This story is suspense thriller . By effective use of language and setting , H.G.Wells creates an eerie atmosphere . The story resolves around a man who visits a castle which has an old couple as house keepers . TAhis castle belonged to a young Duke who had died mysteriously . A particular room in the castle referred to as the 'Red Room' was supposed to be haunted . The narrator comes to the castle to investigate . The old couple is extremely unfriendly and uncooperative to him . The narrator takes the instructions to reach the red room and then proceeds to move along the corrider . The writer at this point , presents a vivid picture of the room .As one reads the story , one can recreate the scene . The room is large with a mantelpiece which has candle stands on it . There is a fireplace where the coal is glowing . The narrator prepares to light all the candles .As time passes , the candles are put out one by one and the narrator is left in total darkness . He is terrified and tries to rush out of the room .
The narrator is terrified in the darkness and begins to imagine the ghost following him . He tries in desperation to reach the landing of the staircase but hits against the bed and other objects and is badly hurt on his forehead . He become unconscious and later opens his eyes to find the old couple bending over him . They question him about the ghost as they are convinced that the injury is the ghost's doing . The narrator , however , proclaims dramatically that the house was indeed haunted.......not by a ghost but by fear . The story is thus an eye-opener for all of us who often refuse to see reason when clouded by fear . "Fear is thus greatest enemy of mankind" .
Thursday, June 11, 2009
THE CHERRY TREES ---RAM KUMAR
'The cherry trees' by Ram kumar is a story that deals with different issues . At one level , it contrasts city life to being in the lap of nature . It also deals with the issue of deforestation and the necessity to preserve nature and at another symbolic level , it deals with the issue of early marriage of girls . The narrator of the story is a boy who is much excited to enter his new house that had an orchard of cherry trees . The children , along with their elder sister make merry . In fact , the elder sister is so happy initially of her stars seem to be close to her at night time . There is soon discussion of her marriage , which upsets her as she is unhappy with the decision of her parents to get her married at such a young age .
The children's idyllic haven is soon spoilt with the entry of the contractor , who wishes to pluck all the cherries . The children are upset with their freedom to pluckcherries being curbed . However , there is no way they can protest as the house does not belong to them . They are not only silent spectators to the cartons of cherries being taken away but also to the killing of a bird in the process . Their sister feels it is as much a sin a pluck fruits and flowers as it it to kill animals .
The narrator looks out of the window and finds the stars shining brightly in the sky because it was a moonless light . His sister , however , is disturbed and does not notice the stars . Her mind is preoccupied with the fact that her parents were going to get her married soon . The writer makes an interesting comparison of the marriage of young girl against her wishes to the plucking of unripe cherries . The killing of the bird is also symbolic of the freedom of the girl which is likely to be curbed after marriage . The varied moods of the girl are reflected in the sighting or not sighting of the stars .
The children's idyllic haven is soon spoilt with the entry of the contractor , who wishes to pluck all the cherries . The children are upset with their freedom to pluckcherries being curbed . However , there is no way they can protest as the house does not belong to them . They are not only silent spectators to the cartons of cherries being taken away but also to the killing of a bird in the process . Their sister feels it is as much a sin a pluck fruits and flowers as it it to kill animals .
The narrator looks out of the window and finds the stars shining brightly in the sky because it was a moonless light . His sister , however , is disturbed and does not notice the stars . Her mind is preoccupied with the fact that her parents were going to get her married soon . The writer makes an interesting comparison of the marriage of young girl against her wishes to the plucking of unripe cherries . The killing of the bird is also symbolic of the freedom of the girl which is likely to be curbed after marriage . The varied moods of the girl are reflected in the sighting or not sighting of the stars .
THE MEETING POOL ---RUSKIN BOND
The story 'The meeting pool' is an intersting story of three friends who take a pledge to return to their favourite pool after ten years . The best part of their childhood revolves round a pool , which was discovered by Rusty (the narrator of the story) and thus came to be known as Rusty's pool . As soon as Rusty discovered the pool near the ravine, he was excited to convey the news to his teo friends . The secret pool became their meeting point . They indulged in activities like fishing , swimming , wrestling and buffalo rides .
The pool not only symbolized the bond of friendship between them but also became a part of their consciousness . They decide to return on fifth of April 1964 at midday , i.e. ten years later to the pool again . Rusty keeps up his word and comes to the pool .
Rusty was the only one who went to the pool on the scheduled day . He was disappointed that his friends did not keep up their promise . However , there is no bitterness or rancour as he understands that with the passage of time , their needs and priorities might he hears the splashing of water . To his amazement , he discovers another pool and another group of friends splashing about in it . He imagines himself and his friends in their place . The story thus conveys the message that life goes on , come what may.
The pool not only symbolized the bond of friendship between them but also became a part of their consciousness . They decide to return on fifth of April 1964 at midday , i.e. ten years later to the pool again . Rusty keeps up his word and comes to the pool .
Rusty was the only one who went to the pool on the scheduled day . He was disappointed that his friends did not keep up their promise . However , there is no bitterness or rancour as he understands that with the passage of time , their needs and priorities might he hears the splashing of water . To his amazement , he discovers another pool and another group of friends splashing about in it . He imagines himself and his friends in their place . The story thus conveys the message that life goes on , come what may.
BONSAI LIFE ----ABBURI CHAYA DEVI
'Bonsai life' by Abburi chaya Devi is a plea for educating girls , thereby freeing them from their 'bonsai life' . The story is of a woman , lovingly called 'Ammalu' by his elder sister , who lives in Delhi . Ammalu is excited when she receives a letter from her sister (Akkaya) informing her of her visit to Delhi . Ammalu is an educated lady who works in Delhi . Her sisterr , on the other hand , was not educated . She had been married oung to a man from the village . As the two sisters exchange notes about each other , they realize how true the saying ' the grass is always greener on the other side ' is . Akkayya yearns for the financial independence of working woman in a city whereas Ammalu longs for the luxuries of village life . Ammalu takes her sister around the house . Akkayya is shocked to see turayi and pomegranate plants in a pot and questions about them . Ammalu explains that they are 'bonsai' plants; bonsai being the Japanese way of growing trees in flowerpots . Akkaya doesn't like the idea . As they discuss about bonsai , their is a storm and Ammalu rushes to bring the bonsai plants under the canopy . Akkayya looks at the huge tree outside the house that provided shelter to many .
Akkayya saw many people taking shelter from the strom under the huge tree . The bonsai , on the other hand , could not provide protection to anyone . In fact , it had to be brought under the canopy so that it would not be destroyed . A comparison is made between a woman who is uneducated and hence dependent on others and the bonsai plant , hwich is nevetheless , beautiful and delicate , but of no use . Ammalu felt like freeing the bonsai plants from their flowerpots . The story is thus a plea to provide education for woman to empower them and make financially indepdent.
Akkayya saw many people taking shelter from the strom under the huge tree . The bonsai , on the other hand , could not provide protection to anyone . In fact , it had to be brought under the canopy so that it would not be destroyed . A comparison is made between a woman who is uneducated and hence dependent on others and the bonsai plant , hwich is nevetheless , beautiful and delicate , but of no use . Ammalu felt like freeing the bonsai plants from their flowerpots . The story is thus a plea to provide education for woman to empower them and make financially indepdent.
THE ADOPTED SON ----GUY DE MAUPASSANT
The story 'The Adopted Son' is a moving tale of human bonds . There were two families, the villins and the Tuvaches who were neighbours at a seaside resort in France . They were extermely poor and couldn't afford even one square meal . Both the familes had four children each , who spent most of their time playing outside their house in the dust . One day , a rich lady , Madame Henri d'Hubieres spotted the children playing outside and decided to adopt one of them . She visited the Tuvaches first and asked for Charlot . the Tuvaches refused to part with their son . Madame Henri d'Hubieres decided to try her luck at the villins . The vallins reluctanly gave their son jean away . In return , they were compensated with enough money , which enabled them to lead a decent life . After twenty-one years , Jean came to visit them . He was not only a handsome young man now but also quite wealthy . Charlot , who was also grown up now , saw jean pass by .
Charlot observed Jean and immediately went up to his parents and complained that they were foolish not to have given him in adoption to Madame d'Hubieres . No explanation or consolation by his parents could make him change his mind to leave the house . The story thus ends on this ionic note: when the Vallins rejoiced the homecoming of jean , the Tuvaches had to bid farewell to their dear boy Charlot .
Charlot observed Jean and immediately went up to his parents and complained that they were foolish not to have given him in adoption to Madame d'Hubieres . No explanation or consolation by his parents could make him change his mind to leave the house . The story thus ends on this ionic note: when the Vallins rejoiced the homecoming of jean , the Tuvaches had to bid farewell to their dear boy Charlot .
ALL AVOIDABLE TALK ---R.K.NARAYANA
The story 'All Avoidable Talk' is an interesting , humourous piece about belief in predictions . Sastri had been warned by his friend to 'avoid all avoidable talk' for a day . The stars were out to trouble him, and even the mildest of his remarks was likely to offend and lead to a quarrel. The planets were set against him and this terrified him beyond all description . Sastri took his friend's advice so seriously that he refused to converse with anyone . Neither did he scold his children for their misdeeds nor did he lose his temper at the tram conductor . Sastri worked in a jewellery shop . He had worked in this shop for twenty years . On arriving late for work , he was scolded by his master , but sastri kept his cool and did not react . As the day progressed , a coustomer came to sastri and enquired if the diamond jewellery could be set in platinum . Sastri said that he didn't know whether it could be done . This angered the coustomer , who in turn reported the matter to the master . Sastri was reprimanded by his master for his poor customer service . By the end of the day , ASastri was so upset with the day's proceedings , that he decided to resign from his job , come what may. By a strange turn of events , he changes his mind .
Sastri went to his master's house to let him know that he was fed up with the job and that he wished to resign . But before he could speak , his master pardoned him for his misbehaviour at the shop as he felt sastri had come to apologize for his misconduct . Hence , sastri managed to save his skin and felt he had triumphed over his stars that day.
Sastri went to his master's house to let him know that he was fed up with the job and that he wished to resign . But before he could speak , his master pardoned him for his misbehaviour at the shop as he felt sastri had come to apologize for his misconduct . Hence , sastri managed to save his skin and felt he had triumphed over his stars that day.