IGNOU MEG 3 Solved Question Paper | June 2021
- Last Updated On August 12, 2025
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Welcome to our blog, In this post, we’re sharing the IGNOU MEG 3 Solved Question Paper of June 2021 examination, focusing on British Novel.
This guide is here to help you prepare for your exams with clear answers and explanations. Whether you’re just starting or revising for your exams, this resource will make studying easier and more effective.
In this post, we’ll discuss all the answers including the short and long answer questions.
You can also download all previous year question papers of MEG 3 from our website.
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Question 1
1. Examine the role of the narrator in Tom Jones.
The role of the narrator in Henry Fielding’s Tom Jones is central to the novel’s structure, tone, and moral outlook. Fielding’s narrator is not a silent or impartial observer but a highly involved, self-aware, and opinionated guide who directly addresses the reader, shaping the narrative with wit, irony, and philosophical reflection. This narrative voice plays a multifaceted role: it acts as commentator, moralist, entertainer, and mediator between the fictional world and the audience.
One of the most distinctive features of Tom Jones is the presence of an intrusive narrator. Each of the novel’s eighteen books begins with a preface-like chapter where the narrator steps out of the story to discuss various themes—ranging from literature, human nature, morality, and the art of storytelling. These opening chapters not only provide insight into Fielding’s literary philosophy but also set the tone for the book as a blend of comic realism and moral commentary. For example, in Book I, Chapter I, the narrator compares his role to that of a master of a feast, inviting readers to a banquet of stories, thus establishing a conversational and inclusive tone.
The narrator also shapes the reader’s understanding of characters and events. Rather than letting actions speak entirely for themselves, he frequently offers judgments and explanations that guide the reader’s sympathies. In the case of Tom Jones himself, a character with many flaws, the narrator’s consistent efforts to portray him as essentially good-hearted—despite his impulsiveness—greatly influence how the reader interprets his moral growth. Similarly, characters like Blifil are exposed by the narrator’s ironic tone and commentary, which unmask hypocrisy beneath their socially acceptable behavior.
Moreover, the narrator serves as a vehicle for satire. Fielding uses the narrator to mock the sentimental and overly moralistic novels of his time, as well as to critique social conventions, religious hypocrisy, and pretentiousness. Through the narrator’s sharp observations and comical asides, Fielding presents a realistic yet humorous portrayal of 18th-century English society.
The narrator’s role also blurs the boundary between fiction and reality. By addressing the reader directly, acknowledging the act of storytelling, and sometimes referring to real-world events and opinions, the narrator invites readers to critically engage with the text rather than passively consume it.
To conclude, the narrator in Tom Jones is not merely a storyteller but an essential character in his own right. His presence enhances the novel’s comedic effect, moral clarity, and philosophical depth, making him one of the most significant and memorable narrators in English literature.
Question 2
2. Who is your favourite character in Pride and Prejudice and why ?
Among the vibrant characters in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet stands out as the most compelling and admirable, making her my favourite character. Elizabeth embodies intelligence, independence, wit, and emotional depth, which were especially remarkable traits for a female protagonist in early 19th-century literature. Her strong sense of self and moral integrity, combined with her ability to grow and reflect on her own flaws, make her not only relatable but also inspirational.
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Question 3
3. Discuss the prison motif in Wuthering Heights with reference to the various characters in the novel.
The motif of prison or confinement plays a significant role in Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, reflecting both physical and psychological captivity experienced by the characters. This recurring theme contributes to the dark, intense atmosphere of the novel and helps illustrate the characters’ emotional struggles, social restrictions, and the destructive nature of obsessive relationships.
Physically, Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange themselves function as metaphorical prisons. Wuthering Heights, with its isolated location, stormy weather, and oppressive atmosphere, becomes a site of entrapment. Characters who reside there—particularly Hindley, Isabella, and later young Catherine and Linton—often feel trapped by circumstance, familial cruelty, or emotional manipulation. For example, Isabella experiences literal imprisonment after her marriage to Heathcliff, who controls and abuses her, isolating her from the world and treating her as a possession. Her entrapment reflects the limited agency and rights of women during the time.
The prison motif is also used to convey emotional and psychological entrapment. Catherine Earnshaw, torn between her wild love for Heathcliff and her desire for social elevation through marriage to Edgar Linton, becomes psychologically imprisoned by her internal conflict. Her famous declaration, “I am Heathcliff,” suggests a fusion of identities, which ultimately traps her in a state of emotional torment. Her death could be interpreted as the ultimate escape from the suffocating constraints of her divided self and the expectations of society.
Similarly, Heathcliff is imprisoned by his obsession with Catherine. Even after her death, he is unable to move on, and his life becomes a self-imposed emotional confinement. His fixation leads him to torment others, particularly the next generation, as a way of expressing his inner turmoil. His desire to be buried next to Catherine, and his belief that her ghost haunts him, symbolizes the inescapable hold of his love and vengeance.
Linton Heathcliff and young Catherine also suffer imprisonment. Linton is manipulated and used as a pawn in Heathcliff’s revenge plot, confined both physically and emotionally. Young Catherine is deceived and coerced into marrying Linton, becoming essentially a prisoner in Wuthering Heights until Heathcliff’s death frees her to start anew.
To conclude, the prison motif in Wuthering Heights manifests through literal confinement, emotional entrapment, and societal constraints. It deepens the reader’s understanding of the characters’ suffering and highlights the destructive effects of obsession, revenge, and repression. Brontë uses this motif to create a world where freedom—emotional, physical, and spiritual—is constantly longed for but rarely attained.
Question 4
4. Comment on Pip’s quest for self improvement in Great Expectations.
Pip’s quest for self-improvement forms the central theme of Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations. From a humble beginning as an orphan raised by his harsh sister and her kindly husband Joe Gargery, Pip undergoes a transformative journey driven by his desire to rise above his social class. His pursuit of self-betterment is not only material and educational but also deeply moral and emotional, reflecting the Victorian belief in personal progress and redemption.
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Question 5
5. Explain with examples the role of community as a moral figure in Middlemarch.
In Middlemarch, George Eliot intricately weaves the concept of community into the fabric of the novel, portraying it as a powerful moral force that influences individual decisions, shapes reputations, and enforces social norms. The provincial town of Middlemarch serves not merely as a backdrop but as an active participant in the moral and psychological development of the characters. Through this portrayal, Eliot examines the tension between personal ambition and social responsibility.
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Question 6
6. Examine Maslow’s point of view in Heart of Darkness and comment upon its appropriateness.
Though Abraham Maslow, the renowned psychologist, did not write Heart of Darkness, his theory of human motivation—particularly his hierarchy of needs—provides an insightful lens through which to examine Joseph Conrad’s novella. Heart of Darkness explores the collapse of civilization and the exposure of primal instincts when individuals are removed from the restraints of structured society.
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