Fable - Nice RC 'njoy

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Fable - Nice RC 'njoy

by AIM GMAT » Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:20 am
TRY TO MAKE IT A TIMED EFFORT :)

Before there were books, before, even, there was the written word in
civilization, there must surely have been stories told. Relating stories to
one another is a unique way that we, as humans, communicate thoughts,
needs, desires, and instruction. Whether it be the true story of what
happened on the way to the well yesterday-a story meant to instruct
about the latest water situations-or a dramatic retelling of a long-ago
battle-a cautionary tale meant to warn against unnecessary warfare-
stories have the unique ability to bring home information and instruct in a
way a mere recitation of the facts cannot.

The Tale, the Parable, and the Fable are all common and popular
modes of conveying instruction-each being distinguished by its own
special characteristics. The true Fable, if it rises to its high requirements,
ever aims at one great end and purpose: the representation of human
motive, and the improvement of human conduct, and yet it so conceals
its design under the disguise of fictitious characters, by clothing with
speech the animals of the field, the birds of the air, the trees of the wood,
or the beasts of the forest, that the reader receives the advice without
perceiving the presence of the adviser. Thus the superiority of the
counsellor, which often renders counsel unpalatable, is kept out of view,
and the lesson comes with the greater acceptance when the reader is led,
unconsciously to himself, to have his sympathies enlisted on behalf of
what is pure, honourable, and praiseworthy, and to have his indignation
excited against what is low, ignoble, and unworthy.

The true fabulist, therefore, is charged with a most important
function. He is neither a narrator, nor an allegorist, he is a great teacher,
a corrector of morals, a censor of vice, and a commender of virtue. In
this consists the superiority of the Fable over the Tale or the Parable. The
fabulist is to create a laugh, but yet, under a merry guise, to convey
instruction. Phaedrus, the great imitator of Aesop, plainly indicates this
double purpose to be the true office of the writer of fables.

The Fable partly agrees with, and partly differs from the Tale and the
Parable. It will contain, like the Tale, a short but real narrative; it will
seek, like the Parable, to convey a hidden meaning, not so much by the
use of language, as by the skilful introduction of fictitious characters; and
yet unlike to either Tale or Parable, it will ever keep in view, as its high
prerogative, and inseparable attribute, the great purpose of instruction,
and will necessarily seek to inculcate some moral maxim, social duty, or
political truth.

The Tale consists simply of the narration of a story either founded on
facts, or created solely by the imagination, and not necessarily associated
with the teaching of any moral lesson. The Parable is the designed use of
language purposely intended to convey a hidden and secret meaning
other than that contained in the words themselves; and which may or
may not bear a special reference to the hearer, or reader.

1. The passage suggests that the fable is superior to the parable and the tale
for none of the following reasons EXCEPT:
I. the fable contains a moral lesson within its narrative.
II. the parable's message may be too enigmatic for a reader to
comprehend.
III. the tale is a chronicle of recent historical events.
A. I only
B. I and II
C. II and III
D. I, II, and III
E. None of the above

2. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT a requirement for a
narrative text to be classified as a fable?
A. Use of fictional characters, such as personified animals and natural
objects
B. Inclusion of social, moral, or political references relevant to
contemporary readers
C. Constant awareness of and attention to a particular instructional goal
D. Figurative or poetic language to demonstrate the author's creative
talent
E. Every fable must have a moral' at the end

3. Which of the following best characterizes the claim that the fabulist is a
"•great teacher, a corrector of morals, a censor of vice, and a commender of
virtue?
A. It is an analysis of the importance of the fabulist's role in society.
B. It is a conclusion that fabulists should be honoured above writers of
parables or tales.
C. It is appreciation for the fabulist's ability to multi-task.
D. It advocates increased honour and respect for the fabulist.
E. It suggests that more and more people should become fabulists

I found this passage language bit convoluted , and the questions are also EXCEPT and NOT , but was fun solving . Have your take at the passage i am sure you guys wil enjoy reading this .

OA BDC
Thanks & Regards,
AIM GMAT

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by HSPA » Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:18 pm
Para 1: before books there were stores for comm
sotries are good way of information comm.(POV)

Para 2:POV++

three types : F,P, T
F: human motive/conduct using fictious characters
trees/birds/animasls talk here
depends on how reader takes it

Para 3: POV++
True fabulist is a moral conveyer

Para 4:Fable over tale/p

fable is real tale is not
fable is simple/fictious both hidden meaning

fable - moral/socialduty/...

Para 5:
Tale : facts/imagination/no morals
hidden/secret meaning is fable/no relevance to reader

1) B
3 is not as per para 5

2) use para 2
fiction yes
moral yes
D fable is simple and not like parable

3) para 3
C: double purpose yes

Hi AIM i got all right but took 9 min...

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by AIM GMAT » Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:54 pm
Hey HSPA , i appreciate your effort to solve the passage with all detail notes . Did u find the passage difficult ? It took me 7:05:19 to solve the passage with all correct.

My notes are pretty simple and short :- [referred back to passage while answering]

P1 : non written communication + e.g.
P2 : The Tale
P3 : true fabulist - deftn
P4 : tale +- , unlike either
P5 : tale = narrate --> imaginatn
parable --> hidden meaning .

Smtimes i get almost all wrong , worry at that passages , i am trying to devise a strategy with max accuracy , i would like to know ur approach for passage and also suggestions are most welcome .
Thanks & Regards,
AIM GMAT