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    The poem's main themes include absurdity, existential doubt, and a nuanced examination of national identity. The storyteller describes being hunted by figurative beings who stand in for the basic components of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Sky. These things can willfully generate and destroy life. ThRead more

    The poem’s main themes include absurdity, existential doubt, and a nuanced examination of national identity. The storyteller describes being hunted by figurative beings who stand in for the basic components of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Sky. These things can willfully generate and destroy life. The poem examines the narrator’s conflict with these elemental elements, which stand in for fate or the forces of nature.

    I want to be Killed by an Indian Bullet Summary

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    The poem "I Want to be Killed by an Indian Bullet" by Thangjam Ibopishak does not adhere to a specific rhyme scheme. I want to be Killed by an Indian Bullet Summary

    The poem “I Want to be Killed by an Indian Bullet” by Thangjam Ibopishak does not adhere to a specific rhyme scheme.

    I want to be Killed by an Indian Bullet Summary

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    The central idea of the poem revolves around the absurdity of arbitrary violence and the complexities of national identity. The narrator, confronted by symbolic entities representing elemental forces, experiences the threat of imminent death without a clear reason. The elemental beings, named Fire,Read more

    The central idea of the poem revolves around the absurdity of arbitrary violence and the complexities of national identity. The narrator, confronted by symbolic entities representing elemental forces, experiences the threat of imminent death without a clear reason. The elemental beings, named Fire, Water, Air, Earth, and Sky, embody the uncontrollable forces of nature that can both create and destroy life at their whims.

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    Repetition: The act of doing, saying, or writing anything repeatedly is called repetition. The repetition of the phrase "I heard the news long ago" emphasizes the persistent nature of the threat, creating a sense of foreboding. Symbolism: Symbolism is a figure of speech in which another thing is repRead more

    • Repetition: The act of doing, saying, or writing anything repeatedly is called repetition. The repetition of the phrase “I heard the news long ago” emphasizes the persistent nature of the threat, creating a sense of foreboding.

    • Symbolism: Symbolism is a figure of speech in which another thing is represented by a person, thing, phrase, or circumstance. The use of “Fire, water, air, earth, sky” as names for the five individuals symbolizes elemental forces. These elements are not only physical entities but also represent power, destruction, and creation.

    • Metaphor:  A metaphor is a figure of speech that draws a comparison between two unrelated ideas. It’s a means of metaphorically transferring one thing’s attributes to another. Describing the elemental beings as “the very avatar of might” uses metaphor to emphasize their formidable and powerful nature.

    • Rhetorical Questions: A rhetorical question is posed to make a point as opposed to eliciting a response. The narrator poses several rhetorical questions, such as “Why will you kill me? What is my crime? What evil deed have I done?” These questions engage the reader and add a reflective tone to the poem.

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    The poem is essentially a satirical commentary on the idea of converting one's caste through a systematic process of inter-caste marriage and reproduction of a mixed-caste progeny. Shudras, the marginalized community of the Indian landscape are historically known to be oppressed by the upper caste cRead more

    The poem is essentially a satirical commentary on the idea of converting one’s caste through a systematic process of inter-caste marriage and reproduction of a mixed-caste progeny. Shudras, the marginalized community of the Indian landscape are historically known to be oppressed by the upper caste communities just because of their caste hierarchy. Thus, the “algorithm” that the poem conveys does not aim to uplift the Shudra identity amongst other castes but rather aims to erase their presence altogether and convert them into Brahmins.  Also, the use of an algorithm, typically associated with logical and systematic processes, to describe something as inherently arbitrary as caste conversion serves as a form of irony and mockery. It challenges the legitimacy and rationality of such discriminatory practices.

    Becoming a Brahmin Summary

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    "Becoming a Brahmin" by Meena Kandasamy satirically deconstructs the deeply entrenched caste system in India through a facetious algorithm. The poem outlines a process, resembling an algorithm, to convert a Shudra into a Brahmin, emphasizing the absurdity of attempting such a transformation. The steRead more

    “Becoming a Brahmin” by Meena Kandasamy satirically deconstructs the deeply entrenched caste system in India through a facetious algorithm. The poem outlines a process, resembling an algorithm, to convert a Shudra into a Brahmin, emphasizing the absurdity of attempting such a transformation. The steps involve marrying a Shudra girl to a Brahmin, repeated across generations, culminating in the display of the “end product”—a Brahmin. This algorithm, attributed to the “Father of the Nation” at Tirupur and documented by Periyar in 1947, underscores the historical struggle against caste-based discrimination. The introduction of the second algorithm highlights the persistence of discriminatory practices done against marginalised communities. Thus, through satire, irony, and historical references, Kandasamy critiques the arbitrariness and injustice embedded in the caste system, challenging societal norms and advocating for a more equitable and inclusive society.

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    This answer was edited.

    Alliteration- The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words, creating a rhythmic effect.  It can be seen in phrases like, “Algorithm advocated…”, “awaiting another”, “Make her marry”, etc. Anaphora- Anaphora is a rhetorical device in which a wordRead more

    • Alliteration- The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words, creating a rhythmic effect.  It can be seen in phrases like, “Algorithm advocated…”, “awaiting another”, “Make her marry”, etc.

    • Anaphora- Anaphora is a rhetorical device in which a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of successive clauses, phrases, or sentences. The word “step” is repeated several times in order to mirror an actual computer algorithm.

    • Symbolism- Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, often adding deeper layers of meaning to the text. The algorithm is a symbol of a political act of erasure done to the Shudra community and to convert their identities altogether.

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    This poem “Sita” is composed using an alternative rhyme scheme. The poetess has not used any fixed rhyming pattern in the poem. The first twelve lines of the poem have the ABBA rhyme scheme of ABBA. These lines can also be grouped into three quatrains. In each quatrain, the first and last line and tRead more

    This poem “Sita” is composed using an alternative rhyme scheme. The poetess has not used any fixed rhyming pattern in the poem. The first twelve lines of the poem have the ABBA rhyme scheme of ABBA. These lines can also be grouped into three quatrains. In each quatrain, the first and last line and the second and third lines rhyme together. The lines from 12 to 15 are grouped into a quatrain. Here, the rhyme scheme is ABAB. While the rhyme scheme of lines 16-20 is ABBAA. The last two lines of the poem end with a rhyming couplet.

    Sita Summary

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    Allusion: In literature, allusion, an implied or indirect reference to a person, event, or thing or to a part of another text The title of the poem “Sita” is taken from the epic Ramayana. The poetess in this poem describes the pain and sufferings of Sita. Metaphor: Metaphor is a literary device wherRead more

    Allusion:

    In literature, allusion, an implied or indirect reference to a person, event, or thing or to a part of another text

    The title of the poem “Sita” is taken from the epic Ramayana. The poetess in this poem describes the pain and sufferings of Sita.

    Metaphor:

    Metaphor is a literary device where two unrelated objects are compared to each other. The poetess Dutt has used this poetic device in the following lines.

    There, dwells in peace, the poet-anchorite.

    And melts the picture from their sight away,

    Here, the poet-anchorite refers to Sita as well as Toru Dutt. Here, Sita is compared to an anchorite or priestess. Sita lived in a forest as her husband turned her down. So, she was separated from her country. In the same way, the poetess Dutt also lived in another country for her higher education.

    Here, the weeping Sita is compared to something that melts away.

    Rhetorical Exclamation:

    Rhetorical Exclamation refers to the abrupt expression of emotion or wish or contemplation. This figure of speech is generally introduced by an interjection. The poetess Dutt has used this poetic device in the following lines.

    She weeps,—for lo! at every tear she sheds

    Anaphora:

    Anaphora is a literary device that uses the repetition of short phrases or single words at the beginning of clauses or sentences to enhance rhythm. The poetess Dutt has used this poetic device in the following lines.

    The while swans glide; there, “whirring from the brake,”

    The peacock springs; there, herds of wild deer race;

    There, patches gleam with yellow waving grain;

    There, blue smoke from strange altars rises light.

    There, dwells in peace, the poet-anchorite.

    Personification:

    Personification is a poetic device where animals, plants or even inanimate objects are given human qualities. The poetess Dutt has used this poetic device in the following lines.

    A dense, dense forest, where no sunbeam pries,

    Here, “Sun” is personified with an idea of prying into other’s affairs.

    Palilogy:

    ‘Palilogy’ means the repetition of a word or phrase for emphasis. The poetess Dutt has used this poetic device in the following lines.

    A dense, dense forest, where no sunbeam pries,

    It is an old, old story, and the lay

    Rhetorical Question:

    A rhetorical question is a device used to persuade or subtly influence the audience. It’s a question asked not for the answer, but for the effect. The poetess Dutt has used this poetic device in the following lines.

    What do they gaze on with wide-open eyes? (Line 2)

    But who is this fair lady? (Line 12)

    When shall those children by their mother’s side

    Gather, ah me! as erst at eventide? (Lines 21-22)

    Sita Summary

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