English Literature & Theology

   "Self-Protection" by D.H. Lawrence    When science starts to be interpretive It is more unscientific even than mysticism. To make self-preservation and self-protection the first law of existence Is about as scientific as making suicide the first law of existence, And amounts to very much the same thing. A nightingale singing at the top of his voice Is neither hiding himself nor preserving himself nor propagating his species; He is giving himself away in every sense of the word; And obviously, it is the culminating point of his existence. A tiger is striped and golden for his own glory. He would certainly be much more invisible if he were grey-green. And I don’t suppose the ichthyosaurus sparkled like the humming-bird, No doubt he was khaki-colored with muddy protective coloration, So why didn’t he survive? As a matter of fact, the only creatures that seem to survive Are those that give themselves away in flash and sparkle And gay flicker of joyful life; Those that...

 "  Jimmy Valentine " (also known as  A Retrieved Reformation ) by O. Henry is a heartwarming story of crime, redemption, and love, with the signature twist ending for which O. Henry is famous. The story begins with Jimmy Valentine , a skilled safecracker, being released from prison in Springfield, Illinois, after serving a ten-month sentence for a bank robbery. He is let go early due to his connections and charm. Upon release, Jimmy retrieves a bag containing specialized tools he uses for cracking safes, indicating he’s not quite ready to give up his criminal career. Jimmy returns to his old ways soon after his release. He moves from city to city, cracking safes and robbing banks with precision and leaving little trace of his presence. Jimmy is a clever and careful criminal who avoids being caught by the authorities. However, his latest crimes catch the attention of Ben Price , a dedicated detective who had arrested Jimmy previously and is now on his trail again. Jimmy’s...

 " An Astrologer's Day " by R.K. Narayan is a short story that presents a simple yet profound tale with a surprising twist.  Summary: The story opens with a vivid description of the astrologer and his daily routine. He sets up his "business" on a busy street under a tamarind tree, with a small cloth spread out in front of him, which contains cowrie shells, charts, and a mystic look that helps attract customers. His profession is not based on any formal astrological knowledge but on keen observation and an intuitive understanding of human psychology. He can easily read his clients' emotions and make them believe he possesses the power to predict their futures. Narayan describes the astrologer's life as a struggle for survival. He didn't choose this career out of interest but rather necessity, having fled from his village under dire circumstances, which we later learn are crucial to the plot.   The astrologer operates in a crowded and chaotic environme...

  "The Light Has Gone Out" is a speech delivered by Jawaharlal Nehru , India's first Prime Minister, on February 2, 1948 , following the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi . This brief but emotional speech was broadcast on All India Radio, and Nehru expressed the grief and sorrow felt by the entire nation after Gandhi's untimely death.  Summary: Jawaharlal Nehru’s  "The Light Has Gone Out"  speech is a poignant expression of grief over the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, but it is also a powerful reminder of Gandhi’s enduring legacy. Nehru encourages the people of India to honor Gandhi’s memory by staying true to the values of non-violence, unity, and peace that Gandhi championed throughout his life.     Nehru begins the speech by announcing to the nation that Mahatma Gandhi has been assassinated. He acknowledges the difficulty of finding words to describe the immense loss, saying that India and the world have lost a man who symbolized peace, love, and the ...

  "The Death of a Government Clerk" (also translated as "The Death of a Civil Servant") is a short story written by Anton Chekhov in 1883. It is a classic example of Chekhov’s early use of humor and irony to explore themes of social status, anxiety, and the absurdity of bureaucratic life in 19th-century Russia. This story is a brilliant, darkly comedic tale that reflects Anton Chekhov’s mastery of short fiction. Through the character of Chervyakov, Chekhov explores the absurdity of social hierarchies and the fragility of human pride. The story is a critique of the bureaucratic system and a poignant illustration of how a small, trivial event can spiral into a tragedy when inflated by fear, insecurity, and an overwhelming need for approval. The main characters in  "The Death of a Government Clerk"  by Anton Chekhov are: Ivan Dmitrievich Chervyakov  – The protagonist of the story, a low-ranking government clerk. He is a timid and anxious man, overly concern...

  "The Conjurer’s Revenge" by Stephen Leacock is a humorous short story that revolves around a conjurer (magician) and an annoying man in the audience who repeatedly spoils his tricks. The story uses wit and satire to explore themes of showmanship, revenge, and the battle between performers and their audiences.   About the writer: Stephen Leacock (1869–1944) was a Canadian teacher, political scientist, and one of the most famous humorists of the early 20th century. He is best known for his humorous essays and stories that satirize the absurdities of everyday life. Leacock's blend of wit, irony, and lighthearted humor made him a beloved writer in both Canada and abroad. Main Characters: The Conjurer – A skilled magician who performs various tricks and illusions for an audience. He becomes frustrated with one particular spectator who tries to ruin his act. The Annoying Man (The Quick Man) – An obnoxious man in the audience who repeatedly interrupts the conjurer’s perform...

  "The Model Millionaire" by Oscar Wilde is a short story that highlights themes of generosity, appearance versus reality, and the value of true wealth.  The story illustrates Wilde’s belief in the value of human kindness over wealth and mocks the rigid social norms of the time, where wealth and status often dictated relationships. About the writer: Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) was an Irish playwright, novelist, essayist, and poet, known for his sharp wit, flamboyant style, and brilliant use of satire. He was a leading figure in the aesthetic movement, which promoted the idea of "art for art's sake." Main Characters: Hughie Erskine – A young, handsome, and good-natured man, but not wealthy. Despite being popular and charming, Hughie struggles to find stable employment and is living on a modest allowance. Laura Merton – Hughie's beautiful fiancée. She loves Hughie, but her father, Colonel Merton, insists that Hughie must have £10,000 before they can marry. Alan...

  "The Last Leaf" is a short story by O. Henry that explores themes of hope, friendship, sacrifice, and the power of art. Set in Greenwich Village, New York City,  the story revolves around the lives of struggling artists and their intertwined fates.   Summary, Sue and Johnsy are two young aspiring artists who live together in a small, inexpensive apartment in Greenwich Village. As winter approaches, Johnsy falls seriously ill with pneumonia, a common and often deadly disease at the time. She becomes bedridden and loses her will to live. As her illness worsens, she becomes fixated on an ivy vine that she can see through her window, counting its leaves as they fall. Johnsy convinces herself that when the last leaf falls, she will die. Despite Sue's best efforts to comfort her and lift her spirits, Johnsy remains convinced that her life is tied to the fate of the ivy leaves. Sue, deeply worried, tries to distract Johnsy with stories and her artwork, but Johnsy remains...

  The Diameter of the Bomb By Yehuda Amichai The diameter of the bomb was thirty centimeters and the diameter of its effective range about seven meters, with four dead and eleven wounded. And around these, in a larger circle of pain and time, two hospitals are scattered and one graveyard. But the young woman who was buried in the city she came from, at a distance of more than a hundred kilometers, enlarges the circle considerably, And the solitary man mourning her death at the distant shores of a country far across the sea includes the entire world in the circle. And I won’t even mention the crying of orphans that reaches up to the throne of God and beyond, making a circle with no end and no God. "The Diameter of the Bomb" is a powerful meditation on the far-reaching impact of violence and conflict. Through the imagery of expanding circles, Yehuda Amichai captures the profound, often invisible toll that war takes on individuals, communities, and the world at large. The poem s...

  Women By Alice Walker Alice Walker's poem "Women" is a powerful tribute to the resilience, determination, and sacrifices of African American women of previous generations, especially those of her mother's era. Women By Alice Walker They were women then My mama's generation Husky of voice—stout of Step With fists as well as Hands How they battered down Doors And ironed Starched white Shirts How they led Armies Headragged generals Across mined Fields Booby-trapped Ditches To discover books Desks A place for us How they knew what we Must know Without knowing a page Of it Themselves. Summary, This poem celebrates the women of Walker's mother's generation, acknowledging their strength and the battles they fought to ensure the next generation had access to education and opportunities that they themselves may not have had. The poem opens by referring to "My mama's generation," situating the reader in the context of African American women who lived...

  Ring Out, Wild Bells by Alfred, Lord Tennyson Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty light: The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die. Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true. Ring out the grief that saps the mind, For those that here we see no more; Ring out the feud of rich and poor, Ring in redress to all mankind. Ring out a slowly dying cause, And ancient forms of party strife; Ring in the nobler modes of life, With sweeter manners, purer laws. Ring out the want, the care, the sin, The faithless coldness of the times; Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes, But ring the fuller minstrel in. Ring out false pride in place and blood, The civic slander and the spite; Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good. Ring out old shapes of foul disease; Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; Ring out the thousan...