Literary Theory post World War II MCQ Quiz in বাংলা - Objective Question with Answer for Literary Theory post World War II - বিনামূল্যে ডাউনলোড করুন [PDF]

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• In Edward Said’s "Culture and Imperialism," the interrelationship between imperial narratives and canonical literature is a critical focus.
• Said argues that canonical literary works often contain and propagate imperialistic values, demonstrating how deeply ingrained colonial ideology is within these texts.
• By analyzing these works, Said reveals how literature has been used to justify and perpetuate colonial practices and beliefs.
• This underscores the pervasive nature of colonial ideology, showing that it is not just a political or economic phenomenon, but also a cultural and intellectual one.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Additional Information

• Edward Said was a prominent literary critic and theorist known for his work in postcolonial studies.
• His concept of "Orientalism" explores how Western literature and scholarship have historically depicted Eastern societies in a way that supports colonial dominance.
• "Culture and Imperialism" builds on these ideas, examining the cultural dimensions of imperialism and how they are reflected in and reinforced by literature.

The correct answer is By allowing for a multiplicity of perspectives and an ongoing, evolving understanding of history.

Key Points

• Wilson Harris's concept of "the unfinished genesis of the imagination" challenges traditional linear historiography by emphasizing the fluidity and ongoing nature of history.
• This approach allows for a multiplicity of perspectives, acknowledging that history is not a fixed narrative but a dynamic and evolving process.
• In postcolonial contexts, this perspective is particularly important as it challenges the dominance of colonial historical records and opens up space for previously marginalized voices and experiences.
• By promoting an ongoing and evolving understanding of history, Harris's concept encourages continuous reflection and reinterpretation, which is essential for a more inclusive and accurate representation of the past.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Additional Information

• Traditional linear historiography often presents history as a fixed sequence of events, which can marginalize or overlook the perspectives of colonized peoples.
• Harris's approach aligns with postcolonial theories that seek to deconstruct and critique the established historical narratives imposed by colonial powers.
• This concept also resonates with other postcolonial thinkers who advocate for a more pluralistic and inclusive approach to history.

The correct answer is It subverts colonial rationalism by merging the magical with the real to reassert local cultural narratives.

Key Points

• Magical realism in "One Hundred Years of Solitude" serves as a tool to blend the magical with the real, creating a narrative style that challenges the dominant colonial rationalist discourse.
• Gabriel García Márquez uses this technique to emphasize the richness and complexity of local cultural narratives, which were often marginalized or dismissed by colonial powers.
• By intertwining the magical with everyday life, the novel reclaims and celebrates the indigenous and local traditions, myths, and histories that colonialism sought to suppress.
• This approach allows the novel to critique the colonial mindset and highlight the resilience and vibrancy of postcolonial societies.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Additional Information

• Other notable authors who have used magical realism to explore postcolonial themes include Salman Rushdie in "Midnight's Children" and Isabel Allende in "The House of the Spirits."
• Magical realism is a significant literary technique in Latin American literature, often used to address complex social and political issues in a nuanced manner.

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• In "The Empire Writes Back," the concept of "writing back" is represented as a form of resistance against colonial hegemony by emphasizing the reclamation and reinterpretation of indigenous histories and cultures through literature.
• This approach challenges the dominant colonial narratives and offers a platform for the voices and experiences of colonized peoples.
• The act of "writing back" involves using literature as a means to assert cultural identity, resist cultural imperialism, and promote postcolonial discourse.
• This work is a seminal text in postcolonial studies and highlights the importance of literary and cultural resistance in the decolonization process.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Additional Information

• Bill Ashcroft, Gareth Griffiths, and Helen Tiffin are renowned scholars in the field of postcolonial studies and their work has significantly contributed to the understanding of the impact of colonialism on literature and culture.
• "The Empire Writes Back" was first published in 1989 and has since become a foundational text in the study of postcolonial literature.
• The book examines various postcolonial literatures and their strategies for resisting colonial power structures.

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• "Season of Migration to the North" by Tayeb Salih is a significant work in postcolonial literature that explores the impact of colonialism on identity and culture.
• The novel inverts traditional colonial narratives by highlighting the protagonist’s complex experiences and identity struggles in both Sudanese and European contexts.
• Instead of depicting a seamless cultural assimilation or a complete rejection of native culture, the novel exposes the contradictions and complexities within both colonial and postcolonial identities.
• This approach challenges the binary oppositions of civilization and savagery often present in colonial narratives.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Additional Information

• Frantz Fanon: A French West Indian psychiatrist and political philosopher whose works are influential in post-colonial studies, critical theory, and Marxism.
• Chinua Achebe: A Nigerian novelist celebrated for his novel "Things Fall Apart," which deals with themes of pre-colonial life in Nigeria and the effects of European colonization.
• Ngugi wa Thiong'o: A Kenyan writer known for his works such as "A Grain of Wheat" and "Decolonising the Mind," addressing the impact of colonization on African cultures.
• Toni Morrison: An African-American novelist, renowned for her works like "Beloved" and "Song of Solomon," which explore African-American identity and history.

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• In "A Sister to Scheherazade," Assia Djebar interweaves elements from "One Thousand and One Nights" to subvert traditional tales and empower the female voice.
• By doing so, Djebar challenges patriarchal structures and critiques the limitations imposed on women within both colonial and postcolonial Algerian contexts.
• This narrative technique allows Djebar to reclaim female agency, providing a platform for women to express their experiences and resist oppression.
• The intertextuality with "One Thousand and One Nights" enriches the novel, drawing connections between historical, cultural, and contemporary struggles for women's rights.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Additional Information

• Option 1 is incorrect because the narrative does more than just highlight oppressive aspects; it actively subverts them.
• Option 2 is incorrect because the novel does not reject the historical and cultural significance of "One Thousand and One Nights"; it reinterprets it.
• Option 4 is incorrect because the novel incorporates Algerian experiences rather than focusing exclusively on Western feminist ideals.

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

• J.M. Coetzee's "Foe" introduces a female character, Susan Barton, who questions the legitimacy of Crusoe's narrative and offers alternative perspectives, thereby subverting the authority of Daniel Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe."
• The metafictional narrative in "Foe" problematizes the notion of authorship by highlighting the silenced voices and hidden stories that Defoe's original text overlooks.
• Coetzee's approach challenges the colonial and patriarchal assumptions embedded in "Robinson Crusoe," thereby addressing postcolonial concerns.
• By presenting alternative narratives and questioning the dominant narrative, "Foe" destabilizes the traditional concepts of storytelling and authorship.
• This critical examination allows readers to reflect on who gets to tell stories and whose voices are marginalized or omitted.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

Additional Information

• Chinua Achebe: A Nigerian novelist celebrated for his novel "Things Fall Apart," which deals with themes of pre-colonial life in Nigeria and the effects of European colonization.
• Ngugi wa Thiong'o: A Kenyan writer known for his works such as "A Grain of Wheat" and "Decolonising the Mind," addressing the impact of colonization on African cultures.
• Toni Morrison: An African-American novelist, renowned for her works like "Beloved" and "Song of Solomon," which explore African-American identity and history.

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• In Chinua Achebe’s essay “An Image of Africa,” Achebe critiques Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" for its portrayal of African societies and individuals.
• Achebe argues that Conrad's narrative constructs Africans as the antithesis of civilization and humanity.
• This construction serves to reinforce and perpetuate racist stereotypes and dehumanizing representations of African people.
• By exposing these elements in Conrad's work, Achebe challenges the inherent racism found in canonical Western literature.
• Achebe's critique highlights the need to re-evaluate and question the portrayal of non-Western cultures in Western literary canon.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Additional Information

• Chinua Achebe: A Nigerian novelist celebrated for his novel "Things Fall Apart," which deals with themes of pre-colonial life in Nigeria and the effects of European colonization.
• Ngugi wa Thiong'o: A Kenyan writer known for his works such as "A Grain of Wheat" and "Decolonising the Mind," addressing the impact of colonization on African cultures.
• Toni Morrison: An African-American novelist, renowned for her works like "Beloved" and "Song of Solomon," which explore African-American identity and history.

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• In Derek Walcott’s epic poem "Omeros", the invocation of Greek mythology serves to recontextualize Caribbean history and identity within a postcolonial framework.
• Walcott uses Greek mythology to draw parallel criticisms of colonial and postcolonial experiences, integrating local and global narratives.
• This approach allows for a nuanced exploration of the complexities and intersections between the Caribbean's colonial past and its present identity.
• Rather than reinforcing colonial views or celebrating European heritage exclusively, Walcott's use of mythology creates a dialogue between different cultural histories.
• This method enriches the understanding of Caribbean identity by placing it within a broader, interconnected historical and cultural context.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Additional Information

• Derek Walcott: A Nobel Prize-winning Caribbean poet and playwright known for his works exploring themes of identity, colonialism, and cultural heritage.
• "Omeros": An epic poem by Walcott that reinterprets Homeric themes within a Caribbean context, blending classical and local elements.
• Postcolonial Literature: A body of literary works that address the effects and aftermath of colonialism, often challenging dominant historical narratives and reclaiming indigenous identities.

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

• Frantz Fanon was a French West Indian psychiatrist and political philosopher whose works are influential in the fields of post-colonial studies, critical theory, and Marxism.
• He was born on the island of Martinique, which was then a French colony.
• The quote "O my body, make of me always a man who questions" is from his seminal book "Black Skin, White Masks" (originally published in 1952).
• In this work, Fanon explores the complexities of colonialism and its impact on identity, psychology, and the human condition.
• The book is renowned for its critical examination of racism and its profound psychological and cultural effects.
• Fanon's emphasis on questioning and critically examining societal structures reflects his commitment to understanding and dismantling colonial power dynamics.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

Additional Information

• Chinua Achebe: A Nigerian novelist celebrated for his novel "Things Fall Apart," which deals with themes of pre-colonial life in Nigeria and the effects of European colonization.
• Ngugi wa Thiong'o: A Kenyan writer known for his works such as "A Grain of Wheat" and "Decolonising the Mind," addressing the impact of colonization on African cultures.
• Toni Morrison: An African-American novelist, renowned for her works like "Beloved" and "Song of Solomon," which explore African-American identity and history.