The Telegram on the Table

The Telegram on the Table

ParshuPradhan Nepal (1843-)

b. Apply the four levels of meaning to the story “The Telegram on the Table”.

Literal Comprehension: Krishna had come into the city from his beautiful but remote village. He had been working as a tourist guide for ten years. He had dream of going to America with American tourist girl. He was crazy for that so he had completely forgotten his lovely wife, family and village. Once day he got a telegraph telling him that his wife had been died. Soon he felt happy because his dream of going to America was going to be fulfilled. He was passing his days as usual although his friends sympathized him. One night he had sudden remembrance of his lovely wife, home parents and village and became angry with himself. He started to weep. The separation of his loving wife gave him great grief. Only then the came to real life and began to cry.

Interpretation:  This story may be trying to tell us that those people who have come into city from village, normally, they forget real problems and situation of home. They even become careless to loving spouse and parents. The youths, basically, have strong dream of going abroad, earn much money and marry with rich foreigner. They think the parents, homely condition and village’s wife as burden. Being busy in artificial life of town they are so cruel that even the message of their dearest one’s death doesn’t affect them at all. Krishna a village’s youth had come to Kathmandu had forgotten to wife and village being crazy to go to America and marrying foreign tourist girl. Because of money and artificial city life he became selfish and stone-hearted that the telegram of his wife’s death didn’t touch his heart. These desires and selfishness of Krishna represent the desires dreams of selfishness of many Nepalese youths. Most of Nepalese youths have become crazy to go to foreign land and become careless to the value and cultures of their originality.

Critical Thinking: Before coming Kathmandu Krishna seems to have conjugal relation with his wife. Without calculating her mistakes how can Krishna forget his lovely wife? How can a person become so much careless to one’s wife’s death? For a dream of better future and money one can be devoted but as presented like of Krishna is not possible in every case.

Assimilation: After reading this story I got the idea that being a resident of city life I have given up all village’s memories parents, family and friends. This through me great lesson that we should not be careless to originality as Krishna did. We youth mostly commit this great mistake so we have to realize it in time.

c. Summarize the plot of the story “The Telegram on the Table” in a paragraph.

Krishna had come into the city from his beautiful but remote village. He had been working as a tourist guide for ten years. He had dream of going to America with American tourist girl. He was crazy for that so he had completely forgotten his lovely wife, family and village. One day he got a telegraph telling him that his wife bad been died. Soon he felt happy because his dream of going to America was going to be fulfilled. He was passing his days as usual although his friends sympathized him. One night he had sudden remembrance of his lovely wife, home parents and village and became angry with himself. He stated to weep. The separation of his loving wife gave him great grief. Only then the came to real life and began to cry.

Piano

Piano

David Herbert Lawrence, England (1885-1930)

b. Apply the four level of interacting with text to ‘Piano’.

Literal comprehension: Once the poet listened a song produced by a woman by a piano that brought the poet to his childhood. He recollected the scene when he was sitting near piano with his mother who was playing it with lovely tune. He remembered the Sunday evening sitting in cozy parlour, pressing the feet of his mother.Though the poet tried to control himself at present the past memories haunted him so strongly. He couldn’t stay, reminding at present but in the past singing of rhymes. So the speaker liked no more the song of woman rather deeply went back to his childhood. He became ready to hate his manhood and wanted to be child forever. Actually, that was impossible, so he started to weep like in his childhood.

Interpretation: The poem ‘Piano’ is fully nostalgic in tone because the memories of the past are central focus of this poem. Again through this poem the poet is trying to present the power and value of music to human being. The bored and monotonous present of the speaker is easily vanished with the help of music in this poem. By this poem the speakers is telling us that the childhood memories are stronger things we can’t escape from them. It is the charm of music that gives freedom to us from tensions and problems. The love between mother and son is strongly presented in the poem, the happy romantic childhood experiences become pleasant forever.

Critical Thinking: D.H. Lawrence has used the stream of consciousness technique in this poem. By this process the speaker has remembered his childhood experience in this manhood. It has written in rhythmical pattern with music. The present is the result of the present. We can be agree with the point that poet’s childhood was romantic with deep love of his mother. Still some question we can raise against the poet’s idea. A. how can a man weep like a child listening to music? B. can we always hate our manhood? C. can we always be in memories?, etc.

c. Do you agree that the poem ‘Piano’ is about the pain of remembrance? It is also about the pain of growing up?

Yes, I fully agree that the poem Piano is about the pain of speaker’s remembrance being grown up in to manhood from his childhood. There is strong tension in the mind of the  speaker between childhood memories and remembrances and the present reality. Now the speaker is adult but he can’t be free from the strong capture of his childhood memories. He is too much nostalgic when he listens the music made by a woman. That reminds him of his past living with his lovely mother. The speaker is at very nostalgic state that has not rejected the present reality also. As he listens the melodious music. He remembers his childhood, while he was sitting by the comfortable and soft feet of his mother in the cozy parlour and with nice tune of music of Sunday evening. Remembering all those Romanic and beautiful moments the speaker feels very sad now. He starts to weep like a child. This weeping is real expression of pain of growing up. Neither he can go back to his childhood physically nor he really can have his lovely mother sitting by. Even he cannot be small child enjoying a melodious music of piano. The memories, remembrances of by gone days have ached a lot to the heart of the speaker. The expression of pain is weeping. So this poem is in real sense. About the pain of remembrance of by gone golden childhood and growing up in to adulthood.

Love

Love

To His copy Mistress Andrew Marvell, England (1621-1678)

b. Apply the four levels of meaning to the poem “To His Copy Mistress”.

Literal Comprehension: This romantic love poem is composed by Andrew Marvell. The speaker is in Deep Ocean of love and praising the value of his beloved very much. The speaker of the poem wishes if he had enough  time he would sit and spend a lot of time with his beloved. He would spend plenty of time to praise either her forehead or eyes or breast. He hopes he would spend unlimited time with his beloved. But the speaker is hastening that the vehicle of time is running quickly telling that beauty youth are matters of decay. With the passage fo time everything will decay. So the speaker requests his beloved to be according to the demand fo time. So they can’t stop the sum from moving. It is request of the speaker to be united and burn the light of love in time. It is sure to pass youth and beauty and become meaningless things after death no one will praise her beauty in the grave. Whatever they have to do they must do in right time.

Interpretation: this beautiful love poem might be trying to make us to understand the value of time “Time and tide wait for nome” is clearly presented here. Whatever (love, duty, and others) works we love to do we should do in time. In the process of love the lover is wooing his shy beloved to understand the boundary of time and love when she has youth. Sometimes we are carefree of our life but the pace of time reminds us what we are doing and where   we are going. So, to impart the value of time and do our duty in time this love poem is inspiring us a lot.

Critical thinking: This love poem has logical presentation. There are three movements in the process of love within the rotation of time. It begins with “ If we had …. Time” proceeds with “But ….we do not” and concludes with “therefore…”. Since it is purely love provoking poem, there is exaggerations. Thought there is ideal presentation of love and lovers’ activities, the speaker has not gone out of the boundary of time. But we are confused: Is this love for purely spiritual or just for physical passion? Is it speaker’s intension to sex? Even then the poem is really romantic, impressive and appealing one.

Assimilation: After reading this poem I came to know that there is much value of time and out youth, which is fully controlled. Time and beauty of youth pas like the fading of blooming rose. Not only love but any passion to do any progress should be done in time. “Later is better than never” is not suitable in case of love and youth because the blooming rose of love will be plucked by somebody sooner. This poem on the one hand reminded me to get married in time not being over thirty. One the other hand I should make my bright career during my youth otherwise with the floating of time I will float and miss everything. I will just have of repent them.

c. Interpret the poem “To His Coy Mistress” as a romantic love poem.

The poem may be trying to show that we should do everything in time because time is going on with its movement. If the time and poet’s beloved were same forever, there would not be any hurry to make love. If the beauty and youth lasts longer, there will not be any tension I becoming hurry. This shows that the speaker seems a bit crazy in love. He seems to be in sensual love, which is fully related to emotions feelings and imaginations. We may raise some questions that are youth and beauty only for love? Are not old people be in love? This shows that the poet is deadly in love.

No doubt, in love there must be faith truth and beauty. Since love is life which is a combination of two souls. It shouldn’t be artificial one. Like the speaker’s view time changes everything but love never dies. Love is not only sexual desire. It is a matter of soul not of the skin.

What is intelligence, Anyway?

What is intelligence, Anyway?

                                                                                                Issac Asimov, USA

                                                                                                [ 1920-1992]

Apply the four levels of meanings to the text “What is intelligence Anyway?”

Literal comprehension: the writer scored 160 in aptitude test that morally people scored 100. With this score the writer felt himself more intelligent than others. In army selection/ training he scored such high level. He used to regularly go to auto- repair man whom he evaluated that he would hardly score 80. He thought he was far more intelligent than auto- repair man. Once the auto- repair mechanics asked the writer an intelligent question. If a deaf and mute person went into a hardware store to ask for some nail, he puts two fingers signaled like hammering with finger. In this context the auto-repair man asked the writer how could a blind man asked for scissor. Writer gave hand single with fingers that was wrong answer. The essay but tricky answer was “by asking” as scissor. Auto-repairman made the writer mad or an educated fool.

Interpretations: this impressive essay might be trying to highlight the relative function of intelligence. This means intelligence can’t be absolute one. Again, the next ideas it might be focusing on the concept that no one can be jack of all and master of all but one can be the jack of all masters of none. No one can always be perfect in every situation and in every work. A person can be perfect in one sector but can’t be in others like the writer. Still the text might also be trying to impart the massage that we should not dominate other as an interior in our in any case because he can be better than us in other cases. We shouldn’t overvalue ourselves and undervalue others. Cook is perfect in preparing varieties of dishes so is an auto repair man in repairing vehicles and a teacher is teaching learning strategies but not in computer and scientific sector by the same person.

Critical thinking: the basic concept given in this short but congested essay is always praiseworthy. We have to be critical and creative as we can. But we cannot always be smart. Education and the intelligence are two different subjects. Despite being impressed from writer’s idea we can raise some disagreeing points. Did the writer be able to answer such easy questions? Even than we cannot fully be disagree with the ideas given in this essay.

Assimilation: after reading this text I got the ideas that we have to thinks that even a normal person can be perfect in concerned subject matter. Each and every one can be best in his or her place. There should not be the concept of senior or more talented and less talented. We have to see from practical knowledge because sometimes a shepherd can instruct a scientist.

c. Do you agree with Asimov that human beings can’t be placed on a one-dimensional intelligence scale, that they are all made up of a unique mixture of intelligence and stupidity?

            I fully agree with this strong and impressive concept given by the writer in this essay “What is Intelligence, Anyway?” actually the concept of intelligence is a relative things. It can’t be absolute in all places and situations. Rather it never can be placed on a one dimensional pattern because a person having highest level of aptitude test can be useless in machinery and technical aspect. Like the writer who scored 160 far better than normal score 100 but in front of a common auto repair man he became like an uneducated and stupid person. But the writer had evaluated the auto-mechanic would score maximum 80 from his calculation.

            All people have different levels of intelligence that cant be generalized and can’t be in one dimensional scale. We human beings are mixed up intelligence and stupidity so that we can’t always be master of everything and everywhere. So, we can be jack of all but not the master of all. Though some educated people assume themselves more intelligence than others but uneducated and common persons can defeat sometimes them. It is meaningless always regard ourselves as a smart, perfect and the intelligent because we do have stupidity with us as well. Since this concept is different is human being, two people can’t be of similar nature and of same capacity as well.

Keeping Errors at Bay

Keeping Errors at Bay

Bertrand Russel England (1872-1970)

b. What are the principles of keeping Errors at Bay?

According to the writer, Bertrand Russell foolish opinions must be avoided from us. Believing any statement without enough experiments and reasons is silly error. There are some simple rules by using them we can avoid some of the common errors we generally do. First of all we have to make observation of that item if possible. Like Aristotle didn’t count his wife’s teach rather told theory women have fewer teeth than males. Secondly we have to compare our opinion with our opponent’s. we become angry and disagree if we have bot good reason. If we have good reason we don’t become angry. Again we can avoid some of our errors and the dogmatic ideas keeping ourselves familiar to different socio-cultural contexts. It needs wide visit  and enough talks and interactions. We should read opponent’s papers and should not copy the foolish customs of others.

Fourth way of avoiding some foolish opinions is conducting some imaginary dialogue. The enemy group is against and we ourselves as for group and discus a lot fifthly, we should leave our self-esteem that makes us to be one side that emphasizes our benefits and other’s loss. We should think that we are living a short-dramatic life in the  small dark place of universe.

Another case of having errors is ‘fear’ that can be fear of death fear of dark unknown etc. it disallows us to think about many important things. So, we must use reason or speak reasonably everywhere and every time. We should leave our habit of knowing everything, which does basically know nothing about it we should leave to given priority on our nation, sex, etc. that makes us being careless to truth.

Apply the four levels of interacting with the text Keeping Errors at Bay .

Literal comprehension : this beautiful essay Keeping Errors at Bay is written by famous 20^th century writer Bertrand Russell. The writer gives some techniques about how to avoid our foolish opinions. We can remove many of our foolish opinions by observing facts or ideas. If the observation is impossible we have to compare our ideas with that of ideas of others. It helps us to know who we are and where we are. We have to be familiar with different social and cultural contexts. We can take make travel in different countries and places. Sometimes we have to read  opponents ideas in their papers and writings. Such ideas help us to judge correctly. But we shouldn’t accept foreigners ideas blindly. Another solution to remove some of the foolish opinions by creating and imaginary dialogue with the opponents. By this also we will be less foolish and do less mistakes. Another solution is that we should not be proud of our sex, nation and other things. If we are proud we never find the truth. So, this concept of self-stem should be removed from us. Again we should be free ourselves from learning fear. Fear is the sours of error .fear of different types prevent people from knowing the truth and becoming irrational. If we are fearful we are the victims of superstitions.

Interpretations: this essay might be trying to tell us why human being are not able to find the truth .people don’t observe the problems or matters carefully. It is people’s ego that they know everything well. It also tells us that we people never tolerate other’s opinions. We have ego that we are the greatest, our sex nation and ours every things is the nicest. If we compare a lot with others we can go nearer to truth.

Critical thinking: most of the ideas presented in this essay to avoid our foolish opinions are acceptable. The writer has given them scientifically. Neither we compare nor observe not tolerate others opinions. We do have ego of greatness of ours. But there are some disagreeable points with writer. How can we compare our subjective ideas and thinking with others? Can we always accept what others have done is right? Can’t we be right? Don’t we have pride of our nation and land as nationality?

Assimilation: after reading this essay I have got a lot. I have started to listen and read to opponents. Previously, I used to think that me and our circle are good and correct and others are always false and wrong. I have made my habit to make a comparison and come to real truth. I will never do one sided judgment after reading this suggestive essay. It has opened my eye of self- esteem and overprodness of mind and thinking. I have started to observe, compare and real others without having self- esteem and fear of anything now. This essay has become like a medicine to avoid many of my foolish ideas.

Mr. Know-all

Mr. Know-all

W Somerset Maugham, England (1874-1965)

b. Apply the four levels of interacting with the text “Mr. Know-all”.

Literal Comprehension:  The narrator was going to Japan from American us ship after world war I. He had to share his cabin with Mr.Kelad, a British citizen whom the writer disliked very much. Son he took different kinds of drink asking the narrator to have anyMr.Kelada seemed active in every activities and talked a lot. He insisted on winning the argument and never realized his mistake. Thus he was called Mr. know all. Ramsay friend of speaker was also there. While talking, Mr. Kelada claimed that he was perfect in pearl business and also claimed that he could know real price. Of pearl worn by Mrs. Ramsay claimed it just cost 18,000 dollars. While arguing in Mrs. Ramsay locked very terrified. Mr. Kelada judged it with magnifying glass and also confirmed by looking the gesture of Mrs. Ramsay. Mr. Kelada gave a hundred dollar note to Mr. Ramsay that made all people in the ship toe make fun letter addressed to Mr. Kelada indicating one hundred dollar note inside. Narrator was observing all that. When he knew that Mr. Know all was good person he had no hatred towards MrKelada at all.

Interpretation:  This story may be trying to tell us the concept of racial discrimination between whites and blacks. No doubt Mr. Kelada was social, honest, helpful etc. But his mistake was becoming unable to find out whether he was wanted or not. He was a bit arrogant in his opinion still he seemed to bear some insults not to break conjugal relation of Ramsay’s couple. The narrator had prejudiced on Kelada so he hated him but by last changed his attitude towards Mr. Kelada. The story also tell us not to leave wife away from you.

Critical Thinking: Though the story is talking about racial discrimination, there is some doubt. How can Mr. Kelada bring out so marry drinks at once? What is the reason in narrator himself despite of being hated a lot?

Assimilation: The story gave me a clear concept of racial discrimination. Whites hated blacks in USA or in Britain or elsewhere very much. H learnt that sometimes he should live for others although we get some insults ourselves. Mr, Kelada bears a lot for the conjugal life of Ramsay’s couple.

b. Retell the story “Mr. Know All” from Mr. Kelada’s point of view.

I am Max Kelada. Once after the First World War I was going to Yokohama, Japan by sea from San Francisco. In the ship I couldn’t get separate cabin but I had to share my seat with an Englishman. When I looked for my set partner I found him in smoking-rom. When I told him I was a British citizen to could not believe, so I showed my passport. To make him friendlier I offered him different types of drinks but he only liked to take Martini. Though I liked my best to make him talking a lot he disliked me. I wanted to please him anyhow. Then I started to show him some cards tricks though he disliked them too. Though we spent time a lot he didn’t like me much within couple of days I became familiar with all people in the ship. From my different tricks all people gave me new name as “Mr. Know All” . I liked that name as well

One evening there was a discussion about a Japanese made pearl. One of the ship partners Ramsay’s behaviours made e to show my identity as a dealer in pearl. I told them I could know everything about the pearls. I claimed that the pearl worn by Mrs. Ramsay was $30,000. I bet with him for 1,000 dollars if it was duplicate one. I looked the pearl closely and knew that it was original  one. When I looked at Mrs. Ramsay’s face she was turned into white. She seemed afraid and her gesture requested me not to open up the truth. I told a lie and gave $1000 to Mr. Ramsay. I was made fun that evening. Next day I knew that Mrs. Ramsay had brought is secretly but told her husband she bought only in 1800 dollars. Next morning Mrs. Ramsay pushed hundred-dollar note secretly to me. When my partner knew the reality. I was right about the pearl, he started to like me.

CRITICAL AND CREATIVE THINKING

CRITICAL AND CREATIVE THINKING

The stub-Book

Pedro Antonio de Alarcon, Spain (1833-1891)

b. Apply the four levels of interacting with the text “The Stub-Book”.

Literal comprehension:  This story “The stub-Book” starts in Rota a smallest city in Spain. Among dedicated and hardworking farmers of fertile sandy soil of Rota Uncle Buscabeataswas the best example. He was the most dedicated gardener of plants, fruits and vegetables. Most importantly, he was fully familiar with each plant of vegetable and each fruit by shape, colour even by name. being sixty years old farmer, he had spent 40 years in toiling same soil with same dedication. That year he had grown large and nice 40 pumpkins. Like to daughters or children uncle Buscabeatas was well familiar with name and size of pumpkins. He had deep love, compassion as well as dedication in growing them up. One day he made his mind to sell 40 ready pumpkins in market  atCadiz. That night he couldn’t sleep being serious like the father whose daughter was going to get married next day. He expected to earn 15 duros from them.

Next morning to his surprised he didn’t find his pumpkins in his garden. He though they were stolen at might be sold in Cadiz son he went there with police. When he saw his pumpkins he told police to arrest the seller. Seller informed his that he bought them form Uncle Fulano.  When Uncle Buscabeatas was giving proof, Uncle fulano came there. Fulano tried to escape but inspector ordered him to stay, Uncle Buscabeatas gave the analogy of stub-book of tax pay and joint all the steps of pumpkins perfectly fitted in all. That convinced all standing there. Inspector made Uncle Fulao give 15 duros to seller and that amount was given to Uncle Bascabeata’s Uncle Fulano was sent to jail.

Interpretation: This suggestive story might be trying  to focus on the concept of love, dedication and job one does. It is our tendency that we hardly respect and love  the work we do Rather, we evaluate others’ works better. Again another meaning of this story is that the root of labour is bitter but its fruit is sweet. If we do hard labour sooner or later we meet its fruits like Uncle Buscabeatas. Like him we people must respect and be in touch with out work and our production. Still another idea  this story might be trying to open up is that evil door will be punished one day. We cannot be rich by robbing and stealing rather by hard labour and dedication to our work. The message of this story. In generals is that let our work be loved and respected by all.

Critical Thinking:  The story is presenting  the idea of love  and deep compassion one must have toward his/her creation. It is worth attending idea that we must be positive and always  cheerful on what we do. I agree with the crux of this story but there are some confusions that I like to ask. Some questions about. How can a sandy land be so much fertile? Can a man kiss his vegetable forty times a day? Is it possible to be familiar with dozen of vegetables by names? Can always such proof as given by uncle Buscabeatas be convincing? Still the moral aspect of the story is unquestionable one.

Assimilation: After reading this lessonful text, I learnt new thing that we must be happy and love our work very much. We must have dedication and positive attitude what we do. Only then we can meet our goal. Only then we can be successful. Before reading this beautiful piece of story I thought my job very boring one but after  reading this story I learnt that my job of folding papers in the printing press is not  less important. By my labour a number of people will be educated and knowledgeable. I changed my negative looking view to my work.

c. Retell the story “The Stub-book” in are paragraph.

Among dedicate farmers of Rota of Spain Uncle Buscabeatas was the hero with full dedication in same farming for 40 years. He was well familiar with each plant, fruit, vegetable he had grown with size, colour and even by name. He had grown up nice 40 pumpkins. He made  a plan to sell them in local market next day. He couldn’t sleep whole night thinking that he was going to lose his dear pumpkin like the father to his going to get married daughter. He hoped to earn 15 duros from them. To his surprise he did not find his  pumpkins next mornings. He guessed that they might be stolen at night and taken  to local market Cadiz. He went there with a police and sooner found a seller who was selling his pumpkins. Buscabeatas ordered the police to arrest him but the seller told that he bought  the pumpkins from Uncle Fulano. Fulano came there at right time. He tried to escape but he was stopped by inspector. He threatened Uncle Buscabetas to prove his claim. However, Uncle Buscabetas had brought the stems of those pumpkins and gave analogy of stub-book in tax payment. All the people along with police were convinced from Buscabeatas ideas. Fifteen duros was given to Buscabeatas and Uncle Fulano  was sent to prison for his crime.

Science and The “Spirits”

Science and The “Spirits”

John Tyndall, England (1820-1893)

a.      Write the summary of the essay “Science and the Spirits”.

In this essay “Science and the Spirits” the writer has utilized scientific methods to examine the supernatural events that scientists generally don’t do. Once the writer was invited in a dinner party where the incident of contacting with spirit took place. He tried his best whether applying scientific methodologies would fit to spiritual aspects or not. The attendants were the writers host (landlord), his wife a gentleman named x and writer himself.

When all of them sat at the dinner table they started to have wonderful narratives and talks. “Medium” (lady who could contact with supernatural power) arrived. The writer asked the lady who he was thinking then. But she couldn’t answer. Writer made second test with magnet Because Medium used to be ill because of magnet. When the writer was with magnet but she was feeling well then. Then she felt ashamed. Then she claimed that she could see waves of light coming from. The sun.when the writer asked her if she could count the waves, she was answerless. Sooner a knock heard then the writer was told that the spirit was knocking with meaning. When the writer kept a wineglass upside down then a buzzing sound produced they said it was sound made by the spirit. The table was pushed and knocked by one person then they (Participants) believed that was made by spirit. The writer stopped making movement of leg then there was not presence of spirits otherwise there was presence of spirit for spiritual believers. The  writer found out their dilemma of spiritualism but he didn’t open up the secrecy because they would be angry otherwise. Moreover, the writer was made confused by spelling name by spirit with knock that writer made spirit silent. The writer found two groups of people in that dinner party.

(a) Who didn’t need proof (b) and who didn’t like to be undeceived? He said science-controlled weeds of superstitions got giving mental soil to be grown. Scientific reason is far away from the intoxicated soul or belief even then people are living with dilemma and delusion yet this has not completly damaged our mental capacity.

c. Make the interpretation of the essay “Science and the Sprits”.

 This essay may be trying to focus  on the ideas of scientific reasoning  and delusive spiritualism. The writer is against the concept of so-called spiritualism. Many people are busy in making others  confused with proof less  thinking. Anyway we should reject any of the concept spiritualism or what so ever. Experiment or analysis done with positive mind without any preconception may lead someone to find out ground reality. Some proof less concept may be dangerous. We  shouldn’t be cheated by other in the name of any concept rather we must utilize our logical mind in each and every step of our  dealing and experience.

People can be free from any type of dilemma and disbeliefs when they use their critical mind in every thinking and dealing. Weak-minded people sometimes be lured by such whimsical beliefs and trapped by them. These spiritualists are far away from the reasoning mind. Actually, there is no presence of spiritual agents rather it is false beliefs of human beings who have no scientific thinking and logical mind. So far scientific investigations with their a number of experimenting devices are concerned they have not found out the existence of spirit. The main crux of this essay is that people must be social scientific and critical in every aspect of life so that they can hardly be the victims of so called spiritualism. Then they can have life with objective and concrete experiences.

d. What is your over all  view of humanity? Are people interested in truth or are they interested in believing what they wish to believe? Do you agree with writer Tyndall “Science and the Spirits” that human beings have  weak mind?

I am fully agreed with the writer about his concept that human beings have weak minds. They are interested in believing what they wish to believe. All people don’t think critically. They mean all  people have  no trust on truth and objectivity.

Scientists like people are more interested in truth. But there are other large numbers of people who believe what hey wish to believe. They have faith on ghost, spirits, communication  with supernatural forces, etc. about which they themselves are not sure. Such people have few logic yet they are not scientific. On the basis of narrow thinking and  very few unproved reasoning they  make any concept. Such low-based minded people are easily cheated by false concept. If they are told about their mind and the concept about far away things they are very much satisfied. In any  incident such people justify the cause of event that is unproved. With their narrow concept and low-based cause of incident they have evaluated of the events and drawn the shallow conclusion:

Third though

Third though

E.V. Lukas, England

b. Apply the four levels of meaning to “Third Though”.

Literal Comprehension: This event was told the narrator by narrator’s friend. According to narrator his friend was always unsuccessful in his business because he used to buy the things expensively and sell cheaply. It was his destiny. But once he bought a drawing at ten shilling from the shop and sold it at fifty pound. In this way, he got net profit of forty-nine pounds and ten shillings because the painting proved to be original painting of tuners. It was great profit of his life. So, he was very impulsive and wanted to share fifty prevent of his profit with his dealer. But suddenly he thought that he was doing wrong. He did not like to give him sharing money and changed his mind. Then he decided to give only five pounds. After sometime he again changed his mind and thought that five pound was also big amount for first success. He also thought that it would be great challenge to the goddess of business. Therefore, at last, he bargained with his soul and decided to give only one pound. Then after, he want to club and played bridge (cards) and lost all money including the money in the envelop for dealer. At last he came to conclusion that buying and selling are perfectly straightforward matter between dealer and costumer. So, it is not necessary to share the profit.

Interpretation: Through this beautiful essay E V Lucas tries to express his arguments that buying and selling are perfectly straightforward matter between seller and buyer. This also tries to say that all human beings are impulsive by nature. But in business, impulsive sentiments do not work at all. In business, profit oriented motive is forceful. That motive is very practical process of doing business through which one leads to the success. In this essay a costumer wants to share his profit to his dealer. But due to his profit oriented nature he doesn’t let him share. The essayist also wants to interpret that people should not think more while doing good thing. That means if one think much, he will not be able to do anything perfectly. Through this short essay, the writer also makes fun of human weakness and foolishness.

Critical Thinking: This is an interesting essay through which the essayist wants to show the real principle of business. But there are some basic details, which make me, raise few questions. Can we believe when a businessman purchases the things from the dearest market and sell in the cheapest? Is he ready to share his profit money to his dealer? Isn’t he very ideal person? Can a dealer not recognize turners painting? Does he really sell such beautiful painting lower in price?

Assimilation: After reading this text, I came to understand the real natural of business people who are always profit oriented. It also teaches me that all businesspersons should be very practical. And only practical businessperson will be successful. Ideal and impulsive people are not successful in their business. Whenever I am buying anything from dealer I remember this story and its theme that whether I am profited or am cheated. Then I begin to bargain with dealer heavily because this story has taught me that the dealer can take as much profit as he can. And I also came to understand that all people are impulsive by their nature but sometimes their impulse does not come in their practical life when they become over thoughtfulness. This text also very clearly clarifies that over thinking delays the action.

a.      Write a critical summary of the essay “Third Thought”.

The destiny of writer’s friend was to buy things in dearest price and sell in the cheapest one. One day he bought watercolor painting at Ten shillings and soon he sold it at 50 Pounds. After that there came a soul bargaining with him. He planned of giving dealer half profit. So, he wrote a letter but couldn’t send because of lack of stamp. He couldn’t sleep well at night so got up 3:30 am and recalled everything. He self discussed and made his mood to give 10 pounds. Still he couldn’t get sleep. He again made mood of giving five pounds. Again, while putting on clothes he thought to give him just a pound. Then he went into club for lunch. He played card and lost all his money. Then he told himself that buying and selling are perfectly straightforward matters between dealer and customer. There is no obligation of any kinds in any side.

Outwardly, one can heat his soul but he can’t do inwardly. Morally one can purify his soul but he can’t do rationally. The speaker has self-conflict in this story. In his highest relaxed mood he planned to give half profit. Slowly, he reduced to ten pounds to give half profit slowly, he reduced to ten pounds to five pounds to five pound to a single pound. Generosity in buying and selling is just meaningless thing. When he quits all his money he becomes a realist. It is human thought that has changing nature. There is no question of kindness and rudeness rather buying and selling are ever going process between customers and sellers. Between two parties there is dealing to some limit of payment and goods. Having such ideas of generosity comes with some of the idealistic people. Both buyer and seller can do this best to sell in dearest price and to buy in cheapest one. This is true concept occurs in business. Without profit no one sells anything and without some consideration no one becomes ready to buy anything.

HUMOR AND SATIRE

HUMOR AND SATIRE

King john and The abbot of Canterbury

Anonymous, England (Before 1695)

b. Write the four levels of meanings to "King John and The Abbot of Canterbury"

Literal Comprehension: Once King John asked three questions to the about of Canterbury. Abbot of Canterbury had to reply those questions within fortnight otherwise he would be killed. The abbot was highly honored probably more than king himself. So the king was envious and asked those questions to trap the Abbot. The three Questions were: What was the worth of king among his noble men? How much time would he take to travel around the earth? what was he thinking at that moment? After bearing those questions, Abbot went different places including Oxford and Cambridge to get help from scholars and doctors but he did not get correct answers. Nobody could answer the questions. Then he returned with sad heart at home. He told everything to his shepherd. After that shepherd became ready to go and answer all questions disguising as the abbot. Then the shepherd answered all questions perfectly before the king and saved his master. According to Shepherd, the worth of king was 29 pences i.e. one pence less than Jesus Christ. If the king traveled like the sun, he. could travel around the earth within 24 hours. And in the last shepherd said that the king was thinking that the Abbot was replying the questions but in face he was not the Abbot he was his poor Shepherd who came to pardon his master. However, at last the king was happy and pardoned  his master and awarded the shepherd.

Interpretation:  This is musical narrative ballad poem, which might be telling us that an absolute king is envious to his powerful subjects. He  does not like to see the progress and prosperity of his public. The poem is also dedicated to interpret that sometimes a fool may teach a Wiseman wit and the knowledge limited within books and institutions sometimes does not help to educated people. The knowledge of practical experience is very significant. In the poem the Abbot went many educational institutions including Oxford and Cambridge but he did not get any help. At last an illiterate shepherd helped him. The poem also expresses that many absolute king regard himself or herself equal as god but they always remain inferior to the god. This poem is also trying to make fun and satire upon the absolute king and so-called learned people.

Critical thinking : the subject matter of the poem is legend taken from real historical event. But it has some point and details which seem unrealistic and unreasonable to the readers. So readers may ask few questions against these details. How can a subject be more powerful than an absolute king? Can shepherd be able to answer so intelligently? why did the king ask all those non-sense questions? Is it possible for man to ride around in twenty-four hours? Can't Oxford and Cambridge scholars reply such ordinary questions? Did the king really understand the hidden meaning of the Shepherds first answer?

Assimilation:  This poem gives me special impact about the way I generally used to judge ordinary people. Before reading this ordinary people were very insignificant. But after reading this poem my concept upon layman has been changed. This poem really is able to convince me that some ordinary people are very practical. Using their practical knowledge they would be very successful in their life. Sometimes they are proved to be much more intelligent and useful than the scholars of great academic institution ordinary and illiterate country's people like shepherds farmers and potters are good in themselves. I believed  after reading this poem, that they have also hidden practical experience, which sometime shows the special solution of great problem.

c. "King John and the Abbot of Canterbury…." recounts a conflict between the king and the Abbot.

        i.            Describe this conflict.

      ii.            Explain the reasons for this conflict.

    iii.            How is it resolved?

    iv.            Describe similar conflict you may have had.

(I) Describe this conflict. King John was a cruel ruler of England who didn't like others to live more comfortable life than him. The King felt that the Abbot of Canterbury was his great enemy when he knew that Abbot was very famous, living better life than him. He became jealous with the Abbot. So he wanted to ruin his life and his property. Then he blamed abbot that he was going against him. Abbot had hundred of noblemen, fifty fold coins in his coat. Being jealous King thought that Abbot was against his crown. So to damage the Abbot and his property was king John's motive. Abbot's living standard and king John's jealously brought this conflict.

(ii) Explain the reasons for this conflict.  To take revenge against Abbot became the basic aim of King John. Jealousy was the main reasons for the conflict between King John and the Abbot. So the cruel and plotted King planned to put the Abbot to death. He called Abbot and asked three nonsense questions and commanded to give right answer within two weeks. The question were: (i) What was the worth of king? (ii) How much time would he take to go round the world? (iii) What was the king thinking right then? Abbot wandered here and there from Oxford to Cambridge but couldn't get the answers of the questions. Lastly, when he returned home being sad and serious his shepherd purposed to solve the problem and he did indeed. So the shepherd saved his master Abbot giving tactful answers to the nonsense questions asked by the cruel King John.

(iii) How  is it revolved?

The Abbot was very sad when he get the question and returned back home hopelessly. He wandered form Oxford to questions. when three days were left to give answers, the shepherd became ready to go in disguised form of Abbot and answered the questions like this.

1.      The value of king was twenty-nine pence.

2.      He would take 24 hours to go round the world.

3.      the king was thinking that the shepherd was Abbot of Canterbury. Listening those answer king John was fully satisfied and gave pardon to the Abbot and rewarded to shepherd.

(iv) Describe similar conflict you may have had.

When I was in grade five one of my friends asked me a tricky question "How can we identity a widower since we can identify widow with wearing white clothes?"  I couldn't answer it. I asked that question to all my teachers, friends, uncles, fathers, village brothers but no one could give right answer. At night I asked the question to my uneducated another. She easily gave the answer that by asking tot eh person we can identity him. I became surprised because no educated persons could  give the answer of the question but my illiterate mother could easily.

We generally don't care the knowledge of common people who have understood great things. Because sometimes their practical experiences can solve serious questions or problems.

Here a minor shepherd has solved treat problems. It proves that the solution of any problem doesn't always come form wise persons. Sometimes the common people may do that. The balled teaches us a great moral that we should not proud of post and greatness undermining common ones. Sometimes in problem minor and common people can be helpful and become superior to educated scholars.

d. Retell the plot of the ballad "King John and the Abbot of Canterbury" in a paragraph.

King John was unfair and cruel king of London. Once he knew that the Abbot of Canterbury was living more comfortable life keeping hundred serving men and fifty fold coins in his coat. Being jealous he wanted to take revenge against the Abbot. He called Abbot to his palace and asked three nonsense question to answer within two weeks. If he were not be able to answer those questions in given time, king would kill him. The questions were How much did the king cost? How quickly could he ride around the world? And what was the king thinking right then? Abbot became too much surprised and unable to answers the questions. He wandered form Oxford to Cambridge but no scholar could answer the questions. When being sad he came back home his shepherd encouraged him to answer the question. The shepherd wore king's clothes and went to king John. He answered like: The value of king was 29 pences. He would take 24 hours to go round the world. The king was thinking that the shepherd was the Abbot the Canterbury. Being fully satisfied with his answer king john gave pardon and rewarded to shepherd.

e. Summarize the poem "King John and ….." in a sentence.

The cruel ruler of England, King John being greedy with the post and higher living standard of the Abbot of the Canterbury asked the Abbot three nonsense question to be answered giving challenge to chop him down if he wasn't able to answer them within 15 days that made the Abbot visit Oxford and Cambridge but unable to find right answers but his shepherd gave correct answer going with with Abbot's dress and saved the Abbot and got answered himself.

To Know a Fly

To Know a Fly

Vuincent Dethier, USA (1915-1993)

b. Apply the four levels of meanings to "To Know a Fly"

Literal Comprehension : Scientists are the people who conduct any experiment properly which is scientific and adventurous one. If a scientist wants to know about something, he does observes the result and brings out a conclusion. There is lack of fallacy, confusion and there is a proper correlation between cause and effect. For the reasonable experiment the scientist asks meaningful questions and makes it fruitful. If he sees a fly moving around the food he asks question 'Is the fly tastes with its feet? ' For that he makes an experiment by fixing the fly in wax and giving it to taste variety of drinks (sweet, less sweet, sour, water, etc) when he cuts all leg the fly can't taste at all. The fly doesn't taste weakest sugar and does fast taste to the sweetest water. It doesn't touch salty sugar with its proboscis. The scientific experiment is  free of weakness and fallacy. It is not like trainers who is finding how can a flea listen? It is not like conclusion of fool that the cause of intoxication is glass. It is not like rescued man from earthquake who says the building fell when he pulled down window shade.

Interpretation:  This essay may be trying to tell us that human beings are not always superior in everything and in everywhere. Humans are also just part of nature. So far the matter if taste Is concerned, the fly can taste for better than we human beings. Fly can't be fooled by artificial sweaters. The nature has many things to say so we have to apply reasons and experiments to get them. We think humans are the greatest on earth but surprise we become when we see ape's reaching up to hung banana.

Critical Thinking:  All the concepts presented in this essay are not acceptable. Are there only wicked people in the world? How can a fly taste reasonably more than humans do? Why has the writer undermined humans?

Assimilation: This essay taught me that humans are not superior in every case. Animals are greater in their respective places. It is meaningless to be proud of being human. Just like tasting this there are many aspects where animals can be superior to us.

c. The essay "To Know a Fly " is an effort to prove the statement. " A properly conducted experiment is a beautiful thing." Explain.

In this essay " To Know a fly" the writer has conducted an experiment to find whether a fly tastes with its feet or not. There is an experiment by fixing the fly in wax and giving it to taste variety of drinks. The drinks consist, sweet, less sweet, sour waters, etc. The experiment is taken regularly and found that the fly does taste sweetest water but doesn't touch the salty water with its proboscis. The fly lowers its proboscis in the least salty and sweet water but does not do to mostly  in salted water. When all feet are cut the fly can't taste of all any type of drink. This experiment gives the idea that the fly can taste with its feet. A  fly can have power to taste most weakest sugar solution that we can not. It also can differentiate different tastes of sugar that we can't  be cheated by artificial sweeters because the item which is sweet to us is sweet to the fly also. It doesn't take out its proboscis when its feet touch salty water. But it takes proboscis out when the water is not salty or it is sweet or normal. Here in this essay the experiment is done nicely to identify whether a fly tastes with its feet or not. When a systematic steps and procedures are conducted the logical result is obvious. With proper experiment finding a fly walking on food drawing a logical conclusion.

Scientific Inquiry: Invention and Text

Scientific Inquiry: Invention and Text

Carl G. Hempel, Germany

(1905-1997)

b. Summarize the essay "Scientific Inquiry: Invention and Text"

The writer has presented a scientific inquiry conducted by one of the medical staffs of Vienna General Hospital from 1844 to 1848. He was Semmelweis who had gone through a long process of scientific inquiry regarding a question why in the First maternity Division to the Second Maternity Division of same hospital. With similar facilities, diet, general care, etc. Why first division got more death ratio of Childbed Fever? the 111.4% was the maximum death rate of First Division while 2.7% in the Second.

Semmelweis with his colleagues started to do his inquiries. He asked why such fatal disease couldn't affect surrounding city Vienna or Second Division. Even the street birth death ratio was lower. in 1864 a report came accusing rough examination of medical students for the death in high number. Still he said the process of birth was more harmful and same style was followed by midwives in the Second Division. Through medical students were cut off (reduced) Still death ratio was even higher.

Some psychological reason was given that due to ringing bell of priest that terrified people to have Childbed Fever in the First Division. Semmelweis experimented that still he death ratio was same. Another hypothesis was laying back birth style in the First Division and on their sides in the Second was not the cause. in 1847 when Semmelwesis's friend got wounded by one of the student doctors he was killed with similar symptoms. Cadaveric Matter from dead body infected the person to be killed. Most of staffs operating with dead bodies went directly with other patients so that contamination was the cause of death. In the Second Division midwives hadn't gone to operate with dead bodies. Semmelweis conducted an experiment himself with other doctor with protection to cancer affected women and normal washed up hands to next 12 women. As the results eleven women. were killed due to childbed Fever out of twelve. Then the writer came to the conclusion that it was not one Cadaveric Material that caused to have 'Childbed Fever' it could be because of damaged matter carried by living organism as well.

Interpretation: Thought this scientific chapter the writer wants to present the ideas about how a scientific inquiry is conducted how false reasons and hypotheses are refined and tested with actual established facts. In scientific discovery there comes the processes of making hypothesis, testing experimentation and drawing a factual conclusion. Sometimes in scientific inquiry chance or co-incidence plays an importance role to semmelweis's friend was killed by knife's wound of one of the medical students. This chapter also highlights that success is sure if continuous practice is going on. It also teaches us how can problems be solved by analyzing and explaining related reasons of the problem.

Making of a Scientist

Making of a Scientist

V.S. Ramachandran, India

(1951-)

b. Write the four levels of meanings to the text "The Making of a Scientist".

Literal Comprehension:  Curiosity is most influencing factor to be a scientist. still all people can't be scientist through they have curiosity. To be a scientist one must love to nature and have romantic love affair with her (Nature). The writer got encouraging influences from his science teachers, biology professor and from uncle and brother who were much interested in poetry. Besides he got influenced form his parents-especially from his mother who helped him a lot. For his experience parents in child's mind must there to fill two aspects. First, the child is the best one, Second, he is not good enough, The writer was interested in science when he was eleven. He though nature a friend and playground. He took previous scientists as real people.

Having keen interest in various subjects he loved and studied Indian history, art Indus Valley Script and many more. He assumed that Victorian science was good one because there was best progress in science being free from financial problems. He also points out that modern scientists lack fun because they are only research based with tools not the problems oriented. Even then the writer's passion to be a scientist was growing up with the interest in multiple subjects. He left no sector noticed. Nature is not complex thing so it is not difficult to solve/find scientific problems. He referred Darwin, Faraday Galileo like all scientists who walked along adventurous road of science. He has great interest on Neurology because there can have chances to answer common question and large influence secondly It asks question. who we actually are? The writer becomes scientist not to become famous like other but because of inmost desire and fun and influences from his friends.

Interpretation:  This essay might be trying to highlight the ideas that we an do progress and do a lot in any sector if we do with fun and work freely. To be a  scientist is not only an inborn quality rather so many factors become responsible there. Again doing workshop, seminars and working with equipments is not scientific work in real. We can't think it is scientific development with high qualities tools.

Critical Thinking: This essay has successfully presented the ideas that how curiosity leads to progress and how continuous dedication helps to get success in any fields. The writer's interest and final stage of gaining is influencing. Still there are some confusing ideas presented in this essay. How can only parents and homely environment create a scientific mind? can only curiosity, truth and dedication help someone to be a scientist? Can one be veteran or at home in multiple sectors at a time? Like the writer every one wants to become great influencing to other people.

Assimilation: After going through this text I got so many ideas. We can't be successful in any mission unless we have deep interest and dedication to it. How the literary persons or scientists make their personal world is given clearly. To be specific in any subject becomes boring. Sometimes having knowledge about multiple disciplines is very much interesting one. Anyway curiosity is the main factor to do  progress in any sector.

c. Do you agree with Prof. Ramachandran that " Science is a love affair with nature and more common with poetry". Give reasons.

Yes, I fully agree with writer Prof. Ramachandran about his comparison of science with romantic love after with nature or with poetry. The one who loves nature and enjoys with nature and natural beauty will try to understand the nature. Similarly, the scientists also try to invent new things new facts and create new world.

To love nature means to understand a lot about construction ecosystem and natural phenomena. All scientific inventions from ancient to the present are done within nature. The nature is not always about environmental aspect because nature indicates about human nature or behavior. Sigmund Freud talked a lot about human behaviors. From ancient Dante to Chaucer, Milton Wordsworth Galilio etc. have discussed a lot about the nature in general.

When there is a romantic love affair there is curiosity between lovers to find out newness in each other. They are much more interested and delighted to live funny life. In the same way science is a subject followed by such people who are very much interested and have maximum curiosity to find new things or event. Similarly, poetry is such composition where a poet has made a world of his own with new systems and colors. As scientists or successful persons also create their personnel world. All the philosophers, scientists, biologist, physicists, psychologists, etc. much more delighted with their personal worlds.

on the basis of above mentioned few of the remarks we can conclude that science in more or less in the same pattern of romantic love affair with nature. And it has more common with poetry as well.