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• March 24, 2025
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Preparing for UGC-NET English exam is not a cakewalk. Believe it or not! Your journey towards qualifying for this exam will be challenging and you need to prepare strategically. So, what are you waiting for? You must have a clear understanding of the UGC-NET English literature syllabus and the exam pattern. If you have analyzed some of the previous years’ questions, you must have come across some familiar authors and their literary works. But there are many questions which comprise unknown facts about famous literature classic novels. Hmmm…have you even observed it? You need to be detail-oriented to answer such questions in your exam. Let’s learn some unknown facts about famous classic novels from English literature.

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Which one should we talk about first? There are many. Maybe we can start with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

So, get your notebooks and pens handy. Do not be a prey of your past injuries. Rebuild yourself for a new battle. Are you ready? Yes! Let’s go!

1. Pride and Prejudice: The original title of this most important classic work was First Impressions. However, she decided to change the title after realizing that another book has already claimed the initial title. This change was not just related to avoiding duplication. It was chosen to capture the themes embedded in this novel. The novel mostly deals with themes of misunderstandings and personal growth. The book was first published anonymously. Most of the female authors during these days used to publish their works anonymously. The novel delves into the intricacies of manners, upbringing, and marriage in early 19th-century England, themes that are still relevant today.
2. Moby Dick: Herman Melville’s book Moby Dick is considered one of the greatest novels of the American Literature. Initially, the book did not receive much appreciation. This book was a commercial failure, selling less than 3,000 copies were sold. The novel’s complexity and deeply philosophical nature was much ahead of its time, which might have contributed to poor reception. To write this novel, Melville drew inspiration from his own lived experiences at sea and real-life accounts of whaling expeditions. Today, “Moby-Dick” is celebrated for its rich symbolism and exploration of human obsession. The character of Captain Ahab, driven by revenge against the white whale, serves as a powerful metaphor for the destructiveness of unchecked ambition. It would be quite interesting to notice Melville’s financial struggles which led him to become a customs inspector, a position he held for nearly two decades.
3. Frankenistein: There is an interesting fact revolving around this first science-fiction novel. Mary started writing this novel during a stormy summer in 1816, when she, her husband Percy Shelley, and Lord Byron challenged each other to write ghost stories. This creative competition took place at Villa Diodati near Lake Geneva, an event that has since become legendary. The novel revolves around themes like limitations of human knowledge, creation, and responsibility. Despite its horror elements, “Frankenstein” is also a deeply philosophical work, questioning what it means to be human. The novel was published anonymously, with Mary Shelley’s name appearing only on the second edition. It remains a profound exploration of the human condition.
4. To Kill A Mocking Bird: Again a true gem of American Literature. But you will be shocked to know that the character of Dill was inspired by Lee’s childhood friend, Truman Capote. Lee was accompanied by Capote when she was researching for the novel. The novel primarily deals with themes of racial discrimination and moral growth. This novel was published during the civil rights movement. Interestingly, the novel has been translated into 40 languages and received a Pulitzer Prize.
5. The Great Gatsby: Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby had a complete different title, “Trimalchio in West Egg.” The name was a nod to an extravagant character from Roman literature, reflecting Gatsby’s own opulent lifestyle. However, Fitzgerald’s publisher felt the title lacked appeal, leading to the change. The novel is a poignant critique of the American Dream, exploring themes of wealth, love, and social status in the Jazz Age.

6.1984- George Orwell’s 1984 was initially titled as The Last Man in Europe. However, the publisher suggested that 1984 would be a more marketable name and it also aligned with the futuristic setting as described in the novel. George Orwell’s 1984 delves into themes of totalitarianism, surveillance, and the struggle for individuality, presenting a dystopian world where Big Brother’s watchful eye is ever-present. Its exploration of unchecked government power remains profoundly relevant, cementing 1984 as a cornerstone in conversations about freedom and privacy. The novel’s impact extends far beyond literature, with terms like “Orwellian” and “Big Brother” becoming part of everyday discourse. Orwell’s prophetic vision continues to spark discussions on the delicate balance between security and personal liberty, making his work as thought-provoking today as ever.

7. Dracula- Bram Stocker’s Dracula is renowned for its horror genre and gothic themes. However, you may get surprised after reading that Stocker never visited Transylvania. Bram Stoker crafted Dracula’s eerie setting using imagination and research, drawing inspiration from travel books rather than firsthand experience. Introducing Count Dracula, an enigmatic vampire from Eastern Europe, the novel weaves a tale of good versus evil, steeped in gothic atmosphere. Its influence has shaped vampire lore and inspired countless adaptations. Despite Dracula’s enduring legacy, Stoker saw little financial success in his lifetime. Today, the novel’s titular character remains a cultural icon, embodying both fear and fascination. Its themes of sexuality, power, and immortality continue to intrigue readers and scholars, ensuring Dracula’s place in literary history.

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog on classic English literature novels​. Tell us in the comments section if you will like to read such interesting blogs in the future.

Furthermore, if you want to join UGC-NET online classes, contact our team now at Sahitya Classes. You will not just get proper guidance from Prof. Vineet Pandey but you will also receive quality UGC-NET English Literature notes and UGC-NET English notes pdf. Not just that! You will also receive guidance for Paper 1 from our expert faculty members along with UGC-NET Paper 1 notes. In case you need any other information, do connect with us! You can also download our App and check out free course material. After enrolling in our UGC-NET online classes, you will receive recorded live lectures, rapid-fire sessions, mock-tests, previous years’ question papers, and much more… So do not wait anymore. Join now to explore the depth of English Literature with the best UGC-NET coaching in Delhi.

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