An Astrologer's Day

         Short story - "An Astrologer's Day" by R.K.Narayan :- 

Welcome readers! This blog is written in response to the thinking activity on the study of  R.k.Narayan's short story - 'An Astrologer's Day' and the one short film based on it. This task is assigned by Megha Ma'am, Department of English MKBU. In this blog I am going to answer all the questions given by Ma'am which is based on the reading of original short story and watching a Hindi short film based on it. 

    Before discussing Further let us first look at the Introduction of R.K.Narayan and the short story itself. 

   

  R.K.Narayan ( 10th October 1906 - 13th May 2001)  in full name Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanswami. He was an Indian writer and novelist known for his work set in the Fictional South Indian town Of Malgudi. He was a leading author of early Indian literature in English along with two others Mulk Raj Anand and Raja Rao. 

  Narayan's greatest achievement was to make India accessible to the outside world through his writing and Powerful words in his literature. The Fictional town of Malgudi was first introduced in his work :- 'Swami and Friends.' 

  ■ Major Works :- 

Novels :- 

• Swami and Friends (1935)

• The Bachelor of Arts (1937)

• The Dark Room (1938)

• The English Teacher (1945)

• Mr.Sampath (1948)

• The financial Expert (1952)

• Waiting for the Mahatma (1955)

• The Guide (1958)

 

    Short story Collections :- 

 - Malgudi Days (1942, Indian thought Publications ). 

- An Astrologer's Day and Other Stories ( 1947 , Indian thought Publications). 

-  A Horse and Two goats (1970)

- Under the Banyan Tree and Other Stories (1985)

- The Grandmother's Tale and Selected Stories 

 (1994)

 ■ Awards and Honours :- 

   R.K.Narayan won numerous awards during the course of his literary career. He won his first major award, in 1960, the  Sahitya Akademi Award  for 'The Guide'. When the Book was made into a film, he received the Filmfare Award for the Best Story.  In 1964, he received the Padma Bhushan.  In 1980, he was awarded the Ac Benson Medal  by the Royal society of English Literature. He was one of the finest Indian authors of his generation writing in English.  

 Here I am embedding the video of  Introductory Group Presentation on R.k.Narayan :-

   

 

      

       

  We Watched one Hindi short film based on R.k.Narayan's story an Astrologer's Day from Malgudi Days. " A normal Day in the life of an Astrologer reveals a lot about him." This movie prepared by Pocket films and it is easily available on You tube, Produced and directed by Sushant Bhatt.  Click here to watch the movie.

  ■  About An Astrologer's Day :- 

 An Astrologer's Day is a thriller, Suspense short story by author R.K.Narayan. It was the titular story of Narayan's fourth collection of short stories published in 1947 by Indian Thought Publications.  It was the first chapter of the world famous collection of stories Malgudi Days which was later Telecasted on television in 2006. 

   The Story revolves around an Astrologer who lives in a Small town and offers his services to people seeking guidance and Predictions about their lives. An Astrologer starts his day at Midday and attracting a range of Customers with his clever guessing.  

  Through R.k.Narayan's vivid storytelling, as a reader we introduced about Astrologer's routine, interactions and the profound impact he had on People's lives. Each Customer comes with the problem and the Astrologer cleverly combines his knowledge of astrology with his skill to satisfy his customer's expectations. The story takes an unexpected turn when a man named Guru Nayak approaches the astrologer. As the conversation begins an Astrologer soon realised that Guru Nayak is an old acquaintance who believes he had killed him many years ago in a dark valley.

  

 The climax of the story reveals that the Astrologer's deceptive Identity and profession - both were means to escape from his troubled past. The encounter with Guru Nayak forces him to confront his past actions and the consequences that continue to haunt him in his present life.

  'This short story deals with the complex interplay between the past and present '.

Overall, An Astrologer's Day is a Capitaving and thought - provoking story that delves into the depths of human nature, offering insights into the complexities of life and the Potential for redemption.  

☆ Further I will explore some of the questions :- 

1. How Faithful is the movie to the original short story?

Answer :- The short film An Astrologer's Day is generally Faithful to the original story. While there may be some differences and the way story is Presented visually. But the overall narrative and themes of the short story very well maintained in the movie adaptation. Movie maintaining the central plot and character dynamics.  Moreover, short film effectively conveys the themes of fate, deception, Fear and Guilty present in the Original story, making it a faithful adaptation that retains the essence and impact of R.k.Narayan's work.

 2. After Watching the movie, has your perception of the short story, Characters, or situation changed? 

Answer :- Yes Certainly. Watching the movie has changed my Perception of the short story, Characters and Situations Presented in it. Especially In the description of Characters I would like to explain few things. When we read the original short story by R.K.Narayan the Character of Astrologer's wife is not revealed until the end. But when we see the Hindi short film we can observe the Character of Astrologer's Wife named Usha and feels her presence from the Beginning to the end. While we read the story we can only Imagine the different things in our mind but when we watched the movie adaptations it always gives us a better understanding.  

 3. Do you feel "Aesthetic delight" While watching the movie? If yes When did it happen? If no, you can explain why?

Answer :- I feel more relief rather than Aesthetic delight. Aesthetic delight refers to the feeling of pleasure or satisfaction that arises from experiencing something beautiful or visually pleasing. The experience of Aesthetic delight can vary from person to person. In watching the movie I Personally do not found such concepts which provides an Aesthetic delight. I felt a kind of relief at the end of the story looking that finally Astrologer was free from his guilty feeling and also his clever and intelligent escape from Guru Nayak. 

 

4. Does the movie screening help you in a better understanding of the short story? 

Answer  :- when a short story is adapted into a film, it can offer a different medium for experiencing the narrative. Movies have the advantages of visual and auditory elements. With the help of that elements it will enhance our understanding of the original short story. Moreover In the short story when an Astrologer described his past it does not look very interesting but the movi presentd it in a more

Perfect way. It shows the Flashback of An Astrologer and Guru Nayak , which enhance our understanding in a better way. So Screening of the movie helped a lot in understanding the original short story.  

  5. Was there any Particular scene or moment in the Story that you think was Perfect? 

Answer :- Yes there is one Particular scene or moment in the Story that I think was perfect. Guru Nayak 's revelation to an Astrologer. When we saw the movie as a Viewers we came to know that he ( an Astrologer) saw the face of Guru Nayak in the lightning of Cigarette. So this scene is perfectly taken in the movie. Therefore this scene is my Favorite. The flashbacks are also shows perfectly in the movie. In the scene of Guru Nayak 's revelation to an Astrologer we can observe the facial expression of both the Characters.

 6. If you are Director, What changes would you like to make in the remaking of the movie based on the short story 'An Astrologer's Day' by R.K.Narayan? 

 Answer :- If I would be the Director of the movie based on this short story.  I will make few change. The First change I would like to do is about Lightning.  Another change is about the setting of the place where an Astrologer used to sit and start up his business.  So these are some

changes that I will do as a Director. 

  I hope that my blog will be helpful to you..

     

     Thank you for Visiting...✨️😊 

Raat Rani : From Modern Love Mumbai

     Thinking Activity 

Raat Rani 

Introductory blog for understanding the Concept of 'Independence' :-

Welcome readers! Here I am going to write down one another and interesting blog. This is a first blog of Semester -3. So we all are very much excited to share our ideas and Thoughts through the Platform of Blogger. In this Particular blog I am going to share my views and ideas on the word Independence.  For that we have watched the first episode of  webseries named :- " Modern Love Mumbai ".  The name of the first episode is :- " Raat Rani ".  

  This blog is assigned by Vaidehi Ma'am as a part of thinking activity. After watching the first episode as a student or we can say as a Viewer what are our thoughts on the word Independence and How the first episode of the web series portrayed the idea of Independence through one main female character.

  

  'Modern Love : Mumbai' is a six part anthology revolving around new age love stories based on characters from the city of Mumbai. Six different stories are unique in its own way. It is  Premeried on Amazon prime video on 13th May 2022.  It episodes run from 40 to 50 minutes. 

In this web series we can observe one idea is about ; 

   Love that knows No Gender 

                                   No Age 

                                   No Race 

                                   No Boundary.

 Another thing I would like to quote here is that; 

  

         'SELF LOVE is the main thing in everyone's life. If you want to achieve something big in your life than Start loving your own self. ' 

 

 Watch this video for the better understanding about the webseries Modern Love Mumbai.  

   

  Raat Rani is the first episode of the webseries named Modern Love Mumbai.  It is a story about Lali and her husband Lutfi. Lali is a cook and Lufti - a security guard. They both living in Mumbai, far away from their native town Kashmir.  Suddenly when Lali's husband Lutfi dumps her, breaking her heart and shattering her dreams. She learns to love herself and build a new life on her own. 

 Now, I am answering some of the questions given or Suggested by Vaidehi Ma'am, Which is related to the first episode - Raat Rani. 

  1. List down the Contradictory symbols you observed in the episode  "Raat Rani".

 Answer :-  In Raat Rani there are so many symbols. But some of them are Contradictory. So let us try to understand all that symbols through the Frames of the episode. 

  The Very first Contradictory symbol I would like to discuss is given below.

   In the very starting Frame we can see that when Lali was telling her husband to dance but he was not ready for dancing. But still Lali wants him to dance. At that time out of anger or Frustration he threatens him. But Lali pulled his husband's ear. This Frame shows a Contradictory state of mind. Generally we see the opposite picture in our society where In a relationship man are dominant. But Here Lali - a woman depicted as dominating her husband Lutfi. 

     

  

   This Frame is of a house where Lali was working as a Cook. In both the Frames two female characters are discussing about their Problems. In the first Frame Lali is in tension because her husband run away from her and she even tried to call her husband. While In the another Frame the problem is about sugar free bread was not available. So, that is how we can find two Contradict situation and Problems in two different frames. 

 

 In this Frame Lali was having Ice-cream and showing that she was breaking up with her husband Lufti. Behind them there was Taj Mahal which is a symbol of love. These two opposite elements are placed together and that is how we can understand two Contradictory symbols in these Particular Frame. 

 

  

  This Frame gives us a very good message which breaks the traditional way of thinking. In our Society it is believed that it is only Men's responsibility to provide Chhat to rest of the family members. Only Men are capable of doing such of kinds of things. But Here we can observe that first Lali thinks that when Lufti will return than they both will repair the Chhat. But than she alone do it with the help of another person. This shows that if woman is financially independent she can also take charge and capable of doing it.

 2. Which is Your Favorite symbol from Raat Rani? Why?

 

Answer :-  Flyover is one of my Favorite symbol  from Raat Rani. The Symbol of Flyover which played a very significant role throughout 

 the whole episode. It also shows the growth and development of Lali's character.  The Symbol of Flyover represents Lali's inner happiness and Courage. After her husband left  her she realised that Let me live my own life rather than crying for a man who left me. 

  The important symbol of Flyover shows the Courage and Independence of Lali that now she is free without depending on her husband. At the end of the episode she tells her husband not to return home because now she become an independent woman and gained a new strength within herself. 

 

   In this Frame we can see that she was very much happy when she finally succeded in crossed the overbridge by bicycle. From her expressions we can observe that she was so happy as she embracing her happiness. Finally she moved in her life. 

 3. Which is Your Favorite Frame from the Episode? Why?

 Answer:- The entire episode is my Favorite as it shows Lali's Struggle and very well describe the idea of Independence. But Here I have to tell about one Particular Frame than I will show below Frames which are my Favorite. 

 

      

  In our day to day lives, we all are facing different kinds of Challenges. But it is very important to face the problems and Challenges for moving ahead in life. It happened with all of us that sometimes we don't want to get out of our own comfort zone. Here we can see that Lali is the best example of showing courage and strong determination. When Lufti left her she cried and said that ; 

  

      मैं दस साल की शादी को ऐसे ख़तम नहीं होने दूंगी मुझे मेरा लुत्फी वापस चाहिए | 

    She felt hurt. But finally she stepped out of her comfort zone and decided to over come all the Challenges. She knew that she has to face everything alone and single handedly.  Yet, She crosses the Flyover.  She made up her mind and succeeded in Crossed the overbridge. What we all need in our life is the Courage and a strong determination to do and achieve something. So this Particular Frame is my favorite from the episode. 

   4. Compare and Write a note on all the women characters from Raat Rani.

 Answer :- 

  In the entire episode, there are total 4 to 5 female characters. But , each one of them Possesses different thinking, out look and Perspective towards life. Among them, Lali 's character stands out Perfectly as she experiences everything as an individual.  

   When Lali entered in the house, where she was working as a Cook. One man and women arguing with each other about having Property on the moon as well.  They argued in a very loud voice. So that is how we can observe completely different mindsets of each female character.  

   Another Female character appeared  many  times throughout the episode. When Lali step out of her house she silently observed her every actions.

 

   Lali's Character is the main one. Through her character we can observe the idea of Independence and self - love. The Portrayal of a Flyover bridge as a Metaphor for Self - actualization. 

      

   Slowly she realised that she also can be happy alone. She is not depended on her husband Lutfi or anyone for her own happiness and desires. After Lutfi 's exit from her life she tightly hugs her bicycle companion and happily moved ahead in her life. 

Thank you for visiting...

Bridge Course - Tradition and the Individual Talent

 Thinking Activity 

' Bridge Course - Tradition and Individual Talent '

 Hello readers! Here I am going to write down One another blog. This blog is assigned and Inspired by Dr.Dilip barad sir - Department of English, Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University.  This blog is a part of our thinking activity.  In this blog I will deal with some of the important question answers about T.S.Eliot's essay - ' Tradition and Individual Talent' on the basis of my understanding. 

 

  T.S.Eliot ( Thomas Stearns Eliot) Considered one of the 20th century major poets. The 1948 winner of the Nobel prize in literature, T.S.Eliot is highly distinguished as a Poet, literary critic, a dramatist, an editor and a Publisher. His awards and honors include the British order of Merit and the Nobel prize for Literature. Despite his enduring Popularity Eliot and his work have been Criticised as having Prejudiced views, Particularly anti - Semitism.  

  □  Tradition and Individual Talent :- 

 Often hailed as the successor to Poet critics Such as John Dryden, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Matthew Arnold and T.S.Eliot 's literary criticism informs his Poetry just as his experience as a poet shape his critical work. Perhaps his best known essay -  'Tradition and Individual Talent' was first published in the year 1919 and soon after included in The Sacred wood : essays on poetry and Criticism (1920). 

 Eliot attempts to do two things in his essay. He first redefinies tradition by putting  emphasis on the history of writing and understanding poetry. He then argued in his essay that Poetry should be essentially impersonal that is separate and distinct from the personality of its writer. T.S.Eliot's idea of tradition is complex and unusual. This essay - Tradition and Individual talent has had many detractors, especially those who question Eliot's insistence on canonical works as standard of greatness. It is difficult to overemphasize the essay ' s influence. It has shaped generation of poets, critics and theorists and also is a key text in modern literary criticism. 

 

    Now I am going to answer some of the questions as per my understanding which is related to T.S.Eliot's essay - Tradition and Individual talent given by sir. 

  Question 1 :- How would you like to explain Eliot's concept of Tradition? Do you agree with it? 

Answer  :-T.S.Eliot talked about the Concept of Tradition in the very first part of the essay. In literature the term tradition is that ; 

       " Unrecognised element." 

Usually when we say that someone is traditional. What we are trying to say is that he is very old fashioned or he is not someone who will accept the new changes very easily. This is the same case literature also. For ex:- when we say that this writer is traditional. It is about how much that writer is imitating the predecessors. In this part of the essay Eliot challenged the perception that when a writer imitates his predecessors, it means that the writer is lacking originality.  According to Eliot ; 

    " The best parts of a Poet's work are those in which the dead Poets, his ancestors assert their immorality most vigorously. " 

 According to T.S.Eliot Tradition is about reflecting earlier works and not merely copying. It is difficult to agree or disagree with the idea of Eliot's concept of Tradition.  Eliot is not asking us to repeat what already exists and loose our originality.  He says that whenever we create something new we should have a historical sense that is an awareness and understanding of the works that have been written earlier.

  So, that is how T.S.Eliot explained in very detail about the Concept of tradition in the very first part of the essay.

  Question 2 :- What do you understand by Historical sense? 

 Eliot has described in detail that What he means by historical sense. He says that ; 

  " The historical sense involves a Perception , not only of the pastness of the past , but of its Presence."

 Eliot believed that Tradition is not something that can be inherited. It can be obtained only by hard work. To be traditional it not just enough to know that past, the writers should have a historical sense that is along with knowing the past. The writer should also know the importance of the past in the present.

   A poet or writer should be familiar with the distant past. It means that the writer should aware the whole literature of Europe from Homer. This is what creates Historical sense and this makes the writer traditional. 

   Question 3 :- What is the relationship between Tradition and the Individual talent, according to the Poet T.S.Eliot? 

  Answer :-  Eliot is of the Opnion that the writer must have faith in some systems of writing and that a work of art must conform to tradition in such a way that it alters the tradition as much as it is directed by it. According to T.S.Eliot' s thinking and Conception tradition and the Individual talent go together.

  So Individual talent becomes very much important which one cannot sideline when they are learning about literary criticism. Through the essay of Eliot we can come to a point that only historical sense is not enough and require for any literary work. But For that One has to be creative also in his / her own way and Individual talent is also important. 

  Question  4 :- Explain : "Some can absorb knowledge, the more tardy sweat for it. Shakespeare accquired more  essential history from plutarch than most men could from the whole British museum."

 Answer :-  T.S.Eliot uses this lines this lines - " Some can absorb knowledge, the more tardy sweat for it. " in his essay. It means that To become a Creative writer is not an easy. As T.S.Eliot also mentioned that one can not inherent Tradition. But it can be only gain through lots of efforts and hard work by a writer or a poet.

  For a Creative literary work a writer or poet should have a habit of wide reading and vast knowledge not only about the present , but also of the past. Shakespeare accquired so much historical sense about different histories. So from this lines used in the essay we get an idea that the people who are intelligent they can absorb knowledge and the others have to sweat for gaining and accquring vast knowledge. 

  Question  5 :- Explain : " Honest Criticism and Sensitive appreciation is not directed upon the poet but upon the Poetry."

 Answer :-  In the second part of the essay Eliot argues that ; 

   " Honest Criticism and Sensitive appreciation is not directed upon the poet but upon the Poetry." 

  From his Perspective this lines hints at the actual beginning of New Criticism where the focus will shift from an author to text. Eliot here defines the responsibility of a poet. The poet is not supposed to compose poetry which is full of emotions or rather we can say personal emotions. We are consider more a poet rather than his work. But that is not correct. So we have to understand that For an Honest Criticism and Sensitive appreciation it is important and notable that it should be directed upon the Poetry and not the poet.

 Question  6 :- Explain : " Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion. It is not the expression of Personality, but an escape from personality. 

 Answer :-  Through this line we can get an idea that Eliot does not deny Personality or emotion to the Poet. Only he must depersonalize his emotion. There should be an extinction of his personality. This impersonality can be achieved only when the poet surrenders himself completely to the work that is to be done.

  And the poet can know what is to be done only if he acquires a sense of tradition, the historic sense which will make him conscious not only of the present but also the present moment of the past. This is what new critics want from literature. They want to appreciate good Literature and do not want their opinion of the poet to cloud their Judgement. 

 I hope that this blog will be useful to you..

  Thanks for Visiting...

Movements of the 20th century

                   ' Thinking Activity '

      ' Trends and Movements ' 

Hello readers! Here, I am going to write down one another blog about Trends and movements of the early 20th century. This blog is inspired by Yesha Ma'am - Department of English  Bhavnagar University. This blog is a part of our thinking activity. 

  In this blog , I will discuss Surrealism, Dadaism and Expressionism with the ideas of some creative works done by me and my classmates. 

    Introduction :- 

             The early 20th century was marked by rapid industrial , economic, social and cultural change which influenced the worldwide of many and set the stage for new artistic movements. 

          With the outbreak of world war - | in the year 1914 , Art became heavily influenced by the desire to abstract life and escape the horrific Possibilities of the human condition. Artists began to question and play around with themes of reality, Perspective , space and time. One can Understand that the 20th century saw a new era of visual artists who challenged the precedent art styles. 

  Here I will discuss some - isms :- 

  1.  Surrealism

  2.  Dadaism

  3. Expressionism

 Now let us discuss about these in detail with the help of some interesting photographs of classroom activities.

 1. Surrealism :- 

   ■ Definition

   ■ Origins of the Surrealist movement

   ■ key Characteristics of surrealism 

   ■ Major Surrealist artists

   Surrealism is a cultural movement that developed in Europe in the aftermath of world war - l in which artists depicted unnerving, illogical scenes and developed techniques to allow the uncinscious mind to express itself. It Produced works of Painting, writing, theatre, film making, Photography and other media. Works of surrealism feature the element of surprise, unexpected juxtaposition.

  The movement represeted a reaction against what its members saw as the destruction wrought by the rationalism that had guided European culture and politics in the horrors of world war- l.

  ☆ Definition of Surrealism :- 

According to Merriam Webster Dictionary of English language ; 

        " surrealism means, the Principles, ideals or Practice of Producing Fantastic or incongrous imagery or effets in art, literature, film or theatre by means of unnatural or irrational Juxtaposition and Combitions." 

☆ Origins of the Surrealist movement:- 

 Surrealist movement originated in the late 1910s and early 20s as a literary movement that experimented with a new mode of expression called automatic writing or automatism, which sought to release the unbridled imagination of the subconscious.

  Officially consecrated in paris in 1924 with the publication of the Menifesto of Surrealism by the poet and critic Andre Breton ( 1896 - 1966). Surrealism became an international intellectual and political movement. 

  ☆ Key Characteristics of  Surrealism:- 

 1. Dream like scenes and symbolic images.

 2. Unexpected, illogical Juxtaposition. 

 3. Automatism and a spirit of Sponataneity.

 4. Personal iconography.

 5. Distorted figures.

 6. Primitive designs.

 - In surrealism, the artists writers down their own thoughts without any stopping or structure. That is called Automatic writing.

 - The Juxtaposition of the forms in a surrealist painting is usually showing imagery to put irrelevant objects together.

 - Surrealists try to put association between the two objects of surrealism.  Using the unconscious and rendering these associations with such Juxtaposition.

 - A key Characteristics of surrealism is that the artist relies on their unconscious, but the reality and the conscious combines together.

 ☆ Major Surrealist artists :- 

 The movement of surrealism became widely popular in literature. Here are the names of the major artists of the movement named surrealism. 

    ● Andre Breton

    ● Salvador Dali

    ● De chirico

   ● Robert Desnos

   ● Marcel Duchamp

  ☆ My Surreal Drawings :- 

  

2. Dadaism :- 

■ Introduction 

■ Definition of Dadaism 

 ■ Historical context

■ Foundings of the movement 

■ Characteristics of Dadaism 

 ■ Dada Artists

 Dada is one of the most unconventional and Avante - garde art and cultural movements of the 20th century.  Prompted by the European social climate following the first world war, Dadaism rejected wartime politics, culture and capitalist economic system. In essence Dadaism offered nihilistic and anti - rationalist critiques. It using non traditional materials, satire. Dada Artists turned the known into the unknown.

 The movement arose as a reaction to the nationalism that many believed resulted in the war. The powerful influence of Dadaism spread quickly throughout Europe and the united states with each city forming its own group. Dadaism found influence in several other avante garde movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

  ◇ Definition of Dadaism  :- 

 According to Merriam Webster Dictionary of English language ; 

   " Dadaism means, A movement in art and literature based on deliberate irrationality and negation of traditional artistic values."

◇ Historical Context of Dadaism :- 

The Dada movement was formally founded in zurich in 1916, by a group of artists and Poets who rejected the violence of the first world war and the absurdity of modern capitalist society, seeking refuge in Switzerland. This movement became international at the end of the war spreading to Germany, France and the united states.

  ◇ Foundings of the movement :- 

   Hago Ball was the the founder of Dadaism movement.  He was a German author, poet and founders of this movement at zurich in 1916.

 

   ◇ Characteristics of Dadaism :-

   The main Characteristics of Dadaism are the following. 

  1. It emerged as a protest against the conventions of the time.

 2. They were characterized by an attitude of mockery and humour and were based on absurd things and on what had no value.

 3. They used ways of expression full of Satire and Ironh and used gestures to incite provocation. 

 4. The poems that emerged from Dadaism were illogical or could not be understood. 

◇ Dada Artists :- 

  ○ Marcel Duchamp 

   ○ Picasso

    ○ Chirico

    ○ Andre Breton 

     ○ Max Ennest 

    ◇ Dada Poem :- 

 As a part of Classroom activities in which yesha Ma'am gave one task to us. So For that I tried my best to create one Dada Poetry with the cuttings of some newspaper. 

 

 Expressionism :- 

 Expressionism is a modernist movement, initially in poetry and painting, originating in Northern Europe around the beginning of the 20th century. Its typical trait is to present the world solely from a subjective perspective, distorting it radically for emotional effect in order to evoke moods or ideas. Expressionist artists have sought to express the meaning of emotional experience rather than physical reality.

 Expressionistic art tends to be emotional and unnatural. The warped or twisted images are meant to represent the artist’s feelings, not the external world. 

Expressionism influenced an entire movement of creators. It is most often seen on canvas, but it has also sparked influence in film and literature.

   ◇ Classwork on Expressionism :- 

  ◇ Classroom work on Surrealism :-

  I hope that this blog will be helpful to you..

  Thanks for Visiting..

Orlando - A Biography

    Thinking Activity 

' Orlando - A Biography by Virginia Woolf ' :- 

Hello readers! Here I am going to write down one another blog. This blog is assigned and Inspired by Megha Ma'am- Department of English, Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University.  This blog is a part of our thinking activity in which we have to answer some of the questions related to Virginia Woolf's novel.

 In this blog I will also analyze two movies :-  'Vita and Virginia' & ' Orlando'. Before going into further discussions first let us have a brief Introduction about the novel and Writer itself.

 ■ Virginia Woolf :- 

 Virginia woolf in full original name Virginia Adeline Woolf  ( 1882 - 1941) was an English writer whose novels through their nonlinear approaches to narrative , exerted a major influence on the genre. 

 

 She Considered one of the most important Modernist writers of the 20th century authors and a Pioneer in the use of Stream of Consciousness as a narrative device. She started writing Professionally in the year 1900. She wrote many famous works. Her best-known works include the novels Mrs Dalloway (1925), To the Lighthouse (1927) and Orlando (1928). She is also known for her essays, including A Room of One's Own (1929). 

  ■  'Orlando - A Biography' :- 

 

 Orlando: A Biography is a novel by Virginia Woolf, first published on 11 October 1928. The Fanciful Biographical novel Pays homage to the family of Woolf's friend Vita Sackville west from the time of her ancestor Thomas sackville to the family's Country estate at knole. The manuscript of the book, a Present from Woolf to Sackville- west is housed at knole.

  This novel has a very confusing and weird Plot. The story begins with the rule of queen Elizabeth and ends in the reign of queen victoria, the story is of about 300 - 400 Years of life, and the Protagonist Orlando turns to the age of around 30. The plot Satirises various literary writers and critics in his work as well as indicate the changes taking Place in various regimens.

  ◇ ' Orlando' - 1992 Film :- 

 Orlando is a 1992 British Period drama fantasy film based on Virginia Woolf's 1928 novel named - ' Orlando - A Biography'. It was written and directed by Sally Potter who also Co - wrote the score with David Motion. Critics praised the film and Particularly applauded its visual treatment of the setting of Woolf's first novel.

 

  The film Premiered in Competition at the 49th Venice International film festival , and was re - released in select U.S cinemas in the month of August and in the year of 2010.

◇ ' Vita and Virginia' (2018 Film)  :- 

 Vita and Virginia is a 2018 biographical Romantic drama film directed by Chanya Button. The Screenplay written by Button and Eileen Atkins. This film is adapted from the 1992 play Vita and Virginia by Atkins. It is set in the 1920s. Vita and Virginia tells the story of the love affair between Vita Sackville - west and Virginia woolf.

   This film had its world Premiere as a Special Presentation at the Toronto International film festival on 11th September 2018. It was released in the united kingdom on 5th July 2019 and in the United states on 23rd August 2019.

☆ Now let us try to understand more with the help of some question - answers :- 

  Question 1 :- How far do you feel that Orlando is influenced by Vita and Virginia’s love affair? Does it talk only about that or do you find anything else too?

Answer :- It has been said that the Novel Orlando is the longest love letter ever written; a celebration of the bond between women. The relationship between Virginia woolf and vita sackville west is well documented and known to have been intimate. That virginia was passionate and giddy about her relationship with vita is also known and displayed in Orlando. But, Orlando also offers a rare intimate glimpse into the mind of virginia woolf.

  An Unselfconscious work, it reveals her mind, talent at play. Orlando novel offers a rich insights into her mind while keeping the rich Prose that embodies her other great Works as well. Virginia became Fascinated with vita's family history. Vita's family could be traced back to william the Conqueror.

   Vita's ancestry and her own life style differed greatly from Virginia 's. Vita was dramatic, thrilling and exciting. While virginia was mousy, quiet and intellectual. This difference between their personalities and family history captivated virginia.

 But Here one thing we have to remember and understand that this novel does not only talked about a sexual relationship between Vita and Virginia. The novel Orlando talks about the Protagonist Orlando's transformation from man to a woman. One can clearly see the influence of vita and Virginia’s relationship on this novel. But it would be unfair to conclude that this novel only talk and depicts abot their love affair and relationship.

 Question 2 :- What do you think is Confused about their identity vita or Virginia? Explain with illustrations.

 Answer :- The romantic and Sexual relationship between woolf and Vita west has gotten plenty of attention from literary critics and scholars in recent years. Vita Sackville west and virginia met in the year 1922 and it developed into the deepest relationship. 

  Vita and virginia both were more different than alike; but their differences in social class, sexual orientation and politics were all part of the attraction. Vita was an outsider to Bloomsbury group and disapproved of their literary gatherings. Though the two had different intellectual backgrounds. Virginia felt that vita was ' a real woman.'

 As per my understanding vita was more confused about her gender identity compared to Virginia woolf. She also had a love affairs with several people. So that is how we can understand the identity of both woman and their confusion about it. 

 Question 3 :- What is Society's thought about women and Identity? Do you agree with them? If yes then why? If No then why? 

Answer :- Throughout the history Societies have held various beliefs about women and their identities. In many traditional Societies, women's identities were closely tied to their roles as wives and mothers. Their worth was often judged based on their ability to fulfil these roles and their obedience to male authority figures. Women who sought to pursue careers or participate in public life were often met with resistance and disapproval.

 

 If women will think out of the box than it will not easily excepted or we can say appreciated by others. At the very first everyone will criticise in their own way. Along with that there is also a growing awareness of the diversity of women's identities and experiences.

  But In some ways Societal thoughts about women and their identity is orthodox and traditional in one or the other way. One can not escape the ideal state of society.

 I hope that this blog will be useful to you..

   Thanks for Visiting...