Context
- Canadian poet, essayist, and translator Anne Carson was awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature by the Swedish Academy.
About Anne Carson
- Nationality: Canadian
- Fields: Poetry, essays and translation
- Literary Style: Her works blend poetry, prose, essays and fiction, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman literature.
- Carson is the 19th woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature since its inception in 1901.
Notable Works
- Eros the Bittersweet
- Autobiography of Red
- Men in the Off Hours
- Norma Jeane Baker of Troy
- Glass, Irony, and God
- Nox
About the Nobel Prize System
• Established by: Alfred Nobel, Swedish chemist, engineer and inventor of dynamite.
• Institutional Origin: The Nobel Prizes were established through Alfred Nobel’s will, signed in 1895.
• First Awards: The Nobel Prizes were first awarded in 1901.
• Prize Categories: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature and Peace.
• Economic Sciences: The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel was established in 1968 and first awarded in 1969. It is not one of the original five Nobel Prizes.
• Nobel Prize in Literature: Awarded by the Swedish Academy.
• Other Awarding Institutions:
o Physics and Chemistry — Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
o Physiology or Medicine — Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet.
o Peace — Norwegian Nobel Committee, appointed by the Norwegian Parliament (Storting).
o Economic Sciences — Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
• Award Ceremony: The Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature and Economic Sciences are presented in Stockholm, Sweden, while the Nobel Peace Prize is presented in Oslo, Norway.
• Prize Components: A Nobel Prize consists of a medal, a diploma and a monetary award.
Q. With reference to Anne Carson and the Nobel Prize in Literature, consider the following statements:
1. Anne Carson is a Canadian poet, essayist and translator whose works draw inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman literature.
2. The Swedish Academy is responsible for awarding the Nobel Prize in Literature.
3. Anne Carson is the 29th woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature since its inception in 1901.
4. Autobiography of Red and Glass, Irony, and God are among her notable works.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation:
• Statement 1 is Correct: Anne Carson is a Canadian poet, essayist and translator known for blending classical themes with modern literary forms.
• Statement 2 is Correct: The Swedish Academy selects the laureate for the Nobel Prize in Literature.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: The passage identifies Carson as the 19th woman to receive the award.
• Statement 4 is Correct: Both Autobiography of Red and Glass, Irony, and God are among Carson’s notable works.