A TRYST WITH ENGLISH

Lost Spring by Anees Jung — Analysis Introduction  "Lost Spring: Stories of Stolen Childhood" is a deeply moving narrative about childhood lost to poverty and exploitation . Anees Jung uses two vivid episodes — the lives of Saheb (a ragpicker from Seemapuri) and children in Firozabad (who work in glass-blowing industry) — to highlight the structural injustice that robs children of their dreams. The title Lost Spring metaphorically suggests: Spring = childhood, youth, hope. Lost = due to poverty, traditions, societal apathy. "I sometimes find a rupee, even a ten-rupee note," says Saheb, his eyes lighting up. This innocent excitement captures both the hope and tragedy of these children. Important Points Part 1: Saheb – Ragpicker of Seemapuri Background : Saheb’s family migrated from Dhaka after their lands were destroyed by floods. Current Life : He picks rags every morning, barefoot, with other boys in Seemapuri. Dreams : Initially, he dr...

Literary Devices 1. Simile – A comparison using "like" or "as." Example: She is as brave as a lion. 2. Metaphor – A direct comparison without using "like" or "as." Example: Time is a thief. 3. Personification – Giving human qualities to non-human things. Example: The wind whispered through the trees. 4. Implied Metaphor – A hidden or indirect metaphor. Example: He barked orders at his team. (Compares him to a dog without directly saying it.) 5. Irony – Saying one thing but meaning the opposite or an unexpected outcome. Example: A fire station burns down. Situational, dramatic and verbal irony are the three types. 6. Alliteration – Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. Example: She sells sea shells by the seashore. 7. Assonance – Repetition of vowel sounds. Example: The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain. 8. Consonance – Repetition of consonant sounds, usually at the end or middle of words. Example...

Summary My Mother at Sixty-Six by Kamala Das is a deeply emotional poem that explores the theme of aging and the fear of losing a loved one. The poet describes a car journey with her 66-year-old mother, who is dozing off with her mouth open, her face pale and lifeless like a corpse. This sight brings a sudden realization to the poet—her mother is growing old and may soon die. As she looks outside, she sees young children playing and trees rushing past, which symbolize life, energy, and contrast with her mother’s frailty. At the airport, while bidding goodbye, the poet notices once again her mother's pale face, comparing it to a late winter’s moon—dim and fading. Though filled with sorrow, she hides her emotions and simply says, “See you soon, Amma,” expressing love and hope despite the pain. The repetition of the word 'smile' shows her increasing effort to hide her fear. The poem captures a universal emotion—the helplessness and anxiety we feel when we see our parents grow ...

Summary of The Last Lesson: The story is set in the French region of Alsace, during the time when Prussia (now parts of Germany) had defeated France in the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71). As part of the consequences, Alsace and Lorraine were taken over by the Germans, and the new rulers imposed German as the only language to be taught in schools from the next day onwards. This historical shift forms the emotional and political backdrop of the story. Franz’s Perspective: The story is narrated by a young schoolboy named Franz, who is usually not very attentive to his studies. On the day the story takes place, he is particularly afraid to go to school because he hasn’t prepared a lesson on participles. As he walks to school, he notices something unusual: the streets are quieter than usual, and there’s a sense of solemnity in the air. Franz considers running away and skipping school, but his conscience and fear of M. Hamel, his teacher, make him continue. At School: When Franz reaches...

Many glass bangle makers , especially in places like Firozabad , go blind because of several harsh working conditions: 1. Extreme Heat and Fire Exposure: They sit for hours very close to furnaces (called bhattis ) at 1200–1500°C . The intense infrared radiation from the fire damages the lens and retina of the eyes over time. This leads to cataracts (clouding of the eye) or retinal damage , causing gradual blindness. 2. Continuous Eye Strain: They have to focus very hard on tiny, glowing hot glass rods while shaping them. The constant strain, combined with poor lighting conditions (except for the furnace glow), wears out their vision fast. 3. Lack of Protective Gear: Most workers don't wear safety goggles because they can't afford them, or they're never provided. Without eye protection, their eyes are exposed to heat, sparks, fine glass dust , and bright glare for years. 4. Glass Dust: Fine glass particles in the air can scratch the surface of the...

Introduction: "Father to Son" is a deeply emotional poem by Elizabeth Jennings that explores the strained relationship between a father and his son . The father expresses his sorrow and frustration over their growing distance, despite living under the same roof. The poem highlights themes of generation gap, lack of communication, regret, and longing for reconciliation. Summary & Explanation The father begins by expressing his inability to understand his own son, despite having raised him: "I do not understand this child" This line shows the father’s confusion and pain as he feels like his son has become a stranger. He laments that, although they have lived together for years, they have drifted apart: "Though we have lived together now / In the same house for years." He then reflects on how he had certain expectations for his son’s future, but his child has grown into a different person, forming his own identity: "Yet have I killed / The seed I spe...