question_answer

(a) Give any three reasons for the enhancement of literacy in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries             in most parts of Europe.

Or

(b) ?Premchand?s novels are filled with powerful characters from all levels of society.? Justify the statement.

Answer:

(a) Three reasons for the enhancement of literacy in the seventeenth and eighteenth century in most of the parts of Europe are:

(i) Churches of different denominations were set up, and schools in villages began carrying literacy to peasants, artisans etc.

(ii) By the end of the eighteenth century in some parts of Europe literacy rates were as high as 60 to 80 per cent.

(iii) As literacy and schools spread in European countries, there was a virtual reading mania. People wanted to read and printers produced books in ever increasing numbers.

Or

(b) It is true that, ?Premchand?s novels are filled with powerful characters from all levels of society?.

We can justify this sentence with the help of the following reasons:

(i) Premchand?s novel like ?Godan?, ?Seva Sadan? etc. lifted the Hindi novel from simple entertainment to a serious reflection on the lives of ordinary    people and social issues like child marriage and dowry which were woven into the novel.

(ii) Premchand?s characters created a community based on democratic values.

(iii) The character in ?Rang Bhoomi? Surdas, is a   virtually impaired begger from the most opressed section of the society.