Question

1. which statement provides the best example of a claim that would appear in a book or essay by a comparative literature scholar?

○ american civil war literature is less grim than european world war i literature, even though both address the harsh realities of conflict.
○ most 18th-century european literature is more interesting to read than american literature of the same time period.
○ jane austen’s novels pride and prejudice and emma address similar themes of class and social position.
○ many works by j.r.r. tolkien, including the lord of the rings trilogy and the hobbit, are inspired by the stories tolkien read as a boy.

Explanation:

A comparative literature scholar's claim should involve comparing literary works/periods across different regions or time. Option A compares American Civil War literature and European WWI literature (different conflicts, regions) on their grimness while acknowledging both address conflict realities. Option B is a subjective preference, not a scholarly comparative claim. Option C and D are descriptive of single authors'/works' themes/inspirations, not comparative. So A is the best.

Answer:

A. American Civil War literature is less grim than European World War I literature, even though both address the harsh realities of conflict.