Lit.Guruji

Naga - Mandala  by Girish Karnard Naga-Mandala" is a play set in a village, written by Girish Karnad. The story revolves around Rani, a young woman in an unhappy marriage. One day, she discovers a cobra trapped in a termite mound near her house. She starts talking to the snake, considering it to be her husband, and names it Naga. To her surprise, Naga transforms into a handsome young man every night. Rani develops a deep emotional connection with him, finding solace and happiness in this mysterious relationship. However, during the daytime, Naga returns to his snake form. The play delves into themes of desire, love, and the blurred lines between reality and imagination. As the story progresses, Rani's husband becomes suspicious of her behavior, and the village is captivated by the rumors surrounding the snake-man. The narrative also involves a storytelling character named Appanna, who reveals the legend of Naga-Mandala, a cursed princess who falls in love with a sh...

Mother  P. Lankesh P. Lankesh (1935 – 2000) was a famous poet of modern Kannada literature. He was a great short story writer, novelist, playwright, and journalist. In his lifetime, he won Central, State Academy, and National awards. He wrote "Avva" when he lost his mother. His poems "Avva" and "Avva 2" were sequels written twenty-five years after the first one. In Avva poem he pays tribute to his mother, a rustic woman who lived a uncomplicated life. In the second poem, the poet reflects on how much of his mother still lives within him after having lived a civilized life in the city for many years.  The poet initiates the poem by likening his mother to Mother Earth, portraying her as a fertile black land. Through clever metaphors, he showcases her remarkable productivity and strength, depicting her as black earth, abundant and green like a festival of white flowers. The poet reflects on how old the peasant woman was and ponders how man...

Title: Exploring Social Realities in “Coolie” by Mulk Raj Anand Introduction : “Coolie,” is a wonderful novel written by Mulk Raj Anand. This novel delves into the harsh realities faced by the working class people in India during the colonial era. The book was  Published in 1936.  This novel presents a vivid portrayal of the life of a young boy, Munoo. He becomes a coolie (manual laborer) at a railway station.  Anand explores the struggles, injustices, and dehumanizing conditions endured by the underprivileged in society. The Struggles of Munoo: The novel begins by introducing Munoo, a young village boy whose life takes a drastic turn when he loses his family in a flood. Forced to leave his home, Munoo ends up at a railway station, where he becomes a coolie, carrying loads for meager wages. Anand  portrays the physical and emotional hardships faced by Munoo as he wrestles with poverty, exhaustion, and loneliness. Social Injustices: Through Mun...

  The Solitary Reaper: A Melodic Ode to Nature's  Eternal Beauty William Wordsworth, an eminent poet of the Romantic era, possessed a profound appreciation for nature and the ability to express the depth of his emotions through poetry. Among his many poetic treasures, "The Solitary Reaper" stands as an immortal ode to the timeless beauty and poignant melancholy of the natural world. Published in 1807, this enchanting poem transports readers to the picturesque Scottish Highlands, where a lone reaper's song resonates with the poet's soul, transcending language and time. At the heart of the poem lies the encounter between the speaker and a solitary reaper—a young girl immersed in her labor, reaping grain amidst the stunning landscape. Wordsworth's masterful descriptions paint a vivid picture of the scene, where the girl's isolation amidst the grandeur of the Scottish Highlands exudes a sense of tranquility and rugged beauty. The focus then shifts...

                           The Mad Lover                        - by Sisir Kumar Das Sisir Kumar Das was a poet, playwright, essayist, translator and an academic scholar. He was one of the pioneers in introducing Comparitive Literature . Ameya Dev calls him, “a scholar of the purest water”. The ephithet ' The Mad Lover' describes a person who is deeply and passionately in love. In this essay Sisir Kumar Das illustrates the mad frenzy of total devotion and absorption in God through some of the well known Bhakti poets of the medieval period.   Bhakti Movement: Bhakti movement was a common movement revolted against the shackles of social conventions and authoritarianism of the Brahminical priests and scholars who ruled over the temples. The movement voiced the joy of liberated spirit. There was an abundance of emotion, music, dance,...

She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith Summary  She Stoops to Conquer  is a comedy play written by Oliver Goldsmith. It was first performed in 1773.  This play was set in the English countryside. This play  tells the story of two young couples and their humorous misadventures. The play revolves around Charles Marlow, a well-to-do young man who has a peculiar problem. He is extremely shy and nervous around upper-class women, but he is confident and charming around women of lower social status. Marlow is on his way to visit the Hardcastle family estate, where he is set to meet Kate Hardcastle, the daughter of the house, who is hoping for a marriage proposal. However, due to a series of misunderstandings, Marlow and his friend George Hastings mistakenly identify a nearby inn, managed by Mr. Hardcastle, as the Hardcastle mansion. This confusion sets the stage for a series of comedic situations and mistaken identities. Kate, realizing Marlow's discomfort ar...

Arrow of God Summary by Chinua Achebe "Arrow of God" is a novel written by the Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. It was first published in 1964 and is the third novel in Achebe's acclaimed African Trilogy, following "Things Fall Apart" and "No Longer at Ease." "Arrow of God" is set in the fictional Igbo village of Umuaro in Nigeria during the early 20th century, during the period of British colonial rule. The story revolves around Ezeulu, the chief priest of Ulu, the deity worshipped by the villagers. Ezeulu is a respected and powerful figure who acts as a mediator between the spiritual realm and the community. The novel explores the complexities of power, religion, and cultural clash. Ezeulu's authority and the traditional Igbo way of life are challenged by the encroachment of British colonialism and the introduction of Christianity. As the British establish their control over the region, conflicts arise between Ezeulu and the c...

Sonnet 116 Sonnet 116 is one of Shakespeare's most famous sonnets and explores the theme of love. It argues that true love is unchanging and remains constant despite the challenges and passing of time. The poet asserts that love is not dependent on external circumstances and does not waver or fade when faced with difficulties. Love, according to the sonnet, is a steadfast and unwavering force that guides individuals through the storms of life. The sonnet further emphasizes that love is not subject to the passage of time. It remains undiminished even as physical beauty and youth fade away. Love is portrayed as an eternal force that endures until the brink of death. In the final couplet, Shakespeare states that if his views on love are proven wrong, then he declares that he never wrote anything, and no man has ever truly loved.

Sonnet 65 Shakespeare, explores the theme of the fleeting nature of beauty and the power of time. The sonnet begins by establishing the idea that no material or natural element can resist the influence of mortality. Brass, stone, earth, and the boundless sea, which are often associated with strength and endurance, all succumb to the passage of time. The poet then contemplates how beauty, which is often equated with youth and vitality, can possibly withstand the relentless advance of time. The action of beauty is compared to that of a fragile flower, delicate and easily overpowered. The question arises: how can beauty, as fragile as it is, endure the destructive effects of time? The speaker further reflects on the power of time by imagining the summer season, traditionally associated with abundance and vitality. Even the sweet breath of summer, representing its vitality and beauty, struggles against the "wreckful siege" or destructive assault of the passing days. T...

The Color Purple.  Celie as  empowered women. The Color Purple is a series of letters written by a southern black woman Celie, reflecting a history of oppression and abuse suffered at the hands of men. It is the story of a poor black called Celie who writes a letter to God. She writes about her roles as daughter, wife, sister and mother. Celie is completely powerless in the initial letters and God is the only person, she is able to talk with. Celie encounters many black women who mould her life. Shug Avery   Shug Avery is the Blue Singer, her husband Mr._____ is in love with. Though Celie is reduced to the level of being a servant to Shug, Shug finally becomes Celie's salvation.  Sofia Sofia is her strong -willed daughter-in-law. Her courage, endurance and strength seem to inspire Celie much.  Squeak Squeak , who goes through awakenings of her own finally demands Harpo to call her by her name Mary Agnes.  Celie at the end of the novel rises in p...

Anand's "Coolie" Explores Inequality Mulkraj Anand coolie Mulk Raj Anand was an Indian writer and one of the pioneers of modern Indian literature in English. He was born on December 12, 1905, in Peshawar (now in Pakistan) and passed away on September 28, 2004, in Pune, India. Anand's novel "Coolie" was published in 1936 and is considered one of his most significant works. The book tells the story of Munoo, a young boy from a lower-caste background, who becomes a coolie (manual laborer) to earn a living. Through Munoo's experiences, Anand portrays the harsh realities and social injustices faced by the working class and lower-caste individuals in India during the British colonial era. "Coolie" explores themes of poverty, exploitation, caste discrimination, and the struggle for dignity and equality. It sheds light on the dehumanizing conditions endured by coolies, who often worked in grueling labor-intensive jobs for meager wages. Anan...

Ralph waldo Emerson the nature's strength Ralph Waldo Emerson recognized the immense power and beauty of nature, often expressing a deep reverence for its strength and influence. In his works, he celebrated nature as a source of inspiration, spiritual connection, and personal growth. Emerson believed that nature held a transformative power over individuals. He saw it as a teacher, inviting people to observe and learn from its rhythms and patterns. By immersing oneself in the natural world, one could gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all things and tap into a universal wisdom. Emerson saw nature as a catalyst for personal growth, urging individuals to embrace their individuality and seek their own paths, guided by the lessons imparted by the natural world. For Emerson, nature's strength lay not only in its physical manifestations but also in its ability to elevate the human spirit. He emphasized the restorative and healing effects of nature, vi...

Laurence Dunbar’s Sparrow Sparrow Laurence Dunbar, also known as Paul Laurence Dunbar, was an influential African-American poet, novelist, and playwright. He was born on June 27, 1872, in Dayton, Ohio, and passed away on February 9, 1906, at the age of 33. Dunbar’s poem titled “The Sparrow” is a poignant piece that reflects upon the struggles and aspirations of the African-American community during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. “The Sparrow” offers valuable insights into Dunbar’s poetic style and themes. In “The Sparrow,” Dunbar employs vivid imagery and symbolism to convey the experiences of marginalized individuals and the desire for freedom and equality. The poem begins by describing the sparrow, a small and seemingly insignificant bird, which represents the African-American community. The sparrow is contrasted with the “birds of brilliant hue” who possess greater privileges and advantages in society. Through this contrast, Dunbar highlights the plight of Afri...

Shakespeare Sonnet No. 18 Introduction: William Shakespeare is regarded as one of the greatest poets in English literature. His sonnets explores themes of love, beauty, and the passage of time. Shakespeare’s Sonnet18, delves into the remarkable qualities of his beloved. He follows the structure of an English Sonnet. It consists of three quatrians (12lines) and a couplet (2 lines). It follows the rhyme scheme abab cdcd efef gg. Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 begins with a question, “ Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” The speaker ponders whether his beloved should be compared to a summer’s day. He immediately realizes that his beloved is more lovely and perfect than the Summer season. The speaker depicts the beauty of a summer’s day which is temporary, while the beauty of the beloved is eternal. The phrase “eternal summer” expresses the idea that the beloved’s beauty is not subject to destruction. The beloved’s beauty, according to the speaker, will not fade or diminish w...