Last Minute ENGLISH MAJOR Suggestion 2026 ,MJC-1 2026 English Suggestion

 

Target 2026

ENGLISH MAJOR Suggestion

B.A. 1st Semester | Paper: Introduction to Literary Studies

Note: This suggestion is prepared based on the analysis of 2023 & 2025 question papers. Prepare these topics thoroughly for the best results!

UNIT 1: POETRY (10 Marks)

• John Keats (Ode to a Nightingale): Discuss Keats as a writer of Odes with special reference to Escapism or Hellenism in 'Ode to a Nightingale'. (Most Important)
• John Donne (The Ecstasie): Attempt a critical appreciation of 'The Ecstasie' as a Metaphysical Poem. (Focus on the union of souls vs. bodies).
• Shakespeare (Sonnet 29): How does the speaker's mood shift from despair to joy? Discuss the significance of the concluding couplet.

UNIT 2: FICTION (10 Marks)

(Prepare either the Novel section OR the Short Story section based on your preference)

A. NOVELS

• Frankenstein (Mary Shelley): Discuss the theme of "Science vs. Nature" OR Analyse the character of the Monster (Is he a villain or a victim?).
• The Room on the Roof (Ruskin Bond): Discuss the themes of friendship and freedom (Adolescence). Contrast Rusty's life with Mr. Harrison vs. his life with his Indian friends.

B. SHORT STORIES

• The Last Leaf (O. Henry): Justify the title of the story. Discuss the character of Behrman and the theme of sacrifice. (High Chance)
• Araby (James Joyce): Discuss 'Araby' as a story of epiphany and disillusionment.

UNIT 3: DRAMA (10 Marks)

• Riders to the Sea (J.M. Synge): Discuss the play as a Tragedy. Sketch the character of Maurya as a tragic figure. (Focus on her resignation to fate).
• Tughlaq (Girish Karnad): Discuss the character complexity of Muhammad Tughlaq (Madman or Visionary?). Discuss the use of symbols (Chess, Prayer, Sleep) in the play.

IMPORTANT SHORT QUESTIONS (2 Marks)

• Define Negative Capability (Keats).
• What is a Metaphysical Conceit? (Donne).
• Why is the grass called "careless"? (Mahapatra).
• Who is Behrman? (The Last Leaf).
• What is an Epiphany? (Araby).
• Name the two friends of Rusty.
• Significance of the "white stockings" (Riders).
• Why did Tughlaq change the currency?
• Define Catharsis.
• What is a Gothic Novel?

🔥 Top 30 Short Questions (2 Marks)

Most Probable for 2026 Exam

A. Poetry

• 1. What is a "metaphysical conceit"?
  It is an extended metaphor that combines two vastly different ideas into a single idea (e.g., comparing souls to armies in The Ecstasie).
• 2. What is "Negative Capability"?
  A term by Keats describing the capacity to be in uncertainties and doubts without reaching after fact or reason.
• 3. Why does the speaker envy the "art" of others in Sonnet 29?
  He feels he lacks talent and scope compared to others, which fuels his depression before he thinks of his love.
• 4. What does the "careless green" signify in Mahapatra's 'Grass'?
  It signifies nature's indifference to human suffering and how time erases the memories of war and pain.
• 5. What is a "volta" in a sonnet?
  The "turn" or shift in thought/mood, usually occurring at line 9 (Petrarchan) or the final couplet (Shakespearean).

B. Fiction (Novel & Short Story)

• 6. What is the subtitle of Frankenstein?
  The Modern Prometheus.
• 7. Who is "Mr. Pneumonia"?
  In The Last Leaf, the disease is personified as an "unseen stranger" who touches people with icy fingers.
• 8. What is an "epiphany" in Araby?
  A sudden spiritual realization. The boy realizes his romantic quest is foolish and vain in the darkness of the bazaar.
• 9. Why does Mary Oraon kill the Tehsildar in The Hunt?
  To protect her dignity and punish him for his predatory behavior, using the ritual of the Jani Parab festival.
• 10. Who are Somi and Kishen?
  They are Rusty's first Indian friends in The Room on the Roof who help him integrate into Indian culture.
• 11. Difference between a Flat and Round character?
  A flat character has one trait and doesn't change; a round character is complex and undergoes development.

C. Drama

• 12. What do the "white boards" signify in Riders to the Sea?
  They were meant for Michael’s coffin but are eventually used for Bartley, symbolizing the inevitability of death.
• 13. Who are Aziz and Aazam?
  Characters in Tughlaq; Aziz is a dhobi who disguises himself to exploit the Sultan's schemes, representing corruption.
• 14. What are the "Three Unities"?
  Unity of Time, Unity of Place, and Unity of Action (Aristotle's rules for drama).
• 15. Why did Tughlaq shift the capital?
  To centralize his power in India and to create communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims.

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🎭 Drama: Theory & Terms

Types of Drama & Elements of Drama (Syllabus)

Ref: Mario Klarer & Norton Introduction

A. Short Questions (2 Marks)

(Definitions & Key Concepts)

• 1. Define Tragedy according to Aristotle.
• 2. What is Catharsis?
• 3. Define Hamartia or "Tragic Flaw".
• 4. What are the Three Unities in a play?
• 5. Differentiate between Soliloquy and Aside.
• 6. What is a Closet Drama?
• 7. Define Comedy of Manners.
• 8. What is meant by Dramatic Irony?
• 9. What is the function of the Chorus in Greek Drama?
• 10. What is Peripeteia (Reversal of Fortune)?
• 11. Define Melodrama.
• 12. What does Mario Klarer mean by the "Performance" aspect of drama?

B. Descriptive Questions (10 Marks)

(Theory & Analysis)

1. Elements of Drama:
Discuss the major elements of drama (Plot, Character, Dialogue, Setting, Theme) with suitable examples. How is a drama different from a novel in terms of these elements?

2. Tragedy:
Write a detailed note on the features of Aristotelian Tragedy. Discuss the concepts of Hamartia and Catharsis.

3. Comedy:
Distinguish between Romantic Comedy and Satiric Comedy (or Comedy of Humours). What are the main features of a Shakespearean Comedy?

4. Text vs. Performance (Klarer):
"Drama is a multimedial form of art." Discuss Mario Klarer's views on the relationship between the written text and the theatrical performance.

5. One-Act Play:
Define a One-Act Play. Discuss its distinctive features and structure with reference to any play you have read.

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