1
LOYOLA COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS), CHENNAI 600 034
B.A. DEGREE EXAMINATION ENGLISH LITERATURE
FIFTH SEMESTER NOVEMBER 2017
EL 5405 COMPARATIVE LITERATURE-THEORY AND PRACTICE
Date: 11-13-2017 Dept. No. Max. 100 Marks
Time: 09:00-12:00
Part A
I Answer any EIGHT of the following in about 100 words each: x 40)
1. What are the different approaches to Comparative Literature?
2. Explain the following concepts with examples:
Anagnorisis Peripeteia
3. Discuss the different methods of translating poetry.
4. Comment on the theme of the epic 'Silappatikaram'.
5. Compare Tolkaapiyam with Aristotle's Poetics.
6. What is 'untranslatability'? Give examples.
7. Define a 'world classic'. Give examples.
8. What is social realism?
9. How does translation and comparative literature bridge cultures?
10. What is hamartia? Give examples.
Part B
II Answer any TWO of the following in about 250 words each: x 20=40)
11. Compare and contrast Tolstoy's Anna Karenina and Flaubert's Madame Bovary from a sociological
perspective.
12. What are the similarities and dissimilarities between Miranda and Shakuntala?
13. Discuss the relevance of translation studies and comparative literature in the era of globalization.
14. Identify the elements of epic poetry in The Iliad and Silappathikaram.
Part C
III Answer any ONE of the following in about 250 words: x 20
15. Compare the two tales given below in terms of theme and technique.
The Poor Man and the Flask of Oil- Indian Tale
There was once a poor man, who lived in a house next to a wealthy merchant who sold oil and
honey. As the merchant was a kind neighbour, he one day sent a flask of oil to the poor man. The
poor man was delighted, and put it carefully away on the top shelf. One evening, as he was gazing at
it, he said half aloud, "I wonder how much oil there is in that bottle. There is a large quantity. If I
should sell it, I could buy five sheep. Every year I should have lambs, and before long I should own a
flock. Then I should sell some of the sheep, and be rich enough to marry a wife. Perhaps we might
2
have a son. And what a fine boy he would be! So tall, strong, and obedient! But if he should disobey
me," and he raised the staff which he held in his hand, "I should punish him thus!"And he swung the
staff over his head and brought it heavily to the ground, knocking, as he did so, the flask off the shelf
so that the oil ran over him from head to foot.
The Milkmaid and Her Pail- Aesop
A farmer's daughter had been out to milk the cows, and was returning to the dairy carrying her pail of
milk upon her head. As she walked along, she fell a-musing after this fashion. The milk in this pail
will provide me with cream, which I will make into butter and take to market to sell. With the money
I will buy a number of eggs, and these, when hatched, will produce chickens, and by and by I shall
have quite a large poultry yard. Then I shall sell some of my fowls, and with the money which they
will bring in I will buy myself a new gown, which I shall wear when I go to the fair; and all the
young fellows will admire it, and come and make love to me, but I shall toss my head and have
nothing to say to them. Forgetting all about the pail, and suiting the action to the word, she tossed her
head. Down went the pail, all the milk was spilled, and all her fine castles in the air vanished in a
moment!
16. Translate the following proverbs from Tamil to English and discuss the problems in translating them.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.