Prose : Two Gentlemen of Verona

Author : A. J. Cronin
Theme : Love is the driving force behind every selfless action

introduction:

Archibald Joseph Cronin, in his story ‘Two gentlemen of Verona’ depicts

love, devotion, sacrifice, sincerity and maturity of the two little boys.

Two gentlemen of Verona:

Indeed, Nicola and Jacopo were the two gentlemen of Verona. Nicola was
a matured responsible boy of 13. Jacopo was a lively boy of 12. Both of
them were childish enough and in many ways quite artless. Nicola was
steady and engaging. Both the boys wore seriousness in their faces
farbeyond their age.

The boys’ starvation:

Their father had been killed in the war. Shortly afterward, a bomb
destroyed their house. After the siblings were rendered homeless, they
suffered from starvation. They were exposed to the cold winter.

Lucia’s suffering:

After the war, Germans ruled the city for three years. They hated the
Germans. They discovered that their beloved sister Lucia was suffering
from tuberculosis of the spine. They admitted her in the hospital at Poleta
nearly 30 km from Verona.

Narrator’s kindness:

The narrator was kind and a helpful person. He was fascinated by the boys.
He bought fruits in order to help them. He dropped them at the hospital
where their sister had been admitted. Being a gentleman, he did not want
to disturb their family party. Their devotion touched him deeply.

Boys’ Positive Attitude:

Indeed, the war had not broken their spirit. Their selfless action brought a
new nobility to human life. Their positive attitude gave promise of a
greater hope for human society.

Conclusion:

The boys suffered a lot. But they never grumbled. They never gave up.
War did not break their spirit. They were determined to work hard and
earned for their living. Their selfless action brought a nobility to human
life. Undoubtedly, they were really the two gentlemen of Verona.
 Title : the castle
Author : ediwi muir
Theme : The castle’s defeat by gold

Introduction:

In his poem ‘The Castle’ Edwin Muir reveals the truth that an army is
only strong, if its men cannot be bribed.

Safety of the castle:

The soldiers had been in the castle all through the summer. They were
totally stress-free and relaxed. They had plenty of arms and food to protect
the castle. They were confident of their castle’s physical strength. The
castle’s gate was very strong and walls were very thick. Their captain was
brave and the soldiers were loyal.

Captured the castle:

The enemies were half-a-mile away from the castle. But no one could
enter the castle. There was a wicket gate, guarded by a wicked guard. He
let the enemies inside the citadel for gold through the secret gallery and
intricate path. So the strong castle became weak and thin. Thus, the citadel
was captured by the enemies because of the greedy disloyal warder.

Real enemy:

The narrator felt that the gold got as bribe by the warder was their real
enemy. Without fight, the castle was captured. So, he decided not to
disclose this shameful story to anyone.

Conclusion:

We can fight with the human enemy face to face. But we never defeat the
disloyal. So, the narrator regretted for not finding any weapon to fight
with the enemy called ‘Gold’.
Title :God Sees the Truth but Waits
Author :Leo Tolstoy
Theme :The truth in Aksionov’s life

Introduction:

The story “God Sees the Truth, But Waits” was written by Leo Tolstoy.
The story reveals that we must forgive the wrong doer instead of
revenging him.

Aksionov’s trip to Nizhny fair:

Dmitrich Aksionov was a young merchant and lived with his family in
Vladimir. He decided to make a trip to Nizhny fair. His wife had a bad
dream about him. She dreamt that Aksionov had returned from the town
with grey hair which is a symbol of bad omen. So, she feared and tried to
stop him from going to the Nizhny fair. But he went to the fair neglecting
his wife’s words.

Imprisonment of Aksionov:

On his way, he met a merchant. But the merchant was killed. Aksionov
was imprisoned, as he was suspected for killing the merchant. He was
sentenced for 26 years, even though he did not commit any crime. He was
sent to work in the mines of Siberia. He grew old there. He gave up all his
hope.

Life of Aksionov in prison:

He learnt to make boots and earned a little money with which he bought
the book, “The lives of the saint”. On Sundays, in the prison-church he
sang on the choir. His fellow – prisoners respected and called him
“Grandfather” and “The Saint”. All the prison authorities liked him for his
meekness.

Real murderer:

One day Aksionov met Makar Semeyonich. He found out the truth that
Makar was the real killer. But he saved Makar from the officials when he
tried to escape. Makar confessed his crime, he forgave him. when the
order of his release came, Aksionov was already dead.

Conclusion:

Thus, the title reflects in this story that every decision of God needs
enough time. We should wait for the truth to win. Faith in God gives us
the answer to all our problems as the title says ‘God, sees the truth but
waits.’

Title :a nice cup of tree

Author : George Orwell
Theme : eleven golden rules to make a tea

Introduction: The essay 'a nice cup of tea' reveals the factual points, the
author George Orwell's personal opinions and his sense of humour on the
prepararion of tea.

Nice cup of tea: George Orwell funnily says that the best manner of
making tea is the subject of violent disputes. He suggests eleven points to
prepare a nice cup of tea. First of all, he suggests that one should use
Indian or Ceylonese tea. According to him, 'a nice cup of tea' means
Indian tea. He humourously comments that one does not feel wiser, braver
or more optimistic after drinking the Chinese tea.

Tea pot: Secondly, tea should be made in small quantities in a teapot. He

recommends that the tea pot should be made of China or carthenware.
Thirdly, the pot should be warmed beforehand.

Tea powder: Fourthly, the tea should be strong. For this he suggests six
heaped teaspoons of tea powder. Fifthly, the tea powder should be put
straight into the teapot to infuse properly. He wittingly uses' the term
"imprison the tea",which means the tea powder should not be separated
with strainers, muslin bags or other devices .

Making of tea: Sixthly, one should add water with tea powder, while it
boils in the kettle. Seventhly, after making the tea, one should stir it.
Eighthly, one should use a good breakfast cup which holds more tea.

Adding mik : Ninthly, one should pour the cream off the milk before
using it for tea. Tenthly. While adding milk with tea, he supports that one
should pour tea into the cup first and then add milk in it. He funnily
introduces that the two schools of thought on this subject which are milk-
first school and tea-first sehool. Lastly, the author suggests to drink tea
without sugar.

Conclusion:

Thus the author recommends that tea should be stronger and tasty. While
drinking tea, itshould be harmless. We never ruin the taste of tea by
adding sugar

Title : The Casuarina tree

Author :Toru Dutt
Theme : memories and love of poetess to the tree

introduction :

Toru Dutt was a Bengali poet. In this poem the nostalgic memories of her
childhood dan are shared by her picturesquely.

Appearance of the tree:

The Casuarina tree is tall and strong. A creeper is winding around it like a
python. The tree stands like a giant with a colorful scarf of creeper's
flowers.

Nature and the free:

Birds surround the garden during day time. The sweet song of the birds is
heard at night. The Boet is delighted to see the casuarina tree through her
casement. The poet spends her winter 8 watching the baboon sitting on top
of the tree. Its offspring leaps and plays among the boughs of the tree. The
cows are grazing and the water lilies are springing in the pond like snow.

Reminiscences of the poet:

The Casuarina tree is dear to poet's heart not only for its impressive
appearance but also for bringing the nostalgic memories of her happy
childhood. The poet could communicate with the tree even when she was
in a far-off land. She could hear the tree laments over her absence.

Immortalize the tree:

She consecrates the tree's memory to her loved ones, who are not alive.
She loves them Cabove all. For their sake, she immortalizes the tree
through this poem like the poet Wordsworth who sanctified the yew tree
of Borrowdale valley in his pocm.

Conclusion :

Finally, She expresses her wish that the tree should be remembered out of
love and not

Title :God Sees the Truth, But Waits

Author :Leo Tolstoy
Theme :the truth in aksionov life
Introduction

The story "God Sees the Truth, But Waits" was written by Leo Tolstoy.
The story reveals thatwe must do a good thing to the wrong doer, instead
of revenging.

Life of Aksionov:

Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov was a young merchant and lived with his family
in Vladimir. He was the best singer. He had the virtuous qualities such as
faith, forgiveness, freedom and acceptance.

Wife's dream:

His wife had a bad dream about him. She dreamt that Aksionov had
returned from the townwith grey hair. Grey hair is a symbol of bad omen.
So she feared and tried to stop him from goingto the Nizhny fair.

Imprisonment of Aksionov:

But Aksionov went to the fair. On his way, he met a merchant. But the
merchant was killed. Aksionov was imprisoned. Since he was suspected
for killing the merchant. He was sentenced for 26 years, even though he
did not commit any crime. He was sent to work in the mines of Siberia.He
grew old there.

Life of Aksionov in prison: He gave up all his hope. He learnt to make

boots and earned a little money with which he bought the book, "The lives
of the saint". He used to read this book. On Sundays, in the prison- church
he read the lessons and sang on the choir. His fellow - prisoners respected
and called him "Grandfather" and "The Saint". All the prison authorities
liked him for his meekness.

Real murderer:

One day Aksionov met Makar Semeiotic. He found out the truth that
Makar was the real killer. But he saved Makar from the officials when he
tried to escape. Makar confessed his crime, he forgave him.

Conclusion:

Thus the title reflects in this story that every decision of God needs
enough time. We should wait for the truth to win. Faith in God gives us
the answer to all our problems as the title says 'God, sees the truth but
waits.'

Title ; in celebration of beimg alive

Author : Dr. Christiaan Banard
Theme : life is a business

Introduction :
Dr. Christiaan Banard gives an account of being alive to be a boon in the
human life. Henarrates an experience which has changed his perspective
of life

After the accident:

Few years ago, Dr. Barnard and his wife met with an accident while
crossing the street. A car had hit them and knocked him into his wife. Dr.
Barnard experienced not only agony and fear but also anger. He asked
himself why should this happen to them.

At the Children's Hospital:

Once Dr.Christiaan Barnard visited Cape Town's Cross Children's

Hospital. There he came across a "Girand Prix' of two boys driving a food
trolley happily in the hospital. A nurse had left a trolley unattended. This
trolley was commandeered by the two boys, an intrepid driver and a
mechanic. The mechanic provided motor power behind the trolley with his
head down. The driver seated and steered with one hand. He was scraping
his foot on the floor. The mechanic was totally blind, and the driver had
only one arm. The rest of the patients encouraged them by laughter and
shouts.

The lesson the author learnt:

From this incident, Dr.Barnard realised that the joy of living is most
important in theworld. The children showed him what we have lost is not
important but what we have left is important. This is the lesson he had
learnt from the two boys.

Conclusion:

Thus the boys had given a profound lesson in getting on with the business
of living.

Title : all the worle’s astage

Author : willam shakespear
Theme : the cycle of life

Introducation:
William Shakespcare is one of the most important literary figures of the
English language. He compares the world to be a stage and life to a play
and catalogues the seven stages of a man's life

Role of a man:

According to Shakespeare, the world is a stage and everyone is a player.

He says thatevery man has seyen stages during his life time.

Seven Stages:

· The first stage of a man is childhood. He plays in the arms of his mother.
He often vomits and cries in this stage. '

· In his second stage, he is a school going student. He slings his bag over
his shoulder and creeps to school unwillingly.

· He becomes a lover in his third stage. He is very busy composing ballads

for his beloved and yearns for her attention.

· In the fourth stage, he is aggressive and ambitious. He is willing to die in

a battle to eam'the bubble reputation'. He is ready to guard his country and
becomes a soldier.

· In his fifth stage, he becomes a fair judge with maturity and wisdom. He
has a pot belly.He is firm and serious.

· In the sixth stage, he is seen with loose pantaloons and spectacles. He is

a thin old man. His manly voice changes into a childish treble.

· The last stage of all is his second childhood. Slowly, he loses'his

facultics of sight,hearing, smell and taste and exits from the roles of his
life.

Conclusion:

Thus Shakespeare pictures the seven stages of a man's life in the poem
'All the World's a Stage'.

Title : The hour of truth

Author: Percival wilde

Theme :honesty and uprightness

Introduction: Percival Wilde, in his one act play 'The Hour of Truth',
shows how casily people forget their moral values, and principles, being
loved by greed.

Life of Baldwin: Robert Baldwin was the protagonist of this play. He led
a simple life with his wife Martha and his son John and daughter Evie. He
was working as the secretary of The National Bank. He is an honest,
diligent and hardworking employee.

Friendship with Gresham: Mr. Gresham was the President of The

National Bank. He was a corrupted person. His attitude towards money
was really selfish. John Gresham and Baldwin had been thick friends for
over 30 years. Baldwin had even named his son after Gresham.

Bank crash: Gresham had been arrested for misappropriation of money at

the bank and Baldwin was to testify against him. Gresham had offered
Baldwin a hundred thousand dollars, if he would utter the words "I don't
remember" in the court, during the trail.

Family members' greed: The family members who were initially against
Gresham, tried to justify Gresham's act and enticed Baldwin into
accepting the money. Baldwin felt disgusted with himself and the attitude
of his family members.

Baldwin's Honesty : Though Baldwin was a good friend to Gresham, he

had rejected Gresham's offer. He was not ready to make any kind of
compromise with his morality.

Reward to Baldwin's Honesty: Mr. Marshall, President of the Third

National Bank, visited him and informed him that Gresharn had confessed
his crime. It made free him from betraying his trusted friend and testifying
painfully against him. Mr. Marshall also offered him a job in his Bank, to
reward him for his honesty and integrity.

Conclusion : Thus 'The Hour of Truth' had dawned relieving Baldwin of

the heavy burden and guilt.

Title :The summit

Author: Edmund Hillar

Theme :childrens attitude towards margot in the planrt venus

Introduction :Edmund Hillary has written his own experiences while

climbing Mount Everest and his sense of fulfillment after climbing.
Indeed climbing was exciting and adventurous. Hillary and Tenzing
completed the task with a lot of determination.

Preparation: Hillary and Tenzing woke up early. They heated and drank
large quantities of lemon juice. They ate the last tin of sardines on biscuits.
They removed the ice off their oxygen sets, and rechecked and tested them.
Hillary heated his wet shoes over the flame of the Primus [stove] and
softened the shoes. Over their down clothing, they wore their windproof.
They wore three pairs of gloves - silk, woolen and windproof.

Journey from the South Col : Hillary and Tenzing reached the crest
where a snow bump was formed at about 28,000 feet. From here the ridge
narrowed to a knife-edge. First Hillary took the lead. The soft snow was
difficult and dangerous. Because it was slippery. It could not bear the
weight of Hillary and gave way suddenly. On their way Hillary found two
oxygen bottles in a tiny hollow. They had been left there on earlier
attempt by Evans and Bourdillon.

Disappointment Vs Determination : The ridge was difficult to climb.

There were giant cornices on the right and deep rocks of snow on the left.
They had to cut around many humps one after another. Time was passing
and the ridg seemed never-ending. So Hillary and Tenzing lost hope and
their original zest was fading away Indeed the journey was difiicult and
hard till they reached the Summit.

Sense of Fulfillment :

When Hillary and Tenzing reached the top of the Summit, their first
feeling was a sense of relief-because they had no more steps to cut, no
more ridges to climb and no more humps of snow to tantalize them. They
had nothing but a feeling of great success. They shook hands. They
hugged and thumped each other on their back. They were almost
breathless.

Conclusion

Hillary and Tenzing accomplished their task of climbing Mount Everest.

In other words they proved that there is nothing but hard work and
persistence leads to success. Hillary said the ridge had taken them two and
half hours, but it seemed like lifetime. But success was just a few steps
ahead of them

Title: Ulysses Author : Alfred Tennyson Theme : thirst for adventure.

Introduction:

Ulysses is a great hero. He does not want to end his life as an idle king,
making laws and punishing his rugged people.

Ulysses' thirst for travel:

Ulysses is filled with an unquenchable thirst for travel. He wishes to live

his life to the fulles. He has travelled far and wide gaining knowledge of
various places, cultures, men and matters. He declares that it is boring to
stay in one place. In his opinion, to rest is to rust. He wants to shine in use
rather than being rusted. Life is not merely breathing. Though old but
zestful, he looks at every hou as a bringer of new things. He yearns to
follow knowledge, even if it is unattainable. Hence he always seeks new
adventurcs.

Ulysses' son:

Ulysses describes his son, Telemachus, is more suitable for governing

Ithaca. So he desires to hand over his sceptre and kingdom to his son
Telemachus. He wants his son to fulfil his duties towards his subjects with
care and Prudence.

Ulysses' call to his companions:

Ulysses summons his sailors to gather at the port, where the ship is ready
to sail. He praises his companions that they have faced both thunder and
sunshine with a smile. Though death would end everything, Ulysses urges
his companions to join him and sail beyond the sunset. He inspires them
by saying that they may have grown old and weak physically but their
spirit is young and undaunted.

Conclusion:

Thus Ulysses' desire, responsibility and his attitude is clearly dealt in this
poem.

Title : the mindnight visitor

Author : Alfred Tennyson
Theme : presence of mind

Introduction

This story is about a secret agent who overcomes a deadly spy by his
cunning tactic.

Detective Ausable:

Ausable was a secret agent and an intelligent detective. But his

appearance and his American accent did not show him a typical detective.
Fowler was a young writer who wanted to meet Ausable to solve his
personal problem. The spy's entry When both of them entered the room,
they saw Max, a spy holding a gun. Ausable understood that Max had
come there for the important report. He wanted to outwit Max.

Description about the Balcony:

His presence of mind made him tell a lie that there was a balcony below
the window of his room. Ausable asked Max whether he had come
through the balcony. But there was no balcony at all. Max replied him that
he had entered the room using a pass key. Max did not know anything
about the balcony.

Demand of the spy:

He asked Ausable to hand him over the secret papers concemning some
new missiles. Ausable passed the time by saying that he would recive
those papers at twelve thirty.

Worst escape:

After sometime, the waiter knocked the door, bringing drinks. But
Ausable said that it was the policemen. Max was getting ready to jump on
the balcony. On the second knocking, Max jumped through the windows
in order to escape thinking that there was the balcony.

Conclusion:

Since there was no balcony, he fell down to the ground screamingly. Thus
Ausable outwitted Max by his intelligence and presence of mind.

The criminal is the creative artist; the detective only the critic.
Title : a father to his son
Author : carl august sandburg
Theme : a father advice to his son

Introduction :

This poem'A Father to his Son' is a father's advise to his son who is at the
threshold of his manhood. Through this poem the father motivates his son
how to get worldly wisdom.

Father's Motivation:

The father motivates his son to be like a hard rock and withstand life's
challenges and sudden betrayals. Life is like a fertile soil. We can make
our life fruitful if we are gentle, and take life as it comes, At times,
gentleness overtakes harshness. The growth of a tender flower can split a
rock. One should have a deep desire and strong will to achieve.

Father's advise:

The father tells his son that good man also have fallen prey in quest for
easy money. When we seek knowledge never feel ashamed to be called a
fool for not knowing. At the same time we should learn from our mistakes
and never repeat them. He tells him to avoid white lies to protect himself
against other people. Instead of being one among many, he wants him to
be different.

Father's belief:

He believes his son may need lazy days to find his inherent abilities, to
seek what he is born for. He will then know how free imaginations bring
changes to the world, which resents change. During such resentment, let
him know that it is time for him to be on his own, and work_to achieve
like Shakespeare, the Wright brothers, Pasteur, Pavlov and Michael
Faraday.

Conclusion:

The poet thinks it is possible for his son to bring changes into a world that
resents change.

Every father should remember that one day his son will follow his
example instead of his advice.
Title : all summer in a day
Author : ray Bradbury
Theme : silence is the best response to a fool

Introduction :

"All summer in a day" is a science fiction story about the life on the planet
Venus. The story centers around a group of school children who are living
on the Venus.

Life on the planet Venus:

In the planet Venus, the sun only comes out for one day every seven years.
It has been raining there for many years. The children had seen the sun
seven years ago, when they were two years old. All are eager to see the
sun, as the scientists predict that the sun will shine for a short while on
that particular day.

Margot in the Venus:

Margot is a nine years old student in the planet Venus. Unlike the other
children, she has arrived from the earth recently. She remembers many
things about the sun. Margot desperately misses the Sun. She wants to go
back to Earth. So she does not get along with the other Children.

Conflict with the children:

The chikiren bully Margot, as they are envious of her knowledge and
memory of the sun. They are angered by ber descriptions of the sun. They
push Margot into a closet and lock her inside.

Arrival of the Sun:

When the sun comes out, the children are ecstatic. They squint at the sun.
They remove their jackets to fecl the rays upon their arms. They run
among the trees, they slip and fall, they push each other, and they play
hide-and-seck and tag.

Conclusion:

When the sun vanishes and the rain starts, they thought of Margot. They
feel that they have done something wrong to Margot. They release her at
last.

SOMETIMES SILENCE IS THE BEST WAY TO LET SOMEONE

KNOW THEIR MISTAKE
Title : on the rule of the road
Author : a.g.gardiner
Theme : liberty dose not exist in the absent moratlity

Introduction:

In the essay 'On the rule of the road' by A.G.Gardiner, the rule of being
civilized is discussed.

Author's illustrations:

The author illustrates the following incidents to insist that public liberty is
more important than personal liberty. An old lady walked down the
middle of the road. There was a great confusion of the traffic. She argued
that it was her liberty. Thus the end of her liberty would be universal
chaos. The police officer's role, who controls the traffic, imposes
constraints on personal freedom. But it ensures public freedom.

Rule of the road:

According to the author, the rule of the road means that the liberties of
everyone may maintained and the liberties of everybody must be reduced.
Individual liberty should be curtails because it may affect public liberty.
When a reasonable person's actions affect other persons' libers he would
have submitted to a curtailment of private liberty in order that he might
enjoy the soc order. The author says liberty is not a personal affair. It is a
social commitment. It should not toedthe others' liberty.

Author's Liberty:

The author said that he might like to practise on the trombone from
midnight till three in the morning. If he does it on to the top of the Everest,
he could please himself. But if he does it out in the streets, the neighbours
would fight with him. So his liberty must not interfere with their liberty to
sleep in quiet. So it is clear that one's right should not interfere with
another's right.

Conclusion:

A reasonable consideration for the rights of feelings of others is the

foundation of social conduct. It is the little habits of commonplace
intercourse that make up the great sum of life. It sweetens our life's
journey.

LIBERTY MEANS RESPONSIBILTY

Title ; incident of the French camp
Author : Robert browning
Theme : Patriotism shown by a young soldier

Introduction:

Robert Browning narrates an incident at the French Camp in the war of

1809 betwe France and Austria. He describes the brave action of a valiant
young soldier.

Anxious Napoleon:

During the attack of the French army on Ratisbon, Napoleon was

anxiously waiting fr the result. He was standing on a mound with his neck
out thrust, legs wide, arms locked behint and with his balanced prone eye
brows.

Arrival of the soldier:

A young soldier appeared from the closed smoke and dust. He came
galloping on a hors: to Napoleon. He was severely wounded. He was in a
hurry to convey the news of victory to the emperor before his death. But
he showed no sign of pain and smiling in joy. He jumped off the horse and
informed the happy news.

News of Victory:

He announced that the French army had conquered Ratisbon and also he
himself had planted the French flag in the market place of Ratisbon.

Heroical death:

On hearing the news of victory, a sparkle of joy and satisfication came to

Napoleon's eyes. His plans soared up like fire. Napoleon's eyes became
soft as a mother eagle's eyes, when be noticed the wounds of the soldier.
He asked the soldier if he was wounded. He replied prouds that he was
killed and he fell down dead heroically.

Conclusion:

Thus the young soldier fought for his country and showed his patriotism.

Ask not what your country can do for you; Ask what you can do for
your country
Title : remember Caesar
Author : Gordon daviot
Theme : The important thing to remember is not to forget

Introduction:

The play "Remember Cacsar" is a comedy about an absent minded and

forgetful judge, Leed Weston.

A note of 'Remember Caesar':

Lord Weston discovered a piece of paper with the words 'Remember

caesar' in his pocket. He feared that the message was a warning conveyed
by his enemies. As the message was sent on the 15th of March the day
Julius Caesar was assassinated, he was convinced that someone was
plotting his murder.

Chaos in the house:

Sensing the definite attack, Lord Weston ordered his secretary to shut all
the doors and windows. He was panic-stricken. But his wife remained
unperturbed by the threat. She was famous. He ordered Roger to send the
cook and the gardener away. Both Weston and Roger took elaborate
precautionary measures to thwart the assassination attempt.

Remember Caesar - an irony:

Mr.Cacsar was actually a gardener who had an appointment to visit

Weston's garden. The speaker actually forgot the note "Remember
Caesar", what he wrote at the time of his busy morning.

Conclusion:

Though the note was a reminder, his absent mindedness and forgetfulness
was the irony in the message Remember Caesar.

FORGETFULNESS IS A FORM OF FREEDOM, BUT NOT TO

OTHERS.