Summary: Song of a Dream

         ‘Song of a Dream’, written by Sarojini Naidu, is a Romantic lyric. The poem describes a dream that expresses the speaker’s wish for an ideal world of Truth, Love and Peace.

The poem has two stanzas- the first describes a vision and the second describes what the speaker has done there. In a dream of night, the speaker stood alone in a magical wood. Visions sprang up like poppy. In that enchanted land, the spirits of Truth were the singing birds. The spirits of Love were the shining stars and the spirits of Peace were the flowing streams. The speaker felt the stars- the spirits of Love- gather around her delicate youth. She heard the song of Truth. She quenched her thirst from the streams of Peace

The most obvious theme of the poem is the dream of an ideal society where truth, love and peace prevail. It can be the speaker’s concept of independent India. Capitalizing the words – Truth, Love and Peace- suggests sublimation of these values. The dreamland is without anything ‘wild’ about it.

The poem has two septets each rhyming ‘aabbccd’. It resembles a sonnet in the number of lines and its romantic content. However, its stanza pattern and rhyme scheme are not those of regular English sonnets Sarojini Naidu’s poem shares the legacy of Romantic poetry and it expresses a dream of an ideal and perfect society of truth, love and peace.

Coolie: As a Social Tragedy

 Munoo, the main character of the novel Coolie is a victim of the exploitation of the poor by the rich in the early twentieth-century India. The novel concentrates on social evils. The tragic denial of human life to Munoo is the result of poverty, starvation, hunger and degradation. Anand's writing displays the violation of human rights of the oppressed and suppressed group of people during the pre-independent India.

Poor men are exploited by the capitalists. People are poor only because there is capitalism in the world. Munoo inherits from his father only poverty. He had heard of how the landlord of his village had seized his father's five acres of land because the interest on the mortgage covering the unpaid rent had not been forthcoming when the rains had been scanty and the harvests bad. And he knew how his father had died a slow death bitterness and disappointment and left his mother a penniless beggar to support a child in arms.

Poverty is Munoo's greatest curse. It is the root cause of his tragedy and also of several others like him. Poverty compels Munoo to be a domestic servant at the age of fourteen and to be exploited even by his uncle. The sub-accountant's wife, Bibi Uttam Kaur, underfeeds, nags and humiliates him at Sham Nagar mainly because he is a poor orphan boy. He is often abused or beaten. "There must be only two kinds of people in the world, rich and the poor," he concludes. His misery at Daulatur and his disease and drudgery at Simla are due to poverty.

The exploitation is presented on a much larger scale in the Bombay phase of Munoo's life. Here big industry and its owners are the forces of exploitation. Munoo takes up services in Sir George White's Cotton Mill and is exposed to the full force of industrial and colonial exploitation.

The final act of Munoo's tragedy commences when Mrs. Mainwaring, whose car knocks him down, takes him to Simla. As she wants a servant, his own wishes in the matter, of course, are of no consequence. She makes him her boy-servant, her rickshaw-puller and there are hints that he is exploited sexually also.

Capitalism, Colonialism and Industrialism are not the only forces which exploit Munoo and his like. Communalism too lends a hand. A worker's strike is easily broken by casual rumours of communal disturbances which divert the wrath of the labourers from the mill to the religious factions among themselves. The fires of communal hatred are further fanned by politicians, who have their own axe to grind. In the whole process, the exploited labourer loses his job, his livelihood and sometimes even his life.

The narration of Coolie is vigorous and sensitive. But Anand is quite choosy in matters of episodes. He has narrated only those episodes which show Munoo's economic exploitation and poverty. The whole life of Munoo is pathetic. The last scene of the novel is deeply pathetic. It is Munoo's death which relieves him from social cruelty, exploitation and poverty. The young man dies of tuberculosis and thereby ends his struggle for existence.

Coolie is a novel written with a purpose. It is a powerful indictment of modern capitalistic society and its tragic exploitation of the poor. The hero of the novel wants to live but the society does not allow him to live. He dies of exploitation. Humanism is the answer to the problem.

This novel is a tragic epic in prose. It is a social tragedy of the common man. Munoo is a tragic hero in this epic. His death is a symbol of the tragedy of millions of workers and coolies not in India but all over the world. It is not an individual tragedy but universal in its scope. In Sham Nagar and Daulatpur, Munoo maintains his identity and individuality but there are clear signs that it is gradually decreasing. In Bombay, he becomes a part of the toiling, struggling and starving masses. In this way, Anand universalized the individual tragedy of Munoo.

There are social forces which are responsible for the tragic end of Munoo. Actually, this novel is a study of the tragic effect of cruel inhuman social forces on an individual. These forces regularly contribute to Munoo’s tragedy. Moreover, he is conscious of the fact that these forces have been working against him since his childhood. Extreme poverty forces him to leave his native village at the age of fourteen. He never succeeds to return his village and at the age of sixteen, he dies in Simla. These social forces are beyond the control of Munoo. He has no choice before him. His destiny from the beginning is controlled by the social forces which victimize him. Munoo is an undeserved sufferer. He has done nothing to tolerate these tortures. His only fault is that he is an orphan and poor. He has no power to struggle with the evils of an exploiting economic social system. He silently surrenders and is cruelly crushed.  It is to the credit of Anand that raises the poor small boy not only to the status of the hero of this great tragedy but also imparts him grandeur and dignity of epical heights. 

Summary of 'The Solitary Reaper'

 William Wordsworth was a great lover of nature. He admired simple rustic life; we can find common people like peasants and shepherds figuring in his poems. ‘The Solitary Reaper’ describes the poet’s, feelings on hearing an enchanting song of a country girl. This song touches his heart. It makes him spellbound. The song remains a dear memory for the poet long afterwards

This poem is a beautiful description of the poet’s personal experience. Once, while passing through the hills, a melodious song catches his attention. He sees a young girl reaping and binding grain in a field. She is all alone and is singing a sad song. The poet stops there to listen to her music. He makes no noise so that she is not being disturbed.

The poet finds the song very enchanting and melodious. The entire valley is flooded with her beautiful voice. The music is sweeter than the song of a cuckoo or a nightingale. The poet then says that no nightingale could have sung so sweetly to welcome and soothe the tired travelers of the Arabian deserts as the solitary reaper. Her song is sweeter than the song of the cuckoobird that disturbs the seas’ silence in the distant islands.

The poet cannot understand the theme of this reaper’s song as the dialect is quite unfamiliar to him. So, he makes some guesses. Perhaps, she is singing about some tragic event of the past or some familiar event of her life, like the loss of parting from the dear ones. It could have been about some battles that were fought long ago.

Then the poet moves on to say that he does not understand the theme of the song, the music of her song and the melodious voice leaves the poet spellbound. He stands motionless to listen to the girl’s song. It seemed as if the song was never-ending. The poet listens to her as she reaps and binds the grains bending over the sickle. Then the poet goes up the hill but he carries the music of the melodious song with him. The song leaves an everlasting impression on his mind. The poet also suggests that the appeal of music is universal.  

Kamala Das as a Confessional Poet

            Kamala Das is a modern Indian poet who emphasizes on various issues relating to modern society and its impacts on her life. Her poetry is confessional and autobiographical. She reveals extremely confidential and private matters of her life. It is the poetry of introspection and self-analysis. Here we find the best expression of feminine sensibility. The poetess expresses her need for love with astonishing frankness and openness.

            As a true confessional poet, she takes her readers into confidence about her private life. She shows with remarkable frankness the wrongs, injustice and male-dominated humiliation that she suffered in a male-dominated world. She has candidly described her traumatic experiences of lovemaking and of the sexual act. We can easily find the tone of confession in her poems like 'The Sunshine Cat', 'The Invitation', and 'The Looking Glass'.

            Kamala Das is a poet of love and sexual relationship. Love and sex form the main theme in her poetry. Her poetry is largely an expression of her frustration in love. She always speaks of her unfulfilled love and expresses her need for love. In' The Sunshine Cat' the poet abuses her husband because he never loved her and never used her properly. She calls him a selfish and cowardly man who is a ruthless watcher of her sexual acts with other men. This frustration of her love boils over in poems like' The Invitation' and ' The Looking Glass'.

            In fact, the poetry of Kamala Das is devoted to her confessions of her sex life. Sexual humiliation becomes a central theme in her poetry. She goes to the extreme in her frank treatment of sex. In 'The Looking Glass she says: 

Gift him all,

 Gift him what makes you a woman,

 the scent of Long hair, the musk of sweat between the breasts,

 The warm shock of menstrual blood,

 and all your Endless female hunger. 

Kamala Das has added a new dimension to the poetry of love and sex. Her frank admission and bold treatment of her private life make her a great confessional poet. In this context, she can be compared with Gauri Deshpande.

             Kamala is a poet of protest also. She rebels against the conventions, traditions and accepted norms of society. Her protest is directed against injustices and exploitation. She made her poetry a vehicle for the expression of her resentment against male domination over women. In 'The Sunshine Cat' she writes in a strong tone of protest: 

Being selfish And a coward, 

the husband who neither loved nor Used her, 

but was a ruthless watcher........

            Kamala Das' poetry is a frank and straightforward expression of feminine sensibility. She revolts against the exploitation of women. She expresses anger against the male dominance in the society. She attempted to establish her identity as woman through her poems. At the same time, she tried to impart an identity to Indian women. Thus her poetry signals the advent of a new phenomenon in Indo-Anglicana poetry.

            Kamala Das' command over the English language is remarkable. She cultivated a style that is characterized by colloquial simplicity and clarity. Her poetry reveals a mastery of phrases and control over rhythm. In the choice of words, Kamala Das exercises special care. The words effortlessly come to her and become one with emotion. She is a poet in the confessional mode. Thus her diction is most often colloquial. Her poetry abounds in imagery. Her images are suggestive and functional. She offers imagery in dealing with her favourite subjects like love and sex. Thus it is not boring and monotonous.

            Thus Kamala Das is a great poet. She directed the path of women poets in modern English poetry. She has certainly made a name for herself with her craftsmanship. No doubt, her poetry is autobiographical and confessional. She reminds us of Anne Sexton and Sylvia Plath. The charge of obscurity and obsession with sex is groundless. Being a confessional poet, she expresses her own emotions.

Summary: My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun

     The sonnet begins with the speaker comparing parts of his mistress’ body to beautiful objects. He finds that her body is less attractive than the thing to which it’s being compared. For example, he writes that her eyes aren’t as bright as the sun, and her breath isn’t like perfume—in fact, it “reeks.” These comparisons at first seem to paint a portrait of a woman who is not very appealing. She is lacklustre in comparison to the beauty of roses, snow, or music, which implies that the speaker might be able to find more beauty and pleasure in the everyday things that surround him than in the woman he loves. The comparisons, in other words, seem to degrade her value.

    The poem’s final two lines cement the interpretation that the comparisons are not meant to be degrading to the speaker’s mistress or to the love that they share. When the speaker claims that he finds “his love” as beautiful as any other woman “belied with false compare,” he’s making the point that no one’s eyes are as beautiful as the sun and everyone’s breath smells kind of bad, and that, therefore, such comparisons are not actually a useful way to think about beauty or love. The speaker concludes that, even if his mistress cannot be credibly compared to the typical imagery of love poems, his love is still real and valuable, and his mistress is still beautiful. In this way, Shakespeare suggests that love and beauty should not be understood through abstract comparisons, but rather should be valued for being real and flawed.

Summary of 'To My Native Land'

 

In the poem, ‘To My Native Land’ Derozio personifies India and talks to her in a monologue. Derozio talks about the glorious past of India. This shows he was unhappy with the British rule in India. The poet expresses a sense of personal loss in the downfall of his country, India. Addressing India, the poet says that in the old days, India was worshipped as a goddess. The poet asks where that glory and splendour have disappeared. He regrets the fact that his motherland has now been reduced to the position of a slave of the British Empire. The internal weaknesses have brought the country slavery.

There was a time when the country soared like an eagle in the skies. It was a time when India was renowned for its highly developed civilization and extensive cultural traditions. Men of learning from all over the world came to India to learn and advance their civilisations. The poet portrays that during British rule, the nation had its wings cut. It is grovelling in the sand because of this. It represents the fact that the British government shut down India's development avenues.

The poet says that he has no wreath of flowers to offer the country.  But he will dig into the past and he will try to sing of some parts of that great history which is no longer available to the younger generation. At the end of the poem the poet demonstrates his selfless patriotic feelings by saying that he expects no worldly rewards for his efforts to regain the glory of his country. He wishes to have only the loving blessing of his Motherland.

Summary of the Poem Sita

 

“Sita” appears in Toru Dutt’s Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan. Though the title suggests that the poem is about goddess Sita actually it is based on the reaction of three children after listening to the story of the second exile of Sita.

The poem starts as three happy children (the poet, her sister and brother) are eagerly waiting to hear a story from their mother. They are sitting in a dark room. The story begins with a description of natural beauty. The mother tells the children about a dense forest. The forest is so thick that even the rays of sunlight cannot enter into it. In the centre place of the forest, there is a clear spot where very large flowers are blooming on creepers that embrace tall trees. Apart from these, there is a beautiful lake which has clean and clear water and is quiet. The white swans swim here making the sound of wings moving quickly from an area full of bushes. The peacocks also dance with joy. There are even herds of wild deer racing among them. The patches are shining bright because of the yellow grains which are waving. The blue smoke of the strange altar is spreading light to the forest.

In this forest, the great poet Valmiki lives in peace. In the hut of that great sage, a beautiful lady is also living. The lady is weeping; perhaps there is a great cause of her shading tears. The three children also begin to shed tears. It is an old story, very ancient, a short narrative poem on the sad incidents of Sita’s life. Dutt says the impact of the story is going to stay with them until the next morning. In the end, she asks about when those children sat around their mother to listen to the story. In reply, she clarifies that this is an autobiographical poem and those children are none other than the poet herself and her siblings Aru and Abju.

Characteristics of American Literature

            American literature is a diverse and dynamic body of literary works that reflects the cultural, historical, and social experiences of the United States. It encompasses many themes, styles, and genres, representing the complexities and contradictions of American society and the human condition. Some key aspects that describe American literature are:    

Cultural Diversity: American literature embraces the diverse voices and experiences of various ethnicities, races, and cultural backgrounds. It explores the struggles, triumphs, and contributions of different communities, including Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and immigrants worldwide.

Individualism and the American Dream: Themes of individualism, personal freedom, and the pursuit of the American Dream are recurrent in American literature. Many works explore the idea that hard work, determination, and opportunity can lead to success and upward mobility.

Regionalism: American literature often captures the distinct characteristics and cultures of different regions within the United States. Writers draw inspiration from specific areas' landscapes, dialects, and traditions, highlighting the country's diverse geography and local identities.

Social Criticism and Realism: American literature frequently engages in social criticism, exposing social injustices and addressing societal issues. Realism is a prevalent literary style that seeks to present an accurate portrayal of everyday life and human experiences.

Historical Context: American literature reflects the historical events and periods that have shaped the nation, including the Colonial era, the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, and the Civil Rights Movement. These historical contexts often influence the themes and messages conveyed in literary works.

Exploration of Identity: American literature grapples with questions of identity, including national, racial, gender, and cultural identity. It delves into the complexities of self-discovery and the search for meaning.

Innovation and Experimentation: American literature is known for its innovative spirit and willingness to experiment with new forms, styles, and themes. Writers have pushed the boundaries of traditional storytelling and literary conventions.

Representation of Human Struggles and Triumphs: American literature explores the human experience, portraying characters facing personal challenges, moral dilemmas, and moments of resilience and transformation.

Literary Movements: American literature has been shaped by various literary movements, including Romanticism, Transcendentalism, Realism, Modernism, the Harlem Renaissance, and Postmodernism, among others.

Global Impact: American literature has had a significant global influence, with many American authors becoming internationally renowned and their works translated into multiple languages.

Overall, American literature reflects the nation's complex history, values, ideals, and societal changes, making it a rich and meaningful body of work that continues to inspire, provoke thought, and resonate with readers worldwide.

WATER: THE ELIXIR OF LIFE --Question-Answers

 

Que. 1 Why do you think water is the true Elixir of life? How has water been a powerful influence in the life of humankind and in the rise of civilization?

Ans. Water is the true elixir of life. This is a common substance. So, we take it granted in our everyday life. It is the most wonderful thing on Earth. It continues to play leading role in the drama of life on Earth. Water is the basis of all life. Every animal and every plant contains a large proportion of water in its body. The moisture of the soil is equally important for plants and trees.  The conservation and utilisation of water is fundamental for human welfare. One of the most remarkable facts about water is its power to carry silt suspension. Our agriculture depends on seasonal rainfall. So, collection and utilization of rain water is significant. Water is the commonest of the liquids. These uncommon properties are responsible for its unique power to maintain animal and plant life.

Que.2. write about the power and beauty of the element, water.

Ans. Water is the true elixir of life. It is the basis of life on Earth. Every animal and plant contains water. It is necessary for their life. Our agriculture is dependent on water.  To explain the power of water C.V. Raman has given an example. One day he was standing on the line which separates the Libyan Desert from the valley of the Nile in Egypt. One side was having a sea of sand without a speck of green or a single living thing. On the other side was one of the greatest, most fertile and densely populated areas on the Earth. It was full of life and vegetation. Water has changed the scene. One of the most remarkable facts about water is its power to carry silt in suspension. The flow of water plays a great role in the geographical process. It can sometimes play a destructive role and wash away the soil. Great tracts of land have been formed by silt deposited by water. The problem of soil erosion is caused by water. Vast areas of land could be turned into fertile or infertile. This is the power and beauty of water.

Que.3. How does soil erosion occur and what are the chief factors that cause it?

Ans. The problem of soil erosion is very important, in many countries and especially in many parts of India. Soil erosion occurs in steps; the earliest may easily pass unnoticed. In the later stages, the cutting up and washing away of the soil results in the formation of deep gullies and narrow rallies. This makes agriculture impossible. The sudden burst of excessively heavy rain results in a large run of surplus water which causes soil erosion. The slope of land, removal of the natural protective coat of vegetation, ruts for the flow of water with speed and no check to such flow are also the causes of soil erosion.

Que.4. What are the usual measures used to check soil erosion?

Ans. The measures that can be used to check soil erosion are terracing of the land, construction of bunds to check the flow of water, the practice of contour (outline) cultivation and the planting of proper plants. The prevention of soil erosion would help to save water and keep the water where it is wanted. Vast areas of land could be turned into fertile and prosperous countries by well-planned action. The systematic planting of suitable trees in every possible place is most urgent in India. They would check soil erosion and conserve the rainfall of the country.

Que.5. What is C.V. Raman’s suggestion regarding controlling the movement of water to harness it for useful purposes?

Ans. C.V. Raman gives the example of rain-fed tanks which play a very vital role in south Indian agriculture. In Mysore, much of the rice is grown under them. The colour of the water in rain-fed tanks changes according to the land from which the water comes. Swiftly flowing water can carry large and heavy particles. The finest particles remain floating in the water. Large areas of land can be converted into fertile land due to silt-laden water. The collection and utilization of rainwater are significant because our Indian agriculture depends on rainfall. Much of the rainwater flows down into the river and the sea. So a large quantity of water is lost. The proper use of this flowing water is a great national problem. Planting trees is an urgent need in India. They would help to save the rainwater of the country from flowing away to waste.

Trial Scene of Merchant of Venice

This is the most important and interesting scene of the play. In the beginning of the scene, we see the Duke is upset about the penalty, but cannot find any lawful way of freeing Antonio from his bond. Shylock enters the court. The Duke tells him that all the men gathered there expect him to pardon Antonio and forgive the debt. Shylock replies that he has already sworn by his religion that he will take his pound of flesh from Antonio. Bassanio then comes forward and offers Shylock the six thousand ducats as repayment for the loan. Shylock tells him he would not take it.

The Duke threatens to dismiss the court without settling the suit brought by Shylock if Doctor Bellario fails to arrive. Nerissa enters dressed as a man and informs the Duke that Bellario has sent a letter to him. The letter from Bellario recommends a young and educated doctor to help the Duke to settle the case. The Duke orders him to be brought in, and Portia enters dressed as a man, named Balthazar.

Portia tells the Duke that she has thoroughly studied the case. She asks Antonio if he confesses to signing the contract. He does, and Portia then says that Shylock therefore must be merciful. She delivers a short speech on mercy, but Shylock ignores it and demands the contract be fulfilled. She says that Shylock has the right to claim a pound of flesh from next to Antonio's heart according to the bond. Antonio's bosom is laid bare.  Just as Shylock is about to start cutting again, Portia says that the bond does not give him permission to shed Antonio's blood. Shylock knows that he cannot cut the flesh without drawing blood, and gets agree to take the money instead. However, Portia says that he has lost his right to get the money. The Shylock decides to withdraw his case. Portia tells Shylock to remain in the court. She says that Venice has a further law which says that if any foreigner tries to kill a Venetian, then half of his property will be given to the Venetian against whom he plotted, and the state will receive the other half. In addition, the foreigner's life will be in the hands of the Duke, who may decide to do whatever he wants. Shylock is forced to kneel on the ground before the court, but the Duke pardons his life before he can beg for mercy. And Antonio is saved by the cleverness of Portia.

This scene is a masterpiece and the most enjoyable in the whole play. It is the scene that converts the play into a happy ending play.