"Two Gentlemen of Verona" by A. J. Cronin

 

Two Gentlemen of Verona

A. J. Cronin

“Two Gentlemen of Verona” is written by A.J Cronin. The title of the short story is taken from an early play by Shakespeare. The story revolves around the two boys, Nicola and Jacopo, who do many things to earn money for their sister’s treatment, who suffers from tuberculosis of the spine. The story is narrated by a traveller who meets them during his visit to Verona in Italy.

The narrator and his friend are travelling through the beautiful foothills of the Alps. On the outskirts of Verona, they notice two small boys selling wild strawberries. The boys are Nicola, aged thirteen, and Jacopo, aged twelve. Though they look weak and poor, they appear hardworking and serious.

The narrator sees them again in different places in the city. They do many small jobs, such as selling newspapers, polishing shoes, and guiding tourists. They work from early morning till late at night. They never waste money on clothes or comfort and eat very simple food. Their behaviour makes the narrator curious. One night, he sees them sitting on a pavement waiting for the last bus to sell newspapers. He is surprised by their dedication. The next morning, he asks them about their life, but they do not clearly explain what they are saving money for.

Before leaving Verona, the narrator offers to help them. Jacopo asks him to take them to a village called Polenta. The narrator agrees. There, they stop at a large building, and the boys go inside while the narrator waits. Out of curiosity, the narrator enters the building and learns from a nurse that the building is a hospital. He discovers that the boys' sister, Lucia, is suffering from tuberculosis and is being treated there. The boys have been working hard for more than a year to pay for her treatment.

The nurse also explains their background. Their father was a famous singer at La Scala but was killed during the war. Their home was destroyed in a bombing, and they became orphans. Despite this tragedy, the boys supported each other and took care of their sister. During the war, they even helped the resistance group by spying on enemy movements. After the war, they focused only on saving Lucia’s life. The nurse says Lucia is recovering and may soon be able to sing again, like her father.

The narrator is deeply moved by their story. He understands that the boys are not working for themselves but for their sister’s future. He admires their courage, maturity, and selfless love. He does not tell them that he knows their secret, as he respects their dignity. He realises that true greatness is not about wealth or status, but about love, responsibility, and sacrifice.

He calls Nicola and Jacopo “Two Gentlemen of Verona” because, despite being poor children, they show noble qualities. Their dedication to their sister and their hardworking nature make them truly admirable. The story ends with a message that real honour comes from kindness, sacrifice, and strong family bonds.

The Model Millionaire by Oscar Wilde

 

The Model Millionaire

Oscar Wilde

“The Model Millionaire” is a short story by Oscar Wilde. The story revolves around a young man, Hughie Erskine, who, though not very wealthy, is kind-hearted. The story narrates how he is rewarded for his kindness.  

 Hughie is a handsome, charming and popular young man. But he is not very rich. He did not receive anything of great value in his father’s will. He inherited only a sword and a history book titled History of the Peninsular War in 15 volumes. His only income is 200 pounds a year, given to him by an elderly aunt. He tried several different businesses: the stock market, a tea merchant, and selling dry sherry, but all of which failed. Hughie was in love with a young woman named Laura Merton. Laura’s father, Colonel Merton, likes Hughie, but because of his financial situation, he does not approve of their marriage. He laid a condition for their marriage that Hughie should earn ten thousand pounds.

One day, Hughie goes to see his artist friend Alan Trevor. Alan was painting a portrait of an old beggar. The old man is wearing a tattered brown cloak and boots that have been mended many times. He has a rough walking stick in one hand. On the other hand, he is holding out an old hat to ask for money. Both Alan and Hughie agree that the old man is an excellent subject for a painting. Hughie feels sorry for the old beggar. He thinks it is unfair that Alan makes more money from the painting, while the old beggar receives only a minimal salary. Though Alan is his friend, his kind heart supported the old beggar. When Alan leaves the room, Hughie looks in his pockets. He finds a sovereign and gives the coin to the old man. Though Hughie needs the money, he prefers to give it to the old man. The old man looks very happy to receive it and Hughie soon leaves the room.

Alan and Hughie meet up again at night. The artist tells his friend that the old man asked several questions about Hughie. Alan goes on to say that he told the old man all about Hughie, Laura Merton and the condition which Colonel Merton set for their marriage. Hughie is upset to learn that his friend shared his personal information with the old beggar. He tells Alan that he gave a sovereign to the beggar. The amused Alan tells Hughie that the old man he was painting was Baron Hausberg, one of the wealthiest men in Europe. Baron Hausberg often bought Alan’s paintings and asked Alan to paint him as a beggar. Alan supplied the tattered clothes he was wearing. Hughie feels ashamed about giving a coin to a millionaire. The next day, a representative of Baron Hausberg comes to Hughie’s house with an envelope containing a check for ten thousand pounds, and it was written as a wedding present ‘from an old beggar’. Hughie and Laura get married and Baron Hausberg attends their wedding.

"My Early Days" by Abdul Kalam

 

         “My Early Days” is an excerpt taken from Abdul Kalam’s autobiography, Wings of Fire. It gives an introduction to Kalam’s boyhood, spent in Rameswaram. In this excerpt, Abdul Kalam provides an excellent glimpse into his boyhood and the various people who shaped his thoughts and moulded his personality.

 Kalam’s father, Jainulabdeen, was a person of wisdom and generosity. Though he was not very rich, he took care of the basic needs of his children. Kalam’s mother, Ashiamma, was an ideal helpmate to his father. The large Kalam family lived in an old house located in a Muslim neighbourhood. The famous Shiva temple was only a ten-minute walk from his house. Kalam remembers the days he went with his father to the local mosque. When they returned after prayers, some people carried bowls filled with water. The father used to dip his fingers in the water and say a prayer, which cured several illnesses.

          In spite of his simple education, Kalam’s father had the wisdom that comes with age and experience. He understood the inner meaning of prayer. He thought that prayers are a means to communicate with other human beings without any differences. Difficulties are nothing to be afraid of, but they always present opportunities for introspection. When people came to him for spiritual advice and help, he was always there for them. This simplicity enabled him to maintain friendships across religion. The high priest of Rameswaram temple, Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry, was a close friend of Kalam's father and they discussed various spiritual matters. Kalam’s father had a daily routine which he followed even in his late 60s.  He got up at 4.00 AM, offered Namaz and walked for five miles to his coconut grove and came home on foot with a dozen coconuts on his shoulders. Kalam tried to maintain the same spirit in his own world also.

          Kalam’s father built a boat with the help of a relative called Ahmed Jallaludin. The boat took pilgrims from Rameswaram to Dhanuskodi. But in the great cyclone, the boat was swept away and Panban Bridge collapsed with a train full of passengers. Kalam understood the angry mood of the sea.

          Jallaludin became a close friend of Kalam in spite of the difference in years. He was fifteen years older than Kalam. Both of them went for long walks in the evenings, discussing spiritual matters. Though Jallaludin was not well-educated, was capable of writing English. The people of that area went to him to have their letters or applications written. He was the one who introduced Kalam to several new things happening in the world. STR Manickam, a former 'revolutionary', had a personal library and invited Kalam to read the books. Samsuddin, a cousin, was a distributor of newspapers. Dinamani was the most sought-after newspaper and the people discussed politics, astrology, rates of gold and the war. Kalam recalls the sudden demand for tamarind seeds. He used to collect the seeds from houses and sell them for a sum of one anna. During the Second World War, train halts at Rameswaram were suspended and Kalam earned his first wages by helping Jallaludin in unloading bundles of newspapers. These three people widened the view of Abdul Kalam.

         Kalam inherited honesty and self-discipline from his father and goodness and kindness from his mother. From Jallaludin and Samsuddin, he adopted creativity. Though they were unschooled, they had an innate wisdom.

Ramanatha Sastry, Aravindhan and Sivaprakasan were childhood friends of Kalam. Though the three belong to an Orthodox Hindu Brahmin family, they never felt any differences based on religion. People in Rameshwaram lived amicably without any religious differences. For the Shri Sita Rama Kalyanam ceremony, Kalam’s family used to arrange boats to carry the idols. His mother and grandmother tell events from the Ramayana as bedtime stories to the children. These incidents present the religious harmony of Rameshwaram. 

         Kalam’s boyhood was unmarked by any religious discrimination except on one occasion. A new teacher made Kalam go to the back benches, as he could not stomach the idea of Kalam sitting close to a Brahmin boy. When Lakshmana Sastry came to know about it, he made the teacher change his ways.

         Sivasubramania Iyer, the science teacher of Abdul Kalam, was something of a rebel. He wanted Kalam to develop his knowledge and to become one of the highly educated people.  He invited Kalam to his home for a meal. His orthodox wife was shocked by such an act and refused to serve him food. The teacher served him food and ate with him. He invited Kalam for dinner the next week. By knowing the hesitation of Kalam, she advised him to face such problems when he wanted to change the system. When Kalam went for dinner the next time, his teacher's wife served him.

         Kalam wanted to continue his studies at Ramanathapuram, the district headquarters. His mother was very reluctant to send him, but his father convinced her. He said that the children came through her and not from her. He advised her to give her love to the children and not her thoughts.

Kalam joined Schwartz High School, but he felt homesick at Ramanathapuram. He wanted to eat the different polis his mother made. But he recalled the advice of his friend Jalalludin and controlled his thoughts of homesickness. He believed he would go back to Rameshwarm later, but the success he met with took him away from home.

"The Lost Child" by Mulk Raj Anand

 

The short story “The Lost Child” was written by Mulk Raj Anand. He is one of the important Indian writers in English. The story narrates a festival, the location, the crowd, a boy's attraction towards the shops and finally the transformation of his preferences. The story has an open ending, where the readers have the liberty to decide the climax of the story.

The story begins with the description of the festival of spring. A large group of people were moving towards the fair. Some people walked, some rode on horses and some travelled on bamboo and bullock carts based on their economic condition. A small boy was going to the festival with his parents happily. The boy was attracted by the toys on the way and his parents hurried him when he slowed down. Unable to control his desire, the boy expressed his wish for the toys, knowing well his parents would not buy them for him. His father looked at him angrily; his father's cruel look and his mother's affectionate distraction distracted him from the toy.

They entered into a mustard field and which looked like a melting gold under the morning sun, as the field lasted for several miles. The boy ran towards his parents happily, and soon he was attracted by insects and worms. The parents asked the boy to rush up and rest under the shade of the trees. The place was sheltered with banyan, jack, jaman, neem, champak and scrisha trees. The boy was collecting the falling petals and was immediately attracted by the doves. The parents again hurried the boy to follow them and they entered into a footpath which led to the fair.

On the way to the temple, many shops attracted the boy. The vendor of sweets hawked the list of sweets. The child looked longingly at the ‘burfi’, his favourite sweet and, knowing his parents' denial and blaming him as greedy, he refrained from asking for the sweet.  There was also a seller of multi- coloured flowers and the boy looked at a garland with wonder. Next to him, there was a balloon-seller who sold colourful balloons. He again controlled himself without asking, as they would say that he was too big to play with.  A snake charmer was playing a flute to a cobra, which swayed its head to the music, but he moved away, thinking that his parents would scold him for listening to the forbidden music.

A merry-go-round was spinning and people enjoyed the ride by making joyful sounds.  The boy, unable to control his desire, finally, with courage, asked his parents to allow him to take a ride. As he did not receive any reply, he searched for his parents and realised that he had been separated from them. He suddenly felt abandoned, and he ran here and there looking for his parents. He tried to enter the crowded temple in search of his parents. Someone picked up the boy from the crowd and asked about his parents. The question left the boy in tears, and he started crying, "Father! Mother!”

That man took the boy near the shops to console him. He moved towards the juggler and wanted the boy to listen to the music and forget his sadness. Again, the child rejected the offer and cried, "Father! Mother!” He then moved to the balloon shop and offered to buy balloons, but the boy rejected them. When the man offered to buy flowers and ‘burfi’ to make the child calm, the child only began crying more and more, asking for his parents. The author shows that the very things the child wanted to buy earlier were not more important than his parents.

 

"Engine Trouble" by R.K. Narayan

 

The short story “Engine Trouble” is written by R.K. Narayan. The story is narrated by the talkative man who is the protagonist of the story. He recalls an incident that brought many struggles and pain to him some years ago. The title of the story is suitable, as the story describes the troubles the engine creates for the narrator. He talks about Gaiety Land, a fair that took place at a municipal ground named Gymkhana ground. The show attracted people from nearby districts, and for a couple of annas, people could watch any one performance. The narrator of the story (a talkative man) brought a ticket for the lucky draw by spending eight annas. His number was 1005, and he won a road engine as a prize. He was stunned by the prize, and people gathered there gazed at him as if he were some curious animal, and some giggled at him. He asked the showman to help him transport the engine. But he refused to show a notice that mentioned that the winners should remove the prizes immediately. However, they agreed to keep the road engine on the Gymkhana ground till the show ends.

The talkative man’s friends congratulated him on the prize he won. Though they did not know how much money it could fetch, they all believed that such a big road engine would get more money. Some of his friends suggested that it could be sold as scrap iron for a few thousand. Every day, he visited the Gymkhana ground to see his road engine and believed that all his financial problems would be solved by the road engine. The fair was over and the narrator received a notice from the municipality to take his road engine from the ground. Again, he received a notice to pay a rent of ten rupees per month. After paying for three months, he had to pledge his wife’s jewels to pay further. He requested the Municipality and Cosmopolitan Club for buying the road engine, but they refused to buy.

The Municipality asked him to remove the road engine from the ground in 24 hours as another fair was about to begin. He tried hard to find a driver to move the engine to his friend’s field. He spoke to the temple priest and engaged a temple elephant and fifty coolies for the task. He also booked Joseph, a dismissed bus driver, to move the engine. Joseph did not know how to drive the road engine, but he assured that he could steer the engine if it was kept in motion. The temple elephant was tied to the engine with a thick rope. It was pulling the rope from the front, the coolies were pushing the engine from the back, and Joseph was steering the wheels. A huge crowd gathered to see this, and slowly, the road engine was moved to the road. The engine moved in zig-zag. As the elephant dragged the engine in one direction, the fifty men pushed the engine in another direction, and Joseph steered in the opposite direction. As a result, the engine broke the opposite compound wall. The crowd made a joyous yell, and the irritated elephant trumpeted loudly and broke the compound wall further. The owner of the house slapped the narrator, and later he was arrested by the police.

When the narrator was released from the lock up, more problems were waiting for him. He had to build the broken compound wall, pay the wages for the injured elephant. His wife was upset about this incident and decided to go to her parents’ house. At that time, a Swamiji came to the town for a performance in the town hall. The whole place was crowded to see the performance of the yogi. He ate glass pieces, drank acid and swallowed sharp nails and buried himself underground. He wanted a road engine to perform his last act, and he asked the Municipal chairman for it. As he did not have it, the narrator offered it with the condition that it had to be driven to his friend’s field. The crowd moved near the broken compound wall to see the performance. A disciple was about to drive the engine on the chest of the Swamiji. Suddenly, a police inspector stopped the performance by stating that the magistrate had declined permission for this performance. Angered, Swamiji left the place with his disciples and the road engine stood in the same spot.

The narrator decided to leave his town by morning to escape from his troubles. That night earthquake affected the place and nature came as a rescuer. The next morning, before leaving the place, he wanted to have a last glimpse of his engine. The road engine moved from the place and covered a disused well in the house. The panicked narrator prayed the God to save him from the new troubles. At that moment, the owner of the house showed up and said that the municipality had sent a notice to him to close the well due to the dirty water. The road engine covered the well and he asked the narrator to leave the road engine there with a promise that he would withdraw his complaints for the broken well and pay the money he had spent till then for the road engine. With this, the problems of the talkative man came to an end.

 

The Cow of the Barricade - Raja Rao

 

The Cow of the Barricade

Raja Rao

“The Cow of the Barricade” is the best-known story by Raja Rao. The story takes place in pre-independent India at a place called Gorakhpur. The story begins with a description of a character named Gouri. Gouri is a cow and it is called by that name as it comes on every Tuesday. It visits the Master on every Tuesday evening before sunset. Till next Tuesday, Gouri would not be seen anywhere. It eats only food from the Master and will not accept food from others. It munched the food slowly like articulating some holy words. Due to this strange behaviour, people called Gouri a strange creature. People were curious about Gouri and asked the master about Gouri. He replied that Gouri is the vehicle of the Goddess.

The fame of Gouri spread, and people waited for her visit on Tuesdays. People with different demands prayed for the fulfillment of their desires. Merchants prayed for an increase in harvest, which could improve their business, students for education, young girls for husbands, widows for purity, and childless couples for children. Hence, on every Tuesday, many people waited at the Master’s place with offerings for Gouri. As Gouri did not touch the food, they threw them into the river and the fish thrived upon it, which resulted in the disappearance of the crocodile. The author describes Gorakhpur as a place filled with peace and harmony.

The peaceful life in Gorakhpur gets changed with the arrival of the Red men’s army. As the city is situated above the hill, people could see the arrival of the army men from the railway station. People in the city prepared themselves to face the army with the help of the workmen. They called the Master as President of the group that safeguarded women, children and aged people. They were moved into the fields with their valuables. The city was depopulated and all the streets were blocked by barricades. Workmen and men from the town were behind the barricades with weapons, waiting for the Red men’s army. But the Master was unhappy about this as he was a follower of non-violence. When he imposed on them to follow non-violence, they opposed his view and mentioned that with non-violence, they cannot defeat the Red men’s army. Hence, the master resigns from the presidentship and sits in meditation with an aim to safeguard the city.

That day seemed strange as owls hovered about in the midday light and in the evening the stars hung low. That evening, people were waiting for Gouri. But Gouri came by night, crossing all the streets of the city. People followed her. Though Gouri walked slowly, people ran behind her to follow. People worshiped Gouri with the belief that she would protect them. They were carried over by a strange feeling and started to chant ‘Vande Mataram’. Gouri claimed over the barricades. The Red men’s army was confused and thought Gouri was a flag of truce. When they identified it as a cow, they too were carried over by a strange feel and started to chat ‘Victory to Mahatma’ and joined the workmen. But the chief of the army shot Gouri on its head and it fell down among the people. Magically, the blood did not gush out from its head; instead, it came out from its breast.

After independence, Seth Jamnalal Dwarak Chand constructed a metal statue for Gouri with a human look. People were worshiping her by offering flowers, honey and the first green grass of spring. Children of Gorakhpur were playing with the statue of Gouri. The carpenters made the statue of Gouri and it was sold in the railway station and people from across the nation brought it.

Later, when people enquired about Gouri, the Master replied that Gouri is in the middle of Heaven and she will be born again when India faces a problem. The story concludes with a statement that Mahatma Gandhi might be wrong about politics, but he was completely right about the love for all living creatures.

 

 

Project Detail- Indian Diaspora

 

Project Questionnaire - Indian Diaspora

 

Dear Friends,

I am Sujaritha,  working on a Project on Diaspora. To know more about Indian diaspora, I have prepared a questionnaire which would be very helpful if you could respond. Please share the link with your family members and friends staying abroad. Thanks for your support.

For the Second generation of the Indian diaspora: https://forms.gle/7WPtjE98WgnACAzdA

For the First Generation of the Indian Diaspora: https://forms.gle/5rj8MubxPfLds9Vr5

 

 

 

Freedom and Democracy

Erich Fromm

The essay “Freedom and Democracy” is taken from Erich Fromm’s famous work The Fear of Freedom. This essay is about the thought process of the modern world. He begins the essay by stating that the individuals feel powerless and alone, anxious and insecure due to the modern industrial systems. The developments instead of making humans to feel powerful, leave them with many psychological problems. In this essay he looks at five major aspects and its impact towards the degradation of human psyche. They are 1) freedom of expression, 2) originality discouraged, 3) Confusing Issues, 4) loss of self, 5) sacrifice.

1) Freedom of Expression:

The modern humans think proudly that they have their individuality and thus they are uncontrollable by any external authority. Hence they believe that they have complete freedom to express their thoughts and feelings which again guarantee about their individuality. Contradictorily in reality societies in general discourage emotions. Emotions are viewed as being unbalanced and humans are suggested to live without emotions. However avoiding emotions completely is impossible which may pave way for the cheap sentimental movies and songs. The writer insists upon the importance of emotion by describing about a tabooed emotion i.e. the sense of tragedy. Suppression of the sense of tragedy affects the root of personality. The writer is of the view that awareness of death and tragic aspects of life are the basic characteristic of human. He gives example of the practice of coping with the problem of death from various cultures. Both the Greeks and the Christianity religion look at death as a shadow that promises life after death. Only the Jews accepted death realistically. The society instead of allowing humans to be aware of death, suppresses it subconsciously. The denial of sad expressions about death leaves human to live with the fear of death. With this example, Fromm tries to project that the present society lacks freedom of expression.

2. Originality Discouraged:

This sub-heading is the continuation of the previous one. Like emotions, original thinking is also misrepresented in the society. Children are filled with curiosity to know the world both physically and intellectually. But their curiosity/interest is not taken seriously and forces them to have modern education. Fromm believes that education discourages original thinking and on the other hand it insists on filling mind with readymade thoughts. Thus modern education maimed independent thinking of the children.

          Fromm explains some of the educational methods that discourage original thinking. 1) The importance given to knowledge of facts. Here knowledge of a person is assessed based on more number of information/facts one knows. Thus information alone becomes knowledge which in reality is an obstacle to thinking. Hence one should maintain balance between information and thinking. 2) Considering all truth as connected: truth in reality is based on the interest and need of individuals. Some even may try to conceal truth. Without interest no one will be finding truth and altogether every human will have a need to find truth.

3. Confusing Issues:

 Another big problem with the present society is to confuse the issues. Even a smaller problem is made as a complicated one which cannot be understood by a common person. It is projected in a way that only a specialist can understand. Continuous flow of information stop humans from giving specific importance to one fact. Thus ability to think critically is paralysed with the constructed ideas of the world. Radio, TV and Newspapers play a crucial role in the construction of such notions. News about some serious issue is interrupted by advertisements for a fancy or luxurious item. This disturbs one’s genuine emotion towards the issue. It leads to change in the attitude of humans and they look at everything with indifference. In the name of freedom humans break the structure of life and he/she looks at it as a piece and not as a whole.

Humans lack originality not only in feeling or thinking but also in the act of willing. Whatever humans have as their desire is not originally theirs but the societies. From education to luxury house and car, they live with the thought of others. When they realise that they do not need those assumed ambitions, they reject such thought which made them tired or depressed. Later, again they start to work towards aims which they assume as theirs. This proves that even human ambitions are not original.

4. Loss of Self:

The next concept loss of self leaves one to doubt his/her own identity. The negative freedom what the modern human celebrate leaves him/her to be an isolated and weak self. Due to the feeling of isolation and to avoid loneliness, they try to keep themselves engaged with continuous work. Spontaneous realisation of the self is the only way through which humans can get out such lonely feel. Love is the basic component of such spontaneous realisation. Here love does not mean possession of others or dissolution of the self in another but it is a union of individual with others. Love leads to be in oneness and at the same time it maintains individuality. Another component of spontaneous realisation is work. Fromm looks at work as a creation where humans and nature become one in the act of creation. He rejects the other views of work such as relationship to nature, activity to escape from aloneness. Thus work and love maintains the individuality of the self and unites the self with humans and nature. It enables human to understand the act of living and positive freedom. Positive freedom implies that individual self is the higher power and each human is the center of his/her life.

5. Sacrifice:

Many misunderstand freedom as non-submission to any power that excludes sacrifice. Even sacrifice is misunderstood by many today. Fromm talks about two types of sacrifice. 1). It is seen as a tragic fact of life where physical self conflicts with mental self. But through sacrifice the physical self will integrate with the spiritual self. 2). It is preached in the modern worlds by Fascist. Here sacrifice is not a tragic fact whereas an aim and it is contradictory to the real sacrifice. In the name of sacrifice suicide is committed. Instead of developing the self, it reduces the self to nothing. The real purpose of sacrifice is to bring integrity whereas the second type proves lack of morality.

Certain words in languages are used to hide the true meaning of a word. Fromm brings out difference between Democracy and Fascism. Democracy works for the welfare of the individuals by developing economic, political and cultural condition. Whereas Fascism forces individuals to subordinate for unnecessary purposes and through this weakens the development of individuality. When humans subordinate economic machine by mastering society, they can escape from aloneness and the feeling of powerlessness. Today’s human have better economic condition but they do not find meaning in life. It leaves them as automaton. Fromm recommends to be a human again by developing faith in life and truth and realisation of self.

 

"The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant- Summary

The Necklace

Guy de Maupassant

Guy De Maupassant is a famous French writer. “The Necklace” is known for its twist, which was a hallmark of de Maupassant's style. The theme of the story is the contrast of reality and appearance.

Mathilde, the protagonist of the story, is a charming woman. She always feels upset about born in a poor family and desires to be rich. Due to her economical condition, she marries a poor clerk in the Ministry of Education. He is able to provide her only with a modest lifestyle. Mathilde feels the burden of her poverty. She regrets about her life condition and imagines a more wealthy life. While her husband expresses his pleasure at the simple food she has prepared for him, she dreams of an elaborate feast served on fancy china in the company of wealthy friends. She does not possess any fancy jewels or clothing and she longs for that. She has one wealthy friend, Madame Forestier, but refuses to visit her because of her poor condition.

One night, her husband returns home bringing an invitation to a party hosted by the Ministry of Education. He hopes that Mathilde will be happy to attend that function, but she feels angry and begins to cry. She tells him that she has nothing to wear and he has to give the invitation to others. Her husband is upset by her reaction and decides to buy a new dress for her. Later she starts to behave oddly. She confesses that the reason for her behavior is lack of jewels.  He pleads her to visit Madame Forestier and borrow something from her. Madame Forestier agrees to lend Mathilde her jewels, and Mathilde selects a diamond necklace. She feels happy at Madame Forestier’s generosity.

At the party, Mathilde looks very beautiful, and everyone notices her. She feels happy about others attention on her. Finally she looks for Monsieur Loisel, who has been sleeping for hours in a deserted room and leave from the party.  He covers her bare shoulders in a wrap and asks her to wait inside, while he fetches a cab. But she is ashamed of her cheap wrap and follows her husband outside.

When they finally return home, Mathilde is saddened that the night has ended. As she removes her wrap, she discovers that her necklace is missing.  Monsieur Loisel goes outside and searches but could not find it. He instructs her to write to Madame Forestier and say that the clasp of the necklace is broken and she will get it mended. They decide to replace it. They visit many jewelers, searching for a similar necklace, and finally find one. It costs 40,000 francs, although the jeweler says he will give it to them for 36,000. The Loisels spend a week to collect money from all kinds of sources. After three days, she purchases the necklace and returns it to her.

The Loisels begin to live a poor life. They dismiss their servant and move into a smaller apartment. Monsieur Loisel works three jobs, and Mathilde does the heavy housework. After ten years they cleared their debts. Mathilde’s beauty is now gone: she looks just likes the other women of poor households. They are both tired from these years of hardship.

One Sunday, while she is out for a walk, Mathilde sees Madame Forestier. She approaches her and offers greetings. Madame Forestier does not recognize her first and says that she looks different. Mathilde says that the change was on her account and explains to her about the loss of the necklace, replacing it, and working for ten years to repay the debts. At the end of her story, Madame Forestier replies that the necklace was made of fake diamonds not more than 500 francs. The story ends with a twist.

"The Lion’s Share" by Arnold Bennett- Summary

The Lion’s Share

Arnold Bennett

Arnold Bennett’s “The Lion’s Share” is a humorous short story. Most of his stories are located in Five Towns. This story also takes place in Five Towns. Arnold Bennett begins the story by stating that this particular incident was very famous among the people of Five Towns. Everyone including the narrator consider that incident as a comedy. But when he wanted to write it as a story, he felt it as a tragedy. Bennett says that he leaves it to the judgement of the readers to decide whether it as a comedy or tragedy.

Mrs. Carpole, a widow lived with her stepson Horace and her son Sidney at Bleak ridge. Horace was nineteen years old who was seen as a model boy due to his commitment in business and interest in learning new things. He took care for his step brother as like an uncle. Might be due to his perfect nature, he did not have any friends. Sidney was contradictory to his brother. He was eight years old; with very attractive personality he received everyone’s love. But he was affected with slight deafness and weak physic with frequent fever. At that time, after getting cured from a disease, Sidney started to walk slowly. Horace thought that he should be brought downstairs for fresh air. He decided to carry him down in spite of disapproval from Sidney and Mrs. Carpole. Horace was determined with his mission and carried him down. Unfortunately Horace fell down with Sidney. Sidney was affected by it and Horace spent his savings to treat Sidney.

Later Horace arranged school education for Sidney. Unfortunately the same evening Sidney was affected severely with attacks. Hence his schooling was stopped and the neighbours started blaming Horace for dropping him in the staircase.  Horace tried spending huge amount to a great brain specialist at Manchester. Even then there was no development. As Sidney started having the attacks regularly, Horace sent him every year for six weeks to some sea side resorts. Horace spent huge amount for it and people said that he should feel happy to have money to spend on his brother. The agony of Sidney’s tragic condition and his deafness slowly killed his mother. Later Horace inherited property of his maternal grandfather and Sidney did not have any. People advised that he should share his fortune with his half brother. Accepting their views he bought a house and started living with his brother. Moreover he started a business. Sidney started working in Horace office but due to his ill health not regular to work. Even then Horace paid him three pounds a week as salary.

            Horace met a girl named Ella whom he thought as a nice girl, who was a guest to Mrs. Penkethman’s house. That time Sidney went to foreign country for refreshment. Horace invited Ella and Mrs. Penkethman to his house for an evening.  Surprisingly Sidney returned from his trip when they entered. Sidney was so handsome and Ella was attracted towards him. They both spent time together and later they fell in love with each other. Horace spent a lot of money for their marriage. He arranged a house and furnished things for the married couple to live happily. He spent huge amount for their happiness which resulted in loss in business. Ella and Sidney went to Llandudno for some period. Meanwhile Horace settled all his debts, and went to meet Sidney and Ella. Even there he hid his bankrupt condition instead said that he was going to Germany.

            A few months later when Sidney and Ella returned Bursley, the house of Horace was about to be auctioned. They decided to buy as it is their family property. They bought it and lived in the house. They named their child Horace. After several years Horace returned to Bursley to meet his brother’s family and was expecting to narrate his adventure in Germany. But they invited him casually as if he left the previous day. When they were going down for tea, little Horace asked his uncle to carry him down. The matured Horace answered immediately that he cannot; otherwise he has to loss all his money.

            The title “The Lion’s share” means big/huge share. In the story though Horace inherited huge money and in business made money, he did not enjoy his money, Whereas Sidney enjoyed the money. Hence Sidney got the lion’s share in the story.

"The Open Window" by H.H. Munro- Summary

The Open Window

H.H. Munro

Saki is the pen name of H.H. Munro. He is a famous short story writer from England. His stories are known for its satire, wit and humour. The short story “The open Window” by Saki is famous for its twist in the climax and humour. The story is about Frampton Nuttel’s, the protagonist of the story, visit to the house of one of his neighbours, Mrs. Sappleton.

Nuttel suffers from a nervous condition. He has come to a village on the doctor’s recommendation to spend some time alone. Earlier his sister has lived in the area. His sister, by considering that he may not talk to his neighbours, has given him letters of introduction to his new neighbours. With her letter Nuttel starts to visit his neighbours. Nuttel visits the Sappleton family first, where he meets a fifteen-year-old girl named Vera, the niece of Mrs. Sappleton. Vera gives company to Nuttel while he waits. By knowing that Nuttel has not met the Sappletons, Vera tells Nuttel some information about the family. Vera says that three years ago to the date, Mrs. Sappleton's husband and two younger brothers went for hunting. On an October those three went through a large French window. They never returned. Vera gives descriptions about the clothes they were wearing, the dog that accompanied them, and the song that Mrs. Sappleton's younger brother sang on their way. Vera says that her grief-stricken aunt keeps the window open and watches out the window expecting their return.

Meanwhile Mrs. Sappleton enters apologising for her delay to meet him. She asks whether he mind to open the window in the afternoon. She adds that she opens it as she expects her husband and brothers to return at any moment. Nuttel listens, thinking that Mrs. Sappleton has gone crazy. He feels sorry to meet her at such a tragic condition and tells about his nervous disorder to her. Suddenly, Mrs. Sappleton brightens as she tells Nuttel that her husband and brothers are arriving. Veera looks at that direction in a horrified way. The frightened Nuttel runs away from that place.  Mrs. Sappleton thinks his nervous breakdown as a reason for Nuttel's strange behaviour. But Vera replies that he is afraid of dogs.

The last line of the story: "Romance at short notice was her [Vera's] specialty." reveals the theme of the story, and unveils the character of Vera.  Veera perfectly victimized Nuttel by narrating about her aunt's family through her imagination. Bored Vera took her chance to deceive Nuttel and later the same trick she used to her aunt about Nuttel. The climax shows that Veera played intelligently to wile her time.

"The Message of Visva Bharati"- Summary

The Message of Visva Bharati

Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi, the former prime minister of India delivered this speech at an annual convocation at Visva-Bharati. She begins her speech by stating her happiness to be there. She remembers that place as where her mind and spirit unfolded. The prime minister of the country is called as Acharya of that University; hence she wears the scarf of Acharya. She recollects her presence to that university along with her mother around 30 years ago.

Visva-Bharati was founder on 22 Dec. 1921 by Rabindranath Tagore. He was fondly called as Gurudev, who did not want to follow the British system of education and who desired to preserve culture through education. His aim in starting this university was to give freedom and interest to the students. It is a place where students and teachers live together as a community to learn. Here Degree is not awarded based on the finishing of a course by merely writing exams where as it is based on the development of knowledge. Indira Gandhi says that Tagore molded the mind of modern India. He was called as Sentinel of India, means the Guardian of culture by Mahatma Gandhi. He was also known as sage, great poet and teacher.

Visva –Bharati is unique in its nature. It is based on the old concept of ‘ashram’ (hermitage) where teachers and students have good relationship. It is close to nature. The university integrates humanities and science with art and music. For Tagore Visva Bharati was not just a university. He saw it as a meeting place for great individuals from all over the world. He encouraged the education system which cherished the values of Indian culture and life. He was also concerned about the creative role of education. He thought that educated society only can present civilized and democratic life without violence. It enables people to handle public life carefully that results in private happiness.

Indira Gandhi gives the role of universities as torchbearers of the societal progress. So all the universities should self-study how far they have created a new direction of thought and action to the younger generation in order to prepare them for new age. Development in education leads to national progress. The quality of education should not be measured through the statistical report of pass percentage but it should reflect on the quality of life, value culture and technological and intellectual competence. In many universities teachers and students are not together. University should be a place where higher values and idealism exists.

The purpose of education is to provide good workers and managers to a nation. It also should provide good thinkers. Education is not merely to get a job whereas it should pave for educational endeavour. Education is a continuous process that happens from birth to death. When one stops learning, he/she stops living. One’s whole life process and experience is education.

Indira Gandhi concludes her speech by quoting Gurudev. He said that he has faith upon the students of the nation. They will wipe off the colonial shame of this country through their devotion and achievement. Never think about doing things in an easy way or in short cut. You will do things in disciplined way. Visva- Bharati does not live with its past reputation but it moves in forward as it has constant touch with the changing world.

"Dimensions of Creativity"- Summary

Dimensions of Creativity

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Dr. Abdul Kalam’s “Dimensions of Creativity” was a speech addressed to children at Bal Yoga Mitra Mandal, Munger on Feb.14, 2004. In his motivational speech to the children, he spoke about the importance of creativity and the achievement of great thinkers through their creativity and field knowledge.

He begins his speech by stating that learning develops creativity and it leads to thinking and thinking results in knowledge. In the past 60 years in the field of aeronautics, space technology, electronic and computer science impossible things have become possible. The bio research has transformed into technology that produced agricultural products. In future with the help of creative minds one can see the integration of gravitational forces, electromagnetic forces, relativity theory, space and time. Humans may setup their habitat or industry in one of the planets. In the next 50 to 100 years fuel from fossils will become rare instead humans get it from solar power satellites.

Kalam illustrates about the past achievements by the scientist. Farnbraun, a famous rocket designer, who completed Moon Mission in 1961 and built Saturn V in 1975 made impossible as possible. Ptolemaic astronomy was used in the ancient time to calculate stars and planets. People assumed the earth as flat. But great astronomers like Copernicus, Galileo and Kepler had given new dimension and proved that the earth is spherical and it orbits around the sun. This paved way to new findings. The present technological advancements are the outcome of the scientific explorations of the scientist in the past.

Kalam mentions how humans can change impossible as possible by quoting achievers. Lord Kelvin, the president of Royal Society of London in 1890s, said that the particles heavier than air cannot fly. This impossibility was possible by the Wright Brothers two decades later. Kalam talks in detail about the creativity of Indians which led to many innovations. Dr.Vikram Sarabhai in 1960s asked the Indians to develop large satellite launch for communication satellite, remote sensing satellite. Many thought it was impossible. But this vision of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai ignited many scientists and later those impossible things have become possible.

In 1960s the scarcity of food grains affected India. Americans brought wheat in ships to India to help the Indians. This pitiable condition of India changed the thinking and implementing of green revolution by two thinkers Shri.C. Subramanian, a political thinker, and Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, an agricultural scientist. Now India harvests million tonnes of grains which are exported to foreign too.

In 1980s I.T and creative thoughts were limited in India and now it also has developed. Similarly Pharma industry too has developed much. Hillary and Tenzing made impossible as possible by reaching the Mount Everest. Sir.C.V.Raman found the molecular scattering and gives it as a reason for the blueness of the sea. Chandrasekar Subramaniam proved ‘Chandrasekar Limit’ that all the stars will not shine and discovered the black hole. Homi Bhabha’s invention of electric energy to treat thyroid disorder and cancer was considered as impossible in 1960s.

He concludes his speech by giving the result of empowerment to various set of people. The child becomes a responsible citizen when it is empowered to various set of people. The empowerment of the teachers leads youngsters with value system. The empowerment of a leader results in birth of many leaders. Women’s empowerment makes society as a stable one. The empowerment of students leads the country with development mission. Hence he asks the students to have a powerful mind for the development of the nation and he asks the children to take ten-point oath.

"Polluting the Earth"- Summary

Polluting the Earth

Edger I. Baker

The prose piece “Polluting the Earth” by Edger I. Baker illustrates about the major pollution and its impact on the earth. He creates awareness about the four major pollution that damage the world and present the duty of humans to keep their environment clean. Through this essay he rings alarm to present the dangerous situation in which humans left the world.

            Technological developments and growth in population leads to the increase of pollution in the world. The former secretary general of U.N, U Thant warns the humans that if the environment is not protected from contaminating, the earth will be endangered. In the case of sea, oil spill in sea not only kill fish but also affect humans. Different types of pollution which damage our earth are derelict landscape due to mine, effluent from industries, dumping of garbage, poisonous gases from factories. It poisons the air, food, water and its impact is not only on humans but also on all living things. This essay concentrates on four different types of pollution in detail. The writer gives example from his observations of different pollution in Europe.

Farmland Waste:

Modern agriculture needs fertilizers and insecticides in order to feed the growing population. Though it feeds many, it damages the earth as well as the food products. Rain water carries the fertilizers used in the land to river. Thus water becomes de-oxygenated which affects fish and humans. Ironically the fertilizers from the chemical industries are costlier than from the animals.

In the case of insecticides, they leave the soil toxin for several years. This poison will be preserved in food and animals and humans who eat that will carry the poison in their bodies. Similarly the poisoned fish due to fertilisation and insecticides carry the poison in its body. The birds which eat those fish get poisoned too. Consequently many animals are termed as endangered.  To avoid such danger America has banned such insecticides.

Industrial Waste:

Industrialisation has led lots of pollution to the world. The emission of toxic gas results in the pollution of air and water. Due to it acid rain becomes a common one in the modern world which affects the growth of trees. It also leads to the rise in temperature which results in the melting of ice and rise in the water level of the ocean.

Wastes in Sea:

Humans use sea as a place to dump waste products. The Baltic Sea is the most polluted one which lacks oxygen at the bottom due to sever pollution. 7000 tones of arsenic are crumbled at the bottom of the Baltic Sea and no one knows the consequences if once the acid is released. Sea is dumped with industry waste, atomic waste which will endanger the sea lives.

Military Waste:

Though nuclear test treaty was signed by many countries in 1963 even the permitted underground testing leads to pollution. China and France did not sign the treaty and exploded nuclear bombs and increase radioactive particles in the air. It leads to the rise of leukemia and bone cancer. Chemical and biological warfare will destroy the livings in the earth. They penetrate into soil and results in permanent hazards to the humans.

Baker concludes the essay by requesting responsible behaviour from the humans to preserve our earth. Steps like taking measures to control scientific waste by the scientists, IMCO (Inter-Government Marine Consultative Organisation) who take initiatives to keep the ocean unpolluted, Clean Air Act to reduce air pollution are showing humans interest to save earth. If public too care about the earth and take necessary steps to protect earth, humans can keep the earth clean for the future generations.

"The Sky is the Limit"- Summary

The Sky is the Limit

 Kalpana Chawla

“Sky is the Limit’’ is about Kalpana Chawla, an Indo-American astronaut. Kalpana Chawla was the first Indian women to travel to space. She was born in a middle class family a small town Karnal in Haryana, India on 1^st July 1961. From her childhood she was dreaming about flying in the sky and touching the stars. Even at the small age she sketches airplanes than dolls. Her ambition at the age was to travel to Mars. Determined to pursue a career in aeronautics, she joined aeronautical engineering at the Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh. She got admission in the University of Texas for a Masters in Aeronautical Science in 1982. As her father was not willing to send her abroad, she somehow convinced him to go to the US. Her father permitted her on one condition that Kalpana’s brother had to accompany her.

Kalpana’s brother joined the flight school and when Chawla wanted to join the authorities wanted a written consent from the guardian. But her father refused. Her brother’s words, “Everyone fights their own battles,” motivated her to get the pilot’s license for airplane and glider.

She was determined about her goal and refused to accept ‘no’ for an answer. This strong attitude she inherited from her father Banarsi Dass Chawla. He fled empty handed from Pakistan to India during partition. He stated his business from scratch and supported his family well. She wanted to be an astronaut.  She joined NASA Ames Research Center in 1988. She was selected to go to the Milky Way. For it she has undergone rigorous training that required immense level of fitness.  Because the pull of gravity will increase the pulse rate from 72 to 102 within seconds. In 1996, she started off on her path to the ‘Milky way.’ Hence she became the first Indian woman to travel in space.

Her second space flight came to her in 2000. “Doing it again is like living a dream – a good dream once again” said Chawla. Unfortunately on 1st February 2003, the space shuttle exploded with Kalpana and other six crew members. Kaplana created a place for herself. She serves as a source of inspiration to many young women to think beyond horizons and reach for the stars. She conveyed her message in an interview as not to restrict oneself with small location. The whole world is ours. Decide your goal and your journey towards the goal is also equally important.

"Women, Not the Weaker Sex"- Summary

Women, Not the Weaker Sex

M.K. Gandhi

M.K Gandhi’s “Women, Not the Weaker Sex” is an extract from The Mind of Mahatma Gandhi. In this prose piece Gandhi who considered all as equal, speaks about the equality of men and women. He talks about the ill-treatment faced by women and the noble behaviours of women. He advises women to come out of gender discrimination.  He begins the speech that if he were a woman, he would rebel against the men who consider women as a toy. Husbands should treat their wives differently in order to get their wives love. Gandhi says that he treated his wife differently in order to restore her rights to herself.  He withdrew his rights as a husband which enabled her to live her life. Due to such freedom she leads a simple life. Women’s importance towards external beautification to attract men is unnecessary. They should attract humanity through their inner beauty. He advises women not to be a slave of men. Women should know their position as men are born through them.

Women should stop considering themselves as an object for men’s lust. They should consider themselves as equal to men and simultaneously should make men to realise it. Men’s brutal abuse of women is the most degrading act. Women are not the weaker sex but they are nobler as they are the embodiment of pure qualities such as ‘sacrifice, silent suffering, humility, faith and knowledge’. Women can be seen as a personification of self-sacrifice but as Tolstoy says they are badly influenced by men. When the women understand the strength of non-violence, they will oppose to be called as the weaker sex.

Calling women community as weaker sex is a false statement. It is an injustice done by men to women. Men misunderstand brutal behaviours as strength. Whereas strength is moral power in which women are superior to men. Men have crushed women’s happiness due to their selfish attitude. When women are given equality the world will become wonderful. Gandhi sees women as special custodians of pure and religious life who will not give up nobleness in life. About women’s rights, Gandhi feels that both sons and daughters should be treated equally. He believes that women’s education will empower them. At the same time he advises women not to mimic men in order to be equal to them. Mere mimicking will not lead women to achieve heights instead they can be the complement of men.