aslitemail.com

The Dhvani Theory, or the theory of suggestion, is one of the most profound and influential concepts in the field of Indian literary criticism and aesthetics (Sanskrit poetics). Attributed to the eminent 9th-century Sanskrit scholar and aesthetician Ānandavardhana, the theory of Dhvani revolutionized the way literature, especially poetry, was understood and interpreted in classical Indian tradition. It proposed that the soul of poetry lies not in the literal meaning ( abhidha ) or even in the implied meaning ( lakṣaṇā ), but in the suggested meaning ( vyaṅgyārtha ), which transcends the surface level of language and touches deeper emotional and aesthetic layers. The theory of Dhvani marks a significant evolution in Sanskrit literary theory and became the central idea around which all subsequent discussions of poetics revolved. The word "Dhvani" in Sanskrit literally means "sound" or "resonance," but in the context of literary theory, it refers to a sugg...

About the Play Full Title: All for Love; or, the World Well Lost Author: John Dryden Year: 1677 Genre: Neoclassical Tragedy Form: Written in blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter) Based on: Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra Setting The entire action takes place in Alexandria, Egypt. Follows the classical unities of time, place, and action. Main Characters Mark Antony – Roman general, torn between love for Cleopatra and duty to Rome Cleopatra – Queen of Egypt, manipulative yet genuinely in love with Antony Ventidius – Loyal Roman soldier, symbolizes honor and reason Octavia – Antony’s Roman wife, noble and dignified Alexas – Cleopatra’s eunuch and advisor, cunning and deceptive Serapion – Egyptian priest, provides prophetic warnings Plot Summary (Act-wise) Act I Antony is in despair. Ventidius arrives and urges him to return to Roman duty. Key line: “I am all that's left of ruin.” – Antony Act II Cleopatra fears losing Antony and emotionally manipulates him...

R.K. Narayan’s novel The English Teacher , published in 1945, is a deeply personal and introspective work that reflects the author's own experiences and emotions. Considered part of his semi-autobiographical trilogy (alongside Swami and Friends and The Bachelor of Arts ), this novel takes the reader on a profound journey of self-discovery, love, loss, and spiritual awakening. Set in the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi, a hallmark of Narayan's literary universe, The English Teacher explores the life of Krishna, a college lecturer in English literature, as he moves through significant life changes. Through Krishna’s emotional and philosophical growth, Narayan explores the deeper meaning of life and the search for inner peace. Plot Summary The novel begins with Krishna leading a routine and somewhat mechanical life as an English lecturer at Albert Mission College. He is dedicated to his teaching but feels a sense of detachment from his work and students. His life takes...

Amitav Ghosh’s novel The Shadow Lines is a powerful and intricate exploration of memory, identity, nationalism, and the blurred boundaries of nations, cultures, and personal relationships. Published in 1988, this novel is one of Ghosh's seminal works, offering a postcolonial critique through a non-linear narrative structure that weaves together personal and political histories. The novel is deeply reflective, blending fact with fiction, and examining how historical events shape and distort personal lives and memories. This essay provides a detailed examination of the novel's plot, characters, themes, narrative structure, and literary techniques. Plot Overview The Shadow Lines is narrated by an unnamed narrator who recounts his memories of growing up in Calcutta and his connections to two families—the Datta Chaudhuris from India and the Prices from England. The novel is non-linear and moves back and forth in time, capturing events spanning from the Second World War to the c...