Shakespeare by Matthew Arnold|poem summary & analysis

Summary & analysis

The poem "Shakespeare" is written by the famous English poet Matthew Arnold. This poem is in the form of sonnet. Sonnet is a poem of fourteen lines. This poem is a tribute to the great poet Shakespeare. According to Matthew Arnold Shakespeare is not only a human being born in this world  but also a spiritual soul in his thought. He was a great personality in the world of English literature. He occupies a special place among the English poets. He was a supreme soul among the English dramatists.

The poet appreciates Shakespeare and his artistic skills in the poem. He says that an ordinary person can not understand Shakespeare because his literary skills are too mysterious to understand for ordinary people. His knowledge is very deep and subtle. 
The poet further says that the skills of other poets can be understood by critics. But the dramatic skills of Shakespeare are not easy to understand by ordinary critics and philosophers. His poetic genius is mysterious in the world of English literature. We may ask him questions but he only smiles and gives answer through his poetic works. He is far from our knowledge. he is out of our reach because his knowledge is very deep like bottom of the sea and very high like the top of a mountain.
On both sides we can not reach near him. Here poet wants to explain that his knowledge is so deep like the bottom of a sea where we can not reach and very high in his thought that we can not understand him. It seems to the poet as he is talking to the high stars in the sky. But his roots are in the sea. Here the poet explains that the meaning of Shakespeare's literary works is very deep and mysterious to understand.

His literary skills are very deep and very high in thought. It is not easy for ordinary people to understand his artistic skills. Even most of the critics and philosophers are unable to understand his mysterious artistic skills because his personality is very mysterious. We can not hold his thinking because it is very high like the top of a mountain. That is out of our reach. On the other hand, we can not understand his mysterious artistic quality as it is very deep like the bottom of the sea. Neither we can reach at the bottom of the sea nor at the top of the mountain.  According to Arnold he is the highest tower of knowledge. 

In the second part of the sonnet, the poet appreciates Shakespeare as a great dramatist in the world of literature. He is very divine and spiritual in his personality. He has expressed his genius in his dramatic works. He was a very talented poet and dramatist. He was a spiritual human being who knew the stars and rays of Sun in his high imagination. No doubt he was a self made scholar who worked hard for getting more knowledge. He did not care for appreciation whether people admires him or not.
He was a self satisfied personality. He did not have any desire for honor from other people. He feels self honored and confident in himself. He does not need any praise from other people of world. He was a self satisfied person of high thinking. He had a great poetic genius in his work. His tragedies are full of dramatic skills. They are so lively that we forget our sorrows while reading his tragedies. We feel relaxed when we read his plays. 

Arnold says that Shakespeare was a god gifted artist. He was a genius in his literary works. The poet says that he was a man on the earth but still he was immortal in his spiritual art. He is a man of unique taste in his skills. He was a great poet of England. It is very sad that when Shakespeare was alive no poet admired his genius and talent. Although he has gone from this world yet he is alive in his literary works. His art of literature burns a light of revolution in the field of English literature. He is immortal in the world of English literature. Thus Arnold pays a tribute to the great poet, dramatist and artist of England.

Read More

Rabindra Nath Tagore...Life and works

Rabindra Nath Tagore...Life and works

Rabindra Nath Tagore was born on May 7, 1861 in Calcutta, India. He was a famous Bengali poet. His father was Debendra Nath Tagore. He was a great social reformer. His grand father was Dwarkanath Tagore who was a great supporter of Raja Ram Mohan Roy in his campaigns against Sati Pratha, Child marriage and Caste system. His family background was also related to art and culture. Tagore got his early education at home from his father. He was not sent to any school for education in his childhood. Later he was sent to England for high education but he didn't stayed there longer. very soon he came back to home. He was also known as the great poet, artist, philosopher and educationist. He was a great patriotic saint whose songs were  full of patriotism. His great work Gitanjali won him the Noble prize for literature in 1913. He was honored with the title of  'Gurudev'  by Mahatma Gandhi. He was died on August 7, 1941.

His great works are--

• Poetry--The Crescent Moon, Crossing, Gitanjali, Gardener, Manasi, Fruit Gathering.

• Plays-- Chitra, Stray birds, Bisarjan, Post Office.

• Novels--Gora, the Home and The World, Nowka Doobi, Hungry Stones.

• Autography--Reminiscences
• He was also a great composer of songs. He composed Indian National anthem 'Jana Gana Mana'. He also composed 'Amar Shonar Bangla' in 1971. it is the National Anthem of  Bangladesh.

Read More

Potato for skin care

Potato for skin care

Potato is a common vegetable. We eat it like other vegetables. It is not only rich in carbohydrates but also rich in vitamin B and C. As we all know that vitamin C is very helpful to treat our skin. Thus potato is very beneficial for our skin. It is also considered natural bleach because it lightens our skin tone. There are many other benefits of potatoes to treat our skin problems.

Lighten skin tone

As we all know that raw potato is known as a natural bleach for our skin. It lightens our skin tone naturally. For it, you can grind raw potatoes and apply them on your face like a face mask. leave it for about 20 minutes and then wash your face with clean water. It makes your face glowing. You can also use raw potatoes in the form of juice and apply it with lemon juice. It also helps to lighten your skin tone naturally.

Remove dead skin

Raw potatoes are also helpful in removing dead skin cells from your skin. For it, you can grind it and apply on your face and leave it for 15 minutes. After it, wash your face with water. It makes your face smooth. You can use it regularly to remove your dead skin from your face. It makes your face clean and smooth and keeps your skin fresh and healthy.

Cure wrinkles

Raw potato is very helpful for curing wrinkles. It works like anti ageing. For it, you can grind potatoes and make a paste of it. Then apply it on your face and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes. After it, wash your face with clean water. It works effectively and treats wrinkles.

Treat sunburns

Potatoes are also very helpful in treating sunburns. For it, you can take a raw potato and peel it. Then cut it into thin slices and place it on your face or on the affected areas of your skin. Leave it for 15-20 minutes. Then remove it and wash your face with clean water. It makes you feel cool and comfortable.

Moisturize dry skin

Potatoes are also very helpful to treat dry skin. Just make a mixture of potato and curd and apply it on your face. Then leave it on your face for 15-20 minutes. After it, wash your face with water. It makes your skin moisturized.

Helpful in removing dark skin

Raw potato is also very effective in removing dark circles. You can take a raw potato and peel it properly. Then cut it into slices and place them on dark circles under your eyes. And leave them for 10 minutes. After it,  remove them gently and wash your eyes with clean water. It helps you to remove under eyes dark circles. 

Thus you can use potatoes not only in eating but also in treating your skin problems. Potatoes treat your skin naturally and it is very cheap also. It is very helpful in treating sunburns, dark circles, dry skin and makes your skin glowing and healthy. So try it. If you like this article please comment us. The comment box is given below.

Read More

Sunlight and health benefits

Sunlight and health benefits

As we all know that the sun is the main source of energy for us and our universe. Our morning starts with the sun and its light. It is not only the source of energy but also very important for our health. When we get up in the morning sunshine increases our energy and we feel fresh and more energetic after getting sunlight. There are many health benefits of sunlight for us, we discuss here.

Essential for bone health

As we all know Sunlight and vitamin D is very important for our health. Sunshine is the main source of vitamin D. It helps us to increase vitamin D. Vitamin D is very important for our bones. If we take a daily exposure of sunlight 10 to 20 minutes, it improves our bone health.

Improve our sleep

It is said that good sleep is very helpful for our good health. Many diseases are caused by insufficient sleep. the sunlight also improves our sleep. It produces the melatonin at night which helps us to sleep better at night. It is also known as sleep Harmon. thus sunlight is very important for better sleep.

Improve our immunity

Our immune system is related to Vitamin D. And the sun is the main source of it. When we take sun exposure, it increases the level of Vitamin D in our body. thus Vitamin D helps us to improve our immune system.  

Keep blood pressure low

Sunlight helps to keep blood pressure low. Nowadays most people are suffering from high blood pressure. Mild sun exposure helps us to keep blood pressure low.

Sunlight and weight loss

It also helps in weight loss. When we walk in the morning in the mild sunlight, it keeps us energetic and we feel motivated to walk for weight loss. Thus sunlight helps us to lose weight.

Sunlight for a happy mood

We all want to be happy all the time. Sun exposure also helps us to keep our mood happy. It also reduces mild depression of people that is caused by changing seasons, especially in winter seasons when people get less sunlight in the winter season. Thus sunlight helps us in reducing depression.
Sunlight for skin

Mild exposure to sunlight helps in healing fungal infection and other skin problems like acne, psoriasis, eczema and vitiligo. But overexposure to sunlight is very dangerous for our skin. Thus it should be kept in mind that mild sun exposure helps us to heel skin problems, not overexposure.

Sunlight for hair growth

Sunlight helps our body in producing vitamin D. it helps in growing our hair and prevents hair loss. Thus it is not only good for our skin but also for our hair.

Keep our mind calm

As we have known many benefits of sunlight for our health. Here one more benefit is that it helps us to keep our mind calm. Thus it is also good for our mental health. Sunlight plays an important role in our overall growth and development.

Sunlight and yoga

If we perform yoga in the morning sunlight, it is wonderful for our health. In fact, performing yoga in the sunlight is more effective than inside the room. In sunlight, when we inhale fresh air inside the body we feel a power of sunlight also entering in our body and brain. our brain is also filled with positiveness and energy.

At last, I want to tell you about overexposure to sunlight. As we all know that the excess of everything is bad. Thus overexposure of sunlight is also not safe for us. I hope that the article is helpful to you. If you like this article and want to share your experience with us, you can comment us in the comment box given below.
you may also like--
Tips for skin care 

Potato for skin care

Read More

David Copperfield |A detailed Summary

David Copperfield |Summary

 David Copperfield 

"David Copperfield" is an autobiographical novel written by a popular novelist Charles Dickens. Charles Dickens was the most popular novelist of the Victorian age. It was published from 1849 to 1850 in nineteen monthly parts. The original title of David Copperfield is very long. It is  "The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery". In this novel, Charles Dickens describes his own experiences of childhood, boyhood and manhood in an interesting way. The story of David Copperfield is considered the real story of Charles Dickens. Therefore it is an autobiographical novel.

• The birth and parentage of David Copperfield

David Copperfield is the chief character in the novel.  This novel revolves around his life from birth to marriage. He was born in the Blunderstone, Suffolk. He was born after the death of his father. When David was born, his aunt suddenly came back home in the hope of a girl. But when she saw a baby boy, she again became angry and go back from there because she wanted a baby girl.

• David's step father

As David was a fatherless child still he was happy in his early days. Both his mother and his maidservant, miss Peggotty took care of him with happiness. His life was passing happily. His mother was a fainthearted and weak-minded woman. She never could claim for anything with firmness. She lived her life in fear. An important turn came in David's life when her mother fell in love with Mr Murdstone. Mr Murdstone was her neighbour who lived there with his unmarried sister. David's mother decided to marry him. Murdstone also wanted to marry with her. They got married when David went to Yarmouth with his housemaid Peggotty. 
There were Peggotty's elder brother and her nephew Ham and niece Emily in the house. Thus Mr Murdstone and David's mother got married in the absence of David. David did not like Mr Murdstone as he was a merciless man who always tried to disturb and punish David in any way. After marriage, Mr Murdstone began to live in her house. Miss Murdstone, the sister of Mr Murdstone also started to live with them. She was a clever lady. She took the charge of the whole household in her control. Thus David's mother seemed like a guest in her own home. She lived like a guest in her own home. Because her mother was a weak-minded woman so she could not speak against Miss Murdstone firmly. And now her maid, Miss Peggotty also could not help her in any way. Thus happy days of David also were over very soon. 

• The torture of David by his stepfather

Now Mr Murdstone and his sister tried to disturb David intentionally. They began to torture David and his mother. His stepfather was a kind of stern and cruel man. He did not allow David's mother and maid to treat David with love and politeness. His stepfather started to teach David his lessons of school at home. He mostly punished him cruelly when he didn't learn his lesson properly. The condition of his mother and David was very miserable. Before it, David used to learn his lesson from his mother in a pleasant way but now it became a daily misery for him.
The behaviour of Mr Murdstone was very cruel towards David. David mostly forgot his lesson in the presence of Mr Murdstone and cruel Murdstone never missed a chance of beating him mercilessly while teaching him. Not only Mr Murdstone but also his sister was very cruel for David. She also did not like his presence at home. One day while teaching David Mr Murdstone beat him. Then David bit his hand to save himself from punishment. 
After this incident, he was kept closed in a dark room as a punishment. After it, Mr Murdstone decided to send David to a boarding school for further education. He wanted to send him to London. He also informed the headmaster about the incident. Thus David was sent to London for further education. Thus Mr Murdstone became successful in keeping David away from his mother and his house. It was really a misery for both mother and David. David's mother and Peggotty were very sad about this incident.

• David's presence in a boarding school

After the incident of biting Mr Murdstone, David was sent for a boarding school in London. Now he had become a student of a school named Salem House. It belonged to Mr Creakle. A coachman took David to Yarmouth. His name was Barkis who loved Peggotty, maid of David. Therefore he asked David to tell his maid about his love and his desire to marry her. After it, David went to London from Yarmouth. 
In London, Mr Mell received David. Mr Mell was a poor teacher of Salem House where David was sent for study. Mr. mell was very humble towards David. He took him to the boarding house with pleasure. On the other hand Mr Creakle, the principle of Salem House was very cruel and harsh in nature.
 He took pleasure in beating boys mercilessly. There was one more man in the school. His name was Tungay. He helped his master Mr Creakle in his cruel work. Mr Murdstone knew Mr Murdstone. therefore he informed Mr Creakle about David's offence. Thus Mr Creakle gave special attention to David and he tied a notice on the back of David written on it "Beware of him because he bitts".
David made two friends at this school. One was Steerforth who came from a rich family and treated with kindness by Mr. creakle and the second was Traddles who came from an ordinary family was mostly beaten by Mr Creakle. Traddles was a happy natured boy.
Once Steerforth insulted Mr Mell by saying that Mr Mell's mother was living in an almshouse on charity. After knowing about Mr Mell's mother that she was an almswoman or a beggar, He dismissed Mr Mell immediately. After this incident, one day Mr Peggotty and Ham came to meet David at Salem House. There David introduced his friend Steerforth to them. 

• David's arrival at home during holidays

After finishing the first term at school David went home for the holidays. In the meantime, his mother gave birth to a baby and David was very excited for the baby but he found no change in the behaviour of Mr Murdstones and his sister towards him. They both did not like his presence there. David was very sad to see all this. He was worried about his mother because she was living a very unhappy life. Mr Murdstone did not want to allow David to meet freely with Peggotty. He was very sad at his own home. He went back to school after finishing his holidays.

• The death of David's mother

One day David was informed by Mrs Creakle about his mother's death. After it, he became very sad about hearing it. He felt himself alone in this world. He was crying for his mother. When he reached at his home, he came to know that the baby had also died with his mother. The funeral was not attended by Mr Murdstone and his sister. Peggotty told Mr David that Mr Murdstone and his sister treated his mother very badly. They both behaved very bad with his mother and tortured her. Now David was very sad after hearing all this. He was feeling lonely without his parents in this world. The only person who cared about him was Peggotty. Therefore he also had to leave his school, Salem House. He could not finish his education.
After the funeral, he went to Yarmouth with Peggotty. David stayed there at her boathouse. Peggotty got married to Barkis whom she loved. Now again after the marriage of Peggotty David was alone in the world. As his mother had died and his stepfather neglected him. He only felt comfortable with the books which his father gave him. He mostly used to read those books to console himself. 

• David as a labourer

David was sent to London to do work as a labourer by Miss Murdstone at an early age of ten. David started to do work in the warehouse of the firm named "Murdstone" and Grimsby". There he had to examine empty wine bottles and paste labels on them. He had to work with low-class street boys at the wine shop. So he had lost all his hopes to be a learned and respected social man.

• David's stay with Micawber and his family

While working in the firm he stayed with Mr Micawber who lived in Windsor Terrace, city road in London. Mr Micawber had a wife and four children in his family. He was a friend of Mr Murdstone. Mr Micawber was a freak and polite person but he was a great borrower of money. His income was not fixed. His wife told David that her husband had borrowed money from many creditors. They often came to their house for repayment and harassed them but his husband was unable to pay those debts. His wife told that they felt very depressed when the creditors came to their house for repayment of their loans.
They both were flexible in temperament when creditors went back they immediately became happy and relaxed but in front of them, they seemed very unhappy. Mr Micawber was very fond of saying again and again that "something would turn up". He also liked to speak the phrase"in short". Mr Micawber established a private school for girls to increase his income but failed. At last Mr, Micawber was arrested for not paying his debts and carried over to the king's bench prison in the Borough but very soon he was released from the imprisonment. After it, Mr Micawber decided to go to Plymouth to get a job with the help of his relatives. David felt very much attachment to the family when they went to Plymouth, he felt lonely again.
David did not want to work in the warehouse with street boys so he decided to run away from there. One day he ran away from the warehouse and started his journey to Dover. He came to know that his aunt Miss Betsey Trotwood lived at Dover. Therefore he borrowed some money, a half- guinea from Peggotty and started his journey to Dover. In the meantime, he was robbed by the driver of a donkey cart which he had hired to carry him and his luggage to the coach office. Now he had no money. 
Without money, it was difficult to go at Dover but he had to walk to cover all distance to reach Dover. He had no other way to go there. In fact, he had to sell his waistcoat and jacket to buy food. He had become very tired with hunger and cold while reaching Dover. Finally, he reached at Dover where he was received politely by Miss.  Betsey. There was one more man who lived in Miss. Betsey's house. She had a high opinion of him. Actually Miss. Betsey was a married woman who had separated from her husband and now lived as an unmarried woman.

• David was cared  by his aunt

After meeting his aunt, he told her whole story. When Miss. Betsey came to know about his pathetic story, she felt love and sympathy for David. Then Miss Betsey informed Mr Murdstone about the arrival of David in her house in a miserable condition. Mr Murdstone and his sister came to meet Miss Betsey and asked to send David with them but David refused to go back with them. Now Miss Betsey cared for David very much and wanted to give him a good education. So David started a new life with her aunt. David got a good education
Miss Betsey got David admitted to a school named Doctor Strong. It was a reputed school. There David stayed in the house of Mr Wickfield. He was a widower and lived there with his daughter Agnes. David was very happy there. 

• David as a friend of Agnes

The new school was under the charge of Dr Strong. Dr Strong had a pretty wife named Annie. There were two more men named Jack Maldon and Uriah Heep. Jack Maldon was a cousin of Annie who was in need of a job and Mr Wickfield was helping him to find a job. Uriah Heep was a clerk of Mr Wickfield who always pretended to be polite.
Slowly David and Agnes became good friends. But David did not like Uriah Heep because he was a man of deceit. He always tried to impress David. One day at his request David met him and his mother. They both were very clever and wanted to get information about the business of Mr Wickfield. At there David met with Mr Micawber by chance. David introduced him with Uriah Heep and his mother. He was still in financial problems. From there David went to Micawber's house to meet his wife. There he came to know that Mr Micawber was in need of a job.
Dr Strong was working upon an English Dictionary. Before joining the school, Miss Betsey told David about Mr Dick who was working upon his memories. After some days Jack Maldon went to India to find a job. David used to go to Dover to meet his aunt once a month. Mr Dick used to meet him on every alternate Wednesday.

• David as a young man

Now David had become a young man of seventeen. He fell in love with a girl named Shepherd. But that girl developed a friendship with another boy. After it, David fell in love with a girl named Miss Larkins but very soon she also got married to another boy.

• David's get back to his aunt's house

After completing his education David came back to his aunt's house at Dover. He was very close to Agnes, the daughter of Mr Wickfield. Suddenly Mr Wickfield started to drink heavily and his clerk Uriah Heep started to take advantage of this situation as much as he can. In the meantime, Annie's mother came to stay with Dr Strong and Annie. She was given the nickname 'old soldier' by the students of Dr Strong. On the other hand, Jack Maldon who was in India was not happy there and wanted to come back to London. Annie's mother was worried about Jack Maldon after all he was his nephew.

• David's meeting with his old friends-

One day David met with his old school friend Steerforth. There he met his mother and her companion Rosa Dartle. After it, David went to Yarmouth to meet his old friends of the boathouse. David went there with Steerforth. Mr Peggotty and Ham were very glad to see them. Steerforth also met Emily who was a very beautiful girl. Emily wanted to marry with Ham. 
They all were celebrating their meeting. David also met there with Peggotty, His old nurse and Barkis, her husband. Emily also came to Peggotty's house. There Emily helped a girl named Martha Endell by giving her some money. Martha wanted to go to London to start a new life.
Martha met Emily at the shop of Mr Omer who was a funeral furnisher in Yarmouth. Emily also worked there.

• Miss Betsey's desire to see David as a proctor--

Miss Betsey wanted David to become a proctor. A proctor was a kind of attorney who used to practise at courts. It was known as Doctor's Commons. Miss Betsey articled him to the firm of Messrs Spenlow and Jorkins and paid a thousand pounds for it. david was very happy now.

• Mr Wickfield's visit to London--

Mr Wickfield came to London with Agnes and Uriah Heep. David loved Agnes and she also loved him. Now Mr Wickfield agreed to make Uriah Heep as an equal partner in his business. Uriah Heep succeeded in getting partnership as he wanted. After the starting of his professional career, David started drinking with Steerforth and other young men. Now Agnes warned David against Steerforth and also told him about the bad intention of Uriah Heep who had taken advantage of his father's weakness. So David invited Uriah Heep to know his plan. After meeting with Uriah Heep, David came to know that he wanted to marry Agnes.

• David's love with Dora--

Now David fell in love with Dora who was the daughter of Spenlow. They got engaged secretly and often met with the help of her friend Miss Julia Mills. David also met his old school friend Tommy Traddles. David came to know that he was a lodger in the house of Micawber.

• The sudden death of Peggotty's husband--

One day Peggotty's husband fell ill badly and died soon. David went to Yarmouth to console Peggotty. There David came to know that Emily did not marry Ham yet. After spending some time at Peggotty's house, David got one news that Emily had eloped with Steerforth. After getting this news both Ham and Peggotty became sad. Next day David came back to London with Peggotty. David helped Peggotty in legal formalities related to her husband's will. Now she took a vow that she would get her back. Both Emily and Ham were Mr Peggotty's adopted children.
After it, David got engaged with Dora. One day Miss Betsey came to meet with David at his residence. She told him about the Financial problems that she had financially ruined. After it, David tried to get back his premium but Mr Spenlow denied. Now David wanted to earn money. His aunt with Mr Dick started to live with David. Here Mr Micawber accepted to work as a confidential clerk to Uriah Heep. After it, David came to know that Dr Strong was seeking for a secretary so David applied for the job and got it. He learned shorthand and worked very hard.
Mr.Spenlow was angry to know the affair of His daughter Dora with David. He warned his daughter to keep away from David. Unfortunately, the next day Mr. spenlow died while driving. After the death of Mr Spenlow, Dora lived with her two spinster aunts at Putney. These aunts were miss Lavinia Spenlow and Miss Clarissa Spenlow who were unmarried. After it, David wrote a letter to the aunts of Dora on the advice of Agnes. He told them about his desire to marry Dora. after getting permission from her aunts, Devid got married to Dora. Now his financial condition also had improved. He was also earning as an author.
Although Dora was not a good housewife yet she was a very loving and innocent wife. she always looked cheerful. David called her his "child-wife". Miss Betsey also liked her and called her the "little Blossom".   Jack Maldon was not happy in India and about to return to England. and on the other hand, Uriah Heep destroyed the domestic life of Dr Strong by saying him that his wife Annie had affair with Jack Maldon. After hearing it Dr. strong felt depressed. David became very angry and slapped on the face of Uriah Heep. In the meantime, Annie also declared that she had always been faithful to her husband. After her declaration, the misunderstanding of Dr Strong had cleared.
One day Miss. Rosa Dartle told David that Emily had gone somewhere. Now Peggotty was searching for her. She also told David that Steerforth had tired of Emily and left her with his servant Littimer. One day Peggotty and Devid saw Martha Endell Jumping into the river to kill herself. So immediately they both stopped her doing so and save her life. This was the girl whom Emily gave money. They both requested Martha to help them in searching  Emily.
One day Martha again came to meet David and requested him to go to Golden Square with her. On her request, David went with her. There he saw Emily and Rosa Dartle in an old house. Rosa Dartle insulted Emily because she hated her for her love affair with her old lover Steerforth. After some time Peggotty also reached there. Peggotty was very happy to find Emily. Peggotty now wanted to send Emily to Australia to start a new life.
One day David was informed to meet with Mr Micawber near the King's Bench Prison. David went there with his friend Traddles to meet Mr Micawber. There Mr Micawber told him about the fraud of Uriah Heep. He requested David to go to Canterbury and call Mr Wickfield. On his request, they all went to Canterbury and called at Mr Wickfield. Mr Micawber, Agnes, Mrs Heep and Heep's mother were also there.
 Mr Micawber exposed him while reading a document. It proved that Heep had cheated Mr Wickfield by forging his signature in books and documents. In starting Heep denied from all these charges but when he found it useless he admitted his crime. All the money of Miss Trotwood was recovered. Mr Wickfield paid all his debts. Miss Trotwood gave enough money to Micawber to settle in Australia.
After it one day Dora fell ill badly and died in the arms of Agnes. The death of Dora had broken David's heart. So he left England and went to the continent. He was very sad. He continued to write a story and when it was published he became a popular writer. One day David went to Yarmouth to meet Ham. There he came to know about a wrecked ship in the storm. Both Ham and Steerforth had drowned. David was very sad to know all this. 
After it, he went abroad to find peace because he was disturbed after the death of Dora, Steerforth and Ham. When David came back to England he saw that Traddles got married to his lover Sophy. After it, David with Traddles visited a prison. His old teacher Mr Creakle was the magistrate and the superintendent there. David was surprised to see Uriah Heep and Littimer there. In fact, the two evil men and cheaters had been punished as they deserved.
Now David had become very popular as a writer. He often went to meet Agnes at her home. One day he asked Agnes to marry him and she accepted his proposal of marriage. In fact, she told him that she was in love with him from the beginning. So they both got married happily. After some years Peggotty came to England to meet David and told him that all people who had settled in Australia were now happy and rich. She told him that Emily did not want to marry again but still, she was happy. Martha also got married to a farm labourer and lived a happy life. 
And now after marriage with Agnes, David had Several children including two daughters. His aunt Betsey who always wanted to be the godmother of a daughter, she now had become very old but still, she had become Godmother of David's daughter and was very happy. Mr Dick also continued to write the "Memorial" as his hobby. Peggotty also had become very old now but she was happy to work as Miss Betsey's housemaid. Thus the story ended with a happy ending. all good character were living a happy and prosperous life and villains had been punished in the prison.

Read More

Anthem for Doomed Youth|Summary & explanation

English literature notes

Anthem for Doomed Youth by Wilfred Owen...Summary

The famous poem "Anthem for Doomed Youth" is written in 1917 by Wilfred Owen. It is in the form of a sonnet. This poem is the description of war and its effect on the people. The poet describes the funeral ritual for the people who were affected by the first world war. The poem is a mourning for soldiers who have lost their lives in the war. This poem throws light on the sorrow of the soldiers in some of the bloody battles. The poet also describes the sorrow of the families in whose relatives have lost their lives in the bloody battles. The title of the poem means the song sung for the dead soldiers in the war. Thus the theme of this poem is the horror of war.The poet expresses his sorrow for the soldiers who have lost their lives in the first world war. Here the meaning of the word 'anthem'  in the title is a song sung for the nation. It is a song for celebrating national events. Basically, It is a war poem related to the situations of war and soldiers. The poet wrote this poem when he was taking treatment for shell shock in a Scottish hospital.

He wrote this poem in 1917. After it, he was killed in a fight next year. The poet was against the war. He focused on the negative aspects of war. According to the poet, the deaths of a young man during the war is like mass slaughter of animals. The sonnet is mostly related to love and romance but here the poet chooses it for a different reason. This poem is not a love sonnet like another sonnet. It is a war poem. Another main point in this poem is the poet's disliking for war. According to him, the war is not important for the welfare of the country. Then he says that the soldiers who are killed in a war in such a fierce way are not good for the nation.

 The poet says that the death of so many soldiers is terrible for all mankind. The poem raises the question on the need for war and its result. The poet asks why countries are not aware of the result of war and it's afterwards circumstances . The countries should not ignore the problems and sorrows of people who are killed in a war. The poem throws light beautifully on the contrast between the violent and frantic reality of the battle and the peaceful atmosphere of the Church rituals.

Poem explanation

The poet here describes the importance of church bells on the death of a person. In the Christian tradition, a church bell is a bell rung in a church for different ceremonies as a wedding, funeral and other occasions. Like this, the church bell is also rung for a funeral service. The poet says that when someone dies the church bells are rung on his death but when soldiers die in a war, what sound is there to mark their deaths. Here poet wants to clarify that the people die in a war like cattle because there are no singing bells of the church to mark their deaths at war. This is very disrespectful for them. No church bells are rung for them. They seem to the poet like animals dying in the field of war. The poet uses religious imagery to clear his view of the deaths of soldiers.
 The poet throws light on the negative aspects of war. He says that the soldiers are killed with cruelty in the battles. Is it good for them to be killed there like animals? The phrase "Passing bells" means here the church bells ringing on the funeral ceremony to mark the death of someone and "die as cattle" means that people who are slaughtered mercilessly all at once. The poet uses the word "cattle" for the soldiers. It means that a group of animals is called cattle. But here in this poem, the poet uses the word cattle for a group of soldiers because they all are killed mercilessly at once. The second line "only the monstrous anger of guns" is used for the bad effect of the guns in the war. Actually, it is opposite to the church bells which rings in the church on the death of someone.The poet wants to say that no church bell is rung on the death of soldiers but they face the demonic anger of guns on the battlefield. It means that the angry sound of the guns is the cause of the death of soldiers on the battlefield. Poet further says that the fast noise of the stammering guns is the prayer for the dead soldiers. The poet means to say that the fire and the noise of the guns on the battlefield seem like the prayer for the soldiers who are dying in the battlefield. 
The poet throws light on the deaths of soldiers that is very quick and not a natural death. It means that they do not die a natural death like other people. Before it, the poet compares the dead soldiers to the dead animals and here the poet compares the prayer of the church to the noise of guns on the battlefield.The poet is against the war. It seems that the stammering guns are singing prayer or psalms for the dead soldiers. Here it is a very serious matter related to the war that the consequences of war are really significant or not. The deaths of so many soldiers are really reasonable or not. We all should think here about it. Are the deaths of many people in a war is compulsory or not. The poet personifies the rifles here. The poet says that these rifles give tribute to the dead soldiers on the battlefield. 
The poet further says that there is no tribute for dead soldiers. Those soldiers deserve a special burial, after all, they save our lives from enemies. But this is like a joke for them that we do not give them at least a respected burial which they really deserve for their sacrifices. There are no ringing bells, no special prayers to calm their soul. It is not only shameful for us but also a terrible thing that they lose their lives like cattle on the battlefield. This is like a joke on their valuable life. The poet here criticizes the wars and battles. The poet further says that there is no condolence given to the dead soldiers on their death in the battlefield. But the noise of guns seems to the poet like the sound of funeral singers who sing on the death of someone. Here the poet wants to clarify that the yelling guns tribute to the soldiers like funeral singers in the battlefield. Here poet compares the group of funeral singers to the noise of shells.
 There is a strange situation at war where no church bells, no singers, no psalms give tribute to the dying soldiers but the yelling of shells, noise of guns give the tribute to the soldier on their deaths. Here the poet uses the word choirs. It means a group of singers who sing sad songs at the funeral of someone. The poet further uses the word bugles. Bugle means an instrument made with brass. It looks simple and is used in the army and military. It looks like a small trumpet. It is played at the funerals of soldiers to give them tribute. The poet says that bugles are played at some near village to give the tribute to the soldiers while their burial or funeral. Now the poet further says that there is no candle burnt for the soldiers. Actually, when somebody dies, people light the candles in the memory of a died person to give him special tribute or respect but here no candle is burnt on the death of soldiers to give them peace.
It is very shameful for us that we can not give them tribute even through lighting the candles in their memory. The poet says that candles are not in the hands but the light is burning in the eyes of their sons and family. There is a light of anger or sorrow in the eyes of soldiers' sons and family members. Lighting candles is a ritual in which candles are lighted in the memory of dead persons. The poet further says that the pure light is shining in the eyes of  family of the dead soldiers. They are very sad about the death of their close one. The poet compares holy shine to the tears falling down from the eyes of the sons of soldiers. They say goodbye to their dearest ones forever. 

Read More

Easter 1916 -- poem Summary & explanation

Easter 1916 --Poem Summary&Explanation

The important poem Easter 1916 is a poem composed by a famous Irish poet William Butler Yeats. It was written in 1916 but published in 1921 in the collection Michael Robartes and the Dancer. The poem is a description of the poet's feelings about the revolt occurred in 1916 1n Ireland. The revolt is known as The Easter Rising. It was an armed rebellion in Ireland. It was started on 24 April in 1916 during Easter weak. It was started by Republicans of Ireland to end British Rule in Ireland. The Irish Republicans wanted to establish the independent Irish Republic. It was the first armed revolt during that period. It was the most important revolt in Ireland to end British rule in Ireland. It was started on Easter Monday, 24 April 1916 and lasted for six days. Therefore It became famous with the name The Easter Rising. (Easter is a festival of the Christian celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. It is considered that Jesus returned from the dead on the third day of his burial after his crucifixion. It is a famous holiday of the Christian. It is also called Pascha.)

Although Yeats was a national poet yet he did not like violence as a means to save Ireland from British Rule but the execution of Irish Republican by the British disturbed his mind strongly. He was very sad on the death of Irish Republicans. Because they were the people of his country. Even ordinary people were also very sad about the death of his countryman. In this poem, the poet expresses his feelings related to the events of the Easter Rising occurred in Ireland against British Rule. But revolt had failed for some reasons. The most of the Irish Republicans who were active in the revolt were killed during this revolt. It was a great tragedy for the country.
The poem is the description of the poet's inner feelings about revolutionary moments in Ireland. The revolt lasted for six days. 
After six days, the rebels surrendered to the British Army. Yeats composed this poem to pay tribute to the Irish Rebellions for their sacrifices done for the country. He expresses his thinking for this revolt and its result. Mainly this revolt occurred in Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland. The poem is divided into four stanzas.

Poem explanation

Stanza--1

In the first stanza, the poet talks about the man whom he used to meet at evening while they're returning from their job. Here poet wanted to say that he used to see people daily when they returned from their jobs or meetings at evening. He mostly used to see a smile on their face. they seemed satisfied with their works. The poet also nodded his face with a smile while meeting with them on the street. The poet further told that they often gathered in a club or sometimes in another place around the fire. That time he often made fun of them by saying some mocking stories on them to please his friends. He used polite but meaningless words or sometimes made jokes on them without knowing their meaning. But now after the failure of The Easter Rising (Irish Revolt), everything had changed. he was living in the place where motley was worn still. but now everything had changed with the failure of revolt and as a result, a terrible beauty was born with it.
Here the phrase A Terrible Beauty means that British rulers killed Irish rebellions but after it, a strong desire of independence had born among the people of Ireland which resulted in the Irish war for independence a few years later. The sacrifices of Irish rebellion did not waste but it helped in the independence of Ireland.

Stanza--2

In this stanza, the poet describes four persons who took an active part in the revolt of 1916. They fought for the country. One of them was a young and beautiful woman. Her name was Countess Markievicz. The poet knew her very well. In fact, she was his a long time friend. That woman spent her days in ignorant goodwill and nights in arguments. Here poet means to say that the woman took an active part in the revolt, therefore, she always argued with others in a loud voice like a man. Her sweet voice also had become like a man. Here poet uses the phrase 'Rode to harriers' for that woman. It meant that the woman used to ride on a horse in her young age during a hunt for rabbits. Her horse passed through a beautiful green forest.
The poet further describes the second man who was an owner of the school. He was also a teacher of that school. He was also involved in the revolt actively. His name was Patrick Pearse. Here the poet uses the phrase 'rode our winged horse' for Pearse. (In Greek mythology winged horse is a symbol of high flying imagination. It is said that everywhere the winged horse struck his hoof to the earth, water spring burst forth. It means wherever that horse goes the inspiration comes out from there. Here poet wants to say that the man who kept a school, rode a winged horse. It means his imagination was very high and sublime.
 He gave inspiration to all countryman. Now the poet describes the third person who was also involved in the revolt. That person was his friend and helper. He always helped the poet. He was a strong supporter of revolt. He was very active in the revolt to make it successful. His nature was very much emotional. He had true emotions for his country. He was very brave in his thought. He was a heroic man interested in adventure. If the revolt had been successful, he might have get name and fame after the revolt definitely. After it, The poet describes the fourth person who also took an active part in the revolt. The poet tells his qualities to his readers.
He was frantic in his nature. He drank over mostly. Sometimes he became violent. The poet did not like him because he seemed him vulgar and haughty. That man had done wrong with the poet's friends and relatives. His behaviour was not good for the poet and his close friends. The poet further says that although he did not like him yet mentioned him in my poem because he also sacrificed his life for the sake of the country. He also was killed during Rising Easter. Now everything had changed. He was now no more in this world. He had changed his part in this world. He had gone to another world to play his part. He had changed completely. After the death of these important persons, a horrible beauty was born. Here poet wants to say that after sacrificing the Irish Rebellions a good thing happened in the result of the war. The word terrible means sacrifices done by the Irish leader and beauty is the war which was fought after some years to get freedom.

Stanza--3

In the third stanza of this poem, the poet expresses his feelings about Irish Republicans. The poet told that they had only one strong aim in his life. That aim was to end British Rule in Ireland. The poet told that they never changed their aim whether it was summer or winter. It meant that they had the same aim in every situation of their life. Their purpose seemed like a magical and confirmed stone that never disturbed by shaking water in the river. Like this stone, Irish fighters were devoted to a single purpose. Yeats compares the hearts of these people to a stone lying in the river. Here the poet means that these people's sense of purpose is confirmed and definite. It is unmovable and unchanging.
Now further the poet expresses the unmovable passions of leaders with the example of objects of nature as birds, horse, cloud. He gives the example of things that change time to time. The poet says that someone riding on the horse changes; the birds that fly above him change and the clouds keep floating one place to another change every minute.
 It means that things change every minute. But the passion of Irish fighters did not change even after death. Now they can not change things more because they are no more. Still, they died with the desire of free Ireland in their mind. This desire makes their passion stay the same forever. The poet further says that Evan a shadow on the river changes minute by minute. It means it changes every second. Here the poet gives an example of a horse that slides into the water and splashes around it. The poet wants to say that although the freedom fighters have died yet they are alive like a stone in the river. their passion is still here in the heart of all human beings.
The poet has given many examples s from nature in this poem. Here he gives one more example of moorhens and more cocks. They are medium-sized water birds. They like to dive into the water and call out others birds. The enjoy every minute of their life. The life in the present only. These birds do not take stress for past and future like human beings. Here poet says that the people who have died in the revolt are like a stone that exists at one place without moving here and there. It exists in the midst of all and remains unmoved but other things around it change. Same like this the purpose of people who have died in the revolt, never change not even after death. They were confirmed in his purpose even after their death.

Stanza--4

Here in the last stanza, the poet wants to talk about nightfall. He asks himself by saying if it is nightfall or death. He replies immediately that it is not nightfall but death. He explains that he is not talking about the night that is dark but he is talking about the death of his friends who were freedom fighters. But very soon a question arises in his mind if the death of Irish rebellions was really compulsory or not. Were there need for their death for the freedom of Ireland. Here the poet is confused to think over the death of Irish freedom fighters for the sake of the country. Because after Easter Rising England did not give them the freedom to Ireland. England promised to give freedom after world war-1. The people of Ireland might keep faith in England for their freedom. 

Here the poet further says that people know the dream of freedom fighters are not active now. Everyone knows why they sacrificed their lives. Poet says that they saw a dream for the freedom of Ireland but they died before to complete his dream. They did all this for their love for the country. They were willing to die for the freedom of Ireland. Here yeats are confused about his feelings for the freedom fighter of Ireland. But he describes them in his poem with their name. He says that these people have changed now both in the present and in the future. 
 He mentioned the name of his friends who were the freedom fighters. Those were Macdonagh, MacBride, Connolly and Pearse. Here the line "Wherever green is worn" is said by the poet for official colour of Ireland. Because green is the official colour Ireland. The poet again defines that these Irish freedom fighters will be remembered for their sacrifices done by them for the freedom of Ireland. Whenever people wear a green official dress they will think about the freedom of Ireland. and whenever the history of Ireland will be revised, the will be remembered as the great freedom fighters of the country. 

The poet says that he does not know how he should think about it because he is not the part of it. According to the poet the freedom fighters have lived a meaningful life but his life has no meaning. Here poet finishes his poem with the line-- "A terrible beauty was born."He repeats this line many times in the poem. Actually, this line exposes both the positive and negative aspects of the Easter Rising Event. He considers the event important but he does not want to say their sacrifices useless. He wants to give a tribute to the freedom fighters through his poem.                                        


 

Read More