Comprehension
In Manu Joseph’s debut novel Serious Men, the protagonist, Ayyan Mani, is a sly scheming Dalit-Buddhist who almost gets away with passing off his partially deaf son, Adi, as a prodigy, a genius who can recite the first 1,000 prime numbers. The garb of satire where almost every character cuts a sorry figure gives the author the licence to offer one of the most bleak and pessimistic portrayals of urban Dalits. Despite his savage portrayal of Dalit (and female) character — or perhaps because of it? — Serious Men has won critical appreciation from a cross section of readers and critics.
At a time when a formidable body of Dalit literature — writing by Dalits about Dalit lives — has created a distinct space for itself, how and why is it that a novel such as Serious Men, with its gleefully skewed portrayal of an angry Dalit man, manages to win such accolades? In American literature and particularly in the case of African–American authors and characters these issues of representation have been debated for decades. But in India, the sustained refusal to address issues related to caste in everyday life and the continued and unquestioned predominance of a Brahminical stranglehold over cultural production have led us to a place where non-Dalit portrayal of Dalits in literature, cinema and art remains the norm.
The journey of modern Dalit literature has been a difficult one. But even though it has not necessarily enjoyed the support of numbers, we must engage with what Dalits are writing not simply for reasons of authenticity, or as a concession to identity politics, but simply because of the aesthetic value of this body of writing, and for the insights it offers into the human condition. In a society that is still largely unwilling to recognize Dalits as equal, rights-bearing human beings, in a society that is inherently indifferent to the everyday violence against Dalits, in a society unwilling to share social and cultural resources equitably with Dalits unless mandated by law (as seen in the anti-reservation discourse), Dalit literature has the potential to humanize non-Dalits and sensitize them to a world into which they have no insight. But before we can understand what Dalit literature in seeking to accomplish, we need first to come to terms with the stranglehold of non-Dalit representations of Dalits. Rohinton Mistry’s A Fine Balance published 15 years ago, chronicles the travails of two Dalit characters — uncle Ishvar and nephew Omprakash — who migrate to Bombay and yet cannot escape brutality. While the present of the novel is set at the time of the Emergency, Ishvar’s father Dukhi belongs to the era of the anti-colonial nationalist movement. During one of Dukhi’s visits to the town, he chances upon a meeting of the Indian National Congress, where speakers spread the “Mahatma’s message regarding the freedom struggle, the struggle for justice,” and wiping out “the disease of untouchability: ravaging us for centuries, denying dignity to our fellow human beings.”
Neither in the 1940s, where the novel’s past is set, nor in the Emergency period of the 1970s when the minds and bodies Ishvar and Omprakash, are savaged by the state do we find any mention of a figure like BR Ambedkar or of Dalit movements. In his nationalist understanding of modern Indian history, Mistry seems to have not veered too far from the road charted by predecessors like Mulk Raj Anand and Premchand. Sixty years after Premchand, Mistry’s literary imagination seems stuck in the empathy realism mode, trapping Dalits in abjection. Mistry happily continues the broad stereotype of the Dalit as a passive sufferer, without consciousness of caste politics.
Question: 1
Which of the following is the closest description of the central argument of this passage?
Which of the following is the closest description of the central argument of this passage?
Show Hint
For central argument questions, look for the author’s most emphasized and repeated criticism.
Updated On: Aug 11, 2025
- Manu Joseph’s novel presents a scathing portrayal of Dalits.
- Contemporary American literature is very cautious on politically correct representation of minorities.
- The last two decades have witnessed the rise of a very vibrant Dalit literature.
- Portrayal of Dalits by non-Dalits merely as passive victims has been the dominant norm in Indian literature, cinema and art.
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Identify the recurring theme in the passage
The author repeatedly emphasizes how non-Dalits have represented Dalits — as victims, without agency, and lacking caste-consciousness.
Step 2: Evaluate all options
(a) Too narrow – While Manu Joseph’s portrayal is discussed, it is not the central argument.
(b) Only briefly mentioned as a contrast — not the main point.
(c) Mentioned, but not the passage’s focus.
(d) Correct – This is the thread running throughout the passage. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{(d)} \]
The author repeatedly emphasizes how non-Dalits have represented Dalits — as victims, without agency, and lacking caste-consciousness.
Step 2: Evaluate all options
(a) Too narrow – While Manu Joseph’s portrayal is discussed, it is not the central argument.
(b) Only briefly mentioned as a contrast — not the main point.
(c) Mentioned, but not the passage’s focus.
(d) Correct – This is the thread running throughout the passage. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{(d)} \]
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Question: 2
According to this passage, Premchand and Mulk Raj Anand:
According to this passage, Premchand and Mulk Raj Anand:
Show Hint
Always match the tone and portrayal described in the passage with the answer choice — don’t assume beyond the text.
Updated On: Aug 11, 2025
- Presented a stereotyped version of Dalit characters in their writings.
- Excelled in writing satires on social inequality.
- Were politically opposed to the views of B.R. Ambedkar.
- Were closely involved with the leadership of the nationalist movement.
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Find references to Premchand and Anand
In the last paragraph, Mistry is said to have followed the path of Premchand and Anand — portraying Dalits as passive sufferers lacking political awareness.
Step 2: Evaluate the options
(a) Correct – Their portrayals were stereotypical.
(b) Incorrect – Satire is not mentioned in reference to them.
(c) Not discussed.
(d) Nationalist movement is mentioned, but not as their leadership role. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{(a)} \]
In the last paragraph, Mistry is said to have followed the path of Premchand and Anand — portraying Dalits as passive sufferers lacking political awareness.
Step 2: Evaluate the options
(a) Correct – Their portrayals were stereotypical.
(b) Incorrect – Satire is not mentioned in reference to them.
(c) Not discussed.
(d) Nationalist movement is mentioned, but not as their leadership role. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{(a)} \]
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Question: 3
The writer refers to the ‘anti-reservation discourse’ in order to argue that:
The writer refers to the ‘anti-reservation discourse’ in order to argue that:
Show Hint
Use exact phrases from the passage when selecting inference-based answers.
Updated On: Aug 11, 2025
- Dalit literature has had a very difficult journey since its origins.
- Manu Joseph is viscerally opposed to Dalits.
- Persons belonging to the upper castes are inherently indifferent to routine violence against Dalits.
- Indian society is not yet ready to equitably share, on its own, social, cultural and political space with Dalits.
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Focus on the context of 'anti-reservation discourse'
The passage says: "society is unwilling to share social and cultural resources... unless mandated by law (as seen in the anti-reservation discourse)."
Step 2: Evaluate each option
(a) Only partly related.
(b) Irrelevant to anti-reservation discourse.
(c) Partially true but not the key conclusion.
(d) Correct – matches the passage’s statement directly. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{(d)} \]
The passage says: "society is unwilling to share social and cultural resources... unless mandated by law (as seen in the anti-reservation discourse)."
Step 2: Evaluate each option
(a) Only partly related.
(b) Irrelevant to anti-reservation discourse.
(c) Partially true but not the key conclusion.
(d) Correct – matches the passage’s statement directly. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{(d)} \]
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Question: 4
Which of the following statements is least likely to be inferred from this passage?
Which of the following statements is least likely to be inferred from this passage?
Show Hint
"Least likely to be inferred" means the one that contradicts or misrepresents the author’s clear position.
Updated On: Aug 11, 2025
- The author of Serious Men has used the literary device of satire to present an unflattering picture of women characters.
- Issues of representation of minorities have been debated extensively in American literature.
- The writer of this passage believes that engagement with Dalits is necessary only because such engagement affirms the importance of identity politics.
- The writer believes that Rohinton Mistry presented a stereotypical representation of Dalits character in his book.
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Identify what is emphasized in the passage
The author explicitly says: "we must engage with what Dalits are writing not simply for reasons of authenticity, or identity politics... but because of the aesthetic value..."
Step 2: Evaluate all options
(a) Supported – the novel is satirical and unflattering.
(b) Directly mentioned as contrast with Indian literature.
(c) Incorrect – the passage says engagement must go beyond identity politics.
(d) Supported – Mistry continues the stereotypical portrayal. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{(c)} \]
The author explicitly says: "we must engage with what Dalits are writing not simply for reasons of authenticity, or identity politics... but because of the aesthetic value..."
Step 2: Evaluate all options
(a) Supported – the novel is satirical and unflattering.
(b) Directly mentioned as contrast with Indian literature.
(c) Incorrect – the passage says engagement must go beyond identity politics.
(d) Supported – Mistry continues the stereotypical portrayal. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{(c)} \]
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Question: 5
According to the information available in the passage, the writer attributes the prevalence of representation of Dalits by non-Dalits in literature, art and media to:
According to the information available in the passage, the writer attributes the prevalence of representation of Dalits by non-Dalits in literature, art and media to:
Show Hint
Match direct phrases like “stranglehold over cultural production” with answer choices for high accuracy.
Updated On: Aug 11, 2025
- The nationalist understanding of Indian history.
- Marginalization of B.R. Ambedkar from nationalist movement.
- The anti-reservation discourse.
- Brahminical control over cultural production.
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Locate key phrase in the passage
The author states: “...continued and unquestioned predominance of a Brahminical stranglehold over cultural production...”
This is used to explain why non-Dalits dominate representation of Dalits. Step 2: Evaluate options
(a) Mentioned in context of Mistry’s nationalism, not main cause.
(b) Not the central reason for dominance of non-Dalits.
(c) Related but not causal.
(d) Correct – explicitly cited as the main cause. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{(d)} \]
The author states: “...continued and unquestioned predominance of a Brahminical stranglehold over cultural production...”
This is used to explain why non-Dalits dominate representation of Dalits. Step 2: Evaluate options
(a) Mentioned in context of Mistry’s nationalism, not main cause.
(b) Not the central reason for dominance of non-Dalits.
(c) Related but not causal.
(d) Correct – explicitly cited as the main cause. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{(d)} \]
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Question: 6
Which of the following is not among the reason suggested by the writer for engaging with Dalit writing?
Which of the following is not among the reason suggested by the writer for engaging with Dalit writing?
Show Hint
“Not among the reason” means you must eliminate only what was never promoted by the author — not just what’s factually true.
Updated On: Aug 11, 2025
- Dalit literature has the potential to sensitize non-Dalits about the experiences of the former.
- Dalit writing is more authentic than representation of Dalits by non-Dalits.
- Dalit literature does not have the support of numbers.
- The aesthetic value of Dalit writing.
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Refer to the paragraph about engagement with Dalit writing
The author lists reasons such as: authenticity, human insight, aesthetic value, and power to humanize non-Dalits.
The line “not simply for reasons of authenticity... but also for the aesthetic value...” confirms this. Step 2: Evaluate options
(a) Correct – explicitly mentioned.
(b) Correct – passage favors Dalit self-representation.
(c) Incorrect – this is a factual statement about popularity, not a suggested reason for engagement.
(d) Correct – aesthetic value is explicitly listed. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{(c)} \]
The author lists reasons such as: authenticity, human insight, aesthetic value, and power to humanize non-Dalits.
The line “not simply for reasons of authenticity... but also for the aesthetic value...” confirms this. Step 2: Evaluate options
(a) Correct – explicitly mentioned.
(b) Correct – passage favors Dalit self-representation.
(c) Incorrect – this is a factual statement about popularity, not a suggested reason for engagement.
(d) Correct – aesthetic value is explicitly listed. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{(c)} \]
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Question: 7
Which of the following statement cannot be inferred from the passage?
Which of the following statement cannot be inferred from the passage?
Show Hint
Only infer what is supported by evidence in the passage — do not assume based on external logic.
Updated On: Aug 11, 2025
- Upper-castes have dominated the instruments of cultural production in Indian society.
- Indian society is unwilling to recognize Dalits as equal, rights bearing human beings.
- Dalit writers have carved out a space for writings on Dalit experience and world view.
- The judiciary in India, in its opposition to reservation, has betrayed its unwillingness to acknowledge Dalits are equal beater of rights.
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understand inference from facts
The passage criticizes Indian society broadly — not the judiciary specifically. There is no reference to courts or judicial action.
Step 2: Evaluate each statement
(a) Inferred – from the phrase "Brahminical stranglehold over cultural production."
(b) Inferred – the author explicitly says society is unwilling to see Dalits as equal beings.
(c) Inferred – the author mentions “a formidable body of Dalit literature.”
(d) Not inferred – judiciary is never mentioned in the passage. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{(d)} \]
The passage criticizes Indian society broadly — not the judiciary specifically. There is no reference to courts or judicial action.
Step 2: Evaluate each statement
(a) Inferred – from the phrase "Brahminical stranglehold over cultural production."
(b) Inferred – the author explicitly says society is unwilling to see Dalits as equal beings.
(c) Inferred – the author mentions “a formidable body of Dalit literature.”
(d) Not inferred – judiciary is never mentioned in the passage. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{(d)} \]
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Question: 8
The writer of this passage is critical of Rohinton Mistry’s A Fine Balance} for the reason that:
The writer of this passage is critical of Rohinton Mistry’s A Fine Balance} for the reason that:
Show Hint
Focus on what the author is critiquing — is it the theme, portrayal, or author’s technique? Avoid vague options.
Updated On: Aug 11, 2025
- It is an example of a book on Dalit characters by a Non-Dalits.
- The book suggests that Dalits are nothing more than passive sufferers without any agency.
- The book ignores the everyday violence that Dalits have to confront with.
- It bares the passive literary style of the author, Rohinton Mistry.
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Extract criticism from the passage
The author says Mistry’s Dalit characters “remain passive sufferers” and “lack consciousness of caste politics.”
Step 2: Evaluate the options
(a) True, but too general – being written by non-Dalit isn’t the core issue.
(b) Correct – this is the central critique.
(c) Not mentioned – violence is shown in the book.
(d) No comment is made about Mistry’s literary style. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{(b)} \]
The author says Mistry’s Dalit characters “remain passive sufferers” and “lack consciousness of caste politics.”
Step 2: Evaluate the options
(a) True, but too general – being written by non-Dalit isn’t the core issue.
(b) Correct – this is the central critique.
(c) Not mentioned – violence is shown in the book.
(d) No comment is made about Mistry’s literary style. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{(b)} \]
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Question: 9
Which of the following words would be the best substitute for the word ‘sly’ in this passage?
Which of the following words would be the best substitute for the word ‘sly’ in this passage?
Show Hint
Always check tone and connotation when choosing synonyms — “sly” often implies trickery, not intelligence.
Updated On: Aug 11, 2025
- Bright
- Wise
- Devious
- Dim
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Check context from the passage
The passage describes Ayyan Mani as “sly” and scheming — he fools people into believing his son is a genius.
Step 2: Understand tone
“Devious” best matches “sly and scheming.” It implies cleverness with trickery.
Bright and wise are too positive. Dim is the opposite of clever. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{(c)} \]
The passage describes Ayyan Mani as “sly” and scheming — he fools people into believing his son is a genius.
Step 2: Understand tone
“Devious” best matches “sly and scheming.” It implies cleverness with trickery.
Bright and wise are too positive. Dim is the opposite of clever. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{(c)} \]
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Question: 10
“It is not as if Dalit movements ________ not active during the periods that form A Fine Balance}’s backup.”
Select the most appropriate choice to fill in the blank in the above sentence:
“It is not as if Dalit movements ________ not active during the periods that form A Fine Balance}’s backup.”
Select the most appropriate choice to fill in the blank in the above sentence:
Show Hint
Always match the number (singular/plural) and tense (past/present) of the subject when choosing verbs.
Updated On: Aug 11, 2025
- is
- was
- were
- are
Hide Solution
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Check subject-verb agreement
Subject: “Dalit movements” is plural. So singular verbs (is/was) are wrong.
Step 2: Check tense
The sentence refers to periods in the past (1940s and 1970s). So “are” is incorrect.
“Were” is both plural and in past tense – correct match. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{(c)} \]
Subject: “Dalit movements” is plural. So singular verbs (is/was) are wrong.
Step 2: Check tense
The sentence refers to periods in the past (1940s and 1970s). So “are” is incorrect.
“Were” is both plural and in past tense – correct match. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{(c)} \]
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