Question

Given below are two statements: Assertion (A): Long narrative romances in prose were written by Greek writers as early as the second and third centuries AD. Reason (R): Long narrative romances dealt with separated lovers, who, after perilous adventures and hairbreadth escapes, are happily reunited at the end. 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:

In assertion-reason questions, check both truth value and whether the reason actually explains the assertion.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1 : Understanding the Question:
This question presents an Assertion (A) and a Reason (R) concerning the historical existence and standard plots of ancient Greek prose romances. We must evaluate if both statements are correct and if the Reason explains the Assertion.

Step 2 : Key Formulas and Approach:
The approach involves checking the historical accuracy of both statements independently. Once their truth value is established, we analyze if the plot structure described in Reason (R) explains why these works were written by Greek writers in the second and third centuries AD.

Step 3 : Detailed Explanation:

• Assertion (A) is correct because long prose narrative romances were indeed written by Greek authors like Heliodorus, Longus, and Achilles Tatius during the second and third centuries AD.

• Reason (R) is correct because it accurately describes the typical formulaic plot of these Hellenistic romances, which consistently involve young lovers separated by storms, pirates, or wars, who survive perilous adventures and are happily reunited.

• However, Reason (R) describes the thematic contents and plot structures of these works. It does not explain the historical and cultural reasons why this literary form emerged in Greece specifically during the second and third centuries AD.

• Because both statements are factually true, but the Reason is descriptive rather than explanatory of the Assertion, (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

Step 4 : Final Answer:
Both (A) and (R) are correct, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
The correct option is (B) Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).