MH SET Paper 2 Mock Test - 9 (English) - MAHA TET MCQ

The correct answer is "Tzvetan Todorov".

Key Points

• Tzvetan Todorov coined the term "Narratology" which is the anglicisation of the French "narratologie".
• Its theoretical ancestors can be traced back to Aristotle (Poetics), but modern narratology is widely acknowledged to have begun with the Russian formalists, particularly Vladimir Propp (Morphology of the Folktale, 1928) and Mikhail Bakhtin's theories of heteroglossia, dialogism, and the chronotope, which were first presented in The Dialogic Imagination (1975).
• Narratology investigates the similarities and differences between narratives.
• Narratology, like structuralism and semiotics from which it sprang, is founded on the concept of a common literary language, or a universal pattern of codes that functions within the text of a work.
• Narratology is the study of narrative and narrative structure, as well as the effects they have on human perception.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 1.

Additional Information

• Ferdinand de Saussure was a linguist, semiotician, and philosopher from Switzerland. His insights established the groundwork for several important advancements in linguistics and semiotics in the twentieth century.
• Claude Levi-Strauss (1908-2009) was a French social anthropologist who pioneered the structural approach to social anthropology. A World on the Verge, Structural Anthropology, The Savage Mind, Anthropologu and Myth, and Look, Listen, Read were among his books.
• Louis Pierre Althusser was a Marxist philosopher who was born in Algeria. Althusser was a long-time member of the French Communist Party, and at times a harsh critic of it.

The correct answer is 'The inefficacy and cruelty of the workhouse system.'

Key Points

• Symbol of Institutional Failure: Mr. Bumble, as the workhouse beadle, represents the institutional failure of the workhouse system to provide for and protect the poor and vulnerable.
• Personal Gain over Duty: His character often prioritizes personal gain and authority over the needs and well-being of the workhouse inhabitants, illustrating the selfishness and corruption within the system.
• Cruelty and Indifference: Mr. Bumble’s actions and attitudes towards the workhouse children, including Oliver, highlight the cruelty and indifference that were prevalent in such institutions.
• Lack of Compassion: His lack of compassion and empathy for the poor reflects the broader societal attitudes of the time, which Dickens criticizes through his portrayal.
• Social Commentary: Through Mr. Bumble, Dickens provides sharp social commentary on the inadequacies of the Poor Law and the harsh realities faced by those in workhouses.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• Option 1: Mr. Bumble's depiction is far from one that showcases dedication and compassion.
• Option 3: While the legal system is critiqued in "Oliver Twist," Mr. Bumble’s character specifically targets the workhouse system's failures.
• Option 4: The aspirations of the lower class are explored in the novel, but Mr. Bumble primarily criticizes the workhouse system rather than this theme.

The correct answer is "Astraea Redux".

Key Points

• John Dryden is considered as one of the best poets of England so much so that an entire period in English Literature is called the age of Dryden.
• He wrote Astraea Redux to welcome Charles II whose coronation began the Restoration age in England.
• It's a 300 lines poem and the period of Cromwell's reign is called Astraea or chaos and Charles II is signified as the restorer of peace.
• He also apologised for his earlier position as a supporter of Cromwell and was hoping to gain royal patronage.

Hence, the poem Dryden wrote to welcome the return of Charles II is Astraea Redux.

Additional Information Let's look at other options:

The correct answer is Jean-Francois Lyotard.

Key Points

• French post-structuralist philosopher, best known for his highly influential formulation of postmodernism in The Postmodern Condition. 
• Lyotard’s philosophy exhibits many of the major themes common to post-structuralist and postmodernist thought. 
• He calls into question the powers of reason, asserts the importance of nonrational forces such as sensations and emotions, and rejects humanism and the traditional philosophical notion of the human being as the central subject of knowledge.

​ Therefore the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• Barthes is perhaps best known for his 1957 essay collection Mythologies, which contained reflections on popular culture.
• The 1967 essay "The Death of the Author," critiqued traditional approaches in literary criticism was by Barthes.​
• Jacques Derrida was an Algerian-born French philosopher. He developed the philosophy of deconstruction.

The correct answer is John Bergers' "Ways of Seeing".

Key Points 

• John Berger was a novelist, painter and critic. 
• His 1972 book " Ways of Seeing" is an adaptation of a TV show by the same name.
• The book introduced his concept of the "male gaze" which was later popularized by Laura Mulvey.

Therefore, Option 1 is the correct answer. ​Additional Information

• "Surfacing" is a 1972 novel by the Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood.
• "Middlemarch" is an 1871 novel by the Victorian novelist George Eliot.​

The correct answer is "Spain."

Key Points

• Timely Response to Civil War: "Spain" was written in 1937, reflecting on the Spanish Civil War, capturing the atmosphere of political activism and the fight against fascism that many writers of the 1930s were engaged in.
• Combination of Personal and Political: The poem demonstrates Auden’s ability to intertwine personal reflection with broader political and social commentary, a hallmark of 1930s poetry.
• Influential and Controversial: The work is both celebrated for its compelling portrayal of the era's urgencies and criticized for its perceived political naiveté.
• Auden's Evolution: "Spain" marks a significant point in Auden’s poetic journey, showing his engagement with contemporary events and his evolving political conscience.
• Legacy and Impact: The poem remains a powerful example of 1930s poetry’s engagement with global events and has influenced discussions about the role of the poet in society.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Additional Information

• "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot, though a monumental modernist poem, does not directly engage with the socio-political unrest of the 1930s.
• "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas, although emotive, was written later and focuses more on personal defiance against death.
• "Mending Wall" by Robert Frost is more concerned with themes of boundaries and neighborliness than the political activism characteristic of the 1930s poets.
• Works by Ian McEwan

The correct answer is 'To directly intervene in human affairs, influencing events and outcomes.'

Key Points

• In Homer's epics, gods play an integral role in the plot by actively intervening in the lives of mortals.
• These interventions can either aid or hamper the characters, depending on the gods' desires or rivalries.
• The gods' actions in Homer's works often reflect their human-like emotions and biases, making the divine influence complex and sometimes unpredictable.
• Through their interventions, the gods serve to advance the narrative and highlight key themes such as fate, honor, and the struggle between human free will and divine will.
• This dynamic interaction between gods and mortals underscores the unpredictability of life and the influence of higher powers in the ancient Greek worldview.

• Lycidas is a poem by John Milton, written in 1637 as a pastoral elegy, dedicated to the memory of edward King, a college mate of Milton at Cambridge who drowned when his ship sank in the Irish Sea off the coast of Wales in August 1637.
• Adonais : A pastoral elegy on the Death of John Keats written by P. B. Shelley in 1821, and widely regarded as one of Shelleys best and most well-known works.
• In Memoriam is a poem by the English poet Alfred Lord Tennyson,  completed in 1849.  It is a requiem for the poetís Cambridge friend Arthur Henry Hallam,  who died suddenly of a cerebral haemorrhage in Vienna in 1833.
• Thyrsis is the title of a poem written by Matthew Arnold in December 1865 to commemo- rate his friend, the poet Arthur Hugh Clough, who had died in November 1861 aged only 42.

Anita Desai is one of the most celebrated Indian novelist of English Language. She is best known for the psychological study of characters specifically of Indian women.

Where Shall We Go This Summer? is a novel by Desai which revolves around the life of a middle aged woman in contemporary urban settings who suffered from pre-natal neurosis.

The Zigzag Way is a novel about an American academician Eric, who went to Mexico as follows her girlfriend at her research site and come to know some secret about the history of his family.

Cry, the Peacock is the maiden novel of Anita Desai and published in year 1963. The novel talks about psychological analysis of Maya, a neurotic and introvert woman who is the victim of the inadequacy of human relationships. Her frustration and loneliness depict by the writer effectively in the novel.

Baumgartner’s Bombay is a novel focus on the life of Baumgartner a German Jew who seeks refuge in India.

Alexei Maximovich Peshkov primarily known as Maxim Gorky (Russian: Макси́м Го́рький), was a Russian and Soviet writer, ... Gorky's most famous works were The Lower Depths (1902), Twenty-six Men and a Girl ... For a significant part of his life, he was exiled from Russia and later the Soviet Union.

The correct answer is "The Child in Time."

Key Points

• Exploration of Childhood and Time: "The Child in Time" delves into the nature of childhood, loss, and the fluidity of time, all centered around a protagonist dealing with the loss of his child.
• Psychological Depth: The novel is notable for its psychological depth, exploring the impact of grief and the potential for regeneration and healing.
• Themes of Parenthood: It scrutinizes the roles and experiences of being a parent, alongside societal and personal expectations of this role.
• Innovative Narrative Techniques: McEwan employs innovative narrative techniques to explore the protagonist's psyche and the non-linear progression of time.
• Critical Acclaim: The novel received critical acclaim for its insightful portrayal of its themes and is considered one of McEwan's major works.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Additional Information

• "Atonement" is better known for its exploration of guilt, forgiveness, and the complexities of truth.
• "Amsterdam," a sharp, compact narrative, focuses on morality and the complexities of modern life.
• "Saturday" centers around a day in the life of a neurosurgeon, exploring post-9/11 London.
• Works of Nissim Ezekiel

“King Lear” is one of the four greatest tragedies of Shakespeare written around 1605, between “Othello” and “Macbeth”. Edgar is one of the main characters of the play. He is the eldest and legitimate son of Gloucester. His illegitimate brother Edmund tricks his father into believing that Edgar, is trying to kill him.

Fleeing the manhunt that his father has set for him, Edgar disguises himself as a crazy beggar and calls himself “Poor Tom. “He plays many different roles, such as a gullible fool easily tricked by Edmund, then assuming a disguise as a mad beggar to evade his father’s men, then carrying his impersonation further to aid Lear and Gloucester.

R. P. Blackmur was an American literary critic whose criticism was influential among many modernist poets and the New Critics. The above piece has been extracted from an essay by the critic titled “A Critic’s Job of Work”. In the essay, Blackmur announces that criticism is the province of the “amateur” and is concerned with love and understanding rather than allegiance to a particular school or method.

In the given lines, Blackmur compares walking with criticism because he considers both to be “arts” of a similar kind that call for attention to detail and utmost care. He does not quite give the readers the equivalents of “Some paved walks and some form of rapid transport” in order to press his comparison.

The correct answer is 'The ongoing struggle with racism and identity'.

Key Points

• "American Hunger" is the continuation of Richard Wright's autobiographical work that began with "Black Boy." This narrative extends into his early adulthood, focusing on his life in the North, specifically Chicago.
• The book predominantly explores Wright's ongoing struggle with racism and his quest for identity in an urban environment that, while different from the South, still presented significant racial challenges and prejudices.
• Wright delves into the complexities of navigating the cultural and socio-political landscape of the North, where he faces discrimination in employment, social interactions, and within the Communist Party, which he joins hoping to find racial and economic justice.
• The theme of identity is critically examined as Wright struggles to reconcile his personal beliefs with the realities of racial prejudice in the North, leading him to confront questions about his role and place in American society.
• Through his experiences, Wright critiques the illusion of the North as a racial utopia, highlighting the pervasive nature of racism across the United States and its impact on the African American search for identity and belonging.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• The excitement of new opportunities, discovering financial wealth, and adventure and exploration, while potentially part of Wright's experiences, are not the central themes explored in "American Hunger." These aspects may touch upon his journey, but the core exploration revolves around racism and personal identity.

a-3,b-1,c-4, d-2

The Mistakes of a Night is the subtitle of She Stoops to Conquer, one of the best Restoration comedy by Anglo- Irish Playwright, Oliver Goldsmith. The play was first performed in London in 1773.

Primarily, the play was titled Mistakes of a Night, probably more suitable as all the events within the play take place in one long night. The title refers to the several mistakes committed by Marlow, the main character, throughout the play.

The correct answer is 'The Glass Menagerie'.

Key Points

• "The Glass Menagerie" is a notable play written by Tennessee Williams in 1944. 
• The play centers around the Wingfield family, consisting of Amanda, Tom, and Laura.
• Laura Wingfield is one of the main characters in the play.
• She is portrayed as a fragile and shy young woman who escapes from reality by immersing herself in a collection of glass animal figurines, the "menagerie."
• Laura's character reflects the theme of fragility and the delicate nature of dreams.
• Throughout the play, her brother Tom struggles with the responsibility of caring for his family and ultimately leaves to pursue his own dreams.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

The correct answer is 'Empiricist".

Key Points

• "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding" is a 1689 essay by the English philosopher John Locke. 
• John Locke proposed that the human mind is born as a clean slate, and it is sensory experiences that lead to the formation of ideas or knowledge. 
• Locke's essay was one of the first works to give a statement on Empiricism.
• Empiricism is the theory that believes that our sensory experience is the source of knowledge. 

Therefore, Option  2 is the correct answer. 

There are four dialects of old English: Mercian, Northumbrian, Kentish, and West Saxon. Thus, “Irish” is the odd one out. Irish (Gaeilge) is a Goidelic (Gaelic) language that originated in Ireland and has been historically spoken by the Irish people.

The correct answer is All of the above.

Important Points

• Waiting for Godot, tragicomedy in two acts by Irish writer Samuel Beckett, published in 1952 in French as En attendant Godot and first produced in 1953.
• The Lord of the Rings is an epic high fantasy novel by the English author and scholar J. R. R. Tolkien. 
• Many authors have published 'Collected poems', like Kamala Das, Robert Frost, Sylvia Plath etc.

Thus, none of the above belongs to John Osborne.

Key Points

• John James Osborne was an English playwright, screenwriter and actor, known for his excoriating prose and intense critical stance towards established social and political norms.
• The success of his 1956 play 'Look Back in Anger' transformed English theatre. 

The correct answer is 'The fluidity and complexity of human identity'.

Key Points

• Metaphorical Representation: The Cobra in Nagamandala is not just an animal but a symbolic representation that explores the fluidity and complexity of human identity. It transforms into a human form to express love, showcasing the non-static nature of identity.
• Expression of Desire and Love: Through its ability to take on a human form to be with Rani, the Cobra embodies the themes of desire, love, and the complexities associated with them, going beyond its physical identity.
• Challenge to Societal Norms: The Cobra's actions and its relationship with Rani challenge rigid societal norms and expectations about marriage and fidelity, illustrating how identity can transcend societal constraints.
• Symbolism of Dreams and Reality: The play blurs the lines between dreams and reality, and the Cobra, crossing these lines, symbolizes the interconnectedness of both realms and their impact on one’s identity.
• Reflection on Freedom and Constraint: Through the Cobra’s character, the play comments on the notions of freedom and constraint within relationships, suggesting that identity is a fluid concept that can both liberate and confine.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Additional Information

• Option 1 ('The constraints of traditional marriage'): While the play does explore this theme, it's more of a setting/context rather than what the Cobra symbolizes directly.
• Option 3 ('The authority of the village elders'): This is represented through other elements and characters in the play, not directly by the Cobra.
• Option 4 ('Economic disparities in rural India'): This theme is not a primary focus of the Cobra's symbolic representation in the play.

The correct answer is 'To teach and to delight.'

Key Points

• In "An Essay of Dramatic Poesie", Dryden presents poetry, especially dramatic poetry, as having a dual purpose: to teach and to delight.
• This aligns with the Horatian idea of "dulce et utile", meaning poetry should be both sweet (entertaining) and useful (educational).
• Dryden believed that poetry, through engaging narratives and characters, could morally instruct while also providing enjoyment and entertainment.
• By blending these two objectives, poetry can have a meaningful impact on its audience, encouraging them to reflect on themes and moral questions while being engaged.
• The concept of blending entertainment with instruction allows poetry to appeal to a broader audience, making complex ideas and moral lessons more approachable.

Anglo-Norman, also known as Anglo-Norman French, was a dialect of French that was used in .... Until the end of the 13th century, Latin was the language of all official written documents. ... almost three centuries after the king ceased speaking primarily French. ..... Chaucer, Language and Nation in the Hundred Years' War.

The correct answer is 'Nagamandala'

Key Points

• "Nagamandala" is a play written by Girish Karnad, not Vijay Tendulkar.
• Vijay Tendulkar (1928-2008) was an acclaimed Indian playwright known for his socially relevant and provocative works.
• "Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe," "Sakharam Binder," and "Gidhade" are notable plays by Vijay Tendulkar.
• Tendulkar's plays often tackled societal issues, challenging norms and advocating for change.
• "Nagamandala" is a different play by another prominent Indian playwright, Girish Karnad.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Additional Information

• Option 1: "Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe" is a play by Vijay Tendulkar, addressing issues of caste discrimination.
• Option 2: "Sakharam Binder" is another play by Vijay Tendulkar, dealing with complex social relationships.
• Option 4: "Gidhade" is a play by Vijay Tendulkar, exploring societal issues

The correct answer is "A struggle between two vastly different forces".

Key Points

• The metaphor uses "gorilla" to represent native Africans and "superman" to symbolize the colonial powers, highlighting the mismatch between the two sides.
• Gorillas are strong but are depicted as more primal and less advanced in terms of technology or strategy compared to the idea of a "superman," who would possess exceptional abilities or technology.
• This imagery underscores the asymmetry in power and resources between the colonial rulers and the native populations they controlled, portraying it as a deeply uneven contest.
• It suggests the struggle for independence and the conflicts arising from colonialism involve combatants of unequal strengths, highlighting the injustice inherent in such struggles.
• Therefore, the metaphor not only vividly captures the dynamics of colonial conflicts but also implies a critique of the inherent unfairness in these encounters.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

The correct answer is "The poet's conflict is deeply internal and pervasive".

Key Points

• "Divided to the vein" suggests a division that cuts to the very core of the poet's being, indicating a profound and personal split within his identity.
• It reflects the poet's mixed heritage of African and European ancestry, illustrating his internal struggle with belonging to both cultures amidst the colonial conflict.
• The metaphorical use of "vein" emphasizes that this division is as deep and vital as the blood in one's body, suggesting that the conflict is an inseparable part of his identity.
• It conveys the idea that the poet's conflict cannot be easily resolved or set aside—it is an intrinsic part of who he is.
• The use of such vivid imagery underscores the intensity and complexity of the poet's inner turmoil, caused by historical and personal circumstances beyond his control.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

• Pygmalion therefore tries to illustrate the arbitrariness of basing a person's worth on his or her pronunciation.  
• The necessity for the artist to be free from domestic entanglements is a major theme of Love among the Artists (1881).  
• Caesar and Cleopatra : The hollowness of hero-worship
• Misalliance : Man-Woman relationship

The correct answer is 'Carnivalesque'.

Key Points

• The concept of the carnivalesque is central to Bakhtin's interpretation of Rabelais's work, emphasizing the role of carnival as a social institution where the usual hierarchies and norms are temporarily suspended or inverted.
• Carnivalesque describes a literary mode that subverts and liberates the assumptions of the dominant style or atmosphere through humor, chaos, and grotesque imagery. This is evident in Rabelais's narratives, where the boundaries between the high and the low are blurred, creating a space for freedom and equality.
• Bakhtin posits that through the carnivalesque, Rabelais challenges official culture and the rigid structures of medieval society, using satire, parodies, and bodily humor to undermine authority and celebrate human vitality and diversity.
• Carnivalesque acts as a counterforce to cultural and political monotony, representing a world upside down, where roles are reversed, and the usual order of things is challenged, highlighting the potential for renewal and change in society.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Option 3.’

Additional Information

• Intertextuality (Option 1) refers to the relationship between texts and how they influence each other, which is not specifically tied to the concept of the carnivalesque in Rabelais.
• Dialogism (Option 2) is another major Bakhtinian concept focusing on the multiplicity of voices, whereas carnivalesque specifically addresses the role of carnival.
• Polyphony (Option 4) describes a plurality of independent and unmerged voices within a text, a concept Bakhtin applied to Dostoevsky's work rather than Rabelais's.

The correct answer is 'It is a cultural logic of late capitalism'.

Key Points

• Jameson posits postmodernism as the cultural expression of late capitalism, suggesting that economic and cultural spheres are interlinked.
• He describes postmodernism as a phase where global capitalism influences cultural products, leading to phenomena like pastiche, depthlessness, and the commodification of culture.
• According to Jameson, the stylistic innovation and eclecticism seen in postmodern culture reflect the fragmentation and superficiality bred by capitalist modes of production and consumption.
• This perspective suggests that postmodernism mirrors the complexities and contradictions of late capitalist societies, including their emphasis on consumerism, media saturation, and disconnection from historical and critical perspectives.
• Jameson argues that understanding postmodernism as a cultural form of late capitalism allows us to critically engage with its implications on identity, history, and politics.
• This relation underscores the importance of analyzing cultural phenomena through an economic and sociopolitical lens to fully grasp their significance and impact.

Cavalier poetry is different from traditional poetry in its subject matter. Instead of tackling issues like religion, philosophy, and the arts, cavalier poetry aims to express the joy and simple gratification of celebratory things much livelier than the traditional works of their predecessors.