MEG – 06
AMERICAN LITERATURE
MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
IGNOU MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment January 2023
Q 1. Analyse Death of a Salesman as a realistic tragedy.
Ans. Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” is widely considered a realistic tragedy, a play that portrays the downfall of an ordinary man.
The play focuses on Willy Loman, a struggling salesman who is unable to accept his failures and the harsh realities of life.
The play explores themes such as the American Dream, family relationships, and the disillusionment of the middle class.
Realistic tragedy is a form of drama that portrays the struggles and failures of ordinary people. MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Unlike classical tragedy, which focuses on the downfall of kings and heroes, realistic tragedy portrays the lives of ordinary individuals and their struggles to cope with the challenges of life.
In “Death of a Salesman,” Willy Loman is an ordinary man who is struggling to make ends meet.
He is a salesman who has spent his entire life traveling the country, trying to sell his wares to anyone who will listen.
He is a man who has always believed in the American Dream, the idea that anyone can succeed if they work hard enough.
However, as the play progresses, it becomes clear that Willy’s dreams are unrealistic, and that he is unable to accept the reality of his situation.
One of the main themes of the play is the American Dream. Willy Loman has always believed in the American Dream, the idea that anyone can achieve success if they work hard enough. MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
However, as the play progresses, it becomes clear that Willy’s dreams are unrealistic. He has never been able to achieve the success he desires, and his constant striving has left him exhausted and disillusioned.
He is unable to accept that his dreams may never come true, and this leads to his downfall.
Another theme of the play is family relationships. Willy Loman has always been a devoted husband and father, but his inability to accept reality has strained his relationships with his family.
He has always been more interested in his own success than in his family’s needs, and this has led to resentment and bitterness.
His sons, Biff and Happy, are both struggling to find their place in the world, and their relationships with their father are strained.
Willy’s wife, Linda, is the only one who truly understands him, but even she is unable to help him accept the truth.MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The play also explores the disillusionment of the middle class. Willy Loman is a middle-class man who has always believed in the promise of the American Dream.
However, as he grows older, he realizes that his dreams may never come true. He is unable to accept that he may never achieve the success he desires, and this leads to his downfall.
The play portrays the struggles of the middle class in America, and the harsh realities of life that they must face.
The play is also realistic in its portrayal of the characters. Willy Loman is not a hero or a king, but an ordinary man who is struggling to cope with the challenges of life.
He is flawed and imperfect, and his struggles are relatable to many people. His sons, Biff and Happy, are also flawed and imperfect, and their struggles to find their place in the world are relatable to many people.
The play is also realistic in its portrayal of the setting. The Loman family lives in a modest home in Brooklyn, and their struggles are typical of many families in America. MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The play portrays the struggles of the middle class in America, and the harsh realities of life that they must face.
The play is also realistic in its language and dialogue. The characters speak in a naturalistic style, and their conversations are realistic and believable.
The dialogue is not overly poetic or dramatic, but rather reflects the way that ordinary people speak.
One of the key elements that makes “Death of a Salesman” a realistic tragedy is its portrayal of Willy Loman’s psychological decline.
The play shows how Willy’s delusions and irrational beliefs contribute to his eventual downfall. MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
His inability to accept reality leads him to become increasingly disconnected from his family, and he begins to experience vivid hallucinations and flashbacks.
These elements of the play reflect the real-life struggles that many people face with mental health issues, making Willy’s story all the more relatable and poignant.
Another important aspect of the play’s realism is its exploration of the dark side of the American Dream.
While the idea that anyone can achieve success through hard work and determination is a cornerstone of American culture, “Death of a Salesman” shows the darker side of this narrative.
Willy’s relentless pursuit of success and material wealth has left him empty and unfulfilled. MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The play highlights the toll that this kind of pressure can take on individuals and families, and suggests that there may be more to life than just achieving financial success.
Finally, the play’s ending is a powerful example of its realism. Rather than offering a neat resolution or happy ending, “Death of a Salesman” leaves many of its questions and conflicts unresolved.
The play’s final scene, in which Willy takes his own life, is a tragic and unsettling conclusion to the story.
By refusing to tidy up its loose ends or offer easy answers, the play stays true to its realistic tone and encourages audiences to reflect on the difficult issues it raises.
Q 2. Write a critical note on the dramatic form in the 20th Century.
Ans. The 20th century saw a great evolution in the dramatic form, as playwrights experimented with new styles and techniques to reflect the rapidly changing social and political climate of the time. MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
This critical note will examine some of the major trends and movements in 20th-century drama, and how they influenced the evolution of the dramatic form.
One of the most significant developments in 20th-century drama was the rise of modernism.
Modernist playwrights rejected the traditional narrative structures and conventions of realism, instead emphasizing the fragmentation and ambiguity of human experience.
Playwrights such as Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter, and Tom Stoppard used non-linear plots, fractured language, and unconventional staging techniques to challenge audiences and subvert expectations.
Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot,” for example, is a classic example of the modernist approach to drama, with its non-linear structure, surreal elements, and existential themes.MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Another major movement in 20th-century drama was the emergence of the “Theatre of the Absurd.”
This style of theatre emphasized the irrationality and absurdity of human existence, often using bizarre and surreal imagery to convey its message.
Playwrights such as Eugene Ionesco, Jean Genet, and Samuel Beckett were key figures in this movement.
Their plays, such as Ionesco’s “The Bald Soprano” and Beckett’s “Endgame,” are characterized by their absurd situations, non-linear structures, and use of language to create a sense of confusion and disorientation.
Political and social issues also played a significant role in shaping the dramatic form in the 20th century.
Many playwrights used their work to comment on the major events and issues of their time, from World War II to the civil rights movement to the Vietnam War.
The work of Bertolt Brecht is a prime example of this trend. Brecht’s “epic theatre” style emphasized the political and social issues of the day, often using music, dance, and other elements to create a sense of distance between the audience and the action on stage. MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
His plays, such as “The Threepenny Opera” and “Mother Courage and Her Children,” are known for their powerful political messages and use of theatre as a means of social and political critique.
In addition to modernism, the Theatre of the Absurd, and political theatre, other movements and styles emerged in the 20th century that contributed to the evolution of the dramatic form.
For example, the “Theatre of Cruelty” advocated for a visceral and emotionally intense theatre experience, often using violent or shocking imagery to create a sense of discomfort or unease.
The “Theatre of the Oppressed,” developed by Brazilian playwright Augusto Boal, sought to empower audiences and actors by engaging them in participatory theatre exercises designed to stimulate dialogue and social change.
Overall, the 20th century was a time of tremendous growth and experimentation in the dramatic form. MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Playwrights explored new styles, techniques, and subject matter in response to the changing social and political climate of the time.
As a result, theatre became a powerful medium for social and political commentary, as well as a means of personal and artistic expression.
Today, the influence of 20th-century drama can still be seen in contemporary theatre, as playwrights continue to push the boundaries of the dramatic form and explore new ways of engaging audiences.
One of the key features of 20th-century drama was the increasing emphasis on theatricality and performance.
Playwrights began to experiment with the physical elements of theatre, such as lighting, sound, and set design, in order to create new and immersive experiences for audiences. MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
This emphasis on theatricality can be seen in the work of playwrights such as Tennessee Williams, who used vivid imagery and symbolism to create a sense of heightened reality, and Arthur Miller, who employed powerful dialogue and staging techniques to convey complex psychological themes.
Another important development in 20th-century drama was the increasing diversity of voices and perspectives.
As more and more people gained access to the theatre and the means of production, a wider range of experiences and viewpoints began to be reflected on stage.
This diversity is evident in the work of playwrights such as Lorraine Hansberry, who wrote about the experiences of African Americans in the mid-20th century, and Tony Kushner, whose epic plays explore issues of identity, politics, and history from a variety of perspectives.
Finally, 20th-century drama was characterized by its willingness to take risks and push boundaries. MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Many playwrights rejected the commercial pressures of the theatre industry and instead focused on creating challenging, thought-provoking works that engaged with the social and political issues of the day.
This willingness to experiment and take risks is evident in the work of playwrights such as Caryl Churchill, who used non-linear structures and fragmented language to explore gender and power dynamics, and Sarah Kane, whose work dealt with themes of violence and despair in a raw and uncompromising way.
Q 3. Discuss the development of the revolutionary prose in America.
Ans. The development of revolutionary prose in America can be traced back to the 18th century, with the emergence of writers who sought to challenge the traditional forms of literature and create works that reflected the political and social ideals of the time. MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
This movement continued to evolve throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, with writers experimenting with new styles, techniques, and themes in response to the changing political and cultural climate of the country.
One of the earliest examples of revolutionary prose in America is the work of Thomas Paine, whose pamphlet “Common Sense” was instrumental in inspiring the American Revolution.
Paine’s writing was characterized by its directness and simplicity, as he sought to make complex political ideas accessible to a wider audience.
This style was later adopted by other writers, including Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, who used plain language and straightforward arguments to advocate for political change.
In the mid-19th century, the emergence of the Transcendentalist movement brought a new wave of revolutionary prose to American literature.
Transcendentalist writers, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, rejected the traditional forms of literature and sought to create works that reflected the spiritual and philosophical ideals of the movement.
Their writing was characterized by its emphasis on individualism, self-reliance, and the power of nature, and it had a profound influence on American literature and culture.MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The 20th century saw a continuation of the revolutionary prose tradition in America, as writers continued to experiment with new styles and techniques in response to the changing political and cultural climate of the country.
One of the most significant movements of the early 20th century was the Harlem Renaissance, which brought a new wave of African American writers and artists to the forefront of American culture.
These writers, including Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, used their writing to challenge racial stereotypes and advocate for social and political change.
The mid-20th century was a period of great political and social upheaval in America, and writers responded by creating works that engaged directly with the issues of the day.
The Beat writers, including Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, rejected the traditional forms of literature and sought to create works that reflected the countercultural ideals of the time. MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Their writing was characterized by its spontaneity, improvisation, and rejection of conventional morality.
the Civil Rights Movement and the feminist movement brought a new wave of revolutionary prose to American literature.
Writers such as James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and Alice Walker used their writing to challenge racial and gender stereotypes and to advocate for social and political change.
Their work was characterized by its focus on the experiences of marginalized communities and its exploration of the intersectionality of identity.
The late 20th century and early 21st century saw a continuation of the tradition of revolutionary prose in America, as writers continued to experiment with new styles and techniques in response to the changing political and cultural climate of the country.
The emergence of postmodernism brought a new wave of experimentation to American literature, as writers such as Thomas Pynchon and David Foster Wallace used fragmented narratives and metafictional techniques to explore the complexities of contemporary life.MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The rise of social media and digital technology has also had a profound impact on the development of revolutionary prose in America.
Writers are increasingly using these platforms to create works that engage with the issues of the day and reach a wider audience.
This has led to a new wave of experimental and collaborative writing, as writers seek to create works that reflect the diversity and complexity of contemporary life.
At Last, the development of revolutionary prose in America can be traced back to the emergence of writers who sought to challenge the traditional forms of literature and create works that reflected the political and social ideals of the time.
This tradition continued to evolve throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, as writers experimented with new styles, techniques, and themes in response to the changing political and cultural climate of the country.
The influence of revolutionary prose can still be seen in contemporary American literature, as writers continue to engage with the issues of the day and experiment with new forms and styles of writing.MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Q 4. Write a note on imagism in Ezra Pound’s poetry. Cite instances from his poems prescribed in your course.
Ans. Imagism was a poetic movement that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by its emphasis on concrete imagery and the use of precise, economical language.
Ezra Pound was one of the key figures of the Imagist movement, and his poetry is characterized by its vivid imagery and spare, condensed language.
Pound’s poetry is often described as “hard-edged” or “lean,” as he sought to strip away excess language and focus on the essential elements of a poem.
This emphasis on clarity and precision was central to the Imagist movement, which sought to create a new kind of poetry that was more direct and accessible than the ornate, heavily stylized poetry of the 19th century.
One of the most famous examples of Pound’s Imagist poetry is the poem “In a Station of the Metro,” which consists of just two lines:
“The apparition of these faces in the crowd;
Petals on a wet, black bough.” MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
This poem is a perfect example of Pound’s focus on precise imagery and spare language.
The poem captures a moment of intense emotion and sensation, as the speaker observes the faces of strangers in a crowded metro station.
The comparison of these faces to “petals on a wet, black bough” is a startling and evocative image, creating a sense of fleeting beauty and transience.
Another example of Pound’s Imagist poetry is the poem “A Pact,” which is included in his collection “Personae.”
This poem is a conversation between two friends, in which they make a pact to remain true to their artistic vision, no matter what obstacles they may face:
“I make a pact with you, Walt Whitman –
I have detested you long enough.
I come to you as a grown child
Who has had a pig-headed father;
I am old enough now to make friends.”
The language of the poem is spare and direct, and the imagery is simple and evocative. MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The comparison of the speaker to a “grown child” and Walt Whitman to a “pig-headed father” creates a sense of rebellion and defiance, as the speaker asserts his own artistic independence.
Pound’s poem “The River-Merchant’s Wife: A Letter” is another example of his use of vivid imagery and spare language.
The poem is a series of letters from a young wife to her husband, who is away on a business trip.
The imagery in the poem is focused on the natural world, as the wife describes the changing seasons and the landscape around her:
“Autumn comes: a leaf falls from the trees;
The long journey is still passing by.
Yellow leaves up and down the river
Veiling the deserted house;
The crows are cawing and clustering;
The autumn dusk is falling
And the light fails on the river banks.”
The language of the poem is simple and direct, but the imagery is rich and evocative. The changing seasons and the natural world become a metaphor for the emotional journey of the wife, as she longs for her husband’s return.
In conclusion, Ezra Pound was one of the key figures of the Imagist movement, and his poetry is characterized by its vivid imagery and spare, condensed language.
His focus on clarity and precision was central to the Imagist movement, which sought to create a new kind of poetry that was more direct and accessible than the ornate, heavily stylized poetry of the 19th century.
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Q 5. Write a critical note on the ideology of Puritanism reflected in American literature.
Ans. Puritanism was a religious and cultural movement that emerged in England in the 16th century and spread to America in the 17th century.
It emphasized strict adherence to biblical teachings and a focus on personal piety and morality. MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Puritan ideology had a significant impact on American literature, as Puritan writers sought to use literature as a means of spreading their religious and moral beliefs.
One of the key aspects of Puritan ideology was a belief in predestination, the idea that God had already chosen who would be saved and who would be damned.
This belief had a profound impact on Puritan literature, as writers often depicted characters struggling with the tension between their desire to do good and their fear of damnation.
This tension is evident in many Puritan works, such as Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter,” which explores the consequences of adultery and the struggle for redemption in a Puritan community.MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Another key aspect of Puritan ideology was a focus on personal morality and the importance of living a virtuous life.
This emphasis on morality is evident in many Puritan works, such as John Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” which tells the story of a Christian journeying to the Celestial City and the various moral and spiritual challenges he encounters along the way.
Puritan writers also emphasized the importance of education and intellectual inquiry, as they believed that a thorough understanding of scripture was essential for salvation.
This emphasis on education is evident in many Puritan works, such as Cotton Mather’s “Magnalia Christi Americana,” a history of New England that emphasizes the role of education in the Puritan community.
One of the key themes of Puritan literature is the tension between the individual and the community. MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Puritans believed that the community had a responsibility to ensure that its members were living virtuous lives, and that the individual had a responsibility to the community as a whole.
This tension is evident in many Puritan works, such as William Bradford’s “Of Plymouth Plantation,” which chronicles the struggles of the Puritan community in New England and the sacrifices its members made for the common good.
Puritan literature also emphasized the importance of the family and the role of women in the community.
Puritans believed that the family was the cornerstone of society, and that women had an important role to play in ensuring that the family was virtuous and moral.
This emphasis on the family is evident in many Puritan works, such as Anne Bradstreet’s poetry, which often explores the joys and sorrows of family life.
However, the Puritan ideology also had some negative effects on American literature. Puritan writers tended to be moralistic and didactic, focusing more on conveying their religious and moral beliefs than on creating compelling works of literature.
This tendency towards moralism is evident in many Puritan works, which can sometimes feel preachy and didactic.MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Moreover, Puritanism also had a significant impact on the development of the American literary language.
Puritan writers sought to create a distinctively American literary language that would reflect their religious and moral beliefs.
This led to the development of a plain style of writing, characterized by clarity, simplicity, and directness. This style was intended to be accessible to all readers, regardless of their education or social status.
Another important aspect of Puritanism reflected in American literature is the concept of the “city on a hill.”
Puritans believed that their community in America was a shining example of a virtuous and moral society, and that it had a duty to set an example for the rest of the world.
This concept is evident in many works of American literature, such as John Winthrop’s “A Model of Christian Charity,” which emphasizes the importance of creating a virtuous and just society.
Puritanism also had a lasting impact on American literature in its treatment of sin and guilt. MEG 06 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Puritans believed that sin was an inherent part of human nature, and that individuals had a responsibility to acknowledge and atone for their sins.
This theme is evident in many works of American literature, such as Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter,” which explores the consequences of adultery and the struggle for redemption in a Puritan community.
Finally, Puritanism also had a significant impact on American literature in its treatment of religious and spiritual themes.
Puritan writers sought to explore the complexities of religious belief and the struggles of individuals to find meaning and purpose in their lives.
This theme is evident in many works of American literature, such as Herman Melville’s “Moby-Dick,” which explores the nature of faith and the quest for spiritual enlightenment.
In conclusion, Puritanism had a profound impact on American literature, shaping the development of the literary language, the treatment of sin and guilt, and the exploration of religious and spiritual themes.
While some aspects of Puritanism may be seen as negative, such as the tendency towards moralism and didacticism, its influence on American literature remains an important part of the country’s cultural heritage.
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