Answer any two of the following questions in 120 – 150 words each:
(a) Does Amartya Sen see argumentation as a positive or a negative value? Give a reasoned answer.
(b) What is the role of Mother in Prakriti’s self-realisation?
(c) Describe the conflict of emotions felt by Eveline on the day she had decided to elope with Frank.
(a) Yes, Amartya Sen sees argumentation as a positive value. Amartya Sen has been known for his contribution to economics. Argumentation is the process of systematic reasoning in favour of ideas or actions. Amartya Sen believes in the concept of argumentation and reasons it to exist in India for a long time. He states that arguments and questioning have been a part of Sanskrit epics too. He presents an example of argumentation known to all, which is the holy Gita. Not only in ancient writings but even today, argumentation is equally important as every sensible discussion needs one to argue with the other, question their logic and present own views. Healthy argumentation contributes to the enhancement of knowledge.
(b) Prakriti, an untouchable, encounters with the Bhikshu who asks for water. Ananda was a famous disciple of Buddha. He approached Prakriti to ask for water one day when he was thirsty while returning from a visit. Prakriti fell in love with the beautiful monk. She was unable to restrain herself and finally made her mother cast a spell on him although her mother warns her of dire consequences. Moved by her daughter’s insistence, she casts a spell on the Bhikshu. The spell proved stronger than Ananda’s will, and the spell-bound monk came to their house at night. But as he saw the girl spread the couch on him, he was overcome with shame and remorse and prayed inwardly to his master to save him. The mother revokes the spell and willingly pays the price of such revocation, which is death. Ananda went away, as pure as he came. Her ultimate act is out of love for her daughter.
(c) Eveline decides not to go away with Frank after all. Though the author doesn't really specify the reason for this decision, it is clear that the conflict of emotions that she had been through made her decide on this. Eveline had always been inclined towards her family. Since her mother's death, she had assumed the role of a surrogate mother for her siblings. All of her salaries went in taking care of the house and her family, as she hardly gets any support from her father. She was a young woman who had her own dreams and wanted to live her own life. She sees Frank as her means of escape. Either because she wanted to be confined within her small world or because this was the life she had always known, as the time for her departure comes closer she is paralyzed with fear and decides not to leave with Frank. It is very clear throughout the story that she wants to escape from her miserable life, but she does not elope with Frank to Buenos Aires when he tries to take her with him at the end. This story gives no explanation for its ending, and it is left upon the readers to understand that she sacrificed her love for her family.
Couldn't generate an explanation.
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