(English Literature) Paper III– Prose Duration – 3 Hours, Max. Marks
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1 B. A. Part II (English Literature) Paper III– Prose Duration – 3 hours, Max. Marks – 50 The following essays are prescribed for detailed study: 1. Francis Bacon: “Of Studies” 2. Proverbs, Chapter XV. (from The Bible) 3. Addison: “Will Wimble” 4. Steele: “The Spectator Club” 5. Goldsmith: “Beau Tibbs” 6. Johnson: “Letter to Chesterfield” 7. Lamb: “Dream Children” 8. Charlotte Perkins Gilman: “The Yellow Wallpaper” 9. Anita Desai: “A Farewell Party” 10. James Thurber: “The Secret of Waltermity” 11. Katherine Mansfield: “The Fly” Non‐Detailed Study R. K. Narayan’s The Guide Pattern The question paper will be divided into five units. In Unit I, there will be a compulsory question carrying 16 marks, in which candidates will be asked to explain with reference to the context any four out of seven passages from the essays and stories prescribed. Units II, III, and IV will consist of essay‐type question on the essays/essayists and stories prescribed. The following unit‐wise division of the essayists and story writers will be observed in asking questions. Unit II – Bacon, The Bible (Book of Proverbs), Addison, Steele Unit III‐ Goldsmith, Johnson, Lamb and Charlotte Perkins Gilman Unit IV – Anita Desai, James Thurber, Catherine Mansfield In Units II, III and IV, there will be a question each on any two essayists/story writers in the Unit and candidates will be asked to answer any one question. Questions in Unit II will carry 9 marks each and those in Units III and IV will carry 8 marks each. Unit V: There will be five short‐ answer questions on R. K. Narayan’s The Guide relating to events, situations, allusions etc. candidates will be expected to answer any three questions in about eighty words each. Each Question in this unit will carry 3 marks. 2 Francis Bacon: “Of Studies” Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability. Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment, and disposition of business. For expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars, one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best, from those that are learned. To spend too much time in studies is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar. They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience: for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning, by study; and studies themselves, do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience. Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them, and above them, won by observation. Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider. Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. Some books also may be read by deputy, and extracts made of them by others; but that would be only in the less important arguments, and the meaner sort of books, else distilled books are like common distilled waters, flashy things. Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man. And therefore, if a man write little, he had need have a great memory; if he confer little, he had need have a present wit: and if he read little, he had need have much cunning, to seem to know, that he doth not. Histories make men wise; poets witty; the mathematics subtle; natural philosophy deep; moral grave; logic and rhetoric able to contend. Abeunt studia in mores. Nay, there is no stond or impediment in the wit, but may be wrought out by fit studies; like as diseases of the body, may have appropriate exercises. Bowling is good for the stone and reins; shooting for the lungs and breast; gentle walking for the stomach; riding for the head; and the like. So if a man's wit be wandering, let him study the mathematics; for in demonstrations, if his wit be called away never so little, he must begin again. If his wit be not apt to distinguish or find differences, let him study the Schoolmen; for they are cumini sectores. If he be not apt to beat over matters, and to call up one thing to prove and illustrate another, let him study the lawyers' cases. So every defect of the mind may have a special receipt. Proverbs, Chapter XV. (from The Bible) King James Version: Proverbs Chapter 15 1. A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. 2. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. 3. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. 4. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. 3 5. A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. 6. In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. 7. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. 8. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. 9. The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. 10. Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. 11. Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? 12. A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. 13. A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 14. The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. 15. All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. 16. Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. 18. A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. 19. The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. 20. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. 21. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. 22. Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. 23. A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! 24. The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. 25. The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. 26. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. 4 27. He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. 28. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. 29. The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. 30. The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. 31. The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. 32. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. 33. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. Addison: “Will Wimble” Spectator, NO. 108.) 1 AS I was yesterday morning walking with Sir Roger before his house, a country-fellow brought him a huge fish, which he told him, Mr. William Wimble had caught that very morning; and that he presented it, with his service to him, and intended to come and dine with him. At the same time he delivered a letter, which my friend read to me as soon as the messenger left him. SIR ROGER—I desire you to accept of a jack, which is the best I have caught this season. I intend to come and stay with you a week, and see how the perch bite in the Black River. I observed with some concern, the last time I saw you upon the bowling green, that your whip wanted a lash to it; I will bring half-a-dozen with me that I twisted last week, which I hope will serve you all the time you are in the country. I have not been out of the saddle for six days last past, having been at Eaton with Sir John’s eldest son. He takes to his learning hugely.—I am, sir, your humble servant, ILL.