A short summary of Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility"

After the death of Mr. Henry Dashwood, all his money went to his first wife's son John Dashwood, his second wife and her three daughters are left with no home and very little income. Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret are invited to stay with their relatives, the Middletons, at Barton Park. Elinor is sad to leave their home because she has become closely attached to Edward Ferrars, who was the brother-in-law of her half-brother John. However, once at Barton Park, Elinor and Marianne discover many new contacts and get familiarize with the people, including the retired officer and bachelor Colonel Brandon, and the brave and reckless John Willoughby, who rescues Marianne after she twists her ankle running down the hills of Barton in the rain. Willoughby openly and not ashamedly got involved romantically with Marianne, and together the two boldly display their attachment to one another, until Willoughby suddenly announces that he must depart for London on business, leaving Marianne lovesick. Meanwhile, Anne and Lucy Steele, two recently discovered relations of Lady Middleton's mother, Mrs. Jennings, arrive at Barton Park as guests of the Middletons. Lucy getting the favour of herself to Elinor and informs her that she (Lucy) has been secretly engaged to Mr. Ferrars for a whole year. Elinor first assumes that Lucy is referring to Edward's younger brother, Robert, but is shocked to learn that Lucy is actually referring to her own beloved Edward.
Elinor and Marianne travel to London with Mrs. Jennings. Colonel Brandon informs Elinor that everyone in London is talking of an engagement between Willoughby and Marianne, though Marianne has not told her family of any such attachment. Marianne is anxious to be reunited with her beloved Willoughby, but when she sees him at a party in town, he cruelly rejects her and then sends her a letter denying that he ever had feelings for her.
Colonel Brandon tells Elinor of Willoughby's history that how he was excessively involved in alcohol and drugs, and Mrs. Jennings confirms that Willoughby, having wasted his fortune, has become engaged to the wealthy heiress Miss Grey.
Lucy's older sister without any intentions reveals the news of Lucy's secret engagement to Edward Ferrars. Edward's mother is outraged at the information and disinherits him, promising his fortune to Robert instead. Meanwhile, the Dashwood sisters visit family friends at Cleveland on their way home from London. At Cleveland, Marianne develops a severe cold while taking long walks in the rain, and she falls deathly ill. Upon hearing of her illness, Willoughby comes to visit, attempting to explain his misconduct and seek forgiveness. Elinor pities him and ultimately shares his story with Marianne, who finally realizes that she behaved not wisely with Willoughby and could never have been happy with him anyway. Mrs. Dashwood and Colonel Brandon arrive at Cleveland and are relieved to learn that Marianne has begun to recover.
When the Dashwoods return to Barton, they learn from their manservant that Lucy Steele and Mr. Ferrars are engaged. They assume that he means Edward Ferrars, and are thus unsurprised, but Edward himself soon arrives and corrects their misconception: it was Robert, not himself, whom Lucy ultimately decided to marry. Thus Edward is finally free to propose to his beloved Elinor, and not long after, Marianne and Colonel Brandon become engaged as well. The couples live happily together at Delaford.

Modern Technology: Beneficial or Harmful

Modern Technology: Beneficial or Harmful

Someone said "Apple and Blackberry were just fruits earlier which made life simpler." Some say modern technology is a blessing, some say it is a curse. It depends upon us how we take it. Technology can cause cancer and technology can cure cancer. Yes, it is true. If there is some problem caused due to technology, then it is also solved by technology only. Whenever me get a virus in our PC, we get it solved through anti-virus. We can say that technology has advantages as well as disadvantages too. When we talk about advantages, a thought strikes us that due to technology, a nation develops. Progress of a nation depends only technology for a  little percentage. People who are fond of reading books now can read the books online and they don't have to buy books. Nowadays, the concept of smart class is emerging. The screen is placed on the mall & teacher can operate it and teach the class. The board work is now not much in trend. As people can access internet, they are more engaged in chatting on social sites most of the youngsters are seen involved in their Smartphone's playing games, texting, chatting on social sites etc. Students on social sites etc. Students get study material on internet. People write blogs and they share their presentations on slide share. People have got a huge platform to develop. Students can now prepare for their exams by reading previous years question papers which are available on internet. Technology is so much advanced now that we can do online shopping sitting anywhere. Earlier, people had to rush to bank in any case of emergency, for transaction of money or any other work. They had to stand in a long queue. But as technology got advanced, this problem also got solved. Mobile banking, me can transfer money, do online shopping can send money anywhere and at anytime. Earlier time was a foundation but technology has made life easier. Due to advancement of technology, defence is benefitted. Drones and robotic planes are used by military. Atomic bombs are made which can destroy thousands of people at a time. It is usually used in wars. The biggest help technology has done is for police. Today, we can see CCTV's at banks, educational institutions, malls & other public places, roads, streets etc to reduce crime. Police do not have to do patrolling every time. They can just keep an eye on the monitors & all the things are recorded in it as to stop crime. The criminals now have to stop & think before doing any crime. Technology is helping in medical also. CT Scan, MRI Scan are some of the machines which can detect the problem of the patient and can be a boon for that person. Even cancer is also cured by chemotherapy. There are some finest & biggest hospitals which provide latest facilities and through these, people get cured for any disease. Earlier, for applying anywhere for a job or any exam, we had to purchase forms from market & fill it in due date and had to send it. Sometimes it go misplaced or couldn't reach to the right place or any reason like it would happen but now most of the forms are filled online. No one has to worry about purchasing forms or sending it. Mass communication technology is also developing now a days. People are using social medias like Whatsapp, Face book, Twitter Hike etc for sharing their thoughts, keeping in contact with their near & dear ones. Especially youngsters are involved in it. Google is also a big platform for all. Whenever, anyone is in doubt related to anything, they can get their answer through Google. Whether we have to search about any place, or we have to get information about anything, Google is always there to help us. People today are totally depended on it. We have to save our certificates and mark sheets as they are very important for us. If anything happen to the documents, we get worried for it. So in case it gets lost or tore, me can save it in our mail and Google drive. We can keep backup of every document which we have to pressure for a long time. Whenever we fill online forms, we have to attach mark sheets. Photos, signatures along with it and for our safety and convenience, we can scan it & save it in our mailbox and other places. This is the bigger boon for us.

                 But along with these advantages, there are many disadvantages too. Like mass communication has increased a lot through social sites, people are always involved in it. But they get far from the people who are in front of them. Reunions happen many a times & at that time too, people are involved in Smartphone's for example like for taking selfish, pictures, sharing photos etc. They cannot give their time to their friends. Friends living together are involved in their Smartphone's and a little conversation happens between them. Yes, it is right that we make friends from different places & it is good us what is the meaning if you are losing your real life friends. People when sit for dinner are also not really together at that time. They too are involved in watching television. TV is also one thing which creates gaps between members of family. When we talk about war in any nation, is it good to hear? No, It has become a weapon for mass destruction. Innocent people are killed in this process. Due to atomic bombs, pollution is caused which is harmful for our planet, When the term social media comes, we are stroked with the word hackers. Hackers are the biggest threat for us. Hackers hack the most confidential information of any nation to use it for terrorism. Due to this, wars happen. Hackers sometimes hack the profile of some girls & stalk them there. Due to this, many girls commit suicide. People have to aware before giving any of their personal information on social media. Mobile banking is in trend nowadays but it causes problem. Sometimes, our account gets hacked & all the money is lost. Technology has advanced a lot as it helps people & specially students in education but is has destroyed the thinking ability of people. People don't think anything & just type the question & get their answer from Google. In the same way, students also do not make notes or read any original text, rather they Google out their questions and summaries. Factories are also now getting advanced with new machines. Due to this man power is decreased as the work which people did in a day is done by the machines in half of the time without any labour. As technology has came, it took over man power, people have become jobless and mostly the workers. Technology also gives employment but to those who has knowledge about it. The workers have to suffer a lot due to it. A few years ago language albs were introduced in schools & colleges for students. But they are not used properly as no one is there to maintain it. Yes, we can say it has benefited for students as they can get basic knowledge about computers. But what if no one maintains it & there is no one to teach? In some schools & colleges computers are used very finely but somewhere, there is no internet access & students can only do painting in it or can just use Microsoft Office word: spreadsheet etc. If language labs are provided, then there should be technicians too who can maintain it and keep it updated.

   Finally, we can say that technology can be a boon for those who use it carefully and rightly and it can be a sure too if we are not cautions. It depends upon us whether it benefits us or is harmful for us.

Such a Long Journey by Rohinton Mistry

Rohinton Mistry's Such a Long Journey is one of remarkable confluences of astonishingly beautiful writing and fully developed characterization. There is no major crisis that takes place, no earth-shattering destruction of place or person, there is a sustained tension throughout the novel. The protagonist is Gustad Noble. The novel is set during the rule of Indira Gandhi, and is a damning indictment of both her government and American foreign policy of the time. The journey is both a physical and metaphorical one, of Gustad's bedside visitation of a friend he thought had betrayed him and of Gustad's eventual realization that there are few absolutes in life beyond that of death, that for every face there are a myriad of facets. There are several but subtle poignant metaphors woven, the most memorable being the character of Tehmul, who is a physically and mentally disabled man with the character of a boy and it is this pull of the innocent versus the carnal that mirrors much of the political and social turmoil of the novel. This book was shortlisted for the 1991 Booker Prize. It was pulled from the University of Mumbai's English Curriculum because of protests from the family of Hindu's nationalist- Bal Thackeray. Through this book, we come to know about the journey of Parsis and their culture and the problems they faced.

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

"The drums were still beating, persistent and unchanging. Their sound was no longer a separate thing from the living village. It was like the pulsation of its heart. It throbbed in the air, in the sunshine, and even in the trees, and filled the village with excitement."

                                                                                         - Chinua Achebe                                                                                                (Things Fall Apart)

"Things Fall Apart" written by Chinua Achebe shows many contrasts, traditional culture, colonialism, Christianity, the Masculine and the Feminine, animism, the ignorant and the aware. Achebe has shown a culture which is rife with superstition but rich in context. We are told about African proverbs, folk tales, details of the Igbo clan system, African culture. This book is a simple tale, an extended metaphor for African despoliation, life and politics. The scenes from the life of Nigeria's Ibo society are painted with an assured, uplifting clarity and they resonate brightly. Okonkow is an excellent, wonderful human, central character, strong, proud, wilful and a traditionalist. He couldn't prevent "progress" as he always won wrestling matches. He is acutely aware of the pitfalls of forgetting the past but he is blind to the absurdities, cruelties and sheer backwardness of certain of his tribe's customs and of his own, sometimes outrageous. Okonkow shows the progress to a capitalist future is no future, the rural isolation and ignorance of his tribal is no longer even a viable present. 

Decolonising the Mind by Ngugi wa Thiong'o

Decolonising the mind is a work of Ngugi wa Thiong'o explains how colonialism has deemed African languages unworthy of use- both by the Colonisers and the Colonised. He explains how a "cultural bomb" was dropped on Africa so the mind of Africans were controlled. "Make them hate themselves" was the mission. He was born in a large peasant family. They spoke Gikuyu. About language, he said:

"We therefore learnt to value words for their meaning and nuances. Language was not a mere string of words. It had a suggestive power well beyond the immediate and lexical meaning. Our appreciation of the suggestive magical power of language was reinforced by the games we played with words through riddles, proverbs, transposition of syllables or through non-sensical but musically arranged words. So we learnt the music of our language on top of the content. The language, through images and symbols, gave us a view of the world, but it had a beauty of its own. The home and the field were then our pre-primary school but what is important, for this discussion, is that the language of our evening teach-ins, and a language of our immediate and wider community, and the language of our work in the fields were one."

In Kenya, English became more than a language, it was the language, and all the others had to bow before it in deference. Students were given punishment if they were caught speaking Gikuyu in the vicinity of the school. This was seen in the schools where European languages were idealised, the streets where African language became synonymous with the language of the peasantry and at the prison cells were those African writers whose choose to stay true to their mother tongue were held. When they were in school, English was imposed upon them. Students who passed in other subjects but failed in English had to remain in the same class means they had to reappear in the same class. This book is a thought provoking dissection of the effects of colonisation in the African literature. This book raises the question of self and culture, imperialism and language through the eyes and stories of someone who grew up in colonial Kenya and has spent his life fighting to separate African literature from the European influences that have so pervaded it.

Review of the story 'A Ten Day Fast' by Harishankar Parsai

 “Satire” The word incorporates “the use of humour, irony, exaggeration or ridicule to reveal and criticize people’s bad points.” In literature, the term refers to a type of novel, poem or play, whereby a particular subject, vice or folly in human nature or in a system is ridiculed.

“A Ten day Fast” was written by Harishankar Parsai around twenty years after the

independence of India. Through this piece of writing, Parsai holds up to our scrutiny the picture of an independent country where some people with vested interests use various strategies to manipulate public opinion and political system. By using such a method, the writer satirizes the functioning of democracy in the nation.

A Ten Day Fast” is written in the form of diary entry. Episodes between the dates 10th

January to 21st January in the life of Bannu and his supporters are recorded. Bannu goes on a fast for an unworthy cause, that is to procure another man’s wife. The diary form of writing seen together with the contents of the story give a tone of mock-seriousness to this satirical piece.

10 January:

Bannu had been unsuccessfully pursuing Savitri, the wife of Radhika Babu. At the outset

the narrator points out that nothing in this country functions on its own, whether it is the parliament, the judiciary, bureaucracy, or anything else. Everything has to be influenced and manoeuvred, in contemporary society. According to the narrator, all major demands can only be met through threats of fast or threats to kill oneself by burning (self-immolation). The narrator offers to show Bannu the way to achieve his heart’s desire: he suggests that Bannu should go on a fast to obtain his goal. There was a time when the father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi used to go on long fasts for a noble cause, that is the country’s independence. By juxtaposing the tradition of such 26 fasts with a frivolous cause in Bannu’s case, the writer satirizes the degeneration of contemporary political and social systems.

Initially, Bannu is unsure whether it is possible for someone at all to go on a fast over

such a matter; and whether such a thing would work. However, he is persuaded by the narrator that much “depends on how you set up the issue … If the issue is set up well you will get your woman”. He suggests that they visit Baba Sankidas to procure expert advice and guidance. The narrator thus reveals that through manipulative and expert strategies, it is possible to twist and mould situations, and use them for a negative end.

11 January:

Under the able guidance of the narrator and Baba Sanki Das, Bannu proceeds on a “fast

unto death”. On January 11, He is found sitting in a tent. A holy atmosphere has been contrived: incense sticks burn near him, and a group of people vigorously sing the favourite song of Mahatma Gandhi. A deceptively pious ambience is built up. {But the reader can discern the wide gap between the kind of noble purposes for which Gandhiji used to undergo a fast unto death and Bannu’s base purpose. Baba Sankidas craftily drafts the Declaration of Principles on Bannu’s behalf. He camouflages Bannu’s desire for another man’s wife in such a way that it sounds exalted and philosophic. In the Declaration, Bannu declares that he has been prompted by his soul which is incomplete without Savitri: “My soul calls out to me saying, I’m as only one half. My other half is in Savitri. My soul says, Bring the two halves together and make them one. Or else set me free from this world.” Bannu declares that he has gone on a fast to bring the two halves of his soul together.

The diary record made on this day, that is 11 January, shows how Baba Sanki das, the

master strategist, uses language to manipulate others and influence public opinion.

13 January:

Bannu finds it difficult to go through the fast as he has little tolerance for hunger. He asks

whether eminent personalities such as Jayaprakash Narayan and Vinoba Bhave had come to see him. Some journalists come to see him and want to know if the fast is for a public cause. Baba Sankidas shrewdly replies that the priority was to do something to save Bannu’s life. He adds, “When someone goes on a fast, he makes such a sacrifice that any cause becomes pure.” The queries of the journalists show how the media gets attracted to any public display. People like Baba Sankidas exploit the media to shape and sway public opinion.

14th January:

Baba Sankidas continues to shape public opinion. On 14th January, he gets a statement

by Swami Rasanand published in the papers. Swami Rasanand claims that his ascetic acts have given him the power to see both the past and the future. These (so-called) powers, Rasanand asserts, have revealed to him that “Bannu was a sage in his previous life, and that Savitri was his wife.” He adds that it is a sin that a sage’s wife should now live with Radhika Prasad. This statement has a great impact on the people. Many people start taking Bannu’s side.

This extract shows how religion and media can be manipulated to influence public opinion.

15th January:

It is clear by this date that public opinion has emerged in Bannu’s favour. Newspapers

are full of the story of Bannu’s fast. People in the city are heard saying that Savitri’s husband

is a shameless man and that it is “a great sin to keep a sage’s wife as your own.” Such shocking public views are the writer’s way of satirizing democracy in the country. The author shows how even immoral demands meet with public approval through artful manoeuvering.

Also on this day, arrangements are made to send a small crowd of people to the Prime

Minister’s residence to appeal to him to intervene in the matter. Jayaprakash Narayan visits

Bannu that evening. {It must be borne in mind that in the process of writing a satire, the author uses imaginary scenes. The events are not meant to be seen as real episodes, but rather, their value lies in exposing negative social and/or political systems in a humorous way.

16th January:

Jayaprakash Narayan, who has been persuaded to mediate and see the Prime Minister

on Bannu’s behalf, is not successful in his mission. The narrator feels discouraged, but Baba

Sankidas remains unshaken. The latter says that at first everyone rejects a demand; and that the time has come to intensify the struggle.

The Baba instigates the media as well as the caste system to create ripples of effect in

society in Bannu’s favour. (Bannu is a Brahmin and Radhika Babu is a Kayasth).

17th January:

On 17th January, the newspaper headlines and a deliberately created advertisement further

shows the use of media by a group of manipulative people to present the case in Bannu’s favour. Bannu’s supporters also go to the extent of hiring four local goondas (miscreants). These people are paid in advance to throw rocks into Kayasth homes, and then go and throw rocks in Brahmin homes. We see how the politics of caste- rivalry can be played and misused in a democratic set-up such as India.

18th January:

Fierce fights take place between the two caste groups. As a result of all the animosity kindled by the supporters of Bannu, such as the narrator and Baba Sankidas, Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code is imposed on the city as a result of all the provocation and violence.

The government has been watching the situation carefully, although there is a deadlock

as far as the talks are concerned. Thus we see how a trivial matter can be pushed to proportions of nation-wide interest by a handful of people with vested interests. To expose this social evil is one of the primary purposes of this particular satire.

19th January:

So many days of fasting have made Bannu weak. He raves and rants that he has been

led into a trap. The narrator is worried that if Bannu reveals such a statement to the public or

the press, people such as the narrator and Baba Sankidas will be exposed.

20th January:

Bannu’s condition continues to grow worse. The narrator and his advisors issue a public

statement on Bannu’s behalf: “I may die but I shall not retreat”. There is much uproar in the

nation regarding the issue of Bannu’s fast. The Brahmin Sabha threatens, “If the demand is not met, ten Brahmins will immolate themselves”. Savitri attempts suicide, but is saved. Prayer meetings are held all over the country. Heightening the tone of satire, the author states that a telegram has been sent to the United Nations.

21st January:

All the crooked tactics of Baba Sankidas and the narrator finally yield results!

The government accepts Bannu’s demands in principle. Baba Sankidas gives a glass of

orange juice to Bannu, as a token of breaking the fast. Bhajans and prayers are loudly recited. The author satirizes the functioning of democracy in the country as Baba Sankidas says triumphantly, “In a democracy, public opinion has to be respected.” The misuse of Dharma or religion is also mocked at, as hundreds of men and women come to touch Bannu’s feet, and people shout “Victory to Truth!” “Victory to Dharma!”

Some views about literary texts

What do we read?

Every day we read a variety of text-types without, perhaps, even realizing that they are

texts. The newspaper you read in the morning, the billboard with an ad for a movie, the instructions on your bottle of shampoo, the rate-chart at the Metro station, the e-mail from your friend, the SMS you sent, or the prospectus for college that you bought – all these are examples of text types.

In addition we also read charts, diagrams, cartoons or photographs which accompany texts.

Why do we read?

We read primarily to seek information or increase our knowledge. People also read for

pleasure, to communicate with other people, or to seek inspiration from religious texts. There is a wide spectrum of reasons, ranging from the purely functional to the religious or spiritual.

How do we read?

There are various ways in which a text can be read, depending on your intention.

Linguists have classified reading strategies into four major kinds. If you are searching for some information, as when you are going through a railway time-table, you read quickly and focus only on what you need. This is scanning. When you read a chapter of a book in your course with the aim to understand everything it is intensive reading but if you read a newspaper article quickly just to get the general idea it is skimming. If you go through an entire novel, without being bothered by things you don’t understand and because you enjoy reading fiction, it is extensive reading. The main requisite for reading comprehension is to develop the ability to read a passage without failing to grasp the general meaning of the text. The aim of the text book is to provide you with a wide variety of authentic texts and sensitize you to differences in style. You must learn not only to pay attention to what is said but how it is said. Other skills that help you understand the text are the ability to deduce meanings of unfamiliar words, recognize the writer’s technique and evaluate writing in terms of organization, aim, function, and writer’s intention.