POETRY
1. ULYSSES
- Alfred Lord Tennyson
Ulysses was written by Alfred Lord Tennyson. He is one of the most popular
poets of the Victorian Era in England. The poem begins with Ulysses complaining
about his idle life as a king.
Ulysses has returned from the ten years of Trojan War and ten more years of
journey to come home Ithaca.
He still wishes to continue sailing. However, he is getting old, but that does not
stop him. Ulysses believes that he must enjoy the little time left to his life. He is
now old and lives with his wife.
Ulysses is an experienced person who has spent enough time on the sea. Ulysses
has seen a lot of things in his life. He does not consider mere breathing as living.
So he feels that there is always something more out there for him to enjoy.
Ulysses finds it shameful to be idle for even three days.
The summary of Ulysses tells us how his son Telemachus is the opposite of his
father. He is content with being to one place.
Ulysses wants to discover a new world. Ulysses concludes by thinking that
although he is old. He always continues to explore and discover.
POETRY 2. Stopping by woods on a snowy evening
- Robert Frost
Stopping by Woods on a snowy evening is a well – known poem by Robert Frost, first
published in 1923.. The poem seems to be simple, but is has profound meaning. The
poet is Robert frost was an American poet.
He was going somewhere on his horse. In the snowy evening he saw a beautiful garden.
There was beauty and tranquility in the garden. He stopped his horse and enjoying the
beauty of nature. The speaker remarked that he was stopped by the woods to watch
them fill up with snow. The woods are owned by someone in the village, and the
speaker’s horse shook its harness bells because it felt impatient. It wanted to continue
the journey. The speaker thought that his horse reminded him of his duties or
obligations. He was caught between the enjoyment and his responsibilities.
He wanted to go into the woods and enjoy every beautiful scene and he had to spend
more and more time there. But there came a second thought that he had to keep the
promises. Which is important, enjoying the beauty of nature of keeping up the
promises? He is caught between the two thoughts.
The woods were deep, dark and inviting him, but he acknowledges that he has promises
to keep.
He felt compelled to move ahead into the snowy woods, he ultimately decides to
continue his journey. Here his duties are more important than the beautiful woods.
POETRY 3. NIGHT OF THE SCORPION
- Nissim Ezekiel
Night of the Scorpion was written by Nissim Ezekiel. He is an Indian poet. His first collection of
poetry ‘A time to change’. The poem highlights the superstitions and beliefs that an average
Indian Social Society.
The poem highlights the helping nature of Indians. The poem begins with the recalling of
the poet of the incident of his mother being stung by a scorpion. The scorpion comes out and
bites his mother. At very next moment the neighborhood peasants gather and chanting the
prayers to God to relieve his mother from the pain.
The poets father was experimented scientifically on the bitten toe. Everyone was
engaged in saving the life of the mother. Finally their efforts the mother was back to life. The
conflict between belief and rationally is major theme of the poem.
PROSE
1. THE BEST INVESTMENT I EVER MADE
- A.J.CRONIN
The Best Investment I Ever Made was written by A.J.Cronin. It is a creative
outcome from the personal experience of the author’s life as a doctor in London.
In this story the author explained about the life of a misguided youth who tried to
commit suicide. The Narrator, as a doctor completely changes the life of the boy
and turns him into a good position.
The story has suspense in the beginning, a fantastic flash – back to develop
the plot. Dr Cronin was on a voyage back from New York. On the second day, he
noticed that one of the passengers was closely watching him. Encouraged by his
wife, finally the man approached Dr. Cronin and introduced himself. But when he
said something in his ears an incident happened 25 years ago. His name was Mr.
John and he was an orphan. His uncle found him a job in the office.
Recalling the episode, who be helped the young man with seven – pounds
during his moment of crisis, he realized that it was the best investment that he
had ever made in his life.
The episode gives immense pleasure to the doctor as the young man turns
out to be a social reformer in society.
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PROSE
2. THE NIGHT TRAIN AT DEOLI
- RUSKIN BOND
The Night Train at Deoli is a story of adolescent infatuation presented with great
sensitivity – It was written by Ruskin Bond (1934---). He is an Indian author. He
was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999.
“ The Night Train at Deoli” is an illustration of all these points with ample support.
Nothing ever happened in the Deoli station. The Narrator used to spend summer
vacations in Dehra Dun. Deoli was a small station it marked the beginning of the
heavy jungles. The Train would reach Deoli at five and be in the morning. Nobody
got off the train and nobody got in. But the train would halt ten minutes. It was a
cold morning the girl, poor basket seller had a shawl thrown across her shoulders.
I was looking out for the girl as the train. When she saw me, she smiled. She was
pleased that. I remembered her. He meets the girl only twice. He never to see her
again. But she remains in his memory ever after.
NON DETAILED
1. AN ASTROLOGER’S DAY
- R.K.NARAYAN
An Astrologer’s Day was written by R.K.Narayan (1906-2001). Rasipuram Krishna
Swamy Narayan was born in 1906. His first collection of short stories, Malgudi
Days.
This is ‘whodunit’ story with a Malgudi twist. This story beginning at midday and
ending nearly at midnight. The central character, an astrologer rendered vividly
with typical narrative skills and humor by Narayan. The story populated the path
running through the town hall park in that imaginary town. It was late evening
that day the astrologer was to leave for home then he saw a stranger his name is
Guru Nayak. He invited that man. The stranger had no faith in Astrology. After
that the astrologer warned Guru Nayak not to leave his home again. Narayan
execute the trick to perfection.
NON DETAILED
2. FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE
- ABRAR MOHSIN
Florence Nightingale was written by ‘Abrar Mohsin’. He is an educationist having
served in different capacities in various parts of Africa.
Florence Nightingale, English nurse and reformer was born in Florence, Italy. She
made a history during the Crimean war by nursing the sick and wounded. Her
selfless service during. The Crimean war, Florence became known as the ‘Lady
with the Lamp:
Abrar Mohsin condemns wars. He says there is nothing glorious about wars.
Florence Nightingale became an angel.
