I Degree II Sem English Study Material

I Degree-IB

II Sem

STUDY MATERIAL

On Shaking Hands

-A.G.Gardiner

A.G.Gardiner is a distinguished essayist. Humour and wit are the remarkable features of his writings. In the essay, “On Shaking Hands,” he gives a delightful account of the western practice of shaking hands. He compares this custom of greeting with those of other cultures, and debates that handshake is the best.

Different countries follow different modes of greeting. The Japanese bows, the Indian salaams, the Chinese makes a grave motion of the hand, the Russian kisses and the English man shakes hands. The Oriental feels that kissing is indecent, while the westerner considers salaam too formal. Gardiner argues that a handshake is a happy mean between the two extremes.

Shaking hands is a widely accepted custom of greeting. It is not just a mode of greeting. Hands reveal a person’s nature. The handshake of Uriah Heap, the loathful character in Dickenson’s “David Copper Field” reminds of creepy things. There are several kinds of hands- warm, clammy, listless, flaccid etc., for example, Peaker’s handshake is cold and unresponsive. No one likes to shake hands with him. Stubbings’s handshake is too hearty. He crushes the hands so painfully that one is too scared to shake hands with him again.

Gardiner admits that there are disadvantages in this practice of greeting on hygienic grounds. But it is so ingrained in the blood of the Westerner, that is difficult to do away with.  So he wishes that this practice should flourish.

The Scientific Point of View

-J.B.S.Haldane

   J.B.S.Haldane in his essay, “The Scientific Point of View”, discusses the effects of science in our life.  He advocates that science should come out of the laboratory and be applied to events of the daily life.  He supports rational thinking to conquer the evils of superstitions.

                  According to Haldane, the scientific point of view must come out of the laboratory and be applied to the events of daily life.  It is foolish to think that the scientific views are useless when applied to the family, the nation or the human race.  Haldane says that science attempts to be truthful and impartial. A scientist is impartial not only between people but also about a tape worm and the solar system. By comparing scientific point of view with God’s view, Haldane says that scientist simply interprets the consequences rather than passing judgments.

               Haldane opines that a common many generally dwells on the emotional and ethical side of an issue rather than on facts. He illustrates this point by taking the problem of American Negros. Some Americans believe that Negros are inferior to them and so should be segregated from them. While some believe that they should enjoy the same rights like white Americans. But the scientist makes it clear that both these groups of people are comfortable only in their respective areas and both of them die of consumption whenever they step into each other’s areas.

               Haldane remarks that our approach to the problem of disease is also irrational. He says that the pre-Christians believed that a disease was a punishment from some goddess for a sin either by the sick person or his family or of his whole community. But Haldane makes it clear that it is just a part of nature. Haldane says that modern medicine has come out with miraculous drugs but it has become very hard to apply its results in practice.  Haldane remarks that diabetes for example can be easily controlled by injecting insulin, but the public do not heed the advice of the doctors. Further, Haldane says that a common man tries to cure a disease like typhoid after it attacks him, whereas a scientist attempts to ‘prevent’ the disease from attacking.

              Finally Haldane says that average man and woman should not be guided by false principles. He concludes that unless and until humans adopt scientific point of view, the enemies of science can’t be conquered.

Ode to Autumn

-John Keats

John Keats is one of the foremost Romantic poets. He is popular as the poet of five senses. He was a great worshipper of nature, and believed that a thing of beauty is a joy forever. Even a gloomy season like autumn is transformed into a series of beautiful pictures in this poem, “Ode to Autumn”. Keats describes the sights, music and serenity of the autumn season in beautiful images.

 The poet first describes the mellow fruitfulness of the season. The trees are full of ripe fruits, plump gourds and hazel shells. The honey combs of the bees are full of honey. The poet imagines that autumn and the Sun are close friends. They have conspired to load and bless the trees with more fruits and flowers. So the bees feel that the summer will never end.

The poet makes four lovely personifications of the autumn to describe the activities of the season. First she becomes a winnower sitting near her store. Then she is a reaper with her sickle. Next she is a gleaner returning home with her gathering, and lastly a cider maker watching the oozing of the apple juice.

Keats describes the music of the autumn in the last stanza. He regrets that the songs of spring are no more. But he realizes that autumn has its music too. But it is pensive. The gnats, the full grown lambs, hedge crickets, the ‘red-breasts’, and the swallows make the music of the season.

The poem is thus rich in imagery. It is a beautiful illustration of Keats’ childlike love of nature

I Am Not that Woman

-Kishwar Naheed

The poem “I Am Not That Woman” by Kishwar Naheed exemplifies the stereotyping of women in a patriarchal society. As she is limited to the domestic domain and household chores, she iterates that her reputation is not limited to selling socks and shoes, for she too possesses an intellect. The speaker asserts that she possesses an individuality that the man tries to conceal in walls of stone, while he wandered around free as the breeze. The speaker claims that he can only imprison her physical being and not her spiritual self, for her voice could be heard. It could not be smothered or stifled by stone. The phrase ‘that woman’ in the title of the poem mocks at the general conception of women in a male- chauvinistic society.

Her chastity is not regarded, her motherhood is not respected and her loyalty is not reciprocated. It is now high time for her to be flower-free: to fully blossom realizing herself. To let her fragrance emanate permeating others’ life with meaning. She retorts now triumphantly that she is not ‘that’ woman. :

“The woman on that poster, half-naked, selling socks and……

Half a Rupee Worth

-R.K.Narayan

R.K.Narayan's story “Half a Rupee Worth" describes the rise to prosperity of a rice dealer, and his death, crushed under his own rice bag.

 Subbiah was a rice merchant at the market gate in Malgudi. He had great love and respect for his profession. As a small boy, his father kept him chained to the shop. He discourged all his other interests in such a way, that he always dreamt of rice, thought of rice and talked of rice. He took over the business when his father died.

 Business prospered. Subbiah owned five cows and buffaloes, thirty acres of land, a dozen houses and an unlimited quantity of jewels. He also lent money to the needy people at a very high rate of interest and amassed wealth. In short, he was swollen with money. His money minting went on till war came and food control was brought in by the government.

 At first Subbiah was shocked. He got his shop registered as a fair price grain depot. He began to stock rice. He bribed the officials who came to inspect his shop and godowns. He sold rice for very high rate. He sold in small quantities only and he always took money in advance.

 One evening when he had just closed his shop, a person came and requested him to give at least half-a-rupee-worth of rice, as the children and the old people in his house were very hungry. Subbiah agreed to give only half a seer of rice and asked him to wait in the street corner. Taking the half-a-rupee coin he went to one of his secret godowns.

 The man waited for a long time and then went to Subbiah's house and informed his wife. Early next morning when the godown was opened, they found Subbiah’s body crushed under rice bags. There was by his body, a half-a-rupee coin. His death was attributed to accidental toppling of rice bags. Subbiah’s tragic end is the fate that awaits all greedy hoarders.

The Boy Who Broke the Bank

-Ruskin Bond

“The Boy Who BrokeThe Bank” is a very interesting story written by Ruskin Bond. The story relates to the murmuring of a sweeper boy, Nathu about irregular payment of his salary. It takes the shape of a rumor and results into the collapse of a bank.  In the end of the story, Nathu, who is responsible for the whole episode, wonders innocently about the incident.

      Seth Govind Ram owns a bank at Pipalngar town. The bank is financially very sound and has won the trust of the depositors. Nathu is a sweeper in the bank. One day, while sweeping the steps of the bank, he grumbles about the irregular payment of his salary by the bank authorities. Sitaram, the washer man’s son learns about Nathu’s complaints. In his loose talk with Mrs. Srivastava, Sitaram says that bank could not pay its employees. Mrs. Srivastava misunderstands Sitaram’s statement. She believes that the Piplangar bank is about to collapse. The rumour spreads like a wild fire in the entire town.

     The customers in shock demand their money back. They start stoning the bank building and break the glasses. The next day when Nathu goes to the bank for his duty, he finds a lot of broken glasses and stones. He wonders how it happened. He murmurs angrily that the bank authorities are not paying him regularly on one hand and are also increasing his work.  For him the event is a mystery.

The Marriage Proposal

                                   - Anton Chekov

CHUBUKOV’S CHARACTER:

“The Proposal” is a One Act Play by the famous Russian writer, Anton Chekov. It is a dramatic comedy or a farce. It has a number of highly exaggerated and funny situations creating humor and entertainment to the audience. The basic purpose of a farcical comedy is to evoke laughter. Although a farce may appear only funny, however they also contain deeper implications on account of the use of satirical elements. Chubukov was a land owner who had a daughter called Natalya; he was a very quarrelsome man but had a habit of speaking politely to everyone initially. He welcomes Lomov in a polite manner and is happy when he says he has come to propose to his daughter. Chubukov was a man to be carried away easily and so when Natalya and Lomov had an argument he too joined in and insulted Lomov. Chubukov is projected as a loving father but a greedy man who is looking for a good match for his daughter.

LOMOV’S CHARACTER:

“The Proposal” is a One Act Play by the famous Russian writer, Anton Chekov. It is a dramatic comedy or a farce. It has a number of highly exaggerated and funny situations creating humour and entertainment to the audience. The basic purpose of a farcical comedy is to evoke laughter. Although a farce may appear only funny, however they also contain deeper implications on account of the use of satirical elements. Lomov was a young, unmarried man of thirty five. He was anxious to get married as he had already reached a critical age. So he decided to propose a girl in the neighborhood. Her name was Natalya, a girl of twenty-five years old. Lomov thought that she was a good housekeeper and was not bad looking. Further she was unmarried. Lomov was a funny character. He was suffering from palpitation. He behaved as if he were eccentric. He was so eager to marry Natalya. But when he came to propose to her, he started quarrelling over trifles. He quarreled on issues like Oxen Meadows and pet dogs named Squeezer and Guess. He even abused Natalya and her father Chubukov while quarreling.

NATALYA’S CHARACTER:

“The Proposal” is a One Act Play by the famous Russian writer, Anton Chekov. It is a daramatic comedy or a farce. It has a number of highly exaggerated and funny situations creating humour and entertainment to the audience. The basic purpose of a farcical comedy is to evoke laughter. Although a farce may appear only funny, however they also contain deeper implications on account of the use of satirical elements. Natalaya was a young unmarried girl of twenty five years. She lived in the neighbourhood of Lomov, a young unmarried man. She was an excellent housekeeper and was not bad looking. She was thirsting for love. Her father called her a lovesick cat. Lomov said that she was well educated, but she did not seem to be so. She was very quarrelsome and abusive by nature. She began a bitter quarrel with Lomov over a piece of land that had little value. She said that those meadows were not much worth to her but she could not stand unfairness. But when she learnt that Lomov had come to propose to her, she forgot all fairness and unfairness. She began to wail over the lost chance. She forced her father to call him back. But in no time, she started quarrelling with him again. It was on their dogs. Both claimed their respective dogs to be of a superior breed.

THE TITLE OF THE PLAY:

“The Proposal” is a One Act Play by the famous Russian writer, Anton Chekov. It is a daramatic comedy or a farce. It has a number of highly exaggerated and funny situations creating humour and entertainment to the audience. The basic purpose of a farcical comedy is to evoke laughter. Although a farce may appear only funny, however they also contain deeper implications on account of the use of satirical elements.The title of the play is ‘The Proposal’ and it is a very apt one because the whole play is about Lomov’s  proposal to Natalya. Right from the beginning to the end of the play, the story revolves round a marriage proposal. Lomov comes to Natalya’s house to propose to her but even before he does it, they both start fighting. As a result, Lomov becomes sick and leaves. Natalya’s father informs her about the intention of Lomov and she starts lamenting over the loss. Lomov is called back and once again an argument ensures before proposing. Hence, we can say that the title is perfect for the play.

ARGUMENT OVER OXEN MEADOWS:

“The Proposal” is a One Act Play by the famous Russian writer, Anton Chekov. It is a dramatic comedy or a farce. The conflict between is Lomov and Natalya is interesting. The marriage proposal, instead of being pleasant and romantic, turns out to be a war of words. It begins with a disagreement between the two on the issue of the ownership of Oxen Meadows. Natalya argues that they have absolute rights over the meadows, and calls Lomov a usurper. Lomov begins to palpitate and shouts in return that they are his. Meanwhile Choobukov enters the scene. The conversation becomes hotter and Choobukov states that Lomov is a “Malicious, double faced mean fellow”. Suddenly Lomov walks to the door saying he is dying.  Choobukov shouts at him not to set his foot again in his house again. Natalya asks him to take the matter to the court. This episode contributes a lot for considering the drama a farce.

           

ARGUMENT OVER THE PET DOGS:

“The Proposal” is a One Act Play by the famous Russian writer, Anton Chekov. It is a dramatic comedy or a farce. It has a number of highly exaggerated and funny situations creating humour and entertainment to the audience. The basic purpose of a farcical comedy is to evoke laughter. Although a farce may appear only funny, however they also contain deeper implications on account of the use of satirical elements. The conflict between is Lomov and Natalya is interesting. The marriage proposal, instead of being pleasant and romantic, turns out to be a war of words. On hearing from her father that Lomov had come on a marriage proposal, Natalya asks him to bring him back, because she is in love with him. Again the marriage proposal is put forward.  Again there is a silly problem. Now the issue is the superiority of their dogs, Squeezer and Guess. Lomov argues his dog Guess is better than Natalya’s. A heated argument follows. Again Lomov gets a palpitation.

THEME OF THE PLAY:

The theme of Anton Chekhov's one-act farce, “The Proposal" stems from the cultural practice of nineteenth-century Russia as economic stability for the gentry rested in the possession of as much land as possible since the potential for the production of agrarian products promised monetary profit. Therefore, the theme is that economic security takes precedence over romance and love.

 It is interesting to note that Lomov is thirty-five years old and his neighbor Natalia is twenty-five, well past the age of most brides at the time of the play's setting. This fact suggests that Lomov's motivation is not romantic, but practical.

As he comes with the proposal of marriage, Lomov does not say anything to Natalia in a romantic vein. Instead he speaks at length about property.

On Shaking Hands - A.G. Gardiner

Summary

            A.G. Gardiner, a distinguished essayist of the 20^th century is the author of On Shaking Hands.  A.G. Gardiner is known for his delightful and humorous narrative style.  His writings are thought provoking too. The narrative skill of the author throughout his writings is intelligent and amusing. 

            In the present essay the author talks about the western practice of shaking hands.  To him shaking hands is an age old practice in the west.  But of late this facing criticism on hygienic grounds.   He compares this with other types of greetings and customs prevalent in different countries.  Subtle humour pervades the entire narration. The oriental salam or salutation or the act of bowing by the Japanese are not as comradely as shaking hands. 

            The author says that people have got used to the custom of shaking hands so much that it happens more as a reflex action when two friends meet or part.  A lot can be learnt about a person by the way he holds and shakes the others’ hands.  The hand shake should be firm yet friendly.  It has to be free and cozy.  Shaking hands comes so naturally and instinctively to the English men that trying to indict this custom would be impossible, concludes the author.

What is Gardiner’s view on charge being brought against the custom of shaking hands?

On Shaking Hands is written by A.G. Gardiner, a well essayist of 20^th century.  His essays are delightful, humorous and thought provoking. In this essay, On Shaking Hands A.G. Gardiner gives his observations about the common western practice of shaking hands.  A.G. Gardiner writes about the practice of shaking hands with a humorous yet true and serious touch.  

Western people are very much acclimatized to shaking hands.  It is supposed to be a decent and enviable practice.  A.G. Gardiner in this essay tells us that this practice is charged as being an unhygienic custom, so as such we are advised to adopt a healthier mode of expressing our mutual emotion.  The writer gives his unbiased views on this deep rooted habit.  He goes on to say that the custom of shaking hands between two people when they meet or part has become so habitual that it is not at all easy to prevent it.  Only a very tough parliamentary act or a heavy penalty can forbade people from shaking hands.  There are other types of customary greetings around different parts of the world but A.G. Gardiner in his concluding part asserts that shaking hands is the ‘happy mean’ between the oriental formal salaam and the Russian enormous hug.  Shaking hands has warmth and the spirit of human comradeship.

What are the ways in which the hands speak?

On Shaking Hands is written by A.G. Gardiner, a well essayist of 20^th century.  His essays are delightful, humorous and thought provoking. In this essay, On Shaking Hands A.G. Gardiner gives his observations about the common western practice of shaking hands.  A.G. Gardiner writes about the practice of shaking hands with a humorous yet true and serous touch.  

Western people are very much acclimatized to shaking hands.  It is supposed to be a decent and enviable practice. A.G. Gardiner talks about various other ways of greeting people present all around the world that have their own strengths and weaknesses.  As regards the customs of shaking hands A.G. Gardiner dwells upon the various impressions created by the way in which people shake hand with people.  Several aspects and moods of the person advancing to shake hand can be felt by the way in which the person is shaking hand.  A greeting without any grip or warmth in it is repulsive.  The author compares this kind of a shaking hand with a ‘step mother’s cold breath’.  The indifference of the person can be clearly perceived.  Similarly no one likes to shake hand with people having flaccid, bony and energetic hands or with those having cold, dank hands. It causes a creepy feeling in us.  A.G. Gardiner quotes here the repulsive character Uriah of Charles Dickens, David Copperfield whose mere touch of the hand haunts people with a creepy and obscene feeling.  The writer goes on to say that by shaking hands with some people we can sense their dishonesty and even their health condition.  With some personalities the hand shake is so eloquent that everything about him can be discovered. A.G. Gardiner compares some people’s unresponsive handshake with the touch of a jelly fish.  By quoting all these examples of various types of shaking hands A.G. Gardiner drives home the point that hands do speak in the customary process of shaking hands.   

Scientific Point of View

The essay, The Scientific Point of View, written by Haldane supports rational thinking while disclaiming superstitions. Haldane says that science affects us in two ways: Human race is benefited by the applications of science. Secondly it has a marked impression on the opinions of human beings.
According to Haldane, the scientific point of view must not be confined to the four walls of the laboratory. Instead it should be applied to the day to day events of our life and help us to live in a better way. In Haldane’s view the scientist is superior to God as he is ethically neutral. The judgment of a scientist is based on experimental proof obtained in the laboratories. Superstitious people are not ready to accept scientific evidence very easily. They are more pleased to hold on to their age old beliefs that are deep rooted in them. To bring home this point the author sites the examples of the problems of American Negros.
To make us realize how important science is in our lives, Haldane mentions the numerous life-saving medical drugs that science has discovered. As an example, Haldane mentions that diabetes can be controlled by insulin injections. But many people prefer being superstitious rather than adapting scientific methods that are practically more helpful to mankind.
Haldane quotes St. Paul’s words that the universe is ruled by demons. He further modifies the statement and says that the world is misruled by ignorance and unscientific thinking.

‘The Scientific Point of View’ by J.B.S.Haldane

Summary:

                 J.B.S.Haldane was a British born geneticist and evolutionary biologist. He contributed in the development of neo-Darwinian thinking. He wrote a popular book, named “My Friend Mr. Leakey” which contained several stories and “Daedalus; or the Science and The Future”. In “The Scientific Point of View”, J.B.S.Haldane opposes superstitions and supports rational thinking.

                             Haldane says that science affects us in two ways- we are benefitted by its applications, be it driving in a motor car instead of horse-drawn vehicle, being treated for disease by a doctor instead of a witch. Secondly it influences our opinions, as now everyone believes that the earth is round and the heavens are nearly empty instead of solid.

                             According to Haldane, if we are to control our own and one another’s actions, the scientific point of view must come out of the laboratory and be applied to the events of daily life. He adds that it is foolish to think that the scientific views, which have already developed agriculture, industry, war and medicine will prove useless when applied to the family, the nation or the human race.

                      Haldane says that science attempts to be truthful and impartial. By comparing scientific point of view with legal point of view, he says that a judge may only be impartial in giving his judgment between two individuals, whereas a scientist is impartial not only between people but also about a tape worm and the solar system. By comparing scientific point of view with God’s view, Haldane says that scientist simply interprets the consequences many actions rather than passing judgments, which is while done by God.

                           The tendency of average man, as Haldane opines, always dwell on the emotional and ethical side of an issue rather than on facts. For this first he mentioned the problem of American Negros. Some Americans believe that Negros are inferior to them and so should be segregated from them. While some believe that they should enjoy the same rights like white Americans. But the scientist makes it clear that both these groups of people are comfortable only in their respective areas and both of them die of consumption whenever they step into each other’s areas.

                            Haldane remarks that our approach to the problem of disease is even less rational. He says that the pre-Christians believe that it someone was suffering from any disease, it was a punishment from some goddess for a sin either by the sick person or his family or of his whole community. But Haldane makes it clear that civilized and savage (uncivilized) man, health and sickness are equally parts of nature. Haldane says that modern medicine has come out with miraculous drugs but it has become very hard to apply its results in practice. With the example of diabetics Haldane remarks that diabetes can easily be controlled by injecting insulin, but they hardly  takes the suggestions of doctors regarding to taking medicine. By taking typhoid disease as an example, Haldane remarks that the common people always attempt to ‘cure’ from their disease. But Haldane says that a scientist attempts to ‘prevent’ the disease instead of cure it.

                           Finally Haldane says that average man and woman should not be guided by false principles. He concludes that unless and until humans adopt scientific point of view, the enemies of science can’t be conquered.

Meanings:-

Genetics                          = the study of how the inherited characteristics are passed from 

                                          one generation to another generation                                             

Evolution                        = gradual development of living organisms from their earlier forms
Superstition                   =  a belief not  based on reason                   
Rational thinking            = intellectual  thinking
Heavens                       = celestial sphere                    
Consequences              = results
Impartial                       = being neutral; treating all equally                                                     
Segregate                     = separate
Goddess                       = a female deity
Savage                         = wild; uncivilized; rude         
Miraculous                   = wonderful;  great
Cure                             = heal