literature topics_revised

Write a 300-400 word essay on ONE of the following topics:

1. Humanism in English Renaissance literature focuses on man – both his

hope and miseries, his bravery and cowardice, his fear and despair. Analyse

the embodiment of humanism via the protagonist Hamlet in “The

tragedy of Hamlet -, Prince of Denmark”.

2. Romantic poetry praises beauty of nature and endows Nature with human

passions. “The mind of Man”, however, is the major concern for William

Wordsworth. Explore that realm of Nature and Man as described by

William Wordsworth in some of his poems.

3. Charles Dickens and William Makepeace Thackeray are the most famous

novelists of Victorian literature. While Dickens portrays life of the poor and

offers criticism of social problems, Thackeray tends to describe the upper

class society and give a satirical view of his characters. Analyse Dickens’

style (or Thackeray’s style) of satire as shown in the excerpt “David at

Salem’s House” ( or Sir ‘Old Sir Pitt’s Proposal).

4. Explore the theme of Love as exposed in “The Gift of Magi” (or “The

Last Leaf”) by O’Henry ORor hidden in Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills

like Wwhite eElephants”.

5. Which view of art are you for – “Art for art’s sake” or “Art for

Human’s Sake”? Prove your viewpoint with evidence taken from “The

Moon and Sixpence” by William Somerset Maugham.