How Your Birth Order Influences Your Life Adjustment?

-Lucille K. Forer

In her writing, Forer gives her explanation regarding how birth order plays a vital role in our life. She has clearly mentioned that the parents have greater sense of excitement when they have first child than having another ones. The parents also expect much from their older child than younger ones. The oldest child maintains intense relationship with parents; often imitates their language and mannerisms. Slowly and gradually, the oldest child begins to be parental for other children. S\he is expected to be more capable and responsible on the part of the parents. S\he expects others to be less capable. Later children are not closely identified with their parents like their older siblings. They learn things gradually from their childhood to adulthood.

In her article, Forer also explains that the birth order of the child also determines his/ her place in the family. The oldest child is expected to be responsible to take care of the younger children. The parents and the child himself take the role for granted. Older children believe that they are more adequate than their younger siblings. As far as middle child is concerned, sometimes s/he helps the younger ones and sometimes parents are there to help him or her.

In case of younger child, h\she is not able to do many things like others ash/she is helped by others especially by parents. H\she does not need to worry about anything as such. The youngest tend to think that other people are more capable.

Similarly, the only child sees others as more adequate but learns to be independent realizing that parents won’t always be there to help him or her.

Born for Each Other?

-Pamela Wither

Q. Give a summary of the article “Born for Each other”?

Ans: In this article, Wither simply expresses and exposes the idea that marital match and marital discord can be possible due to the birth order. As in the case of the article, Ronald and Lois are happy couple now but in the earlier days of their marriage, they used to have sense of misunderstanding without getting any solution.

The Oldest Child

As the oldest child will be confident, responsible, serious and parental, he likes perfection in life. The oldest child with the same sex siblings is more authoritative and independent; the best match for him can be the youngest child with many opposite sex siblings. The worst match for the oldest child is the oldest child (of opposite sex) with many siblings.

The Youngest Child

The youngest enjoys the attention of other family members. He is playful and friendly in nature, he may be less disciplined and he may lack decision –making power. He simply takes unfair benefit by being angry and attractive. The younger sister of sisters can be the best match for the youngest brother as he likes her controlling and caring attitude. Similarly, the youngest sister of brothers will match with the oldest brother of sisters as she may like his controlling and caring attitude. But marital match between the oldest boy and the oldest girl cannot be so long lasting.

Middle Child

The middle child is reserved in nature. He lacks seriousness. He may be self-critical. However, the middle child always tries to learn things from the seniors and acts accordingly. Hence, the middle child’s best marital match can be other middle child (opposite sex) as both are aspiring to love and care to each other.

The Only Child

The only child is a well-adjusted individual and she will learn to settle down with anyone. Her best marital match is a brother of sisters. The worst match of the only child is another only child. The only child expects his wife to make life easy going. His best match will be a sister of brothers.

Chapter: 2 Matters of Heart

As It was in the Beginning

-E. Pauline Johnson

Q. Summarize the story “As It was in the Beginning.”

This story is written by E. Pauline Johnson at the end of the 19 th century. This story is about a young aboriginal American woman, Eisther, who leaves her family and village to become an educated and later she is converted into Christianity. She comes to learn white’s mannerism but suffers from homesickness. While staying with Father Paul and other white people, she keeps missing her family, society and culture. She wants to go to her own society and people. Her homesickness becomes so strong that she begs to go to home but Father Paul denies that. To kill her homesickness, she spends the evening nearby the village border wishing for her father’s home. Laurence, a nephew to Father Paul somehow supports her to avoid the sense of loneliness. One day, Laurence happens to embrace her and asks her not to go to her hometown leaving him behind. She then realizes that she has also soft corner for him. Due to the influence of love, she begins to forget her hometown, family members and even language. She begins to want Laurence. Both of them are very happy.

However, on knowing Laurence’s desire to marry Eisther, Father Paul persuades him not to marry Eisther but to marry Ida McIntosh, a girl from well-to-do family. Father Paul further says that Eisther is from uncertain blood and is half-blood and unreliable. Once, Eisther happens to overhear everything negative about her from Father Paul and Laurence and becomes so sad. Her love and respect for Father Paul and

Laurence turns into hatred. At last, she kills Laurence with poisoned-arrow and goes to her own home town. Eisther kills Laurence with poisoned-arrow due to her intense hatred for him as a betrayer in love.

The Lion’s Hair

Q. Give a summary of the folktale “The Lion’s Hair”

This folktale is based on the theme of love and determination. This is associated with Ethiopian folktale. In an Ethiopian village, a young man and a woman got married as they used to love each other with devotion and dedication. After marriage, they were leading happy life for sometimes. But soon, they began to blame each other even in trivial matter. They kept on quarrelling in small matters. Later on, their quarrel became so intense that the wife went to the extent of divorce with the help of a wise, old judge. The judge then told her whether she loved her husband or not. She replied that she loved him very much. The judge told her to bring a single hair from the tail of the deadly lion so that he could make a special kind of medicine to avoid her thoughts of divorce. At first, she was quite afraid as the job was very risky, but she had to do it to live her entire life with her husband.

The woman went down to the river and hid behind a huge rock. The lion came to drink water and she tried to take a single hair but could not. Next day, she took a sack of fresh meat and put it on the ground and maintained certain distance with the lion. She then brought to a single hair from the tail of the lion. She then went to the judge and asked him to make a magical medicine. The judge simply told her that there was no any magical medicine as such. Her courage, determination and devotion were the true medicines. The woman then went to home with new love, devotion and resolution to make her life happy and wonderful.

Chapter: Three

Friendship

Explain the following quotations related to friendship. Which ones make the most sense to you

Q 1.“A false friend is more dangerous than an open enemy.”(Francis Bacon)

Bacon’s quotation is very striking and touchy. This statement makes me sense. Normally, we express and expose everything to our friends but not to our enemies. Our enemies hardly get chance to play with our sentiment. Under the guise of friendship, if some misuses the secret thing of friends that will bring negative results in the circle of friends. False friend is just like a slow poison; therefore, one should be very much conscious about him \her. Open enemy, however, is not that much dangerous as he\she has less concern about our everyday.

Q2.“Friendship always benefits; love sometimes injures.” (Seneca, a Roman Thinker)

This quotation about friendship also makes me sense. Friendship is a delightful relation. When we are sad or suffering from the sense of pessimism, our friends can be the way out. Sometimes, friendship can be

beneficial than that of any other relationship as friends are always ready with helping hands. Ad friend is always ready helpful in the time crisis.

Similarly, love is also a delightful relationship. However, it may not be as open and frank as that of friendship. As love emanates from the heart, it does not bother about good and bad attitude of either of the partner. When something bad about either of the partner is revealed, it begins to injure the heart or sentiment.

Q 3.“My best friend is the man who in wishing me well wishes it for my sake.” (Aristotle)

The best friend is the one who always expresses the best wishes for his best friend. To put it simply, the best friend always expects good things for the friends. Best friends are not selfish and individualistic. They think good, do better and expect the best about the friends. If someone does not wish me good he\ she cannot be my best friend. This quotation of Aristotle is very meaningful.

Q 4. “Your friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you.”(Elbert Hubbard, American author)

This quotation about friendship does not make any sense to me. It is because if someone knows my dark sides, how come he\she makes friendship with me? It is not possible in this era. The kind of friend mentioned here can be possible only on highly ideal society but not in the selfish society of today.

The Friendship Bond

-Marry Brown Parlee

Q 1. Give a summary of the text, “The Friendship Bond.”

This is a research-based essay in which Parleehas mentioned the answer of the question asked by the American magazine, Psychology Today regarding friendship. This report basically focuses on the answer given by 40,000 Americans about the friendship. This shows that how they are in favor of close friendship. Besides, what people expect from their close friend and what they can do for their friends havebeen projected in the given text.

The result of the research has also shown that trust and betrayal are very important factors in terms of friendship. American people want to make friendship not only with persons from similar backgrounds but also from different familial and cultural backgrounds. Social critics have shown that American people are heartless and selfish. They do not have any concern with the society. They are being highly individualistic. This has contributed for higher rate of divorce in America.According to this research, things are not exactly as said by social critics.

In the research, people wanted to know whether American people were dissatisfied with their friendship. The result; however, was that only few people were dissatisfied. The report also found that American people were in support of true friendship and they did not find weakness in their friendship. Despite not having both-sided relationship, friendship is pretty good in America.

Major findings regarding friendship in America are:

1. American people believe in five important qualities in a friend. They are :a. Loyaltyb. The ability to keep something confidential.c. Warmthd. Affectione. Supportiveness

2. Two reasons for the ending of friendship:a. Feeling betrayedb. Discovering that a friend had very different views on important matters.

3. The most important characteristics among friends:a. Having intimate talksb. Helping out a friendc. Turning to a friend for help.

4. Most American (90 percent) think a person should not help a friend commit suicide.

Heart Speaks to Heart

Across a Cultural Divide-Gail Saunders

Q 1. Give a summary of the text.

This is a part of newspaper selection in which the writer has mentioned two women from different socio-cultural backgrounds. The writer and another woman taught in a same school. Despite this fact, their relationship was within the limitation of formality. In the beginning, they had friendly relationship but the so-called political and ideological difference separated them forever. The writer would behave politely and would like to work together with another woman in the school being social. One day, they had a small argument. The school administration, however, told her in a meeting that she had to leave the school. Another woman was not leaving the school. After that event, the writer stopped smiling and socializing. One day, her neighbor, another woman noticed her being very sad in the cafeteria. She said the writer that her heart was hurt due to her condition. They then began to have a long walk together. Her neighbor made her aware not to be very sad. The writer then replied that it would have happened to anyone in life, even in the life of her neighbor herself. She agreed on the statement of the writer. From that time onwards, they exchanged their feelings and sentiments, shared eating items and became true friends to each other despite their cultural differences. Later on, they exchanged their phone numbers. On the caption of the goodbye card, her neighbor wrote that she was really her best friend and she wished her all the best.

Chapter 4

Live to Work or Work to Live

The Ant and the Grasshopper

-W. Somerset Maugham

Q. Give a summary of the text.

The text “The Ant and the Grasshopper” is a humorous twist on the fable of Aesop and is also based on a version of the fable by Jean La Fontaine. In the story, there are mainly two characters—George and Tom. On reading the fable, we come to know that George is very concerned and careful; he is laborious and loves his family members. But his younger brother, Tom has always remained as a black sheep in the family. He is always indifferent to family affairs, less respectable and is a source of tension and trouble for George. Tom is not laborious but has the ability to please and fascinate the people. He is a lazy fellow and alsodoes not care about his family. In this regard, George is equal to ant, always laboriousand responsible whereas Tom is equal to grasshopper in the fable.

We know that ant isvery conscious and collects food for the winter season but the grasshopper kills his time doing nothing but singing and merry –making. When the winter comes, the ant becomes very happy but the grasshopper simply suffers due to the lack o food. The moral lesson of the fable is that hard-working and industrious people are always happy and rewarded whereas the lazy ones always suffer.

The writer of this text, however, gives different picture. He clearly makes his point through the characters George and Tom. George is always thoughtful and responsible. He takes care of his family members. But Tom is very careless. He lives his wifeand children and starts eating, drinking and merry-making. He even involves in gambling and is in debt. George pays his debt to maintain the family reputation in the society.

Just opposite to George, Tom lives his life in a luxurious manner. He just enjoys his life. George, on the other hand, works eight hours a day. Because of his hard work, he begins to look older but Tom is still young and energetic. Tom is so clever that he marries an old but rich woman, who lives money and property after death. George is not happy by not seeing the natural justice. Normally, hardworking and industrious people are rewarded and lazy ones are punished. Just opposite to this natural law, Tom enjoys his life but George suffers in his old age despite being so much hardworking fellow.

Mommy Wars, Part III

Q. Give a summary of the text “Mommy Wars, Part III.”

This text is based on the different opinions of women regarding stay-at-home and working outside. It is also based on the opinions, experiences, and logics of different women. Some women think that it is good to stay at home, bear children and look after them along with doing household activities. Some women on the other hand, give their opinions by saying that it is very challenging to make a balance between office work and household activities. Similarly, some women argue that domestic life simply makes women lagging behind in terms of personal and professional life. From these opinions, it becomes quite clear that some women work out of compulsion, some work out of interest while some women stay athome with children and regard themselves lucky.According to this text, it becomes clear that it is very tough to maintain a perfect balance between working outside and leading a family life.

Q. Why does society give more responsibility for raising children to mothers than fathers?

Many societies tend to give more responsibility for raising children to mothers than fathers as they feed, nurture and care their children whole-heartedly. It does not mean that fathers do not care and love their children. Bynature, women express and expose their love, affection and emotion whereas men tend to be reserved in these matters. There is a passionate attachment between mothers and children. It may be due to the fact that it is mothers who keep their babiesinside their wombs for nine months.

Most of the societies regard mothers as home makers whereas fathers are bread winners to run the family. In this sense, as far as child-rearing activities are concerned, mothers are better than fathers. Hence, most human societies have been internalizing this fact.

Chapter 5

Out of Courtesy

Courtesy, Key to a Happier World

-Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

Q. Give a summary of the article “Courtesy; Key to a Happier World.”

In this article, Dr. Peale has discussed about the value of courtesy, which can make this world better place to stay. He says that if people were courteous, this world would be a beautiful place. There are two parts in this article. In the first part, he has mentioned the components of courtesy. In the same way, in the second part, he has given the pieces of advice regarding how to improve one’s manners. He has also told that courtesy simply means to behave or treat others the way one wants to be behaved or treated.

In this modern age, sense of courtesy, politeness and good manners are extremely lacking. So, people are aspiring for such things. It is because bad manners always bring social unrest and it is very destructive. There are three parts of god manners. A sense of justice is one of them. In other words, a highly developed sense of fair play is one of them. For instance, if a driver, who is driving through a dusty road lets another driver go ahead to tolerate the dust equally, that is not other than a sense of fair play or justice.

Similarly, another part of good manner is empathy. Empathy is to identify another person’s pain as his\her own and try to overcome it. For example, when a disabled customer can’t open the cap of the bottle and asks the restaurant boy to help him and the boy helps the customer out showing that he opened it with great difficulty. The restaurant boy, in fact, empathized with the customer showing that it was difficult to open not only for the customer but also for him. By the same token, another part of courtesy is to treat others without considering their rank or importance.

In this article, Dr. Peale has listed three components of courtesy and also given three pieces of advice regarding how to improve one’s manner. They are:

a. bypracticing good manners, a person can make politeness as his \her habit.b. by thinking politely disregarding the sense of selfishness.c. By being able to accept good manners without any doubt.

There are so many good and valuable things in the world, which we can get easily. Courtesy is a matter of how we look at or regard others. If we cultivate good manners and courtesy while behaving with others, we can be happy and satisfied. The problems of life can easily be solved by good manners and courtesy. In fact, courtesy is a road to a happy life.

Tell White Lies (occasionally)

Protecting from Unnecessary Hurt

-Donald W. McCullough

Q. Give a summary of this article.

In this article, the writer surprises the readers by saying that it is sometimes good manners to tell lies. The writer starts his article with a personal anecdote. Once, Verna asked the writer how her baby was. The writer passed his judgment saying that her newly born baby was ugly. After thirty years, whenever the writer visits Verna, she reminds him that he had called her baby ugly. Now, the writer realizes that he would have told a lie to save them from a lot of troubles. He also feels that sometimes, it is good to tell a white lie not to hurt the sentiment of others.

Greek philosopher, Aristotlehas said somewhere that honesty doesn’t mean telling everything to everyone. It is rather speaking the right truth to the right person at the right time in a right way for the right reason.

In this regard, we should not disclose every truth. We should not go to truth if it hurts others. As per the demand of the situation, for the betterment of others we can tell white lies. If our lie gives advantages to us, it will not be white lie. White lie should always benefit others. In other words, if our lie protects others, it will be white lie. But if our lie protects us, it will simply be a dishonest lie.

To conclude, what we can say is that sometimes, we should tell white lie for politeness as a part of courtesy to save others or potential risks.

Chapter 6

Questions of Right and Wrong

A Gas Station Burns in the Forest: Illuminating Our Moral Legacy

-David A. Shapiro

Q. Give a summary of the text in your own words.

In the given text, David A. Shapiro has observed the moral lesson that we will be impressed by. Here, he mentions a trip in which he, his father and his friend were going somewhere for campsite. During their journey, a tragedy at a national park makes the writer ponder uponhis culture and about people’s failure to take action during the time of crisis. Healsobegins to thinkabout the indifferent attitude of people in the time of emergency.

Remembering the incident after a long time, he brings in the reference of two gas stations at the entrance of the national park. There were two gas stations on both sides of the road outside the Glacier national Park in Montana.

One was of national brand and the other was of local brand. The writer’s father went towards the national brand and made his tank full. It was already dusk, they were hurriedly moved towards their destination. On the process of their trip, they came to hear a terrible explosion had shaken the gas station across the road. A man was trapped inside the burning house and a woman was asking for help for her baby who was on the fire. In such a situation, the writer asked his father if they could stop and help them out.However, his father did not pay attention, rather wanted to go as soon as possible from the incident. He simply said that he saw nobody on the fire. He wanted to inform the ranger regarding the tragedy. Other people were watching the smoky cloud without knowing the reality as such. When the writer’s father informed the ranger about the tragedy, he thanked him. Again the writer asked his father if they should go and help them. He replied by saying that they had done the best thing by informing about the matter to the concerned authorities.

After considering this incident, the writer came up with different moral questions. He begins to think about the moral legacy of our time. The million dollar question is that why didn’t they help? First reason could be that they were afraid, they had to save themselves. Maybe the writer’s father was very much concerned with his son and his son’s friend. Second reason could be

that people don’t tend to help others thinking that they do not have any skill and unskilled attempts do not bring any good output. Without proper knowledge, people can do nothing.

In fact, people do whatever they can do. Anyway, they had reported the tragedy to the concerned agency. We tend to think that it is the experts who can do things. Our job is simply to inform them. We have survival-first instinct.

Finally, the writer wonders what our world would be like if this survival-first message was moral legacy of Socrates, Martin Luther King Jr. or of M.K. Gandhi.

The Trumpet of Conscience

- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Q. Give a summary of the speech “The Trumpet of Conscience” in your own words.

“The Trumpet of Conscience” is a thought-provoking speech by martin Luther King Jr. on the background of Vietnam War. King was a civil rights leader, humanist and Christian preacher. When Martin Luther King was fighting with poverty and color discrimination, America was waging war against North Vietnam. The American government had invested all its efforts against the communist of North Vietnam. It was in support of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam.

In fact, King’s idea of non-violence was in sharp contrast to the violence caused by the war in Vietnam. In his speech, Martin Luther King was wholeheartedly against the Vietnam War. He was really confused and puzzled by the complexities and ambiguities of war. He was sure that neither North Vietnam nor National Liberation Front was going to get anything good from the destructive and devastative war.

As a preacher, he was of the opinion that conflicts can be resolved by maintaining give-and –take relationship. The essence of his speech can be discussed as below:

a. America was sending innocent young people far away to die in the war.b. Those people were sent to the war to guarantee the rights for others

who had not got at home.c. Besides devastating the hopes of Americans at home, the country sent

them to fight and die in higher proportions than other Americans. d. Bombs and rifles can never solve the problems; problems can only be

solved through non-violence.e. One cannot speak out against violence in a small place but should

speak out against the big supplier of violence—the state.f. Justice is indivisible.g. It will be meaningless to work passionately for integratedschools and

not be concerned with the survival of the world in which to be integrated.

h. King cannot segregate his moral concern by not showing concern for Vietnamese people.

Chapter 7

Progress and Tradition

Modern Society and the Quest for Human Happiness

-The Dalai Lama

Q. Give a summary of the speech “Modern Society and the Quest for Human Happiness” in your own words.

According to the article “Modern Society and the Quest for Human Happiness” by Dalai Lama, people in undeveloped countries are more happy than people in developed countries. In fact, rich people tend to fail to understand the fundamental essence of life, as oppose to people who are not rich. A little help can make someone happy as well for themselves. Because the rich have set their mind on living a luxurious and materialistic life, they lose the initial excitement and happiness when they acquire something like a new car or a house that they can afford with no hesitation. In contrast, people who are poor are less concerned about obtaining materialistic wealth. Rich people are too used to their lifestyle and will eventually lose awareness of what excitement and happiness actually means. In addition, rich people may start to think that they won’t be able to feel that way ever again, so they start to break down mentally and emotionally.

Rich people tend to suffer a lot because they become too attached to their wealth. As the Dalai Lama points out in the article, rich people “are so caught up with the idea of acquiring still more that they make no room for anything else in their lives.” Rich people have the anticipation of obtaining more since they do not know what possibly will transpire if they were to lose their wealth. A consequence of that is rich people undergo emotional suffering, which can perhaps make them lose their happiness.

Poor people learn to be happy because they appreciate the little things that they have. Poor people suffer a great deal as rich people do. Although poor people struggle to acquire some type of wealth, when they acquire it they are more content and grateful. It makes them happy knowing they work hard to attain what they have and it gives them the determination to acquire more.

Most of the westerners are rich but not happy. This seems quite paradoxical. Due to the advancement in science and technology they do not have to depend on others. Due to the citified life, they lack communitarian life. They do not depend on neighbors but on their employers as a result, the bond of relations collapses there. In the development countries, most of the people enjoy he communitarian life maintain give-and-take relationship but people in city do not have personal and social attachment. They hardly get chance to share their feelings and emotions as they are always in a rush.

Development, Democracy and the Village Telephone

-Sam (Satyan) Pitroda

Q. Give a summary of the article “Development, Democracy and the Village Telephone” in your own words.

Sam ( Satyan) Pitrodawas born in 1942 and raised in a poor village in one of the poorest areas of rural India, a place with kerosene lamps and no running water. In 1980, at 38, he was a U.S. citizen and a self-made telecommunications millionaire. In 1990, he came back to India and started the controversial task of extending digital telecommunications to every corner of his native country.

In this article, Pitroda basically focuses on the role of technology in third world countries which are on the process of development.Introducing the latesttechnology in the third world countries had been a matter of controversy. People argue that in the poor countries people do not need information technology what they needed are food, shelter, seeds, water pipes, fertilizers, clothes and the likes. It is absolutely right butinformation technology is also necesry for the people to bring about change and development. The writer has mentioned three noticeable facts so as to develop the third world countries or poorer countries. They are:

a. Information technology is absolutely necessary to carry out the developmental works suchas irrigation, sanitation, agriculture and construction effectively.

b. Telecommunications are also necessary even if there may not be sufficient food, water and power. During the time of crisis like flooding and famine telephone is equally important even in the USA.

c. Information technology plays a key role as a social leveler, which destroys all inequalities and discriminations of various sorts and places everyone into same level.

The writer crated C-DOT, installed digital phone equipment, new telephones lines and improved the telephone system in Indian villages. With the introduction of telecommunication system, local farmers could call nearby cities and get real prices of their products; businessmen could speak to their customers, machine operators could arrangefor service and repair, shopkeepers could order goods all by phone and in real time. After six month of the service, total bank deposit in the bank increased by 80 percent. It helped the villagers to contact doctors, ambulance and other available

service agencies. During the feast and festival also people used the service and benefited. Hence, the societies began to be dynamic and distinct.

In the beginning of 21st century, almost all of India’s 600, 000 villages will have telephone service. The community phones became an instrument of social change, which is necessary for the propagation of democracy. Due to the spreading if telecommunication networks across the second and third worlds, no information can be controlled by handful of rich people.

Why Go To University?

+-MotiNissani

Q. What points are mentioned by MotiNissani regarding the advantages of University Education? Itemize them.

1. University education opens the door to opportunities. The more people are educated the higher their income tends to be. The level of education determines whether the particular country is developed or not.

2. Education has practical applications. Educated people tend to solve the problems more rationally than the uneducated ones.

3. Education helps for: physical well-being, mental well-being and emotional well-being.

4. Educated people are more conscious about their health and life style.

5. Educated people are highly respected in each and every society.

6. Education makes people consciously curious and curiously conscious. They are guided by sense of creativity which

7. Education helps expand our social horizon. In other words, education makes the society progressive enough.

8. Education helps increase our personal freedom. Educated people cannot tolerate any domination and restriction.

9. Education tells us about our existence in the universe. In other words, education helps us understand life and existence better.

10. Education and democracy are interrelated. The relationship between education and democracy is just like the relationship between nail and flesh.

Mr. Know All

-S. Somerset Maugham

Literal Comprehension:

A rich British merchant called Max Kelada is going to Japan for business purpose. He meets a group of Westerners on a shipsailing across the Pacific Ocean. His cabin-mate, a British citizen who is thenamelessnarratorof the story dislikes Mr. Kelada even before he sees him. However, at theend of the story Mr. Kelada, the Levantine jeweler, proves to be a real gentlemanwhen he sacrifices his own pride and reputation to save an American lady’s marriage.As a result, he earns the respect of the narrator.

Interpretation:

This is a story about culture, manners, first impressions, values and – most importantly of all – prejudice. Prejudice arises because it is human nature to cast new people we meet based on race or how they look before getting to know them. The messageof the story can perhaps best be summed up in the English proverb: You should not judge a book by its cover. As in the case of this story the narrator and Mr. Ramsey seems to be quite biased and prejudiced against his origin, name and smartness. However, when the narrator sees the true character of Mr. Kelada, he realizes that prejudice is not the right way to judge people. Mrs. Ramsay’scharacter is also revealed as being insincere in her relationship withher husband, whom she had been deceiving. When she was alone in New York for ayear, she probably had a lover who gave her the expensive pearls. Nevertheless, shehas the decency to secretly return to Mr. Kelada his “lost” money.

Critical Thinking: Generally, people have the tendency to judge others without understanding them which is not good at all. On the basis of half knowledge, it is absolutely wrong to pass our judgment. In the story, both the narrator and Mr. Ramsey have shown their biased attitude towards Max Kelada (Mr. Know All) However; the narrator has changed his attitude towards Max Kelada at the end of the story.

Assimilation:After reading this story, I came to know thatone should not judge other being biased and prejudiced. Racial prejudice is very bad notion that always bring conflict among people. By reading this story, I also came to know that it is not good leave young, beautiful and innocent wife alone for a long time as in the case of Mr. Ramey and Mrs. Ramsey.

Q. How does “The Telegram on the Table” reflect the sentiment of Nepali youths at present time?

In fact, this story reflects the true sentiment of Nepali youths whotend to forget their village, dear ones and near ones when they come to Kathmandu city. They are fascinated by the so-called modern citified life and begin to weave different dreams like Krishna in the story. This story captures thetrue sentimentof Nepali youths who are beingattracted by foreign countries, more particularly by America. They are ready to leave everything for America. They are being made by the deceptive modernized life. They simply want to forget their village and home in the name of going to foreign countries. They are also being so cruel that even they become ready to forget their wives and children. Once they go to foreign countries they hardly return to their country. In the story Krishna represents Nepali youths who are fascinated by modernized life and foreign countries without understanding the reality as such.

Don’t Cut Down the Trees, Brother Woodcutter

-BalkrishnaSama

Q. Apply the four levels of reading a text to the poem “Don’t Cut down the Trees, Brother Woodcutter”

Literal Comprehension:

The poet is addressing the woodcutter by saying not to cut down the trees. The trees are our dead mothers. They cannot speak but nurture us like our mothers. Our mothers feed us and upbring us suffering a lot. In the same way, trees also protect us from white frost. They provide us shelter and warm moments during the winter season. They bless our laughter and always bless us. They also express their love by calling us when the spring season begins.

Interpretation:

Through this poem the poet is trying to tell us about the value of trees that symbolize the whole nature. Cutting down the trees simply means to destroy the nature. To destroy the nature simply means to destroy the existence in this planet. In this sense, we should not cut down the trees rather [reserve them for the betterment of human beings and other creatures in this world.

Critical Thinking:

Although this poem has clearly expressed the idea of preserving and conserving trees, it does not focus on the other aspects of the destruction of nature. Anyway, this poem is good enough to bring about ecological awareness.

Assimilation:

After reading this poem, I came to know the value of nature. In fact, we cannot imagine our existence without nature. So, we should protect the nature to protect our existence and the existence of other species in this planet.

The Parrot in the Cage

-LekhanathPaudyal

Q. Interpret the poem from political point of view. (Probable Question for 2071)

This poem can be discussed from political point of view. Here, the “parrot” inside the cage may symbolize Nepali citizens during the time of Rana Regime. The “cage” itself is Rana Regime. During the Rana period, Nepali people were under the domination and exploitation of Ranas. There was no political freedom. There were no fundamental rights for Nepali people. Nepali people were suffering from injustice, inequality and tyranny of so-called Ranas. In this sense, this poem shows the plight of Nepali people under the rule of Ranas.

Q. Interpret the poem as Hindu-Buddhist Perspective on life.

Hindus and Buddhists strongly believe on the power of spiritualism. They do not give room for materialism. They believe that by discovering spiritual knowledge, a human soul gets rid of ignorance, becomes famous and renowned as a wise person. In the poem, we can take “parrot” as a human soul inside the material cage. In modern times, human beings are trapped inside the cage of materialism in such a way that they have forgotten human values and norms. They are spiritually degenerated. If they are spiritually aware, they will be on the road to wisdom.

Q. Interpret the poem as human animal relationship,

In a simple way, this poem can be interpreted as human animal relationship. Through this poem the poet may be trying to tell us that human beings are showing their cruelty and injustice towards the dumb and innocent animals. Human beings have been exploiting animals in different forms just for fun. Keeping animals inside the cage (zoo) is one of the forms of exploitation which does not suit for the rationality of human beings. Hence, the poet wants to appeal human beings to maintain good relationship with other animals by not exploiting them in any form.

The Lunatic

-Laxmi Pd. Devkota

Q. Discuss “The Lunatic” as a political protest poem. (Probable Question for 2071)

This poem strongly opposes the political evils prevalent during the time of Panchayet System in Nepal. In deep level, it also opposes the political evils of any time. As a true democrat, Devkota advocates for equality, justice and freedom. He also criticizes the corrupted leaders who do nothing in favor of Nepali people. They simply use people to fulfill their selfish interest. This poem was written in the context of Nepali politics which was against the sentiment of people. At that time people’s voices were suppressed. No one could criticize the government. So, to criticize the political evils of his time, Devkota wears the mask of lunatic. By wearing the mask of lunatic, he freely and frankly raises his voice against the existing political system of his time.

The poet becomes aggressive by seeing suppression and exploitation over poor Nepali people. He has criticized Alexander the Great, who reminds us of utter dictatorship in the history of mankind. His criticism over dictatorship shows that he is in favor of democracy, freedom and justice for all. He compares the rulers with tiger and innocent people with deers. As tigers pounce upon the deers, so do the rulers over innocent poor people.

Devkota, thus protests against the dictatorship and favors democracy and freedom. It is only in democracy where people can progress and enjoy freedom. So, we can say that it is a political protest poem.

No Smoke from the Chimneys

-SiddhicharanShrestha

Q. Apply the four levels of reading a text to the poem “No Smoke from the Chimneys.”

Literal Comprehension:

The speaker of the poem has expressed his devotion and dedication for the struggle against the Rana rule. He says that he does not have time for luxury and love. He has a great mission to fulfill. He even addresses to death by saying not to call him, he also addresses to the lady by saying that he does not have time to love. He is moving ahead in anti-Rana movements. As Nepali people are struggling against the Rana rule by canceling their meal, he cannot remain far from that mission.

Interpretation:

This is a political poem that describes a time when Nepali people were struggling against the Rana rule. Through this poem the poet is appealing each and every Nepali people to join the movements leaving everything behind. The movements are for noble causes: for equality, justice freedom, and democracy.

Critical Thinking:

Though this poem reflects the mood of revolution, it does not present it so forcefully. Is it possible for people to join the movement without having meal? Why are people canceling their mean? These questions seem to be quite relevant here in the poem. Anyway, this is a wonderful poem to focus on the value f democracy, freedom and equality.

Assimilation:

After reading this poem, I came to know about the time of anti-Rana movements in Nepal. This poem has also impressed me a lot as it has given value to democracy, freedom and justice. In fact, democracy is the best form of the government which makes it possible for all-round development.

Q. What is the mood of this poem?

The mood of the poem is revolutionary. It reflects the revolutionary spirit of Nepali people against the autocratic rule of Ranas. This poem also captures the devotion, dedication and determination of Nepali people to root out the Rana Regime from the soil of Nepal.

Q. Sketch the character of the speaker.

Ans: The speaker of the poem is a true representative of Nepali people. He is a freedom fighter who expects democracy in Nepal. He is not interested to involve in trivial matters but wants to do something for the sake of freedom and democracy in Nepal. He is revolutionary and true freedom fighter who hates autocratic rule of Ranas and loves democracy and freedom.

King John and the Abbot of Canterbury

-Anonymous

Q. Apply the four levels of reading a text to the poem “King John and the Abbot of Canterbury”

Literal Comprehension:

This poem by anonymous is a humorous piece of literature in which an unjust and jealous ruler has misused his power. He accuses the Abbot of Canterbury of treason without any evidence. He asks him three nonsense questions regarding the time to round the world, his worth and his thinking. He also declares that unless he gives the answer, he will cut his head off. After being unable to answer the questions, The Abbot asks the king for15 days to find the answer. The king grants his request. The Abbot then goes to intellectuals but cannot get the answer. However, the shepherd of the abbot helps him out by giving humorous answer to the king in disguised form of the Abbot. Being impressed by the answers, the king forgives the Abbot and rewards the shepherd.

Interpretation:

This poem is a humorous piece of literature. Here, the poet is trying to satirize the cruel and jealous rulers like the king john. This poem is also trying to make a point that sometimes even the uneducated ones can teach the educated ones a great lesson as in the case of the Abbot and his shepherd. There are certain riddles of life which may not be answered by intellectuals but can be solved by simple and uneducated people. Humour and satire can be the useful weapons to control the cruel heart of the people like the king John.

Critical Thinking:

No doubt the poem is very humorous and interesting. However, we can ask a couple of questions against this poem. Does the king really fail to recognize the Abbot? Instead of using power, why does the king ask such silly questions? Anyway, this poem is humorous one to tell us something about the attitude of unjust rulers.

Assimilation:

After reading this poem, I came to know that there are certain riddles of life that cannot be answered by educated people but can easily be answered by uneducated ones. In fact, humour and satire add spice to life and make it wonderful and beautiful.

Q. “King John” recounts a conflict between the king and the abbot:

a. Describe the conflictb. Explain the reasons for conflictc. How is it resolved?d. Describe a similar conflict you may have had with a friend, stranger, and a child or parent.

a. King John accuses the abbot of treason and asks three nonsense questions. He also puts condition that unless he gives the answer, his head will be cut off. But the abbot cannot give the answer and demands 15 days time to answer the questions and the kings grants him the time. Hence, the conflict begins.

b. King John is jealous of the name and fame of the abbot, which the king thinks is a great insult for him. To entrap him, the king asks him three nonsense questions which the abbot finds it very difficult.

c. Even after consulting the intellectuals from Oxenford and Cambridge universities, the abbot cannot get the answer of those questions. He then becomes sad. He tells the root cause of his sadness to his shepherd. The shepherd goes to the palace in a disguised form of the abbot and answers the questions. He gives the answers in a witty and humorous manner. The king is impressed by his humorous answer. He then forgives the abbot and rewards the shepherd.

d. A couple of years ago, my father asked me a confusing question— what is that which overflows with words and its cap goes to its bottom? He also declared to give me 500 rupees for the right answer. I tried my best to find the answer but finally my servant gave the answer. In fact, my education did not help me out.

Stooping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

-Robert Frost (USA)

Q. Apply the four levels of reading a text to the poem “Stooping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.”

Literal Comprehension:

A traveler is in the journey riding on his horse. In the course of his journey, he happens to stop by the woods on a snowy evening. The scene is very beautiful; therefore, the traveler becomes so impressed that he forgets the duty and distance. He is totally absorbed by the scene. The horse thinks that his master is forgetting the things. So, he shakes his harness bell and reminds his master of the duty and distance. The traveler then starts his journey.

Interpretation:

Through this poem, the poet is trying to tell us that duty is more important than beauty. In the journey of life there may appear various obstacles but we should never be discouraged by those obstacles. As a human being one should move to complete the mission making great contribution to the family, society and the sate before one dies. Human beings should do good deeds before they die so that they will be immortal even after death.

Critical Thinking:

This is very wonderful poem with great lesson. However, the poet seems to be giving value only to duty and responsibility. I think life is not only duty and responsibility but it also means to enjoy the beauty and happy moments. Anyway, I am impressed by this poem.

Assimilation:

After reading this poem I came to realize that as a human being one should really make contribution for the society before one dies. Life becomes meaningful only when one becomes immortal even after death.

Where the Mind is without Fear

-Rabindranath Tagore (India)

Q. What is the theme of this poem?

This poem brings the idea of humanism and love. The poet seems to be praying to god for the sake of his country and the whole world. Human beings are quarrelling in the name of caste, creed and custom as a result; people are suffering from sense of fear from other human beings. There is no peace and harmony in the world. If human beings realize the value of humanism and love, the world will be a perfect paradise.

Gaia

-ShreedharLohani (Nepal)

Q. Apply the four levels of reading a text to the poem “Gaia.”

Literal Comprehension:

The palm trees are withered. There is no green vegetation. The rain is devouring so it has ravaged the things in the world. The mountain looks as if there is only stone nothing more than that. The planet is under the shadow of shroud. Everywhere there is turbulence and hunger yet the nature is enduring the crisis.

Interpretation:

Through this poem the poet is making a point that nature is living organism. It has immense potentiality to endure the crisis. If we obey the nature, it nurtures us like our mother do us but if we disobey it, it takes revenge in the forms of natural calamities like food, landslide, global warming and so many others. Hence, we should conserve the nature to maintain our existence in this planet.

Critical Thinking:

Many people may find it very difficult to internalize that nature is a living organism. But the point is that nature is a living organism which reacts as per the attitude of human beings towards. If we respect nature, it supports us but if we not respect it simply destroys us in the form of natural disaster.

Assimilation:

This poem really impressed me with the idea that nature can also take revenge with us in the form of natural disaster. These days, many people are dying due to the natural calamities simply because we have destroyed the nature. If we conserve the nature, it will simply protect us. Therefore, nature must be conserved and preserved for the betterment human civilization.

To His Coy Mistress

-Andrew Marvel (England)

Q. Render the key argument of this poem into simple prose.The poem gives the idea of hedonistic philosophy. According to hedonism, the principle of

life is “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow you must die.”In the poem, the speaker is wooing his beloved to make love. But she is showing her coyness. He is arguing that if there had been enough time and space, he would have praised each and every part of her beautiful body but the time is so powerful that it does not allow him to wait anymore.

He further says that as the time passes there will be no energy in his body to love his beloved neither will there be any beauty and charm in her body; her so-called long preserved virginity will be decayed therefore, now is the right time to enjoy the love as there is still time and space; moreover, there is youthful hue and energy in them. In such a favorable situation his beloved’s shyness is merely a crime that hampers them to enjoy life at its fullest. In this way, by showing the power of time and shortness of human life, the speaker offers a chance to enjoy love in the right time without any delay.

Q. Do you think the poet has given his balance view in the poem?No, he has not given a balance view. The poet has given his one-sided view towards the physical love. He only focuses on sexual relationship in love. He does not talk about the spiritual love in the poem. His main point revolves around the sexual love or love in young age. The fact is that, there is love among people even in the old age but the this fact is not discussed here by the poet . Love, in fact, is more than the fulfillment of sexual desire but the poet has neglected this fact. Hence, we can say that the poet seems very partial in discussing his subject matters here.

Ethics-Linda Paston

Q. Explain the central dilemma of the poem.

In the poem the speaker deals with a moral dilemma that her ethics teacher would ask every fall regarding whether to save a Rembrandt painting or an old woman who had not many years left anyhow if the museum was caught fire . The question was put up when the speaker was too young to understand the ethical issues. The speaker and the other students at that time could not give the answer simply because they were not mature enough to understand the ethics and moral values. Ethics and moral values can only be learned from the reflection which comes through experience and maturity. Due to the lack of experience and maturity the speaker was on dilemma.2. What is the central idea of the poem?The poem is about moral dilemma that had arisen when the ethics teacher asked the speaker regarding what would she save whether to Rembrandt painting or an old woman who had not many years left if the museum was caught with fire . Being too young, the speaker could not give the answer. After many years, she knew the fact that the woman ( life), painting ( art) and season ( nature) all have their own value. As she says:I now know that womanAnd painting and season are almost oneAnd all beyond saving by children.

Here, the implicit meaning is that painting and woman represent something old, wise and decadent and are something that ethics say we cannot and should not easily neglect and give up but children are not able to understand that , therefore, they cannot save them. The ethical values and issues are better understood being matured and getting experiences.

Q. The poem seems to imply that it is not possible for children to understand questions of ethics or moral values? Why?

By nature children are innocent and they cannot distinguish between what is good and what is bad. They take anything as its face value. They cannot understand the underlying reality of the particular things. Under ethical and moral values, there comes the question of good and bad but the children do not have any critical mind to identify good or bad. As in the case of the poem, the speaker herself could not give the answer of the question put up by her ethics teacher when she was quite young but now, she knew the fact, as she became mature and got plenty of experiences in her life. Hence, ethics and moral values are understood by reflection, maturity and experience. Children lack such things; therefore, they cannot understand such things and ideas.

What is Intelligence in Anyway?

-Issac Asimov (USA)

Q. Summarize the essay, 'What is Intelligent Anyway?" in a single paragraph.

Generally, people think that getting high score in intelligent test is the sign of intelligent. The writer himself would get highest score in the tests and satisfied thinking that he is intelligent enough. However, his so–called intelligent didn't help him in the kitchen and mechanic's. In the kitchen he had to be the assistant of the cook not knowing so much. Similarly, he had to go to mechanics to repair his car. Though the mechanic could score low in intelligent test but he could get the highest score in the matters of machines. The questions for intelligent test are selected by some academicians and that some academic people can get high score that is not a matter of surprise. If the questions were selected by non–academicians the writer would get very low score. As the writer himself could not give the answer of the mechanic's questions: as to how a blind man asked for a pair of scissors? The writer simply raised his two fingers of his right hand and made scissoring motions. Actually, blind man could speak and ask properly. Since the writer could not give the answer, the mechanic laughed on the writer's stupidity.

Q. Do you agree with Asimov that human beings cannot be placed on a one–dimensional intelligence scale that they are made up of a unique mixture of intelligence and stupidity? (Probable Question for 2071)

I agree with the writer that human beings cannot be placed on a one–dimensional intelligence scale that they are made up of a unique mixture of intelligence and stupidity. A person can't be judged on the basis of his/her particular field of knowledge. A person can be intelligent on his / her own field but may not be intelligent in other fields. As in the essay, even if the writer got the highest score in an ability test but when his car became functionless he had to take the help of a mechanic for he did not have knowledge about the machinery things.

A mechanic, on the other hand, can have great capacity to handle and fix the machinery things or equipments but in the intelligence test, his knowledge does not work. Similarly, if a mechanic sets questions for the intelligence test, academicians may not get good score. Hence, the degree of intelligence does not lie on special knowledge of particular field. Intelligence is not a narrow term; it is something very broad term. Intelligence also refers to the practical knowledge. Academicians may think that a mechanic is a fool as having no idea at all but a mechanic may also think that academicians know nothing related to machine. In this way, human beings cannot be placed on a one–dimensional intelligence they have both intelligence and stupidity.

Keeping Errors at BayBertrand Russell

Q. what are the simple rules that Russell talks about to avoid the silly errors that human beings are prone to make? Or

What is the central idea of the essay? Or

How can human beings avoid the silly errors?

To avoid various silly errors, no superhuman genius is required. A few simple rules will keep us, not from all errors, but from some silly errors.

If the matter is one that can be settled by observation, we have to make the observation ourselves. He gives the classical example as Aristotle could have avoided the mistake of thinking that women have fewer teeth than men, by the simple device of asking Mrs. Aristotle to keep her mouth open while he counted.

Many matters are not settled by observation for example the convictions=If an opinion opposite to our own makes us angry, that is a sign of silly error. So, whenever we find ourselves getting angry with opposite opinions to our own, we have to think that we are making great mistake. Getting angry with the opposite opinions means we are the sure about our own.

The sense of dogmatism is another fatal mistake that human beings tend to make. A good way of removing ourselves of certain kinds of dogmatism is to become aware of opinions held in social circles different from our own.

We have to be very careful with our sense of superiority. Men think that they are superior, women think that they are superior and mankind on the whole think that they are superior. For that we should try to know that the man is a brief episode in the life of a small planet in a little corner of the universe, other parts of cosmos may contain beings as superior to ourselves .

Another silly error is made by the fear. In fact, fear is the main sources of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. If we can do away with fear we are on the road to wisdom. If we can avoid the above –mentioned some silly errors we can lead a wonderful life.

Why Go to University?

- MotiNissani (USA)

Q. Summarize “Why Go to University?" in a single paragraph.

People tend to go to university to get Higher Education. The most obvious advantage of Higher Education is concerned with income and job opportunities. The better educated you are, the higher your incomes tends to be. University Education has many social values. It provides greater social mobility and freedom. The society as having educated people can develop itself in a significant manner Education expends your social horizons. You meet new people, make new friends, and share new experiences. Besides, education makes people less dogmatic about their own beliefs, and more tolerant about the beliefs of others. It saves people from indoctrination -hj/h:tL l;4fgt nfb\g]_ and false certitude. Education and democracy are closely connected. Democracy gets flourished where the education level is high. Lastly, education is an essential ornament that helps bring power and prosperity in each and every society. In fact, education is a storehouse of progression, and the future of humanity depends on the level of education.

Q. write the main point of 'Why go to University' into a single sentence.

One Should go to University not only for getting certificate and bookish knowledge but for many social, economical, political and practical reason.

Surely You’re Joking Mr. Feynman

-Richard D. Feynman

Q. Would you call Richard D. Feynman, an Interdisciplinary? Why or why not? Do you believe conversation with philosophers and biological research distracted from Dr. Feynman's work as a physicist, or actually enriched it?

Before he met Professor Slater he was not interdisciplinary but when he got advice from Professor Slater to visit other universities his being an interdisciplinary began. Earlier as a student, Feynman wanted to get his graduation degree from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), however, as per the advice of Slater he went to Princeton University and began to pursue his study. Later on, he became teacher and as a teacher he would encourage his students to learn about different disciplines: He was also told by his professor to learn many things from diverse fields.

In the college also, Feynman used to talk with people from different disciplines. He would take interest in philosophy and psychology. As he was a physicist, he would equally take interest in biology. In doing so, he would not distract from his field of study i.e. physics rather his attempts to know about other fields would enrich his field. He would not devote himself in other subjects he would do so only in leisure time. Actually, he is an interdisciplinary as having knowledge of diverse fields.

Q. How would you feel about the strange title of Feynman's essay? Do you think it captures the point Feynman is trying to make about life and education?

At first glance, I felt that the title is very strange and he may be making a point of some funny things. But after reading the essay I came to know that through the title the writer has a point to make for the readers. When the writer went to Princeton University as per the advice of his professor, he got chance to attend a tea party in the very first day. In the party, Mrs. Eisenhart, the Dean's wife asked, "Would you like cream or lemon in your tea, Mr., Feynman?" He replied he would have both. In the mean time, Mrs. Eisenart laughed and said, "surely you’re joking, Mr. Feynman." Although such reply of the writer sounds humorous, there lies his attitude–the attitude of being interdisciplinary, as having the taste of different varieties. It is also related to education. Being educated does not mean that one should attach to single field; it also means to enjoy the varieties. An interdisciplinary cannot remain far from different subject matters. Here, lemon and cream may be the symbols of diverse subject matters, which Mr. Feynman likes to enjoy in life. Actually, varieties add spice to human life and make it something precious.

Mr. Know All

-S. Somerset Maugham

Literal Comprehension:

A rich British merchant called Max Kelada is going to Japan for business purpose. He meets a group of Westerners on a ship sailing across the Pacific Ocean. His cabin-mate, a British citizen who is the nameless narrator of the story dislikes Mr. Kelada even before he sees him. However, at the end of the story Mr. Kelada, the Levantine jeweler, proves to be a real gentleman when he sacrifices his own pride and reputation to save an American lady’s marriage. As a result, he earns the respect of the narrator.

Interpretation:

This is a story about culture, manners, first impressions, values and prejudice. The message of the story can perhaps best be summed up in the English proverb: You should not judge a book by its cover. As in the case of this story, the narrator and Mr. Ramsey seems to be quite biased and prejudiced against Max Kelada’s origin, name and smartness. This story also tell us that sometimes, one should tell white lies to protect others from the risk as Max Kalada has done in the story by saying that the pearl necklace is imitation whereas it is genuine. This story also indirectly says that husband and wife should always live together.

Critical Thinking: Generally, people have the tendency to judge others without understanding them which is not good at all. On the basis of half knowledge, it is absolutely wrong to pass our judgment. In the story, both the narrator and Mr. Ramsey have shown their biased attitude towards Max Kelada (Mr. Know All) However; the narrator has changed his attitude towards Max Kelada at the end of the story.

Assimilation:

After reading this story, I came to know thatone should not judge other being biased and prejudiced. Racial prejudice is very bad notion that always bring conflict among people. By reading this story, I also came to know that it is not good leave young, beautiful and innocent wife alone for a long time as in the case of Mr. Ramey and Mrs. Ramsey.

Arranging a marriage in India

- Serena Nanda

Q. Apply the four levels of reading a text to "Arranging a marriage in India".

Literal Comprehension

Marriage in India is a lengthy process. Here, Serena Nanda happens to find out very strange custom of arrange marriage. In America, arrange marriage is overlooked and is simply taken as ideal whereas it has great value in India. Through her friend, Sita, Serena comes to know about the arrange married. Initially, the writer hardly believes on the fact that a person lives his / her life with a single partner but later on, she gets fascinated by the arrange marriage. The writer's friend comments on Americans by saying that they want everything done so quickly. They get married quickly and quickly they get divorced. But Indian takes marriage as an important event of life and hence, in marriage many things are taken into consideration. Especially, parents and the elders of the society play vital role in selecting the potential candidate in marriage. Everything is managed by parents and the relatives but sometimes candidates are given time for brief introduction and talks. The match–making process is very lengthy as it is bind by the culture and tradition. The writer has given some examples regarding the dismissal of marriage partner for her friend's son. In the first case, they come to know that the family has many daughters and in such a situation the bride may not be able to adjust herself in a small family. In the second case the potential pride is found to very smart and forward, quite incompatible with the nature of the groom. Similarly, in another case, the bride is cancelled due to her physical structure. In this way, marriage is something serious event in India unlike in America. Here, everything counts very important. The writer also shares her experience as a successful matchmaker in India.

Interpretation

This essay may be trying to tell us about the deeply– rooted concept of arrange marriage in India, which is not there in America. The striking differences on the concept of marriage in western society from that of India are primary concerns of this essay. Besides, to highlight the secret charm of arrange marriage is another part of this essay. In America, boys and girls know everything about each other before marriage, therefore, there is nothing left to know after marriage but in India boys and girls, in most of the case, do not know each other before marriage, therefore, after marriage mystery and romance add spice in their life. On the whole, the essay is about the arrange marriage of India and its cultural and traditional value which is not taken seriously in America.

Critical Thinking

This essay brilliantly expresses the value of arrange marriage in India, however, in the beginning of the essay, the writer seems to be critical to the concept of arrange marriage but later, she accepts many things about the arrange marriage. Another thing, that is not convincing for me is that how could the writer successfully play the role of matchmaking. This essay also seems to be talking everything from the perspective of groom's side while arranging the process of marriage that does not sound quite fair.

Assimilation

After reading this research–oriented essay I came to know many things about the arrange marriage and its advantages. Before reading this essay I strongly believed on love marriage, and I used to laugh at arrange marriage but after reading this essay, I liked the arrange marriage. In fact, arrange marriage facilitates to make the marriage romantic and successful

Marriage is a Private Affair

Q. Apply the four levels of reading a text to “Marriage is a Private Affair”

Literal Comprehension

Nnaemeka, a young man now living in Nigeria's capital Lagos but who is originally from a remote Ibo village, is engaged to marry a non-Ibo teacher, Nene. In Nnaemak's Ibo culture, marriages are usually arranged within the tribal group by a family elder. The concept of marrying an outsider you fell in love with is unheard of, shocking, and distressing to Nnaemeka's father, Okeke. Okeke forbids a love marriage to an outsider, and proposes a local girl instead. When Nnaemeka and Nene get married anyway, Okeke disowns his son and, in ensuing years, refuses to see him and his growing family, despite reports that his son is happily married. Many years later, Nene writes to Okeke, telling him that his two grandsons wish to see him. Alone during a stormy night, Okeke regrets having shut his grandchildren out of life and determines to see them as soon as he can.Interpretation

The story "Marriage is a Private Affair" depicts the tension that frequently occurs between children and parents generally because of a difference in points of view. In this story, a son must choose between his father and the woman he loves since his parent does not accept his son's marriage out of love. Cultural factors are crucial in this case in the sense that tension within the family arises as a result of the opposition between the modern perception of marriage, love and family as expressed by the son, and the old patriarchal order that the father upholds. In fact, the determination with which the father wants to preserve tradition eventually causes a break between him and his only son.

Critical thinking:

The story shows the conflict between old generation and new generation. And the main cause of the conflict is inter-caste marriage. In the story, the father of Nnaemeka ,Okeke has stood as a barrier in the love marriage of Nnaemeka. This sort of strong position of father towards the inter-caste marriage of the son seems quite funny in this modern society. Modern readers, especially, young generation may not find this s story very interesting as it delivers no such interesting theme.

Assimilation: This story reminds me the case of my intimate friend, Madan, who too has married a girl from different caste. A man of broad outlook married a girl who studied in the same class but his parents flatly opposed that and after marriage they have not welcomed his son, rather, a kind of misunderstanding is still there between the parents and the son.