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23. The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
Lyric poetry is a genre of private meditation rather than public commitment. The impulse in Marxism toward changing a society deemed unacceptable in its basic design would seem to place demands on lyric poetry that such poetry, with its tendency toward the personal, the small scale, and the idiosyncratic, could never answer. There is within Marxism, however, also a strand of thought that would locate in lyric poetry alternative modes of perception and description that call forth a vision of worlds at odds with a repressive reality or that draw attention to the workings of ideology within the hegemonic culture. The poetic imagination may indeed deflect larger social concerns, but it may also be implicitly critical and utopian.
A. The focus of lyric poetry is largely personal while that of Marxism is bringing change in society. Unless the difference is resolved, poetry will remain largely utopian.
B. Marxism has internal contradictions due to which one strand of Marxism sees no merit in lyric poetry while another appreciates the alternative modes of perception in poetry.
C. The focus of lyric poetry as personal may not seem compatible with Marxism. However, it is possible to envisage lyric poetry as a symbol of resistance against an oppressive culture.
D. Marxism makes unreasonable demands on lyric poetry. However, lyric poetry has its own merits that are largely ignored by Marxism due to its personal nature.
Solution with Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Detailed explanation by Wordpandit:The passage examines the tension and potential compatibility between lyric poetry and Marxism. Lyric poetry is traditionally viewed as personal, introspective, and small in scope, while Marxism is rooted in structural critique and collective transformation. On the surface, the two may appear incompatible. However, the passage introduces a subtle, alternative Marxist perspective, suggesting that lyric poetry, through its unique perception and expressive power, can challenge dominant ideologies and offer an implicit critique of repressive societal norms. This strand of Marxist thought sees in lyric poetry a symbol of resistance and a utopian vision, even if the poetry is not overtly political.
Option-wise Analysis:
- Option A: Incorrect. It reduces lyric poetry to being merely utopian and implies that poetryâs impact is insignificant unless aligned with Marxist goals. It fails to acknowledge the critical and resistant potential of lyric poetry highlighted in the passage.
- Option B: Incorrect. While the passage mentions different views within Marxism, it doesnât suggest contradictions within Marxist theory. It emphasizes different interpretations, not ideological inconsistencies.
- Option C: Correct. This captures the initial incompatibility and then reconciliation between lyric poetry and Marxist ideals. It accurately reflects the passageâs claim that lyric poetry, though personal, can serve as a subtle form of resistance.
- Option D: Incorrect. It portrays Marxism as unreasonable and dismissive, which overlooks the passage's discussion of a Marxist strand that values lyric poetryâs alternative perspectives. This distorts the passageâs balanced view.
Word 1: Meditation
Context:
"Lyric poetry is a genre of private meditation rather than public commitment." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Meditation" refers to the act of deep thought or contemplation, often practiced to gain insight, clarity, or inner peace. While many associate the word with spiritual or religious practices involving silence and focus, it also has a broader intellectual dimension. In the context of lyric poetry, "meditation" refers to a deeply personal and reflective process, suggesting that such poetry is more about internal emotional or philosophical exploration than outward activism or declaration.
Meaning: Deep, reflective thought; the act of thinking carefully or deeply (Noun)
Pronunciation: meh-duh-TAY-shun
Difficulty Level: ââ Easy
Etymology: From Latin "meditatio", from "meditari", meaning "to ponder or reflect."
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Meditation is not just a yogic or spiritual practiceâit also captures a state of intellectual or emotional introspection. In literary contexts, it often implies a writerâs inward journey to discover meaning, truth, or personal expression.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: reflection, contemplation, introspection, pondering, rumination
Antonyms: distraction, thoughtlessness, inattention, impulsiveness
Usage Examples:
- She turned to meditation to calm her mind and manage stress.
- The book is a meditation on loss, grief, and personal growth.
- Daily meditation has improved his focus and mental clarity.
- Lyric poetry often serves as a form of inner meditation on life's fleeting moments.
Cultural Reference:
âMeditation is not evasion; it is a serene encounter with reality.â â ThĂch Nháș„t HáșĄnh, a Zen Buddhist monk and peace activist.
Think About It:
Can meditationâwhether spiritual or intellectualâlead to transformation, or is it merely a tool for self-awareness?
Quick Activity:
Write a four-line poem or note that captures a moment of quiet reflection in your life. Try to make it personal and meditative.
Memory Tip:
âMediâ in meditation is like âmiddleâ or âcenterââthink of centering your thoughts or focusing your mind inward.
Real-World Application:
Meditation is widely used today in mental health therapy, mindfulness programs, and stress management. It's also an essential theme in literature, philosophy, and poetry where deep reflection is central to expression and discovery.
Word 2: Idiosyncratic
Context:
"The impulse in Marxism toward changing a society deemed unacceptable in its basic design would seem to place demands on lyric poetry that such poetry, with its tendency toward the personal, the small scale, and the idiosyncratic, could never answer." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Idiosyncratic" refers to something distinctive, unusual, or peculiar to an individual or style. It often describes behaviors, preferences, or expressions that don't follow general norms but instead reveal a unique character. In this context, lyric poetry is described as idiosyncratic because it emphasizes the personal and individual voiceâtraits that contrast with broad social movements like Marxism, which focus on collective transformation rather than personal reflection.
Meaning: Peculiar or individual in nature; uniquely characteristic of a person or thing (Adjective)
Pronunciation: id-ee-oh-sin-KRAT-ik
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Greek "idiosynkrasia" meaning "a peculiar temperament," from "idios" (own, private) + "synkrasis" (mixture).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Use "idiosyncratic" to describe anything that is deeply personal or oddly specificâlike a writerâs tone, an artistâs brushstroke, or a speakerâs quirky habit. It's often used positively to celebrate uniqueness, but can also imply eccentricity.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: quirky, distinctive, eccentric, peculiar, individualistic
Antonyms: conventional, standard, typical, common, ordinary
Usage Examples:
- Her idiosyncratic writing style sets her apart from other novelists.
- The director is known for his idiosyncratic approach to storytelling and visuals.
- He has an idiosyncratic habit of tapping his pen before every sentence he writes.
- The buildingâs architecture is idiosyncratic, combining medieval and futuristic elements.
Cultural Reference:
Many celebrated artistsâfrom Frida Kahlo to Salvador DalĂâare remembered not just for their talent but also for their idiosyncratic worldviews that shaped their art.
Think About It:
In a world that often values conformity, how important is it to preserve and celebrate idiosyncratic expression?
Quick Activity:
Write down three idiosyncrasiesâhabits or traitsâthat make someone you know unique. Then reflect on how these traits affect your perception of them.
Memory Tip:
âIdioâ means personal or oneâs own (like "idiom"); think of "idiosyncratic" as âyour own special flavor.â
Real-World Application:
"Idiosyncratic" is widely used in literature, psychology, and the arts to highlight individuality. For example, a musician with a distinct sound or a professor with unusual teaching methods might be described as idiosyncratic.
Word 3: Hegemonic
Context:
"However, also a strand of thought that would locate in lyric poetry alternative modes of perception and description that call forth a vision of worlds at odds with a repressive reality or that draw attention to the workings of ideology within the hegemonic culture." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Hegemonic" refers to dominance or control, particularly of one group, ideology, or culture over others. The term is frequently used in political and sociocultural discussions to describe a ruling power that influences or shapes values, beliefs, and behaviorâoften subtly. In the provided context, lyric poetry is imagined as a counter to hegemonic culture, which implies the prevailing norms or ideologies that suppress alternative ways of thinking. The word highlights systems of power that often go unquestioned in everyday life.
Meaning: Ruling or dominant in a political or social context (Adjective)
Pronunciation: heg-uh-MON-ik or hee-juh-MON-ik
Difficulty Level: ââââ Advanced
Etymology: From Greek "hÄgemonia" meaning "leadership, rule", from "hÄgemĆn" (leader).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This is a powerful academic term often found in critical theory and cultural studies. Use "hegemonic" when you want to point out systems of control that shape thought and behaviorâlike media, education, or popular culture norms.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: dominant, controlling, ruling, overpowering, prevailing
Antonyms: subordinate, oppressed, marginalized, minority, suppressed
Usage Examples:
- The hegemonic media narrative often ignores marginalized voices.
- Western cultural norms have maintained a hegemonic influence over global fashion and entertainment.
- Academics critiqued the education system as a tool of hegemonic control.
- The novel challenges hegemonic ideologies by highlighting indigenous perspectives.
Cultural Reference:
The Italian thinker Antonio Gramsci is well-known for his theory of cultural hegemony, which explains how power is maintained not just through force, but through cultural consent.
Think About It:
What elements of our daily livesâmedia, education, or even languageâmight be shaped by hegemonic forces we rarely question?
Quick Activity:
List two examples of hegemonic culture you encounter in media or society. Then, try to identify an alternative or counter-cultural voice that resists each one.
Memory Tip:
Think of âhegemonicâ as âhe governs itâ â a memory cue to associate the word with dominance and control.
Real-World Application:
"Hegemonic" is commonly used in discussions around politics, feminism, race, post-colonialism, and global economicsâwhere dominant groups shape perceptions, values, and behaviors across societies.
Word 4: Perception
Context:
"Marxism has internal contradictions due to which one strand of Marxism sees no merit in lyric poetry while another appreciates the alternative modes of perception in poetry." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Perception" refers to the way we understand, interpret, or become aware of something through the senses or the mind. It can mean literal sensory awareness (like seeing or hearing) or abstract mental interpretation. In the context of Marxism and poetry, "perception" highlights how lyric poetry offers unique, often emotional or imaginative ways of seeing the worldâcontrasting with analytical or ideological perspectives. Poetry, then, becomes a space for alternative perceptions that challenge mainstream narratives.
Meaning: The ability to see, hear, or become aware of something; a way of interpreting or understanding something (Noun)
Pronunciation: per-SEP-shun
Difficulty Level: ââ Easy
Etymology: From Latin "perceptio", from "percipere" meaning "to seize or understand."
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Perception is more than just eyesightâit's insight. How we "see" things emotionally, socially, or culturally affects our choices and beliefs. Literature often reshapes perception by offering new lenses to view reality.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: understanding, awareness, insight, viewpoint, interpretation
Antonyms: ignorance, misunderstanding, blindness, confusion
Usage Examples:
- Her perception of the situation was influenced by her past experiences.
- Artists often aim to shift public perception through their work.
- The experiment tested human perception of sound in noisy environments.
- Different cultures have different perceptions of time and space.
Cultural Reference:
âWe donât see things as they are, we see them as we are.â â AnaĂŻs Nin. This quote beautifully illustrates the subjective nature of perception.
Think About It:
How much of what we call ârealityâ is actually shaped by our individual or cultural perceptions?
Quick Activity:
Describe a situation from two different perceptionsâfirst from your own, then from someone who disagrees with you. Reflect on how your view shifted while doing so.
Memory Tip:
âPerâ = through, âceptionâ = take or grasp. Perception is what your mind takes in âthroughâ your senses or ideas.
Real-World Application:
Perception plays a key role in marketing, psychology, politics, and education. Understanding how people perceive messages or events helps shape communication, policy, and even product design.
Word 5: Utopian
Context:
"This strand of Marxist thought sees in lyric poetry a symbol of resistance and a utopian vision, even if the poetry is not overtly political." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Utopian" refers to an idealized vision of a perfect worldâone free from suffering, injustice, or conflict. The term is often used to describe political or philosophical ideas that imagine radically better societies. In this context, lyric poetry is viewed as offering a "utopian vision," meaning it presents alternative possibilities or hopeful imaginings of life that challenge present limitations, even without directly addressing political systems. Utopian thinking fuels both inspiration and critiqueâit asks: What could the world be like if things were different?
Meaning: Idealistic or aiming for a perfect society or world (Adjective)
Pronunciation: yoo-TOH-pee-uhn
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Thomas Moreâs 1516 book *Utopia*, which described an imaginary island with perfect laws and society. From Greek "ou" (not) + "topos" (place) â literally âno place.â
Prashant Sir's Notes:
"Utopian" often gets dismissed as unrealistic, but it is a powerful term. It drives visionaries, reformers, and artists who imagine a better world. Even if unreachable, utopian ideals challenge the status quo and spark meaningful change.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: idealistic, visionary, perfect, dreamlike, optimistic
Antonyms: realistic, pragmatic, dystopian, pessimistic
Usage Examples:
- The novel paints a utopian society where technology and nature coexist in harmony.
- Her ideas for reform, while utopian, inspired a movement for real change.
- The community was founded on utopian principles of equality and shared resources.
- Many revolutionary thinkers are driven by utopian visions of justice and freedom.
Cultural Reference:
Thomas Moreâs *Utopia* (1516) coined the term and described a fictional island society governed by reason and fairnessâsparking centuries of philosophical debate about ideal societies.
Think About It:
Is striving for a utopian world naĂŻve, or is it necessary to drive progress and justice in society?
Quick Activity:
Sketch or write a few lines about your personal utopia. What would it look like? What would be different from our current world?
Memory Tip:
âUtopianâ contains âtopâ â think of it as aiming for the âtopâ version of society, even if it's imagined.
Real-World Application:
Utopian thinking influences social movements, sci-fi literature, architecture, and political theory. Whether in urban planning or civil rights advocacy, utopian ideals help envision futures worth striving for.
