Mother Tongue

By Amy Tan

Mother Tongue is a brilliant essay by Amy Tan. The writer has discussed, a seemingly
unimportant issue, which in real commands great importance. Millions of people speak
English, either as their first or second language. There is no one correct or standard version
of English. It is foolishness to choose one, every accent must be listened and given
importance to as long as it makes sense.
The use of a particular dialect depends on a number of surrounding factors, such as country,
society, neighbourhood, educational background, family trade, ethnicity, schooling and the
surrounding environment. The educated class has the privileges which the others are deprived
of. To distinguish on the pronunciation of words, and to adore or despise one particular type
is despicable.
Unlike a pure science, which consists of accurate experiments and precise description,
dealing mostly with facts and figures, a language is a complex system of ideas and
interpretation. There is never one answer, and never one right explanation. Creativity is
severely hampered when a language is taught objectively or judged analytically.
Lastly, to write good English and to score well in the English test are in no way related to
each other. They are two very different things. Getting the grade is a matter of memorizing,
remembering the names and places, and then reproducing everything on the paper. Whereas
writing good English is a question of personal experience, associating with the reader and
putting ones heart in ones work. The true talent lies inside, the inspiration always works
from within.

Average Waves in Unprotected Waters

By Anne Tyler

In this heart wrenching story, Anne Tyler narrates how a person is brought to his limits, how
he throws down his burden which he has been carrying around for so long, how he suddenly
becomes indifferent to the thing he once valued and prized most. A human being certainly has
his boundaries.
Once known as Mrs. Blevins, now the single mother Bet has taken care of her mentally and
physically handicapped son Arnold for nine long years. The husband had left immediately
after knowing the sons abnormality, but the mothers love had pertained. She has done a
colossal job of raising her son, but now she has had enough. Once deciding to leave Arnold in
a handicapped institution, Bet travels a long distance via bus, train and then taxi. Tears pour
out from her eyes when she leaves the child in his new room, and walks out. But when she
realizes she is free now and can live for herself, Bet smiles.
The simple incident reveals a number of themes, and offers a unique angle of the human
mind. Freedom is the most revered state for a man, it may lie dormant for a time, but
eventually it resurfaces. People love and love to love, but only when they feel liberated and
freed. Every ordeal either ends itself, or is made to end by somebody. It is impossible to love
perpetually in pain and suffering.
Once, a decision has been made and execution carried out, people always find excuses to
justify the cause. The reasons they come out with may not always be true, but they do quieten
down our conscience and put the fears to rest. Life is easier to pass that way.

The Rockpile
By James Baldwin

The story reiterates an ancient, proven fact: no one can love somebody like ones mother.
Circumstances and external conditions may not allow a mother to show her love explicitly,
but when her child is threatened, she breaks all the bonds and stands up to defend him. She
does not care about anything or anyone then.
Elizabeth, with her illegitimate son John, marries Gabriel and has children from him, making
John a nameless and an unidentified stranger in the house. The stepson Roy, often does
mischief and gets away with it, putting John in trouble. At last, once again when John is
threatened to be strapped by Gabriel for a crime he did commit, Elizabeth steps inside and
decisively saves John from him. No longer the cool, humble and the docile wife, she acts and
speaks quite boldly on the behalf of her son. Her courage astonishes Gabriel who cows down,
is taken aback and spares John.
Not only the unconditional love of the mother, the story also shows how a moment of
pleasure and joy follows years of regret and embarrassment. John is a stain on Elizabeth since
his birth, but she has to carry him for life. We also witness living close and living long with
someone does not guarantee love, affection does not depend on time and space. Moreover,
there is always a concept of blood and step relations in a family. It is not said, but in the back
of our mind the division is always there. It is impossible to free ourselves from it.
No one will speak for us, if we keep silent. It is great to be friendly, cooperative and cordial,
but sometimes quite the opposite is required. One has to fight sometimes to win the war.
And finally, we get to know sometimes the best way out is always through. No use turning
around when action calls for, one has to act in the face of fear. It may not always bring
success, but the contradiction holds true. No success is possible without action.

The Reluctant Fundamentalist

By Mohsin Hamid

A young Lahori boy, fond of drinking and befriending American girls, fresh out of Princeton
University and working in a respected organization, ends up in hating and speaking against
the New World. He was a true American, at least in his mind if not in the skin, but the peer
pressure and stereotyping make him a religious fundamentalist.
Mohsin Hamid brilliantly brings out he hypocrisy and the double standards of the so-called
liberals who take pride in accepting people from all religious and social communities and
advocate an unprejudiced and an unbiased attitude towards them. Changez, who goes from
Pakistan to USA in the perusal of his dreams, finds himself mocked, ridiculed and closely
monitored after the 9/11 attacks. He sides and sympathizes with the American people who
lost their lives, but he is seen as a threat and an outsider. Gradually, the taunts increase, the
situation keeps on worsening until finally he leaves for Pakistan. He gets a job of a university
lecturer, where he tells the truth about his story of the American people to his students, and is
labelled as a religious extremist by some.
The underlying theme is quite evident, things are not always what they seem. America
always works for her interest, and keeps a close check on the foreigners. The freedom to live
freely does not apply to the outsiders. It is not said, but the bottom line is Muslims are now
looked down upon now in the USA. They are closely surveilled, and hence are denied their
legal liberty and independence.
The Americans indeed now view Islam as a potential threat to their existence and dominance.
They will not accept, but they are taking steps to curtail the Muslim community. The message
for us Pakistanis is quite simple. Either do not go to the USA, or be prepared to face the
consequences if the decision is firm. Things have changed now.

Drinking From A Bitter Cup

By Angela Jackson Brown

A splendid story containing strong autobiographical experience, Drinking From A Bitter

Cup narrates the life of a young black girl in the late 70s. Abandoned by her father and left
on her own after her mamas death, Sylvia Butler finds herself in a strange new life, which
takes her to many different places. She sees and knows more about life than most people on
their deathbeds.
Jackson, however, never falters. She writes with a passion, and whenever we feel the hope
dwindling, there happens an incident which restores our faith. What keeps Sylvia moving
forward is her absolute and unshakeable trust in her mamas teachings. Mamas words help
Sylvia a long way in her life. The one great trait the girl possesses is being optimistic. No
matter how bleak and how bland are the circumstances, Sylvia Butler never lets go of the
hope, she clings to it for life.
Her life is full of turmoil, bumps and close endings. But she has a feeling everything will turn
out right in the end. It indeed does, and she finds comfort at last. Sylvia understands in the
end that life fixes itself, in the course of time. One has to be patient, and a quest for a better
life.
The novel is more than a simple story. Historically speaking, the time was not a good one for
the African Americans. It discusses the social and economic conditions of the Black
Community of the time. The discrimination had made them lag behind, and most of them
were unsure whether to join the mainstream or stay secluded. Scattered all over the chapters
is the Black Pride, Black Nationalism and Pan Africanism. The tale also heralds a harbinger
for the blacks not to lose heart, to focus on the things that matter and to work hard for a better
future. Jackson provides ample evidence for a sunny morning in a stormy evening.
Sylvia is expecting a baby as we last see her. She is overjoyed, as she always wanted to be a
mama herself. Back again in her place and living with the kind Miss Cora, she smiles as she
feels the baby moving inside her. All the years of discomfort had paid her back. Her mama
would be proud of her, in the Heaven, for sure.