Question

Wessex is Thomas Hardy as ----------- is to R.K Narayan

• A. Calcutta
• B. Madras
• C. Lal Bagh
• D. Malgudi

Answer 1

Answer:

D. Malgudi

R.K. Narayan and Malgudi: A Literary Connection

• R.K. Narayan, a prominent Indian author writing in English, is most famously associated with the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi.
• Malgudi serves as the primary setting for the majority of his novels and short stories, creating a rich and enduring literary landscape.
• Think of Malgudi as a microcosm of Indian life, capturing the essence of tradition, modernity, and the everyday struggles and joys of its inhabitants.
• Key works set in Malgudi include:
  • Swami and Friends (1935)
  • The Bachelor of Arts (1937)
  • The Dark Room (1938)
  • Malgudi Days (a collection of short stories, 1943)
  • Mr. Sampath (1949)
  • The Financial Expert (1952)
  • The Guide (1958)
  • The Man-Eater of Malgudi (1961)
  • The Vendor of Sweets (1967)
  • Talkative Man (1986)
• The comparison with Thomas Hardy and Wessex highlights a similar author-place relationship, where the geographical setting deeply influences and defines the narrative.
• Hardy's novels are often set in the fictional southwestern English county of Wessex, which he used as a backdrop to explore themes of rural life, fate, and social change.
• This analogy emphasizes the strong authorial imprint on a specific literary setting.
• For competitive exams, understanding these author-setting pairings is crucial for identifying literary works and their thematic contexts.