The proper subject of tragedy is very hard to decide, but invariably being a tragedy means having to do something with the darker side of life. The sorrowful, the dreadful, the fearful and the gory thus find their legitimate place in tragedy. Hamlet is said to be the most intriguing of all Shakespeare’s tragedies. Othello…
Of all the literary genres that one becomes familiar with as a student of Literature, it is the novel which is impactful because of its presence and dominance. One cannot diminish the importance of other modes of literary expression just because one fancies the Novel but the truth is that the novel has overwhelmed the…
A walk does wonders to the spirit. To feel free and relaxed, supple and less lazy one should go for a walk. It is the morning walk that is more exhilarating as we can look at the birds, listen to their sharp calls , see the leaves in a mood of stillness or playfulness depending upon the breeze or await the turn of the wheel when all Nature is about to awaken. The Sun is not yet out and that minute of an interval between night and day, crowns a feeling of mystery.
Reflecting on the “Popular novels” that I have read, I have identified a few novels which need a special mention. Papillon by Henri Charrière. A modern day classic, it is described as a man’s quest for freedom. It has also been described as the greatest adventure story ever written but I would rank the Count…
The sharper they are, the deeper is their impact. Vocabulary wise English is a richly endowed language and has a choice of words or expressions to express every nuance of meaning or idea. One is in fact spoilt for choice. How many of us have not wondered why somebody is said to have been assassinated when it is plain murder, or why robbing a bank is not embezzlement or why there is a distinction between an autopsy and a post-mortem?
A reflection on Thackeray’s world of ambition, appearance and moral compromise, and on the unforgettable contradictions of Becky Sharp.
Kafka, Kundera and Beckett become points of departure for thinking about narrative, memory, time, uncertainty and the modern human predicament.
There are a few books which do not fit into the confines of a genre. Although the tag of fiction does not entirely work for them, they have a mood and an aura which makes them look like a work of fiction. John Lang’s “Wanderings in Hindostan” written in 1860, belongs to such a category….
Adventure novels are a distinct category which needs a special mention in my series of posts about the novel. My first foray into the world of fiction as I have mentioned earlier was with the novel “Round the World in 80 days” by Jules Verne. A roller coaster ride about a meticulous person, Phileas Fogg,…
The great American novelist Mark Twain who has written two of my favorite novels; The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has also written ‘ The Innocents Abroad’ which is a travelogue detailing his travels in Europe. The novels have fascinated me endlessly. Tom Sawyer’s life of adventure and Huckleberry Finn’s…