Drawing analogies

 How much land does a man require and The sniper

Leo Tolstoy a contemplative prolific Russian writer has authored gobs of novels and short stories. Being a vocational writer he also written plays and essays. Tolstoy's awe-inspiring heap of literary works sees a tinge of his pensive mind. He stories and novels are full of noble ideas, moral lessons and spiritual enlightenment. Thus he is also referred to as a social reformer.

Liam O'Flaherty just like Tolstoy was an Irish novelist and a short story writer. It is interesting to note that Flaherty started his career as a soldier and participated in World War 1. Thereafter he himself has bitterly criticized war and owing to the fact that pen is mightier than sword he took it!

'How much land does a man need' by Tolstoy and 'The sniper' by O'Flaherty are both exceptionally astounding short stories drafted in simple language but having a profound mettle. Though very different in their plots they share a major trait. They both talk about the fundamental human nature and aim to put it's readers centuries after centuries into a pensive mood.

'How much land does a man need' talks about the excessive greed and the possessiveness of men, while 'The sniper' refers the futility of the warfare.  In the beginning of 'How much land does a man need' the two sisters talk about the rural and the urban life. Here the clear cut distinction between both of them is seen. The setup in which a person spends a commendable of part of his life affects his thinking pattern. The younger sister was influenced by the rural nature while the elder by the urban. It must be noted here that both of them are trying to laud their own ways of life. It is the nature of humans to have a soft corner for anything, whether living or non-living that belongs to them. However none of them are able to completely pull the other down. Variety is the spice of life. Not all have the same opinion! Everyone has their own style of thinking and are correct in their own ways, for every coin has both the sides! The attitude is all that makes people distinct. Similar is the case with the story Sniper. The people of the same country itself are not ready to accept each others' views. The Free Staters and the members of the IRA (Irish Republican Army) rage a war against one another as the Free staters are happy with the partition of Ireland into the Northern and the Southern as suggested by the British but the IRA are want an undivided nation. This conflict results into a war. Again it is apparent that humans promote their own ideas and want 'em to be thrust upon the others.

Pakhom complaints about the little land that he has and wants more to grow powerful. Here Pakhom doesn't realize that the real happiness in life lies within the humanly life and not in the materialistic. This is one of the greatest attribute of many people living. The Irish civil war wouldn't at all have taken place if this is naive fact was understood. People always are interested in the affairs of the world and often neglect contemplation.

The barina charges the peasants if their cattle happened to break into her land. This too shows that humans are too possessive of money and do not care much about anything else when it comes into the picture. Pakhom too was not happy with this but yet he too did the same thing after coming into power. This is indicative of yet another feature of mankind. The misery makes people sad and lead them to use their brains but victory means sole celebrations! Victory often makes people forget their former condition and make them self-centered. The sniper doesn't even have a tinge of humanity. He is desperate to kill. He shoots an old lady who fall into a gutter. This is simply the heights of viciousness. The agony and fear of death at the moment of being shot then makes him sensitize of his brutal actions. When he kills the old women he is exhilarated but only after being shot he feels the pain himself.

Envy is the ulcer to soul as said by Socretes. Pakhom grows envious at the success of the people around him. He wants to be at the summit and to acquire that position he is ready to do anything and everything. The Republican Sniper as well as the Free Stater sniper pose a threat to each other and thus wants to kill each other for paramountcy.

Being utterly determined and enthusiastic leads one to the terminus only and only if that determination doesn't turn into fanaticism and bigotry! Pakhom was fanatic about acquiring land while the Republican Sniper was fanatic of killing the free staters. Pakhom's greed was fired with successive fulfillment of his desires up to such an extent that he put his precious life too on stake! The sniper too conspired to kill his enemy at any cost though it could also be termed as the survival instinct. But neither Pakhom nor the sniper enjoyed the fruits of their toil.

At the end of life people are not judged on the basis of medals won, estates acquired or property gained but the times they reached out to the ignored, the times they stood by the ones when they were all alone, the love, warmth and the mirth they spread matters. Pakhom was ultimately buried in a grave just the size of his corpse in-spite of having so vast a stretch of land. Pakhom just before dying realizes the disaster his greed had bought. Pakhom's family lay devastated at this and are sure to curse him for his actions, though a little feeling of sadness might prevail. The republican sniper killed his enemy but soon realized that the man he killed was his own brother and was then remorse struck. He too regrets living though his heart craved for killing his opponent; and heaves expletives at the war. In the end he realizes the futility of war.

'The sniper' and the 'How much land does a man need' thus both revolve around the fundamental truths of the life and in a very effective and touchy manner expose the true human nature. They both aim at awakening the human population from their deep slumbers and seek to improvise the society. 

As you like it - My favorite characters

William Shakespeare has been a great literary giant of the sixteenth century. His flamboyant intellect has been and will continue to be the source of attraction for millions of literature freaks, although it is quite disheartening to know that his fragrance has spanned the lengths and breaths of the world posthumously. 'As you like it' is one of the comedies written during the late 1590's. His endeavours to appeal his audience and especially the youth is reflected in this play. The comedy, romance and the penetrating insight into the fundamental human nature all bundled into a single hilarious and exuberant pack is what 'As you like it' is.

The three most endearing character in the play according to me are Orlando de boys, melancholic Jaques and Adam.

Although Jaques seems to be a pessimist, cynical and melancholic his pensive personality throws light upon many untouched angles. As is the sweet supper nauseating exclusive of spice, 'As you like it' would remain shrivelled without Jaques. The flattery arrows sooner or later are bound to prick but that of criticism tend to resurrect mankind. Criticism is an alchemy that brings out the odds in men right from pride, ego, and attitude to the intricate chores of life. Jaques is as witty as is his 'lord'! As we see Jaques in 2, i, 26-63 moralizing upon a 'Sequestered Stag', it's apparent that his heart throbbed for all beings. He is very sensitive, compassionate and loving. He assumes a hard tone for mankind, the 'material fools'. He compares the other rejoicing deer to the apathetic, self-centered mankind. Here duke senior too acknowledges Jaques to be at his intellectual heights when he is melancholic, which indeed is a parody for the 24/7 melancholic Jaques! Although at times he is presumptuous, he brings out the naked truth. His lucid perception of the human life can be well seen in 2, 7, 140-166 where he explicitly compares the 7 stages of the life of a man to a play. Being an adolescent myself it is quite interesting to relate my personal experiences which of course fits the text!

Adam although not seen after act 3, is one of the leading character of the play. He is the servant of Sir Rowland de boys, without whom the play would almost have been baseless. Adam's 'wrinkles' are the results of his chastity and perserverance. If lord Krishna happened to tread in the theatre, he without a wink would acknowledge Adam as the man of perfect self-less nature, utterly devoted and loyal to his 'short errand' (the life). Adam always advocated love and tried to pacify the ever increasing conflicts between Orlando and the vicious, virulent and vehement Oliver. Service these days has become almost a blasphemy! Everyone fishes for an apt opportunity to exploit the other and reap his harvests! Amidst this atmosphere Adam gives up all his grueled treasures in the service of his beloved master, risking his very life! He elicits the sheer truth of life by 'surrendering to the all mighty', keeping up all his virtues (2, iii, 38-55). His ways of life will serve to be source of inspiration until the perpetual bell of time knolls!

Like a tender Magnolia, fresh in the morning rejuvenates the calm, cool breeze with its sublime fragrance, Orlando illuminates the play with his overflowing grandeur. He is a lad with a noble spirit that enchants everyone. The enmity between Orlando and Oliver found its roots in the jealousy that Oliver bore for Orlando's noble character and ethics. Orlando is very well-versed, well-behaved gentleman. Jaques the harshest of the critiques too has regarded Orlando as a 'nimble witted fellow' (3, ii, 270-271). Orlando's compassion is well illustrated in 4, iii, pg 79-81 where he fights a lioness bare-handed to save 'his enemy' during which he himself gets wounded. In the very scene we also see that Orlando is a man of his word. He sends Oliver to Ganemede (Rosalind) for begging pardon for not reaching on time. Orlando is totally committed in his love. He would rather choose to die than to live a life barren of the rosy Rosalind. His love is heavenly and is as chaste as Lucretia! He is kind, loving and caring.  His love for Rosalind is expressed in the verses in 3, ii, 85-92 and 3, ii, 122- 151. Here Orlando's knowledge, love and his stalwart character is mirrored. Orlando is full of great philosophy which is a sure indication of his pensive and contemplative mood.

Jaques's intuitive melancholy, Adam's morality and Orlando's nobility caught my attention. One of the greatest lessons that Jaques has taught me is to become a keen observant. The ecstasy of becoming a witness is flabbergasting preventing us from being screwed on the same cross time and again! It is quite apparent that the optimists can miss the stand that a pessimist can have but also that he can scarcely be inebriated with the elixir of life. Orlando's love and kindness coupled with his acuity and Adam's determination and longing for his service all combined with 'Jaques melancholy' makes the life jubilant!  

As you like it Act 1 and 2

The rain drops chaste as its origin fall from the eternal vastness, rest upon the steep slopes ready to flow down, pacing swiftly ahead, meeting other brooks on the way, obliterating obstacles, mingling with mud, meandering but moving and ultimately emptying into the cosmic reservoirs. An intricate mystery understood by none! The inceptions most sorrowful, then a tottering youth and a steady maturity finally blending into the feeble age of peaceful demise. Being born a human is purely a luck by chance but building and sustaining humanity throughout the course life is not everyone's cup of tea! Alas this world! The most essential elements of life can neither be beheld nor can be touched in contrast to the illusive avarice for the materialistic possessions that we all cease to seize! However they can be felt and sensitized. Perhaps the abstractions of these underpinnings of nature was destined to shield the living beings from their own greed, malice and collusions that might have threatened their very existence. The traits of human nature may be diverse but beat around the same mulberry bush! Atrophied of love, this mesmerizing world have been desolate and gloom would lay predominant. Unconditional love out-powers even the most lethal of the weapons. Love is the universal heartbeat with which every soul throbs, though its manifestations may seem diverse. As the air flowing from the East to the West and the mighty waves dashing against the shingle, "Love knows no bounds". The powers of love may be awe-inspiring, one only needs to surge them to action!

Yet it is a great to pity to see a prodigious amount of hypocrisy brewing about every niche. The only sin possible in my eye is to deny your own inner calling. Not to respond to its impetuous urge causes all sorts of complexions. The typical stereo-typical society has certainly enthralled the budding minds with their ‘perverse impossible ideals’. The condemnation of sex and love puts at war against our own energy – and a double minded man is unstable in all his ways – as most of us are!

The dictionary has fallen into the hands of masochists’ vectors who have marred one the most beautiful words. Trust, fidelity and ‘chastity’ have been reduced to what is called virginity in a bawdy language. A deeper psychological insight reveals jealousy, the offspring of insecurity.

Today is a world where you can ping your fiend sitting right at the North Pole in a mere fraction of a second. We have become a global village but with this contraction in a virtual sense have our beings also started to contract only to be reduced to a malodourous trickle? A branch severed from the trunk hurts both equally – men and women are no exceptions! Peace is but a dream until the ‘complements’ do not merge into one another, unconditionally, having casted off all the trash of untold centuries. It is time to tickle the ‘vast unused network’ of billions of electrical connection of biological computer……..

The rain drops chaste as its origin fall from the eternal vastness, rest upon the steep slopes ready to flow down, pacing swiftly ahead, meeting other brooks on the way, obliterating obstacles, mingling with mud, meandering but moving and ultimately emptying into the cosmic reservoirs. An intricate mystery understood by none! Atrophied of love, this mesmerizing world have been desolate and gloom would lay predominant. Love is the universal heartbeat with which every soul throbs. As the air flowing from the East to the West and the mighty waves ramming against the shingle, "Love knows no bounds". Perhaps the epicenter of every teen is love and sex.

Yet it is a great to pity to see a prodigious amount of hypocrisy brewing about every niche. The only sin possible in my eye is to deny your own inner calling. Not to respond to its impetuous urge causes all sorts of complexions. The typical stereo-typical society has certainly enthralled the budding minds with their ‘perverse impossible ideals’. The condemnation of sex and love puts one at war against one’s own energy – and a double minded man is unstable in all his ways – as most of us are, trying to fish for a relationship and at the same time shying away from it!

The dictionary has fallen into the hands of masochists’ vectors who have marred one the most beautiful words. Trust, fidelity and ‘chastity’ have been reduced to what is called virginity in a bawdy language. A deeper psychological insight reveals jealousy, the offspring of insecurity. We have tried to captivate love/sex and channelize to a single person. But is the nature of a river to be dynamic or static?

Today is a world where you can ping your fiend sitting right at the North Pole in a mere fraction of a second. We have become a global village but with this contraction in a virtual sense have our beings also started to contract only to be reduced to a malodourous trickle? A branch severed from the trunk hurts both equally – men and women are no exceptions! Peace is but a dream until ‘these complements’ do not merge and melt into one another, unconditionally, having casted off all the trash of untold centuries. It is time to tickle the ‘vast unused network’ of billions of electrical connection of our biological computer……..

Much ado about Nothing - Beatrice vs Benedick

Much ado about nothing is a comedy written by William Shakespeare full of acute insight into the human psychology and behavior. There is a lot to take from the text even today in the 21^st century. How grand and noble of a text to survive through centuries and centuries of wild winds of renaissance!

A messenger in Act 1 scene 1 comes to inform Leonato that Don Pedro is just about to arrive. In this scene we see Beatice asking,

"Has Signor Montanto returned or no?"

This question is of immense significance as we can infer that Beatrice must have known Benedick from long and might as well have had some relation in the past. One gets a license to mock the other only after a long acquaintance! Moreover Beatrice here asks only for Benedick and no one else. This suggests of some relation between them.

Beatrice ridicules Benedick severely, for instance she calls him a stuffed man, "He is a stuffed man - but for the stuffing well we are all mortals." She meant to say that he is a man full of vices and no concrete matter. She undermines his dignity by saying, "He has a new sworn brother every day." and "He changes his faith as the fashion of his hat." Beatrice indirectly abuses him attacking on his loyalty saying that he is never consistent in his relations and changes his partners just in the manner we cast off the old clothes for the new ones!

When Don Pedro arrives Beatrice and Benedick again get a chance to play the merry war of wits! Here we see that it is Beatrice who initiates the conversation with Benedick. It strengthens our conviction that the two are in some relationship. On the surface we see that Beatrice is absolutely acrid and caustic when it comes to talking to benedick but well for that matter the very theme of the play comes into picture - Appearances are always deceptive! But nothing can be concluded from these skirmishes of wits. Benedick begins with "My lady Disdain!" In Elizabethan time women were to be respected and one could never use such abusive or offending language. But she answers, "How could disdain die when she hath such meet as Benedick?" Here we see that she accepts the otherwise humiliating title. Thus it seems that they both must be inclined towards one another. Benedick gets weary of the "rare parrot teacher" and rests. This is not liked by beatrice who pops in to say, "You always end with the Jade's trick." This sentence also reveals that they both had known each other from a long time as she is aware of the traits of Benedick (to leave a conversation uncompleted) It implies that she wanted to talk to him even after he stopped. No matter what the body of the conversation be, it is the feeling and the desire to be with the partner and to talk to him/her is what really matters - all else is just an excuse on the way!

Whenever we see Benedick and Beatrice together they are always quarrelling. The next instance proving the above assertion happen to be when Benedick and Beatrice dance in the reveling at night. She threw words like pots and pans at Benedick not knowing his identity. These sane words coming out of her mouth seemed like "poniards" (daggers) to Benedick. She calls him, "My uncle's jester" (A gross fool), an utter idiot always fooling around. She also said that "he amuses a few people by angering others" and thus a few laugh at his jokes while others beat him.  And beating someone of such a noble lineage as such as Benedick is the very pinnacle of insult. She also mentions that only "libertines" (useless fellows) and "squarers" (Hooligans) "rejoice in his company." Listening to all this he was hurt beyond reason but was helpless as he was not supposed to reveal his identity by displaying his satiric wit.

The deep incision which Beatrice's poniards have made in Benedick's heart is exposed when Pedro pities him. There he exaggerates and conveys that even inanimate objects would have to come life (eg the wiser he was wearing) to scold her. Even Hercules the most powerful of the gods would have to light the fire at her charge (do all sorts of feminine activities.) The environment around her was so poisonous that people by will would commit sins in order to get a ticket to hell which was still a better place to live than earth where we have the Legendary Beatrice!

However as Beatrice approaches Pedro and Benedick he turns sober or to say turns into a hypocrite and starts to use more polite language.

"Hath thee any service for me?"

"Send me to the antipodes."

"…Pluck a hair from the great Cham's beard,"

"I can bring the length of Paster John's foot"

"bring toothpicks from the east"

"Hath thee any embassage for the pigmies?"

"Send me on the slightest errand rather than holding a conversation with this harpy."

Beatrice in this scene is seen making a vile comment when Don Pedro says, "You have put him down lady, you have put him down." This she takes in a literal sexual sense and replies that if Bendick was to get on top of her she would begot fools. (Hinting that benedick was a fool)

However the condescending attitude of Beatrice is for the first time justified at this instant. Here she confesses to Don Pedro that she was in relation with Benedick.

"I gave him use for it."

But Benedick won his heart back from her by a "false dice" and "thus my lord may well say that I've lost it". This infidelity on the part of Benedick could be one of the reasons for her being harsh to benedick. Having revealed so much of valuable information this scene in Act 2 can be termed to be one of the most important of all!

Thus Benedick and Beatrice were constantly engaged in a "merry war of wits" as Leonato puts in. On the periphery we always see these two hailing insults at one another but deep down there had been sprouts of love that couldn't blossom or perhaps are yet to blossom! The embers glow even when the fire is extinguished! There is something that is still stirring deep within them that is trying to bring both of them under the very wrath of love! These are two most paradoxical and enigmatic characters of the entire play. 

Much Ado About Nothing - Scene 1 detail Analysis

Much ado about nothing is one of the all-time favorite comedies of Shakespeare. The text apart from its regular jocular mood delves deep into the human psychology and behavior which makes its study relevant not only today but unto the incarnation of 'men of some other mettle than earth' as Beatrice puts in!

The play begin with Leonato the governor of Messina, his 'short daughter' Hero, his niece Beatrice and a messenger. The initial scene is set in the orchard of Leonato where a messenger brings forth the news that Don Pedro the price of Aragon was soon going to arrive at his place.

"Messenger: He was hardly three leagues off when I last left him."

The messenger intended to inform Leonato that Pedro was just about fourteen kilometers away and would arrive at any odd moment. This piece of information was vital, as per the customs of the 16^th century England the prince must be entertained in the most extravagant style. For if he displeased, he rages a war against the opponent who then is completely shattered. Although Pedro was not such a stereotypical king. The facet will be illumined later on.

"Leonato: How many men have been killed?

Messenger: None, and a few of any sort."

These two dialogues show the entire social structure at that time. It was not only essential to conquer but also to bring back full numbers.

"Leonato: A victory is twice itself when the conqueror brings back full numbers."

As without those high class officials the kingdom would again be at stake. But it also should be marked that commoners at that time were not even considered as people or counted in number of deaths.

Then as the conversations progresses the bravery, courage and exceptional service of the 'young Florentine Claudio is discussed. The joy of his uncle who is never again mentioned in the play is expressed. He was also rewarded by Pedro.

Meanwhile Breatice asks, "Has signor Montanto returned or no?"

This question baffles the messenger but Hero chips in and says, "My cousin means Signor Benedick of Padua."

This particular statement shows the intimacy shared by the two cousins. Hero overtly is a very modest, reserved woman of 16th century. But in the presence of her cousin she expresses the deepest mysteries hidden in the heart of her heats. The bond that they share is noteworthy.

Before the prince arrives Beatrice shows her wit and humiliated Benedick severely. This shows that she wasn't a 16^th century women. She was outright and acrid in her speech. She didn't care of the social norms and was a rebel. Upon the arrival of price he is welcomed.

"Leonato: ….For trouble being gone happiness remains. As your liege takes his leave, happiness also take its leave and sorrow abides."

This is demonstrative of the upper class people. They were rather snobbish and took on to flattery.

"Pedro: Your hand Leonato."

This line indicates the amicable behavior of Pedro at earlier.

There also happen a 'skirmish of wit' between Benedick and Beatrice. Benedick makes use of the word 'My lady Disdain!' which is heartily accepted by Beatrice. To respect ladies was a courtship and to call someone disdainful was a sin that probably even Satan wouldn't have ever come across! This indicates that these two might have been in relation. The fact is backed up when Beatrice says, "You always end up with a Jade's Trick."

As Pedro and with him everyone except Benedick and Claudio leave, Claudio expresses his heats desire to marry hero which is mocked at by Benedick by calling her 'Short daughter of Leonato' (short in all respects) On the contrary Pedro appreciating his love confirms the virginity of Hero and arranges for his marriage with hero. The key point to be noted here is that marriage was less a business of love. People were mad after prestige, reputation and property. For if love was the criterion the question of virginity or being the sole heir of property shouldn't have ever arisen. But nonetheless Pedro arranges to propose hero in during the reveling that night and break with his father. But there are also two instances of noting that occur in the consequent scenes.

Thus the first scene opens up the play by introducing all the major character. All of them are more or less exposed right in this scene. The entire play in the most intellectual manner possible. The connections to the later parts of the play are well established and the readers are prompted to think and marvel and anxiously wait for the play to unfold itself!

The lost Jewels

Rabindranath Tagore has been a preeminent polymath of the 19^th century Bengal and was the first non-European Noble Prize winner. His stories bear the charm of gluing the reader to the very edge of their chairs and is never so mundane as the rising and setting of the sun.

Tagore's writing style include the usage of a lot of Hindi or so to say colloquial terms, for instance Ghat. His stories are in general set in rural India near a river bank, i.e. Ghat. He also has a tendency to glorify the lower middle class and the female characters of this stories.  Tagore was apprehensive of the modernization sweeping across the lengths and breadths of the nation then because of the British. It is quite apparent from the story - The Lost Jewels.

"Under the spell of modern civilization men has lost his god given power of his barbaric nature which has loosened the conjugal ties."

Lost Jewels, the title is suggestive of some loss of jewels that occur in the course of the story. Being a psycho-thriller the title instills in the reader a kind of thrill and brings the element of suspense. The loss as in the layman's language would refer to some material loss and jewels would awaken a symbol of wealth.

Well Bhushan Saha the heir of Durga Saha's property was an affluent gentlyman refined and polished in every aspect that one could imagine.

"But he was modern. He spoke faultless English and actually entered the sahib's offices with his shoes on. In addition to that he grew a bear."

Thus we see that the assumption of material abundance is apt.

"He called the physician at his home."

He had a wife, Mani. Mani was the most parsimonious lady that ever trod on earth! She was excessively obsessed with her jewelry. All that mattered to her was her wealth, neither her husband, nor her children for she had none save the jewelry! She didn't feed any religious mendicant and always saved every penny. The most striking attribute of Mani was that she seemed to have stuck at the age of 16.

"Not an atom of her youthful beauty was lost. Perhaps beauty is best preserved in a heart that is an ice-box."

Tagore's sardonic tone here is worth noting. Mani considered her husband nothing more than an ATM machine which would infallible serve her 24/7/365!

"She used to get her caresses and Decca Muslin Saaris and bangles without being able to pride herself over victory!"

So perfect was the love of Bhushan for Mani but ironically unrequited. Bhushan was a man of 'fine spun ideals.' To him, "to give was the way to get."

The only bloach on the part of Bhushan was his obsession for Mani. Impeccable in every moral sense but obsessed with Mani, who in turn was held in the shackles of Money, failed utterly in both business and in the personal life alike.

Bhushan once suffered a dip in his business and needed money to compensate for the loss. Even in such a plight the hostile Mani refused to lend her jewelry. Instead she fled to her father's place with her equally sloppy and malicious brother Modhu. Bhushan had then to secure a loan from Calcutta which he successfully did. But upon returning didn't find Mani. His evanescent rage withered against love and a mad ransacking in and around the town only led to the conclusion that Mani and Modhu might have drowned in the floods.

Thus we see that the entire inconsequential chronicle revolves about these two characters and jewelry. On the surface we see that the jewelry must have been at the abyss, and hence lost.

From a wider perspective, a man such as Bhushan is difficult to find even in the 21^st century. He simply lost all the bloom of his life, and was an utter failure. Thus the loss that he suffers on the emotional plane and the psychological trauma that he goes through is a greater loss.

On the other hand this story teaches us the importance of a balanced relation - that the frequency of the tuner and that which is broadcasted must match or there is crass cacophony! The meeting of incompatible characters in a loss for both Mani and Bhushan. Another theme touched upon is avarice. A material fool such as Mani at the end of her life went empty handed just as Alexandr did! She 'lost her jewels'! And lastly we see that only a well-balanced, inert mechanism can survive. Bhushan too was lopsided in being extremely pliable. Alloys are always enhanced versions of their constituent metals and similarly the mix of the sour and sweet and the balance of Yin and Yan is a must. The jewels were destined to be lost for none stood in the middle!

The lost jewels

Rabindranath Tagore has been a preeminent polymath of the 19th century Bengal and the first non-European Noble prize winner. His stories bear the charm of gluing us to our chairs to the very last moment and is never so mundane as the rising and the setting of the sun at the horizon!

The setting of most of Tagore's stories is a countryside near the ghat, with frequent usage of Hindi words in the text. The characters usually belong to lower and middle-class families. The lost jewels is no exception to the above mentioned trend. Tagore being born in enslaved British India was apprehensive of the modernization sweeping the lengths and the breadths of the nation. The lost jewels serves as a surrogate through which he shoots his arrows of sarcasm.

The lost jewels is a psycho-thriller drafted in naïve language with a penetrating insight. The title hints at the main theme of the text - loss - be it materials or meta-physical. Bhushan being tied up with an incompatible partner simply ruined his life in pouring into a broken pot! On the contrary Mani - an extremely stingy women lost jewels and what is more, herself at the bottom of a ferocious river.

The renaissance bought about a radical change in the hearts of and minds of a few which is time and again criticized.

"Under the spells of modern civilization man had lost the God-given power of his barbaric nature, and this has loosened the conjugal ties."

The protagonist of the story lands at a ghat where he encounters a rustic a inquisitive as a mongoose! His personal details is an enigma till the very end.

"After a moment's hesitation I gave him a name, but it was not my own."

This creates a milieu for suspense.

The narrator is reminded of a tale pertaining to the wretched house.

"A huge house with broken windows, tumbledown verandas, and all the appearances of the old age was in front of me."

The occupant of this house Bhushan Saha was an affluent gentlemen polished in every aspect. He actually seemed to have travelled in time, much ahead of his own era. The features of a modern man are well illustrated in the following quote:

"But he was modern. He had been educated, and not only spoke faultless English, but actually entered Sahib's offices with his shoes on. In addition to that he grew a beard."

He was a man who didn't blindly abide to the age old tradition. Bhushan's love for Mani was unfathomable but ironically unrequited!

"She used to get her caressed without asking, her Dacca Muslin Saris and her bangles without being able to pride herself on a victory."

He was not at all possessive and gave absolute freedom to her in an age where wives were considered as inanimate belongings.

But in contrast have a look at Mani's attitude and approach.

"The result of this was that Mani looked upon her husband as a mere machine for turning out her Dacca muslins and her bangles - so perfect a machine, indeed, that never for a single day did she need to oil its wheels."

There was not a niche in her heart that could be reserved for Bhushan! Mani's only love was her money and jewelry!

Mani's attitude becomes crystal clear at the climax when she flatly refuse Bhushan to borrow her jewels during a loss in his business. Despite the fact that Bhushan wasn't impulsive and stereo-typical she fled to her father's place to safe-guard her jewels upon the advice of her equally sloppy and malicious brother Modhu.

The only blotch on the flamboyant character of Bhushan was his obsession for mani. Mani absence torment him. After a desperate ransacking of the town it was concluded that both Mani and Modhu had drowned in the river. But in the pangs of loneliness Bhushan started to dream of her day after day which ultimately costed him his life!

The entire story is deeply rooted on balance. A couple is organically united, only on the physical plane do we see two individual. There's a lot to take from the story. Lopsided individuals such as Bhushan who are too gently or who do not consider the darker side always fail in life. Similarly at the end of the day Mani left this world empty handed, though she had all that a person could desire! Thus both the idealistic and the material fools are sure to lose. Secondly peace and harmony would only find place between compatible elements, in any kind of relationship. Even though the rational mind denies; there is always that - last grain of hope that we always cling to. Bhushan hoping for the 'hopeless' is the best way to illustrate this. Thus 'The lost jewels' is a story that covers virtually all the aspects of our social life and leaves us all in a pensive mood!

The Lost Jewel - Character Sketch of Mani and Bhushan

Rabindranath Tagore has been preeminent Bengali polymath and the first non-European to win a noble - prize. His short stories bear the charm of gluing its reader to the hem of their chairs and in never as mundane as the rising and setting of the sun at the horizon.

The usual setting of Tagore's stories is a river ghat and a rural village; not to mention the middle people for it is obvious. He has a nerve to glorify his female character and make the males characters suffer in most of his work. A story is a hundred times its worth when the writer touches upon the internal world of the characters rather than just sticking to the externals. Tagore has this wonderful blend of characteristics with which he spins his yarns to mesmerize the reader. Lost jewels is no deviation from this trend. Being born in an enslaved British India he was skeptical and apprehensive of the modernization sweeping the lengths and breadths of the country. Lost jewels merely serves as a surrogate though which he shoots his arrows of sarcasm.

The inception of the story is typically Indian. The narrator comes and sits near the author (presumably). He was a sort of person who was bubbling with inquisitiveness right from the top to bottom! The sequence of questions and answers is again a typical Indian gossip.

"What sort?

A dealer in cacoons and Timber.

What name?

After a while of hesitation I have him a name but it wasn't my own.

Why have come here?

For a change of air.

Sir I must tell you that I've been enjoying the air of this place for nearly six years with a daily of average of 15 grains of quinine and I don't feel I've benefitted much……."

The narrator begins his story about the huge eerie house with tumbledown verandas.

"But he was modern. Bhushan Saha was not only spoke faultless English but actually entered the Sahib's office with his shoes on. In addition to that he also grew a beard. There was no possibility for him in bettering himself as far as the Sahib's were concerned."

"There was another drawback in his home. His wife was beautiful …."

"With his college education on one hand and his beautiful wife on the other what hope was there to preserve our good old tradition?"

Thus Bhushan Saha as he is introduced as a fine gentleman, is too sober in his ways, an idealistic person indeed. He loved his wife from the deepest core of his heart which alas was not reciprocated. Bhushan was excessively possessive of Mani and altogether too submissive. he was a man that scarcely belonged to the century in which he was born.  

"He should have been born five or six centuries hence when the world would be moved by the psychic forces. He was unfortunate to have a wife who belonged to the 19^th century."

Thus Bhushan was a misfit in the society and Mani his wife was totally obverse of what he was.

"Mani looked upon his husband as a mere machine for tuning out her Decca Muslins and bangles without being able to pride herself over a victory."

"Mani always worked and saved and was never sick nor sorry. She preserved everything with one exception of her husband's caresses."

"….Perhaps beauty is best preserve in a heart that is an ice-box."

Mani was exceptionally beautiful.

"She had not lost an atom of her youthful beauty."

Although being such a gifted woman she was an utter failure in her life. She had no children to look after save her jewelry which grew from year to year as though it were her very children! Feeding religious mendicants was not her way. She never gave any alms nor did she mix much with the neighbors. All that she cared for in her life was the jewelry that her husband foolishly have her thinking that the way to get is to give.

Ups and downs is the way of the business. Bushan being a businessman was in a need of a Lakh and a half. The core of this matter, he in the most hesitating manner broached to his wife Mani. True love is ever-ready to sacrifice even the most valuable possession to bring a grin on the face of his/her beloved. But Mani instead of helping her husband in his period of hardships flatly refused him even of the slightest aid.

"He was deeply hurt but was incapable of retuning the hurt back."

Bhushan even then was so stuffed with loft morals that he didn't jeer at her. There was not a trace of barbaric nature in him. He at a length hired the requisite sum from Calcutta.

But in the interim Mani had flown on the advice of his sloppy brother Modhu to her father's place. Bhushan upon returning from Calcutta was grief stricken not finding Mani around. The area in vicinity was ransacked but neither Modhu nor Mani were to be found. Thus day upon day he sulked and returned to a dream world which eventually severed his soul from his body.

Such was the tragic end of the story said that narrator which of course was a bluff as the man to which he was telling was himself none other Bhushan Saha.

Nonetheless Bhushan was a very delicate and sober man in contrast to the shrewd, possessive Mani. This story teaches us many lessons. Firstly avarice is the root cause of all evil. Also the story ran around and emphasized on the need of 'Balance in a relationship.' Furthermore possessiveness and obsession of all kinds leads us to hell. All of these nobble ideals finely interwoven in a succulent banquet is what Lost Jewels is! 

The eve of Waterloo

Childe Herold is one of the masterpieces of Lord Byron. The eve of waterloo is but a spoonful of the ice-cream scooped out of the majestic cup introduced to you as Childe Herold above! Of the many war poems written this one is unique as each one also is! The historic background of the poem is just an armor shielding and conveying the mettle - futility of war in a succulent manner!

Waterloo or Quas Batre is the name of place where the historic battle was fought between the English and the Celtics. Geographically speaking waterloo is situated near Brusells the capital of Belgium. The Duchess Richmound had arranged for a grand party where all noted members poured in and expressed great glee!

The poem begins with this party. Everyone around is soaked to the socks in merry - making. The youth is dancing, there is music and couple expressing their love through the gateway of heaven - the 'eyes', The rapturing milieu may enthrall and bewitch even the most dolorous, cynical wayward! Such was the glory!

The use of the word 'voluptuous' in the text suffices to explain all that I have to say and more. The use of 'Sound' in the same stanzas delivers diametrically opposing shades of meaning; joy at the beginning and war and mourning at the close.

At the end of the 1^st stanza we are introduced to the Knell - a warning bell often used as a sign of death which changes our mood. However the second stanza reverts our attention back to celebration. People in the party inferred the sound as that of a "rattling car" or "blowing wind". This is a significant insight into the human psychology.  We always want to extend our flickering spells of joy and never confront evil in whatsoever form. Even when the reality is overpowering we tend to turn our attention away and fish for excuses. Thus the inherent quality of life calls us again and again - that murmur!

However in the 3^rd stanza it becomes quite evident that Napolean had a launched surprise attack on the English. William Brunswick is referred to as "Fated Chieftain." The English army was doomed to crumble unto dust and hence the adjective fated or rather to say ill-fated. In this stanza Bruswick's father dies and to take his share of vengeance he too fights till his last breath. But here is a point to notice. Retired people, age and withered sit often in the cozy couch to savor life but war is so deleterious in all its aspects even an old man is not spared, from its haunting flares! So apathetic! 

As the poem advances the couples are separated, lovers are apart, mothers and their sons, sisters and their brothers are all apart. This scene is illustrated with such vividness so as to instill in the hearts of the readers and fill them with a million emotions beyond the reach of language. The tears shedding, the anxiety and pain of parting from the beloved touches the men and shakes him of the balance. The keyword used in this stanza is "Mutual Eyes". Any act accomplished by common agreement and effort is termed as mutual. Here the poet deliberately uses the word mutual to emphasize on the fact that "soldiers and martyrs" that are now leaving will upon return not be able to share the mutual eye contact for it would be shut forever in the gloom of war. Their relatives sorrowful would glance with keen anticipation only to hear no rely! Such is the dread of warfare. None is spared and the gently emotions are uprooted!

The next two stanzas merely talk of the preparation of was and the music and artillery that charges up all the soldiers to fight. The age-old Edwin and Donald are recalled to infuse the spirit of zeal, enthusiasm, and patriotism. Then the poet uses beautiful imagery of nature to criticize the self-consuming nature of war. As the soldiers passed through the forest of Arden the leaves rustling in the wind seem to wave a last good-bye to the soldiers. The morning dews on the leaves are personifies as the tears of nature. Even the inanimate is filled with grief for love is eternal truth!

The next stanza is the most important one as far as the theme is concerned. The soldiers tramping on the grass full of valor crushing and annihilating it go to the battle field. Their return is symbolized in a poetic way. The grass that they crushed would be the same that one day would grow on them - meaning grown on their graves. And of course war has no order and nobody is concerned with the corpses. Thus a few bodies would rot and others taken to the burial ground, where in the heap of friends and foes all would roll over one another and become clay once again as the inceptions of life!

The poet brings out the very reality of existence - death - the inevitable - the invincible. As in bile and all of the scriptures of the world it was declared that "Man hath come from the dust and unto dust he shall return" In the light of this divine understanding the poet wants us to remember that all our dreams and aspirations, hated, jealousies is but a mere bubble of soap. And that to make fuss about borders is rather childish. The very contrast of the jubilations at the beginning and the gruesome reality of war at the end of the poem invokes the reader to ponder over life - the beautiful opportunity. In every shade from bliss in the initial reveling at noon the translation from joy to mourning by the morning and then the filth of war, its terrible effect is breath taking.

Putting aside the historical note we find two entirely different worlds living simultaneously - the world of dance and music and love and the other of death, horror and terror. How astonishing it is to see heaven and hell existing all at once, transcending space and time and the fate tossing the "mere atomies" in between these two! Blessed are the ones who manage to loom somewhere at the boundary - who are neither ardent of some desperate glory nor are dismayed of some discomfiture! They are just who they are, neither more nor less - but yes they are humans in true sense of the word! 

The drover's Wife - The adversities faced by a Bush woman

Australia is considered to be the place where the first lady Lucy (Historically and not biblically) ever trod. Australia however has even since the advent of time been known for Negros and black men. It is a fact that the Australian bush is the most difficult place for a man to survive and what to say of the plight of a women in such a place!

The title suggests that a female character drover's wife is living in a bush. The entire story has revolved around this one character - the wife. All adversities and all the pains and dangers have been dexterously tackled singlehandedly by her. It is incorrect to say that she is femaile, she is indeed a lion in the coat of a sheep!

"…It is impossible to fix a point if you were not a Bushmen for the everlasting maddening sameness of the land."

"….A few rotten she oaks stood….."

Bush is a place which has very sparse vegetation, and extremes of climate. It is a proven fact that only sturdy and robust men can survive in the bush owing to the acute shortage of resources needed every day and the other.

The wife of this ex-squatter is the main character, the Hero. The husband has gone droving and returns only for a short while once every six months.

"In the former time he has hired a railway sleeping compartment for her, put up at the best of the hotels and bought a buggy for her."

His husband - the bankrupt Solomon was 'good enough' sort of man and cared for her wife and had he the means he would have kept her in the heart of the city like the queen of Sheba!

The story uses flashback technique to acquaint the reader with the adversities that a bush woman faces and how bravely she had fought with each one of them. This wife,

"Built usual castles in air but her womanly desires had been dead long ago."

The external conditions didn't favor or even give a chance for the girlish desires of hers to blossom. On the contrary, "She seemed harsh in her behavior" towards her kids.

"She found all her recreation in the day's journal which she kept beside her while sewing."

The only medium of expressing and quenching thirst of her desires was the young lady's journal.

The wife had fought a mad bullock which besieged her house. She killed it and got 16 pence and a half by selling its hide. She also once fought pleura-pneumonia which took away her best two cows at which occasion she cried bitterly. Rainy seasons in bush are also as severe as the scorching sun is. Once in fighting a flood "she drenched herself in the outpour to dig an overflow gutter." But unfortunately it didn't work out. "There are something that a bush woman cannot do." She was extremely dismayed.

Once a forest fire in its haunting flares was just about to consume her little dwelling place which she valiantly saved from turning into ashes.

"Tommy was greatly amused by the sight of her mummy in his dad's trousers."

"…..Four excited bush men arrived in the nick of time……."

At this juncture she also she saved her youngest son from the forest fire.

There have also been instances when strange men seeing no other men in the house try to take undue advantage of her. But she was stern enough to turn away any trespassing jerk. With a club in one hand and loosening her dog - Alligator she said, "Now you go" and the treacherous fellow had to leave saying, "okay mum."

"There also have been time when she sat to have a good cry but her cat rubber against her and cried and then she had to laugh."

A strange yet innocent sense of ridiculousness! She knew the art of transforming her predicament to pleasures!

The worst incident was when the snake gets in the house. The way she stays up all the night and takes care of her children is noteworthy.

Thus people who live in the bush have to work hard and toil to the maximum if they are to survive there. The nature's fury, weather's atrocity, the loneliness, the social vacuum, and the unavailability of the most basic resources in a bush drives men crazy.

The story ends with a touch statement by Tommy her eldest son,

"I will never go droving Mummy, blarst me if I do."

The very sentimental declaration is the culmination and heights of the realization of the hardships that people in a bush face. The first-hand experience of the adversities faced by his 'mummy' is lucidly reflected when the boy fell into the arms of her mother. The tears running down the check of both prove to be the evidence of it. All in all the story describes privations faced in the Australian out-back, the condition of women in such a ruthless place. This story brings out melancholy of the bush women and tends to sensitize its readers to the opportunities, resources and love that they have received from life.

Lamb to the slaughter

Roald Dahl a British Novelist and short-story writer has been one of the world's best -selling authors that appealed both the kids as well as the adults alike. 'Lamb to the slaughter' a detective story is on similar patterns. Strange yet funny towards the end!

'Lamb' is a symbolic word wittily used by the writer. The very word 'lam' creates an image in our mind of a poor, helpless, lame creature, or character. Patrick, Marry, Sam, Jack Noonan and the other detectives have been at a time or the other personified as lambs.

At the beginning of the story we find out that Mary is a very loving wife. She had even mastered the art of rejoicing in silence and lauding the company of her beloved! So sublime was her love for Patrick!

"She loved to luxuriate in the presence of this man, and to feel - almost as a sunbather feels the sun - that male glow that came out of him to her when they were alone tougher."

She was a peace loving and cool-headed lady. She cared for Patrick but was also cautious enough not to dominate him. And love flowers only in the soil of freedom, watered by trust and illuminated with the torch of understanding.

"But darling, you must eat! I'll fix it anyway, and then you can have it or not, as you like!"

There are a lot many adjective and description that makes us visualize the array of scenes progressing. This particularly hooks the readers. Patrick upon returning from his office seems to be troubled by some unknown reason. There was an air of defiance around him, and drank more and stronger than usual. Patrick was obviously kind, loving and caring but remained entangled in the maze of 'external influences'. He was not a man who was exclusively submissive to his sentiments.

"This is going to be a shock to you, I'm afraid, he said. But I've thought about it a good deal and I've decided the only thing to do is to tell you right away."

"Of course I'll give you money and see you're looked after. But there needn't really be any fuss. I hope not anyway. it wouldn't be very good for my job."

These sequence of sentences - and at a time when a lady is pregnant - suggests that the husband wanted divorce. We also see that Patrick is 'self-centered' person, as he thinks of his reputation and job before considering the plight of the poor lady. Although he could have been barbarous and charged her wife to wade her way through the vast world he didn't - instead he was considerate and made the requisite arrangements for her.

Nonetheless this came up as a shock to Mary and for a moment she was no more in control of herself - some unconscious force seemed to have pervaded every single pore of hers! And how could she have kept cool and especially as she was in her sixth month of pregnancy. In this trauma she rode on a rampage of bitter feelings which she somehow wanted to get rid of. She was just about to cook the foot of a lamb which she used to hit Patrick. A loving wife such as her couldn't kill her husband but the spontaneous influx of emotions which is utterly natural caused her to behave in the way she did.

As she comes back to her sense she is reminded of her child.

"It made no difference to her. In fact, it would be a relief. On the other hand, what about the child?"

This quote portrays the selfless love a mother. Though there was no motive to left to strive for in her life she instantaneously - just in order to save her child - takes the form a lioness leaving behind the coat of the lamb!

The great challenge was to save her child, and she succeeds in preparing a treacherous trap for the detectives and the policeman. She acts as if she were innocent and benign, arranges for a witness - the vegetable vendor (Sam) and bewilders all the cops. It was deduced that Patrick died due to a blow received at the back of the head. O that they had known that the elf that played the mischief - the Grecian club - was the one they gobbled down their tummies!

The end was particularly the most interesting part where one could not help laughing out loud! Thus we see that in course of time all the major characters assumed the role of a lamb. The prime aspect of the story revolved around betrayal. "As one sows so one reaps." Patrick paid heavily for his deeds. All the actions have equal and opposite reaction said Newton, and what is more a, spontaneous one! In the last word the story reflects emotions, and turmoil (the internal conflict) at its pinnacle and charms the readers kindling in them a sense of sympathy.

Dulce et Decorum Est

'The old lie'

Dulce et decorum est pro partia mori. (It is sweet and right to die for your country.) Education from time immemorial has been stuffing the minds of the freshers with the pernicious ideals of jingoism. War in all its aspects always self-consuming but to come to understand it is a quantum leap. Wilfred owen shares his first-hand experience of participating in the world war, and there by brings out the real picture behind the painted masks!

The first stanza talks about the perilous and piteous conditions of the soldiers willingly/unwillingly participating in the wars. "Bent double" and "knock kneed" talks about the physical weight of ammunitions and provisions as well as the emotional vacuum created by constantly witnessing death. "Coughing like hags" discusses the polluted environment due to incessant bombarding. it also refers to the lethal mustard gas. The last line is of particular significance, "we trudged to our distant rest." All the soldiers having fought are all exhausted beyond limits and go to their comps for a night's repose which too is far away. Also many of them succumb to the injuries while all of them desired of just somehow being finished with the horrid life that they had to live day in and day out. Therefore it is not wrong to interpret the distant rest as death.

"Man marched asleep." The word asleep is of great import. It refers to the mechanicalness of the soldiers. In other words soldiers weren't conscious of their own selves nor were they allowed to think and/or act for themselves. Just a cop in the 'vice-city' they were programmed to kill. The word 'all' used thrice in the same stanza talks about the fact that no matter which army the soldiers belonged to, they all were equally sick with war.

"Gas! Quick boys!" An ecstasy of fumbling" The mustard gas used in world war chocked the individual, burnt him and pealed of his skin. The worst death that one could ever imagine resulted with the usage of this devious gas! To protect themselves of this poisonous gas all the soldiers were in frantically looking in time for their masks. In the midst of this chaos some or the other is bound to remain without a mask. The mournful description of that helpless dying man expecting someone to save him, shakes us from the boots! Can a man fall such low in his morals and have his sentiments atrophied to such an extent so as to not note the other at all?

The fourth stanza describes the situation of a dying soldier. "The froth corrupted lungs", "….as bitter as the cud…", "the writhing white eyes." A soldier on his death is the most perplexed person for he fought valiantly the whole of his life under the illusion of some glory or great adulation that he was to receive, but on the contrary he dies a death much congruous to that of an ant being crushed under the foot of men - totally unnoticed! The pain then crosses the physiological realm to a psychological one.

The poet uses the words "you" and "my friend" in the 4th and the 5th stanza respectively to involve us more deeply in the poem. the affections of a beloved and the words of a friend tend to strike one more easily than that of a mere stranger. As we get deeply connected with the poet's sentiment it becomes possible for us to discern from his perspective.

What do you thing the countries are? Mere pieces of lands, fragmented to ease with the administration. What do the flags represent? What are they except a piece of cloth painted in various shades of blue and black? What could a national anthem be other than a few notes of folk music? Why is that we have to get so identified with the trivia that we almost forget who we are and why we have come here? The absolute idiocy is displayed unabated when we rage wars against our brethren! Humans fighting humans for some fine spun ideals - a byproduct of the sullied mind! Just because some haughty officials sitting in the A.C chambers declare a war, should millions and millions of innocent people be killed? A person rejoicing, laughing heartily, living utterly in accordance to dame Nature is what Wilfred Owen is looking forward to. A world which cannot comprehend the word conspiracy, neither can it decipher the cryptic codes of malign hatred is the one where peace can prevail. A world where everyone joins hands and sings Hallelujah and dances under the 'common sun' is what should indeed be!