Dr.M.Mazumdar

Chapter 2: The Phantom (spirit of the dead or something we believe exists) Aesthetic State Refuting the "Aesthetic State" where Richards attacks the Kantian assumption that "aesthetic pleasure" is a special, isolated state of mind completely separate from normal sensory, intellectual, or moral experiences.  To Ordinary Experience: He argues that art operates using the same mental apparatus, impulses, and emotions we use in everyday life, dismissing the idea of a mysterious "aesthetic mode". What Happens Modern aesthetics is plagued by the Kantian assumption that aesthetic pleasure is sui generis (of its own kind), separate from ordinary pleasures of the senses as well as our faculties of Will and Thought. Richards dubs this annexation the “phantom problem of the aesthetic mode or aesthetic state,” wherein aesthetics is seen as a distinct world. The author casts aspersions (damaging or risks) on the assumptions upon which the “phantom aesthetic state” rests...

Chapter 1: The Chaos of Critical Theories. Critique of Past Criticism: Richards argues that traditional literary criticism by philosophers, moralists and past scholars lacks scientific rigour and substantive consistency. The Need for Science: He asserts that criticism must adopt systematic, empirical method and grounded in psychology to understand human responses to art rather than relying on empty praise or vague flattery.  The objective of this chapter is explaining how to get most out of something, how to read a book, how to listen to music or how to write poetry. What is the function of critique or criticism to which Richards brings in the famous utterances of Aristotle, Longinus, Horace, Boileau, Dryden, Addison, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Carlyle, Mathew Arnold and other modern authors to justify his assertion. Some of these lines are, "All men naturally receive pleasure from imitation," "Poetry is chiefly conversant about general truth," "It demands an enthu...

Chapter 34: The Two Uses of LanguageScientific vs. Emotive Language: Richards famously splits language into two distinct functions:Scientific (Reference): Used to communicate factual statements, logical data, and verifiable truths where literal correctness is vital.Emotive: Used in poetry and art to evoke feelings, attitudes, and emotional orientations, regardless of literal or factual truth.Value of Poetry: A poetic statement does not need scientific truth; its value is measured by how effectively it organizes and supports valuable human attitudes and emotional responses. The opening line of the chapter “The Two Uses of Language”, Richards declares that there are “two totally distinct uses of language”. However, the two uses have so far remained undistinguished because the theory of language is the most neglected area of all studies. It should be understood that for the explanation of a theory of poetry and for the parochial aim of understanding what is said about poetry, a clear gr...

I.A. Richards (born Feb. 26, 1893, Sandbach, Cheshire, Eng.—died Sept. 7, 1979, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire) was an English critic, poet and teacher who was highly influential in developing a new way of reading poetry that led to the New Criticism.  New Criticism is a post-World War I school of Anglo-American literary critical theory that insisted on the intrinsic value of a work of art and focused attention on the individual work alone as an independent unit of meaning. It was opposed to the critical practice of bringing historical or biographical data to bear on the interpretation of a work.  The primary technique employed in the New Critical approach is close analytic reading of the text, a technique as old as Aristotle’s Poetics and that also influenced some parts of reader-response criticism. Richards was educated at Magdalene College, Cambridge and was a lecturer in English and moral sciences there from 1922 to 1929. In that period he wrote three of his most influential bo...

Homer An ancient Greek poet and author of epic poems Illiad and Odyssey, the earliest texts of Western literature written around 800 BC. Technique. Long catalogs of names, endless repititons, strange turn of phrases makes the texts feel distant. Illiad It tells the stories of the final years or from the tenth year of Trojan war. The conflict is between the Greeks and the Trojans when Paris of Troy abducts Helen, wife of Menelaus of Sparta. The greeks wanted the greatest warrior Achilles by their side who was blessed with highest speed and strength. . But Agamemnon, commandor of the Greeks triggers Achilles by seizing his prize and humiliates him. Advisors like Odysseus and Nestor were by his side. The Gods interfere and Zeus, Hera, Athena and Apollo take sides with either sides. The Trojans led by Hector, Priam's son pushes the Greek ships back. Hector also commanded the finest army in the east. Agememnon regrets his quarrels against Achilles and requests with gifts him to rejoin. ...

Internal Examination, 2026 FYUG 1st Semester  Subject - DSC 102 (English) Full Marks - 20 1. Attempt any 5 of the following questions - 5×2= 10 a) What is an Absurd play ? Give one example? b) What are the prophecies given by the witches in Act -1 of the play _Macbeth_? c) Write 2 examples of Pre-shakespearean drama? d) Who is Macduff? e) "Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair" - explain? f) Mention 4  comedies of William Shakespeare? g) Who are the 2 friends of Doctor Faustus?  2. Attempt any one of the following questions - 10 a) Discuss the character of Lady Macbeth? b) Discuss the major types and features of Mediaeval English Drama? e) Critically examine the character of Doctor Faustus as a tragic hero?

FYUG 1st Semester  Internal Examination, 2026 Subject - DSC 101 (English) Full Marks - 20 1. Attempt any 5 of the following questions - 5×2= 10 a) Define Metaphysical Poetry? b) What is sonnet? Who is called the father of modern Sonnet? c) What is the meaning of Cannonization? d) Name the two imaginary artists found in the poem My Last Duchess? e) Mention the name of 2 satirists of Eighteen century british poetry? f) Write 2 features of Romantic poetry? g) What is the rhyme scheme of Spenser's Amoretti 78? 2. Attempt any one of the following questions - 10 a) Discuss My Last Duchess as a Dramatic monologue? b) Discuss the contributions of Geoffrey Chaucher to the British English Poetry? c) What are the characteristic features of Romantic poetry?

Internal Examination, 2026 Subject - DSC 303 (English) Full Marks - 20 1. Attempt any 5 questions from the following list- 5×2= 10 a) Who are the 3 friends in the novel Five Point Someone? b) What does the title Five Point Someone suggest? c) Define Popular Literature? d) What are the key themes of Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability? e) What does Bhimayana appeal for? f) How popular literature is different from classical literature? 2. Attempt any one of the following questions -  a) Define Graphic novel? Describe Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability as a graphic novel?  b) Discuss the role of caste discrimination in shaping Ambedkar's life experiences as portrayed in Bhimayana? c) Discuss the key features of Popular Literature with reference to Leslie Fielders essay Towards a defination of popular literature?

Internal Examination, 2026 Subject - DSC 302 (English) Full Marks - 20 1. Attempt any 5 questions from the following list- 5×2= 10 a) Who is Dr. Dam in The Point of Return? b) How many sections is the The Point of divided into? c) Who wrote A Terrible Matriarchy? When was it published? d) Who is Dielieno in A Terrible Matriarchy?  e) How does Mamang Dai portray the sufferings of women in her poem The Sorrow of Women? f) What are the main themes of the poem Maymensingh? 2. Attempt any one question from the following list- 10  a) Write a critical appreciation of the poem The Sorrow of Women? b) Discuss the Central idea of the Ananya Guha's poem Maymensingh? c) Discuss the major themes of A Terrible Matriarchy?

Internal Examination, 2026 Subject - DSM 302 (English) Full Marks - 20 1. Attempt any 5 questions from the following list- 5×2= 10 a) What are the names of the schools attended by Swami in the novel Swami and Friends? b) Who are the friends of Swaminathan? c) Who are the twins in the play "Tara" by Mahesh Datttani? d) Why was Swami expelled from Albert Mission School? e) What are the key themes of the poem The Night of the Scorpion? f) What does MCC stands for ? Who is the captain of MCC in Swami and Friends? 2. Attempt any one question from the following list- 10  a) Write a detailed note Swami and his friends in the novel Swami and Friends? b) Write a critical appreciation of the poem The Night of the Scorpion?  c) Discuss the central ideas of Kamala Das' poem My Grandmother's House?

Internal Examination, 2026 Subject - DSM 301 (English) Full Marks - 20 1. Attempt any 5 questions from the following list- 5×2= 10 a) What are the names of the schools attended by Swami in the novel Swami and Friends? b) Who are the friends of Swaminathan? c) Who are the twins in the play "Tara" by Mahesh Datttani? d) Why was Swami expelled from Albert Mission School? e) What are the key themes of the poem The Night of the Scorpion? f) What does MCC stands for ? Who is the captain of MCC in Swami and Friends? 2. Attempt any one question from the following list- 10  a) Write a detailed note Swami and his friends in the novel Swami and Friends? b) Write a critical appreciation of the poem The Night of the Scorpion?  c) Discuss the central ideas of Kamala Das' poem My Grandmother's House?

Internal Examination, 2026 Subject - DSC 301 (English) Full Marks - 20 1. Attempt any 5 of the following questions - 5×2= 10 a) Define Catharsis? b) What are the elements of tragedy? c) What is Hamartia? d) Who is a tragic hero? Give one example? e) How does Philip Sidney define Poetry in An Apology for Poetry? f) When was _An Apology for Poetry_ was published? Whom did Sidney attack in An Apology for Poetry? g) What is Plato's concept of mimesis in the Book X of _The Republic?_  2. Attempt any one question from the following list- 10  a) How does Aristotle define tragedy and its six essential elements in _Poetics_ ? Discuss their relative importance and how they interact to create a successful tragic experience? b) Examine in detail the main arguments in William Wordsworth's Preface to the Lyrical Ballads and comment on it's significance?

Literary Criticism is said to begin with Plato's Republic. Socrates was his teacher and Aristotle his student. He became attracted towards Philosophy and Mathematics from a young age. In 487 BC he made his own Academy and taught Philosophy, Mathematics, and Natural Science. People around him revered immensely. Education was not in vogue then. It was mainly Homer who was taught in schools and compared Homer's works to Bible. But common people failed to apprehend Homer and considered Literature had become corrupt too. Only the philosophers had rose above literary men. It was at such time that Plato brought his book Republic and also reiterated Philosophy above literature. The social conditionings at that time and the birth of Plato's books gave rise to systematic literary criticism. Book X of Republic consists Plato's Theory on art and illusion and he views poetry from the points of view of Inspiration, Imitation, and Condemnation of poetry. This is often slotted as the T...

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand and manage feelings. It also helps to understand and respect the feelings of other people. High EQ helps reduce stress, solve problems, and build better ties with friends and coworkers. One can improve one's emotional intelligence through stronger relationships and reach one's goals at work, school, and personal life by processing the emotional intelligence skills. EQ is necesary to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict. The key skills to emotional intelligence: Different researchers have come up with different models of emotional intelligence. One popular framework by psychologist Daniel Goleman suggests there are four key skills for EQ: Self-management helps to control impulsive feelings and behaviors.  Self management conditions emotions in healthy ways, helps in taking initiative, follow commitments and adapt to any changing circumstances. Self-awarenes...

BL was written in 1817 by S.T. Coleridge. He lived from 1772 to 1834. Along with WW's Lyrical Ballads, it became very important mouthpiece of literary criticism begotten from the romantic age and falls under Romantic criticism. It is autobiographical and philosophical too. It is openly said that BL was written when ST Coleridge used to be in opium addicted mode. It is a book on Imagination which is the imitation of the worldy. According to Coleridge, language should not be very simple but be charged and creative enough. His theory of imagination in this book gives the new conception on poetry and poem in English literature. It is also a statement of Coleridge's principles in politics, philosophy, religion apart from the literary theory. BL is a voluminous book of 23 chapters. It is about Coleridge's self conception of creativity. It is a meditative narrative because it doesn't start with childhood chronologically. STC gets lost again and again in the philosophy of life,...

Teamwork skills are the abilities that enable employees or others to work together toward a common goal. They are a mix of soft skills that support the group’s or organisation's efforts and make the most out of everyone’s contributions. Businesses looking to optimize how their teams interact must carefully customize their learning and development programs with these skills in mind. Working with a group of people to achieve a shared goal or outcome in an effective way, actively listening to other members of the team, supporting struggling friends and team mates, approaching teamwork with a positive attitude, working for the good of the group as a whole, and having a say and sharing responsibility are some of the traits that are expected in a successful teamwork. Such a team can be one where everyone’s unique skills and strengths help the team achieve a shared goal in the most effective way. One needs to understand which type of team player one is, so that one can maximise one's ...

1. Arnold criticised French citic, Vitet= Chansos de Roland a 12th medieval, Anglo saxon epic and heroic romance was praised by Vitet. It was sung by Turoldas (soldier-singer in the army of William the Conqueror. William defeated Harold Godwinson and the Norman conquest of 1066. Edward the Confessor died without male heir and Herald Herada came from Norway and by the same time Herald Godwinson, the brotherinlaw of Confessor, became the king. But Harada defeated Godwinson and became the king of Anglo Saxon England. Godwinson after some time attacked Herada again and killef him and became the king of Anglo Saxon. But this time French king William the Conqueror attacked and became the king and it came to be known as the Norman Conquest. Godwinson and William fought the battle of Hastings and William used the trick of beating the drums to echo that they have killed Godwinson and the latter's soldiers ran away, to win the battle. Godwinson was trying to show his face to the soldiers tha...