KENDRIYA VDIYALAYA NIT SILCHAR

WINTER BREAK HOLIDAY HOMEWORK

Q1 The Hound of Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
The Sherlock Holmes canon has become comfort reading for me—insofar as reading material new to me can be. There’s
just something wonderful about 1880s London, mysteries that place the focus on people rather than how shocking the
crimes are (I have mentioned modern mystery and I don’t get on, yeah? Please feel free to prove me wrong), the hint of
the Gothic that runs through it, and, of course, Holmes and Watson, best friends for life. I basically end every novel and
collection sighing, “Oh, BOYS.” I just honestly enjoy spending time with these characters, which is a downright miracle for
an episodic and open-ended series for me. Nice work, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, nice work.
The Hound of the Baskervilles finds Holmes and Watson approached by a one Dr. Mortimer in the aftermath of the
mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville, baronet. Found dead on his property of an apparent heart attack, Dr.
Mortimer can’t make heads or tails of the situation and wonders if the legendary Hound of the Baskervilles—a
hellhound that has haunted the Baskervilles since the English Civil War—doesn’t have some basis in fact. With the arrival
of Sir Henry, the Canadian heir to the baronetcy, Dr. Mortimer fears for him, but Holmes sends Watson out on the
moors to investigate the case. But was Sir Charles murdered by a human being, or is there fact to this seeming fiction?
Doyle wrote four novels in the Holmes canon—A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of the Four, this novel, and The Valley of
Fear. A Study in Scarlet had the introduction of Holmes, Watson, and spending half the novel in Utah to pad it out. (Oh,
yeah, problematic depiction of Mormons. Heads up.) The Sign of the Four pads itself out with the introduction of Mary,
Watson’s beloved, and plenty of racism. But The Hound of the Baskervilles works much better as a novel, even if it’s only
because Doyle has had practice writing the short stories, which are amazing. Despite the fact that novels have no budget
(hence why George R. R. Martin started writing A Song of Ice and Fire), I was reminded about the divide between
television and film. The short stories mostly take place in and around London, and the crimes Holmes and Watson
thwart or solve are usually on the smaller scale. But everything is bigger in The Hound of the Baskervilles, from the
setting to the scope of the crime.
It’s also one of the few stories where Holmes and Watson are separated for a long of period of time. (Fun fact: this book
is set in 1889, which is after Watson and Mary, well, marry and Watson moves out. Doyle totally forgets about this fact.
I’m torn between feeling sorry for forgotten Mary and imagining her having her own madcap adventures, preferably
with Irene and Godfrey, because the Adlers are the best couple in Victorian England as far as I’m concerned.) Holmes
sends Watson off the moors with Sir Henry pretty much on his own, and it’s up to Watson to investigate things up to
Holmes’ standards. This makes things spookier, of course, as Watson lacks the almost supernatural insight Holmes has,
but Doyle uses their separation to show what a thoughtful, nice, and brave person Watson is. Because of the way
Watson is commonly treated in popular culture (“New Watson likes jam. We’re very happy.”), it’s sometimes tempting
to think there’s some basis for this in the canon, but there really isn’t.
In fact, Doyle also takes the time to point out the defects and darkness in Holmes here. When he comes back into the
picture at the end of the novel (making such a grand entrance I laughed out loud), he almost waits too long to solve the
case because he wants to have the solution nice and tidy before leaping into action. He’s properly horrified at himself
afterwards, but this aspect (valuing the solution over human lives) is a hugely important part of Holmes’ worldview and
rightly crops up in many modern interpretations of the character, from Gregory House to Sherlock. He also keeps the
people he works with in the dark, which Watson tries to put a positive spin on. And he can be downright chilling at
times; while planning the capture of the murderer, Holmes suddenly laughs—and Watson notes that Holmes only laughs
when something bad is going to happen. This is exactly why the vast majority of the Holmes stories are from Watson’s
perspective; God only knows what it’s like inside Holmes’ head.
Bottom line: After honing this series on the short stories, Doyle returns Watson and Holmes to the novel in The Hound of
the Baskervilles, which has all the character-driven mystery, touches of the Gothic, 1880s London, and, of course, the
friendship between Watson and Holmes that you could ever want. A lovely outing. But not on the moors. And definitely
not at night!
Q2Wuthering Heights by Emile Bronte
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë is a book that had been on my radar for quite some time before I happened to notice
a copy nestled amongst other classic titles in a basket selling books at discount prices in one of my favorite bookstores.
Well, by “quite some time,” I mean, a few months...maybe a year. I have always been passionate about reading and
writing, but I’ll be the first to admit that I was pretty clueless about classic British literature until I went back to school at
the ripe age of 26. I grew up in the United States and the closest I ever got to studying literature was my high school
English classes. And, we tended to focus on American writers.
When I decided to pursue my Master’s degree in English literature in Paris (yes, it’s ironic, I know!), the texts we studied
were decidedly British, not American. To be honest I welcomed the change and the opportunity to discover titles that I
had either never heard of or had just heard of in passing.
My eyes were soon opened to the wonderful world that the Brontë sisters created for themselves and their readers. If
you’re unfamiliar with this literary family, it consists of three very famous sisters named Charlotte, Emily, and Jane. They
also had a brother named Patrick, and there were two other sisters who tragically died before the age of 13. In truth, all
of the Brontë children died at fairly young ages, mostly due to diseases like tuberculosis, limited access to medical care,
and, let’s face it, life in the 19th century was hard on the body.
Charlotte is perhaps the most famous of the sisters’ thanks to her novel Jane Eyre, but Anne also found success with her
novel The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. And then, of course, there was Emily, who I’ll be focusing on here.
Wuthering Heights is Emily’s only novel. She published it under her pen name, Ellis Bell. The novel was published in
1847, a time when female authors were not taken seriously. If Emily wanted anyone to read her book (or publish it), she
had to do so under a male name. The style generally impressed critics and yet at the same time, it tended to confuse.
The setup of the storyline had never been seen before, and many assumed that it was written by a man due to its
uniqueness as well as its “violence and passion.” Clearly, a woman of 19th century England couldn’t write about those
types of things! Clearly.
To give you a quick synopsis of the plot of the novel without giving anything away, Wuthering Heights takes place in the
moorlands of Yorkshire, England. The book takes place over several generations and is centered around a family and
their employees who live in a farmhouse called Wuthering Heights. It is a story of revenge and of love and is told mostly
from the viewpoint of the housekeeper.
Victorian England didn’t want to read about the realities of what could happen in the moors. Wuthering Heights features
stark moments of cruelty and sexual passion. It also puts into question the strict Victorian moral values and ideals of the
time as well as puts into question women’s traditional role in society in the 19th century.
Most if not all of the female characters in the novel are strong and resilient women, especially in the face of the toxic
and brutal male characters. In my opinion, these cruel male characters represent the patriarchal British society that
Brontë lived in as a whole. Her female characters stood up against the patriarchy in ways that perhaps Brontë wasn’t
capable of doing herself. Although, the act of writing and working to get her work published was Brontë’s own form of
rebellion against the patriarchy, no matter how small and insignificant it may seem to our modern minds.
In many ways, the fact that Brontë chose to write about issues such as gender roles is a feminist act in and of itself,
especially considering the time period in which she wrote the novel. And, in many more ways, she helped to pave the
way for future female writers to broach the subject as well. It’s heartbreaking that she died at the young age of 30, just
one year after her first and only novel was published. Who knows the feminist masterpieces that lay waiting in her
brilliant mind.

1. Watch at least 3 English films and write your own critical analysis on them. You may look at the following list for
ideas.
a. Schindler’s List
b. Gandhi
c. Hotel Rwanda
 d. Life of Pi
e. Interstellar
f. The Shutter Island
g. The Shining
h. Modern Times

Title: Interstellar (2014)

Director: Christopher Nolan

Lead Actors: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain

Genre: Science Fiction, Drama

Synopsis: "Interstellar" is a science fiction epic directed by Christopher Nolan. Set in a future where Earth is suffering from severe environmental decline,
the film follows a group of astronauts led by Joseph Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) on a space mission to find a new habitable planet for humanity.
The story explores themes of love, time dilation, and the survival of the human race.

Review:

1. Ambitious Storytelling: "Interstellar" is known for its ambitious and complex narrative. Christopher Nolan takes on themes that go beyond typical
science fiction, incorporating elements of theoretical physics and exploring the emotional and psychological toll of space travel.
2. Visual Spectacle: The film boasts breathtaking visuals and special effects, particularly in its depiction of space, black holes, and other celestial
phenomena. The cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema adds to the grand scale of the film, creating a visually immersive experience.
3. Scientific Accuracy: Nolan and his team collaborated with physicist Kip Thorne to ensure a high level of scientific accuracy in the portrayal of concepts
such as time dilation and black holes. This commitment to scientific detail enhances the film's credibility and engagement for audiences with an interest
in science.
4. Emotional Depth: While "Interstellar" is a space epic with stunning visuals, it also explores the human side of the story. The emotional journey of the
characters, especially the relationship between Cooper and his daughter Murphy (played by Jessica Chastain and Ellen Burstyn), adds a layer of depth and
relatability.
5. Hans Zimmer's Score: The film's score, composed by Hans Zimmer, is a powerful and integral part of the viewing experience. The music enhances the
emotional impact of key scenes and contributes to the overall atmosphere of the film.
6. Acting Performances: Matthew McConaughey delivers a strong performance as the protagonist, bringing a mix of determination and vulnerability to his
character. The supporting cast, including Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, and Michael Caine, also deliver solid performances.
7. Time and Space Exploration: The film delves into complex concepts related to time and space, challenging the audience to think beyond conventional
storytelling. The exploration of these themes adds intellectual depth to the cinematic experience.
8. Dialogue and Script: The script, written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan, combines scientific dialogue with emotional moments, striking a
balance between intellectual engagement and human connection.
9. Debates and Interpretations: "Interstellar" sparked debates and discussions among audiences and critics, particularly regarding its ending and the
interpretation of certain scientific concepts. This level of ambiguity and open-endedness allows for multiple perspectives and interpretations.
10. Length and Pacing: Some viewers found the film's nearly three-hour runtime to be a challenge, and opinions on pacing vary. While the length allows for
thorough exploration of the narrative, it may be less appealing to those looking for a more succinct experience.

In conclusion, "Interstellar" is a visually stunning and intellectually stimulating film that ambitiously explores the cosmos while delving into the human
condition. Its blend of science, emotion, and philosophy contributes to its reputation as a thought-provoking and memorable piece of cinematic art.

Title: Life of Pi (2012)

Director: Ang Lee

Lead Actor: Suraj Sharma

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy

 Synopsis: "Life of Pi" is based on Yann Martel's acclaimed novel of the same name. The film tells the extraordinary tale of Piscine Molitor Patel, known as
Pi, a young Indian man who survives a shipwreck in the Pacific Ocean. He finds himself on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, forming
an unlikely and challenging companionship. The narrative is framed as a story being recounted by an older Pi to a writer who is seeking inspiration.

Review:

1. Visual Spectacle: "Life of Pi" is visually stunning, with breathtaking cinematography by Claudio Miranda. The use of 3D technology is particularly
notable, creating a visually immersive experience that enhances the storytelling.
2. Direction: Ang Lee's direction is masterful, seamlessly blending the fantastical elements of Pi's journey with the emotional and philosophical aspects of
the story. The film transitions smoothly between the present-day narrative and Pi's incredible survival story on the lifeboat.
3. Performance: Suraj Sharma delivers a remarkable performance as Pi, especially considering that it was his debut role. His portrayal effectively conveys
the range of emotions, from the initial wonder of the journey to the emotional and physical struggles faced by his character.
4. Storytelling and Adaptation: David Magee's screenplay skillfully adapts Yann Martel's complex and philosophical novel. The film explores themes of
survival, faith, and the power of storytelling, prompting viewers to reflect on the deeper meaning of Pi's experiences.
5. Special Effects: The film's use of CGI for creating the tiger, Richard Parker, is seamless and realistic. The visual effects contribute to the believability of
the fantastical elements in Pi's journey.
6. Emotional Resonance: "Life of Pi" successfully captures the emotional depth of Pi's journey, making it a compelling and moving experience for
audiences. The film balances the grandiosity of the visual effects with the intimacy of the human-animal connection.
7. Philosophical Depth: Beyond its visual splendor, the film delves into philosophical questions about faith, survival, and the power of storytelling. It invites
viewers to interpret the narrative in multiple ways, adding layers of depth to the overall experience.
8. Critical Acclaim: "Life of Pi" received critical acclaim and won several Academy Awards, including Best Director for Ang Lee. The film's success was not
only in its visual prowess but also in its ability to engage audiences on an emotional and intellectual level.

In conclusion, "Life of Pi" is a cinematic masterpiece that combines stunning visuals with a compelling narrative, delivering a unique and thought-
provoking cinematic experience. Ang Lee's direction, Suraj Sharma's performance, and the film's philosophical undertones contribute to its widespread
acclaim and recognition in the world of cinema.

There have been several movies made about Mahatma Gandhi, each offering a unique perspective on his life and contributions to India's independence.
One of the most well-known films is the 1982 epic biographical film "Gandhi," directed by Richard Attenborough. The movie features Ben Kingsley in the
lead role as Mahatma Gandhi and covers significant events in his life.

Here is a general review of the movie:

Title: Gandhi (1982)

Director: Richard Attenborough

Lead Actor: Ben Kingsley

Genre: Biography, Drama, History

Synopsis: "Gandhi" chronicles the life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, from his early days in South Africa to his role as a leader in the Indian
independence movement against British colonial rule. The film delves into Gandhi's philosophy of non-violent resistance (satyagraha) and his pivotal role
in India's struggle for independence. It explores key events such as the Salt March, the Quit India movement, and the partition of India.

Review:

1. Performance: Ben Kingsley delivers an outstanding performance as Gandhi, capturing the spirit, mannerisms, and ideologies of the historical figure. His
portrayal earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor.
2. Direction: Richard Attenborough's direction is commendable, as he skillfully navigates through the complex narrative of Gandhi's life. The film effectively
balances personal moments with historical events, providing a comprehensive look at the man behind the icon.
3. Screenplay: The screenplay, written by John Briley, is well-crafted and succeeds in presenting Gandhi's philosophy in a way that is accessible to a broad
audience. It covers a vast timeline without feeling rushed or disjointed.
4. Cinematography and Production: The cinematography by Billy Williams beautifully captures the landscapes of India and South Africa. The production
design and costumes contribute to the authenticity of the period.
5. Impact: "Gandhi" had a significant impact on raising global awareness about Mahatma Gandhi and his principles of non-violence. It played a crucial
role in familiarizing audiences around the world with the history of India's struggle for independence.
6. Criticism: Some critics argue that the film takes a somewhat idealized view of Gandhi, downplaying certain complexities of his personality. Others feel
that certain historical events are oversimplified.

In conclusion, "Gandhi" is widely regarded as a powerful and well-executed biographical film that provides a comprehensive and moving portrayal of one
of the most influential figures in modern history. While it may not delve into all the nuances of Gandhi's life, it serves as an excellent introduction to his
philosophy and the historical context of India's struggle for independence

PROJECT SUBMIT BY
AMARDEEP J BARMAN