Introduction
The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) Assistant Professor (English) exam is a competitive test for aspiring educators in Maharashtra’s higher education institutions. The exam consists of 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions, each carrying two marks, totalling 200 marks, lasting one hour. It includes negative marking (0.25 or 0.5 marks deducted for incorrect answers), making strategic preparation essential. The syllabus spans 10 units, covering English literature, language, cultural studies, and research methodologies.
Exam Context
The MPSC Assistant Professor (English) exam recruits candidates for Assistant Professor and Lecturer positions in the Maharashtra Education Service, Group-A and Group-B, under the Collegiate Branch of the Higher and Technical Education Department. The syllabus, based on standard academic requirements, includes:
- Drama: Ancient to contemporary, including Indian and world drama.
- Poetry: Old English to global contemporary poetry.
- Fiction: From the rise of the novel to multicultural fiction.
- Non-Fictional Prose: Renaissance to global contemporary non-fiction.
- Language: Basic Concepts, Theories, and Pedagogy: Linguistics and teaching methodologies.
- English in India: History, Evolution, and Future: Colonial to modern roles of English.
- Cultural Studies: Foundations to digital-era developments.
- Literary Criticism: Classical to Contemporary Approaches.
- Literary Theory Post-World War II: Structuralism to feminism and beyond
- Research Methods and Materials in English: Research techniques in language and literature.
Unit-Wise Book Recommendations
Below is a detailed list of recommended books for each unit, selected for their academic rigour and alignment with the syllabus. Standard texts are used in English literature and language studies, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
Drama
The drama unit covers ancient Greek and Roman plays, medieval English drama, Renaissance and Restoration periods, Victorian and modern drama, world drama, and Indian drama (Sanskrit and regional).
- A Short History of English Drama by B. Ifor Evans
- A Short History of English Drama significantly contributes to literary criticism and theatre studies.
- Key Features:
- 1. Comprehensive History: Covers the evolution of English drama from its origins to modern times.
- 2 . Detailed Analysis: Provides in-depth analysis of significant periods, playwrights, and theatrical movements.
- 3. Seminal Playwrights: Examines the works and impact of Shakespeare, Marlowe, and Jonson.
- 4. Cultural Significance: Highlights English theatre’s cultural and historical significance.
- 5. Theatre Studies: A Valuable resource for those studying
- The Cambridge Companion to English Renaissance Drama, edited by A. R. Braunmuller and Michael Hattaway
- This new edition of the Companion provides updated information about the principal theatres, playwrights and plays of the most critical period of English drama, from 1580-1642. Revised essays are included in chapters on theatres, dramaturgy, political plays, heroic plays, burlesque, comedy, tragedy, and drama produced during the reign of Charles I. Their references have been updated, and the substantial biographical and bibliographical section has been expanded.
- This new edition of the Companion provides updated information about the principal theatres, playwrights and plays of the most critical period of English drama, from 1580-1642. Revised essays are included in chapters on theatres, dramaturgy, political plays, heroic plays, burlesque, comedy, tragedy, and drama produced during the reign of Charles I. Their references have been updated, and the substantial biographical and bibliographical section has been expanded.
- Modern British Drama: The Twentieth Century by Christopher Innes
- A revised and updated version of Modern British Drama, 1890-1990, this was the first one-volume analysis of English playwriting over the twentieth century. Includes a chronology, illustrations from key performances, lists of playwrights and works, and selective bibliographies.
- A revised and updated version of Modern British Drama, 1890-1990, this was the first one-volume analysis of English playwriting over the twentieth century. Includes a chronology, illustrations from key performances, lists of playwrights and works, and selective bibliographies.
Poetry
This unit spans Old English and medieval poetry, Renaissance, Romantic, modernist, postmodernist, and contemporary global English poetry.
- by
- This famous work resulted from the wartime collaboration of two Scottish scholars. The Times Literary Supplement has described their tracing of the course of English poetry as a ‘volume of masterly compression’. They deliberately spend most of their time on the greatest poets, believing that, as significant as traditions and influences are, the great poet himself affects the spirit of his age and moulds the tradition he has inherited. At the same time, enough attention is paid to minor poets to make the book historically complete and to fill in the most critical links in the chain of poetic development. Thus, like Chaucer, Patmore, and Browning, Gower is here. A critical history of English poetry is a distinguished and valuable work both in scope and in detail.
- This famous work resulted from the wartime collaboration of two Scottish scholars. The Times Literary Supplement has described their tracing of the course of English poetry as a ‘volume of masterly compression’. They deliberately spend most of their time on the greatest poets, believing that, as significant as traditions and influences are, the great poet himself affects the spirit of his age and moulds the tradition he has inherited. At the same time, enough attention is paid to minor poets to make the book historically complete and to fill in the most critical links in the chain of poetic development. Thus, like Chaucer, Patmore, and Browning, Gower is here. A critical history of English poetry is a distinguished and valuable work both in scope and in detail.
- A Little History of Poetry by John Carey
- John Carey tells the stories behind the world’s greatest poems, from the oldest surviving one written nearly four thousand years ago to those written today. Carey looks at poets whose works shape our world views, such as Dante, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Whitman, and Yeats. He also looks at more recent poets, like Derek Walcott, Marianne Moore, and Maya Angelou, who have started to question what makes a poem “great” in the first place.
For young and old readers, this little history shines a light on the richness of the world’s poems―and the elusive quality that makes them all the more enticing.
- John Carey tells the stories behind the world’s greatest poems, from the oldest surviving one written nearly four thousand years ago to those written today. Carey looks at poets whose works shape our world views, such as Dante, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Whitman, and Yeats. He also looks at more recent poets, like Derek Walcott, Marianne Moore, and Maya Angelou, who have started to question what makes a poem “great” in the first place.
- Modern Indian Poetry in English by Bruce King
- This book, now in a revised edition, is a comprehensive study of modern Indian poetry in English. It is a history and analysis of the most important poets (such as Nissim Ezekiel, A.K. Ramanujan and Dom Moraes), books and journals, and an analysis of the social basis of Indian English-language poetry. This edition includes an updated chronology, an extended essay on Agha Shahid Ali, and two chapters on significant new, younger poets.
- This book, now in a revised edition, is a comprehensive study of modern Indian poetry in English. It is a history and analysis of the most important poets (such as Nissim Ezekiel, A.K. Ramanujan and Dom Moraes), books and journals, and an analysis of the social basis of Indian English-language poetry. This edition includes an updated chronology, an extended essay on Agha Shahid Ali, and two chapters on significant new, younger poets.
Fiction
The fiction unit includes the rise of English fiction (16th-18th century), Victorian novels, modernist fiction, postcolonial and global fiction, and contemporary multicultural fiction.
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- This distinguished book is recognised as one of the finest critical histories of the English novel. Here, he tells the story of the novel and storytelling from Bunyan through all the great fiction writers to the two 20th-century giants, D.H. Lawrence and James Joyce. The passage of time may have made this work appear outdated, but it still has a role in any debate on the novel’s subject.
- This distinguished book is recognised as one of the finest critical histories of the English novel. Here, he tells the story of the novel and storytelling from Bunyan through all the great fiction writers to the two 20th-century giants, D.H. Lawrence and James Joyce. The passage of time may have made this work appear outdated, but it still has a role in any debate on the novel’s subject.
- by
- The Cambridge History of the English Novel chronicles an ever-changing and developing body of fiction across three centuries. An interwoven narrative of the novel’s progress unfolds in over fifty chapters, charting continuities and innovations of structure, tracing lines of influence in themes and techniques, and showing how greater and lesser authors shape the genre. Pushing beyond the usual period-centred boundaries, the History’s emphasis on form reveals the range and depth the novel has achieved in English. This book will be indispensable for research libraries and scholars, but is accessible to students.
- The Cambridge History of the English Novel chronicles an ever-changing and developing body of fiction across three centuries. An interwoven narrative of the novel’s progress unfolds in over fifty chapters, charting continuities and innovations of structure, tracing lines of influence in themes and techniques, and showing how greater and lesser authors shape the genre. Pushing beyond the usual period-centred boundaries, the History’s emphasis on form reveals the range and depth the novel has achieved in English. This book will be indispensable for research libraries and scholars, but is accessible to students.
- Steven Connor provides in-depth analyses of the novel and its relationship with its form, contemporary culture, and history. He incorporates an extensive and varied range of writers in his discussions, such as George Orwell, William Golding, Angela Carter, Doris Lessing, Timothy Mo, Hanif Kureishi, Marina Warner, and Maggie Gee.
Written by a foremost scholar of contemporary culture and theory, The English Novel in History, 1950 to the Present offers a survey and a historical and cultural context to British literature produced in the second half of this century.
- Steven Connor provides in-depth analyses of the novel and its relationship with its form, contemporary culture, and history. He incorporates an extensive and varied range of writers in his discussions, such as George Orwell, William Golding, Angela Carter, Doris Lessing, Timothy Mo, Hanif Kureishi, Marina Warner, and Maggie Gee.
Non-Fictional Prose
This unit covers Renaissance and Reformation prose, Enlightenment and Augustan Age nonfiction, Romantic and Victorian nonfiction, modernist and postcolonial nonfiction, and contemporary global nonfiction.
- A SHORT HISTORY OF ENGLISH PROSE AND ESSAY By Raghukul Tilak
- The Routledge History of Literature in English covers the main developments in British and Irish literature, with accompanying language notes which explore the interrelationships between language and literature at each stage. With a span from AD 600 to the present day, it emphasises the growth of literary writing, its traditions, conventions and changing characteristics. It includes literature from the margins, both geographical and cultural. Extensive quotations from poetry, prose and drama underpin the narrative. The third edition covers recent developments in literary and cultural theory.
- The Routledge History of Literature in English covers the main developments in British and Irish literature, with accompanying language notes which explore the interrelationships between language and literature at each stage. With a span from AD 600 to the present day, it emphasises the growth of literary writing, its traditions, conventions and changing characteristics. It includes literature from the margins, both geographical and cultural. Extensive quotations from poetry, prose and drama underpin the narrative. The third edition covers recent developments in literary and cultural theory.
- This is the second edition of English Literature in Context, a popular textbook which provides an essential resource and reference tool for all English literature students. Designed to accompany students throughout their degree course, it offers a detailed narrative survey of the diverse historical and cultural contexts that have shaped the development of English literature, from the Anglo-Saxon period to the present day. Carefully structured for undergraduate use, the eight chronological chapters are written by a team of expert contributors who are also highly experienced teachers. Each chapter includes a detailed chronology, contextual readings of selected literary texts, annotated suggestions for further reading, a rich range of illustrations and textboxes, and thorough historical and literary overviews. This second edition has been comprehensively revised, with a new chapter on postcolonial literature, a substantially expanded chapter on contemporary literature, and the addition of over two hundred new critical references. Online resources include textboxes, chapter samples, study questions, and chronologies.
- This is the second edition of English Literature in Context, a popular textbook which provides an essential resource and reference tool for all English literature students. Designed to accompany students throughout their degree course, it offers a detailed narrative survey of the diverse historical and cultural contexts that have shaped the development of English literature, from the Anglo-Saxon period to the present day. Carefully structured for undergraduate use, the eight chronological chapters are written by a team of expert contributors who are also highly experienced teachers. Each chapter includes a detailed chronology, contextual readings of selected literary texts, annotated suggestions for further reading, a rich range of illustrations and textboxes, and thorough historical and literary overviews. This second edition has been comprehensively revised, with a new chapter on postcolonial literature, a substantially expanded chapter on contemporary literature, and the addition of over two hundred new critical references. Online resources include textboxes, chapter samples, study questions, and chronologies.
Language: Basic Concepts, Theories, and Pedagogy
This unit includes foundational linguistics, language development theories, pedagogy, sociocultural perspectives, and the future of English.
- An Introduction to Language by Victoria Fromkin, Robert Rodman, and Nina Hyams
- AN INTRODUCTION TO LANGUAGE, 11th Edition, offers the information you need clearly and descriptively, assuming no prior knowledge of linguistics. This edition retains the blend of humour and broad coverage that have made the text a perennial best seller while adding up-to-date information and new research that render each topic fresh, engaging, and current.
- AN INTRODUCTION TO LANGUAGE, 11th Edition, offers the information you need clearly and descriptively, assuming no prior knowledge of linguistics. This edition retains the blend of humour and broad coverage that have made the text a perennial best seller while adding up-to-date information and new research that render each topic fresh, engaging, and current.
- Linguistics: An Introduction by Andrew Radford, Martin Atkinson, David Britain, Harald Clahsen, and Andrew Spencer
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language by Marianne Celce-Murcia
- Gives both prospective and experienced ESL/ELT teachers the theoretical background and practical applications they need to decide which approaches, materials, and resources can and should be used in their classrooms.
- Gives both prospective and experienced ESL/ELT teachers the theoretical background and practical applications they need to decide which approaches, materials, and resources can and should be used in their classrooms.
English in India: History, Evolution, and Future
This unit explores English’s introduction in colonial India, Macaulay’s Minute, its role in nationalism, and its contemporary and future significance.
The Story of English in India by Krishnaswamy
by Qaiser Zoha Alam
V. K. Gokak
Cultural Studies
This unit includes the foundations of cultural studies, its emergence as a discipline, globalisation, digital-era developments, and future directions.
- Cultural Studies: Theory and Practice by Chris Barker
- The Cultural Studies Reader, edited by Simon During
Literary Criticism
This unit spans classical (5th century BCE to 4th century CE), medieval, Renaissance, neoclassical, Enlightenment, Romantic, Victorian, and modern and contemporary criticism.
- The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism, edited by Vincent B. Leitch (W. W. Norton): Covers all periods, from classical to modern criticism.
- Literary Theory: An Introduction by Terry Eagleton is an accessible overview ideal for exam preparation.
Literary Theory Post-World War II
This unit covers structuralism, post-structuralism, psychoanalytic and Marxist criticism, postmodernism, postcolonialism, feminism, and contemporary theories.
- Contemporary Literary Theory by Ann Jefferson and David Robey: Focuses on post-World War II theories, including postmodernism and postcolonialism.
- The Johns Hopkins Guide to Literary Theory and Criticism, edited by Michael Groden and Martin Kreiswirth: A detailed reference for advanced theories.
Research Methods and Materials in English
This unit includes types of research, data collection methods, ethics, and research in English and literature.
- Research Methods in Language and Literature by Johann Wolfgang Unger: Guides research specific to English studies.
- Doing Research in the Real World by David E. Gray: A practical guide to research methodologies.
Additional Preparation Strategies
Given the exam’s objective format and limited specific study materials, consider these strategies:
- Mock Tests: Regularly attempt mock tests to improve speed and accuracy, which are available on educational platforms.
- Study Groups and Forums: Engage with online communities or local study groups for shared resources and tips.
- Objective-Type Focus: Prioritise books and resources, emphasising conceptual clarity for multiple-choice questions.
Preparing for the MPSC Assistant Professor (English) exam requires a blend of academic study and exam-specific practice. The recommended books provide a solid foundation for each unit, while practice papers and mock tests enhance your readiness. Start early, stay consistent, and leverage online and local resources to maximise success.
Resources I Created that might be Useful to you
- YouTube Channel
Dr. Vishwanath Bite (English Language and Literature, more than 500 short videos of 8-10 seconds and much more [youtube.com/@vishwanathbite]
- Personal Website vishwanathbite.com Solved Question papers of UGC NET since 2011 will be helpful for your exam preparation
- Podcast:
Podcast Literary Rides is created for English Language and Literature Students and Teachers, where 15-25 minutes are spent discussing specific texts and concepts in detail for better understanding.
Spotify: Click Here to Listen
Amazon Music: Click Here to Listen
Apple Podcasts: Click Here to Listen
Good luck!
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