B.A. Programme, Semester-I, March 2021 Question Paper

Paper Code- 72032801

English A

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Note: There are 6 questions, you have to answer any 3. All questions carry equal marks of 25 each. Each answer must be written in 500-800 words

Passage

Speech by UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson at a special event for the HeForShe campaign, United Nations Headquarters, New York, 20 September 2014

Today we are launching a campaign called ‘HeForShe.’

I am reaching out to you because I need your help. We want to end gender inequality— and to do that we need everyone to be involved. This is the first campaign of its kind at the UN: we want to try and galvanize as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for gender equality. And we don’t just want to talk about it, but make sure it is tangible. I was appointed six months ago and the more I have spoken about feminism the more I have realized that fighting for women’s rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop. For the record, feminism by definition is: ‘The belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes.’ Why is the word [feminism] such an uncomfortable one?

I am from Britain and think it is right that as a woman I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decision-making of my country. I think it is right that socially I am afforded the same respect as men. But sadly, I can say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to receive these rights. No country in the world can yet say they have achieved gender equality.

Men—I would like to take this opportunity to extend our formal invitation. Gender equality is your issue too. Because to date, I’ve seen my father’s role as a parent being valued less by society, despite my needing his presence as a child as much as my mother’s. We don’t often talk about men being imprisoned by gender stereotypes, but I can see that they are, and that when they are free, things will change for women as a natural consequence. If men don’t have to be aggressive in order to be accepted, women won’t feel compelled to be submissive. If men don’t have to control, women won’t have to be controlled. Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong…. It is time that we all perceive gender on a spectrum, not as two opposing sets of ideals.

1.. Read the passage above and answer the following questions:

a. Where is Emma Watson speaking, and in what capacity? (2)
b. What is the definition of feminism that Emma Watson gives? (2)
c. Why does Watson say that gender equality is an issue for men too? (3)
d. What is the change that Watson thinks will happen if we are not imprisoned in gender stereotypes? (3)
e. Paraphrase Emma Watson’s speech in your own words. (15)

2.. Write a dialogue between Emma Watson and a member of her audience who argues with her that fighting for women’s rights is the same as man-hating.

3.. In her speech Emma Watson says, “it is right that as a woman I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decisionmaking of my country. I think it is right that socially I am afforded the same respect as men.” Write a public speech addressed to policy makers in your country urging them to bring about changes that would ensure gender equality.

4. Emma Watson asks “Why is the word (feminism) such an uncomfortable one?” Your college magazine has asked you to interview your classmates to find out why they are uncomfortable with the word feminism. Write an interview with some of your classmates, both men and women.

5. Write a letter to a male member of your family – brother, father, uncle, grandfather – describing the HeForShe campaign and asking them to join it.

6. The United Nations is doing a survey to find out how successful the HeForShe campaign is in your University. You have been given the project of writing a report for the survey. Write a report of the findings of the survey, discussing its successes and failures, and recommendations for how better to implement the campaign.