BEGC-134
Reading the Novel
BEGC 134 Solved Free Assignment 2023
BEGC 134 Solved Free Assignment January 2023
Section A
Q 1. Write short notes in about 100 words each
(i) Narrative
Ans. Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a young girl named Lily. She was a very kind-hearted and compassionate girl who loved to help others. She lived with her parents in a small house on the outskirts of the village.
Lily’s parents were farmers, and they worked hard every day to provide for their family.
One day, while Lily was walking through the woods, she stumbled upon a wounded bird lying on the ground. She immediately picked up the bird and took it back to her house.
She tended to the bird’s wounds and took care of it until it was well enough to fly away. From that day on, the bird would visit Lily every day, and they became great friends.
Lily’s kindness and compassion did not go unnoticed in the village. People started coming to her for help and advice.
Whenever anyone needed anything, they would go to Lily, and she would help them in any way she could. Lily never turned anyone away, and she was always willing to lend a helping hand.
As time passed, Lily grew older, and her reputation for kindness and compassion continued to spread. BEGC 134 Solved Free Assignment 2023
She became known throughout the village as the girl who would always help anyone in need. Her parents were very proud of her, and they knew that she was destined for great things.
One day, while Lily was out walking in the woods, she came across a group of travelers who were lost and in need of help.
They had been traveling for days and were very tired and hungry. Lily immediately took them back to her house and provided them with food and shelter. She even gave up her own bed for one of the travelers who was sick.
(ii) New Trends in Fiction Writing
(ii) Fiction writing has evolved over time, reflecting changing societal trends and preferences.
In recent years, new trends in fiction writing have emerged that challenge traditional forms and styles, and incorporate innovative techniques and themes.
Here are some of the new trends in fiction writing that have gained popularity in recent years:
Nonlinear narratives: Nonlinear storytelling involves breaking away from the traditional chronological order of events, and instead presents the story in a non-linear way. BEGC 134 Solved Free Assignment 2023
This technique allows authors to experiment with different perspectives and time frames, creating a more dynamic and engaging reading experience.
Hybrid genres: Mixing genres has become a popular trend in fiction writing, with authors blending elements of different genres to create unique and innovative stories.
For example, science fiction and fantasy elements can be incorporated into a romance novel, or a historical fiction story can be combined with elements of a thriller.
Social justice themes: With the rise of social media and the increasing awareness of social justice issues, fiction writing has also begun to incorporate these themes.
Authors are using their platform to raise awareness about social issues such as race, gender, and class, and to challenge societal norms and biases.
Experimental writing: Experimental writing involves taking risks with language, structure, and form to create something entirely new and different.
Authors are experimenting with stream-of-consciousness writing, unconventional narrative structures, and unique character perspectives to challenge readers and push the boundaries of traditional storytelling.
Diversity in representation: As readers become more diverse, there is a growing demand for representation of different cultures, races, and backgrounds in fiction writing. BEGC 134 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Authors are being encouraged to represent marginalized communities and to incorporate diverse characters into their stories, creating a more inclusive and representative body of literature.
(iii) Characterisation
Ans. (iii) Characterization refers to the process of creating and developing characters in literature.
It involves bringing characters to life by providing readers with details about their personalities, physical appearances, backgrounds, motivations, and actions.
There are several techniques used in characterization, including:
Direct characterization: This involves explicitly describing a character’s traits through direct statements from the author. For example, “She was kind and generous” or “He was a deceitful person.”
Indirect characterization: This technique involves revealing a character’s traits through their actions, thoughts, and dialogue.
This allows readers to draw their conclusions about the character’s personality. For example, if a character is always helping others, readers may infer that the character is compassionate and caring.BEGC 134 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Showing versus telling: This is a common principle in characterization, which involves showing the character’s traits through their actions, rather than simply telling the reader what those traits are.
For example, instead of telling the reader that a character is brave, the author can show the character facing a difficult situation with courage and determination.
Character development: This refers to the process of transforming a character over the course of a story. This can involve changes in the character’s personality, values, beliefs, or motivations.
Character consistency: This refers to the need for characters to remain consistent throughout a story, meaning that their actions and behaviors should be in line with their personalities and motivations established earlier in the story.
Effective characterization is essential for creating believable and relatable characters that readers can connect with.
When characters are well-developed and consistent, readers can become invested in their stories and feel a deeper emotional connection to the plot.
(iv) Theme
Ans. A theme is a central message or insight into life that is conveyed through a work of literature.BEGC 134 Solved Free Assignment 2023
It is a fundamental concept or idea that the author explores throughout the story, often through the experiences and actions of the characters.
Themes can be expressed in a variety of ways, including through the plot, character development, setting, and symbolism.
They can be implicit or explicit, and some themes may be more prominent than others, depending on the author’s intentions and the reader’s interpretation.
Some common themes found in literature include:
Love and relationships: The theme of love is a common one in literature, exploring the various forms and complexities of human relationships, including romantic love, familial love, and platonic love.
Identity and self-discovery: This theme explores the journey of self-discovery and personal growth, often through the struggles and conflicts faced by the characters.
Good versus evil: This theme explores the struggle between opposing forces, often personified as good and evil, and the consequences of the choices made by the characters.
Power and corruption: This theme explores the abuse of power and the corruption that can occur when people are given too much control or authority.
Death and mortality: This theme explores the inevitability of death and the various ways that characters respond to it, often exploring the meaning of life and the nature of existence.
Themes are an important element of literature as they provide a deeper understanding of the text and its meaning.
They allow readers to connect with the story on a personal level, as they explore universal truths and experiences that are relevant to our lives.
By exploring themes, readers can gain insights into the human condition and develop a greater understanding of themselves and the world around them.
Section B
Q 1. Examine the similarities/ points of contrast between Kate Chopin and Edna Pontellier in The Awakening.
Ans. The Awakening by Kate Chopin is a novel that explores the themes of self-discovery and feminism through the character of Edna Pontellier. There are several similarities and contrasts between the author and her protagonist.
One of the main similarities between Chopin and Edna is their experience of being raised in the American South. BEGC 134 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Chopin grew up in Louisiana and was heavily influenced by the culture and customs of the region, just as Edna was in the novel.
This common background allowed Chopin to depict the complexities of the Southern society of the time through the character of Edna.
However, while Chopin was married and had six children, Edna is a childless wife who begins to question the traditional roles expected of her.
This reflects the contrast between the author’s own life and the character she created, as Chopin’s life was more constrained by societal expectations than Edna’s.
Another similarity between Chopin and Edna is their feminist beliefs. Chopin’s writing challenged the traditional gender roles of the time, and this is evident in Edna’s defiance of societal expectations.
Edna’s search for personal fulfillment, even at the cost of her social standing and reputation, reflects Chopin’s own belief in the importance of individual freedom.
Despite their similarities, there are also contrasts between the two. Chopin was writing during the late 19th century, a time when women’s rights were still very limited.
Edna, on the other hand, is set in the early 20th century and reflects a more modern feminist perspective. BEGC 134 Solved Free Assignment 2023
This difference in time period allowed Chopin to explore the changing attitudes towards gender roles and the emerging women’s movement.
Another point of contrast is that Chopin was largely rejected by her peers and critics during her lifetime, while Edna’s story has become a classic of American literature.
This reflects the changing attitudes towards women’s writing and feminist themes in literature.
Q 2. Do you think that Things Fall Apart also appeals to readers across national boundaries? Give reasons in support of your answer.
Ans. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a novel that tells the story of Okonkwo, a successful farmer and wrestler in the Igbo society of Nigeria before the arrival of European colonizers.
While the novel is set in a specific cultural context, it has appealed to readers across national boundaries for several reasons.
Firstly, the novel deals with universal themes such as the clash of cultures, the struggle for power and the consequences of change.
These themes resonate with readers from different backgrounds and cultures, allowing them to relate to the characters and the story.
The novel’s themes are not limited to a specific time or place, but rather reflect the human experience in general.
Secondly, the novel is written in a style that is accessible to readers from different cultural backgrounds. BEGC 134 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Achebe’s writing is clear and concise, avoiding cultural jargon or language that would be difficult for readers unfamiliar with Igbo culture to understand.
This allows readers to focus on the story and its themes, rather than being distracted by language or cultural differences.
Thirdly, the novel provides insight into a culture and society that is often misrepresented or ignored in Western literature.
Achebe’s portrayal of the Igbo people and their way of life is nuanced and complex, challenging stereotypes and assumptions.
This has made the novel a valuable resource for readers and scholars seeking to understand African history and culture.
Fourthly, the novel has been translated into numerous languages, making it accessible to readers across the world.
The novel’s availability in different languages has allowed it to reach a wider audience and has contributed to its popularity.
Finally, the novel’s impact on African literature and culture cannot be overstated. Things Fall Apart has been widely recognized as a seminal work in African literature, and has inspired a generation of writers and scholars.
Its influence can be seen in numerous works of African literature and culture, making it an important part of the global literary canon.
Q 3. Write a critical note on the significance of songs in Paraja.
Ans. Paraja is a novel by Gopinath Mohanty that focuses on the lives of the Paraja tribe in the Koraput district of Odisha, India.
One of the significant features of the novel is the inclusion of songs that play an essential role in the narrative. BEGC 134 Solved Free Assignment 2023
These songs serve as a window into the culture and traditions of the Paraja tribe and help to enhance the reader’s understanding of the story.
The songs in Paraja are not just entertainment, but they also have a socio-cultural significance. They are an integral part of the community’s oral traditions, serving as a means of preserving their history, myths, and beliefs.
Through the songs, the Paraja tribe passes down their cultural heritage from one generation to another, ensuring that their traditions and customs are not lost.
The songs in Paraja also serve as a means of communication. The Paraja tribe has its language, which is different from the dominant Odia language.
The songs act as a bridge between the two languages, enabling the Paraja people to communicate their thoughts and emotions to the outside world.
The songs help the readers to understand the Paraja tribe’s struggles, joys, and sorrows, which they may not have been able to convey in words.
Moreover, the songs in Paraja add to the novel’s authenticity and realism. They create a sense of place and time, helping readers to immerse themselves in the Paraja tribe’s culture and way of life.
The songs also evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for a way of life that is slowly disappearing due to modernization and industrialization.
Finally, the songs in Paraja contribute to the novel’s structure and overall narrative. They are not just a collection of disjointed pieces of poetry but are woven into the story, serving as a backdrop to the events and adding depth to the characters.
The songs serve to emphasize the novel’s themes, such as tradition versus modernity, the relationship between humans and nature, and the struggle for survival.BEGC 134 Solved Free Assignment 2023
In conclusion, the songs in Paraja serve a vital purpose in the novel, highlighting the importance of culture and tradition in the face of modernization.
They provide a unique insight into the Paraja tribe’s way of life and help to create an authentic and immersive reading experience.
The songs add to the novel’s structure and narrative, emphasizing the novel’s themes and contributing to its overall impact.
Q 4. Would you agree that Things Fall Apart is just a simple story of the rise and fall of one man? Give reasons for your answer
Ans. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a novel that tells the story of the rise and fall of Okonkwo, a prominent leader in the Igbo community of Umuofia. However, it is not just a simple story of one man’s rise and fall.
Instead, the novel has multiple layers of complexity and explores various themes that are relevant to individuals and societies across the world.
Firstly, Things Fall Apart is a commentary on the impact of colonialism on African societies.
The novel highlights the devastating effects of European imperialism on the Igbo culture and the subsequent loss of identity and sense of belonging experienced by the people.
Achebe uses Okonkwo’s story to represent the larger picture of how colonialism disrupted traditional African societies and how the colonizers exploited and oppressed the colonized.
Secondly, the novel is an exploration of gender roles and expectations. Okonkwo is a character who embodies the traditional African male ideal of strength, courage, and dominance. BEGC 134 Solved Free Assignment 2023
However, the novel also reveals the limitations and negative consequences of this rigid and oppressive model of masculinity.
Achebe’s portrayal of women characters, such as Okonkwo’s wife, also challenges the patriarchal norms of Igbo society.
Thirdly, Things Fall Apart is a meditation on the nature of power and the human condition.
Okonkwo’s rise and fall are not just a reflection of his personal flaws, but they also represent the universal human struggle with power, ambition, and pride.
The novel shows how the pursuit of power and success can lead to a sense of alienation and isolation, and how these emotions can ultimately lead to self-destruction.
Fourthly, the novel is a celebration of African culture and traditions. Through Okonkwo’s story and the portrayal of Igbo life and customs, Achebe highlights the richness and complexity of African culture and challenges the negative stereotypes that were prevalent at the time the novel was written.
Fifthly, the novel also explores the tension between tradition and change. Okonkwo represents the old ways of the Igbo society, while his son Nwoye embraces Christianity and the new ways brought by the colonizers.
This tension highlights the difficult choices that individuals and societies face when confronted with change and the impact these choices can have on the future.
Lastly, Things Fall Apart also highlights the importance of storytelling and the power of language. BEGC 134 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Achebe’s masterful use of language and storytelling techniques is an integral part of the novel’s impact and success.
The novel itself becomes a form of storytelling that preserves and honors the traditions and history of the Igbo people.
This highlights the role of language and storytelling in preserving culture and tradition and the importance of understanding and respecting different forms of storytelling across cultures. BEGC 134 Solved Free Assignment 2023