Writings from the Margins Solved Assignment
The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has been a trailblazer in distance education with affordable and flexible schooling for millions of students in India and other countries. Among the many academic offerings of IGNOU, the Master of Arts in English (MEG) has a special appeal for literature lovers. Of the significant courses offered in this degree, MEG-13: Writings from the Margins stands out as it analyses writings done by and about groups at the margins.
Assignments are an important part of the evaluation process in IGNOU, enabling students to dive deep into the syllabus and enhance their analytical and writing abilities. In this article, we present to you the IGNOU MEG-13 Solved Assignment for July 2025 – January 2026, along with comprehensive notes, overviews, and suggestions to tackle the paper in a productive manner.
Introduction to MEG-13: Writings from the Margins
“Writings from the Margins” is concerned with those voices that tend to go unrepresented in mainstream literature. It explores how caste, class, race, gender, and other socio-political factors lead to marginalization, and how literature acts as a vehicle of resistance and self-expression.
The course invites students to read various authors and works reflecting hardship, identity, and resilience. From Dalit literature in India to African-American voices, tribal literature, and feminist literature, MEG-13 offers an interdisciplinary grasp of marginalized voices.
Role of MEG-13 in MA English Syllabus
- Critical Consciousness – Assists students in critiquing socio-political hierarchies and challenging prevailing discourses.
- Literary Representation – Focuses on writers and groups not included in the canon.
- Interdisciplinary Relevance – Bridges literature with history, sociology, politics, and cultural studies.
- Skill Development – Develops analytical, interpretative, and critical thinking abilities necessary for research and writing.
IGNOU MEG-13 Solved Assignment (July 2025 – January 2026): Structure
The MEG-13 assignment generally has three sections (A, B, and C) with questions of different word limits.
- Section A: Long answer questions (500+ words each) – analytical essays of deeper insight.
- Section B: Medium-length answers (250–300 words) – focused responses.
- Section C: Short answers (100–150 words) – conceptual clarity and definitions.
Each assignment carries 100 marks, and submission is compulsory to be eligible for the Term-End Examination (TEE).
Guidelines for Writing IGNOU Assignments
Before jumping into the solved assignment, students must remember these key instructions:
- Write answers in your own words, even if referring to study material.
- Strictly adhere to the word limits as directed.
- Write on A4 ruled pages, in good handwriting, and leave space.
- Clearly state your Name, Enrolment Number, Course Code, and Study Centre Code.
- Submit within the due date to not be disqualified for TEE.
IGNOU MEG-13 Solved Assignment (July 2025 – January 2026)
Here is the solved assignment with complete answers. Answers have been written in an academic but simple way so that you could understand concepts with ease.
Section A
Q1. Explain the importance of Dalit literature in terms of Indian English and local literature. How does it disrupt traditional literary practices?
Answer:
Dalit writing captures the real life of marginalized sections of Indian society, which had long suffered from oppression based on caste and social exclusion. Arising forcefully in regional languages such as Marathi, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, it subsequently found a place in translations in English. In contrast to mainstream Indian English literature, which tended to emphasize urban middle-class experiences, Dalit writings focused on atrocities against caste, poverty, and struggle for identity.
Literary giants such as Bama, Omprakash Valmiki, and Namdeo Dhasal employed literature not merely as a form of art but as a means of protest and assertion. Their writings upset the elitist and sanitized canons of Indian literature by giving voice to the excluded in the dominant discourse. In this way, Dalit literature redefines aesthetics, moving from beauty to authenticity, from universality to particularity, and from neutrality to political commitment.
Complete essay here, 1200+ words with textual references and analysis .
Q2. Discuss the notion of “marginality” in African-American literature using examples from texts under study.
Answer:
The African-American literary heritage is steeped in the historic experience of slavery, segregation, and institutionalized racism in America. Marginality, in this sense, is not merely exclusion but also an act of forming counter-narratives of survival and identity.
Scholars like Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, and James Baldwin point to the intersection of race and marginality with gender and class. Morrison’s Beloved captures the ghostly horror of slavery, and Baldwin’s essays underscore the psychological and cultural displacement of Black people in white societies. These authors refuse invisibility through their affirmation of cultural pride, linguistic creativity, and political awareness.
African-American writings then transform marginality into a site of creativity, reconstituting American literature as such.
Full essay follows with 1000+ words of critical analysis, citations, and examples .
Section B
Q3. Write a note on Tribal literature in India.
Answer:
Tribal literature is a new corpus of writing that describes the cosmologies, myths, folklore, and socio-political conflicts of India’s native groups. It has traditionally been oral in form but is being more widely written down and translated into regional and English writing. Authors such as Mahasweta Devi have vividly portrayed tribal resistance to exploitation. Tribal literature focuses on ecological balance, communal living, and culture conservation, and at the same time on exploitation within modern frameworks.
Q4. Discuss the feminist aspects in writings from the margins.
Answer:
Marginalized women writers bring foreground concerns about double oppression—both gendered and social. Writings by authors like Bama (Kahuku) and African-American feminists like Alice Walker reveal how women navigate caste, race, and patriarchy simultaneously. Feminist marginal writings question not only male dominance but also silencing within marginalized communities themselves.
Section C
Q5. Define the term “Subaltern” in literary studies.
Answer:
The word “Subaltern,” used by Ranajit Guha and the Subaltern Studies group, describes groups that have been marginalized by colonial and powerful elites. Gayatri Spivak’s essay “Can the Subaltern Speak?” extends the critique of the failure of dominant discourse to represent the voices of the marginalized.
Q6. Write a brief note on resistance literature.
Answer:
Resistance literature is the name given to works that directly or indirectly resist oppression, injustice, and inequality. Through Dalit autobiographies, tribal tales, or African-American slave narratives, resistance literature converts individual misery into collective power and mobilization.
How to Score High in MEG-13 Assignment
- Read IGNOU study material carefully before putting down answers.
- Substantiate answers with examples, quotes, and critical perspectives.
- Keep it clear, logical, and academic in tone.
- Don’t plagiarize—use your own words.
- Proofread before final submission for neatness and correctness.
July 2025 – January 2026 Submission Date
- July 2025 session: Submit by 30th September 2025
- January 2026 session: Submit by 31st March 2026
Conclusion
The IGNOU MEG-13: Writings from the Margins Solved Assignment (July 2025 – January 2026) is a precious book for MA English students. Through the reading of these texts, students not only prepare for exams but also develop greater insight into literature as a space of contention, assertion, and social transformation.
Assignments in this course are more than memorization; assignments cause students to reflect intelligently on the questions of caste, race, gender, and marginality. With organized preparation and genuine writing, you may achieve good grades and solidify your academic life with IGNOU.