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Friday, September 18, 2020
Class 12 - Kaleidoscope - Non Fiction - 03 Film Making
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Class 12 - Elective English - A Wedding in Brownsville by Isaac Bashevis Singer
DETAILED SUMMARY
Issac Bashevis Singer was a Polish – American writer who used to write in Yiddish language. He received a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1978. This story basically points out the void or the emptiness that overpowers the protagonist of the story, that is, Dr. Solomon Margolin, even after he manages to accomplish his goals and objectives. The story commences with the portrayal of marriage as a burden in the eyes of Dr. Solomon. Dr. Solomon was basically a Jew who initially used to reside in Poland where his family was killed in the holocaust that was enforced by Hitler.
(Holocaust here refers to the extermination of Jews by German Nazis in the rule of Hitler. This means that Jews were killed on a large scale by the Nazis under the supervision of Hitler). Dr. Solomon ultimately escaped to America along with the other Jews who survived the holocaust. In America, Dr. Solomon had been appointed as the board member of a Jewish scholastic society and co-editor of an academic Jewish quarterly. However, the brutal treatment that was imposed on his family in Poland had an adverse impact on the mind of Dr. Solomon, he seemed to have lost his faith in humanity and the fear of death often used to haunt him. Also, Dr. Solomon often used to keep thinking about his past memories, his first love, Raizel, who was a beautiful Jewish girl and the daughter of a Jewish watch – maker, Melekh. He also recalled that Raizel got married to someone else which disheartened him at that time but she and her entire family was later killed by Nazis. This thought further used to intensify his depressive tendencies. Dr. Solomon’s wife, Gretl, was also a German, but she was anti - Nazis. Dr. Solomon used to treat rabbis, refugees and Jewish writers without charging any money from them and he also used to provide medicines and hospital beds to them in case of necessity. Dr. Solomon and Gretl used to live a life of simplicity and modesty. Gretl used to manage all the household chores herself without ever thinking of appointing a maid or helper. Sometimes, Dr. Solomon used to ponder about the transformation of his wife from a German blonde to a Jewish home – maker. Even after originally being a German, Gretl had begun to embrace Jewish culture and befriend Jewish women. This was primarily because one of Gretl’s brothers was killed by the Nazis, merely because he was a communist and he opposed the idea of exterminating (killing on a large scale ) the Jews. The story further begins to unfold. A Jewish wedding was about to happen in a town, that is, Brownsville and Dr. Solomon had been invited to attend that wedding ceremony. The wedding ceremony was of Sylvia, daughter of Abraham Mekheles, an acquaintance of Dr. Solomon. Abraham Mekheles was a Senciminer, that is, he too belonged to Sencimin (a small town in Poland) just like Dr. Solomon. However, Dr. Solomon was hesitant in attending that wedding ceremony because he was making attempts to distance himself from the Jewish community. This is because Dr. Solomon had begun to feel that the Jews did not maintain the trueness of their culture after they had gone to America. Dr. Solomon used to feel that the Jews were breaking their cultural legacy, for instance, Jewish men had started consuming alcohol in excess. This drove Dr. Solomon away from his own community. Gretl noticed her husband’s aloofness from his own community. But since Dr. Solomon occupied a prominent position in Jewish community, he finally decided to attend the wedding ceremony in Brownsville. He hired a taxi to reach Brownsville. Suddenly, the taxi in which Dr. Solomon was going to Brownsville, stopped abruptly and Dr. Solomon witnessed that an accident had taken place on that road. A man was being taken on a stretcher and Dr. Solomon apparently seemed to recognize that person. Nevertheless, the driver again started driving the taxi and finally, Dr. Solomon reached the wedding destination, that is, Brownsville. Upon reaching there, he discovered that the wedding venue was full of mirth and festivity, ladies were dancing around and people were getting drunk. He came across Zissel, a person from his hometown, who narrated the old stories that described the brutal way in which the Jews were killed by the Nazis. He described that the Jews were compelled (forced ) by the Nazis to dig their own graves and then those Jews were shot and buried in the graves that were dug by themselves. Many Jews were starved to death, burnt alive and many were transported to Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland which had over 40 extermination camps. Each camp was filled with poisonous gases in order to kill the Jews mercilessly.
Dr. Solomon felt suffocated when he recalled the animalistic ways in which the members of his community were killed and suddenly, he saw the face of a lady amidst the chaos of people. When he tried to get closer to that lady in order to recall who she was, that lady turned out to be his long – lost love, Raizel. He
went ahead to confront Raizel and shockingly discovered that it was not a dream rather Raizel was really there at the wedding venue. The old romance between Dr. Solomon and Raizel rekindled. Dr. Solomon held the hand of Raizel and took her away from the crowd of people. Dr. Solomon’s act of taking Raizel away from the crowd of people metaphorically depicts that Dr. Solomon did not want to lose Raizel amidst the chaos of life all over again. A thought came to Dr. Solomon that he was still single according to Jewish Law as he got married to Gretl in a civil ceremony. Therefore, he took Raizel in a secluded place and expressed his desire to get married to her. He needed only a penny (currency ) in order to get married to her. However, when he searched for his wallet in his breast pocket, he was surprised to discover that he had lost it. Moreover, suddenly it occurred to him that Raizel seemed much younger than the way she should have looked. Dr. Solomon started feeling devoid of life, he was not able to feel the weight of his body and his body seemed to be deflated as if his body did not exist. This made Dr. Solomon wonder whether the accident and the body laid on the stretcher that he witnessed on his way to Brownsville (on Eastern Parkway ) was his own accident and his own body. Dr. Solomon was perplexed and wondered whether he was really alive or it was only his soul that was floating on Earth in order to seek his long – lost love. He also wondered whether Raizel was real or she was just a figment of imagination. The story ends on the note of this ambiguity and finally, Abraham Mekheles led his daughter, Sylvia, down the aisle for her wedding ceremony.
VARIOUS THEMES
Impact Of Holocaust On The Psyche of The Survivors: One of the important themes of this short story is that the holocaust survivors often go through a psychological breakdown and are likely to live in a state of despair throughout their lives because the brutal memories of their past continue to haunt them forever. For instance, in this story, the central character, that is, Dr. Solomon was never able to recover from his sorrowful memories in which his family and his beloved, Raizel got slaughtered at the hands of the Nazis under the dictatorship of Hitler.
Surrealism: Surrealism in literature basically refers to the presentation of a story in such a way that it starts resembling a dream. In this story, Issac has used ambiguity in order to present a fantastical possibility of the reunion of Dr. Solomon and his long – lost love, Raizel. He presented this possibility by creating two conditions in the minds of his readers : either Dr. Solomon died in the car accident at Eastern Park and his wandering soul reunited with the wandering soul of his beloved, Raizel OR Dr. Solomon was in a state of hallucination which made him imagine his reunion with Raizel amidst the chaos of life. Both these conditions are unrealistic, dream – like and fantastical and therefore, these conditions give a touch of surrealism to the story.
The Unbreakable Chains of A Void That Can Never Be Filled: Issac has depicted the fact that there are some voids in the lives of human beings that can never be filled by anything or anyone. In this story, Dr. Solomon led a life hollowness and emptiness because of the loss of his family and his beloved during a holocaust. This made him miserable with the passage of time and he was never able to restore himself to a life of genuine bliss even after becoming a successful doctor and occupying a prominent position in the Jewish society. All his professional accomplishments and all the ranks that he achieved in the Jewish community ultimately proved worthless because they did not help him in getting rid of his deep – seated depression and his insurmountable (something that cannot be overcome) void.
The Submergence or The Loss Of True Identity in a Foreign Place: Finally, Issac has pointed out to the fact that people often tend to lose their true identities when they migrate to a foreign place. For instance, in this story, Dr. Solomon drove himself away from his own Jewish community because Jews adapted themselves to the culture of America and developed habits like drinking and dancing in order to celebrate their happiness. These habits were condemned in Judaism and the inability of the Jewish community to retain the principles of their religion represent the loss of their true identity.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
QUESTION 1. What do you understand of Dr. Margolin’s past? How does it affect his present life?
APPRECIATION
STOP AND THINK QUESTIONS
Monday, September 7, 2020
Claas 12 - English Core - Vistas - Chapter 04 - The Enemy by Pearl S. Buck
Summary of 'The Enemy' by Pearl S. Buck
READ AND FIND OUT
Q1. Who was Dr Sadao? Where was his house?
Short-Answer Questions (Solved)
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Eveline By James Joyce - Elective English Class XII CBSE
Eveline
Summary
Analysis
Questions and Answers
Stop and Think (Page 15)
Stop and Think (Page 17)
In "Eveline" by James Joyce, the appearance of the organ player on the day Eveline had decided to leave holds significance for her. The organ player symbolises the ties to her past and her duty towards her family. When Eveline sees the organ player, she is reminded of her deceased mother, who used to sing with the organ player at the church. This evokes a sense of nostalgia and reinforces her connection to her family and the familiarity of her current life.
The organ player's presence on the day Eveline plans to leave acts as a reminder of the sacrifices she has made for her family and the obligations she feels towards them. It reinforces her sense of duty and the emotional pull she experiences towards her home and her responsibilities.
Understanding the Text
In "Eveline," the two characters Eveline liked and loved are Frank and her mother. Frank represents adventure and escape from her mundane life, while Eveline's mother symbolizes warmth and security. On the other hand, Eveline had negative feelings towards her abusive father and felt burdened by her responsibility towards her brother Harry. These characters influence Eveline's decisions and internal conflicts in the story.
On the day Eveline decided to elope with Frank in "Eveline," she finds herself torn by a conflict of emotions. On one hand, she yearns for freedom and adventure, seeking to escape her oppressive life in Dublin. Frank represents a chance for a new beginning, a break from the monotony and hardships she faces. The prospect of a better life with him in Buenos Aires entices her with excitement and the allure of the unknown.
On the other hand, Eveline feels a strong sense of duty and responsibility towards her family. As the eldest sibling, she shoulders the burden of caring for her father and younger siblings, particularly her dependent brother Harry. The weight of these obligations anchors her to her home and fuels a fear of abandoning her familial duties. Eveline grapples with the conflicting desires of personal freedom and the ties that bind her to her family, resulting in a state of inner turmoil and indecision.
This conflict of emotions creates a significant internal struggle for Eveline as she weighs the potential rewards of a new life against the perceived risks and the fear of leaving behind the known. Ultimately, it shapes her decision-making process and influences the outcome of the story.
ANSWER:
Eveline's decision to let go of the opportunity to escape in "Eveline" is influenced by a combination of factors. Firstly, her strong sense of duty and responsibility towards her family plays a significant role. Eveline feels a deep obligation to care for her father and siblings, and the fear of abandoning them holds her back from pursuing her own desires for freedom and a new life.Secondly, Eveline is plagued by the fear of the unknown. The prospect of leaving behind the familiar and venturing into an unfamiliar world in Buenos Aires fills her with anxiety and uncertainty. The fear of potential hardships, the unfamiliarity of a new environment, and the doubts about the unknown future contribute to her decision to stay, clinging to the perceived safety and stability of her current circumstances.These factors, including her sense of duty and fear of the unknown, create internal conflicts and psychological paralysis, ultimately leading Eveline to let go of the opportunity to escape and choose the familiar but constricting life she knows.
As the hour of Eveline's departure with Frank neared in "Eveline," there are several signs that indicate her indecision and internal conflict:Physical Symptoms: Eveline experiences physical symptoms of her indecision. Her heart is described as "beating quickly and quietly" and later as "fluttering" and "palpitating." These physical sensations reflect her inner turmoil and the conflicting emotions she is grappling with.Hesitation and Delay: Eveline shows signs of hesitation and delay when it comes to leaving. She repeatedly questions whether she has made the right decision, going back and forth in her mind. She feels a sense of being pulled in different directions, torn between the desire for freedom and the fear of the unknown.Reviewing Familiar Objects: As the hour of departure approaches, Eveline reviews familiar objects in her home. This act of contemplation indicates her reluctance to let go of the familiar and the ties she has with her family. She becomes emotionally attached to the memories associated with these objects, causing her to question her decision and the potential loss she might experience.Overwhelming Memories: Eveline is flooded with memories, particularly memories of her deceased mother and her childhood. These memories evoke strong emotions and create a sense of nostalgia, making it even harder for Eveline to leave behind the known and venture into the uncertain.These signs of indecision and internal conflict highlight Eveline's struggle as she faces the imminent departure with Frank. Her wavering emotions and hesitation ultimately contribute to her final decision not to leave, underscoring the depth of her internal turmoil.
As the hour of departure with Frank approached in "Eveline," signs of Eveline's indecision became evident. She experienced physical symptoms such as a racing heart and hesitation. She hesitated and questioned her decision, reviewing familiar objects and being overwhelmed by memories. These signs of internal conflict ultimately led to her final decision not to leave.
Talking about the Text
In "Eveline," the conflict between filial duty and the pursuit of personal happiness serves as a central theme. Eveline grapples with the societal expectations and familial responsibilities that bind her to Dublin, while also yearning for personal freedom and the chance to create a better life for herself.On one hand, Eveline feels a strong sense of duty towards her family, especially her father and younger siblings. She believes it is her responsibility to care for them and fears abandoning them in their difficult circumstances. The weight of these obligations, coupled with societal norms and expectations, creates a powerful force that pulls her towards staying.On the other hand, Eveline desires personal happiness and longs for a life free from the constraints and hardships she faces in Dublin. Frank represents a path to that happiness, promising adventure and a fresh start in Buenos Aires. However, embracing this opportunity means leaving behind her family and the life she has always known, which triggers feelings of guilt and conflict.The story presents the problematic nature of this decision. Eveline is torn between her duty to her family and her right to pursue her own happiness. It highlights the tension between personal desires and societal expectations, between fulfilling one's own dreams and fulfilling the expectations placed upon an individual within a family and community.Ultimately, Eveline's choice to prioritize her filial duty over her personal happiness reflects the societal pressures and limited options faced by women in early 20th-century Dublin. The story portrays the sacrifices individuals, particularly women, sometimes have to make due to societal constraints and the difficulty of reconciling personal aspirations with familial obligations.
One instance where someone had to make a difficult choice is found in the story "The Lady or the Tiger?" by Frank R. Stockton. In the story, a young man is put on trial and brought before a king who uses a unique form of justice. Behind two identical doors in an arena, there is either a beautiful woman (whom the young man loves) or a fierce tiger. The young man must choose one of the doors, and his fate will be determined by what lies behind it.The difficult choice arises when the young man's lover, a princess, knows the secret of which door hides the tiger and which holds the lady. She is torn between her love for the young man and her jealousy, as he may end up with another woman if he chooses the door concealing the lady. The story leaves the ending ambiguous, leaving the choice up to the reader's interpretation.The difficult choice faced by the princess exemplifies the internal conflict between love and jealousy. She must decide whether to guide her lover towards potential death by choosing the door with the tiger or towards a potential life with another woman by indicating the door with the lady. The story explores the complexities of decision-making and the moral dilemmas faced when emotions collide with the responsibility to make life-altering choices.
Appreciation
ANSWER:In "Eveline," the descriptions of the window, the gathering dusk, and the dusty cretonne with its odour carry symbolic significance, representing different aspects of Eveline's life and the choices she faces:1. The Window: The window in the story symbolizes opportunity and escape. It represents the possibility of a new life, freedom from the constraints of her current circumstances, and a way to break free from the oppressive environment she finds herself in. The window serves as a portal to a different world and represents the chance for Eveline to embark on a new journey.2. The Gathering Dusk: The reference to the gathering dusk signifies a sense of transition, uncertainty, and the fleeting nature of time. Dusk is a liminal period between day and night, symbolizing the critical moment Eveline finds herself in—standing at the threshold of a life-altering decision. It reflects the fleeting nature of the opportunity before her and the urgency of her choice.3. The Dusty Cretonne and Its Odor: The dusty cretonne with its odour represents the stagnation and decay of Eveline's current life. It signifies the mundane and suffocating aspects of her existence in Dublin, emphasizing the dreariness, dustiness, and lack of freshness in her surroundings. The odour may symbolize the musty and stifling atmosphere that pervades her home, representing the weight of her past and the inertia that keeps her from embracing change.These symbolic touches in the story help convey the themes of escape, decision-making, and the juxtaposition of freedom and confinement. They provide deeper layers of meaning to Eveline's internal struggles and the choices she must confront.
ANSWER:The narrative in "Eveline" proceeds through the consciousness of Eveline, employing a stream-of-consciousness technique that allows readers to delve into her thoughts, perceptions, and emotions. This narrative style provides insights into Eveline's inner world, her internal conflicts, and the complexities of her decision-making process.The story unfolds from Eveline's perspective, offering a glimpse into her mind as she contemplates her circumstances and the choices before her. It delves into her memories, desires, fears, and doubts, allowing readers to intimately experience her thought process and the shifting nature of her emotions.Throughout the story, readers are immersed in Eveline's stream of consciousness, which often involves fragmented thoughts, associations, and vivid sensory impressions. The narrative weaves seamlessly between present experiences, recollections of the past, and anticipations of the future, mirroring the non-linear nature of human thought.By adopting Eveline's consciousness as the narrative guide, James Joyce provides readers with a deeper understanding of her internal struggles, her motivations, and the factors that shape her decision. This narrative technique creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, enabling readers to empathize with Eveline's dilemmas and engage with the complexities of her character.
3. In the last section of the story, notice these expressions
(i) A bell clanged upon her heart.
(ii) AlI the seas of the world tumbled upon her heart.
(iii) Her hands clutched the iron in frenzy.
(iv) She set her white face to him, passive, like a helpless animal.
What are the emotions that these images evoke?
ANSWER:
The expressions in the last section of "Eveline" evoke a range of intense emotions, providing insight into Eveline's state of mind and the turmoil she experiences. Let's examine the emotions these images evoke:
(i) "A bell clanged upon her heart": This image suggests a sudden, jarring impact that reverberates through Eveline. It conveys a sense of shock, a realization that something significant is happening or about to happen. The clanging bell upon her heart evokes fear, anticipation, and a heightened awareness of the weight of her decision.
(ii) "All the seas of the world tumbled upon her heart": This expression amplifies the magnitude of Eveline's emotional turmoil. The imagery of the seas tumbling upon her heart conveys overwhelming emotions, such as intense anxiety, a feeling of being submerged or drowned by her conflicting emotions, and the weight of the world's troubles pressing down upon her.
(iii) "Her hands clutched the iron in frenzy": This image suggests a desperate and frantic grip. Eveline's hands clutching the iron symbolize her desperation to hold on to something familiar and secure. It reflects her heightened state of agitation as if she is desperately searching for stability and grounding amidst the chaos of her emotions.
(iv) "She set her white face to him, passive, like a helpless animal": This image portrays Eveline's surrender and vulnerability. Her white face and passive demeanour reflect resignation and a sense of powerlessness. The comparison to a helpless animal evokes a mix of emotions, including fear, dependency, and a sense of being trapped or cornered.
Overall, these images evoke emotions such as fear, anticipation, overwhelm, desperation, resignation, and vulnerability. They contribute to the intense atmosphere and the inner turmoil Eveline experiences as she confronts the weight of her decision and its potential consequences.
4. Do you think the author indicates his judgement of Eveline in the story?
ANSWER:
In "Eveline," James Joyce presents Eveline's inner struggles and conflicting emotions without explicitly indicating his judgment of her. The narrative allows readers to delve into Eveline's consciousness, providing a glimpse into her thoughts, memories, and desires. Through this intimate perspective, Joyce invites readers to empathize with Eveline's complex situation and the difficult choices she faces.
By presenting Eveline's internal conflicts and her eventual decision to stay, Joyce sheds light on the societal and familial pressures that can limit an individual's agency and ability to pursue personal happiness. The story examines the themes of duty, fear, paralysis, and the struggles faced by women in early 20th-century Dublin.
Overall, James Joyce's approach in "Eveline" allows readers to form their own interpretations and judgments of Eveline's character and choices. It encourages contemplation and empathy rather than imposing a definitive authorial judgment.
Language Work
A. Grammar: Parallelism
- She had consented to go away, to leave her home.
- Strange that it should come that very night to remind her of the promise to her mother, her promise to keep the home together as long as she could.
- She prayed to God to direct her, to show her what was her duty.
- Frank would take her in his arms, fold her in his arms.
- Her time was running out but she continued to sit by the window, leaning her head against the window curtain, inhaling the odour of dusty cretonne.
- Not long before, when she had been laid up for a day, he had read her out a ghost story and made toast for her at the fire.
- She had consented to go away, to leave her home.
- Strange that it should come that very night to remind her of the promise to her mother, her promise to keep the home together as long as she could.
- She prayed to God to direct her, to show her what was her duty.
- Frank would take her in his arms, [fold her in his arms].
- Her time was running out but she continued to sit by the window, leaning her head against the window curtain, inhaling the odour of dusty cretonne.
- Not long before, when she had been laid up for a day, he had read her out a ghost story and made toast for her at the fire.
B. Pronunciation
Mark the stressed syllables in the following words chosen from the lesson. Consult the dictionary or ask the teacher if necessary.
- photograph
- escape
- changes
- threaten
- excitement
- farewell
- illumined
- sailor
- sacrifice
- invariable
ANSWER:
- Photograph: PHO-to-graph (stress on the second syllable)
- Escape: es-CAPE (stress on the second syllable)
- Changes: CHAN-ges (stress on the first syllable)
- Threaten: THREAten (stress on the second syllable)
- Excitement: ex-CITE-ment (stress on the second syllable)
- Farewell: fare-WELL (stress on the second syllable)
- Illumined: iL-LU-mined (stress on the second syllable)
- Sailor: SAIL-or (stress on the first syllable)
- Sacrifice: SAC-ri-fice (stress on the first syllable)
- Invariable: in-VAR-i-able (stress on the second syllable)