Invitation
- Shel Silverstein, USA (1930-1999)
Poem
Literal comprehension
The poem “Invitation” has been written by 20th century’s American poet Shel Silverstein. The speaker in the poem requests different persons with different character to accompany with him by sitting at the side of the fire. To participate in literary activity, the reader may be a dreamer, a liar, a hoper, a prayer, a magic bean buyer, or a pretender. So, whatever the readers are these all readers are invited by the speaker to sit by him with an open mind and be ready to take part in Flax-golden tales telling program. For unfolding flax-golden tales, he invites readers by uttering the word ‘come’ for four times.
Interpretation
In the poem ‘Invitation’, the poet Shel Silverstein might be trying to convey to us the message that modern people are not much more interested in reading and enjoying literature. May be, they have not properly been invited for good readership because they became liar, pretenders, dreamer, hoper, prayer, magic bean buyers. Therefore, invited the readers to read because when they have inner desire for study they will start to read and will be ready to spin colorful Flax-golden tales. The speaker’s intention seems to make young and modern people more imaginative, creative and have fun in reading literature.
Critical thinking
The speaker’s intention in the poem seems to make the people more creative and productive by developing good habit of study. It is able to draw the attention of different readers. Due to the repetitive structural pattern, the poet seems to be able to convince the readers to go with him to spin some beautiful piece of literature. The repetitive use of ‘come’ has focused much on importance of reading and the value of good readers. How can one be more creative and interested in literature if there is no passion with him? Only invitation without interest becomes useless. Still the poem is able to arise some keen interest for reading.
Assimilation
Before reading this poem, I did not have belief that the people, except scholar, like dreamer, wisher, prayer, magic bean buyer, liar, pretender can be invited by the writer to participate in flax-golden tales telling program (Literary Program). I did not think the literature can be the source of knowledge and entertainment even for ordinary people. So this poem is able to bring change in me. And I started to think literature can touch all the people if they are guided sincerely by the scholars.
END
Yudhisthira’s Wisdom
Source: MAHABHARATA
Characters:
Five Pandavas and Yaksha
Yudhisthira
Bhim Kunti’s Son
Arjun
Nahakul
Sahadeva Madri’s Son
Settings:- In jungle, exile period, hunting for a deer, thirsty and tired
Yudhisthira sends his entire brother to fetch the water
Nobody returns
He himself moves to search his brothers
Finds beautiful pool, brothers prostrating on ground
Yaksha (Yama) warned him not to drink the water before answering his queries
Yudhisthira answers all the queries of Yaksha tactfully
Being happy, Yaksha gives life to all his brothers
Main ideas: be obedient to god, elders
- Be patience in difficult time
- Be sincere, honest, have right conduct
Literal Comprehension/summary
Once, Pandava brothers were exhausted chasing a deer in a jungle when they were in exile period. Yudhisthira was too thirsty so he said his four brothers to fetch some water one by one. But no one returned back. Anxious Yudhisthira went away in search of his brothers. He found all his brothers near the bank of enchanted pool lying unconscious. He saw a beautiful pool over there. He became too much sad seeing such condition of his brothers. As he was thirsty, he knelt down to drink the water but at the same time he heard that somebody warned not to drink that water. Yaksha warned him not to drink the water until and unless he gives the answer of his question. Despite his deep thirst to drink the water, he waited for Yaksha’s question. Yudhisthira was wise and patience too. He answered all the queries of Yaksha tactfully. He had also shown his wisdom by choosing Nahakul, a stepbrother from Madri instead of choosing his own brother from Kunti. Because of his wise knowledge, Yaksha restored all his brothers and blessed that during his exile period; no one could recognize and harm them.
Interpretation
By presenting the character of Yudhisthira, the writer wants to show us the importance of wisdom, patience, obedience to gods and right conduct. Yudhisthira has all these essential qualities of human life. According to the writer, without these qualities human life is meaningless. So the central idea of the story is that, we should not lose our patience and confidence even in difficult moment. We should be tactful to face the every challenges of the life like Yudhisthira. The story writer is totally against the selfish motive. He says that we should do selfless services to human beings.
Critical analysis
The subject matter of the story is the greatness of Yudhisthira. The writer has pointed out the hidden qualities of Yudhisthira. His attitude towards his stepbrother was also positive. But when we critically think the view points of the writer, we find some disagreeable ideas. Some people may not believe in the existence of the Gods. How about that invisible voice and why Yaksha only asked such questions only to Yudhisthira? What about unscientific answers given by the Yudhisthira? Can we say that patience and righteousness always are awarded in this world?
Assimilation
After reading the story, I understand the value of the wisdom and other qualities that should be in our life. The writer also gives us the idea that we should not lose our patience in difficult situation. He suggests us to be tactful and fair.
END
The Brave Little Parrot
Source: Buddhist legend
Character:
The little parrot
The golden eagle (the God)
Literal comprehension
Once a time, Buddha got birth in the form of parrot. One day a storm took a place and created the fire in his jungles home. All the animals of the jungle ran wildly to escape about the safe place. The parrot also flew to go about the river. While going at the river, he saw too many animals trapped in the jungle. The desperate/risky idea came in him to save those animals. He flew about the river. He dipped in to it. He came at the centre of the fire and shook his feathers to put our fire by releasing some drops of the water. The drops of the water vanished without working against fire. He continued his work where his feathers and legs were burned, eyes turned red and lungs got ache.
At that time, some of the gods were enjoying flying in the sky. They laughed at the work of the parrot and commented on him by saying foolish bird. But one of the Gods among them was kind and had disguised himself as a golden eagle and came to the fiery path of that parrot. He advised the parrot to save his life. When parrot replied by saying he is in need of help not the advice, then the God was ashamed by looking other Gods who were laughing and talking being carefree about the event of the jungle and the suffering of the animals. He realized his power and claimed to help parrot. He wept dropping the tears from the eyes. His tears changed in to stream. The water of the streams fell over parrot animals and jungle. These waves of the stream put out the fire. Everything of the jungle got new life. Trees and grass became green and fresh. The feathers of the parrot became colorful. The parrot, being happy, was flying over the sky. Other animals became too much because they were whole and well. They cry with the happiness by saying “Hurray” to gratitude their friend The Brave Little Parrot and wonderful rain.
Interpretation
This story “The Brave Little Parrot” has been taken from Buddhist legend. This story is trying to convey us the message to be selfless help others in difficulties and proceed to get gratitude in return. In this story, the brave little parrot was selfless so his selflessness creates bravery in him to protect the wild animals of his jungle from the dangerous fire. Another thing the story is try to tell us is that those person who has the experience of suffering, they help in others suffering. Last but not the least, this story is trying to convey the message to do a simple work instead of uttering lots of words.
Critical thinking
This story is talking about Buddha’s reincarnation in the form of the parrot. But do we people of this 21st century believe in the existence of the Gods and reincarnation of them and any other creatures in the form of the birds and animals? In the same way one of the Gods changed himself in to the golden eagle. Is it possible? Buddha being parrot and one God being golden eagle are talking as human being? Can the birds talk like human being in real life? When the eagle wept, his tears changed into the stream and created the waves to put out the fire. How is it possible? Besides these confusing ideas, the story gives some praiseworthy thoughts to human being by giving moral lesson to be selfless, kind and helpful which are aspects to be felt by heart and to be applied in our life too.
Assimilation
Before reading this lesson, I had not known the value of being selfless, kind and helpful. But it gives be me moral lesson to be selfless, kind and helpful to get gratitude from others.
END
Ahab and Naboth
Source: Bible
Character: Ahab - King of Samaria
Naboth - Common man
Queen Jezebel- wife of the Ahab
Eli’jah: messenger of the god
Setting: Vineyard Near the palace of the King
- Ahab Tried to capture/possess to vineyard
- Naboth refused to give vineyard
- Jezebel sent letter to the elders of her city in the name of the Naboth giving order to accuse Naboth of disrespecting god and king and kill him by stoning
- Naboth was killed by stoning by officials as told by them
- Ahab went to capture the vineyard
- He got the message from god through Eli’jah
- As he killed Naboth, he would also be killed in the same way.
Moral Idea: “what you give, receive the same”
- No crime is hidden from the eyes of the god
- God is omnipresent
- Cruelty of the king towards common people
Literal comprehension
The story is taken from the holy book, Bible. In the story, Naboth, a common man, had a vineyard near the palace of King Ahab of Samaria. One day Ahab asked Naboth to give him the vineyard but Naboth refused to give him saying that it was his forefather’s property. This made Ahab very sad. He went home with a heavy heart and didn’t take anything. She consoled him and told him to be happy. Jezebel wrote a letter to the nobles of the city where Naboth lived. In that letter she had order to accuse Naboth of disrespecting the God and king and kill him by stoning. The officials did accordingly. Naboth, an innocent person, lost his life in-vain to satisfy the possessive nature of the king. When the king went to capture the vineyard, He got the message from god through Eli’jah that as he killed Naboth, he would also be killed in the same way.
Interpretation
This ancient tale tries to teach us a moral lesson that god can see everything what we do. Although, we have done the crime secretly or misusing the power, it is not hidden from the eyes of the god. This story also shows that what deeds we do we will get the results accordingly. Moreover this story also shows that powerful people are cruel and selfish
Critical analysis
Though the story gives us the moral lesson, there are some disagreeable ideas. If god is omnipresent why did he punish king, not the real criminal queen? King is rich himself, why did he needs vineyard of a common person? Could not he buy such vineyards? Was the society so cruel to kill the man by stoning?
Assimilation
The story reminded me the history of my own country. During the Rana Regime, the Rana prime-ministers used to seize the property of the common people by using the force if they like that. They even used to kidnap the wives and daughters of the common people, if they like. But eventually, their regime fell down and established the democracy. Thus the story left the very good impression on me.
END
If Not Higher
I. L. Peretz, Poland (1852-1915)
Literal comprehension
In every Friday morning, at the time of penitential prayer, The Rabbi, teacher of Nemirov’s Jews used to disappear; he was not found in his house or the place where religious services were performed. Some Jews of calculated about by saying he might have gone to heaven to report what he sees. Among them Lithuanion Jews, Litvak planned to know Rabbi’s reality.
Right after the evening prayer, Litvak went to see the reality at the Rabbi’s house lay under his bed secretly and observed what Rabbi was doing by being awake all over the night. In the early morning, after all people went for the penitential prayer, Rabbi wore the peasant clothes and went to the jungle by taking an axe. He cut the trees and carried the bundle of firewood on his back to the town. He stopped at the door of the hut and knocked. There was a sick, widow, Jewish woman wearing ragged clothes. He gave the firewood to her in credit and started kindling the fire. He put the firewood in to the oven and recited the first part of the penitential prayer. He kindled the fire and recited happily the second part and finally when the fire was set out he recited the third/last part of the penitential prayer.
Looking all these activities and Rabbi’s Human services, Litvak was influenced very much from him and became his disciple. After this, when other disciples tells about Rabbis ascending to heaven, he does not laugh but only adds ‘if not higher’. It means if the heaven is not the higher position he has gone more than that, Rabbi can go at higher position than heaven.
Interpretation
This story ‘If Not Higher’ is written by I. L. Peretz, one of the most respected writer got birth in Poland. In this story, he has described about the important way of practicing the religion. The writer wants to say that service to Humanity is the best way to get the favor of the God. The pious and good activities of Rabbi are the greatest activity in religion. Rabbi is doing much human services. He is not going at Syangogue in the time of penitential prayer. It means that only reading/reciting the holy books or mantras in front of the statues of the Gods in not the way to be religious to keep the God happy. Th ebest way to keep the happy is helping the poor and helpless people. It means services to humanity are the services to God. Therefore, we can conclude by saying that this story glorifies the service of Rabbi to humanity.
Critical analysis
The story ‘If Not Higher’ had described the important way to practice religion. Along with it, it has other things created confusion in me and makes to disagree somewhere else. The Jews of Nemirov’s are calculating about Rabbi’s ascending to heaven. How is it possible to calculate Human being’s ascending to heaven in their life? The Rabbi, teacher of Nemirov’s Jews is spending very ideal life. He is to conduct penitential prayer by going at synagogue. He did not go there; instead, he went to human service. Can all Rabbi/priest do like him? Can the entire Rabbi disappear from synagogue? Can the entire Rabbi know what the poor are doing without seeing them? Can we regard someone as Rabbi/priest if he doesn’t practices the traditional way of praying? Is it possible to find out such ideal person in this world?
Assimilation
I think it is very useful story to any religious people who think the religion means only going to the temple and church and participating there in praying. They do not take human service as the part of the religion to keep God happy. They think that they can keep god happy by going at religious places and they can ascend to heaven by such activities. So, I think, if such people read this story, they will know that they are not getting the favor of the God and they are not the actual follower of the God. After reading this story, they will realize that they can get the favor of the God when they are able to serve human being equally in need. Then their activities will be oriented for human services like Rabbi of Nemirov. This story reminded me of Devakota’s ‘Yatri’ poem as well.
END
Phaedo
- Plato, Greece (428/427 BC to 348/347 BC)
Literal comprehension
Phaedo, a devoted disciple of Socrates presented at the last day of Socrates, is reporting to Echecrates another disciple about the last moment of Socrates death and his philosophy of life, death and rebirth. Socrates was accused of misleading the youth of Athens by teaching his philosophy to hold free opinion. As the ruler declared his death penalty/ life sentence it was delayed because of pious mission from Athens to Delos.
On the day of Socrates execution, his friends and relatives had come to prison early in the morning. The day had been passed by teaching philosophy of life death and rebirth. His family member and relatives were sad. He took bath and sent all family members at home. The prison officers came and said that Socrates had to drink poison (Hemlock) that day. That officer felt worried cried and went away. Socrates praised that officer and sent his man to bring the poison. When the poison was offered, he drank it calmly. Seeing that his friends began to weep but he scolded them. When the poison was spreading all parts of his body, his last were to his friend Crieto asking him to offer a cock to healing God Asclepius That was the end of our the bravest, the wisest ant the most of upright.
Interpretation
The philosophical story ‘Phaedo’ has portrayed the philosophy of the Socrates about the life, death and rebirth. For Socrates, death is the beginning of new life but it is not the end of the life. Death is certain after our birth but it is important for us because it provides chance for entering into another beautiful life. Socrates was not unhappy at the time of execution because he was entering not to the death but to new life. So he asked Crieto to offer a cock for healing God for Asclepius. The god was offered a cock because Socrates thought that heavenly happiness can be achieved only after death. For him, the Greek medicine Asclepius cured his soul by distracting it from flesh. Thus, here death is described as a faith to heavenly happiness.
Critical thinking
This story is able to develop the capacity in to people to face the death fearlessly. Socrates faced death without any fear to teach people his philosophy about life, death and rebirth but there are some confusing things in the story which makes me to disagree. For Socrates death means entering into another world which is with heavenly happiness. How is it possible for human being to be into another world after death? Are the heavenly taking heavenly happiness into another world? Who has seen the heavenly world and its status either it has difficulties or comfort? Can we find Socrates like person at present? Socrates was very happy during the time of drinking poison to die so he offered a cock to God Asclepius to thank him. Can a person become cheerful at the last hour of life? Can man offer cock to the God in the name of entering into another world.
Assimilation
This story develops the capacity in me to face the death fearlessly because it is inevitable. Before reading this story, I was thinking death as a complete end of human being. After knowing the philosophy of Socrates, I came to now that death is also means for getting rid of terrible life that we are getting presently. So I am feeling that I will do the positive work till my existence and will not afraid of death because it’s inevitable.
END
The Cricket
- P’u Sung-Ling, China (1640-1715)
Literal Comprehension/Summary
The story ‘The Cricket’ is written by the 17th century Chinese writer P’u Sung-Ling. It deals about cricket fighting in China which began in Tang dynasty and became very much popular during Ming reign. Ordinary people were selected to supply the cricket. The village Floral Shade was made a main supplier of cricket. The clever officers made Make-good of the local area the neighborhood head. Make-good had to fulfill the quota of cricket but he could not fulfill. So, he was willing to die. The officials made Made-good wounded. In that time Make-good was not willing to remain alive. His wife suggested him to go in search of cricket himself but he was unable to find the cricket. When a fortune teller came to the village his wife consulted with her on the trouble. Later, she advised him to go in search of cricket by taking a picture and she gave a picture to her. Then Make-good was able to find a cricket and bought it home keeping in a box.
Unfortunately, the cricket was released by his nine-year old son and killed in catching back. Make-goods wife scolded her and threatened him by talking about the punishment of his father. When the father came at home, the boy was found dead near the well. As the parents wanted to bury it, the child breathed slightly. They left the boy at home asleep and busied themselves to find a small size cricket and brought to different combat for competition. The cricket became a champion among all. Later, it was sent to the Magistrate, Magistrate to the Governor and finally the Governor to the Emperor. Finally the cricket was able to win the cricket from all over the nation. The governor was awarded and magistrate was praised. Make-good was also awarded with high education degree and lots of the respect and property. Later his son woke up from his unconscious situation because he had shifted his spirit in to cricket to help his helpless parents into cricket fighting.
Interpretation
The story ‘The Cricket’ by 17th century Chinese writer Ling has clearly given the past history of the China during Ming Reign. In the authoritarian rule of Ming reign, common rural people were controlled and dominated in the name of the culture. There was no freedom to people in bad reign system. Make-good like innocent and honest people were punished for no reason. At that time, the value of human right was less than an insect like cricket – it also focuses on the ideas, that cultural exercises have both contrastive and destructive results. It might also be trying to say that one should keep on doing hard work to meet our goal, sooner a later happiness comes in life. It has also clearly portrayed the authoritarian ruling system and its bad impacts on common peoples
Critical thinking
The ups and downs of Make-good are really heart touching idea in this story ‘The cricket’. When there is authoritarian ruling system, many poor people and lower class people are victimized. We should be optimistic when we get the problem is the moral lesson of this story which is acceptable. Still, there some disagreeable points. Is it good to commit suicide or want to die when we are in trouble like Make-good? Do present world’s people believe in Tantras and Mantras? Do present people go like Make-good’s wife to consult with the fortune teller about their coming future? How can a boys spirit shift in to the cricket? Can a tiny cricket be champion among bigger ones? Can anyone forget serious child, like Make-good and his wife, giving more focus on their work? But the bad impact of the bad reign system and cultural exercises portrayed in the story is agreeable to all.
Assimilation
After reading the story ‘The Cricket’, it got the idea that our life is not only a blooming rose rather it s the combination of ups and downs/happiness and sadness. Sometimes, we can be unsuccessful in achieving the goal but sooner or later we will meet our aims. So we should not take any tension in the small unsuccessful events in our life. We must be evergreen in our life. Our duty is to do our work and success is sure to follow us like Make-good in the story.
END
The Sword of Damocles
Source - Greek Legend
Literal Comprehension
The story “The Sword of Damocles” is taken from Greek legend. The story shares the lesson that unlimited power and wealth does not certainly bring us happiness and satisfaction. The story is about the king Dionysius, who teach moral lesson to his courtier Damocles about his unlimited power and wealth.
Dionysius was the cruel king of Sicily at 4th century B.C. He was cruel with his harsh treatment to his subjects. He had strong security to be safe from daily fears like other tyrants; he enjoyed to be surrounded by intellectual society. He had a great no’s of flatterer as well. They thought to gain favor with him by means their constant praised. Among them Damocles was one of the most famous foolish flatter. He was always praising the happiness and divine gifts of Dionysius to sit on throne of Sicily.
The conning king mighty king Dionysius completely troubled with continual unnecessary compliments of Damocles. So, he determined to teach his foolish courtier Damocles a wise lesson. He offered Damocles to sit upon his throne with all respected when there was a big feast. Then Damocles could know how challenging to be in the highest part in the following days. Boasting over his friends, Damocles waited until next day feast time with excitement with high honors. Damocles was offered the throne of Sicily – He was enjoying with varieties of foods and public respected. He was not bearing the headache due to heaviness of golden crown. His happiness completely ended when he noticed a sword hanging over his head with a single hair. He was afraid and requested the king to make him free. But the king never let him free until the banquet was over. When Damocles was freed from the throne, he got the lesson that boundless wealth and power does not bring happiness and satisfaction, that though a high position has its honor and glory; it also has its danger. So one must be strong and of a good courage and most digest different challenges to gain mighty power and strong post.
Interpretation
The story, based on Greek legend, might be trying to point out that possessing wealth, power and high position certainly doesn’t bring us happiness and satisfaction. Because, though the high position has its honor and glory, it has also its dangers. Wealth, power and high position are attractive on the surface, because one has bear great challenges and live at the cost of the life. One must be strong enough and of good courage to gain mighty power and strong posts. So, Dionysius, the king of Sicily has taught this moral to the flatter Damocles who only glorifies the happiness of sitting on throne by explaining surface happiness.
Critical thinking
The story ‘The Sword of Damocles’, based on the Greek legend, is able to leave some moral lessons to the reader about the wealth, power and high position because we normally think that who are in highest post with power and wealth are happy and comfortable. But there is not happiness in wealth, power and high position as our thinking. Along with this moral lesson, this story has some of the arguments which create confusion in me. I have known that Greek is a country for the origin of democracy. How is it possible to be cruel king like Dionysius in free democratic country? Here, a sharp sword is hung with a single string of hair. How can sharp edged sword be hung with a single string of hair? Is it possible to be tyrant king like Dionysius in present time?
Assimilation
After reading this story, I came to know that happiness and glorification of great people is only in surface because they too have problem in real life like other people. In the context of Nepal also we common people are scolding and getting jealous of political leaders’ glory and comfortable life but in reality their lives are also not as much as we think, and they have much more trouble in comparison to us it is because if the nation undergoes then they have to face all the blames nationally and internationally.
END
The Library Card
- Richard Wright, USA (1908-1960)
Literal Comprehension
This story is taken from an autobiographical novel ‘The Black Boy’ written by Richard Wright, an American Novelist, in the beginning of the 20th century.
One morning, when Richard Wright was reading the newspaper ‘Memphis Commercial’, he came to read a furious denunciation of Mencken on the editorial page of newspaper. That surprised Richard Wright, a black man of 19 years. He had thought only the black person was hated, not the white man. It makes him curious to know about Menken. He thought a lot to know about Menken because Negroes were not allowed to go to library and take book. He did not asked his boss and other white friends about the library card because these people have negative attitude about black people. Lastly he borrowed the library card from Irish Catholic Mr. Falk. Richard cunningly forged or note and managed to bring two books ‘The Book of Preface” and “Prejudice” of Menken. Richard read these two books in his rented home and knew that Menken had mucked the American white people. After reading books, he realized that he had neglected something important in life. The world became different to him. Reading became his passion. He also read the famous writers’ book of the world. He went on reading and widened his mind.
Richard Wright was able to his boss better. His interest was in the point of view of the writer rather than the plot. He was able to understand his mothers suffering. Books gave him a sense of life itself. He tried to write in the papers but he stopped. He did not like to talk about himself in the paper because it was too painful. His life in south was so controlled that he had to do what the whites expected of him. He was not allowed to do what he himself wanted. To maintain a free life, he had to go to the north. But neither could go at the north nor could fight against white because he had no hope of being a professional writer after going to the north. So he got confused.
Interpretation
This story ‘The Library Card’ has described the importance of desire to get progress in life. Here, when Richard Wrights feels the importance of education, he paves the way for gaining it. He is Negro who was not allowed to read in South America during 1920’s. But he managed to read. His attempt is able to catch the essence of one’s saying ‘where there is a will, there is a way’. Along with it, this story has portrayed the racial discrimination at South America during the time of 1920’s. not having the library card with black man Richard Wright is the best example of racial discrimination.
Critical analysis
The story ‘The Library Card’ is able to inspire reader to get success in life. Along with this inspiration, this story’s some of the arguments create confusion in me. At present, America is considered as the democratic country and has become the central of the world’s people. How is this country able to bring such a change within few years? Richard Wright was provided library card by a white man Mr. Falk. How could a white man provide library card to the black man who all of the white people used to hate. If the writer knows that white people always hate them, then why he took the help from white people and why he did not search for other way to get the knowledge.
END
Why go to University?
Moti Nissani, USA (1947-)
Literal comprehension
The essay ‘Why go to University?’ is written by versatile American writer Moti Nissani. In this essay he has described about the reasons for not going to University and going to University to portray the disadvantages and advantages of going University. There are some of the disadvantages of going to University which are the reasons of not going university. We have to over work instead of enjoying. We should face different problems which creates additional worries in us. The results of different tests do not always create happiness in us. In another hand, we cannot use that time to earn money. Increasing knowledge also makes people responsible for social problems.
However, we find many more reasons/advantages of going to university.
1. The first advantage of going University is obtaining the knowledge. And that knowledge can be helpful for us all over the life.
2. University education helps an individual to get a job and promotion. He/she can improve his/her income and social position. A nation becomes rich not because of its land, natural resources or population but because of its well-educated people. Such a nation will enjoy freedom, political stability, prosperity and higher quality of life.
3. Knowledge saves people from different difficulties in life. Educated people are reasonable, tolerant, and thoughtful so they can solve personal conflicts by acting sensibly. They can avoid collective misbehavior and can save them from different problems.
4. Education and good health are interrelated. Educated people enjoy better health than other people. They know how to keep them healthy. They do not do those things which are harmful to health. If there are some problems of health, they do not ignore them. They do not allow unnecessary operations.
5. Reading is the exercise of the mind. When we keep on reading our mind gets more exercise. Then our mind becomes capable to solve easily even difficult problems.
6. Knowledgeable people are respected in the civilized as well as in an uncivilized society. Knowledgeable people may have many of the good qualities in life. But if he not educated he is considered to be deficient in some ways which will damage his position in the society and he seems inferior in his own eyes.
7. Human beings as well as animals are curious about the world around him. But some of the human beings become less curious as they grow up. Those who are curious love knowledge. University education develops the curiosity in human being. When they are curious about knowledge, they do not use knowledge for earning money; instead, they get pleasure by reading.
8. A university is the place where we are in contact with new people, new books, new knowledge and new experiences. By interacting with all those things, we can make our social horizons and mental horizon wide.
9. Education helps people to keep them free from many of the superstitious and false beliefs. Educated people felt the importance about the knowledge of universe. Educated people did not take the earth as the centre of the universe because they critically examined their own beliefs as well as the beliefs of others. Educated people made the society civilized.
10. Democracy and education are interdependent. In a democratic society, there is a freedom of inquiry and we can find more scholars there. Democracy can not develop without educated people because when people are uneducated they cannot elect the proper person to handle the democracy in right way. Democracy does not solve all the problems all the problems itself. It only provides the way to solve the problem. Thus, there must be educated people in the country to make democracy practical. So, democracy can be created an applied in the country by going at University.
Interpretation
The essay ‘Why go to University?’ talks about the value of university education. Many people like to talk about their educational degree but are not showing their behavior as an educated one. It seems that they do not know the value of education, but this essay clearly shows the value and benefits of University education. And also we can state that the one who have educational degrees from university, they should maintain their healthy and wise-worthy life in the society. The education provides us the prestigious life in our society and it helps to know the meaning of the life
Critical thinking
The essay ‘Why go to University?’ gives the education that the education provides us the prestigious life in our society and it helps to know the meaning of the life. The one who have educational degrees from university, they should maintain their healthy and wise-worthy life in the society. But there are some unclear ideas for me in the essay. Is only formal and university education important? What about informal education? Do all the educated people can get better job and income? Are all educated people in the society respected? So I can raise some questions against the writer’s argument.
Assimilation
After reading the essay, I clearly understood the value of university education. Before I used to feel that only education is not only the means of running the prestigious life but after reading this essay I came to know we can achieve everything if we really become educated. I understood that taking university degree in not only valuable thing but behaving and applying the education or showing our consciousness in every aspects of our life is the most. I came to know that why the democracy in our country is not functioning well. So we should be educated for flourishing the democracy and all aspects of our life.
END
very helpful :)
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