Read deeply. Understand clearly.
The blog November 2026
Study notes, close readings and exam-focused essays on English literature, literary theory and poetry.
Latest Plays 15 min read
Dance Like a Man (first staged 1989) is a play by Mahesh Dattani. Jairaj and Ratna are Bharatanatyam dancers, but Jairaj's father Amritlal believes dance is not a proper career for a man and controls their lives.
The Road Not Taken extra questions help students dive deeper into one of Robert Frost’s most analyzed poems. Are you struggling to understand the deeper meaning behind this...
Justice (1910) is a play by John Galsworthy. William Falder, a junior clerk, forges a cheque to help Ruth Honeywill escape her violent husband.
John Masefield’s “Laugh and Be Merry” is a radiant beacon of hope and positivity. This timeless poem isn’t just a collection of pretty words—it’s a powerful call to...
Introduction “Of Revenge” is a classic essay by Sir Francis Bacon that explores the nature, consequences, and morality of vengeful actions. Bacon describes revenge as “a kind of...
Rabindranath Tagore’s “Upagupta” is a narrative poem about a Buddhist monk whose two encounters with Vasavadatta reveal the difference between worldly beauty and compassionate spiritual action. The poem’s...
Ruskin Bond is one of India’s most treasured literary figures, whose stories have captivated readers for over seven decades. Born on May 19, 1934, in Kasauli, India, Bond...
In the essay “On Shaking Hands,” A.G. Gardiner takes a simple human gesture and transforms it into a thoughtful exploration of cultural customs and human connection. The essay...
Introduction William Wordsworth’s sonnet “To Sleep” stands as one of the most profound explorations of insomnia and the desperate yearning for rest in English literature. Written during the...
Death Be Not Proud, one of John Donne’s most celebrated Holy Sonnets, is a bold confrontation with mortality that has fascinated readers for centuries. This powerful poem directly...