BBS Compulsory English 11-20

Surely You’re Joking Mr. Feynman

-          Richard P. Feynman (1918-1988)

Literal Comprehension

                After passing his under-graduation from MIT taking Physics, the narrator Mr. Feynman was suggested to go to other colleges by Professor Slater to understand the rest of the world but he was quite unfamiliar in system of Princeton College.

Then Feynman went to Princeton College where everything was fully formal. On the first day, Eisenhart gave new student tea party. Feynman was not mannered and formal person who answered to have both lemon and cream teas. She told Feynman was joking about it by saying ‘’Surely You’re Joking Mr. Feynman’’ because it was taken as a social error.

After that he went to Cyclotron where everything was left open to do. He started to take part in philosophical discussion and sometimes in biological groups as well as physics classes. He spent lots of time in biological work. He also did research on a phase and discovered the double mutation process. His that discovery made him popular among the biology students. Later he was invited to Harvard University to give a lecture for biology. Despite of his hard work and discovery of new thing in biology, he could not be satisfied. Though he knew and did a lot about the biology and other subjects, but his actual interest was in physics. So he expected he would go back to physics sooner.

Interpretation

                This essay tells us that there should be thirst of knowledge and progress in one’s mind to get their intended things. For it, one should also pay great labor to be successful in chosen field. This essay suggests how the education can be gained and what can be the best technique. Memorization and subject of inner interest are different and opposite things, the former is not the productive one. It also tells about the significance of interdisciplinary subject study. It portrays that education is the only key to learn about manner, culture, and knowledge in any multiple subjects.

Critical thinking

It is sure that for the readers this essay is quite difficult to understand by the students beyond science faculty, it is because it contains the jargons that are used in scientific text. The crux if the essay is easier, but the presentation and language is, so one must be multidisciplinary to understand it because there is description about biology, physics, philosophy and as well as about other subjects. The passion of the writer for study and progress even in lack of tools and resources gives the good lesson to us. The writer became multidisciplinary in the lack of tools and resources. Is it possible to be multi-talented for all people in the lack of tools and resources? If it is difficult for the students of other faculty who are not from science background, why is this essay kept here in the management faculty?

Assimilation

Thought the presentation and content of this essay is difficult to understand, it taught me a lesson that one should be dynamic and should have continuous effort to achieve your desired goal though you may lack the physical resources or somebody flatters you.

                According to different situations and societies, Prof. Slater’s suggestions to go in another college to meet the rest of the world is to try to understand multiple subjects and sectors of the life. I used to be bounded in studying of my subjects only but after reading this I came to know that nothing can be done with limited boundary of knowledge and people should be versatile/multidisciplinary in terms our knowledge.

END

The Good Example

Writer - Vicente Riva Palacio

Translator – Moti Nissani

Literal Comprehension

This short but suggestive story “The Good Example” by Vicente Riva Palacio has been translated in to English from Spanish by the versatile writer Moti Nissani. There was a small village in the southern part of the Mexico with roofs of Red tiles, Palm leaves and located among big coconut trees. In that village, there was a school run by Don Lucas Forcida. He was very much dedicated for his school doing all duties like a martyr. The teaching style of the school was traditional which was based on repetition and rotting. The whole day duty of Lucas was monotonous but he had one friend ‘a parrot’ to fresh him after the school. Lukas used to do regular interaction with the parrot which was kept in the cage at higher place of the school. School children named it ‘a Parigo’. The parrot could communicate and tell children voices and school’s teaching. As the children were taught using traditional methods, even parigo could do as the school children. One day, when the school was going on, Parigo escaped from the cage and flew to the neighboring forest. Slowly and gradually everybody forgot but Lucas hardly forgot the bird.

One day, Lucas went to find the bird in the neighboring village riding on a horse. When he was inside the deep forest, he heard the creeping sounds of birds which were familiar to him. He heard the same syllables, words and other things as taught in the school. To his surprise, Don Lucas encountered with a group of parrots led by Parigo. Parigo made him to know that he had also made school in that forest as Lucas in the village without control and any restriction but with complete freedom in learning.

Interpretation

The story might be focusing on the idea of negative impact of the rote learning system Rote learning system is just monotonous that never makes anyone creative at all. This learning is similar to parrot learning. It also might be trying to say that everyone likes to have better learning and happiness in natural environment. Restricted and controlled environment’s learning never becomes creative. Here the writer is discouraging the memory based learning or rotting based learning. He is in the favor of technical and practical kind of education because our education must be dynamic and life supportive. So, the story “The Good Example” is the good example of Memory based or rote based education.

Critical Thinking

This story tells us that ‘Parigo’ has become a teacher in the forest by running a school for parrots. So far we have ideas that parrot can copy/imitate some words and terms of human being but; how can a parrot do a complete conversation with Don Lucas? How can a parrot open a school in the forest? How can a parrot tell with Don Lucas that he has a school? Besides symbolic meaning presented in the story, the nature and activities of ‘Parigo’ seems to be questionable.

Assimilation

After reading this story, I came to know that if teaching is done systematically, even the birds can learn and do well then; why not the human being? But the rotting teaching system of Don Lucas’s school reminds me about my primary level teaching learning classroom situation. In our primary level when teacher used to pronounce the words or sentences, we would repeat the same pattern after him as told. Even at the college there are not creative teaching learning activities. Notes, guess-papers and other materials are rotted by the students to face the exams without any creativity. The education system and the learners practice presented in the story are similar to the education system of Nepal.

END

Questions For students

1.       Compare Nepali education today to Mexican Education in 19^th century. Does Nepali Education promote memorization or understanding system of education?

2.       Defend the statement; “The Good Example can be viewed as a satire on the rotting education system.”

A 1996 Commencement Speech

-          Salman Rushdie, India (1947-)

Literal Comprehension

‘A 1996 Commencement Speech’ is a graduation speech given by a famous Indian writer Salman Rushdie to the students of Bart College, New York, in 1996. He was given honorary degree by Bart Collage on that occasion. While giving commencement speech, Rushdie remembers of his graduation day 1968 from Cambridge University. A few nights before of his graduation, some unknown persons threw bucketful gravy onion in his room. Salman was accused for this fault and punished. Again, when he had gone to graduation commencement program with brown shoes, he was rejecting asking to wear black shoes. At the hour of ceremony, he had to return for black shoes. In the ceremony, he was ordered to kneel down to ask for degree in Latin language with Vice-Chancellor. He did as authority ordered him. When he was giving this speech, he repented saying that he should not have paid up, should not have changed the shoes and should not have knelt down. Doing compromise with injustice he did crime and tolerated domination. Rushdie said that he dot the degree of B.A. due to his hard work and parent’s investment. He was not qualified freely by University.

Rushdie pointed out that Irani leader declared his death notice when he wrote a book ‘Satanic Verse’, but he was given shelter and saved by Bart College. So he is proud to get honorary degree of Bart College and to speak at the commencement program of Bart College. Talking about any supreme authority and power, Rushdie said that ‘Even God has done many crimes and Cruelties, God has not created the world and human being rather people have created him’. Because of people’s belief in mercy, there is the existence of Gods. Arachne, Prometheus had challenged the misdeeds of the Goods. There could be many kinds of gods – big and small, seen and unseen etc but not making us free. If Gods do crimes over human, why do we need to respect them? Being radical, Rushdie encouraged students that we must be guided by our personal will or nature. If possible and as far as we can do, we should follow our better nature than bad ones.

Interpretation

                This commencement speech was given by one of the most famous scholars of the world who is an advocate for freedom of expression. It boldly encourages the students to revolt against the injustice to get the freedom and not to do crime by compromising with injustice. It wants out that everyone should do according to their personal nature or wish, the writer is encouraging to the students not to be obedient and tolerate anything if there is unfaith authority. This speech is questioning about the existence of God and his power by encouraging the students to challenge the God. Its encouragement is against unfaith authority, injustice and domination.

Critical thinking

                This essay as a speech has opened the eyes of the people to evaluate everything reasonably. The writer argues that the compromise to any injustice is a crime. The philosophy portrayed in this essay about personal right and freedom is good but here are some of the arguments which make me to disagree. Can we always go against all types of systems as argued by the writer? Can defiance (boldness) always become contributive tool to get freedom as elaborated in the essay? Writer argues that we should not follow the tradition of worshiping God blindly. If so, are all traditions worth-less? What can we say to patience and non-violence of Mahatma Gandhi regarding protest? Rushdie describes about the crimes and cruelties of the Greek Gods. Are not there other gods to describe besides Greek Gods? But the message to revolt against unfair authority, injustice and domination can’t be discarded.

Assimilation

                After going through this speech, I went 12 years back in my school days, while was studying in class 7. I had to face the bitter criticism of my class teacher. Any of the boys of our class had written rough sentences on the paper and threw near to my bench. When the teacher came in to the classroom, the accusation come me because other boys were clever. I was innocent but could not defend against it; as a result, I was suspended for three days from the school. Now I regret myself about it like Rushdie in the essay. I wish I should have defended against it at the right moment. This essay inspires me to fight against injustice to get freedom and not to do crime by accepting the injustice.

END

Question

According to Salman Rushdie, “Defiance is an inevitable and essential aspect for freedom and right”. Do you agree with him, why and how?

Shep’s Hobby

-          James Herriot, UK (1916-1995)

Literal Comprehension

The writer was a veterinary surgeon. Once, he had to go to Mr. Balies farm to check his sick cow ‘Rose’. The cow was suffered from some unknown stomach problem regarding digestion. Mr. Balies had a big and faithful dog named Shep. The dog was kept behind the high wall on the road side way. The writer gave different medicine to Rose but the cow was not recovered. As the writer was returning home along the way of high wall, all of a sudden, a loud bark of Shep exploded in his ear that frightened him a lot. Next morning, he went to make inquiry about the condition of the Rose. He was informed by Mr. Balies that Rose was becoming more serious than before. While he was going to see the cow, there was strong barking of Shep about him which made the writer staggered. The writer gave the treatment to the cow by using double doze medicine. At the following afternoon, he found the condition of Rose better and improved condition. He became happy. When he reached there, Mr. Balies told him that the cow was cured by the postman Jim Oakley not by the writer. Being angry, the writer was returning from there, in that time, Shep frightened him as if heart beat would stop. The writer became very much angry and threatened it pulling near him by the chain. He warned it showing his fist near its nose. After a month, when the writer was called to Mr. Balies farm, he found the dog Shep inactive and did not bark at him. The writer felt very sorry in killing the barking hobby of harmless Shep. Sooner, when he saw the dog Shep frightening to tinker in front of him that made him satisfied and happy that Shep had barking hoppy by then.

Interpretation

This story “Shep’s Hobby” may be trying to tell us that it is not only human being who enjoy their hobbies, it is in animals in the same way which they enjoy. Animals may have own types of hobbies which they enjoy by doing some activities like scaring, other making loud bark as Shep in the story. Indirectly, this story is trying to say that it is human who wants to be superior to others and want to control other’s unique character as the writer try to control the barking character of dog Shep in the anger. It is animals right to enjoy doing any types of activities. this story is advocating about animals right and effects of human actions upon animals life. There are similarities between animals and humans in terms of- wishes, hobbies, likes, dislikes etc. so, this story is saying that human being should always be careful not to hurt animals’ unique personalities or characters.

Critical thinking

The concept of hobbies and unique personality of animal described in this story is quite acceptable argument. The selfish nature of the human beings portrayed in this story which always tries to dominate animals that affects negatively. Still, there are some unacceptable points. In the story, the sick cow Rose is cured by the postman Jim Oakley. How is it possible to cure the cow by the postman that could not be cured by the doctor? The seriously sick cow is galloped by the postman to cure. How can a seriously ill cow gallop? In the story, when the writer warned to Shep, Shep did not bark the writer from that time. Can a dog understand human warning? The writer shows similarities between animals and human in the way of taking enjoyment performing different kind of activities. DO the animals similar like humans? Still, the story has raised the ideas about how to save unique quality of animals that is acceptable to everyone.

Assimilation

Before reading this story, I used to think that animals are animals. I was not caring about other things of animals. I was thinking that they don’t have any similarities with human beings. I would think that they don’t think and any special qualities as such. But after reading this story, I knew that animals do have unique personalities like human beings. They can easily be hurt from misdeeds of human beings. I knew how to take care of any animals after reading story.

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A Sound of Thunder

-          Ray Bradbury, USA (1920-)

Literal Comprehension

The hunting safari started with a hunter Eckles, a rich businessman. Travis guide to Eckles and other two persons Kramer and Billing. The safari was for hunting a huge dinosaur – tyrannosaurus Rex. They were in a time machine that would give them the information of pre-historic past, present and future.  The Time Safari Inc. had managed that hunting with its rules and systems. When they were in time machine, Travis told others about the eco-system. He told if rate is killed, eventually, it would destroy fox, line to civilization. Eventually they saw the tyrannosaurus Rex that frightened Eckles much. He became too much nervous. It was very huge, 10 tons heavy. Eckles was discouraged with its size and was not able to kill it as directed by Travis. When the animal breathed, there was a thunder. When the guide allowed Eckles to kill but Eckles went out of the track. Travis and next helper Lesperance killed the animal that made a size like the fall of the mountain. Travis warned Eckles for not obeying the rules and his order. When coming to the present state from the past in time machine, Eckles found great change took place. When they returned from time safari to time safari office nothing was changed except alphabets in the signboard of the office. Instead of Keith, Deutscher was the president of America. Eckles found a dead butterfly on the bottom of his boot that made such change in the course of time. Eckles requested the guide Travis to bring him back to the past so he would repair the damage of the butterfly. Travis said that was impossible. At the end, there was shot by Travis but who was shot by the sound of thunder was not cleared. The story ends with ‘there was a sound of thunder’.

Interpretation

The story “A Sound of Thunder” is an example of science fiction. This story might be trying to focus on the destruction of eco-system & environmental mechanism because of carelessness of human actions. The use of time machine and its misuse points out the men’s inability to handle the advanced technology. People are with various technologies. Yet, they are not able to handle them properly. Next interpretation of the story might be a critique to modern society and the nature of human beings. In the name of humanity, rich people are the one who are ready to extinct the rare animals and to earn money they even are to destroy eco-system and animals’ world. We can also interpret to “A Sound of Thunder” as blast and destruction of environmental system. Again the butterfly affect may be another interpretation of the story. This means even the destruction of a butterfly may create the unexpected effects and changes in the ecosystem and in its balance. In ecosystem, the extinct of mouse may starve a fox that makes to starve vulture and insects which finally creates imbalance in the ecosystem. So the essence of caring the environment and the eco-system is presented in the story.

Critical thinking

This story gives a message about human existence, ecology and animal world. Human selfishness and carelessness have become main causes of destruction of nature. All the people are fully-money minded and ready to anything for money and ready to destroy any species for the fun with the money. Still, we can be disagreed with some points. Is it possible to travel in to past and future being in present? If is it possible to see about the future wouldn’t it be very fruitful to take prevention of so many problems to arrive? But the destruction of ecosystem, butterflies death and impact and human carelessness about eco-system are very much remarkable points mentioned in the story.

Assimilation

As I was reading the story, I felt as if I was watching a thrilling film. I also became very much puzzled how the people in safari could go in past and in future by using time machine in real life. As the quality of science fictions I got some beneficial points. I knew that our little mistake can be the cause of destruction of any creature like a butterfly in the story which eventually can create the imbalance in ecosystem. It touched me a lot looking people who shot rare animals for fun, and Safari Company which was ready to do what reach people wanted in the name of earning. So the money minded and stonehearted modern people made me feel very sad.

END

The Wretched Stone

Chris Van Alls burg, USA (1949-)

Literal Comprehension

The story “The Wretched Stone” by Chris Van Alls burg describes about the sea-voyage of the ship Rita Anna which is based on excerpts log. After completing all its preparation, a big cargo ship, Rita Anna started its voyage/journey with fine environment. Every people in ship were enjoying by reading books, singing, storytelling etc. in the starting of the journey. After four weeks, they reached to an Island which was very strange because there were no fruits in the plants, there was no sign of human life, & this Island was not in their map as well. There was bad-smelling air & bitter water falling from mountains. In that Island, they found a strange stone with shining one side. And that stone was giving light from that part. They kept the stone in the ship & started their further journey. When crews were free they used to watch it forgetting their jobs and duties. They rarely spoke to eachother. They always sat in front of the stone & gazed towards the light. They started to like animals & left to understand the language spoken by the captain. The captain made a secret plan to throw the stone in the sea. Soon a storm occurred where the captain was controlling the ship but still all the crews were watching that stone though they were suffered from fever. The captain told them about the condition of the ship but they didn’t pay any attention to him. Fortunately, the storm stopped & the ship got its good condition. At that time, the stone turned in to black. Later the captain changed them by playing the music, reading books and telling stories. Gradually their sickness also healed. The one who could read changed faster than who could not. In that happy condition, the stone again started shining slowly but the captain locked it in to a room, & all the crews came into normal position. Finally all were rescued by another ship. The captain too got off the ship & burned Rita Anne along with that stone, and they made an agreement not to talk about that strange moment all over their life.

Interpretation

This metaphorical story might be telling many things. Here, the stone stands for television, ape stands for modern non creative people. According to the writer, people are careless to their responsibilities & duties being crazy to watch television. Watching television is non-productive and uncreative work. There can be other way of taking entertainment like reading, singing, playing musical instrument, storytelling etc.  according to the writer, we must be dutiful and dutiful to get success in our life. This story might also be telling us that we give less focus to our other important work while watching T.V. The title “The Wretched Stone” indicated the stone that gives lots of tensions and problems and it won’t make the human being creative. It means the people get more problems than benefits in watching T.V.

Critical thinking

After reading this story, I became so much disagreed with the ideas given in the story which are indicating only the negative aspect of the television in total. Modern science and technological inventions have made our life facilitated and comfortable. Among them, television is one of the most useful scientific inventions. How can we regard television as a wretched stone as described in the story? In the story, the crews were changed in to ape after watching that stone or T.V. How can any person become ape watching television? Do/can we really become careless and duty-free watching television as described in the story? Can we reject the number of information and knowledge that we get freely watching television? It is sure; television itself is not bad if we watch it selectively and appropriately. There are many advantages along with few disadvantages of using T.V.

Assimilation

After reading this story, it influenced me a lot. When we commit the misuse of the television, we can see/face similar situation as in the story. School children become non-creative if they are crazy to look non-creative programs broadcasted from television. They should focus their interest in study. Most of the housewives and jobless people normally watch T.V and kill their important time without any creative work. If we can’t use T.V. properly, we can be meaningless and noncreative like the apes. So the story reminds me the way of using T.V.

END

Curbing the One Eyed Monster

-Fiona C. Jenkins, New Zealand (1947-)

Literal Comprehension

This essay “Curbing the One Eyed Monster” by New Zealand born writer Fiona C. Jenkins is written in American context to describe the condition of the corporate media in particular which is applicable all over the world in general. All the corporate media like T.V. and radio stations are controlled by rich, conservative Americans. These rich, conservative American people are controlling American corporative media “The New York Times”, channels. By making control, their interest is not to make us better or not to give us good things but to earn more money by handling us over to the advertisement. These rich people who are considered tycoon are using T.V as a means of earning & creating their influence on the society. Many Americans tried to oppose this attitude but failed. The solution of this problem is to throw the T.V. set away. To view some important programs, we can go at the friend to save us from becoming an outsider.

                When T.V. is controlled by such tycoons, they do not show the best quality in art, music or literature etc. because what they broadcast is shallow value and beliefs about junk food, fake ideas, half information or reality in pieces.

                We can’t expect excellence from T.V. So, the time to watch T.V. can be used in doing something important to live an active life doing things ourselves, instead of baking things done by others in T.V. By using T.V programs, the rich people make common people think what they want. The rich and powerful people misuse the media to influence our opinion and can easily win the election. By using the money, they hoc power and in turn helps them to make more money. Any type of people can’t be safe from their false propagandas.

The only way to save us from this unpleasant situation is by not using television. If people stopped to watch television, advertiser would not spend money in commercial advertisement they would brainwash us through different kinds of advertisement, when grown-ups and children watch TV they are not safe from the propagandas of shallow value and beliefs. Walking or yoga may make us free from stress in a better way. When children faced thousands of violent events, accidents and false advertisements, their interest may be fascinated by such things as a result there may be the involvement of children even in violent activities. Therefore, T.V. set should be thrown away and in its place, a good bookshelf should be installed.

Interpretation

                The essay ‘Curving the One Eyed Monster’ has described both advantages and disadvantages of watching television but it has not given equal credit to the advantage of television while describing the situation of corporate media in American context. Here the essayist might be suggesting being away from T.V. describing its negative aspects. According to Jenkins, the corporate media are controlled by the extremely rich people (Tycoons). So, TV hardly presents the core truth or reality. Instead, TV took us in the world of illusion of false advertisement to fulfill the earning interest of the Tycoons. This essay is suggesting us to stay in a real active life by boycotting the world of TV and encouraging us to make involvement for creative work like reading, writing etc. the crux of the essay is to stop watching TV which can be the best solution to keep us and our children away from propagandas.

Critical thinking

                Though the essay has presented both positive and negative aspects of watching television, it has not given equal value to the positive aspects. We can agree what it says about the negative aspects but writer’s partiality can’t make a balanced view about the usage of TV which makes me to disagree because if we make the productive use of the T.V. selectively and carefully, we can get number of profits from T.V. too. T.V, politics, love like things themselves are not bad but players or users make them polluted and useless. Can we live up-to-date and intellectual life without watching T.V.? Will they throw T.V. set really? If we all avoid watching television, how can we know about the world’s events, history, ancient cultures etc. in time?  Can’t we make the best use of T.V. by selecting more informative, productive or intellectual programs instead of throwing it? Is throwing T.V. set is final ultimate solution?

Assimilation

                After reading this essay, I found difference between my thinking and what I read in this essay about T.V. Before reading this essay, I was taking T.V. as a source of information, knowledge and entertainment. I used to think the programs in TV are for us but I came to know that T.V.’s all programs are controlled by Tycoons and T.V program are not for our betterment but for fulfilling such Tycoon’s Interest.

END

Smarter Kids, Brought to You by the Letters T and V

By – Dimitri A. Christakis, Greece (1937-)

Washington Post, December 2006.

Literal Comprehension

This essay “Smarter Kids, Brought to you by the Letters T and V” is written by a Greek writer Dimitri A. Christakis. This essay was published in Washington Post on December 31, 2006. In this essay, he is trying to clarify some of the misconceptions about watching T.V. in the past, how the T.V. set was separating rich from poor, now, this digital device is separating parents from their children by doing more things for children. The survey found that in 1961, the starting period of watching T.V. for American children was from 3 years but now they started to watch it from 9 months. The parents are not caring about what programs the children are watching but misconception about watching T.V. is developing in them. In the writer’s childhood, there was no misconception about sitting close to T.V. sets. The writer was told by his parents not to sit close to T.V. set because it would harm his sight but today most people knew that T.V. set does not cause eye problems. Like this misconceptions, the writer has collected six misconceptions and define them one by one

1.       The first idea or misconception is TV makes kids dumb. The writer defends this misconception by saying high quality program on TV like SEASAME STREET program develops the understanding ability of children instead of making dumb and the children who watch such programs on TV can learn numbers, letters and shapes more easily than those who have not watched TV from 3-5 years. Educational programs like BLUE CLUES make children more creative and active but not dumb.

2.       The second misconception of people about children watching TV is TV makes kids violent. The writer defends this argument by saying that a number of studies have proved that just watching TV does not make the kids violent. Because, there is the link between nature of programs and behavior of the kids so when the children are crazy to watch violent and abusive programs, they are turned to be violent. But if kids watch good programs or the programs of high quality on TV, they will be more kind and helpful.

3.       The third misconception is educational videos makes the kids smarter. The results of researcher proved that watching TV before 3 years is harmful to the children, so the children who watch TV before 3 years have scored worst in the test of letters and numbers, even after watching Educational Programs like SEASAME STREET because they will be less attentive in the class and their language skill develop slowly. Therefore, educational videos don’t make children smarter in all condition.

4.       The fourth misconception is sitting and watching TV make the children fat. The writer defends this statement by saying that only sitting and watching TV programs do not make the children fat because some children sitting long time for reading do not become fat. The actual reason is that those children who watch TV watch almost 70% of the advertisement of food products. None of these advertised junk food are healthy but frequent food advertisement on TV tempt them to consume more. And they became fat due to their habit of overeating.

5.       Fifthly, it is said that T.V helps kids to full asleep. The survey informs just opposite to this misconception because the more children watch TV, the more irregular sleep they have. Not having sound sleep becomes a problem for kids who spend time watching TV. Such children can’t sleep well because three-forth of children sleep before going to bed. So the habit of watching TV is part of the problem for sleeping not the solution.

6.       Finally it is believed that kid watch too much TV. The problem is not in watching TV but the problem is in what they watch and how they watch. If they watch high quality program sitting with their parents, it will not be harmful. But, in American context, there is single TV set for each young member. Parents do not care what they are watching. So, if they watch violent and abusive programs in their bedrooms, it will be harmful when kids watch too many such programs on TV. So, the problem is not on watching too much TV but the problem is what they watch and how they watch.

Interpretation

This essay is trying to convey the message that Watching TV itself is not harmful but what and how we watch is the problem. If the kids are suggested to watch the creative and positive programs, that really becomes beneficiary to them. If they avoid unnecessary information or programs of the TV they will not be dumb but they can be smarter even. Similarly, the educational programs help them to acquire much more knowledge and will not be lazy. If we live the children without proper care and they watch abusive and violent programs they will be surely violent. So our duty is to take care of them properly or we can take them together to watch the TV programs so the children can’t get time to watch such programs due to shame and fear of the parents too.

Critical thinking

I totally agree on the writers point. I have no points to disagree with him but I have questions to them who say that watching TV is not good. Do TV programs only contain violent or nude programs/scenes? Do TV programs make the children dumb and fat? Do the TV programs not help the viewers to develop their cognitive power? Do only because of TV programs, the children become fat? Do only the children who watch more TV programs can have a good asleep? Do only kids watch too much TV, what about adults and elders?

Assimilation

After reading this essay, my misconception about watching TV became clear and positive. Before rearing this essay I have read the story “A Wretched stone” of Chris Van All burg and “Curbing one Eyed Monster” of Fiona C. Jenkins and my thought about watching TV was negative. I came to realize that TV programs are not the problems but the way we use it is the most to get negative impact of TV programs.

END

TV Can be a Good Parent

Arial Gore, USA (1970-)

Literal Comprehension

This essay “TV can be good Parent” is written by an American mother Arial Gore. In this essay, she has described about the condition when TV becomes parent of co-parents for kids by making reaction to the guidelines given by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) gives new guidelines for parents telling that letting kids under the age of 2 to watch TV is harmful. Instead of worrying about more important issues such as welfare and poverty; AAP is worried about children watching TV. The writer Gore defends this idea telling that TV set can be a good parent to single parent family where the parent had to go to job leaving their children at home. In single parent family when there is no to take care of children, TV set can be parent for them. To defend this idea she talks about her own personal life.

                In 1970’s, when Gore was child, there was not TV set in her home. Her mother called TV set a “Boob Tube”. Her mother did not have to pay so much rent for room and had friends that all took care of children by helping eachother. However, those days were in 1970 and this is 1980. She herself now has become mother and has to go office leaving her daughter with TV set. That has become an injustice according to AAP because the research shows that the young children need more interaction with their parents and care givers. Due to this, the kids should have lost of direct interaction with their parents and care givers but it does not mean that she /he never talks to anyone, Gore says that she would understand if AAP if AAP discouraged children from watching much TV all the day and all night, according to her watching a little TV during a day to give their parent a break is not going to kill or make them dumb. She insists that they should be more worried about having shows like “Jerry Springer” while young child is in room with them.

                She says that direct interaction with the people is far better than anything. But she is forced to leave her daughter in front of TV program to go for jobs. Some programs like “BLUES CLUES” make children interactive not passive ones. So there must be programs for the betterment of kids. A survey shows that parents having direct interaction and spending more time with children is better than anything to them. But TV set can be like a good parent or co-parent in special condition when the parent can’t give time to children. Better care of the children can be given with a direct care, interaction etc but all single parent can’t give much time due to their poor economic condition. Gore also does not feel that TV set is the greatest thing in the world for little kids for anyone. She says that much more educational programs is needed for kids to end culture of war and violence. Along with it she argues that if the government provides the salaries to all housewives, they can spend maximum time with their kids and they can give more time to care and interact etc. Until such management is provided, TV by compulsion becomes parent or co-parent of children.

Interpretation

This essay is based on usefulness of TV, especially to poor single mothers. Many mothers are compelled to work outside for sustaining their life and the life of the family, in such condition, there’s nobody to take care of the children and it becomes inevitable for mothers to make their children watch television. Thought the mothers love their children, to feed and to run their house they had to work. In the essay it is expressed that money is playing the crucial role during this moment and it’s not like the time of ancient where each was helping eachother to care their children, hence, the TV is being one of the best solutions for making the children busy and parent work for feeding the children and run the life. In the essay the writer expresses that poor mothers can get only few days as off day in a week and on that day they have lots of work to do and if the children engage themselves watching television, she can accomplish her work very easily. The lower class (poor) mothers see the importance of the television. Similarly they accept that nude and violent and abusive programs only makes the children not the good programs. Many TV programs like Nick Jr , Sesame Street can develop the cognitive power of the children too.

Critical Thinking

The way, the writer has presented the essay attaching her real life that how the TV can be the best parents for the poor parents is most appreciable. Along with her clarification, I do not think that TV can really do the job of the mother. Mother has the greatest meaning as a living being which the non-living thing TV can’t do. So, can the TV occupy the position of mother? Does the TV cares the children as mothers do? Can the children learn to write looking television programs? Does caring the children only mean passing their time own-self? Why the writer is not expressing her view about the care of the children during their sickness?

Assimilation

After reading this essay of Gore, I come to realize that being mother and feeding their children is very much difficult task and how the mothers are managing their time with the help of different thing like TV. This essay made me to remember my past days when there was not TV set in my home but my family was joint family and I could be cared by other family members too. At this moment I have a little daughter and for the sake of managing time I m compelled to make my children watch the television so I can manage the time for reading, cooking, feeding etc. this essay really touched me.

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Marriage is a Private Affair

Chinua Achebe, Nigeria (1930-)

Literal Comprehension

This suggestive story “Marriage is a Private Affair” is written by famous Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe. In this story, he has described about one marriage relation show marriage as a private affair. The subject matter of this story is love and marriage between Nnaemeka and Nene where Nnaemeka is from Ibo tribe and Nene is from other tribe. He did engagement and started to live with at Lagos city. When they were engaged Nene was asking to send the message about their engagement to his father Okeke but Nnaemeka did not do that because he was familiar with his father’s nature and his culture. According to his culture, the son of Ibo tribe has to marry the girl of their own tribe arranged by father. If the arrangement is done by the father it will be acceptable from all the members of that community. If the arrangement is done by sons themselves with the girl of different tribe, it would make father very angry and creates the tension in family. So, he planned to tell his father when he went home on leave. But he did not tell to Nene that his father had already chosen a girl Ugoye of his own tribe.

                Nnaemeka went home on leave and told his father that he could not marry Ugoye because he was engaged to marry with Nene who is a good Christian and teacher in Lagos City whom he loves. After hearing this Okeke became very angry because according him and his rituals Christian woman should not speak/teach. Then Okeke asked her name and when he knew that she was the girl of other tribe but not of Ibo tribe, he became silent which silent was more dangerous than his angry speech. Okeke tried to persuade his son Nnaemeka not to marry with Nene. But when Okeke was sure that his son would not obey him, he did not speak with his son after ordering to go away from home and gave up as a last. When Nnaemeka went to Lagos, the neighbors came to Okeke to give sympathy about his son’s behavior. Different old people and gentlemen encouraged Okeke to go against his behavior and suggested to check his son with witch doctor by saying his mind is not right. But Okeke denied that idea.

                After six months Nnaemeka showed his father’s letter to Nene. Nnaemeka had sent their weeding picture to his father. His father had returned to them by damaging the picture of Nene. Nene sobbed when she found her picture damaged. He consoled her by saying that his father is a good natured man and that one day all would be right. Nene and Nnaemeka were living happier and more comfortable life in Lagos. Everybody except Nnaemeka’s father Okeke in Ibo tribe knew about that because Okeke never liked to talk about his son and never let other to talk about his son. With a great effort, he was able to forget his son because almost 8 years went by not having any contact between Okeke and his son Nnaemeka. Nene had given birth to two sons within that time. Nene wrote a serious letter to Okeke telling that his two grandsons were enthusiastic / inspiring to see their grandfather. She had requested him in letter to allow them to see him and also told that she would not come to village where Nnaemeka would come with grandsons. When Okeke read the letter of Nene, the idea of grandson melted him and he soon realized his mistake not giving invite to his son and daughter-in law for eight years in to their home. He regretted for his behavior. The sky was clouded and started to rain. He could not sleep that night. He saw vision that two grandsons were waiting outside in the rain asking to come in. tears came in his eyes. Mentally Okeke wanted to invite Nene’s family. So he had vague fear that he might die before giving them their proper right.

Interpretation

This story “Marriage is a Private Affair” might be trying to tell us that married life becomes happier and joyful if it is done privately and in accordance with personal choice. Along with it, the writer wants to say that if the society is superstitious and narrow minded, it brings us tension and problems. It is not necessary to get married within own culture like Ibo in this story to live happy married life. As Okeke did not accept his son’s private marriage with Nene, he got 8 years tension, misunderstanding, conflicts and sadness which are the result of narrow mindedness and superstitious belief/traditional belief. Here the writer wants to suggest that we should be careful, qualified and independent then personal choice of marriage can be the best example of marriage to live happily.

Critical Thinking

                Thought the writer’s focus is to show private affair of marriage as the best example of marriage to live with joy and happiness, he has not described anything about the arrange marriage which has its own value too. So, some of the points which are described in this story makes me disagree. Here the private marriage life of Nene and Nnaemeka is shown as one of the happier and joyful life. Why did Nene write letter to Okeke, father-in-Law, saying that their two sons want to meet him? Can’t we say that they were not happy? Can a private marriage always create happiness? Presently, we can see that private affair of marriage is bringing lots of problem in the world rather than arranged marriage. More events of divorce are occurring in private marriage cases. In such condition, how can we regard private marriage as the best example? When Okeke could not convince his son Nnaemeka not to marry with Nene, he completely rejected his son. How can a father reject a son due to his misunderstanding of marriage?

Assimilation

After reading this story, I came to know that superstitious and back-warded societies are not only in Nepal, these people are everywhere else. This story made me to remember the incident when I wanted to have inter-cast marriage with my present wife. She belongs to Newar family and me from Brahman family. We were in private affair at that time but our both family came to know our relation. As they were superstitious, both families denied our relation saying that we have different culture but we didn’t give up and decided that convincing both family, we would get marry and enjoy the happy life. Finally, we both became independent and decided to get marry which was also accepted by both families. Now, everybody is happy seeing us that we are enjoying our private marriage life.

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