WBSU B.A. PART II EXAMINATION

ENGLISH HONOURS Paper IV

By S.Halder

Full Marks: 100                                                                              Examination Time: 4 hours.

Answers that are to the point, precise and clear will be given special credit.

Spelling and grammatical errors are liable to be penalised.

SECTION 1

1. Attempt any two of the following:                                                         2x 10=20

 (a) Will you agree with Fielding’s definition of the novel as a ‘comic epic-poem in

      prose’?                        

 (b) Critically comment on Sterne’s experiment with the novel in Tristram Shandy.

 (c)  Did the Victorian women novelists have a different perspective on society and

       morality? Give suitable examples.

 (d) Assess the contribution of Sir Walter Scott to the history of the novel.

2. Answer briefly any two of the following:                                              2x5=10

(a) What is a Gothic novel? Name two such novels and their authors.

(b) Who constituted the readership of the novel when it came into existence?

(c) Is Vanity Fair a significant novel? Account for its popularity.

(d) Name a Victorian Industrial novel and its theme.

SECTION 2

3. Answer briefly any four of the following:                                              4x5=20

    (a) Name at least five periodical papers with the names of persons associated with the

         publication.

(b) Comment on the life of the spectator.

(c) Name two major writers of Victorian prose and name their works.

(d) Illustrate two characteristics of Addison’s prose style from the essay that you have

     read.

(e) Indicate two characteristics of the ‘romantic’ essayist in Charles Lamb.

(f) Who are the ‘dream children’?

SECTION 3

4. Answer any one of the following:                                                       15

   (a) Comment on the minor characters  of Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice.

   (b)  Comment on the Elizabeth –Darcy relationship  in  of Pride and Prejudice.

5. Answer briefly any one of the following:                                             5

    (a) Comment on  character of Mr.Bennet

    (b) Comment on the members of Lucas Lodge.

    (c)  Comment on the character of Lady Catherine de Borough.

   

6. Answer the following multiple choice questions from either Group 1 or 2.

     Indicate clearly which group you are attempting.                                           5x1

SECTION 4

7. Answer any one of the following:                                                           15

  (a) Comment on the role of  Clym Yeobright in The Return of the Native.

  (b) Is Eustacia Vye the tragic heroine of Hardy’s novel? Give reasons for your view.

 

8. Answer any one of the following:                                                            5

   (a) Who is a  Thomasin?

   (b) What is the ‘Egdon Heath’? How is it important in the novel?

   (c) Who is the ‘Wildeve ’? What is his role?