Question

Given below are two statements: Assertion (A): In a dramatic monologue, a single person utters a speech that makes up the whole poem. Reason (R): The speaker in a dramatic monologue interacts with one or more other people, but we know of the author's presence only from the clues in the discourse of the single speaker. Choose the most appropriate answer.

• A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
• B. Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
• C. (A) is correct but (R) is not correct
• D. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct

Hint:

A dramatic monologue has one speaker, a silent listener, and indirect revelation of the speaker's character.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1 : Understanding the Question:
This question requires us to evaluate an Assertion (A) and a Reason (R) about the definition and mechanics of the dramatic monologue in English poetry.

Step 2 : Key Formulas and Approach:
To analyze this, we define the formal features of a dramatic monologue as established by poets like Robert Browning. We then compare these features with the claims made in the Assertion and the Reason to check their truth value.

Step 3 : Detailed Explanation:

• A dramatic monologue is a poem where a single speaker—who is not the poet—addresses a silent audience at a critical moment, making up the entirety of the text. This means Assertion (A) is correct.

• The speaker interacts with a silent listener whose reactions are inferred through the speaker's words, creating a dramatic situation.

• However, Reason (R) is incorrect because the author's presence is not signaled through clues in the discourse; indeed, the primary feature of a dramatic monologue is the complete concealment of the author's voice.

• The reader's understanding of the speaker's character is achieved through dramatic irony, where the speaker reveals more about their flaws than they intend, without any direct intervention from the author.

Step 4 : Final Answer:
Therefore, Assertion (A) is correct, but Reason (R) is not correct.
The correct option is (C) (A) is correct but (R) is not correct.