Engl 30103, Intro to Lit theory
Williams, Fall 2010
Comprehensive Subjective Midterm

I. You get 5 points for holding up the “official” theory card I distributed two weeks ago. You can use the card to answer Part II.

II. Complete the following:

1. Theory Rule Number One: Everything is ______________.
2. Politics is __________________.
3. Language is _________________.
4. Truth is ___________________.
5. Meaning is ___________________.
6. Human nature is a ___________________.

II. Match the following:

1. “There is always a return of the repressed.”
2. “There are no facts, only interpretations.”
3. “There is nothing outside the text.”
4. “I am where I think not.”
5. “ I think, therefore I am.
A. Derrida, B. Descartes, C. Lacan, D. Nietzsche, and E. Freud

III. Using Freudian/Lacanian psychoanalytical theory, interpret the following dream:

A man or woman is late for an important meeting and is riding in a taxi. S/he then discovers that s/he is naked. When s/he tries to tell the driver where s/he lives, s/he realizes that s/he has forgotten her/his address. Frantically s/he gets out and starts running around looking for her/his house while trying to hide her/his nakedness from people on the sidewalk. S/he trips over a red tricycle and hides under a rose bush.

IV. Short Answer, more or less:

1. Cite at least 5 of the social categories that you are subjected to.
2. Cite at least 5 of the ways you communicate non-verbally.
3. Cite at least 5 instances when you have been interpellated.
4. Cite at least 5 instances when you have gone out and bought something as a result of a TV commercial or magazine ad.
5. Cite at least 5 reasons why you disagree—or agree—with Theory Toolbox’s argument that there is no objectivity and/or no essential self.