A novel by Charles Dickens espouses most of my predilections about the Novel; be it the plot, the characterization, an underlying philosophy, a love of humanity, the triumph of good over evil, the victory of the underdog, the rewarding of the morally strong and the general feeling of happiness and well being. So no wonder…
Mary Braddon’s novel was published in the year 1862. The blurb calls it a disturbing exploration of the dark side of respectable Victorian society. Helen Maldon, Lucy Graham and then Lady Audley is the principal character of the novel. As her transformation from one figure to another takes place she works towards erasing her life…
What intrigued me about the novel was the ending. I could not understand why the novelist had to devote more than 6 pages for the preparations of war going on in France while Nana lies in the hospital bed. Nana leads a life of pleasure and un forbidden freedom. She is the embodiment of sensuality….
The endeavor of Philosophy is to understand the position of the human being in the Universe, the Nature of life, the cause and purpose of creation and the classic conundrum as to ‘Who am I?’ Rene Descartes famously declared “I think therefore I am” imparting essentiality to thought and contemplation. In Buddhism humans are beings with a mind stream. Although, other animals like Monkeys, Dolphins, Chimps and Elephants can think and display intelligent behavior, it is the human being, who is capable of ‘self-reflection’ which opens the doors of philosophy and epistemology. The primary question or quest that has spiraled generations of thinkers has been
The story of seven generations, whose most ancient ancestor is Kunta Kinte, a Gambian. He is abducted forcibly from his African village and enslaved. The author Alex Haley goes back, back to his roots, to his great great great grand father’s African village putting together all his painstaking research to produce this moving book. In…
What other place for a teacher than a classroom; A room with a class of students willing to learn from their teacher. All other sources or gadgets of learning like learning platforms, digital classrooms, Tabs, Apps, Guides can never replace the teacher. A Teacher who ‘Knows’ the subject, ‘Knows’ the students and ‘Knows’ to submerge the individual identity in the collective wisdom of the class, reigns supreme. For a good class to happen (Not in the Physical sense) the teacher should have a clear plan in place as to the objectives of the session, learning content to be transferred, creative thinking to be encouraged and
Leonardo Da Vinci – The Resurrection of the Gods is an astounding work. Like Dostoyevsky, here is the author setting the dialectic of the God and the Devil against one another. Whether sinful pride in your adoration of God is a mark of the devil itself? Are knowledge and truth, the devotion of the scientist…
Being a denizen of Nellore I have had a great fascination for the river Godavari. This mighty and beautiful river which had been extolled so much in Telugu Literature and inspired many poets and artists to weave magical words and images about it was nearly unknown, because I did not get an opportunity to see it until after my 25th year. My first impression of the Godavari was when I had to attend the wedding of one of my friends in Rajahmundry. The mighty, majestic views of this river as it rolled serenely towards its confluence with the ocean on that misty morning as the
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.