AD's English Literature

   UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION(Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2024) The character of Huckleberry Finn in Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn serves as a critical lens through which the relationship between white and Black culture in 19th-century America is explored. As a young white boy raised in a deeply racist society, Huck embodies the internal conflict between societal norms and personal morality. His journey with Jim, a runaway enslaved man, forces Huck to confront the prejudices ingrained in him and the broader racial dynamics of the time. Throughout the novel, Huck’s relationship with Jim evolves from one of perceived superiority to genuine friendship and respect. Initially, Huck sees Jim as property, reflecting the prevailing attitudes of white society. However, as they travel together, Huck begins to recognize Jim’s humanity, loyalty, and wisdom. Their bond grows stronger, and Huck ultimately questions the morality of slavery, even deciding to "...

UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION(Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2024) Elizabethan and Jacobean drama is defined by its distinctive theatrical properties, which reflect the cultural and social context of the period. Key features include elaborate costumes, minimal scenery , and an open stage design . Theatres like the Globe used a thrust stage , allowing actors to interact closely with the audience, fostering a sense of immediacy . The use of soliloquies and asides was common, allowing characters to express inner thoughts directly to the audience, enhancing the dramatic tension. Violence, supernatural elements, and complex political themes are central in both Elizabethan (1558–1603) and Jacobean (1603–1625) drama. Revenge tragedies , such as Kyd's The Spanish Tragedy and Shakespeare's Hamlet , exemplify the period's fascination with moral dilemmas and human suffering . Special effects like trapdoors, music, and stage machinery added a sense of spectacle, contribu...

UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION(Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2024) The ending of Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House was indeed radical for its time and continues to provoke strong reactions. In the play, Nora Helmer, the protagonist, leaves her husband and children in a quest for self-discovery and independence—a shocking decision in 19th-century society. For a "sober" society, grounded in traditional values of family and duty, this ending could seem extreme, as it challenges deeply held norms about gender roles, marriage, and motherhood. Nora’s decision to abandon her family can be seen as a bold statement about the oppressive conditions women faced, where their identities were often defined by their roles as wives and mothers. Ibsen critiques the institution of marriage, portraying it as a superficial contract that stifles true individual freedom. In a time when women had few rights and little autonomy, Nora’s choice to prioritize her own needs over societal expec...

UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION(Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2024) Renaissance Humanism in 16th-century Europe marked a revival of classical learning and placed emphasis on the potential of human intellect and moral responsibility. Humanists sought to fuse scholarship with ethics by turning to classical texts, particularly those of ancient Greece and Rome, to guide moral and civic life. For example, Erasmus of Rotterdam , in works like The Praise of Folly , emphasized critical thinking and moral reform, advocating for education rooted in both intellectual rigor and ethical behavior. Sir Thomas More's Utopia depicted an ideal society grounded in justice, wisdom, and civic virtue, reflecting the humanist belief that scholarship should serve the public good. Michel de Montaigne’s Essays showcased personal reflection, merging philosophical inquiry with a focus on human values. (Petrarch , often called the father of Humanism, advocated for the study of classical texts not just t...

"The Night Train at Deoli" with Annotations, Paraphrase and Wordnotes : When I was at college I used to spend my summer vacations in Dehra, at my grandmother's place. I would leave the plains early in May and return in July. Deoli was a small station about thirty miles from Dehra; it marked the beginning of the heavy jungies of the Indian Terai. The train would reach Deoli at about five in the morning, when the station would be dimly lit with electric bulbs and oil lamps, and the jungle across the railway tracks would just be visible in The faint light of dawn. Deoli had only one platform, an office for the station master and a waiting room. The platform boasted a tea stall, a fruit vendor, and a few stray dogs; not much else, because the train stopped there only ten minutes before rushing on into the forests. Why it stopped at Deoli, I don't know. Nothing ever happened there. Hobody got off the train and nobody got in. There were never any coolies on the platform. Bu...