Dr.M.Mazumdar

A character is a person, animal or thing in a story. A story may have just one character to many characters. Writers use them to perform the actions and speak dialogue to make the storyline move ahead. When the characters interact, they cause the presence or rise of conflict. There are many types of characters.  Types of Character a. Protagonist – This is the main character, around which the whole story revolves. The decisions made by this character will be affected by a conflict from within, or externally through another character, nature, technology, society, or the fates/God. b.  Antagonist – This character, or group causes the conflict for the protagonist. c. Foil – A foil is a character that has opposite character traits from another, meant to help highlight or bring out another’s positive or negative side. Many times, the antagonist is the foil for the protagonist. d. Static – Characters who are static do not change throughout the story. Their use may simply be to create...

"Drama of Ideas", pioneered in English by George Bernard Shaw, is a type of discussion play in which the clash of ideas and hostile ideologies reveals the most acute social and personal problems. Twentieth century saw the emergence of this newer form of drama. London was becoming popular and populated and the increasing middle class Englishmen made this new genre of drama their new economic tool to be spent upon. This new audience and the new genre rather found themselves intersecting in rebellious themes. Established by Henrik Ibsen, it was at the hands of Arthur Wing Pinero, Sir Arthur Jones and George Bernard Shaw in England, it became one of the most popular genre in English literature. John Galsworthy and Granville Barker are other noted practitioners of this genre. In  "Drama of Ideas" there is a little action but discussion is more prevalent. Characters are only the vehicles of ideas. The conflict which is the essence of drama is reached through the opposing ...

1. In which stage of life is the poet at present? A:- The poet is in the last stage at present, that is- old age. 2. To what does the poet compare his friends? A:- The poet compares his friends with leaves in winter season. He says that he has seen his friends around dying who were once so linked together and compares the death of his friends with the falling of leaves in the wintry weather. 3. Pick out one 'fond' memory of the poet. A:- One 'fond' memory of the poet is this recollection of the boyhood days. The speaker remembers the fond memories from past, replete with joy, the tears and laughter that comes with merriment, the vigour of the boyhood years that brings him momentary bliss. 4. Pick out one 'sad' memory of the poet. A:- The moment when the realization dawns on the poet that his boyhood days, his friends and the words of love that he had shared and spent with those departed are now all a thing of the past. 5. What does the word "slumber" m...

Summary "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" is a short story by Ernest Hemingway. It was first published in Esquire magazine in 1936 and later collected in The Fifth Column and the First Forty-nine Stories (1938). The stream-of-consciousness narrative relates the feelings of Harry, a novelist dying of gangrene poisoning while on an African safari. Hemingway considered "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" his finest story. The main character in "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" named Harry has gone to Africa on safari where he is punctured by a thorn and develops an infection. The infection progresses rapidly and he advances towards a slow death. This realization gives him time for introspection about his life, work, and the people closest to him (perhaps his sickness creates hallucinations as well). Though he is a writer, he has been reluctant to write, and it seems that he believes some of the finer things he has seen and realized in his life will remain uncaptured and unwritten. ...

1. Summary Lesile Alexander Hill, a renowned personality among essayist, was born in the year 1918 in Greece and was educated at Cambridge university. He worked for the British council in Greece, Iran, Indonesia and India. Later he worked as adviser for the Oxford University Press, England, on the teaching of English as a second language. His works include many thought provoking essays, comprehension and epitomisation for overseas students.      Hill’s interest in linguistics extends to all human behavior and similarities and variations between different cultures. Hill’s good command over prose language is revealed clearly in this formal-tone essay “The Principles of Good Writing”.      In this essay, Hill has brought to light the rules and regulations to be observed in shaping and sharpening one’s writing skills. He has given valuable tips regarding the secret of successful writing. The clarity of thought and expression, the logical development of the them...

Romantic poetry, a literary movement spanning the late 18th to mid-19th century, was marked by a profound shift in artistic sensibilities. Characterized by a focus on emotion, nature, individualism, and imagination, Romantic poets sought to break free from the constraints of reason and logic that had dominated the preceding Age of Enlightenment. In exploring the complexities of human experience, Romantic poetry embraced a range of themes and stylistic elements that set it apart. Here are some key characteristics of Romantic poetry: 1. Emotion and Subjectivity:    Romantic poetry places a strong emphasis on the expression of emotion and the subjective experience of the individual. Poets sought to convey the intense and often turbulent feelings associated with love, passion, and the human condition. 2. Nature as a Source of Inspiration:    Nature played a central role in Romantic poetry, acting as a powerful source of inspiration. Poets celebrated the beauty and grande...

1. Give a brief note on Puritanism and Puritan its literature. A:- Puritanism is a religious movement that originated in the late 1500s that sought to reform the Church of England. The Church of England had separated itself from the Catholic Church in 1534. Puritans wanted to rid the Church of England of any ties to Catholicism.      Puritans believe in religious freedom. They also believe that the government should enforce moral rules through punishment and that everyone should live by the word of God and the Bible. Puritans also believe in an individual relationship with God.      The Puritans were dissatisfied with the Anglican Church causing many of them to rebel. Puritanism first emerged in England but grew in popularity in the New England region of North America. Although the Church of England had separated itself from the Catholic Church in 1534, by 1553, under Queen Mary, England was reverted to Catholicism. This meant many Puritans faced exile. ...

The setting in literature refers to the time, place, and environment in which a story occurs. Through its use, authors can develop their characters and enhance the conflict. The setting establishes the atmosphere, or mood, of a story or a specific scene. It’s a literary element of literature used in novels, short stories, plays, films, etc and usually introduced during the exposition (beginning) of the story, along with the characters. The setting may also include the environment of the story, which can be made up of the physical location, climate, weather, or social and cultural surroundings. There are various ways that time and place indicate setting. Time can cover many areas, such as the character’s time of life, the time of day, time of year, time period such as the past, present, or future, etc. Place also covers a lot of areas, such as a certain building, room in a building, country, city, beach, in a mode of transport such as a car, bus, boat, indoors or out, etc. The setting o...

     A short story is a type of prose fiction writing that is distinguished by its briefness. It is generally between 3,000 and 7,000 words with the average length being about 5,000 words. It is expected to be finished reading in one sitting.     Short stories generally use to capture a mood, covering only a few occurrences with a small cast of people.      Complex plots are usually avoided in short stories.      A short story’s setting is usually one time and location and just one or two major characters.      It focuses on a single narrative rather than many subplots.      The history of short stories can be traced back to ancient legends, mythology, folklore, fairy tales, fables, etc.      "One Thousand and One Nights" also known as "Arabian Nights", "Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer, "The Brothers Grimm fairy tales", Edgar Allen Poe’s short stories, Anton Chekhov's short stories,...