Sunday, July 12, 2020

(UNIT - II) GENERAL ENGLISH (SEM IV)


COMRADES
NADINE GORDIMER

Comrades discusses on the uncomfortable atmosphere between the Hostess and her guests, the differences in race and social class. In the story a white liberal woman befriends a group of black protestors and provides them with food, although it was unusual to have this kind of friendship during the Apartheid system where the whites and the coloured were segregated.
While Mrs. Telford gets in her car parked on a university campus, a group of four young black men ask for a ride. Though she is intending on going in the wrong direction for taking the youths into town, she agrees to take them to the nearest bus stop. While driving, Mrs. Telford learns that the youths have not eaten recently, so she invites them to her house for a meal before she takes them to the bus stop.
Mrs. Telford feels uncomfortable when she realizes her older Black female friends would be insulted if she brought them in through the back door and the kitchen. At her house, she and her maid prepare sandwiches and coffee for the young men. She does not want the students to see the maid serve her lunch. She herself serves them. While the young men eat, Mrs. Telford tries to make polite conversation, but she discovers that only one in the group speaks English.
The men are presented as hungry, "they are stacking their plates and cups", suggesting they lack basic commodities in contrast to the woman's wealthy house, which has a symbolic significance as the Blacks were stripped off not only of essential human rights such as education, "they are children...for whom school is a battleground", but also wealth creating an inequality in the South African society.
The simple sentence ''They eat'', portray how the Blacks are focused on the food and ''overwhelmed'' by her hospitality.
Conclusion
While the government discouraged any kinds of friendship between different races, the woman offers them the food. In conclusion, Gordimer presents the Black men differently than the white woman to highlight the inequality in apartheid. The friendship between them is uneasy and unnatural as Gordimer implies that the stereotypical views engraved in the Whites' minds prevents many friendships to be formed between the Whites and the Blacks. Gordimer' purpose of depicting such friendship in her short story ''Comrades'' is to encourage the readers to break stereotypical barriers between the Blacks and the Whites, suggesting that the Blacks are equal human beings lacking basic commodities such as food, education and shelter due to suppression of the Coloured during the Apartheid system.

GAMES AT TWILIGHT
ANITHA DESAI

This title story in Anita Desai’s acclaimed collection Games at Twilight, and Other Stories (1978) deals with a universal theme of children at play and their fantasies and disillusionment. In “Games at Twilight,” Desai provides a psychological exploration of the protagonist Ravi’s mind by delving into his childhood fears, emotions, perceptions, desires, and thought processes.
The story opens on a hot summer afternoon in an urban house in India. The children who have been kept indoors all day to escape the oppressive heat of the sun feel confined and suffocated, and when they are finally unleashed, they thrill with joy and excitement and decide to play a game of hide-and-seek.
Raghu, being the eldest, is chosen to be “it”—the seeker. All the other children run helter-skelter to find a suitable hiding place. Ravi hides behind the locked garage. When he hears his little brother crying because he has been caught by Raghu, he panics. As Raghu’s whistling and the thumping sound of his feet grow louder, in a moment of fright Ravi suddenly slips through a small gap into an abandoned shed next to the garage. From this moment on, the narrative filters through Ravi’s consciousness and the reader is brought into the deepest reaches of his psyche.
He feels small as he is unable to reach the garage key; he feels ‘delight’ and ‘self-congratulation’ when he avoids capture by hiding in the shed. However, as he takes in his surroundings he feels a sense of unease which is intensified by a spider that tickles the back of his neck.  After some considerable time in the shed Ravi thinks of the triumph he will experience as the winner of the game and he visualises himself as a hero: ‘such laurels’.
At first, Ravi is on the top of the world as he succeeds in saving himself from the hands of Raghu. But within a minute fear grips him. The dark and alien atmosphere freezes his heart. The noise of Raghu gives him a sense of protection. Ravi misses the world outside. He is loaded in a different world, everything outside seems beautiful. When he comes out of the confinement, he finds that everyone forgets him and starts a new game. No one give him the credit of being a winner. His misery is compounded at this point and he is left lying on the damp grass with: ‘a terrible sense of his insignificance.
There are a lot of children in this story – brothers, sisters and cousins. Mira seems to possess the most authority, with Raghu following and then Ravi and little Manu. The competitiveness is extreme and the children’s world that they live in can be unpleasant.  Raghu seems particularly rough and aggressive, whilst Mira’s motherliness is in actual fact bossiness. The children fill the silent and deserted garden with laughter and noise. They change the atmosphere of the place in a minute. They are very much part of the nature. They play in the midst of flowers and plants. They even enjoy the fruits and feel the beauty of the scent of the soil. All these children fight over insignificant things but forget enmity within a minute and start playing.

Describe the character of Ravi
In Anita Desai’s ‘Games at Twilight’ Ravi occupies a special space. He is the one who appears as an enthusiastic child who loves to play like other children even in the hot afternoon He is very little, too little to get the key of garage. He is not athletic and rowdy like Raghu.
This little vulnerable boy, hides in the shade to save himself from the clutches of Raghu. He discovers a different world there, a world full of surprise and fear. He misses the world outside he wants to mix himself with the crowd. The fragrance, the chanting allure him to come out and join but the fear of getting caught by Raghu, keeps him inside the alien place for a longer period of time. He is lonely and scared, but the very idea of triumphing over Raghu gives him a feeling of self congratulation. At last, he comes out but he feels that he had not been missed by his parents or friends: Everything is going on well without him. There is no space for him anywhere. This realization makes him feel helpless.

Themes:
Childhood, Ignominy, Being misunderstood, Hierarchy, Parents and children relationship, Family, Pariahs.

Gateman’s Gift by R.K. Narayan


In Gateman’s Gift by R.K. Narayan we have the theme of fear, paralysis, insecurity, suffering, social opinion, pride and identity. Taken from his Malgudi Days collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Narayan may be exploring the theme of fear. Singh lives in fear of opening the registered letter that has been sent to him. So crippling is Singh’s fear that he believes himself to be going mad. Though the logical thing to do would be to open the letter and discover whether the letter holds good or bad news Singh isn’t able to do this. It is also interesting that Singh loses interest in his clay-modelling because of the fear he feels over the letter. This loss of interest is important as it highlights just how overpowering the fear is for Singh. It is also interesting that Singh never thinks about just getting over what may be in the letter if the contents of the letter are of a bad nature. It is as though he would rather not know whether the letter contains good or bad news. If anything there is a sense of paralysis in the story. Singh is unable to move forward as long as he leaves the letter unopened. Rather he believes himself to be going mad based solely on the opinions of others. Which may suggest that Singh may be somewhat insecure about his identity. He doesn’t appear to have the strength to trust his own mind and is swayed by social opinion.
The fact that some of Singh’s clay models are copies of his old work environment may also be important as it suggests that Singh remembers with fondness his time as a Gateman. It may also be significant that Singh fears he may have upset his old boss by bringing the models into the pension office when Singh was collecting his pension. As this suggests that Singh still respects his old boss and does not wish to upset him. Singh’s respect for his old boss is mirrored by his boss’ respect for him. Something that is noticeable when the accountant opens the letter for Singh and the reader realises that Singh’s old boss admires all his clay models. Admires them so much that he has given him an extra one hundred rupees. There is also no doubting that Singh suffers, because of his fear, throughout the story. However Singh’s wife also suffers and after the letter arrives and remains unopened she is careful. So careful that she stays out of Singh’s way.
It might also be a case that Narayan is exploring the theme of pride. Singh is proud of his job as a Gateman. While some critics might suggest that his role is at the lower end of the employment scale. Singh doesn’t look at things like that. He is happy to be able to be part of something. To have some responsibility and to get paid for it too. The village that Singh makes that reminds him of his father’s village also appears to be the one clay model that Singh is most proud of. It is as though the model of the village is part of Singh’s identity. Yet he destroys it in a moment of madness all because of his fear to open the letter. Though it is clear that Singh is not really mad he does through stress do things that would be deemed inappropriate. One of these things is the breaking of the bulb which results in Singh getting arrested. Which the reader suspects is out of character for Singh. At no other stage of the story has Singh been in trouble.
The end of the story is also interesting as Singh despite the praises of his boss, gives up making clay models. It’s difficult to say for certain as to why this might be but it is possible that Singh is equating the clay modelling to the madness he went through. However the reader is aware that the real problem for Singh was the fact that he was afraid to open the letter. Singh believes more in living a structured life than a creative one and appears to associate creativity with madness. Though some critics might suggest that there is a definable link between creativity and madness it is important to remember that prior to the letter arriving Singh was happy making clay models. If anything Singh’s life at the end of the story is still full of fear. No longer is he worried about the letter instead he is afraid to be creative despite the fact that many people have told him how good he is at clay modelling. Which suggests that the paralysis Singh felt when he first received the letter also remains. Singh may have retired from his job and is happy to collect his pension every week but he doesn’t appear to do anything else now that he has stopped clay modelling.

THE OPEN WINDOW
SAKI

Framton Nuttel, the central character to the story, suffering from nervous condition follows his doctor's advice and moves to the country. Prior to that, his sister, who has previously lived in the area that he now inhabits, gives him letters of introduction to the new neighbors. The Open Window deals with Framton's visit to Mrs. Sappleton, one of his new neighbors.
The story opens with Framton waiting for Mrs. Sappleton to come downstairs. In the meantime he is being entertained be her niece Vera, 'a very self-possessed lady of fifteen', is obviously bored and does not lack good imagination. In the absence of her aunt, she decides to entertain the guest, or rather herself with a morbid story.
Once Vera is sure that Framton knows nothing of the family, or other people in the area, she invents a tale depicting her aunt as not exactly mentally stable person. She points Mr. Nuttel to an open French window and asks why he thinks they keep it open this time of the year. Afterwards she tells a story of how one day three years ago, Mrs. Sappleton's husband and her brothers went to hunt to the bogs. The left through the window, however, they never returned and their bodies were never found. Mrs. Sappleton keeps the window open whole day hoping 'they will come back someday".
Later, Mrs. Sappleton comes downstairs and also explains why the window is open. She says that her husband and her two brothers went to hunt and they always come back 'in that way'. Framton finds it disturbing and decides to mention his nervous disorder and the fact the he should avoid any 'mental excitement'. Mrs. Sappleton is not too interested in what he is saying, however, she shows enthusiasm when she notices her husband and her brother coming from the hunt. Upon this sight, Vera puts on a show and acts horrified. As a result of that, the terrified guest escapes the house quickly.
The fact that Vera's story was purely imaginer is revealed only in the closing paragraphs. The men had been gone only for one day. Nevertheless, Mr. Nuttels' hasty retreat does not stop Vera from entertaining herself some more. Instead of explaining his odd behavior to the rest of the family, she invents a new story saying that Framton was once hunted by a 'pack of pariah dogs', somewhere on the banks of Ganges and the sight of the spaniel accompanying the three hunters probably made him lose the nerve.


SOME WORDS WITH A MUMMY
EDGAR ALLAN POE

The tale begins with the narrator's receiving a letter from his good friend, Doctor Ponnonner. Ponnonner is very excited because he has been granted permission to examine a mummy. The letter ends with Ponnonner asking the narrator to be present at the examination.
As soon as the narrator arrives at Ponnonner's house, the examination begins. After removing three cases, the examiners finally reach the body, which is wrapped in papyrus. After removing the papyrus, they find the flesh in excellent condition, with no noticeable odor.
As Ponnonner is about to begin his internal examination, one of the men suggests an experiment with electricity. The rest of the men go along with the suggestion, and they send a series of electric charges through different spots on the mummy's body. After the third such charge, the mummy sits up and chastises two of the men for their absurd behavior. The two explain that their examination was for the advancement of science, and the mummy, named Allamistakeo, accepts their apology for the wounds he has received.
The men are amazed at the miracle they have witnessed, and they begin to ask Allamistakeo questions. Allamistakeo proceeds to explain that he was embalmed alive and is now in the same condition he was in during the embalming process. He also says that he is a member of the Scarabaeus family, who has an average life span of 800 years. In addition, he adds that there were many men of Scarabaeus blood who were embalmed alive.
The men then begin to explain how advanced their society is, but Allamistakeo responds to each claim and proves that things are not all that much more advanced than in his day. He says that Great Movements "were awfully common things in his day, and as for Progress, it was at one time quite a nuisance, but it never progressed."


ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER
SOMERSET MAUGHAM

As a great short story writer of the 19th century of English literature, W. Somerset Maugham enjoyed tremendous popularity during his long literary career. In his long literary life he wrote a great number of literary pieces in different forms. Among them short stories are remarkable works and bear testimony to his artistic capacity. He is regarded as a master of short story. Of the stories “The Ant and The Grasshopper” deserves special mention in this regard.
Maugham has presented two interesting characters here. They are brothers but they differ from each other in their nature and attitude to life. Of them George Ramsay is elder and Tom Ramsay was younger. The former was fifty but looks like sixty. On the other hand, the later was forty-six but looks only thirty-five. In the story George Ramsay is the ant and saves the money for future by working hard, and Tom Ramsay is the grasshopper, who never saved anything for future but wanted to enjoy luxurious life. In order to serve his own purpose, he did not hesitate to exploit his brother and take money from his friends. He found it amusing to spend money in luxuries. He maintained a hedonistic attitude to life. He used to engage himself in gambling, racing, philandering with the beautiful girls, dancing and eating in most costly restaurants. He dressed tastefully and beautifully. On the other hand George Ramsay was always serious and punctual in the performance of his duties and responsibilities. He was never late in reaching his office and never left his place earlier. He was a good father and a good husband too. He was honest, hardworking and worthy. He was always anxious about his brother’s future. He always tried to protect their family image and prestige. As a respectable lawyer he always aimed at taking good care of his brother, Tom. But at one stage his brother went out of his control. He was the black sheep of the family and thus unscrupulous and dishonest Tom becomes an object of great trouble to George Ramsay. But the irony of fate is that at the end of his career he lived a modest living by modest income. But the idle, dishonest, worthless and rogue Tom married an old lady who left him a large property after her death. Tom got a house in London and another in country. The lifelong hard work, commonsense and wisdom did not pay George properly and richly. Rather his scapegrace brother earned a lot by dint of his crafty and calculated marriage.
We are thus brought to conclusion that Maugham has presented the reality of life in this modern world. Honesty, wisdom, industry and commonsense are not always paid properly in this modern world. Through the difference of these two characters, Maugham has shown the hard labour of George like the ant, who paid only modestly whereas the singing grasshopper enjoyed his life, through by crafty means, luxuriously.

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