Srushti chaudhari

             This blog, inspired by a thought-provoking activity assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad, delves into key insights from two video analyses. By examining these videos, we have gained a deeper and more nuanced understanding of 1984 and its broader themes.  Click here 1984 Video:1 "God is Power":               In 1984,  George Orwell includes references to God, which may seem unusual because the society in the novel—Oceania—is strictly atheistic. The ruling Party does not allow religion, and its leader, Big Brother, is treated almost like a god himself. Orwell, known for being critical of organized religion, deliberately introduces the idea of "God" in a world where faith has been erased.                The word "God" is mentioned about eight times in the novel, but it only appears late in the story. One of the most important moments is when O’Brien, a powerful ...

The Nobel Prize in Literature, Bob Dylan, and Robert Frost: A Deep Dive into Literary and Poetic Genius:                 The announcement of Bob Dylan as the recipient of the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature sparked a global debate that continues to resonate in literary and musical circles. Dylan, primarily known as a singer-songwriter, was awarded the prestigious prize "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition." This decision raised questions about the boundaries of literature, the nature of poetry, and the role of music in storytelling. In this blog, we will explore the debate surrounding Dylan's Nobel Prize, compare and contrast his work with that of Robert Frost, and analyze the storytelling techniques both artists use to convey philosophical and socio-cultural ideas. The Debate Surrounding Bob Dylan's Nobel Prize in Literature (2016):                When Bob Dylan...

Exploring Time, Gender, and Biography in Virginia Woolf’s "Orlando"            Virginia Woolf                   Virginia Woolf (1882–1941) was a pioneering English writer and one of the most influential figures of 20th-century modernist literature. Known for her innovative narrative techniques, such as stream-of-consciousness, Woolf explored themes of identity, time, gender, and mental health in her works. Her notable novels include "Mrs. Dalloway" (1925), "To the Lighthouse" (1927), and "Orlando" (1928). A central figure in the Bloomsbury Group, Woolf was also an essayist and feminist thinker, famously arguing for women’s intellectual freedom in "A Room of One’s Own" (1929). Her life and work continue to inspire readers and writers worldwide.                                  Virginia Woolf’s " Orlando : A Biography" is a gr...

Flipped Classroom Activity: “The Waste Land” as a Pandemic Poem                I watched the two assigned videos on “The Waste Land” as a pandemic poem, embedded at the bottom of the linked blog. While watching, I took detailed handwritten notes to capture key ideas and insights. Below, I’ve expanded these notes into comprehensive summaries for each video. Expanded Summaries of the Videos: Video 1:                    “The Waste Land” as a Pandemic Poem   This video explores how T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land” resonates with the experiences of living through a pandemic. The speaker draws parallels between the poem’s depiction of a fragmented, decaying world and the collective sense of dislocation and despair during the COVID-19 pandemic.   Key points include:   Fragmentation and Disintegration:                          ...

 Exploring War, Modernism, and Yeats’s Poetic Vision: Introduction of W.B.Yeats:                                                             W.B.Yeats   (1865–1939) was an Irish poet, dramatist, and one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. A key player in the Irish Literary Revival, Yeats co-founded the Abbey Theatre and was deeply involved in Ireland’s cultural and political life. His poetry evolved from early Romantic and Celtic influences to a more modernist style, marked by complex symbolism and themes of mysticism, history, and the human condition. Notable works include “The Tower” (1928), “The Winding Stair” (1933), and iconic poems like “The Second Coming” and “Sailing to Byzantium”. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923, Yeats remains celebrated for his profound exploration of identity, spiritualit...

“ For Whom the Bell Tolls ” by Ernest Hemingway : Introduction of Author:                                                             Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) was an American novelist, short-story writer, and journalist, widely regarded as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. Known for his distinctive writing style characterized by simplicity and economy of language, Hemingway pioneered the "Iceberg Theory" (or theory of omission), where deeper meanings are implied rather than explicitly stated. His works often explore themes of courage, masculinity, love, war, and loss, reflecting his own experiences as an ambulance driver in World War I, a journalist during the Spanish Civil War, and an avid adventurer. Some of his most famous works include “The Sun Also Rises” (1926), “A Farewell to Arms” (1929), “For Whom t...

Pre-reading task based on the film “Vita & Virginia”:                                                                      Vita  &  Virginia 1) The letters function not only as a medium of communication between the two central characters but also as a narrative tool within the film:                The letters in Vita & Virginia serve a dual purpose. Primarily, they act as a medium of intimate communication between Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West, allowing them to express their thoughts, emotions, and desires in a way that transcends their physical interactions. The letters reveal the depth of their intellectual and emotional connection, showcasing their shared passion for literature and their mutual fascination with each other.     ...

What is Archetypal Criticism?             Archetypal Criticism is a type of literary analysis that interprets texts by focusing on recurring myths, symbols, and archetypes—universal patterns and themes that appear across cultures and time periods. Rooted in the work of Carl Jung, who proposed the concept of the "collective unconscious," archetypal criticism suggests that certain symbols and narratives resonate deeply within the human psyche because they are part of our shared psychological heritage. Key concepts in archetypal criticism include: 1. Archetypes : Universal symbols or motifs, such as the Hero, the Mother, the Trickster, the Journey, or the Quest. These archetypes appear in myths, dreams, and literature, reflecting fundamental human experiences. 2. Collective:  Unconscious: Jung's idea that all humans share a reservoir of unconscious experiences and memories, which manifest in archetypes. 3. Mythic Patterns : Archetypal critics often ident...