M.A. DEGREE EXAMINATION – ENGLISH LITERATURE
FIRST SEMESTER – April 2009
NM 30
EL 1805 - FEMINIST THEORY AND PRACTICE
Date & Time: 28/04/2009 / 1:00 - 4:00 Dept. No. Max. : 100 Marks
SECTION - A
Answer any FIVE of the following in about 200 words each. (5 x 8 = 40 marks)
1.
Highlight the agenda of first wave feminism.
2. How according to Adrienne Rich must the married woman prepare herself for the coming of the New Woman?
3. Show how the myth of black macho cheats black women of their human rights.
4. What feminist themes does the short story Summer Vacation explore?
5. Comment on Adam and Eve’s contrasting responses to the fall from grace.
6. Define feminist linguistic fantasy and describe its development in the literary history.
7. How is the writer critical of women’s concerns about marriage in All for a Husband ?
Discuss.
8. Attempt a character study of Mrs.Ramsay from a feminist perspective.
SECTION B
Answer the following in about 500 words each. (3 x 20 = 60 marks)
9. (a) Discuss the positive impact cyber technology can have on the feminist cause.
Or
(b)What, according to Adrienne Rich are the challenges women must overcome to achieve
personhood.
10. (a) Discuss the theme of sisterhood in Sister of My Heart.
Discuss the social relevance of the story Witch.
(OR)
(b) Attempt a critical study of the theme of sexuality and marriage in the novel
Small Remedies.
11. (a) “The lack of sentimentality and the focus on the loneliness and emptiness of the two
women’s lives are often cited as reasons for the success of
‘Night Mother.
”
Do you
agree with this statement? Justify your answer.
OR
(b) From your reading of Ego Tripping elaborate those aspects of women’s strength that you
think are realistically portrayed in the poem.
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