It would be expected that a novel by a figure as prominent as W. E. B. DuBois would attract the attention of literary critics. Additionally, when the novel subtly engages the issue of race, as DuBois’ The Quest of the Silver Fleece (1911) does, it would be a surprise not to encounter an abundance of scholarly work about that text. But though valuable scholarship has examined DuBois’ political and historical thought, his novels have received scant attention. Perhaps DuBois the novelist must wait his turn behind DuBois the philosopher, historian, and editor. But what if the truth lies elsewhere: what if his novels do not speak to current concerns?
14. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage regarding DuBois’ The Quest of the Silver Fleece?A The lack of attention devoted to The Quest of the Silver Fleece can be attributed to the fact that it was DuBois’ first novel.
B Among DuBois’ novels, The Quest of the Silver Fleece is unusual in that it has received scant attention from scholars.
C The Quest of the Silver Fleece has at least one feature that typically would attract the attention of literary scholars.
D The Quest of the Silver Fleece, given its subtle exploration of race, is probably the best novel written by DuBois.
E Much of the scholarly work that has focused on The Quest of the Silver Fleece has been surprisingly critical of it.
15. In the fourth sentence (“Perhaps DuBois . . . editor.”), the author of the passage is most likely suggesting thatA scholars will find that DuBois’ novels are more relevant to current concerns than is his work as philosopher, historian, and editor
B more scholarly attention will be paid to The Quest of the Silver Fleece than to DuBois’ other novels
C DuBois’ novels will come to overshadow his work as philosopher, historian, and editor
D DuBois’ novels may eventually attract greater scholarly interest than they have to date
E it will be shown that DuBois’ work as philosopher, historian, and editor had an important influence on his work as novelist
16. Which of the following best describes the central issue with which the passage is concerned?A The perfunctoriness of much of the critical work devoted to DuBois’ novels
B The nature of DuBois’ engagement with the issue of race in The Quest of the Silver Fleece
C Whether DuBois’ novels are of high quality and relevant to current concerns
D The relationship between DuBois the novelist and DuBois the philosopher, historian, and editor
E The degree of consideration that has been given to DuBois’ novels, including The Quest of the Silver Fleece