Literature of the Indian Diaspora — DU B. A. (Hons) English Previous Year Question Papers

3. Candidates have to answer ALL the questions in PART A and ANY THREE questions in PART B. 4. Questions in Part A carry 10 marks each and questions in PART B carry 20 marks each. Q1. a) Examine the thematic significance of memory and secrecy in The Book of Secrets. OR b) Comment on the narratorial voice in The Book of Secrets. Q2. a) How does The Golden Gate reflect the values and anxieties of contemporary American society? OR b) Write a short note on the significance of Janet Hayakawa in the novel. Q3. a) Analyse the role of Tollington as a setting. OR b) Discuss the cultural and emotional significance of community gatherings in Anita and Me. Q4. a) Critically elaborate on how The Book of Secrets explores the idea of "home' and "homeland'. b) "The novel is as much about silences as it is about stories." Discuss with reference to the representation of erased or marginalised voices in The Book of Secrets. Q5. a) Discuss how The Golden Gate combines humour and satire to critique contemporary social relationships. b) Analyse the tension between individual desire and societal expectations in The Golden Gate. Q6. a) Meena's identity in Anita and Me is shaped by her negotiation between multiple cultural worlds. Discuss how hybridity functions as both conflict and empowerment in the novel. OR b) Examine how childhood perspective is used as a narrative strategy to explore issues of race, belonging, and exclusion in Anita and Me. Q7. a) Discuss the idea-of "home" in diasporic literature with reference to any two texts from your syllabus. OR b) Examine how diasporic literature negotiates questions of identity, displacement, and cultural memory in a globalised world.