Questions for MA English (Part 1)

Questions for MA English (Part 1) Paper 1 - Classical Poetry 1. Chaucer - “The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales” i. ii. iii. iv. v.

Chaucer’s Humour / Satire / Irony Chaucer’s art of Characterization Chaucer as a modern poet (humour, secularism etc.) Chaucer’s ecclesiastical characters (Church’s hypocrisy, Comparison & contrast between the characters) Chaucer’s female characters

2. Alexander Pope – “Rape of the Lock” i. ii. iii. iv. v.

“Rape of the Lock” as social satire “Rape of the Lock” as comic epic / mock epic Use of machinery (Supernatural elements etc.) Pope’s attitude towards women (Belinda’s character, Social satire) Moral of the “Rape of the Lock”

3. Milton – “Paradise Lost” i. ii. iii. iv. v.

Milton’s grand style Portrayal of Satan in “Paradise Lost” Who is the hero of Paradise Lost? Character sketch of Adam Character sketch of Eve

4. Surrey & Wyatt i. ii. iii.

Surrey & Wyatt’s contribution of English Poetry Surrey & Wyatt as Sonnet writers (Comparison and Contrast) Critical appreciation of their Sonnets

Paper 2 – Drama 1. Sophocles – “Oedipus Rex” i. ii. iii. iv.

Concept of Fate & Free will / Fate & Character Oedipus as a tragic Hero / Oedipus’ Hamartia Irony in Oedipus Role of Chorus

2. Marlow – “Dr. Faustus” i. ii. iii. iv. v.

“Dr. Faustus” as a renaissance play “Dr. Faustus” as morality play “Dr. Faustus” as a modern tragedy / Spiritual Conflicts in the mind of Dr. Faustus Marlow’s contribution to English Drama “Dr. Faustus” Character sketch (as a typical Marlow’s hero, qualities of Marlow’s hero)

3. Shakespeare – “Othello” i. ii. iii. iv.

Othello’s character sketch Iago’s character sketch “Othello” as a social Tragedy (race & colour an important factor in Othello’s tragedy) Role of Chance & Misunderstanding (Chance Happening)

4. Oscar Wilde – “Importance of Being Earnest” i. ii. iii. iv. v.

“Importance of Being Earnest” as a comedy (satire, style etc.) “Importance of Being Earnest” as a social satire Use of wit & paradoxical statements (Irony) Algernon’s Character sketch Jack’s Character sketch

Paper 3 - Novel 1. Jane Austin - "Pride and Prejudice" i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii.

Jane Austin as a novelist (it will be a general question on Jane Austin encompassing all her writing techniques e.g. Limited Range, Irony etc). Jane Austin's Limited Range Jane Austin's Irony Themes of Marriage, Money and Manners. Character sketch of Elizabeth Lack of Passion in Jane Austin's novels Jane Austen’s art of Characterization

2. George Eliot - "Adam Bede" i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi.

George Eliot as a psychological / modern novelist Character sketch of Adam Bede Character sketch of Hetty Sorrel Character sketch of Dinnah Morris Relationship between Adam and Dinnah Theme of Hardness (Adam doesn’t show politeness. He judges everyone according to morality so he can’t develop relationships)

3. Charles Dickens - "A Tale of Two Cities" i. ii. iii. iv. v.

"A Tale of Two Cities" as an historical novel Dickens’ attitude towards French Revolution Symbolism in the novel Theme of resurrection & renunciation How public events and private lives are interlinked in the novel?

4. Thomas Hardy - "Return of the Native" i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi.

Character sketch of Clym Character sketch of Eustacia Role of Egdon Heath / nature Role of chance and coincidence / Role of fate Hardy as a pessimist Hardy as an ameliorist

Paper 4 – Prose 1. Francis Bacon - “Essays” i. ii. iii.

Bacon’s Style (proverbial style, aphorisms, pithy style etc.) Bacon’s Worldly Wisdom Renaissance element in Bacon

2. Jonathan Swift – “Gulliver’s Travels” i. ii. iii. iv.

Swift as a satirist Swift as a misanthrope Element of Utopia in “Gulliver’s Travels” Irony in “Gulliver’s Travels”

3. Bertrand Russell – “Unpopular Essays” i. ii.

Bertrand Russell as prose writer / Bertrand Russell’s style A general note on his essays can be asked.

4. Seamus Heaney – “Redress of Poetry” i. ii.

Heaney as a Prose Writer / Heaney’s Style Heaney’s arguments in favour of poetry

Paper 5 – American Literature A. Poetry 1. Sylvia Plath i. ii. iii. iv.

Critical appreciation of poems Psychological problems of Sylvia Plath Ambivalence in Sylvia Plath General Question on American Psyche

2. John Ashbery i.

Critical appreciation of poems

3. Adrienne Rich i.

Critical appreciation of poems

4. Richard Wilbur i.

Critical appreciation of poems

B. Drama 1. Arthur Miller – “The Crucible” i. ii. iii. iv.

Theme of individual & society Character sketch of Proctor Character sketch of Abigale Puritanism in the play

2. Eugene O’Neil – “Mourning Becomes Electra” i. ii.

O’Neil’s Tragic Vision Character sketch of Electra

C. Novel 1. Ernest Hemingway – “For Whom the Bell Tolls” i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi.

Robert Jordan as a Tragic Hero Is “For Whom the Bell Tolls” a political novel? (Answer: No) Hemingway as a novelist / Hemingway’s style Discuss Jordan - Maria Relationship Concept of ritual & morality in the novel Motives behind Jordan’s Sacrifice