Talks-Chimananda-Ngozi-Adichie

Welcome readers!

Many a times it happens that we only know, what is being included in our syllabus and we are suppose to refer to only those things, than anything outside of it. Concerning this aspect of our studies, (Dilip Barad) sir had assigned us a task, out of our syllabus "Talks on Chimananda Ngozi Adichie"(click here) to refer to her respective blog.

I liked all videos of "Chimananda Ngozi Adichie". Who has very systematically explained from beginning to end each and every concept explicitly. As first describing about what something comes into, then how it exactly looks and then finally how it can be made fair enough to both, people and the world.

For Example: In first video: Giving an example of single story. In which "An African man 'Dafie'" is presented. How only one aspect of his life is considered, though it has many(as we also come to know that his parents were doing weaving work) and how in absence of something integral, one thing becomes distortive and is being understood.

I didn't dislike at all. I liked her manner of putting forward her idea of any concept; like the single story, feminist and truth in post truth era. How first in trivial attitude, she reinstate that what is according to people a feminist(seems mere funny as she says: a woman without marriage, is considered unhappy by the people) and how with such pretensions women fulfill this entity. But she eventually crystallized actually what is precisely "a feminist". Which according to her should be, giving message of equality, equal treatment, leveling both the parties instead of inferioring one of them.

-Video on feminism:

I liked her views on first video that "one shouldn't solely refer to persons one-sided story, but rather one must be known to a person's every aspects of life, which makes a story fenced from every sides.

There is not any question of disliking. Though some of her thoughts seem ridiculous and contemptuous but literally it serves fun.

Her views on how in removal of other aspects of human life story, a story can create a misunderstanding which would be perhaps harmful for upcoming generation. In second video, she says for feminism that equality should be established for woman and man both(for which she gives noodle cooking example). In third video when she says that "Literature is religion" and for that we should read it widely, where one can encounter each and every prospects of human life, and can gain a wide understanding of actual life, which is actually true to life.

For further understanding refer to the video: truth in post-truth era.

Yes in aforementioned video and the other, those give a better understanding of what is literature and how life has connection with it.

She emphasized on telling the truth. Whether it will devalue your position, whether it is a politicized place, wherever you are your voice can't be suppressed but should convey what is fair to. To know human through literature is life. Where "the literature makes us flexible, and we are able to see the ugly aspect of the world(e.g: imperfect/fragile people) and through which we can evaluate and make ourselves learn what to take and what to abandon.

Hence we knew here "Chimananda Ngozi Adichie" who is an established writer. Through her we learnt her perspective of seeing life, which lens she wears and which she avoids to wear and when need arises how she adapt herself to see the world with both lenses.

Comparing ancient times prevailing feminism tendency with contemporary times:

In ancient times we have seen in many movies, where women are used to do household work, indulge in farming activities either officially or domestically(but always differentiated in financial aspects in accordance with men) and look after their husband and children.

• To refer to how "feminism like concept" revolved from ancient to contemporary times, I have mirrored some videos:

women in ancient times.

A woman as a common wife for five husbands.

How the concept changes in contemporary times.


Thus we learnt here how the aforementioned  concept gets change from time to time, though always actively reflecting the people/society, still it isn't completely able to rub its mark from its treaded land, the issue can't be looked partially,women are also involved in creating new issues of feminism and also it is also supporting the idea of "Chimananda Ngozi Adhichie" about feminism.

Thankyou 

Samiya Kagdi

PG student

Department of English

Applied sources:

1.https://dilipbarad.blogspot.com/2018/08/talks-by-chimamanda-ngozi-adichie.html.
2.https://youtu.be/zU9eaxjEgko
3.https://youtu.be/VVcT-Cy83uI
4.https://youtu.be/Bj8YPoN4OB0

I.A. Richards-Verbal analysis

Welcome readers!

Concerning I.A.Richards, we are to do critical interpretations of any variety of song, hymn, poem or on any poetic expression, where we have to also keep in mind "four types of misunderstandings" discussed by the critic and based on the essay's analysis, we have to give poetic expression on any work selected by us(click here)refraining ourselves from old criticism:

-Task assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad(sir)

E=mc2 - Dave Proffitt, taken for critical interpretation based on four misunderstanding:

Energy is equal to mass times the speed of light squared

This mass-energy equivalence within this formula compared

Essentially saying a small amount of matter contains a lot of energy

Reflected in elegant brevity this ultimate energy-mass synergy

Sets the cosmic speed limit to the speed of light

That mass becomes infinite no matter what the might

Albert got us to think about a brand new space-type rhyme

Combined them both together in a dimension called space-time

Albert’s playmate of the mind  fascination with the speed of light

Gave Albert new ideas with its effect on times  new insight

Clocks through the universe flying in high values of “c”

Run so much slower than the ones right next to you and me.

Thank you Albert Einstein for thinking “outside the box”

For showing us Newtonian physics are a different kind of block

At the speed of light becomes a round hole to a square peg

the Chandrasekhar Limit to star mass a black hole does beg.

A concept  taken by the poet.

First of all we see here: Newton and Chandrashekhar are removed from the landmark of physics, while "Einstein" is given due importance, and is appreciated as a thinker of 'outside of box' and as having 'a new insight for the process of combining "space-time(mass&energy)", which has generated for him 'new ideas' for time(c).

If we do its literal translation, we may gain an idea that the aforementioned formula is based on "Energy=Mass": Both are equivalent to each other as shown by "Einstein" and both can be compared with each other. Mass is an entity in itself, which consists of a very small amount of matter, but when both 'E' and 'M' are synergized, they are thrashed with 'C' (time) and are becoming infinite, which are transformed into "space-time" dimension and are possible for the effect on time that has generated for him a new idea and also he is thanked by the poet.

 1. The word "Mass" can be used for "density/quantity/people(mass of people)/substance and energy is equivalent to the growth of mass(people).Energy can't be equal to mass, while here it isn't mentioned "the amount of energy or what type of energy, what type of frequency it has or how severe it is. Energy can be also compared with 'strength or will power' that can defeat the mass/have a solution. Furthermore 'time can't be massed' as it is translucent/transparent and goes in a very light manner.

  "The speed of light squared".

2. As we see when there is natural light of sun/moon or any other object of the universe, it only has a ray of light and with the help of it the rest area/region is brightened and the other amount of infrared radiation is emitted to mars. If it is squared then in what manner, the light has been covered? Or transformed in square into some universe objects as we have stars in the universe? But those are made up of up and down triangle like shape.. than how?

"The cosmic speed limit to the speed of light; that mass becomes infinite no matter what the might".

3. The cosmic(energy+mass) limit to the speed of light: Here a question arises that how a combined object can limit its speed, when encounter with light. Was the poet has described this concerning "the spirit entering into its light". Which we see many a times a sublimation of a spirit, enters just with a break into its infinite world and is removed from the Earth. But here the space-time becomes infinite then how the theories are getting altered by various physicists from time to time. While on another side we see light also emits energy, then it can be doubled the energy with prior  one than becoming static by light. It can't be easily digested.

"Albert's playmate of the mind".

4. Here "Albert's mind is considered as his own playmate". Yes it is there that mind can go, wherever a person wants it to go. But sometimes it has been broken out due to some weak mental faculties. The very meaning suggests "both Albert and the mind are playing with each other". While here it is possible only with an animate thing like "Albert" or it suggests as Albert is playing with his mind, just in testing manner.

"Fascination with the speed of light".

5. Perhaps here  "Einstein's imagination" is compared with light like transparency, which doesn't have any barricade just going on smoothly on its instructed way. But imagination can't be with the speed of light and it can't help to fascinate anything as it is an inanimate thing(seems as personification is utilized here). But it can be with such translucency.

"Clocks through the universe flying in high values of 'c'".

6. Clocks are inanimate things and those can't fly(personification is used). It seems as some insignificant thing is given significane(in the form of time). As the nest is insignificant without its occupier/home/any place.

"Run so much slower than the ones right next to you and me".

7.  Though the poet hasn't mentioned, who is standing beside him and the other person, to whom he is addressing. But both are compared with time which is running slow than them. How a transparent speed is comparable with concrete one?

Here it seems as new kind of documentation as it has increased the power of thinking by enhancing curiousity to know more(e.g: the speed of light and imagination; clocks flying for c etc.) and by comparing one after another getting new ideas(sublimation of spirit with breaking manner, nest/home vs clock as a formed structure for shelter for humanbeing as well as for bird or any creature)

Also the other analytical approach of criticism is fulfilled, where I have explicitly mentioned what I have think or feel and at what possible reasons it can be liked or disliked by me. Moreover the last approach is also fulfilled of by hearing and reading how to frame our understanding accordingly.

You would see in my poetic expression for this particular poem, how this poem has made me very much  curious, raise such questions, how it has helped me to  reflect my feelings and thinking along with it only by understanding(read and hear) one can write such work, otherwise cannot.

Hence we saw here by considering "four misunderstandings of I.A. Richards essay, how I have interpreted the above mentioned poem and then related it with the analytical critical approaches along with the approval of having been done.

Refer to this song:(https://samiyakagdi313.blogspot.com/2019/12/all-is-well-song.html) based on the same idea as mentioned above.

Comparing both below mentioned songs parallely, with the same tools applied in aforementioned lyrics:

Released on 1st sept.,2015 on YouTube by Tseries company:

Har pal meriyaan yadaan

Yadaan vich ae tun

Dil di gal main dassa

Te dassa fir kinnu (x2)

Teri meri, meri teri ik jind'di

Ik jind'di what to do

Jhoomu main naachu main gaaun ke likhun

Tere liye main kya karun

https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/honeysingh/dheeredheerese.html

In this we may see the influence of indi-pop music and also the song starts with different words of lyrics rather than similarizing the old version of the same lyrics. It has also been recited in Punjabi language. In old version it has serious tone, while in new version it has delightful tone, going on in zig zag beats, both versions have the same complaining words/describes their emotional state by being in love.

The song says that: someone is hangovered by someone's thoughts and he/she wants to express his/her situation. But the question arises, to whom? Perceives as they both have the same kind of life but to acquire one what one should do, either he can only swing or dance or sing.

When looking it critically, the reader may think that what he/she doesn't have any work than keeping on recalling someone. If one does such thing then perhaps he may be emotionally distortive/fool. Why not one can be settled by easily getting Mary to someone, rather than doing such silly things like; dancing, singing and swinging: only to earn someone's heart.

धीरे धीरे से मेरी ज़िन्दगी में आना

धीरे धीरे से दिल को चुराना





तुमसे प्यार हमें है कितना जान-ए-जाना





तुमसे मिलकर तुमको है बताना




जब से तुझे देखा, दिल को कही आराम नहीं

मेरे होठों पे एक तेरे सिवा कोई नाम नहीं





अपना भी हाल तुम्हारे जैसा है साजन





बस याद तुझे करते हैं और कोई काम नहीं



बन गया हूँ मैं, तेरा दीवाना


https://www.hinditracks.in/dheere-dheere-se-meri-zindagi-me-aana-lyrics-hindi-aashiqui




धीरे धीरे से दिल को चुरानाIn this song we say the typicality of love. Where one says: since she/he has seen someone, he/she is unable to be in rest and since then he/she is talking only about his/her beloved/suitor. While this can be thought at the same juncture as about the prior new version.


Hence we see here how the two songs, though different in some respect to lyrics, but similarises in some aspects and has influence of both 1990s(based on filmi-ghazal) and 2015(Indi-pop), and the difference can be seen clearly.



A question arises in mind that as it was composed under influence of modern era in India, can it be said as we saw a poem and song, critically evaluating with I.A. Richards modern western influence of close textual reading tendency, it has been influenced with modern era tendency though in some respects..

Thankyou 

Samiya Kagdi

PG student

Department of English

MKBU

Applied sources:

1. https://samiyakagdi313.blogspot.com/      2019/12/all-is-well-song.html.

2.  https://allpoetry.com/poem/12394022-      E-mc2-by-Dave-Proffitt.

3.  Basic understanding of "Einstein              theory".

4.  https://samiyakagdi313.blogspot.com       /2019/12/all-is-well-song.html.

5. https://www.hinditracks.in/dheere-dheere-se-meri-zindagi-me-aana-lyrics-hindi-aashiqui.

6. https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/honeysingh/dheeredheerese.html

Evaluation with new criticism approach : Ozymandias

Welcome all readers!

Let's have a look on how "new criticism and its features are applied to Ozymandias poem" and how a specific kind of analyzation and evaluation can be done by refraining myself from attendant circumstances of the poetry/poem.

-Task assigned by Dilip Barad (sir)

New criticism :

1. Poetry should be regarded as independent and self-sufficient verbal object. While the first law of criticism according to John Crowe Ransom says : "It shall be objective, shall cite the nature of the object" and shall recognize "the autonomy of the work itself as existing for it's own sake". Furthermore it should be isolated from its attendant circumstances and effects.

2. Principles of the "New criticism": it is a special kind of language, whose attributions are define by opposing the systematic science, logical or practical language. While the actual process is to explicitly analyze the meanings, interactions of words and figures of speech.

PRECAUTIONS :  The reader is warned against separating the two "overall structure and verbal meanings". To which Cleanth Brooks has called the heresy of paraphrase.

3. The distinctive procedure of a new critic, is to have close/explicative reading of the object. What should be the close reading? This question arises in our minds. That is to refer in  detail the analysis of complex interrelationship and ambiguities of the verbal and figurative components within a work(stressing all kind of information relevant to the full understanding of a word or passage).

4. The essential components of any literary work, unconcerned of its genres, are words; images and symbols rather than plot, character and thought(based on Aristotelian tragedy). It is primarily a structure of meanings, which evolve into an integral and freestanding unity mainly through a play.

Based on aforementioned parameters, we will analyze and evaluate "Ozymandias" poem-Percy Bysshe Shelley.

"I met a traveler from an antique land".

When reading this poem, we come to know it is written in "first person" as "I" is emphasised here. Moving further we also have two elements in the very first line to evaluate, that is "traveller" and "antique land": without its connections to the rest of the line of poem, we see 'there is a traveller's and also a person named "I" not revealed about his identity(a narrator) who is given an information on an 'antique land'. Antique can be interpreted as "old" or something unique/delicate/a heritage of people or place. Traveller can be said as it desert, may be walking on  barren land/riding a camel/ exceptionally having something to drive.

"Who said, "two vast and trunkless legs of stone".

In the second line the narrator is given a description of the visage by the tra eller. When we simply read it without any context, it seems to us 'as something two is in figure and which is in distortive manner and here the figure of speech called "personification" is used. Two is used as an adjective to describe the visage.

"Stand in the desert near them, on sand".

Here the visage is standing near the two, but one is giving the description and another is listening but as a reader one thing stucks in our mind that if the traveller is able to see, won't the narrator able to see? Is he blind or knowing to ignore something not trying to look into it.

Trunkless can be interpreted as soft/without support/deformed etc.

"Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown, and wrinkled lips, and sneer of cold command".

This is the description of the visage, who is lying, sinking half in the desert, shattered/wrecked/broken/in haphazard manner.

"Frown" expression of a feeling can be interpreted as storm/calamity/something to harm someone/when the nature get destroyed as also looks at frowning at human beings/ when the person is in no mood(melancholy) he/she would feel as surrounding is frowning at them.

For example : Hamlet's melancholic state.

Here action verb called 'sunk' is described by the adjective "half" that describes the status of the visage, subsequently visage, lips and the manner of someone's commanding attitude is described by some Particularize adjectives. Which have the ample of pregnant meanings in them.

"Tell that its sculptor well those passions read,

Which yet survived, stamped on the lifeless things".

Concerning previous description of the traveller, it also says that if a sculptor has tried to create such a piece, like this old visage,he/she may be existing at his time and knowing how was he dealing, tackling, perhaps exploiting the people, who came in touch with him. Which gives a lively effect,  seems as yet surviving though it has become lifeless/inanimated/deceased/dormant static etc. He had read his passions either those are in negative/positive mood.

The hand that mock'd them and the heart that fed.

Taking the prior first phrase it shows as perhaps the hand was agitating that statue to do something disastrous or anythingelse/teasing or making that thing in such a way that it was able to catch everyone's attention in mocking manner.

While with the rest phrase it shows contradiction "fed & mocked"(oxymoron). Heart feeds its emotions into the statue, or if taking heart as only a shape then it can't feed, it will be fixed.

And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:

Pedestal is a thing/prop/support on which an another thing is situated/based. But here as the words need support to appear. Then perhaps in king's personal life he would have taken false/positive support from others, which we can't specify.


Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"

Here he has talked about his works. Which are mighty yet he is in despair. However someone has worked mightily but if he/she is in despair then how it is justifiable. So perhaps it has been done for his own welfare rather than others because king's do have great responsibility on their shoulders to work for their expectancy. But he may be failed in doing so.

Nothing beside remains: round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,

Then at last it is said in this poem that whatever one has done throughout his life, won't remain as it is. It gets change from time to time, the thing remaining is, his good deeds.

Round  the decay: means something is hovering around one, it has been squared round, don't know if he is going to come out or not.

Colossal wreck: that has been damaged, describes the state of statue. Due to these all extreme surrounding thing it has been put in dilapidated state and now perhaps the real king is seen who was until now bounded(where we were to see him in his kingly manner) but now he is bare.

The lone and level sands stretch far away.

Which he has until now tried to level in with his own accordance, all has been swept away from it's own nature.

To be continued..