An exemplary dramatic monologue set in “Ferrara”, the capital of a province in Italy that was famous for its high culture during the Renaissance. TwoAn exemplary dramatic monologue set in “Ferrara”, the capital of a province in Italy that was famous for its high culture during the Renaissance. Two main characters (speaker and listener) involved in the poem are – the main character, speaker, Duke Alfonso II of Ferrara, and the other person listening to him is the envoy (marriage agent) sent by the Count of another place called Tyrol.
The duke is talking about a painting on the wall while preparing to meet Tyrol, the father of the new proposed girl (he had murdered his previous wife, the duchess, the reasons of which are exposed in this poem) The poem is an exposition of oppression, pride, jealousy, corruption, possessiveness, murder, and avarice for dowry! The poem uncovers the wide gap between the high culture and the obnoxious low personal behavior of the upper ruling class of Renaissance Italy. Robert Browning exhibits the true character of the duke and satirizes/mocks the culture through him.
The poem is fabricated as a monologue, revealing the true character of the duke who is having small talk with a visitor, and the readers get to explore the real story behind all his boasting and bragging! The duke starts by talking about the painting of his previous wife, the duchess, claiming it to be a painting done by the famous Italian painter brother Pandolf (a fictional entity). He depicts an intimacy with the painter(name-dropping) by using the word ‘fra’/’brother’ , being snobbish, while giving readers an impression that he is a connoisseur of art, an aesthete- “the depth and passion in the earnest glance… reproduce the faint half-flush that fades along the throat…” Subsequently, he serves his egotism by claiming that he is a powerful man and that no one has dared to ask him about the red spot on the cheek of the duchess. It clearly shows his power and control! He is controlling, diabolical, evil-minded, jealous, and cynical, assuming if his wife looks at or smiles at visitors or any other male, it is out of her sensual excitement (how gross and mean!) “She had a heart -- how shall I say? -- too soon made glad, Too easily impressed; she liked whate’er She looked on, and her looks went everywhere” He wants his wife to be more discriminating and discerning and wants only his presence to make her happy! He goes on crowing about his “nine hundred years old name” while complaining that the duchess did not give special regard to the heritage, he offered her! He presumes his heritage to be the most invaluable gift to her. The duke is a shameless tyrant who cannot think of anything positive about his wife. Though, we readers never find any hint that the duchess was morally guilty of all the accusations made against her! He is an emblematic of tyranny and the diabolical male chauvinism not only in Renaissance Italy but in all societies of all times and places!☹ Finally, at the climax, the duke reveals that he had killed his previous wife, the duchess painted on the wall. He says that he did not want to bend low before her, asking her not to smile at other people, not get impressed by ordinary people and things, should not blush and should behave in the proper ways to “demonstrate” the great name of her husband’s heritage! Then he claims, that he “gave orders” to stop all her smiles together, giving orders to kill her. The duke represents a plethora of all ghoulish qualities, the misuse of power, and extreme oppression. There are also some dramatic actions in the poem, in the beginning, the duke tells the other man to sit down and look at the picture. Towards the end of the poem, he tells him to stand up: “Will it please you rise?” As the duke is saying all the nasty things about his own wife, the other man seems to try to leave the place! But the duke tells him to wait: “Nay, we’ll go down together, sir” . He is making the man wait just to give us another piece of boasting! He points to a statue and tells his guest that it is his own statue in the form of God Neptune training the sea horse, symbolizing his demand for a wife like a “trained” horse. The poem ends with the duke still talking about himself as a great man and a lover of art.
Why the duke had to reveal the past when he is going onto meeting a new duchess? It is just a threat, a warning, that if the new duchess doesn’t turn out to be tamed, then she will have to bear the same consequences as the previous duchess did! I shower 3-stars on this poem of possessiveness and tyranny! I liked Browning’s painting of the psychological feat over the technical feat, so rendered 3 stars!...more
A story of ordeals at the sea of a feisty and valiant character, Robinson Crusoe, the 18-year from England! I proclaim him to be a “Man of Providence”A story of ordeals at the sea of a feisty and valiant character, Robinson Crusoe, the 18-year from England! I proclaim him to be a “Man of Providence” , emerging victorious from all the mayhem, every time!! Marooned multiple times at various instances, he is saved every time by sheer Providence. Maybe it is rightly said, fortune favors the brave! The felicitousness experienced during this adventurous seafaring read embarked my sullen spirit onto a renewed journey of life. Thanks to Daniel Defoe!
Crusoe is persuaded by his father to opt for law as a career, instead to pursue frenetically his passion of being a seafarer. Crusoe’s father like a regular loving father, wants him to seek a modest, secure life for himself. Committed to staying obsequious to his father, he finally succumbs to his temptations and embarks on a ship bound for London along with a friend. The tempestuous storm sets their lives in danger, dissuading the friend from any more sea travel. Crusoe too keeps dilly-dallying in between his father’s advice and his own temptation, and finally sets himself as a merchant on a ship leaving for London. He is fastidious and comes back financially successful, setting on a second voyage, which doesn’t prove as fortunate! The ship is seized by the pirates and he is enslaved and held captive. But he is able to be set free during a fishing expedition, and sail down to the African coast. He meets a kindred Portuguese captain who takes him along to Brazil, where Crusoe establishes himself as a successful plantation owner. Embarking on a slave-gathering expedition to West Africa, he ends up shipwrecked! Being the sole survivor, he seeks food and shelter, keeps a journal documenting his household activities, and logs all his attempts at making candles, and many more exciting daily events, meticulously. In the June of 1660, he falls sick, and hallucinates of an angel visiting him(I still feel it was for real :P), warning him to repent! Post recovery, he discovers a pleasant valley abounding in grapes, and constructs a shady retreat, proclaiming himself as its “king”. “My island was now peopled, and I thought myself very rich in subjects; and it was a merry reflection, which I frequently made, how like a king I looked. First of all, the whole country was my own property, so I had an undoubted right of dominion. Secondly, my people were perfectly subjected - I was absolutely lord and lawgiver - they all owed their lives to me, and were ready to lay down their lives, if there had been an occasion for it, for me.”
The novel is bulky, and is full of a labyrinthine of excitement and thrills!
Robinson Crusoe, throughout the journey, emerged as a grand epic adventurer, worth laudable for previous, present, and future generations. He is astute and dexterous, resourceful and independent. Amidst all difficulties, he never gives up, builds a shelter for himself, manages food, and never disparages anyone or boasts his own strength and luck. Additionally, he is generous and charitable, distributing gifts to his sisters. He does have a tinge of covetousness for possessions, power, and prestige. He addresses himself as a “King of the island”. Though this address seemed more jocund to me! Robinson Crusoe comes across as an exemplary adventurer and sailor of life, not only of the sea! ...more
A novelist generally reproduces a slice of life, where he is judged by his realism, or else he expresses criticism of life, in which case he is judgedA novelist generally reproduces a slice of life, where he is judged by his realism, or else he expresses criticism of life, in which case he is judged by his philosophy.
In this novel, Longus does neither, he just tries to translate a beautiful picture into words, replacing the brazen world of actuality! Giving readers a bountiful nature-laden blissful experience.
“Daphnis and Chloe” , is a story of love, nature, adventure, and wedding bells! Instead of dragging the reader through uninterrupted series of breathless adventures, Longus has alternated the passages of exciting action and passages of idyllic description! It is a pristine pastoral romance fun-filled romantic tale of the 2nd century based on the Greek Isle of Lesbos, and has a tint of magical timelessness to it. It is a fun tale demonstrating the ancient art of falling in love.
This appealing tale of two charming youths, of undisclosed identities, raised by simple farmers in the countryside, was written in an era where people believed in the existence of nymphs, respected Gods, and believed in magic! Raised as a shepherdess and a goat herder, Daphnis and Chloe, gambol in nature and innocence. They seek pleasure swimming in rivers, playing with the pipes, and weaving garlands for the sea nymphs.
Longus has delved into the importance of nature and festooned this romantic tale with the novelty of nature.
Both grow into charming and strikingly beautiful humans. Subsequently, all the frolicking around and touching each other in nature starts awakening the sensual side of the two. But they can’t recognize or understand their feelings.
When Chloe first falls for Daphnis, both of them are clueless about what is happening to them?
“She cared not for her food, lay awake at night and disregarded her flock; she laughed, then she cried; she sat down, then she leaped up; her face was pale, and then again it was fired red.” “‘Whatever did Chloe’s kiss do to me? Her lips are softer than roses, her mouth is sweeter than honey, but her kiss is sharper than a bee sting. I’ve kissed kids many times, I’ve kissed newborn puppies many times . . . . But this kiss is something new. I’m short of breath, my heart is pounding, my soul is melting away: yet I want to kiss her again.'”
The opening of the book is idyllic- “While I was gazing on and admiring these and other love scenes in the painting, suddenly I was seized by a longing to write an idyll to describe it. So I found a man to explain it for me and I have written a story in four books, an offering to the god of Love and to the Nymphs and Pan, and a joy for ever to mankind to heal their sickness and soothe their grief, to recall the sweets of love to those that have tasted them and to initiate those who have not into its secrets.
There is a lot of drama and adventure, with a lot of impediments, threats and temptations, the intervention of God Pan and nature, other suitors, abduction, trickery, attempted rape, and a lot of other twists and turns. Do they end up being together? Read for yourself to explore!
I look forward to reading more Greek adventures and ornate this beautiful tale of romance with 3.75 stars! ...more
Are you willing to dwindle away your invaluable life for coveting expensive, precious, materialistic possessions? Yes, or no?
Whatever may be your ansAre you willing to dwindle away your invaluable life for coveting expensive, precious, materialistic possessions? Yes, or no?
Whatever may be your answer, do read this short story baring the avaricious and mercenary female, Mathilde, and bringing her face-to-face with her own shallowness, but alas, she fails to learn, becoming more penurious than what she was, both materialistically and morally! “The Necklace” is a remarkably compelling story teaching the readers lessons on appearance vs reality, avarice and it’s evil-outcome, beauty and the mirage, covetousness for material possessions and the ephemeral superficial delight that comes along! It is a hands-down blockbuster 5-star read for me! ...more
This play belonging to the 1890s depicts the hypocritical aristocratic group of people from London. It in all perceptibility and plausibility delineaThis play belonging to the 1890s depicts the hypocritical aristocratic group of people from London. It in all perceptibility and plausibility delineates that the concept of “an ideal husband” is just a misnomer...more
It is a poem of connection! A connection with all those who have experienced the dark, onerous, and dreary moments of life!
Frost wrote the poem in tIt is a poem of connection! A connection with all those who have experienced the dark, onerous, and dreary moments of life!
Frost wrote the poem in terza rima (a verse stanza consisting of three-rhyming-sentences), to link his own depressive journey to hell.
The poem is set in the urban environment, exemplifying utter depression in the middle of the city! This allegory can be applied to us all who live in cities of concrete and mortar. We can effortlessly relate to the difficulties and desolation, which come as a package-deal of living in such high-rise cities!
I personally gauge, the first line of the poem to be the most powerful line - “I have been one acquainted with the night”
He refers to himself as “one” using the word “acquainted” exhibiting no formal affection or propensity to know but is just simply aware of, and uses a profound word with several implications – “night”. The word “night” divulges the difficult, dark, onerous moments that we all stumble upon in life. I am sure we all have sailed through the inconvenient and strenuous times!
The 3 major themes that enshroud the poem are of loneliness, sadness, and longing. The poet deliberately chooses to be alone, and goes onto even avoiding the only human in the poem (the watchman). Walking all alone through the darkness and into the darkness, he deliberately walks in the rain without expressing his feelings to anyone! It might sound paradoxical, that being all grim and desolate, wanting to be left alone, he still longs for someone. One can discern the poet’s longing- when he hears a cry, he ends up feeling more dejected when he realizes that the utterance is not for him. It illustrates that he wants someone to call out /look out for him!
It is a sonnet, very similar sounding like one from Shakespeare.
One of the most striking sentences is the one referring to my personal celestial object, the moon, which is –
“And further still at an unearthly height, One luminary clock against the sky”
This is definitely not a happy poem. A man feeling desolate and depressed takes a walk during the night. Frost wrote this profound poem, referring to his personal state of mind, and for all those people who themselves sail through the dark, dreary moments of life! The meter from the beginning till the end is enveloped with dejection and melancholy!
The closing line is same as the opening line. After exploring all the aspects of the night, he claims he is a person who has traversed through, experienced the raucous difficulties of life to the fullest! He doesn’t have any suggestions/advice for the readers, but is just letting us know that he has been out there in the darkness like many of us! This poem is used as a medium to connect with all those who have been out there in abject loneliness, he is connecting by stating his own isolation and misery. That’s the power of literature! Literature can connect people and create clans!
Robert Frost unites with all those who have been desolate and in misery, in short, he alludes to the clan of depression and driving through difficulty. I give 3.75 stars to this poem, alluding to the night of arduousness, and delineating (abstractedly) that we are not alone!
I personally want to give a shout-out to everyone, planning to give up, please don't, as you are not alone! :) ...more
It is incredible to see that I am ready with the review of my teenage favorites, that propelled me towards philosophy and to cherish the novelty of naIt is incredible to see that I am ready with the review of my teenage favorites, that propelled me towards philosophy and to cherish the novelty of nature! When I conjectured it would put me to sleep, this book woke me in ways inexplicable! ...more
The Black Tulip proffers the readers a magnanimous range of human emotions, ranging from hatred, greed, loyalty, jealousy, obsession, and above all thThe Black Tulip proffers the readers a magnanimous range of human emotions, ranging from hatred, greed, loyalty, jealousy, obsession, and above all the 3 most striking emotions of tolerance, love, and dedication!
The first-seven chapters with gruesome political-historical content and neighbor-hatred turned out to be tough and gritty for me (due to my oblivion towards the topic). The first few chapters put forward the cruel ghastly politics of the 17th-century Dutch where 2 dutchmen are butchered by the mob (in the course of the political state of affairs)! Once I was past these tough chapters, the story gathered for me and I stayed riveted. Without imperiling the readers' interest and not sharing any spoilers (Though I guess the blurb reveals a lot more ...more
A story of a destroyed but undefeated thin, old, gaunt man, Santiago, with an unlucky boat. A story of a decrepit man with deep neck wrinkles. EverythA story of a destroyed but undefeated thin, old, gaunt man, Santiago, with an unlucky boat. A story of a decrepit man with deep neck wrinkles. Everything was old about him, but for his cheerful and infallible eyes! With no fisherman luck but a helping-hand in a young boy with ardour and empathy, Manolin! The bond between the two is way too adorable! Though the circumstances distance the two physically, but could not deter the love between the two! Both have sincere love and care for each other. One day the old man ventures onto the outer lying areas of the sea, Lost in his musings, a gigantic fish, Marlin, eats his sardine bait, Breaking his reverie! What follows is sheer adventure on the sea! But Santiago keeps feeling alone, keeps cursing his diminishing strength! He says Hail Marys and Our Fathers, To magically assist his quest for conquering the fish, It is a story of adventure of the man to get hold of marlin! What happens during the expedition and upon his return, Kindly read for yourself to swim and breathe!
######################### My Views-
I am personally a fan of stories about sea and seafarers. This story is emblematic of it, and corroborated the concept phenomenonally , in entirety and handsomely! Indeed, a MASTERPIECE. The appealing themes of unity, undying heroism, and obsession with proving one’s worthiness, are propounded gracefully.
I forever tried my best to increase the rating beyond 3.5-stars, but could not, seriously in a pickle situation! :(
Maybe because of the exposition of hopelessness, declining age and at no juncture of the story, seeing infused-hope, refrained me from falling in “true-love” with this “award-winning story”! I am a sucker of hope-inducing plots.Though Santiago remains undefeated till the end, still the signals of despondency and down-heartedness at smooth intervals, gave me a grimace of pain!
At no point I was unleashed from this vicious cycle of pain and despondency conferred on by old-age and dwindling muscle!
Old-age is fated, inevitable and a hard-fact, which cannot be changed, and hence wailing over it and commiserating, didn’t do any good to me. Irrespective of the lack, Santiago keeps fighting, which is creditable.
One of my biggest take-aways from my personal life is- harping or sympathizing with irrevocably painful truths, pervades more despondence and imparts infirmity!
Again, this is purely my stance, so couldn’t go beyond 3.5-stars!
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What stood out for me?
The unique relationship between the old man and boy, comprising of sincere love and friendship! Afterall, they had spent countless hours on the sea together. Love and concern weren’t incumbent on the boy, but just out of compassion for the old man! ...more
On my last-minute whim, I grabbed, a story of an erotic love affair between a 15-year-old German boy, Michael Berg, and 35-year-old, Hanna Schmitz! SufferOn my last-minute whim, I grabbed, a story of an erotic love affair between a 15-year-old German boy, Michael Berg, and 35-year-old, Hanna Schmitz! Suffering from hepatitis and Hanna nurturing him, In due course both develop passionate feelings for each other. They keep their relationship under wraps.(view spoiler)[ He would read out to her, and not vice-versa (avoiding spoilers, on why?) (hide spoiler)] Eventually, as Michael matures, the relationship starts dwindling, Hanna disappears into thin air! Destiny bestows a second encounter between the two, but in vexatious circumstances.(view spoiler)[ He is a law student, and Hanna is on a trial as an SS concentration camp guard, (hide spoiler)] with numerous deaths charged against her during the bombing! What follows is all circled around discovering whether Hanna is guilty and be incarcerated, or is innocent (avoiding spoilers)? The biggest remnant-(view spoiler)[ He couldn’t love anyone other than Hanna! (hide spoiler)]
My Views- Originally published in German, I found the English translation to be weak, thin, sporadic, and sparse, and it couldn’t endow an awe-inspiring feeling to me! I just couldn’t stay riveted, irrespective of the compelling plot premise. ☹
Not to mention, the novel got numerous accolades and raving terrific reviews, but this may sound like an outlier.
I was attracted due to the premise around WWII (the holocaust era) and an unwonted love story weaving in the backdrop, between two individuals from totally different backgrounds and a stark age difference.
But honestly, I remained neutral. It didn’t arouse any feelings in me, I couldn’t marry the characters, and found them scattered and weak! The biggest takeaway for me was the fact literacy is a massive accomplishment, and can never be compromised!
The entire narration is from Michael’s point of view, and I am sure the original German text must have done justice to the brilliant plot premise, and so acquired raving positive reviews. But the English translation just faltered for me, and made my reading experience insipid and banal! I just couldn’t wed the plot, due to the sporadicity.
Without any further belaboring, I close the review, by giving a respectful 3 stars! NB- Resonating with writing style/translation is a subjective topic, and request people not to take the rating universally. It is strictly my point-of-view, and request readers to explore this short book, with a marvelous plot-line! :) It is my behove, to be honest with my views and rating, and try to do the same with all my reviews....more
The novel exhibits the paramount power of smell, as the ultimate invisible agent in channeling emotions, and the same power used to befool humans and The novel exhibits the paramount power of smell, as the ultimate invisible agent in channeling emotions, and the same power used to befool humans and victimize them, as we all perceive smell with our senses before discerning it with our own mind! It is a perfect psychological thriller, inundated with the gamut of smells! ...more
A comprehensive and exhaustive work of Poe, on a lover’s grief and affliction, lamenting over his tragic lost love. With the focus on death, the superA comprehensive and exhaustive work of Poe, on a lover’s grief and affliction, lamenting over his tragic lost love. With the focus on death, the supernatural, battle between emotions vs cogency, the poem circles around “Dark Romanticism”
The poem’s opening line, sets the perfect meter for grief and distress- Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary The narrator is wearied out, and finds the night to be totally depressing and drab!
The 3 main characters of the poem are- 1. The Narrator, who supposedly reads books on “lore”/ legends, and is a scholar, lost in the world of books. 2. The Raven, the speaking bird, who won’t leave the narrator alone, and is a perfect symbol of depression and death. 3. Lenore, the dead wife/lover, symbolizing the tragic lost love. Poem's Plot- The unnamed lonely narrator, finds solace post losing his love/wife, in books. He distracts himself by reading, when he hears a tap at his door- “While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping” Desperately wishing, that his dead wife has returned back, all he hears is just an echo back of his spoken word! “And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore?" This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Lenore!" Merely this, and nothing more.”
Retreating back to his chamber, he hears a tapping on his window, and sees a stately Raven, landing on the bust of Pallas above his chamber door! “In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore;”
The Raven can speak, and answers to all the narrator’s questions with the repeated word- “Nevermore” The word, “Nevermore” holds the highest significance in the poem, as it assures the narrator that he can find Lenore never again, and his affliction is permanent!
The poem leaves us pondering, if the Raven is actually replying to all his questions with the word “Nevermore” or is the narrator hallucinating and fantasizing in melancholy, and crashing into a deep abyss of madness and perpetual and incessant grief! The recitation, is full of mesmer and music! Few of the notable points-
The Raven, has been addressed as many things - prophet, wretch, an ill-omen, thing of evil, "whether tempter sent" (probably referring as a tempest!) The dead lover is reverently referenced to as – “a radiant maiden" and "a sainted maiden whom the angels named Lenore"
The best part of the poem, is the amalgamation of Paganism and Christianity with the diligent allusion to symbols. Sharing a few- The Book of Lore – Probably Poe here references to the books on occult and black magic! Pallas - The raven lands on the head of the bust representing Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom. Poe here implies, that the narrator is a scholar and well-read! Night's Plutonian shore- Pluto, is regarded to be the God of the Underworld. Here Poe, may be trying to infer the raven as the messenger from the afterlife/after-death! Nepenthe – is a drug that erases memory, from one of my personal favorites- “The Odyssey” by Homer! It is used here to lessen the pain of losing the lover. Balm in Gilead - A soothing ointment found in the mountainous region of Palestine! Aidenn - An Arabic word meaning Garden of Eden/Paradise. Poe uses the word to ask if Lenore can be accepted into Heaven. Seraphim- In The Bible (Isaiah:6): "fiery ones," a high ranking, six-winged angel. It also refers to as an invisible way a scent profusely spreads in a room.
A 5-star showered, for the word “Nevermore”, as he can never see his dead wife again! An endless melancholy of lost love has been surgically and intricately represented in the utmost musical and mesmeric way. Only Allan Poe could have done this. I am in an irreversible awe!
NB- The narrator, tried to escape from the irrevocable grief by locking himself in a chamber (the main setting of this poem). This solitary chamber, turns out not to be impenetrable from the unending thoughts of the Lost Lenore! The lovers have been put asunder! Melancholy has invaded his life in entirety, and so has Poe’s magic on me!...more
I HAD TEARS AND SMILE THROUGHOUT. Warning- This novel is endearing and filled with ardour to a dangerous level, that one can risk into crooning and c I HAD TEARS AND SMILE THROUGHOUT. Warning- This novel is endearing and filled with ardour to a dangerous level, that one can risk into crooning and canoodling with the novel throughout! Nothing could put the 2 of us asunder! ...more
Summary- While killing crabs in the courtyard during a rainstorm, A couple discovers a wearied, old and disoriented man, He is peculiar and an outSummary- While killing crabs in the courtyard during a rainstorm, A couple discovers a wearied, old and disoriented man, He is peculiar and an outcaste, Shabby with large wings, and unaware of the local language, Latin! Concluding him to be an ANGEL, as their sick daughter recovers, upon his arrival. They decide to keep the old man alive and not butcher him! But they butcher him in ways far more treacherous than a one-time slaughter! ☹ They throw him in the chicken coop, to suffer incessantly! People from far-off places visit to see him, The couple makes money from every visit, Villagers pelt stones at him, pluck his feathers, and disregard him in every way possible! ☹ A day comes, when the coop collapses, The old man starts wandering from room to room in the house, infuriating the wife! Finally, a day comes, when the old man stretches his wings, And takes off, escaping the ceaseless cruelty imposed by the humans. The wife sees him go, till he disappears over the horizon!!
My Views- I would like to give an irksome and ruthless 4-stars to this relatable story on the savagery, brutality, wickedness and harshness of the human society. ☹ A magical-realism narrative, demonstrative of the barbarism and viciousness of humans. ☹ I found it a perfect malevolent story of yesterday’s, today’s and forever’s cruel, non-compassionate, exploitative and inhumane reality! It’s all about the grossness, selfishness, and the atrocious human society. How we humans end up using each other, without paying heed to each other’s needs and with utter selfish hearts throw out (use and throw) once the need/objective is over. How once, you hold no longer significance (in someone’s life), are thrown out, exterminated, expelled from the place which you once burgeoned and flourished!
Humans are short-sighted and can’t comprehend the present events from a vantage point that helps them more of a futuristic approach!
We as humans, fail to treat the events/situations encountered with sanity when greed takes over. We don’t let wisdom take over, when greed intrudes and douses!
Another important point to be derived is we as a part of society, find it tough to absorb any outcaste/outsider into our lives. We become too much complacent with what we see in our daily lives, that when the villagers see a very old man with gigantic wings (supposedly an angel), for them he is an outsider, and people from far-off places are ready to pay just to catch a glance of him! He is kept in a chicken coop in the most ramshackle and decayed conditions. He is persecuted and treated cruelly. Instead of appreciating who he actually is, rules and expectations are imposed on him! I didn’t find the villagers and the house members to be ignorant but utterly ghastly and exploitative! They don’t take any trouble to learn about the old man or be empathetic towards him. Instead, they keep traversing in their own pool of expectations, and impose the same on this poor man! For me the angel is emblematic of every ingenuous innocent-being who ends up being a sacrificial goat!
As a reader, our takeaways should be what we are supposed NOT TO BE! We shouldn’t be what the villagers turned out to be! It’s a story not to be overlooked but to be perused in totality, to learn what not to be!!...more
An efficacious story on “revenge with impunity” and “premature burial”. For me, it is a perfect “story of VANITY!”. A revenge which laid hidden for haAn efficacious story on “revenge with impunity” and “premature burial”. For me, it is a perfect “story of VANITY!”. A revenge which laid hidden for half-a-century, and is revealed to the readers by the redresser & narrator (the main character), Montresor.
We as a reader turn into a confidant, to his macabre tale of revenge! The victim, Fortunato, unaware of the sinister scheming against him, is sealed in the walls of the moist family catacomb.
The story begins with the main character, Montresor, mentioning about his silent endurance of 1000 injuries and vowing a revenge with impunity-
“THE thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.” “I must not only punish, but punish with impunity”
Here, the insult borne, is related to the prideful knowledge of Fortunato on wine. We notice that Montresor, can get easily insulted/offended! Montresor is quintessential of patience. Searing in revenge, he bides time for seeking revenge till the carnival season arrives, a season of “supreme madness”, when the half-drunk Fortunato, costumed as a jester with tinkling bells around his head, is all unguarded and vulnerable. Montresor decoys Fortunato into the ghastly plot, by mentioning his doubts on the genuineness of the pipe of Amontillado( a type of wine), that he recently purchased. Fortunato, who prides himself as an expert of wine, is lured into the plan. The victim’s vanity, is used as a perfect bait by Montresor! Getting hooked on, he is led to the family catacombs. The funeral atmosphere, is ironically alternated with the jingling jester bells of Fortunato! Fortunato is chained/fettered in the recess of the deepest crypt. Subsequently Montresor starts to lay a wall of stone and mortar (being a premeditated scheme, the items lay pre-prepared), and buries his enemy alive! A perfect tale of “premature burial”. While he does so, he relishes the mental torment of his victim, whom he then leaves alone in the dark, waiting in terror for his death!! I lovingly bestow 5-stars on this story of vanity & revenge. Few of the striking factors that lured me to do so are-
1. Fortunato’s vanity of his expertise on wine, turns into his weakness and reason of death. 2. Montresor, is seen to be an overtly emotional being, who gets easily offended and harbours the insult, till he can punish his insulter with impunity. He makes sure not to be caught, but slyly brings to fruition the sinister plan. 3. Patience! Generally, when one is burning in revenge, he/she tries to expedite the revenge and get solace. But here we see Montresor waiting on patiently till the carnival season arrives. He is pretty much sane (I personally don’t see any insanity in him, but for balanced hot-headedness). He bides his own time, till the perfect hour arrives! 4. Throughout the story, he calmly and peacefully voices his murderous plan of revenge. This contrast was striking! With the narration and the words used by the narrator, he very well comes across as a man of stature and education! 5. There is more to the story – the mold, the coat of arms, the masons, read it to explore! 6. The final revelation is – Montresor is reciting the story 50 years later, and still holds no remorse and guilt, and firmly believes that he was wronged! At the end he eerily says "In pace requiescat!" or "May he rest in peace."
The story ends at an ironic contrast of the killer’s solicitude!
My favorite part is the closing line of the story, as it holds tons of emotions and can be deciphered in various ways. The revengeful narrator/redresser, 50 years later, shows his concern for Fortunato and wishes his soul to rest in peace, is giving us his boastful narration of revenge with impunity and still not contrite, and closes on a note of solicitude and brag! He is blowing his own trumpet.
Ironically the story opens on a note of vanity of Fortunato on his knowledge of wine, and closes on another note of vanity of Montressor on his story of revenge with impunity! I LOVED IT TO THE CORE!!...more
There is a tempestuous storm outside, husband and son are stranded in a store, drenched in mud. Calixta, the wife, is back home, busy with the househoThere is a tempestuous storm outside, husband and son are stranded in a store, drenched in mud. Calixta, the wife, is back home, busy with the household chores, not disconcerted about the storm or their well-being. The ex-lover drops-by seeking shelter, they share an erotic moment, and disperse! Post that they all live happily ever-after! ...more
“A Rose for Emily”, a gothic story, opens with the townspeople reacting in awe over Miss Emily Grierson's death, post which the story travels in flash “A Rose for Emily”, a gothic story, opens with the townspeople reacting in awe over Miss Emily Grierson's death, post which the story travels in flashback. The entire story is narrated from the townspeople point of view and not in Emily’s purview. Emily, a burden for the people, was send a notice for the due taxes. She sends a note in an old handwriting/archaic shape, mentioning, that she doesn’t go out anywhere anymore! Emily is domineering and menacing.
The town calls for a special meeting of the Board of Aldermen, to figure out what to do with the lady not paying her taxes. She downrightly and sternly refuses to take the ownership of the due taxes, and sends them back. The people had issue with her smell, they complained about it to the leaders, but not wanting to argue with the intimidating Emily, they take care of the smell on their own, by sprinkling lime in the house.
Emily had a very protective controlling father (like father, like daughter!...more
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