- Understand the playwright's use of imagery in the play.
- Analyze the transition from monologue to dialogic form.
- Examine the celebrity's posture in front of the camera versus off-screen.
- Discuss the implications of bilingualism in contemporary literature.
- Evaluate the personal and academic values presented in the play.
Broken Images
Learning Objectives
Detailed Notes
Notes on 'Broken Images' by Girish Karnad
Overview
- Author: Girish Karnad (Born 1938)
- Awards: Padma Shri (1974), Padma Bhushan (1992), Jnanpith Award (1998)
- Themes: Bilingualism, personal and academic values, the politics of language in Indian literature.
Key Characters
- Manjula Nayak: A Kannada writer who gains fame by writing a novel in English.
- Malini: Manjula's physically challenged sister, central to the emotional narrative.
Major Themes
- Bilingualism: The tension between writing in one's mother tongue versus a global language like English.
- Identity and Betrayal: The conflict of being perceived as a traitor to one's mother tongue by writing in English.
- Family Dynamics: The relationship between Manjula and her sister Malini, highlighting themes of love, sacrifice, and guilt.
Structure of the Play
- Setting: A television studio with a plasma screen and various television sets.
- Format: A monologue that turns dialogic, involving an image of Manjula that interacts with her.
Important Quotes
- “A heap of broken images, where the sun beats, and the dead tree gives no shelter.” - T. S. Eliot
- “If there was betrayal, it was not a matter of conscious choice.”
Discussion Questions
- Why does the playwright use the technique of the image in the play?
- How does the play address the issue of bilingualism in contemporary Indian literature?
- What is the significance of Manjula's relationship with her sister Malini?
Suggested Reading
- Two Monologues: Flowers, Broken Images by Girish Karnad
- The Dreams of Tipu Sultan by Girish Karnad
Conclusion
- The play explores complex themes of identity, language, and familial bonds, making it a significant work in contemporary Indian literature.
Practice & Assessment
Multiple Choice Questions
A.
She believes the novel's themes are too complex for film.
B.
She thinks the film lacks movement and drama.
C.
She doubts the director's capability.
D.
She feels the cast is not suitable.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Manjula argues that a telefilm needs lots of movement, different locations, pace, and action, which she feels the film adaptation lacks.
A.
To reach a wider audience
B.
Because it naturally emerged in English
C.
To earn more money
D.
To betray Kannada literature
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Manjula explains that the novel 'burst out in English' and it surprised even her, indicating it was not a conscious choice but a natural occurrence.
A.
It was too far from her workplace.
B.
She wanted to maintain her independence.
C.
The house was too large to manage.
D.
She disliked the neighborhood.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Manjula mentions that the Jayanagar house was within walking distance of her college, whereas moving to Koramangala would have meant a long commute.
A.
She wanted to reach a wider international audience.
B.
She found that her thoughts were naturally forming in English.
C.
She was pressured by her publishers to write in English.
D.
She believed English was a more prestigious language.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Manjula explains that the novel 'burst out' in English, surprising even herself, indicating that her thoughts were naturally forming in English.
A.
Malini was intellectually inferior to Manjula.
B.
Malini was intellectually equal to Manjula.
C.
Malini was more intelligent and vivacious than Manjula.
D.
Malini was not interested in intellectual pursuits.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Manjula describes Malini as more intelligent and vivacious than herself.
A.
She moved to Koramangala
B.
She moved in with her sister in Jayanagar
C.
She sold the family house
D.
She traveled abroad
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
After her parents passed away, Manjula moved in with her sister in Jayanagar.
A.
It was poorly translated back into Kannada.
B.
It was perfectly translated back into Kannada by the Director.
C.
It was never intended to be translated into Kannada.
D.
It lost its essence when translated into Kannada.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Manjula expresses satisfaction that the Kannada reality she conceived in English was translated back into Kannada to perfection by the Director.
A.
Malini was fluent in Kannada and used it frequently.
B.
Malini rarely used Kannada and mostly spoke English.
C.
Malini was not interested in learning any language.
D.
Malini only communicated in sign language.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Manjula mentioned that Malini rarely used Kannada and her friends spoke only English.
A.
They were distant and rarely spoke.
B.
Manjula was indifferent towards Malini.
C.
Manjula loved Malini deeply and considered her like a child.
D.
They had a competitive relationship.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Manjula expresses that she loved her sister deeply and even considered her like a child, especially during the last few months of Malini's life.
A.
She wanted to move to a more culturally vibrant area.
B.
The house was too large and difficult to maintain.
C.
She needed money to fund her writing career.
D.
Her sister insisted on selling it to prevent sacrifices.
Correct Answer: D
Solution:
Manjula explains that her sister insisted on selling the house to prevent any sacrifices or compromises on her account.
A.
He was unable to get leave from work.
B.
He was not interested in the event.
C.
He was in a different country.
D.
He did not know about the event.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Pramod sent an email apologizing that he couldn't get leave to attend the event.
A.
The superficiality of fame.
B.
The politics of language in Indian literary culture.
C.
The challenges of bilingualism.
D.
The decline of traditional values.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The play addresses the debate over writing in English versus native languages, highlighting the politics of language in Indian literary culture.
A.
He was depicted as unattractive and dull.
B.
He was portrayed as intelligent, warm, and lovable.
C.
He was shown as a villain.
D.
He was not mentioned in the novel.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Manjula described Pramod as an intelligent, warm, and lovable person in her novel.
A.
It was a betrayal of her roots
B.
It was translated back into Kannada perfectly
C.
It was misunderstood by Kannada readers
D.
It was not genuine
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Manjula states that the Kannada reality she conceived in English was translated back into Kannada perfectly by the Director.
A.
The conflict between tradition and modernity.
B.
The politics of language in Indian literary culture.
C.
The struggles of the working class.
D.
The impact of technology on society.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The play deals with the debate on the politics of language in Indian literary culture, particularly the tension between writing in modern Indian languages and English.
A.
She preferred the location of the Jayanagar house.
B.
The Koramangala house was too expensive.
C.
She had bad memories associated with Koramangala.
D.
She wanted to sell the Koramangala house for financial reasons.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Manjula preferred the Jayanagar house because it was closer to her college and more convenient for her lifestyle.
A.
Her struggle with technology.
B.
Her internal conflict and self-examination.
C.
Her fear of public speaking.
D.
Her desire for fame and recognition.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The interaction with her image symbolizes Manjula's internal conflict and self-examination, as she confronts her own actions and motivations.
A.
She wanted to reach a wider audience.
B.
She believed English was more lucrative.
C.
The novel naturally came to her in English.
D.
Her publishers insisted on English.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Manjula explains that the novel 'burst out in English' and it surprised even her, indicating that the choice of language was not premeditated but rather a natural occurrence.
A.
She agreed and decided to stop writing in English.
B.
She argued that her novel naturally came out in English.
C.
She believed that writing in English was a mistake.
D.
She felt guilty and decided to write only in Kannada.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Manjula explained that her novel naturally came out in English and it was not a conscious choice to betray her mother tongue.
A.
A monologue that turns dialogic.
B.
A traditional play format.
C.
A silent film approach.
D.
A musical interlude.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
The play is called a monologue but is made to turn dialogic.
A.
Meningomyelocele
B.
Cerebral Palsy
C.
Multiple Sclerosis
D.
Muscular Dystrophy
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Malini suffered from meningomyelocele, which affected her nervous system below the waist, confining her to a wheelchair.
A.
She wanted to reach a global audience.
B.
The story naturally emerged in English.
C.
She was advised by her publishers to write in English.
D.
She believed English was a more expressive language.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Manjula explains that the novel emerged in English naturally, surprising even herself.
A.
They were supportive
B.
They were indifferent
C.
They were upset
D.
They were confused
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Manjula's intellectual peers were upset by her decision to write in English, feeling it was a betrayal of Kannada.
A.
She denied it vehemently.
B.
She admitted it was true.
C.
She said it was a good enough reason.
D.
She ignored the accusation.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Manjula responded to the accusation by saying that writing in English for money was a good enough reason.
A.
Malini was a burden that Manjula had to bear.
B.
Malini's condition inspired Manjula to write empathetically.
C.
Malini was indifferent to Manjula's achievements.
D.
Malini encouraged Manjula to write in English.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Manjula describes her sister Malini as someone who inspired her to understand the emotional world of a disabled person, which influenced her writing.
A.
She was eager to start a new project.
B.
She felt one novel was enough.
C.
She planned to write in Kannada next.
D.
She was undecided about her next steps.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Manjula expressed that one novel was more than enough and did not see the need to write another.
A.
He wanted to express his feelings for Manjula.
B.
He was trying to play a practical joke.
C.
He wanted to end his friendship with Lucy.
D.
He was confused about his feelings.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Pramod wrote letters to both Manjula and Lucy to express his feelings for Manjula, although he mistakenly sent them to the wrong recipients.
A.
To pursue a career in software development
B.
To attend the launch of Manjula's novel
C.
To take care of his family
D.
To escape from his responsibilities
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Manjula's husband moved to the United States because he was in demand as a software wizard.
A.
They were distant and rarely communicated.
B.
They were very close, and Malini was the only character in her novel drawn from life.
C.
Manjula was jealous of Malini's achievements.
D.
They had a competitive relationship.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Manjula expressed that she loved her sister deeply and that Malini was the only character in her novel drawn from life.
A.
She preferred the location of the Jayanagar house.
B.
The Koramangala house was too small.
C.
She wanted to sell the house for financial reasons.
D.
She disliked the neighborhood of Koramangala.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Manjula preferred the Jayanagar house due to its proximity to her college and the lifestyle it afforded her.
A.
Malini's presence improved Manjula's English.
B.
Malini discouraged Manjula from writing in English.
C.
Malini had no impact on Manjula's writing.
D.
Malini inspired Manjula to write in Kannada.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Manjula mentioned that having Malini in her house for six years helped improve her English.
A.
They praised her for her bilingual skills.
B.
They were indifferent to her choice of language.
C.
They accused her of betraying Kannada.
D.
They encouraged her to write more in English.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Manjula mentions that intellectuals accused her of betraying Kannada by writing in English.
A.
Introduction of an electronic image that interacts with the protagonist.
B.
Incorporation of multiple live characters on stage.
C.
Use of voiceovers to provide external commentary.
D.
Switching between different time periods in the narrative.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
The playwright uses the technique of an electronic image that interacts with Manjula, transforming the monologue into a dialogic form.
A.
Competitive and distant.
B.
Close and loving.
C.
Indifferent and formal.
D.
Hostile and resentful.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Manjula expresses genuine love for her sister, describing their bond as close and stating that she misses her sister deeply.
A.
He is depicted as a villain.
B.
He is portrayed as an intelligent and lovable person.
C.
He is shown as a very handsome man.
D.
He is not mentioned in the novel.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Manjula describes Pramod as an intelligent, warm, and lovable person in her novel.
A.
The conflict between traditional and modern values.
B.
The politics of language in Indian literary culture.
C.
The struggle for gender equality.
D.
The impact of technology on personal relationships.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The play addresses the politics of language in Indian literary culture, focusing on the debate between writing in English versus native languages.
A.
It was poorly made
B.
It was a perfect translation
C.
It was not as good as the novel
D.
It was better than the novel
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Manjula expressed happiness that the Kannada telefilm was a perfect translation of her novel.
A.
Asthma
B.
Meningomyelocele
C.
Diabetes
D.
Epilepsy
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Malini suffered from meningomyelocele, which affected her nervous system below the waist.
A.
Jealous
B.
Indifferent
C.
Resentful
D.
Understanding
Correct Answer: D
Solution:
Manjula accepted that Malini was the focus of their parents' attention due to her condition.
A.
The challenges of bilingualism in literature
B.
The history of Indian cinema
C.
The evolution of Kannada poetry
D.
The impact of technology on modern life
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
The play deals with the politics of language in Indian literary culture, specifically in relation to modern Indian languages and English.
True or False
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Manjula mentioned that her husband, Pramod, is living in Los Angeles and is in demand as a software wizard.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
A teacher came home to teach Malini English and Mathematics.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
The novel 'The River Has No Memories' was written in English, not Kannada.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Manjula describes Pramod as an intelligent, warm, and lovable person, which is a flattering portrayal.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
According to the excerpt, Manjula's husband moved to Los Angeles last year and is in demand as a software wizard.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The novel was already a super hit in Britain before being launched in the United States.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Manjula's novel became a bestseller all over the world.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
A teacher came home to teach Malini English and Mathematics.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Manjula chose to stay in her Jayanagar house because it was more convenient for her work and lifestyle.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The excerpt states that the launch of Manjula's novel was a major media event in the US and it had already been a super hit in Britain.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Manjula explains that the novel burst out in English, surprising even her.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Manjula stated that her sister, Malini, was the only character in her novel drawn from real life.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Manjula wrote her novel in English because it naturally came out in that language, not primarily for monetary reasons.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Manjula mentions that her parents moved to Koramangala to better care for Malini after realizing the gravity of her situation.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The excerpt discusses the criticism Manjula faced for writing in English, with some claiming that a novel in English cannot express the truth about India.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Manjula admits that her sister Malini was more attractive and intelligent than her.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Manjula wrote her novel in English because it naturally came out in English, not as a conscious choice to betray Kannada.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Manjula mentioned that she could not have written about her sister in Kannada because her sister lived her life in English.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Manjula acknowledged the support she received from her husband, Pramod, while writing her novel.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
The novel was first a super hit in Britain before being launched in the United States.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Manjula did not move to Koramangala; she stayed in Jayanagar because she was used to it and it was close to her college.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Pramod wrote a letter to Lucy about Manjula and vice versa, which led to a confrontation when the letters were mistakenly received by the wrong recipients.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Manjula was accused of writing for foreign readers and betraying Kannada.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The excerpt mentions that the novel had already proved a super hit in Britain before its major media event launch in the US.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Manjula's novel was a bestseller all over the world, not just in India.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Manjula Nayak wrote her first novel in English, not Kannada, which became a bestseller worldwide.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Manjula admits that her sister Malini was more attractive, intelligent, and vivacious than she was.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Manjula's novel 'The River Has No Memories' was originally written in English, not Kannada.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Manjula mentioned that she doubted Pramod would even hear of her speech, as he was in the US.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Pramod moved to the United States soon after Malini's death, but not immediately.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The excerpt describes Malini as being physically challenged due to meningomyelocele, which confined her to a wheelchair.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
A Kannada telefilm based on Manjula's novel was broadcasted, as mentioned in the excerpts.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The excerpt describes Malini's condition as meningomyelocele, which left her confined to a wheelchair.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Manjula expressed skepticism about the film adaptation, suggesting it would not work well as a telefilm.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Manjula acknowledges the support she received from her husband, Pramod, while writing her novel.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Manjula wrote her novel in English, which surprised even her, as it was not a conscious choice.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Pramod moved to the US soon after Malini's death, but not immediately.