| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Examination | UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination |
| Year | 2025 |
| Conducting Body | UPSC |
| Paper | English Literature Paper - I |
| Subject | English Literature |
| Duration | Three Hours |
| Maximum Marks | 250 |
| Number of Questions | 8 |
| Question Type | Descriptive / Subjective |
This document contains the UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025 question paper for English Literature Paper I. The paper consists of eight descriptive questions divided into two sections, with candidates required to attempt five questions in total, including compulsory questions 1 and 5. This paper is crucial for aspirants aiming to secure a position in the Civil Services, offering a detailed look at the expected knowledge and analytical skills in English Literature at the Mains examination level. Marks for each question and word limits are specified, guiding candidates on how to structure their answers effectively.
Section A
(a) Major literary developments of the Renaissance
(b) Representation of the supernatural in Elizabethan and Jacobean drama
(c) Key characteristics that define Metaphysical poetry
(d) Function of satire in mock-epic
(e) Factors contributed to the emergence of novel as a literary form in the 18th century
Section A
(a) Examine the theme of freedom with references to Ariel and Caliban characters in the play The Tempest.
(b) Estimate John Donne as a Metaphysical poet with references to his poems prescribed.
(c) What is the significance of Satan's journey through Chaos in Book II of Paradise Lost? Discuss.
Section A
(a) Examine how the structure of the play King Lear, with its interwoven plots, contributes to the overall thematic concerns.
(b) Discuss how the mock-epic style enhances the humour and irony of the narrative in The Rape of the Lock.
(c) How does Wordsworth represent the impact of childhood and innocence in the poem Ode on Intimations of Immortality?
Section A
(a) With reference to the characteristics of Romantic poetry, assess Wordsworth as a Romantic poet.
(b) How does the poet Tennyson reflect his emotional journey in the poem In Memoriam? Explain.
(c) Justify your views that the play A Doll's House challenges traditional views on marriage and family.
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The exam is the UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination.
This question paper is from the 2025 examination.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination.
This paper is for English Literature, specifically Paper I.
This is for the Main examination stage.
There are EIGHT questions in total.