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Quiz for Germaine de Staël: An Ambassador of Romanticism

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Document 21.1 Document 21.2 Document 21.3

Quiz for Germaine de Staël: An Ambassador of Romanticism

Question 21.1

1. According to Staël (see Document 21.1), travelers' first impressions of Germany

are usually of its amusements and delights.

are always correct.

are most often feelings of awe and wonder.

usually do not reveal the sources of the country's true appeal.

Correct. The answer is d. In Staël's view, it is only after one has overcome these first impressions, that Germany reveals "something interesting and poetical."

Incorrect. The answer is d. In Staël's view, it is only after one has overcome these first impressions, that Germany reveals "something interesting and poetical."

Question 21.2

2. As Staël uses the term (see Document 21.2), a philosopher who is inspired by "enthusiasm"

dreams of fame and glory.

loves knowledge for knowledge's sake.

is one small step away from fanaticism.

is always in danger of falling into error.

Correct. The answer is b. Such a philosopher cares nothing for him or herself, and is fired by a desire to gain knowledge, not fame.

Incorrect. The answer is b. Such a philosopher cares nothing for him or herself, and is fired by a desire to gain knowledge, not fame.

Question 21.3

3. In Staël's view, what attitude undermined French intellectual life (see Document 21.2)?

A tendency to subject everything to wit and ridicule

Humorless formality in all things

An excess of ardor in the pursuit of truth

An unwillingness to entertain new ideas

Correct. The answer is a. Staël believed such an attitude destroyed enthusiasm and, therefore, true intellectual growth.

Incorrect. The answer is a. Staël believed such an attitude destroyed enthusiasm and, therefore, true intellectual growth.

Question 21.4

4. What is one connection between Staël's On Germany, and Friedrich's Ruins of the Oybin Monastery and The Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog (see Documents 21.1 and 21.3)?

All three are best interpreted as political statements.

All three rely heavily on irony and sarcasm.

All three embrace romanticism, at the same time as they offer a critique of its central principles.

All three emphasize the romantic tendency toward silent, individual contemplation of nature.

Correct. The answer is d. Just as Staël suggested that a period of contemplation is necessary to achieve a true understanding of Germany's landscape, Friedrich portrayed the figures in his paintings in solitary contemplation of nature.

Incorrect. The answer is d. Just as Staël suggested that a period of contemplation is necessary to achieve a true understanding of Germany's landscape, Friedrich portrayed the figures in his paintings in solitary contemplation of nature.