UGC NET/JRF (NTA) Solved Paper (Paper 2: English Literature) – 6th December 2023 – Set 3 (Que. 21 to 30)

Q.21) Given below are two statements:

Statement (I): Non-fictional narrative Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington is based on the real-life experiences of three aboriginal girls who fled from the Moore River Native Settlement.

Statement (II): The names of the three girls are- Molly, Daisy and Mary.

In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

(1) Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are correct

(2) Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are incorrect

(3) Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect

(4) Statement (I) is incorrect but Statement (II) is correct

Answer: (3) Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect

Explanation:

Statement (I): Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington (also known as Nugi Garimara) is indeed a non-fictional narrative that recounts the true story of three Aboriginal girls—Molly, Daisy, and their cousin Gracie (not Mary)—who escaped from the Moore River Native Settlement in Western Australia in 1931. The book details their remarkable journey home, following the rabbit-proof fence for over 1600 kilometers through Australian bushland. This correction is necessary because the original statement inaccurately names Mary instead of Gracie; however, the essence of the statement aligns with the known facts about the book and the actual historical event.

Statement (II): The names of the three girls as mentioned in the book and historically are Molly, Daisy, and Gracie. The statement is incorrect in naming the third girl as Mary.

Q.22) Arrange the chronological sequence in which the following works of Richard Hoggart were published:

(A) An Imagined Life

(B) The Uses of Literacy

(C) Higher Education: Demand and Response

(D) A Local Habitation

(E) A Sort of Clowning

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(1) (A), (B). (D), (E), (C)

(2) (D), (B), (C), (A), (E)

(3) (B), (E), (A), (C), (D)

(4) (B), (C), (D), (E), (A)

Answer: (4) (B), (C), (D), (E), (A)

Explanation: The chronological sequence of Richard Hoggart’s works, with their publication years, is as follows:

The Uses of Literacy (1957) - This seminal work is Hoggart's most famous, analyzing the impact of mass media and popular culture on the working class in the UK​​.

A Local Habitation (1988) - This volume is the first part of Hoggart's "Life and Times" series, describing his working-class childhood in Leeds​​.

A Sort of Clowning: Life and Times, 1940–59 (1990) - Continuing his autobiographical series, this book covers the years 1940 to 1959​​.

An Imagined Life: Life and Times, 1959–91 (1992) - The final volume of his autobiographical series, covering the years from 1959 to 1991​​​​.

Higher Education: Demand and Response was not explicitly listed in the detailed works provided, but based on the context of Hoggart's career and the themes of higher education prevalent in his discussions, it is likely to be placed around the works concerning his views on education and cultural change. 

Since "Higher Education and Cultural Change: A Teacher's View" was mentioned with a publication year of 1966, it can be inferred that "Higher Education: Demand and Response" could be around this period or slightly later, considering the thematic progression of his work​​.

Given this information, the correct chronological sequence of the provided works, considering "Higher Education: Demand and Response" fits into the broader context of Hoggart's engagement with education themes around the mid to late 20th century, would be:

(B) The Uses of Literacy (1957)
(D) A Local Habitation (1988)
(E) A Sort of Clowning (1990)
(A) An Imagined Life (1992)

This sequence aligns with option (4) (B), (C), (D), (E), (A) if we place "Higher Education: Demand and Response" logically before "A Local Habitation" based on its thematic fit rather than explicit dating. This assumption places "Higher Education: Demand and Response" after "The Uses of Literacy" and before the autobiographical series, suggesting a continuous exploration of educational themes throughout Hoggart's career.

Q.23) Match List – I with List – II.

List – I (Character)List – II (Work)
(A) Christophine
(B) Zillah
(C) Estella
(D) Ekwefi
(I) Wuthering Heights
(II) Wide Sargasso Sea
(III) Things Fall Apart
(IV) Great Expectations
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(1) (A)-(IV), (B)-(III), (C)-(II), (D)-(I)

(2) (A)-(I), (B)-(II), (C)-(III), (D)-(IV)

(3) (A)-(II), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(III)

(4) (A)-(III), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(II)

Answer: (3) (A)-(II), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(III)

Explanation: Matching each character to their respective work results in the following associations:

(A) Christophine – (II) Wide Sargasso Sea

(B) Zillah – (I) Wuthering Heights

(C) Estella – (IV) Great Expectations

(D) Ekwefi – (III) Things Fall Apart

This direct matching provides a clear connection between each character and their corresponding literary work, showcasing their roles within these narratives.

Christophine is a character from "Wide Sargasso Sea" by Jean Rhys. This novel is a prequel to Charlotte Brontë's "Jane Eyre," focusing on the backstory of Bertha Mason, here called Antoinette Cosway, and features Christophine as a significant character who is a servant gifted to Antoinette by her mother. Thus, A → II.

Zillah is a character from "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë. In the novel, Zillah is a servant at the Wuthering Heights estate, making B → I.

Estella is a character in "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens. Estella is the adoptive daughter of Miss Havisham and is known for her beauty and for being the object of Pip's affection. Therefore, C → IV.

Ekwefi is a character from "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe. Ekwefi is one of Okonkwo's wives, specifically the mother of Ezinma, who is Okonkwo's favorite child. This places D → III.

Q.24) Which of the following characteristics of ‘She Stoops to Conquer‘ is not correct?

(1) It is endowed with an ingenious and lively plot.

(2) It does not cast excellent characters.

(3) It has a vivacious and delightful style.

(4) It lacks the Restoration grossness.

Answer: (2) It does not cast excellent characters.

Explanation: Here’s a brief breakdown of the characteristics of comedy “She Stoops to Conquer” by Oliver Goldsmith (first performed in London in 1773) to clarify:

Ingenious and Lively Plot: "She Stoops to Conquer" is renowned for its intricate and amusing plot that revolves around mistaken identities, social class disparities, and the pursuit of love. The narrative is engaging and keeps the audience entertained throughout.

Excellent Characters: Contrary to the statement, the play is celebrated for its well-crafted and memorable characters. Each character, from the mischievous Tony Lumpkin to the cunning Kate Hardcastle, is vividly drawn, contributing significantly to the play's charm and humor. The characters are indeed one of the strengths of the play.

Vivacious and Delightful Style: Goldsmith's writing style in "She Stoops to Conquer" is indeed vivacious and delightful. The dialogue is witty, the situations are humorous, and the overall tone of the play is light-hearted and engaging.

Lacks the Restoration Grossness: The play, written in the 18th century, moves away from the coarseness that characterized many Restoration comedies (a style of drama which flourished in London after the Restoration in 1660, typically having a complicated plot marked by wit, cynicism, and licentiousness). While it indulges in humor and comic situations, it does so with a level of decorum and social critique that was refreshing for its time.

Thus, the incorrect statement about the play is that it does not cast excellent characters, as the characters are, in fact, one of the most praised aspects of the play.

Q.25) Antonio Gramsci’s Prison Notebooks primarily deals with:

(1) Pain of a prisoner during colonial times

(2) Recollections of love, romance and blissful life

(3) Philosophy, culture, literature and the role of intellectuals

(4) Exploitation of blacks during the colonial times

Answer: (3) Philosophy, culture, literature and the role of intellectuals.

Explanation: Antonio Gramsci’s “Prison Notebooks” are a collection of essays and notes written during his imprisonment by the Fascist regime in Italy. The work does not focus on personal pain or recollections of love, nor does it specifically address the exploitation of blacks during colonial times. Instead, it is deeply rooted in the analysis of philosophy, culture, literature, and particularly the role of intellectuals in society.

Gramsci explores the concept of cultural hegemony, how the state and ruling capitalist class use cultural institutions to maintain power in capitalist societies. He also discusses the need for intellectuals to be organically connected to the working class to foster a counter-hegemony. This groundbreaking work has had a profound impact on Marxist theory and cultural studies.


Q.26) Given below are two statements:

Statement (I): A Room of One’s Own is a feminist essay about women’s education, exclusion and writing by Virginia Woolf.

Statement (II): In Other Worlds is a collection of essays written by Edward W. Said on contemporary ideas such as psychoanalysis and social theory.

In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below

(1) Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are true

(2) Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are false

(3) Statement (I) is true but Statement (II) is false

(4) Statement (I) is false but Statement (II) is true

Answer:

Leave a Comment

You cannot copy content of this page