Suggestion of MJC 11 Bankura University English Hons

 

Suggestion: Literature of the Indian Diaspora (A/ENG/503/MJC-11)

UNIT I: The Novel

1. V.S. Naipaul: A House for Mr. Biswas

Long Questions (10 Marks)

1. Discuss the theme of alienation and the quest for identity in A House for Mr. Biswas.
2. "The house is not just a building, but a symbol of the protagonist's self-esteem." Elucidate with reference to the title.
3. Sketch the character of Mohun Biswas as a tragic-comic hero fighting against the colonial and familial void.
4. Critically analyse the role and character of Shama. How does she serve as a foil to Mr. Biswas?
5. Examine the significance of "Hanuman House" and the Tulsis as a representation of traditional Hindu society in Trinidad.
6. Comment on Naipaul’s narrative technique and his use of irony and humour in the novel.

Short Questions (2 Marks)

1. In which year was A House for Mr. Biswas published?
2. What does Mr. Biswas was born with, which was considered an unlucky sign?
3. Who is Bipti?
4. What is the significance of the "Scarlet Ibis" in the novel?
5. Name the journalist job that Mr. Biswas eventually takes up.
6. Who is Owad?
7. What was Mr. Biswas's father's name and how did he die?
8. Why does Mr. Biswas call his son Anand?
9. What does the "Doll’s House" symbolize for Mr. Biswas?
10. Who is Savi?
11. What is the significance of the "Green Vale"?
12. Why was Mr. Biswas banished from Hanuman House?
13. What role does the prologue play in the novel?
14. Who are the "gods" referring to in the context of the Tulsi family?
15. At what age does Mr. Biswas die?

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2. Kiran Desai: The Inheritance of Loss

Long Questions (10 Marks)

1. Discuss The Inheritance of Loss as a post-colonial novel dealing with the themes of globalization and insurgency.
2. Analyze the character of Jemubhai Popatlal Patel (The Judge). How does his past affect his present?
3. Examine the parallel narratives of Biju in New York and the events in Kalimpong. How are they connected?
4. Discuss the relationship between Sai and Gyan. How does politics intervene in their romance?
5. Comment on the significance of the title "The Inheritance of Loss". What exactly is being inherited?
6. How does Kiran Desai portray the Gorkhaland movement and its impact on the lives of common people?

Short Questions (2 Marks)

1. Where is the house "Cho Oyu" located?
2. Who is Mutt?
3. What is Biju's status in the United States?
4. Who is the Cook's son?
5. Why does the Judge hate his own cultural identity?
6. What subject does Gyan tutor Sai in?
7. Who are the GNLF?
8. What happens to the Judge’s guns?
9. Who is Nimi?
10. Why did the Judge stop speaking to his wife?
11. What restaurant does Biju work at primarily?
12. Who are Lola and Noni?
13. What is the symbolic significance of "fog" in the novel?
14. How does the novel end for Biju?
15. In which year did The Inheritance of Loss win the Booker Prize?

UNIT II: Essay / Short Stories

3. Salman Rushdie: "The Riddle of Midnight"

Long Questions (10 Marks)

1. Critically analyse Rushdie’s assessment of India’s progress forty years after independence in "The Riddle of Midnight".
2. Discuss the theme of communalism and religious intolerance as presented in the essay.
3. "Does India exist?" How does Rushdie answer this question in his essay?
4. Examine Rushdie's views on the "politics of religion" versus the "politics of secularism".
5. How does "The Riddle of Midnight" connect to the themes of Rushdie’s novel Midnight’s Children?
6. Discuss the significance of the title "The Riddle of Midnight". What is the riddle?

Short Questions (2 Marks)

1. In which year was "The Riddle of Midnight" written/published?
2. Which anniversary of India’s independence does the essay mark?
3. What does Rushdie mean by "The phantom of communalism"?
4. Who is the "Midnight’s Child" Rushdie refers to (other than himself)?
5. What city is the focus of much of the essay?
6. What is the "Hindu revivalist movement" Rushdie critiques?
7. Define "Hybridity" in the context of the essay.
8. What does Rushdie say about the English language in India?
9. Who is the "Satan" figure Rushdie alludes to in political terms?
10. What is the central question Rushdie poses about the Indian identity?
11. Mention one specific historical event mentioned in the essay.
12. How does Rushdie describe Bombay (Mumbai)?
13. What is the "darker side" of the midnight hour?
14. Does Rushdie conclude with hope or despair?
15. From which collection is this essay taken?

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4. Jhumpa Lahiri: "Unaccustomed Earth"

Long Questions (10 Marks)

1. Discuss the changing dynamics of the father-daughter relationship in "Unaccustomed Earth".
2. Analyze the theme of diaspora and the "reverse migration" of the elderly parent in the story.
3. Comment on the significance of the title "Unaccustomed Earth" and its source (Hawthorne).
4. How does the character of Akash serve as a bridge between Ruma and her father?
5. Discuss the gender roles and the burden of tradition on Ruma.
6. Critically evaluate the ending of the story. Is it a resolution or a separation?

Short Questions (2 Marks)

1. Where does Ruma live in the story?
2. What happened to Ruma’s mother?
3. Who is Adam?
4. What does Ruma’s father do in the garden?
5. Who is Mrs. Bagchi?
6. From which author is the epigraph/title taken?
7. How old is Akash?
8. Why does Ruma fear her father’s visit?
9. What does the father hide from Ruma?
10. What is the significance of the "postcards"?
11. Where does the father travel to with Mrs. Bagchi?
12. What profession did Ruma leave behind?
13. How does the father describe his new life alone?
14. What does Akash learn from his grandfather?
15. Why does the father decide not to live with Ruma?

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5. Rohinton Mistry: "Swimming Lessons"

Long Questions (10 Marks)

1. Discuss the dual narrative structure of "Swimming Lessons". How do the italics and normal text interact?
2. Analyze the theme of cultural assimilation and the Parsi identity in the story.
3. "Water is both a medium of rebirth and a threat." Discuss the symbolism of swimming in the story.
4. How does Mistry portray the immigrant experience in Canada through the character of Kersi?
5. Examine the role of the parents' letters in the story. What do they reveal about life back in India?
6. Critically comment on the theme of racism and "othering" in the apartment complex.

Short Questions (2 Marks)

1. Who is the protagonist of the story?
2. Where is the story set (country)?
3. What is the name of the apartment building?
4. Why does the protagonist want to learn swimming?
5. Who is the "Old Man" in the elevator?
6. What is the significance of the "sunbathing" women?
7. What religious community does the protagonist belong to?
8. What is the Portuguese Woman's role in the building?
9. Why did the protagonist leave India?
10. What imagery is used to describe the swimming pool water?
11. How do the parents react to the protagonist’s writings?
12. What is "Chaupatty Beach" compared to?
13. What does the "flushing toilet" symbolize?
14. Who is Gustad? (If mentioned in context of his other works/letters).
15. Does the protagonist successfully learn to swim?

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6. Deepak Unnikrishnan: ‘Birds’ (from Temporary People)

Long Questions (10 Marks)

1. Discuss the use of magical realism and surrealism in Unnikrishnan’s ‘Birds’.
2. How does the story ‘Birds’ critique the treatment of migrant laborers in the Gulf?
3. Analyze the metaphor of the "falling man" and the "bird" in the context of diasporic trauma.
4. "Humanity is taped back together." Discuss the satire on the dehumanization of construction workers.
5. Examine the theme of transience and "temporariness" in the lives of the characters in ‘Birds’.
6. Critically comment on the language and style of Deepak Unnikrishnan in this story.

Short Questions (2 Marks)

1. From which book is the story ‘Birds’ taken?
2. What happens to the construction workers who fall?
3. What is used to fix the broken bodies of the workers?
4. Who is "Anna" in the context of the story?
5. What city is implied as the setting of the story?
6. Why do the workers turn into birds?
7. What is the significance of the "passport"?
8. How does the state/municipality react to the falling men?
9. What does the "glue" symbolize?
10. Mention one physical transformation the workers undergo.
11. What is the role of the "supervisor"?
12. How does the story end?
13. What does the term "Temporary People" mean?
14. Is the tone of the story tragic or comic?
15. What sound do the bird-men make?

UNIT III: Poems

7. A.K. Ramanujan: "Take care"

Long Questions (10 Marks)

1. Discuss the theme of racial prejudice and cultural conflict in "Take Care".
2. Analyze the irony and the tone of the speaker in the poem.
3. How does Ramanujan contrast the Indian urban landscape with the foreign city?
4. "The poem is a warning to the immigrant." Elucidate.
5. Examine the imagery of "blindness" and "vision" in the poem.
6. Critically appreciate the poem as a diasporic voice negotiating between two worlds.

Short Questions (2 Marks)

1. Who is the speaker addressing in the poem?
2. What does the "pestle" symbolize?
3. Why does the speaker warn against the "smell of gin"?
4. What is the significance of the "black cat"?
5. Mention the city often associated with Ramanujan's poetry (Chicago/Madurai).
6. What does "Kans" refer to?
7. Why should one "Take care not to stare"?
8. What is the "whirlwind"?
9. Explain the reference to "smallpox".
10. What does the speaker say about "sandals"?
11. Who are the "natives" referred to in the poem?
12. What is the "invisible" threat?
13. What style/form is the poem written in?
14. How does the poem end?
15. What is the tone of the title "Take Care"?

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8. Sujata Bhatt: "The One who Goes Away"

Long Questions (10 Marks)

1. Discuss the concept of "home" and "homelessness" in "The One Who Goes Away".
2. Analyze the diasporic elements and the fluidity of identity in the poem.
3. "I am the one who always goes away." Explain the paradox of staying and going in the poem.
4. Examine the nature imagery used by Bhatt to describe her displacement.
5. How does Sujata Bhatt articulate the pain of separation from one’s roots?
6. Critically appreciate the structure and rhythm of the poem.

Short Questions (2 Marks)

1. From which collection is this poem taken?
2. What does the speaker mean by "The one who stays"?
3. What natural element is the speaker compared to?
4. Explain the phrase "perfectly intact".
5. Where was Sujata Bhatt born?
6. Does the speaker find a permanent home in the poem?
7. What is the emotional tone of the poem?
8. What does the "horizon" symbolize?
9. How is the "voice" described in the poem?
10. What does "swimming" represent here?
11. Is the poem autobiographical?
12. What is the significance of the repetition in the poem?
13. How does the poem view "memory"?
14. What does the speaker leave behind?
15. Who is the "you" in the poem?

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9. Sujata Bhatt: "A Different History"

Long Questions (10 Marks)

1. Discuss "A Different History" as a critique of linguistic colonization.
2. "Which language has not been the oppressor’s tongue?" Discuss the conflict of using English as an Indian writer.
3. Analyze the religious imagery and the concept of "Saraswati" in the poem.
4. How does Bhatt reconcile the love for the language with the hatred for the colonizer?
5. Examine the significance of the "book" as a sacred object in Indian culture vs. Western culture.
6. Critically appreciate the two-part structure of the poem.

Short Questions (2 Marks)

1. Who is the "Great Pan"?
2. Why is it a sin to shove a book aside with your foot?
3. Who is Saraswati?
4. What does the "scythe" symbolize?
5. What happens to the "unborn grandchildren"?
6. What is the "oppressor's tongue"?
7. Explain the phrase "torture each other".
8. Why does the speaker say "You must learn how to turn the page"?
9. What trees are mentioned in the poem?
10. What is the "burning" referred to?
11. How does the poem describe the English language?
12. What is the "soul" of the paper?
13. In which year was the poem published?
14. What is the central irony of the poem?
15. How does the poem end?

Prepared By PKG SIR :