This answer mixes up the different critics’ comments. Later in the second paragraph, there are other critics who are “outright dismissive” of Mphahlele’s novel because it contains autobiographical elements. But the comment we’re being asked about isn’t about distinctions between literary genres. It’s about great literature and whether Mphahlele’s work meets the requirements of great literature.

(B) might be tempting if you thought the question was asking about the author’s opinion concerning the critic’s comment. But we’re not asked whether the author agrees with the critic or what the author would say in response to the critic. We’re just asked about the meaning of “negative subtext” – what is the negative subtext contained in the critic’s comment? That negative subtext is the idea that Mphahlele’s work isn’t actually great literature. What the author thinks about this negative opinion is not relevant to this question.

The comment we’re being asked about concerns the requirements of great literature. The critic is suggesting that Mphahlele’s novel isn’t great because the qualities it displays don’t meet the requirements of great literature. The comment isn’t about the requirements of fiction generally.

(D) is very tempting, because part of the critic’s comment is suggesting that the requirements described are not actually the requirements for great literature. But what’s missing from (D) is the point that the critic believes Mphahlele’s novel isn’t great literature. This is the negative aspect of the critic’s comment. It’s easier to understand the critic’s point if you think of it as a sarcastic comment. The critic isn’t suggesting that anyone thinks anger, firsthand experiences, and topicality are the requirements of great literature. Instead, the critic is telling us that these features, which Mphahlele’s work contains, are not enough to make his work great.

(E) best captures the negative subtext in the critic’s comment. The critic is suggesting that Mphahlele’s work isn’t great literature, because it doesn’t meet whatever the true requirements of great literature are.