UPSC Prelims 2024 CSAT Paper II · Q71 of 79 Comprehension medium

Passage

Passage—1 Unlike religion and science, poetry does not posit or expect any belief in absolute truths. Those forces or individuals who claim to have absolute truths in their grasp tend to turn dictatorial and tyrannical. Truth usually does not admit any contradictions or imperfections. It is unitarian. It is, therefore, not of much use for poetry. Poetry abides by the plurality of life and existence. Perhaps poetry follows reality which is plural, anachronistic, full of contradictions. Against the tyranny of truth, poetry remains a partisan of democratic reality. Against the arrogance of power, wealth and hierarchy, poetry proposes both humility and defiance.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational message conveyed by the above passage?

  1. (a) It is the poetry, not science or religion, which recognizes and accepts imperfections in humans.
  2. (b) Truth is revealed through science or religion and poetry is anathema to truth.
  3. (c) Poetry is romantic, imaginary and is about feeling whereas science and religion are about truth.
  4. (d) In a world of violence, tyranny and bigotry, poetry is a form of dynamic resistance. ✓ UPSC's answer

Why the answer is (d)

• The passage contrasts the 'unitarian' and 'dictatorial' nature of absolute truths (associated with religion and science) with the 'plural' and 'contradictory' nature of reality embraced by poetry.

• It explicitly states that poetry abides by the plurality of life and serves as a 'partisan of democratic reality' against the 'tyranny of truth'.

• The text further argues that against the 'arrogance of power, wealth and hierarchy', poetry proposes 'humility and defiance'.

• This 'defiance' against tyranny, arrogance, and hierarchy characterizes poetry as a form of resistance.

• Therefore, option (d) best captures the core message that poetry acts as a dynamic resistance against violence, tyranny, and bigotry.

Why the other options are wrong

(a) It is the poetry, not science or religion, which recognizes and accepts imperfections in…
The passage states that truth does not admit imperfections, but it does not claim that only poetry recognizes human imperfections while excluding science or religion from this specific recognition.
(b) Truth is revealed through science or religion and poetry is anathema to truth.
The passage argues that poetry follows reality which is plural and contradictory, not that it is anathema to truth, but rather that it resists the 'tyranny' of absolute truth.
(c) Poetry is romantic, imaginary and is about feeling whereas science and religion are about…
The passage does not describe poetry as merely 'romantic' or 'imaginary' but rather as a force that abides by the 'plurality of life' and offers 'defiance' against power structures.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2024, held on 16 June 2024. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

Reading the answer is not the same as getting it right under a clock. Practise this question with UPSC's negative marking, and anything you miss goes into an error notebook until you get it right twice.

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