Tips and strategy for English Literature (Optional) for UPSC-Civil Services

Tips and strategy for English Literature (Optional) for UPSC-Civil Services Exam:
Article pertains to four sections that covers the entire syllabus:

1. Novels & Drama (English-origin+Indian)

2. Poetry

3. History of English Literature

4. Unforeseen poetry and prose

NOVELS & DRAMA

Books: For English-origin novels and drama, either Worldview edition or Norton Critical edition is recommended. One should supplement the analysis/criticism provided in these books with content available on websites such as Sparknotes , Cliffnotes, Wikipedia etc. But most importantly, text of a novel should be read at least once. But while reading, one must not be too fixated on the meaning of each and every sentence, rather should see a chapter in its entirety and in relation to the overall plot. Critical essays and analysis of a work should be read thoroughly and important points memorized, especially vital themes, symbols and motifs.
For Indian-origin novels (where Worldview and Norton are not available), one should read the text well and search the net for essays, criticisms and analysis.

POETRY

Books: Here, no specific book will give all dimensions of a poem. One should extensively dig the internet to gather as much in-depth knowledge about a poem as possible. Memorizing important lines of a poem is a good idea as its usage in an answer gives a very good impression. Ones own analysis during reading of a poem is equally important*~.

HISTORY OF ENGLISH LITERATURE

(Covers important literary periods like Renaissance, Elizabethan era etc. refer syllabus)
Books: Many books are available for this section. However, one can pick that which covers all (or most) periods mentioned in UPSC syllabus. Some books are given below:
Introduction to English Literature by W.H Hudson, The Routledge History of Literature in English, A short History of English Literature (Pramod K. Nayar). Internet, esp. Wikipedia is also a good source.

UNFORESEEN POETRY AND PROSE

In paper-I, one has to answer questions based on unforeseen poem and in paper-II, there is similarly a passage from which questions are based. Both combined constitute 100 marks (50 each) and are compulsory. Although one can answer questions from these sections by using ones common sense without any intensive prior preparation, a book Practical Criticism (Oxford University Press) can be useful in this regard.
(*~Ones analysis of a poem can be refined by reading the above book, and would help in analyzing the poems prescribed in syllabus).


SOME GENERAL TIPS


1. If one is fairly interested in literature, one can go for this optional very safely notwithstanding his/her graduation stream.

2. Coverage of complete syllabus should be a priority. Questions asked, especially in the recent years are so based as to test this aspect. Generally, 3 months is sufficient for a person having background in English to complete the syllabus. For one with a different background, around 6 months is sufficient depending on ones familiarity with the texts.

3. Read the historical portion after completion of the literary works. In most novels, the plot and characters depict clearly the traits of a particular literary period. That way, one would get a fair idea of various periods without any extra effort.

4. One should use simple language while answering questions. Deliberate and unnecessary use of complex lexicon isnt going to fetch any extra marks. Remember that it is a test of ones knowledge of literature and not English. The latter is only a medium for the former.

5. Answer-writing practice is of utmost importance. One should do it on a regular basis using the previous year questions (questions from past 10 year paper are relevant).

6. Since professional guidance (as per UPSC requirement) for this optional is virtually non-existent, one can approach any good university professor for evaluation of ones answers. If not, even self-evaluation is sufficient.

7. Do not refer such books which are often used by university students for securing a mere passing grade in exams (one such example is Ramji Lall). Their use, if necessitated, should only be restricted to summary of the plot/play. They cannot serve as a basic book for ones preparation in CS exams.

8. A Glossary of Literary Terms by M.H Abrams is useful for familiarizing oneself with various literary terms.
Prepared by Kumar Ujjwal
With inputs taken from:
Ajay Prakash (AIR 9, CSE 2010)
Shuchita Kishore (AIR 39, CSE 2010)