60 MCQs | The Dance of the Eunuchs MCQs | The Dance of the Eunuchs | The Dance of the Eunuchs by Kamala Das MCQs | Kamala Das | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
Who is the author of The Dance of the Eunuchs?
A) Rabindranath Tagore
B) Kamala Das
C) Sarojini Naidu
D) Arundhati Roy
Answer: B) Kamala Das
Explanation: Kamala Das, a prominent Indian English poet, is known for her bold and confessional style. Her works often explore themes of identity, marginalization, and love. The Dance of the Eunuchs is a poignant poem that reflects her ability to combine vivid imagery with emotional depth, addressing the plight of marginalized communities in Indian society.
In which collection was The Dance of the Eunuchs first published?
A) The Old Playhouse and Other Poems
B) Summer in Calcutta
C) My Story
D) The Descendants
Answer: B) Summer in Calcutta
Explanation: Published in 1965, Summer in Calcutta was Kamala Das’s debut poetry collection, marking a significant shift in Indian English poetry. It featured her confessional style and raw honesty, with The Dance of the Eunuchs capturing the struggles of identity and alienation, themes central to her work and reflective of her unique poetic voice.
What is the central theme of The Dance of the Eunuchs?
A) Celebration of life
B) Nature’s beauty
C) Marginalization and suffering
D) Romantic love
Answer: C) Marginalization and suffering
Explanation: The poem highlights the eunuchs’ societal rejection and emotional despair. Despite their vibrant outward appearance, their lives are marked by unfulfilled desires and isolation. Kamala Das uses their plight as a metaphor for the broader struggles of marginalized groups, blending sorrow and empathy to critique societal exclusion.
Which poetic device is used in the repetition of “jingling, jingling, jingling”?
A) Alliteration
B) Epizeuxis
C) Personification
D) Hyperbole
Answer: B) Epizeuxis
Explanation: The repetition of “jingling” emphasizes the rhythmic sound of the eunuchs’ anklets while also reflecting monotony. This device immerses readers in the auditory experience of the performance, symbolizing the repetitive and unchanging nature of their struggles. It highlights the cyclical despair in their marginalized existence.
What does the “fiery gulmohur” symbolize in the poem?
A) Nature’s beauty
B) Passion and suffering
C) Celebration of love
D) Despair and decay
Answer: B) Passion and suffering
Explanation: The “fiery gulmohur” serves as a potent symbol of the eunuchs’ intense emotional and physical struggles. Its bright, burning presence mirrors their passionate yet painful lives. Kamala Das uses this imagery to juxtapose beauty and suffering, reflecting their external vibrancy and inner turmoil under societal judgment.
How are the eunuchs described physically in the poem?
A) Strong and lively
B) Thin and dry
C) Wealthy and adorned
D) Vibrant and joyful
Answer: B) Thin and dry
Explanation: Kamala Das uses stark imagery to depict the eunuchs as frail and emaciated, comparing them to “half-burnt logs.” This physical description symbolizes societal neglect and decay, emphasizing their marginalized and incomplete existence. Their outward attempts at beauty contrast with their inner suffering and rejection.
What is the tone of the poem?
A) Joyful and celebratory
B) Melancholic and reflective
C) Aggressive and critical
D) Romantic and passionate
Answer: B) Melancholic and reflective
Explanation: The tone captures the sorrow and alienation of the eunuchs. Kamala Das evokes empathy by reflecting on their duality: outward vibrancy versus internal despair. This melancholic tone aligns with the poem’s exploration of societal rejection and the universal human condition of masking pain with external expressions.
What is the role of nature in the poem?
A) It provides relief to the eunuchs.
B) It mirrors the eunuchs’ suffering.
C) It contrasts with the eunuchs’ plight.
D) It symbolizes societal neglect.
Answer: B) It mirrors the eunuchs’ suffering.
Explanation: Nature, through the oppressive heat and meagre rain, reflects the eunuchs’ struggles. The fiery gulmohur and silent crows symbolize tension and suffering, while the unsatisfying rain mirrors fleeting relief. This connection between nature and emotion underscores the pervasive despair in their lives.
What does the “meagre rain” symbolize?
A) Cleansing and renewal
B) Inadequate relief and unfulfilled hope
C) Destruction and chaos
D) Nature’s fury
Answer: B) Inadequate relief and unfulfilled hope
Explanation: The rain, often a symbol of renewal, is portrayed as inadequate and tainted, symbolizing fleeting and unfulfilling relief in the eunuchs’ lives. Its unpleasant imagery reinforces their inability to escape societal rejection or find true solace, highlighting the futility of their hopes for acceptance.
What is the poetic form of The Dance of the Eunuchs?
A) Sonnet
B) Free Verse
C) Haiku
D) Ballad
Answer: B) Free Verse
Explanation: The use of free verse reflects the unstructured and chaotic lives of the eunuchs. This lack of formal structure allows Kamala Das to focus on vivid imagery and emotional depth, mirroring the eunuchs’ struggle for expression and identity in a society that rejects them.
