B. A.

Fourth Semester – English Literature

Que: 1; A) Narrate in your own words the story of ‘A Tiger for Malgudi’.

Ans: In ‘A Tiger for Malgudi’, it is shown how the Sanyasi approaches the tiger. A Swamy
lived in a remote part of a jungle. He was living in the company of a tiger. The peasants heard
of this strange companionship. They believed that there was something divine in their
relationship. They thought that the Swamy was a holy man.
One day a group of peasants visited the Swamy. They were afraid of the tiger living
with the Swamy, so they stood at a distance and called out Swamiji. The Swamy did not like
their calling him “Swamiji”. He told them he was no ‘swamiji’, but asked them to come. The
Swami asked them why they had come at all. They answered that it was for his ‘darshan’. He
told them not to use that word as it was not proper. Then he asked them to come closer to
him. They said they had come to sit at his feet. Again Swamy objected to the use of word
‘feet’.
The Swamy explained that he was not great. It was true that a swamy was usually
bearded and wore scanty clothes. But he did not wear a shirt because he had none. He was not
different from them. They were equals and there was no need to pay homage to him.
The Swamy told them not to spoil their mind with thoughts of the tiger. They placed
the baskets of flowers and fruits before him and requested him to accept them. The peasants
explained the purpose of their visit. He explained to the peasants that all causes of rivalry and
clash were senseless and advised the not to fight. No cause was worth a clash. He advised
them that they should not depend upon a tiger or a bearded man to help them settle their
differences. If they were ready to hate and wanted to destroy each other, they might find
hundred reasons.

Que: Sketch the character of Gangu.

Ans: Gangu is a delightful character portrait in the story 'The Child' by Munshi Premchand.
Gangu was a Brahmin by caste. He served in the household of the narrator. He was very
much different from other servants. He was away from all the vices. As he was a proud of his
high caste, he did not bow to his master. He is short-tempered
Of course, he showed no characteristics of an ideal Brahmin. Unlike the Brahmins he was
not educated, did not take bath in the river or pray regularly. But as a Brahmin, he expected
respect and service from others.
But his broad social mind is exposed in the way he marries Gomti, a widow of a bad
reputation. In-spite of people's criticism and resent from his master, he married to the widow
and lived happily.
Gangu had strong convictions of the man-woman relationship. He believes that a woman
should not live where she doesn’t find love and respect.
The orthodox Gangu showed progressive approach when he did not bother about the past
life of Gomti. His pure love for others is revealed when he accepts Gomti with the child from
her previous husband.
Thus Gangu is a good man with a kind, devoted and generous heart. We are impressed by
the courage and sincerely of Gangu. He proved to be a noble human being.

B. A. II Sem IV-ELT
 Que-1-A) Describe the personality of Gangu before his marriage.

The Child’ is a beautiful story by the famous writer, Munshi Premchand. He brought a
new sense of social awareness in people through is novels and short stories. He is respected
as an outstanding short story writer.
Gangu was a servant in the narrator’s house. He differed from other servants. He took pride
in being a Brahmin. Like others, he did not bow to his master. He did not even touch the used
utensils. Gangu never fan the narrator when sweating. But when other servants are not present,
and if need arises, Gangu himself fans the narrator in show of favour. He was short-tempered
and didn’t like the criticism. He had no friends. He did not sit with other servants, because he
thinks it is below dignity for him. He never mixed up with other people. He had no addiction of
bhang and other bad habits.
Like other Brahmins, he was not educated, but expect others to offer due respect and service
to him. He did not perform any religious rituals or bathed in the river.
Once he approached the narrator and was trying to say something to the narrator. But he
was hesitating. But the narrator asked him to speak quickly as he is very busy. So that Gangu
reveals the issue. He wanted to quit work because he is going to marry. He is going to marry
Gomati Devi who has two ex-husbands. The narrator was shocked and he did not want Gangu to
marry her because she doesn't hold a very good name in public. But Gangu believed in her and
stated that people are mistaking her. He expressed to the narrator that nothing is her fault. Gangu
is less of a Brahmin in his deeds actions. But he is more a human being and he holds humanity
as his primary trait.

Que- 1-A) : Narrate the story ‘The Child’ in your own words. Or

How does Gangu convince the narrator about the character of Gomti?

Ans: ‘The Child’ is a beautiful story by the famous writer, Munshi Premchand. He brought a
new sense of social awareness in people through is novels and short stories. He is respected
as an outstanding short story writer.
‘The child’ is a story which is narrated by the narrator who is a generous, rich man. Gangu
was one of the servants who served his master. Gangu was a Brahmin. He was different from
many other servants in the household. He was away from all the vices. Of course he showed
no characteristics of an ideal Brahmin.
Once he went to the narrator in private and declared that he wanted to leave the job
because he was going to marry, Gomati Devi who had been driven away twice by her two
past husbands. She lived in the same mohalla. All believed her to be low in character. But
Gangu’s opinion was different. The narrator tried to stop but Gangu said that it was not her
fault. Nobody understood her. Finally he left the job. The narrator thought that very soon
Gomatidevi and Gangu will get separated but they lived happily.
But once Gomati ran away. The narrator was happy thinking that he proved true. Gangu
was upset but still had faith in her. After one month when the narrator returned from Nainital,
Gangu came to him again. He had a new born baby in his hand. He was extremely happy. He
searched and found Gomati out. She had runaway because she was going to be the mother
and Gangu was not father of that child. But Gangu was very generous. The narrator tried hard
to provoke him against Gomati but he was firm in his love. He accepted the child as a gift
from the god.
Finally, seeing Gangu’s feeling and generosity, the narrator was touched and offered his
blessing to the baby.

B. A. II Sem IV-ELT
Que -1 B- What was Johnsy’s condition after Pneumonia visited her?
‘The Last Leaf’ is the most touching short of O’Henry. Johnsy and Sue were both
friends and they had a joint studio. Once Johsny had an attack of Pneumonia. Her weak body
was helpless to bear the severity of the attack. She lay miserable in her bed. But her
condition was deteriorating day by day. As her condition had alarmed Sue, she invited the
doctor to examine her friend Johnsy.
According to the doctor, Johnsy’s condition was worrisome. She did not show any signs
of improvement despite good treatment. He thought that perhaps she had lost her will to live.
Hence, no medicine could help her in this negative state of mind.
It was autumn and the ivy creeper leaves on the opposite brick wall were falling
gradually. This depressed an already ill Johnsy. Strangely enough, she associated her falling
health with the leaves. Sue became worried because Johnsy would lie in her bed without
moving, just gazing out of the window. Johnsy had pneumonia and it seemed curable but her
condition indicated otherwise.
Johnsy was emotionally disturbed. In fact, she had an attack of depression too.
Johnsy’s life could be saved by reviving her interest in things around her. She was in a state
of depression and had to be convinced that she could recover fully if she had the will to live.
Sue talked about clothes and fashions to draw Johnsy’s interest in things around her. She
also moved her drawing-board to Johnsy’s room and whistled as she painted, to keep
Johnsy’s mind off her illness.
But Johnsy kept looking out of the window and counted backwards to note the number
of leaves left on the ivy-creeper. She believed that she would die when the last leaf fell
whereas the leaves were falling due to brutal wind and rain during the autumn season.
-------------------------------------------
Que-1 B) How did Behrman save Johnsy’s life. OR
Describe the last leaf in your own words.
‘The Last Leaf’ is the most touching short of O’Henry. Johnsy and Sue were both friends
and they had a joint studio. Once Johsny had an attack of Pneumonia and was on the point of
death. According to the doctor, Johnsy’s condition was worrisome. She did not show any
signs of improvement despite good treatment. She started to believe that when the last leaf
fell from an ivy vine that watched through the window, she would die. Sue became worried
because Johnsy would lie in her bed without moving, just gazing out of the window.
Behrman was a sixty-year-old painter. He lived on the ground floor of the same building
as Sue and Johnsy. Sue shared her worry with him. His lifelong dream was to paint a
masterpiece. One night, the last leaf fell. Behrman, fellow artist and a friend, painted a leaf
on the wall out of the compassion for Johnsy.
The next morning Johnsy got up and looked out of the window. To her great surprise,
she saw the single ivy leaf on the vine. In spite of the heavy rain and wind, it was surprising
that the leaf did not fell. Johnsy began to recover. However, having spent the night outdoors,
Behramn got an attack of Pneumonia from which he did not recover. Sue told Johnsy that
Behrman had died of Pneumonia that day in the hospital. Thinking that the painted leaf was
the real, Johnsy recovered from illness. They found a lantern still lighted and a ladder that
had been dragged from the place and some scattered brushes. In fact, what Johnsy saw the
painting of the ivy leaf on the brick wall that was Behrman’s masterpiece which gave a new
life to Johnsy.

B. A. II Sem IV-ELT
Que.1-B- Justify the title of the story ‘The Last Leaf”.

Ans: ‘The Last Leaf’ is the most touching short of O’Henry. Johnsy and Sue were
both friends and they had a joint studio. Once Johsny had an attack of Pneumonia and
was on the point of death. She started to believe that when the last leaf fell from an ivy
vine that that watched through the window, she would die. Sue told Behrman about
this and he knew what was to be done.

One night, the last leaf fell. Behrman, fellow artist and a friend, painted a leaf on
the wall out of the compassion for Johnsy. The next morning Johnsy got up and
looked out of the window. To her great surprise, she saw the single ivy leaf on the
vine. In spite of the heavy rain and wind, it was surprising that the leaf did not fell.
Johnsy began to recover. However, having spent the night outdoors, Behramn got an
attack of Pneumonia. from which he did not recover. Sue told Johnsy that Behrman
had died of Pneumonia that day in the hospital. Thinking that the painted leaf was the
real, Johnsy recovered from illness. They found a lantern still lighted and a ladder that
had been dragged from the place and some scattered brushes. In fact, what Johnsy saw
the painting of the ivy leaf on the brick wall. And that was Behrman’s masterpiece
which gave a new life to Johnsy. The title ‘The Last Leaf’ is also, therefore, quite
suitable.

Que 1-B: Describe the circumstances in which the banker and lawyer enters
into a bet.

Ans: In the present story ‘The Bet’, Anton Chekhov shows that a life dedicated to
study and contemplation can find an interest in worldly life.

The banker had been a very rich man 15 years back. One autumn evening, he
arranged a party at his residence. The reputed persons and intellectuals of the town
were invited for the party. Some of the invitees were busy in same clever
conversations. Death penalty was also a topic of their conversations. Some of the
participants supported its continuance. To them it relieves man of his sorrows and
sufferings instantly. So they argued for it. There were others who wanted it to be
discontinued. To them, it gives no chance to a man to reform himself. Its continuance
was a mark of savagery and barbarism of the modern society. There was a young
lawyer in the party. He was totally against the capital punishment. He rejected out-
rightly the banker’s plea that life-imprisonment killed man bit by bit. He supported the
reformative aspect of it. At this the banker offered to pay two millions to a person as a
bet, who would undergo a solitary imprisonment for five years. The lawyer accepts
the challenge and told that he would undergo the solitary imprisonment not for five
but for complete 15 year. Then they discussed between themselves other terms and
conditions of the bet.
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B. A. II Sem IV-ELT
 Que: 2- A) Summarise the story of novel ‘Animal Farm’.
Ans: Animal Farm is an allegorical novella by George Orwell which is published in
1945. This novel is an allegory. It reflects events leading up to the Russian Revolution of
1917.
The story begins with a secret meeting. This meeting was called upon of all the farm
animals on Manor Farm by Old Major, the old boar. He states that a rebellion against their
human master, Mr Jones, will one day come.
One night, Farmer Jones goes to bed and forgets to feed the animals. So the animals go
into the barn to feed themselves. Farmer Jones finds them and whips them but the animals
fight back. The men lose and they are chased off the farm.
Now they are free, the animals all agree on the Seven Commandments that they will
live by. The farm is renamed 'Animal Farm'. There is hope for a better future.
The pigs start to order the other animals around and take more food than they should.
The animals bravely fight off a human attempt to retake the farm, this becomes known as 'The
Battle of the Cowshed'. There’s a lot of tension between Napoleon and Snowball. Snowball
wants to build a windmill but Napoleon doesn’t. So Napoleon tells his dogs to attack Snowball.
Snowball survives and escapes the mean dogs. After Napoleon takes over the farm, he changes
his mind and wants to build a windmill.
Napoleon reduces the rations and rights of the animals and starts breaking the
commandments. There is another invasion by the men and the windmill is blown up.
Napoleon and the other pigs learn to walk on their hind legs, wear human clothes and
carry whips. Despite all their hard work, the animals of the farm are right back to where they
began, hungry, scared and exploited by those in charge.

Que: 2-A) Sketch the character of Old Major in ‘Animal Farm’.

Animal Farm is an allegorical novella by George Orwell which is published in 1945.
This novel is an allegory. It reflects events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917.
Old Major is the oldest pig at Manor Farm. He is also the prize pig of Mr. Jones’s and is
greatly respected by the other animals. Old Major has a strange dream and expresses the dream
to the farm animals in a large gathering. There he says that the humans, such as Mr. Jones, are
evil and gluttonous. He says that humans use the farm animals for their products and return no
benefits to them. He claims that "Man is the only creature that consumes without producing."
Old Major calls the animals to join together in saying, “All men are enemies. All animals are
comrades.” In doing so he asks the animals to rebel against the tyranny of the human race so that
the animals may make their labour their own.
Old Major’s complaint allegorically points to the faults of Tsarist rule in the Russian
Empire and the working classes’ wish for more control. After his speech, he leads the animals in
a song called Beasts of England, causing an uproar, which wakes Mr. Jones. After Mr. Jones
shoots into the darkness, the animals scatter and go to sleep. However, Old Major has sown the
seeds of rebellion in the animals, launching the process of revolt.
Old Major dies a few months before the revolution. So he never gets to see his ideas play out
in the real world. But Napoleon does eventually reveals Old Major’s ideals to the other animals.
The other animals followed it reverently. Old Major was visionary, optimistic, and pure. Old
Major’s ideals are simple in their utopian principles. But when the pigs Snowballs and
Napoleon begin to reinterpret Old Major’s words, his legacy becomes somewhat mutated.
While Old Major represents Karl Marx and his economic and political ideas such as the
equal sharing of labor and resources. Old Major also represents Vladimir Lenin, a Russian
revolutionary leader who led the overthrow of Tsarist rule in Russia. Like Old Major, Lenin
incited rebellion but died not long after establishing the Soviet Union. He was unable to oversee
the process of recreating society under Communist ideals. Before his death, Lenin expressed
concern over the two very different men who would assume power: Leon Trotsky and Joseph
Stalin, who are represented by Snowball and Napoleon, respectively.
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B. A. II Sem IV-ELT
 Que-2-A) Animal farm as a political satire.
A satire is a work of literature which uses humor, irony and exaggeration to criticize
people, places or events. In Animal Farm , Orwell' attempts to satarise the Russian
Revolution of 1917. In the Revolution, Bolsheviks came to power and the totalitarian rule
of Joseph Stalin began in 1924. This is made clear when the idealistic animals in the farm.
They represent the Bolsheviks who overthrow their human master, Mr. Jones, and take
control of the farm for themselves.
The major players are animals but their failings are all too recognisably human. They
begin with an idealistic attempt to form a new society. This society would be liberated from
the tyranny of humans. This would be founded on the principle of equality and freedom for
everyone. But all goes wrong as the pigs take over. Backed up by the brute power of the
dogs, they appropriate all manner of comforts and even luxuries for themselves.
Simultaneously, they reduce the other animals to the same condition of slavery that they
suffered under humans before.
Over time, one of the pigs, Napoleon, rises to become the leading figure on the farm.
Like Joseph Stalin, Napoleon is single-minded, ambitious and prepared to use violence to
achieve his aims. Napoleon's conflict with Snowball mirrors the conflict between Joseph
Stalin and another Bolshevik leader, Leon Trotsky. This resulted in Leon Trotsky’s
expulsion from the Soviet Union.
In his novel, Animal Farm, Orwell clearly satirises the political events in Russia and
on the leadership of Joseph Stalin. Specifically, he argues that Stalinism did not improve
the lives of the people of Russia. Just like it did not improve the lives of the animals on the
farm. In fact, Napoleon was even more cruel than Mr. Jones. Similarly, Stalin was far
worse than any of his political predecessors. The theme in Animal Farm maintains that in
every society there are leaders who, if given the opportunity, will likely abuse their power.
However, the satire of Animal Farm is not tied to any one time or place. Its lessons are
universal, and conveyed in memorable fashion. In this way, it acclaims as a powerful and
relevant literary work.

Que-2-A) Why does Mollie run away from Farm.

Mollie is a young white horse who pulls Mr. Jone’s carriage at Manor Farm. She is an
ornamental animal and self-centered. She does not have many uses, and she enjoys being a pet
to the people. When the worker animals drive out the humans, Mollie worries that she will not
live a pampered lifestyle any more.
Mollie cared more about ribbons and sugar cubes than the tenets of Animalism. She
asks Snowball if there will still be sugar after the rebellion. The animals consider that a stupid
question. Snowball tells her that sugar is not a necessity. So of course, they will not have any.
They have no way to make sugar on the farm. Because they do not want to trade with humans.
Snowball tells her that her ribbons are “the badge of slavery” and she will not wear them. When
they tour the house, Mollie steals a ribbon.
Mollie is useless on the farm. She doesn't want to do any work. She would rather spend
her time gazing at her own reflection in the drinking pool. She doesn’t wake up early enough,
and she knocks off work early by pretending she stepped on a stone. She makes “excellent
excuses” so she generally gets away with it. When the animals learn to read, Mollie refuses to
learn any letters but the ones that make up her own name. During the battle, she hides under hay
at the sound of the first shot.
Mollie is spotted talking to Mr. Pilkington, a neighbor, through the hedge. She lets him
stroke her nose. Clover is troubled by this, but Mollie denies it. Later, they find her hiding
ribbons.
Three days later Mollie disappeared. For some weeks nothing was known of her
whereabouts, then the pigeons reported that they had seen her carrying the cart of the humans.
In the end, Mollie runs away to enjoy the comforts of living with people. All she wants is
to be loved and admired and, without any humans around, this will not happen.

B. A. II Sem IV-ELT
Que 2 A: What are the commandments Major give to the animals?
Ans: Animal Farm is an allegorical novella by George Orwell which is published in 1945.
This novel is an allegory. It reflects events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917.
Napoleon, Snowball and Squealer develop Old Major’s idea. The idea is that animals
have a right to freedom and equality into “a complete system of thought” which they call
Animalism. The central beliefs of Animalism are expressed in the Seven Commandments,
painted on the wall of the big barn.
These commandments are:
1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3. No animal shall wear clothes.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
6. No animal shall kill any other animal.
7. All animals are equal.
These commandments are also distilled into the maxim "Four legs good, two legs bad!"
Later, Napoleon and his pigs secretly revise some commandments to clear themselves of
accusations of law-breaking. The changed commandments are as follows, with the changes
bolded:
1. No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets.
2. No animal shall drink alcohol to excess.
3. No animal shall kill any other animal without cause.
Eventually, these are replaced with the maxims, "All animals are equal, but some animals
are more equal than others", and "Four legs good, two legs better!" as the pigs become more
human.
This is an ironic twist to the original purpose of the Seven Commandments. Through the
revision of the commandments, Orwell demonstrates how simply political dogma can be
turned into malleable propaganda.

Que 2-A: Describe the meeting of the animals which took place to discover the
miserable life.
Ans: Animal Farm is an allegorical and satirical novella written by George Orwell and
published in 1945. The literal story features rebellion of a group of animals on a farm against
their human master, Mr. Jones. The issues with power struggles and abuses of power have
been raised in the story.
In the opening chapter, the Manor Farm is introduced. The drunken farm owner, Mr.
Jones went to sleep. Once he is safely in bed, the animals gathered at the main farm building,
where Old Major, a large old boar, has asked them to gather. Old Major tells them he doesn't
expect to be alive much longer. Therefore, he wishes to pass on his wisdom before he dies.
Old Major describes how all of the animals in England live miserable lives. How they are
enslaved by humans and forced to work for no reward until they are eventually slaughtered.
He says that the animals have this fate because humans are in control of the goods produced
by their labour. He suggests that rebellion against humans, whenever the opportunity should
arise, is the only way for the animals to be free from being abused and controlled. Old Major
says that even when humans are conquered, no animal should act like a human by sleeping in
a bed, wearing clothes, drinking alcohol, or using money to engage in trade.
At the end of his speech, Old Major suggests a vote as to whether wild creatures, such as
rats and rabbits, are considered comrades. The majority vote that rats are indeed comrades,
and Old Major describes his strange dream of the earth when humans have vanished, and
sings a song called "Beasts of England". All of the animals joyfully take up the song, making
so much noise they waken Mr. Jones who shoots his gun into the night. The gunshot sends all
of the animals fearfully back to sleep.
B. A. II Sem IV-ELT
2. B- What is autobiography and what are the difficulties of an autobiographer?

Ans: Autobiography is one of the important types of literary forms. In an autobiography,

the author writes the story of his own life and achievements. This form of literature has
become very popular in modern times.
Autobiography is the story of man’s life and achievements written by himself for
his own delight or for public welfare. The urge to express one’s own achievement in in
the form of a book is inherent in human nature, when it finds expression in words, it takes
the form of autobiography. The man who writes autobiography brings before us the story
of his life, his relations with his age and contemporaries. Autobiography is written in a
frank, sincere and truthful manner. But it has one glaring drawback. It can never be
complete because the writer writes before death. It can never describe the death of the
writer.

There are two types of autobiography: 1) Subjective Autobiography 2)

Objective Autobiography

Difficulties of the autobiographer:

Anyone who sits down to write the story of his own life has to face many problems.
1) It is usually difficult to recapture with an accuracy the impressions and emotions and
distant path.
2) It may be embarrassing to write with freedom about some episodes.
3) It is almost impossible to be entirely objective and detached in giving an account of
matters that may have profoundly affected one’s personal happiness or prosperity.
4) He has to take great care in making any comments on people who may be active when
the book appears. An incorrect or offensive statement leads to legal complications.
5) An autobiography is bound to omit the details of daily life that are common to
everyone. He must concentrate on what is striking and exceptional.
Thus the literary form, autobiography has been developed in English literature
brilliantly. It occupies an important place in the history of English literature.

Que 2-B- What is Biography? What are pure and impure biography? What are the
difficulties of a biographer?
Ans: The Biography has developed comparatively in recent times. It was Dryden who
first used the word ‘Biography’ in 1683. He defined it as ‘the history of particular
men’s lives.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines biography as “The history of the
lives of individual men as a branch of literature.” According to Nicolson, the
biography as a truthful record of the individual, composed as a work of art.”
There are two types of Biography: 1) Pure Biography 2) Impure Biography

1) Pure Biography: The first important element of pure biography is the historical truth.
It means biographer should avoid the mis-statements and give the complete and
accurate portrait. The second essential quality of pure biography is that it should be
well-constructed. In pure biography events have no importance in their
chronological order. Thirdly, pure biography is a happy balance between realism
and idealism.

B. A. II Sem IV-ELT
 2) Impure Biography: There are 3 features which make the biography impure. The first
is the desire on the part of the biographer to celebrate the dead, to hide the evil and to
keep the memory of the good. In such biographies, the biographies, the biographer
hides the bad side and shows up only the good side and virtues of the person. It is the
general principle that the living should speak nothing but good about the dead. The
second factor which make the biography impure as the attempt on the part of life an
individual as an illustration of some theory. It takes one sided approach of the
subject. The third factor responsible for impurities is author’s personal views and
prejudices while dealing with the subject. It distorts the facts. The subjectivity of the
writer makes the biography impure.
The Difficulties of a Biographer: The most important difficulty of the biographer is that
it is hardly possible the whole life in all its aspects within the covers of a book. It is
equally difficulty to do full justice to all the aspects. It is also difficult to get a glimpse of
the thought processes of man and his intellectual, moral or emotional development. The
biographer can only guess only things. In spite of these obstacles, English literature is rich
in fine biographies and is constantly adding to its store. In the modern times, the
application of psychology has added new dimensions to this literary form.
--------------------------------------------
Que -2-B) Compare Classical and Romantic criticism.
Criticism is the art of interpreting the art. It helps the reader to understand the
work of art. The original meaning of the criticism is judgement. According to the
tradition, it is the critic’s primary business to judge the faults and merits of a work. A
whole code of law was frame to guide this task. But readers valued not only the final
judgement but the process by which it is judged. Through this process or appreciation,
he will find the true value of the finest works of criticism.
As per the functions of criticism, it is distinguished into two opposing
standpoints’ the Classical and the Romantic or the Dogmatic and the Impressionistic.
The classical criticism is the older view which began with the Renaissance. It
predominated until the time of Rousseau. The Classical criticism is also called
Dogmatic because of its insistence on a uniform standards. It laid particular emphasis
on the judicial function of criticism. It is regulated by the ancient classics. It is codified
by Aristotle and his followers. It advocated the right judgement as a step towards right
enjoyment. Classical criticism dominated European thought in the 16th, 17th and 18th
centuries. Briefly, Classical criticism stands for judgement based on absolute standards
and established conventions. It severely restricts the free play of the critical faculty.
With the French revolution, the criticism began to shake off the shackles of
classical authority. It was appealed particularly to the poet-critics, Wordsworth,
Swinburne, Oscar Wilde and Arthur Symons. It still has powerful followers today.
Criticism now expected to ascertain the viewpoint and intention of the writer. The
Romantic view of Criticism is entirely subjective. The critic is concerned only with his
impressions about the work of art. Any good critic of this school would enforce his
observations by an appeal to accepted conventions of ancient authorities. He would tell
what sensations a new work had evoked in him and try to communicate them. He would
explain what the artist tried to do and how far he had succeeded. He would say whether
it had vital and original qualities of its own and whether open to a wider range of
aesthetic experience. In the realm of the subjective criticism, where there are no well-
trodden roads, it is easy for both author and critic to go astray.
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B. A. II Sem IV-ELT
Que-2-B) What is criticism? What is the function of criticism? What are the
qualifications of a good critic?
Ans: In the study of a literary piece of work, criticism holds an important place. Several
critics have given different opinions about the nature and function of criticism. It serves
an intermediary between the author and the reader by explaining the one to another.
According to Carlyle, “Criticism stands like an interpreter between the inspired and
uninspired, between the prophet and those who hear the melody of his words.” According
to Matthew Arnold, it is “a disinterested endeavor to learn and propagate the best that is
known and thought in the world.” According to Walter Pater, ‘Criticism is the art of
interpreting the art.”
The original meaning of the criticism is judgement. According to the tradition, it
is the critic’s primary business to judge the faults and merits of a work.
Functions of Criticism: Criticism helps the reader to form a better idea of literary merit.
1) In the process of criticism, a critic stands as a judge. He pronounces upon the fault of
work of art. It guides the reader to approach and appreciate a particular work of art.
3) The criticism may examine the matter, the manner, the technique and language of a
piece of literature. This enables us to the literary value of particular work of art.
4) The function of a literary critic is to distinguish between a good and bad book. Critic
helps us to understand the poetry and other literary forms to the fullest extent.
5) Literary criticism is the play of the mind on a work of art. It consists in asking and
answering national questions. Such process of criticism enables the readers to get the
fullest enjoyment from literary art.

Qualification of a critic: The taste of criticism is very difficult. In order to perform well,
he must be qualified individually.
1) Critic must have a sound knowledge of human live and nature. It is essential that a
critic must have the gift of communication.
2) He must be a man of a large organic sensibility as well as a man of common sense,
understanding and clear thinking.
3) He must be a man widely read not only literature of his own language but also that
of other languages such knowledge can enable the critic to judge work in a proper
way.
4) He must have proper training and technique in the different branches of literature.
This is possible only after hard and prolonged study.
5) He must rise above all prejudices, personal interests, religious views, national
attainment, political interests and literary interests.
6) The critic must have imaginative sympathy. He must be able to put himself in the
place of the writer and thus see the things from the writer’s point of view. Then the
real meaning and purpose of the writer will become clear to him.
7) He is a good critic whose criticism is uninfluential as the creation of any author.
Wisdom cannot make one a good critic or sort of training followed by constant
practice is important for making of a good critic.
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B. A. II Sem IV-ELT
 Que-3: A- Answer the following questions in about 100 words each:-

Que; Sketch the character of Gomati.

In the story ‘Child’, the character of Gomati is sensational but inert. Gomati is a widow of
a doubtful character. She was living in the same mohalla where Gangu was serving at the
narrator’s house. Gomati had been driven away twice by her two past husbands. All believed
her to be low in character. But Gangu’s opinion was different. Gangu said that it was not fault.
Nobody understood her. Despite her defamed character, Gangu married her. Gomati showered
her love at feet of Gangu who accepted her.
She was self-respectful and rebellious who never cared for the shallow and fake morality
of society. She left the past two husbands because they had no respect for Gomati. She did not
want to be a mere thing of pleasure for others.
Once, Gomati had ran away from home because she was going to be the mother and Gangu
was not father of that child. She did not want to deceive the trust of her husband, Gangu. But
Gangu searched her and accepted her child as a gift from the god.

Que: Why does Gomati run away?

In the story ‘Child’, Gomati was a widow of dubious character. She had been driven
away twice by her past two husbands. She lived in the same mohalla. All believed her to be low
in character. Gangu, the narrator’s servant, wanted to marry her. Despite narrator’s warning,
Gangu marries Gomati. He left the job also.
After marriage, Gangu was extremely happy in his life. But once Gomati run away. The
narrator was happy thinking that he proved true. Gangu was upset but still had faith in her.
After one month when the narrator returned from Nainital, Gangu came to him again. He had a
new born baby in his hand. He was extremely happy. He searched and found Gomati out. She
had run away because she was going to be the mother and Gangu was not father of that child.
But Gangu was very generous. He accepted the child as a gift from the god.

Que: Describe the meeting of peasants with Swamy.

The Swamiji lived in remote part of the jungle. One day a group of peasants visited
the Swamy in forest. They were afraid of the tiger living with the Swamy, so they stood at a
distance and called out Swamiji. The Swamy did not like their calling him “Swamiji”. He told
them he was no ‘swamiji’, but asked them to come. The Swami asked them why they had
come at all. They answered that it was for his ‘darshan’. He told them not to use that word as
it was not proper. Then he asked them to come closer to him. They said they had come to sit
at his feet. Again Swamy objected to the use of word ‘feet’.
The Swamy explained that he was not great. It was true that the Swamy was usually
bearded and wore scanty clothes. But he did not wear a shirt because he had none. He was not
different from them. They were equals and there was no need to pay homage to him.
The Swamy told them not to spoil their mind with thoughts of the tiger. They placed
the baskets of flowers and fruits before him and requested him to accept them. Then the
peasants explained the purpose of their visit.
Que: What kind of life Swamiji live in forest?

Swamiji lived in remote part of the jungle. Swamiji lived with a tiger in his ashram. He
used to sit on a slab of stone. His ashram was surrounded with dense creepers and shrubs.
Swaminjji did not like the metal slavery. The Swamy explained that he was not great. He lives
freely and so he also doesn’t tie the tiger. He doesn’t like people to pay homage and gifts to him.
Swamy was usually bearded and wore scanty clothes. But he did not wear a shirt because he
had none.

B. A. II Sem IV-ELT
Que-3-A- What advice did Swamiji give to the peasants?
Ans: When the peasant went to visit Swami, Swamiji advised them that all the causes of
rivalry and clash were senseless, and advised them not to fight. No cause was worth a clash.
Swamy further advised that they should not depend upon a tiger or a bearded man to help
them settle their differences. If they were ready to hate and wanted to destroy each other, they
might find a hundred reasons like a diversion of canal water in their field, two urchins of
opposite camps slapping each other, rumours of molestation of some women, even the right
to worship in a temple, anything might spark off a fight if they were inclined to encourage
hatred. Only the foolish wasted their lives in fighting.

Que: How did Srijut Sharma spend the weekend before his retirement?
Ans: During the weekend at home, Srijut Sharma was able to conceal his panic. On Saturday
night he went with his wife and son to see a circus. On Sunday morning, he spent a little
longer on his prayers. He seemed normal enough on the surface. He ate very little that day.
His wife noticed that something was troubling her husband. He told her that the Sahib had
brought a gold watch for him from abroad. His son, Hari, demanded his father’s silver watch
he was wearing. Srijut Sharma agreed to give it to him when he got the gold watch.

Que: Why did Mr. Action present golden watch to Sharma’?

Ans: One day Mr. Action, the employer of Srijut Sharma called him in the office. Mr. Action
told him that he has brought the reward for him from foreign. Srijut Sharma was innocent. He
thought that the employee is rewarded for his special efforts. But when Mr. Action tells him
that he is giving him a golden watch, Srijut realised that he is being forced out of his job. This
caused the anxiety for Srijut. Because he thought that five years were left for his retirement.
But Mr. Action wanted him to retire before time. Srijut Sharma did not oppose the decision.
He is controlled by the circumstances. He even did not voice his concerns with his wife and
son.
Que: What was the reaction of the officials to Srijut Sharma?
Ans: When Srijut Sharma came out of Mr. Action’s cabin few men clustered around him.
One of them took the box and read aloud the inscription on it. They saw the golden watch one
by one. Accountant Banaji patted his back showing sympathy. This was too much for Srijut.
One of them remarked that he was retired to make place for Seth Makhanji’s relative. Seth
Makhanji was the new partner of company. Another tauntingly said that the bosses loved
them. They gave them Sunday off and pension. Typist Sriraman pointed out that the gold
watch was not working. Mr. Banaji took the watch and put it in the case. He signaled others
to move away. As other colleagues moved away, Srijut Sharma took the case in hand walked
away.

Que: Write a note on Miss Violate Dixon?

Ans: Ms. Violate Dixon is the Anglo-Indian typist in Srijut Sharma’s office. Ms. Dixon had
the plain snub nose and spoke in sing-song voice. She had the peculiar snobbish agility of
Mem Sahib.
She considered safe enough with Srijut Sharma, because he was an old family man of
fifty. She freely converse with the elderly Srijut during lunch hour. Miss. Dixon had a desire
to go to UK where her married sister lives. She was still unmarried as her snub nose like
Shurpanakha, was in her way of getting married. Otherwise, her body shape was attractive.

B. A. II Sem IV-ELT
Que 3 B- : How did Rosemary feel to entertain the beggar girl?
Ans: After her visit to the antique shop in Curzon Street, Rosemary reached her car in
the busy street. She saw a poor young girl, thin, dark and shadowy standing nearby. She
was a battered creature with enormous eyes. She clutched at her coat collar with
reddened hands. She shivered as though she had just come out of water. The girl asked
her to have the price of a cup of tea. Rosemary felt pity and took the girl home. The girl
asked her if she was taking her to the police station. Rosemary told that she did not
want to be cruel. She wanted to prove to the girl that wonderful things happen in life
and rich people had heart and woman were sisters.

Que: What did the Banker think of capital punishment?

The banker had been a very rich man 15 years back. One autumn evening, he
arranged a party at his residence. The reputed persons and intellectuals of the town
were invited for the party. Death penalty was a topic of their conversations in the
party. Many of them disapproved of the death penalty. They argued that death penalty
ought to be replaced by imprisonment of life. The banker thought that capital
punishment was better than life imprisonment. While capital punishment killed a man
at once, life imprisonment meant a slow death. He felt that life imprisonment drags the
life out of a person in the course of many years.

Que: What were the conditions for the lawyer’s solitary imprisonment? OR
What were the things that allowed in prison?
Ans: It was decided that the lawyer would undergo solitary imprisonment for 15
years in one of the lodgings in the banker’s garden. He was not allowed to cross the
threshold of the lodge to see human beings, to receive letters, to hear human voice and
to read newspapers. But he was allowed to have a musical instrument and books to
write letters drink wine and smoke. He was allowed to contact outer world only
through the little window of the lodge made for the supply for his necessaries.

Why did Banker decide to kill prisoner?

Ans: The Banker’s fortune greatly dwindled in the last fifteen years due to his bad
habits. He thought he would have nothing to live by after paying amount of the bet. In
order to save himself from being a bankrupt, he decided to kill the prisoner. In
addition, he felt sure that the doubt would shift on the guard of the lodge. Hence, his
reputation would not suffer any set back on this account. He thought that he could
save himself by killing the lawyer.
B. A. II Sem IV-ELT
 What was the doctor’s opinion about Johnsy’s condition?
Ans: Johnsy and Sue were both friends and they ran a studio together. Once, Johnsy
fell ill with pneumonia and was at the point of death. One morning the doctor invited
Sue into the hall. He looked very serious. He told her that Johnsy had only one chance
to ten to live. The doctor went on to say that Johnsy ad up her mind that she was not
going to get well. However, the doctor promised Sue that he would do everything that
medical science could accomplish. He also added that whomever his patient began to
count the carriages in her funeral procession, he subtracted 50 per cent from the
curative power of medicines. Then the doctor advised Sue to get Johnsy interested in
life. She should get her to ask questions. Then her chances of living will be one in
five.

Que: What is Johnsy think of vine?

Ans: Johnsy and Sue were both friends and they ran a studio together. Once, Johnsy
fell ill with pneumonia and was at the point of death. Sue observed that old ivy
creeped was climbed half-way up the brick wall opposite. Johnsy was anxiously
looking out of the window and counting the ivy vine leaves.
Johnsy becomes obsessed with the leaves falling from a vine outside her window.
As strong winds were blowing, the leaves of the creeper were falling. Johnsy thought
that after the last leaf falls, she will die.

Que: Sketch the character of Behrman.

Old Behrman was a painter. He was past sixty. But he was a failure in art. He earned
very little through his paintings. He always said that he was going to paint a masterpiece.
But for the last forty years, he had not even begun it. Behrman was a drunkard. His beard
was long and curling. It gave him the look of an imp. He was a tough fellow. He hated
weakness in a man. He lived on the ground floor beneath Sue and Johnsy. He considered
himself their guardian. He was very kind and helpful at heart. When he came to know of
Johnsy’s fancy, he decided to help her. He went out in rain and snow and painted a leaf
on the wall. It saved Johnsy’s life. But he caught pneumonia and died. Thus Behrman
plays a very important role in the story. He sacrificed his life and saved Johnsy’s life.

Que: Why does the old Behrman paint the last leaf?
Behrman was a 60-years-old painter. He lived on the ground floor of the house
where Sue and Johnsy lived. He had a lifelong dream to paint a masterpiece. Sue told
him about the condition of Johnsy. Johnsy felt that she would die, once the last leaf fell
from the ivy creeper. Behrman thought of a plan to save Johnsy. He went out in the rainy
and stormy night and painted a picture of a leaf on the ivy. Johnsy saw the leaf the next
morning and got back her will to live. But Behrman died of pneumonia because he had
been out all night in the cold. Thus Behrman made the supreme sacrifice of giving up his
life for the sake of another person. He was a great soul. In this process, he achieved his
ambition of painting a masterpiece.
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B. A. II Sem IV-ELT
 Que 4. A: Difficulties of Biographer.
Ans:. Biography defined as the history of particular men’s lives written by others. But it is
extremely difficult to write the accurate image of a person.
If the biographer is not the life associate of the subject, he cannot present an accurate life
story of an individual. He imagines the background of his subject in terms of his own time.
The most important difficulty of the biographer is that it is rarely possible to cover the
whole life with its all aspects into a book. Some aspects may not be covered. Moreover, the
intimate thoughts and intentions are largely concealed from the public. The biographer has to
guess or generalise from words and deeds of the subject. Despite all these obstacles, however,
English literature is rich in fine biographies and is constantly adding to its store.

Ques: Qualification of a critic.

1) A critic must be a master in his skill required for criticism.
2) A critic must be firm in his standards but responsive to new impression, sensitive, penetrating,
and wise.
3) He should be free from bias. Any bias may affect his judgement.
4) Mere scholarship is useless. Proper training and technical skill should be accompanied to it.
5) The critic should unite the natural talent with diligence and industry to serve best the interests
of literature.

Que: What factors make Biography Impure?

Ans: Several factors make biography ‘impure’. The most common factor is the biographer’s desire
to honour the dead. He perpetuates the memory of good and conceals the evil. This affects the
purity of the biography. This will not give a full and faithful account of the man and his career.
The obtrusion of the author’s personal views and prejudices makes the biography impure. The
tendency to treat biography as an illustration of some theory and the author’s one –sided approach
and neglect of the other side makes impure. All these factors tend to make the biography impure.

Que: Write a note on Grand Style.

Ans: Grand style has become associated with Matthew Arnold. Grand style occurs with when a
man of noble nature treats serious subject with simplicity and with severity. This is applicable to the
style of Homer and Milton. The outstanding characteristics of grand style are: imagination in highest
degree, severity, restrain, association of ideas, aptness of expression, loftiness of tone. These features
compel the reader’s attention in that great poem.
It suggests more than it says. It impresses the reader by its austerity rather than by its
decoration. Its greatness is made vocal.
The essential quality of the Grand Style is greatness. However, it cannot be defined
satisfactorily. The Grand Style is more easily found in the practice of the masters than in the
definition of the critic.

Que: What are the three elements of style?

According to W. H. Hudson, style is composed of three elements. He classifies these as
intellectual, emotional and aesthetic.
The intellectual element means the science of writing. It consists of precision in use of words,
clarity of meaning, economy in use of words and above all harmony between though and expression.
This element of style is synonymous with composition.
The emotional element brings thoughts clearly before the reader. Author’s force, power of
suggestion and his capacity to move the reader and share his own state of mind make style rise from
a mere science and it becomes an art.
The aesthetic element comprises the artistic graces of style. It give an immediate pleasure,
beauty and charm. For example, Coleridge’s “Ancient Mariner’ is notable for its onomatopoeia and
for its word-music which helps to strengthen the sense. The use of alliteration, internal rhyme and apt
use of vowels and consonants accounts for the charm of the style. These three elements together
combine to form style.
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B. A. II Sem IV-ELT
4. B: Answer the following questions in about ONE or TWO sentences each:-
1) What is the name of Augustine’s autobiography?
Ans: Augustine’s autobiography is Confessions. (5th Century AD).

2) Two Types of Biography.

Ans: Pure and impure are the two types of Biography.

3) What is biography?
Ans: The Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘Biography’ as ‘the history of the lives of
individual men’.

4) What is subjective autobiography?

Ans: Subjective Autobiography presents the account of personal feelings and opinions of the
author that cannot be proved.

5)Two Types of Criticism:

Ans: Classical and Romantic are the two types of criticism.

6) How is biography different from history?

Ans : Biography is different from history in being a record of the life of one individual.

7) Name any two biographers.

Ans: Boswell and Lytton are the two famous biographers.

8) Name any two famous two auto –biographies.

Ans: Sir Edit Sitwell’s Left Hand, Right Hand and Rousseau’s Confessions are the two
famous autobiographies.

9) Who used the term biography for the first time?

Ans: Dryden used the term biography in 1683 for the first time.

10) How did French Revolution affect criticism?

Ans: With the French Revolution, criticism broke away from classical standards and
started the Romantic Criticism

11) What is classical criticism?

Ans: Classical criticism is an older view in criticism that advocates the judgement based on
the ‘rules’ of ancient classics. i.e. Aristotle and his followers.

12) Write down the names of any two critics.

Ans: Walter Pater and Mathew Arnold are two well- known critics.

13) What is subjective autobiography?

Ans: Subjective Autobiography presents account of personal feelings and opinions of the
author.

14) Who has written the Preface to Lyrical Ballads?

Ans: Wordsworth and Coleridge have written Preface to Lyrical Ballads.

15) Who started the movement ‘Deconstruction’?

Ans: The movement of ‘Deconstruction’ was started by Jacques Derrida.

16) What are the two functions of criticism?

Ans: Interpretation and Judgment of art are the two functions of criticism.

B. A. II Sem IV-ELT
 17) What is Grand Style?
Ans: Grand style is a quality of style that treats serious and noble subjects in a simple and
severe manner.

18) Name Edith Sitwell’s autobiography.

Ans: Name of Edith Sitwell’s autobiography is ‘Left Hand, Right Hand’.

19) Name Alexander Pope’s work on criticism.

Ans: Alexander Pope’s work on criticism is ‘Essay on Criticism.’

20) Who wrote Johnson’s biography?

Ans: Boswell wrote Johnson’s biography.

21) When did Psychological Criticism begin?

Ans: Psychological Criticism began in 1920.

22) Whose economical and cultural theories provide the basis for the critical concepts for
Marxist critics?
Ans: Karl Marx and Fredrich Engels provide the basis for the critical concepts of Marxist
critics.

23) What is Reader-Response Criticism?

Ans: Reader-Response criticism regards literary work as a joint construct through interaction
between the words on a page and a reader.

24) Name two famous diarists.

Ans: Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn are two famous diarists.

25) What is an objective autobiography?

Ans: Objective autobiography is an autobiography which author records his public life that
can be proved.

Que- 4 C: Literary Terms:

1) Utopia: Utopia has Greek origin. It is a combination of two Greek words, Outopia and Entopia.
Outpia means ‘into place’ and Entopia means ‘a good place’. Utopia
means a kind of fiction which represents an idea and a way of life. Exp: William
Morris- ‘News From Nowhere’
2) Picaresque Novel: Picaresque novel or narrative is the predecessor of the literary form novel.
This form was developed in the 16th century in Spain, ‘Picar’ is a Spanish which means
‘rogue’. So picaresque novel is a story of a ran-away rogue (बदमाश).
Ex: Henry Fielding’s Tom Jones.

3) Sentimental Novel: A novel with an aim to describe the alliance of acute sensibility with true
virtue.
For ex: Richardson’s novel – Pamela

4) Novell: Novella is an Italian word which means a little new thing. It was a short tale in prose. In
the 14th century, in Italy there was a great collection of Novella. The term is particularly applied
to the early tale of Italian and French writers. For example: Boccaccio’s Decameron

5) Parable: Parable is an allegorical story. It contains a moral or lesson. The characters are human
beings rather than animal.
For example: Wilfred Owen’s poem ‘The Parable of the Old Man and the Young’
B. A. II Sem IV-ELT