Religious weddings in England and Wales experienced a dramatic decline from 85% in 1900 to just 39% by 1997, marking a profound shift in British society’s relationship with traditional faith. This transformation of religious practice forms the backdrop of Philip Larkin’s Church Going, published in his 1954 collection “The Less Deceived.” The poem stands as a masterful exploration of faith’s erosion in post-war Britain, reflecting both reverence and skepticism toward religious institutions. In fact, this period marked the first time in British history when Christian behavior was no longer enforced by law, while baptism rates in the Church of England dropped from…
Author: Mukesh Rishit
“O Captain My Captain” remains Walt Whitman’s most well-known poem, though it notably differs from his signature free-verse style. The elegiac tribute to Abraham Lincoln first appeared on November 4, 1865. This piece became Whitman’s first poem to reach anthology status and gained remarkable popularity during his lifetime. The poem’s rhyming, song-like structure contrasted sharply with Whitman’s usual poetic approach. Yet its emotional depth resonated with the nation’s collective grief after Lincoln’s assassination. Whitman created a powerful meditation on victory mixed with loss through an extended metaphor of a ship returning from a victorious voyage. This transformed personal sorrow into…
Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot” stands out as a key work in absurdist theatre. It challenges viewers with its unique structure and deep look at what it means to be human. This mix of tragedy and comedy, which first hit the stage in 1953 still grabs and puzzles those who watch or read it. Its story seems basic at first glance, but it hides layers of complexity. The Heart of Absurdism in “Waiting for Godot” At its heart, “Waiting for Godot” shows the main ideas of absurdist drama showing a world without meaning where characters struggle with big life questions.…
Have you ever stood at a crossroads, pondering which path to take? Robert Frost’s iconic poem “The Road Not Taken” has captivated readers for over a century, speaking to the universal human experience of choice and its consequences. But what if I told you that this beloved verse isn’t quite what it seems? Let’s embark on a journey to uncover the true essence of this literary masterpiece, exploring its nuances and challenging common misconceptions. Robert Frost’s deceptively simple narrative of a traveler choosing between two paths in a yellow wood has become a cultural touchstone, often interpreted as an ode…
William Wordsworth’s “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey, On Revisiting the Banks of the Wye during a Tour. July 13, 1798” – commonly known as “Tintern Abbey” – is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry that explores the profound relationship between nature, memory, and the human spirit. 1. Overview and Historical Context “Tintern Abbey” was written in July 1798 and published in the groundbreaking collection “Lyrical Ballads,” a collaboration between Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge that marked the beginning of the Romantic movement in English literature. The poem reflects on Wordsworth’s return to the Wye Valley after a five-year…
Ever thought about how a poem can both disgust and fascinate you? Step into the realm of Chinua Achebe’s “Vultures” — a work of art that tests our views on right and wrong, and makes us face the intricacies of what it means to be human. The Writer Behind the Words Before we explore the poem, let’s take a moment to appreciate the literary giant who wrote it. Chinua Achebe known as the father of modern African literature, was a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic. His works, including the groundbreaking novel “Things Fall Apart,” have shaped the scene of African…
In the world of book analysis few works have grasped the core of Franz Kafka’s puzzling masterpiece “The Metamorphosis” like Mukesh K Sharma’s “Gregor Samsa: The Man, the Insect, the Metaphor.” This eye-opening study digs deep into one of literature’s most baffling characters giving readers a rich look at Gregor Samsa’s lasting effect on today’s ideas and culture. Sharma’s book shows how powerful literary symbols can be. It follows Samsa’s journey from a simple character in a short novel to a deep symbol of what it means to be human. The author digs deep and looks at Kafka’s creation. This…
The Waste Land Quiz Embark on a literary journey through the haunting landscapes of T.S. Eliot’s modernist masterpiece, “The Waste Land,” with our in-depth quiz. Perfect for students, literature enthusiasts, and anyone preparing for advanced English exams, this quiz challenges your understanding of one of the 20th century’s most influential poems. Dive deep into Eliot’s fragmented narrative, exploring: • The five distinct sections of “The Waste Land”• Eliot’s innovative use of multiple voices and perspectives• The rich tapestry of literary and cultural allusions• Key symbols and their significance within the poem• Themes of disillusionment, spiritual drought, and cultural decay Whether…
Gail Tsukiyama’s A Hundred Flowers is a beautiful, intimate portrait of 1957 China that immerses readers in a tumultuous era. The tale is set during Chairman Mao’s Hundred Flowers Campaign. The plot follows the Chen family, whose life and fortunes are caught up in the political turmoil of the time. Through the eyes of each family member, Tsukiyama crafts a tale of resilience, courage, and love in the face of chaos and uncertainty. Her richly imagined, poetic narrative prose brings the past to life in a way that requires the reader to bear witness as the terrible events unfold. Gail…
Ever wondered what stirred the hearts and minds of people in post-colonial India? Anita Desai’s “In Custody” offers a captivating glimpse into this world, weaving a tale that’s as much about language and culture as it is about human connections. Let’s embark on a journey through this literary masterpiece, exploring its nuances and uncovering the layers that make it a standout work in Indian literature. The Essence of “In Custody” At its core, “In Custody” is a novel that grapples with the preservation of culture in a rapidly changing world. Our protagonist, Deven Sharma, is a Hindi lecturer whose mundane…