MA ENGLISH PAPER IV (PROSE)
PUNJAB UNIVERSITY
(1) FRANSIS BACONS (ESSAYS)
Q No.1: Bacon’s pragmatism and worldly wisdom temper his philosophy throughout. Elaborate. (2003)
Q No.2: Write a comprehensive essay on stylistic qualities of Bacon’s essays. (2003)
OR: Write a comprehensive note on Bacon’s prose style. (2002)
OR: Evaluate Bacon’s prose style. (2001)
OR: Discuss the salient features of Bacon’s prose style. (1999)
OR: Critically evaluate the major features of Bacon’s prose style. (1996)
Q No.3: “Bacon is a Machiavellian”. What is your assessment? (2002)
OR: “Bacon is strongly imbued with Machiavellism.” Elaborate. (2000)
Q No.4: “Bacon’s essays preach that Success in life is more important than morality”. Comment. (2001)
Q No.5: “The essential merit of Bacon’s essays lies in the density of thought and expression.” Comment. (2000)
Q No 6: “Like a good lawyer. Bacon with an air of complete partiality balances opposing arguments before he draws his conclusions.” Comment. (1997/98)
Q No 7: “Bacon in his essays does not appear to be an absolute moralist.” Discuss. (1997/98)
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(2) JONATHAN SWIFT (GULLIVER’S TRAVELS)
Q No1: Swift has been charged with misanthropy. Uphold or refute the charge with concrete evidence from his works, especially, ‘Gulliver’s Travels’. (2003)
OR: Swift is charged with misanthropy in Gulliver’s Travels. What is your assessment? (2000)
OR: Discuss the charge of misanthropy against Swift. (1997/98)
Q No2: Discuss Swift as a stiristic. (2002/2001/1997/1998)
Q No3: Evaluate Gulliver’s Travels as an allegorical work. (2002/2000)
Q No4: Evaluate Swift’s powers as a creator of imaginary incidents and situations. (2001)
Q No5: “Gulliver’s Travels” expresses despair or that its import is nihilistic is radically to misread the book”. Justify or reject the statement. (1999)
Q No6: What characteristics are responsible for the popularity of Gulliver’s Travels both for children and grown-ups? (1999)
Q No7: Discuss Gulliver’s Travels as mock-utopia. (1997/98)
Q No8: “Swift wrote the perfection of plain prose.” Comment. (1996)
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(3) BERTRAND RUSSEL (UNPOPULAR ESSAYS)
Q No.1: what safeguards does Russell suggest against a teacher’s becoming a tool in the hands of governments and how far are they adequate? (2003)
Q No.2What according to Russell, are causes of happiness. (2002)
OR: Discuss Russell’s philosophy of happiness. (2000)
Q No.3: Evaluate Russell’s prose style. (2002/1999/1996)
OR: Write a critical note on Russell’s prose style.(2001)
OR: Critically evaluate Russell’s prose style. (2000)
Q No.4: “Russell wants to liberate man from pessimism.” Discuss in the light of his book “ The Conquest of Happiness”. (2001)
OR: “Russell wants to liberate man from pessimism.” Elaborate the statement in the light of his essays in your course.
Q No.5: “The lucidly and charm of his style depend upon the clarity of his thought”. Discuss the statement in the light of Russell’s book The Conquest of Happiness. (1997/98)
Q No.6: What are the main ingredients of Russell’s recipe for conquering happiness? (1996)
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(4) EDWARD SAID (INTRODUCTION TO CULTURE AND IMPERIALISM)
Q No.1: What according to Edward Said is culture and what, imperialism and how does he relate the two? (2003)
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(5) SEAMUS HEANEY (REDRESS OF POETRY)
Q No.1: Write your own defence of poetry in the light of Seamus Heaney’s views. (2003)
(6) GENERAL QUESTIONS FROM PROSE
Q No.1: Which of the prose writers included in your course is your favorite, and why? (2003)
OR: Of the prose writers who figure in your syllabus whom do you like most? Give reasons. (2001/1996)
Q No.2: Discuss prose as a literary genre. (2002)
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PREPARED BY M. SHAHEEN IQBAL