Show how “A Tale of Two Cities” is a Tale of London and Paris.

The novel A Tale of Two Cities unfolds the incidents revolving around the two cities London and Paris - against the background of the French Revolution. Hence Dickens has given excellent descriptions of the two cities and of the countries of which they are the capitals.

Discuss the Plot Construction of "A Tale of Two Cities".

A Tale of Two Cities is the best example of the fact that Dickens is one of the most successful story writers. Like other novels, A Tale of Two Cities also contains a realistic approach. What is most important about the story is that the readers eagerly wait for the next incident. The novel contains a well-constructed plot which does not suffer from any undue interruption or digressions.

Discuss Dickens's Art of Characterization in the Novel “A Tale of Two Cities”.

Charles Dickens, one of the greatest creators of characters in English fiction, is expert at the presentation of a large diversity of characters in his novels. Indeed, he aims at the portrayal of the infinite range and variety of mankind. He does not bother himself in analysing the individual. His genius was for the extensive, not the intensive vision. Despite this fact, this novel is remarkble because of individualized characters.

Comment on Dickens's Use of Humour in “Great Expectations”.

Although Dickens is not a comic novelist, he is very apt in using humour. His novel Great Expectations is full of many humorous scenes. Dickens produces humour by describing some amusing scenes or characters which provoke laughter. Dickens's use of humour lightens the readers' mind of the dark side of the novel, making it more appealing to them.

Justify the Significance of the Title “Great Expectations”.

 Significance of the Title “Great Expectations”:

Charles Dickens's Great Expectations basically deals with the great expectations of money and gentility as defined by the Victorian society. Due to the Industrial revolution, English society changed radically. There were people who wanted to be gentleman by virtue of money only. However, Dickens shows that money alone cannot be the touchstone of gentility. Dickens shows how the expectations of the characters in the novel are crushed, as they are devoid of generosity and moral sense.

Discuss Dickens's Art of Characterisation in “Great Expectations”.

Characterisation is one of the interesting areas in Dickens's novels and this is also true for Great Expectations. Dickens here presents a vast gallery of characters with different propensities and desires. The success of Dickens lies in his ability to attach social and moral significance in the activities of each of these characters.

Dickens's “Great Expectations” is a Study of Moral and Psychological Development. Discuss.

Charles Dickens's Great Expectations deals with the story of an orphan's pursuit of money and gentility. At the same time, it upholds the moral and psychological development of Pip. Victorian concept of gentility comprised high social status, wealth, education and manners. But Dickens defines it in terms of moral qualities. Great Expectations teaches us to distinguish between social prestige and moral worth. Pip rises socially but declines morally, as he passes no sympathy to Joe and Biddy. Finally, Pip becomes a gentleman in true moral sense.

Bring Out the Sensational and Grotesque Elements in “Great Expectations”.

Great Expectations is a famous novel by Charles Dickens. This novel is full of sensational and grotesque elements. In the very opening chapter we find a very sensational incident in which fearful stranger seizes Pip by the chin as if he would cut his throat. He then takes Pip by both arms and tilting him back, asks him to get him some food and a file early next morning, failing which he will take out the boy's heart and liver.

Critically Analyse the Character of Miss Havisham.

Miss Havisham is a wonderful creation of Dickens in his novel Great Expectations. In her youth she was courted by Compeyson who ultimately deserted her extracting a lot of money from her. In all this trickery and deceit, her half-brother, Arthur, had played a leading part. Since that evil incident, Miss Havisham had remained confined to her own room and was leading a life of seclusion.

Comment on the Moral Development of Pip in “Great Expectations”.

Great Expectations is an account of Pip's moral education. The novel shows his progress from a vulnerable child to snobbish gentleman. Yet Pip is largely the victim of his circumstances. He retains his basic goodness amidst all odds.

What Picture of Victorian Society do You Get in “Great Expectations”.

In Great Expectations Dickens depicts a picture of Victorian society. He wrote with the purpose of stressing the social evils of his time. His novels expose many of the evils and abuses that were rampant in Victorian society. His view of Victorian society as embodied in this novel must have been highly unflattering to his contemporaries. We see here a society riddled by cruelty, greed and injustice.

How Does Dickens Portray the Obsession of the Victorian Society with Money in "Great Expectations".

Great Expectations deals with a number of themes. But the central theme of this book may be regarded as the greed for money and class-consciousness and the corrupting influence which they produce upon human beings in a materialistic society people are servile towards wealth, position and rank.

Shaw's Ann is both a Type and Individual in "Man and Superman".

The creation of Ann Whitefield is a one of the landmark achievements of the dramatist George Bernard Shaw. Through the character of Ann, Shaw represents his own thought and role of woman. The entire action of Man and Superman revolves round Ann. Ann is both type and individual. Ann represents every woman but every woman is not Ann. In Man and Superman, Shaw puts forth his idea of Life Force. In that sense, Ann is the agent of Life Force. This idea tends the reader to think Ann both as an individual being and as a typical woman with some vital genius.

How far is Shaw's Theory of Creative Evolution Different from Darwin's theory of Evolution?

At the age of Shaw, people were greatly influenced by the thought and theory of Darwin. In his "The Origin of the Species" Darwin expressed his view about Creative Evolution of mankind and this thought was prevailed in the mind of man without any debate But Shaw, a great rationalist thought a new and gave a different outlook about creative Evolution of mankind and this thought was prevailed in the mind of man without any debate. Shaw's idea about Creative Evolution is present in one of his greatest plays, Man and Superman.

Shaw's Plays are Essentially Plays of Ideas. Discuss

Man and Superman is a great drama of ideas. The most important element of this type of drama is its discussion about social problems. In this type of drama there is conflict of ideas and the conflict of speech instead of conflict of wills as in romantic drama. Ideas are more important than feelings. Shaw's interest is in his representing ideas not in human passions and this is so much in the ease that his language is barren of emotive suggestion. In this play Shaw represents his ideas about sex attraction, marriage, anti-romanticism, social and political conflict, and about the need of superman and life force.

Describe "Man and Superman" as a Don Juan Play.

Man and Superman, the most significant philosophical play of G.B. Shaw is a Don Juan play where he takes up the suggestions of a traditional Don Juan story and makes it to his own ends. Shaw in his drama is seen more attracted to the philosophical implications of the Don Juan story and he portrays Don Juan as the messenger of his philosophical outlooks.

Narrate the Significance of Hell Scene of "Man and Superman"

Significance of Hell Scene of "Man and Superman":

The Hell Scene is the most significant part of the drama where Shaw has expressed his philosophical outlook with utmost sincerity. The Hell Scene of the play is actually a fantasy. It might mean a parody or an adaptation. But in the play, it is more a parody than an adaptation. We get a combination of the real and the fantastic in it. The third act- the Hell Scene is abundant with mostly by the conversation of Don Juan and the Devil. By making the conversation sparkling with wit and humour, the author has made it vitally attractive. The ideas expressed in this scene are very important. All the discussions are of profound nature, but they have been carried out with perfect clarity of language.

Comment on Shaw's Use of Wit and Humour in "Man and Superman".

Shaw holds a reputed position among the English dramatists for his extra-ordinary wit and humours. His wit and humours are not merely to amuse the audience; rather they are the reflection of some ideas Shaw wants to convey.

Discuss Octavius in "Man and Superman" is an Embodiment of Shaw's Concept of Anti-Hero.

"Man and Superman" is a play of ideas in which Shaw expresses his ideas and different outlooks. He talks about a hero, a manly figure, who is very useful for the generation to come. In this respect Octavius is a foil to the hero, as he possesses all that is opposite to Shaw's idea of a true hero. In other words, Octavius is an antihero in Shaw's play "Man and Superman". Though he is very attractive and amiable, the idea he holds makes him an unsuccessful man.

Why is Shaw's ''Arms and the Man'' Called a Drama of Ideas?

In a drama of ideas the dramatic characters give expression to the thoughts and feeling of the author. The soul of the drama is conflict. In a drama of ideas there is the conflict of ideas which is made clear to us through dialogues and discussions. In such a drama there is practically no action. The characters preach to the audience the idea of the dramatist.

There are Two Themes in "Arms and the Man"- "War and Love"- How does Shaw Treat Theme of War in the Play?

In "Arms and the Man", Shaw's purpose is to demolish romantic idealism about war and love. The play attacks the romance of war as well as the romance of love.

Give Your Impression of the Character of Sergius in “Arms and the Man”.

Sergius is romantic and sentimental in his attitude to life. By his pose and romantic attitude he produces an impression wherever he goes. Like the romantic poet Byron, the Byronic hero Sergius is selfconscious, full of absurdly romantic ideas, self-critical and moody.

Give an Estimate of the Character of Nicola in “Arms and the Man”.

Nicola is a servant of the Major Petkoffs. Through him Shaw satirizes the bad system of master and servant. Nicola serves as a contrast to Louka, the maid-servant of the Petkoffs house. Nicola has the soul of a servant. But Louka has a natural dignity and a lofty sense of equality with her employers. Shaw has described Nicola as "a middle aged man of cool temperament and low but clear and keen intelligence". Nicola is loyal, obedient and faithful. He has not the revolutionary zeal of Louka. He is a man of practical wisdom. He is never, like Louka, defiant to his master and mistress. He is always humble in his dealings with them. As a servant he is very capable and successful. Bluntschli rightly remarks: "Nicola is the ablest man I've met in Bulgaria."

Write a Note on the Character of Major Petkoff in ''Arms and the Man''.

Major Petkoff is the father of Raina. The war with the Serbs has made him an important figure in his place. He is a hero satirized by Shaw as an aristocrat who has won a high military glory without having any extraordinary qualities as a fighter.

Sketch the Character of Raina in ''Arms and the Man''.

Raina in the heroine of the play "Arms and the man". She is a beautiful young lady of romantic temperament. She is polite and gentle in her manners. She is witty, lively and cheerful in her conversation. Shaw illustrates in her his main theme of the play - the conflict between Romance and Reality and the ultimate victory of Reality over Romance.

Give your Impression of the Character of Louka in ''Arms and the Man''.

Louka is the daughter of a poor Bulgarian farmer. She is beautiful. She is proud and defiant. She is uneducated. She has no culture. She has no romantic illusion like Raina. She is a servant-girl of the Petkoffs family. She is engaged to Nicola, but she makes a distinction between herself and Nicola, the man-servant. Nicola has the soul of a servant, while she has not. Louka is proud and defiant. She is ambitious. Her aim is to marry above her rank and make a lady of herself. She has no regard for his mistress or for Raina. She tells Nicola very boldly: "I do defy her (Raina). I will defy her. What do I care for her?" She is a spirited girl who hates the slavish mentality of Nicola.

Sketch the Character of Catherine in ''Arms and the Man''.

Character of Catherine in ''Arms and the Man''

Shaw's description of Catherine is very appropriate Catherine Petkoff is a woman of over forty. She is highly energetic. She is the wife of a mountain farmer. But she is determined to be a Viennese lady and so she wears a fashionable tea-gown on all occasions. Catherine is a motherly type of woman. She is a good mistress and a good housewife who manages her household affairs with great skill. She always looks after the comforts of her husband and daughter. She is very practical. She has a strict control over her domestic servants. She is dignified in her manners and bearing. Catherine is a snobbish fashionable lady. She is fond of imitating western fashions. She boasts stupidly of her library, electric bell and civilized culture. She is very proud of the fact that her husband is a 'Major in the army. She has money and position and she is proud of her social prestige. Her foolish pride in the aristocracy of her family is exposed in her words: 'Our position is almost historical: we can go back for twenty years'.

Epical Qualities in "Paradise Lost, Book-II".

    We must first try to understand what an epic is. The epic is the most ancient art. In short, it is the treatment of a sublime subject in the grand manner. To define elaborately, “an epic is a long narrative poem written in an elevated or grand style which usually ends in grief or unhappiness, organic in structure, dealing with great actions and great characters, in a style commensurate with the lordliness of its theme which tends to idealize and embellish its subject by means of episode and amplification."

 

Give a Description of Hell as Milton Presents it in "Book-II of Paradise Lost".

Paradise Lost by Milton is an excellent piece of writing. It is an epic. In Book-I of this epic, Milton presents a vivid picture of Hell. Hell was created by God after the revolt of the angels. It is a place of torment. It is the gathering place of bad wildness. It is a situation of waste and wild. It is the hellish world of horrors. It is just like furnace where Satan and followers have fallen. It was a place where" torture without end afflicted its victims."

 

Note on Milton's Poetic Style.

Among the greatest artists the world Literature has produced Milton is one of them. In sublimity of thought and majesty of expression, both sustains at almost super-human pitch, he has no competent superior and no rival equaled in English Literature.

Bring out the Leadership Qualities in Satan as Revealed in "Paradise Lost, Book-II".

Satan is presented by John Milton, a versatile ambitious literary monarch, in Book -II of Paradise Lost, possesses the inherent qualities of leadership with his heroic fortitude, kingdom and undaunted courage. His heroic qualities as displayed in Book-I and Book-II have been admired by a number of critics

Satan's Journey Through the Realm of Chaos and Comment on its Significance in "Paradise Lost Book-II".

Milton's description of chaos and Satan's journey through it is one of the grandest and the most original portions of the epic. Milton portrayed the place chaos as a grotesque devastating and horrible one. Chaos is described as utter, disorder, uncertainty and darkness. Satan arrives here after having made a long journey from the gates of Hell, which had been opened by Sin.

How Milton Individualized the Fallen Angels through their Speeches in Pandemonium In "Paradise Lost Book- II".

In Paradise Lost Book II, Milton characterizes the various fallen Angels. The leaders of the fallen angels assemble in the Pandemonium to decide upon the course of action. They put forward the arguments that are revelatory of their character. Every fallen angel has his own point of view-by which he is differentiated from the others. Milton individualizes them not only through the speeches but also by giving us a brief introductory sketch of each.

Critical Note on the Significance of Sin and Death in “Paradise Lost Book II”.

Milton found inspiration for the figures of Sin and Death in a Biblical passage. He gives us a horrible description of both Sin and Death. The allegorical figures of Sin and Death occur when Satan reaches the gates of Hell which he finds guarded by these two monstrous figure. Milton develops his elaborate allegory personifying Sin and Death with a wealth of detail.

Note on the Epic Similes of “Book II of Paradise Lost”.

The epic similes exhibit an essential pictorial quality without which the epic shall fail to charm and appeal. They make a striking contrast to the purely personal and objective similes of lyric poetry. Epic similes most accord well with the grandeur and dignity, beyond the limits of comparison, a sense of vastness and of limitless space. They should be ornamental and illustrative. This is most manifest in Milton's epic Paradise Lost Book II.

How Has T.S. Eliot Influenced Modern Poetry?

Twentieth century is a curious mixture of the traditional and the experimental, of the old and the new. It is complex and many sided.

There appear different schools and movements during the per

modern poetry is written. Among these schools and movements Impressionism, Imagism, Surrealism etc. The Impressionists sex convey the vague fleeting sensations and feelings by means of my images and metaphors. The Imagists aim at replacing vogues descriptions of the Romantic-Victorian poetry.

T.S. Eliot as a Modern Poet:

Modern poetry is marked by stark realism which is the product of revolt against Victorian tradition and the influence of science. Modern poets look at life without the spectacle of romance and paint it with its ugliness. Realism is also seen in poetic forms and style. They break away from the highly ornate and artificial style of the Victorian period and use the style appropriate to everyday speech. They use colloquial diction, speech, rhythms, free verse and prosaic words. "Imagism did modern poetry a tremendous service by pointing the way to a renovation of the vocabulary of poetry and the necessity of ridding poetic technique of vague and empty verbiage and dishonest and windy generalities. The revolt is best exemplified in the poetry of T.S. Eliot.

Discuss the Role of Tiresias in T. S. Eliot's “The Waste Land”.

The Waste Land is a rich, dense mosaic with five sections, and in view of its 'rich disorganization' it needs a protagonist, or at least a point of view. The spokesman of this point of view is perhaps Tiresias; in fact he is the seer of The Waste Land.

Is Eliot a Religious Poet?

T. S. Eliot in his treatment of the central theme of The Waste Land, may be regarded as a defender of the moral imagination, with roots in religious insight and in the continuity of civilization

Eliot a Religious Poet:

In the poem we find the references of the waste lands of Fisher King, King Oedipus, and of Biblical waste land. Because of sensuality and

sinfulness, the kingdom of Fisher King suffered from drought and famine. To get rid of this problem, Fisher King hoped that one day a knight would go to the Chapel Perilous. King Oedipus unknowingly killed his father and married his mother. For this sex-crime, his land suffered from epidemic and famine. Then he was advised to offer penance for his inner purification. It is mentioned in the Bible that the land of Ammaus became barren and dry on account of the idolatry of the dwellers. Prophet Ezekiel told them to worship God and to give up idolatry so that The Waste Land may become fertile.

What Role does the City Play in Eliot's Poetry.

T. S. Eliot's The Waste Land is the most influential poem in our modern age. In this poem city plays a very important role. In the poem Eliot clearly points out the aridity of the modern urban civilization.

Role of the City Play in Eliot's Poetry:

In the poem Eliot describes the barrenness of city life in modern civilization. He describes London as an "Unreal City". The figures who inhabit the unreal city are like the inhabitants of Baudlaire's 'Paris', are like those in Dante's 'Limbo'. The dead routine of the office-goers shows the futility and the emptiness of civilization. The city dwellers have no faith in any religion. The offices and factories in London begin at nine, which is the time of Christ's crucifixion. It indicates that when business life begins, Christ is no more. In the modern civilization, the world of commerce is entirely different from the world of God. Business and spirituality cannot go together.

How the Poem "The Waste Land" Constitute a Coherent Whole.

The Waste Land has generally been criticized as lacking structural principle. The work has been regarded by some people as a collection of some separate poems. But on a careful study of the poem it has been found that there is a thin and subtle thread which runs throughout the poem and gives it a sort of unity.

Comment on the Theme and Structure of "The Waste Land".

Eliot's place in the history of English poetry is secured chiefly on the basis that he has evolved a new poetic technique. His approach to poetry was new and revolutionary.

Theme and Structure of the poem The Waste Land:

The mythical technique is the most striking aspect about the poem The

Waste Land. The purpose of the poem was to depict and to convey to the reader the ugliness, the desolation, the emptiness, and the aimlessness of modern life especially in relation to the modern man's attitude to sex and to religion. Eliot conveys this through the uses of various myths.

T.S. Eliot's Use of Myth in “The Waste Land”.

T.S. Eliot was the most eminent poet of modern age. He handles the theme of his poem masterly. In “The Waste Land” he uses mythical method to show the relationship of the present with the past.

Accordingly, Eliot uses a myth as the organizing principle in structure in “The Waste Land”, and he draws the myth from two sources: Sir James Frazer's book, The Golden Bough, and Miss Jessie Weston's book, From Ritual to Romance. He takes his mythical matter from Frazer's cultivation rituals and Miss Weston's Fisher King and Grail myths. 

What Eliot’s Vision of the World is as Expressed in “The Waste Land”?

"The Waste Land" is a very important land mark in the twentieth century literature. The poem reveals the disillusionment caused by the First World War. It vividly illustrates the complexity and machine like activity of modern man comparing with the glorious past of spiritual and moral highness.   

 

Eliot’s vision of the world is as expressed in "The Waste Land":

Sex is an important aspect of life. It is an expression of love and means of procreation. But today, sex has been perverted from its

proper function and is being utilized for animal pleasure. It has become a source of moral degradation. For instance, we find in the poem the picture of three Thames daughters who live on being the objects of sexual enjoyment in exchange of money. The mechanical sex relationship is also found in the love affair of the typist girl and her boyfriend. Not only has that Eliot also drawn the picture of a homosexual relation exemplified through Mr. Eugenides. Eliot observes that the whole Europe is destroying by the fire of sex. He sums up it by the words of St. Augustine: