RESPONDING AND THINKING CRITICALLY 1. In your opinion, what are today's epics? How do
modern audiences differ from ancient ones in their
responses to epics?
2. Identify three characteristics that we might expect
today's epic heroes to exhibit.
3. Which characteristics of the traditional epic hero
might be difficult for readers today to accept?
4. How are epithets and kennings similar and different?

How does the mother defend her child to the old duck

Which detail should most likely be cited in a historical criticism of a literary work ? the author's use of dialogue in the literary work the impact the literary work has on modern audiences the popular cultural trends of the time when the work was written the audience that the literary work is likely to reach in the future

Araby every morning i lay on the floor in the front parlour watching her door. the blind was pulled down to within an inch of the sash so that i could not be seen. when she came out on the doorstep my heart leaped. i ran to the hall, seized my books and followed her. i kept her brown figure always in my eye and, when we came near the point at which our ways diverged, i quickened my pace and passed her. this happened morning after morning. i had never spoken to her, except for a few casual words, and yet her name was like a summons to all my foolish blood. what is the general tone of the passage? a. courageous b. comical c. passionate d. fearful