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| The Clerk's Vision - Octavio Paz |
Multiple choice questions
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[alert-success] Sixth Semester – Global Literature [/alert-success]
1. What kind of literary form is “The Clerk’s Vision”?
A) Narrative poem
B) Prose poem ✅
C) Dramatic monologue
D) Sonnet
2. What is the profession of the main character in the poem?
A) Teacher
B) Lawyer
C) Clerk ✅
D) Farmer
3. What does the clerk begin to question?
A) The laws of physics
B) The routine and purpose of his life ✅
C) His salary and promotions
D) The political system
4. What is the main theme of the poem?
A) Romantic love
B) Existential crisis ✅
C) Nationalism
D) War and peace
5. What symbolizes the oppressive system in the poem?
A) A mirror
B) A building
C) Bureaucracy ✅
D) The weather
6. What feeling grows inside the clerk as the poem progresses?
A) Excitement
B) Emptiness ✅
C) Confidence
D) Pride
7. What major decision does the clerk make?
A) To travel abroad
B) To work harder
C) To quit his job ✅
D) To join the army
8. What kind of freedom does the clerk seek?
A) Financial freedom
B) Creative freedom
C) Political freedom
D) Personal and spiritual freedom ✅
9. Which word best describes the tone of the poem?
A) Joyful
B) Ironic
C) Reflective ✅
D) Aggressive
10. What is the poem’s message about modern work life?
A) It provides meaning and joy
B) It is simple and satisfying
C) It can be mechanical and soul-crushing ✅
D) It is always rewarding
11. What literary device is used in the line “the mechanism of the trap of morality”?
A) Simile
B) Personification
C) Metaphor ✅
D) Hyperbole
12. What does the phrase “I quit” symbolize in the poem?
A) Anger at his boss
B) A call for revolution
C) A return to religion
D) Freedom from meaningless routine ✅
13. How is the clerk's identity affected by his job?
A) He becomes more confident
B) He loses his sense of self ✅
C) He gains social respect
D) He becomes a public figure
14. What best describes the poem’s structure?
A) Free verse with rhymes
B) Paragraphs with poetic language ✅
C) Dialogue between two characters
D) Sonnet form
15. What is the final mood of the poem after the clerk quits?
A) Hopeless
B) Hopeful ✅
C) Fearful
D) Confused
16. What literary movement does Octavio Paz often associate with?
A) Realism
B) Romanticism
C) Surrealism ✅
D) Transcendentalism
17. What emotion does the clerk feel before his moment of realization?
A) Satisfaction
B) Boredom ✅
C) Anger
D) Joy
18. The phrase “I await the event” suggests:
A) A party
B) A hopeful change ✅
C) A promotion
D) A holiday
19. The clerk compares his life to:
A) A cage ✅
B) A race
C) A book
D) A fire
20. What is a central conflict in the poem?
A) Man vs. nature
B) Man vs. society ✅
C) Man vs. technology
D) Man vs. destiny
21. What does the “broken tower” likely symbolize?
A) A building collapsing
B) Religion
C) Failed belief in systems ✅
D) Physical illness
22. What does the clerk do instead of shouting or rebelling loudly?
A) Goes on strike
B) Files a report
C) Quietly quits ✅
D) Starts a revolution
23. What poetic technique is used heavily in the poem?
A) Alliteration
B) Symbolism ✅
C) Rhyme
D) Irony
24. Which of these best describes the structure of The Clerk’s Vision?
A) Fragmented scenes
B) Traditional stanzas
C) Single, flowing prose block ✅
D) Bullet-pointed thoughts
25. Why is the clerk's crisis considered existential?
A) It’s about religion
B) It involves deep thinking about existence and purpose ✅
C) It’s political
D) It involves physical survival
26. What action represents the climax of the poem?
A) He files his papers
B) He imagines a new world
C) He says “I quit.” ✅
D) He argues with his boss
27. How does the clerk describe morality?
A) As comforting
B) As enlightening
C) As a trap ✅
D) As a guide
28. What is the tone of the poem when the clerk talks about his office?
A) Celebratory
B) Resigned
C) Cold and mechanical ✅
D) Nostalgic
29. Which of these best represents what the clerk is rejecting?
A) Nature
B) Art
C) Routine and conformity ✅
D) Spirituality
30. What does the poem criticize most strongly?
A) Education
B) Bureaucracy ✅
C) Religion
D) Science
31. What effect does the system have on the clerk’s identity?
A) It strengthens him
B) It makes him successful
C) It erases his individuality ✅
D) It connects him to others
32. What literary device is used in the phrase “a trap of morality”?
A) Simile
B) Hyperbole
C) Metaphor ✅
D) Irony
33. Why is “vision” an important word in the title?
A) It refers to his eyesight
B) It symbolizes an awakening or realization ✅
C) It means hallucination
D) It represents religion
34. What is the setting of the poem?
A) A battlefield
B) A classroom
C) An office ✅
D) A train station
35. Why might the poem resonate with modern readers?
A) It celebrates new technology
B) It praises hard work
C) It reflects feelings of being lost in modern life ✅
D) It discusses global politics
36. Which phrase best shows the clerk’s internal transformation?
A) “I sign in every morning.”
B) “I too exist.” ✅
C) “I missed my deadline.”
D) “It’s time for lunch.”
37. What kind of awakening does the clerk experience?
A) Political
B) Religious
C) Personal and existential ✅
D) Historical
38. What does the poem suggest about obedience?
A) It is always right
B) It leads to peace
C) It can become a prison ✅
D) It should be rewarded
39. The poem’s mood can best be described as:
A) Festive
B) Melancholy ✅
C) Carefree
D) Energetic
40. What is one reason the poem is powerful despite its simple format?
A) It uses difficult vocabulary
B) It is written in rhyme
C) It speaks to deep human truths ✅
D) It includes footnotes
41. How does the clerk feel about his work by the end?
A) Proud
B) Satisfied
C) Indifferent
D) Disconnected and done ✅
42. What universal issue does the poem explore?
A) Education
B) Mortality
C) The search for meaning ✅
D) The history of law
43. What literary technique dominates the poem’s language?
A) Dialogue
B) Description
C) Symbolism ✅
D) Action
44. “I await the event” is an example of:
A) Irony
B) Imagery
C) Foreshadowing ✅
D) Sarcasm
45. The line “I too exist” shows the clerk’s:
A) Madness
B) Anger
C) Self-realization ✅
D) Humor
46. What emotion does the line “I quit” most strongly convey?
A) Defeat
B) Liberation ✅
C) Sadness
D) Jealousy
47. The poem’s message encourages readers to:
A) Get promoted
B) Stay silent
C) Conform to society
D) Seek authentic existence ✅
48. What is the overall narrative arc of the poem?
A) From confusion to routine
B) From belief to power
C) From routine to realization and rejection ✅
D) From pride to punishment
49. What kind of language does Paz use in the poem?
A) Legal
B) Scientific
C) Poetic and philosophical ✅
D) Historical
50. What does the clerk realize about himself?
A) He is replaceable
B) He is a machine
C) He is more than a role or title ✅
D) He is his job
51. The clerk’s final decision is symbolic of:
A) Defeat
B) A new beginning ✅
C) Loyalty
D) Escape from punishment
52. What does the “event” symbolize?
A) A riot
B) A physical disaster
C) A personal transformation ✅
D) A party
53. How is time described in the poem?
A) Exciting
B) Repetitive ✅
C) Fleeting
D) Meaningless
54. The poem critiques which type of modern environment?
A) Natural landscapes
B) Spiritual spaces
C) Institutional offices ✅
D) Political rallies
55. Why is the poem still relevant today?
A) It is about war
B) It discusses email
C) It explores the meaning of human existence in systems ✅
D) It supports economic reform
56. What feeling dominates the first half of the poem?
A) Hope
B) Boredom ✅
C) Excitement
D) Love
57. The moment of saying “I quit” is best described as:
A) Weakness
B) Cowardice
C) Courage ✅
D) Revenge
58. What kind of tone does the narrator use?
A) Sarcastic
B) Reflective and serious ✅
C) Playful
D) Cold
59. The poem ends with a sense of:
A) Loss
B) Finality
C) Freedom and quiet hope ✅
D) Comedy
60. How does the poem challenge the reader?
A) By using puzzles
B) By demanding memorization
C) By questioning societal norms ✅
D) By explaining complex laws
61. What is a major motif in the poem?
A) Violence
B) Travel
C) Silence and speech ✅
D) Nature and weather
62. What would be a good alternate title for this poem?
A) The Prisoner’s Escape ✅
B) The Happy Worker
C) The Lazy Clerk
D) The Promotion
63. What is missing from the clerk’s life?
A) Family
B) Purpose and identity ✅
C) Salary
D) Shelter
64. In the end, what does the clerk’s vision truly represent?
A) Delusion
B) A dream
C) An inner awakening ✅
D) A nightmare
65. Why is this poem a good example of a prose poem?
A) It uses bullets
B) It has no plot
C) It is written in paragraph form with poetic content ✅
D) It follows a rhyme scheme
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