English Cosmos by Dr Mukesh Pareek

In English writing we seldom speak of tradition, though we occasionally apply its name in deploring its absence. We cannot refer to “the tradition” or to “a tradition”; at most, we employ the adjective in saying that the poetry of So-and-so is “traditional” or even “too traditional.” Seldom, perhaps, does the word appear except in a phrase of censure. If otherwise, it is vaguely approbative, with the implication, as to the work approved, of some pleasing archaeological reconstruction. You can hardly make the word agreeable to English ears without this comfortable reference to the reassuring science of archaeology. Certainly the word is not likely to appear in our appreciations of living or dead writers. Every nation, every race, has not only its own creative, but its own critical turn of mind; and is even more oblivious of the shortcomings and limitations of its critical habits than of those of its creative genius. We know, or think we know, from the enormous mass of critical writing t

1. 2. 3.

The Introduction BY  COUNTESS OF WINCHILSEA ANNE FINCH Did I, my lines intend for public view, How many censures, would their faults pursue, Some would, because such words they do affect, Cry they’re insipid, empty, and uncorrect. And many have attained, dull and untaught, The name of wit only by finding fault. True judges might condemn their want of wit, And all might say, they’re by a woman writ. Alas! a woman that attempts the pen, Such an intruder on the rights of men, Such a presumptuous creature, is esteemed, The fault can by no virtue be redeemed. They tell us we mistake our sex and way; Good breeding, fashion, dancing, dressing, play Are the accomplishments we should desire; To write, or read, or think, or to inquire Would cloud our beauty, and exhaust our time, And interrupt the conquests of our prime; Whilst the dull manage of a servile house Is held by some our outmost art, and use. Sure ’twas not ever thus, nor are we told Fables, of women that excelled of old; To whom, by

Washing Day BY  ANNA LÆTITIA BARBAULD The Muses are turned gossips; they have lost The buskined step, and clear high-sounding phrase, Language of gods. Come, then, domestic Muse, In slip-shod measure loosely prattling on, Of farm or orchard, pleasant curds and cream, Or droning flies, or shoes lost in the mire By little whimpering boy, with rueful face — Come, Muse, and sing the dreaded washing day. Ye who beneath the yoke of wedlock bend, With bowed soul, full well ye ken the day Which week, smooth sliding after week, brings on Too soon; for to that day nor peace belongs, Nor comfort; ere the first grey streak of dawn, The red-armed washers come and chase repose. Nor pleasant smile, nor quaint device of mirth, Ere visited that day; the very cat, From the wet kitchen scared, and reeking hearth, Visits the parlour, an unwonted guest. The silent breakfast meal is soon despatched, Uninterrupted, save by anxious looks Cast at the louring, if sky should lour. From that last evil, oh preserv

The People's Charter called for six reforms to make the political system more democratic: A vote for every man twenty-one years of age, of sound mind, and not undergoing punishment for a crime. The  secret ballot  to protect the elector in the exercise of his vote. No property qualification for Members of Parliament to allow the constituencies to return the man of their choice. Payment of Members, enabling tradesmen, working men, or other persons of modest means to leave or interrupt their livelihood to attend to the interests of the nation. Equal constituencies, securing the same amount of representation for the same number of electors, instead of allowing less populous constituencies to have as much or more weight than larger ones. Annual Parliamentary elections, thus presenting the most effectual check to bribery and intimidation, since no purse could buy a constituency under a system of universal manhood suffrage in every twelve months. Chartists saw themselves fighting against

Say not the Struggle nought Availeth BY  ARTHUR HUGH CLOUGH Say not the struggle nought availeth,      The labour and the wounds are vain, The enemy faints not, nor faileth,      And as things have been they remain. If hopes were dupes, fears may be liars;      It may be, in yon smoke concealed, Your comrades chase e'en now the fliers,      And, but for you, possess the field. For while the tired waves, vainly breaking      Seem here no painful inch to gain, Far back through creeks and inlets making,      Comes silent, flooding in, the main. And not by eastern windows only,      When daylight comes, comes in the light, In front the sun climbs slow, how slowly,      But westward, look, the land is bright. 2. The Latest Decalogue Clough, Arthur Hugh (1819 - 1861) Original Text:  Arthur Hugh Clough,  Poems, with a Memoir  (Cambridge: Macmillan, 1862). PR 4455 A2 1862 ROBA TRIN. The standard recent edition of Clough's poetry is  The Poems of Arthur Hugh Clough , edited by H. F. Low

Bricolage Derrida highlights Lévi-Strauss's use of the term  bricolage , the activity of a  bricoleur . "The  bricoleur , says Lévi-Strauss, is someone who uses 'the means at hand,' that is, the instruments he finds at his disposition around him, those which are already there, which had not been especially conceived with an eye to the operation for which they are to be used and to which one tries by trial and error to adapt them, not hesitating to change them whenever it appears necessary."  Bricolage  becomes a metaphor for philosophical and literary critiques, exemplifying Derrida's previous argument about the necessity of using the language available. The  bricoleur' s foil is the engineer, who creates out of whole cloth without the need for  bricolage —however, the engineer is merely a myth since all physical and intellectual production is really  bricolage .

WOOD'S DISPATCH  Sir Charles Wood , the  President of the Board of Control , had an important effect on spreading English learning and female education in India. When in 1854 he sent a dispatch to Lord Dalhousie, the then  Governor-General of India , Wood suggested that primary schools must adopt vernacular languages, high schools must adopt Anglo-vernacular language and at college-level English should be the medium of education. This is known as Wood's despatch. Vocational and women's education were also stressed upon. One of the most favourable steps taken was to create an English class among Indian people to be used as workforce in the company's administration. The British had initiated the best developmental activities during this phase as it was the final phase where the British brought social reforms. After this period their policies tended to become reactionary. Wood's Dispatch is called Magna Carta of English Education in India. It came in July 1854, when Si

The Newbolt Report (1921) The Teaching of English in England Notes on the text Background In May 1919 the President of the Board of Education, HAL Fisher, appointed a Departmental Committee: To inquire into the position occupied by English (Language and Literature) in the educational system of England, and to advise how its study may best be promoted in schools of all types, including Continuation Schools, and in Universities, and other Institutions of Higher Education, regard being had to (1) the requirements of a liberal education; (2) the needs of business, the professions, and public services; and (3) the relation of English to other studies. The Chair of the Committee, Sir Henry Newbolt (1862-1938) was a barrister with a complicated family life: he and his wife, Margaret Duckworth, were both lovers of another woman, Ella Coltman. But he is best known for his poetry, mostly patriotic nautical ballads. His most famous poem,  Vitai Lampada  (The torch of life), describes how a young

How to express agreement In this section you have a series of expressions to show you how you can agree in English in many different ways. My advice is that you read through them, choose 5 or 6 that you particularly like and that you learn them by heart. Also, I recommend stop using simply «I agree with you», as this is terribly simple and, , it will definitely not be enough. So let’s take a look. I (completely / really / totally / absolutely / honestly / truly) agree with you (on that) I really think / believe so, too. I couldn’t agree more. I have come to the same conclusion. I hold the same opinion. I have no objection whatsoever. I see what you mean and I (must) agree with you. I see it that way, too. I share your opinion / view. I was just going to say that. You’re (completely / totally / absolutely) right. You have a point there. You’ve made a good point. We are of one mind (on…) We are of the same mind (on…) That’s (so / completely / absolutely / undeniably) true. That’s a reall

Anthem for Doomed Youth BY  WILFRED OWEN What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?       — Only the monstrous anger of the guns.       Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle Can patter out their hasty orisons. No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;        Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,— The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;       And bugles calling for them from sad shires. What candles may be held to speed them all?       Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.       The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall; Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds, And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds. POETRY FOUNDATION POEMS POETS PROSE COLLECTIONS LISTEN LEARN VISIT POETRY  MAGAZINE ABOUT US Newsletter Subscribe Give Search Futility BY  WILFRED OWEN Move him into the sun— Gently its touch awoke him once, At home, whis

      Epilogue [Enter Wagner.] WAGNER Cut is the branch that might have grown full straight, And burned is  Apollo's laurel-bough , That sometime grew within this learned man. Faustus is gone:  regard his hellish fall, Whose fiendful fortune may  exhort  the wise, Only to wonder at  unlawful things , Whose deepness doth  entice such forward wits To practice more than heavenly power permits. [Exit Wagner.] Terminat hora diem; terminat auctor opus. × › Annotation  1  of  5 You're viewing  0  of  3  free annotations.  Keep reading or unlock them all now. » In Greek mythology, Apollo the god of light carries a laurel bough or wears a laurel crown. The laurel is a symbol of learning and wisdom. If the laurel crown is "burned" it metaphorically means that learning and wisdom have been burned.  [1] —Caitlin, Owl Eyes Staff  Cite this Click to copy annotation URL.     Tags:   Metaphor Related Common Core Standards 0 Replies You're viewing  0  of  3  free annotations.  Kee