Novels, Society and History........Part II

Q 18. By whom was ‘Godan’ written ? What does the novel narrate?
‘Godan’ Published in 1936 is considered to be the best known work of Munshi Premchand

• It is an Outstanding novel depicting the life of the Indian Peasantry. 
• The novel tells the moving story of Hori and his wife Dhania, a Peasant couple. 
• Landlords, money lenders priests and colonial bureaucrats—all those who hold power in society-form a network of oppression, rob their land and turn them into landless laborers.
• Yet Hori and Dhania retain their dignity till the end.

Q 19. What are the advantages of a serialized novel?

• Serialized novels are those which are published in journals or magazines in installments over a long period.
• Serialized novels allow the reader to relish the suspense of a story over a long period of time. 
• These hold interest of the readers who eagerly look forward
• know about the future development in the next issue. 
• It keeps the discussion alive among readers.

Q 20. Briefly state the contribution of Devaki Nandan Khatri.

• Devaki Nandan wrote ‘Chandrakanta’_a best seller novel—a romantic novel with dazzling element of fantasy.
• Through his writing, he created a novel reading public.
• He popularized Hindi language and Nagari Script among the educated classes of these times.
• His novels also give insight into the fears and desires of reading public. 

Q 21. Name the first modern novel of Hindi. Who wrote this novel? State four characteristics of this novel.

• The first modern Hindi novel was titled ‘Pariksha Guru’. 
• It was written by Srinivas Das and published in 1882.

The characteristics of this novel are as follows

• The novel cautioned young men of well-to-do families against the dangerous influences of bad company and consequent loose morals.
• ‘Pariksha Guru’ reflects the inner and outer world of the newly emerging middle class. 
• The characters in the novel are caught in the difficulty of adapting to colonised society and at the same time preserving their own cultural identity.
• The novel tries to teach the reader the right way to live and expects all sensible men to be worldly wise and practical, to remain rooted in the values of their tradition and culture and to live with dignity and honour.

Q 22.Examine the contribution of Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay in the field of literary activities.

• Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay was one of the earliest and greatest novelist of Bengal
• His first novel ‘Durgesh Nandini' proved that writing novel had reached an excellence under Bankim.
• Another of his great works Anandmath had a great impact on the mind of the Bengalis as well as on Indians as it inspired the people with nationalism.
• Besides writing other social novels Bankim encouraged various literary activities.
• He would host a ‘Jatra’ or open air theater in his courtyard where family members would be gathered. 
• In his room a group of literary friends regularly gathered to read. discuss and judge literary works.
• The prose style introduced by Bankim became a new object of enjoyment. 
• Language used in his novels was relished by the readers. Bankim’s prose was Sanskritised but also continued a more vernacular style.

Q 23. Who was Vaikkom Muhammad Basheer? Explain his achievements.

• Vaikkom Muhammad Basheer was one of the early Muslim writers to gain wide renown as a novelist in Malayalam.
• Basheer had little formal education and most of his works were based on his own rich personal experience rather than on books from the past. 
• When he was in class five at school Basheer left home to take part in the Salt Satyagraha and  he spent years wandering in different parts of India and travelling even to Arabia, working in a ship, living with Sufis and Hindu sanyasis, and training as a wrestler.
• Basheer’s short novels and stories were written in the ordinary language of conversation with wonderful humour.
• Basheer’s novels spoke about details from the everyday life of Muslim households.
• He also brought into Malayalam writing themes which were
• considered very unusual at that time – poverty, insanity and life in prisons.