"Surprising" Phenomenon
Why do blues fans and musicians derive such enjoyment from music with sorrowful lyrics?
Objective
The correct answer will be an unsatisfactory hypothesis, because it won’t explain why fans and musicians find fulfillment in blues lyrics that are predominantly sorrowful.
A
The sharing of blues music serves to create a cohesive, sympathetic social network.
This explains why blues enthusiasts find positive meaning in the music. Though the lyrics are sorrowful, they inspire a sense of community that can be joyful.
B
Blues musicians who do not draw on their personal tragedies are no more successful than blues musicians who do.
This addresses the success of blues musicians, but not their personal response to the music. It does not imply whether blues music that draws on personal tragedies is more or less fulfilling than blues music that does not.
C
The irony and wit found in the blues provide a sense of perspective on life’s troubles.
This explains why blues enthusiasts find fulfillment in the music. The lyrics are sorrowful but instructive, offering a perspective that is rewarding.
D
The realization that other people share one’s plight is helpful in dealing with life’s problems.
This explains why blues enthusiasts find fulfillment in the music. Though sorrowful, blues lyrics inspire a sense of camaraderie that can be rewarding.
E
The conversion of personal sorrow into an artistic work can have a cathartic effect on artists and their audiences.
This explains why blues enthusiasts find positive meaning in the music. Creating and sharing art inspired by negative emotions, like blues music, provides a catharsis that can be rewarding.
This page shows a recording of a live class. We're working hard to create our standard, concise explanation videos for the questions in this PrepTest. Thank you for your patience!
This page shows a recording of a live class. We're working hard to create our standard, concise explanation videos for the questions in this PrepTest. Thank you for your patience!
This page shows a recording of a live class. We're working hard to create our standard, concise explanation videos for the questions in this PrepTest. Thank you for your patience!
This page shows a recording of a live class. We're working hard to create our standard, concise explanation videos for the questions in this PrepTest. Thank you for your patience!
This page shows a recording of a live class. We're working hard to create our standard, concise explanation videos for the questions in this PrepTest. Thank you for your patience!
This page shows a recording of a live class. We're working hard to create our standard, concise explanation videos for the questions in this PrepTest. Thank you for your patience!
This page shows a recording of a live class. We're working hard to create our standard, concise explanation videos for the questions in this PrepTest. Thank you for your patience!
This page shows a recording of a live class. We're working hard to create our standard, concise explanation videos for the questions in this PrepTest. Thank you for your patience!
This page shows a recording of a live class. We're working hard to create our standard, concise explanation videos for the questions in this PrepTest. Thank you for your patience!