1. Explain with reference to the context any four of the following passages in about 150 words each:

But who is the fair lady? Not in vain
She weeps, -for lo At every tear she sheds
Tears from three pairs of young eyes fall amain,
And bowed in sorrow are the three young heads.

O Love, alas, that love could not assuage
The burden of thy human heritage,
Or save thee from the swift decrees of Death.

The trip had darkened every face, Our deeds were neither great nor rare. Home is where we have to gather grace.

.....
the portrait of a stranger,
date unknown
often signed in a corner
by my father.

A temple stands frail and still
in the distance, as though lost in reverie.

Outside, the sun has risen quietly,
it aims through an eyelet in the tarpaulin
and shoots at the old man's glasses.

He had spent his youth whoring
after English gods.
There is something to be said for exile.

Critically examine the ending of Mulk Raj Anand's novel Untouchable. What is your suggestion for ending untouchability?

Discuss Raja Rao's art of characterisation in Kanthapura.

Does Vikram Seth's writing lack depth? Discuss, offering your own views.

Discuss Amitav Ghosh as a writer of travelogues.

In what ways does R.K Narayan's story 'Engine Trouble' appeal to you? Discuss.

What are Aita Desai's thematic concerns Clear Light of Day? Discuss.

Discuss the structure of Midnight's Children.

How does Mahesh Dattani treat the issue of gender in Tara? Discuss.