Hard Time

 1) Discuss the theme of  Utilitarianism with illustrations from the novel.

Charles Dickens

He was born on 7 February 1812 Portsmouth on the southern coast of England . He was a British novelist journalist editor illustrator and social commentator . Hard Time published 12 August 1854.

Hard time for theses time is the tenth novel by Charles Dickens first published in 1854 . The book surveys English society and economic conditions of the era . Hard Times is ususal in several ways it is by far the shortest of Dickens novel barely a quarter of the length of those written immediately before and after it. Also unlike all but one of his other novels . Hard Times has neither a perface no r illustration moreover it is his only novel not to have scence set in London instead the story is set in the fictitious Victorian industrial coketown a generic Northern English mill Town in some ways similar to Manchester though smaller coketown may be particully based on 19th century Preston one of Dickens reasons for writing Hard Times was that sales of his weekly periodical household words were low and  it was hoped the novel's publication in instalments would boost circulation as indeed proved to be the case since publication it has received a mixed response from critics.

Theme of Utilitarianism with illustrations :

In the novel Hard e Charles Dickens connived a theme of Utilitarianism along with education and industrialization Utilitarianism is the belief that something is  morally right if it helps a majority of people . It is a Princy involving nothing but facts and leaves no room for ereativity or imagination . Dickens provide symbolic examples of this  Utilitarianism in Hard Times by using mr Thomas gradgrind one of the main character in the book who has a Hard belief in Utilitarianism . Thomas Gradgrind is so into his philosophy of rationality and facts that he has forced this belief into children and as well as his young students Mr Josiah bounderby Thomas best friend also studies utilitarianism but he was more interested in power and money than in facts . Dickens uses Cecelia jupe daughter who is the complete opposite of Thomas Gradgrind to provide a great contrast of a Utilitarianism belief. 

 Dickens uses Thomas Gradgrind to demonstrate exactly how a basic philosophy of rationality self interest Thomas Gradgrind has faith that human nature can be restrained calculated and ruled completely by facts certainly his schooling attempt to turn young children into thing machines Dickens main goal in Hard Times was to exemplify the risk of letting human become nothing but machine singnifying that the lack of kindness and imagination in life whould be intolerable Louise balms her father for only teaching her lesson on facts and nothing on life she feeling that .

Ode to Duty

 Williams Wordsworth

Wordsworth was born 7 April 1770 amd died 23 April 1850 was an English Romantic poet who with Samuel Taylor , Coleridge helped to launch the romantic Age in English literature with their jont publication . Ode to Duty written in 1805 in published in 1807 is a Poem an ode .

Introduction: 

Ode to Duty reveals that Wordsworth has a great concern with moral and ethical values and devotion to duty and integrity . The  poet believed that following the path of Duty and mortality one could rise to noble heights of success in his life . Ode to Duty is a landmark in the history of Wordsworth mind . His most significant message to humanity is the message of plain living and high thinking . Wordsworth takes Duty as the divine postulates of universe . Heaving bodies like the sun and the earth maintain the system and decorum which give freshness and strength to the most ancient heavens.

Summary : 

The popular poem Ode to Duty was composed by William Wordsworth in 1805 it was published in his poems in the  volumes in 1807 in this poem the post personifies Duty as a goddess. He got inspiration to compose this ode from Gray's Ode to Adversity in which he personifies Adversity . According to the post duty is most important part in the life of human beings . He personifies Duty as the strict daughter of God 

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 The poet compares Duty to the light that shows the right path to human being . It guides human beings to do the right things in life. It helps a man in removing mental conflicts and also help to overcome fears in his life . The poet says that there are also some persons who so not required the help of duty to do the right things in their life. They do them naturally as their voice guide them to do it . They are happy persons . They are men of noble characters . If sometimes they fail to perform their Duty well then duty helps them to choose the right path. 

Duty is a strict daughter of god's voice . According to the poet Duty is always hard to perform but she has very kind expression . She has always a divine smile on her face .like human being the objects of nature also perform their Duty . As flowers bloom in the garden and spread their fragrance all around because it is their Duty to spread fragrances all around . As all the planets move in their direction always performing their Duty to the universe.

Pamela

 Samuel Richardson

Was born 19 August 1689 died 4 July 1761 was an English writer and printer best known for three epistolary novels. Pamela or virtue Rewarded . Clarissa or the History of a young lady . The history of sir Charles Grandison. He printed almost 500 works in his life this novel first published in 1740 by English writer Samuel Richardson. Considered one of the first true English novels it serves as Richardson version of conduct literature about marriage . Pamela tells the story of a fifteen years old maidservant named Pamela Andrews whose employer. Mr.B a wealthy landowner makes unwanted and inappropriate advances towards her after the death of her mother . Pamela strives to reconcile her strong religions training with her desire for the approval of her employer in a series of latters and later in the novel journal entries all addressed to her improverished parents. 

Plot Summary : 

Pamela Andrews is a pious virtuous fifteen years old the daughter of unporerished labourers who works for lady Bedfordshire estate. Following lady B's death' her son Mr B inherits the estate and begins to play Pamela Romantic attention first gifting her his mother's fine clothes and then attempting to seduce her Pamela rejects Mr D.S advances multiple times by fleeing and locking herself in her bedroom. In one instance she faints and finds the laces of her stays have been cut.

When Mr B attempts to play her to keep his failed seduction secret she confides  in her best friend and housekeeper of the estate Mrs Jervis Later . Mr B hides in Pamela's closet and tries to kiss her when she undresses for bed causing Pamela to consider leaving her position and returning to her parents to preserve her innocence . The Lincolnshire housekeeper Mrs Jewkes is odious and unwomaning devoted to Mr B and keeps Pamela as her bedfellow. 

Characters : 

• Pamela Andrews
• John and Elizabeth Andrews
• Mr. Williams
• Mr B 
• Lady B 
•  Lady  Davers
• Mrs Jervis
• Mrs Jewkes
• Sally Godfrey
• Monsieur Colbrand
• Miss Godwin

Volume 2 

Pamela hides a parcel of latters to her parents in the garden but they are seized by Mrs Jewkes who gives them to Mrs B . He sympathies with Pamela on reading her account of their relationship and once again proposes . Pamela still doubtful of his intentions begs him to let her return though vecxed he does so on leaving Pamela is strangely sad and on her way home he sends her an apologetic letter that prompts her to realise she is in fact in love . 

A Tale of a Tube

 Jonathan Swift 

Jonathan Swift was born 30 November 1667 died 19 October 1745 was an Anglo Irish satirist ,essayist ,political, pamphleter  poet and Anglican cleric who became Dean of st Patrick's cathedral Dublin hence his common sobriquet Dean swift. A Tele of a Tub was the first major work written by Jonathan Swift arguably his most difficult Satire and perhaps his most masterly . The tale is a prose parody divided into sections each delving into the morals and ethics of the English composed between 1694 and 1697 it was eventually published in 1704 . 

A Tale of a Tub : 

A Tale of a Tub written for the universal improvement of mankind was the first major work written by Jonathan Swift arguably his most difficult Satire and perhaps his most masterly. 

The tale was enormously popular presenting both a satire of religious excess and a parody of contemporary theology biblical exegesis and medicine through its comically excessive front matter and series of digressious throughout . A tale of a Tub comprises the tale reformation in the story of brother Peter Martin and Jack as they attempt to make their way in the world along with various digressious interspersed throughout each brother represent one of the primary branches of Christianity in the West . This part of the book is a pub on Tub which Alexander Pope was a common term for a dissenters pulpit and a reference to swifts own position as a clergyman.

Symbols : 

The Three Coats : 

The three brothers coats are the central symbol of a Tale of a Tub outwardly plain and simple the coats are the their father who promises that they will last for a lifetime if cared for properly . In his will he wars them against altering the coats in any way . These costs represent the practices of Christianity as originally revealed and commanded by God and us stipulated in the Bible . Charch written about in the New Testament the brothers initially do a good job of sticking to the rules laid down by the will. It isn't long however before they are finding ways to excuse themselves from following the will too scrupulously when it conflict with their immediate desires . This behaviour is dramatized as a gradual altering of the coast in spite of the father's express wish to the contrary.

The individual alterations represent the different ways in which Christianity in Swift view devlated from the practices and beliefs given in the Bible . The flame colored satin that makes up the coats lining for instance represents the concept of purgatory  regarded in the catholic tradition as a place of purification for souls not yet worthy of heaven but not condemned to hell . By the time the brothers finally realizes the error of their ways their coats have become barely recognisable.

Metaphysical Poetry

 Metaphysical poetry has played a fundamental role in contrasting written works of art which attempt to explain but more importantly capture the human experience and intangible concept for example the universal theme of : love metaphysical Poetry distinguishes itself from  other forms of written word through the conceit which is an extended methapheor that attempts to capture the essence of the poem in question. 

What is a Metaphysical Poem? 

Metaphysical poetry is concerned with the whole experience of man but the intelligence learning and seriousness of the poets means that the Poetry is about the profound areas of experience especially about love romantic and sensual about God - the eternal perspective and to a less extent about pleasure learning and art.

John Donne : 

 John Donne was born in London in 1571 or 1572  into a recusant romant Roman Catholic family when practice of that religion was illegal in England Donne was the third of six children . His father also named John Donne married to Elizabeth Heywood was of Welsh descent and a warden of the ironmongers company in the city of London . However he avoided unwelcome government attention out of fear of persecution . 

He was an English poet , scolar soldier and secretary born recusant family who late became a cleric in the Church of England . He is considered the preeminent  representative of metaphysical poets his Poetical Works are noted for their metaphorical and sensual style and include Sonnets love poems religious poems latin translation epigrams elegies songs and Satire . He is also known for his sermons. 

Metaphysical Poetry : 

Michael  Donkor explain what makes  John Donne a Metaphysical poet and looks at the creative and distinctive ways in which Donne used Metaphysical techniques. 

When we begin exploring John Donnes verse the description of him as a metaphysical poet is inescapable and so it's worth considering in detail  importantly Donne and the other 16 th and 17th century poet's gathered under the Metaphysical banner Carew Vaughan and Marvell to name some of the most renowned didn't form a cohesive movement in their stylistic similarities in particular a kind of showy or iginality and linguistic immediacy have meant that they have been clustered together for centuries some critics such as the 18th century essayist Samuel Johnson have criticised metaphysical poets for what they saw as their self conscious cleverness others such as the post T. S Eliot have celebrated their inventiveness . 

Characteristics : 

1) Dramatic manner And Direct tone of speech is one of the main characteristics of Metaphysical poetry in the starting line of the poem . The cononization there is given a dramatic starting 

" For Gods sake hold your tongue and let me love " 

2) Concentration : 

Is an important quality of Metaphysical poetry in general and Donne's poetry is particular . In his all poems the reader is held to one idea or line of argument . Donne's poems are brief and closely woven. 

" As twixt two equal armies fate suspends uncertain victories, 

Our soul hung twixt her and me." 

3) Usage of Satire and irony 

Another characteristics of Metaphysical poetry. Donne also uses this in his poems for example in the cononization there is subtle irony as he speaks of the favoured pursuits of people the Lust for wealth and favours.

" Take you a course get you a place observe his honour or his Grace." 

Absalom and Achitophel

Political Satire : 

Absalom and Achitophel is a landmark political Satire by John Dryden . Dryden marks his satire with a concentrated and convincing poetic style . His satire verse is majestic what Pope calls " The long majestic March and nergy divine "

Critics have unanimously remarked on Drydens capacity to transform the trivial into to the political personal envy into the fury of imaginative creation . The obscure and the complicated is made clear and simple . All this transforming power is to be seen at the very beginning of Absalom and Achitophel. The state of Israel is easy to understand and yet  Dryden shows himself a master both of the Horation and Juvenalian styles of Satire. He is urbance witty davadtating and vigorous , but very seldom petty.

Basically a Political Satire : 

   Dryden called Absalom and Achitophel a poem and not a satire implaying thereby that it head elements other that purely satirical one cannot for instance ignore the obvious epie or heroic touches in it All the samebthe poem originated in the political situation of England at the time and one cannot fail to note that several political personalities are Satirized in it published in November 1681 the theme was suggested by the king to Dryden . At this time the question of succession to king Charles had assumed great importance .The Earl of Shaftesbury had been thrown into prison to face a charge of high treason .There were two contenders for the succession .Firstly Charles brother James Duke of York a known  Roman Catholic the second contenders was Charles illegitimate son , the protestant Duke of Monmouth. The Whigs supported Monmouth while the Tories supported the cause of James in order to ensure stability in the country . There was great public unrest on account of the uncertainty of succession. King 👑 Charles 2 saw to in that the Exclusion bill brought before parliament to exclude the succession of his brother James could not be pushed through.

Conclusion : 

 Dryden is correctly regarded as the most vigorous and polished of English satirists combining refinement with fervour . Dryden is unequalled at debating in rhyme and Absalom and has no rival in the field of political satire . Apart from the contemporary interest of the poem and it's historical value it appeal to the morden readers lines in its observation on English .

   Character and on the weakness of man in general . His generalisation on human nature have a perennial interest . Dryden triumphed over the peculiar difficulties of his chosen theme. He had to criticise a son whom the father still likes he had to make Shaftesbury denounce the king but he had to see to it that the king's susceptibilities were not wounded  he had to praise without sounding servile and he had to criticise artistically Dryden achieves all this cleverly and skilfully.

Post Truth

 Post Truth is a periodizing concept referring to transnational historically specific empirically observable public truth claims and authority to be a legitimate public truth- teller it also refers to the theories about the historically specific converging causes that have produced it's communication forms and effects . The term garnered widespread popularity in the form of post truth politics in the period around the 2016 United States presidential election and the Brexit referendum .  It was named word of the year in 2016 by the Oxford Dictionary where it is defined as relating to or denoting cricumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief post truth is often used as an adjective for a distinctive kind of politics post truth politics. 

Politics Post Truth : 

Political post truth is a political culture in which debate is framed largely by appeals to emotion disconnected from the details of policy and by the repeated assertion of talking points to which factual rebuttals are ignored. 

 Post - truth politics is a subset of the broader term post truth which has historical roots prior to the recent focus on political events post truth differs from traditional contesting and falsifying of facts by relegating facts and expert opinions to be of to appeal to emotion. While this has been described as a contemporary problem some observers have described it as a long standing part of political life that was less notable before the advent of the internet and related social changes.

History : 

According to Oxford Dictionaries the Serbian American playwright Steve Tesich first' used the term post truth in a 1992 essay in the nation . Tesich write that following the shameful truth of Watergate more assuaging coverage of the Iran contra scandal and Persian gulf war demonstrates that we as a free people have freely decided that' we want to live in some post truth' world.

Examples : 

Post truth politics has been applied as a political buzzword to a wide range of political cultures one articale in the economist identified post truth politics in Germany, North Korea , Poland , Russia , Turkey , the United Kingdom and United States.

India : 

 Amulya Gopalakrishnan columnist for the Times of India identified similarities between the Trump and Brexit compaigns  on the one hand and hot button issues in india such as the Ishrat Jahan case and the ongoing case against Teesta Setalvad on the other where accusation of forged evidence and historical revisionism have resulted in an ideological impasse.

Some quotes  photos :