Hansa Bhaliya's assignment on History of CALL - MALL

• Prepared by:  Hansa G. Bhaliya
• Roll No: 6
• Paper – 16: English language Teaching-2
• M.A (English)   :  Sem -4
• Enrollment No: 206910862090004
• Batch: 2019 - 21
• Email: hansabhaliya20@gmail.com
• Submitted to: Smt. S. B.  Gardi,  Department of English,MKBU. 
• Topic: History of CALL - MALL

History of CALL 

Although computers have been used since the first half of the 20th century, they were not used for educational purposes until the 1960s. The 1970s witnessed the evolution of CALL as a result of development in research related to the use of computers for linguistic purposes and for creating suitable language learning conditions. In America the computer based introductory courses in the 1960s were pioneering projects in CALL, and were referred to as computer Assisted Instruction (CAl) The 1980s have witnessed the spread of computers both in educational institutions and in people's homes. Since the beginning of the '80s computers have also found their way into many schools. CALL software has also become more readily available on the market (Ittelson: 2000).

The emergence of inexpensive computer technology and mass storage media, including optical videodiscs and compact disks, has given instructional technologists better tools to work with. Compact disks are used to store large amounts of data, such as encyclopedias or motion pictures. In CALL centers with computers and software such as CD-ROM, CD-I, or videodiscs, a student who is interested in a particular topic can first scan an electronic encyclopedia, then view a film on the subject or look at related topics at the reach of a button. Thus, such learning centers present students with the advantages of reference materials and popularize computer-aided instruction. The computer laboratory has become an integral component of foreign-language programs in most educational institutions (Hardisty & Windeatt: 1989).

          Computers have been used for language teaching for more than three decades. According to Warschauer & Healey (1998) the history of CALL can be divided into three stages: behaviouristic CALL, communicative CALL and integrative CALL.

Each stage corresponds to a certain pedagogical approach.

Behaviouristic CALL

It was formed in the late 1960s and used widely in the 1970s under the influence of Audio-lingual teaching method. In this stage of CALL, repetitive language drills, referred to as drill-and practice were used. The computer was seen as a mechanical tutor who never allowed students to work at an individual pace, which hindered motivation. Further, it included extensive drills, grammatical explanations and translation at various intervals (Warschauer & Healey 1998).

Communicative CALL

   It was the period of the 1980s. This period was the time that behaviouristic approach to language teaching was being rejected at both theoretical and pedagogical level, and also personal computers were creating greater possibilities for individual work at school. Communicative CALL corresponded to cognitive theories which stressed that learning was a process of discovery, expression and development. Under the influence of Communicative Language Teaching defendants of communicative CALL argued that computer based activities should focus more on using forms. Software developed in this period included text reconstruction program and simulations. In communicative CALL, the focus was not so much on what students did with the computer, but rather what they did with each other while working at the computer.

Interactive CALL

By the 1990s communicative CALL began to be criticized. New second language acquisition theories and socio-cognitive views influenced many teachers and lead them to use more social and learner-centered methods. This time, emphasis was put on language use in authentic social contexts. Ta husk-based, project-based and content-based approaches all sought to integrate learners in authentic environments, and also to integrate the various skills of language learning and use. In integrative approaches, students are enabled to use a variety of technological tools as an ongoing process of language learning and use rather than visiting the computer lab once a week basis for isolated exercises.

v Computer-work, pre-computer work and post-computer work

There are three stages in CALL activities:

a)       Pre-computer work before students make use of the machines;

b)      Work done at the computer;

c )      Post-computer work done away from the computer (Hardisty and Windeatt: 1989).

 CALL AND LANGUAGE SKILLS

          Computers offer learners various activities for developing different language skills. They can provide a useful and motivating medium for both integrated skills and separate activities. Warschauer & Healey (1998) describe them as follows:

Computers offer learners various activities for developing different language skills. They can provide a useful and motivating medium for both integrated skills and separate activities. Warschauer & Healey (1998) describe them as follows:

Reading Skills

          There are three main ways in which computers are useful in helping language learners develop reading skills.

a)       Incidental reading. Most of the CALL programs, whether oriented towards reading or not, involve the learner in reading text for the successful completion of the activity.

b)    Reading comprehension. Traditional question and answer CALL programs are used for reading comprehension as well as grammar and vocabulary development.

C))       Text manipulation. There are a number of ways in which computers can manipulate continuous text which involve the learner in close study of the content and structure of the text. An example might be shadow reading which provides students with authentic texts. Additionally, sentence structure, speed reading and cloze-reading are some of the alternative ways of developing reading skills. An example for software matching activity might be the JMS Newline activity: 'Match the slang words with their definitions'. Another activity might be JMS Newline Software: Speed Practice Reading Comprehension activity (Sperling, 1998).

Writing Skills

          The Word Processing program is one of the most common purposes for which computers are used and it is regarded as the most powerful to use when starting to work with CALL. In order to use word processors learners have to be familiar to the keyboard of the computer and they also have to learn the following before using the computer:

·        Learn how to start a word processor

·        Learn how to delete and insert a letter, a word or a larger chunk of text

·        Learn how to save text

·        Print a text

·        Moving words, lines, sentences, etc. around.

Word-processing programs transform the computer into a sophisticated and flexible writing aid that can improve learners' writing skills and their attitude toward writing. The main principle of word-processing programs is based on the ability to manipulate text freely. By writing text into the memory of a computer, the writer can play round with his text until entirely satisfied. The word-processor provides useful practice for guided and free writing.

Vocabulary, grammar, punctuation and reading tests have an obvious relevance to the sub-skills that are needed for writing (Duber: 2000). By providing something to write about, the computer stimulates both writing and speaking. An example might be the following activity from the Redhouse Dictionary CD-ROM: 'Put the jumbled idioms in order and write them in your notebook'.

Speaking Skills

          Oral communication is very important in language learning process. In today's language "classrooms, considerable emphasis is given to oral activities in which learners use the language they have learned to communicate with each other. These activities include simulations, role-plays and discussion. Computer simulations provide a stimulus for such a work, as they offer both a focus for oral activity and a continually changing scenario for learners to talk about. Computers have a useful contribution to the development of oral skills if they are used wisely (Hammersmith: 1998).

Dialogue studies can be made by the computers with the aid of the movies; students watching these dialogues can see the conversation, setting and cultural atmosphere clearly. They can also see the body movements and the semiotic background of the conversations and earn a powerful experience and thus improve their communicative competence. These all pave the way to their communicative performances through reinforcing their accuracy, intelligibility and fluency.

The main advantage of computer simulations is that they are very motivating. They give learners instant feedback on the effects of their decisions, and this feedback itself stimulates arguments and comments, suggestions and counter suggestions. An activity for improving listening and speaking skills might be a listening activity from 'Learn to Speak English Software I': Spoken English Demo: Communication Skills.

Listening Skills

        Listening activities that use the computer are more complex than the other kinds of  CALL materials since they involve equipment other than the computer itself. One of the simplest ways of giving practice in listening comprehension is to use a multiple-choice or fill-in program in conjunction with a cassette recorder or the latest multimedia containing a recorder. In addition to the normal feedback given after a wrong answer, the computer can let the learner hear the relevant part of the tape again. If a separate cassette recorder is used, the error message can give the learner appropriate counter numbers. Another simple technique is to use a tape with a test-reconstruction program which enables learners to reconstruct a summary of a recorded anecdote on screen by the help of the tape.

Such activities not only help to integrate listening and writing skills but also evaluate learners' listening comprehension skills in a more active way than is generally possible in a non-CALL class (Jones & Fortescue: 1987). An activity for improving listening skills might be a listening activity from 'JMS Newline Software', The Listening Leaner: Listening Comprehension, Spoken English.

Conclusion

The role of computer in language teaching has changed signified in the last three decades previously; computers used in language teaching were limited to text. The computer is a mechanical device which can be used well or badly. The use of computers is compatible with a variety of approaches, methods and techniques of learning and teaching.

Hansa bhaliya's assignment on Globalization in The white tiger

Hansa bhaliya's assignment on Globalization in The white tiger

• Prepared by:  Hansa G. Bhaliya
• Roll No: 6
• Paper – 13: The New Literature
• M.A (English)   :  Sem -4
• Enrollment No: 206910862090004
• Batch: 2019 - 21
• Email: hansabhaliya20@gmail.com
• Submitted to: Smt. S. B. Gardi, Department of English, MKBU. 
• Topic: Globalization in The white tiger
• Total words: 1900.
• Plagiarism in percentage:____%

INTRDUCTION :

Aravind Adiga, the contemporary Indian novelist is undoubtedly one of the outstanding figures in the realm of postmodern literature. He achieved this position through his masterpiece The White Tiger which brought him the 2008 Man Booker Prize for fiction. His novels are preoccupied with such emerging issues like globalization, urbanization, rich and poor divide, social disparity, technoculture, corruption, erosion of human relations and moral values. By fusing postmodern techniques of metafiction, dark humour, parody, pastiche, binary and multiple narrative voices with the prevailing issues of consumerism, materialism, deterioration of moral values, Adiga sensitively captivates the readers’ nerve. It is because of this sensitivity towards the changing realities that Adiga writes in tune with the global changes. The White Tiger is a story about the existential and class struggle of the protagonist. A neo-liberal country like India widens the gap between the rich and poor with its pro-capitalist, free-market policies that privilege a few.

Aravind Adiga has emerged as a writer who exposed the disastrous vices, malignant evils, political manipulations and social injustices prevalent in the contemporary India. He is a characteristic postmodern writer who portrays corruption, inequalities and the social evils that persist despite India’s slogan of progress and prosperity. He shot into international fame with the publication of his debut novel The White Tiger in 2008. The book won the coveted Man Booker’s Prize for fiction during the same year of its publication. Born in Chennai on 23 October, 1974 to Madhava Adiga and Usha, Aravind Adiga belonged to an educated family hailing from Mangalore, Karnataka. Adiga started his career as a financial journalist interning with Financial Times, Money, and Wall Street covering stock market, investment protocols and interviewing luminaries. He also wrote literary reviews, a famous one being on the Booker Prize winner Peter Carey’s Oscar and Lucinda. He then moved to Time magazine where he served as South Asia correspondent for three years. Later he quit the job and opted to work as a freelancer. It was during his freelance period that he wrote the Man Booker Prize winning novel The White Tiger, thus becoming the fourth Indian to receive the Prize. His second book, Between the Assassinations a collection of twelve interlinked short stories was released in November 2008. Last Man in Tower (2011), being Adiga’s second novel, tells the story of a retired school teacher’s struggle to keep up the traditional values, his resistance to money and power. (Sharma)

All throughout the White Tiger some form of America seems to pop up in a key moment. It’s subtle, and the reader can easily pass over it without giving any second thought to the matter, but each time has its significance. Take for example when Balram is describing Ashok’s corruption on page 173, “you’ve got plenty of places to drink beer, dance, pick up girls, that sort of thing. A small bit of America in India.” This goes back to the motif of Identity, someone trying to be something they’re not. Balram sees Ashok being transformed by the influence of American culture, the creeping globalization that is taking over Delhi. The next situation was an ironic one, foreshadowing the last I’ll blog about, when the  fat minister’s assistant spoke about drinking and elections, “Elections, my friend, can be managed in India. It’s not like in America. . . Everyone has whiskey in their car in Delhi, Ashok, didn’t you know this?” (pg. 181). The idea of being “better than” Americans and their politics is juxtaposed with drinking American whisky, in the hypocritical nature of their characters. And finally, on page 245, Balram described his murder weapon, “It’s a good, strong bottle, Johnnie Walker Black–well worth its resale value.” The reader can see just how embedded American culture is in the Indian society, while every person is trying to become their own “Individual.” Personally, I found it wildly hilarious because of its subtleness and depth that just sinks in so well into the entire satire.

Globalization in The White Tiger

Impact of Globalization on Indian Culture

Globalization has changed our current social conditions and contributed to the deteriorating of nationality and the creation of globality. It has a wide role to play the world over. It has left its footprints in every field of life. The exchange of world views and ideas has led to a major transformation of the standard of living globally. Indian culture is no exception to this transformation process. Globalization quickened this process and resulted in the fusing of cultural practices and increased advertising of culture through influx of MacDonald’s and Pizza Huts, etc., in all metropolitan cities and through the celebration of special days like Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, etc. With the emergence of globalization, our age old traditions and customs have slackened off their hold.

India has a rich cultural milieu which is well-known to the whole world. Globalization has not only led to in the westernization of India, but on the contrary, the Indian culture has also spread its impact globally. Culture and traditions of any geographical region hold a special significance with respect to their distinctiveness and that is the differentiating feature for a population within a geographical boundary. This distinctiveness and individuality has been disturbed in varying degrees in lieu of globalization. Such an impact is very much pronounced when they hit a developing country like India.

The  White Tiger

Born in India and raised in Austria, Aravind Adiga is the fifth Indian author to win the Man Booker Prize in 2008, for his debut novel, The White Tiger. This Booker Prize winner novel study the distinction between India’s ascend as a modern global economic giant and the protagonist, Balram, who comes from rustic poverty background. The major theme of the novel is to present the impact of globalization on Indian democracy. All through the novel Adiga remarks about the first world influence on the third world countries. The West is the adjudicator and the jury of every facets of third world behaviour.

The story begins with a letter from a self-made Indian entrepreneur, Balram Halwai, who narrates the story of his own success to the Chinese Premiere. Born in a poor family in a backward village, he grows up in extreme poverty and deprivation; he is not allowed to complete his education and is employed as a child labour in a local tea stall. Running away from his village, Balram seeks a job in the city and finds one at his erstwhile village landlord’s house, who has now moved to the city. A major part of the novel depicts Balram’s life as a servant cum driver at the household of his former landlord, and the kind of exploitation and class difference that exists between the rich masters and their poor servants. Consequently, in an urge to escape his situation and enjoy the luxuries of life available to the rich, Balram kills his employer, robs his money and finally finds a new successful life of entrepreneurship in the hub of India’s globalization- the city of Bangalore. (Sreelatha)

Balram justifies his actions as the only resort for resistance left in his state of oppression. It was either to submit to servitude that society had destined for him, or to break out of the coop and embrace the global network, even if that includes murder. The rhetoric he uses is thus essentially one of binaries- old India vs. new India, the feudal oppression vs. the neoliberal liberation, the failed state vs. the successful market. The novel depicts that Globalization replaces the native culture by consumerist culture. Take for example, when Balram says, “I should explain to you, Mr Jiabao, that in this country we have two kinds of men: Indian liquor men and English liquor men. Indian liquor was for village boys like me - toddy, arrack, country hooch. English liquor, naturally is for rich. Rum, whisky, beer, gin - anything the English left behind.”

All throughout the novel, some form of America seems to pop up in a key moment. It’s subtle, and the reader can easily pass over it without giving any second thought to the matter, but each time has its significance. Take for example when Balram is describing Ashok’s corruption, “you’ve got plenty of places to drink beer, dance, pick up girls, that sort of thing. A small bit of America in India”. This goes back to the motif of Identity, someone trying to be something they’re not. Balram sees Ashok being transformed by the influence of American culture, the creeping globalization that is taking over Delhi. The next situation was an ironic one, when the fat minister’s assistant spoke about drinking and elections, “Elections, my friend, can be managed in India. It’s not like in America. Everyone has whiskey in their car in Delhi, Ashok, didn’t you know this?” And finally, Balram described his murder weapon, “It’s a good, strong bottle, Johnnie Walker Black–well worth its resale value.” The reader can see just how embedded American culture is in the Indian society, while every person is trying to become their own “Individual” . Underlying Adiga's descriptions of the boom in outsourcing Bangalore’s gleaming call-centres are the idea that India is making itself the servant of European and American companies.

All the way through the novel English is represented as the language of master or superior in India. There are many examples in the novel which bring to light the superiority of English language. The opening of the novel itself suggests the dominance and supremacy of English. Balram writes to Jiabao, “Neither you nor I speak English but, there are some things that can only be said in English” .

Another instance is “Ashok,’ she said. ‘Now hear this. Balram, what is it we’re eating?’ I knew it was a trap, but what could I do? – I answered. The two of them burst into giggles. ‘Say it again, Balram. They laughed again. ‘It’s not p iJJA. It’s pizza. Say it properly.’ ‘Wait – you’re mispronouncing it too. There’s a T in the middle. Peet.Zah” (Sreelatha)

Conclusion :

Throughout the novel, Adiga represents the impact of Globalization on India. It has made radical changes in each and every sphere of Indian life. Globalization offers a social world whose precincts have become fluid. It has imposed global culture by debasing local individualistic culture. Globalization has affected the Indian political arena too. The first world countries are trying to inflict their rules and laws upon the third world countries in the guise of lending out a helping hand.

Works Cited

Sharma, Richa. "The impact of globalization on Indian culture and literature: Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger." International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development (January 2017): 4.

Sreelatha, Dr. M. "EXISTENTIAL STRUGGLE IN THE WHITE TIGER." 14 April 2017. ashvamegh.net. web. 5 april 2019.

Assignment of The African Literature: Relation of Colonizer and Colonized with reference to Waiting for Barbarians.

 Assignment of The African Literature: Relation of Colonizer and Colonized with reference to Waiting for Barbarians.

• Prepared by:  Hansa G. Bhaliya
• Roll No: 6
• Paper – 14: The African literature.
• M.A (English)   :  Sem -4
• Enrollment No: 206910862090004
• Batch: 2019 - 21
• Email: hansabhaliya20@gmail.com
• Submitted to: Smt. S. B.  Gardi,  Department of English,MKBU. 
• Topic: Relation of Colonizer and Colonized with reference to Waiting for Barbarians.

Abstract:-

                This novel tries to presents the harsh reality of the Barbarian people that how they suffered. That’s why the theme of Ambivalence by Homi K Bhabha  is very important to show the relation of colonizer and colonized . Through this study we come to know that how Colonizers exploit Colonizer and make a relation with them as “We” and “Other”.

Men has divided men into castes,countries and colonies.Though God has created us as one,we have divided us for our personal gains and for self.

African Literature -and the country its elf have seen slavery.We, who have not  experienced the cruelty of slavery,not even seen that earlier ,have no idea -what the slavery means! We should understand it first.Slaves have no freedom to live as they like.They have no rights,no wishes to fulfill,no joy ,no happiness and no need of certain essential things to live.They are slaves and have to live,act according to their owners  wish and will.They have to obey their masters and should do whatever their master's like.The poor slaves have not their own life but they are fully dependent on their masters/owners.They cannot go against their will or wish.

This type of slavery reflected in the Literature too because 'Literature is a mirror of the life'. The pain and sufferings ,the tragic life of a slave can be seen in African Literature due to this only.For a long time,Africans were slaves and their lives are bound to be there in African Literature.
African people were slaves for centuries they were marginalized and were compelled to live like slaves.

About Writer:-
                           

John Maxwell Coetzee is a  South African writer -a  novelist, essayist, translator and the Nobel Prize in Literature 2003. He focuses on power. The novel ‘Waiting for Barbarian' was published 1980. He was born in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1940 educated in South Africa and United States. His philosophical depth and stylistic brilliance put him as rival of Kafka and Beckett. (Wikipedia)

About Novel:-

                The title of the novel “Waiting For Barbarian” is borrowed from the poem “Waiting For Barbarian” by C.P. Cavafy. In this novel three are major characters like Barbarian girl, Magistrate and Colonel Joll. Narrator of the novel is unnamed. It has no historical and geographical setting with names but yet it is excited in through out the novel . The novel presents various aspects like concept of ‘We and Other’, conflict between ‘Civilized and Barbarian’ or Colonizer and Colonized, problem of power and position , difference  between white and black etc.

Theme of Ambivalence:-

                 The word ambivalence means dual tendencies toward a thing or a person.Originally the term developed in psychoanalysis to describe a continual fluctuation between wanting one thing and wanting its opposite.It also refers to a simultaneous attraction toward and repulsion from an object,person or action.(Young.1995.161) Homi Bhabha adopted the colonial discourse theory in his novel.He describes the complex mix of attraction and repulsion that characteristics the relationship between colonizers and colonized.

Most importantly in Bhabha’s theory, however, ambivalence disrupts the clear-cut authority of colonial domination because it disturbs the simple relationship between colonizers and colonized. Ambivalence is therefore an unwelcome aspect of colonial discourse for the colonizer. The problem for colonial discourse is that it wants to produce compliant subjects who reproduce its assumptions, habits and values – that is, ‘mimic ‘the colonizer. But instead it produces ambivalent subjects whose mimicry is never very far from mockery. Ambivalence describes this fluctuating relationship between mimicry and mockery, an ambiva- lence that is fundamentally unsettling to colonial dominance. In this respect, it is not necessarily dis empowering for the colonial subject; but rather can be seen to be ambivalent or ‘two-powered. The effect of this ambivalence (the simultaneous attraction and repulsion) is to produce a profound disturbance of the authority of colonial discourse. Ambivalence therefore gives rise to a controversial proposition in Bhabha’s theory, that because the colonial relationship is always ambivalent- lent, it generates the seeds of its own destruction. This is controversial because it implies that the colonial relationship is going to be disrupted, regardless of any resistance or rebellion on the part of the colonized. Bhabha’s argument is that colonial discourse is compelled to be ambivalent because it never really wants colonial subjects to be exact replicas of the colonizers – this would be too threatening.

Robert Young has suggested that the theory of ambivalence is Bhabha’s way of turning the tables on imperial discourse. The periphery, which is regarded as ‘the borderline, the marginal, the unassailable, the doubtful’ by the center, responds by constituting the centre as an ‘equivocal, indefinite, indeterminate ambivalence’ (1995: 161). But this is not a simple reversal of a binary, for Bhabha shows that both colonizing and colonized subjects are implicated in the ambivalence of colonial discourse. The concept is related to Hybridity because, just as ambivalence ‘decanters’ authority from its position of power, so that authority may also become hybridized when placed in a colonial context in which it finds itself dealing with, and often inflected by, other cultures. The hybridity of Charles Grant’s suggestion above, for instance, can be seen as a feature of its ambivalence. In this respect, the very engagement of colonial discourse with those colonized cultures over which it has domination, inevitably leads to an ambivalence that disables its monolithic dominance. (Ashcroft)

Relation of Colonizer and Colonized:-



                   In this paper J. M. Coetzee’s novel Waiting for the Barbarians is seen as fundamentally disrupting the binary logic that un- deepens colonial discourse. The binary constructs an image of the civilized, rational and good, and the primitive, irrational and evil on the opposite sides of a fixed border. In this novel, as well as in colonial reality, the binary dissolves into ambiva- lence, overlap and often complete inversion of the two op- posed constructed identities. This paper analyses the novel Waiting for the Barbarians identifying as the most important themes – the ambivalence and inversion of colonial identity, which are seen as a reflex of the fear of the indigenous other. Furthermore, the power/knowledge that fixes
the identities of the two opposed entities feeds on stereotypical images of the other, for it is on the image of the dark barbarian other that the Eurocentric cultures have constructed their own fragile sense of civilization and identity.

Bhabha focuses on the ambivalence as central to stereotype: “In the objectification-tion of the scenic drive there is always the threatened return of the look; in the iden tification of the imaginary relations there is always the alienating other (or mirror) which crucially returns the image to the subject, and in that form of substitution and fixation that is fetishism there is always the trace of loss, absence” (Bhabha 1994, 81). The ambivalent effect of stereotype is that instead of securing the binary order of subjection it proliferates fantasmatic images that terrorize the colonizer. (Anicic)

Ambivalent create the fear and some kind of colonial power in indigenous people or we can say the people of village. Through the fear they can ruled over them. And gave the stereotypical image of them like “Barbarian” or “ Nomadic” people not like human being .No any Barberian come only this type of fear created by the Third Bureau . And that’s why we can say that one border created between them, inside and outside also. So the colonial psyche we find in this people also.

Barbarian girl and Colonel Joll :-

                In both the character one similarity we find that is Blindness. The blindness is present very symbolically in the novel that Colonel’s vision converges into the center of his dark circle while the girl’s eyesight diverges from the round blur. This could be an indication of the Colonel’s nar- black-and-white vision centered at the enemy, juxtaposed to the wide and open one of the barbarian girl’s in which there is no center-periphery, or self-enemy po-larity. So, it’s suggesting the relation of colonizers and colonized. So, through this blindness we notice that who has real vision.

Relation of Barbarian girl and Magistrate:-

             The  relation of Barbarian girl and Magistrate is like relation of colonizers and colonized, because Magistrate came in village as a Colonizers and he has all power and authority so he try to torture this girl. This unnamed girl hu has no power to raise her voice against the power because she has no any authority or power. So here we can say that Magistrate has dual power as a Man and as a Colonizer so the effect of ‘Double Colonialism’ we find in the case of that Barbarian girl. She suffers a lot. This girl considered as a prostitute named ‘Bird like’. Women have no choice. So hear the question is “Can Subaltern Speak?” – Gayatri Spivak.

So, here the Barbarian girl represent as a whole colonized people. How they are Voiceless. Magistrate always ruled over her.  So the objectification of women’s body also can find in the novel. Barbarian girl became victim of that colonial power.

On the other side the character of Magistrate also have some kind of Post modern characteristics because his personality is absolutely ambiguous. He has some kind of problem of belongingness, his post is very ironical, double consciousness also we can find in the character of Magistrate.

Power, Violence and Torture:-

Throughout the novel these major themes we find that how colonial power ruled over colonizers and they always tortured them. They suffer a lot because of violence because they arrest this Barbarian people and treated very badly. Coetzee represent both type of violence physical as well as mental.  So the power played a very vital role.

Conclusion:-

So, the novel presents the real situation of Africa and the condition of colonized people.

Works Cited

Anicic, Andrijana. "The Ambivalence of Colonial Discourse: Waiting for the Barbarians in the Gaze of the Other." 19 5 2015.

Ashcroft, Bill. Key Concept of Post Colonial Studies. n.d.

Wikipedia. 4 4 2018 <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._M._Coetzee>.

Thinking Activity on Things Fall Apart

This blog is a part of my Academic thinking  activity.

“Literature is the mirror of the society” which reflects the society and so the culture. Culture is the texture of any society and it is inseparable part of any society. The Things Fall Apart is one of the greatest novels written by Nigerian post-colonial writer Chinua Achebe. It was first published in 1958. It is the first African novel to get global critical acclaim. It is staple book in schools throughout the Africa and widely read and studied in English speaking countries.  The title of the novel is taken from a line in the poem Second coming by W B Yeats. (Wikipedia)

The novel presents the culture of the Ibo community in Nigeria. Achebe himself belongs to this culture thus we get the more appropriate and truer picture to the culture of the Ibos. Throughout the novel he celebrates the strength of his own culture, with that he also points out the weaknesses of the Ibo community and point out where they really need changes.

Achebe gives exposure to his culture, which had….

The great culture of Ibo community is an example in itself and how it is disturbed and disintegrated by the British imperialism and by missionaries. Various interpretation of the title Things fall apart are like   

“Things begin to fall apart in these nine villages Umuofia clan long before European colonist missionary culture inserts itself there.”

“When he accidently kills a clan man, things begin to fall apart in life of Okonkwo.

“So when some members of the Umuofia community unwittingly accepted the invitation and endorsed “strange faith” things fall apart for the Igbo people in Achebe’s novel.”

Achebe tried to show his own people the greatness and dignity of their culture which they have lost during the colonial period in his work Anthills of the savannah 1987 he wrote

“Igbo, had a philosophy of great depth and value and beauty that they had poetry above all they had dignity.” (Nnoromele, 2000)

This novel we have various pictures of Igbo society at the end of the 19^th century. Achebe presented to the word the positive as well as negative sides of the Igbo people .he discussed Igbo‘s customs, their political structure religions seasonal festival and ceremonies. In his comment on the novel,  Achebe said “the characters are normal people and their events are real human events” (Achebe, 2001)

 Democratic system of government

Collective will

Tolerant of other culture

Forbid on killing each other

Igbos does not fight with each other because they are primitive, but because it’s a matter of existence in Nigeria thus there raise need of war as a matter of survival. The land in Nigeria is rocky and very poor and thus it could not support large number of people. Planting soon depleted and so villagers were forced to move further and further afield to find land which would high support them to continue life. As the population of Nigeria increased land and food were insufficient to provide everyone. The novel seems to map the turning point in the alteration from plenty to scarcity. Some times between generation of Okonkwo and his uncle Uchendu speaks of “the good days when a man had friends in distant clans nobody like fight” but at list it provides means of preservation. Some wars are inevitable if the clan is to survive “Neighboring clans try to avoid war with Umuofia because it is feared as a village powerfully war”

Religion

Religion is a factor both in limiting war and supporting it when it is just. Igbo had a develop system of religion which works as effectively as Christianity. In a matter of religion, Achebe has given a close comparison between Christianity and Igbo religion. Before the British there was only religion in clan that was Igbo. But now they have to religion and both supports morality. For British it seems crazy to worship wooden idols as in chapter 19^th Mr. Brown says “you carve piece of would like that one, and you call it a god. But it is still a piece of wood.” (Achebe, 2001) and for Igbos it seems crazy to say that god has a son when he has no wife “you told us with your mouth that there was only a god. And now you talk about his son. He must have wife then.” (Achebe, 2001)

Both system of religion believe in only a one supreme god and both gods have messenger on earth. Supreme god or Umuofia is Chukwu and wooden idols are messenger of god for Igbos. With that it is also true that each member of the clan has its own personal god whom the call Chi- Luck. Whereas for Christianity there is one god, and Jesus Christ is the son of god and messenger of god. Both religion supports humanity and humility. Igbo speak to god through messenger because they do not want to worry the master, but they deal with Chukwu directly if all else fails. Both gods are vengeful only when disregarded. If person disobeys Chukwu, the god is to be feared, but Chukwu “need not to be feared by those who do his wills.” (Achebe, 2001) The good things about the Ibos in matter of religion is that they do not fight on the name of the god, as Christianity has killed more people on the name of crusade than any wars by Igbo. Achebe makes it clear that the demoralizing state of the political affairs in Africa is the result of European interference rather than simply the natural outgrown culture. (Rhoads, 1996)

System of justice

Consist of nine Egwagwu each of the nine represents a village of the clam” one of the greatest crime man could commit was to unmask an Egwagwu in public “Igbos have a well established and effective system of district commissioner and court messengers. Dispute in clam which is not solved by each other then they can go before Egwugwu the greatest masked  spirits of the clan, played by the titled villagers. They hears and witness from both sides and give decision for example in novel we have..

in chapter ten – in case of Uzowoli, who beat his wife and his wife and children had gone away. In this matter Igwagwu try to assuage each side.

They warn and suggests Uzowoli “go to your in-laws with a pot of wine and beg your wife to return to you. It is not bravery when a man fights with a woman.” Here we discover two things at once that Egwagwu settles this types of disputes in clan with that we come to know about the a custom of wine pot in exchange of  woman. The duty of the Ewugwu is as Evil Forest says “our duty is not to blame this man or to praise that but to settle the dispute”

Okonkwo's gun accidently discharged and killed the son of Ezeudu. Even though this was an accident, it was viewed as an abomination in the land, for under no circumstances would someone kill a clansman. And according to the rules of the clan Okonkwo and his family has to leave in exile for seven years.

Igbo considered suicide as a worst crime against life, and it is unforgivable, no one dare to touch the body of the person, the funeral or burial is not given to the dead one. Even the family members or friends are not ready to touch Okonkwo’s body "That man was one of the greatest men in Umuofia. You drove him to kill himself and now he will be buried like a dog...”

Week of peace

The life in Nigeria requires war like men for the survival of the clan. But the clan also knows how to control the war like spirits and anger of the men. For that Igbo decided to celebrate the week of the peace it’s a kind of the way to control these men. During the week of peace it was convinced to all that no violence should be allowed in clan even domestic violence is also not allowed. Though the men in clan must be the warrior and fierce to their enemy, but gentle to his own people. 

“Killing a member of his own clan is forbidden.”

“Okonkwo broke the week of peace, and was punished” on one afternoon in anger he had forgotten that it was the week of peace and beat her wife very heavily. It was forbidden even to beat family member however sever crime one has committed. When he violated the peace week by beating his youngest wife, which was an offense to the goddess, Okonkwo agreed to make offerings as demanded by the custom of Umuofia. In fact, he offered an additional pot of palm-wine, which was a distinct indication of genuine repentance and cooperation for the good of the community

Combination of Male and Female principles

The male is strong and war like and female is tender and supportive in times of adversity. Uncle Uchendu explains his explication of saying “Mother is the supreme.”

"It's true that a child belongs to its father. But when a father beats his child, it seeks sympathy in its mother's hut. A man belongs to his fatherland when things are good and life is sweet. But when there is sorrow and bitterness he finds refuge in his motherland. Your mother is there to protect you. She is buried there. And that is why we say that mother is supreme.” (Achebe, 2001)

In Igbo Culture the earth goddess acts as counter balance to male strength. Yet Igbos have not achieved the ideal balance of male and female. But they have control over the abusing of woman by man and even domestic violence is no longer regarded as virtue. Even in clan we find some elements which see male and female as equal. For instance tribe says that it is not bravery to fight with a woman, even Achebe depicts in-laws as objecting to treatment of a wife and as action to prevent domestic violence. Igbo includes men like Ndulue who treats their wives as equals: about Ndulue and his wife “it was always said that Ndulue and Ozoemena had one mind”. “he could not do anything without telling her” though many people in the clan sees him as weak. But by giving such example Achebe indirectly suggests that this is the great warrior whom the rest of tribe should admire. And that is the way to bring equality in society.

In contrasts to Ndulue there is aso men like Okonkwo whose war like anger makes them dangerous for the peace. For he is harsh with his children and wives, he often beats his wives to prove his strength. Even more in that cruelty he kills Ikmefuna only because he is afraid of being thought like his father. “his whole life was dominated by fear the fear of Failure and weakness.”

Even during the week of peace he beats his wife without any kind of fear not even goddess. Okonkwo’s friend Oberika sees “Okonkwo’s part in killing Ikmefuna’s death as crime against earth it is the kind of action for which the goddess wipes out the whole families.” And we see Okonkwo’s tragic destruction at the end of his life, the imposition ofone culture, social, political structure upon another and thus he had to kill himself.    

Economic system-

The Igbos have an economic system which redistributes wealth among the people to prevent supremacy of man over the wealth. In order to take any titles of the clan, a man has to give up a portion of the wealth to clan. Idemili title is the highest title in the land and most expensive too.

Arts and Poetry

Achebe introduces various arts of the Ibos during the course of the novel. The chief among them are poetry, music, flute playing, decoration of walls and body, shaving hair patterns in various ceremonies. Music and dancing are the part of Igbo rituals. Story telling becomes means of inciting men to strength, of teaching about gods, or generally passing the culture.

Okonkwo encouraged his children with masculine and bloodshed stories, while the mother tells stories of animals and gods.

Igbos makes very good use of proverbs to show respect and wit in conversations Achebe says ‘for Igbos proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten.”

Some of the well known proverbs used in the novel are

“the sun will shine on those who stand before it shine on those who kneels under them”

To explain his culture Achebe use proverb “as elder said if a child washed hands he could eat with kings.” (Achebe, 2001) This proverb is the emblem of the Igbo’s culture, it says through the hard work even a person like Okonkwo can overcome his father’s ill repute to make himself “one of the greatest man of his time.” Proverbs also helps to sustain morality and virtue in tribe which is the backbone of the culture.

The system and institutions of the Igbos are not rigid like that of Britishers which do not allow any kind of change. Ibo culture allows changes where they needed and is progressive towards change. It has made many changes in the old, unnecessary, cruel, and unwanted customs for instance

" My father told me that he had been told that in the past a man who broke the peace was dragged on the ground through the village until he died. But after a while this custom was stopped because it spoiled the peace which it was meant to preserve." (Achebe, 2001)   

Why Bruisers were able to destroy the old Igbo culture

Those who converts initially were those who have not been fully incorporated into clan life. The first woman who convert is a woman who four times gave birth to twins and thrown away just because of Igbo believe twin child as devils or ghost, which will bring destruction to the society. But Christianity accepts a woman with twins. Outcasts, osu, and down trodden of the society sees that Christianity receives twins and thus they will also receives them also. Other like Nwoye, who bored of his father’s harsh behavior and shocked by the murder of Ikmefuna finds brotherhood in poetry of Christianity. This passage is taken from the end of Chapter 20 during the conversation between Obierika and Okonkwo

“Does the white man understand our custom about land?” “How can he when he does not even speak our tongue? But he says that our customs are bad; and our own brothers who have taken up his religion also say that our customs are bad. How do you think we can fight when our own brothers have turned against us? The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.” (p. 129)

This entire paragraph can be seen as Achebe’s views on the colonialism.

To conclude this discussion on the culture, Igbo like any other culture in the world has its own reputation. And we can see the culture in better way to being in culture. Achebe has presented his culture to the world through the language which is not his own. Like many other cultures Igbo has its strength and weakness too. If the Igbos are not civilized than still there is culture with which they were and are living, but the intervention of the Christianity has fractured the integrity, unity, dignity, pride. Oberika rightly observed “Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.” (p. 129)

Thank you...😔

Thinking activity : The sense of an Ending

Hello readers,

This blog is a part of my thinking activity given by professor Dr.Dilip Barad. In this blog,we have to write our views regarding below given questions. To see the blog and the questions click here.

“How often do we tell our own life story? How often do we adjust, embellish, make sly cuts? And the longer life goes on, the fewer are those around to challenge our account, to remind us that our life is not our life, merely the story we have told about our life. Told to others, but—mainly—to ourselves.”
― Julian Barnes, The Sense of an Ending

The sense of an ending is novel written by Julian Burns. Tony  Webster is an protagonist of Novel who is in his 60s. He is on that time off life that now he get something to know about his past life events then he is not able to do anything.  The same thing happen with him that due to some reason he has to look at his past then he realized that whatever is in his memory is not true. And the actual truth is different than his memory.  All the truth of his actual life came to him  and at the end he got shocked with some of his own doing. For that he write that Who has done this I am not that Tony. 

It's a book about history and how we recall events.” Robin Leggett

When we read the Novel The Sense Of An Ending sat that time we see that this is a book about the once personal history. We all have our own history of life with which we live. we see this book we are that this book is about the some events happened with Tony and how he recall history. When he got the truth that time he didn't able to believe that in his life he has do e some things like this also.

we see that this bool is about the personal history. we all have our own history. so, we can say that it is a book about history & how we recall events.

“The book’s plot reads like that of a thriller paperback: full of vengeful ex-girlfriends, youth suicide, and illicit sex.” Explain. (Geoff Mak)

When we read the original text, it that time you may feel this. When Tony Webster who is protagonist character of the novel, listen that his childhood friend committed suicide and he comes to know about the Adrain’s dairy. Veronica’s mother sends him money and will. At that time, we have to think Why does Veronica’s mother have Adrian’s diary? And why did she want Tony, of all people, to have it? Tony suddenly finds himself mining his memory to find answers surrounding Adrian’s enigmatic suicide. His search lyrically reveals the weakness of memory as corroboration. These moments, rather than the book’s muscular plot, are where Barnes’ prose is strongest. So the plot reads like that of a thriller paperback.

     “The point is not about the ‘ugliness of letter’ which causes ‘damage’; it is rather about what he ‘thinks’ about it and how he ‘memorizes’ it”. Explain with reference to your reading of ‘The Sense of an Ending’.

       In this Novel we  see that Tony has talked about the letter he wrote to the Adrian and Veronica when he come to know about the their affair. When in the first part when he himself describing the the letter he say that in reply to Adrian's letter I told them I don't have any problem that of you both are looking for each other or going out. But when in second part we got the original letter we realized that whatever he said in the first part is  his memory not truth. When he got the original letter he wrote then we found that he has word very bed this to both Veronica and Adrian. Even he call bitch to Veronica. But the actual point is about the destroyed memory. We see that whatever he has written in letter he doesn't remember. And actually what he has remembered is completely opposite of it. That shows that whatever we have remembered in life is not actually we have witnessed.

 ‘It is not about what we ‘do’, it is about how we ‘remember’ what we have done?’. Illustrate with reference to the novel ‘The Sense of an Ending’.

The whole story talk's about the memory of Tony Webster. The story is not of what he has done during his youth. But actually how that things are in his memory. He has done something bed but his memory tells completely different story. It shows that when we do something wrong and we don't want to feel guilty at that time our memory distort that thing. And set according to our convince. We treat our memory in way that we wanted to remember. And also. The same thing we can see in a case of the Tony Webster.

Hansa Bhaliya's assignment on Different types of Appeals: In Advertisement

Name : Hansa Bhaliya G.
Sem : 4
Roll no. : 6
Paper:- mass media
Submitted to : Department of English MKBU
Topic : Different types of Appeals 

Enrollment no :  206910862090004

Email Id :hansabhaliya20@gmail.com

Different types of Appeals:

The most common types of appeals are,

1) Emotional Appeal:

Related to an individual’s psychological and social needs for purchasing certain products and services. Many consumers are emotionally motivated or driven to make certain purchases. Emotional appeal includes personal and social aspects.

  Personal Appeal
  Social Appeal
  Fear Appeal
  Humor Appeal

1) Personal Appeal:

Some personal emotions that can drive individuals to purchase products include safety, fear, love, humor, joy, happiness, sentiment, stimulation, pride, self esteem, pleasure, comfort, ambition, nostalgia etc.

2)  Social Appeal:

Social factors cause people to make purchases and include such aspects as recognition, respect, involvement, affiliation, rejection, acceptance, status and approval. Advertisers often include social and peer pressure in their appeals. Presenting a brand or product in a social setting is a common technique. Fashion and technology companies also use social influence to promote their products, suggesting their products are hip, trendy or "in." Pimple and blemish cream ads often point out the social ramifications of going to school with pimples and facial blemishes.

3) Fear Appeal:




Fear is also an important factor that can have an incredible influence on individuals. Fear is often used in marketing campaigns of beauty and health products and also insurance. The company tries to shown the negative consequences, if the customer fails to use their products. This creates fear in their minds and persuades them to buy. The Life Insurance of India advertisement says- ‘because things can go wrong anytime, anywhere.’ and shows the mother having a pleasant time with her child, which may turn into a hospital scene.

  4) Humor Appeal:

Humor is an element that is used in around 30% of the advertisements. Humor can be an excellent tool to catch the viewer’s attention and help in achieving instant recall which can work well for the sale of the product. Humor can be used effectively when it is related to some benefit that the customer can derive without which the joke might overpower the message. It is used in many advertisements. It is an excellent tool to catch the viewers attention and help in achieving instant recall which can work well for the sale of the product. The Idea advertisement of walk and talk, includes a strong element of humour.

Humor Emotional Appeal Humor appeal causes consumer to watch advertisement, laugh on it, and most important is to remember advertisement and also the product connected with humor.

 For example:- Happydent - Happydent White Ad - Won Cannes Award for Action,

                                 Kit Kat - Dancing Babies Commercial,
                                 Feviquick - Ad India vs Pakistan-Todo Nahi Jodo-Slow Motion

Positive Emotional Appeal - Positive emotions like- humour, love, care, pride, or joy are shown in advertisements to appeal audience to buy that product.

For example:- Jonson and Jonson baby products.
Negative Emotional Appeal - This includes fear, guilt, and shame to get people to do things they should or stop.

For example:- Tobacco kills

2)  Rational Appeal:
Rational appeals as the name suggests aims to focus on the individual’s functional, utilitarian or practical needs for particular products and services. Such appeals emphasize the characteristics and features of the product and the service and how it would be beneficial to own or use the particular brand. Print media is particularly well suited for rational appeals and is often used with good success. It is also suited for business to business advertisers and for products that are complex and that need high degree of attention and involvement.

The Horlicks advertisement below shows the necessity of a child to consume it in order to grow tall, strong and sharp.

 Colgate – "It cleans your breath while it cleans your       teeth”
 Kya aapke toothpaste mein namak hai ?

Types of Rational Appeal :

Feature Appeal - Advertisements based on such appeal are highly informative, provides information of product attributes or features that can be used as the basis for rational purchase decision. Technical and high involvement products often uses this appeal.

Competitive Advantage Appeal - Such appeal is used to compare the product with the competitor's product directly or indirectly and advertiser try to present his product superior than competitor's product on one or more attributes. • Favorable Price Appeal - Here price offer is considered as the dominant point of the message. Jo

 News Appeal - Some type of news or announcements about product or company dominates the advertisement.

Product Popularity Appeal - Product popularity is considered as the dominant point of advertisement by highlighting the increasing number of users of brand or the number who have switched to it.

3)  Direct and Indirect Appeals:

Direct Appeal: Direct appeals clearly communicate with the consumers about a given need. These extol the advertised brand as a product which satisfies that need.

Indirect Appeals: Indirect appeals do not emphasize a human need, but allude to a need.

4)  Moral Appeals:

Moral appeals are directed to the consumes’ sense of what is right and proper. These are often used to exhort people to support social and ethical causes.

Types of moral Appeal:
         Social awakening and justice
         Cleaner and safe environment
         Equal rights for women
         Prohibition of drugs and intoxication
         Adult literacy
         Anti-smuggling and hoarding
         Protection of consumer rights and awakening

 Other types Of Appeals:

1)  Sex Appeal:
Sex and nudity have always sold well. Sexuality, sexual suggestiveness, over sexuality or sensuality raises curiosity of the audience and can result in strong feelings about the advertisement. It can also result in the product appearing interesting. However use of sex in types of advertising appeals can have a boomerang effect if it is not used carefully. It can interfere with the actual message of the advertisement and purpose of the product and can also cause low brand recall. If this is used then it should be an integral part of the product and should not seem vulgar. The shift should be towards sensuality.

2)   Music Appeal:
Music can be used as types of advertising appeals as it has a certain intrinsic value and can help in increasing the persuasiveness of the advertisement. It can also help capture attention and increase customer recall.

The Idea- ‘Honey Bunny’ jingle is in a very funny voice and well rhymed. It is equal to a song, and because of that customers register it easily.

3)   Romance Appeal:


These advertisements display the attraction between the sexes.  The appeal is used to signify that buying certain products will have a positive impact on the opposite sex and improve your romantic or love life. Fragrances, automobiles and other products use these types of advertising appeals. Sensitivity Appeal These advertisements are used to drive at and influence the sensitivities of consumers. These advertisements display attraction between opposite genders. The appeal is used to signify that buying certain products will have a positive impact on the opposite gender. Here, the customers are shown that for a soft and smooth skin Nivea is the best option, as that may bring them closer to their partners.

4)   Bandwagon Appeal:



This type of advertising appeal is meant to signify that since everybody is doing something you should be a part of the crowd as well.  It appeals towards the popularity aspect or coolness aspect of a( person using a particular product or service.  Here McDonald appeals to its customers that they have served millions and billions of customers. This encourages the customers to try out McDonald product. 

5)   Youth Appeal:


Advertisements that reflect youth giving aspects or ingredients of products use these types of appeals. Cosmetic products in particular make use of these appeals. In the advertisements below, the product is shown used by some young celebrities of the country. The products are advertised in such a way that the young customers feel that it connects to them.

6)   Less than Perfect Appeal:




Advertisements often try to influence people to make certain purchases by pointing out their inadequacies or making them feel less perfect and more dissatisfied with their present condition. These types of advertising appeals are used in cosmetic and health industries.

7)   Scarcity Appeal:
Scarcity appeals are based on limited supplies or limited time period for purchase of products and are often used while employing promotional tools including sweepstakes, contests etc.

8)   Masculine Feminine Appeal:
Used  in cosmetic or beauty products.This type of appeal aims at creating the impression of the perfect person. The message is that the product will infuse the perfection or the stated qualities in you.

9)   Adventure Appeal:
This appeal is directed towards giving the impression that purchasing a product will change the individual’s life radically and fill it with fun, adventure and action.

Conclusion:
The purposes of advertising Appeals are to inform, remind, convince and persuade consumers about the value and merits of specific brands. Advertisers use a number of specific appeals to tap into target consumers' psychological, emotional and social biases, solidifying brand images and creating loyal customer bases. Different consumers respond differently to different advertising appeals. Understanding advertising appeals and their application to target marketing can boost your marketing effectiveness.

ril 2019Assignment of The New Literature : Themes in One Night at the call center

Paper : 13:  The New Literature

Prepared by : Hansa Bhaliya G.

Roll No : 6

Assignment  Topic :  Themes in One Night at the call center 

M.A (English) : Semester  -4

Enrolment No: 

Batch : 

Email  ID: hansabhaliya20@gmail.com

Submitted to : Smt .S. B Gardi , Department of English, MK Bhavnagar University.

Themes in One Night at the call center:

•Introduction :

One night at the call center is novel written by Chetan Bhagat. He is the most popular writer in India. He wrote the novel about the problems of Youth. Youth is at the center in his all the novels. This can be seen as a reason behind his popularity among the youth.

His Works:

1. Five point some one
2.  The 3 mistakes of my life
3.  2 states
4.  One Night @ the Call Center
5.  Revolution 2020
6.  What young India Wants
7.  Half girlfriend

One Night at The Call Center is a novel  which focuses on  the lives of six call center employees working for Connections a call center located in the Gurgaon. In the beginning of the story the readers are presented with a frame story describing a train journey during which the author meets a girl who desires to tell him a story. However she put  one condition that he had to write a book on it if he wanted to hear the story. This condition stated that he had to base his second book on the story.

                     The novel talks about how the employees receive a phone call from God during their work timings in the call center. The characters in this novel  Radhika, Esha, Shyam, Priyanka, Varun, and Military Uncle. These six characters are deeply disturbed in the events taking place in their own lives and choose to focus on their problems rather than trying to find a way out of them.

                      In this book, chetan Bhagat trying to throw the light on the lives of the individuals in present day India.who are consist in the metro cities. The language utilized by the author is simple and contains witty remarks on civil culture and relationships. The author makes use of words that are combine with that region in the country thereby increasing the readability of this book.

Major Themes in One Night at the call center:

1) God’s Call :

                     

The call from  God is one of the major theme  in the novel. In this novel writer has presented God as a friendly figure rather than a boss. God is presented in a modern way and shown as freely figure  rather than the stereo‐typical pure English or the Latin that one commonly encounter.

The call from the God can be considered as plot mover.In the novel each characters  frustrated  from their personal problems. when they are in difficult situation they get phone call from God. When they all go outside from call center at the night go get fresh air.  After that when  they are coming back to the call center at that time their car Qualis crashes into a construction site hanging over a mesh of iron construction road.

 They are unable to phone call for anyone because there is no mobile network at that place. At that time suddenly  shyam’s mobile phone starts up ringing. All are Surprised at that time because  The phone call is from God. God talks with everyone and listen their problems and gives them suggestions to improve in their life. The conversation with God motivates all  the characters to such an extent that they get ready to face their problems with almost determination and motivation. The story takes a dramatic and critical turn through a deux ex machina when the characters receive a phone call from God.

2) Deux ex machina :

                                    

Deux ex machina is claque from Greek meaning “God from the machina”

It  is the term which has evolved to mean a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem is suddenly and all of sudden resolved by the contrived and unexpected intervention of some new subject, ability, characters and event . It can be intended to move the story forward when the writer has “painted himself into a corner” and sees no other way out to surprise the audience.

Chetan Bhagat also use God as plot mover. It can be considered as plot resolveance.  Deus Ex Machina is used in this novel by Chetan Bhagat when all characters met an accident and no any source are there to save their lives. So at that time God’s phone call become the plot mover.  The call from the God changed the life of all six people. The  God call save them with many messages for life. After that they all restart their lives from God's advice of living life happily and They all tried a lot of solve their problems from their lives. So the happy ending is here from God’s call. Chetan Bhagat used call of God when  characters are in trouble situation at that time he uses a call from God to resolve a plot.

3) Nationalism :

Nationalism involves national identity, by contrast with the related construct of patriotism, which involves the social conditioning and personal behaviours that support a state’s decisions and actions”(Nationalism)

One night at the call center is also about Nationalism. The character of Vroom is Anti – American. He always criticise Americans. In the Novel Vroom insulted by Americans. He is anti -American. He says ,

“Americans suck the life blood out of our country’s most productive generation”

There is motif behind to  give jobs to Young people because Young people Waste their life to give information or solve the problems of Americans. It destroying the future of Individual. 

‘‘That I should not have taken up a job just for money. Call centers pay

more, but only because the exchange rate is in the favor of Americans. They

toss their loose change at us. It seems like a lot in rupees. But jobs that pay

less could be better. There could be jobs that define me, make me learn of

help my country. I justified it by saying money is progress. But it is not true.

Progress is building something lasting for the future.”

This lines spoken by Vroom during the conversation with God. He says that he wants to help country. He has not join call center for money. For him,  Progress is not all about money but it’s like building which is lasting for the future.

“A  thirty-five-year-old

American’s brain and IQ is the same as a ten-years-old Indian  brain.”

Vroom said this lines about Americans. They invented new things but many of are not able to know how to use that things. They need the help of Indians. In India this all inventions are not coming in use though they able to guide Americans. So from that Vroom says that thirty five year old American IQ is same as ten year old child in India. India is smarter in compare to America.

4) Globalization :

"Globalization is a process of interaction and integration among the people, companies, and governments of different nations, a process driven by international trade and investment and aided by information technology” (Globalization)

The effect of Globalization  also describe in the novel through  the struggle of each  character‘s life. The Globalization is an  economical movement. The title of the novel itself tells about the effect of globalization in call center. Thee Novel is based on the working people in Call Centre.

In the call center every workers name are changed Varun Malhotra called as Victor  , Shayam Mehra as Sam Mercy , Radhika as Ragima Jones, Esha Singh as Eliza.  These people have to change their names for American.

Through this  Bhagat wants to give message to the Indians that who working in call center they just get good salary but it not give the  opportunity to do something else or show  their skills and creativity into their work.  In the novel due to slack in software industry the call center wanted to cut down the number of employees. Its effects on the people who are working in the call center it brings all the people under burden. literally this novel  talks about the anxieties, fears, and stress of call center employees. So in the novel shows the positive and negative effects of Globalization on people’s life.

5)Modernization :

The Novel deals with the issues of young people. It is  including questions about career, inadequacy, marriage, family conflicts in a changing India. It talks about the  relationship of the young Indian middle class to both executive and ordinary clients whom they serve in the US.

In this novel chetan Bhagat’s main aim is to convey a message to the people of India through situation of the characters like the the situation of women in India. Esha  wants to become a model for that she forced to slept with forty years old designer and it represents the dark side of the India.The situation of working girl Radhika who always struggle for her identity. She is trying to justify her duty. She is faithful wife but later on betrayed by her husband who has affair with another girl. Also she is struggling with her Mother In law who never understands her. It shows the situation of Married working girl.

   In the novel Chetan Bhagat portrayed young people who drinks and smoke when they felt anxiety, suffering in their life. In the novel Chetan portrayed Women freely drinks wines and roaming outside at the night.

6) Marriage and Love :

 Marriage and love are important theme of the novel. The novel is all about young people and their sufferings. Like this Marriage and love plays vital role in changing the relationship of the character. The idea of marriage is highly criticised through the charter of Radhika. She faces many struggle in her marriage life . She manages everything her marriage life and professional life but somehow she fails into keep balance between this. Her husband has affair with another girl. It show the condition of married women struggling for her identify and love.

Chetan Bhagat portrayed the real situation of Young people. He shows the complexity in the relationship of Shyam and Priyanka and Vroom and Esha. He shows the break up of the relationship of young people. It shows the lack of understanding in the relationship which becomes the reason of broken relationship. Military uncle also loves his grandson but somehow the lack of understanding happens between Military uncle and his Son.

Conclusion :

Thus novel shows the different themes . It  shows the  different problems of the youth and gives the ideas  their solutions. Here Chetan Bhagat shows the reality of India. It shows the current problems of youth and Nation.  Through the characters it shows the problems in the relationship , Globalisation and it’s effect on the Nation , Condition of women in India. So it highlights the problems and trying to give the solution at the end of the novel.

Works Cited

http://parmarjinal161315.blogspot.com/2015/03/one-night-call-center.html?m=1

Female Characters in ‘Swamp Dwellers’

• Name: Bhaliya Hamsa G

• Roll No: 6

• Assignment Topic: Female Characters in ‘Swamp Dwellers’

• Paper no: 14 African Literature

• Class: Semester 04

• Enrollment no.: 

• Batch :

• Submitted to Department of English 

 MK Bhaavnagar University.

Female characters in Swamp Dwellers:

Probably to me the greatest singer, female voice, is Billie Holiday. And one of the most moving for me, I don't know why - maybe it's nostalgia, maybe because my life is one of constant partying, whatever.

- Wole Soyinka (Brainy Quote)

Wole Soyinka is the first African writer who is awarded with Nobel Prize in 1986. He is basically Nigerian play writer and poet. Soyinka was basically born into Yoruba community and here also he try to depict the norms and regulations of his community. In this play he focuses on the problems of the youth of his time. Even today and during his time we can see the influence of the first world countries on the third world countries. He tries to bring those issues in his writing. The young people wanted to leave the village and the community and wanted start a ‘New’ life in the city. His one of the notable work is ‘Swamp Dwellers’, in which he discuss this issue at length.

Even the title of this play is very significant one. And as Derrida use to say that each and every word has free play of the words. Here also we will find the different free play of the words or particularly the word ‘Swamp’. Swamp means where nothing can grow. Here ‘Nothing can grow’ is also connected with the mental states, means new ideas. This shows the disturbed and fragmented mind set of the youth. The second meaning of the word swamp means the ‘City’. Where once someone goes never comes back. Swamp is a kind of muddy place where we cannot create a particular impression of a thing. Here Soyinka tries to give negative connotation to the word ‘City’.

We can compare this play with T.S.Eliot’s ‘The Waste Land’ where nothing grows and which also tries to depict the disturbed and fragmented psyche of the youth. At some extend this play is also absurd play like ‘Waiting for Godot’ and ‘The Birthday Party’ because as audience we are not provided the full information of the past of the characters. What next happened to the characters is also not much clear in the play. Throughout the play we can see the struggle between the tradition and the modernity because village and city these both are the opposite pillars and each represents one. But apart from this we can also see many other conflicts like the generation gap, fragmented mind set, and the suppression of the female in the male dominated world. Black are always considered as the inferior to the white people. Soyinka himself face many problems while writing and that is why it is said that when a black is writing he will never bring the change into the society rather he will try to change the mind set of colonizers with aggressive mood.

When black are writing their voice becomes the voice from the margin and white people are at the centre. And here also if we apply the theory of Derrida then we have to change the margin and periphery. White people at periphery and black people at margin. The same way women at the centre and the men at periphery.

Makuri says “There wasn’t a woman anywhere more faithful than you.”

Alu: “I never had a moment of worry in the whole of my life.”

These are some lines taken from the play ‘Swamp Dwellers’. Alu and Makuri are the husband and wife and they have twin sons named Igwezu and Awuchike. Apart from there is also another important character named as Desala. She is the wife of Igwezu. As above mentioned that this play is much like ‘Waiting for Godot’ and ‘The Birthday Party’ and that is why the past of the characters are not much clear in front of us. We come to know only as the play moves forward.

Alu:

 Alu is the wife of Makuri. She is the mother of Igwezu and Awuchike. She is aged about sixty. She believes in the custom of the swamps. (Sites) . If we study the character of Alu then we come to know that she is the suppressed woman by his own husband. His husband Makuri always tries to feel inferior to Alu. Alu is like other female characters ordinary woman who lost her one child in the swamp means in the city and now she don’t want to lose his other child in the city. She always tries to fulfil every wishes of his husband as well as his sons. Sometime she also fight against her husband for his sons. So here we can compare the character of Alu with Mrs Ramsay in ‘To the Lighthouse’. She is faithful to her husband and to her duty. And that is how she emerges as the perfect woman in front of reader’s eye.

As already said that the one of the main theme of the play is the conflict between the tradition and the modernity. The play writer has depicted this conflict through the characters also because here Alu stands for the traditional mode of the time. She is against the current changes of the society. Because she was not in favour to send his sons to the city. We can say that she was denying may be because of her motherly love towards her sons.

Throughout the play Awuchike never comes on the stage but he remain present through the talk of the family. Alu use to remember him a lot. Because when he went there, in the city he was the different person and now he is the different person. From the talk of the Igwezu we can assume that he is now the successful person there and not intended to come back to his village. But as above mentioned that we can’t say anything about any character of the play.

Igwezu: “Awuchike is dead to you and to this house. Let us not raise his ghost in this house.”

Whenever his mother used to remember Awuchike, Igwezu used to speak this lines. From this lines we can also see the rivalry between this twin brothers. There are glimpse of everything not a single thing is clearly said by the writer. This lines also suggests the success of Awuchike over there in the city.

Desala:

Throughout the play she never appears on the stage like Awuchike. She married to Igwezu and went with him to the city but unlike him she never return to the village. This again indicated the modernity. As I above mentioned that play writer showed the modernity and traditional way of living the life through the characters also. Here Desala stands for the modern way of living the life. Again from the given fragmented information we can assume that Desala went there with Igwezu but there she married to Awuchike. May be because he is more successful than Igwezu there. Or there are other possibilities like Igwezu leaves all alone there in the city. The things are not much clear. But the chances of her marrying to Awuchike is more because whenever Alu heard about this she is not ready to accept the reality that Awuchike kicked his own brother. At some extent Desala becomes the reason for the rivalry between both the brothers.

But on the other hand we also can’t blame Desala because as a young girl when she married to Igwezu she also must be having some young dreams for her life and when she tried to fulfil all her dreams she is also not wrong. When Kadiye asks Igwezu about his wife Desala he becomes a bit angry upon Kadiye which shows that now he doesn’t care about Desala. From this point we come to know about Desala and Igwezu that may be something went wrong between this husband and wife.

The story is not unfolding ordinary in front of our eyes. The things are also not much clear about anything and which also shows the mental state of the characters. And because the things are not much clear in front of our eyes we have to relay much on the language used by the play writer. It is said that whenever from the margin, from the periphery the voice comes it is always harsh and aggressive here also the voice of Alu and Desala is much harsh and aggressive but unheard by the society.

Conclusion:

We can say that Soyinka is the bitter critic of his own time and culture. He depicted his culture as it is. He also present the negative side of his culture. Directly or indirectly through the character of Desala we compare the twin brothers that who is powerful?

And the relationship between Makuri and Alu is also broken one. Which also shows that females are the victim in the marriage system. Sometimes it also happened that Alu becomes so aggressive when Alu says that ‘Catch me if you can’ which again shows the power of the females. Alu emerges as both the way strong enough as well as weak enough that she don’t want to lose his second child. And Desala also emerges as both the way modern enough and independent enough to take her own decisions. And here we can say that no one can help each-other because at different level each characters are victim, and one victim can’t help the other victim. 

Works Cited

Brainy Quote. 2001. 18 3 2016. <http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/wole_soyinka.html>.

Sites, Google. One Heart. 21 03 2016. <https://sites.google.com/site/theswampdwellers/home>.