Summary:
The Island Pharisees is a novel by John Galsworthy, first published in 1904. It is his first full-length novel and serves as a social critique of British hypocrisy, particularly among the upper and middle classes. The novel follows the protagonist, Shelton, an upper-class Englishman, who becomes increasingly aware of the rigid moral hypocrisy of British society.
Shelton, who initially conforms to societal expectations, undergoes a transformation as he begins to question the values and traditions he was raised with. His encounters with various characters, including a free-spirited foreigner named Ferrand, force him to reevaluate his beliefs about morality, class, and justice.
The novel highlights the contrast between outward respectability and inner dishonesty, portraying how societal norms often prioritize appearances over genuine integrity. The Island Pharisees is a sharp critique of the British elite, showing their unwillingness to embrace change or acknowledge their own flaws.
1. : Who is the protagonist of The Island Pharisees?
(A) Soames Forsyte
(B) Michael Mont
(C) Shelton
(D) Jolyon Forsyte
2. : What is the central theme of The Island Pharisees?
(A) The hypocrisy of British society
(B) The effects of war on morality
(C) The struggles of an artist in London
(D) A love triangle between aristocrats
3. : What does Shelton struggle with in the novel?
(A) His desire to leave England
(B) His love for a married woman
(C) His growing awareness of societal hypocrisy
(D) His attempts to start a business
4. : Who influences Shelton to question his beliefs?
(A) His fiancée
(B) His father
(C) Ferrand, a free-spirited foreigner
(D) A university professor
5. : What does The Island Pharisees criticize?
(A) The British class system and moral hypocrisy
(B) The rise of industrialization
(C) The decline of religious values
(D) The effects of global trade
6. : What literary movement does The Island Pharisees belong to?
(A) Romanticism
(B) Gothic Fiction
(C) Modernism
(D) Realism
7. : How does Shelton’s character evolve throughout the novel?
(A) He becomes more rebellious against societal norms
(B) He embraces aristocratic traditions
(C) He moves to America to escape hypocrisy
(D) He becomes a priest
8. : What does the title The Island Pharisees suggest?
(A) Britain as an isolated land of moral hypocrisy
(B) A group of religious leaders on an island
(C) A utopian society free of corruption
(D) A literal island controlled by religious figures
9. : What writing style does Galsworthy use in The Island Pharisees?
(A) Satirical and critical
(B) Mystical and symbolic
(C) Poetic and lyrical
(D) Comic and lighthearted
10. : How was The Island Pharisees received upon publication?
(A) It was banned for being controversial
(B) It was largely ignored by critics
(C) It was praised for its sharp social critique
(D) It was adapted into a popular play immediately