Saturday, 26 November 2016
Sunday, 13 November 2016
Paper no -2 Humanity in a novel Robinson Crusoe
To evaluate my assignment click here
Name:- Komal Shahedadpuri M.
Course:-M.A English
Sem:- 1
Batch:- 2016 – 2018
Roll no:-21
Enrollment no:-PG2069108420170027
Submitted to:- Smt. S.B.Gardi Dept. Of
English MKBU
Email ID:- komaltara1311@gmail.com
Paper no :-2 The Neo-Classical Literature
Topic: Humanity (Humanism) in a novel Robinson Crusoe
Introduction of Daniel Defoe
Daniel Defoe, born Daniel foe was an English trader,writer,journalist,Pamphleter and spy, most famous for his novel “Robinson Crusoe”. He was Profic and Versatile writer,producing more than five hundreds books,pamphlets,and journals on various topics, including Politics,Crime,
Religion,Marriage,Psychology and the Supernatural. He was also a pioneer of Economic Journalism.Daniel Foe born in London,later added the aristocratic-sounding “De” to his name. His birth date and birthplace are uncertain and sources offer dates from 1659-1662 with more 1660 considered the most likely.In Daniel's early life, he experienced some of the most unusual occurrences in English history, in 1665 ,70,000 were killed by the Great Plague of London and next year the Great Fire of London left standing only Defoe's and two other houses in his neighborhood.
His works
1)Robinson Crusoe (1719)
2)Memoirs of a Cavalier (1720)
3)Captain Singleton (1720)
4)A Journal of the Plague Year (1722)
5)Colonel Jack (1722)
6)Moll Flanders (1722)
7)Roxana : The Fortunate Mistress (1724)
A novel : Robinson Crusoe
Robinson Crusoe is a novel by Defoe , first published on 25 April,1719. The first edition credited the work's protagonist Robinson Crusoe as its author and a book a Travelogue of true incidents. It was published under the full title “ The life and strange surprising, adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner: who lived eight and Twenty years, all alone in an uninhabited Island on the coast of America, near the mouth of the great River of Oroonoque; having been cast on shore by shipwreck, wherein all the men perished but himself with an account how he was at last as strangely delivered by pyrites.”
Epistolary,confessional and didactic in form, the book is presented as an autobiography of the title character (whose birth name is Robinson (Kreutznaer) a castaway who spends thirty years on a remote tropical Island near Trinidad, encountring Cannibals,captives and mutineers before ultimately being rescued.
The story has since been perceived to be based on the life of Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish casaway who lived for four years on a Pacific Island called “Mas a Tierra” , now part of Chile,which was renamed Robinson Crusoe Island in 1966,but various literary sources have also been suggested. Robinson Crusoe was well received in the literary world and is often credited as marking the beginning realistic fiction as a literary genre.
Humanism
“Humanism,a rationalist outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters.”
“Humanism is an approach to life based on reason and our common Humanity, recognizing,that moral values are properly founded on human nature and experience alone”
Humanity, is a human race which includes everyone on Earth ,its also a word for the qualities that make us human, such as the ability to love and have compassion,be creative and not be a robot or alien.when we are talking about Humanity,its about the People as a whole.
The touch of Humanity should be in our life as we are humans different than animals because we have reason /aim of living a life, reason is one the merits that make people free. Human nature is so complex that is always studied , it is generally regarded as being egoist,self-centered and thinking of his own profit more than anything. We learn many things from Humanity as how to behave with other human being with kindness,how to love others and be Creative that is because of humans have goal in life than basic needs. Humans have best ability to search and know himself/herself (Self realization) by spending time in Solitude.
Art of being Alone
It is fact that Humans can't live alone ,they need the company of other human beings it proved by many experiments. Live alone is big challenge for Humans but its also one of the Art that makes people real being . It only happens when we are far from society,governments that stops us from doing something creative and meaningful. Aloneness and Silence are two aspects of one experience, two sides of each coin. If one wants to experience silence one has to go into one's total aloneness.We are born alone and die alone , its a truth so its better that rejoice it rather than escape from it.
Humanity in Robinson Crusoe
Robinson Crusoe is best novel of Defoe with deep meaning of Humanity. By depicting the Utopian environment in which was created in the absence of Society. Defoe criticizes the political and economical aspects of England's society ,but is also able to show the narrator's relationship with nature in a vivid account of the personal growth and development that took place while stranded in Solitude.A common theme often portray in Literature is the Tension between the Individualism and Society.
Individualism v/s Society
In the beginning of the novel , the narrator Robinson Crusoe was not deal with the Society but of his Individualism as he rejects his father's suggestion to take his family business, he always thinks of going abroad ,he wants to be Free by saying that
Crusoe: “I should certainly run away from my Master before my time was out and go to Sea”...(p-3)
For expanding his business and property from the very beginning. Somehow, he manages to go abroad by Ship, but he changes his mind at time of strong storm, but he can't stop thinking of going away that shows the obstinate and obsessed human nature. He goes to Africa for Slave trade. He feels himself alone and isolated in Brazil and in England when he goes back there from Island after a long span. The fact that he feels himself isolated in the Society demonstrate his strong sense of Individuality. The individual of human nature is shown through him perfectly.
Hobbes and Locke's political philosophy
Thomas Hobbes and John Locke advocates human beings' right to be Free and their Equality especially in the state of Nature. Hobbes says that in the state of nature , all Men may have desire to harm others , so this greedy nature of humanity is dangerous. For him , the Freedom is unlimited in Nature and men
can do anything they regard necessary to preserve their lives. As in Robinson Crusoe, Crusoe experienced the total Freedom in the Touch of Natural elements.While According to Locke Men should enter into Society and quit the state of nature. In society, there are laws that recovers the arrogance of human beings and their violent desires, puts stress on society and government to make people reasonable, while Hobbes' philosophy that laws and government are artificial obstacles that avoid people from being Free, like disobedience and consideration of the results of an act ,example Adam and Eve disobey the command of God by eating fruit of knowledge from forbidden tree.For Hobbes, in society ,we are not free as we are in Nature.Hobbes claiming the complete dominion of Parents over children, “Children are no less subject to those who look after them and bring them up than Slaves are to Masters. The same case happened in Defoe's life and as his novel is somewhat autobiographical also see in Robinson Crusoe that their father force them to do particular things.
Journey of Robinson's Life towards Humanity
Robinson Crusoe survives on an Island is the completion of his Freedom that he has always wished. It is a place where he can realize/do what he wants,because of this place is free from laws and government of society, it is surrounded by Nature in which Crusoe find himself alone and isolated, firstly he repents for the rejection of his father's suggestion but as time goes on , “On his Island Crusoe enjoys the absolute Freedom from Social restrictions,there are no family ties or Civil authority to interfere with his Individual Autonomy”. After reaching there, he got food and other necessary things from Shipwreck, he made Shelter of his own to survive on an Island. He begins to have a permanent settlement in the Island and creates a life of his own.
He scared so much by natural happenings and he is afraid of the Footprint that he saw on the shore,its shows the general Psychology of human nature (fears and doubts). Then, there is a scene of Cruel /Brutal Humanity,represented by Cannibals that how they ate human flesh and enjoy the death of other humans,at this point we have clear picture of bad side of Humanity. Crusoe's humanity shown during this time that he try to save other humans from Cannibals by shooting,he can save one human, afterwards that man live with Crusoe on the Island. Then Crusoe try to teach him a language ,he taught first word “Master”that shown as Crusoe want to make him a slave ,but after the touch of Nature, he came to know that every humans are equal , so he made him his Friend and civilized.
Then, Crusoe said him out of realization “Only Spirit meet not Colors”. Elements of humanity also shown as Crusoe has feelings not only for humans but also for animals as in his house that he made himself, there are different birds present.Dog is also with him , he has love for that dog as when dog was killed ,Crusoe cemented it as a human.
Conclusion
Thus, Island is symbolic of Crusoe's growth/development as a real human being and could be considered the “healing” that ultimately brought him to both God and realization that he could keep himself alive. Its Physical means which changed Crusoe to stop wandering, “ By acquiring a sense of place ,also (he) established a sense of Self.” There is only Solitude that change the whole Psyche of Crusoe.
In this respect, it can be realized how literature and social life are interrelated to each other. The process which started with Renaissance and Humanism brings us to the issue of Individualism and the Rise of novel.
References
www.wikipedia.com
www.Americanhumanist.com
www.vocabulary.com
www.TheBristolHumanist.com
www.mural.com
From Research Paper of Sercan Oztekin ,Turkey
Name:- Komal Shahedadpuri M.
Course:-M.A English
Sem:- 1
Batch:- 2016 – 2018
Roll no:-21
Enrollment no:-PG2069108420170027
Submitted to:- Smt. S.B.Gardi Dept. Of
English MKBU
Email ID:- komaltara1311@gmail.com
Paper no :-2 The Neo-Classical Literature
Topic: Humanity (Humanism) in a novel Robinson Crusoe
Introduction of Daniel Defoe
Daniel Defoe, born Daniel foe was an English trader,writer,journalist,Pamphleter and spy, most famous for his novel “Robinson Crusoe”. He was Profic and Versatile writer,producing more than five hundreds books,pamphlets,and journals on various topics, including Politics,Crime,
Religion,Marriage,Psychology and the Supernatural. He was also a pioneer of Economic Journalism.Daniel Foe born in London,later added the aristocratic-sounding “De” to his name. His birth date and birthplace are uncertain and sources offer dates from 1659-1662 with more 1660 considered the most likely.In Daniel's early life, he experienced some of the most unusual occurrences in English history, in 1665 ,70,000 were killed by the Great Plague of London and next year the Great Fire of London left standing only Defoe's and two other houses in his neighborhood.
His works
1)Robinson Crusoe (1719)
2)Memoirs of a Cavalier (1720)
3)Captain Singleton (1720)
4)A Journal of the Plague Year (1722)
5)Colonel Jack (1722)
6)Moll Flanders (1722)
7)Roxana : The Fortunate Mistress (1724)
A novel : Robinson Crusoe
Robinson Crusoe is a novel by Defoe , first published on 25 April,1719. The first edition credited the work's protagonist Robinson Crusoe as its author and a book a Travelogue of true incidents. It was published under the full title “ The life and strange surprising, adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner: who lived eight and Twenty years, all alone in an uninhabited Island on the coast of America, near the mouth of the great River of Oroonoque; having been cast on shore by shipwreck, wherein all the men perished but himself with an account how he was at last as strangely delivered by pyrites.”
Epistolary,confessional and didactic in form, the book is presented as an autobiography of the title character (whose birth name is Robinson (Kreutznaer) a castaway who spends thirty years on a remote tropical Island near Trinidad, encountring Cannibals,captives and mutineers before ultimately being rescued.
The story has since been perceived to be based on the life of Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish casaway who lived for four years on a Pacific Island called “Mas a Tierra” , now part of Chile,which was renamed Robinson Crusoe Island in 1966,but various literary sources have also been suggested. Robinson Crusoe was well received in the literary world and is often credited as marking the beginning realistic fiction as a literary genre.Humanism
“Humanism,a rationalist outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters.”
“Humanism is an approach to life based on reason and our common Humanity, recognizing,that moral values are properly founded on human nature and experience alone”
Humanity, is a human race which includes everyone on Earth ,its also a word for the qualities that make us human, such as the ability to love and have compassion,be creative and not be a robot or alien.when we are talking about Humanity,its about the People as a whole.
The touch of Humanity should be in our life as we are humans different than animals because we have reason /aim of living a life, reason is one the merits that make people free. Human nature is so complex that is always studied , it is generally regarded as being egoist,self-centered and thinking of his own profit more than anything. We learn many things from Humanity as how to behave with other human being with kindness,how to love others and be Creative that is because of humans have goal in life than basic needs. Humans have best ability to search and know himself/herself (Self realization) by spending time in Solitude.
Art of being Alone
It is fact that Humans can't live alone ,they need the company of other human beings it proved by many experiments. Live alone is big challenge for Humans but its also one of the Art that makes people real being . It only happens when we are far from society,governments that stops us from doing something creative and meaningful. Aloneness and Silence are two aspects of one experience, two sides of each coin. If one wants to experience silence one has to go into one's total aloneness.We are born alone and die alone , its a truth so its better that rejoice it rather than escape from it.
Humanity in Robinson Crusoe
Robinson Crusoe is best novel of Defoe with deep meaning of Humanity. By depicting the Utopian environment in which was created in the absence of Society. Defoe criticizes the political and economical aspects of England's society ,but is also able to show the narrator's relationship with nature in a vivid account of the personal growth and development that took place while stranded in Solitude.A common theme often portray in Literature is the Tension between the Individualism and Society.
Individualism v/s Society
In the beginning of the novel , the narrator Robinson Crusoe was not deal with the Society but of his Individualism as he rejects his father's suggestion to take his family business, he always thinks of going abroad ,he wants to be Free by saying that Crusoe: “I should certainly run away from my Master before my time was out and go to Sea”...(p-3)
For expanding his business and property from the very beginning. Somehow, he manages to go abroad by Ship, but he changes his mind at time of strong storm, but he can't stop thinking of going away that shows the obstinate and obsessed human nature. He goes to Africa for Slave trade. He feels himself alone and isolated in Brazil and in England when he goes back there from Island after a long span. The fact that he feels himself isolated in the Society demonstrate his strong sense of Individuality. The individual of human nature is shown through him perfectly.
Hobbes and Locke's political philosophy
Thomas Hobbes and John Locke advocates human beings' right to be Free and their Equality especially in the state of Nature. Hobbes says that in the state of nature , all Men may have desire to harm others , so this greedy nature of humanity is dangerous. For him , the Freedom is unlimited in Nature and men
can do anything they regard necessary to preserve their lives. As in Robinson Crusoe, Crusoe experienced the total Freedom in the Touch of Natural elements.While According to Locke Men should enter into Society and quit the state of nature. In society, there are laws that recovers the arrogance of human beings and their violent desires, puts stress on society and government to make people reasonable, while Hobbes' philosophy that laws and government are artificial obstacles that avoid people from being Free, like disobedience and consideration of the results of an act ,example Adam and Eve disobey the command of God by eating fruit of knowledge from forbidden tree.For Hobbes, in society ,we are not free as we are in Nature.Hobbes claiming the complete dominion of Parents over children, “Children are no less subject to those who look after them and bring them up than Slaves are to Masters. The same case happened in Defoe's life and as his novel is somewhat autobiographical also see in Robinson Crusoe that their father force them to do particular things.
Journey of Robinson's Life towards Humanity
He scared so much by natural happenings and he is afraid of the Footprint that he saw on the shore,its shows the general Psychology of human nature (fears and doubts). Then, there is a scene of Cruel /Brutal Humanity,represented by Cannibals that how they ate human flesh and enjoy the death of other humans,at this point we have clear picture of bad side of Humanity. Crusoe's humanity shown during this time that he try to save other humans from Cannibals by shooting,he can save one human, afterwards that man live with Crusoe on the Island. Then Crusoe try to teach him a language ,he taught first word “Master”that shown as Crusoe want to make him a slave ,but after the touch of Nature, he came to know that every humans are equal , so he made him his Friend and civilized.
Then, Crusoe said him out of realization “Only Spirit meet not Colors”. Elements of humanity also shown as Crusoe has feelings not only for humans but also for animals as in his house that he made himself, there are different birds present.Dog is also with him , he has love for that dog as when dog was killed ,Crusoe cemented it as a human.
Conclusion
Thus, Island is symbolic of Crusoe's growth/development as a real human being and could be considered the “healing” that ultimately brought him to both God and realization that he could keep himself alive. Its Physical means which changed Crusoe to stop wandering, “ By acquiring a sense of place ,also (he) established a sense of Self.” There is only Solitude that change the whole Psyche of Crusoe.
In this respect, it can be realized how literature and social life are interrelated to each other. The process which started with Renaissance and Humanism brings us to the issue of Individualism and the Rise of novel.
References
www.wikipedia.com
www.Americanhumanist.com
www.vocabulary.com
www.TheBristolHumanist.com
www.mural.com
From Research Paper of Sercan Oztekin ,Turkey
Saturday, 12 November 2016
Paper no -4 Caste and Class Conflict in The Purpose by T.P Kailasam
To evaluate my assignment click here
Course:-M.A English
Sem:- 1
Batch:- 2016 – 2018
Roll no:-21
Enrolment no:-PG2069108420170027
Submitted to:- Smt. S.B.Gardi Dept. Of
English MKBU
Email ID:- komaltara1311@gmail.com
Paper no: 4 Indian Writing In English – Pre -Independence
Topic: Class and Caste Conflict in “The Purpose” by T.P
Kailasam
Introduction of T.P Kailasam
Thanjavur Paramasiva Kailasam was a playwright and prominent writer of Kannada Literature. His contribution to Kannada theatrical Comedy earned him a title Prahasana Prapitamaha “The father of humorous plays and later ha was also called “Kannadakka Obbane Kailasam” meaning “ one and only Kailasam for Kannada”. He wrote both English plays as well as poems.
His plays
1) The Purpose (1944)
2) Fulfillment (1933)
3) The Burden (1933)
4) Karna (1946)
5) Keechak (1949)
His Poems
1) The Drametist
2) Eternal Coin
3) Truth Naked
4) The Lake
5) Mother Love
6) The Monologue
Introduction of The Purpose
Among his plays one of the most famous play “The Purpose”, the full title was “The Purpose:A playlet of Ekalavya” published in 1944 which is based on the great Indian Epic MAHABHARAT but Kailasam made many differences in his play in which he glorifies the character of Ekalavya which is far different than the story of Mahabharat, in Mahabharat the character of Arjuna is shown as a hero but in Kailasam's play , Ekalavya reflected as a true hero, Kailasam focuse on only three main characters Ekalavya, Arjuna and Drona. Kailasam dedicates this play that he writes “Dedicated in all Humanity to my Youthful Brothers of my Motherland in Happy Memory of my Youth.
“If Youth but Knew!At the begining , he said that he dedicate this play for especially Youth , because this play throws the light on the mind of Young people about the reality of society and how social system oppressed the people of different class and caste.
Caste System in India
In Ancient India, there was the roots of caste systems there was major Four Quadrants of caste . The caste system in India is a system of social stratification which has pre- modern origins was transformed by the British Raj ,and is today the basis of Educational and Job reservations in India. It consist of two different concepts , Varna and Jati ,which may be regarded as different levels of analysis of this system.
Varna , may be translated as “Class” and Jati may be as “Caste”. Caste is divided in four quadrants in Vedic time as mention above certain groups now known as Dalits , they still are ostracized as “Untouchables” .
Class System in India 
From the time of immemorial, class conflict has been one of the major theme of Literature. Social class ,as in class society , is a set of concepts in the social sciences and political theory centered on models of social stratification in which people are grouped into a set of Hierarchical social categories ,the most common being the Upper , Middle and Lower classes. They are mostly base on Socio-economic conditions. In modern times , there groups like SC/ST/OBC shown in power as they get some grants in society. They creat problem for those who are really eligible and able for particular post.
From the time of immemorial, class conflict has been one of the major theme of Literature. Social class ,as in class society , is a set of concepts in the social sciences and political theory centered on models of social stratification in which people are grouped into a set of Hierarchical social categories ,the most common being the Upper , Middle and Lower classes. They are mostly base on Socio-economic conditions. In modern times , there groups like SC/ST/OBC shown in power as they get some grants in society. They creat problem for those who are really eligible and able for particular post.
Marxism
The nature of underlying class conflict is sounds very “Marxian”. Marx's theories about society, class conflicts , economics and politics collectively understood as Marxism , hold that human societies developed through class struggle, a conflict between ruling classes ( known as Bourgeoisie) that control the means of production and working classes (known as the Proletariat) that work on these means by selling their labour for wages. Marxian theory generally shown us three classes that of first Ruling class , Educated Workers and Working class. About ruling class and working class as we discussed before that they are shown as much modern product of Society. But when we taking about Educated People , they are suffered like a Sandwich between these two classes that they have to face many problems in spite of having much knowledge and understanding.
The nature of underlying class conflict is sounds very “Marxian”. Marx's theories about society, class conflicts , economics and politics collectively understood as Marxism , hold that human societies developed through class struggle, a conflict between ruling classes ( known as Bourgeoisie) that control the means of production and working classes (known as the Proletariat) that work on these means by selling their labour for wages. Marxian theory generally shown us three classes that of first Ruling class , Educated Workers and Working class. About ruling class and working class as we discussed before that they are shown as much modern product of Society. But when we taking about Educated People , they are suffered like a Sandwich between these two classes that they have to face many problems in spite of having much knowledge and understanding.
Class and Caste conflicts in The Purpose
Class and caste conflict are major theme in many Indian literary works ,it also present in The Purpose. From the begining we find many dialogues which shows the image of caste and class , as the major character Ekalavya is marginalized by caste and class. In the begining of the play ,there was the talking between Drona and Sahadeva that
DRONA: You can't lift this bow , you seem to forget ,you are Kshatriya.
SAHADEVA: I am remembering I am a Kshatriya , Gurujee!
So in this we can found how people and their strength are measured by the castes that in early time Kshatriya are more powerful in fight. So in this Drona remind Sahadeva that Kshatriya never be a weak.
The play ironically portrays the caste of Kshatriya. As Nakula often said that “I must never forget that I am Kshatriya.”when Ekalavya listened the conversation of Drona and Arjuna. He tried to pronounced the word Concentration after many pausing as CON-----CEN----TRA---TION , this show that Ekalavya was not learned ,very poor in education but good in Archery. When Ekalavya going to ask for teaching for Archery to Drona , Drona adressed him by saying that “ Little man! What have you done?”, it shows the littleness and marginalization created by society for lower caste or class people.
“IT IS NO LESS A THING THAN CONCENTRATION! AN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY ELEMENT TO ONE'S PROGRESS IN ANY STUDY”.
Ekalavya belongs to a Nishaada community. When he came into conversation with Arjuna ,
Arjuna: How can you even for a moment think it possible for a NISHAADAA to became what is almost impossible even for an ARYA?” this type of reply of Arjuna is meant that what is impossible to the higher class or caste how can lower people do that. So we can understand that the works divided as per caste and class. Then , Ekalavya replied as a voice of lower class or caste people that what does it matter if he was a Nishaada. It doesn't mean that Nishaada can't be a greatest Archer. It depends on one's own ability and talent that he can became whatever ha wants then castes don't matter at all. Then, Ekalavya identified the only five elements that must need any person of any belonging to be the greatest Archer.
1) The mastery of the ground work of Archery
2) A power to CON—CEN—TRATE
3) A deep and fervent love to one's Guru
4) His whole hearted willingness to teach
5) Assiduous Practice
Ekalavya response is seen by many author's attempt to slip in his opinions on the moral foundations of Caste. Ekalavya states that nowhere in these criteria is CASTE mentioned, and hence he should have as equal opportunity to get training from Drona to be a best Archer.He also argued against the state of Arjuna “AN ARYA is AN ARYA and a NISHAADA is only a Low Born NISHAADA” in that argument Ekalavya said that according to Arjuna “ being an Arya is that ONE IS NOT A NISHAADA” ,If then , there were no Nishaada at all in this world. It means every post,cast,class have their own work ,value ,respect and importance, on one is better or worst. Everyone has their own value of their Existence.
Subaltern study of The Purpose
In post colonial theory, the term 'Subaltern' describes the lower classes and the social groups who are at the Margins of the Society, a subaltern is a person rendered without agency by Social Status like Caste or Class. In The Purpose , Ekalavya shown as a Subaltern that his caste or class is not proper mentioned , that is he belonged to Nishaada community so he can't properly learn Archery from Drona, only because of his social status. This shows that how lower people treated in Society. In Modern time also the these issues are in air that in village that the lower cast who are known as Dalits or Achhuts or Untouchable people , in cities also the class differences are in more power.
Class and caste conflict also found in other works
The class and caste conflict found in many works like
1) Mulkraj Anand's “Coolie” and “ Untouchable”
2) Chinua Achebe's “ No Longer at Ease”
3) Raja Rao's “Kanthapura” and many more.
4) Vijay Tendulkar's “Ghasiram Kotwal”
Mulkraj Anand highlights the class conflict between upper caste and lower in his novels. In Coolie , it gives chilling picture of a down trodden boy Munno who at the early stage gets into oblivion of his own Existence.
Chinua Achebe's novel “No Longer at Ease” presents nothing but same topic, it tells the story of Nigerian man named Obi Okonkwo who struggles with cultural identity.
Conclusion
Thus, this conflict of caste and class are still exist in our society. In many fields like education, politics , corporate sections etc. In our society, Caste and Class are also major problem but now a days Religion also became biggest problem which departs people rather than unite. There are many blind followers of religion do many wrong things against Humanity, they can't understand that the Humanity is the biggest religion ,caste and class of people.
References
www.wikipedia.com
From Material
Friday, 11 November 2016
Paper no -3 An Ancient and Modern Controvercy : Dryden;s Sanity
To evaluate my assignment click here
Name:- Komal Shahedadpuri M.
Course:-M.A English
Sem:- 1
Batch:- 2016 – 2018
Roll no:-21
Enrolment no:-PG2069108420170027
Submitted to:- Smt. S.B.Gardi Dept. Of
English MKBU
Email ID:- komaltara1311@gmail.com
Paper no:- 3 Literary Theory & Criticism: Western – 1
Topic:An Ancient and Modern Controversy:Dryden's sanity (contribution)
Introduction of John Dryden
John Dryden (1631-1700),was an English poet,literary Critic , Translator and Playwright who was made England's first Poet Laureate in 1668. He is dominating the literary life of Restoration England to such a point that the period came to be known in literary circles as the Age of Dryden , Walter Scott called him “Glorious John”.
His books
1)The Works of John Dryden (1691)
2)All for Love (1678)
3)Absalom and Achitophel (1681)
4)Mac Flecknoe (1682)
5)The Indian Emperor
6)The Essay of Dramatick Poesie (1668)
Essay of Dramatick Poesie
Essay of Dramatick Poesie by Dryden , most important prose work ,published in 1668,its a basis for his reputation as the Father of English literary criticism. It was probably wrote during the Plague year of 1666. Dryden takes up the subject that Philip Sidney had set forth in his Defense of Poesie (1580) and attempts to Justify Drama as a legitimate form of “Poetry”, comparable to the Epic, as well as defend English Drama against that of the Ancients and the French.
The treatise is a dialogue between four Speakers : Euginius (favor of moderns) ,Crites (favor of ancients), Lisideius (favor of French) and Neander (favor of Modern-English). These four speakers represented respectively Charls Sackville,Sir Robert Howard (playwright and Dryden's brother in law), Sir Charles Sedley and Dryden himself ( Neander means new man).
Dryden's Aims
1) In his address 'To the Readers' prefixed to 'the essay' Dryden says that his aim was “To vindicate the honor of our English writers from the censure of those who unjustly prefer the French before them”.
2) The essay is also an attempt to evolve the principles which ought to guide us in judging a play, as well as an effort to discover the rules which could help a dramatist in writing a good Play.
3) The Essay is also a contribution to two current controversies:
(i) regarding comparative superiority of Ancients and Moderns &
(ii) the comparative merits and demerits of blank verse and rhyme for dramatic purpose.
Five Issues are under discussion in this Essay
1) Three Unities
2) French vs English Drama
3) Separation of Tragedy and Comedy vs Tragic comedy
4) Appropriateness of Rhyme in Drama
5) Ancient vs Moderns
Dryden starts this essay with the definition of Play “A Play ought to be a just and lively image of human nature representing its Passions and Humors and the Changes of Fortune to which it is subject, for the delight and instruction of mankind”
The Ancients vs Modern controversy : Dryden's contribution
“Discussion of Ancients and Moderns should not be for who is 'better', it should be ,more fundamentally about how 'History' itself functioned and should be read , thus it should be about the relationship between past and present , human and nature and human understanding and knowledge.”
In the Restoration age in which Dryden belonged ,there were a hot debate on comparative merits and demerits of the Ancients and Moderns. Swift has treated this debate satirically in his well-known work -'The Battle of the Books'
The Battle of the Books
Swift wrote this Satire primarily to defend the position taken by his Patron Sir William Temple regarding the rival claims to greatness of the Moderns and Ancients. The essay presents this controversy in the form of an Imaginary Battle between sets of Books in the Royal Library of St. James. As the battle begins in the form of a quarrel between a Spider who had woven a web on “the highest corner of a large window” and a Bee who alighted by mistake upon “one of the outward Walls of the Spider's Citadel.”The controversy is seen however by Aesop , one of the Ancients represented in the Library. The Spider became symbol of Modern's Spirit not only by his Strengths,namely his skill in Architecture and improvement of Mathematics. Thus, the quarrel between Bee and Spider is symbolic representation of controversy of Ancients and Moderns.
Dryden, in his essay ,An Essay of Dramatick Poesie, vindicated the Moderns through the mouth of Eugenius, the case for the Ancients is presented by Crites. In the controversy Dryden takes no extreme position and is sensible enough to give the Ancients their respect. Through his wit and shrewd analysis , he remove the Cobwebs which had confused the issues and makes us see clearly the achievements of the Ancients and the gratitude of the Moderns to them. Thus , he presents the comparative merits and demerits of each in clearer way.
Case for Ancients- Crites
1) The superiority of Ancients is established by the fact that the Moderns simply imitate them and build the foundations laid by them. The Ancients are the acknowledge models of the Moderns. That means the Moderns are copy the Ancients because of that Ancients became superior to them.
“The Moderns have profited by the rules of Ancients”
2) It should be remembered that “Every Age has its own Genius, its own inclination for some particular bransh of Knowledge”. The Ancients had a special genius for drama and in their particular branch of Poetry, they could reach Perfection.Just as they excel them in Drama.
3) Thirdly, in Ancients Greece and Rome poetry was more honored than any other branch of knowledge. Poets were encouraged to excel through frequent competitions, Judges were appointed and dramatists were rewarded like in history Aeschylus, Euripides,Sophocles etc were rewarded and honoured.
Crites: “Emulation is the Spur of wit and sometimes Envy, sometimes admiration, quickens our endeavors.”, but in modern , these are nothing like that. That is why there are very few good poets of so many harsh judges.
4) The Ancient drama, superior because they closely observed Nature and faithfully represented her in their work, while Moderns don't observe and study Nature carefully, in Ancient , there is a real touch of Nature.
5) The Rules of Dramatic Composition which the Moderns now follows have come down to them from Ancient
6) Ctites makes special mention of the Unities of Time,Place and Action. The Ancients followed these rules and the effect is satisfying and pleasing. But in Modern play the Unity of Time is violated often of the Action of a play covers whole ages.
7) The Ancients could organize their plays well. We are unable to appreciate the art and beauty of their language only because many of their customs, stories etc are not Known to us. There is much that is highly proper and elegant in their language but we fail to appreciate it because their language is dead ,and remains only in books. The great man of last age Ben Johnson, had great admiration for the Ancients.
Case for the Moderns – Eugenius
Eugenius then replies to Crites and speaks in favor of the Moderns. In the very begining , he acknowledges that the Moderns have learned much from Ancients but he adds that Moderns have not blindly imitated them,but by their own labour, they have added to what they have gained from them. Had they done so , they would have lost the old perfection and would not achieve any New Excellencies. So, also in Poetry because of their greater pains they take ,they are nearer to Perfection than the Ancients. Eugenius proceed to bring out some defects of the Ancients and some excellences of the Moderns.
1) Moderns have perfected the division of Plays and divided their Plays not only into the Acts but also into Scenes. The Spaniards and the Italians have some excellent plays to their credit , and they divided them into Three Acts and not into Five. Ancients wrote without any plan , their success was more matter of good for them than real ability. Their real Fault was that did not confine themselves to any fixed number.
2) Ancients' plots have lack of originality usually based on well known story,which had already been worn thread bare by numerous poets ,while Modern have original plots created by their own.
3) In the characterization they no doubt imitate Nature ,but in narrow sense than Moderns.
4) Even their Observation of the Three Unities of Time,Place and Action is not perfect. The Ancient critics like Horace and Aristotle ,make not mention unity of Place.Terence was one of the most regular of Ancient Dramatists,but even not faithfully observe unity of Time. Euripides , a great dramatist no doubt confines his action to one day by them.he commits many absurdities.
5) There is too much of narration at the cast of Action, Instead of the providing the necessary information to the audience through dialogues ,they do so through Monologues and tiresome ,example Terence in his “Eunuch” and “ Adelphi”.
6) Their Plays don't perform one of the fictions of Drama , that of giving delight as well as Instruction. There is no Poetic Justice in their Play. Instead of punishing Vice and rewarding Virtue , they have often shown a Prosperous wickedness and an unhappy Piety.
7) Eugenius agrees with Crites that they are not competent to judge the language of the Ancients since it is dead and many of their stories ,customs etc have been lost to them .However , they have certain glaring fruits which cannot be denied , They are often too bold in their metaphors and in their Coinage. Horace himself has recommended this rule ,but the Ancients violated it frequently.
8) Finally,Ancient themes are defective, the proper end of Tragedy is to arouse “admiration and concernment(pity)” but their themes are lust , cruelty, murder and bloodshed, which istead of arousing admiration and Pity arouse “horror and terror”. The horror of such themes can be softened a little by the introduction of love scenes ,but in treatment of it they are much inferior to such Moderns as Shakespeare and Fletcher,in their Comedies , no doubt they introduce a few scenes of tenderness but ,then their lovers talk very little.
Dryden's contribution to this controversy
Dryden is in a favor of Moderns as he speaks against French (Ancients)stage,
“They are indeed the Beauties of Statue,but not of a man” , based on the definition of the Play that English playwrights are best at the lively image and imitation of Nature. It is not a question of good or bad , but old a change in cultural value. Similarly, Ancients were more heartily in their love scenes , but Moderns are more talkative.
Conclusion
The matter is not who is better but of relationship between Past and Present that how different people belonged to different age treat this with their own way, same point is also discussed in the essay “The Function of Criticism” by T.S Eliot present the views on Past and Present that we should use tradition (Ancients) not blindly but by creatively. If we don't know about past how we create something new.
“ Creat New by using Old,
don't tress of Old”
Superior to Nature as both Ancients and Moderns are dependent yet independent , any writer and his or her importance is considered by looking into the tradition ,whatever writing is not past but not possible without past . Writer or Critic should have level of understanding (maturity) and have to change with time but very few writers can go beyond the time.
Eliot strongly believes in the concept of Individuality and Originality but in a different manner that is by respecting Ancients and taking its co-operation to designed the Present(Moderns).
References
www.wikipedia.com
www.guruvishnubhatt.com
www.wikieducater.com
From material
Name:- Komal Shahedadpuri M.
Course:-M.A English
Sem:- 1
Batch:- 2016 – 2018
Roll no:-21
Enrolment no:-PG2069108420170027
Submitted to:- Smt. S.B.Gardi Dept. Of
English MKBU
Email ID:- komaltara1311@gmail.com
Paper no:- 3 Literary Theory & Criticism: Western – 1
Topic:An Ancient and Modern Controversy:Dryden's sanity (contribution)
Introduction of John Dryden
John Dryden (1631-1700),was an English poet,literary Critic , Translator and Playwright who was made England's first Poet Laureate in 1668. He is dominating the literary life of Restoration England to such a point that the period came to be known in literary circles as the Age of Dryden , Walter Scott called him “Glorious John”.
His books
1)The Works of John Dryden (1691)
2)All for Love (1678)
3)Absalom and Achitophel (1681)
4)Mac Flecknoe (1682)
5)The Indian Emperor
6)The Essay of Dramatick Poesie (1668)
Essay of Dramatick Poesie
Essay of Dramatick Poesie by Dryden , most important prose work ,published in 1668,its a basis for his reputation as the Father of English literary criticism. It was probably wrote during the Plague year of 1666. Dryden takes up the subject that Philip Sidney had set forth in his Defense of Poesie (1580) and attempts to Justify Drama as a legitimate form of “Poetry”, comparable to the Epic, as well as defend English Drama against that of the Ancients and the French.
The treatise is a dialogue between four Speakers : Euginius (favor of moderns) ,Crites (favor of ancients), Lisideius (favor of French) and Neander (favor of Modern-English). These four speakers represented respectively Charls Sackville,Sir Robert Howard (playwright and Dryden's brother in law), Sir Charles Sedley and Dryden himself ( Neander means new man).
Dryden's Aims
1) In his address 'To the Readers' prefixed to 'the essay' Dryden says that his aim was “To vindicate the honor of our English writers from the censure of those who unjustly prefer the French before them”.
2) The essay is also an attempt to evolve the principles which ought to guide us in judging a play, as well as an effort to discover the rules which could help a dramatist in writing a good Play.
3) The Essay is also a contribution to two current controversies:
(i) regarding comparative superiority of Ancients and Moderns &
(ii) the comparative merits and demerits of blank verse and rhyme for dramatic purpose.
Five Issues are under discussion in this Essay
1) Three Unities
2) French vs English Drama
3) Separation of Tragedy and Comedy vs Tragic comedy
4) Appropriateness of Rhyme in Drama
5) Ancient vs Moderns
Dryden starts this essay with the definition of Play “A Play ought to be a just and lively image of human nature representing its Passions and Humors and the Changes of Fortune to which it is subject, for the delight and instruction of mankind”
The Ancients vs Modern controversy : Dryden's contribution
“Discussion of Ancients and Moderns should not be for who is 'better', it should be ,more fundamentally about how 'History' itself functioned and should be read , thus it should be about the relationship between past and present , human and nature and human understanding and knowledge.”
In the Restoration age in which Dryden belonged ,there were a hot debate on comparative merits and demerits of the Ancients and Moderns. Swift has treated this debate satirically in his well-known work -'The Battle of the Books'
The Battle of the Books
Swift wrote this Satire primarily to defend the position taken by his Patron Sir William Temple regarding the rival claims to greatness of the Moderns and Ancients. The essay presents this controversy in the form of an Imaginary Battle between sets of Books in the Royal Library of St. James. As the battle begins in the form of a quarrel between a Spider who had woven a web on “the highest corner of a large window” and a Bee who alighted by mistake upon “one of the outward Walls of the Spider's Citadel.”The controversy is seen however by Aesop , one of the Ancients represented in the Library. The Spider became symbol of Modern's Spirit not only by his Strengths,namely his skill in Architecture and improvement of Mathematics. Thus, the quarrel between Bee and Spider is symbolic representation of controversy of Ancients and Moderns.
Dryden, in his essay ,An Essay of Dramatick Poesie, vindicated the Moderns through the mouth of Eugenius, the case for the Ancients is presented by Crites. In the controversy Dryden takes no extreme position and is sensible enough to give the Ancients their respect. Through his wit and shrewd analysis , he remove the Cobwebs which had confused the issues and makes us see clearly the achievements of the Ancients and the gratitude of the Moderns to them. Thus , he presents the comparative merits and demerits of each in clearer way.
Case for Ancients- Crites
1) The superiority of Ancients is established by the fact that the Moderns simply imitate them and build the foundations laid by them. The Ancients are the acknowledge models of the Moderns. That means the Moderns are copy the Ancients because of that Ancients became superior to them.
“The Moderns have profited by the rules of Ancients”
2) It should be remembered that “Every Age has its own Genius, its own inclination for some particular bransh of Knowledge”. The Ancients had a special genius for drama and in their particular branch of Poetry, they could reach Perfection.Just as they excel them in Drama.
3) Thirdly, in Ancients Greece and Rome poetry was more honored than any other branch of knowledge. Poets were encouraged to excel through frequent competitions, Judges were appointed and dramatists were rewarded like in history Aeschylus, Euripides,Sophocles etc were rewarded and honoured.
Crites: “Emulation is the Spur of wit and sometimes Envy, sometimes admiration, quickens our endeavors.”, but in modern , these are nothing like that. That is why there are very few good poets of so many harsh judges.
4) The Ancient drama, superior because they closely observed Nature and faithfully represented her in their work, while Moderns don't observe and study Nature carefully, in Ancient , there is a real touch of Nature.
5) The Rules of Dramatic Composition which the Moderns now follows have come down to them from Ancient
6) Ctites makes special mention of the Unities of Time,Place and Action. The Ancients followed these rules and the effect is satisfying and pleasing. But in Modern play the Unity of Time is violated often of the Action of a play covers whole ages.
7) The Ancients could organize their plays well. We are unable to appreciate the art and beauty of their language only because many of their customs, stories etc are not Known to us. There is much that is highly proper and elegant in their language but we fail to appreciate it because their language is dead ,and remains only in books. The great man of last age Ben Johnson, had great admiration for the Ancients.
Case for the Moderns – Eugenius
Eugenius then replies to Crites and speaks in favor of the Moderns. In the very begining , he acknowledges that the Moderns have learned much from Ancients but he adds that Moderns have not blindly imitated them,but by their own labour, they have added to what they have gained from them. Had they done so , they would have lost the old perfection and would not achieve any New Excellencies. So, also in Poetry because of their greater pains they take ,they are nearer to Perfection than the Ancients. Eugenius proceed to bring out some defects of the Ancients and some excellences of the Moderns.
1) Moderns have perfected the division of Plays and divided their Plays not only into the Acts but also into Scenes. The Spaniards and the Italians have some excellent plays to their credit , and they divided them into Three Acts and not into Five. Ancients wrote without any plan , their success was more matter of good for them than real ability. Their real Fault was that did not confine themselves to any fixed number.
2) Ancients' plots have lack of originality usually based on well known story,which had already been worn thread bare by numerous poets ,while Modern have original plots created by their own.
3) In the characterization they no doubt imitate Nature ,but in narrow sense than Moderns.
4) Even their Observation of the Three Unities of Time,Place and Action is not perfect. The Ancient critics like Horace and Aristotle ,make not mention unity of Place.Terence was one of the most regular of Ancient Dramatists,but even not faithfully observe unity of Time. Euripides , a great dramatist no doubt confines his action to one day by them.he commits many absurdities.
5) There is too much of narration at the cast of Action, Instead of the providing the necessary information to the audience through dialogues ,they do so through Monologues and tiresome ,example Terence in his “Eunuch” and “ Adelphi”.
6) Their Plays don't perform one of the fictions of Drama , that of giving delight as well as Instruction. There is no Poetic Justice in their Play. Instead of punishing Vice and rewarding Virtue , they have often shown a Prosperous wickedness and an unhappy Piety.
7) Eugenius agrees with Crites that they are not competent to judge the language of the Ancients since it is dead and many of their stories ,customs etc have been lost to them .However , they have certain glaring fruits which cannot be denied , They are often too bold in their metaphors and in their Coinage. Horace himself has recommended this rule ,but the Ancients violated it frequently.
8) Finally,Ancient themes are defective, the proper end of Tragedy is to arouse “admiration and concernment(pity)” but their themes are lust , cruelty, murder and bloodshed, which istead of arousing admiration and Pity arouse “horror and terror”. The horror of such themes can be softened a little by the introduction of love scenes ,but in treatment of it they are much inferior to such Moderns as Shakespeare and Fletcher,in their Comedies , no doubt they introduce a few scenes of tenderness but ,then their lovers talk very little.
Dryden's contribution to this controversy
Dryden is in a favor of Moderns as he speaks against French (Ancients)stage,
“They are indeed the Beauties of Statue,but not of a man” , based on the definition of the Play that English playwrights are best at the lively image and imitation of Nature. It is not a question of good or bad , but old a change in cultural value. Similarly, Ancients were more heartily in their love scenes , but Moderns are more talkative.
Conclusion
The matter is not who is better but of relationship between Past and Present that how different people belonged to different age treat this with their own way, same point is also discussed in the essay “The Function of Criticism” by T.S Eliot present the views on Past and Present that we should use tradition (Ancients) not blindly but by creatively. If we don't know about past how we create something new.
“ Creat New by using Old,
don't tress of Old”
Superior to Nature as both Ancients and Moderns are dependent yet independent , any writer and his or her importance is considered by looking into the tradition ,whatever writing is not past but not possible without past . Writer or Critic should have level of understanding (maturity) and have to change with time but very few writers can go beyond the time.
Eliot strongly believes in the concept of Individuality and Originality but in a different manner that is by respecting Ancients and taking its co-operation to designed the Present(Moderns).
References
www.wikipedia.com
www.guruvishnubhatt.com
www.wikieducater.com
From material
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