THE KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY

- A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM

INTRODUCTION:

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is a distinguished scientist, writer and inspirer. He took

charge as the President of India in July 2002. “THE KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY” is an extract
from his famous book ‘INGNITED MINDS’. It throws light on the significant aspect of modern
civilization.

1. Ancient India was an advanced knowledge society.

2. Invasion and colonial rule destroyed its institutions and robbed of its core competence.

3. India is essentially a land of knowledge and it must rediscover itself in this aspect. Once
this rediscovery is done, it will not require much struggle to achieve the quality of life,
strength and sovereignty of a developed nation.

4. Knowledge has many forms and it is available at many places. It is acquired through
experience, intelligence, information and education.

5. Knowledge has always been the prime mover of prosperity and power.

6. During the last century, the world has changed from being an agricultural society to an
Industrial society.

7. The Knowledge Society has two very important components driven by societal
transformation and wealth generation.

8. The TIFAC (Technology Information forecasting and assessment council) which was
set up by the government has identified core areas like Information Technology,
Biotechnology, Disaster management, Weather Information, Telecommunication to
spearhead our march towards becoming a knowledge society.
 THE LANGUAGE OF THE AFRICAN LITERATURE

- NGUGI WA THIONG’O
INTRODUCTION:

Ngugi Wa Thiong’o, the author of “The Language of the African

Literature” is an Afro-English writer. He has written in English and Gikuyu. He sought to
liberate Bourgeois Education system. He raised his voice against the oppression of local
languages by Europeans.

1. In this lesson, the author vividly describes how Europeans dominated Africa, oppressed
use of local languages and forced use of English language upon them.

2. The peasants living in the rural parts of Africa who spoke Kenyan National languages like
Gikuyu, Kiswahili, Luo, Maasai etc., were compelled to study English at school.

3. Children speaking in language other than English in the vicinity of schools were
humiliated and punished. No matter how well one scored in other subjects, he could not
progress further if he failed in English.

4. Thus, English was thrust upon the Africans. So, the author decided to contribute towards
restoration of harmony between all local Kenyan languages.

5. He aimed at bringing back Kenyan National languages to its people. He strongly beliefs in
that, if there is harmony between the person, his language and environment then he can
grow to learn other languages and appreciate the positive humanist and democratic
elements in other people literature and culture.
 THE ROAD NOT TAKEN
- ROBERT FROST
INTRODUCTION:

Robert Frost was born in 1874 in the USA and he lived much of his life in
New Hampshire. He is one the most famous, popular and admirable American poets. It is a well-
known poem about the “Journey of Life”.

1. One day, the poet Robert Frost, travelling all alone, reaches a point where the road
diverges into two. He faces a dilemma as to which road to follow to continue his journey.

2. He is unable to decide which road to follow. He stood for a long time. He gives a careful
thought to which road he should follow. He decides to take that road which seems to be
less travelled.

3. The poet feels, it will make all the differences in the future. He feels that after ages from
now he would be telling about his decision with a sigh.

4. He would tell how’s the less travelled road and that had made all the differences in his life.

5. Especially the last line of the poem, the narrator declares that taking the road “one less
travelled by” “made all the difference” is a declaration of importance of independence
and personal freedom.

6. “The Road Not Taken” seems to illustrate that once one takes a certain road, there is no
turning back, although he might change the path later, one can does not change the past.
 THE LOST CHILD
- MULK RAJ ANAND
INTRODUCTION:

Mulk Raj Anand is an Indian English writer. He is well known for his
depiction of Indian society. In this lesson “The Lost Child” the author vividly depicts the
Indian rural village with all its charm, pomp and gaiety especially during the festive
season.

1. The main theme of this lesson is about a child’s agony and desperate cry when he is
suddenly lost in the crowd of a fare and realizes that he doesn’t have the warm protection by
his parents.

2. The child is taken by the parents to a fare during the spring season. The child is filled with a
joy after seeing the fun and grandeur around him.

3. The child almost stops at every shop and every stall to enjoy the colorful scenes. But when
the parents find the child lagging behind, they shouted for him and the child is alerted.

4. The child keeps pestering the parents to buy for him everything he comes across – the sweets,
the balloons, the flowers and all the colorful things that he sees in the fare.

5. He also knows that it is going to be a stern ‘No’ by his parents. Suddenly, the child
recognizes his parents are nowhere. He is speechless and helpless.

6. Fear overpowers the child and he start crying frantically trying to search for his parents.
The only words that escapes from the child’s chocking throat ad mist uncontrollable tears
is ‘MOTHER’, ‘FATHER’.

7. A stranger who sees the lost child picks him and tries to pacify. He offers him the sweets,
flowers, balloons and all the beautiful things that the child had earlier pleaded for. But now
the child doesn’t even look at them and firmly declines.

8. The child psychology is very effectively portrayed through this simple incident by the author.
 THE LOADED DOG
- HENRY LAWSON
INTRODUCTION:

Henry Lawson was an Australian writer and poet. A group of men, Dave,
Jim, Andy are camping and use cartridges to blow up the ground searching for a reef of gold.
They get sick of fishing in the normal way. So, they decided to blow up the fish in the water hole.

1. The main character in this story is ‘TOMMY’, the dog. Tommy is described as a red,
idiotic slobbering grin of appreciation of his own silliness.

2. He is fun loving and a great retriever. The three loves him and the dog also very loyal
to them. When the cartridge was built, the dog steals it and accidentally lights it.

3. Tommy chases the men with the lighted cartridge, and in the end blows up this yellow
dog which nobody likes. Tommy is confronted by a vicious yellow mongrel cattle-
dog which chases and steals the cartridge from him.

4. Finally, the yellow mongrel cattle-dog is blown up and other pack dogs also suffered
burns.

NIGHT OF THE SCORPION

- NISSIM EZEKIEL
INTRODUCTION:
Nissim Ezekiel was an Indian-Jewish poet and actor. He is a trendsetter,
who started modernity in English poetry. In this poem, Ezekiel remembers “the night” his
“mother was stung by a scorpion”. The poem is not really about the scorpion or its sting. It
contrasts the reactions of family, neighbors and his father with the dignity and the courage of his
mother.

1. The poem shows the people’s superstitious beliefs and reactions.

2. The peasants try to “paralyze the evil one” (the devil i.e. the scorpion).

3. The peasants believe that when the scorpion moves the poison in the mother’s blood will
move.

4. They hope that the pain is cleaning the mother from a sin in the past (“your previous
birth”) and a sin in the future (“your next birth”).

 The poet’s father normally does not believe this kind of superstitions because he is
rationalist and sceptic. But he tries ‘every curse and blessing’ and every antidote that he
can think of.

 The “holy man” performs “rituals” but the relief comes with time: ‘After twenty hours
it lost its sting’.

 The end of the poem is its most effective part. The mother has been in a lot of pain that she
could not speak (she “twisted…groaning on a mat”). At the end she thinks of her
children and thanks god that the scorpion does not sting them.
 THE MERCHANT OF THE VENICE
- WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
INTRODUCTION:
William Shakespeare was an English poet, writer and playwright, regarded
as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s famous pre-eminent dramatist. He
often called England’s National poet & the ‘Bard of Avon’.

Shylock brings Antonio to the Duke’s court for justice. He says that he will
not accept repayment but wants Antonio’s flesh. The Duke’s suggestion, Bassanio’s request and
an offer of six thousand ducats do not change the Shylock’s mind. The Duke allows Doctor
Bellario to solve the case. Antonio is ready to give flesh to Shylock.

Portia enters dressed as a Doctor of law, Bellario. She tells Shylock that
mercy is the quality of a king and God. Shylock still refuses to accept the money. At the last
minute, Portia tells Shylock that he may have his flesh but, on a condition, that he cannot draw
even a drop of blood as it is not written into the bond.

Shylock realizes that he can not take flesh and better to accept money. But
Portia tells him that he is liable to be punished. Half of his wealth goes to the Duke’s court and
other half to the victim. Duke spares his life and Antonio suggests that his half should be given to
Shylock’s daughter.
Portia doesn’t accept Duke’s invitation for dinner and Bassanio’s offer of
3000 ducats. Instead she takes Antonio’s gloves and Bassanio’s ring.

PORTIA

Portia in ‘The Merchant of Venice’ is one of the wisest and strongest

characters found in William Shakespeare’s play. In this tragicomedy, she uses her creativity and
wit to save her husband’s best friend, Antonio. In the courtroom, Portia (in disguise) speaks to
Shylock about mercy, but this is not merely an attempt to stall; She truly means what she says. It
is an eloquent appeal she makes. Her request for mercy comes from her habitual goodness. She
hopes, of course, to soften Shylocks heart, knowing the outcome if he refuses. But the words came
from her heart, honestly and openly and naturally.