You are on page 1of 5

1.

Essay
“The world of reality has its limits; the world of
imagination is boundless”
The world of reality is a place of limits. We are bound by the laws of physics, the
laws of nature, and the laws of our own bodies. We can only do so much in a day,
we can only travel so far, and we can only experience so much. But the world of
imagination is boundless. We can imagine anything we want, no matter how big or
small, no matter how realistic or fantastical. We can travel to any place in the
universe, meet any person, and experience anything we can dream of.

The world of reality is a place of challenges. We face obstacles, setbacks, and


disappointments. But the world of imagination is a place of possibility. We can
overcome any challenge, achieve any goal, and make our dreams come true.

For example, imagine that you want to learn to play the piano. In the real world, you
might have to take lessons, practice for hours every day, and spend a lot of money
on a piano. But in the world of imagination, you can simply imagine yourself playing
the piano perfectly. You can imagine yourself performing in front of a sold-out
audience. You can imagine the feeling of joy and satisfaction that you would feel
when you finally achieve your goal.

The world of reality is a place of fear. We are afraid of the unknown, the unexpected,
and the uncontrollable. But the world of imagination is a place of safety. We can
control our own destiny, create our own world, and live our own story.

For example, imagine that you are afraid of flying. In the real world, you might have
to avoid flying altogether, or you might have to take medication to calm your nerves.
But in the world of imagination, you can simply imagine yourself flying. You can
imagine yourself soaring through the air, feeling the wind in your hair and the sun on
your face. You can imagine the feeling of freedom and excitement that you would
feel when you finally overcome your fear.

The world of reality may have its limits, but the world of imagination is boundless. We
can use our imaginations to solve problems, to learn new things, to be creative, and
to be happy. So let's not be afraid to use our imaginations. Let's use them to make
2.Book Review:
Pygmalion
By - George Bernard Shaw

 Genre: Play
 First Published: 1916
 Awards: Won the 1916 Nobel Prize in Literature
 Original Language: English
 Setting: London, England
 Time Period: Early 20th century

Pygmalion is a play by George Bernard Shaw, first produced in 1916. It is a witty and
insightful exploration of class, gender, and the nature of identity. The play tells the
story of Henry Higgins, a professor of phonetics, who makes a bet that he can
transform a Cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, into a duchess. Over the course of
the play, Higgins and Eliza learn a great deal about each other, and about
themselves.

Pygmalion is a powerful and thought-provoking play that challenges our assumptions


about class, gender, and the nature of identity. Shaw uses the story of Higgins and
Eliza to explore the ways in which our social class and our gender roles shape who
we are. He also shows us how our own prejudices can blind us to the true worth of
others.

Pygmalion is set in London in the early 20th century. It is a time of great social and
economic change. The Industrial Revolution has led to the growth of a large urban
working class, and the traditional class system is beginning to break down. Women
are also beginning to demand more rights and opportunities.

The play begins with Henry Higgins, a professor of phonetics, and Colonel Pickering,
a British Army officer, meeting in a flower market in Covent Garden. Higgins is
annoyed by a Cockney flower girl named Eliza Doolittle, who is selling flowers. He
makes a bet with Pickering that he can transform Eliza into a duchess in six months.

Higgins takes Eliza under his wing and begins to teach her how to speak and behave
like a lady. He also gives her a makeover, including new clothes, hair, and makeup.
Over the course of several months, Eliza makes remarkable progress. She learns to
speak with a refined accent, and she gains confidence and poise.

The culmination of Higgins's efforts is a ball where Eliza is presented to high society.
She is a huge success, and everyone is amazed by her transformation. However,
Eliza is not entirely happy. She feels like she is playing a role, and she longs to be
herself again.
In the end, Eliza decides to leave Higgins and strike out on her own. She is
determined to find her own place in the world, and she knows that she can no longer
rely on Higgins to take care of her.

Pygmalion is a classic play that has been enjoyed by audiences for generations. It is
a witty and insightful exploration of class, gender, and the nature of identity. Shaw's
play is a powerful indictment of prejudice, and it is a reminder that we should never
judge others based on their social class or their gender.
3. Comparative study
Genre

Pygmalion is a traditional love story, while Man and Superman is a more


philosophical play. Pygmalion follows the classic narrative of a man and a woman
falling in love, while Man and Superman explores more complex themes of life, love,
relationships, and marriage.

Pygmalion is based on the Greek myth of Pygmalion, a sculptor who falls in love with
his own creation, a statue of a woman. In Shaw's play, Professor Henry Higgins is a
linguist who bets that he can turn a Cockney flower girl named Eliza Doolittle into a
lady. Higgins succeeds in transforming Eliza, but he is ultimately unable to
understand her or her feelings. Eliza eventually realizes that she cannot be with
Higgins because he does not love her for who she is.

Man and Superman is based on the idea of the Superman, a concept first introduced
by Friedrich Nietzsche. The Superman is a man who is above the common man, and
who is not bound by the same rules and conventions. In Shaw's play, John Tanner is
a man who believes that the only purpose of life is to "live," or to experience as much
as possible. Tanner is pursued by Ann Whitefield, a woman who wants to marry him.
Tanner resists Ann's advances because he believes that marriage is a trap that will
prevent him from living his life to the fullest.

Main Themes

The main themes of Pygmalion are love, transformation, and class. The play
explores the idea of love at first sight, as well as the power of transformation. Eliza
Doolittle is transformed from a Cockney flower girl into a sophisticated lady, and
Higgins is transformed from a self-absorbed bachelor into a more compassionate
man. The play also explores the class divide between Eliza and Higgins, and how
this divide can be overcome.

The main themes of Man and Superman are life, love, relationships, and marriage.
The play explores the idea that the only purpose of life is to "live," or to experience
as much as possible. Tanner believes that marriage is a trap that will prevent him
from living his life to the fullest. However, he eventually realizes that he needs Ann
Whitefield in his life, and they get married. The play also explores the idea that love
is not always easy, and that relationships require work.

Ending

The ending of Pygmalion is somewhat ambiguous. Eliza rejects Higgins's marriage


proposal, but she does not leave him. She instead decides to strike out on her own
and make her own way in the world. The ending of Man and Superman is more
definitive. Tanner and Ann get married, but their relationship is not perfect. They
argue and disagree, but they also love each other.
Similarities

Despite their differences, Pygmalion and Man and Superman do have some
similarities. Both plays feature strong female characters who are not afraid to stand
up for themselves. Both plays also explore the idea of love and relationships, and
how these can be complicated by class, gender, and other factors.

Conclusion

Pygmalion and Man and Superman are both thought-provoking plays that offer
unique insights into the nature of love and relationships. Shaw's plays are still
relevant today, and they continue to be enjoyed by audiences around the world.

Here are some additional details about the two plays:

 Pygmalion was first performed in 1914. It was adapted into a successful


musical in 1956, and into an Academy Award-winning film in 1964.
 Man and Superman was first performed in 1903. It was adapted into a film in
1945.
 Both plays are considered to be among Shaw's best work. They are both
witty, intelligent, and thought-provoking.
 Shaw's plays are still relevant today because they deal with universal themes
of love, relationships, and the meaning of life.

One Pager The Photograph

Theme: Shirley Toulson's poem 'A Photograph' is a tribute to her mother. It describes
three stages in the passage of time, from when the poet was 12 years old to when
she remembered her dead mother with a heavy heart.

About the author: Shirley Toulson (1924-2014) was a poet, journalist, and travel-
writer was a highly regarded poet and an innovative writer She was greatly
influenced by her father who was a writer too. She edited the works of Charles
Dickens , Rudyard Kipling, John Milton and Wiilliam Shakespeare . All these works
indeed made her more famous. Shirley Toulson’s ‘A Photograph’ is a tribute written
in memory of her dead mother.

You might also like