BANKURA UNIVERSITY B.A 4TH SEMESTER ENGLISH HONS BROAD QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

B.A 3RD SEMESTER ENGLISH HONS BROAD QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ,BANKURA UNIVERSITY ,BANKURA UNIVERSITY B.A 4TH SEMESTER ENGLISH MAJOR BROAD QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 

1. Critical Appreciation of Dr. Samuel Johnson's Poem London

Dr. Samuel Johnson’s London (1738) is a powerful satirical poem that presents a scathing critique of contemporary society in London during the reign of King George II. Written in heroic couplets, it is modeled after Juvenal’s Third Satire and reflects Johnson's pessimism about the moral, political, and economic condition of England.

Theme and Content:

The poem revolves around the departure of a character named Thales, who chooses to leave the corrupt and chaotic city of London in search of peace in the countryside. Through Thales’ perspective, Johnson criticizes the widespread corruption, crime, inequality, and the decline of traditional values in urban life. The poem attacks political mismanagement, the failure of justice, and the exploitation of the poor by the wealthy elite.

Satirical Tone and Style:

Johnson’s tone is biting and ironic. His satire is not merely humorous but deeply moral. He exposes the decay of British society through imagery of disease, noise, and darkness. His critique is aimed at the Whig government, foreign influence, and the lack of national spirit. He portrays London as a place where “Virtue languishes” and “Vice prevails.”

Moral Vision:

A central element of London is Johnson’s moral vision. He longs for a return to honesty, patriotism, and public virtue. The poem is not just a political attack but a lament for the loss of ethical standards. He contrasts the present with an idealized past, where justice and simplicity were more prevalent.

Language and Structure:

The poem is written in heroic couplets, which lend it a formal and rhythmic quality. Johnson’s diction is elevated, filled with classical allusions, biblical references, and rhetorical devices such as apostrophe and personification. The use of classical models reflects Johnson’s belief in the universality of moral truths.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, London stands as a powerful example of Augustan satire, blending political criticism with moral reflection. It reflects Dr. Johnson’s deep concern for the moral state of society and his belief in literature as a tool for reform. The poem remains relevant as a critique of corruption and the tension between public duty and personal ambition.

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2. Beauty and Time’s Restlessness in Keats's Ode on a Grecian Urn

John Keats’s Ode on a Grecian Urn is a profound meditation on the relationship between beauty, art, and the passage of time. Through this ode, Keats explores the paradoxical nature of art, which freezes a moment forever, and the human world, where time brings change, decay, and death.

Theme of Beauty:

The central concern of the poem is the concept of beauty — both in its visual and emotional forms. The urn, with its eternal depictions of lovers, musicians, and pastoral life, symbolizes eternal beauty. The famous line, “Beauty is truth, truth beauty,” encapsulates Keats's belief in the eternal value of aesthetic experience. For Keats, beauty provides a refuge from the harshness of real life and is perhaps the only enduring truth.

Time and Stillness:

While the urn preserves beauty from the ravages of time, it also highlights the paradox of stillness. The lovers on the urn are forever young and in the moment before a kiss, but they will never actually experience the kiss. This raises the question: is it better to live in the idealized potential of art or in the fleeting joys and sorrows of real life?

Tension Between the Real and the Ideal:

Keats contrasts the temporal world with the timeless world of the urn. In real life, beauty fades, people age, and emotions change. But on the urn, these moments are preserved in a state of perfection. This contrast evokes both admiration and a subtle sense of loss — a recognition that art can preserve beauty but cannot replicate the fullness of lived experience.

Philosophical Reflection:

The poem ends with a profound philosophical statement, which continues to be debated. By stating “Beauty is truth, truth beauty,” Keats suggests that the appreciation of beauty leads to a deeper understanding of existence. However, this truth is not rational but emotional and intuitive.

Conclusion:

Ode on a Grecian Urn captures Keats’s mature philosophy — a contemplation of the relationship between art, beauty, and mortality. It reflects the Romantic ideal that art offers eternal truths even as it reminds us of the transient nature of human life. The poem is a timeless exploration of the human desire to transcend time through the permanence of art.

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3. Character of Emma in Jane Austen's Emma

Emma Woodhouse, the protagonist of Jane Austen’s novel Emma, is one of the most complex and charming female characters in English literature. She is portrayed as a beautiful, intelligent, and wealthy young woman, but also one whose self-confidence and impulsive judgments lead her into various social and emotional misadventures.

Independent and Privileged:

Emma is introduced as “handsome, clever, and rich.” She enjoys a privileged life and is conscious of her social superiority. Unlike most Austen heroines, she is not under pressure to marry for financial security. This independence makes her self-assured, but also somewhat vain and interfering.

Matchmaker and Misjudgments:

A central aspect of Emma’s character is her misguided enthusiasm for matchmaking. Her attempts to arrange marriages — especially between Harriet Smith and Mr. Elton — show her immaturity and limited understanding of other people's feelings. These efforts are based more on imagination and social snobbery than on true perception.

Growth and Self-Realization:

The most remarkable part of Emma's character is her journey of self-awareness. Through a series of mistakes and their consequences, she begins to understand her limitations and the effects of her actions on others. Her relationship with Mr. Knightley serves as a moral compass, guiding her toward humility, maturity, and true emotional insight.

Complex Morality:

Emma is not a flawless heroine. She exhibits pride, class prejudice, and emotional blindness. However, she is also affectionate, caring, and capable of growth. Austen allows her to err, learn, and improve, which makes her character realistic and relatable.

Conclusion:

In sum, Emma Woodhouse is a rich psychological portrait of a young woman navigating the challenges of self-understanding and social responsibility. Through Emma, Jane Austen presents a heroine who learns that true happiness comes not from controlling others but from understanding oneself and cultivating genuine relationships.

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4. Plot Construction in Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea

Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea is a tightly structured novella that focuses on the heroic struggle of Santiago, an old Cuban fisherman. The plot is simple yet profoundly symbolic, capturing themes of endurance, pride, defeat, and the human spirit.

Exposition:

The story begins by introducing Santiago, an aging fisherman who has gone 84 days without catching a fish. He is viewed as unlucky by the community, and even the young boy Manolin, who admires him, is forbidden by his parents from fishing with him. This sets the stage for Santiago’s final, desperate effort to prove his skill.

Rising Action:

On the 85th day, Santiago sets out alone into the Gulf Stream and hooks a giant marlin. The struggle with the fish becomes a test of strength, willpower, and endurance. Santiago respects the fish, seeing it as a worthy opponent, and endures great physical pain and exhaustion over three days to catch it.

Climax:

After an epic battle, Santiago finally kills the marlin and lashes it to the side of his skiff. This moment of triumph marks the emotional high point of the story. However, Santiago is far out at sea and must return home with his prize.

Falling Action:

On the way back, sharks begin to attack the marlin’s carcass. Despite Santiago’s efforts to defend it, the sharks strip the marlin to the bone. This section represents the harsh reality of nature and the inevitability of loss.

Resolution:

Santiago returns home with only the skeleton of the marlin. Though physically defeated, he is spiritually victorious. The villagers are awed by the size of the marlin’s skeleton, and the boy Manolin reaffirms his loyalty. Santiago gains a kind of redemption, proving his resilience and dignity.

Conclusion:

The plot of The Old Man and the Sea is linear and simple, yet deeply symbolic. Hemingway uses the structure to explore themes of human perseverance, pride, and the struggle against fate. The novella is a modern epic, where the hero's greatness lies not in the outcome, but in the courage of the attempt.

PART-B

1. How does Swift use the miniature world of Lilliput to satirize British politics and society in Gulliver’s Travels?

Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels (1726) is a masterful example of political and social satire. The first part of the novel, set in the land of Lilliput, features a miniature world that allows Swift to critique British politics, courtly ambition, and human folly from a new perspective. By reducing the scale of this fictional society, Swift exaggerates its absurdities and flaws, making them more visible and humorous to readers.

Political Satire:

Lilliput is ruled by an emperor and a court of officials whose actions mirror the British political system. Swift mocks the British government's corrupt bureaucracy and favoritism through the absurd manner in which Lilliputians are promoted—by dancing on a tightrope. This represents how politicians gain favor not through merit but through flattery and loyalty to the ruling party.

Religious and Party Divisions:

Swift satirizes the religious and political conflicts in England through the rivalry between the "Big-Endians" and "Little-Endians" — two sects that fight over the correct way to crack an egg. This absurd conflict reflects the real-life divisions between Catholics and Protestants, or between Whigs and Tories, suggesting that such disputes are often petty and driven by pride rather than reason.

War and Imperialism:

The Lilliputians are obsessed with petty wars and conquest, even attempting to invade Blefuscu, a neighboring island. This parodies Britain's imperial ambitions and unnecessary military engagements. Swift criticizes the arrogance of colonial powers who justify their wars with moral superiority while pursuing self-interest.

Human Vanity and Pride:

Gulliver, though a giant in Lilliput, is treated with suspicion, used as a weapon, and ultimately betrayed. This highlights human ingratitude and the dangers of power. It also shows how even the mightiest can be brought low by the jealousy and fear of those in power.

Conclusion:

Through Lilliput, Swift cleverly miniaturizes and magnifies the follies of British politics. The world of tiny people becomes a mirror to human society, exposing its vanity, corruption, and irrational conflicts. Swift’s satire is both humorous and deeply critical, making Gulliver’s Travels a timeless work of political commentary.

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2. How does Olaudah Equiano construct his identity through the narrative? In what ways does he navigate between the African, European and Christian worlds?

Olaudah Equiano’s The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano (1789) is both an autobiography and a powerful anti-slavery document. In it, Equiano constructs a complex identity shaped by his African heritage, European experiences, and Christian faith. His narrative reveals how he navigated these overlapping worlds to assert his dignity, humanity, and moral authority.

African Roots and Early Life:

Equiano begins his narrative with a detailed account of his early life in Africa, emphasizing the richness of Igbo culture and values. By portraying African society as orderly and civilized, he challenges the European notion that Africans were "savages." This part of his narrative affirms his pride in his heritage and sets the stage for understanding what was stolen from him by slavery.

European Experiences and Self-Education:

After being enslaved and transported through the Middle Passage, Equiano gains his freedom and becomes deeply involved in maritime trade. His ability to adapt, learn languages, and acquire navigation skills demonstrates his intellectual abilities and contradicts the racial prejudices of the time. He uses European tools—literacy, reason, and law—to advocate for abolition and to prove his moral and intellectual equality.

Christian Faith:

Christianity plays a central role in Equiano’s identity. His spiritual conversion gives him comfort and a sense of purpose. He uses Christian values to critique the hypocrisy of Christian slave owners who preach love but practice cruelty. Equiano presents himself as a true Christian and contrasts this with the moral failure of the European society that tolerates slavery.

Navigating Multiple Identities:

Throughout the narrative, Equiano skillfully blends his African identity with European manners and Christian belief. He does not reject his origins but uses his hybrid identity to speak to multiple audiences. He appeals to the conscience of Christian readers, the logic of Enlightenment thinkers, and the shared humanity of all people.

Conclusion:

Equiano’s narrative is a powerful self-fashioning tool. Through it, he constructs an identity that bridges cultures and challenges the dehumanizing logic of slavery. His life becomes a testimony to the potential of freedom, education, and faith to overcome oppression and to redefine what it means to be human.

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3. How does Gray reflect on death and the universality of mortality in Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard?

Thomas Gray’s Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard (1751) is one of the most reflective and moving poems of the 18th century. It meditates on death, the passage of time, and the common fate that unites all people, regardless of social status. Through the setting of a rural graveyard, Gray contemplates the lives of the poor and emphasizes the universality of mortality.

Setting and Tone:

The poem opens with a tranquil rural scene as evening falls over a country churchyard. This calm and solemn setting invites quiet reflection. The tone is melancholic and meditative, encouraging readers to think about life’s fleeting nature and the inevitability of death.

Universality of Death:

Gray emphasizes that death comes for everyone—rich or poor, powerful or humble. The graves in the churchyard belong to simple, unknown villagers whose lives were filled with quiet labor. He reminds the reader that greatness does not save one from mortality: “The paths of glory lead but to the grave.”

Value of Ordinary Lives:

One of the most radical aspects of the poem is Gray’s sympathy for the poor. He acknowledges that these villagers had potential that went unfulfilled not because of laziness or inferiority, but because of social constraints. He writes that some among them might have been great poets or leaders if only they had the opportunity. This challenges the notion that only the wealthy deserve remembrance.

The Illusion of Fame and Wealth:

Gray critiques the human desire for fame, wealth, and power by showing how all such achievements are rendered meaningless by death. Tombs and monuments cannot protect one from oblivion. Instead, he suggests that modest virtues and quiet lives have their own dignity.

Personal Reflection and Humility:

In the final stanzas, Gray imagines his own death and how he might be remembered. This shift from general reflection to personal meditation adds emotional depth. He expresses a desire to be remembered not for grand achievements, but for his sincerity and empathy.

Conclusion:

Gray’s Elegy is a profound reflection on mortality and the shared human experience of death. It elevates the common man and questions social privilege. The poem’s universal themes and gentle moral wisdom have made it a lasting meditation on the dignity of all human life.

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4. In what ways does satire function as a tool of social and political critique in 18th Century British literature?

Satire played a crucial role in 18th-century British literature as a means to criticize social injustice, political corruption, and human folly. Writers like Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope, and Henry Fielding used humor, irony, exaggeration, and parody to expose the flaws of society and provoke thought and reform.

Critique of Politics and Power:

Satirists attacked the incompetence and corruption of politicians and monarchs. For example, Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels mocks the petty conflicts and absurd rituals of political life, revealing the shallowness of party divisions and imperial ambition. Satire offered a safe, indirect way to criticize powerful institutions without risking direct confrontation.

Moral and Social Commentary:

Writers used satire to highlight the gap between appearance and reality. Pope’s The Rape of the Lock exposes the triviality of aristocratic life, where vanity and gossip take the place of virtue and reason. Satire targeted the growing materialism and moral decline of the upper classes, urging a return to sincerity and virtue.

Criticism of Intellectual and Religious Hypocrisy:

Satire often took aim at the misuse of reason and the pretentiousness of scholars, scientists, and clergymen. Swift’s A Tale of a Tub and The Battle of the Books question the blind authority of tradition and the conflicts between ancient and modern learning. Religious hypocrisy was also mocked, especially the contrast between Christian teachings and the behavior of so-called devout individuals.

Advocacy for Reform and Enlightenment Ideals:

Satirists were often aligned with Enlightenment values such as reason, tolerance, and justice. They used wit to question outdated traditions and promote progress. Fielding’s novels, such as Joseph Andrews, use satire to attack false morality and celebrate common sense and goodness.

Engagement with the Reader:

Satire requires active interpretation, encouraging readers to think critically. It often includes irony, where the literal meaning is different from the intended meaning, making the reader a participant in the act of critique.

Conclusion:

In 18th-century British literature, satire served as both entertainment and a powerful instrument of critique. It allowed writers to challenge authority, question social norms, and advocate for a more rational and just society. Satire’s blend of wit and wisdom made it one of the most effective literary forms of the Enlightenment period.