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That the literary canon emerges from a ________ and internally consist
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26 May 2026, 23:32
26 May 2026, 23:32
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That the literary canon emerges from a ________ and internally consistent set of aesthetic principles is a notion decisively refuted by the historical record; what it actually represents, as scholars have long argued, is a patchwork of competing judgments, shifting tastes, and contingent institutional decisions.
| Blank (i) |
|---|
| A. an expedient |
| B. an aberrant |
| C. a capricious | D. a communal | E. a unitary |
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Re: That the literary canon emerges from a ________ and internally consist
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29 May 2026, 07:10
29 May 2026, 07:10
1
Expert Reply
Explanation
The second half explains that the canon is actually:
“a patchwork of competing judgments,”
“shifting tastes,” and
“contingent institutional decisions.”
That directly contrasts with the idea of something single, unified, and internally consistent. Unitary means forming a single whole; unified, which fits perfectly.
expedient = practical/useful for a purpose
aberrant = abnormal/deviating
capricious = impulsive/unpredictable
communal = shared by a community
None pair naturally with “internally consistent set of aesthetic principles” the way unitary does.
Answer: E
The second half explains that the canon is actually:
“a patchwork of competing judgments,”
“shifting tastes,” and
“contingent institutional decisions.”
That directly contrasts with the idea of something single, unified, and internally consistent. Unitary means forming a single whole; unified, which fits perfectly.
expedient = practical/useful for a purpose
aberrant = abnormal/deviating
capricious = impulsive/unpredictable
communal = shared by a community
None pair naturally with “internally consistent set of aesthetic principles” the way unitary does.
Answer: E
Re: That the literary canon emerges from a ________ and internally consist
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30 May 2026, 04:30
30 May 2026, 04:30
Expert Reply
Explanation
The sentence sets up a contrast. The first clause describes a notion that is "decisively refuted by the historical record." This notion claims the literary canon emerges from something that is " _______ and internally consistent." The second clause then reveals the truth: the canon is actually "a patchwork of competing judgments, shifting tastes, and contingent institutional decisions." The word "patchwork" - meaning a heterogeneous, varied collection - is the opposite of what the blank should mean. The blank, paired with "internally consistent," must therefore mean singular, unified, or monolithic.
- A. an expedient - Convenient, practical, serving immediate interests. While the canon might serve expedient purposes, the contrast is between unity and patchwork, not between practicality and patchwork. Incorrect.
- B. an aberrant - Deviating from the norm; anomalous. "Aberrant" describes deviation from a standard, not unity or coherence. An aberrant set of principles would be unusual, not necessarily unified. Incorrect.
- C. a capricious - Impulsive, unpredictable, subject to whim. "Capricious" is actually closer to the reality (shifting, contingent) than to the refuted notion (unified, consistent). A reader who misreads the contrast might select this. Incorrect.
- D. a communal - Shared by a community; collective. While the canon is certainly shaped by communities, "communal" does not imply the unity and internal consistency that contrasts with "patchwork." A communal effort can still produce a patchwork. Incorrect.
- E. a unitary - Forming a single, uniform whole; monolithic. "A unitary and internally consistent set of aesthetic principles" perfectly captures the refuted notion - the idea that the canon is a single, coherent entity. This directly contrasts with "a patchwork of competing judgments." Correct.
The sentence sets up a contrast. The first clause describes a notion that is "decisively refuted by the historical record." This notion claims the literary canon emerges from something that is " _______ and internally consistent." The second clause then reveals the truth: the canon is actually "a patchwork of competing judgments, shifting tastes, and contingent institutional decisions." The word "patchwork" - meaning a heterogeneous, varied collection - is the opposite of what the blank should mean. The blank, paired with "internally consistent," must therefore mean singular, unified, or monolithic.
- A. an expedient - Convenient, practical, serving immediate interests. While the canon might serve expedient purposes, the contrast is between unity and patchwork, not between practicality and patchwork. Incorrect.
- B. an aberrant - Deviating from the norm; anomalous. "Aberrant" describes deviation from a standard, not unity or coherence. An aberrant set of principles would be unusual, not necessarily unified. Incorrect.
- C. a capricious - Impulsive, unpredictable, subject to whim. "Capricious" is actually closer to the reality (shifting, contingent) than to the refuted notion (unified, consistent). A reader who misreads the contrast might select this. Incorrect.
- D. a communal - Shared by a community; collective. While the canon is certainly shaped by communities, "communal" does not imply the unity and internal consistency that contrasts with "patchwork." A communal effort can still produce a patchwork. Incorrect.
- E. a unitary - Forming a single, uniform whole; monolithic. "A unitary and internally consistent set of aesthetic principles" perfectly captures the refuted notion - the idea that the canon is a single, coherent entity. This directly contrasts with "a patchwork of competing judgments." Correct.
