IGNOU MEG-19 Solved Question Paper PDF Download

IGNOU MEG-19 Previous Year Solved Question Paper in Hindi

IGNOU MEG-19 Previous Year Solved Question Paper in English

Q1. “Nineteenth century Australian women novelists created a space for themselves within the literary world by writing about the colonial world from a specifically female point of view.” Discuss this statement.

Ans. This statement is accurate. In the nineteenth century, while the Australian literary landscape was dominated by male writers focusing on the bush, mateship, and masculine adventure, women novelists carved a significant niche for themselves by writing about the colonial world from a distinctly female perspective. They gave voice to experiences often overlooked in male-centric narratives. These writers focused on domestic life, the institution of marriage, social constraints , and the challenges faced by women in a patriarchal colonial society. They explored the “inner” life of the colony, a world away from the tales of external adventure. Key examples include:

• Catherine Helen Spence: Her novel Clara Morison: A Tale of South Australia During the Gold Fever details a young woman’s experience of immigration, seeking employment, and navigating social hierarchies. The novel exposes the economic and social realities of colonial society from a woman’s viewpoint.
• Rosa Praed: Her novels often dealt with the political and social life of Queensland, but always through the eyes of female protagonists. She explored themes of love, ambition, and disillusionment that were specific to women’s lives.
• Ada Cambridge: Her novels like A Marked Man and The Three Miss Kings explore the “marriage market,” women’s desire for intellectual and emotional fulfilment, and critique societal expectations.

In essence, these women novelists did not just write

in

the colonial world; they wrote

about

the experience of being a woman

within

it. In doing so, they created a distinct literary space that was crucial for the development of Australian literature and paved the way for future women writers.

Q2. Explain how Miles Franklin engages with the theme of Australian nationalism in My Brilliant Career.

Ans. Miles Franklin’s My Brilliant Career is a foundational text of Australian literary nationalism, particularly its feminist and anti-colonial strains. The novel embodies the spirit of a young, emerging nation struggling to forge its own identity. Franklin engages with this theme in several ways: 1. The Character of Sybylla Melvyn: The protagonist, Sybylla, is a personification of the young, defiant, and independent spirit of Australia itself. She rejects both the stifling social conventions of the old world (represented by England) and the limitations placed upon women. Her determination to have a “brilliant career” as an artist is a quest for personal independence that mirrors Australia’s quest for national independence. 2. Celebration of the Australian Bush: Franklin celebrates the harsh beauty of the Australian landscape. Sybylla’s deep connection to the land is a key part of her identity, contrasted with the refined, artificial life of her grandmother’s home. The bush is depicted as the place where authentic Australian identity is forged. 3. Rejection of Colonial Ties: Sybylla’s rejection of a wealthy English suitor, Harold Beecham, is a powerful nationalist statement. She chooses a career as an artist in her own country over a comfortable life as a colonial wife tied to the British empire. This choice is a declaration of cultural and emotional independence from Britain. 4. Promotion of “Australian-ness”: The novel promotes a specifically Australian vernacular, character type (the resourceful, independent “bush girl”), and set of values (hard work, independence, artistic ambition). It resonated with the nationalist movement of the time, which sought to define a distinct Australian culture. In conclusion, Franklin links the quest for personal independence (feminism) with the quest for national independence (nationalism), making Sybylla Melvyn a symbol of the nascent Australian nation itself.

Q3. “Patrick White’s The Tree of Man is a profound novel that marks the transition of Australia from a pre-industrial pastoral country to an industrial nation.” Comment on this statement.

Ans. This statement accurately captures the essence of Patrick White’s The Tree of Man . The novel is an epic that charts, through the lives of Stan and Amy Parker, the very transition of Australia from a pre-industrial, pastoral society to a modern, industrial nation. This transition is evident on multiple levels: 1. The Pastoral Beginning: The novel opens with Stan Parker clearing a patch of land in the bush, an archetypal act of Australian pioneering. Their early life is defined by the cycles of nature—the seasons, the land, and natural disasters like fire and flood. This represents a simple, pastoral, and pre-industrial existence where a deep connection exists between man and nature. 2. The Onset of Industrialisation and Urbanisation: As the narrative progresses, the wilderness recedes and a town, Durilgai, grows up around their farm. Roads, electricity, and eventually suburban sprawl encroach upon their land. This physical transformation is a powerful metaphor for Australia’s national transition. The Parkers’ isolated world is slowly absorbed into the complexities and alienations of modern civilisation. 3. The Generational Shift: The Parker children, Ray and Thelma, represent the new, industrial Australia. Ray is drawn to the city and a life of petty crime and urban disillusionment. Thelma seeks social advancement through a sterile, materialistic suburban life. Neither shares their parents’ deep, spiritual connection to the land. This generational divide reflects the alienation and erosion of values in modern, industrial society. 4. The Spiritual Quest: Despite the material changes, the novel is a profound exploration of the human search for meaning. Stan’s final epiphany under the tree suggests a spiritual transcendence that exists beyond the material changes of the nation. In conclusion, The Tree of Man uses the micro-history of the Parker family to allegorise the macro-history of Australia’s transformation from a rural, pioneering society to a modern, suburban, and industrialised one.

Q4. Critically assess Thomas Keneally’s achievement as a novelist. What are the recurrent themes in his writings ?

Ans. Thomas Keneally is one of Australia’s most prolific and internationally acclaimed novelists. His primary achievement lies in his mastery of the historical novel, often termed “faction”—the narrative rendering of historical events and figures. Achievements:

• Moral Complexity: Keneally’s great strength is his exploration of the moral ambiguities of history. He avoids simple hero/villain narratives, focusing instead on the ethical struggles of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances.
• Historical Scope: He has written on a vast range of historical periods, from the Holocaust ( Schindler’s Ark ) to the American Civil War ( Confederates ) and Australian colonial history ( The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith ).
• Humanising History: His most significant achievement is making history accessible and deeply human. He gets inside the minds of his characters, revealing their motivations, fears, and internal conflicts. His Booker Prize-winning novel, Schindler’s Ark , is the most famous example, humanising a complex historical figure for a global audience.
• Australian Conscience: Through novels like The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith , he has forced a critical examination of Australia’s colonial past and racial injustice, helping to shape the national conscience.

Recurrent Themes:

• Conscience and Morality: This is the central theme in many of his works. How do individuals make moral choices in corrupt or oppressive systems? (e.g., Oskar Schindler, Jimmie Blacksmith).
• Injustice and Oppression: He frequently writes about racial injustice, colonialism, and the suffering of marginalised groups.
• The Individual vs. The System: His protagonists are often outsiders or rebels struggling against powerful institutions (the state, the church, the army).
• Guilt and Redemption: Characters often grapple with personal and collective guilt and seek some form of redemption.

In summary, Keneally’s achievement lies in his ability to transform history into morally complex and emotionally resonant narratives that address universal human dilemmas.

Q5. Describe with suitable instances from the novel, the narrative techniques adopted by Kim Scott to narrate the troubled history of the Noongars, in Benang : From the Heart.

Ans. In his novel Benang: From the Heart , Kim Scott employs a complex and innovative set of narrative techniques to represent the fragmented and suppressed history of the Noongar people and the violence of Australia’s assimilation policies. These techniques challenge conventional storytelling and present an Indigenous perspective. The key narrative techniques are: 1. First-person Plural/Collective ‘I’: The narrator, Harley, often speaks not just for himself but for his ancestors. His “I” is a “we,” a vessel for generations of Noongar experience. This technique collapses time and embodies the Indigenous concept of continuous connection to ancestry. For instance, he states, “I was the first-born-in-a-hospital, you see,” a line that carries the weight of his entire family’s history with colonial medicine. 2. Fragmented, Non-linear Structure: The narrative jumps back and forth in time, mirroring the fractured nature of memory and oral history, and the difficulty of reconstructing a history that has been deliberately erased. The novel weaves together personal memory, family stories, dreams, and archival documents, creating a collage-like effect. 3. Incorporation of Archival Documents: Scott directly embeds excerpts from government reports, letters from A.O. Neville (Chief Protector of Aborigines), and anthropological texts into the novel. This technique, which he calls “archival haunting,” uses the coloniser’s own words to expose the racist and pseudo-scientific basis of the assimilation policies. It juxtaposes these historical ‘facts’ with the lived experience of the Noongar people. 4. Use of Noongar Language: The interweaving of Noongar words and concepts throughout the English text is a political act of cultural reclamation. It asserts the resilience and presence of the language and culture. 5. Metaphor and Symbolism: The central metaphor of “Benang” (tomorrow/spirit) and the image of the family tree being “pruned” and “grafted” by white policies are powerful tools for conveying the novel’s themes of survival and regeneration. Through these techniques, Scott constructs a powerful narrative that gives voice to a “troubled history” from the inside and breaks the boundaries of traditional historical fiction.

Q6. Explain the significance of the title A Change of Skies.

Ans. The title of Yasmine Gooneratne’s novel, A Change of Skies , is significant on multiple levels—literal, metaphorical, and symbolic—encapsulating the novel’s themes of migration, identity, and cultural displacement. 1. Literal Meaning: The most straightforward meaning refers to the physical act of moving from one country (Sri Lanka, thinly disguised as ‘Lanka’) to another (Australia). The characters, Bharat and Navaranjini, literally change the sky they live under. This also alludes to changes in climate, environment, and the physical landscape. 2. Metaphorical/Psychological Meaning: The “change of skies” signifies a profound internal shift. It’s about a change in perspective, worldview, and sense of self. The characters must renegotiate their identities in a new cultural context. It is not just a geographical move but a psychological journey . For Bharat, this involves grappling with professional demotion and a sense of alienation, while for Navaranjini, it is a journey towards liberation and self-discovery. 3. Cultural and Social Meaning: The title points to the experience of navigating a new social and cultural landscape. It captures the feeling migrants often have of being caught between two worlds, belonging fully to neither their old nor their new home. Navaranjini’s discovery of her voice through art is symbolic of creating a new self under this new “sky”. 4. Reference to the Proverb: The title comes from the Latin proverb by Horace, “They change their sky, not their soul, who run across the sea.” The novel both affirms and questions this. While the characters bring their pasts and inner selves with them, the new environment (“sky”) inevitably does change them, forcing them to adapt and evolve. Navaranjini, in particular, undergoes a fundamental change in her “soul” or identity. In conclusion, the title is significant because it expertly captures the multifaceted experience of migration—the physical journey, the psychological disorientation, the cultural negotiation, and the ultimate transformation of self.

Q7. From your reading of The True History of the Kelly Gang, what do you understand about the lives of working class women in colonial Australia ?

Ans. From Peter Carey’s The True History of the Kelly Gang , we understand that the lives of working-class, particularly Irish-Australian, women in colonial Australia were defined by brutality, hardship, and a relentless struggle for survival. Through Ned Kelly’s narrative voice, the novel provides a stark and empathetic portrayal of their strength and suffering. 1. Ellen Kelly: Ned’s mother, Ellen, is the central female figure and embodies resilience in the face of immense hardship.

• Poverty and Hardship: She constantly struggles to feed and protect her large family. Her life is one of relentless labour, poverty, and anxiety.
• Victim of the System: She is targeted by a corrupt and biased police force. She is imprisoned on the perjured testimony of Constable Fitzpatrick, leaving her children vulnerable. This shows how the legal system was stacked against the poor and the Irish.
• Moral Ambiguity: She is not a simple saint. She makes difficult, sometimes questionable choices to survive, such as her relationships with men and her involvement in illegal activities. Carey presents her with deep empathy, showing her actions as products of her desperate circumstances.

2. Strength and Resilience:

Despite the oppression, the novel portrays these women as incredibly strong, resourceful, and fiercely protective of their families. Ellen Kelly is the backbone of her family, the one who endures every adversity. They are the foundation of the community.

3. Lack of Agency and Vulnerability:

Women had very little legal or economic power. Their survival depended on the men in their lives—fathers, husbands, sons. The story of Mary Hearn, Ned’s wife, highlights the vulnerability of women, whose fates were tied to the fortunes of their men. The novel also hints at the constant threat of sexual exploitation, particularly from men in power.

In conclusion, the novel makes it clear that the lives of these women were a combination of grinding

poverty, systemic injustice

, and personal fortitude. They were not passive victims but active agents of their families’ survival in a hostile world.

Q8. Critically assess the development of children’s fiction in Australia.

Ans. The development of Australian children’s fiction has been a remarkable journey from colonial-era moral tales to a diverse and sophisticated body of work that engages with unique Australian themes, landscapes, and social issues. 1. Early Period (19th Century): Initially, Australian children’s literature was dominated by British models. Writers like Ethel Turner ( Seven Little Australians ) and Mary Grant Bruce ( Billabong series) began to create distinctively Australian settings and characters, but often upheld conservative, imperial values. Seven Little Australians was notable for its rebellious, anti-authoritarian spirit, which set a new template for the Australian child hero. 2. Mid-20th Century: This period saw the rise of fantasy and adventure rooted in the Australian landscape.

• Norman Lindsay’s The Magic Pudding is a classic of anarchic humour and Australian character types.
• Patricia Wrightson’s work ( The Nargun and the Stars ) was groundbreaking for its integration of Aboriginal mythology and a deep, spiritual sense of the land, moving beyond a purely colonial perspective.
• Ivan Southall explored the psychological realism of children facing crises, a departure from simple adventure stories.

3. Late 20th and 21st Century:

This period is marked by immense diversity, sophistication, and international acclaim.

• Social Realism: Writers like John Marsden ( Tomorrow series) and Melina Marchetta ( Looking for Alibrandi ) tackle complex contemporary issues: war, identity, multiculturalism, and mental health.
• Indigenous Voices: The emergence of prominent Indigenous writers such as Sally Morgan ( My Place ) and Boori Monty Pryor, telling their own stories.
• Picture Books: A “golden age” of picture books with author/illustrators like Shaun Tan ( The Arrival ) and Graeme Base ( Animalia ) gaining international acclaim for their artistic and narrative complexity.

In conclusion, Australian children’s fiction has matured significantly, moving from imitating British forms to confidently exploring its own identity, landscape, history (including its difficult aspects), and multicultural society, producing literature that is critically acclaimed worldwide.

Q9. Why were the 1980s described as ‘a moment of glory’ for the woman writer in Australia ?

Ans. The 1980s were described as ‘a moment of glory’ for women writers in Australia because the decade witnessed an unprecedented flourishing of writing by women, marked by literary prizes, critical acclaim, commercial success, and a bold engagement with feminist themes and experimental forms. The factors contributing to this “glory” were: 1. Second-Wave Feminism: The social and political energy of the women’s liberation movement of the 1970s came to fruition in the literary sphere. It created a supportive environment, a readership eager for women’s stories, and critical frameworks for discussing them. 2. Institutional Support: The establishment of feminist publishing houses (e.g., Sybylla Press, Spinifex Press) and journals (e.g., Refractory Girl ) provided platforms for women’s voices that might have been ignored by the mainstream. The Literature Board of the Australia Council also provided crucial funding. 3. Reclaiming History: Many writers sought to write women back into Australian history, challenging the male-dominated national narrative. Kate Grenville’s Lilian’s Story and Jessica Anderson’s Tirra Lirra by the River are prime examples of recovering lost or silenced female lives. Key Writers and Works:

• Helen Garner: Her novel The Children’s Bach and her non-fiction work made her a central figure, dissecting contemporary life and sexual politics with sharp realism.
• Elizabeth Jolley: Rose to prominence in the 80s with novels like Miss Peabody’s Inheritance and The Well , known for their quirky, dark humour and eccentric female characters.
• Kate Grenville: Her career was launched in this decade, exploring themes of identity, history, and the female body.

In conclusion, the 1980s were a “moment of glory” because of the sheer volume, quality, and diversity of women’s writing. It was a decade where women writers moved from the margins to the centre of Australian literary culture, permanently changing its landscape.