A TRYST WITH ENGLISH

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...

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...