Q14

[andrea.devas]

Hi, This is my second time going through this passage and this question got me both times.

I cannot see how the answer is (A) and not (C). No where in the passage does the author discuss " overly sophisticated art" so in my run through I crossed it off as being out of scope. Any thoughts or input would be greatly appreciated on this question. Thanks,

[timmydoeslsat]

Line 46 is where the author discusses overly sophisticated art.

The author has a problem with the later abstract expressionist group. So the early group would be included in this idea of abstract expressionism as a whole. The author has a somewhat favorable attitude towards the first generation of AE, but not the second.

Answer choice C is the opposite of what we want. He is less critical of AE than the second generation of AE.

[andrea.devas]

I see the line and reference now. Thank you.

[daiqiuyang]

I see the last post was 4 years ago but I decide to ask my question anyway.

Line 46 does refer to Lichtenstein's "response to excess of sophistication", but can we assume such "response" is indeed Rebellion? No where near that sentence the author mentions rebellion.

I chose (E) simply because the last sentence of paragraph 2 states Lichtenstein's work is a "general rebellion against the fading emotional power of abstract expressionism." And I assume the "fading emotional power" refers to the "simple black lines and large area of primary color" used by pop artist in the previous sentence.

Appreciate any explanation.

[TaeC572]

I see that the question quoted was from 2 years ago but I also decided to respond anyway.

1) Response to your choice (E)

(LN 28) "L.'s works was part of a general rebellion" which the general rebellion can be implied from (LN 21 ~ 25) "Pop Artists weren't quarreling ... but with 2nd generation abstract expressionists whose work seemed airy, high-minded, and overly lyrical."

So, when it said L. was part of general rebellion, the rebellion meant the Pop Artists' quarrel with 2nd gen. abs expressionists overly lyrical works rather than the simple black lines and large primary color. (Pop Artists would not rebel against their own painting techniques) Simple black lines and large primary color were the techniques used by Pop Artists to rebel. In fact, L. used simple black lines and large primary colors in this paintings if you know his works.

2) Response to your doubts on choice (A)
I do see your point questioning the interpretation of response as rebellion in LN 46 - it may sound like an exaggeration.

To allow some extra room for interpretation, the passage mentions "deliberate naivete" as response to excess sophistication. I think naivete and sophistication are terms that express two opposite concepts. Also by describing it as "deliberate," it can be inferred that putting naivete in the paintings was very intentional. "Intentionally" putting "opposite" concepts as a "response" to the sophistication? I think it can be considered as rebellious.

If my mom tells me to eat more vegetables and I deliberately tell her that I like meat (feel free to imagine this at a dinner table), she will probably think I am rebellious... if this makes sense... lol

I see the last post was 4 years ago but I decide to ask my question anyway.

Line 46 does refer to Lichtenstein's "response to excess of sophistication", but can we assume such "response" is indeed Rebellion? No where near that sentence the author mentions rebellion.

I chose (E) simply because the last sentence of paragraph 2 states Lichtenstein's work is a "general rebellion against the fading emotional power of abstract expressionism." And I assume the "fading emotional power" refers to the "simple black lines and large area of primary color" used by pop artist in the previous sentence.

Appreciate any explanation.