The Never-Never Nest – Cedric Mount- PART II ENGLISH- SEM II

The Never-Never Nest – Cedric Mount

           The one-act Play “The Never-Never Nest” is a comedy about a young, naive couple, Jack and Jill. They believed in buying things in instalments. When Aunt Jane visited the couple, she found them leading a luxurious lifestyle. The play brings out the buy-now-pay-later marketing system which enables the low-income group to own things, which they cannot buy easily on their own. On the other hand, the system also makes people extravagant and makes them fall into the habit of borrowing. 

           Jack and Jill was a young married couple who had a small baby. Jill was a housewife. Jack and Jill had purchased a villa in New Hampstead, a car, furniture, a radiogram, a piano and a refrigerator. Aunt Jane, a relative of Jack and Jill visited their new house. She was surprised to find that they lived in a beautiful house with all the comforts. She found it hard to believe that Jack could afford to buy all these things. She was worried that she had given them 2000 pounds as a wedding gift instead of 200 pounds. At this point, Jack informed her that they had bought their house and all the expensive things on an instalment basis.

           Aunt Jane understood that though Jack and Jill had everything, they did not own anything. Only a steering wheel of the car, a wheel and two cylinders had been paid for. And, only one leg of the sofa that Aunt Jane sat on, belonged to them. Jack’s salary was six pounds a week, but the total amount of instalments he had to pay was seven pounds eight and eight pence. When Aunt Jane asked how he could pay the extra money, Jack said that they could always take a loan from Thrift and Providence Trust Corporation. Again, the loan had to be paid back in instalments. Aunt Jane was glad that Jack and Jill had everything, but she didn’t like the idea of borrowing money to pay the instalments.

           Aunt Jane was shocked at the way Jack and Jill lived in debt. Aunt Jane believes that one should not owe money to anyone in life. She believed that one should spend less than what he earned. She refused to sit on Jack’s sofa and travel in his car because the sofa and car were only partly owned by Jack and Jill. She scolded them severely and asked Jack to take her to the bus station. Before she left, she gave them a cheque for ten pounds and told them to use it to make at least one thing completely their own. 

           While Jack went with Aunt Jane, Jill sent the money to Dr Martin. Jack came back and said that they should use the money given by Aunt Jane to pay the instalments on the car. But Jill said that she had already used it to pay the last instalment to the doctor. According to them, they had purchased their baby from Dr Martin in instalment. Finally, Jack and Jill become complete owners of their baby. The end of the play is ironical. The play is a satire on the materialistic bent of modern man.

           The ‘nest’ in the title refers to the home of birds. Birds take a lot of time and work very hard to build their nest. But, in this play, both Jack and Jill have instant gratification for luxuries by instalments without saving any money. The double negative in the title emphasizes the impossibility of home.

                   The play criticizes the new trend of young middle-class couples who have the habit of buying many household items and houses in easy instalments. The playwright feels that such couples would make a nest easily, but they will never settle happily.

Courtesy:

http://gnceng.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-never-never-nest-cedric-mount.html

THE DEATH TRAP- ESSAYS- PART II ENGLISH

Question 

1. How did Prince Dimitri turn the tables on his disloyal guards?

    or Q. Discuss the significance of the title ‘The Death Trap’?

            Prince Dimitri, the young ruler of Kedaria, had a rivalry with Karl dynasty. Dimitri’s enemies hatched a plan to assassinate him. They were ready for the right moment. Of his three regiments of guards, the Kranitzki regiment was loyal to the enemy. Three officers of the regiment, Colonel Girnitza, Major Vontieff and Captain Shultz planned to murder Prince Dimitri as soon as his loyal Andrieff regiment left the guard. 

             Dr Stronetz, a dear friend and personal physician of Prince offered him a drug so that he can die. The prince refused and said that he would meet death on his own terms. The doctor tried to save him by telling the conspirators that the prince would die of heart disease within six days.

The murderers, fooled by the doctor’s words decided to wait. 

             The doctor revealed the prince that he had a terminal heart condition and Dimitri decided to use the drug. At the last moment, he turned the tables on his would-be killers by offering them drugged wine. All of them died in a tragic climax. Prince Dimitri could never escape the death-trap, but he successfully set a death-trap for his would-be assassins. Thus, the title of the play is apt/ appropriate/ justified. Hence, the title is very significant.

Question 

2. Analyze the character of Prince Dimitri.

             Prince Dimitri is the protagonist in the one-act play, "The Death Trap", written by Saki, H.H. Munro. He is the ruler of Kedaria. His dynasty had a long-standing rivalry with Karl dynasty. Dimitri was the last surviving member ruling the kingdom. His enemies conspired to kill

him. He bravely faced the situation and utilized the circumstances to eliminate  his would-be assassins. 

            He knew that he was helpless as his loyal regimental guards would be away. He had no weapons to defend himself. No one was allowed to see him except his friend and physician, Dr Stronetz. Prince Dimitri is a practical man. Though he is quite young, he is mature and accepted his fate. He informed his position to the doctor. He denied the drug offered by the doctor saying that he would meet death on his own terms. This shows the courage of Dimitri. 

             When the doctor revealed that he had terminal heart disease, he decided to end his life with the drug. He told the doctor that he was a monarch and he did not like to be kept waiting by death. This shows that he is imperious and proud. He was quick-witted. He offered drugged wine to his disloyal officers and killed them. 

Question 

2. Analyze the character of Dr Stronetz.

            Dr Stronetz was a close friend and personal physician of Prince Dimitri. Dimitri’s enemies hatched a plan to assassinate him, and they were ready for the right moment. When Dr Stronetz came to know of the conspiracy, he offered a drug to Dimitri as he could do nothing. He reasoned that the prince should not be allowed to be butchered in cold blood. He took pity on the prince. He was quick-witted. When the assassins entered to murder Dimitri, he saved him by telling them that the prince would not live more than six days because of his heart problem. The murderers were fooled by the doctor’s words and decided to wait. 

            As a doctor, he was quite efficient. He was sure of Dimitri’s heart problem as soon as he examined him. He was instrumental in making the prince kill his would-be killers. Though the prince died as he drank the drugged wine, his wish was fulfilled as he could kill the conspirators. After all, the drug given by him saved the prince as it killed his enemies. It also saved the prince from dying a miserable death by a weak heart. Thus, Dr Stronetz was compassionate, loyal and friendly to Dimitri. He was a quick-witted, efficient physician. 

Courtesy:

https://telugulo-english.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-death- trap.html?showComment=1582307232282#c4115408044480488990

"If" ESSAY- PART II ENGLISH- SEM II

If - Rudyard Kipling

           The poem “If” is a beautiful insight into human intelligence. In short, it is a little advice on how to become successful and wise in the practical world around us. Kipling describes the virtues of a perfect man. The witty use of words inspires our minds and souls. The poem “If” can also be viewed as a scene in which a father is speaking to his son and giving him the most valuable life lesson on how to become a complete man. The token of personal philosophy and wisdom which the father imparts to his son has universal validity.

             The poet advises possessing the following qualities to become a perfect man. He should maintain the calm [keep his head] during times of crisis. He demands him to show some courage when others are "losing" their heads and "blaming" him. He should persistently move forward. When people doubt and hate him, he must not hate others. He should neither lie nor pose to be wise. Here the poet emphasizes the importance of patience and acknowledgement of the truth.                       He encourages him to dream without daydreaming. He appreciates the thinking and creativity of new ideas but does not like useless thoughts. He considers that "Triumph and Disaster" are not real and they are "impostors". Therefore, he must treat them equally. Self-faith is a virtue which Kipling puts forward with high regard. However, the poet warns him against getting over-confident. It is important to remain humble and live with pride. At times, people will twist his statements and truths and fool him or set up "a trap" for him. He should not worry and face everything calmly and wisely. He must not deal with lies even if the people around him are spreading lies.

            When he meets with great losses, he should use his tools to rebuild his life with them. A victorious person does not become successful by virtue of a single step, he has to try again and again and in these attempts of failure, he would attain success. But he should have patience in life since patience is the virtue of success.

            He may move with crowds but should not lose his virtue. He may move with kings or powerful people but should not lose touch with ordinary people. He should treat all with respect. He should value time and make the best use of every minute.

            The poet in his poem is providing an inspirational insight for the readers to remain humble, soft, and tender and avoid the extremes. If a man fulfils all the conditions listed by him, he will inherit the earth and get everything in life. He will be a real, perfect man.

           

           Courtesy: https://www.risenotes.com/poems/Summary-of-If-by-Rudyard-Kipling.php

                           and Mano Guide

THE DEATH TRAP- H H MUNTRO- PART II ENGLISH

The Death Trap - H H Munro (Saki)

           The one-act play “The Death Trap” revolves around the conspiracy against the reigning prince of Kedaria, Prince Dimitri, who turns the table on his assassins at the end of the play. Prince Dimitri, the young ruler of Kedaria, had a rivalry with Prince Karl, who desired to capture the political power of Kedaria by murdering the reigning prince. So, Dimitri’s enemies hatched a plan to assassin him, and they were waiting for the right moment to execute it.

            Three Military Regiments namely Andrieff Regiment, Lonyadi Regiment and Kranitzki Regiment guarded Prince Dimitri, the reigning Prince of Kedaria. Dr Stronetz, a faithful physician, was also very loyal to the prince Demitri. The Kranitzki Regiment was loyal to the enemy. The three officers of this Regiment, Colonel Girnitza, Major Vontieff and Captian Shultz were planning to murder Prince Dimitri as soon as the loyal Andrieff Regiment had left from its duty. These officers of Kranitzki Regiment were disloyal to Prince Dimitri but very loyal to Prince Karl, who was willing to kill Prince Dimitri and become the king of Kedaria.

            When the play opens, the three guards of Kranitazki Regiment were plotting the assassination of Prince Dimitri so that Prince Karl could ascend the throne. The conversation among the three disloyal guards reveals that they were openly conspiring to murder the prince. They were very aware that Prince Dimitri was already suspecting them. Yet, they went ahead with the murder plan because of the political support of Prince Karl.

            Prince Dimitri came to power at his very young age when he did not know anything about the rules of governance or responsibility. This shows his helplessness, which was an advantage to his enemies. He was well aware that he was “trapped” and that his guards were plotting to kill him. This was a painful realisation for him. He also knew very well that he would be killed at any moment as soon as his loyal Andrieff Regiment leaves. He did not have any weapon to defend himself. No one was allowed to see him except his friend and personal physician Dr. Stronetz. Out of kindness and loyalty, Dr Stonetz devised a clever plan as a physician. Instantly, he asked the Prince to remove his robes for a fake physical examination, which would help him to fool the officers of the disloyal Kranitzki Regiment. His efforts would temporarily delay the murder of the Prince. But this delay helped the Prince to take revenge on disloyal officers.

            However, the hard truth behind the physical examination of the Prince revealed that he was suffering from incurable heart disease. This was another shocking realization to the Prince. He decided to commit suicide instead of being killed in the hands of his disloyal guards. He requested Dr Stronetz to provide him with a phial of poison, which could kill him so that he could invite his death as a ruler without being killed. Dr Strontez gave him a phial of poison. But as the final act of revenge, when death was inevitable to him, Prince Dimitri wanted to die only after punishing his enemies. So he mixed the entire phial of poison in a bottle of wine and invited the three officers for a final drink. He shared the poisoned wine after drinking it himself. It was a sight of pity for the Prince, but at the same time, he showed a clever act of revenge. The Prince thus overcame his helplessness by his intelligence even though he could not avoid his death. 

            Thus the title of the play “The Death Trap” projects how the Prince and his helplessness becomes the ‘death trap’ to the officers of Kranitzki Regiment as a result of their disloyalty.

Courtesy: https://mastanappa.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-death-trap-h-h-munro-saki.html

The Tiger in the Tunnel- Ruskin Bond

The Tiger in the Tunnel- Ruskin Bond

“The Tiger in the Tunnel” is a tale of the triumph of an Indian family over their poor and humble reality. It highlights the family values and the commitment to honour, duty and service.

           The story revolves around Tembu, a twelve-year-old boy, and his family. He lived with his father, Baldeo, mother and younger sister. They were poor and lived near a jungle. To earn enough money to keep his family fed, Baldeo worked as a watchman near a railway tunnel. This night job was in addition to his work on the rice fields. Baldeo was responsible for keeping the signal lamp lit and the tunnel free from any obstructions for the train passing through it. He stayed in a hut near the tunnel and his son Tembu accompanied him sometimes.

           The villagers talked about various animals around the tunnel as it was situated near the jungle. There were circulating stories about a tiger, ‘man-eater’ who was often seen near the tunnels. Baldeo knew all the frightening rumours but was confident in his ability to face dangers.

           One night while Tembu was asleep, his father left to check the lamp and asked him to stay in the hut. He went armed with a small axe as a precaution to protect himself from any animal and in particular, the infamous ‘man-eater’. The axe was a gift from his father, and Baldeo felt very confident in his ability to use it. When he reached the lamp, it was out, and so he reignited it and went inside the tunnel to clear out any possible obstruction.

           But soon he found the ground shaking which was due to an oncoming train. While Baldeo was looking in front, a tiger suddenly appeared at the entrance of the tunnel and approached towards Baldeo. Undeterred, Baldeo braced to use his axe and when the tiger attacked he evaded to a side and dug his axe in the tiger’s shoulder. The tiger attacked Baldeo again. He repeated the same move, but this time the axe got stuck in the tiger’s shoulder and made Baldeo weaponless. The tiger snatched at Baldeo with its paws and tore into him.

           After this entire scuffle, the train was almost at the tunnel. The tiger tried to get past it at the entrance but was smeared all across the train’s front side. It was found by the driver when he stopped the train at the next station.

           Back at the tunnel, Tembu found his father’s ripped body. The family had to struggle with the loss for many days to come. After Tembu had mourned his father, he returned to the tunnel and took up his father’s job. Like his father, he ensured that the signal light was always lit and cleared all the obstructions in the tunnel. He also wielded the same axe, a tribute to his late father and the commitment to protect his family. Tembu, unafraid and determined, became the new protector of his family.

           The central theme of the story is the protection of family and society at large. Baldeo was the protector of his family and worked hard to ensure their survival. As a watchman, he protected the tunnel and the overnight mail that ran through it. As Tembu assumed the same responsibilities as his father, he continued his work with the same confidence, determination, and even the same axe. The story also celebrates tradition, strength, and pride. The story portrays the courage of Baldeo while fighting the tiger, the courage Tembu and his mother and sister show after losing Baldeo and the pride Tembu feels when he carries on the tradition and work of his father.

Courtesy: https://englishsummary.com/lesson/tiger-inthe-tunnel-ruskin-bond/