A Handbook on English Literature - for BCS and other competitive exams

Oct 1, 2026

A Handbook on English Literature compiled for BCS Preliminary exam candidates, presenting a structured study guide covering major literary periods and key authors. It provides a short history of English literature, emphasizes famous works and quotations, and organizes topics by eras such as Old English, Middle English, the Renaissance, Neoclassical, Romantic, and Victorian periods. The book also includes sectioned lists of authors and “Previous Questions” references to support exam preparation and revision.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages250

Reading Time10 h 30 min

AccessFree to download

Table of Contents

The Old English Period

The Middle English Period

The Renaissance

The Neoclassical Period / The Restoration Period

The Romantic Period

The Victorian Period

A Handbook on English Literature [Including a short history of English literature, famous authors, works and quotations] for BCS and other competitive exams Compiled by: Sharif Hossain Ahmad Chowdhury BA (Hons), MA in English, MM MBA in Mgt Studies (DU) Senior Teacher, Faculty of English, BCS Confidence Formerly Lecturer in English, Edinburgh Int‘l College, Dhaka Follow me:[sharif_bmc@yahoo.com](sharif_bmc@yahoo.com); 01728395949 (sms) Confidence Research Work Ltd. A Handbook on English Literature First Edition (Hand Written) Second Edition (Printed) Third Edition Fourth Edition : 16 December 2013 : 07 March 2016 : 01 May 2016 : 01 December 2016 © Reserved by the Publisher All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission from the publisher. Published by: Confidence Research Work Ltd. Visit : [http://www.bcsconfidence.com](http://www.bcsconfidence.com) [E-mail: bcsconfidence@hotmail.com](E-mail: bcsconfidence@hotmail.com)[ ](E-mail: bcsconfidence@hotmail.com)Facebook Group: BCS CONFIDENCE CTG [􀀋 01938-858887] Computer compose: Muhammad Anwar Hossain Cover design: Fatema Tuj Johora (Sweety) cwi‡ekK : The Book Center 38 Bangla Bazar, Dhaka 􀀋 01912120151 cÖvwß¯’vb: Dolphin Book House 43 Islamia Market, Nilkhet, Dhaka 􀀋 01842 013 899 Sumona Boi Ghar 37/1 Bangla Bazar 􀀋 01920494607 Tofazzal Book House Indira Road, Farmgate, Dhaka Fixed Price: Tk. 100.00 Printed by: Shining Printers Kataban, Nilkhet, Dhaka 􀀋 01712004249 mZK©Zv : bKj Gov‡Z QR Code (KzBK †imcÝ †KvW)¯‥¨vb K‡iwbwðZ †nvb Ges †`vKv‡bi wmj wbb | Dedicated to― My daughter Rusafa Chowdhury (Words are not enough to express the unconditional love that exists between Rusafa and me) Preface (†cÖwdm&) All praise belongs to almighty Allah, who allows me finalizing this book and peace be upon the last Prophet. A Handbook on English Literature is designed to serve as a handbook to the candidates of BCS Preliminary exam in their study of English literature. It is expected that this book will help them secure good marks in their examination. Actually this book has been published not because there is a scarcity of such notes on English literature but because always we have opportunity to join with our existing publications. I have spared no pains in making this work quite comprehensive. For overall betterment of the book, I have consulted a considerable number of reference books specially William J. Long‘s English Literature, M. H. Abrams‘ A Glossary of Literary Terms, some renowned websites including Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, Microsoft® Encarta® 2009 and several critical notes of Dr. S. Sen, Ramji Lall, Scott A. Boulding, Dr. M. Mofizar Rahman, Kabir Chowdhury and so on. I express a deep sense of gratitude to my honourable teacher Mr. Abdul Latif for his unabashed inspiration at every sphere of my life. I am infact thankful to my colleagues Mr. Rahat Hossain Khan and Mr. Mahbub Shakil. Thanks also deserve Mr. Belal Ahmed Raju, respectable MD of BCS Confidence for taking the responsibility of publishing the book. No man is above error. Therefore, in spite of very careful effort, there may be inadvertent mistake of any kind for hasty writing or lack of my knowledge. I beg pardon for all those. Suggestions from both the students and teachers are cordially expected for its further improvement. Sharif Hossain Ahmad Chowdhury Dhaka, March 7, 2016 Table of Contents (m~wPcÎ) 1. The Old English Period 11 1. Caedmon (K¨vWgb) 2. Cynewulf (†K‡bDjd) 3. Saint Venerable Bede 4. King Alfred the Great. 2. The Middle English Period 15 1. Geoffrey Chaucer (wRI‡d« Pmvi) 2. John Wycliff (DBwK¬d) 3. Sir Thomas Malory 4. Dante (`v‡šÍ) 5. William Langland 3. The Renaissance 21 a) The Elizabethan Period:

FAQs

What is the purpose of the handbook for BCS candidates?

It is designed to serve as a handbook for BCS Preliminary exam candidates in their study of English literature and to help them secure good marks.

Which main historical periods of English literature are covered?

The contents list major periods including the Old English Period, Middle English Period, Renaissance, Neoclassical/Restoration, Romantic Period, and Victorian Period.

Does the book include support materials for practice and revision?

Yes. The table of contents repeatedly references “Previous Questions,” indicating exam-oriented practice and revision support.

Oct 1, 2026

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