'Sapiens - A Brief History of Humankind' : Yuval Noah Harari

     

   If you are interested in the history of Human Evaluation (I am saying evaluation not creation ! ) and also in the process of 'Life' then this book can be the book of your desk. 

      'Sapiens' is a non- fictional work written by Yuval Noah Harari. This book is about how a Human being evolved on Earth. Here writer has tried to prove his arguments by providing an accurate example.  

    Mainly this book is in four parts. 

• The Cognitive Revolution 
• The Agricultural Revolution 
• The Unification of Humankind 
• The Scientific Revolution

 

   In the beginning chapter ( An Animal of No Significance)  writer has tried to represent the Big Bang Theory. Particularly, the whole process takes place through the ideas of Physics,chemistry and biology. In addition it tells the story of how these above four revolutions have affected humans and their fellow organism/ Biology.   

    Earlier there were total four Homo Species.

1. Homo rudolfensis (  East Africa ) 
2. Homo erectus ( East  Asia ) 
3. Homo neanderthalensis ( Europe and western Asia )
4. Homo Sapiens ( us ! ) 

 
     Homo Sapiens survived ! the reason was the thinking capacity of Homo Sapiens.  They were able to cooperate / conquer the others. The diversity in behavior patterns becomes the 'Cultures'. These unstoppable alterations take place of 'history'.

  The another interesting chapter is History's Biggest Fraud.  It is mainly about Agricultural Revolution. For Homo Sapiens wheat becomes the most successful plants in the history of the earth. But in this process Wheat domesticated us ! Consequently, an idea of investment, led sapiens towards the violence. Ultimately,  it's hard to avoid the impression that for the vast majority of domesticated animals, the Agricultural Revolution was a terrible catastrophe.

        This revolutions led sapiens in the material world.  In the subsequent chapters, we see how bureaucracy works, how injustice in history has affected the present day context, and also the so called idea of race.  For that we see that how these all laws and norms invented.  Furthermore,  he gives the example of the Vicious circle - If you want to keep any human group isolated : women, Jews, Roma, Gays,  blacks, -  the best way to do it is convince everyone that these people are a source of pollution.

      Another point we see is about He and She : for that we find a valid argument that- A good rule of thumb is Biology enables,  culture forbids.' Biology is willing to tolerate a very wide spectrum of possibilities.
     

        The third part discusses about Money. Philosophers, thinkers and prophets have besmirched money and called it the root of all evil. But money became more open minded. Because it doesn't discriminate on the basis of religion,  gender, race, age or sexual orientation.  

     

         Many time we questions the idea of Imperialism. Similarly,  in this book we get the idea of how it works.  For that it raises the question of cricket and chai in India. 

          Now a days the so called idea of religion became a mean way of politics. However,  humanity is considered as the new religion.  

     In the last part,  writer has tried to give so many answers related to science. How Homo Sapiens have questioned the nature...!?  Moreover,  this part focuses on the idea of capitalist creed.  

     Furthermore,  we see that how this modern world seeks for happiness.  Their life became meaningless. Yet, homo sapiens remains more and more active to gain more,  they reached at the idea of artificial intelligence. 

        By concluding,  I can say that it is a wonderful book to read.  Because it has covered almost all the phenomenon of Human being. Apart from these all, it has tried to represent the real danger of contemporary time.  And also the capacity of Homo Sapiens !  

         

       

'M. P. Ajmera' a short story.

 

    'M. P. Ajmera' is a short story written by Mahendrasinh Parmar and published in 2016. This story is a part of Short Story Collection named 'Polytechnic.' The genre of the story can be categorized as a Black Comedy. This tale follows Third person narrative technique with an omniscient view.


      Narendrakumar Ajmera ( M. A. Sanskrit )  is the protagonist of this story. By designation he is a primary teacher but dreams to be a University Professor. In the beginning of the story he shows the vexation of primary teachers. which is being load on them by government.  ( According to Narrator!  ) For Ajmera , his degree is in a vain as he remains busy in census survey, polio immunization campaign,  family planning,  literacy campaign and etc. He considers these all things as a donkey work.
     However, as he is an onus teacher,  this time he gets work as an Election Officer.  It is his first duty as an election officer, here things becomes more comic as he gets his duty in super sensitive booth. For him this is like an important duty to fulfill.

      Here, an interesting thing starts.  He reaches at the booth.  ( EVM machines were not developed ! ) People from village invites him for a dinner but he denies to go as he considers this as a bribe / trap !
        Now Narendrakumar seems more serious,  responsible and faithful to the democracy.  He remains hungry for a whole night. On the other hand we see poor condition of primary school. The same narration we find in 'The White Tiger' - novel by Arvind Adiga. Even he doesn't sleep at night.  When he goes for ' Morning Work', he carries all the voting papers / Ballot with him. But he leftover as he sees foxes and dogs - doesn't cast his 'morning' vote...! On the other side policeman enjoys the treat given by villagers, especially by Power. On the day of voting Ajmera sees a man with big moustache. Who again invites him for the lunch.  But suddenly he finds issues regarding bogus voting. People just gathered around booth. Albeit of the risk of his life,  he warns a herd.  At the same time he doesn't find policeman ! He just threatened by that herd but he replied that I will not let die the democracy of a nation.

        At the end of the day,  he submits the Ballots,  but the voting percentage are lower compared to other booth.  He says : It is because of his integrity. After 3days's labour he reaches at home and finishes his
'Morning Work.' Now,  Narendrakumar seems totally exhausted.  
 
        After three months again he gets notice from collector to work in an election.  But nobody becomes ready to work in that super sensitive booth.  Here , we see that suddenly Narendrakumar gets selected for University Professor. Thus , some how some questions raises in our mind that how Narendrakumar makes himself free from the duty of an election officer...!? Is he withdrawals his name by giving money...?  But we know that he is a man of integrity.

     But the last conundrum is, how he gets name of M. P.  ...!? ( For that you can read story...!)

     By concluding this review I can say that writer has used a comic tone to show the hardship of teachers.  At the same time we see two nation : Nation of light - darkness.  Also the satire on Police system and etc.
 

   
     
      

Language Lab Programme Review

 

   So many times we think to introduce language software in our education system.  But it seems, for that we need some good training.  Though,  we have tried to do practical with this language lab software.  To know more about the task,  click here...

     What is language lab... ?

     In general we can say that it is introduced in the classrooms to teach English language. For that this programme needs various computers, along with appropriate software.  Which provides some other features like,  video,  audio,  writing task and etc. Including all,  it is like an information technology based learning where you needs net connection with computers.

      History of Language Lab...

      The first recorded language lab was established at the University of Grenoble in 1908 Frank Chalfant brought the concept to the United States establishing a 'phonetics lab' at Washington State University in 1911 or 1912. 
       
     Advantages : 

•  Helps in enhancing four basic skills.  
• It provides Test,  So,  learner can evaluate themselves.
• As it has a feature of phonetics, Lerner can develop pronunciation skills. 
• This software, perfectly fits in primary schools. 
• Different levels helps in displaying the standard of students. 

      

     Disadvantages : 

• Take much time to start. 
• Seems quite an old software.  
• It has lots of stuff.
• It is difficult to carry out in all the classes. 
• It should be affordable.       

Harry Potter Series mini reviews

1. Harry Potter and philosopher's stone

     Harry Potter is an average bespectacled 11 year old boy who has lived with the Dursley family ever since his parents died in a car crash. For some reason the family has always mistreated him. On his 11th birthday a giant man named Rubeus Hagrid hands him a letter telling him that he has been accepted as a student at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry learns that his parents were wizards and were killed by an evil wizard Voldemort, a truth that was hidden from him all these years. He embarks for his new life as a student, gathering two good friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger along the way. They soon learn that something very valuable is hidden somewhere inside the school and Voldemort is very anxious to lay his hands on it.

2. Harry Potter and The Chamber of secrets : 

     It’s the summertime and Harry is feeling miserable. The year before, Harry attended at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and it changed his life forever. That was when he found out he was a wizard, lived through Voldemort’s killing curse, and made the two best friends he would ever have.

       A short while into the passageway, Lockhart injures himself so Ron stays behind with him. Harry goes forward, alone. He enters the Chamber by whispering something in Parseltongue. He sees Ginny Weasley’s still body on the far side of the Chamber. Harry sees Tom Riddle next to her. Tom is actually the preserved younger version of Voldemort. There beside Tom is the basilisk. Dumbledore’s pheonix and Gryffindor sword comes to Harry’s aid. He kills the basilisk with the sword and stabs the diary, where Tom Riddle was being preserved, with the basilisk tooth. Ginny wakes up at that moment. It turns out that Ginny was being possessed by Voldemort through the diary and she was the one who wrote the bloody message on the wall. Harry emerges from the chamber with Ginny, safely. He explains his experience to Dumbledore. Harry is a hero. 


3 - Harry Potter and The prisoner of Azkaban :

   In this installment, fledgling wizard Harry is in his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The story finds Harry and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley dealing with their concerns over Sirius Black, a potential ally of Lord Voldemort who is in pursuit of Harry.

          Harry is unable to join the Hogwarts students on a trip to Hogsmeade, because he lacks a permission slip. In their absence, he spends time with Professor Lupin. Lupin explains to Harry that he was not allowed to fight the Boggart because he (Lupin) feared that it would take the shape of Voldemort. At that point, Harry had been more filled with fear of the Dementors than Voldemort. Snape gives Lupin a potion to drink, which surprises Harry. 

4 - Harry Potter and The Goblet of fire :

    The goblet of fire choose the name of participants. Harry’s name is chosen, though he is not qualified by age to take part in this tournament but, everything is planned by the servant of Voldemort. The trophy was transferred in to the portkey, which is a thing when one touches it they reach at another place. At the end of this movie Voldemort possesses his full body. This part gives very interesting idea of pensive the memory keeper, in which we can preserve our memory. We can also see the reporter Rita Skeeter here and her way of writing in to the newspaper. We can also question news in real world. At last Dumbledore gives Harry a rational advice that dead people can’t come back and also warned him to be ready, because now he has to make choice between right or easy.

5 . Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix :

        It's another year at Hogwarts for Harry Potter and his friends. The previous year, he witnessed not just the death of Cedric Diggory, but also the return of the Dark Lord, Voldemort. The ministry of magic doesn't believe everything Harry says and will do anything to keep everyone calm. Hogwarts begin changing, especially when Dolores Umbridge arrives to take over the school. Now, with Voldemort's army getting closer, Harry and his friends must teach themselves and form an army to take on the upcoming threat.

6 . Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince :

      In Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft, Harry finds a book marked mysteriously, "This book is the property of the Half Blood Prince," which helps him excel at Potions class and teaches him a few dark and dangerous ones along the way. Meanwhile, Harry is taking private lessons with Dumbledore in order to find out about Voldemort's past so they can find out what might his only weakness.

7- 8 : Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1-

     As Harry, Ron and Hermione race against time and evil to destroy the Horcruxes, they uncover the existence of the three most powerful objects in the wizarding world: the Deathly Hallows.
       
        Voldemort's power is growing stronger. He now has control over the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts. Harry, Ron, and Hermione decide to finish Dumbledore's work and find the rest of the Horcruxes to defeat the Dark Lord. But little hope remains for the Trio, and the rest of the Wizarding World, so everything they do must go as planned.

  2- Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue to find the rest of Voldemort's Horcruxes, until Harry discovers that one is at Hogwarts, they flee there as soon as possible but Voldemort instantly finds out about their mission. The battle is drawn at Hogwarts as many people fight to protect Harry Potter. Harry then realises that people are dying constantly for his mistakes and then eventually fights Voldemort for the last time. Along the way, crucial secrets are unraveled, and the mysterious but legendary Deathly Hallows reappear.

    

    

Assignment 15 Mass Communication and Media Studies

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Assignment – 15.                             Words - 1865

Name – Vipul Dabhi
Semester – 4
Roll No – 35
Enrollment No – 2069108420180009
Email ID – dabhivc04@gmail.com
Paper – 15 Mass Communication and Media
                    Studies.
Topic – Short notes on PCI,  ABC,  RNI,  PTI
Batch – 2017-‘19
Submitted To – Department of English,  MKBU.




What is PCI… ?
The Press Council of India was first set up in the year 1966 by the Parliament on the recommendations of the First Press Commission with the object of preserving the freedom of the press and of maintaining and improving the standards of press in India.

History of it : Press Council is a mechanism for the Press to regulate itself. The raison d’etre of this unique institution is rooted in the concept that in a democratic society the press needs at once to be free and responsible.If the Press is to function effectively as the watchdog of public interest, it must have a secure freedom of expression, unfettered and unhindered by any authority, organised bodies or individuals. But, this claim to press freedom has legitimacy only if it is exercised with a due sense of responsibility. The Press must, therefore, scrupulously adhere to accepted norms of journalistic ethics and maintian high standards of professional conduct.
Press Council is a mechanism for the Press to regulate itself. The raison d’etre of this unique institution is rooted in the concept that in a democratic society the press needs at once to be free and responsible.If the Press is to function effectively as the watchdog of public interest, it must have a secure freedom of expression, unfettered and unhindered by any authority, organised bodies or individuals. But, this claim to press freedom has legitimacy only if it is exercised with a due sense of responsibility. The Press must, therefore, scrupulously adhere to accepted norms of journalistic ethics and maintian high standards of professional conduct.

The First Press Commission (1954) came across in some section of the Press, instances of yellow journalism of one type or another, scurrilous writing-often directed against communities or groups, sensationalism, bias in presentation of news and lack of responsibility in comment, indecency and vulgarity and personal attacks on individuals. The Commission, however, pointed out that the well-established newspapers had, on the whole. Maintained a high standard of journalism. They had avoided cheap senstationalism and unwarranted intrusion into private lives." But it remarked that whatever the law relating to the Press may be, there would still be a large quantum of objectionable journalism which, though not falling within the purview of the law, would still require to be checked." It was of the view that the best way of maintaining professional standards of journalism would be to bring into existence a body of of people principally connected with the industry whose responsibility it would be to arbitrate on doubtful points and to censure any one guilty of infraction of the code of journalistic ethics.


OBJECTS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE COUNCIL

The objects of present Press Council are substantially the same as were laid down under the Act of 1965 and it is not necessary to repeat them here. But the functions have undergone some change in that the three of the functions listed in the earlier Act were not included in the 1978 Act as they were considered to be burdensome for the Council to perform. These related to (a) promoting the establishment of such common services for the supply and dissemination of news to newspapers as may, from time to time, appear to it to be desirable;(b) providing facilities for proper education and training of persons in the profession of journalism; and (c) promoting technical or other research.

Summoning and enforcing the attendance of persons and examining them on oath.
•  requiring the discovery and inspection of documents.
•  receiving evidence on affidavits.
•  requisitioning any public record or copies thereof from any court or office.
•  issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents; and.
•  any other matter, which may be prescribed.

What is ABC…?
ABC is a voluntary organisation initiated in 1948 that operates in different parts of the world. Until 1948, the concept of circulation audit was yet to be made in India and the publishers had no means to verify the actual circulation number of publications that they used for advertising and had to depend more on their own judgement. Publishers also found it difficult to convince advertisers of the relative values of their publication for the purpose of advertising. It is with this background that eminent representatives of the advertising profession and publishing industry came together to establish an organisation which could serve the common interest. Since then the benefit of ABC certificates of circulation have been availed by advertisers, advertising agencies, publishers and organisations connected with print media advertising.
Function : primary function is the certification and provision of accurate and comparable circulation figures, to assist the bi-partite groupings (advertisers/marketers and publishers) in the buying and selling of advertising and promotional material. This is achieved through agreement or auditing standards; on the certificates; and on the reports submitted.

Publisher members are requested to submit audited figures verifying their circulation, by means of a circulation certificate. The audit of the certificate must be conducted by a Registered Accountant and Auditor who must have full-access to all financial accounts and other relevant records connected with the publication for the purpose of a complete and accurate ABC audit. The Bureau does random check audits to verify the information prepared by the publisher.

The main objective of the ABC is to promote the interests of the buyers (advertisers and marketers) and sellers (media owners) of advertising and promotional material by providing accurate and comparable circulation data. Further objectives are to provide circulation data that is in no way inaccurate, misleading or distorted; to deal honestly and fairly with all parties; and to increase industry awareness regarding the benefits of ABC membership and of the information provided.
What is RNI… ?
The Office of the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) came into being on 1stJuly, 1956. Registration of newspaper is essential under PRB Act, 1867.
Printing and publishing of newspapers and periodicals within India are governed by the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 and the Registration of Newspapers (Central) Rules, 1956. According to the Act, no newspaper or periodical should bear a title which is the same or similar to any other newspaper or periodical already being published, either in the same language or in the same State, unless the latter is also owned by the same person. In order to ensure compliance of this condition, the Government of India has appointed the Registrar of Newspapers, also called the Press Registrar, who maintains a register of newspapers and periodicals published in India. The Office of the Registrar of Newspapers for India is headquartered in New Delhi, and has three regional offices at Calcutta, Mumbai and Chennai to cater to the needs of publishers in all corners of the country.
Registration of newspaper involves 2 steps:
Verification of title – It includes name of applicant, name of owner, language, periodicity, state, district and title options (upto 5 options only).
Registration of title – The verified title is to be got registered within 2 years from title verification date, to prevent deblocking/cancellation of the title. The ownership of the title is transferable after registration
History and Functions :
The Office of the Registrar of Newspapers for India, more popularly known as RNI came into being on 1stJuly, 1956, on the recommendation of the First Press Commission in 1953 and by amending the Press and Registration of Books Act 1867.

The Press and Registration of Books Act contains the duties and functions of the RNI. On account of some more responsibilities entrusted upon RNI during all these years, the office is performing both statutory as well as some non-statutory functions.
Compilation and maintenance of a Register of Newspapers containing particulars about all the newspapers published.Issue of Certificate of Registration to the newspapers published under valid declaration;Scrutiny and analysis of annual statements sent by the publishers of newspapers every year under Section 19-D of the Press and Registration of Books Act containing information on circulation, ownership etc;Informing the District Magistrates about availability of titles, to intending publishers for filing declaration; Formulation of Newsprint Allocation Policy - Guidelines and issue of Eligibility Certificate to the newspapers to enable them to import newsprint and to procure indigenous newsprint.Assessing and certifying the essential need and requirement of newspaper establishments to import printing and composing machinery and allied materials.
What is PTI… ?
Press Trust of India (PTI) is India’s premier news agency, having a reach as vast as the Indian Railways. It employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India. Collectively, they put out more than 2,000 stories and 200 photographs a day to feed the expansive appetite of the diverse subscribers, who include the mainstream media, the specialised presses, research groups, companies, and government and non-governmental organisations.

PTI correspondents are also based in leading capitals and important business and administrative centres around the world. It also has exchange arrangements with several foreign news agencies to magnify its global news footprint.

Currently, PTI commands 90 per cent of new agency market share in India.

PTI was registered in 1947 and started functioning in 1949. Today, after 65 years of its service, PTI can well and truly take pride in the legacy of its work, and in its contribution towards the building of a free and fair Press in India. On its golden jubilee in 1999, President K R Narayanan said:"We got independence in August 1947.But independence in news and information we got only with the establishment of PTI in 1949.That is the significance of PTI..."
How it functions :
Agreement

By using the website you are agreeing to comply and be bound by these Terms of Use as also all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree with these Terms of Use, please do not use the Services. PTI reserves the right to change, modify, add, or remove portions of these Terms of Use at any time. Please check this page periodically for any changes or modifications to these Terms of Use.
Rights

The Content is protected by international copyright, trademark and other intellectual property laws. Unauthorized use of the Content may violate copyright, trademark, and other laws. You do not acquire ownership rights to any content, document or other materials viewed through the Site.
Errors, Corrections and Changes

PTI does not represent or warrant that the Site will be error-free, free of viruses or other harmful components, or that defects will be corrected. PTI does not represent or warrant that the information available on or through the website will be correct, accurate, timely or otherwise reliable.
Copyrights
1) A physical or electronic signature of a person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed;

2) Identification of the copyright work claimed to have been infringed, or, if multiple copyrighted works at a single online website are covered by a single notification, a representative list of such works at that site;

References : http://www.ptinews.com/aboutpti/termsofuse.aspx
https://www.mediaupdate.co.za/media/16764/audit-bureau-of-circulations
http://presscouncil.nic.in/Content/29_3_History.aspx
http://rni.nic.in/all_page/history.aspx

https://www.indianmediastudies.com/registrar-of-newspapers-for-india-rni/
http://www.ptinews.com/aboutpti/aboutus.aspx

Assignment 14 The African Literature

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Assignment -14                                        words - 1609

Name – Vipul Dabhi
Semester – 4
Roll No – 35
Enrollment No – 2069108420180009
Email ID – dabhivc04@gmail.com
Paper – 14 The African Literature
Topic – Major themes in Chinua Achebe’s
              Novels.
Batch – 2017-’19
Submitted To – Department of English,  MKBU.




• Chinua Achebe :
He was a poet,  professor, and critic from Nigeria.  He won the Man Booker Prize in 2007. Chinua was a Nigeria's greatest novelists. His novels are written mainly for an African audience, but having been translated into more than forty languages, they have found worldwide readership. Achebe was unhappy with books about Africa written by British authors such as Joseph Conrad  (1857–1924) and John Buchan  (1875–1940), because he felt the descriptions of African people were inaccurate and insulting. While working for the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation he composed his first novel, Things Fall Apart (1959), the story of a traditional warrior hero who is unable to adapt to changing conditions in the early days of British rule. The book won immediate international recognition and also became the basis for a play by Biyi Bandele. Years later, in 1997, the Performance Studio Workshop of Nigeria put on a production of the play, which was then presented in the United States as part of the Kennedy Center's African Odyssey series in 1999. Achebe's next two novels, No Longer At Ease (1960) and Arrow of God (1964), were set in the past as well.

 By the mid-1960s the newness of independence had died out in Nigeria, as the country faced the political problems common to many of the other states in modern Africa. The Igbo, who had played a leading role in Nigerian politics, now began to feel that the Muslim Hausa people of Northern Nigeria considered the Igbos second-class citizens. Achebe wrote A Man of the People(1966), a story about a crooked Nigerian politician. The book was published at the very moment a military takeover  removed the old political leadership. This made some Northern military officers suspect that Achebe had played a role in the takeover, but there was never any evidence supporting the theory.

 Things Fall Apart :
Memory/Documentary
Digression is one of Achebe's main tools. The novel is the story of Okonkwo's tragedy, but it is also a record of Igbo life before the coming of the white man. The novel documents what the white man destroyed. The reader learns much about Igbo customs and traditions; depicting this world is a central part of the novel.
Social disintegration
Towards the end of the novel, we witness the events by which Igbo society begins to fall apart. Religion is threatened, Umuofia loses its self-determination, and the very centers of tribal life are threatened. These events are all the more painful for the reader because so much time has been spent in sympathetic description of Igbo life; the reader realizes that he has been learning about a way of life that no longer exists.
Greatness and ambition
Okonkwo is determined to be a lord of his clan. He rises from humble beginnings to a position of leadership, and he is a wealthy man. He is driven and determined, but his greatness comes from the same traits that are the source of his weaknesses. He is often too harsh with his family, and he is haunted by a fear of failure.
Fate and free will
There is an Igbo saying that when a man says yes, his chi, or spirit, says yes also. The belief that he controls his own destiny is of central importance to Okonkwo. Later, several events occur to undermine this belief, and Okonkwo is embittered by the experience. As often happens with tragedy, the catastrophe comes through a complex mix of external forces and the character's choices.
Masculinity
Masculinity is one of Okonkwo's obsessions, and he defines masculinity quite narrowly. For him, any kind of tenderness is a sign of weakness and effeminacy. Male power lies in authority and brute force. But throughout the novel, we are shown men with more sophisticated understanding of masculinity. Okonkwo's harshness drives Nwoye away from the family and into the arms of the new religion.
Fear
For all of his desire to be strong, Okonkwo is haunted by fear. He is profoundly afraid of failure, and he is afraid of being considered weak. This fear drives him to rashness, and in the end contributes to his death.
Tribal belief
Particularly since one of the threats to Igbo life is the coming of the new religion, tribal belief is a theme of some importance. Igbo religious beliefs explain and provide meaning to the world; the religion is also inextricable from social and political institutions. Achebe also shows that Igbo religious authorities, such as the Oracle, seem to possess uncanny insights. He approaches the matter of Igbo religion with a sense of wonder.
Justice
Justice is another powerful preoccupation of the novel. For the Igbo, justice and fairness are matters of great importance. They have complex social institutions that administer justice in fair and rational ways. But the coming of the British upsets that balance. Although the British claim that local laws are barbaric, and use this claim as an excuse to impose their own laws, we soon see that British law is hypocritical and inhumane. The final events leading up to Okonkwo's death concern the miscarriage of Justice under the British District Commissioner.


       Thus,  we can see the importance of literature in society, especially, how the idea of masculinity creates the problem that we can see in this novel.

Arrow of God :

Bondage to Traditions and Superstition
The rhythms of life in Umuaro are dictated by strict traditions. in the novel we see that these traditions have become shackles that bind the people to as the priests that are supposed to serve them have learned to manipulate their blind obedience to their traditions and customs. Priests have become the de facto rulers of their communities because they facilitate the rituals that are ubiquitous to village life. Over time, these priests become despotic in their leadership, seeing the immense influence that they wield over the superstitious inhabitants of their villages. We see this in Ezeulu's unreasonable adherence to the custom of waiting a month to consume the consecrated yams, even if it meant allowing the yams in the field to rot and for the rest of the villagers to face starvation. Even with the immediate danger of crop failure and widespread famine the villagers can do nothing to oppose Ezeulu as they are bound by the fear of divine retribution.
Duty vs. Morals
Another theme central to the novel which is a variant of the theme of conflict is the dynamic tension between carrying out one's duty versus morals. Ezeulu believes that is his duty to enforce the rituals that Ulu requires of him in order to maintain the regular cycles of planting and harvesting, but when his adherence to the rituals causes the people to suffer he decides that his maintenance of these practices are more important, causing conflicts to arise within the community which eventually spells his downfall.

No Longer At Ease :
The Corruptibility of Civil Servants
One of Chinua Achebe's main socio-political criticisms in No Longer At Ease is that of corruption in Nigeria. From the moment the book begins the main character, Obi Okonkwo, is confronted with the issue of bribery. From the moment he arrives at customs to the point at where he gives in to taking bribes himself, the voice of Achebe lingers in the backdrop through the words.
The Influence of Education
One of the most important aspects of Obi's life is that he was educated in England. This small fact molds the way others treat him and shapes what others expect of him. At the same time, the education he holds dear is also one for which he has felt guilt and one which has often made him a stranger in his own Nigeria.

A Man of the People :
The Corrupting Effects of Power
In this story Odili describes various characters and their individual ascents to power. In telling these stories, he commonly finds that each figure grows to be more self-involved and materialistic after acquiring power. These lessons are particularly evident in the narrator's descriptions of the country's political dynamic. Odili repeatedly finds that once someone gets accustomed to the privileges that accompany political involvement, they neglect all fair and just practices. This lesson is particularly evident with the story surrounding his radical Irish former professor. Odili explains that this professor largely inspired the narrator's ideological shift. However, the professor was later appointed in the government cabinet and became “a classic example of the corroding effect of privilege”
The Complacency of the Common Citizen
 Odili voices his disdain for the nation's "common man." Although many people are disheartened by the nation's politics, their disappointment manifests in disinterest. While they are aware of Chief Nanga's fraudulent real estate cases and other examples of deceit, they still believe that they can get "their share of the national cake" if he is the figure in power. Odili ruminates on the dynamic between the masses and the elite politicians throughout his campaign.
               In conclusion, we can say that Achebe has tried to represent his main duty.  As writers main duty is to represent the real situation of the society.  Similarly, Achebe has portrayed the real African society through the help of his writing.
              However , it tries to show that how the idea of Heathen and Eurocentric works.  In some of his work he openly admits that some of the white writers had have portrayed African culture as a more derogatory.

References :
https://www.gradesaver.com/a-man-of-the-people/study-guide/themes
https://www.notablebiographies.com/A-An/Achebe-Chinua.html

Assignment 13 The New Literatures

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Assignment – 13                                       Words : 1474

Name – Vipul Dabhi
Semester – 4
Roll No – 35
Enrollment No – 2069108420180009
Email ID – dabhivc04@gmail.com
Paper – 13 The New Literatures
Topic – ‘ The Da Vinci Code’ as a Framed.
               Narrative.
Batch – 2017-‘19
Submitted To – Dept. of English,  MKBU.




Introduction –
What is Frame Narratives ? : In general sense we can define Frame Narratives as A story within a story.  Normally,  writer uses these types of narrative technique to convey the deep / real meaning of the work.  This types of narratives helps writer to build a plot, similarly it provides some other stories related to the main theme/context. Thus,  it becomes a story of so many stories.  For example – Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
                      Imagine the main narrative as a picture frame. It provides the structure for the story: the beginning, the middle, and the end. Now imagine secondary stories placed inside of the picture frame. A writer can put a second or third or really an unlimited number of stories within the context of this frame. All of these stories are held together by the main narrative, the frame essentially connects what would otherwise be unrelated stories. Typically the initial narrative will be used as a setup for structural purposes. The secondary story (or stories) will be more important and ultimately take on a larger role.
‘ The Da Vinci Code ‘ as a Framed Narratives : Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code is one of the most successful and controversial novels of our time. Other authors have jumped on the bandwagon writing novels on Christian topics or treasure hunts or simply discussing The Da Vinci Code. Even the film industry has profited by using Brown’s strategies. But which strategies does Brown use to make the reader enjoy reading The Da Vinci Code? He focuses on his use of narrative techniques. The Da Vinci Code is told by a restricted third-person narrator. He tells the story from various points of view without any distractions.  Mainly there are total three stories/level.
• At the upper level,  it seems to be a popular murder mystery :
From secret societies and religious zealots to art history and familiar landmarks, it’s the perfect balance between an accessible, smart thriller and an outrageous, conspiracy-laden romp. Throw in a side of controversy—a non-celibate Jesus and Mary Magdalene, for example—and it’s no wonder everyone and their mother has read it.
            Jacques Sauniere - Even though he's killed off before the book even begins, Jacques Saunière is the guy who made the whole journey possible.
As the Grand Master of the Priory of Sion he was entrusted with knowledge that had been painstakingly kept secret for hundreds of years. As the highly respected curator of the Louvre—one of the world's most famous art museums—he was responsible for curating masterpieces for generations to come. As Sophie's grandfather, he was a loving taskmaster, who made sure all of her successes came because of hard work and clever thinking.
When Silas murders him in the prologue, Saunière has to call upon all of these roles in order to pass on his information to his estranged granddaughter.
Saunière is far from the average man. He's seriously smart.  He recreates Da Vinci's obscure inventions in his free time. He hand carves wooden boxes with mirrored writing meticulously etched into the lid and hidden beneath an impeccably crafted rose. He uses papyrus for writing secret messages, which are then hidden in a cryptex, for his granddaughter's birthday cards, for Pete's sake.
He's a regular Renaissance Man…and it's mostly due to his undying adoration of Leonardo Da Vinci—the ultimate Renaissance Man if ever there was one.
       His love for Da Vinci isn't just because they both had the same job title (as the Grand Master of the Priory of Sion…not the curator of the Louvre). Saunière believes in the sacred feminine, and in everything the Church tried to oppress for the sake of gaining religious power. He believes the natural balance of things needs both masculine and feminine strengths—which is something Da Vinci proposed as well. Above all else, though, Jacques Saunière loves his granddaughter, and he does everything he can to keep her safe. He sacrifices many things—including his happy marriage—in order to protect Sophie from unseen forces.And, although some could argue that separating Sophie from her grandmother and little brother may have been a bit of an overreaction, there's no doubting that it was all done in her best interest. So we can see this whole story as a murder mystery, which gets unfolded at the end.
 
• At the mid-level,  it is revelation of Christian and self-identification of Sophie Neuve :
The Da Vinci Code is not to be ignored as a fictional plot. Its premise, that Jesus Christ has been reinvented for political purposes, attacks the very foundation of Christianity. Its author, Dan Brown, has stated on national TV that, even though the plot is fictional, he believes its account of Jesus’ identity is true. So what is the truth? Let’s take a look.
• Did Jesus have a secret marriage with Mary Magdalene?
• Was Jesus’ divinity invented by Constantine and the church?
• Were the original records of Jesus destroyed?
• Do recently discovered manuscripts tell the truth about Jesus?
Has a gigantic conspiracy resulted in the reinvention of Jesus? According to the book and movie, The Da Vinci Code, that is exactly what happened. Several of the book’s assertions regarding Jesus smack of conspiracy. For example, the book states: “Nobody is saying Christ was a fraud, or denying that He walked the earth and inspired millions to better lives. All we are saying is that Constantine took advantage of Christ’s substantial influence and importance. And in doing so, he shaped the face of Christianity as we know it today.”
       Sophie Neveu :
  Sophie Neveu is the granddaughter of Louvre curator Jacques Sauniere. She is a French National Police cryptographer, who studied at the Royal Holloway, University of London Information Security Group.
She was raised by her grandfather from an early age, after her parents were killed in a car accident. Her grandfather used to call her "Princesse Sophie" and trained her to solve complicated word puzzles. As a young girl, she accidentally discovered a strange key in her grandfather's room inscribed with the initials "P.S.". Later, as a graduate student, she had arrived early for a spring-break visit to her grandfather's house in Normandy and, silently horrified, she had observed him participating in the Hieros Gamos, a sex ritual—with his own wife, who was believed to be dead. The incident led to her estrangement with her grandfather for ten years until the night of his murder.
Sophie finds out at the end of the book that she is a descendant of the Merovingians, and a living descendant of the historical Jesus. She first starts suspecting this when Sir Leigh Teabing reveals the truth of the Holy Grail, but dismisses the idea when Langdon tells her that neither her surname nor her grandfather's is a Merovingian name. (The surname Neveu is the French word for "nephew.") In fact, as she later finds out, her parents and ancestors had, for protection, changed their family names of Plantard and Saint-Clair. At the end of the book, she agrees to spend a week in Florence with Robert Langdon.
• Robert Langdon’s revelation to the truth of Holy Grail
Robert Langdon is in Paris to give a lecture on his work. Having made an appointment to meet with Jacques Saunière, the curator of the Louvre, he is startled to find the French police at his hotel room door. They inform him that Saunière has been murdered and they would like his immediate assistance at the Louvre to help them solve the crime. Unknown to Langdon, he is in fact the prime suspect in the murder and has been summoned to the scene of the crime so that the police may extract a confession from him. While he is in the Louvre, he meets Sophie Neveu a young Cryptologist from the DCPJ. When Langdon and Sophie get the chance to talk in private, he finds out that Jacques Sauniere is her grandfather. Saunière instructs Sophie to “Find Robert Langdon,” according to the message he left for her in the floor, therefore, Sophie believes he is innocent of her grandfather's murder. He spends the rest of the novel dodging the police and trying to solve the mystery of a secret ancient society which was led by Leonardo da Vinci himself, the Priory of Sion. At the end of the novel, Langdon uncovers the mystery behind Mary Magdalene and the Holy Grail also called Sang real. He agrees to meet with Sophie at the end of month again at the end.
           In nutshell we can say that somehow it has the framed narratives.
References :
https://study.com/academy/lesson/frame-narrative-definition-lesson-quiz.html
https://danbrown.fandom.com/wiki/Sophie_Neveu
https://danbrown.fandom.com/wiki/Robert_Langdon

The Soldier by Rupert Brooke

     This sonnet finds a soldier speculating as he goes away to war about his possible death, which he feels should not be mourned, but understood as part of a selfless tribute to his much-loved England.

     This is a sophisticated patriotic response to the First World War that can be contrasted with the more xenophobic and crude patriotism of poets like Jessie Pope and Rudyard Kipling— or at least Kipling’s early responses to the war. Brooke’s characteristic blend of intellectual and emotional power is in evidence, though some may find the poem troubling: the notion of an English heaven suggests, after all, that there is something special about England, in no less eyes than those of God. Can there be, in such a time of war, such a thing as a German heaven?

Brooke is certainly aware of the dangers of projecting our own ideas and prejudices onto heaven. His amusing 1913 poem heaven about fish heaven, makes that clear: “of all their wish,” he declares, “There shall be no more land, say fish.” Yet he seems to rely on the force of his patriotic imagination to make an ‘English heaven’ plausible. Can we- should we- take this English heaven seriously?

     

The Slave's Dream by H. W. Longfellow

In The Slave’s Dream, a negro slave is lying in a farm and remembers his native land. He dreams of his past life when he was roaming freely on the African continent. He remembers his beloved and affectionate family and tears fall onto the sand.  He is probably a warrior and leader of a tribal clan and is well respected. He rides around on his horse with his sword and is watching out for any impending doom. He follows the amazing flight of flamingo birds and reaches a human settlement of huts. He then wanders all around the breathtaking African landscape with its fascinating wildlife. The poet is talking about people coming together and raising their voices for freedom. During this point in the dream, the “slave” smiles at the thought of the advent of freedom and liberty across the landscape. The “slave” then passes away, finally resting in peace, oblivious to the torture of the “overseer” or the scorching heat.  His tragic soul has finally sets free at death.

        It seems quite real also if we try to look within deep down.  

Othello by William Shakespeare

  The play Othello opens in the city of Venice.The first characters introduced are Iago, an ensign denied promotion by Othello, and Roderigo, a jealous ex-suitor of Desdemona. The two are in route to describing to Senator Brabantio the elopement of Othello and Desdemona, Brabantio’s daughter.

     In the final scenes, Iago’s wife Emilia reveals the ruse to Lodovico and Gratiano, their fellow Venetians, and incurs Iago’s anger, dying at his hands. Cassio however, having not been murdered in the street, confirms the tale and exonerates Desdemona and himself in the process. Othello however, has already killed his wife and in a final moment of despair, takes his own life for what he has done.

     

The Hairy Ape by Eugene O'Neill

     The central character of Eugene O'Neill's The Hairy Ape is Yank, a fireman, or someone who stokes the coal furnace of transatlantic ships. He is brutish and opinionated. Yank is leader of the firemen and the play opens with him hanging out with his coworkers in the forecastle of the ship. Though he is able to command their attention easily, they don't hesitate to make fun of how he speaks. Yank mocks a fellow fireman when the fireman stands up to make a speech about how they are in a hell created by the upper class.

     For upper class these lower class people are like pawns. They just uses them for their own purposes.  

Quality by John Galsworthy

    “Quality” tells the story of Mr. Gessler, a German shoemaker.  Although Mr. Gessler makes the best boots in London, his business is failing because he is unable to compete with the big companies around him. These companies, we learn, earn their customers not through quality but advertising. Mr. Gessler is ultimately triumphant in that he is able to establish his own conditions for success; what matters most to Gessler is that he produces quality boots, and in this regard he succeeds.

        It criticises the increasing level of Mall culture. Or we can say that how machinery is taking the job away from human beings.  

How Much Land does a Man Need ? By Leo Tolstoy

      "How Much Land Does a Man Need?" tells the story of a peasant named Pahom, who boasts that if he had enough land, he wouldn't fear the Devil. After a series of moves, however, it's clear that no matter how much land Pahom has, he will never truly be happy.

      In this story, Pahom believes that owning land will solve all of his problems:

“If I had plenty of land, I shouldn’t fear the Devil himself!” The devil, overhearing this boast, decides to give Pahom his wish, seducing him with the extra land that Pahom thinks will give him security.   

But at the end everything gets changed. 

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

         The Bluest Eye is novella written by Toni Morrison.  Which was first published in 1970.
              At its core, The Bluest Eye is a story about the oppression of women. The novel's women not only suffer the horrors of racial oppression, but also the tyranny and violation brought upon them by the men in their lives. The novel depicts several phases of a woman's development into womanhood. Pecola, Frieda, andClaudia, the novel's youngest female characters, possess a limited and idealistic view of what it means to be a woman. 

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

      Heart of darkness is a novella written by Joseph Conrad and it was published in 1899. The main themes of the novella is about colonialism. The character of Kurtz mainly remains in the center.  

     The narrator of the novella is Marlow. Who tells the whole story.  It criticises the so called idea of civilization.  For that writer has used the symbols of river Thames and Congo. 
       It seems that they are so civilized but it is not so,  as we have seen in the novel that how cruel and cunning Kurtz is.  At the end we can see the situation becomes that much worst that he couldn't get out from the "station." The last words of Kurtz suggest a deep meaning..." The Horror,  The Horror! 

Major Themes 

Here’s a brief explanation of each theme from Heart of Darkness with examples:

1. Alienation and Loneliness: Marlow’s journey into the Congo leads to his emotional and physical isolation. He feels cut off from both his fellow Europeans and the indigenous people, which represents the alienation of the modern individual. Kurtz, at the end of his life, is completely isolated both physically and mentally, lost in his own madness.

2. Deception: The European mission in Africa is presented as a noble endeavor to bring civilization to the "savages," but this is a lie. The real aim is exploitation for profit. Kurtz himself deceives others by promising ideals of progress while engaging in brutal and savage acts.

3. Doubt and Ambiguity: Marlow constantly questions the meaning of his journey and the truth about Kurtz. Conrad’s narrative style, with its layers of stories within stories, creates ambiguity. The novel never fully reveals the truth about what Kurtz has done or the true nature of the "darkness" Marlow encounters.

4. Race and Racism: The novel reflects the racist attitudes of European colonizers, who view the African people as inferior and dehumanized. However, it also critiques this racism by highlighting the brutal exploitation of the Africans, showing that the supposed "civilized" Europeans are the true savages.

5. Order and Disorder: The European presence in Africa, symbolizing order and civilization, quickly unravels into chaos. The further Marlow travels into the jungle, the more he encounters disorder, both in the environment and within human nature, exemplified by Kurtz’s descent into madness.

6. Sanity and Insanity: The Congo serves as a metaphorical test of sanity, where the darkness of the jungle and the moral corruption of colonialism drive people mad. Kurtz embodies the ultimate loss of sanity, becoming unhinged in the lawless wilderness, with his infamous final words, “The horror! The horror!”

7. Duty and Responsibility: Marlow initially feels a sense of duty to fulfill his role as a sailor and bring Kurtz back. However, the novel questions the meaning of duty in the face of moral corruption, as Marlow becomes complicit in the horrors of colonialism despite his growing disillusionment.

8. Violence and Cruelty: The violence and cruelty of European colonialism are central to the novel. The exploitation and brutal treatment of the African people, including the atrocities committed by Kurtz, reveal the dark heart of European imperialism under the guise of civilization.

Each of these themes reinforces the novel’s exploration of the dark side of human nature and the moral corruption at the heart of colonialism.

Online Test 

Heart of Darkness  (Click on it)

Thinking Activity 

1. Explain the title Heart of Darkness in your own words. 

2. What is your understanding of the themes of alienation and loneliness? 

 

Works Cited 

ChatGPT. "Themes in Heart of Darkness." OpenAI, 19 Sept. 2024.