could not express the genuine essence of volk culture that emanated naturally from experience and bound the people together. therefore, all their efforts went toward uncovering stories from the past.
-\how the grimm brothers saved the fairy tale,\
jack zipes

which details from the text best support the authors purpose? check all that apply.

modern literature can be remarkably rich and informative.
many people enjoy reading both ancient and modern literature.
old german tales once held communities together.
older stories often expressed the essence of volk culture.
epics and other tales were linguistic and based in history.

Explanation:

Identify the author's main purpose

The passage explains why the Grimm brothers focused on collecting old German epics, tales, and literature. Their purpose was to uncover stories from the past because they believed these ancient, historical, and linguistic forms represented the pure, natural essence of "Volk" culture that bound communities together, unlike modern literature which they viewed as artificial.

Analyze the first option

The first option states: "Modern literature can be remarkably rich and informative." While the text mentions modern literature "might be remarkably rich," it immediately qualifies this by calling it "artificial" and unable to express the genuine essence of Volk culture. This detail does not support the author's main purpose of explaining why the Grimms focused on ancient tales.

Analyze the second option

The second option states: "Many people enjoy reading both ancient and modern literature." The text does not mention reader preferences or whether people enjoy reading both types of literature. Therefore, this is not supported by Textual Evidence.

Analyze the third option

The third option states: "Old German tales once held communities together." The text explicitly states that the Grimms believed "the most natural and pure forms of culture—those which held the community together—were linguistic and based in history" and that Volk culture "bound the people together." This directly supports the Authors Purpose Analysis by showing why these tales were valued.

Analyze the fourth option

The fourth option states: "Older stories often expressed the essence of Volk culture." The text notes that modern literature "could not express the genuine essence of Volk culture," implying that older, natural stories did. This directly supports the explanation of the Grimms' motivation.

Analyze the fifth option

The fifth option states: "Epics and other tales were linguistic and based in history." The text explicitly states that the Grimms believed the pure forms of culture "were linguistic and based in history." This is a key piece of Textual Evidence explaining their focus on old German epics and tales.

Answer:

• Modern literature can be remarkably rich and informative.

<mcq-option>Many people enjoy reading both ancient and modern literature.</mcq-correct>

• Old German tales once held communities together. (Correct answer)
• Older stories often expressed the essence of Volk culture. (Correct answer)
• Epics and other tales were linguistic and based in history. (Correct answer)