NCERT Class 12 Chapter 17 Question Answer। Why the Novel Matters। English Medium।

Understanding the Text

1. How does the novel reflect the wholeness of a human being?

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2. Why does the author consider the novel superior to philosophy,

science or even poetry?

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3. What does the author mean by ‘tremulations on ether’ and

‘the novel as a tremulation’?

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4. What are the arguments presented in the essay against the

denial of the body by spiritual thinkers?

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Talking about the Text

Discuss in pairs

1. The interest in a novel springs from the reactions of characters

to circumstances. It is more important for characters to be

true to themselves (integrity) than to what is expected of them

(consistency). (A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little

minds—Emerson.)

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2. ‘The novel is the one bright book of life’. ‘Books are not life’.

Discuss the distinction between the two statements. Recall

Ruskin’s definition of ‘What is a Good Book?’ in Woven Words

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Class XI.

Appreciation

1. Certain catch phrases are recurrently used as pegs to hang

the author’s thoughts throughout the essay. List these and

discuss how they serve to achieve the argumentative force of

the essay.

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2. The language of argument is intense and succeeds in

convincing the reader through rhetorical devices. Identify the

devices used by the author to achieve this force.

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