English Notes Latest Questions

  1. Q. Appropriateness of the title “Quality”. Ans- Gailsworthy’s short story, “Quality”, is an excellent story dealing with an universal conflict between artisans of finesse and automation. Gessler brothers dealt in shoes. They had a small shop for material purpose. They made and sold custom-made shoesRead more

    Q. Appropriateness of the title “Quality”.

    Ans- Gailsworthy’s short story, “Quality”, is an excellent story dealing with an universal conflict between artisans of finesse and automation.

    Gessler brothers dealt in shoes. They had a small shop for material purpose. They made and sold custom-made shoes, their shoes were durable, comfort and high-quality which never made any cracking sound under any pressure from any feet they didn’t believe in ornamentation or showing off their shoes but their shoes lasted long.

    even the narrator felt kind of frustrated with the longevity of the shoes and commented humourously, “Nemesis fell ! They lasted more terribly than ever”. There were no cracking or blisters and the customers like narrator were very much satisfied with Gesslers shoes. In fact they earned quite a name in the trade of London.

    The Gesslers were excellent show makers. They almost infuse a slice of their soul in the artistry of shoe making. Their capital was their customer satisfaction. They were very much honest and determined that they will never compromise with quality. Therefore They continued their trade with the old and slow process without compromising with the quality.

    As a result of industrial revolution in England, advert of automation and mass production was felt necessary by the captains of industry.

    Monstrous machines were installed for mass production. Goods were produced massively and with an unbelievable speed. A variety of designs were produced. Finished Products were advertised drawing the attention of the consumer. There was an extreme aggression in marketing and sales.

    The Gessler couldn’t foresee it. They remained engrossed in the artistry of shoemaking. They Where like the silkworm in the cocoons, when they woke to the reality, it was late. They didn’t knew That time cannot be imprisoned by anybody. Its omnipotent. It flows like a river. Their time was gone. They tried, however to fight and unequal combat against automation and mass production with his skills, artistry and craftsmanship. But they lacked business sense and acumen. They where traders of shoes but behaved like an artist. Their Production of shoes couldn’t match with the production of large industries in terms of variety, price, productivity and other means of production. The Big houses didn’t care for the quality as they thought they were not connoisseur of shoes, so they don’t need quality but they likeed the variety, low price and ready stock.

    Arnish Ali Khan

    See less
  1. Lucifer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven

    Postmaster was a very passionate, sympathetic and good-hearted person. When he found the letter of Lencho and read it, he was moved by the condition of Lencho and amazed by Lencho's depth of faith in Almighty God. He decided to help Lencho and bring him out of his condition so that Lencho's faith maRead more

    Postmaster was a very passionate, sympathetic and good-hearted person. When he found the letter of Lencho and read it, he was moved by the condition of Lencho and amazed by Lencho’s depth of faith in Almighty God.

    He decided to help Lencho and bring him out of his condition so that Lencho’s faith may not get shaken after not hearing from God. Hence, he gave half of his salary to Lencho. In addition, he also asked the other employees to contribute. In this way they were able to collect a large amount for Lencho.

    Instead of mentioning his name, he rather mentioned the name of God on the letter so that Lencho may believe that the money has been sent by God Himself. This shows that he did not want any fame or praise from Lencho.

    See less
  1. In the first stanza of the poem Obituary, the poet, AK Ramanujan is talking about the problems which arose immediately after the death of his father. According to him, after his (father's) death, there was nothing left in the house except for dust on a table of papers. In addition, he was indebted tRead more

    In the first stanza of the poem Obituary, the poet, AK Ramanujan is talking about the problems which arose immediately after the death of his father. According to him, after his (father’s) death, there was nothing left in the house except for dust on a table of papers.

    In addition, he was indebted to a number of people and hence a lot of debt was left behind by him for the poet to pay. He also left his daughters (probably unmarried). Hence the responsibility of his sisters were on the poet.

    And finally the poet says that his father left a young child who is bedwetting i.e. so young that he urinates on the bed and who is given the surname of his grandfather. In the first stanza, we find the picture of a patriarchal society and its problems when the head i.e. male member dies. No one is earning for livelihood and all the responsibilities fall on the poet

    See less
  1. Lucifer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven
    This answer was edited.

    Following figures of speech have been used in the poem "On His Blindness" by John Milton. Pun: Pun is a literary device which depicts two or more meanings of a single word or phrase. In the poem, there is a play on the word Light. Light here refers to his eyesight as well as his life before gettingRead more

    Following figures of speech have been used in the poem “On His Blindness” by John Milton.

    1. Pun: Pun is a literary device which depicts two or more meanings of a single word or phrase. In the poem, there is a play on the word Light. Light here refers to his eyesight as well as his life before getting blind.
    2. PersonificationPatience is here personified as having human characteristics.
    3. Alliteration: A number of times alliteration is used in the poem. e.g.days in this darkWorld and Widethat one talentmy soul moremMakerlabor, lightpatience to preventbest bearserve who only stand.
    4. Hyperbole: It is an exaggerated statement. e.g. thousands at his bidding speed.

    Read detailed summary of this poem.

    See less
  1. Silk Road is not just a single road but a network of routes which were used to travel from Europe to Asia and vice versa. In addition to travelling, this network of roads was the means of trade and commerce. Through this network, silk was traded from China to Europe along with other things like spicRead more

    Silk Road is not just a single road but a network of routes which were used to travel from Europe to Asia and vice versa. In addition to travelling, this network of roads was the means of trade and commerce. Through this network, silk was traded from China to Europe along with other things like spices, teas, horses and exotic plants and animals.

    The author of this text describes his journey through Silk Road to Mount Kailash in order to explore the routes used by ancient people like Alexander and Marco Polo. This is why this story is titled as “Silk Road”.

    Read summary of this text.

    See less
  1. This answer was edited.

    The major conflict seen in this story is person versus society. Societal rules and expectations imposed upon men and women creates an animosity between them. A woman is expected only to take care of the private sphere but not make an appearance in the public sphere whereas the man is not imposed witRead more

    The major conflict seen in this story is person versus society. Societal rules and expectations imposed upon men and women creates an animosity between them. A woman is expected only to take care of the private sphere but not make an appearance in the public sphere whereas the man is not imposed with such rules. Also the conflict between person and soul. The desire for freedom is pushed at the back of the mind by women as they are aware in a married life, being independent is not possible. The constant struggle to find oneself keeps on going.

    Read Summary of The Story of an Hour

    See less
  1. In the novel "Rajmohan's Wife" by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the character of Matangini is portrayed as a remarkable and inspiring individual. Matangini embodies strength, resilience, and unwavering determination in the face of adversity, making her a symbol of courage and sacrifice. Matangini'sRead more

    In the novel “Rajmohan’s Wife” by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the character of Matangini is portrayed as a remarkable and inspiring individual. Matangini embodies strength, resilience, and unwavering determination in the face of adversity, making her a symbol of courage and sacrifice.

    Matangini’s character is defined by her unwavering commitment to her principles and her unwavering belief in the pursuit of justice and freedom. She is depicted as a fearless and outspoken woman who fearlessly challenges societal norms and fights against injustice. Matangini’s spirit of rebellion against oppression is evident as she takes a stand against the British colonial rule and actively participates in the freedom movement.

    One of the notable aspects of Matangini’s character is her indomitable spirit. She exhibits immense physical and emotional strength, remaining steadfast in her convictions even in the face of extreme hardships. Matangini’s resilience is showcased through her willingness to endure physical suffering and sacrifice her personal comfort for the greater cause. Her unwavering commitment to the struggle for independence inspires those around her and instills a sense of purpose and determination in their hearts.

    Matangini’s selflessness and dedication to the welfare of others are also prominent traits. She emerges as a maternal figure, not only for her own family but also for the community she belongs to. Matangini actively supports and uplifts those around her, offering guidance, support, and care to those in need. Her compassionate nature and willingness to put others before herself make her a beloved and respected figure in her community.

    Furthermore, Matangini’s character is deeply rooted in her cultural and traditional values. She embraces her heritage and traditions, finding strength in her identity as an Indian woman. Her deep sense of patriotism and love for her country fuels her determination to fight for independence, making her a symbol of national pride and resilience.

    In summary, Matangini’s character in “Rajmohan’s Wife” is a testament to courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication. Her fearless defiance of societal norms, her resilience in the face of adversity, her selflessness in serving others, and her unwavering commitment to the freedom struggle make her an iconic figure. Matangini’s character serves as an inspiration, reminding readers of the power of conviction and the indomitable spirit of those who stand up for justice and freedom.

    See less
  1. In the short story, The Story of an Hour, the doctors had said that Mrs. Mallard died “of the joy that kills.” The characters believed that Mrs. Mallard was so happy to see her husband alive and healthy that those strong emotions were too much for her. However, we the readers know the real reason foRead more

    In the short story, The Story of an Hour, the doctors had said that Mrs. Mallard died “of the joy that kills.” The characters believed that Mrs. Mallard was so happy to see her husband alive and healthy that those strong emotions were too much for her. However, we the readers know the real reason for her death. Mrs. Mallard did not really die out of joy but of shock on seeing her husband alive. She was ecstatic at her husband’s death and when she saw him alive it was the sudden shock on her happiness that killed her. Here, Louise’s momentary joy caused her death.
    Read Summary of The Story of an Hour

    See less
  1. This answer was edited.

    The title of a story serves as an important link to the plot. In this case, the title “The Story of an Hour” aptly suits the main plot of the short story. The freedom and joy gained in one hour after husband’s death by Louise is quickly lost. Within an hour she has a glimpse of her life free from reRead more

    The title of a story serves as an important link to the plot. In this case, the title “The Story of an Hour” aptly suits the main plot of the short story. The freedom and joy gained in one hour after husband’s death by Louise is quickly lost. Within an hour she has a glimpse of her life free from restrictions and her husband and then loses all her dreams and aspirations at the sight of her husband, still alive. The introspection towards life and independence takes place in one hour, at the end of which Louise meets her sudden death.

    Read Summary of The Story of an Hour

    See less
  1. The dramatic irony of the story came from the last paragraph when the doctors said that Mrs. Mallard died “of the joy that kills.” It’s ironical that even joy and happiness can kill someone like in the case of Louise Mallard. The characters believed that she was so overjoyed with the news of her husRead more

    The dramatic irony of the story came from the last paragraph when the doctors said that Mrs. Mallard died “of the joy that kills.” It’s ironical that even joy and happiness can kill someone like in the case of Louise Mallard. The characters believed that she was so overjoyed with the news of her husband’s death, that when she saw her husband again, those strong emotions were too much for her. Another irony also occurred when Mrs. Mallard, suffering from heart trouble, after hearing her the news of her husband’s death, wished to be alone in the room as she was so grief stricken. She did not even take the help of her sister to climb up the stairs, even though she was suffering from repression, a trouble of the soul.
    Read Summary of The Story of an Hour

    See less