Marginalities in Indian Writing — DU B. A. (Hons) English Previous Year Question Papers

Semester / Annual : I/IV/VI/VIII 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) Identify and critically comment on: "...there must be social endosmosis. This is fraternity, which is only another name for democracy. Democracy is not merely a form of government. It is primarily a mode of associated living, of conjoint communicated experience. It is essentially an attitude of respect and reverence towards fellow men." (b) Write a short note on the narrator's grandmother Vellaiyamma in Bama's Sangati. Q2 (a) Identify and critically comment on: "I did not feel helpless. I could slip into shops, chemists, bookshops, restaurants etcetera. Whatever the so-called normal person does, I could do. I did this with ease and it did wonders for my self-confidence. I was whizzing around, with mother and Maya sauntering way (b) Identify and critically comment on: "Now think Just tell us How does it feel to be a handicapped person? I mean how does it feel" Q3. (a) Identify and critically comment on: "It is often said that adivasis should come into the mainstream. I ask myself, whose is this mainstream? Who built it? It will not do for anyone to create a stream and ask adivasis to join it. We should be participants in creating the stream and we will not be participants in any stream in which adivasis cannot get justice." (10) (b) Identify and critically comment on: "Spirits, away with you, As the father of Mune made the place his home As the father of Sane cultivated the land I have a shield I have a shade I will also cultivate the land I will also dwell in the village." Q4. (a) Bama explores the complexity of Dalit womanhood through her portrayal of the many layers of misogyny in Sangati. Discuss. (20) (b) Ajay Navaria's 'Yes Sir' documents the complexity and power dynamics of caste based hierarchies in urban institutions revealing Dalit lived realities in contemporary India. Q5. (a) Malini Chib's One Little Finger dismantles stereotypes of disabled lives and fosters a more inclusive and equitable society based on access and redefinition of ability. Elaborate (b) Malini Chib's One Little Finger frames 'disability as a social construct and not as a personal tragedy'. Do you agree? Give a reasoned answer. Q6. (a) Waharu Sonwane writes that oral and written literature of the Adivasis reflects the human values of equality, liberty and fraternity. Discuss his essay in relation to at least one text in the course? (20) (b) Janil Kumar Brahma's depiction of Orge's deep sense of alienation amidst societal norms on beauty and womanhood is a powerful critique of patriarchy as well as power dynamics within adivasi communities. Discuss.