Indian English Literature
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Introduction
The IGNOU MEG-07: Indian English Literature course is a pivotal component of the Master of Arts in English (MEG) program by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). This paper acquaints learners with the immense heritage of Indian writing in English, following its historical origins, development, and overall literary work.
Indian English Literature has proven to be a dynamic area of study, with the nation’s colonial history, socio-political strife, cultural diversity, and present-day global orientation. MEG-07 provides students with a detailed exposure to Indian writers, their writings, and critical views that define Indian literature in English.
The article is an ultimate guide to IGNOU MEG-07, including syllabus, study material, assignments, last year papers, exam tips, and career scope.
About IGNOU MEG-07: Indian English Literature
Course Code: MEG-07
Course Title: Indian English Literature
Programme: MA English (MEG)
University Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
Credits: 8
Nature: Theory-based with critical analysis of texts
Objectives of the Course
The MEG-07 paper has the following objectives:
- To familiarize students with the growth of Indian English Literature from the 19th century to the contemporary era.
- To critically analyse the work of major Indian English writers across genres.
- To comprehend how literature represents colonial encounters, struggles for independence, and postcolonial experiences.
- To learn about Indian writers’ contribution to national and cultural identity.
- To foster critical reading, analytic, and interpretative abilities in the study of literature.
Syllabus of IGNOU MEG-07: Indian English Literature
The syllabus deals with prose, poetry, drama, and novels, and background readings and critical essays.
- Poetry Henry Derozio – The Fakir of Jungheera
Toru Dutt – Selected Poems
Nissim Ezekiel – Selected Poems
Kamala Das – Summer in Calcutta (Poems)
A.K. Ramanujan – Selected Poems
Jayanta Mahapatra – Selected Poems - Prose
Raja Rao – Foreword to Kanthapura
Mahatma Gandhi – Hind Swaraj
Jawaharlal Nehru – Extracts from Discovery of India
- Drama Girish Karnad – Hayavadana
Mahesh Dattani – Final Solutions - Novels R.K. Narayan – The Guide
Anita Desai – Clear Light of Day
Salman Rushdie – Midnight’s Children
Arundhati Roy – The God of Small Things - Critical Writings M.K. Naik – *History of Indian English Literature
Postcolonialism, nationalism, and Indian identity: essays on these subjects
Study Materials for IGNOU MEG-07
IGNOU offers in-depth self-learning material (SLM) in hard and soft copy. They are available free of cost at:
IGNOU eGyankosh MEG-07 Materials
They contain:
Detailed summaries of texts
Critical commentary
Background notes on literary movements
Model questions and practice exercises
IGNOU MEG-07 Assignments
Assignments contribute 30% towards the total marks and are mandatory. They comprise:
Short notes on Indian writers and books
Long essay-type questions for novels, plays, and poems
Critical evaluation of literary themes like nationalism, identity, and postcolonial issues
Writing Assignment Tips:
Use IGNOU study material as the foundation.
Write your own words, don’t plagiarize.
Adhere to word limits and correct referencing.
Take assignments prior to the due date at your study center/regional center.
Previous Year Question Papers – MEG-07
Solving previous year question papers is one of the best ways to secure high marks in MEG-07. The trend usually consists of:
Section A: Short notes (10 marks per question)
Section B: Essay-type questions (20 marks per question)
Section C: Critical analysis of themes and texts
Questions most frequently asked:
Discuss Indian English poetry with special reference to Toru Dutt and Ezekiel.
Critically analyze Girish Karnad’s Hayavadana.
Comment on the use of magic realism in Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children.
How does Arundhati Roy describe caste and gender in The God of Small Things?
Importance of Indian English Literature
Indian English Literature is important because:
It is reflective of India’s colonial past and postcolonial experiences.
It addresses issues of identity, hybridity, nationalism, and modernity.”.
It brings together Indian experience and international literary traditions.
It has generated globally well-known writers (Rushdie, Roy, Desai, Narayan, Tagore in translation).
Tips to Prepare for IGNOU MEG-07
- Read the texts carefully – pay attention to plot, characters, and themes.
- Take notes on literary movements (colonial, postcolonial, modernism, realism).
- Utilize critical commentaries or more in-depth analysis.
- Practice writing short notes and essays under time constraints.
- Refer to previous year papers to spot repeated questions.
Career Scope After MEG-07
A sound grounding in Indian English Literature provides scope for:
Teaching and academia
Research and PhD programs
Content writing and publishing
Journalism and media
Literary criticism and cultural studies
With globalization, knowledge of postcolonial and Indian English writing is in great demand.
Suggested Books & References
M.K. Naik – History of Indian English Literature
K.R. Srinivasa Iyengar – Indian Writing in English
Arvind Krishna Mehrotra – An Illustrated History of Indian Literature in English
IGNOU Study Material (eGyankosh)
Journals: Indian Literature (Sahitya Akademi)
Conclusion
The course IGNOU MEG-07: Indian English Literature offers an elaborate study of the growth, diversity, and richness of Indian writing in English. It covers poetry, prose, drama, and fiction and provides students with critical perspectives on the cultural, political, and social aspects of literature.
By learning MEG-07, students not only acquire academic education but critical thinking ability as well that enables them for research, teaching, and professional life.
If you are studying for MEG-07, practice assignments, last year papers, and critical thinking—and you will be adequately prepared to excel in this course.