Which of the following inferences is most strongly supported by the following lines taken from the novel A Suitable Boy written by Vikram Seth?

“The secret of life is to accept. Accept happiness, accept sorrow; accept success, accept failure; accept fame, accept disgrace; accept doubt, even accept the impression of certainty.”

Correct option is C

Explanation:

The lines from A Suitable Boy reflect a philosophy of acceptance. The speaker suggests that one must accept all aspects of life, both the positive and negative, such as happiness, sorrow, success, failure, fame, disgrace, doubt, and even the impression of certainty. This emphasizes that life is not about rejection or closure, but rather embracing whatever comes our way, whether it is comfortable or not.

The emphasis here is on the acceptance of life’s uncertainties and the ability to handle contradictions without resistance. Acceptance is presented as the key to finding peace and balance, as one does not need to chase perfection or certainty but rather accept things as they come.
Vikram Seth, through these lines, conveys a universal truth about life: acceptance brings inner peace and balance, and by accepting both success and failure, good and bad, one finds harmony with the ever-changing nature of life.

Information Booster:

Vikram Seth (born 1952) is an Indian novelist, poet, and travel writer, widely recognized for his novel A Suitable Boy (1993), which is one of the longest novels ever published in English. His writing often explores themes of love, family, relationships, and Indian society.

- A Suitable Boy is set in post-independence India and follows the life of Lata Mehra, a young woman caught between the traditional expectations of her family and her desire for personal freedom.

- The novel is notable for its portrayal of Indian society, its examination of class, caste, and religion, and the complexities of arranged marriages.

- A Suitable Boy's themes include the political in the personal, prejudice and forgiveness, conflict amidst social groups and families, changing racial norms, unexpected violence, and inter-generational connectedness.

- The line from the novel reflects Seth’s larger philosophical perspective on life. In this particular passage, Seth advocates for acceptance of life’s inevitable ups and downs, suggesting that peace comes from embracing everything as part of a larger human experience.

- It is part of the larger message in the novel about the complexities of human existence, and how one can find peace in accepting the tensions between personal desires and social expectations.

Themes of A Suitable Boy and the Concept of Acceptance:

- Acceptance as Central to Life’s Journey:

The lines are deeply aligned with one of the core themes of Seth's work—personal and societal harmony achieved through acceptance of life’s contradictions.

In the novel, characters must often choose between their personal desires and societal norms, and those who find happiness are those who can accept and navigate both.

Philosophical Reflection:

- This excerpt reflects a philosophical stance on life, suggesting that acceptance of all emotions—both good and bad—is the key to living fully

- . It draws on a broader philosophical tradition, one that seeks to embrace the impermanence of life and the fluid nature of happiness and sorrow.