A TRYST WITH ENGLISH

Shirley Toulson’s poem “A Photograph” is a touching poem about the poet’s memories of her mother and the pain of losing her. The poem begins with the poet looking at an old photograph. It shows her mother as a young girl, around twelve years old, standing with her two cousins, Betty and Dolly, at the beach. They are holding hands and smiling at the camera while their hair blows in the breeze. The poet describes the photo as being mounted on cardboard, which tells us it is quite old. She also notices how the sea in the background has not changed much, but the girls, especially her mother, have changed a lot over time. The phrase “terribly transient feet” is a figure of speech called alliteration (repetition of 't' sound) and also synecdoche , where “feet” stands for the whole person. It shows how short and temporary human life is especially when compared to natural objects like the sea. In the second part of the poem, the poet recalls how her mother used to laugh when she sa...

📘 The Portrait of a Lady – Summary  The Portrait of a Lady is a touching autobiographical account in which the author, Khushwant Singh, recalls his relationship with his grandmother and how it evolved over time. The story spans different stages of the narrator’s life, highlighting the bond they shared and the changes that occurred with the passage of time. 🧓🏼 Description of the Grandmother The narrator begins by describing his grandmother. She had always looked old to him, and her appearance never seemed to change. She was short, slightly bent, and always dressed in white. Her face was calm and peaceful, reflecting her deeply religious and traditional lifestyle. She spent much of her time praying and moving the beads of her rosary. 🏡 Life in the Village During his early childhood, the narrator lived with his grandmother in a village. Their relationship was close and full of routine. She would wake him up, help him get ready, and walk him to school. The school was attach...

The Third Level – Detailed Summary and Analysis Author : Jack Finney Genre : Science Fiction / Psychological Fiction / Time-Travel Fantasy Plot Summary The Third Level is a thought-provoking short story that revolves around Charley , a 31-year-old man living in New York City. One evening, while walking through Grand Central Station , he accidentally discovers a strange, old-fashioned platform that he later believes is part of a secret, forgotten third level of the station. But there’s a twist: this third level doesn’t just look old — it literally transports people back in time to the year 1894 , and Charley wishes to go to a peaceful town called Galesburg, Illinois where his grandfather lived. Charley is overwhelmed by this discovery. He notices people wearing 19th-century clothes, sees old-style newspapers, and even finds that the currency used there is from the 1890s. Excited by the idea of escaping modern life, he returns the next day to take his wife Louisa with him — bu...

NOTICE WRITING - CLASS 12 ENGLISH What is a Notice? A notice is a formal means of communication used to announce or inform a group of people about important events, functions, rules, or changes. FORMAT OF A NOTICE (CBSE Prescribed) 1. Name of the Issuing Authority/Organization (School Name) 2. The Word ‘NOTICE’ (in capital letters) 3. Date (top left or right corner) 4. Title/Heading (what the notice is about) 5. Body of the Notice (clear, concise information) 6. Signature, Name, and Designation (of the person issuing the notice) CONTENT OF THE BODY Follow the 5 Ws : What is happening? When will it happen? Where will it happen? Who is eligible/concerned? Whom to contact? IMPORTANT POINTS Word limit: 50 words (excluding heading and signature). Use formal, impersonal language . Use present or future tense . No personal pronouns (I, you, we). Box the notice properly.

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...