AP Success - AP English Literature: Azathoth

This sci-fi short story was written by H.P. Lovecraft.

When age fell upon the world, and wonder went out of the minds of men; when grey cities reared to smoky skies tall towers grim and ugly, in whose shadow none might dream of the sun or of Spring’s flowering meads; when learning stripped the Earth of her mantle of beauty and poets sang no more save of twisted phantoms seen with bleared and inward looking eyes; when these things had come to pass, and childish hopes had gone forever, there was a man who traveled out of life on a quest into spaces whither the world’s dreams had fled. Of the name and abode of this man little is written, for they were of the waking world only; yet it is said that both were obscure. It is enough to say that he dwelt in a city of high walls where sterile twilight reigned, that he toiled all day among shadow and turmoil, coming home at evening to a room whose one window opened not to open fields and groves but on to a dim court where other windows stared in dull despair. From that casement one might see only walls and windows, except sometimes when one leaned so far out and peered at the small stars that passed. And because mere walls and windows must soon drive a man to madness who dreams and reads much, the dweller in that room used night after night to lean out and peer aloft to glimpse some fragment of things beyond the waking world and the tall cities. After years he began to call the slow sailing stars by name, and to follow them in fancy when they glided regretfully out of sight; till at length his vision opened to many secret vistas whose existance no common eye suspected. And one night a mighty gulf was bridged, and the dream haunted skies swelled down to the lonely watcher’s window to merge with the close air of his room and to make him a part of their fabulous wonder. There came to that room wild streams of violet midnight glittering with dust of gold, vortices of dust and fire, swirling out of the ultimate spaces and heavy perfumes from beyond the worlds. Opiate oceans poured there, litten by suns that the eye may never behold and having in their whirlpools strange dolphins and sea-nymphs of unrememberable depths. Noiseless infinity eddied around the dreamer and wafted him away without touching the body that leaned stiffly from the lonely window; and for days not counted in men’s calendars the tides of far spheres that bore him gently to join the course of other cycles that tenderly left him sleeping on a green sunrise shore, a green shore fragrant with lotus blossoms and starred by red camalates...

Question 1

Multiple choice

In lines 1-2, "When age fell upon the world, and wonder went out of the minds of men," the author suggests that the world:

  • saw an increase in youthful enthusiasm among its inhabitants.

  • entered into a period of great technological advancement.

  • became a more pragmatic and less imaginative place.

  • experienced a renewal of curiosity and creativity.

  • began to value age and experience over innovation.

Question 2

Multiple choice

The description of the city in lines 13-17 primarily serves to:

  • contrast with the protagonist's inner world of dreams and imagination.

  • show the city's architectural beauty and sophistication.

  • demonstrate the protagonist's satisfaction with his daily routine.

  • emphasize the efficiency and productivity of urban life.

  • highlight the protagonist's social status.

Question 3

Multiple choice

The phrase "bleared and inward looking eyes" (line 6) most likely suggests that the poets:

  • lack insight and are confused about their surroundings.

  • are optimistic about the future and its possibilities.

  • are introspective, focusing on their inner experiences.

  • have a clear vision and understanding of the world.

  • possess a superficial understanding of their environment.

Question 4

Multiple choice

In lines 22-24, the protagonist's action of leaning out and peering aloft primarily symbolizes his desire to:

  • connect with others who share his sense of isolation.

  • escape from the physical confines of his environment.

  • find practical solutions to his daily struggles.

  • challenge the societal norms imposed upon him.

  • seek inspiration for his professional endeavors.

Question 5

Multiple choice

The "mighty gulf" mentioned in line 28 most likely represents a transition from:

  • reality to imagination.

  • isolation to community.

  • despair to hope.

  • ignorance to knowledge.

  • confinement to freedom.

Question 6

Multiple choice

The phrase "noiseless infinity eddied around the dreamer" (line 38) employs which of the following literary techniques?

  • Onomatopoeia

  • Hyperbole

  • Synecdoche

  • Personification

  • Metonymy

Question 7

Multiple choice

The image of "wild streams of violet midnight glittering with dust of gold" (lines 32-33) is an example of:

  • a metaphor.

  • a euphemism.

  • an oxymoron.

  • an allegory.

  • a simile.

Question 8

Multiple choice

In the context of the passage, the transformation experienced by the protagonist in lines 29-31 can be best described as:

  • a psychological breakdown.

  • a physical journey to a distant land.

  • a metaphysical merging with the universe.

  • a scientific discovery.

  • a social awakening.

Question 9

Multiple choice

The overall tone of the passage could best be described as:

  • whimsical and playful.

  • mysterious and contemplative.

  • optimistic and cheerful.

  • cynical and critical.

  • aggressive and confrontational.

Question 10

Multiple choice

The passage as a whole primarily explores the theme of:

  • the destructiveness of industrialization.

  • the transcendence of imagination.

  • the power of human connection.

  • the conflict between nature and civilization.

  • the inevitability of change.

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