The Kabuliwala - Prose

 The Kabuliwala 

– Rabindranath Tagore

About the Author:
 He was a Bengali polymath who reshaped his legion’s literature and music. He is the author of
Gitanjali and its “profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse”, he became the first non-
European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. In translation, his poetry was viewed as
spiritual and mercurial. His seemingly mesmeric personality, flowing hair and other worldly dress
earned him a prophetic like reputation in the West. His “elegant prose and magical poetry”
remain largely unknown outside Bengal. Tagore introduced new prose and verse forms and the
use of colloquial language into Bengali literature, thereby freeing it from traditional models based
on classical Sanskrit. He was highly influential in introducing the best of Indian culture to the
West and vice versa, and he is generally regarded as the outstanding creative artist of modern
India.
 A Pirali Brahmin from Calcutta, Tagore wrote poetry as an eight-year-old. At the age of sixteen,
he released his first substantial poems under the psendonym Bhanusimha (“Sun Lion”) which
were seized upon.by literary authorities as long lost classics. He graduated to his first short
stories and dramas under the aegis of his birth name by 1877. As a humanist, universal
internationalist and strident anti-nationalist he denounced the Raj and advocated independence
from Britain. As an exponent of Bengal Renaissance, he advocated a vast canon that comprised
of paintings, sketches and doodles, hundreds of texts and some two thousand songs, his legacy
endures also in the institution he founded, Viswa Bharti University.

Summary:

 Widowed Abdul Rahmat Khan is an Afghani Pathan, who lives a simple and poor lifestyle with
his widowed mom, and daughter, Amina, in Kabul. He owes money to a money lender that he
has borrowed for Amina’s medical treatment, and is un-able to repay it. He decides to secretly
re-locate to Hindustan, without the knowledge of Amina, and he does so in the dark of the night.
Upon arrival in Hindustan, he finds that the locals actually fear him and his kind and blame them
for kidnapping young children. A depressed Abdul is unable to get Amina out of his mind, and
spends a week without doing any business. After that he sets out to sell dry fruits on the streets.
It is here that he meets a young girl, Mini, who lives with her mom Rama, and her dad, a writer.
Rama is overly cautious and will not permit Mini to see Abdul, while her dad permits her to do so.
Abdul sees Amina in Mini and visits her everyday, pampering her with dry fruits. On her birthday,
Mini misses him and goes out to look for him and gets lost. Rama thinks that Abdul has
abducted her, so does an angry crowd, who find her with him and beat him. Mini’s dad
apologizes to Abdul when he finds out the truth. But this out-going has a serious repercussion on
Mini and she becomes very ill, but with prayers from Rama and Abdul she does recover. Then
their lives are again turned upside down when Abdul is arrested by police for knifing to death a
man named Ram Bharosa. He is sentenced to 10-years in jail. When he is out of jail, he comes
to meet Mini but she is a grown-up girl now, is due to get married on the same day. The sight fills
him with a deep nostalgia and he realises that it is probably time for his daughter also to get
settled in life. He leaves the place with tears in his eyes and decides to return home.

Critical Appreciation:

 Kabuliwala is a short story written by Rabindranath Tagore. It is a story which deals with
Kabuliwala (Abdul Rahmat Khan) and his customer Mini. Kabuliwala is basically a hawker who
comes to Calcutta from Afghanistan. He befriends a small Bengali girl called Mini who used to remind him of his own daughter Amina back in Afghanistan. Though he was not in touch with his
daughter, her memory didn’t fade away from his mind. Later things went wrong and one of
Kabuliwala’s customer didn’t return his money. When asked about for returning, the customer
starts abusing him which makes Kabuliwala aggressive and he stabs the customer when he
refuses to stop abusing him. This brings imprisonment upon Kabuliwala for 10 years. On the day
of his release he goes to see Mini, but discovers that Mini has grown up and is about to get
married, Her parents were reluctant to let a murderer see their daughter. The sight of Mini in a
bridal wear kindled in him the memories of his daughter, who he never thought would grow up
like Mini. He had tears in his eyes. Her dad identified Rahmat, as a father and gave him a bank
note, so that he could go back to his country and see his daughter, whose finger prints he
carried all the time. The story is all about the beautiful relation between the daughter and her
father. Though separated physically, the memories sustain our love for oua child. Only we need
a spark to light up those memories. Such was the case with Mini who woke up the affection in
Kabuliwala, for his long-forgotten daughter in a far away land.

Characterisation:

Mr. Abdul Rehmat Khan : 

Rahmat is displayed with a powerful presence that is indicated underneath the surface. On
face value, he is a fruit seller and Tagore describes him with an almost wanderer like
quality. The impression of him at the first description is that he is one that causes an
immediate sense of fear in Mini, the child who is afraid because he captures children and
places them in his large bag that he has across his shoulder. Other times, Tagore draws out
his character as one who forges a bond with the little girl. He is committed to seeing her
every day, “bribing” her with almonds and raisins. Tagore plays with the reader in this
description, almost trying to tease the reader into believing something sinister in Rahmat’s
actions in expressing the concerns that the wife of the narrator has in the story. The familiar
question that helps to forge the bond between Rahmat and the girl involves him asking her
when she’s going to her fatherinIaw’s house. The fact that he returns after he was
imprisoned and asks the girl the same question on the eve of her marriage helps to allow a
fuller understanding of the new aged fruit seller. His bond with the girl is representative of
the bond he wished to have with his own daughter in his native Afghanisthan When he asks
the girl the same question on the eve of her wedding, it is a moment, a reflection, of his own
life and how his own girl would be preparing for marriage, while Rahmat could not be there
for his own daughter, he is there for this girl. The sentiment of yearing for what he cannot be
and seeking to bring it into existence with what is in front of us is heightened when Rahmat
takes out a small piece of paper with handprints his daughter. It is at this moment that the
speaker, and the reader, understand the pain and yearing that exists in this man. His
wandering is not as physical as much as it is emotional, to find some resemblance of
personal contentment the world and the condition that is predisposed to not giving it.

 Mini :
 Mini is a little five year old girl when we first meet her in the story. She is an extremely
talkative girl who prattles all the time. When we meet her first, she is sitting under the table
of her father and asking her father numerous questions one by one, without letting her
father answer any them. She sees the Kabuliwaia from the window and calls him and
immediately runs away as she is fearful of the Kabuliwala. She thinks that Kabuliwalas
catch children and put them in large bags which they carry on their shoulders. All these
aspects present Mini as a sweet natured child. Her nature finds its beauty when we see her
befriending Kabuliwala very soon after the initial fear is over.
z But as happens with children, she forgets everything about the Kabuliwala once he
vanishes from her sight when the Kabuliwala was sent to prison for stabbing a customer
who abused him. And after some years when the Kabuliwala returns on her wedding day,
she is not able to recognize him.

The Narrator : 

The Narrator: The narrator is another major character in the story. He is the ‘I’ in the story, 

through whose point of view, the entire story is narrated. The narrator is an author by 

profession, and right in the beginning we are told that when the Kabuliwala arrives, he is 

busy writing the seventeenth chapter of his new novel. 

The narrator is rather a busy man, and he does not like being interrupted in his work. 

Although he does not mind his daughter’s presence, when it comes to the Kabuliwala, he 

feels that the peddler’s visit certainly would disturb him in is work. 

Mini’s Mother : 

Mini’s Mother: Mini’s mother is also an important character in the story. She is a typical housewife from the aristocratic Bengali family. Describing her, the narrator says. ‘Mini’s mother is unfortunately a very timid lady. Whenever she hears a noise in the street, or sees people coming towards the house, she always jumps to the conclusion that they are either thieves, or drunkards, or snakes, or tigers. 

She is paranoid about the Kabuliwala’s relationship with Mini. She suspects that the man is trying to befriend her little daughter, with the intention of kidnapping her and taking her away to Kabul. She has heard tales of child lifting and slavery in the far away land called Afghanistan. 

The Merchant of Venice - Brief Summary

The Brief Summary - The Merchant of Venice 

I have a story to tell. It is a story of love and hatred. A story of giving and taking. A story of laughter and tears. This story was told a long time ago. But it still has as much meaning today as it did then. It happened in a city called Venice in Italy. This beautiful city rests like a crown jewel on the Adriatic Sea.

There lived a moneylender named Shylock in Venice. He earned a lot by lending money to merchants. Many people hated Shylock. Some people hated him because he forced merchants to repay him in terrible ways. Others hated him simply because he was Jewish.

Of all the merchants who lived in Venice, one hated Shylock more than the others. His name was Antonio. Shylock hated Antonio as well. This was because Antonio was a very generous moneylender.

He lent money to people in trouble and often didn't charge them interest. Shylock lost a lot of business because of Antonio's generosity.

More importantly, Shylock hated Antonio because he was a Christian. And Antonio hated Shylock because he was a Jew. In those days, Jews and Christians didn't like each other. They couldn't agree about anything. They couldn't understand each other's religion or culture.

Antonio and Shylock often ran into each other at the Rialto. The Rialto was the business center of Venice. When the two met, they would have arguments. Antonio would often yell at Shylock for the heartless way of doing business. Shylock often thought about ways to get even with Antonio.

Almost everyone in Venice really liked Antonio.

They felt that he was kind and honest. The merchants especially admired him. They knew that he would help them when they were in hard times.

Antonio's best friend was a young man named Bassanio. Bassanio's family was very rich. His parents had given him money, but Bassanio had spent it all. He had wasted his mopey on wine and good food. He had traveled and he had had fun. And, of course, he ended up without any money. This was very common for young men during that time.

In the past, Antonio had helped him in many ways. In fact, he already owed Antonio lots of money. Antonio never said "no" to Bassanio. It seemed Antonio was happy to share his money with his friends.

One day, Bassanio came to Antonio for another loan.

"Antonio! I have great news! I've fallen in love with someone! Her name is Portia. She's the most beautiful woman in the world! And not only that, she's rich, too. Her father passed away recently, and she's going to inherit lots of money!"

"That's wonderful news, Bassanio," said Antonio. "It sounds like she is a wonderful woman, but does she love you as much as you love her?"

"Of course, she does. When she looks at me, her eyes are full of love and respect. Listen. I want to buy some gifts for her. The only problem is that I don't have any money right now. I know I owe you a lot of money, but can I borrow a little more? I promise I'll pay you back."

"Bassanio! You know that my money is your money. I'd gladly lend it to you anytime. The only problem is that I don't have any money right now. I've spent all of my money on merchandise. I can't help you. I'm sorry."

"What should I do?" asked Bassanio. "She'll never marry me unless I give her some gifts."

"Don't worry," said Antonio. "I know what you can do. You can borrow money from a moneylender named Shylock. He always has money on hand. He'll certainly lend you money if I sign a loan agreement. And the ships will come in any day now. I'll make lots of money when my merchandise arrives. I'll pay him back then." "Thanks, Antonio. You really are a great friend!"

While Bassanio and Antonio were out to find Shylock, Portia was facing her own problems. Portia's father had arranged conditions of her marriage before he died.

He didn't trust Portia's judgment. He felt that she would choose an unsuitable person to marry. So, before he died, he had put three chests in a room. One chest was made of gold, one of silver and one of lead. In one of these chests was a small picture of Portia.

If a suitor chose the right box, he would find the picture. That meant that he could propose to Portia. Portia's father believed that the best husband would know which box to choose.

If he found the wrong box, he would have to leave the house right away. He wouldn't be allowed to marry Portia. In addition, he wouldn't be able to marry anyone or have a girlfriend for the rest of his life. Every suitor had to sign a contract agreeing to these conditions. It was a big risk for them. But Portia's father felt that his daughter was worth the risk.

Portia lived in a small town called "Belmont." She had many men visit her house. They all wanted to marry her because she was rich and beautiful. She was tired of having these strange men come to her house. She was also unhappy that her father didn't trust her judgment. Portia often talked to her servant, Nerissa, about her problems. Nerissa was more of a friend than a servant.

"Why couldn't my father just trust me?" she asked Nerissa one day.

"Your father was right," said Nerissa. "There are so many bad men out there. They just want to marry you for your money."

"But the men who come here are so boring. They have bad manners, and they are vain. Some of them drink too much wine. Some of them even smoke! Ah! I'm so sick of these guys!"

Portia was a very independent person. She was capable of making decisions for herself. She also believed that she was smarter than most men. Portia was sad. She thought that she would have to marry a boring, stupid man with bad habits.

"Not one of these guys is decent. What should I do?"

"Do you remember the man from Venice?" asked Nerissa.

Portia's eyes sparkled. "Yes. I remember him. Bassanio. How could I forget? He was so much better than all of the other men who came here. He was handsome and gentle. He was charming, kind, and intelligent. But it's hopeless! He'll never sign my father's contract. I'm a woman who can't even choose her own husband. I'm so unlucky!"

Another servant then entered the room.

"Madam, a message has arrived from the Prince of Morocco. He will be arriving tomorrow."

"Great! Another unsuitable suitor! I wonder what problems this one will have."



Meanwhile, in Venice, Antonio and Bassanio found Shylock. He was at the Rialto, as usual.

"Shylock, I have a request for you," said Antonio. "I'd like you to loan three thousand ducats to my best friend, Bassanio. I will sign the contract. I'll happily pay you back in a few days. I'll have plenty of money when my ships arrive."

"I have an idea," said Bassanio. "Why don't we go out to dinner? We can talk more about this loan.'

"I never eat with Christians," grumbled Shylock. "I may lend them money or do business with them. But I don't eat with them. Not ever!"

"Very well," said Bassanio. "Why don't you just lend me the money, then? You know that Antonio will pay you back."

As Shylock listened to Antonio and Bassanio, he became angrier and angrier. How foolish these two men were! They knew how much he hated them. And yet they were asking him for a loan! He was determined to make Antonio pay dearly.

"Shylock!" yelled Antonio. "Are you going to lend us the money or not? Answer me!"

Shylock answered him slowly. "Do you remember all of those times that you insulted me in a loud voice that everyone could hear? You once spat on me and called me a dog. And now you want to borrow money from me, a dog!" "Look! I'm not asking you a favor. You can charge me any interest you want. I don't mind. My ships will arrive any day now."

"Alright, Antonio. I'm willing to lend you the money. I won't even charge you any interest. Just pay me back the loan on time."

Antonio couldn't believe his ears. "What did you say?"

"I said you didn't know me. You always call me a cheapskate, but I am not. I will help you. I won't even charge you a single ducat. However, there's something I'm worried about. What if you don't pay me back?"

"Don't worry, Shylock. I'll pay you back."

"Well, I need some kind of a guarantee, don't I? Three thousand ducats is a lot of money. If you don't pay me back on time, I want a pound of flesh. I'll take a pound of flesh from any part of your body."

Antonio didn't like what Shylock proposed.

"No. I'd rather pay some interest if I'm late on the payment."

"I'm afraid that's no good," said Shylock as he laughed. "Do you think I'd take money from a fellow moneylender? Besides, this contract is only a joke! Do you think that any lawyer or judge would believe me? Would they really believe that I want a pound of your flesh? You don't have to worry about anything! It's my way of saying the bad feelings of the past between us are finished."

Antonio pulled Bassanio aside and spoke to him secretly.

"I don't want to do business with this man. He's evil. And I know that he'd take the pound of flesh from me if he could. Let's see if somebody else will lend us the money."

But Bassanio had other ideas. "Who else in Venice can lend me this much money? Besides, this man is crazy. Don't worry about the guarantee. Nobody would make you pay a pound of flesh! Everyone will think he's nuts!"

So, Antonio agreed to the conditions of the loan. The three men went to a lawyer and signed an agreement.

A strange smile came over Shylock's face. In fact, Shyloek wanted to take a pound of flesh from Antonio. He'd hated Antonio for so long. And he lost a lot of money because of this generous moneylender.

Bassanio took the money that Antonio had borrowed although he had a bad feeling about the loan contract. He bought many gifts and clothes that he needed to propose to Portia. He then loaded the gifts into a carriage. He and his servant, Gratiano, went to Portia's house with the carriage.

When Bassanio arrived, Portia was delighted. She had hoped that he would return for her. She was in love with him.

"Portia, I'm so happy to see you again," said Bassanio. "But I have something awful to tell you. I'm broke. I have no money."

"Bassanio! Don't worry about that! I have all of the money we need. Money means nothing to me. The only thing you have to worry about is choosing the right box. Then, we can live happily ever after."

Portia told Bassanio about her father's contract.

"Alright. I'll go choose the box now."

Portia started to worry. What if he chose the wrong box?

"Don't choose today. I have a bad feeling. I want you to wait."

"Wait! But the sooner I choose, the sooner I can marry you. I can't wait any longer."

"Then let me hire a musician. Maybe the music will help you think more clearly."

A little while later, a musician came. He began to play soothing music. Bassanio slowly walked over to the golden chest. He looked at it carefully.

"This can't be it," he said to himself. "It's too obvious. Everyone would choose the golden one first. I think Portia's father wanted to separate the wise men from the fools."

Then, he walked over to the silver chest. "If men didn't choose the golden chest, then they would choose this one. That's obvious, as well."

Bassanio's eyes settled on the lead chest.

"This is the least obvious choice. I don't think anyone else would choose this one."

He opened the box. He gasped. He couldn't believe his eyes! In the box was a small picture of Portia. Bassanio could now marry her! He was so happy that he couldn't even speak.

Portia put her arms around him and said, "Oh, Bassanio! I'm the luckiest woman in the world. Yesterday, I was just a girl with a lot of money. Today, I'll be a wife. Please, take this ring and show me you will accept my proposal. Put it on and promise me that you'll never take it off."

"I am lucky, too," said Bassanio. "Yesterday, I was poor and lonely. Today, I will be married to the most beautiful woman in the world. I promise that

I'll wear this ring forever. Until I die! I swear!"

It was a very happy moment. Gratiano felt that it was a good time to ask Bassanio something.

"Since you're getting married, I'd like to get married, too."

"Well, that's wonderful," said Bassanio. "But who are you going to marry?"

"I want to marry Nerissa."

Bassanio and Portia were very surprised.

"I didn't know you wanted to get married, Nerissa," cried Portia. "This is a great day!"

That evening the couples got married. Bassanio and Gratiano wore golden rings that they promised never to take off. They were the happiest men in the world.



A few days later, a messenger arrived at Portia and Bassanio's house. Bassanio received the letter and opened it. It read:



Dear Bassanio.

Mij ships have all sunk. I am in big trouble. Shy lock w ants to take a pound of flash from mo. Everyone has tried to talk him out of it. fven the Duke of Venice has tried. But no one has had any success.

I am going to die. Please come to my trial and execution. I want to see you once more. Come quickly. I don' l have much time.

Your friend.

Antonio



As Bassanio read the note, his face turned white. He had to sit down. His hands trembled.

Portia ran to him. "What is it? What's wrong? Please! Answer me!"

"Oh! My poor friend Antonio! He's going to die! Portia, listen to me carefully. I am not only a poor man. I am a debtor as well."

Bassanio told her all about the money and the pound of flesh.

A chill ran through Portia's body. She couldn't believe that a man wanted to cut a pound of flesh from someone.

"Bassanio, go to your friend right away," she said. "You are my husband now. My money is your money. You must pay back Antonio's debt. I'll give you two times the original loan. Go quickly before Antonio is killed."

Bassanio put a lot of money in a bag and left for Venice. He found Antonio in prison. When he saw his friend, Antonio ran to him and hugged him. Antonio looked small and weak.

"My dear friend," said Bassanio. "I'll go to Shylock today and pay back the money. I'm sure he'll take it and then you can go free. After all, he is very greedy. He won't say 'no* to money."

"Dear Bassanio," said Antonio. "You are loo kind. But I think it's too late. Shylock wants a pound of flesh from me. According to the loan agreement, that's what I owe him. You won't be able to talk him out of it."

"He's never refused money before."

"This time it's different. He hates me so much that he wants to kill me. And to make matters worse, Jessica ran away from home."

"Jessica? Do you mean Shylock's daughter?"

"That's right. She married the young man who was living in your parents' house. The Christian boy. She is going to give up her religion and become a Christian. And when she ran away from home, she stole a gem from Shylock, too."

"Oh! That's terrible," said Bassanio.

"He probably thinks that I made her marry the Christian. But I have nothing to do with it. I swear! He's really mad! He cut Jessica out of his will. And, for the past few days, Shy lock's been talking about me. He's told everyone that he's going to kill me."

"Don't worry about that," said Bassanio. "I'll talk to Shylock. I'll make him change his mind. I'll do whatever I need to."

Bassanio went out of the prison and found Shylock.

"Please, I beg you. Please spare Antonio's life. Please, please release him from prison. Here's six thousand ducats. That's twice the amount we borrowed in the first place." Bassanio begged on his hands and knees.

"No. I want a pound of flesh. He owes me that." "I'll give you nine thousand ducats. Just let him live!" "No."

"Name your price. I'll pay you anything." "I want a pound of flesh."

Bassanio realized that Shylock would not change his mind. There was only one thing that he could do. He had to go to court. At that time, everyone of Venice was talking about the problem. Everyone felt sorry for Antonio. He had only wanted to help a friend. And everyone hated Shylock. He was such an evil man. More than being evil, however, he was angry. He was angry with Antonio. Antonio had always spoken roughly to him at the Rialto. He had cursed Shylock for being a Jew. He had yelled at him for being a mean and greedy businessman. Shylock was also very angry about his daughter. His whole world was a dark and nasty place. And he had nothing but hatred in his heart for these two Christians, Antonio and Bassanio.

A date was set for the trial. It was a very important trial. Even the Duke of Venice was involved. He would be the judge.

Meanwhile, in Belmont, Portia heard about the trial. She decided that she had to help poor Antonio. She could not rely on fate to change the course of events.

Portia wrote a letter to her cousin, Bellario. He was a well-known lawyer. She asked for his opinion about Antonio's case. She also asked him to lend her the clothes that he wore in court.

A few days later, a letter and a box arrived in Belmont. The letter had instructions for defending Antonio. In the box were two sets of clothes that Bellario wore in court.

Portia dressed in one set. She made Nerissa wear the other set. Then they left for Venice.

Portia and Nerissa went to the Grand Courthouse of Venice. There, they waited for the trial to begin. On the day of trial, it seemed like every Venetian came to the court. Everyone wanted to know what would happen to Antonion.

When the trial began, Portia gave the Duke of Venice a letter. The letter was from Bellario. It said that he could not be Antonio's lawyer because he was sick. Bellario wrote that Balthasar would be Antonio's lawyer instead. Balthasar was actually Portia in disguise. The Duke didn't mind that Balthasar would represent Antonio. He did wonder, however, if Balthasar was experienced enough. "He" looked very young.

Portia looked around the huge courtroom. Shylock seemed to be enjoying his day in court. Antonio looked at her with begging eyes. Portia then looked over at her husband. Bassanio didn't realize that Balthasar was actually his wife, either.

As the trial began, the room grew quiet. Portia spoke to Shylock first.

"Sir. According to the agreement, you can take a pound of flesh from Antonio. There's no question about that. But I want to remind you of another choice. Of a more noble choice. You could choose to be merciful. You may ask, 'What is mercy?' Well, I'll tell you. Mercy is like the gentle rain. It falls from heaven. It blesses everyone. It blesses the person who gives mercy and the person who takes it. Mercy makes you feel like a king. You have all of the power in the world. You have the power to give Antonio his life. It is only through mercy that you can do this."

All of the citizens in the courtroom agreed with Portia. Everyone except for Shylock. "I don't care about mercy! I only want justice!" he yelled.

"Well, why don't you just allow Antonio to pay you back?"

"It's too late for that now. I don't want money. I want my pound of flesh. Read the contract. It says that I can take the pound of flesh. And it says that I can take it from the place nearest to his heart."

"Antonio, you must get ready to die, then," said Portia. Everyone in the crowd gasped. They couldn't believe what they were hearing.

"Shylock," said Portia in a pleading voice, "please, take this money and let me tear up the loan contract."

Shylock said, "I will never change my mind. Not for any reason. ''

He began sharpening his long knife. He couldn't wait to cut into Antonio.

Portia turned to Antonio. "Do you have anything to say before you die?"

"No," said Antonio. "I am ready to die."

Then he turned to Bassanio. "Goodbye, my friend. Don't blame yourself for my death."

Bassanio was crying. "Oh, Antonio. I would do anything to save your life. But there's nothing I can do. I'm so sorry. You are the best friend in the world."

"Enough of this," yelled Shylock. "Let's get on with it. I want my pound of flesh."

Portia asked the Duke, "Is the scale ready?" The Duke nodded. "Is the doctor here?"

"What doctor?" asked Shylock.

"There should be a doctor here. Antonio shouldn't bleed to death."

But, of course, Shylock wanted him to bleed to death.

"The contract says nothing about a doctor."

"But surely we need a doctor here. It's the only decent thing to do!"

"The contract says nothing about a doctor," Shylock repeated.

"Alright," said Portia. "A pound of flesh is yours. The law allows it. The court awards it."

Shylock was very happy that he could finally kill his enemy. He was very pleased with the young lawyer.

"You are such a good lawyer," he said. "You understand justice."

Shylock picked up his sharp knife. It was bright and shiny. The moneylender had an evil look in his eyes.

"Come here," he said to Antonio.

"Just a minute," said Portia. "There is another thing I need to tell you. This contract doesn't give you a drop of blood. If Antonio loses a drop of blood, you will break the law. The City of Venice will take all of your money and land. Do you understand?"

Shylock didn't know what to say. Everything had changed. He couldn't possibly get his revenge now. His face turned red with anger.

Everyone was very impressed with this young lawyer. "Balthasar" used the terms of the contract to save Antonio. There was no mention of blood in the contract. Shylock could not take any blood. Therefore, he couldn't take any flesh, either.

The people in the courtroom clapped their hands. "Hooray for Balthasar!"

Shylock slammed his fist against the table. "Well, where's my money, then? If I can't have my pound of flesh, I want my money."

"Here it is." Bassanio happily threw him a bag with three thousand ducats inside. Shylock began to walk away."Not so fast." said Portia. "You tried to murder someone. By law, you must give all of your money to the City of Venice. You could also be killed. You are at the mercy of the Duke of Venice. Get down on your hands and knees. Beg him for forgiveness. "No," said the Duke. "I don't think anyone should have to beg for their life. It isn't right. I must make an important decision, and I must think about it carefully. I want Shylock thrown in jail tonight. Tomorrow I will tell you what his punishment will be."

Everyone left the courthouse that afternoon. They walked through the streets talking about the trial. No one could remember a more unusual day.

The next morning was gray and rainy. Shylock felt that it was the last day of his life. The atmosphere of the courtroom was very gloomy. The crowd hated Shylock, but nobody wanted him to be killed.

When the Duke walked in, everyone became very quiet.

"Most people understand mercy," said the Duke, at last. "It seems that you. Shylock, don't understand it. I am a human being. I understand mercy. And I understand the value of a human life. In the spirit of mercy, I forgive you. I will spare your life. I must punish you, though. If I don't, maybe other people will act like you. You must give half of your money to Antonio, and the other half to the City of Venice."

Antonio was always a generous man. Even after all that had happened, he didn't change. He knew that Shylock's daughter, Jessica, was poor.

"I have a request about the money," said Antonio.

"What is your request?" asked the Duke.

The court became quiet again. The crowd leaned forward to hear.

"I want to give Shylock's money to his daughter. And I want him to put Jessica back in his will."

"I think this is a fair request. Shylock, I order you to give half of your money to Jessica. And you must write her back into your will. If you don't do this, I'll throw you in jail for the rest of your life."

Shylock felt sick. He had failed to get revenge on Antonio. He had lost his money. He hated everyone.

"Fine, I'll do what you want. Just let me go now. I am not feeling well."

Shylock was set free. He walked through the streets pulling out his hair. He couldn't believe his luck!

"Sir," said the Duke to Portia. "I have never seen such a clever lawyer in my life. I must admit that I was worried at first because you looked so young. If you're not too busy, please have dinner with me tonight. I'd love to talk about the law with you."

Portia wanted to get home before her husband. "I would love to, but I have another case that I must work on. I'm sorry. I'm just too busy to have dinner with you tonight." "Oh, well. Another time, then." The Duke turned to Antonio. "You should pay this lawyer well. You owe him an awful lot." "Please," said Bassanio to Portia. "Take these three thousand ducats. That's how much we borrowed from Shylock in the first place." "I don't want the money." "I'll give you three thousand more, then." "I don't want any money at all," said Portia. "Instead, I want your wedding ring."

"My wedding ring? I'm sorry. This is the one thing in the world that I can't give you. I promised my wife that I would never take it off. I will find you the most expensive ring in Venice. I will buy it for you now. But I can't give you this ring. No way!"

"I want your wedding ring, but I'm not going to beg. I see that you're too cheap to give it to me."

Portia left the courtroom. She seemed angry. Actually, she was happy.

"Please, Bassanio. Give him the ring," said Antonio. "I know your wife will be mad. But think about what this lawyer has done for us today. I owe him my life. Don't you think that's worth your wedding ring?"

Bassanio felt ashamed. Antonio was right. He took off his ring and gave it to Gratiano. "Go and find Balthasar. Give him this ring." When Gratiano found Portia, he gave her the ring. Nerissa, who was with her, said, "You! Gratiano! You give me your ring, too."

Gratiano knew that he couldn't say "no." He gave her his ring.

When Portia and Nerissa were alone, they had a good laugh. They decided to play a trick on their husbands.

Bassanio and Gratiano returned to Belmont that evening. They found their wives waiting for them. They kissed their wives. For a moment, everyone was very happy to be together again.

Then, the women started yelling at them. "Where's your wedding ring?" cried Portia. "You gave our wedding rings to other women," screamed Nerissa.

"Please believe us," said Bassanio. "We gave our rings to two young lawyers. The lawyers saved the life of my best friend. They said that they wanted our wedding rings as payment. They wouldn't accept anything else. Please understand, darling. They saved Antonio's life!" Bassanio felt sad and guilty.

"I suppose that there is only one thing we can do," said Portia. Bassanio was afraid. Gratiano's knees were shaking.

"We must give you your rings back."

Portia opened her hand. Nerissa opened hers as well. Bassanio and Gratiano couldn't believe their eyes! They were holding their wedding rings!

Portia and Nerissa started to giggle. Then they laughed harder and harder. The men stood there with confused looks on their faces.

Finally, Portia began to tell their story. Bassanio was amazed. His wife was even more wonderful than he had thought. She was the cleverest woman in Italy. She saved his best friend's life. He was overcome with happiness.

As if this surprise weren't enough, a messenger soon arrived with another. The man brought news that Antonio's ships had not sunk. They had safely arrived in Venice. The goods were ready for sale. They couldn't have been happier.

That night, they all celebrated under the beautiful Italian moon. They laughed thinking about the rings and the trick Portia and Nerissa had played on Bassanio and Gratiano.

Bassanio looked lovingly at his wife.

"What's the scariest thing in the world?" he asked her.

"Owing a pound of flesh to a money-lender?" asked Portia.

"Absolutely not! It's losing my wife's wedding ring."

Bassanio never took off his ring again.


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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.

________________________

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.

________________________

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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® All rights reserved.

 ■ The Merchant of Venice (Full Bengali Translated PDF) — Chick Here

Download Full Movie — The Merchant of Venice 

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.