Here you will get the detailed summary of IGNOU MEG 7 Block 1 – Non-Fictional Prose.
We have provided the summary of all units starting from unit 1 to unit 6.
Introduction
IGNOU MEG-7 Block 1, titled Non-Fictional Prose, introduces learners to the vast and varied tradition of Indian non-fictional prose in English. This block offers a historical survey and critical analysis of key figures whose writings have shaped Indian socio-political, spiritual, and intellectual discourse. From spiritual leaders and nationalists like Swami Vivekananda and Gandhi to literary scholars like Nirad C. Chaudhuri and modern writers such as Vikram Seth and Amitav Ghosh, the block maps the evolution of prose as a mode of thought, persuasion, and personal reflection in the Indian context.
Unit 1 – Non-Fictional Prose: A Survey
This unit lays the foundation by offering a broad overview of non-fictional prose in English within India.
Key Highlights:
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Non-fictional prose encompasses essays, autobiographies, speeches, memoirs, travel writing, and journalism.
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Its roots lie in colonial interaction, reformist movements, and nationalist awakening in the 19th and 20th centuries.
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The unit discusses the didactic and rhetorical functions of prose, emphasizing its role in public life, education, and reform.
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Major themes include:
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Spiritual and philosophical inquiry
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National identity and freedom
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Personal and cultural reflections
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This survey helps situate the individual authors in the units that follow within a broader literary and historical trajectory.
Unit 2 – Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, and Ananda Coomaraswamy
This unit discusses three major thinkers whose writings reflect spirituality, philosophy, and cultural pride.
Swami Vivekananda:
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Advocated for Vedantic values, social reform, and Indian self-respect.
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His speeches (e.g., at the Parliament of Religions, 1893) combined spiritual authority with rhetorical flair.
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Stressed universalism and service to humanity.
Sri Aurobindo:
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Integrated political activism with spiritual evolution.
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His prose writings (e.g., The Life Divine) present a visionary synthesis of East and West.
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Emphasized spiritual liberation and national regeneration.
Ananda Coomaraswamy:
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Focused on art, aesthetics, and cultural decolonization.
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Advocated for Indian traditions and critiqued Western materialism.
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Helped define Indo-centric theories of beauty and knowledge.
Unit 3 – Gandhi
This unit centers on Mahatma Gandhi as both a political and spiritual writer whose prose shaped modern India.
Key Aspects of Gandhi’s Writings:
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His prose style was clear, persuasive, and morally anchored.
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Major works include:
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Hind Swaraj – a critique of modern civilization and a vision for self-rule.
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The Story of My Experiments with Truth – an autobiographical text that merges personal honesty with philosophical inquiry.
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Gandhi’s themes:
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Non-violence (Ahimsa)
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Truth (Satya)
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Self-reliance and Swadeshi
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His prose functions both as ethical guidance and political critique.
Unit 4 – Jawaharlal Nehru
This unit explores Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, as a historian, thinker, and communicator.
Key Works:
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The Discovery of India – explores Indian history, culture, and philosophy with a personal touch.
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Letters from a Father to His Daughter – educative and emotionally resonant writings.
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Nehru combined liberal humanism, scientific temper, and nationalism in his prose.
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His writing style is elegant, articulate, and intellectually engaging.
The unit emphasizes Nehru’s role in shaping modern Indian identity through his reflective and visionary prose.
Unit 5 – Nirad C. Chaudhuri
This unit is dedicated to the controversial yet brilliant scholar Nirad C. Chaudhuri, known for his sharp intellect and colonial affiliations.
Notable Aspects:
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His most famous work: The Autobiography of an Unknown Indian
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Critiqued both Indian society and British imperialism, though he often appeared sympathetic to colonial culture.
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Known for:
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Erudition
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Provocative honesty
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Dense and classical prose style
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Themes include cultural identity, alienation, and intellectual independence.
Chaudhuri remains a complex figure, often criticized yet respected for his depth of insight.
Unit 6 – Vikram Seth and Amitav Ghosh
This final unit moves into the contemporary literary landscape, focusing on Vikram Seth and Amitav Ghosh as significant contributors to non-fictional prose.
Vikram Seth:
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Known for versatility and narrative control.
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Non-fiction work includes Two Lives – a biographical narrative of his relatives, combining memoir, history, and reflection.
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Blends personal memory with broader historical contexts.
Amitav Ghosh:
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Merges anthropology, history, and travel writing.
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Works like In an Antique Land and The Great Derangement show his intellectual and ecological concerns.
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His prose is rich, layered, and deeply researched, dealing with themes like:
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Postcolonial identity
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Migration
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Climate change
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This unit shows how modern Indian writers have redefined non-fiction by incorporating global concerns into deeply personal and literary narratives.