West Bengal Civil Service
Examination-2003
(Optional Papers)
English Paper -II
Time Allowed : 3 Hours Full Marks : 100
All questions carry equal marks
1. Attempt an appreciation of the following poem after briefly and clearly bringing out its main idea :
A slumber did my spirit seal,
I had no human fears :
She seem'd a thing that could not feel
The touch of earthly years.
No motion has she now, no force;
She neither hears nor sees,
Roll'd round in earth's diurnal course
With rocks and stones and trees!
2. Write an essay on one of the following :
(a) Nature in Romantic and Victorian poetry,
(b) Comic devices in Shaw's major plays,
(c) Hardy's attitude to life.
3. (a) Of the two odes- Ode to the West Wind and Ode to Autumn—
which do you like more and why ?
(b) Examine the view that Matthew Arnold is essentially an intellectual poet. Give illustrations from at least two of his poems.
(c) Hopkins's poetry cannot be adequately described as nature poetry; it is to be found in the presentation of an experience of great spiritual intensity and complexity. Discuss with appropriate examples.
4. (a) Select any one of Scott's novels and say why it appeals to modern readers.
or
(b) Assess the value of George Eliot's contrihution to the English novel.
or
(c) Write/a critical note on one of the following :
(i) Hard Times (ii) Tess of the D 'Urbervilles (iii) The Importance of Being Earnest (iv) Candida.
or
(d) What does Galsworthy mean by 'naturalistic technique ? How successful was he in employing this technique in his plays ? Select one play for detailed discussion.
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