AD's English Literature

"Who kills a man kills a reasonable creature, God's image; but he who destroys a good book, kills reason itself, kills the image of God, as it were in the eye." John Milton (1608 - 1674) English writer. Areopagitica 1644 A SPEECH OF Mr. JOHN MILTON For the Liberty of UNLICENC'D PRINTING, To the PARLAMENT of ENGLAND. Introduction John Milton, the celebrated 17th-century poet and pamphleteer, penned 'Areopagitica,' one of the most influential and impassioned treatises on freedom of speech and the power of ideas. This essay aims to share knowledge about 'Areopagitica,' delving into Milton's compelling argument for unbridled intellectual liberty. Through original thoughts, creative writing, an argumentative style, and quotes from Milton's original text, we will uncover the stunning revelation that 'Areopagitica' remains a resounding call to defend free expression and the exchange of ideas, making it a timeless work with enduring relevan...

Francis Bacon's essay "Of Suitors," explores deeply  the complex dynamics of legal suits, motivations behind them, and the ethical considerations surrounding them. Bacon provides a critical exploration of the various attitudes and intentions that individuals have when pursuing legal matters, shedding light on the potential negative impact of self-serving agendas on the public good.   Bacon farther argues that while seeking the favor of powerful individuals can bring benefits, it can also be a risky and unpredictable endeavor. Francis Bacon Bacon starts by highlighting how many cases are undertaken for personal gain, leading to the corruption and stagnation of justice. He identifies different types of suitors: those who embrace cases without genuine intent to see them through, those who use suits as a means to further their own interests or hinder others, and even those who intentionally take up suits only to let them fail in order to please their opponents. This portrayal...

Introduction Irish author and essayist Robert Lynd was famous for his insightful views on a variety of themes. Likewise, Lynd explores philosophy in his article "On Not Being a Philosopher," where he offers his take on the writings of Epictetus, the ancient Greek Stoic philosopher. Lynd discusses the contrasts and parallels he discovers between Epictetus' philosophy and his own throughout the whole article. In order to analyse the areas where Robert Lynd agrees and disagrees with Epictetus' philosophy, this article will provide insights and reliable references. Robert Lynd's On Not Being a Philosopher - A Brief Overview Robert Lynd's essay, "On Not Being a Philosopher," provides a candid and introspective examination of his approach to life and the realm of philosophy. He shares his thoughts on how he finds it difficult to embrace the Stoic philosophies of Epictetus fully. Lynd humorously presents his perspective, contrasting it with the more practic...

Joseph Addison by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt Will Wimble is a fictional character from the essay "Sir Roger and Will Wimble" (Spectator No. 108) written by Joseph Addison. He is portrayed as a contrasting figure to Sir Roger de Coverley, representing the social and political attitudes prevalent in early 18th-century England.  While Sir Roger represents the archetype of a traditional country gentleman with his noble birth, extensive estate, and adherence to customs, Will Wimble serves as a stark contrast. Will, the younger brother of a baronet, lacks a specific occupation or inherited wealth. Instead, he lives as a dependant on his elder brother's estate, engaging in leisurely pursuits such as hunting and various handicrafts. Will's amiable and obliging nature endears him to all, making him a cherished figure in the community. 

"It is no secret that...there are many to whom Mr. Darwin's death is a wholly irreparable loss. And this not merely because of his wonderfully genial, simple, and generous nature; his cheerful and animated conversation, and the infinite variety and accuracy of his information; but because the more one knew of him, the more he seemed the incorporated ideal of a man of science." T. H. Huxley (1825 - 1895) British biologist. Referring to Charles Darwin. Nature Darwin's Literary Legacy: Revolutionizing Science and English Literature Darwin's Literary Legacy: Revolutionizing Science and English Literature Charles Darwin, an English naturalist and biologist, revolutionized the field of science with his theory of evolution through natural selection. His seminal work, "On the Origin of Species," published in 1859, presented a comprehensive account of his revolutionary ideas. Darwin's writings not only presented scientific arguments but also demonstrated a pr...

Introduction From the Early Codex, wood or bamboo tablets or  laboriously written out with a quill pen by scribes to the Elizabethan Gutenberg press to the present Audiobooks- books had a long long journey. There had been an enthusiastic battle of books in Elizabethan period, a bulky over production in Victorian time and a modern day world war in eBooks. It was Swift who satirically present this battle 300 years ago.  Jonathan Swift's "The Battle of the Books"   published as part of the prolegomena to his "A Tale of a Tub" in (1704),  stands as a prominent example of his satirical genius and his ability to engage in a literary debate while critiquing the prevailing scholarly climate of his time. The work emerged during a period of fierce controversy between proponents of ancient and modern writers. It is a short satire that depicts a literal battle between books in the King's Library (housed in St James's Palace at the time of the writing), as ideas and ...

Mark Twain :  Who Laughs to Hide His Despair of Human Condition Mark Twain (Real Name:  Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835 –1910)  is a renowned American author, humorist, and lecturer, whose works have left an indelible mark on American literature. He is widely known for his witty humor, satire, and his sharp social commentary. However, beneath the surface of his humor, lies a darker side that often reveals the harsh reality of human existence. Louis Untermeyer, an American poet and anthologist, once commented that Mark Twain was not only a prime jokester but also a traditional clown who laughs to hide his despair of human condition. This essay aims to examine the relevance of Untermeyer's comment in light of Mark Twain's life and works.

Introduction Francis Bacon , often referred to as the father of empiricism and rationalism, was a Renaissance man of many talents and his writings fall into three categories: philosophical, purely literary, and professional. Bacon is considered the first major English essayist and was known for his ability to vary the tempo of his argument in order to emphasize important aspects. In his essay "Of Youth and Age," ( from "The Essays Or Counsels, Civil and Moral" published at various times between 1597 and 1625) we can find a professional outlook and any literary qualities are mare coincidence. In fact, Bacon through "an index of emergence of modern world"() utilizes the technique a technique of inductive reasoning to great effect here, using a mix of slow and fast-paced writing, as well as syntactical parallelism, to contrast the two opposing stages of life. In this essay, Bacon's keen observations and insights about youth and age provide readers with a ...

"Religion being the chief band of human society, it is a happy thing, when itself is well contained within the true band of unity." Of Unity in Religion Essays of Francis Bacon  Introduction As students, we are often encouraged to study different religious texts, such as the  Bhagavad Gita , Bible, and  Qur’an . But what is the relevance, use, and importance of studying these texts together? In this essay, I will explore the reasons why studying  the  Bhagavad Gita , Bible, and  Qur’an  or any other religious texts together as it is in comparative religion is important, and how it can benefit us as learners and as global citizens. Obviously I am inspired from Francis Bacon, will discuss t he Baconian style of studying religious texts citing from his famous essay "Of Unity in Religion." The Baconian Style of Studying Religious Texts The Baconian style of learning involves approaching knowledge with an open mind and a willingness to question existing be...

 "The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one." Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882) U.S. poet and essayist. Introduction  Ralph Waldo Emerson  (1803 - 1882)   , an influential American philosopher and writer, was deeply interested in Eastern thought, particularly Indian philosophy. Sometimes he looks more Indian than American. Many of the writings are truly an exploration of Indian studies which is essentially his understanding of it even if few missed the mark. More or less,  Emerson expressed in his works the notion that each human has the potential to transcend the material world and to comprehend and understand the infinite. The philosophical movement of which he was a leader has been given the name transcendentalism. Emerson, who was influenced by schools of thought such as English romanticism, Neoplatonism, and Hindu philosophy, is known for his ability to present his ideas eloquently and in poetic language and it is to be...

Introduction Like the other world literatures , English literature too encompasses an education to life.  Insurance notably Life insurance is such a subject of interest. life insurance , as you all know, is a critical financial tool that provides financial security and peace of mind to families and loved ones in the event of an unexpected death. English literature provides numerous examples of the importance of life insurance, and how it impacts the lives of individuals and their families. We can't even deny the fact that life insurance is a topic of great importance in today's world. While the concept of life insurance may seem relatively modern, the idea of protecting one's family and loved ones has been present in English literature for centuries.  There are many works of English literature that offer insight into the complex emotions, motivations, and consequences that surround the topic of life insurance, and demonstrate how it can be intertwined with broader themes ...

Learning Objectives: √ If Shakespeare's contributions had a lasting influence on history?—carried the most weight. √ The Shakespearean effect on the sum total of wisdom and beauty in the world. √ Shakespeare's influence on contemporaries. How much did Shakespeare affect the world during his own time? √ Evaluation is the singularity of Shakespearean contribution. √ Shakespearean charisma (Keywords: William Shakespeare, Shakespeare's contributions, Shakespeare's influence on contemporaries, Shakespearean Criticism)

Franz  K afka’s work, like all the best literature, is multidimensional, can mean different things to different people. As such his Metamorphosis  ( Die Verwandlung 1915 ), a novella, is so rich that we can find many deeper meanings. Aabye Kierkegaard's existentialism and surrealism- the realm of dreams and the unconscious mind shape the Kafka's Metamorphosis to put forth the loneliness, frustration, and oppressive guilt of an individual threatened by anonymous forces beyond his comprehension or control.

Prosperity doth best discover vice; but adversity doth best discover virtue. Francis Bacon  (1561 - 1626) English philosopher, statesman, and lawyer. Essays,  "Of Adversity" F rancis Bacon was a great Elizabethan of wonderful versatility. He was a true child of the Renaissance. He was a great scholar ‘familiar’ with the scriptures of classical languages, histories and mythologies. He was a shrewd observer of life all around him.

"S easide"  is an essay by Robert Lynd (1879–1949), one of the well known Irish essayists of the twentieth century. He provides a befitting description of French Sea Coast along with it's setting- the Sea and the Travelers. In fact, this is the personal essay of the author who has been staying in a holyday resort nearby the French Sea Coast. The essay captures the beauty of the sea, the sand, and the sky.  Lynd's prose is rich in sensory details and he portrays the sea as a source of inspiration and wonder. The festivity and the mood of gala permeate and pervade the entire atmosphere for the sea side. Not only the beauty of the sea side is minutely expressed but also that visitor’s activities are minutely put into account. Account of the individuals both human and nature are presented here. But here and there a note of sadness is plotting in the atmosphere. It is seen fisher women working hard for their lively hood. There are another instance of the unhappy grey hair...

A. G. Gardiner’s amusing subject On Shaking Hands is a beautifully curved piece of essay carrying out a discussion to pros and cons of shaking hands. Gardiner is of the view that hands shake is the most innocent and amiable custom of greeting. Even it is criticized on medical grounds. Taking the concept Gardiner rather carries out a thorough discussion On Shaking Hands . Gardiner then mentions few of the examples of salutation worldwide. In India we pay ‘Namaskar’ while the Japanese ‘kowtow’. Such examples can easily be multiplied. Gardiner comparatively discusses hands shake along with the other mood of salutation kissing, practiced and excessively nourished in the 15 th and 16 th century during reign of Tudor kings. Gardiner thinks that along with the mood of kissing as a salutation there is a sense of sexual overtones.

Eliot’s ideas of ‘tradition’, ‘classicism’ and ‘depersonalization’ in  “Tradition and the Individual Talent” should not mislead us. He is not Orthodox or traditionalist in every sense of the terms. He does not like a retreat to Roman Catholicism. He becomes a citizen of England. The land of his forefathers and adopts the religion of that Nation. In his later essays like ‘Frontiers of Criticism’ he does not insist on Tradition. In essays and lectures, Eliot profoundly influenced modern literary criticism. In the collection The Sacred Wood (1920), he contended that the critic must develop a strong historical sense to judge literature from the proper perspective, and that the poet must be impersonal in the creative exercise of the craft.

“And, considering the thousand doors that lead to death, do thank my God that we can die but once.” Thomas Browne (1605 - 1682) English physician and writer. Religio Medici Sir Thomas Browne’s first important work, Religio Medici (Religion of a Doctor/Physician), probably written in 1635 at the age of thirty , is a rambling discourse in which skepticism and scientific reasoning are mixed with faith and revelation. The book was published in 1642 and translated into Latin, Dutch, French and German. Soon after its appearance in the continent, the book became popular. In France, particularly, Browne’s Religio Medici was highly esteemed and the author revered. Read More Age of Dryden Browne was a physician by profession and a divine or preacher by inclination. He was a mystic. Outwardly, his life passed happily and calmly. He did not reflect the troubles of the civil war. He was a Royalist and an Anglican, but he did not compromise himself and his peace was not disturbed. The e...

J im Corbett’s  My India is a splendid story that reinforces the notion that people must learn to live together in harmony where actually the seed of communal discomfort at pre independence is fermenting. Here is well documented and written at the British India when the peoples of the India looked forward to a time of freedom fight through Gandhian peace and prosperity . The story of the coming of the new railroads, to live among the Indian populace   symbolizes the optimism of these years. Jim Corbett does not, however, allow the development of his theme to rest on sentimentality and false hope. In fact, Jim Corbett become a trans-shipment Inspector for the Bengal and Northwestern Railway where he spent 21 years, working with hundreds of simple, loyal and hardworking labourers. Most of the stories in My India revolve around this period he spent in Mokameh Ghat. The book includes twelve dashing description of Jim’s motherland and Life at Mokameh Ghat is his 12th or...