Essential Literary Essay Analysis for Exam Success
Francis Bacon: Of Studies
Sample Exam Question & Model Answer
Question: “Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man.” Explain this statement with reference to Bacon’s essay “Of Studies.”
Model Answer
Introduction: This famous line is the cornerstone of Francis Bacon’s essay “Of Studies.” Bacon uses this triadic structure to explain how different intellectual activities contribute to the development of character and intellect.
1. Reading Maketh a Full Man
Bacon argues that reading is the primary way to gather knowledge. A person who reads widely becomes “full,” meaning their mind is well-stocked with ideas, facts, and the wisdom of others. It provides the “raw material” for thought.
2. Conference a Ready Man
“Conference” refers to discussion, debate, or conversation. Bacon suggests that while reading fills the mind, talking with others makes a person “ready”—nimble-witted and able to navigate social or professional situations with ease.
3. Writing an Exact Man
Writing provides precision. When you write, you are forced to be “exact.” You must clarify your thoughts, organize your logic, and eliminate vagueness, developing a disciplined and accurate mind.
Charles Lamb: Dream Children: A Reverie
Prepare for Short Answer (2-3 marks) and Long Answer (5-10 marks) questions for Charles Lamb’s “Dream Children: A Reverie.”
Part 1: Short Answer Questions
- Why does Lamb subtitle the essay “A Reverie”? A “reverie” is a daydream. Lamb uses this because the conversation with the children is a product of his imagination—a lonely bachelor seeking comfort in a “what if” world.
- Who was Grandmother Field? She was Lamb’s great-grandmother and the housekeeper of a mansion in Norfolk, respected for her piety and courage.
- How does the essay end? The “dream children” fade away, telling Lamb they are “nothing.” Lamb wakes up in his armchair with his sister, Bridget, realizing he is still alone.
Part 2: Long Answer Questions
Question: Discuss “Dream Children: A Reverie” as an essay of Pathos and Nostalgia.
- Introduction: Introduce Charles Lamb as the “Prince of Personal Essayists” and note the essay is a blend of autobiography and fiction written under the pseudonym Elia.
- The Element of Nostalgia: Lamb recalls childhood visits to Norfolk, describing the “Twelve Caesars” statues and his grandmother, expressing longing for a lost time.
- The Element of Pathos: The sadness lies in the “unfulfilled” nature of Lamb’s life—his regret regarding his brother John, his failed courtship of Alice W—n, and the realization that the children are merely ghosts.
- Conclusion: The essay is a psychological portrait of a man using imagination to heal his lonely heart, touching on the universal feeling of “what might have been.”
E. M. Forster: Tolerance
Forster’s essay, written post-WWII, addresses how humans can coexist in a crowded world.
Part 1: Short Answer Questions
- Why is “Love” not enough for public life? Love is a private virtue; it is too intense for public use. We need the cooler, less demanding virtue of Tolerance.
- How does Forster describe Tolerance? He calls it a “dull” and “negative” virtue—it simply means putting up with others without wanting to “smash their faces.”
- What is the State’s role? The State provides laws, but tolerance is an individual state of mind.
Part 2: Long Answer Questions
Question: Discuss E. M. Forster’s views on “Tolerance” as a necessity in the modern world.
- Difference between Love and Tolerance: Love is for the private world; Tolerance is the only virtue that functions on a large scale in the public world.
- Tolerance as a “Negative” Virtue: It is the absence of fanatical hatred and serves as the “sound foundation” of civilization.
- The Modern Necessity: As the world becomes more crowded, we face two choices: Tolerance or Destruction.
- Conclusion: Tolerance is the “makeshift” that allows different people to inhabit the same space without violence.
Louis Fischer: Gandhi and the Western World
Short Answer Questions
- What was Gandhi’s main contribution? The concept of Satyagraha (non-violent resistance), proving moral force is superior to military might.
- How did the West view Gandhi? As a “moral giant” who challenged a mighty empire through simplicity.
- What is the “Dualism”? The gap between Western technological progress and its moral decline.
Long Answer Question
Question: How does Louis Fischer explain the relevance of Gandhian philosophy to the Western world?
- Moral Leadership: Gandhi’s lack of ego made him a unique figure compared to “clever” Western leaders.
- A New Weapon: Non-violence was a proactive, brave way to stand up for truth.
- Universal Appeal: Gandhi’s principles are necessary for the survival of the human race.
Nirad C. Chaudhuri: Public Transport in London and Delhi
Short Answer Questions
- What is the main difference? Londoners are disciplined and patient; Delhi commuters are often chaotic and impatient.
- How is the London bus described? As a place of “monastic silence” where privacy is respected.
- What does the author say about the “Queue system”? It is a symbol of civilization.
Long Answer Question
Question: Discuss the cultural contrast Nirad C. Chaudhuri draws between public behavior in London and Delhi.
- Concept of Privacy: In London, public transport is an extension of private space; in Delhi, there is no “invisible wall.”
- Civic Sense: Londoners cooperate with the system; Delhi commuters are individualistic.
- Humor and Satire: Chaudhuri uses observations of transport to critique deeper flaws in national character.