Who wrote the poetry collection "The Broken Wing", a work often studied in Indian English literature?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Sarojini Naidu

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question relates to Indian English poetry. "The Broken Wing" is a well known collection of poems by a prominent Indian poet who was also active in the freedom movement. It frequently appears in discussions of early twentieth century Indian English verse, making the author's name important for literature and general knowledge exams.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The title "The Broken Wing" is given as a poetry collection.
  • Options include APJ Abdul Kalam, Kiran Bedi, Sarojini Naidu and Premchand.
  • Only one of these is the correct poet associated with this work.


Concept / Approach:
Sarojini Naidu, often called the Nightingale of India, is famous for her English poetry collections like "The Golden Threshold", "The Bird of Time" and "The Broken Wing". APJ Abdul Kalam wrote mainly prose works related to science and inspiration. Kiran Bedi is known as a police officer and reformer, and Premchand wrote fiction in Hindi and Urdu, not English poetry. Recognising Sarojini Naidu's role as a poet makes the answer straightforward.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Remember that "The Broken Wing" is mentioned in many literature syllabi as a poetry collection. Step 2: Sarojini Naidu is the Indian freedom fighter and poet whose English verses earned her the title Nightingale of India. Step 3: "The Broken Wing" is one of her collections, alongside "The Golden Threshold" and "The Bird of Time". Step 4: APJ Abdul Kalam is best known for inspirational prose works like "Wings of Fire", not for this poetry collection. Step 5: Kiran Bedi is known for her career in the police service and public life, not for writing English poetry collections. Step 6: Premchand wrote notable Hindi and Urdu novels and short stories but not "The Broken Wing". Step 7: Thus, Sarojini Naidu is the correct choice.


Verification / Alternative check:
Anthologies and histories of Indian English literature clearly list "The Broken Wing" among Sarojini Naidu's works. Many educational resources explicitly mention this title when describing her contribution as a poet. There are no credible references that connect this collection with APJ Abdul Kalam, Kiran Bedi or Premchand.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • APJ Abdul Kalam is wrong because his notable publications are inspirational prose about science, nation building and character.
  • Kiran Bedi is wrong because she is famous for policing and prison reforms, not for poetry.
  • Premchand is wrong because his key works are novels and stories in Indian languages, not an English collection named "The Broken Wing".


Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes confuse APJ Abdul Kalam's "Wings of Fire" with "The Broken Wing" due to the similarity in words. Another pitfall is ignoring the distinction between poetry and prose. Remembering that Sarojini Naidu is especially known for her English poems will help you avoid these mistakes.


Final Answer:
The poetry collection "The Broken Wing" was written by Sarojini Naidu.

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