CHANDALIKA - RABINDRANATH TAGORE

NOTES ON 'CHANDALIKA' - RABINDRANATH TAGORE

SUMMARY

Much has been written about Tagore’s play, Chandalika which is based on a Buddhist legend Tagore came across while studying Ranjendra Lal Mitra’s The Sanskrit Buddhist Literature. According to the story Ananda, the famous disciple of the Buddha, approaches towards a well to ask for water from a Chandalini, a young untouchable girl. Prakriti, the Chandalini, serves him water from her pitcher and falls in love with him at the first sight. Her passion to possess Ananda compels her mother to cast a magic spell on Ananda and to drag him to her house. The spell proves stronger and Ananda is dragged to the couch spread for him by the Chandalini. Ananda prays to the Buddha to save himself from this shame and remorse. Consequently, Buddha breaks the magic spell and frees Ananda, who walks away from the Chandalini, as pure as he came. The play, for many, has been either a play of spiritual conflict or a psychological drama. Such readings of us however obliterate the most social concerns of the play like casteism and sexuality which make the play more as a social document than a mere stage show of entertainment and aesthetics. Though Subaltern Studies as a critical theory was unheard of in Tagore’s time, it is interesting to revisit and reintrospect Tagore’s Chandalika from the Postcolonial perspective .My paper will try to look at Tagore from the Subaltern standpoint, especially with reference to Gramsci’s notion of the ‘subaltern’ and the postcolonial issues of subjectivity and identity-formation .

Tagore’s Chandalika is a powerful critique of Indian society that ignores and deprives a large community of its fundamental rights and dignity, labelling them as subhuman untouchables. The dominant social groups of the high caste Hindus are much to be blamed for the dastardly acts of inhumanity and cruelty. The narrative of Chandalika is an evidence of the subaltern protest against Brahmanical hegemony and it explores possible ways of redemption. The story parallels powerfully the anti-caste movements associated with Phule, Periyar and Ambedkar. But Tagore does not lose sight of the fact that the Subaltern is held in subjection through its internal weakness and through its acceptance, as evident in the slavish mentality of Prakiti’s mother, Maya, of the moral, social and political ideologies of the ruling class. Maya internalizes and consents to her subordination as ordained. This subjectivity is not just externally imposed but is ingrained in the subaltern culture and consciousness. The mother considers Prakiti’s new birth following the awakening of her consciousness as madness. She chastises Prakiti’s newly gained enthusiasm after her.

Class XII - English Core - Flamingo - POEM 4 - A Thing of Beauty

English Notes for Class XII - English Core - Flamingo - POEM 4 - A Thing of Beauty

Poem Text

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils
With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
'Gainst the hot season; the mid-forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms:
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read:
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink.

Summary

This poem is an excerpt from a longer poem titled as Endymion written by famous English poet John Keats. In the poem Keats talks about the concept of beauty, its immortality and how it is embedded in nature. The opening lines set the mood of the poem by firmly stating that "A thing of beauty is joy forever." He rightly states that the objects of beauty are lying all around us- the sun, the moon, trees, musk rose and daffodils.

In his definition of beauty he includes things that are produced by human beings like art, poetry and mythological stories.

He opines that the world is suffering because it has gone away from Nature. If we return to nature and appreciate the beauty around us, may be there is less violence and the world is a better place to live in.

Analysis of the Poem - A Thing of Beauty

The poem "Endymion" by John Keats begins with the famous line, "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever." The speaker argues that beautiful things bring lasting joy because they never fade away, but instead become even more lovely over time. Beauty provides us with a tranquil retreat and a peaceful sleep filled with pleasant dreams, good health, and calm breathing.

The speaker believes that we should appreciate beauty every day, despite the challenges we face. We should surround ourselves with flowers to connect us to the natural world and remind us of the beauty that exists even in difficult times. Beauty can lift our spirits and help us transcend the darkness and difficulties of life. The sun, moon, trees, daffodils, clear streams, and blooming musk-roses are all examples of beauty that can provide us with comfort and solace.

The poem also acknowledges the power of stories and imagination to create beauty. The speaker references the grandeur of the imagined dooms of great figures who have passed away and the enchanting tales we have read or heard. These stories and imaginings offer us an endless fountain of "immortal drink," providing us with a constant source of beauty and inspiration.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS 

1. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever?
   
   ANSWER
   According to the poem, a thing of beauty is a joy forever because it possesses a timeless quality. Its loveliness only increases over time, and it never fades away or becomes less beautiful. This enduring quality of beauty allows it to provide lasting joy and comfort to those who appreciate it.
   
   The speaker of the poem argues that beauty offers us a peaceful retreat, a restful sleep filled with pleasant dreams, good health, and calm breathing. Beauty provides a respite from the challenges of life, and its enduring nature ensures that it will always be a source of joy and inspiration.
   
   In essence, beauty is a joy forever because it has the power to transcend time and endure even in the face of adversity. Its ability to uplift the spirit and offer solace makes it an essential aspect of our lives, providing us with a constant source of happiness and wonder.
   
   
2. What kind of sleep does it provide?
   
   ANSWER
   According to the poem "Endymion" by John Keats, a thing of beauty provides a sleep that is full of sweet dreams, health, and quiet breathing. Beauty offers us a tranquil retreat from the challenges of life and allows us to rest deeply and peacefully.
   
   The poem suggests that beauty has a restorative quality that can promote good health and well-being. By providing us with a peaceful and restful sleep, beauty can help us recharge and face the world with renewed energy and vitality.
   
   
3. What are we doing every day?
   
   ANSWER
   According to the poem "Endymion" by John Keats, we are wreathing a flowery band every day to bind ourselves to the earth. The speaker suggests that we should appreciate and surround ourselves with beauty every day, despite the challenges we face.
   
   By wreathing a flowery band, the speaker means that we should seek out and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us in the natural world. This appreciation can connect us to the earth and remind us of the enduring power of beauty, even in difficult times.
   
   The poem suggests that this daily practice of appreciating beauty can help us transcend the darkness and difficulties of life. It can lift our spirits, promote good health, and provide us with a constant source of joy and inspiration.
   
   
4. Describe bad and evil things that we possess in us.
   ANSWER
   We suffer from disappointment, lack of noble qualities and unhealthy and evil ways.
5. What removes the pall from our dark spirits and how ?
   ANSWER
   Some beautiful shape or a thing of beauty removes the pall of sadness from our " hearts or spirits.
6. What sprouts a shady boon for sheep and how ?
   ANSWER
   Trees old and young sprout to make a green covering. It becomes a shelter for simple sheep and proves a blessing for them.
7. Describe the role of daffodils and clear rills in enriching the environment.
   ANSWER
   Daffodils bloom among the green surroundings. The small streams (rills) with clear water make a cooling shelter for themselves against the hot season.
8. What is lovelier than all lovely tales we have heard or read ?
   ANSWER
   The beauty of daffodils, rills and musk-roses is more enchanting than all lovely sto­ries that we have heard or read.
9. What is the source of 'the endless fountain of immortal drink' ?
   ANSWER
   An endless fountain of nectar that makes us immortal pours into us the heavenly bliss of nature.
10. What is the effect of that 'immortal drink' on us ?
    ANSWER
    That immortal drink that nature's endless fountain pours into our hearts is a source of immense joy for us.

THINK IT OUT

1. List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.
   ANSWER
   Every little or big thing of nature is a thing of beauty and a source of pleasure. The sun, the moon, trees old and young and daffodil flowers are all things of beauty. So are small streams with clear water, mass of ferns and the blooming musk-roses. They are constant sources of joy and pleasure.
2. List the things that cause suffering and pain.
   ANSWER
   There are many things that cause human suffering and pain. The biggest source of suffering is our malice and disappointment. The lack of noble qualities is another. Our unhealthy and evil ways also give birth to so many troubles and sufferings. They depress our spirits. They are like a pall of sadness over our lives.
3. What does the line, 'Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth', suggest to you ?(Imp.)
   ANSWER
   John Keats is a sensuous poet. He is firmly attached to the endless beauty of the earth. The link of man with nature is constant and unbroken. The things of beauty are like wreaths of beautiful flowers. We seem to wreathe a flowery band that keeps us attached to the beauties of this earth.
4. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings ? (Imp.)
   ANSWER
   So many things bring troubles and sufferings. They depress our spirits. But 'some shape of beauty' brings love and happiness in spite of such unpleasant things. A thing of beauty removes away the pall of sadness and sufferings from our lives. It makes human beings love.
5. Why is 'grandeur' associated with the 'mighty dead' ? (Imp.)
   ANSWER
   The mighty dead were the people who were powerful and dominating in their own times. Their achievements made them 'mighty' and great. Their works dazzle our eyes. We imagine that such mighty dead forefathers will attain more grandeur at the doomsday. They will be rewarded. Hence grandeur is associated with the 'mighty dead'.
6. Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting impression on us ? (Imp.).
   ANSWER
   John Keats makes it clear in the very first line of this excerpt that 'a thing of beauty is a joy forever'. It is a constant source of joy. Nor does its beauty decrease. Its loveliness goes on increasing every moment. Its value remains undiminished. It never passes into nothingness. It always removes the pall of sadness that covers our dark spirits.
7. What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth ?
   ANSWER
   John Keats uses various images to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth. The bounty of the earth is like an endless fountain. This endless fountain of immortal drink constantly pours from the heaven into our hearts.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever ? (Imp.)
   ANSWER
   John Keats, a great Romantic poet, considers that a thing of beauty is a joy forever. It is a constant source of happiness and pleasure. Its loveliness increases every moment. A thing of beauty is never devalued. It never passes into nothingness.
2. How does a thing of beauty keep a bower quiet for us?
   ANSWER
   Keats is rich in sensuous imagery. Nature provides us with things of rare beauty. A pleasant place in the shade under a tree provides us a quiet bower. Similarly, a thing of beauty transports us to peace and security. We enjoy a sleep full of dreams, health and peace.
3. How do we bind us to the earth every morning? (Imp.)
   ANSWER
   Like all Romantic poets, Keats stresses the unbreakable bond of man with nature and the earth. The beauties of the earth fascinate man. Every object of nature is a source of beauty and happiness. Every day we are weaving a wreath through these beautiful things. This flowery band binds us with the earth.
4. What are the things that give sufferings and sadness to man?
   ANSWER
   Man, himself, is the root cause of his woes. We suffer from malice and distress. Unfortunately, we lack human qualities and it makes us inhuman. Our life becomes gloomy. We cultivate unhealthy and evil ways. All such things bring misery and sufferings to men.
5. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings ?(CBSE2008)
   ANSWER
   In spite of all troubles and sufferings human beings love life. The beauties and blessings of nature move away the 'pall' from our 'dark spirits'. Such things of beauty are joys forever.
6. How is the pall of despondence moved away from our dark spirits ? (Imp.)
   ANSWER
   Man makes his life miserable by his own nature and actions. He faces miseries and pains. Amid these miseries and sufferings, a thing of beauty provides a hope to man. Some shape of beauty works wonders. It removes the pall of despondence and sadness from our 'dark spirits'.
7. Name the things of nature that are constant sources of beauty.
   ANSWER
   The beauties of nature are endless. The sun, the moon, trees old and young, beautiful daffodil flowers, green surroundings are some of such beautiful things. Similarly, small streams of clear water, green ferns and thickets of the forest and musk-roses are some other things of beauty. All such things of beauty are a constant source of joy for us.
8. Why does Keats associate 'grandeur' with 'the mighty dead'? (A.I. CBSE 2008)
   ANSWER
   The 'mighty dead' were people of great power, authority and grandeur. They were wealthy, brave and awesome people. They are dead in their grave but still reflect that gran­deur and glory.
   
   
9. What is the source of the 'endless fountain' and what is its effect ?
   ANSWER
   The beauties of nature know no limits. Nature is an eternal source of joy to mankind. A fountain of eternal joy and immortality pours into the heart and soul of man. It flows and pours right from the heaven's brink.
10. What is the message that John Keats wants to give through 'A thing of Beauty' ?
    ANSWER
    The very first line of the poem conveys the message of the poet. John Keats was a worshipper of beauty. A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Beauty never fades. Nor is it devalued. It never passes into nothingness. A thing of beauty removes away the pall of sadness and sorrows and gives us joy and pleasure.

Class XII - Flamingo - The Last Lesson - Summary - Q&A Solved

Class XII - Flamingo - The Last Lesson - Notes

Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary

About the author

Alphonse Daudet (1840-1897) was a French novelist and short-story writer. The Last Lesson is set in the days of the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) in which France was defeated by Prussia led by Bismarck. Prussia then consisted of what now are the nations of Germany, Poland and parts of Austria. In this story the French districts of Alsace and Lorraine have passed into Prussian hands.

Read the story to find out what effect this had on life at school.

Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meaning from the context.

in great dread of counted on thumped at the edges

in unison a great bustle reproach ourselves with

in great dread of	to be afraid of someone or something
counted on	to depend on someone to do what you want or expect them to do for you
thumbed at the edges	worn out edges or edges that were handled many times with the thumbs usually books.
in unison	simultaneous or synchronous parallel action; done together.
a great bustle	excited activity or movement. learn to pronounce bustle
reproach ourselves with	the expression of disapproval and disappointment. Learn to pronounce reproach

SUMMARY OF 'THE LAST LESSON'

"The Last Lesson" by Alphonse Daudet is set during the Franco-Prussian War, focusing on a small French village that falls under Prussian control. The story is narrated by a young boy named Franz, who is reluctant to go to school as he hasn't prepared for a test on French participles. However, when he arrives at school, he is surprised to find an unusual stillness in the classroom. His teacher, Mr. Hamel, is dressed in his best clothes and is very serious.

Franz soon learns that this is the last French lesson he will ever have, as an order has come from Berlin that only German is to be taught in schools of Alsace and Lorraine. Mr. Hamel delivers the last lesson with deep emotion, expressing his love for the French language and his regret that the people of Alsace did not take their education seriously. He emphasizes the importance of the language to the people’s identity and heritage.

The villagers, who have gathered in the classroom to attend this final lesson, share in the somber mood. They, too, realize the value of the French language only when they are about to lose it. The story concludes with Mr. Hamel writing "Vive La France!" on the blackboard, a symbol of defiance and pride in their language and culture.

QUESTION  ANSWER OF 'THE LAST LESSON'

Think as you read:

1.  What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?
   
   
   ANSWER: Franz was expected to be prepared with participles for the school that day. Since he was not serious and had not prepared his lesson he expected a sound scolding from his teacher Mr. M. Hamel.
   
   
2. What did Franz notice that was unusual about the school that day?
   
   ANSWER: Franz noticed that the school was quite silent as if it was a Sunday morning, besides he saw many people from the village present in the class who usually never attended M. Hamel’s class.
   
   
3. What had been put up on the bulletin-board?
   
   ANSWER: A notice had been put up by the Prussians that then onward only German would be taught in the schools of Lorraine and Alsace.
   
   
4. What changes did the order from Berlin cause in school that day?
   
   ANSWER: That day, the school was unusually quiet. Many elders from the village were present in the class. The teacher, Mr M. Hamel, was dressed his best and was quite sombre. The students were pretty much attentive to M Hamel’s talk and lesson.
   
   
5. How did Franz’s feelings about M. Hamel and school change?
   
   ANSWER: Franz was shocked to learn that that was the last lesson of French language he would be attending due to the prohibitive orders by Prussians. The very thought led him to introspect his behaviour towards his lessons and realization that he wasted all that time in having fun.

Understanding the text 

1. The people in this story suddenly realise how precious their language is to them. What shows you this? Why does this happen?
   
   
   ANSWER: Many unusual things indicate that people were very serious and sad about not being able to learn their native language thence forth. The crowd surrounding the bulletin-board, the presence of the villagers in the class, the silence in place of the routine hustle and bustle of the school, the emotions that gripped. M. Hamel and Franz, representing that of the teacher and the student community respectively, were all indicators of the realization of the importance of their language to them. 
   
   
   In the story, M. Hamel says that people realize the importance of somebody or something in their lives very often when it is lost to them. Similarly, it was the order from Berlin that made people realize the importance of their language for them.
   
   
2. Franz thinks, “Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?” What could this mean? (There could be more than one answer.)
   
   ANSWER: This implies that native language to a people is the language innate to birds and animals. So the decision of occupying forces to enforce the language of the aggressor - in this case German Language, will fail the same way as you cannot make the birds sing in any other language, French people will not leave their language.

Talking about the text

1. “When a people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their language, it is as if they had the key to their prison.”
   Can you think of examples in history where a conquered people had their language taken away from them or had a language imposed on them?
   
   
   ANSWER: Points that can be included in your discussion are the dominance of the English language in India, the resistance of non-Hindi states to implement Hindi as an official language in their states, and languages which are vanishing very fast due to globalization and the internet.
   
   
2. What happens to a linguistic minority in a state? How do you think they can keep their language alive? For example:
   Punjabis in Bangalore
   Tamilians in Mumbai
   Kannadigas in Delhi
   Gujaratis in Kolkata
   
   
   ANSWER: Linguistic minorities feel isolated and hardly get any opportunity to use their language beyond home. What these minorities can do is to form groups, arrange for get-togethers and other forum for their community to use their language as much as possible. They should also speak in their native language with their children and help them feel proud of their heritage and culture.
3. Is it possible to carry pride in one's language too far? Do you know what 'linguistic chauvinism' means?
   
   
   ANSWER: Linguistic chauvinism is inordinate love for one's own language; this love is so much that one considers one's language to be superior to all the other languages of the world. The order from Berlin was an example of linguistic chauvinism. The Germans imposed their language on the people of Alsace and Lorraine.

Working with words

1. English is a language that contains words from many other languages. This inclusiveness is one of the reasons it is now a world language. For example:

   petite	French
   kindergarten	German
   capital	Latin
   democracy	Greek
   bazaar	Hindi

   
   Find out the origins of the following words.
   
   ANSWER:
   

   tycoon	Japanese
   tulip	Persian > Turkish > French
   logo	Greek
   bandicoot	Telugu
   barbecue	Spanish
   veranda	Portugese
   robot	Czech
   zero	Arabic
   ski	Norwegian
   trek	South African Dutch

Click Here to Practice MCQs based on the chapter 'The Last Lesson'