English Literature Optional Syllabus for UPSC

English Literature Paper I syllabus

1. 1. Drama

   • Elizabethan drama, Shakespeare
   • Restoration & 18th century
   • Modern drama

2. 2. Poetry

   • Metaphysical, Augustan poetry
   • Romantic poetry
   • Victorian, modern poetry

3. 3. Novel

   • Rise of the novel
   • Victorian novel
   • 20th century novel

4. 4. Prose

   • Literary criticism
   • Essays, autobiographies
   • Non-fiction prose

5. 5. Literary Terms

   • Figures of speech
   • Literary movements
   • Critical approaches

English Literature Paper II syllabus

1. 1. American Literature

   • Colonial to 19th century
   • Modern American literature
   • Contemporary trends

2. 2. Indian Writing in English

   • Pioneers, Tagore, Aurobindo
   • Post-independence fiction
   • Contemporary Indian English

3. 3. Postcolonial Literature

   • African literature
   • Caribbean literature
   • Australian, Canadian literature

4. 4. Women's Writing

   • Feminist criticism
   • Major women writers
   • Gender studies

5. 5. Modern Literary Theory

   • Structuralism, post-structuralism
   • Deconstruction, postmodernism
   • New historicism, cultural studies

Other Literature optionals

• Hindi Literature
• Sanskrit Literature