English Literature | Page 3 of 16 | English Literature | English Literature Zone

Godan By Munsi Premchand | Godan Themes, Summary & Character Sketch

Literature, Character Sketch, English Literature, Summary

Introduction

Godan is a famous Hindi novel by Munsi Premchand. It was first published in 1936 and is considered one of the greatest novels of modern Indian literature. It was translated into English in 1957 by Jai Ratan and P. Lal in 1968 by Gordan C. Roadarmel. In English, it is named “The Gift Of a Cow”. This novel became a trademark novel for him.

It can also be seen as the key to Premchand’s worldwide success and fame. It is considered as a social commentary. The story of this novel moves around, the tragic protagonist of the novel Hori. Through the Character of Hori, Premchandra tries to revolt against social evils like the dowry system, caste system and orthodox way of life.

Character Sketch

Hori- Hori is the main character of the novel. He is a poor farmer.

Dhania – She is the wife of Hori.

Gobar – He is the only son of Hori and Dhania.

Rupa & Sona – They are two daughters of Hori and Dhania.

Bhola – He is a cow Herder.

Jhunia – She is the window daughter of Bhola.

Heera – He was Hari’s brother.

Dattadin – He is the village Brahmin priest and moneylender.

Mattadin – He was the son of Dattadin. He had an affair with a girl named Seliya.

Seliya – She was a low-caste girl and worked on the farm of Dattadin.

Rai Shaib – He was the Zamindar and had won the election once.

Malti Devi – She was a doctor who was educated in Europe.

Saroj – She was the young sister of Dr. Malti.

Mr. Mehta – He was a Scholar and lecturer in College.

Mr. Khanna – He was an industrialist and had a Sugar Factory.

Govindi – She was the wife of Mr. Khanna.

About Premchand

Dhanpatrai Srivastavi, Known as Munsi Premchand is one of the famous writers of Hindi Literature. He was born on 31^st July 1880 in Lamhi, a village near Varanasi. His parents were Ajaib Rai a post office clerk and Anadi Devi a housewife. He was 4^th child of his parents.

Premchand was a novelist, short story writer and Dramatist who penned stories and numerous essays. He has written a collection of short stories and numerous essays. He has written a collection of short stories called ‘Mansarovar’. This book contains more than 300 stories. By profession, he was a teacher. He had married a widow and her name was Shivari Devi. In most of his works, he presented naked realities of life. He was very much influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and at the beginning of his career, he started to write under the name Nawab Rai. Many critics compared him with Tolstoy and called him the ’Upanyas Saam at King Of Novels.

About Title “Godan”

The title of the novel “Godan” is symbolic which refers to the religious belief of ‘Godan’. According to the Hindu tradition, a man should donate a cow to Brahmin at the last stage of life to earn great merit or salvation.

Godan translated it into English with the title ‘The Gift of a Cow’. But, the English title does not convey the religious and sentimental association of the word ‘Godan’. For the Hindu, it is not only ‘the gif’ but it is a way to get ‘Salvation’ or we can say ‘Mukti’. Therefore, Godan is a suitable title for the novel as far as the religious tradition is concerned, especially Hori’s death is concerned.

Godan deals with the miserable lives of the Indian peasant. According to the novel, a change in the social set-up is sufficient to transform the lives, of the individual. His characters have no courage to fight against courage to fight against adverse conditions. They accept the given social conditions. They bear all kinds of exploitation. They have unshakable faith in destiny.

Summary Of Godan

The story of the novel starts with Hori, a poor farmer. He has Dhania as his wife, Gobar as his son and Rupa and Sona as his two daughters. Hori is in Hurry to go to Zamindar, Rai Shaib place. He was called by the Zamindar to convey a message to other formers of the village. Hori is informed by the Zomindar that all the village.

Hori is informed by the Zamindar that all the villagers have to contribute rupees 500 to him so that a program in the near future can be organised. When the Zamindar conveyed this message to him he was in great furry. Hori was extremely in a fearful state. He was not able to understand how the money on his port would be managed to be contributed to the Zamindar. At this Gobar and Dhania revolted openly. But Hori kept his calm and made them understand by saying,

“One cannot fight with the crocodile
while living in the water.”

There is another important character in this novel, Bhola. He was a widower and was willing to marry again. Actually, Bhola was a kind-hearted and noble person. He was a member of the lower caste. He was 50 years old. He dealt in milk and cow. His two sons are already married. He had a young widow daughter Jhunia at his house. On the other hand, Hori had a great desire to have a cow at his house. At this point in time, Hori developed a plan in his mind as developed a plan in his mind as he had no money he decided to trick Bhola by virtue of clever polity to get a cow without paying instant money.

Hori and Gobar go to Bhola’s house to bring the cow. Gobar meets Jhunia at Bhola’s house. When the cow was brought to Hari’s house it became a matter of envy for the neighbours. A fight took place between Dhania and Hira, Hori’s brother. Due to enmity, the cow was poisoned. Thus Hori’s desire to have a cow remains unfulfilled.

Gobar is having a love affair with Jhunia. Dhania came to know about this affair. The couple, Hori and Dhania discuss about it and they do not approve of this. Gobar does not follow the instructions of his parents and brings Jhunia to his house. Gobar went to Lucknow with a resolve that he would return after making some money. Thus for humanity, they accepted Jhunia as their daughter-in-law. This act of humanity brought great trouble for Hori. The community of the village imposed a fine rupees 100 on Hori.

Hori was facing all sorts of problems. He had no money on the other hand Gobar had fled to the town. He was residing in Lucknow while his wife was living with Hori and Dhania. Bhola was also pressing Hori to give the price of Cow. One day Bhola came to Hori’s house to make away Hori’s two bullocks in exchange for a cow. At this point in time, Hori was surrounded by all sorts of problems. Actually, Bhola was the victim of Dattadin’s conspiracy and was playing in the hands of Dattadin.

After some days Hori meets his sad demise. After his death, Dhania, Hari’s wife was asked by the priest to do “Godan”, the charity of cow for the peace of his soul. But because of money issues, she could not afford a cow so instead of a cow she gave 1 Rupee 25 Paise to the priest as everything for the death ceremony of her husband.

Hori’s Only Ambition is to own a Cow

“Godan” opens with Hori busy in his household and agriculture duties. His wife, Dhania assists him in his work at home and also in his work at home and also in the field. Despite their hard labour, they cannot clear their debts. They have a son Gobar and two daughters, Sona and Rupa. Poverty and exploitation have made them rough.

Amid such hardships, Hori’s only ambition is to own a cow that gives a lot of milk. It was very hot outside and he had to do a lot of work. Suddenly he sees Bhola with his herd of cows. He expresses his wish and Bhola agrees to give him a cow on loan. Hori is overjoyed and starts thinking of a life of luxury with the help of his cow.

“A Household can never appear
prosperous without a cow.
How suspicious it is to wake
up in the morning to the
the mooing of your cow !”

Hori works hard in the hot sun gets sunstroke and falls unconscious. He is brought home and Dhania weeps on seeing the dying man’s face. In their last moments, Hori hears the voice around him but can not see. Some suggest that it is the proper time to offer Godan for a dying man. It is ironic that throughout his life Hori struggled to earn enough money to buy a cow but even new at the time of his death. He is not able to fulfil his ambition.

At this point, the novel ends with a pathetic and tragic note. The title of the novel “Godan” is highly suggestive and meaningful.

Character Sketch of Hori

Hori is the tragic protagonist of the Munsi Premchandra novel ‘Godan’. He is the unheroic hero of the novel. He is a poor and helpless Indian peasant. He becomes an easy victim in the hands of greedy moneylenders. It is ironic and tragic that the peasant whole tills the dry and hard lands and sows seeds but cannot harvest the crop because the hungry money lenders assert their claim on the ripe harvest.

Here Hori is a victim of this cruel and heartless system. He knows well that he has been wronged and exploited, yet he is so much afraid of tradition and customs.

Hori as a Family Lover

Hori is a family-loving father. He is an affectionate father, a sensible and feeling husband, a true brother and a generous father-in-law. When Gob was a small child, he often worried about his nourishment as a Gobar didn’t get milk to drink. By this time his Sona and Rupa, have grown into youth, and he worries about their marriages and finding a proper suitor like an affection act. He doesn’t say anything about his cow’s death and his brother Hiro’s cruel act of giving poison to a cow. Hori is a man who drinks sorrow silently without uttering a word to his family members.

Hori as a Religious – God – Fearing Man

Hori is a conservative farmer and religious god-fearing man. He does not exhibit much change in his life. He is a god-fearing person with a blind faith in religious authority. The novelist presents his character as simple and innocent. Hori submits all kinds of exploitation by the rich. He has unshaken faith in density. He makes his life miserable through his blind obedience to orthodox religious beliefs.

His philosophy is,

“It is God who creates the high and
the lower. One comes into wealth
after a lot of penance. It’s the
fruit of the deed of our past life.
We sowed nothing and we have
nothing to reap.”

On the matter of Godan and Jhunia, he expresses his faith in panchayat. Hori says

“It is the voice of God that speaks
through the Panches, but what is
written must happen. Nobody quarrels
with Fate.”

Hori’s ambition to get a cow

Hori is ambitious, and his ambition is very simple, he wants to have a cow of his own. He is too poor to buy a cow. He has an intense desire to purchase a cow. In his conversation with Bhola, we can trace Hori’s dream of buying a cow and its reason. To buy a cow he goes to Bhola and sympathies with his loneliness living in isolation as a widower and getting a cow from him. With the coming of a cow to his house, his Zeat-test of living rises. But his brother kills the cow with poison.

From this event problems and struggles begin to come into his house. At the time of his death, he is asked to donate ‘A Cow’ to a Brahmin. Thus his ambition is never fulfilled.

Hori’s Love For Hira

Hori was a large-hearted man. His brother, Hira poisoned the cow and ran away. He knew it for certain that Hira had done the offence. Yet Hori tried to save Hira. He requested to Police inspector not to search Hira’s house. He beat his wife Dhaniya who wanted to announce to the whole village that Hira and Killed the cow. This shows his love for Hira.

Hori as a representative of Indian Farmers

Godan is a tragedy of the Indian peasantry. Hori, the hero is the representative of the Indian peasantry. He has blind faith in age-old traditions and religious beliefs. He can never stand against the exploitation by the rich. Throughout his life, he has been exploited and wronged by the money-landers, but he bears all the injustice and exploitation silently.

Like a common Indian Pleasant, Hori is brought up in an atmosphere of a rigid social setup where orthodox religious beliefs dominate their lifestyle. Thus, Hori presents the recurrent lifestyle of Indian peasants. His life is the tale of helplessness and suffering. He never gets relief from pain and suffering.

Hori Tragic Death

Throughout the novel, Hori doesn’t show any resistance or words of struggle and opposition. Hari works hard beyond his capacity. This is the greatest irony in his life that struggled through his life to buy a cow but now in his death, a cow has to given in Charity to a Brahmin like Dattadeen.

Thus Hori represents the aspirations, struggles and resilience of the Indian peasantry.

Themes of “Godan”

The novel ‘Godan’ by Premchandra was published in 1936. It has been revered as one of the greatest novels of Indian Literature. The main theme of the novel was based on Indian Peasantry.

The themes include

Poverty
Social Hierarchy
Exploitation
Deception
Social Inequality
Corruption
Selflessness

Poverty

One of the major themes of Godan is ‘Poverty’. The novel portrays the struggles of the poor and how they are always in need of money to survive. Hori’s life is a clear reflection of the struggles of Poor farmers in India during that time. The Author portrays and how it affects not just individuals but also their families. Hori’s inability to provide for his family and his constant worry about their survival is a stark reminder of the harsh reality that many people face.

Social Hierarchy

The story of Godan also exposes the social hierarchy prevalent in Indian society during that time. Hori’s interactions with his landlords and the moneylender illustrate how the poor are often at the mercy of those in power. The characters in the novel are representative of the different social classes. The Author portrays how their interactions can have a lasting impact on each other’s lives.

Exploitation

One of the main themes of Godan is the exploitation of the farmers by the landlords. The novel highlights how the landlords take advantage of the poor and illiterate farmers by keeping them to work for low wages. This theme is still relevant today, as we have seen many instances of the wealthy exploiting the poor.

Deception

Godan also explores the theme of deception. The novel shows how people can deceive others to get what they want. We see this in modern society, where people use deception to gain power or wealth.

Social Inequality

The theme of social inequality is also prominent in Godan. The novel portrays the divide between the rich and the poor and how the poor are always at a disadvantage. This theme is still relevant today, as we see many instances of social inequality in our society.

Corruption

Godan also explores the theme of corruption. The novel shows how corruption can affect the lives of ordinary people. We see this in our society, as corruption is still a major problem in many countries.

Selflessness

Finally, the theme of selflessness is also explored in Godan. The novel shows how selfless actions can have a positive impact on society.

In Conclusion, We can say, that Godan is a novel that explores various themes that are still relevant today. Through the story of Hari, the novel portrays the struggles of Indian Farmers and highlights the issues of exploitation, poverty, deception, social inequality, corruption and selflessness.

Conclusion

Thus, ‘Godan’ depicts the problems of the farmer, faced in different times and different places. Through the character of Hari, Premchand highlights social economic, religious and political issues as well as class contrast of Indian society during British rule. So “Godan” is the story of naked poverty, incessant, hunger and ruthless exploitation of the poor in Indian Society.

Are you struggling to keep up with your English Literature Coursework? Do you need detailed, customized English Literature Notes to help you better understand the texts you’re studying? “Look no further! Our customized paid notes will help you achieve your study goals quickly.

Literature Notes

Godan By Munsi Premchand | Godan Themes, Summary & Character Sketch Read More »

Lajwanti By Rajinder Singh Bedi | Lajwanti Summary & Analysis

Literature, English Literature, Indian Literature, Non-Fiction

Introduction

“Lajwanti” By Rajinder Singh Bedi is about a happily married couple who suffered in the riots that resulted in the partition of India. During the partition, tens of thousands of Hindus and Muslims were forced to pack and leave, because suddenly India was divided on the basis of religion. Families who had been living on the ‘Wrong’ side of the border for generations had to migrate, at the moment of notice to their ‘homeland’. In the midst of all this pain, anguish and separation, displaced people began attacking the ‘enemies’ through thefts, violence and abduction, as was the case with the protagonist Sundar Lal and his wife Lajwanti, who was abducted.

About Author

Rajinder Singh Bedi is considered one of the greatest 20th-century progressive writers of Urdu fiction, and second most prominent writer after Sadat Hasan Manto. He is most known for his haunting tales of partition of the India. His Urdu Novel, translated into English as ‘I Take This Woman’ by Khuswant Singh received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1965. He also worked in Hindi cinema as a film director, screenwriter and dialogue writer. If his memory, the Government of Punjab has started a ‘Rajinder Singh Bedi Award’ in the field of Urdu Literature.

Significance of The Title Lajwanti

Lajwanti is a Punjabi word for ‘Touch-me-not’, the flower that withers its leaves upon human contact. This leaf represents all those women who suffered Trauma and Violence during partition. The title also refers to ‘Lajwant’ the protagonist of the story, was a dark-skinned, thin girl, delicate as the Lajwanti leaf and she also suffered in the riots resulting in the partition of India. So the title of the story is significant.

Summary & Analysis of The Story

During the partition of India, both side’s many women were abducted, including Lajwanti, the protagonist of the story. To bring back the abducted women the campaign was started by the residents of ‘Mula Shakoor’. They set up a committee named ‘Rehabilitate them in your heart’. Sunder Lal, an abusive husband, whose own wife Lajwanti went missing during the conflict was elected as a secretary of the committee.

The committee was formed because many women who came back were rejected by their families and told to commit suicide because they were tarnished and no longer acceptable in the community.

Lajwanti was a dark skin, girl who was as delicate as the Lajwanti leaf. She was also suffering from this conflict and was abducted. Sunder Lal had asked the people to treat these girls as each female deserves. A woman named Masdula Sara Bai brought some women back, but unfortunately, Laju was not there with her. But Sunder Lal never gave up and once again moved on to find his Laju. At the same time, there were also some men who were refusing to accept their wives.

Narayan who was the leader of various Hindus was against this committee. He believed that no women who had been raped or abducted should be ‘Bring Back’. He always used to give examples for this incident related to Ramayana, ‘How did Lord Ram not accept Sita? Sunder Lal gets angry after hearing the statement of Narayan and an argument takes place between the two.

Suddenly one morning Lal Chand who lives in the same village congratulates Sunder Lal stating that he saw Laju. Sunder Lal did not believe him, he said that she must be someone else. But with the confidence of Lal Chand convinced him that it was Laju. Lal Chand had started to give him descriptions like a tattoo on her chin and another on her neck. Yes, Yes, Sunder Lal replied and said a third tattoo on her forehead.

One day Pakistan delivered 16 women and received 16 in back. Sunder Lal was getting ready to visit the border town of Amritsar, after reaching there he slowly moved to Chauki Kalan the place for the delivery of many abducted women.

Luckily Laju stood in front of him. She was dressed up like a Muslim woman. She had become like more fairer and healthier than before. After returning home Sunder Lal ignored all the voices which were against them. He was happy that he got his wife back to their home. Now Laju started feeling a little bit relaxed because of Sunerlal’s gentle behaviour.

Sunder Lal also neglected her feelings and the pain that she had gone through. Once Lajwanti started talking about Jumma with whom she was there. Sunder Lal asked Laju, was he good to you, and he didn’t beat you? In answer to that Laju replied that he was never hard on me and I was very afraid of him.

Lajwanti also says that you used to beat me but I never felt afraid of you. Sunder Lal is ashamed of herself for ill-treating her.

Conclusion

Thus, Lajwanti by Rajinder Singh Bedi explores the plight of helpless women who were abducted on both sides of the
newly-etched border and their subsequent rehabilitation. The author points out the stark and shameful reality of Rehabilitation. The author points out the stark and shameful reality of the Rehabilitation process. Overall, Lajwanti is the story of some women who were abducted and got some acceptance some got ignored.

Are you struggling to keep up with your English Literature Coursework? Do you need detailed, customized English Literature Notes to help you better understand the texts you’re studying? “Look no further! Our customized paid notes will help you achieve your study goals quickly.

Literature Notes

Lajwanti By Rajinder Singh Bedi | Lajwanti Summary & Analysis Read More »

All For Love By John Dryden | The World Well Lost Summary

Literature, Analysis, English Literature, Summary

Introduction

“All For Love” is a heroic tragedy written by the greatest poet and playwright ‘John Dryden’. It was written in 1677 in blank verse. This play is an imitation of William Shakespeare’s play ‘Antony And Cleopatra’, set in the last days of their lives. But like Shakespeare’s play, it is not based on the political intrigue of Rome and Egypt but as the title suggests, ‘All For Love’. It is based on the tragic love affair between Mark Antony the Roman General and Cleopatra, the Egyptian Queen. It tells us about tragic Love, Honour, political power and the consequences of Uncontrolled Passion.

John Dryden dedicated this play to an aristocratic patron – Thomas Osborne, Earl Of Danby.

About John Dryden

John Dryden was an English poet, literary critic, translator and playwright. He largely dominated the literary world of Restoration English and became England’s first poet Laureate in 1668. Dryden is credited with establishing the heroic couplet as a standard form of English poetry by writing successful satires, religious pieces, fables, epigrams, compliments prologues and playing with it. Among his world-famous works include- Absalom and Achitophel, Mac Flecknoe and The Medall.

Character List Of All For Love

Antony – A Middle-aged Roman general who rules the Roman Empire along with Lepidus and Octavius Caesar. He is torn between his desire for Cleopatra and the demands of his position as a world ruler.

Cleopatra – She is the Queen of Egypt and the lover of Antony. She is a woman of beauty and intelligence.

Octavius Caesar – The adopted son of Julius Caesar. He is determined to ultimately be the sole ruler of the Roman Empire.

Ventidius – He is a general in the Roman army and one of Antony’s close friends. He also likes Cleopatra.

Octavia – Antony’s wife and Octavius’s sister. Antony abandons her for Cleopatra.

Alexas – He is Cleopatra’s servant and one of her advisors.

Serapion – Serapion is one of the priests of the Temple of Isis.

There are also many minor Characters in the play.

Iras – Cleopatra’s Maid

Myris – Another Priest of Temple.

Agrippina & Antonia – Antony’s young daughter.

Charmion – Cleopatra’s maid.

Lepidus – Mediator between Antony & Caesar.

Summary & Analysis of Play

Antony arrives in Egypt and lives with Cleopatra. Both of them decide to live together despite the political turmoil.

The play opens with the two priests, Serapion and Myris, who are worried for the future of their Kingdom. It is because Antony and Cleopatra have recently lost the battle of Actium to Octavius. In the meantime, General Ventidius arrives to console Antony. He is Antony’s Old General and a Romand Soldier. He is the true well-wisher of Antony. He informs Antony that the Syrian Army is ready to support him with the condition that he must leave Cleopatra. At first, Antony refuses to follow his suggestion but finally, he agrees to leave Egypt but not Cleopatra.

Alexas informs Cleopatra about the discussion between Antony and Ventidius. He the discussion between Antony and Ventidius. He also tells her about their plan to leave Egypt. Cleopatra becomes hurt. She asks Alexas to go to Antony and convince him to visit Cleopatra. Meanwhile, Antony and Ventidius have now agreed to be together. When they are laughing at the cowardice of Octavius Ceasar, Alexas enters and tells Antony that Cleopatra has sent some gifts as a token of her love for Antony.

Alexas requests Antony to visit her once before leaving. Antony accepts the gifts. Ventidius stop him from meeting Cleopatra but Antony does not listen to him. The meeting takes place. The mutual conversation starts when Cleopatra says that she would die if she left her. Antony replies that he can never leave a woman who loves him so deeply. He tells Ventidius that he does not need to support of the Syrian Army. At this, Ventidius become annoyed and goes away Saying,

“O Women! Women! All the gods
have not such power of doing good
to man as you of doing harm.”

Once again, Ventidius comes to Antony and tells them that Octavius Ceasar has raised a Strong Army. At this, Antony informs Ventidius that he knows a novel and brave Soldier named Dolobella. He is now in the army of Octavius. The reason behind the bitterness of their relationship is that once in the past her confessed his love for Cleopatra.

Ventidius bring Dolabella back and Antony reconciles with him. Ventidius and Dolabella remind Antony of his wife Octavia and bring Octavia and two daughters before Antony. Antony is moved when he unites with his daughters. He decides to leave Cleopatra. Meanwhile, Cleopatra receives the news of reconciliation between Antony and Octavia. She becomes disheartened and furious. Cleopatra realizes that she will lose Antony.

Antony is ready to leave Egypt. He persuades Dolabella to bid goodbye to Cleopatra. He lacks the courage to do so. When Dolabella sees Cleopatra, he confesses his love for her. In the course of the conversation, Dolabella lies to her by saying that Antony used hard words for her. Cleopatra faints upon hearing this. Dolabella becomes nervous and says her the truth. Octavia and Ventidius overhear them. They assume that they have fallen in love. They inform Antony about this. Antony is enraged by hearing about their love connection.

A little later, Dolabella and Cleopatra enter. They are unaware of the situation. Antony blames both of them for being deceitful. They protest but Antony dominates. Antony weeps at this separation.

Cleopatra blames Alexas for bringing her to such a situation. She pulls out a dagger to kill herself. But Serapian prevents her from doing so. To prove Cleopatra’s innocence Alexas goes to Antony and tells him that Cleopatra has committed suicide. Antony recognizes Cleopatra’s innocence and feels that the world is useless for him without her. He asks Ventidius to kill him. But Ventidius instead kills himself. Antony falls on his sword and gets badly wounded but is still alive.

Meanwhile, Cleopatra comes to know about what Alexas told Antony. She rushed into the room and found him lying on the ground. Antony is about to die. In such an hour of despair, Antona and Cleopatra reconcile. Antony dies in her lap. Just before his death, she promises him to join him very soon. She royally dresses herself. She orders her maid to bring a poisonous asp. She lets the asp sting her and finally dies beside Antony. After seeing their bodies Priests remark that both of them will unite in heaven.

Egypt is conquered by Caesar and the play ends with the tragic death of Antony and Cleopatra.

Themes of “All For Love”

John Dryden’s ‘All For Love’ is a tragedy that retells the story of Antony and Cleopatra. The play deals with themes such as tragic love, honor political power and the consequences of uncontrollable passion.

Love

In the play, Antony claims to love Cleopatra. In fact, he has abandoned his wife, Octavia and their children to live with Cleopatra in Egypt. He clearly does not love his family. Now we wonder if he loves Cleopatra their relationship is more about lust than love. When Octavia’s brother, Octavius Caesar threatens to attack Alexandria because of Antony’s disloyalty, Antony starts to mope and distance herself from Cleopatra. His “Love” quickly falls away when he becomes distracted from his lust.

Antony further reveals his lack of love for Cleopatra when Ventidius tempts Antony to fight Octavius.

Cleopatra seems to have a better grasp of Love than Antony. Octavius tempts her to betray Antony, but she declines. Antony always blamed her for all their problems, whining that he would be safe in Rome if he hadn’t fallen in love with her and even questioning her devotion by reminding her that she had once been Octavius’s mistress. Cleopatra potentially puts up with Antony’s Sulky complaining and the two make up.

On the other hand, Antony’s wife knows that Antony does not love her, but he is still her husband and she wants to be with her and their Children. She almost succeeds in convincing Antony to return to Rome.

Passion

Perhaps the most important theme in the play and what keeps Cleopatra and Antony in a magnetic pull towards one another the entire time, is passion. Both of the lovers fell passionately – in both a sexual and romantic sense – towards one another. The passion they feel for once another exceeds all reason, and it is what keeps Cleopatra and Antony continually making poor decisions.

Whenever Antony is on the brink of leaving Egypt once and for all, he is once again called back by his passion for Cleopatra. Likewise in the end, after Antony has died, Cleopatra determines that she would rather die than live under Caesar. She chooses death over life because of her passionate love for Antony.

Power

The play concerns two influential leaders, Antony, A Roman leader, and Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt. Both of these rulers wield a tremendous amount of Power, but when the play opens, their power falters as a result of their affair.

“All For Love” as a Heroic Tragedy

A heroic tragedy is a type of play prevalent in Restoration England during the 1660 and 1670. ‘John Dryden’ is certainly the best and probably the first of the restoration heroic tragedy play writer. His play ‘All for Love’ followed all the rules of heroic tragedy. Such As-

It is characteristic of a heroic play that the hero is placed in conflict between his love and honour. Throughout the play “All For Love”, Antony wrestles with the conflict between his love for Cleopatra and his duties to the Roman Empire. In Act 1, he engages Cleopatra in conversation about the nature and depth of their love. Neglects his duties towards Rome.

“Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wife arch of the raged empire fall.”

For being a successful tragedy, an unbeaten tragic hero is needed. Antony is the tragic hero who is a person of noble birth with heroic qualities. But he is fated to doom and destruction. He shirks his political duty for the sake of his love relationship with Cleopatra. His peers deem Antony’s actions to be irresponsible and believe they will be the cause of his downfall.

Dryden says in the preface of the play ‘All for Love’ that

“In my style, I have professed
to imitate the divine Shakespeare,
which that I might perform
more freely, I have disencumbered
myself from rhyme.”

He gave up the heroic couplet of his early plays and accepted the blank verse to give an elevated style in Shakespeare’s manner. His handling of the blank verse in the play is surely skilful.

In this preface to ‘All For Love’ Dryden explains his view that the love between Antony and Cleopatra is an “Illegal Love” based on “Vice”. Therefore the plot fails to attain its moral aim.

Heroic tragedy contains the fall of a great emperor because of the Character flaw of heroes. In Dryden’s tragedy, Antony largely loses his major confrontation with Octavius. When he meets Ventidius, his trusted general, he weeps over the reality that she destroyed much of the Roman Empire because of his love for Cleopatra.

In Cleopatra’s portrayal too Dryden displays the characteristic of the heroic play. Nowhere in the play, not even when she is banished, has she deviated from her steadfast love for Antony.

She says,

“I love you more, even now you are unkind,
then you have loved me most.”

She considers her love so sacred. Such a portrayal of the heroine of perfection is found only in heroic plays.

Ending with death is the most important feature of a tragedy. “All For Love” ends with the death of the hero and heroine fulfilling this convention of tragedy. Altogether five people commit suicide in the last act of the play – Antony Cleopatra, Ventidius and two maids. All of them do this for their affection with regard to someone.

These are some characteristics of heroic tragedy, which we can find in the play “All For Love”.

Conclusion

Thus, the title play “All For Love” signifies a deep and selfless commitment to love. It suggests that the characters in the story are willing to do anything for the sake of love, even if it means sacrificing their well-being or happiness. Overall, ‘All For Love’ is a tragic play that explores the complexities of love, loyalty and duty. The final words of the play suggest that true love is beyond all values.

“No Lovers lived so great or died so well.”

Tags: All For Love Summary, All For Love play, All For Love play summary, All For Love by John Dryden, All For Love Analysis, All For Love play analysis, All For Love in Literature, All For Love themes, All for love as a Heroic Tragedy.

Are you struggling to keep up with your English Literature Coursework? Do you need detailed, customized English Literature Notes to help you better understand the texts you’re studying? “Look no further! Our customized paid notes will help you achieve your study goals quickly.

Literature Notes

All For Love By John Dryden | The World Well Lost Summary Read More »

Learning Urdu By Agha Shahid Ali | Learning Urdu Sumary

Literature, English Literature, Indian Literature, Poem Analysis, Summary

Introduction

‘Learning Urdu’ is a poem that is composed by Agha Shahid Ali, a Kashmiri American Muslim. In this poem, the poet talks about the partition of Pakistan and India or its effects on the people of both sides country. This partition divided the people as well as the harmony of the people. It reveals how the tragedy of the partition of 1947 affected not only the people but also the shared language and culture.

About Author

Agha Shahid Ali was an Indian American poet. He was also affiliated with the literary movement known as New Formalism in American poetry. Among his famous literary works include “The Country Without a Post”, “Rooms Are Never Finish”, “The Half Inch Himalayas”, and “A Nostaligst’s Map Of America”. He was awarded the “National Book Award 2001.” Their homes, places, languages, cultures everything. The division crept into the minds of people thus blinding them to all but hate.

Analysis Of Learning Urdu Poem

The poem begins with the image of a victim of the 1947 partition which divided Hindustan into two notions, India and Pakistan. The victim, who belongs to the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir, is not alone and along with him comes Dogri, Stumbling.

“From a district near Jammu,
Dogri Stumbling through his Urdu
he comes, the victim of a Continent-broken
in two in nineteen forty, seven.”

The poet wanted to say that at that time when the partition took place there was Dogri Language spoken at that time. But after the division, this language was hatted by the people as this language was spoken by the people of Jammu who went to Pakistan. They started using this language to kill people and to abuse people. Partition was not a peaceful process, hundreds and thousands of people lost their lives to hatred. Partition was not just a geographical partition. Rather, it shredded the lives of people, their homes, places, languages, culture everything. The division crept into the mind of people thus blinding them to all but hate.

In the next stanza, the poet speaks about his loss and trauma. He is in an identity crisis. He no longer remembers or recognizes his home. His village has become just a ‘word’. Partition has done an irreparable damage to its existence. It is not important in which country his village lies now, after partition. It might have been merged into Pakistan or might have remained with India. In either case, the loss is similar and irreparable.

He lost his friends as they dissolved into bitter stanzas of enmity, while others dissolved into bitter stanzas of death.

“My memory belongs to the line blood
across which my friends dissolved
into bitter stanzas of some dead poet.”

The poet then talks about Mir and Ghalib two very prominent names of Urdu Literature. Language is intricately connected with culture. It is not immune. Our memories and experiences shape our relationship with a language. Violence and bloodshed, hatred and killings have smeared the relationship of victims with Urdu. Urdu which is often seen as the language of Muslims, too is suffering and dying. Partition has rendered it too homeless.

People might try to divide language between country and religion, but a language is universal. It does not belong to any geography or religion. Ghalib masquerading as a beggar shows this universality Ghalib, representing the entire Urdu Literature refuses to move to any side.

“Now remembers nothing while I find Ghalib
at the crossroads of language, refusing
to move to any side, masquerading
as a beggar to see my theatre of kindness.”

Conclusion

Thus the poem ‘Learning Urdu’ is about the partition of Pakistan and India. The Poet of this poem, Agha Shahid Ali mainly wants to know how scary and worse the partition was and how it killed the harmony of the people.

Are you struggling to keep up with your English Literature Coursework? Do you need detailed, customized English Literature Notes to help you better understand the texts you’re studying? “Look no further! Our customized paid notes will help you achieve your study goals quickly.

Literature Notes

Tags: Learning Urdu Summary, Learning Urdu Analysis, Learning Urdu By Agha Shahid Ali

Learning Urdu By Agha Shahid Ali | Learning Urdu Sumary Read More »

The Canonization By John Donne | Canonization Poem Summary

Literature, English Literature, Poem Analysis, Summary

Introduction

“The Canonization” is the poem of the English metaphysical poet “John Donne”. It was first published in 1633 in Donne’s posthumous collection ‘songs and sonnets’. Here the word “Canonization” means the act or process of changing an ordinary religious person into a saint in Catholic Christian religion. The title suggests that the poet and his beloved will become ‘saints of love’ in the future: and they will be regarded as saints of true love in the whole world in the future. In the poem, the poet demands the complainer to stop hindering their lives and leave them alone so that they can continue loving each other without any hindrance.

About the Poet

John Donne, poet of the poem ‘The Canonization’ was an English poet, scholar, and soldier. He was the most influential metaphysical poet. Every critic appreciated the contribution of John Donne in metaphysical poetry. He was one, who created a new kind of poetry in those days when everyone was following the tradition. Donne is frequently said to be the originator of the “Metaphysical School of poetry”. He was also known as the founder of the father of metaphysical poetry. Among his world-famous poems are ‘Holy Sonnets’, ‘A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning’, ‘Death Be Not Proud’, ‘The Fled’, ‘The Sun Rising’, ‘The Good Morrow’, and ‘The Canonization’.

Structure Of The Poem

It is a five-stanza poem that is separated into sets of nine lines. The lines rhyme in the pattern of abbacccaa. When we talk about the meter of the poem, there are moments in the text in which he used iambic pentameter, iambic tetrameter and also iambic trimeter.

‘The Power as well as Holiness of Love’ and ‘Love Poetry’, as well as ‘Immortality’ are the themes of the poem “Canonization”.

Summary Of The Canonization

In stanza one, the lover is in a peevish mood. He addresses this verse to a complainer. Apparently, he wants to say that one should keep himself busy by doing appropriate work rather than keeping a check on him and his lover. The lover tells the complainer that he can make fun of him as he is suffering from diseases and has grey hair but he won’t gain anything by that. He says that he can criticize his ill health but not his tendency to love. He questions the complainer why doesn’t he work and improve his lifestyle or make some money instead of disturbing or interfering with their lives.

The second stanza contains the elaborate metaphysical aspects of the poem.

“Alas, alas, who’s injured by my Love?
What merchant’s ships have my sight drowned?”

The lovers are not making any war or spreading diseases in society. They respect others’ property. The poet wants to say that his love injures nobody. It’s harmless. The lover is tactful, full of emotion and witty. He says, her sights are not responsible for the flood or floating off the ground. Spring won’t go away due to his coldness. Nature has its natural course and the lovers are not harming it. The heat in his vanish has not increased the number of people who die of plague. His love is harmless.

The lover says that the soldiers are doing their duty by going to war and the lawyers by fighting cases in court. But what the lover wants is to love his partner.

The lover does not care if he is called by any name because love has made them so. He says that they are like flies. They have a very short existence. He presumes the life to be short, just like the candle.

He compares himself to an Eagle and his lover to a Dove, they are complementary to each other. They love each other from the bottom of their heart. According to the lover, the riddle of Phoenix is their existence. They have two bodies, but they are one. Like the Phoenix, they die and they rise from their ashes.

The poet begins with the thought that, if they cannot live by love, they can die by it. He further says that if their love is not for tombs and hearses, they will find their place in poetry. So basically, they will find their place in the love sonnets. He says that he and his lover will be canonized by his love.

He believes love doesn’t die on death. If it is a platonic or desirable love, then it tends to exist even after death. Both their ashes will be amalgamated or merged if kept together.

In the final stanza of ‘The Canonization’, John Donner wants to reflect their ideal pattern of love. He says that they will be declared saints and will rewarded sainthood of Love. The lover also says that all the lovers will beg their pattern of love. People from various countries, towns and courts will be praising their love pattern and will ideally follow it.

Conclusion

Thus now we can say that “The Canonization” by John Donne describes a transcendent love that eventually evolves into the idealized base life for all other aspiring.

Are you struggling to keep up with your English Literature Coursework? Do you need detailed, customized English Literature Notes to help you better understand the texts you’re studying? “Look no further! Our customized paid notes will help you achieve your study goals quickly.

Literature Notes

The Canonization By John Donne | Canonization Poem Summary Read More »