Professional Documents
Culture Documents
World Literature Notes
World Literature Notes
Q1: Dr faustus is a comparasion of renaissance man and medieval man? (12 marks)
ANSWER: Doctor Faustus" is a famous play written by Christopher Marlowe a long time ago. It's
a story about a smart but ambitious man named Doctor Faustus who wants to know everything
there is to know. He's willing to do anything, even make a deal with the devil, to gain incredible
powers and have lots of fun. But his choices lead to serious consequences, showing that chasing
power and ignoring moral values can be very risky. It's a story that explores the clash between
wanting to achieve great things and the dangers of making bad choices.
"Doctor Faustus" is a story that shows the clash between two different ways of thinking: one
from the olden days (Medieval) and one from a newer time (Renaissance).
In the story, Doctor Faustus represents the ideas of the Renaissance. This was a time when
people were really into learning, believed in themselves, and wanted to achieve big things.
Faustus is super curious and wants to know everything. He's not afraid to break the rules and go
against what everyone thinks. He even makes a deal with the devil to get magical powers and
enjoy life to the fullest. This shows how much he values personal success and rejects old ways of
doing things.
But there's another side to the story. Mephistopheles, the devil's helper, represents the old
Medieval way of thinking. Back then, the Church had lots of power, and people had to do what it
said. Faustus's actions, like turning away from God and ending up in a really bad place, show
how dangerous it can be to ignore traditional rules and beliefs.
Throughout the play, we see Faustus struggling between these two ways of thinking. He wants to
be a Renaissance person, full of ambition and knowledge, but he also faces the consequences of
going against what the Medieval world believed.
In the end, "Doctor Faustus" teaches us that it's not easy to balance these two different ways of
looking at the world. It's a story that shows us how complicated it can be to follow our dreams
and desires while also respecting old traditions and values.
1- SOLITARY REAPER:
Answer: Romanticism:
Romanticism is a style of writing where feelings, nature, and individual experiences are very
important. Romantic writers like William Wordsworth loved to talk about nature and how it
made them feel. They also believed that even small moments in life can be very special.
Theme of "The Solitary Reaper":
This poem is all about how a simple moment in the countryside can be very meaningful. It's like
a snapshot of a woman in a field who's singing while she works, and this moment is full of
emotions and beauty.
Line-by-Line Analysis:
"Look at her, all alone in the field":The poem starts by showing us a woman by herself in a
field. This makes us think about her being alone and what she's doing.
"That Highland girl over there!":She's described as a Highland girl, which tells us she's from
the mountains of Scotland.
"Cutting and singing by herself;":While she's working, she's also singing. Her song is like a
natural part of what she's doing.
"Stop here, or keep going!":The poet says we can either stop and listen to her song or just walk
by. It's up to us.
"She's cutting and tying up the grain":The woman is busy in the field, cutting and gathering
the crops.
"And singing a sad song;":Her song isn't happy; it's a bit sad or serious.
"Oh, listen! The valley is deep":The poet tells us to really listen because something special is
happening.
"Is filled with the sound.":Her song fills up the whole valley. It's like music is all around.
"No nightingale ever sang":Even the famous nightingale bird's song isn't as nice as hers.
"More welcome sounds to tired groups":Her song is like a warm welcome to people who are
tired and looking for a rest.
"Of travelers in a shady spot,":Imagine travelers finding shade and listening to her song.
"In the Arabian desert:":This compares her song to something really special because even
people in the hot desert would stop to listen.
"A voice so amazing was never heard":Her voice is described as amazing and unique.
"In springtime from the cuckoo bird,":Her singing is even better than the song of a cuckoo
bird in spring.
"Breaking the quiet of the seas":Her song is so powerful that it can break the silence of the
oceans.
"Beyond the farthest Scottish islands.":Her song can reach places far away, like the islands of
Scotland.
So, "The Solitary Reaper" is about finding beauty and deep emotions in everyday moments,
especially in nature. It's a reminder that even the simplest things can be very special and moving.
This is a big part of what made Romantic poetry special.
2- DAFFODILS:
Theme of "Daffodils":
The theme of "Daffodils" is the beauty and the lasting impact of a natural scene on the human
heart and mind. The poem describes an encounter with a field of daffodils and how that
experience continues to bring joy and comfort to the poet's heart, even in moments of solitude.
Line-by-Line Analysis:
"I wandered lonely as a cloud":The poet tells us he was walking alone and feeling a bit like a
cloud just drifting around with no purpose.
"That floats on high o'er vales and hills,":He compares himself to a cloud that moves high
above valleys and hills, like a free spirit.
"A host, of golden daffodils;":These daffodils are described as golden, which means they're
bright and beautiful, like a big group or "host."
"Beside the lake, beneath the trees,":The daffodils are near a lake and under some trees,
making the scene even prettier.
"Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.":The daffodils look like they're dancing in the wind,
which gives them a lively and joyful appearance.
"Continuous as the stars that shine":The poet compares the daffodils to the countless stars we
see in the sky at night, showing how many there are.
"And twinkle on the Milky Way,":He even says they twinkle like the Milky Way, our galaxy,
making them seem even more beautiful and bright.
"They stretched in never-ending line":The daffodils seem to go on forever, like they have no
end.
"Along the margin of a bay:":They grow alongside a bay or a body of water, making the place
seem very peaceful.
"Ten thousand saw I at a glance,":He estimates that he saw around ten thousand daffodils all at
once.
"Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.":The daffodils look lively and happy, as if they're
tossing their heads in a cheerful dance.
"The waves beside them danced; but they":The waves in the lake also seem to dance, but the
daffodils' dance is even more joyful.
"Outdid the sparkling waves in glee:":The daffodils are so happy that they even beat the
sparkling waves in making the poet feel good.
"A poet could not but be gay,":The poet says that no poet could be anything but happy in such
a beautiful scene.
"In such a jocund company:":"Jocund" means joyful, so the daffodils made him feel really
happy.
"I gazed—and gazed—but little thought":He looked at the daffodils for a long time but didn't
realize how much they would mean to him.
"What wealth the show to me had brought:":Later on, he realized that the memory of the
daffodils was a treasure for him.
"For oft, when on my couch I lie":Sometimes, when he's lying on his couch or bed...
"In vacant or in pensive mood,":...when he's not really thinking about anything in particular or
when he's in a thoughtful mood...
"They flash upon that inward eye":The memory of the daffodils suddenly comes to his mind,
like a bright flash of light.
"Which is the bliss of solitude;":This memory makes him feel very happy, especially when he's
alone.
"And then my heart with pleasure fills,":His heart is filled with joy...
"And dances with the daffodils.":...as if it's dancing along with the daffodils.
So, "Daffodils" is a poem about how a simple sight of beautiful flowers can bring happiness even
in quiet moments. It shows how nature and simple experiences can make us feel really good,
which is a big idea in Romantic poetry.
1- POST COLONIAL:
INTRODUCTION:
Post-colonial literature is about stories and books written by people from countries that were
once controlled by other countries, usually European ones. These stories often talk about what
happened after these countries got their freedom. They also explore how people deal with
things like their identity, culture, and the impact of colonial rule.
Main Themes in Post-Colonial Literature:
Identity and Culture Mix:These stories often look at how people's identities and cultures
change when they mix with the culture of the colonizers. It's like blending two different things
together.
Fighting Back and Becoming Independent:Many of these stories focus on how people fought to
get their freedom and independence from the colonizers. They show the struggles and sacrifices
people made.
Who has Power: These stories also talk about who has power and who doesn't. They show how
the colonizers took advantage of the people they ruled.
Language and Communication:In post-colonial literature, authors often explore how language
plays a big role in communication and preserving culture. They talk about how colonial
languages affected native languages.
Remembering the Past and Its Pain:These stories also deal with how the past, especially the
painful parts like colonization, can still affect people today. They talk about how communities
cope with these memories.
2- AGE OF REASON/REVOLUTION/ENLIGHTMENT:
INTRODUCTION:
The Age of Reason, or the Enlightenment, was a time in Europe during the 17th and 18th
centuries when people really started to value thinking logically and using science to understand
the world. This was a response to what they saw as too much power given to religion and
superstition. Thinkers of this time believed in human reason and wanted a more rational and
enlightened society.