GRE General TestVerbal ReasoningHard
A literary scholar argued that the author's later works, while often praised for their stylistic innovations, ultimately suffered from a certain ______; the complex narratives, though intellectually stimulating, often lacked the emotional resonance and clear thematic focus of her earlier, simpler stories.
- Agrandiloquence
- Bperspicuity
- Cprofundity
- Dcoherence
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. coherence
The sentence praises 'stylistic innovations' and 'intellectually stimulating' narratives but then highlights a flaw: they 'lacked the emotional resonance and clear thematic focus of her earlier, simpler stories.' The absence of clear focus and emotional resonance suggests a breakdown in the overall unity or understandability of the narrative. 'Coherence' means the quality of forming a united whole, which is what is lacking.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 'Grandiloquence' means pompous or extravagant in language, style, or manner, which refers to style and not specifically to the lack of emotional resonance or thematic focus.
- B. 'Perspicuity' means the quality of being clearly expressed or understood, which is close but 'coherence' better encompasses both thematic focus and emotional resonance.
- C. 'Profundity' means deep insight; great depth of knowledge or thought, which is partially contradicted by 'intellectually stimulating' and doesn't capture the lack of focus/resonance.
Narrative Coherence Breakdown
A literary flaw where elements of a story (plot, theme, character, emotion) do not logically or emotionally connect to form a unified, understandable whole.
- Often contrasted with positive aspects like 'stylistic innovations' or 'intellectual stimulation.'
- Clues include phrases like 'lacked,' 'disjointed,' 'unfocused,' 'disconnected.'
- The blank typically identifies the missing quality that would unify the narrative.
Memory trick: A tale's true power, when whole it is, not just scattered artistic bliss.