Full Act Explanation - Act I (The Merchant of Venice)

Act I Scene 1

Summary,

The play starts with Antonio, a rich merchant of Venice, complaining to his friends about a melancholy that he cannot find any reasons for, his friends feel that it could because of the worry regarding the safety of his merchant ships that may be threatened by storms or sea pirates. Antonio denies this by saying that his merchandise is widely distributed and does not depends upon those ships only. Solanio says that it may be due to love, but Antony dissents this

and states that, he hates falling in love. So his friends attribute the melancholy to his 'strange' nature.

After the departure of these two friends, Bassanio, Gratiano and Lorenzo arrives. Gratiano teases Antonio by suggesting that he is too much bothered about the opinion of the world or he wants to appear as a wise man. Antonio replies that he treats the world ‘but as the stage‘, a stage every man has to do a role and his is a sad one. Gratiano immediately responds, and says that he is not the one willing to be sad, he wants to enjoy his youth before the age

descends upon him. He departs by advicing Antonio to overcome his sadness and not to be its victim.

When he is left alone with Bassanio, he asks his friend about his visit to a lady. Bassanio then confesses that he is in love with a rich lady from Belmont, but without any money, because of his extravagant nature, he'll not find a chance to woo the lady. He will be at a disadvantage as compared with the other rich suitors. He requested Antonio to lend him sufficient money, but Antonio

does not have any ready cash as his 'fortunes are at sea' but offers to stand as a guarantee for a credit to raise the money.

Meanings

In sooth = truly, want-wit = a dull fellow, argosies = merchant ships, signiors = gentlemen, portly = stately, burghers = citizens, pageants = decorated floats, overpeer = look over the heads of, petty traffickers = small commercial boats, reverence = respect, woven wings = canvas sails, broth = soup, shallows and of flats = shallow waters and sandbanks, Andrew = common name for big ships, dock‘d = run ashore, bechanced = happened, Janus = a Roman God at doors who has two faces-one frowning and the other smiling, vinegar aspect = bitter nature, Nestor = an old and wise Greek General who would not laugh at silly jokes, marvelously = considerably, let my liver = a liver environed by wine will produce richblood that will enliven one's disposition, mortifying = miserable, alabaster = marble white stone used in making statues, jaundice = sickly and complaining, profound conceit = deep thought, ope = open, gudgeon = a small foolish fish easily caught, exhortation = good advice, a neat's tongue dried 2 an ox-tongue, preserved and ready to be eaten, prodigal = extravagant, aged = in debt, extremest means = utmost capacity or resources, shaft = arrow, latte; hazard = second loan, fleece = wool, Jasons = adventurous sailors, presages = prophesies, thrift = profitable success, rack‘d = stretched.

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Act I Scene 2

Summary,

The location of the scene is now at Belmont. From the masculine commercial world of Venice we are taken to a romantic, feminine world of Belmont The plot unfolds through theconversation of Portia and Nerissa. Like Antonio, Portia is also sad; but there is a reason for her sadness. At the time of death, her father had willed that Portia‘s husband should be chosen by a lottery. The suitor has to choose one of the three caskets displayed. They are made of gold, silver and lead with cryptic inscriptions on each. The one who chooses the right casket with the portrait of Portia will win her hand. The person who chooses the wrong casket should take an oath never to marry or reveal what is written on the casket.

There is an interesting conversation between the two ladies regarding the suitors. Portia wittily lind out faults within each suitor who has come to try their luck. There is a Neopolitan prince who only talks about horses, a Palatine who does nothing but frown, Monsieur Le Bon has no character of his own, someone is a drunkard, the other one is strangely dressed and so on. Fortunately, for Portia all of them decide to leave without taking any risk. The lady is highly

relieved. The real reason is that she is attracted to Bassanio whom she had met earlier on some occasion.

Nerissa informs Portia that 'a Venetian, scholar and soldier‘ has arrived. Portia remembers the man as 'the best deserving of a fair lady'. This kindles the curiosity of the audience to meet the young man who has captured the fair lady‘s imagination.

Meanings

Troth = faith, aweary = tired, aught = anything, surfeit = having too much, superfluity = state of having too much, divine = preacher, madness (the youth) = high spirits of the youth, skip o'er = jump over, meshes = nets, cripple = hurt, reasoning = wise talk, curbed = restrained, virtuous = having good qualities like wisdom, inspirations = divine guidance, over-name = call out their names, Neapolitan = from Naples, colt = an inexperienced young man, appropriation = qualification, County Palatine = count of Palatinate, frown = have an angry or disgusted expression, the weeping philosopher = Heraclitus of Ephesus who went to the mountains as he was disgusted by human stupidity, death's-head = skull, throstle = thrush, a song bird, capering = jumping or leaping, suited = dressed, doublet == jacket, round hose = breeches, a box of the ear = a blow on the ear, vilely = badly, fell = happen, make shift = manage. Rhenish wine = White wine made in Rhine valley, contrary = wrong, imposition e will, Sibylla = an old woman, wooers = suitors, fore-runner = messenfsyen Shrive = hear my sins and grant forgiveness.

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Act I Scene 3

Summary,

Again, the scene shifts to a public place in Venice. The audience is brought back to the world of business and hard talk. Shylock, one of the most complex characters in English Literature, is introduced here. The scene completes the exposition that started with the bond story when Antonio agrees to Shylock's demand of a pound of flesh.

Bassanio meets Shylock and asks for a loan of three thousand ducats on Antonio's credit. Shylock considers that since Antonio's riches are at the mercy of the sea, he's ‘a good man' and if fortune wills, he can make some money. When Bassanio invites him to dine with Antonio, Shylock refuses as it's his principle not to dine with Christians.

Antonio makes his appearance and at the very sight of the merchant Shylock is filled with loath. Antonio has always criticized him for taking interest on the money lent. Many a time Antonio has insulted the Jew, spat on him and called him a dog. Shylock considers it as a good opportunity to take his revenge against the Christians. So he says, he wants Antonio's friendship and will advance the money without interest. But he wants to make the transaction a 'merry sport' and a penalty clause is to be inserted by way of a bond. If Antonio is unable to repay the borrowed money, Shylock would cut a pound of flesh from any part of his body. Bassanio is worried about Shylock’s intentions, but Antonio expresses his happiness as the usurer is turning into a Christian.

Antonio is confident that his ship's cargo will be sold by that time, and he will be able to settle the debt.

Meanings

Ducats = Venetian gold coins, be bound = will stand as guarantee, stead = supply, imputation = allegation, in supposition = at risk, argosy = merchant ship, Rialto = Venetian Stock Exchange, squandered = scattered lavishly, bethink = think it over, fawning = servile, publican = tax collector, gratis = free of interest, sacred nation = Jewish tribe, rails = abuses, congregate = gather, bargains = business deals, debating = calculating, present store = ready money, gross = full amount, Hebrew = Jew, furnish = supply, albeit = although, excess = interest, ripe = pressing, wrought = schemed, third possessor = third in line of possession, compromis'd = agreed, eanlings = new born lambs, streak'd and pied = with fleeces of two colours, thrive = succeed, thrift = profit, swayed and fashioned = controlled and shaped, holy witness = biblical arguments, goodly = pleasant, beholding = indebted, rated = abused, usances = money deals, sufferance = long suffering, badge = characteristic, gabardine = loose cloak, void your rheum = spit, cur = stray dog, bondman's key = like a bond man in the tone of a slave, bated breath = holding breath in a suppressed manner, spurn'd = rejected, exact = take. doit“= interest, notary =. lawyer for drawing up contracts, nominated = named, forfelture = Penalty, adieu =  bye , merry bond = a pleasant joke, unthrifty knave = irresponsible Servant, dismay = reason for anxiety.

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Naya Raasta — Hindi Drama (Full Summary)

उपन्यास का सारांश — नया रास्ता

मीनू की बचपन से ही पढ़ाई में रुचि थी |
वह सदैव कक्षा में प्रथम आती थी | m.a. की परीक्षा भी उसने प्रथम श्रेणी से पास की |

वह सिलाई ,बुनाई ,कटाई ,खाना बनाना तथा पेंटिंग आधी सभी कामों में निपुण थी  |कद-काटी में पतली छोटी सी दिखने वाली मीनू ने वैसे तो सभी परीक्षाएं प्रथम श्रेणी से पास की थी, पर  शादी के लिए जब उसे कोई देखने जाता तो साॅवली होने के कारण वह मीनू को नापसंद कर देते थे |
उसकी छोटी बहन आशा रंग रूप में मीनू से कहीं ज्यादा सुंदर थी |

मेरठ निवासी मायाराम जी अपने पुत्र अमित के रिश्ते के लिए पत्नी शहीद उसे देखने आए तो अमित के ह्रदय में मीनू का भोला-भाला चेहरा समा गया |

मायाराम जी जब वापस जाने लगे तो दयाराम जी के यह पूछने पर भाई साहब , क्या जवाब रहा ?  उन्होंने कहा कि घर जाकर विचार करेंगे | उसके बाद आपको पत्र लिखेंगे |

मायाराम जी जब अपने घर पहुंचे तो उन्होंने देखा कि मेरठ शहर के एक धनी व्यक्ति धनीमाल उनकी प्रतीक्षा कर रहे हैं | धनीमल ने अपने छूट सबसे छोटी पुत्री सरिता का रिश्ता अमित से प्रस्ताव रखा तथा साथी यह भी बताया कि वह शादी में 500000 रुपया खर्च करेंगे |

मायाराम जी दहेज विरोधी थे, मायाराम की पत्नी 5 लाख की बात सुनते ही यह भूल गई कि वह अभी मीनू को देख कर आई है और अमित को मीनू पसंद भी है |

मायाराम जी की पत्नी ने अपने पति को विवश कर दिया कि किसी भी तरह से मीरापुर वाला रिश्ता अस्वीकार कार कर दे |

पत्नी के सुझाव पर मायाराम जी ने दयाराम जी को पत्र लिखा कि हमें तुम्हारी छोटी बैटी आशा पस्रन्द है । यदि आप हमारे यहाँ शादी करना चाहते हैं तो मीनूसे नहीं बल्कि आशा से कर दें । 

दयाराम जो घर के सभी सदस्यों की सलाह मानकर इस नथे प्रस्ताव को पक्का करने के लिए मेरठ गए तो वहाँ पर उन्हें फ्ता कि उन्होने अमित का रिश्ता धनीमल जी का बेटी सरिता से पवका का लिया है । धनीमल शादी में पचि लाख रुपये खर्च करेगे' । 

घर पहुचने पर दयाराम जी का उदास चेहरा दखकार तथा वास्तविकता जानने पर सबका हदय मायाराम जी के परिवार के प्रति घृणा से भर गया । 

मीनू के अन्दर एक ही भावना घर कर गईं । शायद वह विवाह के योग्य नहीं है । यह स्रोचका उसने निर्णय लिया कि वह विवाह नहीं करेगी । उसने विवाह का सपना देखना ही छोड दिया । 

मीनू में साहस की कमी न थी । उसने वकील बनने का दृढ निश्चय किया ताकि अपने पाँव पर खडी होकर वह इतना पैसा कमा सके कि जिससे वह समाज में सिर ऊचा" करके रह सके । दयाराम जी ने भी मीनू के मन में उभरी लगन को देखका उसे वकालत की पढाई करके प्रैक्टिस करने की आज्ञा दे दी l मीनू नये रास्ते की तलाश में निकल पडी । 

माँ ने उसे सीने से लगाकर अाशीर्वाद दिया , बेटी एक देदीप्यमान नक्षत्र वनकर तुम जग को प्रकाशमय कर दो । जीवन की सारी खुशियाँ तुम्हारे पास हों , तुम अपने उद्देश्य प्राप्ति मेँ सफल हो, यही ईश्वर से मेरी प्रार्थना है । 

मीनू ने मेरठ में वकालत में दाखिला ले लिया । माँ के आशीर्वाद से उसने पहली दूसरी और अन्तिम परीक्षा प्रथम श्रेणी में उत्तीर्ण की और फिर मेरठ मे' ही वकालत करने लगी । 

आठ महीनों में ही मीनू ने वकालत में अपनी धाक जमा ली I उसकी आवाज में जोश था, काम करने में उत्साह . था | उसकी बुलंदी के चर्चे चारों ओर फैल गये थे । उसकी रौबीली आवाज ने सबके मन को मोह लिया था । दिखने में मतली, छोटी-सी मीनू क्रो साधारण रूप से देखने वाला व्यक्ति विश्वास ही नहीं का सकता था कि वह इतनी साहसी होगी |

धनीमल जी अपनी लडकी को दहेज में फ्लैट अवश्य देना चाहते थे किन्तु मायाराम जी तथा उनकी फ्लॉ यह नहीं चाहते थे कि उनका पुत्र उनसे अलग' रहे । इस बात को लेकर मायाराम जी ने थनीमल की बेटी सरिता का रिश्ता अस्वीकार कर दिया । अमित ने शादी काने से इन्कार का दिया । अमित का एक्सीडेप्टे हो गया । मीनू को जब नीलिमा के माध्यम से सच्चाई का पता चलता है तो वह अमित को मेडिकल कालेज में देखने जाती है । अमित अपनी व्यथा-कथा  मीनू को बताता है । अमित को आत्मग्लानि महसूस होती है । मानू के हदय से उसके प्रति घृणा के भाव' हट जाते है' ।

अन्त में मायाराम जी दयाराम जी से क्षमा याचना काते हुए अमित का रिश्ता मीनू से कर देने की प्रार्थना कस्ते हैँ । दयाराम जो अपनी पुत्री मोनू से बात कर उसकी राय जानना चाहते हैँ । मीनू के अपनी माँ से यह कहने पर कि जैसा आप उचित समझें बैसा ही करें उसकी माता-पिता चैन की साँस लेते है' । शादी की तिथि निश्चिता हो जाती है ।

मानू दुल्हन बनी l उसकी डोली सजी और वह अपने पिया संग ससुराल को चल दी ।

उसे जिस मंजिल क्री तलाश ' थी आज बह उसे मिल गईं । उसने अपने साहस, लगन और परिश्रम से नये रास्ते की खोज की थी इसलिए इस उपन्यास का शीर्षक 'नया रास्ता' सार्थक है । उपन्यास के कथानक के अनुसार शीर्षक के अौवित्य पर किसी प्रकार क्री टीका-टिप्पणी काना व्यर्थ की आलोचना मात्र होगी ।

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Doctor's Journal Entry for August 6, 1945 – POETRY

Doctor’s Journal Entry for August 6, 1945 – Vikram Seth
Summary:
 It was a calm, beautiful and a warm morning in the Japanese city of Hiroshima. A doctor, half-clad in his informal dress, was gazing out watching the soft, wavering leaves and shadows. Suddenly, there was a strong flash of light, then another shocked and surprised him. He saw the old stone lantern with its bright light. It seemed to flare up. He was trying to assess what had happened when buildings began to collapse.
 The roof, the walls fell in timber and debris. Dust swirled around him. His drawers and undershirt disappeared. He was hit by splinters. His thigh was cut up and a splinter stood out of it. His right side was bleeding and his cheek was torn.
 He was totally confused. He pulled out a piece of glass lodged in his body. He did not know what had happened. He suddenly thought of his wife. He was worried about her as he loudly called Yecko-san. She appeared when she heard the panic-stricken voice of her husband. Yecko-san was bloodstained. She looked pale and frightened. Clasping his
suggested that they must go out quickly. They rushed out with an unsteady gait. In the street, they stumbled over something. It was someone’s head. A gate had crashed him.
 The doctor and his wife stood in a state of fear. A house before them suddenly bent, swayed and fell down. Fire rose from the dust. It was further spread by the wind. Then they realised that they must get to the hospital at once. The doctor realised that he must give a helping hand to his staff in the hospital. It didn’t occur to him that he himself was badly injured. In that condition he could not render any service to others.
 The effect of his injuries could now be felt by the doctor. His legs refused to carry him. He sat down on the ground. He was feeling very thirsty, but there was no water for him to drink. He was breathless. He revived his strength slowly, and got up at last. He was naked, for his clothes had been stripped off by the explosion. He felt no shame. Then he met a soldier who silently stood there. He gave the doctor the towel he himself was wearing round his neck.
 His legs were stiff. The blood oozing from his legs had dried up. He was unable to walk any longer. He advised his wife to go on ahead, and leave him behind. She was unwilling to go, but then there was no other option for her. When his wife was gone, the doctor felt a sense of fearful loneliness. His mind seemed to move ahead but his body lagged behind.
 The doctor saw the unreal form of people. Some looked like ghosts, others like scarecrows. All were silent. They had their arms stretched straight out from shoulder to the dangling hand. It took him some time before he could understand that the friction on their burns caused them much pain. For this reason they feared the touch of flesh against flesh.
 Those who could walk, just dragged their feet towards the hospital. There was a woman with a child. The doctor was dismayed to see that both the woman and the her child were naked. He wondered if they had come after a bath and were naked yet. He just couldn’t understand all this till he came across a man. Then he realised that some strange thing had taken off their clothes. The old woman was in pain but she did not utter a word. All of them were silent. No cries of anguish were heard. The atomic explosion had brought death, destruction and misery. The survivors were dazed and dumb.
wife’s elbow, the doctor suggested that they must go out quickly. They rushed out with an unsteady gait. In the street, they stumbled over something. It was someone’s head. A gate had crashed him.
 The doctor and his wife stood in a state of fear. A house before them suddenly bent, swayed and fell down. Fire rose from the dust. It was further spread by the wind. Then they realised that they must get to the hospital at once. The doctor realised that he must give a helping hand to his staff in the hospital. It didn’t occur to him that he himself was badly injured. In that condition he could not render any service to others.
 The effect of his injuries could now be felt by the doctor. His legs refused to carry him. He sat down on the ground. He was feeling very thirsty, but there was no water for him to drink. He was breathless. He revived his strength slowly, and got up at last. He was naked, for his clothes had been stripped off by the explosion. He felt no shame. Then he met a soldier who silently stood there. He gave the doctor the towel he himself was wearing round his neck.
 His legs were stiff. The blood oozing from his legs had dried up. He was unable to walk any longer. He advised his wife to go on ahead, and leave him behind. She was unwilling to go, but then there was no other option for her. When his wife was gone, the doctor felt a sense of fearful loneliness. His mind seemed to move ahead but his body lagged behind.
 The doctor saw the unreal form of people. Some looked like ghosts, others like scarecrows. All were silent. They had their arms stretched straight out from shoulder to the dangling hand. It took him some time before he could understand that the friction on their burns caused them much pain. For this reason they feared the touch of flesh against flesh.
 Those who could walk, just dragged their feet towards the hospital. There was a woman with a child. The doctor was dismayed to see that both the woman and the her child were naked. He wondered if they had come after a bath and were naked yet. He just couldn’t understand all this till he came across a man. Then he realised that some strange thing had taken off their clothes. The old woman was in pain but she did not utter a word. All of them were silent. No cries of anguish were heard. The atomic explosion had brought death, destruction and misery. The survivors were dazed and dumb.

Critical Appreciation:
 Horrors of nuclear war are brought out effectively. The day when Hiroshima was bombed brought death and destruction at a scale never imagined before. It was a tragedy of high magnitude which the Japanese faced. Its deep scars have not disappeared as yet. Those who died instantly didn’t suffer the lingering pain of the survivors. The maimed and disfigured ghostly men and women walked the streets. They were unable to understand what had happened and where they should go. The wounded doctor thought of his duty towards the injured. His conscience pricked but the body refused to move. What a tragedy!
 Like ‘A Small Pain In My Chest’, this one too is an anti-war poem. There it described the fate of a soldier who fought, got injured, and died. Here, it is the fate of the innocent civilians. Men, women and children are stripped not only of their honour, but of their skin. They lose their identities. The reader feels that the act of throwing such a bomb on civilian population is cruelty of the worst kind. Now when there are stockpiles of such nuclear weapons with a number of nations, nuclear disarmament alone can save humanity from future holocaust.
Paraphrase:
 The morning was tranquil and calm as usual. It was a delightfully warm day. I was relaxing half dressed in the morning. I was admiring and looking with amazement at the glittering sunlit silvery leaves and the shady dimness of the surroundings. Suddenly there was a forceful, intense sparkle by which I was alarmed. I was aghast to see the old stone lantern brightly lit and he thought it might be the magnesium flares. While I contemplated on it, all of a sudden the roofs, walls and the entire world of his seemed to disintegrate as if it had succumbed to some vigorous attack. It was reduced to nothing. There were fragments of woodwork and rubble. There was wreckage all around. Dust spun around in his garden then. I had cold feet to see a ghostly and horrific happening. My drawers and undershirt disappeared as if they had been swallowed up by something. A tiny piece of splinter protruded out from my mutilated, bruised thigh. My right side was bleeding profusely and my cheek was disfigured and torn. I knocked loose and disentangled indifferently the piece of glass in my cheek. All the time my mind was baffled and I tried to reason out about the gravity of the situation and about what had actually occurred. Suddenly, I panicked about my wife’s where abouts. Agitated and anxious, I called out to my wife ‘Yecko San’. At the same time I was conscious of blood gushing out from the artery in my neck. I was petrified as I knew I could die. In a frenzy I shouted out for my wife, who came out equally distressed and in anguish. She was holding her elbow and was blood stained. I consoled her saying that we would be fine. We limped losing balance on the street. I was choked with fear when he tumbled over a head in the street. Uttering apologies, I stood frozen due to fear and nervousness.
 I realized that the man had been trampled under a gate and was dead. We both stood there frozen and numbed with fear. A house in front of them swayed back and forth and then fell apart. It was smashed into small pieces. Fire sprang up in the dust which was spread by the wind. It then became apparent that we were threatened by some mishappening and that we needed assistance and immediate treatment. We realised that we must get to the hospital as quick as possible. I even thought that I should help my staff and it didn’t occur to me how I could do so. My legs fell weak and I sat down on the ground. Thirst overpowered me but there was no water there. I gasped for breath. But after a while we felt a little vitalised and ours strength was restored. Though I was naked yet in that situation of shock and anguish, I didn’t feel ashamed. Of course the idea of being naked and feeling no shame made me feel uneasy. Soon, I was helped by a soldier who stood silently there. He gave me a towel which was around his neck to cover myself.
 My legs were numbed with dried blood and refused to walk further. So I asked my wife to go ahead. She was reluctant but there was no choice. In this state of affliction, she carried on. After she left, I was now aware of a monstrous loneliness. I felt forlorn and friendless. Though my mind was working, my body was slow. I saw everywhere was soundless and wordless. I was first shocked to see them standing with arms stretched out and with shoulders attached to hands hanging loose. Later I realised that they were avoiding friction for a little rubbing of skin would cause acute pain to their burns. Moreover they feared that little rubbing could erode their flesh. Those who were able to move, dragged themselves in an awe-struck and dazed procession towards the hospital. I saw in distress, a woman standing along with her child, all naked. I was bewildered and thought why they stood like that or whether they had come back from the bath. I pondered over that until I saw a man totally naked. It was then that I realized that some strange, peculiar thing had stripped them of their clothes. I was unnerved to see the face of an old woman on the ground. She was so full of pain and was filled with so much suffering that she was absolutely quiet. This beastly frightful happening had left everyone tongue-tied and soundless. Everyone was dumb founded and this calamity had afflicted one and all the ghostly skeletal forms of people. Who were just skin and bones. A shudder of fear went through my body to see these blanched, blackish, death like creatures.
Central Idea:
 The poem is a pitiable picture of the survivors of the terrible bombing on Hiroshima on 6th August 1945. It brings forth the danger of nuclear weapons and its devastating effects. It gives an account of the anguish of people who saw the complete obliteration of their city with one atom-bomb. The central idea of the poem is to make us all understand the incredible destructive power of this weapon and its monstrous and frightful implications. Nuclear War is uncivilized and inhuman. This poem through the account reported by a doctor acquaints us with destruction of human lives and the burns and fatal wounds
suffered from radiation exposure. Hiroshima is profoundly
remembered today because it was the first city to be exposed to the devastation of an atomic bomb. The lesson this poem gives is a major lesson that war is horrible with its random killings of innocent lives.

Stopping By Woods on A Snowy Evening - POETRY

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening – Robert Frost
Summary:
 One snowy evening, a traveller is going on a horseback. He stops on his way beside a wood. It is a beautiful wood, and he stands arrested at the sight of it. For a moment, he thinks of breaking his journey. He knows the owner of the woods who lives in the village nearby. He stands watching the scene, conscious of the fact that the owner would not see him enjoying these moments when the snow is filling up the fields.
 The traveller is going on his accustomed route. The horse too is fully familiar with it. So, he wonders why his rider has stopped him at a place which is not his destination. He knows that there is no farmhouse nearby for the rider to take some rest there. There are woods on the one side, and the frozen lake on the other. It is the darkest evening of the year.
 In order to caution the rider, the horse gives a shake to his harness bells. The sound of the bells poses a question to the traveller if he has committed any mistake in stopping there. Perfect silence prevails all around. The only soft sound is the sound of the snow flakes falling on the ground and the blowing of the breeze.
 The rider responds to the caution given to him by his horse. He breaks the spell of that beautiful scene on him. He is reminded of his mission, his home, his obligations. He resolves the conflict between his desire and duty. He comes to the conclusion that though the woods are dark and deep, he cannot stop there. He reminds himself that he has to keep his promises. He has yet to go miles before he can take rest.
Critical Appreciation:
 This is one of Frost’s masterpiece, his most famous poem, frequently taught and anthologized. In this poem, the poet wants to stop in the woods and watch the snow. The dark, deep woods seem to be lovely, quiet and peaceful. The narrator notices the little pleasures in life and he expresses the importance of having leisure time to appreciate the beauty of nature. But, the narrator is a hard-pressed man and has enormous work-load and a tired spirit. As such he reluctantly pulls himself from being entrapped in the bewitching tranquillity in the woods. The language of the poem is rhythmical and the use of alliteration lends flow to the poem. The poet also uses visual and sound images so that we seem to be on a poetic journey through the woods.
 The woods belong apparently to a rich village land owner who remains unaware of its exquisite beauty which the traveller while passing perceives. His ‘little horse’ is confused as to why he stopped there but the traveller has a sharp observation and is responsive to the loveliness around him.
 The poet highlights the contrast between business and pleasure, man and nature life and death and solitude and civilization.
 The poet handles well the theme of being ensnared in the seductiveness of the woods and then the narrator’s effort to shake himself back to bitter reality by being reminded of mundane responsibilities. This poem illustrates many of the characteristic qualities of Frost’s poems. He not only gives detailed images of nature, he also deals with the relationship of man and nature. Frost’s decision to respect the final line ‘And miles to go before I sleep’ may be interpreted as death, or rest from burdensome life. Thus the poet with great skill uses a simple incident to make a deeper philosophical ascertainment.
Paraphrase: Stanza 1:
Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow.
I believe I know the owner of this property; the man whom this tract of woods belongs to. I also know that the owner will not be around on this snowy, cold evening to see that I have stopped here to appreciate the natural beauty of the forest.
Stanza 2: My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year.
My little horse finds it peculiar that I should stop like this at an isolated, lonely place. My horse is finding it strange that I stop in the middle of the snowy woods, in between the woods and a frozen lake especially as night time is approaching.
Stanza 3:
He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound’s the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake.
My horse is shaking his harness and this makes the bells jingle. He probably wants to know if something is awry or if there is a problem. Besides the sound of the harness bells is the sweeping noise coming from the slight wind and softly falling snow. There is a gentle whirr and complete stillness.
Stanza 4: The woods arc lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. I am entranced by the dark deep woods. They are almost irresistible I am contemplating on staying on but I have a long way to reach my destination. I know my responsibilities and I can’t stop here to relax. There are promises which I must fulfill and I have no reason to remain here.
Central Idea:
 ‘Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening’ explores the theme of an individual who is allured by the beauty of nature but at the same time he is to fulfill some responsibilities of everyday life. He is in a dilemma whether to stay back or to resist these temptations and return to the challenging world of men. He is hypnotised by the beauty of nature but ‘the promises to keep’ are more important and he reluctantly returns. He acknowledges the pull of obligations and overpowers his desire to indulge in the bewitching beauty of the woods The Central Idea therefore is that there is a world of perfect quiet and solitude on one side but the call of social responsibility is stronger and we have to succumb to the need to fulfill our unfinished jobs.

The Last Leaf — PROSE

The Last Leaf – O. Henry About the Author:
 William Sydney Porter (September 11, 1862 – June 5, 1910), well known by his pen name O. Henry, was born in Greensboro, North Carolina to Dr. Algernon Sidney Porter a physician, and Mary Jane Virginia Swaim Porter. Porter was a studious child and read everything, in 1879, he started working in his uncle’s drugstore and in 1881, at the age of nineteen; he was licensed as a pharmacist, though he tried his hands in a number of jobs. He also began writing as a sideline,
 In 1891, Porter began working at the First National Bank of Austin as a teller and book-keeper. He was a careless book keeper and in 1894, he was accused by the bank of embezzlement and consequently los his job. He then worked full-time on his humorous weekly called The Rooling Stone, which he started while working at the bank. Porter and his family moved to Houston in 1895, where he started writing for the Post. While he was in Houston, the First National Bank of Austin was audited by federal auditors and they found the embezzlement shortages that had led to his firing. A federal indictment followed and he was arrested on charges of embezzlement. Porter, having little to say in his own defence, was found guilty of embezzlement in February 1898, sentenced to five years in prison, and imprisoned on March 25, 1898, at the Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus, Ohio. While in prison, Porter, as a licensed pharmacist, worked in the prison hospital as a night druggist. He had fourteen stories published under various pseudonyms while he was in prison, but was becoming best known as “O. Henry”, a pseudonym that first appeared over the story “Whistling Dick’s Christmas Stocking” in the December 1899 issue of McClure’s Magazine. A friend of his in New Orleans would forward his stories to publishers, so they had no idea that the writer was imprisoned. Porter was released on July 24, 1901, for good behaviour after serving three years. Porter’s most prolific writing period started in 1902, when he moved to New York City to be near his publishers. While there, he wrote 381 short stories. He wrote a story a week for over a year for the New York World Sunday Magazine.
 O. Henry’s stories frequently have surprise endings. In his day, he was called the American answer to Guy de Maupassant. Both authors wrote stories which had twist endings, but O. Henry’s stories were much more playful. His stories are also known for witty narration. Most of O. Henry’s stories are set in his own time, the early 20th century. Many take place in New York City and deal with ordinary people: clerks, policemen, waitresses etc.
 O. Henry’s work is wide-ranging. “The Last Leaf” was first published in 1905. Summary:
 The plot revolves around two artist girls -* Sue and Johnsy who have their own ‘studio’ in quaint old Greenwich Village. They have a relationship fastened on mutual trust and their common tastes in art. All went hunky dory till Johnsy fell ill with pneumonia and cold in November month. The disease seemed to drain out the last streaks of will and womanly taste from her being. She lay all day in bed awaiting her death, looking out of the window listlessly. The doctor put her chances at one-in-ten. Sue asked Johnsy what she would most passionately like to do or what was her wish. And Johnsy replied that she would like to paint the Bay of Naples. Sue sat in the room sketching with determination, trying to drawn her sorrow to her art. She put the sketching book and pencil on the bedside of Johnsy who was lying sick on the bed. Johnsy is determined to die when the last leaf of the vine falls.
An old, frustrated artist named Behrman lives below Johnsy and Sue. He has been claiming that he will paint a masterpiece, though he has even attempted to do so. Sue goes to him and tells him that her friend is dying of pneumonia, and that Johnsy claims that when the last leaf falls off of the vine outside her window, she will die, Behrman scoffs at this as foolishness, but as he is protective of the two young girls-he decides to see Johnsy and the vine. In the night, a very bad storm comes and wind the wind is howling and the rain is splattering against the window. Sue closes the curtains and tells Johnsy to go to sleep, even though there was still one leaf left on the vine. Johnsy protests but Sue insists on doing so because she doesn’t want Johnsy to see the last leaf fall. In the morning, Johnsy wants to see the vine to be sure that all the leaves are gone, but to their surprise, there is still one leaf left. Johnsy believes that the leaf stayed there to show how wicked she was, and that she sinned in wanting to die. She regains her will to live, and makes a full recovery throughout the day. In the afternoon, doctor talks to Sue. Behrman painted a masterpiece he painted it there the night that the last leaf fell.”
Critical Appreciation:
 After reading the story, perhaps many readers can say that American artists life is so poor. It seems to be totally true. Sue and Johnsy are those kind of artists. However, Old Behrman is the best; exemplary one.
 The profound meaning of the story, as the main sound of the song, is the deep love felt between the poor artists, that when love is more valuable than art, it makes art become alive. The time when that love is revealed comes “a cold, unseen stranger” who appears and touches his cold fingers at little Johnsy whose blood is going dry; by wind from the west.” Sue, her friend, does everything for her.
 Sue draws many more illustrated paintings to earn money to buy soup and wine. She invites the doctor to come to see her friend. She cooks, comforts Johnsy to eat and drink medicine. For a Sue, the biggest hope is to see Johnsy become happy drawing the Gulf of Naples, something she wanted to do desperately. So noble that love is, but it is not strong enough to drown Johnsy’s desperation. Johnsy seems to be approaching her end. At that time, Old Behrman appears. Old Behrman is the most strange in the story. His life is unsuccessful and miserable. The biggest unsuccessful thing is in art. For forty years, he has not touched the hem of art fairy. And after twenty years, he even cannot lay the first line of drawing for his masterpiece of which he has been dreaming. His work is ‘model’. However, his portrait is staring at the end of life, he finishes his masterpiece - Johnsy’s life. He pours the rest of his life into Johnsy. That “loveful” voluntary act is silently taken place in a dark night that makes the old artist become immortal.
 The last leaf on the wall is hope and life which he leaves not only for Johnsy but also the readers. It is sure that, Old Behrman understands Johnsy’s emotion. He sympathises with her spleenful embittered heart. He also loves her and wants to dispute her from her death. His thought is both deep and simple: the artist, Johnsy, believes that when the last leaf falls, she will die. That is very simple. But the falling of the leaf is not unavoidable; and he draws a leaf which never falls. He protests the law of nature. He fights with his lofty heart and sincere art. And he rescues Johnsy. This is the beautiful meaning of his action.
 The scenery which Old Behrman draws the leaf is very, special and moral. In the dim and immense, cold and quiet night, the man is old and weak. How to draw a leaf like a real one? The last leaf is Behrman’s masterpiece. Because his painting, is drawn by his own heart in extremely difficult circumstances. It takes Johnsy back to her life in which she can carry out her dream. And also, the painting reminds readers of the great sacrifice of an honest artist. Through Behrman, the theme of the story is revealed fully. By ‘The Last Leaf’ 0. Henry sends to readers a message which is written on the last leaf which never faills to love everybody. That is why art survives.
Characterisation:
 Johnsy :  Johnsy is a struggling artist living in New York with Sue. As winter approaches, she suffers from pneumonia. That year many people were dying due to pneumonia and she thought she would also die. She connected her death wish with the falling ivy leaves and thought that the moment the last leaf of the ivy tree falls, she is going to die. It is her pessimism which was a greater disease than pneumonia. Sue nurses her and tries to instill hope in her and ultimately with the help of old Behrman is able to save her life.
 Sue:  Sue, another struggling artist in New York, a friend of Johnsy living in the same house with Johnsy, is a caring friend who does her best to instill optimism in Johnsy. She nurses Johnsy during her illness, and her perseverance brings fruit as she is able to save Johnsy. As a concerned friend, her love for Johnsy is portrayed by 0. Henry throughout the story.
 Behrman:  Though Behrman, a sixty year unsuccessful old artist, appears only once and speaks twice in the whole story, his affection for the two young artists is very well manifested in the story. It is he who with his self-sacrifice is able to instill faith in Johnsy’s mind and made her survive Pneumonia, though he himself becomes a victim of it. His love towards Johnsy and Sue can be termed as fraternal or fatherly affection.

God Lives in the Panch — PROSE

God Lives in the Panch – Munshi Premchand About the Author:
 Munshi Prem Chand was born on July 31, 1880 and expired on October 8, 1936. He was a famous Hindi-Urdu writer and was born in Lamahi, a village located near Varanasi (Benares) . When he was seven years old, Premchand began his education at a madarsa in Lalpur, located around two and half kilometers from Lamahi. Premchand learnt Urdu and Persian from a Maulvi in the madarsa. When he was eight, his mother died after a long illness. After his mother’s death, Premchand sought solace in fiction, and developed a fascination for books.
 Born Dhanpat Rai, he wrote under the pen name “Nawab Rai”, but subsequently switched to “Premchand”. His first short novel was Asrar e Malabid (Devasthan Rahasya in Hindi, “The Mystery of God’s Abode”), which explores corruption among the temple priests and their sexual exploitation of poor women. Premchand’s second short novel Hamkhurma-o-Hamsavab (Prema in Hindi), published in 1907, was penned under the name “Babu Nawab Rai Banarsi”. It explores the issue of widow remarriage in the contemporary conservative society. Premchand’s first major novel Seva Sadan was published in Hindi. In 1923, he established a printing press and publishing house in Benares, christened “Saraswati Press”. The year 1924 saw the publication of Premchand’s Rangabhumi, which has a blind beggar called Surdas as its tragic hero. In 1928, Premchand’s novel Gaban (“Embezzlement”), focusing on the middle class’ greed, was published. In March 1930, Premchand launched a literary-political weekly magazine titled ‘Hans’, aimed at inspiring the Indians to mobilize against the British rule. In 1932, he published another novel titled Karmabhumi. His works include more than a dozen novels, around 250 short stories, several essays and translations of a number of foreign literary works into Hindi.
Summary:
 Jumman Sheikh and Alagu Chowdhari had been close friends from their childhood. Their friendship was founded on a common outlook and a deep trust in each other. They ploughed their fields together and were partners in a money- lending business.
 In the course of time, Jumman came to be held in high esteem by the village folk for his learning and achievements, while Alagu was respected for his wealth.
 All went smoothly until there arose a dispute between Jumman and his old maternal aunt. The old woman, hoping that her nephew would look after her, had transferred all the property she owned to him. As long as the deed of the transfer of property remained unregistered Jumman and his wife made every effort to please the aunt. However, once the deed was registered their attitude changed and they began to ill-treat the old lady.
 Jumman’s wife Kariman, in particular, lost no opportunity to insult her while Jumman remained indifferent. When the aunt could no longer endure this humiliation she decided to live separately and asked for a small allowance from Jumman. When even this was rudely refused by her nephew Jumman, she decided to take the case to the panchayat.
 Jumman was not perturbed at this, and in fact, was secretly pleased. He felt that his friends Alagu in the panchayat would side with him. The old lady, however, went around the village narrating her tale of woe to all – some were sympathetic while most were quite indifferent towards her.
 At last, tired and exhausted, she came to Alagu and requested him to attend the panchayat. He was reluctant at first and said that he would rather not take direct part in the proceedings as Jumman was his close friend. The aunt then asked him whether he would rather remain silent and see injustice done. This had an immediate impact on Alagu and his conscience was stirred.
 Ramadhan Misra, who nursed a grudge against Jumman, now arose and asked Jumman to appoint a person of his choice as head-panch. Jumman, realizing that most of those present were against him, discreetly replied that he would leave the choice to his aunt; and when the old lady nominated Alagu, Jumman could hardly believe his luck.
 Alagu at first hesitated and told the aunt that perhaps she was unaware that Jumman was his close friend. The aunt said that she was aware of this fact but she was also quite confident that Alagu would follow the dictates of his conscience.
 The case began. Alagu asked Jumman if he had anything to say in his defence. Jumman said that he was not obliged to pay her an allowance as it was not specified in the deed.
 Alagu, being well versed in legal matters, did not agreed with Jumman’s explanation, Jumman was amazed and perplexed at this sudden change in his friend and stood dumb-founded. Alagu then pronounced the verdict. The considered opinion of the panchayat was that Jumman was liable to pay his aunt a monthly allowance or else the deed of transferring her property to him would be null and void. The verdict shocked Jumman. He could hardly believe his ears and felt that Alagu had betrayed him. Ramadhan Misra and the others were overjoyed and were all praises for Al agu.
 This incident strained the relationship between two friends. They were now seldom seen together and in fact avoided each other. Jumman thought of nothing except how he could avenge this humiliation. And soon enough an opportunity presented itself.
 Alagu owned a pair of healthy bullocks but unfortunately one died.  He now having no use for the other bullock, sold it to Samjhu Sahu, a cart-driver, who promised to pay the price after a month. Samjhu over-worked and ill-treated the animal in his greed till finally, the poor animal died of torture.
 Samjhu Sahu and his wife were very annoyed by their loss and they cursed Alagu for having sold them the bullock. Several months later, when Alagu asked for the price of the bullock, all that they were prepared to do was to offer Alagu their bullock on loan for two months.
 After a good deal of quarrelling between the parties the matter was finally put before the panchayat.
 When the panchayat had assembled, as before, nominations were invited for a head-panch; and when Alagu stated that Samjhu Sahu should propose one, Samjhu Sahu happily named Jumman. Hearing this, for obvious reasons, Alagu’s heart sank!
 After hearing both men the panches decided that Samjhu Sahu must compensate Alagu and finally it was decided that the amount must be the full price of the bullock that had been agreed upon.
 Alagu was overwhelmed with joy at this decision. He loudly praised the panchayat – and indeed this was justice at its best. Everyone realized that the panch is a symbol of democracy, truth and justice. Good indeed lives in the heart of the panch!
 Through ‘God Lives In The Panch’ the author shows that invariably when a person is placed in a responsible position his conscience is awakened and he tries to prove equal to the task.
Critical Appreciation:
 This short story “God Lives In The Panch” is written when the colonial Britishers were ruling India. Premchand, through this story is critising the judicial system of the Britishers saying that Indians already have a rural judicial system (Panchayat) where impartial enquiry and judgments are already prevalent. When one is placed as a Panch or as the head of the Panch, he forgets about his earthly ties and gives judgement only according to the norms of morality, legality and ethics. Thus the primary theme of the short story is indigenous judicial system, though there are many other themes present in the story.
 Panchayat  Panchayat is a system of administration of rural India where the elected or selected representatives of the village take decisions for the development and day to day running of the village. Even while there are disputes in the villages, the villagers approach the Panchayat for immediate remedial measures. Both Jumman and Alagu went to the Panchayat with their disputes, both of them also served as the Head-Panchs. When they were Head-Panch, they decided in favour of the righteous the good at that moment, while one is the head Panch doing justice, one is like a God delivering judgement with impartiality. Thus Premchand is celebrating the indigenous rural administrative and judicial system known as Panchayats.
 Friendship:  The short-story also deals with themes like friendship (between Jumman Sheikh and Alagu Chowdhari), property disputes (Jumman’s act of getting his aunt’s property registered in his own name and then maltreating his aunt), etc. Premchand through these multiple themes is trying to present different facets of India but what he intends to champion primarily in this short story is the role of the Head-Panch in a Panchayati system.
Characterisation:
 Jumman Sheikh:  Jumman Sheikh: Jumman is a very good friend of Alagu Chowdhari, but he like other human beings became subject to greed when he registered his aunt’s property under his name and maltreated her, and didn’t want to pay her any monthly allowance. When the aunt reached the Panchayat, Alagu Chowdhari, the head-panch gave the sentence in favour of Jumman’s aunt, leading to a break in the friendship between them. It is only when Jumman became a head panch and Alagu was brought as a party of dispute to the Panchayat, Jumman realized that Alagu did right when his aunt approached the Panchayat. This realisation of Jumman revived their friendship. In short, it can be said that Jumman is a normal human being with his shortcomings (greed) but a man who can transcend his earthly ties when he becomes the head-panch
 Alagu Chowdhari :  Alagu Chowdhari is presented in the story as a good man who when given the role to be a head-panch; didn’t favour his friend by being partial towards him. Moreover, he insisted on his friend’s mistakes and gave an order which is righteous. Sometime later Alagu sold a bullock to Samjhu Sahu for which he received no money and the bullock died because of it being made to over-work. Alagu took the matter to the Panchayat where to Alagu’s surprise, Jumman, the head-panch, (his friend turned foe) gave the judgement in favour of him. Alagu is presented in the story as a good man trying to live life according to the morally lustifiable paths.
 Jumman’s Aunt :  Though an unnamed character in the story, Jumman Sheikh’s aunt has a significant role to play in the plot. She is an old lady, with white hair, toothless mouth, and a body bent as a bow. She is weak and infirm and walks leaning on a staff. She is related to Jumman on the mother’s side. She owns some property, which she decides to transfer to Jumman, through an agreement with the condition that he will look after her. In the beginning Jumman is obliging towards her, and is considerate of all her needs. But, the moment the deed is registered, he becomes indifferent towards his aunt. His wife starts abusing and taunting her and the old lady is not given proper food and clothes. Thus, the aunt becomes a helpless victim of Jumman and his wife’s ill-treatment.
 Jumman’s aunt is firm and persistent. She goes about from one villager to another requesting them to attend the panchayat. There are people who laugh at her and make fun of her appearance; some advise her to make it up with her nephew; a few feel genuine pity for her. Still the old woman does not give up.
 Jumman’s aunt has an unshakable faith in the panchayat’s justice. According to her, the panch has no personal feelings; he knows neither friend nor enemy. She says, “Allah lives in the being of the panch, and his voice is the voice of God.”
 Samjhu Sahu  Samjhu Sahu is a cart-driver, who lives in the same village as Alagu and Jumman. He carries on business between the village and the town, taking the village commodities to the town for sale and on his way back, bringing to the village such goods which have a ready market there.
 Samjhu Sahu is a shrewd businessman with crooked ways. When he hears of Alagu’s decision to sell his bullock, he thinks that if he buys the animal, he would be able to make multiple trips to the town daily, and thus increase his profits. He first takes a trial of the ox, and then buys it on credit, promising to pay the price in a month’s time
 Sahu is greedy to the core. In his greed to earn a large profit, he overworks the bullock. He uses the animal to make three trips to the town daily, sometimes even four. He is so cruel that he does not feed the ox properly. His carts are always overloaded. The starved animal is soon reduced to a skeleton. When it fails to drag the overloaded cart, or if its speed slows down, Sahu hits it mercilessly. The poor animal cannot bear such severe treatment and it dies.
 In the panchayat assembly, Sahu acts clever enough and proposes Jumman’s name for the head-panch, for he knows about his hostility towards Alagu. He is quite confident that Jumman will pronounce the decision in his favour, for he has been waiting for an opportunity to avenge himself of Alagu.

The Professor — POETRY

The Professor – Nissim Ezekiel Summary:
 It is a chance meeting between a Professor Sheth and one of his pupils. The speaker here is the professor who himself reveals his identity. He reminds his former student that he is Professor Sheth who taught him Geography once. He is retired now, but he is keeping good health. His wife died a few years ago. With God’s grace, his children are well-settled in life.
 The professor is the speaker throughout. He indulges in a monologue. He refers to his sons. He takes pride in telling his student that one of his sons is a Sales Manager, the other is a Bank Manager. Both are men of status. Both have cars, considered symbols of status. Another son of his is not doing very well. Other children are settled satisfactorily. Both his daughters, Sarala and Tarala are married. Their husbands are very nice boys.
 The professor is proud of his children as well as his grand children. He has eleven grand children, an impressive number. He learns that his student has three children. The professor admits that family planning is necessary. In his youth, no one cared to limit the family. Now times have changed. One must change with time.
 As for his activities, the professor generally confines himself to his home. He does go out only now and then old age does not permit much activity. However, he has good health generally. He has no problem like diabetes, blood pressure or heart attack. He is glad that his good health is the result of his good habits formed in his youth He is pleased to know that his student is enjoying good health.
 At the end the professor reveals that his age is sixty-nine but he hopes to live for a century. Then, he suddenly thinks of the time when his student was still studying in college. Then he was thin like a stick. Now he has put on weight. He is a man of weight and consequence. The professor concludes his speech by giving a casual invitation to his student to visit him if anything brings him to that side again, and his house is close to his student’s house.
Critical Appreciation:
 The poet depicts the picture of a retired professor’s meeting with his former student. The poet’s remarkable talent to ‘Indianise’ a poem is seen in his conversational language with great poetic genius the poet draws a pen picture of a self-absorbed professor who exaggerates and raves and rants about his family status. The words and phrases like ‘Our progress is progressing’ ‘opposite house’s backside’ ‘if you are coming’, all are examples of grammatical peculiarities of English used by Indian speakers. The poet very skilfully shows how Indians excessively use the present continuous tense in place of simple present tense. The poet also scorns the scholarly professor because of his grammatical peculiarities wrong English.
 By using unidiomatic and ungrammatical language the poet very deftly makes the poem humourous. The reader finds the poem amusing due to the flow of Indian thoughts. The poet also makes fun of the practices of the society that advertises their children with their designation and status. A hint of satire is displayed when the professor flaunts the cars his sons possess. He also brings forth with great masterful artistry the topics of generation gap and the blending of the old and the new. The poet also depicts the attitude of Indian parents who feel fully relieved of their responsibilities when the girls get married. Thus the poem caricatures the geography professor who thinks he has full command over the language and who is boastful and egocentric. The poet’s choice of words is humourous the tone is serious even though the subject is trivial. Theconversational ease with which the poem is written serves as an indicator of the poet’s understanding of the society of which he himself is an inseparable part.
Paraphrase:
 Can you recall me ? Let me remind you that I am Professor Sheth, your geography teacher, At present I am leading a retired life even though I am healthy and energetic. I lost my wife a few years back. God has been kind and benevolent and my children are well settled. Two of my boys have good designations. One is a Sales Manager and one is a Bank Manager and they enjoy a good social status. Both maintain good cars. Other boy is doing reasonably well. You know every family has a member who doesn’t come up to their expectations I am relieved and contented that I have dispensed my responsibilities. My daughters are married to well off boys.
 You might not believe it but I have eleven grandchildren. How many children have you got? Probably three ! It is good to be wise as these days family planning is important and I also advocate it.
 The whole world is transforming. There is advancement in our country also. It is a matter of concern that old values are deteriorating and new ethics and scruples are taking their place. These changes are sudden and quick.
 Now a days I remain confined to the house. Well I have accepted that old age brings along with it loneliness and usual aches and pains. As such, my health is satisfactory. I don’t suffer from any major ailments or health hazards like diabetes, blood pressure or heart problems
 This is the consequence of not being a victim of any wrong habits in my youth. Anyway, how is your health. I’m happy that you are healthy and in good shape.
 Well, I am sixty nine years of age and I hope to live till the age of hundred. You were once slender and bony like a stick. But now you are fat and a man with dignity and eminence. That is a good joke ! However, if you happen to come this side, do pay a visit to my modest house for it is close to yours.
Central Idea:
 The central idea is clearly a coming together of the old and the new. The poem mocks typically Indian ideals and practices. He depicts how Indian society considers a number of cars one possesses to be significant for status in society.
 The poet with the deft touches of his pen makes a dig at the Indian habit of keeping rhyming names like (Sarala and Tarala). The poet also illustrates how Indian society considers ‘marriage’ as the be-all and end-all of a girl’s life and the parent’s responsibility towards a girl-child. The poet also acquaints us with typical Indian conversation which includes discussion of health and ailments as well as the enquiry on how fat or thin one has become with the passage of time. The poet in a dexterous manner shows the hypocrisy of people. The professor advocates ‘family planning’ but at the same time proudly talks about eleven grand children by making the poem replete with grammatical errors, he shows what is ‘Indian English’
 He uses this to aggravate the effect of ‘Indianess’.