A Painful Case

A Painful Case

James Joyce

Literal Comprehension:

James Duffy was ideal man. He lived in Dublin. He worked in a bank and ate in the eating house. He liked to read books. He was far from love and women. He looked at the women from his moral eyes. Sometimes he went to the concert. One evening he met a middle aged woman names Mrs Sinico. In a concert, she was with her young daughter named Marry Sinico. She introduced with Mr. Duffy. From the way of her talking and dressing, it seemed that she was still blooming in youth. Mr. Duffy met her second time with her husband in another concert. But he had no chance to talk with her. When he met her third time, he took her appointment. She came to the park and they spent some evening together in the park. Mr. Duffy was a highly moral man and he didn't like to meet her in such way. So he went to her house. Mr. Sinico also encouraged his visit thinking that Mr. Duffy wanted to ask for his daughter's  hand. But he never thought that his wife had bad intention towards Mr.Duffy.

Since Mr. Sinico was the captain of a businessship and marry Sinico went out to give music lesson. Mrs. Sinico and Mr. Duffy talked for a long time in the evening. Mrs. Sinico wanted to enjoy with Mr.Duffy physically. So, one evening she caught his hand and looked it to her cheek excitedly. Mr. Duffy didn't like it and he stopped meeting her. She became mentally abnormal. She also adopted a habit of drinking alcohol in the evening. When she was trying to cross the railroad in drunk condition. She was uncontrolled and the train dashed her and she died on the spot. When Mr. Duffy knew about her death, he became very sad. He knew that she was the only woman who loved him but lost her life because of him. He took the response of her death. He also regretted for what he had done.

Interpretation:

The writer may be trying to show that lonely life is duel boring and empty. He also shows that an unfulfilled lusty desire causes tragedy. When Mrs.Sinoco also tries to fulfill it from Mr.Duffy, but he refused her lust desires. Then she became mentally disturbed. She begins to drink alcohol and neglects herself and dies. The story also hates strict moral principle that sometimes causes painful events.

Critical thinking:

This story is psychological and tragic. However, some ideas of the writer are skeptical. Can't there be relationship between a man and woman? If Mr. Duffy hates any types of attatchments with woman, why does he meet Mrs Sinico? Why doesn't Mrs Sinico go to stay with her husband? If Mr.Duffy is strictly moral, why does he hate morality at last? So I am not convinced.

Assimilation:

This story impressed me very much. After reading this story, I understood that Mr.Duffy is the cause of the death of Mrs Sinico. I also understood that life is meaningful without love, feelings, emotions, desires. If ones desire are not fulfilled, the result will be tragic.

The Wretched Stone

The Wretched Stone

Literal Comprehension:

The story ‘The Wretched Stone’ is in a diary form. It is a travelogue recorded by the Captain of ‘Rita Anne’ Randall Ethan Hope. Once he set out on his voyage with his sailors. He managed everything needed for the journey to help his sailors spend their leisure time. He kept some books of stories, musical instruments and so on. With all preparations, the journey started. After a week, they came to a very strange Island where the environment was strange. They found a glowing stone on the island. They were quite startled when they saw it, since from its surface was coming magical glowing light which was beautiful and pleasing to look at. They brought and placed it in the ship. Since then, the sailors gathered in front of it and went on watching it. They forgot their daily activities. The ship was in the course of journey. The huge storm pushed the ship into stake. But the captain somehow managed to save the ship. When the captain came to the sailors’ room, he found that the sailors had turned into hairy apes. He knew that it was because of the same stone. Then the captain got them to throw the stone in the sea. Similarly, he was able to bring them back in the normal position by playing the violin or reading to them. Ultimately, they were saved by the rescuers from the next ship.

Interpretation:

The story presenting the journey of captain teaches us some disadvantages of TV. Though TV is regarded as one of all modern means of communication and entertainment, it has many harmful aspects too. On the one hand, it makes people quite passive and helps them to spend their time unproductively. They lose their creativity and remain irresponsible to their daily activities as the crew of the ship did.

Critical Thinking:

So far as the story presents the disadvantages of TV, it seems quite impressive. The story at the same time proves to be too much beneficial. But, at some points, the story fails to be convincing and believable since it has given very misleading ideas about TV. It may create many critical questions in the readers’ mind. In fact, TV is regarded as one of the most revolutionary modern means and scientific discoveries. It has made the people advanced and progressive.It is an artificial product. So, it is humorous to believe that it was found on the unidentified island. Similarly, TV has been the part and parcel of modern life. How can one ignore the presence of TV? It would be very unjust to call it a major means to destroy human creativity because even watching TV can help perform various creative activities and enjoy the time.

Assimilation:

The reading of this story has greatly influenced me. In fact, before reading it, I was too much addicted to TV. I used to spend all my leisure time by watching it. I never thought of study and other activities as worthy to practice. But, the story has opened my eyes now. Instead of devoting the time on it, I have started spending my time reading books and engaging myself in other various creative activities. I am also encouraging others to avoid the habit of watching TV.

Shep's Hobby

Shep’s Hobby

Literal Comprehension:

The narrator in the story used to visit Mr. Baile’s house as a veterinary doctor for the treatment of Mr. Baile’s cow.Mr. Bailes had a large dog ‘Shep’. It was always kept by the gate of his house. Shep had a strange habit of frightening the people whoever came to his house. He suddenly used to bark in a frightening tone whenever they would be close to him. The narrator in the story too had been terrified by the dog for so many times. Once the narrator enraged with the dog pulled it by its chain and threatened it. Since then, the dog never barked at the narrator. The narrator seeing the changed habit of the dog was pleased with the thought that the dog might have changed his habit out of his threat. Later, once the narrator was passing by the house of Mr. Bailes, a tinker was before him by the wall behind which Shep had hidden himself. All of a sudden, the dog barked terribly at the tinker and so he ran away throwing his pans and pots. The narrator seeing the dog frightening the tinker was quite happy. He was confirmed that the dog had not lost its natural habit.

Interpretation:

The story teaches some important facts about the behavior of animals. It presents the certain moral aspects as we find in other stories. It is impressive so far it talks about the natural quality and the character of the animals. It strongly speaks on the continuation of natural character of the animals and states that they should be allowed to enjoy it, lest their life and existence won’t be happy. It supports the right of animals and advocates that people be sympathetic and kind to them.

Critical Thinking:

As we go through the story, we find it quite impressive and appreciative so far it imparts the facts about animals. But still the story seems to be misleading and unconvincing in some points. The first is : Baile’s belief that his cow was cured by a postman is unbelievable since postman can’t cure the ill cow. Similarly, the narrator threatened the dog which prevented the dog from attacking him from the next time but the question arises as to whether a dog remains silent out of one’s threat.

Assimilation:

As we went through the story, it completely changed my attitude and behavior upon animals. Before I used to think that the animals are animals and should be treated accordingly. Now I came to know they have also their natural habit that is to be accepted and we should let them act according their habit. It has instigated me to take some steps to help the animals in zoo and artificial habitant to attain freedom. 

Summary

The writer was Herriot. He was frequently visiting Mr. Bailes farm because Bailes cow was sick. One day he was walking between the walls towards the farm .Where the cow was kept. He was worried about why sick cow? Suddenly the dog barked near his ears. He jumped in to the air being frightened. His heart was thumping. Then he saw the dog was running in the corner of the house. It was shep, Bail's dog. He reached the farm. The cow was not well. His medicine was not working. He planned to near cure the cow by using gastric lavage and with the help of long rubber stomach tube; He pumped the two gallons of warm water mixture in formalin and sodium chloride. He beloved that the cow would come in normal situation by this treatment. Then next morning he met Mrs. Bailes. She informs him that the cow was not well. So, he went to see the cow. When he was walking in the field. The dog again barked him unexpectedly. This time he staggered back and so frightened. He was trembling. When he reached the farm there he saw the cow was not well. So he decided to use the lavage for the last time. He added two pounds of black treacle to the mixture and pumped into the stomach of cow.
Next afternoon, He was surprised to see rose in the field .she seemed well and was cured well. She looked like a normal cow. But the farmer told him that the cow was cured by the postman. He informs the writer that the postman made the cow bun(to be pregnant) and the cow come into normal condition. According to Bailes the, Post man used t keep a few animals. So he was clever how to cure the animals? The writer become sad and when the farmer was explaining be scratched the cow's tail. The cow soiled in his hand.
He went to the farmer's house to wash his hand. Again the dog shep barked at him. That time he felt his heart stopped. The writer got angry and he grabbed the chain and began to pull. The dog didn't show any his dangerous action. But he surrendered to the writer. The writer Shook his fist under the dog's nose and threatened him furiously. Then the dog never bared at him. The writer knew that it was shep's hobby to frighten the people by barking the writer felt sorry because he snatched (try to hold on with your hand) the dog's hobby from him. But one day he saw the dog barking at the thinker and thinker ran for away being frightened throwing his pots and pans. Then the writer was satisfied because shep was still having fun with the people.

The Stub Book

Rota was a small town where farmers grew fruits and vegetables. The quality of its tomatoes and pumpkins were famous. The soil of the Rota was not soil but pure and clean sand cast up by the ocean, blown by the wind. Farmers were very laborious. There was not even a tiny stream flowing through the field. Farmers had made wells from which they drew the precious liquid for their vegetables. They watered tomatoes seeds or pumpkin pip by hand like a father who gives water to him child.
They loved their vegetables like their children. They even kissed, blessed and even gave names to the plants and vegetables. Uncle Buscabeation was one of those farmers. He was sixty years old. He had spent 40 years tilling his field near the shore. He had grown some enormous pumpkins that they were turning to yellow. He knew them by color, shape and even by name. He planned to sell them next day. He was sad because he was going to separate with the pumpkin the following day.
But he was astonished, angry and sad when he found his forty pumpkins stolen in the night. He through his pumpkins could not be sold in Rota. They must have been taken to Cadiz to sell. He went in Cadiz in search of his pumpkins were kept for sale. He told police to catch the vendor. The Vendor told them that he bought the pumpkins from Uncle fulano.
The Inspector of public market told uncle Buscabeatas to prove that those pumpkins were from his garden not of others. Uncle Buscabeates thaw a sack on the ground. He kneeled down everyone was curious to know that he was doing. Uncle Fulano also comes there to see what was going on there. He was caught but he also asked to prove accusation. Uncle Bascabeatas look out green stems and told them that they were stolen. He fitted the stems to pumpkins one by one. The spectators were surprised to see that the stems really fitted the pumpkins exactly which proved that uncle Buscabetas was right and uncle Fulano was thief. Uncle Fulano was compelled to return 15 duros to vendor to vendor and vendor gave it to Uncle Buscabeatas. Uncle Buscabatas happily returned to his village but Uncle Fulano was arrested and sent to jail.

Third Thoughts

Third Thoughts

The writer's friend's destiny was to bye things at the highest price and to sell in the cheapest, but one day, he walking round the old shops of the city. He saw collection of water color drawings. There was a painting which had possibility of turner. The dealer was not sure of it. So, he was reading to sell it in 10 shillings it the writer's friends did not buy, the dealer would take it to London to check-either the painting was original one or not.
The writer's friend bought the painting at 10 shilling. He was lucky because the painting was proved to original and he sold the painting at 50 pound. He earned 40 pound 10 shillings as a profit for the first time in his life. He thought to share the profit with the dealer because the dealer had behaved him very well. He thought to give him half of the profit. He wrote a note to the dealer then he went to bed because he did not have stamp and it was too late.
He wake up at 3:30 am and began to think his mistake. He thought why he had to share half profit. Then decided to give only ten pounds he tried to sleep but could not. Again he begins to think about the dealer bye closing his eyes. If he sends the dealer 10 pounds, he would always expect similar later from other customers everyday. It would make him sad waiting for the later which noon would send him. Then he decided to send 5 pounds and that would be plenty for dealer. In the morning which he was dressing, he thought about the dealer again. Sharing a large part of profit was to disregard the goodness of business. He controlled his feeling and was ready to send just a pound to the dealer. Then he wrote a note and kept the cheque inside the envelope. He went the club for lunch there he started playing card and lost whatever he had. Then he concluded his though that buying and selling are straight forward matter between customer and dealer. Dealer asks as much as he can and customer tries to pay less. When the selling and buying activity ends, there is no obligation of any duty from both side.

Lunatic

Lunatic

By Devkota
In this poem, Devkota declares himself to be a lunatic. He goes and explaining his conditions in the poem. He says that he visualize sound and hears the visible. He can taste fragrance and touch those things the existence of which the people deny. He goes on showing difference between him and the people in the society. He can do such things which a normal person can't do. He finds a flower in the stone. He speaks such language which can't be written printed nor can be spoken.
In his calculation one minus one is always one. He has six senses and has heart instead of brain. So, he gets Helen and Padmini in the rose. He is poetry whereas other people are prose. He tried to catch dream which is impossible for a normal one. Then he claims that he speaks with a mountain and basks the heat of stars in cold January month.
One day when he sang with tempos the so-called wise peoples took him to Rachi for a treatment. He directly says that he does not praise those things which the world highly appreciates. For him, king is a pauper and he abuses Alexande the great.But he praises the common people Highly learned men are big fools for him.

Telegram on the Table

Telegram on the Table

Summary:-
Krishna had come in the city from the village. He worked as a guide for tourist. All the day, all the days he was busy explaining the entire history of the country to the tourist and answering their question, He had a dream of going to America following a tourist girl. He always used to come late at night in his room from hotel being tried. A telegram hat been lying on the table for weeks. There was a message that his wife had died previous day. But the message of his wife’s death did not touch him at all. The telegram should have made his weep. He should have felt regret. He should have fasted for some days. But he didn’t do any anything. The telegram should have affected him. But he was not sad and nothing touches him. He was happy dreaming of America.
His living room was bad. He paid high rent but there was a not facility. If he could not get up early in the morning, he would get water. He wanted to move somewhere else. And he could invite Miss pandey from travel service from dinner. His best friend from his village, who was also in the city, knew about the tragic event and gave him sympathy. But the words of sympathy did not touch him at all.
But one night, he could not sleep. He switched the height on and went to the table and read the telegram again. The message touched him. He regretted because he had become heartless like a stone. He got angry with himself, tore the telegram into pieces and cried for a long time.
Interpretation:-
The story may be trying to say that a person can’t be happy forgetting his village and dearest relatives. He has to regret in the future like Krishna. This story tried to show the picture of the present Nepalese society. How young generation is being attracted by America. They are ready to abandon anything for America. Nepalese people are made senseless and heartless by the so-called modern thinking and way of living.
Critical Thinking:-
The story is such as fit and fine, Beautiful and interesting. When we read it do not notice when it started and how it ended. This all does not mean that it is flawless. There are many things to be understood, realized, analyzed and applied in our every day life. How can husband totally be untouched by his wife’s deaths? The writer had not given any clue that they had a bad conjugal life. So, why Krishna did not think about his wife and family? Its all question are looking for a right answer.
Assimilation:-
I got cursory reading first and second I gave in depth reading it. I found many things in this story to applied, realized in our every day life. I came to realized how people vanish in the city. They leave there village and family for the better future. But when they reach in to city, they are enchanted by modernity and slowly they start forgetting their family. They don’t come to meet their family in the village for a long time.