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

                  

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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 .

Book Review : One night at the call center

Review of the Book : One night at the call center 

The novel on@cc is written by Chetan Bhagat. He  consider as a popular writer in India. He specially known for his Indian English novels about young urban middle class people in India. The reason behind his popularity is Simple English language  because of it many people started reading English. Second he writes about problems related Youth.

    The novel opened in very interesting way. The writer put one activity to gave 3 answer before reading the novel.

1) One thing I fear
2) One thing that makes me angry
3) One thing I do not like about my self.

This activity helping us in identifying our strength and weakness. By doing this type of mental process it help us to overcome from  our weakness. It is very innovative way to enter in the novel. It is  very well connected with the novel. 

Chetan Bhagat makes very good use of prologue and epilogue in his novel. In prologue, writer himself came as character and talked with the lady who told the story on the condition that he has to write a book on it. The writer presented in prologue and told that how they got inspiration. After heard the story he collected deep information about call center employees.  In epilogue described the alternative reading. The lady gave alternative reading of the novel by replacing God lines with Military uncle. The writer has lack of Historical sense ,  social and philosophical sense as well as Mythical sense. He was not able to justified his narrative.

One night at the call center also consider as Popular Literature.Popular literature means those writings intended for the Masses and favour with large audiences. It is different from artistic literature. It only designed for the entertainment. Popular literature has ,

1) Lack of deep philosophy

2) Lack of deep spirituality

3) Not deals with abstract problems

4) Lack of morality / humanity

5) Not challenges the belief of people

6) unacceptable solutions

7) Lack of intellectualism 

   So popular literature has this kind of structure of the works. In the one night at the call center shows the solutions of the problems through character of God. It has not intellectual solution of problems. The call from God is not deeply connected anywhere. The solution of problems not acceptable in social formation. It not challenges people to  think upon their believes. The solution of problems goes like drama. It is  not  giving  deep philosophy and intellectual solution. Virginia woolf 's novel has deep intellectual and philosophical ideals. It shows the intellectual growth of writer while here writer still not go deeply in the novel. The solution of problems are like makeover not real intellectual  growth of people.  Chetan Bhagat consider as the popular writer because he deals with problems of common people. He using very simple English language because of it many people can start reading English novels. It makes him popular writer. 

In the novel describes various use of technology. The novel is consider as Cyberpunk novel. Cyberpunk is the post modern scientific genre. It is connected with science and technology, hackers ,  cybernetics and information. In the novel characters deals with email ,  bug , radio, Ms word . In the novel corporate world controls the job of workers. Vroom and shyam used bug in MS office as virus attack for terrified American people. It increased the calls in call center and save the jobs of workers. Vroom used mail to  blackmail his boss bakshi. So with the help of teachnology everything was solved. Technology become the resolving  force in the novel. Thus the novel can be categorised as cyberpunk novel. 

 In the novel also talked about the complexity in the relationship. Also it talked about the condition of woman in the society through the characters of Isha , Priyanka and Radhika. They were mistreated and cheated by men. This novel also focus on the problems on the Youth. 

   In the novel talked about Globalisation. This whole story is deals with effect of globalisation. All the characters works in the call center. They have to deal with foreigner client. They have to slove their problems. In the global world economy is at  the center. These employees insulted by foreigner though they have to speak sugar-coated language. It shows the effect of globalisation that sake of  profit and money people could do anything.  So this novel focus on many things which happens in popular time. 

One night at the call center also consider as Self help book. A self help book is one that is written with the intention to interact it's readers on slowing personal problems. It based on teaching moral lessons and build on philosophy.  In this book Chetan Bhagat focus on the real life problems. Shyam Protegonist almost lost his self confident and love, Military uncle who wants to talk with his grandson , Radhika cheated by her husband and demadable mother in law. All are fed up with  their boss. They all most lost everything in their life. 

The call from God can be considered as, "Inner voice ". The call from God helps characters to know their problems and find out their solutions by themselves. God's call just help them to find the problems and their solutions by showing right path. It's like guidance. All have problems in their lives but the right guidance gives them confident to fight with it. Like this , the call from God gave confident to characters to fight with their problems.

God gave the message that four things need to become successful : 

1) Intelligence 

2) Imagination 

3) Self confidence 

4) Failure 

Thus the book deals with the real problems of the people. The call from God or Inner call gave self confidence and guidance to six people. It shows the right path. Everyone has this kind of problems in their life. By reading this book it help them to know their problem and find it's solution. Also it gives self confidence to people.

Barton Library Visit

Barton Library Visit 

"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

Library committee of English Department had organised Barton Library visit on 27th February 2019. Barton Library is the one of  the oldest library in Gujrat. It was builded in era of britishers in India. The library is a depiction of the chronological and cultural importance of Gujarat and Bhavnagar. It basically constructed for  public to reading newspapers , Magazines and books.

 The library is divided into two sections in the above section of Library has many old books and manuscripts. Some of them are not in good condition because of lack of preservation. In the below section of library has current books , Magazines and newspapers. There are around 11 newspapers comes in library which are available to read for free of cost. They have  a special space for reading newspaper.

  As every coin has two side good as well as bad. This Library has oldest books and  manuscript but it is in bad condition because of lack of preservation . It is like you have a ocean in front of you but you can't drink water from it. Some cupboards are in broken condition. From the conversation with Librarian we came to know that reason behind the condition of these books and other things are less numbers of  Library members and fund.

It is good that  their future  planning to do renovation of this library by scanning the books and converting into E-Libaray with computers.  They are also planing to make spacial space for children. The purpose behind is  to bring awareness into children towards library. 

In The library  more than 3000 people has taken membership. There are three types of membership: 1) Life long membership

2) 10 years membership 3) One Year membership
  Everyday 50 to 60  people takes  visit of library most of them are old people. They used to come library  to read magazines and newspapers. The youth is less attractive towards  library.

At the end , It was very good experience. We were very well guided by library staff members.    They were very supportive. I would like to thank you Barton library members to gave us permission and  I would like to thank you Prof. Dilip Barad for gave  us permission to organise this visit. Thank you to Vaidehi Madam and  all students for coming there and make this library visit successful.

Translation workshop with Dr. Vishal Bhadani

Translation workshop with Dr. Vishal Bhadani 

Translation is the process to translate the text or words in one language into another. It requires deep knowledge of language. It is the most difficult thing to translate any work. People believe that  translation ruins the charm of work. It is not true every time. Translated work helps to understand the culture and history  of other people.

 On 1st January 2019 ,In our Department of English we had the translation workshop   which was conducted by Dr. Vishal Bhadani.  The workshop had divided into two sessions. It was a great privilege to interact with author. Dr. Vishal is translator , author.   He has wrote a book name Fictonalay. It is in the gujrati language. He had read three short stories of "Fictionalay" that is "Mara hath ni wat nathi", "Sansai ane Ranjana", "Museum of innocence".He is also good story teller. All these stories are connected with middle class people.  Every story has a different concept. 

        In the second session he talked about importance of translation. He also told about the process of becoming translator and job opportunities  in the filed of translation.   It requires deep and wide knowledge of the languages. Also it requires the understanding of the context in which the word is used. It is very tough but interesting work. It help us to enhance our knowledge of language and grammar. 

    After the knowing the importance of translation. Sir had given one worksheet  to translate some words , sentence and paragraph. This practical  task gave me mixture of feeling like some time I felt joy in translating words and some time I felt that I have not deep knowledge of language and grammar. So this process of translation was like showing the mirror to us that we have to increase our knowledge of language. In this process of translating work everyone lost their salves in it. No one realized that they have taken more time to translate this several things. In this process we have to focus the context in which the word is used. It increased the understanding of the word. 

   It was very fruitful and interesting session. It was a privilege to interact  with an author. I would like to thank you to Dr.Vishal Bhadani sir to visit our department and Dr.Dilip Barad sir to organised this workshop. 

       

Thinking activity : One night at the call center by Chetan Bhagat

Thinking activity : One night at the call center by Chetan Bhagat 

 This blog is part of my academic activity. To open task link click here 

1) Comment on Narrative structure of the novel one night at the call center . Compare with that of Life of Pi.

The novel on@cc is written by Chetan Bhagat. In this novel lady told the story of six people who worked in the call center. She told the story to the writer by putting condition that he should write book on it. Life of pi has the same narrative structure Mr. Patel told the story. In both works God is the mysterious and interesting force. The Element of God make both the stories interesting as well as unreliable. There is no any intellectual solution of  the problems. Life of pi' s writer has deep philosophical sense,  Historical sense as well as Religion ( Mythical )  sense which make this work greater in compare to on@cc.  Each and every thing connected with each other in the life of pi. But in the on@cc there is lack of connectivity in the events. 

      Chetan Bhagat makes very good use of prologue and epilogue in his novel. In prologue, writer himself comes as character and talks with the reader. The same thing can  find in life of pi in which Yann Martel Canadian writer meet the person. Both writer present in prologue and told that how they got inspiration. In the both work they meet person who told them stories and after that they collect deep information about it before writing novel. In epilogue there is alternative reading. After hearing story of pi Japanese agents not belived on it at that time pie told another story in which animals replace by humans. In the same happens in on@cc lady gave alternative reading by replacing God lines with Military uncle. So like this both work has Same narrative structure. 

2) What is popular literature? Is on@tcc popular literature? Illustrate.

Popular literature means those writings intended for the. Masses and favour with large audiences. It is different from artistic literature. It only designed for the entertainment. Popular literature has ,

1) Lack of deep philosophy

2) Lack of deep spirituality

3) Not deals with abstract problems

4) Lack of morality / humanity

5) Not challenges the belief of people

6) unacceptable solutions

7) Lack of intellectualism 

   So popular literature has this kind of structure of the works. In the one night at the call center shows the solutions of the problems through character of God. It has not intellectual solution of problems. The call from God is not deeply connected anywhere. The solution of problems not acceptable in social formation. It not challenges people to  think upon their believes. The solution of problems goes like drama. It  not gave  deep philosophy and intellectual solution. Virginia woolf 's novel has deep intellectual and philosophical ideals. It shows the intellectual growth of writer while here writer still not go deeply in the novel. The solution of problems are like makeover not real intellectual  growth of people.  Chetan Bhagat consider as the popular writer because he deals with problems of common people. He using very simple English language because of it many people can start reading English novels. It makes him popular writer. 

3)  What do you understand by self-help book. Is on@tcc self-help book? Illustrate

A self help book is one that is written with the intention to interact it's readers on slowing personal problems. It based on teaching moral lessons and build on philosophy.  In this book Chetan Bhagat focus on the real life problems. Shyam Protegonist almost lost his self confident and love, Military uncle who wants to talk with his grandson , Radhika cheated by her husband and demadable mother in law. All are fed up with  their boss. They all most lost everything in their life. 

                   

The call from God can be considered as, "Inner voice ". The call from God helps characters to know their problems and find out their solutions by themselves. God's call just help them to find the problems and their solutions by showing right path. It's like guidance. All have problems in their lives but the right guidance gives them confident to fight with it. Like this , the call from God gave confident to characters to fight with their problems.

God gave the message that four things need to become successful : 

1) Intelligence 

2) Imagination 

3) Self confidence 

4) Failure 

Thus the book deal with the real problems of the people. The call from God or Inner call gave self confidence and guidance to six people. It shows the right path. Everyone has this kind of problems in their life. By reading this book it help them to know their problem and find it's solution. Also it gives self confidence to people. 

4) How far can this novel be categorized as cyberpunk?

Cyberpunk is the post modern scientific genre. It is connected with science and technology, hackers ,  cybernetics and information. In the novel characters deals with email ,  bug , radio, Ms word . In the novel corporate world controls the job of workers. Vroom and shyam used bug in MS office as virus attack for terrified American people. It increased the calls in call center and save the jobs of workers. Vroom used mail to  blackmail his boss bakshi. So with the help of teachnology everything was solved. Technology became the resolving  force in the novel. Thus the novel can be categorised as cyberpunk novel. 

Joy and woe are woven fine

             Joy and woe are woven Fine :

 Poem : 

Joy and woe are woven fine poem written by William Blake. He was English poet, painter and printmaker. He was considered as a seminal figure in the history of English Poetry and visual arts of Romantic Age. This poem is about joy and woe. 

In this lines  Blake continues on the joy and woe theme. In this lines that come before them for reason. It becomes harder to understand. According to Blake all living things , Humans have souls , their experiences in the world. It become like a kind of clothing. It builds characters. Joy and woe wrap the soul in experience , giving it unique character and identity. They make it an individuals. 

    

So joy and woe means Happiness and grief. Woven means attached together. So Both joy and woe are connected to each other. It's the kind 0f interesting thing. 

In last joy and grief are complementary. You can't have one without each other. A joy is somehow hidden under the every grief , waiting to balance it out and harmonise it. 

    

So Blake wants to give message that joy and grief are part of our life and both are good. Without grief one can't give importance joy or happiness  in life. So grief gives important of joy in our life. In every grief there are also joy hidden. We just need to find it. When we know that joy and woe are part of our life. 

  So thus,  poet wants to say that we should accept both things in our life. Both play a vital role to shaping the life of person. It's natural and part of everyone's life. We should accept it and live happily in every moment of our life. 

Fame and Friendship

●  Poem : Fame and Friendship 

Fame is a food that dead men eat,—

I have no stomach for such meat.

In little light and narrow room,

They eat it in the silent tomb,

With no kind voice of comrade near

To bid the feaster be of cheer.

But Friendship is a nobler thing,—

Of Friendship it is good to sing.

For truly, when a man shall end,

He lives in memory of his friend,

Who doth his better part recall

And of his fault make funeral.

● Analysis of the poem: 

This  poem written by Henry Austin Dobson. He was an English poet and essayist. 

       In this poem has two stanzas. The basic theme of the poem is Fame and Friendship . So Here poet talks about the importance of Friendship. Also about Fame that it is immortal thing .Through this poem he wants to convey that Friendship is better than Fame. Fame is immortal and temporary but Friendship is mortal .it will never died. This poem is talks  about the difference between Fame and Friendship in the two stanzas. If we compare the first stanza with second it shown the reality of life. 

  In the first stanza poet talks the Fame. 

" Fame is a food that dead men eat,—

I have no stomach for such meat.

In the above lines the poet speaks about the fame that it's like a food that everyone wants to eat in their life. But he not interested in such a thing like Fame. It is  like a food that dead men eat. So poet compare Fame with dead men food. Because one day fame also died with the person. So Death is the worst enemy of Fame.

In the second stanza talks about Friendship. 

But Friendship is a nobler thing,—

Of Friendship it is good to sing.

In this Friendship is nobler thing in the world. It connects one person to another.  In Friendship person share so many ideas, thoughts, emotion. It is like a bridge that connects one person to other. At the end men will be die but their sweet memories always live in the heart of person through recalling the experience of past through it the sweet memories of Friends always lives. Through this their Friendship always live. It never died. It becomes mortal. It considers as the nobler thing because it proves the healthy relationship and caring for others. One day friend will be die but Sweet memories of his or her remaining forever alive with us.  

      So Friendship is better than Fame. Living in memories of Friend is better than living alone in the grave. Remembrance is the true reward for Friendship. 

Thinking activity :The White Tiger and Slumdog Millionaire

Thinking activity :The White Tiger and Slumdog Millionaire

This blog is part of my academic activity given by Prof. Dr.Dilip Barad.

Similarities between The White Tigerí and Slumdog Millionaire  : 

   

1) Narrative structure :

    The Novel and the  film has almost similar and parallel structure. Both the works starts with flashback techniques. In the film used one reality show kbc in which  question and answer session going on. All the questions leads Jamal into his past. While in the novel wanted poster used. By using this poster writer talking about his past.

2) Indianness : 

● Train :

Train is also found in both the works. It shows the Indianness in the work. In the film highly used train. It also a symbol of poverty and crowd. In the novel also discrimination of train can be seen.

● Curruption :

Curruption can be found in both works. In the novel talking about Currupt nature of entrepreneur's drivers. How they can earn little extra cash by sell the patrol ,  repair the car from Currupt mechanics , sell the whisky bottles , turn master's car into a freelance taxi. In the film shows Currupt nature of Jamal 's brother. He was Getting more money from tourist. Also thieves  selling the car parts of foreigners. Anchor of KBC show do cheating by telling answer to Jamal.

● Religion :

       Religion is also important element of Novel and film. In the novel described  the darker side of religion by talking about Ganga as Black mud river ,  Hanuman as example of faithful servant ,  Buddhism. Similar in the film shows the Hindu Muslim riot which creates problem in the Area , depiction of Lord Rama, criticism of  Darshan do Ghanshyam song . It shows that on the name of religion people do wrong things. They even not care about humanity. Religion consider more important than Humanity.

●Education system :

Both the protagonist Jamal ( Film) and Balaram ( Novel ) are uneducated. In the novel shows darker and Currupt side of education system : school teachers are stolen lunch  money, Teachers do nothing in the class, Sales uniform of students , No basic facilities in schools : no chair , no duster , no uniform. It shows the darker side of India which is full of thugs and idiots. Similar way because of poverty Jamal could not able to study. Both the protagonist taking knowledge  by observing the people. 

● Darker side of India  ( Poverty ) :

In the film shows Dharavi the  largest slum area of Asia which located in India. Both the works based on the life of poor people's suffering and struggle.  Both the protagonist came  from poverty. Both works criticised poverty as  the darker side of India. Poverty forced them to do wrong things to get rich. 

3) List of the questions asked in the film 'Slumdog Millionaire'

1. Who was the star in the 1973 hit film "Zanzeer"

   a) Shah Rukh Khan

   b) Salman Khan

   c) Amitabh Bachhan

   d) Ranbir Kapoor

Answer: (c)

2. A picture of three lions is seen in the national emblem of India. What is written underneath it?

    a) The Truth alone triumphs

    b) Lies alone triumphs

    c) Fashion alone triumphs

    d) Money alone triumphs

Answer: (a)

3. In depiction of God Rama, he is famously holding what in his right hand?

    a) A bow and arrow

    b) A sword

    c) A child

    d) A flower

Answer: (a)

4. The song " Darshan Do Ghanshyam" was written by which famous Indian poet?

    a) Surdas

    b) Tulsidas

    c) Mira bai

    d) Kabir

Answer: (a)

5. On the American One Hundred Dollar Bill, there is portrait of which American Statesman?

    a) George Washington

    b) Franklin Roosevelt

    c) Benjamin Franklin

    d) Abraham Lincoln

Answer: (c)

6. Who invented the revolver?

    a) Samuel Colt

    b) Bruce Browning

    c) Dan Wesson

    d) James Revolver

Answer: (a)

7. Cambridge Circus is in which UK City?

    a) Oxford

    b) Leeds

    c) Cambridge

    d) London

Answer: (d)

8. Which cricketer has scored the most first class centuries in history?

    a) Sachin Tendulkar

    b) Ricky Ponting

    c) Michael Slater

    d) Jack Hobbs

Answer: (d)

9. In Alexander Dumas' book, "The Three Musketeers", two of the musketeers are called Athos and Porthos. What was the name of the third Musketeer?

    a) Aramis

    b) Cardinal Richetieu

    c) D' Artagnan

    d) Planchet

Answer: (a)

All these questions and their answers are connected with the life of Jamal. It shows that how minutely he observed the things and remember it. This all the questions leads him into his past incidents. All the questions are aptly connected with Jamal ' s life. I don't want to add any other question in this.

4) Deconstruction of film from post colonial perspective.

The Slumdog millionaire can be seen  from post colonial perspective. This film was directed by English director Danny Boyle. In the film  white people portrayed as good and gentle fellow. In India many foreigners came to visit the famous places of India. In the scene of  the film when the foreign people came to visit Taj Mahal. At that time Salim charged  more money from them , some thief stolen the car parts of foreigners and sold it. At that time Jamal was suspeced to responsible for this crime. He was  beaten by one Indian and  foreigners shows mercy upon him and gave him some money. So by this director portrayed white people as good , civilised  sofisticated and humble people. While on the other hand Indian portrayed as Poor , dirty, uncivilised, corrupt, uneducated people. The term it self based on the power dynamics. It shows the superiority of white on the Indian people.

5) Compare with Texture and Treatment of subject content in film and novel.

The novel and the Film based on darker side of India. The texture of the film and novel little differs from each other. In the novel the protegonist himself currupt  person. He himslef consider as the example of darker side of india while in the film Jamal was very good person he never do any wrong thing in his life.It shows the all the negative side of India and Indian people. In the novel minutely observed and describe the each and every dark part of India. In the novel poetic justice not happened by punishing the Balram. He  killed his master and do many wrong things yet  not caught by police. While in the film poetic justice happened when salim committed suicide at the end and Jamal became popular and rich. Both the work differs from each other on the Bases of  treatment  given to wrong people.

6) How far do you agree with the India  represented in the novel The White Tiger?

   In the novel Aravind  Adiga represent darker side of India. In the novel Curruption can be found . In the novel talking about Currupt nature of entrepreneur's drivers. How they can earn little extra cash by sell the patrol ,  repair the car from Currupt mechanics , sell the whisky bottles , turn master's car into a freelance taxi.  Also thieves  selling the car parts of foreigners. The novel represent Indian  education system. In the novel shows darker and Currupt side of education system : school teachers are stolen lunch  money, Teachers do nothing in the class, Sales uniform of students , No basic facilities in schools : no chair , no duster , no uniform. It shows the darker side of India which is full of thugs and idiots. In novel shows the Darker side of India  ( Poverty ).In the novel shows  on the life of poor people's suffering and struggle. Balram protagonist came  from poverty. The novel criticised poverty as  the darker side of India. Poverty forced him to do wrong things to get rich. In the novel shows the darker side of religion by representation of Hanuman as slave of Ram and Ganga as dark river of India.

7) Do you believe that Balram's story is the archetype of all stories of 'rags to riches'?

 Yes I believe that Balram's story is the archetype of  all stories of rags to riches.  It is realistic novel. The character like Balaram can be found in real world who do many wrong things yet not caught by police. The novel ends with  poetic justice by punishing Balram. In real world poetic justice not happened everytime. The novel shows the reality of life.