SUBJECT : ENGLISH LITERATURE

YEAR : SECOND YEAR (SUBSIDIARY)

UNIVERSITY : MAGADH

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Story Section
1. Importance of English literature
2. - Prose
3. "The Gift of the Magi" - -O’HENRY
4. ‘A 10 LAKH BANK NOTE’ - Mark Twain
5. - DOLL’S HOUSE - Katherine Mansfield Beauchamp
Murry
6. THE PARROT IN THE CAGE - MULK RAJ ANAND
7. "A WORK OF ART" -- ANTON CHEKHOV

Essay Section
1.- ‘A DEFINITIONS OF GENTLEMAN’ HENRY NEWMAN
2.- UNCLE PODGER HANGS A PICTURE - JEROME K. JEROME
3- Of Studies - Francis Bacon
4.- On Habits - A.G Gardiner

5.- Forgetting - Robert Lynd

6.- Indian Civilization - Mahatma Gandhi

Novel
1.- Animal Farm - George Orwell

1.-Importance of English literature

English literature tells us about the history of the English speaking world. In other words,
through this literature, we are able to learn about ourselves and our history.

English literature also teaches us many lessons that have universal themes, such as love,
war, desire, justice and many more. When we read these topics, we become much more
sophisticated in our thinking and our view of the world expands. This makes us better
citizens.

English literature also makes us think, as we might not necessarily agree. We will have to
form opinions and convictions of our own and the reading of English literature can aid us
in the process.

The study of literature allows people to develop new ideas and ethical standpoints, and
can help individuals to present themselves as educated members of society. Studying
literature can be an enriching, eye-opening experience.

English literature allows us to understand the philosophical movements and ideas that
permeated a particular culture at a particular time.

Literature is a form of art; it is capable of bringing about differing emotions and a general
sense of "spiritual" well-being.

Some people read English Literature for their own pleasure also. It also allows us to know
and learn rituals , beliefs ,superstitions and culture of other religions and develop a
secular approach towards it .Developing intolerant approaches to other religions , castes ,
community, groups ,countries etc. is the need of the hour in today's world and knowing
their literature helps us in doing it in a better way.

2.- Prose

Prose is a form of language that has no formal metrical structure. It applies a natural flow
of speech, and ordinary grammatical structure rather than rhythmic structure, such as in
the case of traditional poetry.
Normal every day speech is spoken in prose and most people think and write in prose
form. Prose comprises of full grammatical sentences which consist of paragraphs and
forgoes aesthetic appeal in favor of clear, straightforward language. It can be said to be
the most reflective of conversational speech. Some works of prose do have versification
and a blend of the two formats that is called prose poetry.

Some Common Types of Prose

1. Nonfictional Prose: A literary work that is mainly based on fact although it may contain
fictional elements in certain cases. Examples are biographies and essays.

2. Fictional Prose: A literary work that is wholly or partly imagined or theoretical.

Examples are novels.

3. Heroic Prose: A literary work that may be written down or recited and employs many of
the formulaic expressions found in oral tradition. Examples are legends and tales.

4. Prose Poetry: A literary work which exhibits poetic quality using emotional effects and
heightened imagery but are written in prose instead of verse.

Example #1

“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” 1984 – George
Orwell

Example #2

“Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held
by anybody else, these pages must show.” David Copperfield – Charles Dickens

Story Section

1.- "The Gift of the Magi"

1.- ABOUT AUTHOR-O’HENRY

Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, The United States

September 11, 1862 died June 05, 1910

William Sydney Porter lends the pen name "O. Henry" to surprise endings
signed officially as Sydney Porter. His biography shows where he found
inspiration for his characters. Their voices and his language were products
of his era.
He was born 1862 Greensboro, North Carolina. When he was three years
old, his mother died from tuberculosis. He left school at fifteen, worked five
years in uncle's drugstore, then for two years at a Texas sheep ranch.
In 1884 he went to Austin where he worked in a real estate office, a church
choir, and spent four years as a draftsman in the General Land Office. His
wife and firstborn died, but daughter Margaret survived him.
After he failed to establish a small humorous weekly, he worked in poorly-
run bank.

The story: "The Gift of the Magi" is a short story, written by O Henry. His pen
name was William Sydney Porter. The story is about a young married couple and
how they deal with the challenge of buying secret Christmas gifts for each other
with very little money. As a sentimental story with a moral lesson about gift-giving,
it has been a popular one for adaptation, especially for presentation at Christmas
time. The plot and climax are well-known, and the ending is generally considered
an example of amusing irony It was apparently written in New York City

SUMMARY OF THE STORY ‘THE GIFT OF THE MAGI’

This young woman named Della is poor and married to Jim. It is Christmas time
and she wants to give him a gift. But she only has $1.87. Her income has been cut
from $30 a week to $20 a week so she doesn't have much money. She really wants
to get Jim a nice Christmas gift though. Then she sees herself in the mirror and has
a solution. She goes to some store and sells locks of her beautiful hair to a wig
shop. She gets $20 for her hair. Then she walks around trying to find a gift. She
buys a really fancy chain for Jim's watch. When she gets home she makes dinner.
Jim comes home and is shocked that she is now bald. But he tells her that even
though she is bald he still loves her anyway. Then Jim gives her a gift. The gift is a
bunch of combs and haircare products. Then she gives him his gift (watch chain).
Jim tells her that he sold his watch to pay for her Xmas gift.
Analysis

The story begins on Christmas Eve, with Della lamenting that she has saved $1.87.
The narrator goes on to introduce the young couple, Della and Jim Dillingham
Young, who earned —8 dollars a week as a poor couple from a low strata of
society

Della is still at a loss for how she might buy a Christmas

present worthy of Jim and finds a solution she runs to a hair shop run by
a Madame Sofrone and sells her long locks for twenty dollars. Finally she settles
on a simple platinum chain for Jim’s watch

Della returns home to fix her hair prayer and hoping that Jim will still find her
pretty without her long hair.

When Jim enters the door, he freezes, but he reassures her that no haircut could
make him like her any less, but that he was shocked because of the present he
bought for her which was beautiful tortoiseshell combs

Jim flops down on the couch and smiles, saying that they should put their
presents away for now and that they’re too nice to use just yet—before admitting
that he sold

the watch to buy the combs for Della .

The author sums up the story with a little paragraph on the magi. He describes
them as wise men who invented the art of giving Christmas presents, and he
compares Jim and Della to the magi—saying that of all who give gifts, these two
are the wisest.

Active Themes
  This first section of the story focuses on how little the Dillingham Youngs
have of external or material value. Della has saved only $1.87 after months of
effort, and the apartment they live in is shabby and broken—there is nothing
beautiful in their life at first glance.
 The narrator shows that value is subjective when he compares Della’s hair
and Jim’s watch to the treasures of King Solomon and the queen of Sheba—
 Madame Sofronie’s cold evaluation of the dollar value of Della’s hair directly
contrasts with its value to Della and Jim. Della demonstrates her love for Jim
by sacrificing her own most prized possession—and external
beauty—without a second thought.
 Everything Della does is out of love for Jim. Here, she worries for a moment
that her sacrifice of external beauty will affect how Jim feels towards her or
that Jim won’t have wanted her to make the sacrifice.
 Both Jim and Della express their love for each other—Jim says that Della’s
external changes wouldn’t budge his love for her. Her sacrifice and
generosity make him value her more.
 The combs are beautiful and expensive on the outside—but with Della’s hair
gone, their external value is diminished. However, they still have the same
sentimental value, coming from Jim.
 It’s revealed that Jim made his own similar sacrifice in order to buy the
combs for Della. The author’s paragraph on the magi suggests that the true
spirit of giving involves sacrifice and generosity and love
ASSIGNMENTS
1. What is important about the title? Does it suggest that the story has a religious lesson?
2. What are some symbols in The Gift of the Magi? How were they important?
3. Does the story end the way you expected? Give reasons
4. How much did Della save for Christmas? What did it show?
5. Why and how did Della sell her hair?
6. Why did Jim sell this gold watch?
7. Analyze the story The gift of Magi
8. What is the theme of the story The gift of Magi?
2.- ‘A 10 LAKH BANK NOTE’ - Mark Twain

ABOUT THE AUTHOR ‘MARK TWAIN’

NAME Mark Twain,
OCCUPATION: Writer,
BIRTH DATE: November 30, 1835
,DEATH DATE: April 21, 1910,
PLACE OF BIRTH: Florida, Missouri,
PLACE OF DEATH: Redding, Connecticut.
FULL NAME: Samuel Langhorne Clemens was Born on November 30, 1835, in
Florida, Missouri, Samuel L. Clemens wrote under the pen name Mark Twain and
went on to pen several novels, including two major classics of American
literature, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He
was also a riverboat pilot, journalist, lecturer, entrepreneur and inventor. Twain
died on April 21, 1910, in Redding, Connecticut.
Other works include:
Brothers,
A Tramp Abroad ,
The Stolen White ,Elephant ,
Life on the Mississippi

The Story
"The £1,000,000 Bank-Note" by Mark Twian tells of Henry Adams who has a prosperous
and promising job as a clerk in a mining-broker's office in San Francisco, who one day
went sailing and was rescued by a brig bound to London,. They set him ashore in London
with rags on his back and one dollar in his pocket, While trying to recover , he was called
by two old men who gave him "The £1,000,000 Bank-Note" with a condition to survive for
a month without having to use it.

An interesting story which elaborates how a man with his wits and skills can climb the
success ladder. How a person can turn into a very important person from a nobody in a
different country. Fits the saying from rags to riches.
SUMMARY OF THE STORY ‘A 10 LAKH BANK NOTE’
The story begins with Henry Adams. Henry is an American who is swept out to sea
on a Saturday sail near San Francisco, and is picked up by a London-bound brig. He
arrives in London penniless and without food or shelter. Brother A and Brother
B (as they are referred to in the story) are two very wealthy and old brothers who
wonder what would happen if they gave the hungry, poor stranger a million pound
banknote. Essentially this would be paper money - like a dollar bill - but in a million
pound denomination. Seeing as how there were only two million pound banknotes
ever created (and one had already been used in a giant business deal), if someone
tried to cash in the banknote, interrogation or jail would most likely result. So in
walks Henry, who is given the banknote by these brothers. These questions
remain:
1Would the stranger (Henry) end up in jail or starving as Brother A
believes?
Would Henry be more resourceful and use the money to his advantage,
surviving at least 30 days and staying out of jail as Brother B believed?
So Henry(stranger) is given an envelope with the banknote and a letter that
explains the terms of the bet. He realizes just how much money is in there when
he tries to pay for a meal, and the restaurant can't give him change (obviously).
But it doesn't matter - there is prestige and respect attached to possessing this
banknote, and Henry is given a pass by the restaurant. Immediately, Henry
attempts to return the banknote to the two brothers, operating under the
assumption that they probably made a mistake. But he is told that the brothers
have just left for a month and that, in fact, there is no mistake. After finally reading
the enclosed letter, Henry decides to keep the banknote for thirty days and help
Brother B win the bet. If he does this, Henry has been promised a job and a salary
at the end of the month.
What ensues is a series of events in which Henry earns respect and
admiration because he is the possessor of this banknote. He gets a suit for free
because it is assumed he is a rich, rich man. The restaurant where Henry ate
becomes famous. Most of London is abuzz with the news of this American in
possession of this very valuable piece of paper. He meets the American
ambassador and is invited to a fancy dinner party at his house.
This din7ner party is important because it is where Henry meets his future love, a
Londoner named Portia. He also meets a fellow American friend, Lloyd Hastings.
Henry is thinking about Portia the entire time and listening to Lloyd talk about his
difficulties selling his shares to the Gould and Curry Mine. Finally, Henry is able to
concentrate on Lloyd and his issues. Lloyd asks for help.
Henry decides to help both himself and Lloyd by drumming up interest in the
shares. They agree that both men will split the earnings if anything were to sell.
Henry uses his fame in this case; people hear Henry talk about the shares and they
listen. Ultimately, the shares do sell and Henry sits pretty with a million of his own
dollars in a bank account at the end of the month. And in the end, the only things
that matters to Henry is Portia.
Henry goes to see Brother A and Brother B at the end of the month. Portia
comes along. Henry hands over the banknote, which makes Brother B very happy.
He has helped Brother B win the bet. Henry also tells him that he does not want
the job in the end because he was able to make his own money. Portia reveals,
with a good sense of humor, that she knew what was going on the entire time
because Brother B is actually her beloved stepfather.
Henry and Portia marry. The Brothers take the banknote to the bank to get it
cashed in and voided. The framed banknote is given to the happy couple as a
wedding gift.

Themes
 In addition to the enjoyment he takes in the series of adventures that Henry
encounters, Mark Twain presents the characteristics needed to be successful in
America.

Twain shows that an American needs wit and practical intelligence, a sense of
fairness and honesty, a clean reputation, patience, and self-discipline. Henry has all
these qualities and more. His wit and intelligence allow him to seize the
opportunities that come his way. Furthermore, his self-discipline allows him to keep
his desires in check. Henry does not spend wildly when he uses the bank note for
credit. Instead, he keeps careful watch over his expenses, allowing himself to owe
no more than what he can repay within two years on the salary that he expects to
make in his new job.

 Henry also has a sense of responsibility and a concern for the well-being of others.
He honestly would like to help Lloyd Hastings out of his predicament; indeed, it is
his desire to help Lloyd that gives him the idea that makes both of them millionaires.
 In addition, Henry repays Harris for being the first to honor his credit by making
Harris’s restaurant famous throughout London. Finally, Henry is capable of love and
even of gallantry for Portia Langham. Twain demonstrates that people such as
Henry make their own breaks, and because of their strong character perhaps they
deserve these breaks.

Analysis
In the story the main devices used are humour, irony, satire and exaggeration.
Twain’s style is realistic., he uses the language of everyday working Americans. What
one finds, then, is a story that focuses on the bank note from the very opening, right up to
the concluding sentence. The story’s development and action are direct and to the point,
enhancing the reader’s sense of the story’s organization.

Twain makes use of many of the techniques of humor in this tale of adventure. He
surprises the reader in several instances, as, for example, when he reveals that Portia is
stepdaughter to one of the old gentlemen. Twain indulges in bold farce when, time after
time, Henry delights in pulling out the bank note to disconcert some smart-mouthed clerk
or businessman who is not treating Henry well because he seems to have little money.
One such detailed scene takes place in the tailor shop when Henry puts the snobbish
clerk in his place.

Twain also delights in revealing the eccentric parts of human nature. He pokes fun at
English aristocrats who can never manage to dine out with others because they cannot
agree on the proper order of precedence in their seating arrangements; thus, all
aristocrats have to eat at home before they go out to dinner.

Twain skillfully uses revelations and withholdings to keep the reader’s interest. He reveals
Portia’s relationship to the old English gentlemen only in the final scene, just as he makes
Henry a rich man only just prior to the final, climactic scene. The reader of “The
£1,000,000 Bank-Note” recognizes that he has been treated well at the hands of a master
storyteller as Henry Adams concludes his story.

 ASSIGNMENTS
Short Answers
1. Who is Henry Adams?

2. In Mark Twain's 'The Million Pound Bank Note', why is Henry Adams in London?

3. 1. In Mark Twain's 'The Million Pound Bank Note', why is a million pound
banknote so much exposed?
 4. In Mark Twain's 'The Million Pound Bank Note', what is the bet that Brother A
and Brother B impose upon Henry?

5. Would the stranger (Henry) end up in jail or starving as Brother A believes In

the story Million pound bank note ?

Long Answers

6. How does Henry Adams earn respect?

7. Who was Portia Lansdowne? Whom does she falls in love with and where?
8. What happens when Henry is first given the note?

9. .- What happens after Henry realizes he can not return the note ?
10- What would Henry get at the end of the 30 days if he still had the note?

3.- DOLL’S HOUSE - Katherine Mansfield Beauchamp Murry

. ABOUT THE AUTHOR-KATHERINE MANSFIELD –OF DOLL’S HOUSE

Katherine Mansfield Beauchamp Murry (14 October 1888 – 9 January 1923) was a
prominent(Famous) writer of short fiction who was born and brought up in
colonial New Zealand and wrote under the pen(house) name of Katherine
Mansfield. When she was 19, Mansfield left New Zealand and settled in the United
Kingdom, where she became a friend of modernist writers such as D.H.
Lawrence and Virginia Woolf. During the First World War she contracted extra
pulmonary tuberculosis, which led to her death at the age of 34.

Her some famous short stories are:-"Germans at Meat" ,A Birthday" ,"A

Blaze","The Woman at the Store" ,"How Pearl Button Was Kidnapped" ,"Millie" ,"A
Married Man's Story" ,"The Canary" ,"The Singing Lesson".

The story
The Doll's House is a beautiful short story written by Katherine Mansfield. Mansfield is
the best artist in portraying the trivial activities of men and women In this story she
reveals the cruelty of grownups in the society and how they try to influence and impose
their decisions on children She shows the innocence of small children and the cruelty
of the society that draws a line between the rich and the poor, higher and lower status
of people.
The story takes a twist when one of the children revolt against the elders to show
kindness and humanity towards the down trodden and oppressed strata in general.

SUMMARY OF THE STORYTHE DOLL’S HOUSE

"The Doll's House" is one of the representative stories of Katherine Mansfield.
Who is known for freshness of her approach and beautifully colored methods of
presenting her ideas. The story basically gives us deep insight into the manners
and behaviors of the aristocratic families. Here she ridicules the negative
philosophy of social discrimination caused by uneven division of wealth. It
beautifully brings out the emotional relationship between the three sisters and
their friends. Moreover, it conveys an idea that parents attitude influence their
children and deprive them of their natural goodness. In short in life-like manner
Katherine tells us the hidden vices people belonging to higher society.
From the very outset of the story we see that the girls of Burnell's family received
a beautiful doll's house from Mrs. Hay. It was a charming house having a drawing
room, a dining-room, a kitchen and two bedrooms. All the rooms had tables,
chairs, beds and carpets.
The rooms were painted in different colors however Kezia liked the lamp very
much, which was placed in the dinning-room. The girls were very excited and
wanted to show it to their friends. So the next morning they rushed towards the
school but the bell had rung and they could not disclose it to the girls. However, at
the playtime, Isabel finally
disclosed the news of the house, which spread like wild fire.
If was decided that two girls would see the house at one time. All the girls got an
opportunity to see the doll's house, except the Kelvey sisters, as they belonged to
a poor family. So everybody teased them. Being the daughter of washerwoman
and jailbird, they were
victim of the inferiority complex. However Kezia wanted then to see the house, so
she asked her mother for permission but was harshly scolded. One day she saw
the girls passing by the house. As the family was upstairs, she invited them to see
the house. They Kelveys could not
believe but stepped into the courtyard, as they naturally wanted to see it.
Suddenly aunt Beryl's came there and ordered them to leave the house in an
insulting manner. They Kelveys ran away from there with the feeling of shame but
they were happy to have seen the house.
In the end, we can say that the writer has beautifully shown the attitude of the
rich against the poor. It is the parents who are responsible for creating inequality
in society. Children such as Kezia are scolded because they are innocent and
cannot see the difference between the rich and poor.

Theme
The central theme in Katherine Mansfield’s story is the cruelty of class distinctions.

The reason that the rich Burnell children attend a school along with working-class children
such as the Kelveys is that they live in rural New Zealand, where there are no other
nearby schools. Mansfield uses the theme as a vehicle for a hurtful portrait of the cruelty
that was directed toward lower-class children. This portrait also contains a more evil
suggestion to the pleasure that people, children and adults alike, derive from abusing
those less materially fortunate. Not only are the Kelvey sisters shunned by their
schoolmates, but even their teacher has a “special voice for them, and a special smile for
the other children who abuse the Kelveys verbally, taunting them about their future and
their father. This makes the little rich girls “wild with joy.” After Aunt Beryl abuses the
Kelvey girls, shooing “the little rats” from the dollhouse in the courtyard, she happily hums
as she returns to the house, her bad mood dispersed.

“The Doll’s House” is a disturbing story of a society in which snobbery and cruelty are
regarded as acceptable behavior. It is ultimately redeemed by Kezia’s attempt at
kindness; however, it is uncharacteristic of Mansfield’s stories to end happily.

Assignments

Short Answers
1. What does the lamp symbolize?
2. Who were the Brunells?
3. Who were the kelvys?
 4. Why did they go to the same school?
5. What was the present given by Mrs Hay?
6. How did the children react?
7. Why is the younger sister, Else, happy in the end?

Long Answers
8. What lesson do you learn from this story?
9. Summarize the story
10.Critically analyze the story
11.Why were the kelvys denied to see the doll’s house ?
12.- Discuss the theme of the doll\s house

4.- THE PARROT IN THE CAGE - MULK RAJ ANAND

ABOUT THE AUTHOR –MULK RAJ ANAND OF THE PARROT IN THE

CAGE

Mulk Raj Anand (12 December 1905 – 28 September 2004) was an Indian writer in
English, notable for his depiction of the lives of the poorer castes in traditional
Indian society. One of the pioneers of Indo-Anglian fiction, he, together with R. K.
Narayan, Ahmad Ali and Raja Rao, was one of the first India-based writers in
English to gain an international readership.
Anand's literary career was launched by family tragedy, instigated by the
rigidity of thecaste system. His first prose essay was a response to the suicide of an
aunt, who had been excommunicated by her family for sharing a meal with
a Muslim Woman His first main novel, Untouchable, published in 1935, was a
chilling exposé of the day-to-day life of a member of India's untouchable caste. He
took active part in India’s freedom struggle.
His some famous short stories are
Untouchable (1935)
Coolie (1936)
The Village (1939)
Across the black waters (1939)
The Sword and the Sickle (1942)
The story
In ‘The Parrot in the Cage’ an old woman named Rukmani has lost everything in
the partition of India. She has come from Lahore to Amritsar for refuge and safe
shelter. Here a caged parrot is her only companion. She sits crouching on the
fringe of a road about half a furlong away from the Amritsar Court. The parrot
continues to ask Rukmani where she is and what she is doing. But Rukmani’s reply
is: “Son, I don’t know where I am ……… Nothing, son, I am doing nothing ……… only
waiting ……….” . Rukmani is waiting for the arrival of the Deputy Commissioner
who, she is told, will rehabilitate the refugees. She recollects the terrific incidents
from which she somehow has saved herself: There had been flashes of blazing
light; cracking of burning house beams; smoke, smoke, choking smoke. And she
had thought that her last days had come, that the earth itself was troubled
through the misdeeds of the Kaliyug and that soon dharti would open up and
swallow everything ……….. And then Fato, her friend, had come and told her she
would be murdered if she did not leave. She has suffered a great deal and has left
everything behind. Rukmani waits for the Deputy Commissioner’s help. She is
informed by a gram-seller that she will not get anything from the Deputy
Commissioner there; rather she should go to Durbar Sahib temple. Rukmani’s
hope is thwarted; she only laments: “Oh, why did you have to turn me out of my
room in my old age, God ………… Oh why ……….. why didn’t I tie the rupees I had
earned in a knot on my dupatta! ……… Hai Rabba! ………..” . Rukmani becomes a
victim of a lathi charge by a posse of policemen. She is wounded. The gram-seller
comes and rescues her. Rukmani is in utter confusion and she does not know
where to go and how to live.

Theme

In his literary works Mulk Raj Anand appears as a leader of the downtrodden and
helpless people. Some of his short stories discussed above voice his protest against
cruelties meted out to the innocent have-nots.. ‘The Parrot in the Cage’ highlights
the wretched condition of the helpless woman named Rukmani.. In fact, many of
Mulk Raj Anand’s short stories record his social consciousness and his sympathy
for the humiliated and deprived people of Indian society.

Analysis
Parrot in the Cage lays bare the inner agony of an old woman, Rukhmini,again with
the help of a caged bird, as the very title implies. Rukhmini, the old woman, has lost
every thing in the Partition of India. Her only companion during her migration from
Lahore to Amritsar is a pet parrot. The parrot keeps asking Rukhmini “Where are
you ?”and “what are you doing?”She hopes that the Deputy Commissioner might
help her in rehabilitating. But she becomes dejected (sad) when the Deputy
Commissioner pays no heed (attention) to her. She is caught in street violence and a
lathi-charge by the police. Somehow she is saved. The parrot’s repetition “Rukmini
tu kithe ?”continues to haunt her and remind her of her displacement and
insecurity. She feels lonely when she says– “Nowhere son, nothing, nothing”.Her
alienation is so much that her nearest companion is not a human being, but a caged
parrot. Just as the parrot is inescapably caged, similarly, the old woman is also
ineradicably destined to undergo miseries and seclusion. The story ends with the
pitiable words of Rukhmini – “I don’t know where I am!I don’t know”.

ASSIGNMENTS

Short Answers

1. Who was Rukmini.

2. What was her only possession?
3. Why did Rukmini have to leave Lahore?
4. What was the name of her friend in Lahore?
5. How did she reach Amritsar?

Long Answers

6. Sketch the character of Rukmini.

7. Who helped her in Amritsar?
 8. For whom was Rukmini waiting for? What happened then?
9. Rukmini is portrayed as the Parrot in the cage. Explain
10.Summarize the story Parrot in the cage.

5.- "A WORK OF ART" - ANTON CHEKHOV

ABOUT THE AUTHOR-ANTON .P. CHEKOV

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov ; 29 January 1860 – 15 July 1904) was
a Russian physician and author who is considered to be among the greatest writers
of short stories in history. His career as a dramatist produced four classics and his
best short stories are held in high esteem by writers and critics. Chekhov practiced
as a medical doctorthroughout most of his literary career: "Medicine is my lawful
wife", he once said, "and literature is my mistress."
Chekhov renounced the theatre after the disastrous reception of The Seagull in
1896, but the play was revived to acclaim in 1898 ., which subsequently also
produced Chekhov's Uncle Vanya and premiered his last two plays, Three
Sisters and The Cherry Orchard.
His few famous stories are;-The Vanya,,The three sisters, The Seagull’s

Story
The story is about a poor woman and her son who is cured by a doctor. In payment
for the doctor's saving his life, the woman gifts Dr. Koshelkov an antique bronze
candelabra. The candelabra features two women holding it. While the doctor finds the
piece indecent, the young man nags him for not appreciating fine art. Finally, the
doctor accepts the candelabra, but decides to give it to a lawyer friend. The fate of the
candelabrum is that though everyone wanted to own it secretly no one had the
courage to display it for fear of the society. Finally the gift returns to Dr. Koshelkov
We are reminded of the proverb “What goes around, comes around.” "A Work of Art"
belongs to the category of Chekhov tales that might be called "clever fables." If there is
moral merit in the tale, it goes to the patient and his mother, who are so generous that
they give the doctor a "second" candelabra to enhance his artistic pleasure.
SUMMARY OF ANTON CHEKHOV'S "A WORK OF ART"
Introduction
Anton Chekhov is a Russian writer. He is a doctor. He has written many short
stories and dramas. A work of Art, a short story, is about a statue, a work of art,
which is disliked by many persons for its appearance.
Sasha Smirnov
Sasha Smirnov is a small boy. He is the only son for his mother. When the story
opens, runs in the streets with an object wrapped in a newspaper. He goes to Dr.
Koshelkov and unwrap the statue. He presents the statue (candelabrum) to the
doctor, as a thanking note for saving his life from a dangerous disease. The doctor,
at first, does not accept the idea of gifting by saying that he did his work and
nothing extraordinary.
Dr. Koshelkov’s Reaction
Sasha compels the doctor to have the candelabrum with him. The statue is made
of bronze. It has a couple of girls dressed like Eve. The doctor admires the beauty
of the candelabrum but he refuses to accept it. He says that the candelabrum is
not meant for public display. The statue is obscene. He also says that he is a
family man and his children and many women visit him. Sasha turns a deaf ear for
all these reasons of the doctor. Finally, the doctor is compelled to accept the gift.
The lawyer’s reaction
Sasha leaves the place happily by advising the doctor to see the statue just a work
of art and not as a piece of obscenity. He decides to give it to the lawyer, Ukhov,
his friend, who never gets money for the legal services he does for the doctor. He
goes to lawyer and presents him thinking that he will not object the statue
because he is a bachelor. Ukhov says that his mother, his clients would come
often and his servants may laugh at him. Unmindful of his miserable cries the
doctor leaves the candelabrum and goes off.
Shoshkin’s reaction/role(The comedian)
The lawyer, in turn, bestows the candelabrum upon his friend Shoshkin, a stage
comedian. He gives the candelabrum when the comedian is in the sets. Everybody
laughs at the comedian. He closes the door and stays alone with the statue to
avoid being ridiculed. He is unwilling to talk with the visitors. The wigmaker
advises the comedian to sell the statue at an antique shop, run by an old woman.
Shoshkin agrees to the advice and he sells the candelabrum at the shop.
Conclusion
Sasha and his mother run the antique shop. The next day Sasha runs to the doctor
carrying the candelabrum. He goes to the doctor and presents it to him saying
that the statue has a pair and thereby o one would think badly of the doctor. The
doctor’s jaw drops on hearing this.

Themes

 DISILLUSIONMENT AND FAILED IDEALS

Chekhov's stories examine many kinds of disappointment and failed ideals. Often
the characters are disillusioned by events that force them to reevaluate their
personal philosophies and understanding of the world, and this disappointment
usually occurs toward the end of stories. Such climaxes are humorous and
pathetic.
Consequently, we see that Chekhov's tales conclude with either a moment of
revelation or anti-climax (these endings have been termed "zero" and "surprise"
endings, respectively.) His characters are either crushed by their sense of
disillusionment with the world, or they hold out hope for a better future.

 COMMUNICATION AND NON-COMMUNICATION

Communication and its interruptions bear much importance throughout Chekhov's

stories. In particular, the author focuses on the extent of communication between
people of different social classes and the diverse views these people hold on
social inequality. In this story Sasha continues to request Dr. Koshekov to accept
the gift.

The story work of art speaks of hypocrisy and how people fear the society they
live in.
ASSIGNMENT

SHORT ANSWERS

1. What did Sasha gift the doctor for curing him?

2. Who was Mrs Smirnoff? How did she run the family?
3. What had happened to her son?
4. Who cured him?
5. What was the doctor’s reaction?

LONG ANSWERS
6. Why did the doctor not want to keep the candelabrum? What did he decide
to do?
7. What was the fate of the candelabrum?
8. What is the theme of the story?
9. Do you think most of the people are hypocrites? Give examples.
10. Summarize the story
11. Write about the author Anton P Chekov.

ESSAYS

1.- ‘A DEFINITIONS OF GENTLEMAN’ HENRY NEWMAN

ABOUT AUTHOR HENRY NEWMAN

Born in London in 1801, he began his career as an Anglican scholar in Oxford
University and a clergyman in the Church of England. He was one of the leaders of
the Oxford Movement in which he argued for the Anglican church to adopt lost
Catholic traditions, a controversial move away from its protestant origins. He
eventually converted to Roman-Catholicism in 1845. Most recently, he was
beatified on 19 September 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI, after a man claimed he was
able to walk again after praying to the late Cardinal.
Newman was hailed by James Joyce as "the greatest of English prose writers" and
in this excerpt, taken from a series of lectures he gave titled The Idea of a
University, he expounds eloquently on what he believes makes a gentleman

SUMMARY OF ‘A DEFINITIONS OF GENTLEMAN’

It is almost a definition of a gentleman to say he is one who never inflicts pain. This
description is both refined and, as far as it goes, accurate. He is mainly occupied in
merely removing the obstacles which hinder the free and unembarrassed action of
those about him; and he concurs with their movements rather than takes the
initiative himself.
His benefits may be considered as parallel to what are called comforts or
conveniences in arrangements of a personal nature: like an easy chair or a good
fire, which do their part in dispelling cold and fatigue, though nature provides both
means of rest and animal heat without them.
The true gentleman in like manner carefully avoids whatever may cause ajar or a
jolt in the minds of those with whom he is cast; -- all clashing of opinion, or
collision of feeling, all restraint, or suspicion, or gloom, or resentment; his great
concern being to make every one at their case and at home.
He has his eyes on all his company; he is tender towards the bashful, gentle
towards the distant, and merciful towards the absurd; he can recollect to whom he
is speaking; he guards against unseasonable allusions, or topics which may irritate;
he is seldom prominent in conversation, and never wearisome. He makes light of
favours while he does them, and seems to be receiving when he is conferring.
He never speaks of himself except when compelled, never defends himself by a
mere retort, he has no ears for slander or gossip, is scrupulous in imputing motives
to those who interfere with him, and interprets everything for the best.
He is never mean or little in his disputes, never takes unfair advantage, never
mistakes personalities or sharp sayings for arguments, or insinuates evil which he
dare not say out. From a long-sighted prudence, he observes the maxim of the
ancient sage, that we should ever conduct ourselves towards our enemy as if he
were one day to be our friend.
He has too much good sense to be affronted at insults, he is too well employed to
remember injuries, and too indolent to bear malice. He is patient, forbearing, and
resigned, on philosophical principles; he submits to pain, because it is inevitable,
to bereavement, because it is irreparable, and to death, because it is his destiny. If
he engages in controversy of any kind, he is disciplined.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. Write about the author Henry Newman.

2. What are his views about a true gentleman?
3. How will you define a true gentleman?
4. To what does the author compare a true true gentleman?
5. What are the characteristics of a gentleman?
6. Summarize the essay.
7. A true gentleman is as fire or an easy chair. Explain.

2.- UNCLE PODGER HANGS A PICTURE - JEROME K. JEROME

ABOUT THE AUTHOR-

Jerome Klapka Jerome was a renowned English writer and humorist. He is
best known for his humorous and comic masterpiece “Three Men in a
Boat”,apart from his other notable works of literature. He was born on 2nd
May,1859 in Caldmore, Walsall, England, and was raised amidst poverty in
London. His other works include the essay collections like the “Idle
Thoughts of an Idle Fellow” and “Second Thoughts of an Idle Fellow”,
“Three Men on the Bummel”- which was a sequel to Three Men in a Boat;
and several other novels. Jerome died at the age of 68 on 14th June, 1927

The Essay
This essay is derived from the story “Three men in a boat”
Uncle Podger is a man who is difficult to please and who does not allow
anyone else to do a job. He is unable to do anything quietly or without
creating a mess. When he wants to hang a picture on the wall, he spoils the
entire wall and the picture is hung crooked. Uncle Podger cannot do
anything in an organized way. When he is hanging the picture up the wall, it
slips and the frame comes out. Then he cuts himself and falls down the
ladder. Then he lets go the hammer and hurts someone’s toe.
When he falls from the ladder, he loses his temper and starts cursing and
abusing. He blames others without realizing that it was his own fault. He
also goes to the extent of saying that women made fuss instead of
accepting that he is creating a ruckus. Uncle Podger is a proud man who
has a high opinion of himself. He is eccentric and attaches a major
importance to even trivial jobs.
But despite his flaws he is loved by everyone.

SUMMARY
Aunt Podger wanted a picture to be hung in the dining hall. As usual
Uncle Podger volunteered saying:

"Oh, you leave that to me. Don 't you, any of you, worry yourselves about
that. I 'll do all that."

And then he tool off his coat, and began. He sent the girl out for sixpenny
worth of nails, and then one of the boys after her to tell her what size to get;
and, from that, took the whole house by storm involving each and every
member of the house.
The wall was spoilt with numerous nail marks and in utter commotion
he finally hung the picture by midnight.

The essay concludes with Aunt Podger remarking that next time when uncle
Podger takes up a military mission to do any work she would go to her
mother’s house!

Character Analysis
Uncle Podger did not know how to do things in an organized way.First,he
dropped the picture and its frame came out.His hand was cut.Then,he
himself fell down the ladder.Once he let go the hammer it hit someone’s
toe.Thus one thing was happening after another. It cleraly shows that uncle
podger was incapable of doing anything in a neat way.
Uncle podger freely let out his anger.when he fell down the ladder cursing
and abusing everyone .He blamed others without realizing that it was his
own fault.He said that women made fuss.The reality was that he himself
made fuss as he was a funny and fussy character
Uncle podger had a high opinion about himself. At the end, he uttered
"why some people have a man in to do a little thing like that".
Uncle podger is eccentric. He attaches great importance to a trivial jobs.
He has to hang a picture on the wall.Yet he begins to do the petty job as if it
were a big military operation.He engages all the members of his family.
Uncle podger provokes laughter. We cannot help laughing at his fussiness
and self pride. But still we cannot help loving him.

ASSIGNMENT
1. What kind of a person was Uncle Podger?
2. What happens when he decides to hang a picture?
3. Sketch the character of Uncle Podger
4. Summarize the essay
5. Write about the author
6. Do you know any one who resembles Uncle Podger?
7. Describe the sequence how the picture was finally hung.

3- Of Studies - Francis Bacon

ESSAY-ABOUT AUTHOR - FRANCIS BACON

Francis Bacon was famous for wit and insights,.He was one of the greatest thinker
of his time. was born in London to parents who were members of the court of
Queen Elizabeth I. He attended Trinity College, entered the practice of law in his
late teens, and became a member of the House of Commons at the age of 23. A
philosopher/scientist by nature and one of the most admired thinkers of his day,
Bacon was a founder of the modern empirical tradition based on closely observing
the physical world, conducting controlled experiments, and interpreting the results
rationally to discover the workings of the universe. Of his many published works,
he is best remembered for his Essays for their wit and insight.His essays had
everlasting affect on intellectual.

‘OF STUDIES’
In his classic essay, “Of Studies,” Francis Bacon explains how and why
study—knowledge—is important. Bacon is considered the father of the English
essays. Bacon envisioned the essay as an opportunity to offer advice. The title of
his essay collection: “Essays or Counsels: Civil and Moral,” suggests moral values
which can help tremendously in shaping minds and character
In “Of Studies,” Bacon lays out the importance of knowledge in practical terms.

SUMMARY

Bacon argues that studies "serve for Delight, for Ornament, and for Ability." For
delight, Bacon means one's personal, private education; for "Ornament," he means
in conversation between and among others, which Bacon labels as "Discourse."
Studies for "Ability" lead one to judgment in business and related pursuits. From
Bacon's perspective, men with worldly experience can carry out plans and
understand particular circumstances, but men who study are better able to
understand important political matters and know how to deal with problem
according to their severity ("Marshalling/ Arranging of Affairs").

At the same time Bacon encourages studies, he warns that

1) too much studying leads to laziness;

2) if one uses one's knowledge too often in conversation with others, then one is
showing off; and

3) to be guided solely by one's studies one becomes a scholar rather than a practical
man.

Bacon's argument about the value of studies is that moderation is the key to using
studies appropriately: studies are wonderful only if influenced by experience
because a person's natural abilities are enhanced by studies, but studies without
experience, lead to confusion in dealing with the outside world.

According to Bacon, dishonest men condemn education; stupid men admire

education; but wise men use education as their real world experience dictates. He
warns the educated man not to use his education to argument unnecessarily with
people; not to assume that education always leads to the correct behavior or
understanding;

not to use education merely to focus on conversation with others. Rather, Bacon
argues, education

 ("some Bookes") should be read but their advice ignored;

 other books, ignored completely;
 and a few books are to be "Chewed and Digested,"

that is, understood perfectly and used to guide behavior.

In addition, Bacon advises that some books can be read by others, who take notes,
and the notes can substitute for reading an entire book--but these books should not
be those that cover important subjects.

Bacon returns to addressing the effects of :

Reading, conversation, and writing: reading creates a well-rounded man;

Conversation makes a man think quickly;

Writing, by which Bacon usually means argument essay writing, makes a man
capable of thinking with logic and reason. Further, Bacon argues, if a man doesn't
write very much, he has to have a good memory to compensate for what he doesn't
write; if he doesn't exercise the art of conversation, he needs to have a quick wit;
and if he doesn't read very much, he has to be able "to fake it," to pretend that he
knows more than he does.

History, Bacon argues, makes men wise; poetry, clever;

Mathematics, intellectually sharp;

logic and rhetoric / oratory skilled in argument.

Further, Bacon believes that there is no problem in thinking that cannot be fixed by
the appropriate study--just as the right physical exercise cures physical illnesses.
Every disorder of the mind has a cure--for example, if a man cannot use one set of
facts to prove the truth of an un-related set of facts, Bacon advises the study of law.
Every defect in thinking can be cured by another form of study.

Analysis

Study as an activity, brings joy and enhances our thinking, speaking and
writing ability adds charm to our personality.

Study is solely private. It helps in relaxation. It sharpens our intellect.

It enables to critically examine issues.

However, over-indulgence in studies leads to undesirable moments. Setting

aside long hours in a day to study will make a man lazy. Overuse of the
wisdom to analyze ordinary commonplace issues may make the man appear
proud.

Studying adds finesse and perfection to human nature.

People who are cunning and deceitful have no appreciation for studies.

Simple folks, however, greatly value the role of studies in human life.

Wise people inherently draw upon the ideas obtained from their studies while
solving life’s countless problems.

Books of varying content and genre are to be made use of differently. Some
may be given a superficial reading,

some others can be quickly scrutinized through. Other important books are
to be read slowly and minutely so as to truly measure the meaning and
underlying sense.

Wit is a God-given gift. It is present in everybody. However, it can be

sharpened by selective studying.

If a person is unable to concentrate, he will do well to study mathematics to

focus his wavering mind. In mathematics, a slight loss of concentration leads to
grave error. This makes the man to start all over again to do it. Thus, studying
mathematics restrain the mind from darting off elsewhere.
If a person does not have the ability to discern, he will be benefited by studying
Schoolmen as it trains mental ability and develops the art of expression.

If a person is unable to save facts and manipulate them to put across his views
convincingly, studying law will help him. Thus, every deficiency of mind can be
addressed by appropriate reading.

ASSIGNMENTS
1. Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.Explain
2. What does studies enable men to do?
3. To spend too much time in studies is sloth; Explain
4. Different types of books define different purposes. Give reasons
5. Studying history makes a man wiser, studying poetry makes a man wittier: mathematics
gives sound logical sense, and philosophy imparts valuable lessons on morality. Discuss
6. Explain the idea contained in the essay
7. Give a brief sketch about the author Francis Bacon

4.- On Habits - A.G Gardiner

About the author

Alfred George Gardiner (1865 – 1946) was a British journalist and author. His essays,
written under the pen-name Alpha of the Plough, are highly regarded.

He was born in Chelmsford, UK, and as a boy he worked at the Chelmsford Chronicle
and the Bournemouth Directory. He joined the Northern Daily Telegraph in 1887. In
1899, he was appointed editor of the Blackburn Weekly Telegraph.

Gardiner was editor of the Daily News from 1902 to 1915. Under his direction, it
became one of the leading liberal journals its day, acting as a counter balance to the
conservative Daily Mail. He resigned over a disagreement with the paper's owners,
who did not agree with his opposition to Lloyd George.
From 1915 he contributed to the Star under the pseudonym Alpha of the Plough. His
essays are uniformly elegant, graceful and humorous. His uniqueness lay in his ability
to teach the basic truths of life in an easy and amusing manner. The Pillars of Society,
Pebbles on the Shore, Many Furrows and Leaves in the Wind are some of his best
known writings.

Works
 Prophets, Priests and Kings (1908)
 Pillars of Society (1913)
 The War Lords (1915)
 Windfalls (as "Alpha of the Plough") (1920)
 Leaves in the Wind (as "Alpha of the Plough") (1920)

Summary
In the present essay the writer shows how most people are the slaves of habits. He begins
the essay by referring to his own habit of writing with a pencil. One morning he sat down
to write an article but found that he could make no progress. Its reason was that he sat
down with a new pen which someone had presented him commemoration of an
anniversary. It was an excellent pen but it refused to move on. He thought over it. It
occurred to him that it was in conflict with a habit. He was habitual of writing with a
pencil, but at that time since he was sitting with a pen in his hand, the whole complex of
habit was distributed. The pen wag unfamiliar to the touch. He could write the present
essay only when he put up his pen and used a pencil instead.

We are all bundles of habits neatly done-up in coat and trousers. Even the non, observance of
little-habits may prove fatal to use. Sir Walter Scott described the tyranny of a little habit in
the story of his school days which he narrated to Rogers. Scott told him that there was a boy in
his class who always stood at the top. When he was asked a question, he always fumbled with
his fingers at a particular button in the lower part of his waistcoat. Here lay the secret of his
success. One day somehow Scott removed that button with a knife. When a question was put
to that boy he could not answer it since his fingers searched in vain for the • button. He lost of
his first place in the class and once and missed it, he could never regain it in his later life. He
fell a victim to the tyranny of habit.
There is no harm in cultivating habits so long as they are not injurious habits. They are a part
and parcel of our daily routine. We cannot get on without them. They simplify the mechanism
of life. The more we can regularize our commonplace activities by habit, the smoother our
path and the more leisure we command. The writer illustrates it by his own - example. He was
a member of a club. For a long time he did not form the habit of hanging his hat and coat on a
particular peg in the cloakroom of the club, when he sought them, he found it difficult to find
them in the midst of so many similar hats and coats. Then one day an idea struck his mind. He
thought of hanging his coat and hat on a certain peg, or if that were occupied. on the vacant
peg nearest to it. It look him a few days to forth the habit but once formed he could find his
hat and coat without thinking about finding them

Formation of habits is good but habits should be a stick that we use, not a crutch to learn on.
We ought to be able to employ them, without being discomposed when we cannot employ
them. The writer makes it explicit by describing how he once saw Mr. Balfour discomposed by
a trivial breach of habit. It was his habit while speaking to hold the lapels/ collars of his coat.
One day while speaking he was wearing a uniform without lapels and when the hands
searched for lapels, they could not find them. It had an immediate effect on Mr. Balfour. His
discomfiture was evident. Somehow he managed to deliver his speech but all the time it was
apparent that he was at loss what to do with his hands, having no lapels on which to hang
them.

Assignments

1. What are the author’s views on habits?

2. Do you agree that habits can make or brake a person?
3. Why was the writer not able to write with a pen?
4. Describe the school boy’s incidence on his habit
5. How would you influence someone who is suffering from bad habits?
6. Do you feel habits are hard to brake?
7. Summarize the essay On Habits
8. Introduce the author A.G Gardiner

5.- Forgetting - Robert Lynd

About the author
Robert Wilson Lynd (Irish: 20 April 1879 – 6 October 1949) was an Irish writer,
editor of poetry, urbane literary essayist
He was born in Belfast to Robert John Lynd, a Presbyterian minister, and Sarah
Rentoul Lynd, the second of seven children. Lynd's paternal great-grandfather
emigrated from Scotland to Ireland. Lynd was educated at Royal Belfast Academic
Institution, studying at Queen's University.
He married the writer Sylvia Dryhurst on 21 April 1909. Lynd died in 1949 and is
buried in Belfast City Cemetery.
He began as a journalist on The Northern Whig in Belfast. He moved to London in
1901, via Manchester, sharing accommodation with his friend the artist Paul
Henry.He wrote drama criticism, for Today, edited by Jerome K. Jerome. He also
wrote for the Daily News (later the News Chronicle), being its literary editor 1912-
47.
]

He used the pseudonym Y.Y. (Ys, or wise) in writing for the New Statesman.
According to C. H. Rolph's Kingsley (1973), Lynd's weekly essay, which ran from
1913–45, was 'irreplaceable'
About
In his essay on Forgetting Robert Lynd gives a number of examples of efficient human
memory. But despite this , man forgets a lot of common things. In his essay
Forgetting Lynd says that the commonest form of forgetfulness occurs in the matter of
posting letters, taking medicines, sportsperson leaving behind their belongingness in
fields and people forget a whole lot of items on trains and buses while traveling.
Summary
Robert Lynd is a humorous writer who deals with the ordinary matter of forgetting
in a jovial manner. First he deals with the things which human beings do not
forget. Modern men remember telephone numbers and addresses of their friends.
They do not forget the appointments for lunch and dinner. It is surprising how he
remembers the names of the actors, actresses, cricketers, footballers, and murderers.
No man forgets a single item in his clothing while dressing in the morning and no
one forgets to shut the front door while leaving the house in the morning.
 Yet in some matters like taking medicine, posting letters and carrying back
all things after a journey, men seem to be forgetful. Among the articles left in trains
and taxis, book, walking sticks and umbrellas are very common. It is also found out
that the young people forget more than the older ones and the sportsmen and
anglers have worse memories than the ordinary serious minded people. A
considerable number of lost balls, cricket bats and fishing rods left in trains
illustrate this fact. Sometimes great men like Coleridge and Socrates may not
remember ordinary things like posting letters. Yet that does not mean that
intelligent people have bad memory. Often good memory is combined with
intelligence. Great writers and composers of music usually have excellent memory.
The author concludes his essay by giving an example of an absent minded
father who took his baby in a perambulator. He left the perambulator outside and
walks in a public house /pub on the way. Meanwhile his wife came that way for
shopping and took home the baby with the perambulator. She expected that her
husband would arrive with a pale face and explain the baby’s disappearance. To her
shock her husband came and asked for lunch. He had forgotten that he had taken the
baby with him. The author concludes that ordinary men are surely above such level
of absent-mindedness.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. What do you mean by absent-mindedness?
2. What are some things that a common man does not forget?
3. What are some items people tend to forget?
4. Why do somethings we always remember?
5. Why great men are absent minded?
6. Do you think intelligent men are never forgetful?
7. Write an account of the man who went to a pub leaving the baby outside.

6.- Indian Civilization - Mahatma Gandhi

Summary
In ancient times there were no restrictions on education. It was in the
Brahmans who shaped the system It was based on restraint and
Brahmacharya. It was due to such a system of education that Indian
civilization had outlived so many changes through thousands of years, while
such ancient civilizations as those of Greece, Rome and Egypt had become
extinct. No doubt the wave of a new civilization has been passing through
India and Indian civilization will be resurrected. In ancient times the basis
of life was self-restraint but now it is enjoyment. The result is that people
have become powerless cowards and forsook the truth. Having come under
the influence of another civilization, it may be necessary to adapt our own
civilization in certain respects to our new environment, It may be urged that
it is necessary to adopt the methods and instruments of Western
civilization. But the forces born of spirituality, the bed-rock of Indian
civilization, are more than a match for material forces. India is primarily the
land of religion. It is the first and the last duty of Indians to maintain it as
such. They should draw their strength from the soul, from God.

Modern civilization can be summed up by two expressions. One is that it

represents ceaseless activity, and the second is that it aims at the
eradication of space and time. Everybody nowadays appears to be
preoccupied, that appears a dangerous symptom. They are all so intent
upon earning bread and butter that they have no time for anything else.
Modern civilization makes them materialistic, makes them concentrate their
thoughts upon their bodies and upon the means of multiplying bodily
comforts.

Western civilization is destructive, Eastern civilization is constructive.

Western civilization is, moving away from a centre. Eastern civilization is.
moving towards a centre. Western civilization is disruptive whereas Eastern
civilization combines. Western civilization is without a goal, Eastern
civilization has always had the goal before it.

Indian civilization is based on spirituality and thus is here to stay where as

the western civilization is Godless and now dumped in attics as dungeon
heaps.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. What is the idea contained in the essay?

 2. Describe the difference between Indian and Western civilization
3. Summarize the essay Indian Civilization
4. “Western civilization is, moving away from a centre” Explain
5. “Eastern civilization is. moving towards a centre” Describe

NOVEL

ABOUT THE AUTHOR- GEORGE ORWELL

George Orwell was born Eric Hugh Blair in 1903 in Motihari, Bengal, India. He
was the second of three children, and the only boy, born to Richard and Ida Blair.
His elder sister, Marjorie, and his younger sister, Avril, completed this middle-class
Anglo-Indian family. His stubborn, discouraging father was an agent in the Opium
Department of the British Civil Service. He was sent to England for his education.
His mother accompanied him.

Orwell attended the best English schools, including Eton College (1917-1921), a
school that epitomized “traditional” British education. Poorer than the other
students and feeling insecure about himself, he never quite fit in with the rest of his
classmates. Politically, he had difficulty accepting the world of British domination
that surrounded him. These feelings of being an “outsider,” coupled with Orwell’s
firm belief (which he expressed early in his life to friends and family) that he felt
fated to become a “great writer,” affected the course of his entire life. Influenced by
his mother’s “revolutionary” politics and charged by his own political ideas, Orwell
ultimately turned to a writing career.

He graduated from Eton College in 1921,

Major work include:

“On Shooting an Elephant”

“A Hanging.”
Down and Out in Paris and London (1933).

novels Burmese Days (1934)

A Clergyman’s Daughter (1935)

Keep the Aspidistra Flying (1936),

Orwell married Eileen O’Shaughnessy in the summer of 1936. He completed 1984,

a political novel which he began in 1948 and saw published in 1949, just six months
before his death on January 21, 1950, at the age of 46.
The story Animal Farm

Animal Farm is a short and the most famous political fable, based on Joseph
Stalin’s betrayal of the Russian Revolution.
It is about a group of animals who rebel against humans who run a farm they live in
and run it themselves with hopes of being equal, free, and happy. In the end, however,
the new rule becomes a cruel dictatorship of its own led by the pigs
It was published in 1945. and became a best-seller.

Summary

The animals of Manor Farm have always been miserable under Mr. Jones and his men. They
have come to accept their difficult lives as part of the natural order of things. It is Old Major, a
prize-winning boar, who shares his dreams with the other animals. He tells them that the cause
of all their suffering is man. With man gone, the animals would enjoy the abundance the land
provides and build a new society based on equality. He says that Jones has no concern for the
animals—that he uses them until they are no longer productive. He butchers the pigs and
drowns the dogs when they get old. Old Major predicts that Jones will even sell Boxer, the
horse, and the hardest and most faithful worker on the farm, to the slaughterhouse once he is no
longer able to work. He encourages the animals to work for this revolution. He warns them
never to become like man and to always treat each other as equals.

Three nights later, Old Major dies, and the task of preparing the animals for the revolution falls
to the pigs, who are smarter than the others and who later teach themselves to read. Three young
pigs, the intellectual Snowball, the domineering Napoleon and the eloquent Squealer, organize
Old Major’s dream of the future into a political philosophy called Animalism.
When the drunken Mr. Jones fails to feed the animals one night, the animals drive him and his
men off the farm. They change the name to “Animal Farm,” and the pigs, who seem to have
assumed leadership, write the principles of Animalism, reduced to Seven Commandments, on
the barn wall. These are to be the unalterable rules by which the animals will live ever after:

1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.

2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3. No animal shall wear clothes.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
6. No animal shall kill any other animal.
7. All animals are equal.

At first the revolution seems to be a success. All of the animals, directed and supervised by the
pigs, work hard to bring in the harvest. But there are indications from the beginning that the
pigs treat themselves specially. They remain the supervisors, doing no physical labor, and they
take extra food (mild and windfall apples) for themselves instead of sharing with the others.
Meanwhile Jones, with the aid of his neighbors, tries to retake the farm. They are driven off at
the “Battle of the Cowshed” by the military tactics of Snowball and the strength of Boxer. Both
are decorated as heroes for their roles in the victory.

A power struggle for control of Animal Farm develops between Snowball and Napoleon, and it
culminates with the building of a windmill. When the animals seem about to vote in favor of the
project, Napoleon, who opposes the plan, unleashes nine dogs he has been training secretly to
follow his orders without question. Snowball is chased off the farm, barely escaping the jaws of
the dogs. In a turnabout, Napoleon orders that work on the windmill begin. The work is
difficult, and the animals suffer in the process. When a storm blows the windmill down,
Napoleon blames the exiled Snowball and condemns him as an enemy. Napoleon exploits the
animals’ fear that Jones will return and their fear of his fierce dogs to consolidate his power. He
uses Squealer to lie to the animals and convince them that things aren’t what they seem. As
work on the second windmill begins, Napoleon and the pigs become more and more corrupt.
They change the commandments, move into Jones’s house, and drink whisky. Napoleon even
kills other animals who dare to stand up to his authority.

The second windmill is blown up in an attack by Frederick, after he steals wood from Animal
Farm, by paying for it with counterfeit money. But Napoleon pronounces this defeat to be a
great victory, and work begins on a third attempt to build a windmill. None of the promises of
leisure time and comfort come true—no heat or electricity in the barn, no machines to do their
hard work. In fact, life grows harder for all of the animals, except the pigs, and food is scarcer.
When Boxer, the hardest worker on the farm, is hurt, Napoleon sells him to the horse
slaughterer. Squealer convinces the others that Boxer died in the hospital after getting the best
treatment. Old Major’s prediction about Boxer has come true, but it is Napoleon who is the
villain.
In the end, the pigs completely subvert the ideals of Animalism. They are the new masters.
They walk on two legs. They violate and change each of the Seven Commandments.
Ultimately, these commandments are erased and replaced with only one: “All animals are equal,
but some animals are more equal than others.” In the final scene, Mr. Pilkington comes for a
tour and Napoleon announces some changes. The name is changed back to “Manor Farm,” and
a new level of understanding is reached between pig and man. The book ends when someone
cheats in a card game. The animals, watching from outside, cannot tell the difference between
the pigs and the men.

CHARACTERS’ LIST
1. Karl Marx - Old Major founder of communism founder of animalism
both of those ideas never worked

2. Josef Stalin – Napoleon Ruthless leaders, Betrayed the people, Would do whatever it
took to complete something

3. Leon Trotsky – Snowball Forced into exile, Brilliant speech makers

Czar Nicolas II - Mr. Jones Only represented the rich, Consumed and didn't produce

KGB – Dogs Enforcers, Used the fear of the people to their advantage, Could carry out
any orders, no matter how cruel

1. Napoleon - The pig who emerges as the leader of Animal Farm after the
Rebellion. Based on Joseph Stalin, Napoleon uses military force (his nine loyal
attack dogs) to intimidate the other animals and consolidate his power. In his
supreme craftiness, Napoleon proves more treacherous than his counterpart,
Snowball.
2. Snowball - The pig who challenges Napoleon for control of Animal Farm after
the Rebellion. Based on Leon Trotsky, Snowball is intelligent, passionate,
eloquent, and less subtle and devious than his counterpart, Napoleon. Snowball
seems to win the loyalty of the other animals and cement his power.
3. Boxer - The cart-horse whose incredible strength, dedication, and loyalty play a
key role in the early prosperity of Animal Farm and the later completion of the
windmill. Quick to help but rather slow-witted, Boxer shows much devotion to
Animal Farm’s ideals but little ability to think about them independently. He
 naïvely trusts the pigs to make all his decisions for him. His two mottoes are “I
will work harder” and “Napoleon is always right.”
4. Squealer - The pig who spreads Napoleon’s propaganda among the other
animals. Squealer justifies the pigs’ monopolization of resources and spreads
false statistics pointing to the farm’s success. Orwell uses Squealer to explore
the ways in which those in power often use rhetoric and language to twist the
truth and gain and maintain social and political control.
5. Old Major - The prize-winning boar whose vision of a socialist utopia serves as
the inspiration for the Rebellion. Three days after describing the vision and
teaching the animals the song “Beasts of England,” Major dies, leaving Snowball
and Napoleon to struggle for control of his legacy. Orwell based Major on both
the German political economist Karl Marx and the Russian revolutionary leader
Vladimir Ilych Lenin.
6. Clover - A good-hearted female cart-horse and Boxer’s close friend. Clover
often suspects the pigs of violating one or another of the Seven Commandments,
but she repeatedly blames herself for misremembering the commandments.
7. Moses - The tame raven who spreads stories of Sugarcandy Mountain, the
paradise to which animals supposedly go when they die. Moses plays only a
small role in Animal Farm, but Orwell uses him to explore how communism
exploits religion as something with which to pacify the oppressed.
8. Mollie - The vain, flighty mare who pulls Mr. Jones’s carriage. Mollie craves the
attention of human beings and loves being groomed and pampered. She has a
difficult time with her new life on Animal Farm, as she misses wearing ribbons in
her mane and eating sugar cubes. She represents the petit bourgeoisie that fled
from Russia a few years after the Russian Revolution.
9. Benjamin - The long-lived donkey who refuses to feel inspired by the Rebellion.
Benjamin firmly believes that life will remain unpleasant no matter who is in
charge. Of all of the animals on the farm, he alone comprehends the changes
that take place, but he seems either unwilling or unable to oppose the pigs.
10. Muriel - The white goat who reads the Seven Commandments to Clover
whenever Clover suspects the pigs of violating their prohibitions.
 11. Mr. Jones - The often drunk farmer who runs the Manor Farm before the
animals stage their Rebellion and establish Animal Farm. Mr. Jones is an unkind
master who indulges himself while his animals lack food; he thus represents Tsar
Nicholas II, whom the Russian Revolution ousted.
12. Mr. Frederick - The tough, shrewd operator of Pinchfield, a neighboring
farm. Based on Adolf Hitler, the ruler of Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 1940s,
Mr. Frederick proves an untrustworthy neighbor.
13. Mr. Pilkington - The easygoing gentleman farmer who runs Foxwood, a
neighboring farm. Mr. Frederick’s bitter enemy, Mr. Pilkington represents the
capitalist governments of England and the United States.
14. Mr. Whymper - The human solicitor whom Napoleon hires to represent
Animal Farm in human society. Mr. Whymper’s entry into the Animal Farm
community initiates contact between Animal Farm and human society, alarming
the common animals.
15. Jessie and Bluebell - Two dogs, each of whom gives birth early in the
novel. Napoleon takes the puppies in order to “educate” them.
16. Minimus - The poet pig who writes verse about Napoleon and pens the
banal patriotic song “Animal Farm, Animal Farm” to replace the earlier idealistic
hymn “Beasts of England,” which Old Major passes on to the others.

Highlights !

 Old Major suggests seven rules that all farm animals must follow
 Mr Jones is driven out of the farm house by the animals
 The pigs take over as masters
 They start living as men
 Boxer does most of the heavy labor and adopts the motto :Ï will work harder"?
Boxer, who believes that he has unintentionally killed a stable boy in the chaos,
expresses his regret at taking a life, even though it is a human one.
 Snowball tells him not to feel guilty, asserting that “the only good human being is
a dead one.”
 After the banishment of Snowball, the animals learn that Napoleon supports the
windmill project
.The pigs begin living in the farmhouse, and rumor has it that they even sleep in
beds, a violation of one of the Seven Commandments
Napoleon says that he can detect Snowball’s presence everywhere, and
whenever something appears to go wrong by chance, Snowball receives the
blame.
 Boxer, who believes that he has unintentionally killed a stable boy in the chaos,
expresses his regret at taking a life, even though it is a human one. Snowball
tells him not to feel guilty, asserting that “the only good human being is a dead
one.”
The pigs begin living in the farmhouse,

Short answer Questions with answers

1. Which animal came up the the idea to build windmill?
Snowball came up with the idea to build the windmill.

2. Who was the neighbor who gave the animals fake bank notes in exchange for a pile of
lumber?
Mr. Frederick gave the animals fake bank notes in exchange for the pile of lumber?
3. Which animal spread rumors about sugar candy mountain?
Moses the raven spread rumors about sugar candy mountain.
4. Who came up with the idea/concept of animalism?
Old Major came up with the idea/concept of animalism.
5. Who's motto was "I will work harder"?
Boxer's motto was "I will work harder".
6. Who was the leader of animal farm?
Napoleon was the leader of animal farm.
7. Whom did Napoleon choose to be his bodyguards?
Napoleon chose the dogs to be his bodyguards.
8. What was the name of the man who used to own, "The Manor Farm"?
The name of the man who used to own, "The Manor Farm" was Mr. Jones.
9. What did Mollie do in her spare time?
Mollie looked at herself in a reflection and wore her many ribbons.
10.Which of the pigs was good at poetry?
Minimus was good at poetry.
11.What was Squealer good at?
 Squealer was an incredible speaker and could easily change someones opinion.
12.Whenever something went wrong on the farm who was blamed?
Snowball was blamed for everything that went wrong on the farm.

LONG ANSWERS

13.Summarize the story

14.Sketch the character of Snowball
15.Describe Boxer? What happened to him in the end?
16.Who wrote the seven rules? How was it implanted?
17.How were the animals tortured by M. Jones?
18.Did the animals look after the farm in a better way?Explain