Question

Read the poem.

Answer 1

Answer:

The central idea of Sarojini Naidu’s poem "The Pardah Nashin" revolves around the practice of locking women away behind walls, screens or curtains which robs them of their dignity.

Explanation:

The poetess belonged to a culture where women and men were treated differently. With the excuse of protecting women from being coveted, they have been robbed off their freedom and kept behind walls or screens or more precisely “the pardah.” This way of "protecting" has adverse effects and the ones involved are the victims unwillingly. Sarojini Naidu says through her poem that a pardah may hide a woman’s face and youth from the eyes of others but it’s unable to shield a woman's eyes from tears and to protect their feelings. It doesn’t consider her wishes but only limits their lives, abilities and happiness at large.

Answer 2

Answer: B. Locking women away behind walls, screens, or curtains robs them of their dignity.

Explanation:

The author of this poem, Sarojini Naidu (1879 - 1946), came from a culture where women were to receive a different treatment from men. Women's freedom was taken away with the excuse of protecting them from "eyes impure". If their bodies and faces, their beauty and youth cannot be seen, then they will not be coveted. However, such a way of "protecting" has its own way of harming those involved. It does not "shield a woman's eyes from tears". It does not protect their feelings, does not take their wishes into consideration. It only limits their lives, their abilities, their happiness.