(POETRY) ODE TO AUTUMN - John Keats
Q.
What are the different moods captured in each stanza of the poem Ode to Autumn?
Q.
What are the special features of the autumn season according to john Keats?
John Keats is a great poet of
Romantic period. In his poem” Ode to Autumn” he describes the special qualities
of the season like abundant fruitfulness, different activities of the farmers
and music of the autumn season.
The Poet says that the autumn
season is full of mists and mellow fruitfulness. It is a close friend of the Sun. It conspires with the Sun to bless and load
the trees with fruits. It fills the fruits with juice. The grapes, the apples,
the gourds and hazel nuts are perfectly ripened in this season. It is also
season for later flowers. They attract
bees. The bees think that it is still
summer because they gather much honey from the later flowers. Their hives are over flowed with honey.
The autumn is personified as a
busy farmer. He is seen sitting
carelessly on the granary floor and whose hair is lifted by the winnowing wind. Next he is seen as a reaper overcome by the
strong smell of poppies and dozes in the field.
He is also seen as a gleaner carrying sheaves of corn on his head and
crossing a brook carefully. Finally he
is seen sitting beside a cider-press and watching patiently the oozing out of
the juice.
The autumn season has its own
music. The small gnats make sorrowful
sounds. The full-grown lambs bleat from
distant hills. The hedge crickets sing
and the red breast whistles from the garden.
The swallows twitter in the Sky, as they are ready for migration. Thus
the poet describes the features of the autumn season.
-Trio
Pals
Sasi
kumar
Krupavaram
(POETRY) THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPH OF ME
----
Margaret Atwood
Q. Explain the feministic views of Margaret
Atwood in her poem ‘This is a photograph of me’.
(Or)
How does Margaret Atwood’s poem symbolize
with the oppression of the women?
(Or)
Describe the status of women in the
society according to Margaret Atwood in her poem.
Margaret Atwood was a great poet
of Canada. Her poem “This is a Photograph of Me” was about the oppression of
women in the society. The poet would begin the poem by promising to show us her
photograph. Later she died from having drowned in a lake. The photograph was
taken some time ago. It was dim and not clear. If the woman had done some
important work in the society it would have shadowed and ignored her
contribution.
In the left hand corner of the
photograph there were branches of tree. These branches of tree have emerged
with the frame house to right hand side. The frame house would stand for man
and left hand side branches would stand for woman. In male dominating society,
a woman was treated as left hand and man was treated as right hand. Left hand
was normally weaker than right hand. Women were supposed to be weaker than men
by giving her left position.
The lake would stand for the
society of the photograph. Beyond the society there were low hills. They kept
the woman in shadow. She was centered for domestic work. But she was marginal
for social, political and economical work. They have dimmed her photograph but
her presence was there. They could destroy her photograph but not her
existence. Woman has been exploited since time immemorial. Therefore the poet
did not like male dominating society.
-Trio Pals
Sasi
kumar
Krupavaram
(POETRY) I AM NOT THAT WOMAN ------ Kishwar Naheed
Q. Explain the views of
Kishwar Naheed on the exploitation of the women.
(or)
What is the revolt of
Kishwar Naheed in her poem ‘I am not that woman”?
(or)
How are women
exploited in a male dominated society according to Kishwar Naheed?
Kishwar Naheed was a great poet
of Pakistan. Her poem” I am not that Woman” presented the picture of a woman
who was exploited by society. It could be her father, her brother or even her
mother- in- law who suppressed her. She was confined to the four walls of the
house. Her activities were restricted only to the domestic work. Nobody paid
any attention to her voice. She was crushed in the name of meaningless customs
and traditions. She was bought and sold in the name of chastity. She was
treated worse than an animal. Even the parents considered her a burden which resulted
in early marriage.
The speaker was very conscious of
her exploitation. She did not want to identify herself with the man on the
poster who was selling socks and shoes. She was against the concept of woman
being treated as a commodity in the male dominated society. She was aware that
the oppressor roamed free as the breeze, but she was crushed by the weight of
customs and traditions. She said that light could not be hidden in darkness.
She angrily said that chains could not stop her fragrance. The society treated
her as a commodity.
She was married off to get rid of
a burden. She stated that the nation of captive minds couldn’t be free. She
wanted to prove her own identity and existence. Thus the poem revealed the rebellion
spirit of the speaker.
-Trio Pals
Sasi
kumar
Krupavaram
II SEMESTER
PROSE 1. THE
ANNIHILATION OF CASTE
Q.
What is the need of Hindu society for the present generation?
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the voice of the
voiceless and the leader of dalits points out the Hindu society. In his essay
“Annihilation of Caste” he strongly finds fault with the meaningless customs of
the Hidus. He says that the Hindu society needs moral regeneration.
Ambedkar points out that almost every
Brahmin has violated the rule of law. The Brahmins have entered trades which
are prohibited to them by sastras. They prefer to sell shoes than to
priesthood. They are by nature selfish and never help others. It is because
they hate the masses for educating them in the right direction. If the masses
are uplifted, they will get the power. The Brahmins feel it a danger and damage
to their prestige
He says that Hindu leaders have illicit
passion for their Hindu beliefs. They never think of new ideals. The Mahatma is
no exception. He clings to old Hindu
beliefs and rituals. He prefers to follow the saints. But dependence on
the saints cannot lead people know the
fact. The saints are after all human beings. In the fast changing global
scenario beliefs have no place. Only intellectual emancipation can bring moral
regeneration of Hindu society.
-Trio
Pals
Sasi
kumar
Krupavaram
(II
SEMESTER PROSE) 2. THE
SCIENTIFIC POINT OF VIEW -J.
B.S. Haldane
Q.
How is the scientist superior to God according to J.B.S.Haldane?
In the essay ‘The Scientific Point of
View’, J. B. S. Haldane opposes superstition and supports rational
thinking. He says that science affects
us in two ways. We are benefited by its appreciations in one way and it affects
our opinions in the other way. Haldane
says that the scientist is superior to God. The scientist works out the results
of many actions. In the eyes of the bacteriologist, polluting public water
supply is as dangerous as blasting an atom bomb in the public street.
The average man dwells on the emotional and ethical side of the issue.
He ignores the facts which interest the scientist. Haldane gives two examples,
the problem of the American Negro and the problem of disease. The American
Negro is accustomed to the hot climate of the cotton estates in the southern
states. His population increases there. If he is made to live in luxury, he
loses his stamina and even dies. So the scientist prefers the Negro to live a
life of hardship.
Haldane says that the modern medicine cures many diseases. Diabetes can
be controlled by injecting insulin. Typhoid can be cured by drinking boiled
water. But many people are unscientific. Even cancer can be cured but people do
not follow the doctor’s advice. He says that the world is misruled by ignorance
and unscientific thinking.
-Trio
Pals
Sasi
kumar
Krupavaram
II SEMESTER
PROSE ) 3. ON SHAKING HANDS --A.G.
Gardiner
Q.
What are A.G. Gardiner’s views on the
custom of Shaking Hands?
A.G. Gardiner is a popular essayist. He used to write the essays under
the pen name “Alpha of the Plough”. His essays are humorous and thoughtful.
In his essay “On Shaking hands” he comments on the western practice of
shaking hands. It is a social custom.
Generally we shake hands when we meet or part. It is a symbol of courtesy. People in the
world have their own forms of greetings.
The Japanese bows, the Chinese moves the hand, the Russian hugs and the
Indian Salaams. The Arab touches breast
with the tips of his fingers. But the disorderly kissing of the English seems
to be indecent.
There is heartiness in shaking hands.
If you greet a person without shaking hands, it is not at all a
greeting. It is like a bond without a
seal. It is like a type written letter with typewritten signature. There are
certain hands which we don’t like to shake.
We should not shake sticky, soft and bony hands. There is one kind of person. If you lend your hand to him, he will crush.
Another type of person puts his hand in your palm affectionately. He holds your
hand until you feel tempted to throw it out. We must continue this habit of
shaking hands until it is proved that it is not healthy.
-Trio
Pals
Sasi
kumar
Krupavaram
(SHYORT
STORIES) 1.) HALF
A RUPEE WORTH -
R.K.Narayan
Q. How did
Subbiah meet his tragic end in the story “Half a rupee worth”
R.K.Narayan’s stories have south- Indian
setting. His story ‘Half a rupee worth’
describes the rise to prosperity of a rice dealer who dies under his own rice
bag.
Subbiah was a rice merchant in Malgudi. He took over the business when
his father died. Business prospered. He
owned thirty acres of land, a dozen houses and unlimited quantity of jewels. He also lent money to the needy
people at high rate of interest. In short, he was swollen with money. His money
minting went on till war came and food control was brought by the government.
He sold rice for very high rate. He sold in small quantities and always took
money in advance.
One evening when he had just closed his
shop, a person came and requested him to give at least half-a-rupee worth of
rice as his children were very hungry. Subbiah agreed to give only half a seer
of rice and asked him to wait in the street corner. Taking the half- a- rupee
coin he went to one of his secret godowns. The man waited for a long time and
then went to subbiah’s house and informed his wife. Early next morning the
godown was opened, they found Subbiah’s body crushed under rice bag. There was
by his body, half a rupee coin. His death was caused by accidental fall of rice
bags. Thus Subbiah’s life turned into a tragic end.
-Trio
Pals
Sasi
kumar
Krupavaram
(SHORT STORIES) 2. THE
BOY WHO BROKE THE BANK - Ruskin Bond
Q. Bring out the humour in Ruskin Bond’s story “The boy who
broke the bank”
“The boy who broke the bank” is a very interesting story written by
Ruskin Bond. The story relates to the murmuring of a sweeper boy, Nathu about
irregular payment of his salary. It takes the shape of a rumour and results
into the collapse of a bank. In the end
of the story, Nathu, who is responsible for the whole episode, wonders
innocently about the incident.
Seth Govind Ram owns a bank at Pipalnagar
town. The bank is financially very sound and has won the trust of the
depositors. Nathu is a sweeper in the bank. One day, while sweeping the steps
of the bank, he grumbles about the irregular payment of his salary by the bank
authorities. Sitaram, the washer man’s son learns about Nathu’s complaints. In
his loose talk with Mrs. Srivastava, Sitaram says that bank could not pay its
employees. Mrs. Srivastava misunderstands Sitaram’s statement. She believes
that the PipalSnagar bank is about to collapse. The rumour spreads like a wild
fire in the entire town.
The customers in shock demand their money back. They start stoning the
bank building and break the glasses. The next day when Nathu goes to the bank
for his duty, he finds a lot of broken glasses and stones. He wonders how it
happened. He murmurs angrily that the bank authorities are not paying him
regularly on one hand and are also increasing his work. For him the event is a mystery.
-Trio
Pals
Sasi
kumar
Krupavaram
(SHORT
STORIES) 3. THE UNKNOWN
ERRORS OF OUR LIVES
- Chitra
Benarjee Divakaruni
Q.
Compare and contrast the relationships of Biren and Arlene, and Biren and
Ruchira
Chitra Benarjee Divakaruni is a leading
short story writer. “The Unknown Errors of Our Lives” is a collection of her
short stories. The story is delightful and self revealing. We commit mistakes
unknowingly over and over. If we record them in a book we can know about them
and try to avoid committing the same mistakes.
It reflects through Ruhira who records her mistakes in a book.
Ruchira was a traditional lady. She was
born in America to the Indian parents. She refused to love Indian boys. It was
because of her grandmother. She loved her grandmother more than she loved
anyone else. The memory of her grandmother moulded her career in several ways.
Her grandmother had been married at sixteen and widowed at twenty four. After
the death of her grandmother, Ruchira started the paintings.
Biren was an American. He loved Ruchira
for her abilities in painting. Ruchira was impressed by the frank and quite
nature of Biren. He loved other cultures also.
He told Ruchira about his past life. Oneday Arlene came to Ruchira. She was the ex-lover of Biren. She told
Ruchira that she was pregnant by Biren. She added that Biren had given her
money for the abortion her pregnancy. But she did not do it. She didi not cause any problem to Ruchira.
But she realized her predicament.
-Trio
Pals
Sasi
kumar
Krupavaram
(ONE ACT PLAY) THE PROPOSAL -Anton
Chekov
1. Q. Bring out the humour in the play “The
Proposal”
(or)
The play “The Proposal” is almost a
comedy of manners – explain
(or)
Discuss the theme of the play “The
Proposal”
The Play “The Proposal” by Anton Chekov
is humorous and witty. It deals with the
quarrel between Lomov and Natalya over small issues. Lomov comes to the house
of Chubukov, a land owner. Natalya is the daughter of Chubukov. She is aged about 25. Lomov wants to marry
her. He is aged about more than 35. Yet
he wants to propose to her without respecting the feelings of Natalya and her
father. Meanwhile Natalya and Lomov exchange heated arguments for the ownership
of the Volovyi Meadows and the greatness of their dogs Tyer and Flyer.
Lomov belongs to a rich family. He boasts of his wealth and claims that
Volovyi Meadows are his own. He says that his dog Tyer is better than Natalya’s
dog Flyer. On the one hand, he behaves like a peculiar person, who suffers from
hypochondria. On the other hand, he proposes to marry Nataliya. Thus he seems
to be foolish. It reminds us of a sentimental and humorous comedy.
The play “The Proposal” is full of farce too. Farce is type of comedy
that provokes the audience belly laughs in the theatre. Here Chekov uses a
highly exaggerated character like Lomov- caricatured character type. He puts
Lomov and Natalya into humorous situations. Two argumentative and opposite
people come together. At last Natalya
agrees to marry Lomov, in spite of their long dispute over the Meadows and
their dogs.
-Trio
Pals
Sasi
kumar
Krupavaram
(ONE
ACT PLAY) THE PROPOSAL - Anton Chekov
2. Q. Sketch the character of Lomov in the play “The
Proposal”
Lomov is the central character of the play
“The Proposal”.
He is argumentative by nature. He
belongs to a rich family. He boasts of his wealth and claims that Volovyi
Meadows are his own. He suffers from a psychological disease called
hypochondria. It is a state of mental depression due to unnecessary anxiety about
one’s health. Lomov is thus a person of
poor health.
Lomov is the neighbour of Chubukov. One day he comes to the house of
Chubukov, a land owner. Chubukov has a daughter aged about 25. Her name is
Natalyia. Lomov wants to marry her. He
is aged about more than 35. Yet he wants to propose to her without respecting
the feelings of Natalya and her father. Meanwhile Natalya and Lomov exchange
heated arguments for the ownership of the Meadows and the greatness of their
dogs Tyer and Flyer.
Lomov tells Natalia that he has health problems. He feels that he is dying. He falls into a chair and faints. Natalya thinks that he is dead. She starts weeping and requests her father to call a doctor. Chubukov finds himself in a terrible situation. Meanwhile Lomov comes to senses. He sees mist before his eyes. Chubukov does not want to take any more chance to leave Lomov alone. He at once speaks out that his daughter is willing to marry Lomov. He thrusts Lomov’s hand to his daughter’s hand and gives them his blessings.
-Trio
Pals
Sasi
kumar
Krupavaram
