English Affairs

"Byrne: A Novel in Verse" by Anthony Burgess. This novel, published in 1995, is indeed written in verse and follows the life of the Irish playwright and poet John Millington Synge. Anthony Burgess uses poetic language and form to explore Synge's life, his artistic journey, and the cultural and social landscapes of Ireland during his time. The novel delves into themes such as creativity, identity, love, and the complexities of human relationships, presenting a unique narrative approach through its poetic structure.

"Byrne: A Novel in Verse" by Anthony Burgess. This novel, published in 1995, is indeed written in verse and follows the life of the Irish playwright and poet John Millington Synge. Anthony Burgess uses poetic language and form to explore Synge's life, his artistic journey, and the cultural and social landscapes of Ireland during his time. The novel delves into themes such as creativity, identity, love, and the complexities of human relationships, presenting a unique narrative approach through its poetic structure.

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"Sons and Lovers" is a novel by English writer D.H. Lawrence, first published in 1913. The story follows the lives of the Morel family, focusing primarily on the relationship between a young man named Paul and his mother, Gertrude. The novel begins with Gertrude's marriage to Walter Morel, a miner in the small mining town of Bestwood. Their marriage is unhappy, as Walter is an alcoholic and abusive, causing Gertrude to seek emotional fulfillment in her children. As a result, she becomes overly possessive and emotionally dependent on her sons, particularly Paul. As Paul grows up, he becomes torn between his loyalty to his mother and his desire for independence. He forms ambiguous relationships with several women, including Miriam Leivers, a deeply religious and intellectual young woman, and Clara Dawes, a married woman who is involved in the labor movement. Paul's relationships are complicated by his intense emotional bond with his mother, which leads to jealousy and conflict. He struggles to find his own identity and desires, torn between his love for his mother and his need to break free from her influence. The novel explores themes of love, family relationships, and the destructive effects of overbearing motherhood. It delves into the psychological complexity of human relationships and the challenges of finding one's own path in life. Overall, "Sons and Lovers" is a powerful exploration of the dynamics between mothers and sons, and the conflicts that arise from these relationships. It is a profound and deeply introspective work that explores themes of love, passion, and the struggles of the human heart.

Handicrafts  • Assam - Gamosa (Cotton Towel) , Jaapis (Conical Hat) , Mekhela Chador (Silk Saree) • Bhopal - Zardozi Art (Embroidery) • Gujarat - Patola Sarees • Karnataka - Kasuti (Embroidery) • Lucknow - Chikankari (Embroidery) • Maharashtra - Paithani (Hand woven Silk Sarees) • Madhya Pradesh - Maheshwari Sarees  • Tamil Nadu - Kanjeevaram Sarees , Toda (Embroidery) • Telangana - Pochampally Ikat Sarees 

Q1: Who is considered the father of English criticism according to Johnson? A) Boileau B) Rapin C) Dryden D) Le Bossu Answer: C Q2: Which of the following was NOT one of the French critics whose works were republished in England in the 17th century? A) Le Bossu B) Rapin C) Bouhours D) Malherbe Answer: D Q3: Who translated Rapin's Reflexions in 1674? A) Thomas Rymer B) John Dryden C) Abraham Cowley D) John Oldham Answer: A Q4: Rymer compares Spenser unfavorably to which ancient poet? A) Virgil B) Ovid C) Horace D) Homer Answer: A Q5: Who asserted in 1675 that Spenser, along with Shakespeare, was one of the rare possessors of true poetic energy? A) Thomas Rymer B) John Dryden C) Edward Phillips D) Wentworth Dillon Answer: C Q6: Sir William Soames translated which work by Boileau in 1683? A) L'Art poetique B) Reflexions C) Parallele des anciens et des modernes D) Digression sur les anciens et les modernes Answer: A Q7: Who revised Soames's translation of Boileau's work, substituting English analogues for the French authors? A) John Dryden B) John Oldham C) Thomas Rymer D) John Sheffield Answer: A Q8: Abraham Cowley argued for a freer mode of translation than literalism in the preface to which of his works? A) Davideis B) Pindarique Odes C) Sylvae D) The Mistress Answer: B Q9: Dryden distinguishes between three ways of turning another poet into English in the preface to his translation of whose work? A) Horace B) Virgil C) Homer D) Ovid Answer: D Q10: Which of the following is NOT one of the three methods of translation outlined by Dryden? A) Metaphrase B) Paraphrase C) Allusion D) Imitation Answer: C Q11: Who wrote An Essay on Translated Verse in 1684? A) John Dryden B) Wentworth Dillon, Earl of Roscommon C) John Sheffield, Earl of Mulgrave D) John Oldham Answer: B Q12: In the second edition of An Essay on Translated Verse, which work is praised as justification for using blank verse in translations? A) The Faerie Queene B) Paradise Lost C) The Aeneid D) The Divine Comedy Answer: B Q13: Who wrote An Essay upon Poetry in 1682? A) John Dryden B) Wentworth Dillon, Earl of Roscommon C) John Sheffield, Earl of Mulgrave D) John Oldham Answer: C Q14: According to Mulgrave, what type of satire is preferable? A) Juvenalian B) Horatian C) Menippean D) Varronian Answer: B Q15: Who defended the Earl of Rochester and affirmed artistic freedom in the preface to Valentinian? A) John Dryden B) Robert Wolseley C) John Sheffield D) Wentworth Dillon Answer: B Q16: Mulgrave considers which genre to be the "chief effort of human sense"? A) Satire B) Lyric C) Epic D) Pastoral Answer: C Q17: According to Mulgrave, how many epic poets has the world produced so far? A) One B) Two C) Three D) Four Answer: B Q18: Dryden showered unstinted praise on which three French critics? A) Le Bossu, Rapin, Boileau B) Bouhours, Le Bossu, Rapin C) Rapin, Boileau, Bouhours D) Le Bossu, Boileau, Fontenelle Answer: A Q19: In the Discourse concerning Satire, whose satires does Dryden consider "incomparably beyond" Juvenal's? A) Horace B) Persius C) Lucilius D) Boileau Answer: A Q20: Which of Dryden's own satires is an example of satire motivated by personal revenge? A) Absalom and Achitophel B) Mac Flecknoe C) The Medal D) The Hind and the Panther Answer: B Q21: According to Dryden, what is "the very height and life of poetry"? A) Imitation B) Imagination C) Judgment D) Reason Answer: B Q22: Which French critic argued in favor of modern poetry benefiting from the general advance of knowledge? A) Boileau B) Fontenelle C) Rapin D) Perrault Answer: D Q23: In his treatise on the pastoral, Fontenelle finds the rationale of pastoral in the pleasure men naturally take in what two things? A) Nature and simplicity B) Leisure and love C) Nobility and refinement D) Innocence and virtue Answer: B Q24: Which French author wrote an epistle reaffirming the ancients as the best models, despite praising modern French and Italian writers? A) Boileau B) Perrault C) La Fontaine D) La Bruyère Answer: C

Charles Dickens' Nicholas Nickleby (1838-39): Mr. Squeers' appearance was not prepossessing. He had but one eye, and the popular prejudice runs in favour of two. The eye he had was unquestionably useful, but decidedly not ornamental: being of a greenish grey, and in shape resembling the fan-light of a street door. The blank side of his face was much wrinkled and puckered up, which gave him a very sinister appearance, especially when he smiled, at which times his expression bordered closely on the villainous. His hair was very flat and shiny, save at the ends, where it was brushed stiffly up from a low protruding forehead, which assorted well with his harsh voice and coarse manner. He was about two or three and fifty, and a trifle below the middle size; he wore a white neckerchief with long ends, and a suit of scholastic black; but his coat sleeves being a great deal too long, and his trousers a great deal too short, he appeared ill at ease in his clothes, and as if he were in a perpetual state of astonishment at finding himself so respectable. Glossary prepossessing: inspiring puckered up: full of folds and wrinkles sinister: wicked , evil protruding: jutting out, projecting scholastic: formal / academic

"The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot is a complex and influential modernist poem published in 1922. It's known for its fragmented structure, multiple voices, and references to a wide range of literary, cultural, and mythological sources. Here's a summary and critical analysis: Summary: "The Waste Land" is divided into five sections: "The Burial of the Dead," "A Game of Chess," "The Fire Sermon," "Death by Water," and "What the Thunder Said." 1. "The Burial of the Dead": This section sets the tone with images of a desolate, post-World War I world. The speaker reflects on a barren, decaying landscape, mirroring the emotional and spiritual emptiness of the characters. 2. "A Game of Chess": This part presents a troubled romantic encounter between a man and a woman, drawing parallels to the myth of Tiresias, a figure who experienced both genders. It explores themes of desire, impotence, and disillusionment. 3. "The Fire Sermon": This section delves into themes of lust, desire, and spiritual decay. It references various religious and mythological texts, highlighting humanity's inability to find spiritual fulfillment in a world dominated by materialism. 4. "Death by Water": Here, the poem shifts to a maritime theme, depicting a drowned sailor and contrasting water's cleansing and destructive qualities. It reflects on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. 5. "What the Thunder Said": The final section combines different mythologies and religions to suggest the possibility of redemption and renewal through suffering. The poem ends with a vision of rain and the possibility of rebirth. Critical Analysis: 1. Fragmentation: "The Waste Land" is known for its fragmented structure, which mirrors the fractured state of modern society. The discontinuous narrative reflects the disintegration of traditional values and beliefs. 2. Myth and Allusion: Eliot incorporates a vast array of literary and mythological references, from The Bible to The Buddha, from Shakespeare to Greek mythology. These allusions add depth and complexity to the poem, inviting readers to interpret and connect the dots. 3. Alienation and Despair: The poem captures the sense of alienation, disillusionment, and despair prevalent in the aftermath of World War I. It portrays a world in crisis, where traditional values have collapsed, leaving individuals spiritually adrift. 4. Redemption and Hope: While "The Waste Land" is often seen as a bleak portrayal of modernity, it also suggests the possibility of redemption and renewal through suffering and self-awareness. The final section hints at the potential for spiritual rebirth. 5. Multiple Voices: The poem employs a range of voices, including the speaker's, historical figures, and literary characters. This multiplicity reflects the fractured nature of modern identity and consciousness. In conclusion, "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores the disillusionment and spiritual crisis of the modern age. It uses fragmentation, myth, and allusion to convey a sense of fragmentation and despair, while also offering glimpses of hope and redemption. It remains a cornerstone of modernist literature and continues to be a subject of extensive literary analysis and interpretation.