A Literary Odyssey Through India

Description: Embark on a Literary Odyssey Through India, exploring the rich tapestry of Indian English literature. Test your knowledge of iconic works, authors, and themes that have shaped the literary landscape of the subcontinent.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: indian literature indian english literature a literary odyssey through india
Attempted 0/15 Correct 0 Score 0

Which of these novels by Salman Rushdie is set during the Partition of India?

  1. Midnight's Children

  2. Shame

  3. The Satanic Verses

  4. Haroun and the Sea of Stories


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Midnight's Children, published in 1981, is a magical realism novel that tells the story of Saleem Sinai, a child born at the stroke of midnight on the day of India's independence.

Who is the protagonist of Arundhati Roy's novel "The God of Small Things"?

  1. Estha and Rahel

  2. Ammu

  3. Velutha

  4. Pappachi


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The God of Small Things, published in 1997, tells the story of fraternal twins Estha and Rahel, whose lives are irrevocably changed by a forbidden love affair between their mother and a lower-caste man.

Which of these authors is known for his short stories set in rural India?

  1. R. K. Narayan

  2. Raja Rao

  3. Mulk Raj Anand

  4. Kamala Markandaya


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

R. K. Narayan, often referred to as the 'Grand Old Man of Indian English Literature', is renowned for his short stories and novels set in the fictional town of Malgudi, capturing the essence of Indian village life.

Which of these novels by Anita Desai explores the theme of identity and cultural displacement?

  1. Cry, the Peacock

  2. Clear Light of Day

  3. In Custody

  4. Baumgartner's Bombay


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Clear Light of Day, published in 1980, tells the story of Bim, a young woman who leaves India for America in search of a new life, but struggles to find her place in a foreign culture.

Who is the author of the novel "The White Tiger", which won the 2008 Man Booker Prize?

  1. Aravind Adiga

  2. Vikram Seth

  3. Jhumpa Lahiri

  4. Amitav Ghosh


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The White Tiger, published in 2008, is a satirical novel that tells the story of Balram Halwai, a poor Indian villager who rises from poverty to become a successful entrepreneur.

Which of these novels by Vikram Seth is a verse novel set during the Indian Rebellion of 1857?

  1. The Golden Gate

  2. A Suitable Boy

  3. An Equal Music

  4. Two Lives


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Two Lives, published in 1990, is a verse novel that tells the story of two Indian families during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, exploring themes of love, loss, and the clash between tradition and modernity.

Who is the protagonist of Jhumpa Lahiri's novel "The Namesake"?

  1. Gogol Ganguli

  2. Ashoke Ganguli

  3. Ashima Ganguli

  4. Sonia Ganguli


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Namesake, published in 2003, tells the story of Gogol Ganguli, a young Indian-American man who struggles with his cultural identity and the expectations of his family.

Which of these novels by Amitav Ghosh explores the theme of climate change and environmental degradation?

  1. The Glass Palace

  2. The Hungry Tide

  3. Sea of Poppies

  4. The Shadow Lines


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Hungry Tide, published in 2004, tells the story of a marine biologist and a young Indian woman who come together to study the endangered Gangetic dolphins, while exploring the impact of climate change on the Sundarbans.

Who is the author of the novel "The Inheritance of Loss", which won the 2006 Man Booker Prize?

  1. Kiran Desai

  2. Arundhati Roy

  3. Jhumpa Lahiri

  4. Amitav Ghosh


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Inheritance of Loss, published in 2006, tells the story of Sai, a young Indian woman who travels to the United States to study, and her grandmother, who remains in India and struggles with the changing political and social landscape.

Which of these novels by Rohinton Mistry explores the theme of immigration and cultural assimilation?

  1. Such a Long Journey

  2. A Fine Balance

  3. Family Matters

  4. The Reluctant Fundamentalist


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Such a Long Journey, published in 1991, tells the story of Gustad Noble, a Parsi immigrant who moves to Canada in search of a better life, but faces challenges related to cultural assimilation and the loss of his homeland.

Who is the protagonist of Vikram Chandra's novel "Sacred Games"?

  1. Sartaj Singh

  2. Ganesh Gaitonde

  3. Batya Abelman

  4. Zoya Mirza


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Sacred Games, published in 2006, tells the story of Sartaj Singh, a police officer who is tasked with tracking down Ganesh Gaitonde, a powerful gangster, while exploring the dark underbelly of Mumbai.

Which of these novels by Arundhati Roy explores the theme of environmental activism and indigenous rights?

  1. The God of Small Things

  2. The Ministry of Utmost Happiness

  3. Midnight's Children

  4. The Satanic Verses


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, published in 2017, tells the story of Anjum, a transgender woman who becomes a political activist and fights for the rights of marginalized communities, while exploring themes of love, loss, and resilience.

Who is the author of the novel "The Great Indian Novel", which is a satirical take on Indian history and politics?

  1. Shashi Tharoor

  2. Vikram Seth

  3. Amitav Ghosh

  4. Aravind Adiga


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Great Indian Novel, published in 1989, is a satirical novel that retells Indian history from the perspective of various characters, including gods, politicians, and ordinary citizens, while exploring themes of corruption, bureaucracy, and the struggle for independence.

Which of these novels by Kiran Desai explores the theme of generational conflict and the clash between tradition and modernity?

  1. The Inheritance of Loss

  2. Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard

  3. The Village by the Sea

  4. The Gospel of Yudas


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard, published in 1998, tells the story of Sampath and Sita, a young couple who move from India to the United States, and their struggles to adapt to a new culture while dealing with the expectations of their traditional Indian family.

Who is the protagonist of Amitav Ghosh's novel "The Shadow Lines"?

  1. Tridib Mitra

  2. Mayadebi

  3. Datta

  4. Ila


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Shadow Lines, published in 1988, tells the story of Tridib Mitra, a young Indian man who travels to England to study, and his experiences of racism and cultural displacement, while exploring the impact of the Partition of India on his family.

- Hide questions