AMERICAN LITERATURE I
PYQ 14-07-2025
Q1. Discuss the major phases of early American literature up to the Puritan Age, focusing on the arrival of the British, the influence of Puritan beliefs on colonial life and literature, and the contributions of key figures such as William Bradford, Anne Bradstreet, Edward Taylor, and Captain John Smith.
Answer:
Early American literature went through several phases. It started with Native American oral stories, followed by writings from explorers. After the British arrived, literature reflected their experiences in the New World. The Puritan Age came next, marked by strong religious beliefs that shaped daily life and literature.
Puritans believed in simplicity, hard work, and faith in God. Their writing often had religious themes and focused on moral instruction. Key figures include:
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William Bradford: His work Of Plymouth Plantation describes the Puritans' journey and life in America.
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Anne Bradstreet: A Puritan poet who wrote about her faith and family.
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Edward Taylor: Wrote religious poems, like "Huswifery," showing deep Puritan beliefs.
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Captain John Smith: Wrote adventure stories, like A Description of New England, which encouraged settlers.
Conclusion:
Early American literature reflected religious values and life struggles. Puritan writers shaped its moral and spiritual direction.
Q2. What is Transcendentalism? Discuss its core ideas with reference to the works of Emerson, Thoreau, Walt Whitman, and Margaret Fuller.
Answer:
Transcendentalism was a 19th-century American movement that believed in the power of the individual and nature. It stressed inner truth, self-reliance, and the connection between humans and nature.
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Ralph Waldo Emerson: Believed in the inner spirit and self-trust. His essay Self-Reliance promotes confidence in one's ideas.
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Henry David Thoreau: In Walden, he talks about living simply in nature and finding truth there.
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Walt Whitman: Celebrated the individual in Leaves of Grass, embracing freedom and nature.
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Margaret Fuller: In Woman in the Nineteenth Century, she focused on gender equality and spiritual growth.
Conclusion:
Transcendentalism encouraged people to trust themselves, value nature, and seek truth beyond material things.
Q3. Discuss the concept of heroism in The Old Man and the Sea. How does Santiago's life reflect the qualities of a true hero, and what impact does his heroism have on the other characters?
Answer:
In The Old Man and the Sea, Santiago is a humble fisherman who shows strength, patience, and courage. Though he is old and unlucky, he never gives up.
He battles a giant marlin for days at sea, showing determination and respect for the fish. Santiago’s strength and spirit—even in defeat—make him a hero. He teaches the young boy, Manolin, lessons of bravery and pride.
Conclusion:
Santiago's quiet strength and dignity show that a true hero doesn't always win but never gives up.
Q4. Explain Tennessee Williams’ idea of "Plastic Theatre" in The Glass Menagerie. How did he use light, sound, music, settings, and symbols to show his characters’ inner feelings? Give examples from at least two scenes.
Answer:
Tennessee Williams used "Plastic Theatre" to make emotions clear through non-realistic methods like music, lighting, and symbols.
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In Scene 3, the music "The Glass Menagerie" plays when Laura’s fragility is shown.
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In Scene 6, a spotlight follows Laura and the unicorn glass figure is used as a symbol of her uniqueness and vulnerability.
He used lighting to highlight emotions, like dim lights during sad moments, and sounds to reflect inner pain.
Conclusion:
Plastic Theatre helped express characters' inner worlds in a dramatic and emotional way, going beyond just dialogue.
Q5. Using feminist theory, critically examine the gender expectations imposed on Amanda in Scenes 5 and 6 of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie. How do these expectations shape her behavior and influence her interactions with other characters?
Answer:
Amanda lives in a society where women were expected to marry well and take care of the home. In Scenes 5 and 6, she pressures Laura to find a husband because she believes that’s the only way for women to survive.
Amanda talks about her past suitors and wants Laura to have the same life, showing her belief in traditional roles. These expectations make Amanda controlling and anxious, especially toward her children.
Conclusion:
Gender roles forced Amanda to focus on marriage and appearances, shaping her actions and causing tension in the family.
SECTION (B)
Answer:
The Salem Witch Trials happened in 1692 in Massachusetts, where several people were accused of practicing witchcraft. These trials led to panic and fear, resulting in the execution of 20 people and imprisonment of many others.
They showed how fear and superstition can harm innocent people. The trials also revealed the dangers of religious extremism and lack of fair justice.
Conclusion:
The Salem Witch Trials are a warning against mass hysteria and injustice, showing the need for fair trials and reason.
Q2. What was the Women’s Suffragette Movement? Discuss its objectives and impact on women’s rights.
Answer:
The Women’s Suffragette Movement was a fight for women’s right to vote, especially active in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Its goal was to give women equal political rights.
Leaders like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton led protests and campaigns. The movement helped pass the 19th Amendment in 1920, giving American women the right to vote.
Conclusion:
The movement played a key role in gender equality and gave women a voice in politics and society.
Q3. What is Cyberpunk fiction? Discuss its key features with reference to any major author or work in the genre.
Answer:
Cyberpunk fiction is a type of science fiction that shows a dark, high-tech world where society often breaks down. It features advanced technology, hacking, and powerful corporations, but poor living conditions.
Key features:
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Futuristic settings
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Artificial intelligence
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Cybernetics
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Rebellion against control
Example: Neuromancer by William Gibson is a famous cyberpunk novel. It explores hacking and artificial intelligence in a world controlled by technology.
Conclusion:
Cyberpunk fiction warns us about losing control to technology and the growing gap between rich and poor.
Q4. Write a short note on these movements:
(a) Harlem Renaissance
(b) The Lost Generation
(a) Harlem Renaissance
This was a cultural movement in the 1920s where African American artists, writers, and musicians shared their work. It celebrated Black identity, pride, and heritage. Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston were famous figures.
(b) The Lost Generation
This refers to writers after World War I who felt lost and disillusioned. They wrote about the emptiness of modern life. Writers like Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald explored themes of war, love, and loss.
Conclusion:
Both movements expressed deep emotions and reflected social changes through powerful writing.
Q5. How does the poem “From the House of Magic” represent the Pima belief in balance and harmony?
Answer:
The poem comes from the Pima Native American tradition. It shows how all life is connected through nature and spirit. The poem reflects their belief in living in balance with the earth, sky, and other living beings.
Symbols like animals, wind, and the house show peace and unity. It also honors natural cycles and spiritual life.
Conclusion:
The poem reflects the Pima values of living in harmony with nature and respecting the world around them.
Q6. Write the critical appreciation of the poem “A Psalm of Life”.
Answer:
"A Psalm of Life" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow encourages readers to live life with purpose. It says life is not just for dreaming or waiting for death, but for taking action and making a difference.
The poem uses strong rhythm and uplifting language. It calls people to be brave, active, and helpful to others. The tone is hopeful and motivational.
Conclusion:
The poem inspires us to live meaningfully and reminds us that every life has value and purpose.
Q7. Give a summary of The Old Man and the Sea.
Answer:
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway is about Santiago, an old fisherman who hasn't caught a fish in many days. One day, he goes far out to sea and hooks a giant marlin. He struggles with it for days, showing great strength and patience.
Even though he finally catches the fish, sharks eat it on the way back. Santiago returns home tired but proud. He didn’t win in a normal way, but his spirit stayed strong.
Conclusion:
The story shows courage, endurance, and inner strength. Santiago proves that true success is about effort, not just results.
Q8. Explore how the theme of illusion versus reality continues in Scene 2 in Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie. How does Williams use dialogue, stage directions, and character behaviour to reinforce this theme?
Answer:
In Scene 2, Laura’s illusion is seen through her love for the glass animals and her fear of facing real life. Amanda imagines a better future through marriage plans, ignoring Laura’s reality.
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Dialogue: Amanda talks about “gentlemen callers” as if Laura is popular, even though she’s shy and isolated.
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Stage directions: The lighting is dim and dream-like, showing a world of fantasy.
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Character behavior: Laura avoids school and people. Amanda keeps pushing dreams on her daughter.
Conclusion:
Williams uses different tools to show how characters escape painful truths by living in illusions.
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