Library Committee Annual Report

Library Committee

"A Library is a House of hope , It's a place where we all , Whatever our situation , can feed our ideas and develop our dreams "

    - Doug Wilhelm

J. K Rowling says on library that, When in doubt go to the Library But, now a days library does not means only a books lying there. A modern library with e books and with internet where you can find answers of your all questions.

Department of English MKBU, though it is arts department, it is known as techno friendly department. It makes very effective use of technology. Not only laptop bank and free Wi-Fi , Department got its own library too. Our Department's library made for the ease of students so that time and again they don't have to go to the central library for books. We have more than 1000 books in our library related to our syllabus and English literature. Apart from that we have SCOPE books and CDs, self help kind books, NET-SET books, magazines and thesis. Our head of Department,  Dr. Dilip Barad has also his own library in his office. That also student can use for their reading purpose. Along with that Dept. has its own Reading room for reader in that we have different magazines, research paper and thesis.

   As the tradition of Department every year each committee member got new leader for committee. Senior pass responsibilities on Junior's shoulder. In that what are the responsibility one should fulfilled as leader of library committee ? As leader of library one should be careful for books, availability of books for all students, to inform students about reference books related to syllabus and remember the borrow and issues date and in the whole year several visit of various libraries.  

It is great experience of being a Committee leader along with Reena Khasatiya . From the very first day of semester 3, I try to be faithful to my leadership or responsibility to Department's library. We can’t deny students for books at any time. Despite this, this year we made few changes in libraries cupboards position and numbering of books for that I would be thankful for my juniors who took  great pain of work. Traditionally we used to visit central library of our University but along with this year we also visit Barton library of Bhavnagar. At the end, to possess a key of library doesn’t mean one become an owner of knowledge for that everyone must read…read…and read...

 As a leader for me it was good experience. For a leader it never be easy to lead the people. As a leader  I can't do anything all alone. I would like to thanks you fellow leader Reena and all our committee members, Friends and Juniors for being our support to full fill our responsibility. Thank you to Prof. Dilip Barad sir for providing me this opportunity  to be a Leader.

Thank You ,

Jyotiba M. Gohil

Library Head ( 2018 -19)

Presentation of African Literature : Post colonialism : Waiting for the Barbarians and Life and Times of Michael K

Presentation Of African Literature : Post colonialism : Waiting for the Barbarians and Life and Times of Michael K 



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The African Literature : Post colonialism : Waiting for the Barbarians and Life and Times of Michael K from Jyotiba Gohil

Presentation of Mass Media and Communication : Online Survey : Use of E- Media and Its effects

Presentation of Mass Media and Communication : Online Survey : Use of E- Media and Its effects 



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Mass Media and Communication : Online Survey :Use of E- Media and its effects from Jyotiba Gohil

Presentation of The New Literature : Feminist Reading of Hermione ( Harry Potter ) and Priyanka ( ON@CC)

Presentation of The New Literature : Feminist Reading of Hermione ( Harry Potter ) and Priyanka ( ON@CC)

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The New Literature : Feminist Reading of Hermione ( Harry Potter ) and Priyanka ( ON@CC) from Jyotiba Gohil

Reflective blog on Journalism by Dr. Jay Mehta

 On 15th January Dr. Jay Mehta has conducted the session on Mass Media and Communication. It was very fruitful to get the basic knowledge about media. Its development form the ancient time to modern time. This all plays very vital role in communication.

There are six major sources of mass media : 

i) Radio

ii) Television

iii) Cinema

iv) Advertisement

v) Newspaper

vi) Digital Media

  

Radio is the most important part of media. It plays very vital role. It is used for spreading the news. Now it is used for listening the songs.

 Television also plays vital role in communication. It is more effective than radio because it gives visual effects which is more effective. The first  Television channel  was Doordarshan. In this channel shows the serials of Ramayana and Mahabharata which based on Hindu epic Ramayana and Mahabharata. It was most  popular serials at those time. Nowadays there are many channels in television about different things like entertainment, knowledge , adventure , cooking , news etc

Cinema is mostly for entertainment. The First film is Alam ara. It was silent film. At  that time silent and black and white films realised. Later on it turns into talking and colorful films. There are many changes happened in cinema. At those time women were not allowed in film. But now time is changed women can be a part of film. At those time people not giving much importance to those people who were working in the film. Now it is not like that at some point. Actors and Actress are highly praised by people. In this development of cinema materialistic growth and  mental growth also can be seen. 

Digital media is most famous in youth. It is consider as part of digital era 21st century. Digital media helping people to spreading important news or message. It has two side like coin good as well as bad. Nowadays fake news are  easily spreading by people. It is more harmful for humanity. People easily believed that news and spread it. 

Newspaper is also consider as the important  part of media. But nowadays it becomes a puppet of power. Power control the things in its hands. It should show the right / Factual things about the power but instead of it they shows good things about power. 

   

Journalism and media are become puppet of power. They never speaking one word against power. Media should be like watch dogs who spread awareness among the people. But it is  not happening nowadays. All the media and journalist are in the hand of power. Power who controlling the things. It is going in the direction which destroyed humanities. 

Moby - Dick

Moby-Dick 

Moby -Dick is Novel written by Herman Melville.In Moby-Dick the sailor Ishmael tells the story of Captain Ahab and the white whale Moby Dick. Ahab is the grizzled captain of the whaling boat the Pequod.He searches for Moby Dick across the oceans of the world in a single-minded pursuit.

Several days after the ship sets sail and Ahab finally appears on deck. His appearance sends shivers through Ishmael. A white scar runs from his hairline, over his face and down his neck beneath his clothing. He stands upon an artificial lag made of whale bone. Ahab admits that it was Moby Dick that took off his leg. He decide to found the moby Dick and killed it. Ahab continuously seeks information from other boats as to the white whale's location. In a deadly confrontation with Moby Dick the entire crew of the Pequod is killed except for Ishmael who lives to tell the story.

It is based on racism and The harpooners, Queequeg  ,Tashtego and Daggoo are all people of color. They do the hard and dangerous work of harpooning whales, and they are the first people to confront the whale. However, they do not receive credit for what they do. The whiteness of the whale is also significant, as the whale itself signifies what everyone desires. The fact that what everyone wants is white can be understood as an implicit valuation of the color white. In turn, this means that whiteness, and, by extension, white people eclipse the people of color around them. 

All My Sons

All My Sons 

 All my sons is a play written by Arthur Miller. It shows the  actions and consequences of morality. It studies the theme of idealism verses realism, social responsibility and the American dream. This play takes place after World War II, in the year 1947. The play shows conflict between a Father and a son and how quickly a family can fall apart following a serious revelation. 

 Joe and Kate Keller had two sons, Chris and Larry. Keller owned a manufacturing plant with Steve Deever, and their families were close. Steve's daughter Ann was Larry's fiance  and George was their friend.

During the war Keller's and Deever's manufacturing plant had a very profitable contract with the U.S. Army to supplying airplane parts. One morning a shipment of defective parts came in. Under pressure from the army to keep up the output Steve Deever called Keller. He had not yet come into work that morning. So Steve ask him that  what he should do. Keller told Steve to weld the cracks in the airplane parts and ship them out. Steve was nervous about doing this alone. Keller said that he had the flu and he could not come at work. Steve shipped out the defective but possibly safe parts on his own. Later on this defective parts caused twenty-one planes to crash and their pilots to die. police has arrested both in this Keller however become successful to prove his innocence by told that he has not there when these parts departure. 

Three years later, the action of the play begins. Chris has invited Ann to the Keller house because he intends to propose to her. Everyone else has accepted that Larry is not coming home, and Chris and Keller argue that Mother should learn to forget her other son. Mother demands that Keller in particular should believe that Larry is alive, because if he is not, then their son's blood is on Keller's hands. Ann's brother George arrives to stop the wedding. He had gone to visit Steve in jail to tell him that his daughter was getting married at that time he come to know that his father is innocent. Chris's confidence in his father's innocence is shaken. Later on Ann is forced to show Mother the letter that Larry wrote to her before he died. which was essentially a suicide note. The note basically confirms Mother's belief that if Larry is dead, then Keller is responsible not because Larry's plane had the defective parts but because Larry killed himself in response to the family responsibility and shame due to the defective parts. Keller enters and mother is not able to stop her son to read letter aloud. After that Keller come to know that the death of all pilots happens because of him. Later on he realise that all are his sons. He felt guilty and he killed himself. 

The Proposal

                         The Proposal 

In The Proposal is a one act  play  by Anton Checkov.  In the play marriage is not as romantic as some people believe. The theme is based on two people who love each other by fighting. Lomov and Natayla act like a married couple before they become engaged. They are argumentative from the start.

 Lomov arrives at the Tschubukov's country home. He is formally dressed and full of good cheer for his neighbor. He embraces and kisses him when Lomov reveals his intentions. However when Tschubukov leaves to tell his daughter that Lomov is there. He merely tells her that there is a dealer who has come to buy something a bit of dramatic irony.it later on turns out. But she greets him cheerfully and remarking that he has not been to visit in a long time. That is, until the mention of the "my meadows" made by Lomov.

Everything  is going well when Natalya first enters the room. They chat pleasantly about the weather and agriculture. Ivan attempts to bring up the subject of marriage by first stating how he has known her family since childhood.

Later on  he touches upon his past. He  mentions his family's ownership of the Oxen Meadows. Natalya stops the conversation to clarify. She believes that her family has always owned the meadows and this disagreement turns into caustic debate.

After they yell at each other.Ivan feels dizzy and tries to calm himself down and change the subject back to matrimony. only to get immersed in the argument yet again. Natalya's father joins the battle and taking side of his daughter. He angrily told Ivan to leave the house. After that Natayla comes to know that Ivan comes for propose to her. Later on she told her father to bring him back. 

After that  Ivan has returned. Natalya tries to bend the subject toward romance. But instead of discussing marriage they again begin to argue over which of their dogs is the better hound. This seemingly innocuous topic launches into yet another heated argument. At the  end Ivan proposed Natalya return back to old argument about who owned better dog.

A cup of tea

A Cup of Tea

 A  cup of tea is a short story  written by Katherine Mansfield which holds class consciousness and materialism. It  represents a crystal clear image of class distinction and ones mad fondness towards materialism. 

Rosemary Fell is a very rich and well off woman. She is married form two years to a very rich and devoted man Mr. Philips Fell,. Once she spends her day out shopping at some west corners of London in the finest of shops. She visits an ingratiating antique dealer’s shop that shows her a beautiful small blue velvet box. Rosemary is taken by the beauty of the creamy piece of art but decides not to buy it and asks the shopkeeper to save it for her. she comes out from the shop into the rain. When she reaches towards the car a girl approaches her asking her to pay for the price of a cup of tea.

  Rosemary asks the girl to come home with her for tea. She is trying to finding  an opportunity of adventure and experience. Just like she read in books and stories of Dostoevsky. She wants to show the girl that rich people do posses mercy. The girl agrees apart from her great fears to ride with Rosemary in her car.

They reach the house.Rosemary takes the poor girl into her room and asks her to sit by the fire. She helps her take off her coat and hat and tries to sooth her. The girl cries out that she can not  stand there anymore fearing that she will faint out of hunger. Rosemary hurriedly orders tea. After that her husband Mr Philips came back to home. He gets surprised by seeing the strange girl at his home. He told his wife that it is dangerous. After all this thing Rosemary gives some cash to girl and tells her to go back at her home. After all things she remember small blue velvet  box. 

It shows that she can't freed herself from the materialistic life. She is just tring to act fake by act as sympathetic woman towards poor girl. It highly criticised the rich people and their materialistic life.

The Monkey’s Paw

“The Monkey 's Paw"

     

"The Monkey’s Paw” is W.W. Jacob 's most famous story. It is  considered to be a classic of horror fiction.The story opens with the White family spending a cozy evening together around the hearth. An old friend of Mr. White’s comes to visit them. Sergeant-Major Morris came home after more than twenty years in India. He  entertains his hosts with exotic stories of life abroad. He also sells to Mr. White a mummified monkey’s paw.Jacobs uses foreshadowing, imagery and symbolism in this story to explore the consequences of tempting fate.

the first wish is made  for two hundred pounds.  Herbert White suggests this particular amount because it would be enough to pay off the mortgage on their house.  The consequence of this wish is that the parents get the money but that Herbert dies.  He is killed in an accident when he is “trapped in the machinery” at his workplace.

  The next wish stems from the first.  Ten days later, Mrs. White realizes that they have two wishes left and could use one to bring Herbert back from the dead.  She pushes her husband until he gives in.  As the story tells us, “He raised his hand.

        ‘I wish my son alive again.'

All we know for sure is that some hours later something starts knocking on the Whites’ door in the middle of the night.  We never see what is knocking but the Whites are sure it is Herbert. Mrs. White thinks that Herbert will be normal again.But Mr. White does not.  He remembers that Herbert was mangled beyond recognition in the accident and he knows the corpse has been rotting for 10 days.  He is sure that the knocking is coming from Herbert’s corpse, and not from a Herbert who has been brought back to life as he was before the accident.

Just as we are not told for sure what is knocking on the door, we do not know for certain what the third wish is.  Mrs. White has been getting a chair so she can open a bolt on the door that is too high for her to reach.  Mr. White is frantically looking for the paw because he does not want “the thing outside” to get in.He heard the creaking of the bolt as it was slowly opened, and at the same moment he found the monkey’s paw and frantically breathed his third and last wish. The knocking stopped suddenly, though it still echoed in the house.Mr. White wished for his son to return to the dead and that the consequence of his wish was that Herbert did so.

The moral of the story is that People  do not need a monkey's paw to make wishes. We all are free to make wishes at any time. And some of them come true. But Unfortunately it often turns out that the wishes that do come true result in disappointment or worse. This fact of life seems to be the theme behind the theme of " The Monkey's  Pow " We have all had the experience of getting something we wanted and then finding out that we made a mistake in wanting it.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde

The strange case of Dr.jekyll and Mr.Hyde  

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a gothic novella by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. It was first published in 1886. The work is also known as The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde or Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. It is a gothic-science fiction novel that follows the basic template established by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley in Frankenstein.

The central feature of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is its theme of duality. Every individual has two sides within the self Good as well as bad. So like this Dr. Jekyll has Two personalities one is opposite and other is antagonistic mesh within one body. The novel has a rich potential for psychoanalytic criticism. In many ways like  Jekyll can be seen as the superego that portion of the human consciousness that attempts to control the physical urges of the id.  Dr. Jekyll is increasingly unable to control his alter ego. His identity becomes fragmented into Jekyll and Hyde and then the Hyde persona begins to manifest itself unexpectedly. 

Dr. Henry Jekyll who is widely respected, successful, and possesses a brilliant intellect but is only too aware of the duplicity of the life that he leads, and of the evil that resides within him. Dr. Jekyll covertly provides utterance to the evil in his soul by various unspeakable acts, but is afraid of doing so openly because of the fear of social criticism. In the course of his experiments, he succeeds in producing a concoction that enables him to free this evil in him from the control of his good self, thus giving rise to Edward Hyde.

In  the novel, Dr. Jekyll gives in to his impulses and after initial pleasure soon cannot control their power. He  let Mr. Hyde go free and realizing that Hyde needs Jekyll to exist he decides to end his own life.

Thinking activity : The sense of an Ending

● Thinking activity : The sense of an Ending 

This blog is part of my academic activity. To view the task Click Here 

1. How do you understand memory and history with reference to your reading of this novel.

"History is that certainty produced at the point where the imperfections of memory meet the inadequacies of documentation".

 History and memory are interconnected with each other. History made with the imperfection of the memory and the insufficiency of documentation. Memory is about imperfection and insufficiency of the documentation. There is no proper way to document things in the memory. It is highly unreliable. In the novel Tony Webster told things on the basis of his memory and  readers thought that is reliable and truth but later on this thing broken  down when his letter coming on his hand which he had wrote to Adrian and Varonica. It breaks all the narrative build by Tony. It shows the real side of him. He thinks that he is good  human being but it's not reality. It is constructed by his memory for himself. So upon this we can say how memory is harmful. In the history the things written according to Narrators point of view which is highly unreliable because Narrator himself is not part of History or the way he remembered according to his believes is far away from the reality. 

2. How do you understand the concept of suicide with reference to your reading of literature ranging from Renaissance play Hamlet, 20th century Existential Philosophy and this 21st century novel The Sense of an Ending?

It has  huge difference in concept of suicide from Renaissance play Hamlet , 20th century Existential philosophy and 21st century novel The sense of an Ending. In the Hamlet suicide consider as sin according to Christianity. The people who committed suicide should not allow to buried with proper Christian rituals. They consider as sinner. Later on in in 20th century with Existential philosophy idea of suicide changed. 

"Perhaps there is no one alive who would not already have put an endto his life if this end were something purely negative, a sudden cessation ofexistence. )but there is something positive in it as well: the destruction of thebody. This is a deterrent because the body is the phenomenal form of the will to live."

Every individual has ownership of their being and outght be allowed the choice to end their own life instead of treating suicide as criminal. In the novel sense of ending shows the philosophical idea of suicide that suicide is not crime everyone has right to end their lives. It is kind of wish or the right which every person has. After living your life and  getting satisfaction in life if one wish to end their life they can committed suicide. Adrine has live his life with full of capacity he was satisfied with his life. He has no any goal in his life so he decide to end his life rather than live life as burden upon him. 

Harry Potter Web quest activity

   Harry Potter web quest activity 

This Blog is part of my academic task which is given by our Mentor Prof. Dr.Dilip Barad. To see the task link click Here.

Here is my Web quest activity click Here 

1) Feminist Reading :

The way J.K.Rowline portrayed women characters  is very significant. All the women characters overpowering by Male characters. In the novel Rowling undermine the women characters because he consider Harry as the most important character of the novel.

                                                  

     In compare to  other female character only Hermione portrayed as the most intelligent and hard working , brave, honest  and smart girl. Though this Portrayal of Hermione as intelligent girl breaks down in several time by considering her knowledge as Bookish Knowledge. The Growth of the character of Hermione is always questionable. Because her growth remains not static. Some part of novel she become the most  important character who drives Harry and Ron. She saves the lives of male characters. In some part this strong narrative broken down by showing her as conscious about her looks and as emotional girl . She is consider as strong girl because to save life of her parents she deliberately remove her memories from her parents lives. It shows her strong side. But later on only one incident make her broken down when Ron doubt on Harry and her relationship. At that time Harry takes care of her. In the novel she Portrayed as side kick not as main lead character. She constantly visit her past. She is also conscious about her looks. When she turns out as Balatris at that time she ask about her looks.

  The character of Hermione is not  portrayed as the protagonist. She becomes most important part of some books but on the large structure of narrative she has not given space. Similarly the character of Ginny portrayed as love object. 

 2) Discourse on the Purity of Blood : 

The term pure blood is used for insulting Muggle blood and half blood people. It used to distinguishes between family trees that have different level of magically endowed member. This thing played vital role in both first and second wizarding war. It focus on one of the social issues that is racial purity as discussed and demonstrate primarily through conflict between those witches and wizards that come from all magical families and those that come from a non- magical background. Pure Blood and Muggle blood. In some cases blood is just as a literal as figurative. The house elves are in slaved by wizard race and sometime horribly abused and treated at the end of their masters. 
    Draco treated Hermione as Muggle blood not as intelligent and powerful witch. He insulted her by calling her "filthy little Mud -Blood". Voldrmort thinks that pureblood wizard are superior and because of that mud blood and Muggles should serve him. In the Harry Potter good people also offer treat Muggles as inferior. They call them "Muggles" which sounds like a racial sulr. It always shows Muggles as dumb and foolish. Muggle is a word used for insult. It is an insult.

3) Confronting reality by reading fantasy :

The fantasy stories such like Harry Potter can be seen as unrealistic in their setting but the message depicted can be translate into everyday life and reality. The wizard world introduced in the fiction seems very much like the human world and their ways of living. Like human community wizard's community has ministry of magic whose main duty is to control the affairs in the world of wizards. 

                                                

They also have Newspapers , railway station, shops , market and school.They are using Owls for deliver any Messages. Wizard world is not using computers and technology though they have their own means of communication. Like human world they also following rules and regulations. The atmosphere of fantasy collaborates with the reality. Rowling has created a medical world which is touches the reality. Through the concept of Purity of Blood social reality the  racial discrimination reflects in the novel. Wizard world also seems as real because it follows the cosmic changes and cycle of season like real world. So the fiction portrayed many things like exploitation of good by the bad , poor by rich and weak by powerful.  Through the fiction it shows jealousy, exploitation, power which are very humanistic. In other words Rowling is pointing out the real life issues and concerns through the fiction.


4) Self Help book :

Self help book is one that is written with the intention to give  instruct its readers on sloving their personal problems. So this types of book called as "self help books. Through the Harry Potter it teaches us moral lessons about self. It helping readers to overcome from psychological struggles. Harry Potter teaches basic self lessons. Like self identity in this it teaches us to know our self through the character of Harry. It also teaches us about importance of Mindfulness. The concept of acceptance taught through the character of Harry who accept his death. So like this there are many concepts pain as strength,  self compassion , importance of core values in person life and committed action . It also teaches us that  in the moment of  crises in life person should be relex. In this world  no one will come to help you. You have to help yourself rather than depending on others.

5) The Discourse of power and politics :

                                                  

Rowling has presented the power dynamic through the character of Voldrmort and Minister , Pure blood people , Umbridge. Voldemort wants to become powerful in the world. Because of this power leads him towards evil. The power to rule over the world and become immortal. The powerful justice system of Wizarding world is also doing injustice by giving death sentence to Buckbeak. It all happens because Buckbeak beats Draco because Draco insulting him. It shows that how power can be injustice towards animal. In later part the new rules and regulations came into the school of Hogwards. The power of deciding things came in the hands of Umbridge. However , she misusing this power by controlling and changing  the education system. Whoever trying to raise their voice against her he will be punished by her. It shows that power always tries to controlling over others. It shows the power dynamics in the politics. Power of politics which shows that power can do anything on the name of reformation. The conflict between Voldrmort and Harry can be also seen as conflict of evil power and Good power.

6) Children 's Literature:

                    

Children 's Literature means the literature contains stories like fairy tales , poems and some books which can entertain children with some beautiful moral message. But according to some critics it is quite difficult to consider Harry Potter as Children's literature. This whole series covers many elements like fantasy, mystery, thriller, magical realism , supernatural elements. In the children literature there is happy ending. Similar like in Harry Potter Good wins over evil so it's like Happy ending. The fantasy touch makes Harry Potter central attraction of the story. Like  the children's literature here Harry is child in the beginning of the novel. Harry Potter not consider as just children literature only it also consider as real literature with philosophical reading. In the novel shows  innumerable death of people , child abuse , racial discrimination as pure blood and half blood. The characters tortured  by using curse level of pain, Murder. So in the Harry Potter series is not fall under the classic children literature because it is beyond then that. It has more philosophical, moral , political depth.

7) Speculative Fiction: 

           
Speculative fiction is an umbrella term under which many fiction gathered like science fiction , fantasy , horror , magic realism , history superhero fiction. In this them imagination or fantasy is more important rather than reality. The Harry Potter consider as Speculative fiction because it is mixture of horror, science fiction, fantasy and historical elements. In the Harry Potter there is fantasy elements by showing the magical world which is not exist in real world.  The characterizations of Evil characters, Animals have horror effects. Everything happens in the fantasy world it has no reality in it. Like magical wond , sorcerer's stone , hoarcruxes, liquid of luck, Draught of living death position. There are many liquid position for different purposes. So this all things never happened in reality. Therefore Harry Potter series is fall under the genre of Speculative fiction.



8) Choice and Chance : 

 Our choices make us what we are good or bad. Voldemort and Harry Different from each others because of their choices. Every human has good and evil inside them. Harry has also evil part inside him in the form of Voldemort. The thing differs Harry from Voldemort is only of his power of Good choices.

                 

Dobby helps harry and his friends by saving their lives. Harry choice to acceptance of death. Though Voldemort is so powerful he would also unable to defeat Harry even if he had gained ownership of the Elder Wand.Choice and chance played equal role.Harry’s Chosen self -sacrifice broken Voldemort’s power but his personal triumph and survival result from his chance ownership of Elder Wand so both important choice and chance.choices and actions define our moral character.Every individual has a choice to accept or deny their mortality. Tom Riddle means Voldemort decision or choices make him dark/ evil wizard. In other hand Harry ‘s choices make him good wizard.

“It is our choices, Harry , that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

9) Theme of Love and Death :

                                          

Harry Accept the death because the  love he felt of his friends, the love Snape had for Harry’s mother in his memories, his love of Dumbledore, the love of Hogwarts. Harry ‘s Acceptance of death shows his love towards his friends and Hogwarts school.Harry Potter demonstrates that to understand the meaning of life, we must accept and praise our inevitable death.Harry had the presence of love from a young age which led him to accept the virtue. His parents sacrificed themselves to save Harry from the murderous hands of Voldemort.Harry’s acceptance of the death is universal truth that allows him to embrace love and recognize the sacrifice and defeat Voldemort. The Love of Mother remains the protection for Harry because of her love Voldemort not able to Killed Harry. Love and Death are interconnected with each other.

"But know this; the ones that love us never really leave us."

10) Moral and Philosophical Reading of Harry Potter :

Harry Potter series deeply connected with morally and philosophically. It teaches us very important moral life lessons. Harry accept his death ,he is not like Voldemort.Harry consider as immortal because he accept the reality of life that is ultimate Death. Each and Every character teach some moral values of life. Lucius Malfoy taught us that money will only let you choose your form of misery. Dumble Dolores Umbridge taught us that education should never have a political agenda. Harry taught us that our choices make us different from others.Harry’s inheritance  morality taught Harry to don't be like voldemort. The Last conversation between Dumbledore and Harry is very important.It also teaching us the importance of morality in person life. Harry and Voldemort differs from each other on the basis of morality they have chosen. It also deals with Death and life. Death consider better than life.

"Do not pity the dead , Harry. Pity the living , and above all,

those who live without love." - Dumbledore

                  

 Here is my Web quest activity click Here 

To see my Rubric of  Evolution of My Blog  click Here 

Thinking Activity : The Da Vinci Code

Thinking Activity : The Da Vinci Code 

This Blog is a  part of my academic activity to know the task click Here 

1. Brown states on his website that his books are not anti-Christian, though he is on a 'constant spiritual journey' himself, and says that his book The Da Vinci Code is simply "an entertaining story that promotes spiritual discussion and debate" and suggests that the book may be used "as a positive catalyst for introspection and exploration of our faith."

The larger part of narrative is Anti Christian because at the very beginning of the novel it questions about the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. The character of Sophie Neveu is portrayed as anti Christian. In the novel she consider as a life line of Jesus though she don't believe in this. She not believe in Christian religion. After knowing the truth still she make fun of the thing that she belongs to Jesus life line. The main antagonist of novel Leigh Teabing believes that there is not like any divine force. He believes that on the name of religious and God people are fooling by priest. Mankind should be free from this all things. The way church and priest are portrayed as corrupt and wealthy people who can do anything for the money. So the larger part of narrative is anti Christian that questions upon the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene and process and importance of Christianity in life. The novel highly based on the Anti Christian idea.

 2)  “Although it is obvious that much of what Brown presented in his novel as absolutely true and accurate is neither of those, some of that material is of course essential to the intrigue, and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman has retained the novel's core, the Grail-related material: the sacred feminine, Mary Magdalene's marriage, the Priory of Sion, certain aspects of Leonardo's art, and so on[1].” How far do you agree with this observation of Norris J. Lacy?

Lucy is right on her place that in the film Akiva Goldsman has retained the novel's core, sacred feminine and Mary Magdalene's Marriage and her relationship with Jesus, Priory of Sion and use of Da Vinci 's art . In the film  and novel all this things used for make this story more interesting and convincing. Through this all things it successfully  grabbing the attention of audience throughout the film. It also helping in build the thriller.  Though Everything is not true and not interconnected with each other in reality but it has deeper historical sense. These all things are connected historically not reality. It used to only make story interesting.

3.If You have studied ‘Genesis’ (The Bible), ‘The Paradise Lost’ (John Milton) and ‘The Da Vinci Code’ (Dan Brown). Which of the narrative/s seem/s to be truthful? Whose narrative is convincing to the contemporary young mind?

I think paradise lost is more convincing to the contemporary young mind because in this Human is in the center of the narrative while in the Genesis God is at the center rather than human. In the Genesis the voice of human is marginalised by God and religion. In this narrative Adam and Eve shows as inferior and God as superior place. In the Da Vinci  code the narrative highly question the relationship of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. But the way narrative moves with the clues of Da Vinci 's painting  is highly problematic. When we compare the narrative structure of this three in compare to Da Vinci and Genesis, the paradise lost is better. The way Eve  portreyed as rational thinker and questioning against God is more convincing as true to human nature. In this narrative Human's nature  and thoughts given priority over God. The Human emotions has given priority like temptation , resistance, love , beauty. The whole narrative is human centric and because of it this narrative is more convincing to young mind.

4 .What harm has been done to humanity by the biblical narration or that of Milton’s in The Paradise Lose? What sort of damage does narrative like ‘The Vinci Code’ do to humanity?

In the Da Vinci Code the way religion trying controlling over other is harmful. Silas believed and followed  each and every command of  Aringarosa. Silas believes that he is doing all this thing for religious. On the name of God he killed many people and after that he punished himself. On the name of religion priest trying to find Holy grail and wanted to destroy it. He want do this for saving the religion which is harmful to humanity. In the similar way in the Genesis God punished Adam and Eve. In this they have no resisting voice against God. In the paradise lost Eve has resisting nature. She also wants to live freely. But Adam and Eve have to live in the fear of God. It trying to build the resisting nature in human being. The nature of doubt and questioning but however on the morality based it consider as harmful. In the Da Vinci code shows how religion is harmful. People are fooling by priest on the name of religion and God. It gives message that Mankind should be free from this all things.

5. What difference do you see in the portrayal of 'Ophelia' (Kate Winslet) in Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet, 'Elizabeth' (Helena Bonham Carter) in Kenneth Branagh's Mary Shelley's Frankenstein or 'Hester Prynne' (Demi Moore) in Roland Joffé's The Scarlet Letter' or David Yates's 'Harmione Granger' (Emma Watson) in last four Harry Potter films - and 'Sophie Neuve' (Audrey Tautau) in Ron Howard's The Da Vinci Code? How would justify your answer?

There is many difference in the portrayal of female characters in the film and novel. In the "Hamlet", in the novel there  is no any description of sexual relationshilp between Hamlet and Ophelia   but in the film the more focus is on the body of Ophelia and there is also intimate   scenes of Hamlet and Ophelia. Similarly in the Demi Moore The Scarlet letter the camera focus on the body of Hester while taking bath. In the Kenneth Branagh's Mary Shelley's Frankenstein there is  intimate scenes between Victor and Elizabeth.similarly in the Harry Potter there is kissing scenes of Harry and Genny ,  Ron and Hermione. There is no need to put this scenes in the film. So in all this film women used as sexual tool to make film more interesting. But the film Da Vinci code is different from all this thing the film truely follows feminine sacredness. In the film there is no one close  scene of Robert and Sophie. The film truly followed the Novel.

6. Do novel / film lead us into critical (deconstructive) thinking about your religion? Can we think of such conspiracy theory about Hindu religious symbols / myths? 

                 And 

7. Have you come across any similar book/movie, which tries to deconstruct accepted notions about Hindu religion or culture and by dismantling it, attempts to reconstruct another possible interpretation of truth?                                                       

Yes ,  the novel teaches us to doubt on the things which is highly acceptable by people in the name of religion. In the Hindu religion there is many myths. The myths it self questionable because it interpretated by people time and again. The novel The Immortals of Meluha byAmish Tripathi is based on deconstructive idea of God shiva.
 In the book  Meluha  the protegonist shiv is normal human being. He becomes the God by his karma. It told that  every human being have capacity to go beyond things. There is no any kind of spirituality outside in the world but it is within.

Similarly in the movie Oh My God deconstruct the existence of God. It told that on the name of religion people are fooling by priest.

8. When we do traditional reading of the novel ‘The Da Vinci Code’, Robert Langdon, Professor of Religious Symbology, Harvard University emerges protagonist and Sir Leigh Teabing, a British Historian as antagonist. Who will claim the position of protagonist if we do atheist reading of the novel?

Leigh Teabing consider as protagonist if we do the atheist reading of the novel. He  is the true protagonist of Novel. Because he thinks about Humanity not Religion. For him Humanity  is more important rather than freedom. He wants to free the humanity from the Christian  religion. Because he believes that religion not make people free. The true freedom emerging when people will free from religion. He thinks for humanity not for God. For him human freedom is more important. He is the protagonist in  true sense because for him Humanity is more important rather than religion.

9. Explain Ann Gray’s three propositions on ‘knowability’ with illustrations from the novel 'The Da Vinci Code’.

a.       1) Identifying what is knowable 

b.      2) identifying and acknowledging the relationship of the knower and the known

c.  3) What is the procedure for ‘knowing’?

 1) The novel Based on the solving the code and painting of Da Vinci Code. Through this the Protagonist reached the real holy Grail. In the novel this all code and painting solved by the Protagonist. It is the way they can reach to the truth.

2) In this identifying and acknowledging the relationship of the knower and the known. The true knowledge of self. Sophie doesn't belive in the Jesus through out the novel she thinks that Jacques Sauniera is his grand father but later on she came to know that he is only protecting her. She came to know that she belongs to the lifeline of Jesus.

3) In this understand the process of knowing. Robert is the professor of symbolism and he wrote Many books. He  writes things but the knowledge is remain only in the books and mind. He know many things but he don't know how to connect the thing and understand the true knowledge. He understand the process of knowing at the end when suddenly thought sticking in his mind and he found the Holy Grail.  In the novel each code has double meaning. Through the process of decoding the code  they came to know about the real meaning of the code. This process of knowing helping Robert and Sophie to solve the real puzzle of Holy Grail.

Documentary Film : Rivers and tides

Rivers and Tides : Documentary Film

River and tides is a 2001 documentary film directed by Thomas Riedelsheimer about the British artist Andy Goldsworthy. It is about  Transitory nature of art and  life. Goldsworthy create intricated and temporary sculpture from natural materials such as rocks , leaves flowers, snow , ice , clay. He connects Creativity of art with deep philosophical meaning of life and nature. River means growth it has deep connotations like River of growth goes through trees ,  growth of animal ( birth ) ,River of sheep - flow and movement. 

 

Goldsworthy declares that he begins to work on an icicle sculpture by giving tide shape to ice. After so much hardworking he  gives shape to ice. But his hardwork and art is temporary because by passing time it will melt. Goldsworthy respects the processes of life and death reflected in nature. As the sun illuminates the finished sculpture, he  believed that 

"The very thing that brought it to life, will bring about its death."

It focus on the real side of nature that is darker side rather than pestoral. It shows that in  life everything will be changed. Growth and change is a part of Nature. 

Everything in the nature is in spiral shape or circular. There are no triangular shape in nature. 

Concept of wall :

Wall divided people in human world. It has its own purpose. There is two types of wall shown natural wall and human walls. Natural wall has no particular way while in human world there is straight wall. 

 color and energy 

Red color is symbol of love and energy. It also  connected with human blood and nature.Color and energy flowing through all things , underneath skin of the earth. So color and energy deeply connected with each other.

In this documentary Goldsworthy using both things digital work and hand work. 

Digital video  help to kill boundaries of time and space. Everything is not understandable with word at that time visual appeals more on than words . While on the other hand handwork used to stay connected with art ,creativity and Nature .