English Literature Optional for UPSC: Topper's Insights by Nazish Nawaz

April 26, 2024

5 Minutes

Table of Contents

I believe that the best way to overcome any challenge is to face it head-on. As Robert Frost wisely said,

"The best way out is always, through."

English literature is a fascinating subject that can be challenging to define. There's no single, definitive definition. However, for the purpose of our study for the UPSC examination, we can define it as "pieces of writing that are valued as works of art, especially novels, plays, and poems."

English Literature and UPSC English Optional Syllabus

When we look at the UPSC syllabus for English Literature, we find that the prescribed works are selected from different periods in literary history, ranging from old English, which was prevalent during the medieval and early modern periods, to contemporary English used from 1900 AD onwards. This body of work reflects the most important political, economic, and social aspects of life during these ages.

Contrary to popular belief, literature is not just about fictional stories and rhythmic poems. It is a mirror that reflects the pains, problems, and progress of the times in which it was written. This makes it not only interesting but also informative and enlightening.

In recent years, English literature has become a popular choice for the optional paper in the Civil Services Exam. The success rate of candidates with English literature as an optional subject has also seen a noticeable increase. Candidates like Anjali S (Rank-26/2017) and Deeksha Jain (Rank-22/2018) have not only qualified the exam but also secured great ranks.

Who should take English Literature as UPSC CSE Optional Subject?

So, who should choose English Literature as an optional subject? Do you need a background in literature to understand it for the Civil Services Exam? My answer to the former question is anyone with a genuine interest in the subject can choose it. As for the latter, having a background in literature might make the syllabus easier to understand to some extent, but it won't make much of a difference in your preparation compared to those who are introduced to literature for the first time in this examination.

The syllabus is defined in great detail, making your preparation quick and refined. Because of its precision, the subject can be easily prepared in three to four months. Reading works like "Burnt Norton" by T.S. Eliot, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain, and "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen will deepen your understanding of morals, humaneness, and human suffering. This will help you immensely in understanding society and women's issues in General Studies 1 and enriching your answers in General Studies 4.

The philosophical truths or ideas found in these texts, such as "The tears of the world are of a constant quantity" from Samuel Beckett's "Waiting For Godot," "Charms strikes the sight but merit wins the soul" from Alexander Pope's "Rape Of The Locke," and "Depth answers only to depth" from Charles Dickens' "Hard Times," written with excellent brevity, would add depth to your essays. Along with this, reading the texts will definitely polish your language, helping you write as well as speak better English.

There is no such thing as a good or bad optional subject. It all depends on one's interest, ability, and the will to try something new, work hard, and excel at it. Anyone who wants to learn a new discipline through this examination can opt for English literature as their optional subject.

Also read: Anthropology Optional for UPSC: Syllabus, Trends, Optional Selection and Books

Right Approach for English Literature Optional

Once you have finished reading the syllabus and have decided to choose literature, the next step is to figure out your approach. The syllabus is already divided into two papers, but you can organize your sections as per your ease. For instance, you can prepare all the modern poems and novels or Victorian poems and novels together. This will help you understand the era, the writer, and their writing style better. It will also enable you to compare authors, their works, their characters, and the circumstances in which they wrote, enhancing your answers with better introductions and explanations.

For history, you can make your own short notes from "A Compendious History of English Literature" by R.D. Trivedi and "History Of English Literature" by Edward Albert. The best books for the works mentioned would be the actual texts. Read the text and establish your understanding of the plays, novels, and poetry. For revisions, you can read detailed summaries from the internet and supplement your understanding with scholarly articles and critical analysis.

Resources for English Literature

Make exhaustive use of the internet throughout your preparation journey. Websites like Sparknotes, Cliffnotes, and Coursehero are free and provide simple explanations of works. Once you have covered your syllabus fairly, start practicing answer writing with previous year's papers. The previous year's papers will guide you on how to approach any novel or poem. You have to cover all aspects of a work that you come across in these papers.

Power of Feedback

If you have a mentor, get your answers checked and work on their feedback. If you can't find someone to do that for you, you can mark your own progress by writing the same question again and again, trying to incorporate important and relevant quotations or examples from the actual text, which will make your answers more impactful. If you come across a literary term like sonnet, heroic couplets, blank verses, stream of consciousness, make two to three-line notes explaining the term and revise these notes before your examination.

Check out: Public Administration Optional for UPSC: A Detailed Guide

Keeping the Correct Mindset

The beauty of the subject is that the syllabus is rigid, allowing you to cover it quickly and then refine and improve it. So, the best strategy is to not rush through it, but rather enjoy the works and let your ideas flow. The more fresh and new dimensions of works you are able to discover, the better. Your originality and creativity will ensure that you score the best.

Conclusion

Don't let louder opinions deceive you. It's not the subject you choose that determines your success, but the amount of time, effort, and hard work you put into understanding the subject. If you find yourself genuinely inclined towards English literature and the syllabus interests you, then with a positive outlook and great enthusiasm, go for it. Success shall be yours, as William Wordsworth says,

"To begin, Begin."

The blog's author, Nazish Nawaz, achieved 54th rank in the J&K Combined Competitive Examination 2022 and is presently undergoing training to become a JKPS Officer.