English Literature & Theology

  The Verger" by W. Somerset Maugham 1) What is the occupation of the main character in “The Verger"? The main character in the short story "The Verger" by W. Somerset Maugham is Albert Edward Foreman , and his occupation at the beginning of the story is the verger of St. Peter's Church in Neville Square .   2) Who is a Verger? A verger is a church officer who typically takes care of the church building and assists in religious services. 3) Why is the verger dismissed from his position? The verger is dismissed from his position because he is illiterate and refuses to learn to read and write as requested by the new vicar. 4) Why didn't Foreman like the new Vicar? In "The Verger," Foreman didn't like the new vicar because he felt the vicar was not suitable for the church 5) Why did Foreman refuse to learn to read and write? In "The Verger," Foreman initially refuses to learn to read and write because he feels too old ...

 Hardin B. Jones' essay, "Dangers of Drug Abuse," would likely begin by underscoring the widespread problem of drug misuse and its serious consequences for both individuals and society. He would immediately establish a firm stance against it, drawing on his scientific background to present a cautionary and evidence-based discussion. The essay would then delve into the physical harm caused by drug abuse, detailing how various substances damage specific organs like the liver, lungs, heart, and kidneys.  Jones would explain the neurobiological impact, including the development of tolerance and dependence, the agony of withdrawal, and the potential for long-term neurological damage. He would also likely discuss how drug abuse weakens the immune system and accelerates the aging process, ultimately reducing lifespan and overall vitality. Moving to the psychological realm, the essay would explore the strong links between drug abuse and mental health disorders such as depression,...

Swami Vivekananda's "great journey to the West" primarily refers to his transformative travels to the United States and Europe between 1893 and 1896, and a subsequent shorter visit in 1899-1900. This journey was pivotal in introducing Hinduism and Vedanta philosophy to the Western world and left a lasting impact on both the East and the West.   The Impetus and the Journey:  * The Parliament of the World's Religions (1893): The primary catalyst for Vivekananda's journey was the Parliament of the World's Religions held in Chicago as part of the World's Columbian Exposition. He felt a divine calling and was urged by his disciples and admirers in India to attend and represent Hinduism.  * Financial Constraints and Divine Aid: Initially facing financial difficulties, Vivekananda's trip was made possible through the support of his devotees and, as he believed, through divine intervention.  * The Voyage: He embarked from Bombay (now Mumbai) on May 31, 1893, t...

 "On the Way to Koregaon" by Ambedkar "On the Way to Koregaon" is a powerful and poignant autobiographical essay by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, recounting his childhood experience of traveling with his siblings to Koregaon to meet his father, who was serving in the British Indian Army.  The essay vividly portrays the harsh realities of untouchability and the deep-seated discrimination Ambedkar faced even as a young boy. The essay begins with Ambedkar and his siblings undertaking the journey to Koregaon. They are traveling without their parents, relying on the kindness of strangers. Right from the outset, Ambedkar highlights their anxiety and fear, not just of the journey itself, but of the social interactions they might encounter due to their caste. As they travel by bullock cart, they reach a point where the cart driver, a Muslim man, realizes that the children belong to the "untouchable" Mahar caste. Upon this realization, his demeanor changes drastically. He ref...

 "Karma" by Khushwant Singh The story opens by introducing Sir Mohan Lal, a middle-aged Indian barrister who prides himself on his Anglophilia.  He meticulously cultivates a British persona, from his Savile Row suit and Balliol tie to his affected Oxford accent and his habit of quoting English poets.  He views himself as a refined gentleman, a cut above the "native" Indians. His world revolves around the anticipation of meeting English people, whom he deeply admires and seeks approval from.  He carries with him The Times newspaper, even if days old, as a symbol of his connection to British culture. He often gazes at his reflection in the mirror, admiring his perceived Englishness and engaging in self-congratulatory internal dialogues in English. In stark contrast, we are introduced to his wife, Lachmi, a traditional Indian woman. She is described as short, stout, and wearing simple, unadorned clothes. She speaks Hindustani and chews betel leaves.  Sir Mohan is a...

  My son brought home a seagull with a damaged wing his mother and sister helped him fuss over it and feed the wild, ungrateful thing. They treated the raw, unfeathered  patch and tied the drooping limb  to its body with strip of cloth; deciding not to name him yet,  they placed him for the night in a shoebox lined with an old towel complete with plastic tot of water and two smelly sprats, procured  with difficulty at such short warning. The boy guessed all would be right,  come morning. In fact the thing died. When I checked before breakfast, it was stiff, and rank death had already attracted a phalanx  of tiny ants. My son said nothing;  looked at it awhile, then dealt it an almighty kick, box and all and sent it crashing into the opposite wall. so much for the nameless bird. sister and mother were aghast,  upset he could be so uncaring. But l understood why he kicked it  and aproved, beneath the mandatory frown. I think it's right to ...

  The short story "Drought" by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay offers a poignant portrayal of the struggles faced by a rural village during a severe drought in Bengal.  Through the narrative of Gafur, a poor weaver, the story explores themes of poverty, human resilience, and the devastating effects of natural disasters. Gafur's life is marked by hardship: his land is parched, his crops have failed, and he has no food or water for himself, his daughter Amina, or his bull, Mahesh.  The drought leads to widespread famine, and Gafur's plight worsens as his debt increases and his bull becomes a source of both emotional and practical concern. The bull, once a source of livelihood, is unable to survive in the drought, leading to tragic consequences. The story illustrates the deep bond between Gafur and his bull, highlighting the compassion and care he shows towards it despite his poverty.  His decision to strike the bull, driven by desperation and anger, is a heartbreaking mo...

"The Tell-Tale Heart"  short story by  Edgar Allan Poe   "The Tell-Tale Heart" is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, first published in 1843. It is a suspenseful and chilling tale of guilt, madness, and the consequences of crime. Summary: The story is narrated by an unnamed protagonist who insists that he is not mad, but instead suffers from a heightened sensitivity of the senses. He describes his intense hearing ability, claiming he can hear things others cannot, including sounds from far distances. The narrator's obsession with an old man's eye—an "evil eye" that is pale, blue, and vulture-like—becomes the central focus of the story. The narrator reveals that he has been living with the old man for several years, further he also  denies having any feelings of hatred or resentment for the man who had, as stated, "never wronged" the narrator. The narrator also denies having killed for greed , but  each night, he sneaks into the old man...

The Boy Who Broke The Bank by Ruskin Bond Text of the Story  Nathu grumbled to himself as he swept the steps of the Pipalnagar Bank, owned by Seth Govind Ram. He used the small broom hurriedly and carelessly, and the dust, after rising in a cloud above his head settled down again on the steps.  As Nathu was banging his pan against a dustbin, Sitaram, the washerman’s son, passed by. Sitaram was on his delivery round. He had a bundle of freshly pressed clothes balanced on his head. ‘Don’t raise such dust!’ he called out to Nathu. ‘Are you annoyed because they are still refusing to pay you an extra two rupees a month?’ ‘I don’t wish to talk about it,’ complained the sweeper-boy. ‘I haven’t even received my regular pay.  And this is the twentieth of the month. Who would think a bank would hold up a poor man’s salary? As soon as I get my money, I’m off! Not another week I work in this place.’ And Nathu banged the pan against the dustbin several times, just to emphasize hi...

Shooting an Elephant by george orwell Full Text of the Story   In Moulmein, in lower Burma, I was hated by large numbers of people – the only time in my life that I have been important enough for this to happen to me. I was sub-divisional police officer of the town, and in an aimless, petty kind of way anti-European feeling was very bitter. No one had the guts to raise a riot, but if a European woman went through the bazaars alone somebody would probably spit betel juice over her dress.  As a police officer I was an obvious target and was baited whenever it seemed safe to do so. When a nimble Burman tripped me up on the football field and the referee (another Burman) looked the other way, the crowd yelled with hideous laughter. This happened more than once. In the end the sneering yellow faces of young men that met me everywhere, the insults hooted after me when I was at a safe distance, got badly on my nerves. The young Buddhist priests were the worst of all. There were sever...

" The Little Mermaid" by Hans Christian Andersen   Text of the Story F AR   out in the ocean, where the water is as blue as the prettiest cornflower, and as clear as crystal, it is very, very deep; so deep, indeed, that no cable could fathom it: many church steeples, piled one upon another, would not reach from the ground beneath to the surface of the water above. There dwell the Sea King and his subjects. We must not imagine that there is nothing at the bottom of the sea but bare yellow sand. No, indeed; the most singular flowers and plants grow there; the leaves and stems of which are so pliant, that the slightest agitation of the water causes them to stir as if they had life. Fishes, both large and small, glide between the branches, as birds fly among the trees here upon land. In the deepest spot of all, stands the castle of the Sea King. Its walls are built of coral, and the long, gothic windows are of the clearest amber. The roof is formed of shells, that open and cl...