BRITISH LITERATURE II

B.A.English Lit. II Year – III Semester

TANSCHE Syllabus

Edited By
VinothKumar S – Sathish A
BRITISH LITERATURE - II

UNIT - I (Poetry)
● Ulysses - Alfred Tennyson
● My Last Duchess - Robert Browning
● The Waste Land - T.S.Eliot
● The Unknown Citizen - W.H.Auden

UNIT - II (Essays)
● Piece of Chalk - G.K.Chesterton
● Dream Children - Charles Lamb
● Sir Roger at Church, Sir Roger at London -
Joseph Addison

UNIT - III (Drama)

● Pygmalion - G.B.Shaw
● Look Back in Anger - John Osborne

UNIT - IV (Novels)
● Pride & Prejudice - Jane Austen
● Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte

UNIT - V (Detective Fiction)

● Hound of Baskervilles - Arthur Conan Doyle
● Murder on the Orient Express - Agatha
Christie (Graphic Novel)
 Unit – I (Poetry)
For ever and forever when I move.
How dull it is to pause, to make an end,
To rust unburnish'd, not to shine in use!
As tho' to breathe were life! Life piled on life
Ulysses Were all too little, and of one to me
Little remains: but every hour is saved
From that eternal silence, something more,
-Alfred Lord Tennyson A bringer of new things; and vile it were
For some three suns to store and hoard myself,
And this gray spirit yearning in desire
ORIGINAL TEXT To follow knowledge like a sinking star,
Beyond the utmost bound of human thought.
It little profits that an idle king,
By this still hearth, among these barren crags,
Match'd with an aged wife, I mete and dole
Unequal laws unto a savage race, This is my son, mine own Telemachus,
That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me. To whom I leave the sceptre and the isle,—
Well-loved of me, discerning to fulfil
I cannot rest from travel: I will drink This labour, by slow prudence to make mild
Life to the lees: All times I have enjoy'd A rugged people, and thro' soft degrees
Greatly, have suffer'd greatly, both with those Subdue them to the useful and the good.
That loved me, and alone, on shore, and when Most blameless is he, centred in the sphere
Thro' scudding drifts the rainy Hyades Of common duties, decent not to fail
Vext the dim sea: I am become a name; In offices of tenderness, and pay
For always roaming with a hungry heart Meet adoration to my household gods,
Much have I seen and known; cities of men When I am gone. He works his work, I mine.
And manners, climates, councils, governments,
Myself not least, but honour'd of them all; There lies the port; the vessel puffs her sail:
And drunk delight of battle with my peers, There gloom the dark, broad seas. My mariners,
Far on the ringing plains of windy Troy. Souls that have toil'd, and wrought, and thought with me—
That ever with a frolic welcome took
I am a part of all that I have met; The thunder and the sunshine, and opposed
Yet all experience is an arch wherethro' Free hearts, free foreheads—you and I are old;
Gleams that untravell'd world whose margin fades Old age hath yet his honour and his toil;
 Death closes all: but something ere the end,
Some work of noble note, may yet be done, English Summary Video
Not unbecoming men that strove with Gods.
The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks: (Youtube)
The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep
Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends,
'T is not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.

It may be that the gulfs will wash us down: Glossary

It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew. 1. barren crags - the rocky coast of Ithaca
Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'
We are not now that strength which in old days 2. mate and dole - distribute.
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts, 3. unequal laws - imperfect laws
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. 4. a savage race - Ulysses ' wanderings have shown him that
his people are not civilised
Tamil Summary Video (Youtube) 5. drink life to the lees - (figurative) experience the utmost in
life

6. scudding - moving fast and straight

7. drifts - things that are carried or driven along by winds; here.

by implication, it means the waves.

8. the rainy Hyades - a group of seven stars, whose rising and

setting was believed to be accompanied with rain.
9. Thro ' ... dim sea - the sea was tempestuous 21. Achilles – The Greek hero of Homer's Iliad.

10. I am become a name – my name is known as that of a 22. The much ... abides - Though much has been lost through
wanderer years, much of courage remains.

11. yet all experience ... – As we look down the archway when I
move we catch a glimpse of the world which we are not meant
to reach: for as we approach the narrow far end more and more PARAPHRASE
·
archways come into view. King Ulysses has been living in Ithaca for some time. He is tired
of his idle life. He is used to a life of travel and adventure, and
12. unburnished – unpolished. In this metaphor life in old age is cannot rest away from travel. So he wants to set sail and visit new
compared to a rusty tool. countries, and have fresh experiences.

13. For some three suns – for about three years Ulysses has travelled far and wide and has had many adventures.
But he feels they are not enough for him. He is thirsty for more
14. Telemachus – Ulysses gives a picture of his son who is knowledge and experience. He considers his present life as dull
different from him and yet "well loved of me". and useless. He desires to set sail and have fresh adventures.

15. gloom (v) – look dark Knowledge is infinite, and human life is short. Ulysses has only a
few more years to live, and he would devote them gain more
16. wrought – archaic past form of 'work'. knowledge and experience. He would follow knowledge, like a
sinking star.
17. Not unbecoming ... Gods – worthy of men like us, who King Ulysses is determined to leave his kingdom to his son
fought against or side by side with gods in the Trojan war. Telemachus. Thereafter he would set sail to acquire more
knowledge and experience.
18. sounding furrows – the furrows are the hollows between the
waves. Ulysses encouraged his sailors to set sail with him. They have
faced dangers together with a cheerful heart, and together they
19. the baths ... stars – the western seas where the stars have have grown old. But before they die, they would have fresh
their bath (into which they appear to sink.) adventures and achieve something noble, really worth of them.

20. The Happy Isles – according to Greek mythology the souls of Ulysses is determined to sail beyond the Western horizon. He will
good people go after death to the Islands of Bliss. travel and have adventures, till the very last moment.
 as Poet Laureate of England in 1850 and was recognised as the
Ulysses is determined, "to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield" greatest English poet of his day.
upto the very end of his days. He will travel and have adventures
till he dies. Tennyson's long poems In Memoriam, Maud and Idylls of the King
show how he identified himself with his age. His shorter poems
like The Lotos-Eaters, Ulysses, his perfect mastery of English
Introduction to the Author diction. Morte d' Arthur and Dora show his wonderful narrative and
descriptive powers and also his perfect mastery of English diction.

Introduction to the Poem

Ulysses was first published in 1842. Ulyssess was a legendary
Greek hero, the story of whose heroic deeds and adventures is
sung by Homer in his Odyssey. However, Tennyson's Ulysses is
closely modelled on Dante's Ulysses as sketched in the 26th
Canto of the Inferno. The influence of classical poets, Homer and
Virgil, is seen in phrasing and many verbal echoes. But despite
this indebtedness, Tennyson's treatment is original, and Ulysses
remains "the noblest of all Tennyson's classical poems".

Key Points and Self Notes

1. Overview:
• Author: Alfred Lord Tennyson
Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) was spokesman prophet of his
• Published: 1842
age. He was born on August 6, 1809 in Lincolnshire, England. His
• Form: Dramatic Monologue
father was a Rector of Somersby. Tennyson was educated at
• Structure: Blank Verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter)
Louth Grammar School and Trinity College, Cambridge where he
met his great friend Arthur Henry Hallam. Hallam's death by
drowning in 1833 inspired Tennyson to start composing his most 2. Background and Context:
• Ulysses: The Latin name for Odysseus, the hero of
famous poem "In Memoriam" which was published only in 1850.
In that year he married Emily Sellwod to whom he had been Homer’s "Odyssey."
engaged as early as in 1833. Tennyson succeeded Wordsworth
 • Setting: Post-Trojan War, in Ithaca, where Ulysses reflects
on his past adventures and his current dissatisfaction with 5. Key Passages and Analysis:
a mundane life. • Opening Lines:
• Contextual Influences: Victorian era's fascination with o Ulysses opens with a declaration of his
classical antiquity and the Romantic ideal of the heroic dissatisfaction: "It little profits that an idle king."
quest. o Sets the tone for the poem and introduces Ulysses’
restlessness.
3. Themes: • Reflection on Past Glory:
• Heroism and Adventure: o Ulysses recounts his adventurous past and heroic
o Ulysses yearns for adventure and exploration, even deeds, contrasting them with his current mundane
in old age. existence.
o Represents the Romantic ideal of the restless hero • Call to Action:
who cannot be content with a static life. o He speaks of his desire to "strive, to seek, to find,
• Discontent and Struggle: and not to yield."
o Ulysses is dissatisfied with his current life as a king o Emphasizes his refusal to accept a passive role in
and the routine of ruling Ithaca. life.
o His inner turmoil reflects a broader existential • Relationship with Telemachus:
struggle with the inevitability of aging and death. o Ulysses acknowledges his son Telemachus’
• Leadership and Legacy: capability to rule Ithaca, but believes that his own
o Ulysses' sense of duty to his people contrasts with place is in seeking new experiences.
his personal desire for exploration. • Final Declaration:
o He reflects on his past achievements and is o The closing lines, "To strive, to seek, to find, and not
determined to continue living fully until his death. to yield," encapsulate Ulysses' enduring spirit and
philosophy.
4. Structure and Form:
• Dramatic Monologue: 6. Character Analysis:
o The poem is delivered as a monologue by Ulysses, • Ulysses:
allowing insight into his character and thoughts. o Complex figure of a hero struggling with the
o Provides a direct connection to Ulysses' personal limitations of age and the desire for continual growth.
feelings and philosophical reflections. o Symbolizes the Romantic ideal of the heroic quest
• Blank Verse: and the struggle against the constraints of life.
o Tennyson employs unrhymed iambic pentameter, • Telemachus:
which gives the poem a natural, conversational tone o Represents the new generation and the practical
while maintaining a formal structure. aspect of leadership.
 o Ulysses' acknowledgment of Telemachus’ strengths • Ulysses’ unrelenting pursuit of new experiences can be
reflects a nuanced view of familial duty versus both inspiring and challenging, reflecting the universal
personal aspiration. human desire for significance and adventure.

7. Symbolism and Imagery: By exploring these aspects of "Ulysses," you can gain a deeper
• The Sea: understanding of Tennyson’s portrayal of a hero who embodies
o Represents the unknown and the adventure Ulysses both the virtues and struggles of the human condition.
seeks.
o Symbolizes both the vast potential for exploration
and the dangers that lie ahead.
• The Mountain: CHOOSE THE CORRECT
o Contrast to the sea; symbolizes the stability and
routine of Ulysses’ current life. ANSWER
• Old Age:
o Represents the physical limitations and inevitability 1. The poem Ulysses is written by ______
of death, which Ulysses struggles against. a) Milton
b) Keats
8. Literary Devices: c) Tennyson
• Allusion: d) Browning
o References to classical mythology and Homeric
epics enrich the poem’s context and themes. 2. The poem 'Ulysses' is written in the form of a________.
• Metaphor: a) dialogue
o Ulysses’ journey is a metaphor for the human quest b) aside
for purpose and meaning. c) soliloquy
• Imagery: d) monologue
o Vivid descriptions of Ulysses' past adventures and
the sea evoke the sense of grandeur and mystery 3. Ulysses was one of the most important warriors who fought at
associated with his character. the battle of_______.
a) Marathon
9. Personal Reflection: b) Troy
• The poem highlights the tension between settling into a c) Salamis
comfortable role and striving for greatness. d) Spartan
4. Ulysses is the King of_______. 9. Whom could the dead sailors meet in the islands of Bliss?
a) Ithacca a) Julius Caesar
b) Calydon b) Mark Antony
c) Sheba c) Hercules
d) Olympia d) Achilles

5. Ulysses feels he must go on and face more challenges and 10. The speech of Ulysses reveals his character. It shows his
seek more______. self confidence and love
a) wealth Of_______.
b) wives a) nature
c) knowledge b) adventure
d) power c) his son
d) his kingdom
6. Ulysses gets no joy out of administering justice to the people
of his kingdom whom 11. To what is Ulysses determined 'not to yield'?
he calls________. a) to the affection of his son Telemachus
a) lazy b) to the love of his wife
b) savages c) to the difficulties that he could come across in his
c) pious voyage
d) uncivilised d) to his love of his kingdom Ithaca.

7.________is the son of Ulysses.

a) Oedipus PARAGRAPHS
b) Telemachus 1. Why is Ulysses dissatisfied with his life as king?
c) Nestor At the outset Ulysses shows how bored and dissatisfied he is with
d) Timotheus his life as King of Ithacca. He was one of the Greek heroes who
participated in the Trojan war which continued for ten years. After
8. According to Greek mythology the souls of the virtuous were the war he and his is men wandered about for another ten
sent after death to_______. adventurous years. Having returned to his native land after an
a) Happy Isles interval of twenty years, Ulysses is quite displeased with the life
b) Paradise there. The people do not know his greatness and he in turn finds
c) The Eden garden it difficult to appreciate their way of life. Both he and his wife are
d) heaven old. He gets no joy out of administering justice to the people of his
kingdom whom he calls 'Savage'. His people know only how to
eat, sleep and hoard up money and food. Ulysses who has always manner. Ulysses reveals his love and affection for his son when
been a man of action, cannot adjust to an idle life. Therefore he he says "my son, mine own Telemachus". He is proud of his son.
wants to undertake another voyage which will provide
opportunities for more adventures. 4. How does Ulysses persuade his mariners to join him in
his last adventure?
2. What Is the desire of Ulysses? Ulysses collects his band of faithful mariners and says that they
Ulysses has always been a man of action. He has participated in are men who have faced many adventures in all kinds of
the battle in high spirits with his equals. Having experienced this circumstances. Of course they are now old and are incapable of
delight, once more the desire for action, for more experience, further similar adventures. But there are things which even old
possesses his soul. He realises that life piled on life would all be people can do. Then pointing to the harbour, Ulysses, earnestly
too little for the purpose of knowing everything. Of the one life invites his men to join him in his last voyage. It is possible that they
given to him, only a little remains. It will be very dull for him to may drown. If it so happens, it is equally possible that they may
waste life in unprofitable idleness. His spirit yearns to follow reach the Happy Isles, where they will be able to meet the great
knowledge beyond the utmost boundary of human thought. Achilles whom they knew. Whatever may be the consequences,
Neither love for his wife nor fondness for his son can overcome his aim is to be active and not be discouraged by difficulties.
him the passion he has to explore the world. He is very eager to
"drink life to the lees". His character cannot allow him to rest 5. Describe Ulysses' restlessness.
content within the narrow limits of Ithaca. Therefore Ulysses wants Ulysses has always been a man of action. He has "drunk the
to undertake another voyage which will provide opportunities for delight of battle with his peers". After the end of the Trojan war
more adventures. while returning home, Ulysses and his men wandered about in
strange lands. They faced many adventures and difficulties. After
3. Write an account on Telemachus. an interval of twenty years he returned to his country. He was
Ulysses thinks that if he leaves Ithaca there is his son Telemachus dissatisfied with the life there. He felt himself to be a stranger in
to look after the administration of the country. He says that his son his native land. The people did not know his greatness. He found
Telemachus is a far better man to be the King of Ithaca than it difficult to appreciate their way of life. He had experienced the
himself. He has qualities such as patience and prudence which delights of battle as a soldier, on the ringing plains of Troy. He had
are needed for a good ruler. He is capable of working in slow travelled over many countries and had come across many kinds
stages and systematic methods to make the rugged people sub- of people, their varied customs and manners. He was honoured
dued and useful. He is blameless. He would discharge his kingly wherever he went. All along he had been very active. He could not
duties prudence which are needed for a good ruler. He is capable adjust to the idle life of a king. He was restless and wanted to
of working in slow stages and systematic methods to make the undertake another voyage seeking further adventures.
rugged people sub-dued and useful. He is blameless. He would
discharge his kingly duties and spiritual duties in an exemplary 6. Analyse the speech of Ulysses and pointout what light
does it throw on his character.
The speech of Ulysses reveals that his aim is to be active even
during the last few years of his life and not be discouraged. He is ESSAY
not worried about the consequences he might face. The speech 1. Analyse the speech of Ulysses and point out what light it
also reveals his character. It shows clearly the self confidence of throws on his character
Ulysses and his great love for adventure and thirst for knowledge. (or)
The speech reflects that he has no illusions about the present Describe Ulysses's quest for knowledge.
conditions and his limitations due to the old age. He knows well
that he and his mariners are not the same men they were once. 1. Introduction
Their spirit is still willing to seek adventures. Old age and Ulysses, King of Ithaca, was one of the Greek heroes who
misforture have not affected his spirit. He has still with him the participated in the Trojan war which continued for ten years.
same courage and determination to seek new knowledge and Tennyson has portrayed in this poem the traditional character of
adventures. The speech clearly reveals the heroic character of Ulysses in a new and romantic manner. In Homer's Odyssey,
Ulysses. Ulysses is celebrated for the three great qualities of courage,
wisdom and prudence. On the other hand Tennyson focusses his
7. Ulysses and Telemachus are contrasting characters. attention upon its central element his love of action.
Describe.
Telemachus and Ulysses are contrasting characters. Telemachus 2. Ulysses a man of courage and adventure
is efficient, careful, dutiful but dull. Ulysses is restless, and cannot Ulysses has seen life in all its aspects. He has visited more
stay in one place. Ulysses is a lover of adventure. He rejects a life countries of the world where he has been honoured. He is familiar
of idleness and wishes to put every hour of his life to use. with the civilization and the government of several nations. He has
Telemachus, his son, on the other hand, is the conventional type tasted the thrills of adventure. To a man of action, life in the island
of character. He is more limited and practical in his desires. He of Ithaca proves disgusting. He finds that he has to rule a people
seeks to find happiness in the performance of his routine work. to whom his real greatness is not known. He feels it a thankless
Ulysses pursues the highest ideal the ideal of making life the full task "to mete and dole unequal faws into a savage race". He
and the richest that it can be. But Telemachus is content with doing determines to leave the government of his kingdom to his
the same recurring duties and has a narrow outlook of life. blameless son Telemachus. He thinks Telemachus will discharge
his duties as a ruler in his place. Having appointed him king, he
It is clear that in this poem Tennyson intends Telemachus as a will start on his adventures once again.
contrast to his father Ulysses. The two represent two different
ideals. Telemachus contents himself with making the best of the 3. Ulysses's desire "to drink life to the lees"
life at home, while his father Ulysses sets out on further Ulysses has always been a man of action. He has participated in
adventures. Telemachus is efficient but obviously a little dull. the battle in high spirits with his equals. Having experienced this
Ulysses is the eternal adventurer, enthusiastic about travelling and delight, once more the desire for action, for more experience,
about facing new challenges possesses his soul. He realises that life piled on life would all be
too little for the purpose of knowing everything. Of the one life reach the Happy Isles, where they will be able to meet the great
given to him, only a little remains. It will be very dull for him to Achilles whom they knew. Whatever may be the consequences,
waste life in unprofitable idleness. His spirit yearns to follow his aim is to be active and not be discouraged by difficulties.
knowledge beyond the utmost boundary of human thought.
Neither love for his wife nor fondness for his son can overcome 6. Conclusion
him the passion he has to explore the world. He is very eager to The speech of Ulysses reveals his character. It shows his self
"drink life to the lees". His character cannot allow him to rest confidence and love of adventure. At the same time he has no
content within the narrow limits of Ithaca. Therefore Ulysses wants illusions about his present condition. He knows fully well that he is
to undertake another voyage which will provide opportunities for not the man he was. The speech reveals his philosophy. It is one
more adventures. of tireless striving and eternal quest.

4. Ulysses's son Telemachus a man of patience

Ulysses thinks that if he leaves Ithaca there is his son Telemachus
to look after the administration of the country. He says that his son
Telemachus is a far better man to be the King of Ithaca than
himself. He has qualities such as patience and prudence which
are needed for a good ruler. He is capable of working in slow
stages and systematic methods to make the rugged people sub-
dued and useful. He is blameless. He would discharge his kingly
duties prudence which are needed for a good ruler. He is capable
of working in slow stages and systematic methods to make the
rugged people sub-dued and useful. He is blameless. He would
discharge his kingly duties and spiritual duties in an exemplary
manner. Ulysses reveals his love and affection for his son when
he says "my son, mine own Telemachus". He is proud of his son.

5. Ulysses's unyielding call to his mariners

Ulysses collects his band of faithful mariners and says that they
are men who have faced many adventures in all kinds of
circumstances. Of course they are now old and are incapable of
further similar adventures. But there are things which even old
people can do. Then pointing to the harbour, Ulysses, earnestly
invites his men to join him in his last voyage. It is possible that they
may drown. If it so happens, it is equally possible that they may
 She looked on, and her looks went everywhere.
Sir, ’twas all one! My favour at her breast,
The dropping of the daylight in the West,
The bough of cherries some officious fool
MY LAST DUCHESS Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule
She rode with round the terrace—all and each
Would draw from her alike the approving speech,
- BY ROBERT BROWNING Or blush, at least. She thanked men—good! but thanked
Somehow—I know not how—as if she ranked
FERRARA My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name
With anybody’s gift. Who’d stoop to blame
That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall, This sort of trifling? Even had you skill
Looking as if she were alive. I call In speech—which I have not—to make your will
That piece a wonder, now; Fra Pandolf’s hands Quite clear to such an one, and say, “Just this
Worked busily a day, and there she stands. Or that in you disgusts me; here you miss,
Will’t please you sit and look at her? I said Or there exceed the mark”—and if she let
“Fra Pandolf” by design, for never read Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly set
Strangers like you that pictured countenance, Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse—
The depth and passion of its earnest glance, E’en then would be some stooping; and I choose
But to myself they turned (since none puts by Never to stoop. Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt,
The curtain I have drawn for you, but I) Whene’er I passed her; but who passed without
And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst, Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands;
How such a glance came there; so, not the first Then all smiles stopped together. There she stands
Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, ’twas not As if alive. Will’t please you rise? We’ll meet
Her husband’s presence only, called that spot The company below, then. I repeat,
Of joy into the Duchess’ cheek; perhaps The Count your master’s known munificence
Fra Pandolf chanced to say, “Her mantle laps Is ample warrant that no just pretense
Over my lady’s wrist too much,” or “Paint Of mine for dowry will be disallowed;
Must never hope to reproduce the faint Though his fair daughter’s self, as I avowed
Half-flush that dies along her throat.” Such stuff At starting, is my object. Nay, we’ll go
Was courtesy, she thought, and cause enough Together down, sir. Notice Neptune, though,
For calling up that spot of joy. She had Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity,
A heart—how shall I say?— too soon made glad, Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!
Too easily impressed; she liked whate’er
 4. By design - with a special purpose

5. Read - saw closely

English Summary Video
6. countenance - appearance
(Youtube)
7. Puts by - lays aside, removes

8. durst - to venture

9. That spot of joy - that blush which is the expression of

joy

10. Called - caused to appear

Tamil Summary Video (Youtube)
11. Chanced - happened

12. Hall-flush - the blush

13. Favour - gift, present

14. Dropping - fading

15. Bough - a branch of a tree

GLOSSARY 16. Officious - offering unwanted service

1. Duchess - wife of a Duke

17. Stoop - to lean forward

2. Piece - picture or painting

18. Trifling - of small value

3. Fra Pandolf - name of the imaginary Italian artist who was

19. Lessoned - taught
a friar
20. Forsooth - in truth
36. Bronze - a kind of metal which is a mixture of copper and
21. Cheese - i.e. choose, decide tin

22. The company below - people waiting downstairs

PARAPHRASE
23. Count - i.e. the Count who's daughter the Duke is going to
marry. Lines 1-5
The Duke of Ferrara is the speaker. He shows his visitor the
24. Munificence - maginificent painting of his dead wife the last Duchess. It is a wonderful
painting by Fra Pandolf who worked night and day busily. The
25. Ample - sufficient Duke calls the painting a wonderful one. He wants his listener to
sit and look at the portrait.
26. Warrant - guarantee
Lines 6-15
27. Prentence - claim The Duke says that all those who saw the picture turned around,
as if to ask him why the Duchess had such a serious, passionate
28. Dowry - the property which a woman brings for her look on her face. Only the Duke would draw the curtain for anyone
husband at marriage to see the picture. The Duke says that it is not only the presence
of her husband which called the spot of joy on the face of the
29. Avowed - declared Duchess.

30. Neptune - the god of the sea Lines 16-21

According to the Duke, anything could delight the Duchess or
31. Taming - controlling make the blush, even the small remarks made by the painter,
because she thought all this showed politeness and respect for
32. Sea-horse - an imaginary creature harnessed to sea- her.
god's chariot having horse's head and fish's tail.
Lines 22-30
33. Claus - an imaginary artist The Duke Ferrara says he does not know how to describe the
Duchess's heart which was made glad very easily. She was very
34. Innsbruck - capital of the Tyrol, Austria. easily impressed. She liked whatever she looked on and her looks
went everywhere. What angered the Duke the most was her
35. Cast - founded, formed into shape thanking all favours the same way. The Duchess saw and
appreciated the sunset, the mule she rode or the cherries that Neptune in Bronze, done by Claus of Innsbruck (again another
somebody gave her in the same way as she appreciated her imaginary sculptor).
husband's small but costly gifts to her.

Lines 31-35 Introduction to the Author

The Duchess did not treat the Duke anything special for his nine-
hundred year old name. In fact, her behaviour was so silly,
according to the Duke, he did not even lower himself to the level
of scolding her.

Lines 36-43
The Duke of Ferrara considers it below the dignity to show the
Duchess where or how her behaviour made him angry. Even if this
had made her behave better, it would still be beneath his dignity.

Lines 44-47
The Duchess smiled whenever the Duke passed by, but she
smiled at everyone who passed by. The Duke does not make clear
what commands he gave and how the smiles of the Duchess
'stopped altogether'. It is for the reader to conclude that the
commands led to the death of the Duchess.

Lines 48-53 Robert Browning (1812-1889), one of the greatest poets of the
The Duke now asks meistener to the. He says that they should victorian age was bom in Camberwell, near London, on May 7,
meet others sating downsters for them. The Duke makes it clear 1812. His father was a clerk in the Bank of Englaric. He was taught
that he is seeking another wife and the visitor has come to at home and latter supplemented by lectures at the university
negotiate the marriage. His marriage is to be with somebody nch college, London. As he was meant for the medical profession, he
and is sure to ask for much dowry. Although he says that he is entered Guy's Hospital, but this was not his vocation. After
tterested only in the lady he wants to marry. publishing his first known work Pauline (1833) Browning went to
Russia and there he wrote the poem How They Brought the Good
Lines 54-58 News. His first experience of Italy came in 1838 and much of his
The last fow Ines are spoken as the Duke and his visitor leave the best work was done in that country. He met Elizabeth Barret, a
room. He continues to show off his art treasures, the statue of well-known poet of her time in 1845 and fell in love with her. He
married her in 1846 and the couple soon left for Italy For fifteen
years the Brownings lived an ideally happy life in Pisa and • Setting: Renaissance Italy, in the private art gallery of a
Florence. After the death of his wife, Browning returned to England Duke’s palace.
with his son. With the publication of The Ring and the Book in • Speaker: The Duke of Ferrara, who is speaking to an
1868, he was at last recognized by his countrymen as one of the emissary (an envoy) about his late wife, the Duchess.
greatest of English poets. He died in Venice on December 12, • Historical Influence: The poem is thought to be inspired
1889. by Alfonso II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara, and his young wife
Lucrezia de' Medici, who died under mysterious
Browning's best lyrics include, Pauline, Paracelous, Dramatic circumstances.
Lyrics, Men and Women, Dramatis Personae, etc.
3. Themes:
• Power and Control:
Introduction to the Poem o The Duke is obsessed with power and control,
particularly over his late wife. He desires absolute
The poem was first published in Dramatic Lyrics in 1842. It is a authority not only in his household but also over his
short poem that analyses the soul of a selfish man. The ego- wife's behavior and emotions.
centric Duke reveals his character unconsciously by his words of o The poem reflects how the Duke's need for control
praise concerning his dead wife's (Duchess's) portrait It is one of extends beyond life into death, as he controls how
Browning's best and most well-known dramatic monologues. The the Duchess is remembered through her portrait.
psychology of the character is the subject of the poem which • Jealousy and Possessiveness:
shows Browning's psychological insight, analytical subtlety and o The Duke reveals his jealousy over the Duchess's
power of dramatic interpretation. behavior, particularly her perceived flirtatiousness
and her failure to reserve her smiles solely for him.
o His possessiveness is so extreme that it is implied
Key Points and Self Notes he may have ordered her death to stop what he
perceived as her indiscretions.
1. Overview:
• Art and Objectification:
• Author: Robert Browning
o The Duchess is objectified both in life and in death.
• Published: 1842, in the collection "Dramatic Lyrics"
The Duke treats her portrait as a possession,
• Form: Dramatic Monologue
displaying it only when he wishes to assert his
• Structure: Rhymed Couplets in Iambic Pentameter (Heroic
control.
couplets)
o The poem critiques the way women are objectified,
reduced to beautiful objects rather than being
2. Background and Context:
recognized as individuals with their own thoughts
and feelings.
 • Enjambment:
• Patriarchy and Gender Roles: o Browning uses enjambment throughout the poem,
o The Duke embodies the patriarchal values of the where sentences and thoughts run over from one
time, expecting his wife to be completely line to the next without pause.
submissive, obedient, and grateful for his attention. o This creates a sense of natural speech and helps to
o The poem highlights the dangerous consequences build tension as the Duke’s monologue unfolds.
of these rigid gender roles, showing how they can
lead to the suppression and destruction of women’s 5. Key Passages and Analysis:
identities. • Opening Lines:
• Appearance vs. Reality: o "That's my last Duchess painted on the wall, /
o There is a stark contrast between the Duke’s public Looking as if she were alive."
image as a refined, cultured man and his private o The Duke immediately introduces the portrait of his
reality as a controlling and possibly murderous last Duchess, revealing his possessive attitude by
husband. referring to her as "my" and showing her as a static,
o The Duke’s polished speech and calm demeanor controlled image.
mask the darker aspects of his personality and • The Duke’s Criticism of the Duchess:
actions. o "She had / A heart—how shall I say?—too soon
made glad, / Too easily impressed; she liked
4. Structure and Form: whate'er / She looked on, and her looks went
• Dramatic Monologue: everywhere."
o The poem is a dramatic monologue, where the Duke o The Duke criticizes the Duchess for being too easily
speaks directly to the envoy, revealing much about pleased and for showing the same kindness and
his character and his relationship with the Duchess. warmth to everyone, which he perceives as a lack of
o The monologue form allows the Duke to proper respect for his status.
inadvertently reveal his arrogance, jealousy, and • Implied Murder:
cruelty, even as he tries to present himself in a o "I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped
positive light. together. There she stands / As if alive."
• Rhymed Couplets: o The Duke chillingly implies that he had the Duchess
o The poem is composed in rhymed couplets of iambic killed because she did not conform to his
pentameter, also known as heroic couplets. expectations. The phrase "all smiles stopped
o The use of rhymed couplets gives the poem a together" suggests that he ended her life to stop her
controlled, formal structure, mirroring the Duke’s perceived flirtations.
desire for control and order in his life and
relationships.
 • The Final Lines:
o "Notice Neptune, though, / Taming a sea-horse, 7. Symbolism and Imagery:
thought a rarity, / Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in • The Portrait:
bronze for me!" o The portrait symbolizes the Duke’s control over the
o The poem ends with the Duke casually pointing out Duchess, both in life and in death. It serves as a
a statue, symbolizing his continued interest in art as reminder of her fate and the Duke’s power.
a means of asserting his power. The reference to o The way the Duke displays and discusses the
Neptune taming a sea-horse serves as a metaphor portrait reflects his view of the Duchess as an object
for the Duke’s control over the Duchess. to be owned and controlled.

6. Character Analysis: • The Statue of Neptune:

• The Duke: o The statue of Neptune taming a sea-horse at the end
o A complex character, the Duke is both cultured and of the poem symbolizes the Duke’s desire for
cruel, sophisticated yet ruthless. His monologue dominance and control. Neptune, a god, represents
reveals his arrogance, need for control, and the Duke’s self-image as a powerful, god-like figure.
jealousy. o The sea-horse, a delicate creature, represents those
o His calm and measured speech contrasts with the under the Duke’s control, including the Duchess.
disturbing content of his words, making him a chilling
and unsettling figure. 8. Literary Devices:
• The Duchess: • Irony:
o Although she never speaks, the Duchess is o The poem is rich in irony, particularly in how the
characterized through the Duke’s descriptions. She Duke reveals his cruelty and possessiveness while
is portrayed as kind, joyful, and appreciative of life’s trying to present himself as a reasonable and
simple pleasures. cultured man.
o The Duke’s criticism of her behavior suggests that o The irony lies in the Duke’s perception of himself
she was a warm and generous person, but his versus how the reader perceives him based on his
possessiveness and jealousy ultimately led to her words.
demise. • Allusion:
• The Envoy: o The poem alludes to classical mythology (Neptune)
o The envoy is a silent listener in the poem, and Renaissance art, grounding the Duke’s world in
representing the outside world and the next a specific historical and cultural context.
marriage negotiation. His silence allows the Duke to
dominate the conversation and reveal his true
nature.
 • Symbolism: 2. My Last Duchess is a
o The portrait, the statue, and even the Duchess’s a) Dramatic Poetry
smiles are symbolic of the themes of power, control, b) Dramatic Monologue
and objectification. c) Dramatic Irony
d) Dramatic personae
9. Personal Reflection:
• "My Last Duchess" is a powerful exploration of the dark side 3. The speaker of the poem My Last Duchess is
of human nature, particularly how power and control can a) the poet
corrupt relationships. b) the messenger
• The Duke’s character is a stark warning about the dangers c) the Duchess
of unchecked authority and the dehumanization that can d) the Duke
result from extreme possessiveness and jealousy.
• The poem invites reflection on the nature of art and its 4. Why did the speaker give the name of the painter?
relationship to power, as well as the societal expectations a) so that people might not think of any other popular artist
placed on women and the consequences of defying those b) because it was the request made by the painter himself
expectations. c) because people could ask how that depth of
expression
By analyzing these aspects of "My Last Duchess," you can gain a came in the Duchess's face
deeper understanding of Browning’s critique of power, control, and d) it was only a casual remark.
the objectification of women in a patriarchal society. 5. What kind of lady was the Duchess?
a) an immoral lady
b) an innocent lady
CHOOSE THE CORRECT c) a cruel – natured lady
d) an arrogant lady
ANSWER
6. What does the Duchess not consider as being anything
1. The wonderful painting of the Duchess was drawn by special?
a) Andrea del Sarto a) the Duke's palace
b) Fra Lippo Lippi b) the Duke’s nine hundred year old name
c) Fra Pandolf c) the Duke's wealth
d) Claus of Innsbruck d) the Duke's power among his people
 7. "Then all smiles stopped together". What is the meaning of this not speak but plays a part in the development of the poem.
sentence? Browning frequently used dramatic monologues in his poems.
a) The Duke ordered the Duchess not to smile anymore.
b) The Duke ordered his people and servants not to smile My Last Duchess is a dramatic monologue. The poet lets the
the Duchess. character (the Duke) speak for himself and the reader is left to
c) There was no more happiness in the Duke's palace. draw his own conclusions about the character. These dramatic
d) The Duchess was put to death by the commands of monologues have also been called 'soul studies. My Last Duchess
the Duke. is a very keen analysis of the soul of a selfish man, who reveals
his character unconsciously by his words of praise concerning his
8. Neptune is the god of dead wife's picture. It is one of Browning's best and most-well
a) love known soul studies or dramatic monologues.
b) mercy
c) the sea 2. How does the Duke describe the Duchess in the picture?
d) vanity The context is when Duke of Ferrara is going to marry the niece
of the Count Tyroe to whose messenger he is speaking. The Duke
9. In the statue of Neptune, the god is seen taming a shows his visitor the painting of his dead wife the last Duchess. It
a) sea-horse is a wonderful painting by Fra Pandolf who worked night and day
b) wild elephant busily. The Duke calls the painting a wonderful one. He wants his
c) fierce-tiger listener to sit and look at the portrait. The Duke says that all those
d) fearsome lion who saw the picture turned around as if to ask him why the
Duchess had such a serious, passionate look on her face. Only
10. What does the Duke expect from his second wife, whom he the Duke would draw the curtain for anyone to see the picture. The
has intended to marry? Duke says that it is not only the presence of her husband which
a) only her kindness called the spot of joy on the face of the Duchess. According to the
b) a piece of land Duke, anything could delight the Duchess or make her blush, even
c) the best steed the small remarks made by the painter, because she thought all
d) a large dowry this showed politeness and respect for her.

3. What is the criticism thrown at the Duchess by the Duke?

PARAGRAPHS How did he put a stop to her smiles altogether?
1. Why is the poem "My Last Duchess a dramatic The Duke of Ferrara says he does not know how to describe the
monologue? Duchess heart which was made glad very easily. She was very
Dramatic monologue is a poetic soliloquy in which the speaker easily impressed. She liked whatever she looked on and her looks
reveals his own character. Usually, a listener is present who does went everywhere. What angered the Duke the most was her
thanking all favours the same way. The Duchess saw and 5. Write an account of the 'Last Duchess'?
appreciated the sunset, the mule she rode, or the cherries that The 'Last Duchess of the poem is the wife of the Duke of Ferrara.
somebody gave her in the same way as she appreciated her The Duke is the speaker of the monologue. She is no more, only
husband's small but costly gifts to her. The Duchess did not treat her picture is hung in the house of the Duke. It would have been
the Duke anything special for his nine hundred year old name. In drawn by the artist when she was alive. The Duchess appears to
fact, her behaviour was so silly, according to the Duke, he did not be an innocent young girl full of cheerfulness. Her kindness and
even lower himself to the level of scolding her. The Duke of charming manners fascinated everybody. But her pleasing smiles
Ferrara considered it below the dignity to show the Duchess where and kind words proved to be the cause of her death. It is evident
or how her behaviour made him angry. Even if this had made her that by the orders of her husband she might have been put to
behave better, it would still be beneath his dignity. death. The Duke's cruel nature and the innocence of the Duchess
are contrasted in the poem.
4. What is your impression of the speaker of the monologue
"My Last Duchess'?
(or) ESSAY
Write a character sketch of the Duke of Ferrara. 1. Describe Browning's "My Last Duchess as a dramatic
The speaker of the monologue entitled 'My Last Duchess' is the monologue.
widowed Duke of Ferrara. The Duke is a typical selfish aristocrat (or)
of the later Italian Renaissance. He regards his wife not only as a What is your conclusion about the character Duke of
dependent but also as a personal possession, a beautiful object Ferrara?
of art. It is obvious that he never loved his wife as a human being
with a soul. His last Duchess was an innocent woman full of 1.Introduction
cheerfulness and feminine charm and she had to pay for it with Robert Browning is the most important poet of the Victorian age
her life. He is so shameless in his pride that he thought it beneath after Tennyson. He is famous for his dramatic monologues, where
his dignity to tell her what was wrong with her conduct. So he gave the speaker is not the poet but a character that the poet has
commands and 'all smiles stopped together. (The Duchess was created in the poem. The poet makes the character speak for
put to death). He safeguards the picture of his dead wife, not himself and the reader is left to draw his own conclusion about the
because she was his wife but because it is a masterpiece of art character. Browning's My Last Duchess is spoken by the Duke,
done by a famous artist. This pride of possession is seen when he the husband of the dead Duchess.
points to the bronze statue of Neptune to the Count's messenger.
His greediness for wealth is revealed when he reminds the agent 2. The Duke's description of the Duchess's picture
that he expects a handsome dowry from the count. The context is when Duke of Ferrara is going to marry the niece
of the Count Tyroe to whose messenger he is speaking. The Duke
shows his visitor the painting of his dead wife the last Duchess. It
is a wonderful painting by Fra Pandolf who worked night and day
busily. The Duke calls the painting a wonderful one. He wants his 5. The Duke's vanity and selfish pride
listener to sit and look at the portrait. The Duke says that all those The Duke now asks the listener to rise. He says that they should
who saw the picture turned around as if to ask him why the meet others waiting downstairs for them. The Duke makes it clear
Duchess had such a serious, passionate look on her face. Only that he is seeking another wife and the visitor has come to
the Duke would draw the curtain for anyone to see the picture. The negotiate the marriage. His marriage is to be with somebody rich
Duke says that it is not only the presence of her husband which and is sure to ask for much dowry although he says that he is
called the spot of joy on the face of the Duchess. According to the interested only in the lady he wants to marry. His pointing at the
Duke, anything could delight the Duchess or make her blush, even statue of Neptune taming the sea horse hints at his controlling
the small remarks made by the painter, because she thought all anything under him, including the girl whom he is going to marry.
this showed politeness and respect for her.
6. Conclusion
3. The Duke's criticism of the Duchess The poem is short but a very keen analysis of the soul of a selfish
The Duke of Ferrara says he does not know how to describe the man, who reveals his character unconsciously by his words of
Duchess heart which was made glad very easily. She was very praise concerning his dead wife's picture. It is one of the
easily impressed. She liked whatever she looked on and her looks Browning's best and most well-known soul studies or dramatic
went everywhere. What angered the Duke the most was her monologues. The psychology of the character is the subject of the
thanking all favours the same way. The Duchess saw and poem which shows Browning's psychological insight, analytical
appreciated the sunset, the mule she rode, or the cherries that subtlety and power of dramatic interpretation.
somebody gave her in the same way as she appreciated her
husband's small but costly gifts to her. The Duchess did not treat
the Duke anything special for his nine hundred year old name. In
fact, her behaviour was so silly, according to the Duke, he did not
even lower himself to the level of scolding her. The Duke of
Ferrara considered it below the dignity to show the Duchess where
or how her behaviour made him angry. Even if this had made her
behave better, it would still be beneath his dignity.

4. The Duchess's smile 'stopped altogether'

The Duchess smiled whenever the Duke passed by, but she
smiled at everyone who passed by. The Duke does not make clear
what commands he gave and how the smiles of the Duchess
'stopped altogether'. It is for the reader to conclude that the
commands led to the death of the Duchess..
 And the dry stone no sound of water. Only
The Waste Land There is shadow under this red rock,
(Come in under the shadow of this red rock),
- By T.S.Eliot And I will show you something different from either
Your shadow at morning striding behind you
Or your shadow at evening rising to meet you;
FOR EZRA POUND I will show you fear in a handful of dust.
IL MIGLIOR FABBRO Frisch weht der Wind
Der-Heimat zu
I. The Burial of the Dead Mein Irisch Kind,
Wo weilest du?
April is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing “You gave me Hyacinths first a year ago;
Memory and desire, stirring “They called me the hyacinth girl.”
Dull roots with spring rain. —Yet when we came back, late, from the hyacinth garden,
Winter kept us warm, covering Your arms full, and your hair wet, I could not
Earth in forgetful snow, feeding Speak, and my eyes failed, I was neither
A little life with dried tubers. Living nor dead, and I knew nothing,
Summer surprised us, coming over the Starnbergersee Looking into the heart of light, the silence.
With a shower of rain; we stopped in the colonnade, Oed’ und leer das Meer.
And went on in sunlight, into the Hofgarten, Madame Sosostris, famous clairvoyante,
And drank coffee, and talked for an hour. Had a bad cold, nevertheless
Bin gar keine Russin, stamm’ aus Litauen, echt deutsch. Is known to be the wisest woman in Europe,
And when we were children, staying at the archduke’s, With a wicked pack of cards. Here, said she,
My cousin’s, he took me out on a sled, Is your card, the drowned Phoenician Sailor,
And I was frightened. He said, Marie, (Those are pearls that were his eyes. Look!)
Marie, hold on tight. And down he went. Here is Belladonna, the Lady of the Rocks,
In the mountains, there you feel free. The lady of situations.
I read, much of the night, and go south in the winter. Here is the man with three staves, and here the Wheel,
What are the roots that clutch, what branches grow And here is the one-eyed merchant, and this card,
Out of this stony rubbish? Son of man, Which is blank, is something he carries on his back,
You cannot say, or guess, for you know only Which I am forbidden to see. I do not find
A heap of broken images, where the sun beats, The Hanged Man. Fear death by water.
And the dead tree gives no shelter, the cricket no relief, I see crowds of people, walking round in a ring.
 Thank you. If you see dear Mrs. Equitone,
Tell her I bring the horoscope myself: English Summary Video
One must be so careful these days.
Unreal City, (Youtube)
Under the brown fog of a winter dawn,
A crowd flowed over London Bridge, so many,
I had not thought death had undone so many.
Sighs, short and infrequent, were exhaled,
And each man fixed his eyes before his feet.
Flowed up the hill and down King William Street,
To where Saint Mary Woolnoth kept the hours
With a dead sound on the final stroke of nine.
There I saw one I knew, and stopped him, crying: “Stetson!
“You who were with me in the ships at Mylae!
“That corpse you planted last year in your garden, GLOSSARY
“Has it begun to sprout? Will it bloom this year? 1. carious - crumbled
“Or has the sudden frost disturbed its bed?
“O keep the Dog far hence, that’s friend to men, 2. combinations - undergarments
“Or with his nails he’ll dig it up again!
“You! Hypocrite lecteur!—mon semblable,—mon frère!” 3. damyata - to organize

4. datta - to provide
Tamil Summary Video (Youtube) 5. dayadvham - to empathize

6. demobbed - unconfined from the military

7. Demotic - idiomatic

8. Ganga - the Ganges River in India

9. Himavant - Sanskrit for "snowy." maybe refers in this case to

the Himalayas.
 Lines 41-52: The speaker laments the lack of beauty and the
10. Hofgarten - a playing field in Munich decay of lifestyle.

11. Magnus Martyr - location to a cathedral in London, in Lines 53-62: The speaker describes the futility of human
respect of St. Magnus endeavor and the inevitability of loss of life.

12. Moorgate - a area in East London Lines 65-76: The speaker concludes with a sense of resignation
and depression.
13. Mylae - a conflict in the initial Punic War (linking Carthage
with Rome) April arrives, but brings no wish or renewal. The international is
desolate and devoid of existence. The speaker feels a experience
14. Philomel - a situation to Philomela, who was raped by King of melancholy and desperation. They search for meaning, but find
Tereus. none. The past is decayed and vain. Modern society is in ruins.
The speaker is trapped in a jail of their own making. They lengthy
15. Starnbergersee - a pond outer surface of Munich for escape, however see no way out. The world is a wilderness,
without splendor or joy The speaker is lost and on my own. They
16. The Metropole - a inn in Brighton look for connection, but find none. The decay of subculture and
splendor is lamented. The speaker feels a sense of futility and
despair.

PARAPHRASE Human undertaking is pointless inside the face of demise. The

(Line by line paraphrase) speaker is resigned to their destiny. They see no desire for the
future. The past is gone, and can not be recovered. The speaker
The burial of the dead: is stuck in the present, not able to move forward. They are trapped
Lines 1-16: The speaker describes the appearance of April and in a cycle of despair. The international is a jail, and the speaker is
the feel of despair and desolation. a captive. They lengthy for freedom, however see no way out. The
speaker is lost in a sea of despair. They search for a lifeline,
Lines 17-32: The speaker reflects at the past and the decay of however locate none.
current society.
The decay of society is a heavy burden. The speaker feels the
Lines 33-40: The speaker describes the search for that means load of the sector on their shoulders. They are overwhelmed with
and connection in a desolate global. the aid of the burden of their own melancholy. The international is
a darkish and lonely region. The speaker is by myself of their
struggling. They search for a manner out, however discover none.
The speaker is trapped in a by no means-ending cycle of ache. speaker is by myself and misplaced. They search for a way out,
They are misplaced in a world that is devoid of desire. The decay however locate none. The decay of society is a heavy burden. The
of lifestyle and beauty is a tragedy. The speaker feels a feel of loss speaker is trapped inside the wilderness, and not using a escape.
and longing. They search for a way to break out the barren region.
But see no manner out. The speaker is resigned to their destiny.
They will retain to go through in the barren region. The CRITICAL APPRECIATION
international is a desolate and barren vicinity. The speaker is by Modernist poetry at its best, "The Waste Land" is a poem of
myself and misplaced. They search for a way out, but find none. tremendous creative and intellectual depth. Eliot develops a rich,
The decay of society is a heavy burden. The speaker feels the multi-layered texture that begs for close reading and repeated
burden of the sector on their shoulders. They are overwhelmed by readings through his use of imagery, allusion, and symbolism.
using the load of their own depression. The international is a
darkish and lonely vicinity. The speaker is by myself of their The poem's fractured, non-linear structure echoes the disarray
suffering. They look for a manner out, but discover none. The and instability of contemporary existence, and the use of several
speaker is trapped in a by no means-ending cycle of ache. They voices and viewpoints contributes to the sense of displacement
are misplaced in a international this is with out desire. The decay and confusion it evokes.
of tradition and splendor is a tragedy. The speaker feels a feel of
loss and longing. They search for a way to get away the barren Eliot presents a harsh indictment of current society, highlighting
region. But see no way out. The speaker is resigned to their fate. the rot and hollowness of modern culture. However, there are also
They will maintain to go through inside the desert. The beautiful and transcendental passages in the poem that allude to
international is a desolate and barren area. The speaker is on my the prospect of restoration and atonement.
own and misplaced.
The poem highlights the connectivity of humankind through its
They search for a manner out, but locate none. The decay of use of allusion, which draws from a wide range of literary and
society is a heavy burden. The speaker feels the burden of the cultural allusions to create a feeling of cultural and historical depth.
world on their shoulders. They are overwhelmed via the burden of
their own depression. The global is a darkish and lonely region. Generations of poets and authors have been impacted by Eliot's
The speaker is alone of their struggling. They search for a manner distinctive and inventive literary voice, which is characterized by
out, but find none. The speaker is trapped in a by no means- its exceptional clarity, delicacy, and musicality.
finishing cycle of ache. They are lost in a international this is with
out wish. The decay of lifestyle and beauty is a tragedy. The The poem "The Waste Land" invites readers to interact with its
speaker feels a experience of loss and longing. They look for a intricacies and ambiguities, defying simple interpretation. Readers
way to break out the desert. But see no way out. The speaker is are still fascinated, challenged, and inspired by this book, which is
resigned to their destiny. They will preserve to suffer inside the evidence of its lasting relevance and impact.
wilderness. The world is a desolate and barren region. The
 Among the major ideas and strategies that are frequently
emphasized in analyses of "The Waste Land” are the following: Author introduction:
• Dislocation and ragmentation

• Historical and cultural deterioration.

• The pursuit of transcendence and meaning

• Use of intertextuality and allusion

• Creative language and form

• Investigation of the human condition

• Including themes of spirituality, disillusionment, and

A well-known poet, dramatist, and critic was T.S. Eliot. He is
alienation.
regarded as one of the twentieth century's most significant poets.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, he eventually attained British
citizenship. Poetry by Eliot is renowned for its profundity and
intricacy. He was a prominent member of the literary Modernist
movement. His poem "The Waste Land" is regarded as a modem
poetry masterpiece. In addition to being a writer, Eliot wrote the
renowned play "Murder in the Cathedral". In 1948, he received the
Nobel Prize in Literature. The philosophical and intellectual topics
found in Eliot's writing are well-known. Most people consider him
to be one of the greatest poets of all time.

Theme of the poem:

T.S. Eliot wrote the lengthy modernist poetry "The Waste Land"
in 1922. The poem is a reflection on how society was torn apart
and disillusioned following World War I.
It is renowned for making intricate and creative use of references, • Fragmentation:
imagery, and language. The poem's disjointed, non-linear style o The poem’s fragmented structure mirrors the chaotic
reflects the disarray and instability of contemporary existence. state of the modern world. It lacks a linear narrative,
reflecting the disintegration of traditional forms and
As one of the most significant and enduring poems of the 20th values.
century, "The Waste Land". • Multiple Voices:
o Features a chorus of voices, including mythological
figures, historical characters, and contemporary
Key Points and Self Notes individuals. This multiplicity underscores the
complexity and fragmentation of modern life.
1. Overview: • Allusions and References:
• Author: T.S. Eliot
o Rich with literary, religious, and cultural references,
• Published: 1922
including texts from the Bible, Dante’s "Divine
• Form: Modernist Poem
Comedy," and classical mythology. These allusions
• Structure: Five Sections, with a mix of free verse and
create a dense intertextual network that deepens the
formal elements poem’s themes.
• Length: 433 lines

4. Themes:
2. Background and Context: • Disillusionment and Despair:
• Historical Context: Written after World War I, during a
o The poem captures the sense of despair and
period of significant social, cultural, and political upheaval. disillusionment that characterized the post-World
Reflects the disillusionment and fragmentation of the early War I era. The "waste land" symbolizes the spiritual
20th century. and cultural barrenness of contemporary society.
• Modernism: Represents a key work of the Modernist
• Death and Rebirth:
movement, characterized by its experimental approach to o Themes of death and rebirth are central to the poem.
form, structure, and content. Eliot uses mythological and religious references to
• Personal Context: Eliot was dealing with personal issues,
explore the cycle of destruction and renewal.
including a nervous breakdown and a troubled marriage, • Spiritual Desolation:
which influenced the tone and content of the poem. o Reflects the spiritual emptiness and loss of meaning
in the modern world. The decline of traditional
3. Structure and Form: religious beliefs is juxtaposed with the search for
o I. The Burial of the Dead: Introduces themes of
new forms of spiritual understanding.
death, disillusionment, and the desolation of the
modern world.
 • Sexual Corruption:
o Sexuality is portrayed as corrupted and 6. Key Sections and Analysis:
disconnected from its potential for true intimacy and • "The Burial of the Dead":
meaning. This reflects broader themes of moral and o Opens with images of death and disillusionment,
spiritual decay. setting the tone for the rest of the poem. The line
• Search for Meaning: "April is the cruellest month" contrasts with
o Amidst the chaos, there is a quest for meaning and traditional ideas of spring as a time of renewal,
redemption. The poem suggests that meaning might suggesting a sense of dread.
be found through engagement with ancient myths
and religious traditions, though this search is fraught 7. Character and Voice Analysis:
with difficulty. • The Narrator(s):
o The poem does not have a single, consistent
5. Literary Techniques: narrator. Instead, it features multiple voices and
• Imagery: perspectives that reflect the fragmented nature of
o Vivid and often disturbing imagery is used to convey the modern world.
the themes of decay and fragmentation. Images of • Tiresias:
drought, death, and destruction are prevalent. o A central figure in "The Fire Sermon," Tiresias is a
• Symbolism: blind prophet from Greek mythology who represents
o Symbols such as water, the Fisher King, and the both male and female perspectives. His presence
wasteland represent deeper themes of renewal, ties together various elements of the poem.
mortality, and spiritual barrenness. • Madame Sosostris:
• Allusion and Intertextuality: o A clairvoyant who appears in "The Burial of the
o Extensive use of allusion to other literary and cultural Dead," Madame Sosostris provides a Tarot reading
works creates a complex web of references that that foreshadows the poem’s themes and events.
enriches the poem’s themes and meanings. She symbolizes the search for meaning in a chaotic
• Free Verse and Formal Structure: world.
o The poem mixes free verse with formal elements,
such as rhyme and meter, reflecting the tension 8. Symbolism and Motifs:
between tradition and modernity. • Water:
• Polyphony: o Water symbolizes both death and the possibility of
o The use of multiple voices and perspectives creates rebirth. The lack of water in the wasteland
a polyphonic effect that mirrors the complexity and represents spiritual drought, while its presence
fragmentation of the modern world. suggests potential renewal.
 • The Fisher King: beliefs while exploring the potential for new forms of
o A mythological figure representing a wounded king spiritual understanding.
whose land is barren as a result of his impotence. In
the poem, he symbolizes the modern world's 10. Personal Reflection:
spiritual sickness and the need for healing. • "The Waste Land" offers a profound exploration of the
• The Waste Land: modern condition, reflecting the disillusionment and
o Represents the spiritual and cultural desolation of fragmentation of the post-World War I era.
the modern world. It is a metaphor for the loss of • The poem’s complex structure and use of multiple voices
meaning and the decay of traditional values. and references create a rich and challenging text that
• The Thunder: requires careful reading and interpretation.
o In "What the Thunder Said," the thunder represents • The themes of despair, decay, and the search for meaning
divine communication and the possibility of spiritual are central to the poem, offering insight into the spiritual and
renewal. The reference to the Upanishads and the cultural crises of the early 20th century.
words "Da, Datta, Dayadhvam" (Give, Sympathize,
Control) suggest a path to redemption. By examining these aspects of "The Waste Land," you can gain a
deeper understanding of Eliot’s portrayal of the modern world and
9. Literary and Cultural References: the ways in which he uses literary techniques and references to
• Mythology: explore themes of disillusionment, decay, and renewal.
o The poem draws on a wide range of mythological
sources, including Greek, Roman, and Hindu myths.
These references add depth to the poem’s CHOOSE THE CORRECT
exploration of themes like death, rebirth, and
renewal. ANSWER
• Literature: 1. Who write down the poem "The Waste Land"?
o The poem is filled with references to other literary a) T.S. Eliot
works, including Dante’s "Divine Comedy," b) W.B. Yeats
Shakespeare’s plays, and James Joyce’s "Ulysses." c) Ezra Pound
These allusions create a rich intertextual network. d) Virginia Woolf

2. What year was the poem in print?

• Religion: a) 1920
o Religious references include Christianity, Buddhism, b) 1922
Hinduism, and ancient fertility rites. The poem c) 1925
grapples with the decline of traditional religious d) 1930
 c) A cultural condition
3. What is the poem's formation? d) A political entity
a) Linear narrative
b) Fragmented and non-linear 9. Which poem is often compared to "The Waste Land"?
c) Circular a) "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock"
d) Epistolary b) "The Cantos"
c) "The Odyssey"
4. What is the poem's innermost thesis? d) "Paradise Lost"
a) Love
b) Nature 10. What is the name of the poem's second section?
c) Decay and renewal a) A Game of Chess
d) Politics b) The Fire Sermon
c) Death by Water
5. What is the consequence of the title "The Waste Land"? d) The Burial of the Dead
a) A reference to a physical landscape
b) A metaphor for spiritual decay 11. Which theme is central to this section?
c) A reference to a literary work a) Love and relationships
d) A political statement b) Spirituality and faith
c) Politics and history
6. What is the name of the poem's first section? d) Culture and decay
a) The Burial of the Dead
b) A Game of Chess 12. What is the significance of the "hyacinth girf"?
c) The Fire Sermon a) She represents beauty and innocence
d) Death by Water b) She represents decay and corruption
c) She represents spiritual renewal
7. Which character's voice is heard in the poem's opening lines? d) She represents cultural heritage
a) The poet himself
b) A mythical figure 13. Which literary work is alluded to in the line "These fragments
c) A historical figure I have shored against my ruins"?
d) A literary character a) The Iliad
b) The Odyssey
8. What is the implication of the "waste land" itself? c) The Aeneid
a) A physical place d) The Divine Comedy
b) A spiritual state
14. What is the name of the poem's third section? 19. Which theme is central to this section?
a) The Fire Sermon a) Culture and decay
b) Death by Water b) Love and relationships
c) The Burial of the Dead c) Politics and history
d) A Game of Chess d) Spirituality and faith

15. Which theme is central to this section? 20. What is the significance of the "death by water" itself?
a) Spirituality and faith a) It represents spiritual rebirth
b) Politics and history b) It represents cultural decay
c) Culture and decay c) It represents political awakening
d) Love and relationships d) It represents personal transformation

16. What is the significance of the "fire sermon" itself? 21. What is the significance of the "Phoenician" in the poem?
a) It represents spiritual renewal a) He represents cultural decay
b) It represents cultural decay b) He represents spiritual renewal
c) It represents political awakening c) He represents a historical figure
d) It represents personal transformation d) He represents a mythological figure

17. Which literary work is alluded to in the line "Weialala leia, 22. Which section of the poem is written in the form of a sermon?
wallala leialala"? a) The Burial of the Dead
a) The Iliad b) A Game of Chess
b) The Odyssey c) The Fire Sermon
c) The Aeneid d) Death by Water
d) The Divine Comedy
23. What is the significance of the "river" in the poem?
18. What is the name of the poem's fourth section? a) It represents spiritual journey
a) Death by Water b) It represents cultural decay
b) The Burial of the Dead c) It represents political awakening
c) A Game of Chess d) It represents personal transformation
d) The Fire Sermon
24. Which literary work is alluded to in the line "O the moon c) Two friends
shone bright on Mrs. Porter"? d) The poet and their alter ego
a) The Iliad
b) The Odyssey 30. What is the outcome of the chess game in the poem?
c) The Aeneid a) A decisive victory for one player
d) The Divine Comedy b) A stalemate
c) A abandonment of the game
25. What is the significance of the "blindness" in the poem? d) A transformation into a different game
a) It represents spiritual ignorance
b) It represents cultural decay
c) It represents political awakening FILL IN THE BLANKS
d) It represents personal transformation 1. The poem "The Waste Land" is measured a masterwork of
Modernist literature.
26. What is the main imagery in the poem "A Game of Chess"?
a) Anatural landscape 2. The poem's configuration is Fragmented and non-linear.
b) A chess game
c) A cityscape 3. The poem's central topic is Decay and renewal.
d) A religious icon
4. The title "The Waste Land" is a figure of speech for Spiritual
27. What does the chess game represent in the poem? decay.
a) A battle between good and evil
b) A relationship between two people 5. The poem's first part is called The Burial of the Dead.
c) A struggle between reason and emotion
d) A game of chance and fate 6. The hyacinth girl signifies Beauty and innocence.

28. What is the tone of the poem "A Game of Chess"? 7. The line "These fragments I have shored alongside my ruins"
a) Lighthearted and playful alludes to The Aeneid.
b) Tense and anxious
c) Melancholic and reflective 8. The "fire sermon" represents Spiritual renewal.
d) Angry and confrontational
9. The poem's fourth part is called Death by Water.
29. Who are the players in the chess game?
a) Two strangers 10. The "Phoenician" represents Spiritual rebirth.
b) Two lovers
11. The "river" in the poem represents a divine voyage. the stones" and "the dry sterile thunder of the railway trains"
echoes through the desert as he explores this theme using
12. The "blindness" in the poem represents religious lack of imagery and symbolism. Ariver that "sweats oil and tar" is a
knowledge. symbol of the corruption and degradation of contemporary society,
while the wasteland symbolizes the spiritual emptiness and
13. The "eyes" in the poem symbolize saintly imminent. despair of modern life. Eliot creates a striking picture of a world
that has lost its spiritual vigor and is searching for meaning in a
14. The "wind" in the poem represents pious change. post-World War I world with this imagery and symbolism.

15. The poem's final section is written in the form of a 3. What is the subject matter of "The Waste Land's second
Lamentation. section, and how does Eliot explore the themes of spiritual
deterioration and disillusionment using allusions and
Imagery?
PARAGRAPHS "The Waste Land's second portion is devoted to the
1. What is the main idea of the poem, and how does it disillusionment and spiritual deterioration of contemporary society,
evolve over the course of the composition? especially in the years following World War I. Eliot explores the
“The Waste Land" is primarily about deterioration and renewal. themes of decline and decay through historical and mythological
The poem examines cultural and spiritual deterioration. It also allusions, such as the Fisher King narrative and the fall of the Holy
looks into the potential for rebirth and renewal. Through Roman Empire. He often uses metaphors to illustrate the idea of
symbolism, allusion, and imagery, the theme is developed. The moral and spiritual decline, such as "rats' alley" and "cancerous
fractured and non-linear structure of the poem contributes to the growth" in the city. Eliot depicts a world that has lost its spiritual
theme. The poem's various sections examine various facets of vigor and is striving to find meaning in the midst of chaos and ruin
deterioration and rebirth. The poem emphasizes the theme by through these references and images. The famous phrase "These
contrasting concepts and pictures. The meaning and message of fragments I have shored against my ruins" hint that the segment
the poem are centered on the theme. An insightful examination of is coming to an end.
the human condition, it is. Readers still find resonance in the
theme today. 4. What is the third section of "The Waste Land all about and
how does Ellot address the themes of spiritual yearning and
2. What is the central idea of "The Waste Land's first rebirth using imagery and symbolism?
section, and how does Eliot explore It with symbols and "The Waste Land's third section is devoted to the spiritual quest
imagery? and desire for transcendence and rejuvenation. The "fire sermons"
The spiritual decline and despair of contemporary life are the key and the "hyacinth girl" are two examples of the imagery and
themes of "The Waste Land's opening half. Eliot describes a symbolism Eliot used to examine the speaker's longing for spiritual
desolate and desolate setting where "the sun beats down upon awakening and a relationship with God. While the metaphor of the
"rose garden" denotes the potential for spiritual renewal and the conflict was a major factor in this societal, psychological, and
rebirth, the images of the "empty cistern" and the "dry well" allude emotional collapse. Water appears frequently in T.S. Eliot's "The
to the speaker's sense of spiritual dryness and emptiness. Eliot Waste Land," a poem known for its vivid imagery and its
depicts the speaker's quest for spiritual enlightenment and their significance to the themes of degradation, hopelessness, and
battle to find meaning and purpose in a broken and dying world possible salvation.
through these pictures and symbols. The renowned phrases
"Shantih shantih shantih" signal the speaker's final acceptance Summer Showers: Illusions
and tranquility as the segment comes to a close. The poem opens with a description of summer rain, which at first
glance appears to give the desolate surroundings life. This
5. Which theme does "The Waste Land" end with, and how expectation is soon destroyed, though, when it is discovered that
does Eliot wrap up the poem's examination of spiritual the rain is really a mirage and cannot actually penetrate the
deterioration and rebirth using Imagery and symbolism? parched dirt.
The speaker's acceptance and surrender to fate and the cyclical
cycle of life and death are the main themes of "The Waste Land's The Arid Well:
last section. Eliot expresses the speaker's emotion of surrender The first piece, "The Burial of the Dead," uses the metaphor of the
and resignation with imagery and symbolism, such as the "river's dry well to represent the spiritual emptiness and dryness of
tent" and the "DA DA DA" refrain. While the symbol of the "boat" contemporary existence. Once a source of vital water, the well is
denotes the path towards spiritual rebirth and transformation, the now dry and unusable.
picture of the "wounded surgeon" implies the speaker's
acknowledgment of their own limitations and the need for The River Thames
treatment. The speaker appears to be accepting of their own The River Thames, which makes an appearance in "The Fire
fragmentation and the futility of attempting to impose order on a Sermon," stands in for the decline of contemporary culture. The
chaotic world in the closing lines, "These fragments I have shored river, which once represented vitality and life, is now lifeless and
against my ruins/why should I orchestrate my pieces?" dirty, symbolizing the moral decline of civilization. The Submerged
Phoenician Navigator

ESSAYS The drowning Phoenician sailor from "Death by Water" serves as

1. Examine the water images in "The Waste Land's starting a cautionary tale about the perils of lust and the attraction of
with the summer rain and ending with the shower that might deceptive promises. The sailor's demise serves as a warning that
provide salvation. the cycle of degradation continues even beyond death.

Introduction: The Shower: Salvation?

One could read The Waste Land as a poem about loss and There is a glimpse of hope for salvation in the poem's final water
brokenness, and Eliot's many references to World War I imply that image, the shower. The rain symbolizes purification and
rejuvenation, implying that spiritual growth is possible even in the The rich woman:
face of degradation. Who is never addressed by name, is seated in the opulent drawing
room in "A Game of Chess. She appears to be surrounded by
Conclusion: luxury but is unable to recognize or take pleasure in it. She could
The poem "The Waste Land" emphasizes its themes of be referring to Vivienne, Eliot's wife.
degradation, hopelessness, and possible salvation through its use
of water imagery. Water is an evocative metaphor that draws Philomela:
attention to the difficulties and paradoxes of contemporary One of Ovid's Metamorphoses' characters. After Tereus had
existence, from the misplaced optimism of summer rain to the raped her, she exacted her revenge on her sister and changed
potentially liberating shower. into a nightingale.

2. Characteristics of the poem "The wasteland" by T.S.Eliot. A Typist:

A creature of the modern world, A "young man carbuncular," who
The Storyteller stays with her, pays her a visit. Once more, she is left alone with
Of all the characters in the poem, he is the hardest to define only her gramophone and mirror.
because he takes on so many various forms. The Narrator
appears to be Eliot at points, and then he represents all of Mr. Eugenides
humanity at other times. He appears in "The Fire Sermon" as both A dealer from Smyrna (present-day Izmir, Turkey). Most likely the
the blind prophet Tiresias and the Fisher King of the Grail tale. It trader with one eye that Madame Sosostris mentions.
is unclear how much of his ruminations are personal when he
appears to be a reflection of Eliot. Phlebas
A merchant from Phoenicia who is said to be dead and floating in
Madame Sosostris the water in "Death by Water." Maybe the same Phoenician sailor
A well-known clairvoyant that Eliot used for the Tarot card event that Madame Sosostris mentions that drowned.
and that Aldous Huxley mentioned in his book Crome Yellow.
Notwithstanding her severe cold, she is "known to be the wisest 3. An analysis of "The Waste Land's opening part
woman in Europe, with a wicked pack of cards."
Synopsis
Stetson: The modernist masterpiece "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot
A companion of the narrator who accompanied him into battle. examines the disillusionment and division of society following
Which conflict? It's not clear. Either World War I or the Punic War, World War I. "The Burial of the Dead," the poem's opening part,
or both, or neither. introduces themes of spiritual emptiness, misery, and decay that
establish the tone for the rest of the poem.
 The Images of the Wastelands
The passage begins with a striking depiction of a desolate, post-
apocalyptic scene in which "the dead tree gives no shelter / And
the sun beats." The wasteland is established as a symbol of
spiritual despair, devoid of life and hope, by means of this imagery.

The Modern Society's Failure

Eliot uses the metaphor of the "hyacinth girl," a person who is
unable to relate to people or find purpose in her life, to criticize
contemporary society. The "broken images" and "stony rubbish"
that dot the landscape, serving as metaphors for the decline of
civilization and culture, are reflections of this failure.

The Look for Significance

The line "What are the roots that clutch, what branches grow/Out
of this stony rubbish?" demonstrates the speaker's yearning for
significance and connection. The world has lost its spiritual
bearings, making it impossible to discover answers, which
frustrates this pursuit.

The burial of the Dead

The title of this part, "The Burial of the Dead," alludes to both the
spiritual and physical interment of the deceased as well as the
burial of hope. The feeling of helplessness and misery is
emphasized by the picture of the "dull tom-toms" pounding in the
distance.

Conclusion:
With "The Burial of the Dead," Eliot establishes the mood for the
remainder of "The Waste Land," which explores themes of spiritual
emptiness, despair, and decay. Eliot conveys a sense of loss and
despair to the reader by criticizing contemporary society and the
breakdown of personal connection through vivid imagery and
potent symbolism.
 When there was peace, he was for peace: when there was war, he
went.
He was married and added five children to the population,
Which our Eugenist says was the right number for a parent of his
The Unknown Citizen generation.
And our teachers report that he never interfered with their education.
Was he free? Was he happy? The question is absurd:
- W.H.Auden Had anything been wrong, we should certainly have heard.

(To JS/07 M 378 English Summary Video

This Marble Monument
Is Erected by the State) (Youtube)
He was found by the Bureau of Statistics to be
One against whom there was no official complaint,
And all the reports on his conduct agree
That, in the modern sense of an old-fashioned word, he was a saint,
For in everything he did he served the Greater Community.
Except for the War till the day he retired
He worked in a factory and never got fired,
But satisfied his employers, Fudge Motors Inc.
Yet he wasn't a scab or odd in his views,
For his Union reports that he paid his dues,
(Our report on his Union shows it was sound) Tamil Summary Video (Youtube)
And our Social Psychology workers found
That he was popular with his mates and liked a drink.
The Press are convinced that he bought a paper every day
And that his reactions to advertisements were normal in every way.
Policies taken out in his name prove that he was fully insured,
And his Health-card shows he was once in hospital but left it cured.
Both Producers Research and High-Grade Living declare
He was fully sensible to the advantages of the Instalment Plan
And had everything necessary to the Modern Man,
A phonograph, a radio, a car and a frigidaire.
Our researchers into Public Opinion are content
That he held the proper opinions for the time of year;
 14) Producers Research monitoring the living – another
GLOSSARY research organisation and High-Grade Living standards of
1) The unknown citizen - the ordinary average citizen, in people.
the modern industrialized urban society.
15) Frigidaire - refrigerator
2) TO JS/07 M 378 - The statistical records refer to a man by
numbers. 16) Our researches..... - (ironical) He had no firm opinon.

3) Bureau of Statistics - The government department which 17) the time of year - He was an opportunist.
keeps a record of citizens.
18) Eugenist - population expert
4) He was a saint - a perfect citizen
19) Was he free?.... - (ironincal) The citizen of the have heard
5) The Greater Community - society or the nation modern state is ideal when he is not unusual in any way.

6) never got fired - never got dismissed

PARAPHRASE
7) Fudge Motors Inc. - The name of an imaginary company Lines 1-5
in which he worked. The Government Department collecting and filling information
about individuals found the particular citizen to be one against
8) Scab - a worker refuses to join a trade union or to take whom there was no complaint. Reports from various branches
part in a strike, black-leg showed that he was a saint in the modern sense of the word; that
is everything he did for the sake of the society. Here the society
9) Odd - eccentric; strange also means the government.

10) Union - trade union Lines 6-11

The citizen was working in a factory until his retirement except for
11) Social Psychology - the psychologists who kept a watch a short break during the war when he enlisted himself as a soldier.
on the citizen's behaviour. During his working in the Fudge Motors Company he satisfied his
employers and was not dismissed from service. Yet he was not a
12) Press - the newspapers and periodicals blackleg among workers and did not held peculiar views. He was
a member of the Union and paid all his dues to the union. His
13) Health card - health insurance card Trade Union was in the good books of the government.
 Lines 12-17
The Government Social Psychology workers found that he was Introduction to the Author
popular with his co-workers and enjoyed a drink with them once in
a way. The Press people were sure that he bought a paper
everyday and reacted to advertisements in a normal way. He took
insurance policies. His health card showed that he was once in
hospital but left it after being cured.

Lines 18-24
Another Statistics Department Produces Research and High
Grade Living declared that he was aware of the advantages of the
instalment system to buy many articles necessary to a
modernman-articles, like gramophone, radio, car and fridge.
Another research department known as Public Opinion
Department found out in its research that he held opinions which
were proper for the year. When there was peace he held the
opinion that peace was good. When there was war he did not
protest but enlisted himself as a soldier.

Lines 25-27
Wystan Hugh Auden (1907-73), was born in York, England in
The citizen was married and added five children to the population
1907. He was the son of a physician whose interests lay in
which was and considered the right number according to the
psychology, literature and folklore. Auden was brought up in
experts on human reproduction. The teachers also gave a good
Birmingham and later migrated to the U.S. and settled down in
opinion about him saying that he did not interfere with the
Brooklyn in 1939. In his early years Auden was very much
education of his children.
attracted by Communist ideas and Freudian psychology. He was
a close friend of Stephen Spender another famous poet of his
Lines 28-29
time. Auden's first volume of Poems was published in 1930. This
The poet now asks the important questions was this man free?
volume established him as the most talented voice of his
Was he happy? No government statistics can ever answer these
generation. This was later followed by The Orators, the Dance of
kind of questions But in drawing our attention to them, the poet is
Death and Look Stranger. Another Time and The Double Man are
asking us to think about freedom and happiness. What makes a
his other popular works. In 1935, he married Erika, the daughter
man free? What makes him happy? Is modern society reducing all
of Thomas Mann, the German novelist. Auden was Professor of
individuals to mere numbers on files?
Poetry at the University of Oxford between 1956 and 1961. He 2. Background and Context:
died in 1973. • Historical Context: Written during the late 1930s, a time
marked by rising totalitarian regimes, the poem reflects
Auden's influence on a succeeding generation of poets was concerns about the dehumanization of individuals in
incalculable. His progress from the engaged, didactic, satiric modern, bureaucratic societies.
poems of his youth to the complexity of his later work offered a • Satire of Modernity: Auden critiques the ways in which
wide variety of models---the urbane, the pastoral, the lyrical, the modern society reduces individuals to mere statistics,
erudite, the public and the introspective mingle with great fluency. stripping them of their humanity and individuality.
He was a master of verse form, and accommodated traditional • Reflection of Bureaucracy: The poem reflects the
patterns to a fresh, easy and contemporary language. increasing dominance of bureaucratic and governmental
control, where individuals are defined by their conformity
and compliance with societal norms.
Introduction to the Poem
'The Unknown Citizen', a light satirical poem, was first published 3. Themes:
in the Listener, August 1939, and was later included in the • Conformity vs. Individuality:
Collected Shorter Poems, 1950. It presents an ironical picture of o The poem explores how modern society values
a model citizen in a modern Urban-industrial society. The sub- title conformity over individuality. The "Unknown Citizen"
of the poem underlines the irony of the situation in which modern is praised for fitting perfectly into societal
man finds himself. The state has deprived him of his individuality expectations, yet his personal identity and feelings
and free will by subordinating him to various departmental remain unknown.
agencies. It is ironical, that the state erects a marble monument to • Dehumanization:
his memory, in appreciation for his having been an ideal citizen. o The poem critiques how individuals are reduced to
mere numbers or statistics in a bureaucratic system,
losing their uniqueness and humanity in the process.
• Critique of Modern Society:
Key Points and Self Notes o Auden presents a satirical view of modern society,
where personal achievements, emotions, and
1. Overview: thoughts are ignored in favor of statistical and
• Author: W.H. Auden
bureaucratic measures of success.
• Published: 1939
• Irony and Satire:
• Form: Satirical Poem
o The poem uses irony to highlight the absurdity of a
• Structure: Free Verse with a Rigid, Formal Tone
society that celebrates conformity and ignores the
• Length: 29 lines
deeper aspects of human life. The "Unknown
 Citizen" is ironically praised for his lack of • Conformity:
individuality. o "He worked in a factory and never got fired, / But
• State Surveillance and Control: satisfied his employers, Fudge Motors Inc."
o The poem reflects concerns about the rise of state o The "Unknown Citizen" is depicted as a model
surveillance, where the government monitors every worker, never causing trouble and always meeting
aspect of a citizen's life, ensuring they remain within his employer's expectations. This emphasis on
the bounds of acceptable behavior. conformity underscores the poem's critique of
modern society.
4. Structure and Form: • Dehumanization:
• Free Verse: o "Our Social Psychology workers found / That he was
o The poem is written in free verse, which allows popular with his mates and liked a drink."
Auden to mimic the formal, impersonal tone of o Even aspects of personal life, such as social
bureaucratic language while subtly undermining it interactions and leisure activities, are reduced to
with satirical content. data points in a bureaucratic assessment, stripping
• Formal Tone: away any sense of genuine human connection.
o Despite the use of free verse, the poem maintains a • Irony:
formal tone, imitating the detached, objective o "Was he free? Was he happy? The question is
language of official reports or government absurd: / Had anything been wrong, we should
documents. certainly have heard."
• Lack of Personal Voice: o The poem’s concluding lines are deeply ironic,
o The poem deliberately avoids any personal or suggesting that in a society obsessed with
emotional voice, reflecting the dehumanized, conformity and statistics, questions of freedom and
impersonal nature of the society it critiques. happiness are irrelevant and even absurd.

5. Key Lines and Analysis: 6. Character Analysis:

• Opening Line: • The Unknown Citizen:
o "He was found by the Bureau of Statistics to be / One o The "Unknown Citizen" represents the archetypal
against whom there was no official complaint." modern individual who conforms perfectly to societal
o The poem opens with a cold, impersonal statement, expectations but whose personal identity and
immediately highlighting the focus on statistics and feelings remain unknown. He is praised for his
official approval rather than personal qualities or compliance but remains a faceless, anonymous
experiences. figure.
 • The Bureaucratic Voice: • Satire:
o The poem is narrated by an impersonal, o Auden employs satire to critique the dehumanizing
bureaucratic voice that reflects the dehumanized, effects of modern bureaucracy and the way it
statistical approach of modern society. This voice reduces individuals to mere numbers. The poem’s
serves as the mouthpiece for the state's values, formal, detached tone mimics the language of
emphasizing conformity and control. officialdom, while the content reveals its absurdity.
• Repetition:
7. Symbolism and Motifs: o The repetition of phrases like "no official complaint"
• The Monument: and references to various government agencies
o The poem is framed as a description of a monument emphasizes the poem’s critique of a society
erected in honor of the "Unknown Citizen." This obsessed with control and conformity.
monument symbolizes the hollow, superficial
recognition that society gives to those who conform, 9. Analysis of the Poem’s Conclusion:
ignoring their true humanity. • Final Questions:
• Statistics and Data: o The poem ends with rhetorical questions: "Was he
o References to statistics, reports, and data free? Was he happy?" These questions are left
throughout the poem symbolize the reduction of unanswered, highlighting the central irony that in a
human life to quantifiable, impersonal metrics. This society so focused on conformity, such questions
reflects the dehumanization inherent in bureaucratic are considered irrelevant.
systems. • Critique of Society:
• "The Unknown Citizen": o The poem’s conclusion reinforces its critique of
o The title itself is symbolic, reflecting the paradox of a modern society, suggesting that true freedom and
person who is both known and unknown. The citizen happiness are ignored or deemed unimportant in a
is "known" through statistics and official records, but world dominated by bureaucratic control.
remains "unknown" in terms of personal identity and
inner life. 10. Personal Reflection:
• "The Unknown Citizen" provides a powerful critique of the
8. Literary Devices: dehumanizing effects of modern bureaucratic society,
• Irony: where individuality is sacrificed for conformity and control.
o The poem’s heavy use of irony underscores the • Auden’s use of irony, satire, and formal tone effectively
absurdity of a society that values conformity over conveys the absurdity of a system that reduces human life
individuality. The praise heaped upon the "Unknown to mere statistics, ignoring deeper questions of freedom
Citizen" is ironic, as it highlights the loss of personal and happiness.
freedom and identity.
 • The poem serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of
allowing bureaucratic systems to dictate the terms of 4. The unknown citizen was an employee of_______.
human existence, urging readers to consider the value of a) Ford Motor Company
individuality and personal freedom. b) Fudge Motors Inc.
c) Hondal Car Company
By examining these aspects of "The Unknown Citizen," you can d) Scoda Motors Inc.
gain a deeper understanding of Auden’s critique of modern society
and the ways in which he uses literary techniques to explore 5. The Unknown citizen was a member of the ______.
themes of conformity, dehumanization, and the loss of a) communist party
individuality. b) congress
c) Labour party
CHOOSE THE CORRECT d) Trade Union

ANSWER 6. Everyday the unknown citizen bought _______.

a) milk
1. The poem 'The Unknown Citizen' is written by______. b) vegetables
a) W.B. Yeats c) a newspaper
b) T.S. Eliot d) a lottery ticket
c) W.H. Auden 7. The unknown citizen got married and had the right number of
d) W.H. Davis ______ children.
a) two
2. In the poem 'The Unknown Citizen', Auden views with great b) three
concern the harmful effects of ______upon the citizen. c) four
a) unlawful punishments d) five
b) increasing controls
c) pollution 8. The _______ reported that the citizen never interferred with the
d) different religious faiths education of his children.
a) teachers
3. According to the information provided by the ________ there b) principle
was no official complaint against the unknown citizen. c) the headmistress
a) judiciary d) the chairman of the school
b) police department
c) Bureau of Statistics
d) labour welfare department
9. Who is a Eugenist? filling information about individuals found the particular citizen to
a) one who preaches in the church be one against whom there was no complaint. Reports from
b) a dietician various offices showed that he was a 'saint' in the modern sense
c) a population expert of the word: that is everything he did for the sake of the society
d) university scholar also means government. He was working in a factory until his
retirement except for a short break during the war, when he
10. What is 'blackleg'? enlisted himself as a soldier. During his working in the Fudge
a) the black skin of the leg Motors company, he satisfied his employers and was not
b) one who works against the union dismissed from service. Though a Trade Union member, he did
c) a scoundrel not partake in any protest or strike. His Trade Union reports
d) an epicurean showed that he had no subscription dues. The Trade Union to
which he belonged to was in the good books of the government.

PARAGRAPHS 3. What were the personal variations of the unknown citizen?

The Public Opinion Department found out in its research that the
1. Write an account on the title and sub-title of the poem by citizen held opinions which were proper for the year. When there
W.H. Auden. was peace he held the opinion that peace was good. When there
In "The Unknown Citizen", Auden makes fun of a man losing his was war he did not protest but enlisted himself as a soldier. The
identity completely in a State-controlled society. Usually war (unknown) citizen was married and added five children to the
memorials are constructed and dedicated in various countries for population which was considered the right number according to
the soldiers (The Unknown Warriors) killed in wars. Through the the experts on human reproduction. The teachers also gave a
title "The Unknown Citizen, Auden makes a parody of these good opinion about him saying that he did not interfere with the
dedications. education of his children.

The Sub-title (To JS/07/M 378 This Marble Monument Is Erected 4. What is the effect of mechanization? Explain.
by the State) of the poem underlines the irony of the situation in The poem is witty conversational one in the centralization and
which modern man finds himself. The statistical records refer to a mechanization of human life. The irony is specially pungent in the
man by numbers. Auden is here ridiculing the practice by which end where the Bureau feels it is foolish to ask whether the citizen
man is reduced to a mere-number. was happy or not. In spite of his loyalty, patriotism, and social
consciousness, the citizen was unknown to the Bureau, one
2. What were the Informations of the unknown citizen among many. That is the effect of mechanization.
collected and filed by the Bureau of Satistics?
Auden gives the account of the unknown citizen as given by the
Bureau of Statistics. The government department collecting and
5. Describe the satirical element in the poem 'The Unknown
Citizen'. ESSAY
n the poem, Auden attacks the concept of a human being who is 1. Consider the poem 'The Unknown Citizen' as a criticism of
not much more than the product of all the economic, commercial contemporary society?
and ideological pressure-groups. They force him to conform to a (or)
standard pattern of life and thought. Modern mass- organisations Why does the State regard the Unknown citizen as the Ideal
such as the factory or The Trade Union, peace and war impose a citizen? Explain.
uniformity on the individual. It is also strengthed by the press and
the educational system. Any personal variations are immediately 1. Introduction
sported by Social Psychology workers. Commerce, in its turn sells "The Unknown Citizen' by W.H. Auden is a satiric poem of
the average citizen his 'necessary' phonogarph, radio, car and contemporary society. The poem describes an average citizen in
frigidaire. Auden protests against a society which manipulates a government controlled state. It draws our attention to the way a
man by the laws of mass organisation, commercial exploitation, government keeps a record of all that a citizen does in his life time
and a social research and spying system. Thus the mechanization . The poem also describes the citizen whom the state considered
kills individual freedom and happiness, says the poet, but in an ideal because he did not go against anybody.
indirect manner.
2. Government report of the unknown citizen
6. Explain the views of Auden on 'freedom and happiness'. Auden gives the account of the unknown citizen as given by the
The government in the totalitarian state has bureaus to probe into Bureau of Statistics. The government department collecting and
the lives of the people. The government did not care to know filling information about individuals found the particular citizen to
whether the citizen was happy or not. The individual is not of any be one against whom there was no complaint. Reports from
significance there. The state is supreme and it suppresses all various offices showed that he was a 'saint' in the modern sense
individual freedom and desires. The poem is an attack on the of the word: that is everything he did for the sake of the society
totalitarian government and the contemporary society. An amiable also means government. He was working in a factory until his
person, curtailed off his individuality, identity and freedom is retirement except for a short break during the war, when he
considered an ideal citizen by the state, says Auden. enlisted himself as a soldier. During his working in the Fudge
Motors company, he satisfied his employers and was not
dismissed from service. Though a Trade Union member, he did
not partake in any protest or strike. His Trade Union reports
showed that he had no subscription dues. The Trade Union to
which he belonged to was in the good books of the government.
 3. The unknown citizen's personal variations
The Public Opinion Department found out in its research that the 6. Conclusion
citizen held opinions which were proper for the year. When there The government in the totalitarian state has bureaus to probe into
was peace he held the opinion that peace was good. When there the lives of the people. The government did not care to know
was war he did not protest but enlisted himself as a soldier. The whether the citizen was happy or not. The individual is not of any
(unknown) citizen was married and added five children to the significance there. The state is supreme and it suppresses all
population which was considered the right number according to individual freedom and desires. The poem is an attack on the
the experts on human reproduction. The teachers also gave a totalitarian government and the contemporary society. An amiable
good opinion about him saying that he did not interfere with the person, curtailed off his individuality, identity and freedom is
education of his children. considered an ideal citizen by the state, says Auden.

4.The effect of mechanization

The poem is witty conversational one in the centralization and
mechanization of human life. The irony is specially pungent in the
end where the Bureau feels it is foolish to ask whether the citizen
was happy or not. In spite of his loyalty, patriotism, and social
consciousness, the citizen was unknown to the Bureau, one
among many. That is the effect of mechanization.

5. Satire in the poem

In the poem, Auden attacks the concept of a human being who is
not much more than the product of all the economic, commercial
and ideological pressure-groups. They force him to conform to a
standard pattern of life and thought. Modern mass- organisations
such as the factory or The Trade Union, peace and war impose a
uniformity on the individual. It is also strengthed by the press and
the educational system. Any personal variations are immediately
sported by Social Psychology workers. Commerce, in its turn sells
the average citizen his 'necessary' phonogarph, radio, car and
frigidaire. Auden protests against a society which manipulates
man by the laws of mass organisation, commercial exploitation,
and a social research and spying system. Thus the mechanization
kills individual freedom and happiness, says the poet, but in an
indirect manner.
 irrelevant in a parcel. When she understood that I wanted to draw
she offered to overwhelm me with note-paper.

I then tried to explain the rather delicate logical shade, that I not
Unit-II(Essays) only liked brown paper, but liked the quality of brownness in paper,
just as I like the quality of brownness in October woods, or in beer.
Brown paper represents the primal twilight of the first toil of
Piece of Chalk creation, and with a bright-coloured chalk or two you can pick out
- G. K. Chesterton points of fire in it, sparks of gold, and blood-red, and sea-green,
like the first fierce stars that sprang out of divine darkness. All this
I said (in an off- hand way) to the old woman; and I put the brown
Original Text paper in my pocket along with the chalks, and possibly other
I remember one splendid morning, all blue and silver, in the things. I suppose every one must have reflected how primeval and
summer holidays when I reluctantly tore myself away from the task how poetical are the things that one carries in one's pocket; the
of doing nothing in particular, and put on a hat of some sort and pocket-knife, for instance, the type of all human tools, the infant of
picked up a walking-stick, and put six very bright-coloured chalks the sword. Once I planned to write a book of poems entirely about
in my pocket things in my pockets. But I found it would be too long; and the age
of the great epics is past.
I then went into the kitchen (which, along with the rest of the
house, belonged to a very square and sensible old woman in a With my stick and my knife, my chalks and my brown paper, I went
Sussex village), and asked the owner and occupant of the kitchen out on to the great downs...
if she had any brown paper. She had a great deal; in fact, she had
too much; and she mistook the purpose and the rationale of the I crossed one swell of living turf after another, looking for a place
existence of brown paper. She seemed to have an idea that if a to sit down and draw. Do not, for heaven's sake, imagine I was
person wanted brown paper he must be wanting to tie up parcels; going to sketch from Nature. I was going to draw devils and
which was the last thing I wanted to do; indeed, it is a thing which seraphim, and blind old gods that men worshipped before the
I have found to be beyond my mental capacity. Hence she dwelt dawn of right, and saints in robes of angry crimson, and seas of
very much on the varying qualities of toughness and endurance in strange green, and all the sacred or monstrous symbols that look
the material. I explained to her that I only wanted to draw pictures so well in bright colours on brown paper. They are much better
on it, and that I did not want them to endure in the least; and that worth drawing than Nature; also they are much easier to draw.
from my point of view, therefore, it was a question, not of tough When a cow came slouching by in the field next to me, a mere
consistency, but of responsive surface, a thing comparatively artist might have drawn it, but I always get wrong in the hind legs
of quadrupeds. So I drew the soul of a cow, which I saw there
plainly walking before me in the sunlight; and the soul was all
purple and silver, and had seven horns and the mystery that dangers; virtue is a vivid and separate thing, like pain or a
belongs to all beasts. But though I could not with a crayon get the particular smell. Mercy does not mean not being cruel, or sparing
best out of the landscape, it does not follow that the landscape people revenge or punishment; it means a plain and positive thing
was not getting the best out of me. And this, I think, is the mistake like the sun, which one has either seen or not seen.
that people make about the old poets who lived before
Wordsworth, and were supposed not to care very much about Chastity does not mean abstention from sexual wrong; it means
Nature because they did not describe it much. something flaming, like Joan of Arc. In a word, God paints in many
colours; but he never paints so gorgeously, I had almost said so
They preferred writing about great men to writing about great hills, gaudily, as when He paints in white. In a sense our age has
but they sat on the great hills to write it. They gave out much less realised this fact, and expressed it in our sullen costume. For if it
about Nature, but they drank in, perhaps, much more. They were really true that white was a blank and colourless thing,
painted the white robes of their holy virgins with the blinding snow, negative and non-committal, then white would be used instead of
at which they had stared all day... The greenness of a thousand black and grey for the funereal dress of this pessimistic period.
green leaves clustered into the live green figure of Robin Hood. Which is not the case.
The blueness of a score of forgotten skies became the blue robes
of the Virgin. The inspiration went in like sunbeams and came out Meanwhile I could not find my chalk.
like Apollo.
I sat on the hill in a sort of despair. There was no town near at
But as I sat scrawling these silly figures on the brown paper, it which it was even remotely probable there would be such a thing
began to dawn on me, to my great disgust, that I had left one chalk, as an artist's colourman. And yet, without any white, my absurd
and that a most exquisite and essential chalk, behind. I searched little pictures would be as pointless as the world would be if there
all my pockets, but I could not find any white chalk. Now, those were no good people in it. I stared stupidly round, racking my brain
who are acquainted with all the philosophy (nay, religion) which is for expedients. Then I suddenly stood up and roared with laughter,
typified in the art of drawing on brown paper, know that white is again and again, so that the cows stared at me and called a
positive and essential, I cannot avoid remarking here upon a moral committee. Imagine a man in the Sahara regretting that he had no
significance. One of the wise and awful truths which this brown- sand for his hour-glass. Imagine a gentleman in mid- ocean
paper art reveals, is this, that white is a colour. It is not a mere wishing that he had brought some salt water with him for his
absence of colour, it is a shining and affirmative thing, as fierce as chemical experiments. I was sitting on an immense warehouse of
red, as definite as black. When, so to speak, your pencil grows white chalk. The landscape was made entirely of white chalk.
red-hot, it draws roses; when it grows white-hot, it draws stars. White chalk was piled more miles until it met the sky. I stooped
And one of the two or three defiant verities of the best religious and broke a piece of the rock I sat on: it did not mark so well as
morality, of real Christianity, for example, is exactly this same the shop chalks do, but it gave the effect. And I stood there in a
thing, the chief assertion of religious morality is that white is a trance of pleasure, realising that this Southern England is not only
colour. Virtue is not the absence of vices or the avoidance of moral
a grand peninsula, and a tradition and a civilisation; it is something
even more admirable. It is a piece of chalk. The Significance of White
The narrator mourns the absence of white chalk, a color that
represents purity, innocence, and the very essence of creativity.
English Summary Video They lament the void left by its absence, highlighting its crucial
role in their artistic expression.
(Youtube)
A Serendipitous Discovery
As fate would have it, the narrator discovers an abundance of
white chalk beneath their feet, transforming their creative
landscape. They marvel at the vast expanse of white chalk, a
testament to nature's boundless beauty.

Reflection and Inspiration

The narrator's serendipitous discovery sparks a profound
Tamil Summary Video (Youtube) reflection on the interconnectedness of art and nature. They
realize that inspiration can strike in the most unexpected ways,
and that the natural world is a boundless source of creative
potential.
Conclusion
With their creative spark reignited, the narrator eagerly embraces
the opportunity to bring their artistic vision to life. They celebrate
the symphony of art and nature, forever changed by the
unexpected surprise that serendipity has brought their way.
OUTLINE SUMMARY
Introduction
The narrator embarks on a creative journey, eager to bring their
artistic vision to life on brown paper with colored chalks. However,
they soon realize that they have forgotten the most essential tool-
white chalk.
 leaving a lasting impact on literature and society. His works are a
testament to his boundless creativity, intellectual curiosity, and
passion for life.
Introduction to the Author:
Introduction the Lesson:
This captivating prose masterfully weaves together themes of art,
nature, and the human experience, infused with a unique blend of
humour and philosophical insight. The narrator's journey serves
as a powerful metaphor for discovering inspiration in unexpected
places, expertly conveyed through Chesterton's vivid descriptions
and symbolic language. The text celebrates the beauty and
essence of nature, highlighting the importance of art in capturing
its splendor. Chesterton's writing style is both playful and
profound, making the prose a delightful and thought- provoking
read. The timeless themes and imagery resonate deeply with
readers, long after they finish reading. This prose is a testament
to Chesterton's literary prowess, showcasing his ability to craft a
narrative that inspires, delights, and transforms. It is a true
Gilbert Keith Chesterton, a renowned British author, journalist, and masterpiece of literature, continuing to enchant readers with its
philosopher, was born in 1874. His fictional works, particularly the beauty and insight. The prose is a must-read for anyone seeking
Father Brown mysteries, have cemented his legacy in the literary a thought-provoking and deeply satisfying literary experience.
world. Chesterton's educational background includes St. Paul's Chesterton's writing is a true treasure of literature, and this prose
School and the Slade School of Art, where he honed his writing is a shining example of his skill.
skills. He began his career in journalism, contributing to various
newspapers and magazines, and went on to write over 100 books
and numerous essays. Some of his notable works include "The Key Points and Self Notes
Innocence of Father Brown", "Orthodoxy", and "The Everlasting
1. Overview:
Man". Chesterton's writing is characterized by his wit, humour, and
• Author: G.K. Chesterton
profound insights into life and religion. He was a vocal advocate
• Published: First appeared in the essay collection
for social justice and human rights, and his writings continue to
Tremendous Trifles in 1909.
inspire and influence contemporary readers and writers. Today,
• Genre: Essay (Literary Non-Fiction)
Chesterton remains one of the most celebrated authors of his time,
• Tone: Conversational, Reflective, Humorous
 emphasizing that profound truths can be found in the
2. Background and Context: most ordinary experiences.
• Chesterton’s Writing Style: Known for his wit, paradoxes, • Symbolism of Whiteness:
and thought-provoking reflections, Chesterton often o The essay uses the color white as a central symbol.
infused his essays with a sense of wonder about the For Chesterton, white represents purity, virtue, and
ordinary aspects of life. "A Piece of Chalk" exemplifies his moral goodness. He contrasts white with other
ability to find profound meaning in simple, everyday colors, suggesting that white is not the absence of
objects. color, but a positive, vibrant presence that contains
• Philosophical Underpinnings: Chesterton was a devout all colors.
Christian and a proponent of the idea that truth and beauty • Gratitude and Wonder:
can be found in the mundane. This essay reflects his o Chesterton’s reflections are infused with a sense of
broader worldview, emphasizing gratitude, morality, and gratitude for the world’s natural beauty and the
the intrinsic value of ordinary experiences. simple pleasures of life. He encourages readers to
approach life with a sense of wonder and
3. Summary of the Essay: appreciation for the small things.
• Narrative Structure: • Moral Reflection:
o The essay begins with Chesterton planning a day of o The essay touches on moral themes, using the
drawing in the English countryside. He prepares to imagery of white chalk to represent the importance
bring paper and chalk to create his sketches, only to of virtue and moral integrity. Chesterton suggests
realize that he has forgotten to bring a piece of white that just as white chalk is foundational to drawing, so
chalk. too is moral goodness foundational to a meaningful
o Despite this minor setback, Chesterton reflects on life.
the idea that the white chalk he seeks is all around
him, in the very cliffs and soil of the English 5. Literary Techniques:
landscape. This realization leads him into a broader • Conversational Tone:
meditation on the beauty and significance of o The essay is written in a conversational style,
"whiteness" as a symbol of virtue and purity. making it accessible and engaging. Chesterton’s
informal, anecdotal approach draws readers in,
4. Key Themes: making his philosophical reflections feel personal
• The Extraordinary in the Ordinary: and relatable.
o Chesterton finds deep significance in the simple act • Humor and Wit:
of drawing with chalk. He uses this everyday activity o Chesterton’s characteristic humor is evident
to explore larger philosophical and moral ideas, throughout the essay. He playfully describes his
 realization about the white chalk, using wit to convey narrative to a philosophical reflection. The
deeper truths without becoming didactic. abundance of white chalk in the natural world
becomes a metaphor for the presence of virtue and
• Imagery and Symbolism: goodness in everyday life.
o The essay is rich in imagery, particularly the • Moral Reflection:
symbolic use of white chalk. Chesterton’s vivid o Chesterton’s discussion of whiteness leads to a
descriptions of the English countryside and his meditation on virtue, suggesting that just as white
reflections on color and virtue create a layered, chalk is essential for drawing, so too is moral
symbolic narrative. integrity essential for a good life. He challenges
• Paradox: readers to reconsider the value of virtues like purity
o Chesterton often employs paradox to challenge and goodness, which are often overlooked in favor
conventional thinking. In "A Piece of Chalk," he of more dramatic qualities.
presents the idea that white, often considered the
absence of color, is actually full of life and meaning, 7. Themes and Motifs:
thereby upending common perceptions. • The Mundane as a Source of Insight:
o Chesterton often finds profound meaning in
6. Analysis of Key Passages: mundane activities. In this essay, drawing with chalk
• Introduction to the Essay: becomes a metaphor for living a life grounded in
o Chesterton begins by humorously recounting his moral principles and appreciation for the world’s
preparation for a drawing expedition, setting a simple beauty.
lighthearted tone that contrasts with the deeper • Moral Virtue:
reflections that follow. This opening draws readers o The color white, with its associations of purity and
in with its relatable, everyday setting. goodness, serves as a symbol of moral virtue.
• The Search for White Chalk: Chesterton suggests that these virtues are
o Chesterton’s realization that he has forgotten white foundational, much like the white chalk used to
chalk leads to a broader meditation on the create the outlines of a drawing.
abundance of white in the natural world. He reflects • Gratitude:
on the irony that the very thing he lacks is all around o A recurring theme in Chesterton’s work, gratitude is
him, in the chalky cliffs of the English countryside. emphasized in this essay as a response to the
• Symbolism of White: world’s inherent beauty and goodness. He
o "I suddenly stood up and realized that I was sitting encourages readers to cultivate a sense of
on an immense warehouse of white chalk." thankfulness for the simple gifts in life.
o This moment serves as the turning point of the
essay, where Chesterton transitions from a simple
 and the ways in which he uses simple, everyday objects to explore
complex moral and spiritual ideas.
8. Reflection on the Essay’s Conclusion:
• Final Thoughts on Virtue:
o Chesterton concludes the essay by reinforcing the CHOOSE THE CORRECT
idea that virtue, like white chalk, is not an absence
of other qualities but a positive, life-affirming ANSWER
presence. He challenges readers to see the world 1. What is the narrator's attitude towards nature?
through a lens of gratitude and moral integrity. A) Indifferent
• Legacy of the Essay: B) Appreciative
o "A Piece of Chalk" remains a powerful reminder of C) Disdainful
the importance of finding joy and meaning in D) Fearful
everyday experiences. Chesterton’s reflections on
virtue, beauty, and gratitude continue to resonate 2. What does the narrator's reflection reveal?
with readers, encouraging a mindful, appreciative A) A deeper understanding of art and nature
approach to life. B) A superficial understanding of art and nature
C) A conflicting view of art and nature
9. Personal Reflection: D) A dismissive view of art and nature
• "A Piece of Chalk" exemplifies Chesterton’s ability to find
deep meaning in the ordinary aspects of life. His reflections 3. What is the natural world compared to?
on the symbolism of white chalk serve as a reminder that A) A boundless source of creative potential
virtue and goodness are foundational to a meaningful B) A limited source of creative potential
existence. C) A source of inspiration for art only
• The essay encourages a sense of wonder and gratitude for D) A source of inspiration for nature only
the world’s simple pleasures, suggesting that profound
truths can be found in the most unexpected places. 4. How does the narrator feel about their creative journey?
• Chesterton’s humor, wit, and use of paradox make the A) Disheartened
essay both enjoyable and thought-provoking, offering B) Encouraged
insights into how we might approach life with a deeper C) Indifferent
appreciation for the ordinary. D) Frustrated

By examining these aspects of "A Piece of Chalk," you can gain a 5. What is the final sentence of the story?
deeper understanding of Chesterton’s philosophical worldview A) A statement of disappointment
B) A statement of joy and wonder
 C) A statement of indifference 11. What is the narrator's passion reinforced by?
D) A statement of frustration A) The experience
B) The reflection
6. What is the tone of the story? C) The discovery
A) Serious and somber D) The beauty of nature
B) Lighthearted and humour ous
C) Reflective and contemplative 12. What is the story a celebration of?
D) Critical and analytical A) The human experience
B) The natural world
7. What is the theme of the story? C) The artistic journey
A) The importance of art and nature D) The creative process
B) The interconnectedness of art and nature
C) The superiority of art over nature 13. What is the narrator's story compared to?
D) The superiority of nature over art A) A river
B) A journey
8. What is the narrator's creative vision expanded by? C) A dance
A) The experience D) A symphony
B) The reflection
C) The discovery 14. What is the narrator's desire to create art?
D) The beauty of nature A) Thwarted
B) Encouraged
9. What is the narrator's artistic journey revitalized by? C) Frustrated
A) The discovery of white chalk D) Temporarily
B) The reflection on the experience
C) The beauty of nature 15. What is the forgotten chalk?
D) The serendipitous discovery A) A significant obstacle
B) A minor obstacle
10. What is the natural world seen as? C) A major obstacle
A) A source of inspiration D) An insignificant obstacle
B) A source of frustration
C) A source of boredom
D) A boundless source of creative potential
16. What is the narrator's reflection on the experience?
A) Superficial FILL IN THE BLANKS
B) Deep and meaningful
C) Critical 1. The author of the prose "A Piece of Chalk is Sir Arthur Conan
D) Analytical Doyle,

17. Who is the author of the prose "A Piece of Chalk"? 2. The title of the prose is A Piece of Chalk.
A) G.K. Chesterton
B) George Orwell 3. The story features a character named Professor Challenger.
C) Virginia Woolf
D) E.M. Forster 4. The prose is primarily about a piece of chalk and its
geological significance.
18. What is the narrator's intention at the beginning of the story?
A) To go for a walk 5. The tone of the story is humour ous and satirical.
B) To draw with colored
C) To write a story 6. The genre of the prose is science fiction and humour.
D) To paint a picture
7. The story was published in the year 1911.
19. What does the narrator forget to bring along?
A) White chalk 8. The setting of the story is the Sussex coast in England.
B) Colored chalks
C) Paper 9. Professor Challenger uses the chalk to explain geological
D) Pencils processes.

20. How does the narrator feel when they realize they have 10. The journalist in the story is initially skeptical of Professor
forgotten white chalk? Challenger's claims.
A) Disappointed and frustrated
B) Happy and excited 11. The story highlights the importance of observation and
C) Indifferent and calm understanding in science.
D) Anxious and worried
12. The author's writing style in the story is conversational and
witty.
13. The chalk in the story symbolizes the power of observation expressed his own views on art as follows "Art is limitation; the
and attention to detail. essence of every picture is the frame". His essay, "A piece of
chalk" reveals his views on art of drawing. He gives importance to
14. The story's message is that even small details can hold great colour. According to him, God created the universe in colours. God
significance. painted in many colours but he never paints so gorgeously, so
guardly as when He paints in white. Chesterton was not interested
15. The prose "A Piece of Chalk" is an example of science fiction. in drawing Nature but he was in interested in drawing devils,
angels, guards, saints, greenness of seas, and then all the wholly
or monstrous symbols because they come out well in bright
colours. Moreover, they are much better worth drawing than
PARAGRAPHS Nature and also much easier to draw,
1. What type of brown paper did the author want?
G.K. Chesterton asked his landlady for a brown paper. She
mistook that he wanted brown paper to tie up parcels, and
explained the qualities of toughness and endurance in brown ESSAY
paper. But actually G.K. Chesterton wanted brown paper to draw
pictures on it. So he did not bother about the toughness or the 1. How did G.K. Chesterton prove the importance of colors
endurance of the brown paper. He wanted a brown paper with and nature?
responsive surface. Pictures would come out well in bright colours
in brown paper. So he wanted brown paper with responsive Introduction
surface. "A Piece of Chalk" is an interesting essay by G.K. Chesterton, a
twentieth century popular essayist. His essays are famous for his
2. What was G.K. Chesterton's attitude to nature? passionate paradoxes and wit. They bring out latent common truth
G.K. Chesterton was not going to sketch from Nature. He was in a witty and humorous style. In the present essay, he speaks
going to draw devils and seraphim and blind old guards, saints in about the basic principles of colours in God's creation.
red ropes, green seas and all the holy or monstrous symbols. They
are much better worth drawing the Nature. They are also much G.K. Chesterton's decision to draw pictures
easier to draw. He would not draw a cow but its soul. But it doesn't Once G.K. Chesterton was holidaying in the countryside. One
follow that he did not like landscape. In fact he enjoyed Nature. In morning, he felt bored. So he decided to draw pictures. He took
this matter, he was like the poets before William Wordsworth. six bright coloured chalk pieces and asked the house lady for a
brown sheet. She mistook that he wanted the brown paper to tie
3. What did G.K. Chesterton think of drawing? up parcels. He told her that he was going to draw pictures. Then
G.K. Chesterton was a versatile figure in Literature. He was an the lady gave him a notepaper.
essayist, novelist and critic. He was also an artist. He has
Chesterton's views on brown colours The white colour
Chesterton explained his preference for brown paper. Brown While drawing these simple figures on the brown paper, he
paper has responsive surface. Moreover, he liked the quality of realized that he had left behind one important white coloured
brownness in paper. He liked the quality of brownness in October chalk. He searched allhis pocket and found no white chalk White
woods or beer. Brown colour represents the first light up creation. is positive and essential. It has a moral significance. Brown paper
Bright coloured chalk can describe the points of fire, sparks of art reveals the truth that white is a colour, not a mere absence of
gold, blood-red and sea-green and the first fears stars that sprang a colour. It is a shining and affirmative thing like the fierce red
out of darkness. After explaining his views on brown colour, colour or definite black colour. If red colour can draw roses, white
Chesterton went out to draw pictures. colour can draw stars

Chesterton's preferences to Nature Threetruths of religious morality

Chesterton walked across a meadow and found himself a raised There are three truths of religious morality: Virtue, Mercy and
place to sit on and draw picture. He was not going to draw from Chastity. All the three suggest that white is a colour. Virtue is not
Nature. He was going to draw devils, angels, gods, saints, sea of the absence of vices. It is a vivid and separate thing. Mercy does
green and all the sacred and monstrous symbols. They would not mean not been cruel. It is a plain and positive thing. Chastity
come out well in bright colours on brown paper. They are much does not mean abstention from sexual wrong. It means something
better worth drawing than Nature. They are also much easier to flarning. God paints the universe in many colours. But never paints
draw. He could not draw the outer appearance of a cow but he so gorgeously as when he paints in white. Modern age realized
could draw its soul in purple and silver colours. this fact. People do not wear white at funeral ceremony. They wear
only black.
Preromantic poets
Chesterton did not draw from Nature but it does not mean that he Conclusion
did like or care about Nature. In fact, he enjoyed Nature. In this Now Chesterton found that he had no white chalk. Without a white
regard, he was like poets before William Wordsworth. Before chalk, he could not finish his pictures. They would be meaningless
Wordsworth, poets did not describe Nature much. They wanted to like a world without good people. So he was in despair. Suddenly
write more about great men about hills. It does not mean that they he discovered that he was surrendered by white chalk
did not like Nature. In fact, they enjoyed Nature. They described everywhere. The landscape was made of white chalk. White chalk
the snow white robes of their holy virgins, the live green Robin was piled up to the sky. He broke off a piece of the rock. The rock
Hood, the blue robes of the Virgin and Apollo, the sun god. They on which he was sitting was made of chalk. He broke off a piece
were inspired by sun beams to draw the figure of Apollo, the sun of the rock. It wrote effectively like the shop chalk. He grew into
god. ecstasy. He realized that southern England was not just a grand
peninsula with tradition and civilization. It was even more
admirable because it was piece of chalk.
 to her by the owner, who preferred living in a newer and more
fashionable mansion which he had purchased somewhere in the
adjoining county; but still she lived in it in a manner as if it had
been her own, and kept up the dignity of the great house in a sort
Dream Children – A Reverie while she lived, which afterward came to decay, and was nearly
pulled down, and all its old ornaments stripped and carried away
to the owner's other house, where they were set up, and looked
- Charles Lamb as awkward as if some one were to carry away the old tombs they
had seen lately at the Abbey, and stick them up in Lady C.'s tawdry
gilt drawing-room. Here John smiled, as much as to say, "that
would be foolish indeed." And then I told how, when she came to
Original Text
die, her funeral was attended by a concourse of all the poor, and
CHILDREN love to listen to stories about their elders, when they
some of the gentry too, of the neighborhood for many miles round,
were children: to stretch their imagination to the conception of a
to show their respect for her memory, because she had been such
traditionary great-uncle or grandame, whom they never saw. It
a good and religious woman; so good indeed that she knew all the
was in this spirit that my little ones crept about me the other
Psaltery by heart, aye, and a great part of the Testament besides.
evening to hear about their great-grandmother Field, who lived in
Here little Alice spread her hands. Then I told what a tall, upright,
a great house in Norfolk (a hundred times bigger than that in which
graceful person their great-grandmother Field once was; and how
they and papa lived) which had been the scene-so at least it was
in her youth she was esteemed the best dancer-here Alice's little
generally believed in that part of the country of the tragic incidents
right foot played an involuntary movement, till upon my looking
which they had lately become familiar with from the ballad of the
grave, it desisted-the best dancer, I was saying, in the county, till
Children in the Wood.
a cruel disease, called a cancer, came, and bowed her down with
pain; but it could never bend her good spirits, or make them stoop,
Certain it is that the whole story of the children and their cruel
but they were still upright, because she was so good and religious.
uncle was to be seen fairly carved out in wood upon the chimney-
Then I told how she was used to sleep by herself in a lone chamber
piece of the great hall, the whole story down to the Robin
of the great lone house, and how she believed that an apparition
Redbreasts, till a foolish rich person pulled it down to set up a
of two intants was to be seen at midnight gliding up and down the
marble one of modern invention in its stead, with no story upon it.
great staircase near where she slept, but she said "those
Here Alice put out one of her dear mother's looks, too tender to be
innocents would do her no harm", and how frightened I used to be,
called upbraiding. Then I went on to say, how religious and how
though in those days I had my maid to sleep with me, because I
good their great-grandmother Field was, how beloved and re-
was never half so good or religious as she-and yet I never saw the
spected by everybody, though she was not indeed the mistress of
infants. Here John expanded all his eyebrows and tried to look
this great house, but had only the charge of it (and yet in some
courageous.
respects she might be said to be the mis- tress of it too) committed
Then I told how good she was to all her grand-children, having us so handsome and spirited a youth, and a king to the rest of us;
to the great house in the holidays, where I in particular used to and, instead of moping about in solitary comers, like some of us,
spend many hours by myself, in gazing upon the old busts of the he would mount the most mettlesome horse he could get, when
Twelve Caesars, that had been Emperors of Rome, till the old but an imp no bigger than themselves, and make it carry him half
marble heads would seem to live again, or I to be tumed into over the county in a morning, and join the hunters when there were
marble with them: how I never could be tired with roaming about any out and yet he loved the old great house and gardens too, but
that huge mansion, with its vast empty rooms, with their worn-out had too much spirit to be always pent up within their boundaries
hangings, fluttering tapestry, and carved oaken panels, with the and how their uncle grew up to man's estate as brave as he was
gilding almost rubbed out-sometimes in the spacious old- handsome, to the admiration of everybody, but of their great-
fashioned gardens, which I had almost to myself, unless when now grandmother Field most especially, and how he used to carry me
and then a solitary gardening man would cross me and how the upon his back when I was a lame-footed boy-for he was a good
nectarines and peaches hung upon the walls, without my ever bit older than me-many a mile when I could not walk for pain; and
offering to pluck them, because they were forbidden fruit, unless how in after life he became lame-footed too, and I did not always
now and then, and because I had more pleasure in strolling about (I fear) make allowances enough for him when he was impatient,
among the old melancholy-looking yew trees, or the firs, and and in pain, nor remember sufficiently how considerate he had
picking up the red berries, and the fir apples, which were good for been to me when I was lame-footed; and how when he died,
nothing but to look at-or in lying about upon the fresh grass, with though he had not been dead an hour, it seemed as if he had died
all the fine garden smells around me or basking in the orangery, a great while ago, such a distance there is betwixt life and death;
till I could almost fancy myself ripening. too, along with the oranges and how I bore his death as I thought pretty well at first, but
and the limes in that grateful warmth or in watching the dace that afterward it haunted and haunted me; and though I did not cry or
darted to and fro in the fish pond, at the bottom of the garden, with take it to heart as some do, and as I think he would have done if I
here and there a great sulky pike hanging midway down the water had died, yet I missed him all day long, and knew not till then how
in silent state, as if it mocked at their impertinent friskings, I had much I had loved him. I missed his kindness, and I missed his
more pleasure in these busy-idle diversions than in all the sweet crossness, and wished him to be alive again, to be quarrel- ing
flavors of peaches, nectarines, oranges, and such like common with him (for we quarreled sometimes), rather than not have him
baits of children. Here John slyly deposited back upon the plate a again, and was as uneasy without him, as he their poor uncle must
bunch of grapes, which, not unobserved by Alice, he had mediated have been when the doctor took off his limb. Here the children fell
dividing with her, and both seemed willing to relinquish them for a crying, and asked if their little mourning which they had on was
the present as irrelevant. Then, in somewhat a more heightened not for uncle John, and they looked up and prayed me not to go
tone, I told how, though their great-grandmother Field loved all her on about their uncle, but to tell them some stories about their
grand-children, yet in an especial manner she might be said to pretty, dead mother. Then I told them how for seven long years, in
love their uncle, John L, because he was 55 hope sometimes, sometimes in despair, yet persisting ever, I
courted the fair Alice W-n; and, as much as children could
understand, I explained to them what coyness, and difficulty, and
denial meant in maidens-when suddenly, turning to Alice, the soul
of the first Alice looked out at her eyes with such a reality of re- Tamil Summary Video (Youtube)
presentment, that I became in doubt which of them stood there
before me, or whose that bright hair was; and while I stood gazing,
both the children gradually grew fainter to my view, receding, and
still receding till nothing at last but two mournful features were
seen in the uttermost distance, which, without speech, strangely
im- pressed upon me the effects of speech: "We are not of Alice,
nor of thee, nor are we children at all. The children of Alice call
Bartrum father. We are nothing; less than nothing, and dreams.
We are only what might have been, and must wait upon the
tedious shores of Lethe millions of ages before we have existence,
and a name"-and immediately awaking, I found myself quietly Introduction to the Author
seated in my bachelor armchair, where I had fallen asleep, with
the faithful Bridget unchanged by my side but John L. (or James
Elia) was gone forever.

English Summary Video

(Youtube)

Charles Lamb (1775-1834), was born in London, to a poor

lawyer's clerk. Lamb was educated at Christ's Hospital, London.
His early life was almost wrecked by a series of family tragedies.
He could not pursue higher studies at any university. He entered
the South-Sea House and later the East India Company's office
as a clerk. Lamb did not marry because he had to look after his
ailing sister, Mary. Lamb's masterpieces are the Elia Essays in 2. Background and Context:
which Lamb writes under the pen name of Elia, and which • Charles Lamb’s Life: Lamb’s life was marked by personal
appeared mostly in the London Magazine. tragedy, including the responsibility of caring for his sister
Mary, who suffered from mental illness. His essays often
Lamb's style is that of the most amiable type of personal essayist. explore themes of memory, loss, and the passage of time.
The topics on which he writes cover a broad spectrum of life. It is • Autobiographical Elements: "Dream Children: A Reverie"
the personal angle and the delightful self-projection through the is deeply autobiographical, reflecting Lamb’s own
writings that contribute to the charm of the essays. His admirable experiences, emotions, and regrets. The essay is a blend
blending of humour and pathos, mastery over many varieties of of reality and fantasy, where Lamb imagines an idealized
prose style, unfailing expressiveness of language combined with version of the family life he never had.
a deep human touch both in the style and the content, make lamb
the most delightful essayist in the English language. 3. Summary of the Essay:
• Narrative Structure:
o The essay begins with Lamb, in the guise of the
Introduction to the Lesson persona Elia, recounting stories to his imagined
The essay, 'Dream Children' is the reverie of a man who was children, Alice and John. He tells them about their
intensely human and whose life was a tragedy. The essay is a grandmother, Mrs. Field, and his own childhood
reverie because it contains a fanciful account of his talk with the experiences at her house.
children whom he never had and who, therefore, have been called o As the essay progresses, Lamb reflects on his own
'dream children'. Pathos is the keynote of this essay. This essay life, his unfulfilled love for Alice Winterton, and the
is indeed, "a lyric in prose". It is one of the most exquisite of Lamb's children he never had. The essay ends with the
essays. revelation that these children are not real but are
instead a figment of his imagination, representing
the life he wishes he had lived.
Key Points and Self Notes
4. Key Themes:
1. Overview: • Memory and Nostalgia:
• Author: Charles Lamb
o The essay is steeped in nostalgia as Lamb recalls
• Published: 1822 in The London Magazine
his childhood memories with a mixture of fondness
• Genre: Personal Essay (Autobiographical)
and sorrow. The house of Mrs. Field serves as a
• Tone: Nostalgic, Melancholic, Reflective
symbol of the past, a place where Lamb’s memories
reside.
 • Unfulfilled Desires and Regret: • Use of Reverie:
o Lamb’s reflections on his unfulfilled love for Alice o The essay is structured as a reverie, a kind of
Winterton and the imagined children underscore the daydream that blends memory with imagination.
theme of regret. The essay poignantly explores the This technique allows Lamb to explore his deepest
gap between the life Lamb wanted and the life he feelings and desires in a poetic and evocative
actually lived. manner.
• Fantasy vs. Reality: • Symbolism:
o "Dream Children" blurs the lines between fantasy o The children, Alice and John, symbolize Lamb’s
and reality. The children, Alice and John, represent unfulfilled dreams and the family life he never had.
an alternate reality where Lamb’s dreams of love Mrs. Field’s house represents a nostalgic ideal of the
and family life have been fulfilled. The realization past, a place where Lamb’s memories and emotions
that they are only dreams highlights the contrast are anchored.
between Lamb’s idealized fantasies and his actual • Imagery:
circumstances. o Lamb’s descriptions of Mrs. Field’s house and the
• The Passage of Time: surrounding countryside are rich in imagery, evoking
o The essay reflects on the passage of time and the a sense of place that is both real and idealized. The
inevitable loss that comes with it. Lamb’s memories house becomes a symbol of lost time and childhood
of his grandmother and childhood are tinged with the innocence.
awareness that those times are gone forever. • Irony:
• Solitude and Loneliness: o The irony in "Dream Children" lies in the fact that the
o The essay subtly addresses Lamb’s sense of children to whom Lamb narrates his stories do not
loneliness, particularly in the context of his unfulfilled exist. This creates a poignant contrast between the
personal life. The imagined children serve as a vividness of Lamb’s memories and the emptiness of
poignant reminder of the companionship and joy that his present life.
Lamb never experienced.
6. Analysis of Key Passages:
5. Literary Techniques: • Opening Passage:
• First-Person Narration: o "Children love to listen to stories about their elders,
o Lamb employs a first-person narrative, using the when they were children; to stretch their imagination
persona of Elia, which creates an intimate and to the conception of a traditionary great-uncle, or
personal tone. This allows readers to connect deeply grandame, whom they never saw."
with Lamb’s emotions and reflections. o Lamb begins by establishing the setting of the
reverie, where he is telling stories to his imagined
 children. This passage sets the tone for the essay, did. This motif of unattainable desires runs
emphasizing the importance of memory and throughout the essay.
storytelling. • Regret and Melancholy:
• Description of Mrs. Field: o Regret is a pervasive theme in "Dream Children."
o "She was a woman of remarkable strength of body Lamb reflects on what might have been, particularly
and mind, and great fervor of devotion; a woman, in terms of his personal life and relationships. This
who, though she had been a wife and a mother, yet regret is tinged with melancholy, as Lamb comes to
lived single for the last 20 years of her life." terms with the life he has lived.
o Mrs. Field is portrayed as a strong, devout woman,
embodying the virtues that Lamb admired. Her 8. Reflection on the Essay’s Conclusion:
house becomes a symbol of stability and comfort in • Final Reflection:
Lamb’s memory. o The essay ends on a poignant note, with the
• Revelation of the Children’s Non-Existence: realization that the children are nothing more than
o "We are not of Alice, nor of thee, nor are we children dreams. This conclusion reinforces the themes of
at all. The children of Alice call Bartrum father. We unfulfilled desires and the bittersweet nature of
are nothing; less than nothing, and dreams. We are memory.
only what might have been." • Legacy of the Essay:
o This passage reveals the central irony of the essay: o "Dream Children" remains one of Lamb’s most
the children Lamb has been addressing are not real. celebrated essays, valued for its emotional depth, its
This moment underscores the theme of unfulfilled exploration of memory and loss, and its eloquent
desires and the poignancy of Lamb’s regrets. expression of universal human experiences.

7. Themes and Motifs: 9. Personal Reflection:

• The Idealized Past: • "Dream Children: A Reverie" is a deeply moving exploration
o Lamb’s memories of his grandmother’s house and of memory, loss, and the passage of time. Lamb’s ability to
the stories he shares with his imagined children are blend reality with fantasy creates a powerful narrative that
idealized, representing a longing for a simpler, resonates with readers on an emotional level.
happier time. This idealization contrasts with the • The essay’s themes of unfulfilled desires and regret are
reality of Lamb’s present life. particularly poignant, offering a window into Lamb’s inner
• The Illusion of Family Life: life and the personal struggles that shaped his writing.
o The essay explores the idea of family as an • The use of the imagined children as symbols of the life
unattainable dream for Lamb. The imagined children Lamb never had adds a layer of complexity to the essay,
symbolize the life Lamb might have had, but never making it a rich and thought-provoking work that invites
multiple readings and interpretations.
By studying "Dream Children: A Reverie," you can gain a deeper CHOOSE THE CORRECT
appreciation for Lamb’s literary artistry and the ways in which he
uses personal experience to explore universal themes of memory, ANSWER
loss, and the longing for what might have been.
1. Charles Lamb wrote under the pen name of ______.
(a) Alpha of the Plough
A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE (b) Abc
(c) Elia
ESSAY (d) The Rover
Lamb's frustrated love affair with Ann Simmons (the Alice W-n of
the essay) perhaps made him aware of the life he could not 2. Alice and John in the essay 'Dream Children: A Reverie’ are
possess. So he peoples the essay with a family composed of both ______.
fact (his brother John, great grandmother Field) and fiction (his (a) the dramatic version of Lamb's children
wife Alice W-n, his son John and his daughter Alice). On the (b) the imaginative children of Lamb
excuse of satisfying his children's curiosity about their parents, (c) the children seen in a dream
Lamb tells them about his grandmother Field who lived in a (d) real children of Lamb
mansion and loved by all. After the death of the old lady everything
came to decay. 3. The world 'Psaltery' mentioned in Lamb's essay refers to
______.
Lamb tells the children about his adventures in the old lady's (a) a book of prayer
house. He speaks of his brother John L. a very good rider and (b) a part of the Bible
hunter. He also tells the children about his pretty wife (fictional) (c) commandments
Alice W-n whom he had courted for seven years. By the time the (d) a holy book
children vanish from his dream, because they are really 'dream
children and he wakes up. The author is left alone in his bachelor's 4. Charles Lamb's style is ______.
armchair with only his memories. The vivid recreation of the (a) aphoristic
dream, and its actual lack of substance marks the gap between (b) personal
imagination and reality. (c) descriptive
(d) epigrammatic
5. The language used by Charles Lamb in the essay is _______. 10. Uncle John is Charles Lamb's ______.
(a) metaphoric (a) uncle
(b) symbolic (b) brother
(c) poetic (c) nephew
(d) descriptive (d) father

6. Charles Lamb's essays were published in the _______

century.
(a) seventeenth PARAGRAPHS
(b) eighteenth
(c) nineteenth 1. How does Lamb describe Mrs. Field, the great grand-
(d) twentieth mother and the house in which she lived?

7. The word 'Lethe' finds mention in the essay 'Dream Children' Mrs. Field's grand mansion
is a ______. The imaginary children sat around the author to listen to the stories
(a) town of their grandmother Mrs. Field. She lived in a great house in
(b) mansion Norfolk. An interesting fact about this house was that the whole
(c) river story of the 'Children in the Wood', was carved in wood upon the
(d) castle Chimney-piece of the great hall. Great grand-mother Field was not
the real owner of the house but her behaviour and manners, and
8. 'Fair Alice Win' is ______. her religious devotions were so great that she was respected by
(a) the lady whom Lamb wanted to marry every one. When Mrs. Field died, her funeral was attended by
(b) the sister of Charles Lamb both, poor folks, and the rich people. She was indeed a very
(c) an imaginative character gentle- hearted and pious person. She knew the Psaltery by heart
(d) wife of Lamb and also a great part of the Testament.

9. Lamb's 'Dream Children' is a combination of _________. Mrs. Field a pious, kind-hearted woman
(a) Satire and comedy In her youth, the great grand mother was regarded as the best
(b) Pathos and satire dancer in the country. But when she was attacked by cancer she
(c) Tragedy and comedy stopped dancing. She used to sleep by herself in a desolate
(d) Humor and pathos chamber of that great house. She was very kind to her grand
children, who went to her during the holidays. She was indeed a
very gentle- hearted and pious woman.
2. Who are Alice and John in the essay 'Dream Children'. which intensifies the pathos. The reference to the loneliness of
Lamb's aged grandmother Field is a touch of sadness. The
Lamb's love failure with Ann Simmons account of the death of John Lamb (the author's brother) is tragic.
Lamb's frustrated love affair with Ann Simmons (the Alice W-n of This describtion moves the dream children to tears. We are also
the essay) perhaps made him aware of the life he could not told how Lamb courted Alice W-n (Ann Simmons) for a long time
possess. So he peoples the essay with a family composed of both without any success in his purpose. The close of the essay is
fact (his brother John, great grandmother Field) and fiction (his marked by deep poignancy and heart-breaking pathos. Towards
wife Alice W-n, his son John and his daughter Alice). the end, we are abruptly brought to the actual present
circumstances. And then the dream children begin slowly to fade.
Lamb's Uncle John Lamb suddenly finds himself seated in his bachelor arm chair.
Lamb told the imaginary children all about their great grandmother Nothing can be more pathetic.
who lived in a mansion. Afterwards he told them about their uncle
John Lamb who was really a brave man and won the admiration 4. Write a brief note on the auto-biographical element in the
of every one. When Lamb was a lame-footed boy, John who was essay 'Dream Children'.
few years senior to him used to carry him on his back for many
miles. When John died, Lamb came to miss him very much, and The Essay full of reminiscences
remembered his kindness and his crossness, and wished him to The essay 'Dream Children' is noted for the autobiographical
be alive again. description. It is full of reminiscences and anecdotes. Lamb recalls
the lonely life of his grandmother, Field, and then goes on to recall
Fair Alice -- an illusion his memories of his own early boyhood. Recollection of his brother
Then Lamb began telling the imaginary children his frustrated love John also appear in the essay. So Lamb peoples the essay with a
with fair Alice Winterton for seven long years. As he was telling family composed of both fact (his brother John, great grandmother
these experiences of his, he suddenly felt that the eyes of that old Field) and fiction (his wife Alice W-n, his son John and his
Alice were gazing from the little Alice, sitting before him. The daughter Alice). Lamb's frustrated love affair with Ann Simmons
expressions of the children, and their movements vividly present (the Alice W-n of the essay) perhaps made him aware of the life
them as real people. But this illusion cannot last and they fade he could not possess. This is essentially an autobiographical
away because they are really 'dream children'. essay.

3. Discuss the element of pathos in the essay 'Dream

Children'.

Heart-breaking pathos
Pathos is the keynote of the essay. It has a light tinge of soft
melancholy. There is an air of dreamy reminiscence and reflection
5. Write an account on Charles Lamb's prose style with children about their great grand-mother Field who lived in great
reference to his essay 'Dream Children'. mansion in Norfolk. The great grand-mother was not the real
The essay 'a lyric in prose' owner of the house. Her behaviour and her religious devotions
Charles Lamb has rightly been called 'The Prince of English were respected by every one. When she died, her funeral was
Essayists', for his essays touch perfection. The charm of his attended by people from all walks of life. She knew the psaltery by
essays is the charm of his personality. heart and also a great part of the Testament. While young, the
great grand-mother was regarded as the best dancer in the
The essay 'Dream Children: A Reverie' is written in a brooding, country. But when she was attacked by cancer, she stopped
meditative style. The language employed is lucid and simple. It is dancing. She was very kind to her grand children, who went to her
written in straightforward, pure language as befits the melancholy during the holidays. Lamb himself used to spend hours in admiring
and mood of the author. The writer's feeling of depression and the house and the garden. It is the real lonely life of his own grand
frustration is effectively conveyed. The style has a poetic quality mother that Lamb recalls in this essay.
becaue of its fanciful subject and the sincerity of emotion. The
essay is, indeed, "a lyric in prose". The brave uncle John
Recollections of Lamb's brother John also appear in the essay.
The author told the dream children about their uncle John who was
really a brave man. John won the admiration of every one. When
ESSAY the author was a lame-footed boy, John, who was few years senior
1. Narrate the theme of Charles Lamb's essay 'Dream to him used to carry him on his back for many miles. Then Lamb
Children'. spoke of John L's dealth. At this the children began to cry and
(or) requested their father not to tell them anything more about uncle
Write a critical appreciation of the essay 'Dream Children'. John but to tell them some stories about their mother.

Introduction Lamb's thwarted love affair with Ann Simmons recalled

Lamb's essay "Dream Children: A Reverie is full of reminiscences Lamb began telling the imaginary children how for seven long
and anecdotes. Lamb recalls the lonely life of his grand-mother years he patiently courted the fair Alice W-n sometimes in hope
Mrs. Field, and then goes on to recall his memories of his own and sometimes in despair. As Lamb gazed at the children, he
early boyhood. Recollections of his brother John also appear in suddenly felt that the eyes of the old Alice were gazing from the
the essay. The style has a poetic quality because of its fanciful face of the little Alice, sitting before him. Soon he found the
subject and the sincerity of emotion. children John and Alice gradually grew fainter and then vanished
till he could see nothing. But it appeared that the two sad features
The kind grand-mother Mrs. Field to be saying: "We are not of Alice, nor of thee, nor are we children
'Dream Children' is the reverie of a man who was intensely human at all. For, the children of Alice, had Bartrum for their father. So
and whose life was a tragedy. The author told the imaginary they were merely dreams. The illusions fade way because they
are really 'Dream Children'. The author is left alone in his
bachelor's armchair with only his memories.

The element of Pathos

Pathos is the keynote of the essay. There is an air of dreamy
reminiscence and reflection which intensifies the pathos. The
reference to the loneliness of Lamb's aged grand mother Field is
a touch of sadness. The account of the death of John Lamb (the
author's brother) is tragic. This description moves the dream
children to tears. We are also told how Lamb courted Alice W-n
(Ann Simmons) for a long time without any success in his purpose.
The close of the essay is marked by deep poignancy and heart-
breaking pathos. Towards the end, we are abruptly brought to the
actual present circumstances. And then the dream children begin
slowly to fade. Lamb suddenly finds himself seated in his
beachelor arm chair. Nothing can be more pathetic.

Auto-biographical element
The essay is noted for the autobiographical description. Lamb
recalls the lonely life of his grandmother, Field, and then recalls
his memories of his brother John and his frustrated love with Ann
Simmons.

Conclusion
The essay 'Dream Children' is written in a brooding, meditative
style. The language employed is simple and lucid. The author's
feeling of depression and frustration is effectively conveyed. The
style has a poetic quality because of its fanciful subject and the
sincerity of emotion.
 singing-master, who goes about the country for that purpose, to
Sir Roger at Church instruct them rightly in the tunes of the psalms; upon which they
now very much value themselves, and indeed out-do most of the
- Joseph Addison country churches that I have ever heard.

As Sir Roger is landlord to the whole congregation, he keeps

Original Text them in very good order, and will suffer nobody to sleep in it
I AM always very well pleased with a country Sunday; and think, besides himself; for if by chance he has been surprised into a
if keeping holy the seventh day were only a human institution, it short nap at sermon, upon recovering out of it he stands up and
would be the best method that could have been thought of for the looks about him, and if he sees anybody else nodding, either
polishing and civilizing of mankind. It is certain the country- wakes them himself, or sends his servant to them. Several other
people would soon degenerate into a kind of savages and of the old knight's particularities break out upon these occasions:
barbarians, were there not such frequent returns of a stated time, sometimes he will be lengthening out a verse in the singing-
in which the whole village meet together with their best faces, psalms, half a minute after the rest of the congregation have
and in their cleanliest habits, to converse with one another upon done with it; sometimes, when he is pleased with the matter of
indifferent subjects, hear their duties explained to them, and join his devotion, he pronounces Amen three or four times to the
together in adoration of the Supreme Being. Sunday clears away same prayer; and sometimes stands up when everybody else is
the rust of the whole week, not only as it refreshes in their minds upon their knees, to count the congregation, or see if any of his
the notions of religion, but as it puts both the sexes upon tenants are missing.
appearing in their most agreeable forms, and exerting all such
qualities as are apt to give them a figure in the eye of the village. I was yesterday very much surprised to hear my old friend, in the
A country-fellow distinguishes himself as much in the churchyard midst of the service, calling out to one John Matthews to mind
as a citizen does upon the Change, the whole parish politics what he was about, and not disturb the congregation. This John
being generally discussed in that place either after sermon or Matthews, it seems, is remarkable for being an idle fellow, and at
before the bell rings. that time was kicking his heels for his diversion. This authority of
the knight, though exerted in that odd manner which
My friend Sir Roger, being a good church-man, has beautified accompanies him in all circumstances of life, has a very good
the inside of his church with several texts of his own choosing: effect upon the parish, who are not polite enough to see anything
he has likewise given a handsome pulpit- cloth, and railed in the ridiculous in his behaviour, besides that the general good sense
communion-table at his own expense. He has often told me, that and worthiness of his character, make his friends observe these
at his coming to his estate he found his parishioners very little singularities as foils that rather set off than blemish his good
irregular; and that in order to make them kneel and join in the qualities.
responses, he gave every one of them a hassoc and a Common
Prayer Book; and at the same time employed an itinerant
As soon as the sermon is finished, nobody presumes to stir till
Sir Roger is gone out of the church. The knight walks down from Feuds of this nature, though too frequent in the country, are very
his seat in the chancel between a double row of his tenants, that fatal to the ordinary people; who are so used to be dazzled with
stand bowing to him on each side; and every now and then he riches, that they pay as much deference to the understanding of
inquires how such an one's wife, or mother, or son, or father do, a man of an estate, as of a man of learning; and are very hardly
whom he does not see at church; which is understood as a brought to regard any truth, how important so ever it may be, that
secret reprimand to the person that is absent. is preached to them, when they know there are several men of
five hundred a year who do not believe it.
The chaplain has often told me, that upon a catechising-day,
when Sir Roger has been pleased with a boy that answers well,
he has ordered a Bible to be given him next day for his English Summary Video
encouragement; and sometimes accompanies it with a flitch of
bacon to his mother. Sir Roger has likewise added five pounds a (Youtube)
year to the clerk's place; and that he may encourage the young
fellows to make themselves perfect in the church-service, has
promised, upon the death of the present incumbent, who is very
old, to bestow it according to merit.

The fair understanding between Sir Roger and his chaplain, and
their mutual concurrence in doing good, is the more remarkable,
because the very next village is famous for the differences and
contentions that rise between the parson and the 'squire, who
live in a perpetual state of war. The parson is always at the
Tamil Summary Video (Youtube)
'squire, and the 'squire, to be revenged on the parson, never
comes to church. The 'squire has made all his tenants atheists
and tithe-stealers; while the parson instructs them every Sunday
in the dignity of his order, and insinuates to them, almost in every
sermon, that he is a better man than his patron. In short, matters
are come to such an extremity, that the 'squire has not said his
prayers either in public or private this half year, and that the
parson threatens

him, if he does not mend his manners, to pray for him in the face
of the whole congregation.
 subjects connected with ethical quality, society, and
Introduction to the Author: governmental issues. He was especially known for his imaginary
person, Sir Roger de Coverley, who showed up in a considerable
lot of his expositions and was an image of the English nobility.

Addison's work altogether affected the advancement of English

writing and reporting, and he stays perhaps of the most
celebrated writer in the English language. His composing keeps
on being read up and appreciated for its understanding into the
human condition, its abstract legitimacy, and its verifiable
importance.

Introduction of Work:
Sir Roger at Church is a person sketch that depicts a passionate
and committed admirer. The sketch features Sir Roger's devout
nature, his regard for the pastor, and his graciousness and
liberality towards his kindred admirers. Through his activities and
conduct, Sir Roger shows major areas of strength for a to his
confidence and a longing to carry on with a righteous life. He is a
positive impact on everyone around him and a brilliant illustration
of Christian qualities.

The person sketch of Sir Roger at Church is an honest

demonstration of the force and the effect it can have on one's life
Joseph Addison (1672-1719) was an English writer, artist, and and the existences of others. It fills in as a sign of the
lawmaker. He was a noticeable figure in the scholarly universe of significance of carrying on with an existence of dedication,
his time and is most popular for his commitments to the Tatler consideration, and sympathy.
and the Onlooker, two powerful periodicals that displayed his
expositions and works.

Addison's composing style was described by his utilization of

parody, humor, and mind, and his articles frequently investigated
 interactions with the congregation, and his overall
influence on the religious life of his community.
o The essay is both a character study of Sir Roger and
a reflection on the role of religion and the church in
Key Points and Self Notes rural English life.

1. Overview: 4. Key Themes:

• Author: Joseph Addison
• Religious Observance and Piety:
• Published: 1711 in The Spectator (Issue No. 112)
o Sir Roger is portrayed as a devout and sincere
• Genre: Essay (Social Commentary)
Christian who takes his religious duties seriously.
• Tone: Observational, Humorous, Reflective
His regular attendance at church and his respectful
behavior during the service highlight his commitment
2. Background and Context: to his faith.
• Joseph Addison and The Spectator: Addison, along with
• Social Order and Community:
Richard Steele, founded The Spectator, a daily publication o The essay emphasizes the role of the church in
aimed at offering moral and social commentary. The maintaining social order and fostering a sense of
character of Sir Roger de Coverley, a quintessential community. Sir Roger’s presence at church and his
country gentleman, is one of Addison’s most famous leadership within the parish underscore the
creations, representing the ideal of benevolent and virtuous importance of the gentry in upholding social and
English gentry. moral standards.
• The Sir Roger de Coverley Essays: These essays depict
• Leadership and Influence:
various aspects of Sir Roger’s life, offering insights into o Sir Roger is depicted as a paternal figure who cares
18th-century English society, customs, and values. "Sir deeply for the well-being of his parishioners. His
Roger at Church" is one of these essays, focusing on Sir influence extends beyond the church service, as he
Roger’s religious observance and his role in his local is actively involved in the lives of the people in his
parish. community, providing guidance and support.
• Humor and Satire:
3. Summary of the Essay: o While the essay is largely respectful in its portrayal
• Narrative Structure:
of Sir Roger, it also includes subtle humor and satire,
o The essay is a first-person account by an unnamed
particularly in the depiction of Sir Roger’s
narrator, likely Addison himself, who accompanies eccentricities and the ways in which he exercises his
Sir Roger to church. The essay describes Sir authority within the church.
Roger’s behavior during the church service, his
 • Tradition vs. Change: overly paternalistic, reflecting the complexities of
o The essay reflects a tension between tradition and power and authority in rural society.
change, with Sir Roger representing the traditional • Descriptive Detail:
values of the English countryside. His adherence to o The essay includes rich descriptions of the church,
old customs and his resistance to new practices the congregation, and the service. These details
highlight the conservative nature of rural society at help to create a vivid picture of 18th-century English
the time. religious life and the setting in which Sir Roger
operates.
5. Literary Techniques:
• First-Person Narration: 6. Analysis of Key Passages:
o The essay is narrated in the first person, creating a • Opening Description of Sir Roger’s Church
sense of immediacy and intimacy. The narrator’s Attendance:
observations of Sir Roger and the church service o The essay begins with a description of Sir Roger’s
provide a detailed, almost journalistic account of the regular attendance at church, setting the stage for
events. the exploration of his religious character. The
narrator notes Sir Roger’s punctuality and his habit
• Characterization: of attending with his servants, emphasizing his role
o Sir Roger is characterized as a benevolent, if as a leader and example to others.
somewhat old-fashioned, figure. Addison uses • Sir Roger’s Influence on the Congregation:
specific anecdotes and details to build a well- o "As Sir Roger is landlord to the whole congregation,
rounded picture of Sir Roger’s personality and he keeps them in very good order, and will suffer
values. nobody to sleep in it besides himself."
• Use of Humor: o This passage highlights both Sir Roger’s authority
o Addison employs gentle humor to highlight Sir and his eccentricity. The humor in his being the only
Roger’s quirks, such as his habit of nodding off one allowed to sleep during the service underscores
during the sermon or his insistence on the his unique position in the community.
congregation singing loudly. This humor serves to • Sir Roger’s Interaction with the Clergy:
endear Sir Roger to the reader while also offering a o Sir Roger’s relationship with the clergy is depicted
critique of his more outdated practices. as one of mutual respect, but with Sir Roger
• Irony: maintaining a certain level of control. His
o There is an ironic undertone in the way Sir Roger’s involvement in selecting the readings and his
influence is depicted. While he is clearly a positive insistence on certain practices reveal his deep
force in the community, his methods are sometimes commitment to the religious life of his parish.
7. Themes and Motifs: maintaining social order. Sir Roger’s character, with his
• The Role of the Gentry: blend of piety, eccentricity, and benevolence, serves as a
o Sir Roger represents the idealized role of the gentry lens through which Addison explores broader themes of
as protectors and moral leaders of the community. tradition, authority, and community.
His actions at church reflect a broader responsibility • The essay’s use of humor and irony adds depth to the
for the well-being of his tenants and parishioners. portrayal of Sir Roger, making him a memorable and
• Religious Conservatism: complex figure. Addison’s ability to balance respect with
o The essay explores the theme of religious gentle satire allows for a nuanced exploration of the values
conservatism, with Sir Roger embodying the and customs of his time.
traditional values of his time. His reluctance to • Studying this essay provides valuable insights into the
embrace change is depicted with both respect and social and religious dynamics of 18th-century England, as
gentle critique. well as the literary techniques Addison used to convey his
• Community and Belonging: observations and critiques.
o The church is portrayed as a central institution in
rural life, bringing people together and reinforcing a By examining these aspects of "Sir Roger at Church," you can gain
sense of belonging. Sir Roger’s active participation a deeper understanding of Addison’s social commentary and the
in church affairs highlights the importance of ways in which he uses character and setting to explore the values
communal worship and shared values. and customs of his time.

8. Reflection on the Essay’s Conclusion:

• Final Reflection:
o The essay concludes with a reflection on Sir Roger’s
positive influence on his community. While he may
have his quirks, his genuine piety and concern for
others make him a respected and beloved figure.
• Legacy of the Essay:
o "Sir Roger at Church" remains an insightful
commentary on the role of religion and social order
in 18th-century England. Addison’s portrayal of Sir
Roger is both a tribute to traditional values and a
subtle critique of their limitations.
9. Personal Reflection:
• "Sir Roger at Church" offers a fascinating glimpse into the
religious life of rural England and the role of the gentry in
CHOOSE THE CORRECT 6. How does Sir Roger see information?
A) As something to be submissively looked for
ANSWER B) As something to be disregarded and excused
C) As something to be dreaded and kept away from
1. Who is the creator of "Sir Roger at Church"? D) As something to be gladly shown
A) Joseph Addison
B) Richard Steele 7. How does Sir Roger treat his workers?
C) Jonathan Quick A) With generosity and regard
D) Daniel Defoe B) With savagery and cruelty
C) With apathy and disregard
2. How does Sir Roger act in church? D) With outrage and hatred
A) With respect and commitment
B) With weariness and lack of engagement 8. How does Sir Roger see his neighbors?
C) With uproarious and tumultuous way of behaving A) As companions and equivalents
D) With outrage and dissatisfaction B) As adversaries and inferiors
C) As outsiders and outcasts
3. How is Sir Roger's personality? D) As opponents and contenders
A) Kind and liberal
B) Horrible and unforgiving 9. How does Sir Roger act openly?
C) Unconcerned and careless A) With pride and elegance
D) Irate and angry B) With pomposity and pride
C) With lowliness and unobtrusiveness
4. What is Sir Roger's relationship with the clergyman? D) With outrage and hostility
A) He is companions with him
B) He is foes with him 10. What is Sir Roger's societal position?
C) He is unconcerned with him A) High
D) He is envious of him B) Center
C) Low
5. What is Sir Roger's inheritance? D) Obscure
A) He is recognized as a sort and liberal man
B) He is recognized as a horrible and cruel man
C) He is recognized as an unconcerned and careless man
D) He is recognized as an irate and angry man
11. What is Sir Roger's relationship with his loved ones? 16. How is Sir Roger's general person?
A) He is close and cherishing A) Kind, liberal, and humble
C) He is impassive and careless B) Horrible, cruel, and egotistical
B) He is far off and cold C) Impassive, careless, and self centered
D) He is furious and angry D) Furious, angry, and unpleasant Ans: A

12. What is Sir Roger's number one subject to find out about?
A) History FILL IN THE BLANKS
B) Science
C) Writing 1. Sir Roger is a standard member at his area church ward.
D) Religion
2. He sits in his family seat and is respected by the rest of the
13. What is Sir Roger's relationship with poor people? gathering.
A) He is caring and liberal to them
B) He is impassive and careless of them 3. Sir Roger is particularly enchanted with the prayer book and
C) He is savage and brutal to them is known to give them out to his neighbors.
D) He is envious of them
4. He is a sort and liberal man, persistently prepared to the
14. What is Sir Roger's view on profound quality? creek.
A) It is significant and ought to be maintained
B) It is superfluous and ought to be disregarded 5. Sir Roger's minister is an insightful man who conveys
C) It is adaptable and can be compromised influential illustrations,
D) It is an individual decision and changes from one
individual to another 6. Sir Roger is a happy man, yet he isn't satisfied with his
knowledge.
15. What is Sir Roger's heritage locally?
A) He is recognized as a legend and a good example 7. He is more stressed over doing good works than with
B) He is recognized as a lowlife and a miscreant appearing to be learned.
C) He is recognized as a normal and mediocre individual
D) He is recognized as a more odd and an untouchable 8. Sir Roger's lead in church is cognizant and earnest.

9. He is a legitimate polite individual and is treasured by all who

know him.
10. Sir Roger's character is an exhibit of the power of religion to the foggiest idea what to do. They become extremely worn out.
shape our lives. What's more, that is the reason they become extremely severe.
Yet, by going to church on Sundays they learn and have chances
11. He is a splendid representation of standards and significant to be more unassuming. They felt harmony in their souls
quality. subsequent to paying attention to Father's recommendation.

12. Sir Roger's love for his fellow man is clear in his selfless 2. How does Sir Roger's way of behaving towards his
deeds. kindred admirers mirror his Christian qualities?
Sir Roger's way of behaving towards his kindred admirers mirrors
13. He is a legitimate pillar of the community. his Christian upsides of generosity, sympathy, and modesty, as he
is continuously ready to loan some assistance or deal a steady
14. Sir Roger's lowliness and nonappearance of presumption word. Sir Roger has beautified this town church perfectly.
make him a dear figure. Beautified with various hued materials. Again the lovely messages
of the Holy book are composed on the walls of the congregation.
15. He is an update that legitimate greatness comes from He made a spot for individuals to sit in the congregation. He did
continuing with a fair life. this with his own cash. Since he was a Landowner. Sir Roger saw
that not every person in the town went to church each Sunday. For
that reason he asked everybody to routinely come to the
PARAGRAPHS congregation.Sir Roger said that everybody ought to have a
chance book. He even recruited a vocalist so individuals of the
1. What is Sir Roger's mentality towards love, and how can town could sing the request music perfectly. He prevailed in this
he show it at church? assignment. Edison said here that because of this commitment of
In the wake of working six days per week, just on this Sunday do Sir Roger, individuals of that town could sing supplication music
they get off and go to church. Addison in this paper discusses a flawlessly. In any case, individuals of other close by towns couldn't
town where individuals likewise meet individuals of one more town do that.
on Sundays. Everybody welcomes each other wearing delightful
garments. Individuals discuss one another and on various 3. Portray Sir Roger's cooperation in the faith gathering,
subjects. Everybody listens mindfully to anything that the Dad of Including his activities and attitude.
the Congregation says and afterward everybody begins singing During the church gathering, Sir Roger takes part completely,
the request tune together. Addison said supporting culture was perusing the Request Book, singing songs, and listening eagerly
fundamental. As per Edison, after individuals labor for six days to the lesson, continuously looking to develop how he might
constantly, their spirits become polluted. They don't grasp the interpret God's statement. While asking, he wouldn't let any other
contrast among great and awful. Yet, Sunday cleans their spirits. person rest, however he would now and again nod off himself. At
Subsequent to laboring for six days straight, individuals don't have the point when everybody had wrapped up singing the request
melody, Sir Roger would keep on singing himself for the following approves of Sir Roger as he gives cash to the improvement of the
moment. Now and then he would agree that So be it without congregation.
holding back to multiple times, content with his own request. Sir
Roger would sporadically visit individuals and ask about them all. 5. How do Sir Roger's activities and conduct at church
He was extremely touchy about the Congregation. He expanded mirror his own qualities and convictions?
the compensation of the people who worked in the congregation Sir Roger's activities and conduct at church mirror his own upsides
consistently. The justification behind this was to make the of commitment, thoughtfulness, and empathy, which are center to
adolescent more intrigued by the congregation. He had the option his Christian convictions and guide his associations with others.
to bring individuals from varying backgrounds in this town to the He had given a lovely material to cover the lectern and constructed
congregation. Where individuals from neighboring towns didn't go a railing before the fellowship table at his own expense. He had
to church definitely. Furthermore, for this general explanation frequently let the creator know how much impassive individuals of
nobody rose from their seats after the request was finished, till Sir his ward were towards the religion and the congregation. Sir Roger
Roger was gone. What's more, everybody in the town regarded was a rich man and had acquired a landed property in
and cherished Sir Roger definitely. Worcestershire some of the time back. So he went there to forever
settle. He observed that the residents of that ward were extremely
4. What is the idea of Sir Roger's relationship with the cleric, unpredictable to go to the congregation and he took serious note
and how can he recognize them? of it. He needed that all of that town ought to go to the
Sir Roger has a profound regard for the pastor, whom he sees as congregation and should bow down in petition. To draw in the
an otherworldly pioneer and guide, and he extends this regard residents in the congregation and make them to go there, he gave,
through his mindful tuning in and smart inquiries. Sir Roger has at his own expense, all of them a pad for bowing on and a typical
bumed through truckload of cash on the congregation and keeps petitioning God book. He likewise drew in a vocalist who went from
on doing as such. The vast majority of the parishioners are his one spot to another, to sing strict melody in the congregation. He
inhabitants and he has a level of command over them. Sir Roger encouraged the artist to show the residents how to accurately sing
utilizes a vocalist to assist them with singing their songs in church the strict tunes. The vocalist was finishing his undertaking
appropriately. This has emphatically worked on the impeccably and stayed occupied in doing that. He approached the
administrations at the congregation. Anyway Roger has numerous area and showed individuals how to appropriately sing the strict
idiosyncrasies. He frequently nods off during the assistance, melodies. He was fruitful in his work and individuals could now
however wouldn't permit any other individual to rest while the help sing the melodies accurately for which they, at the end of the day,
is going on. One more propensity for his is to keep singing in any were glad as well. The creator Addison had heard their melodies
event, when every other person has halted. He additionally keeps as well and it appeared to him that individuals of that ward sing far
saying So be it on various occasions assuming that he is happy superior than individuals of numerous other nation holy places.
with his devotion. While every other person bows in the
congregation, he stands to count the quantity of individuals to
figure out who is missing. The clergyman of the congregation
 Sir Roger's Conduct in Church
ESSAYS Sir Roger being the landowner of all in the assembly felt actually
answerable for their way of behaving and applied his position to
1. Sir Roger at Church: A Signal of Commitment and keep them restrained. He permitted nobody to rest in the
Empathy. congregation with the exception of himself. Assuming he nodded
off during the lesson, on awakening he would glance around and
Sundays in The Open country on the off chance that he found anybody resting off he would
Country Sundays are exceptional events and the Onlooker thinks promptly awaken that individual or send his workers to awaken
about them of incredible worth. Nowadays see the rural people him. A large number of his peculiarities turned out in the
wearing their best and putting on a lively front. Sunday, says congregation. He would in any case be singing a stanza long after
Addison, gets the rust free from the entire week. It not just revives it had been sung by the remainder of the gathering. Assuming he
the ideas of religion in psyches of the locals yet additionally makes loved a specific petition, he would agree 'so be it' various times
them generally approach, best case scenario, on the grounds that toward the finish of that request. Frequently when the remainder
each needs to show up great and become well known and of the assemblage was stooping, he would remain to the count the
separate himself. Church social affairs in the nation significantly quantity of individuals present to take note of anybody's
affect the salt of the earth people as the Trade has on the town nonattendance. Assuming he felt anybody was upsetting the
occupants. assistance, he wouldn't prevent from calling that individual to
arrange in the help. The parishioners were excessively basic and
Sir Roger's Advantage in the Town Church gullible to track down anything absurd in the way of behaving of
Sir Roger looked into the town church and furthermore made sure the knight. As a matter of fact, these peculiarities just caused his
that his occupants went to church consistently. He had got the ideals to appear to be all the really striking.
congregation adorned with citations from the Holy book which he
chose himself. He had given the congregation another platform Assistant pastor Relationship
fabric which was lovely. He had likewise got the fellowship table Sir Roger and his pastor had an ideal comprehension between
encased in a railing. He had gifted parishioners with a Typical one another and there was a genial connection between them.
Petitioning God book and an ottoman to bow on in church to urge This was even more wonderful in light of the fact that, in the
them to consistently go to church. Further, he had got a making a exceptionally next town, this genial connection among assistant
trip performer to come and train the parishioners to sing the Songs and cleric was missing. There the two were constantly enjoying
in the right tune, subsequently, they prided themselves upon the some debate. The individual appeared to teach at the assistant
way that they sang far superior to the gathering of some other town who avoided church. The parishioners were urged not to put in
church. their time to the upkeep. of the pastor and they turned out to be
very slack about going to church. The assistant and the parson
should have a decent connection with each other. The
townspeople were typically basic and by and large compared
extravagance with capable and intelligence. They accordingly church-a genuine encapsulation of Christian qualities and a
followed the assistant's perspective. This sort of friction prompted focusing light locally.
dissolving of confidence in the average people.
2. Make the central energy for the work entitled Sir Roger at
Amidst a clamoring gathering, one sort stands apart as a brilliant Church.
illustration of Christian qualities-Sir Roger. His disposition at
church is a demonstration of his profound dedication and Introduction:
obligation to his confidence. With a tranquil and mindful presence, The piece entitled Sir Roger at Church bases on change in the
he drenches himself in the help, completely captivating with the help at place of supplication. The creator portrays the days or time
requests, songs, and lesson. when the parsons and the partners were at sharp edges drawn
with each other. In his days an immense piece of towns in Britain
Sir Roger's way of behaving towards his kindred admirers is an were notable for the separations existed between the parsons and
impression of his graciousness, sympathy, and modesty. He is the colleagues. The partners never came to church. They, thinking
continuously able to loan some assistance or deal a strong word, frequently basically no about church works out, had made every
epitomizing the standards of Christian foundation and love. His one of the inhabitants nonbelievers. Consequently, individuals had
regard for the cleric is clear in his mindful tuning in and smart lost trust inside seeing God. In the continuous work the writer
inquiries, looking to develop how he might interpret God's needs quiet relationship between the right hand and the parson in
statement. a town to guarantee phenomenal participation at church and
improvement of the sureness of individuals. In this paper, there is
Through his activities and conduct, Sir Roger rouses others to a help of Steele's evaluation of the personality of Sir Roger as an
follow his illustration of commitment, consideration, and sympathy. unprecedented man.
He is a mainstay of the congregation local area, giving a feeling of
steadiness and direction for people around him. His attendance at Content of knowledge
church is an update that confidence isn't simply an individual The affirmation of Sunday as a day of extraordinary love is areas
conviction, however a lived experience that changes our lives and of strength for a, particularly for the town individuals. Sir Roger is
our associations with others. particularly unambiguous about individuals of his town going to the
get-together on Sundays, and he is himself a standard church part.
Conclusion He doesn't traversé anyone resting in the social occasion in any
In a world loaded up with clamor and interruptions, Sir Roger's case he eventually partakes in a rest during the delineation. He
calm dedication and sympathetic soul are an encouraging sign experiences express singularities of direct, which are not,
and motivation. He shows us that genuine strength lies not in regardless, saw as a defect by his parishioners. He gives usually
fabulous signals, but rather in the basic thoughtful gestures, conceivable assistance to the youthful accomplices to zero in on
lowliness, and commitment. As we endeavor to experience our the Book of sacrosanct texts well. He is on conditions of ideal
own confidence, may we be directed by the case of Sir Roger at awareness with his priest. In this, he is clearly luckier than the
partner of the going with town, who is overall quarreling with his is instant, loose and individual, yet rich, cleaned and refined. It is
priest. Battles among teammates and their priests are discrete by exactness of articulation. Nothing is purposeless and
unimaginably harming to the standard individuals. Humor, senseless. There is no beautification for eye or ear enrapture.
There is no playing on words. His sentences are long.
Sir Roger is an exceptionally extreme individual, and his
perspectives on church discipline are besides hidden by a Sir Roger's love for the minister is discernible, his regard verging
tantamount God dreading reason. In any case, Addison calls on worship. He listens eagerly to the lesson, his eyes fixed on
attention to satirically Sir Roger's odd lead in the social affair. the speaker, his brain retaining the message. He looks for
There is a lot of humor in his way to deal with acting at church and direction, insight, and profound sustenance, his hunger for
fragile disconnection as well. One can't battle the compulsion to information ravenous.
grin at the unusual methodologies for the uncommon knight. As
frequently as conceivable Addison's humor heads off in on a In a world destroyed by difficulty, division, and conflict, Sir Roger
peculiar path. Sir Roger's resting during the message, his at church offers a counter-story of congruity, solidarity, and love.
propensity for on occasion relaxing a refrain in the singing of He advises us that confidence is definitely not a simple scholarly
tunes, his articulating 'so be it three or on various events to an consent however a lived insight, an extraordinary power that
equivalent request, and so on, are the singularities which draw in reshapes our lives and our connections.
us. He passes parody on those occupants who visit the
assurances exchange instead of church. He passes parody on Conclusion
those tenants who talk about immaterial regulative issues even in As we look at Sir Roger at church, we view our very own
church. impression yearnings, our own battles, and our own true
capacity. We see a worldview of Christian excellencies, an
The Creator's Tutoring: encouraging sign in a world plagued by murkiness. May his
Addison is truly self important in his point. This work is plainly model rouse us to imitate his dedication, his thoughtfulness, and
dubious of the typical liking for the nation associate and the his empathy, that we might turn into the good and honest and the
country parson being threatening to each other. This as Indicated illumination of the world.
by Addison hurt the parishioners who free eventually became
watchful. A pleasing relationship between the partner and the 3. Character Examination of Sir Roger in Addison's theory.
parson helps in the improvement of moral quality and valiant
extreme assurance. He gives the occasion of Sir Roger as the Sir Roger at Church: A Person Examination
ideal to be followed. Exactly as expected Addison conveys his Sir Roger, the faithful admirer at church, is a paragon of Christian
point with the assistance of a critical model.Language and Style: temperances. Through his activities and conduct, he typifies the
Addison talks with his perusers in unpretentious, loose and nice upsides of commitment, consideration, empathy, and modesty.
language. His style is plain, fundamental and clear. It has This article will dive into the personality of Sir Roger, investigating
Scriptural quality. He doesn't walk his ordinary learning. His style
his vital characteristics and their importance with regards to the Sir Roger's Interest towards Priest There was a pastor, the
congregation local area. minister who was living with Sir Roger over thirty year sunder
extraordinary regard of the expert. That priest cherished Sir Roger
Commitment: generously. He was an individual of capable and of an
Sir Roger's commitment to God is immovable, apparent in his exceptionally standard life. He was a decent researcher, yet never
mindful support in the community gathering. He is completely wanted to flaunt his learning. Sir Roger knew his genuine worth,
taken part in the requests, songs, and message, exhibiting a the worth of his personality, and thus, he cherished him much and
profound obligation to his confidence. Sir Roger never meddled on conceded for him a decent annuity for what seems like forever.
the issue of other. As he probably was aware very well about the The gentleman was of high psyche and open heart. Requested
preferences and dislikes of Addison, he permitted him to hit the asked nothing from Sir Roger forhimself, yet he requested his lord
hay and to ascend as indicated by his own will. He(Addison) might for something for sake of the normal inhabitants. He brought
have had his supper either with Sir Roger on the normal table or settlement when any debate emerged among the occupants. It
in his own chamber. Addison disdained to be gazed at by the was his great quality could best convey the printed messages on
normal public. So when the country-courteous fellows used to the podiurn with the clearness and gracefulness of his voice. Sir
come to see Sir Roger, he was unable to permit them to go close Roger enjoyed this sort of priest, yet despised them who talked in
to his specific companion. This is the manner by which Sir Roger Latin and Greek at his own table. Sir Rogers Kind and Cherishing
kept his visitors quiet by permitting to do the things as indicated by Perspectives to Workers It was when Sir Roger showed up at his
them. Sir Roger's Outdated Nature Sir Roger, as depicted by farm house after a long nonattendance, the entire house became
Steele and Addison, was a single guy, despite the fact that he had lowered with extraordinary delight and a sort of lovely demeanour
a family which comprised of clearheaded and grave workers of his. was to be felt fromthe facial appearance of the multitude of
Sir Roger was the best expert, all in all in his loved ones. He only workers.
occasionally changed his workers. So every one of the individuals
were matured and grew old with Sir Roger. Sir Roger's way of Sympathy:
behaving to them was all along great. His kindness and love went Sir Roger's sympathy is vast, stretching out some assistance to
similarly even in the treatment of his old canine and old dim pony. those out of luck. He experiences his confidence, showing a
None of both the animals was valuable, at this point they were kept veritable worry for the prosperity of others. Sir Roger's lowliness
with incredible consideration and delicacy regarding their past is striking, clear in his veneration for the cleric and his ability to
administrations. gain from the message. He perceives the worth of profound
direction, trying to develop how he might interpret God's assertion.
Generosity: Every one of them participated in the administrations. He then
Sir Roger's benevolence towards his kindred admirers is inquired about the issues connected with his workers and in this
surprising. He offers backing and comfort, typifying the scriptural way he assumed the part of the father and the expert of the family
order to "love thy neighbor as thyself". at a time. This nature of generosity and authority, great nature and
satisfying way drawn in the entirety of his workers towards him and
made him so much loving toall. Sir Roger: A Blended Person of
Good and Terrible Addison embraced the sensational strategy too
to reveal the character of Sir Roger. SirRoger had the propensity
for making broad assumption from his own particular experiences.
We have seen a few idiocies of his personality, yet these were not
at all grotesque. Sir Roger in Church is the disclosure of Joseph
Addison's capacity to mingle respect and giggling together. He
was a decent church man, great landowner, an impassioned
devotee of confidence and religion. However he had his own
idiosyncrasies.

Conclusion
Sir Roger at church is a brilliant illustration of Christian person. His
dedication, graciousness, empathy, and lowliness rouse people
around him, making a positive effect on the corngregation local
area. Through his activities, he exhibits the ground-breaking force
of confidence, empowering others to imitate his excellences. As a
person, Sir Roger advises us that genuine strength lies in
modesty, thoughtfulness, and commitment, and that our activities
have the ability to rouse and elevate others.
 UNIT-III (Drama) Tamil Summary Video (Youtube)

Pygmalion
- G.B.Shaw

Original Drama Text

Introduction to the Author

English Summary Video

(Youtube)

Shaw was born in 1856 in Dublin to George Carr Shaw and

Lucuida Elizabeth Gurly. His father was a drunkard but his mother
was a refined lady and an accomplished musician. As Shaw and
his two sisters were completely neglected by their parents, they
learnt to stand on their own legs. From his father Shaw inherited
the gift of fun, satire and comic indifference to the sufferings of life
and from his mother he got his love for music and faith in his own
rightness. Shaw started writing plays in collaboration with William Archer.
Archer was good at constructing plots and Shaw was good at
Shaw's education began under Miss Caroline Hill and Reverend writing dialogues.
William George Caroll. At the age of eleven he entered the Dublin
Wesleyan Connexional School. Then he went to the Central Boys' Shaw began his dramatic career with his "Widower's Houses" in
school and Dublin English Scientific and Commercial Day School. 1892. This was followed by 'The Philanderer' and 'Mrs. Warren's
Profession'. He became famous by his play 'Arms and the Man',
After his schooling, he became a junior clerk in an office in 1871. written in 1894, in the sarne year he wrote 'Candida", "The Man of
He resigned the job after a year and joined his mother and sisters Destiny" and "Yan Never Can Tell. Shaw wrote one or more plays
in London and joined another company and was in the commercial every year for many years. Some of his famous plays are 'Caesar
world till 1880. and Cleopatra', 'Man and Superman', Pygmalion', 'St.Joan', 'The
Apple Cart', 'Back to Methuselah', 'Androcles and the Lion' etc.
Even before he was ten, Shaw started writing stories and then Some of his plays have been filmed.
wrote many articles on religion and social problems. His first novel,
'Immaturity', was written in 1879 and was followed by, The Shaw had many love affairs. At the age of forty two he married
Irrational Knot', 'Love Among the Artists', 'Cashel Byron's Charlotte Frances Payne Townshed, Their married life was quite
Profession' and 'An Unsocial Socialist'. All these novels were happy. When his wife died at the age of 86, he missed her a lot
serialized in journals but as they brought him no money, he gave and lived a lonely life for seven more years.
up writing novels and turned to drama.
In 1925 Shaw was awarded the Nobel prize for literature, which
In 1879 Shaw joined the Zetetical Society, where the members he gave for establishing the Anglo-Swedish Literary Foundation.
debated on religious and scientific questions. As Shaw felt very In 1950 at the age of ninety five, Shaw died.
nervous when he first addressed the audience, he resolved to
practise public speaking sincerely and became an unequalled
orator. After reading Karl Marx's 'Das Kapital', Shaw became a DRAMATIS PERSONAE
socialist. Then Shaw became the member of the Fabian Society.
✓ Mr. Higgins : Professor of Phonetics.
By the help of William Archer, Shaw became the reviewer of books
for 'The Pall Mall Gazette' and of the pictures for 'The World'. Then ✓ Pickering : A Colonel who has specialized in Sanskrit
he started writing for the evening paper, 'The Star'. He also dialects.
became a music critic in the same paper and thus became famous
as a journalist and art Critic. Later he joined 'The Saturday Review' ✓ Eliza : A flower girl.
and wrote criticisms on dramas.
 ✓ Alfred Doolittle : Eliza's father. 5. Alfred Doolittle: He is Eliza's father. But she is his illegitimate
daughter. He is self- confident but is uneducated and immoral. He
✓ Mrs. Higgins : The mother of Mr. Higgins. gives to drinking and debauchery.

✓ Mrs. Hill : A lady, Freddy's mother. 6. Mrs. Higgins: She is the mother of Higgins. She asks her son
to behave properly to Eliza. Mrs. Higgins is very kind to Freddy.
✓ Clara : Mrs. Hill's daughter.
7. Mrs. Pearce: She is the house keeper of Mr. Higgins.
✓ Freddy : Mrs. Hill's son
8. Mrs. Hill: The mother of Freddy. She hopes that her son would
✓ Mrs. Pearce : The house-keeper marry a rich girl. But when he marries Eliza, the poor flower girl,
her hopes are shattered.

CHARACTERS A BRIEF 9. Clara Hill: Mrs. Hill's daughter and Freddy's sister. She works
in a furniture shop.
INTRODUCTION
1. Higgins: He is an expert in Phonetics and a specialist in the ACTWISE SUMMARY OF THE
dialects of London. He is a best teacher but has no human feelings
and he does not understand others' feelings. PLAY
2. Pickering: He was a Colonel in the Indian army and has ACT-1
specialized in Sanskirit dialects. He is noble and well mannered It is raining and many people are taking shelter in the portico of St.
and is very affectionate to Eliza. Paul's Church in London at 11.15 P.M. A lady and her daughter
are there in their evening dress. A man is sitting and writing in a
3. Eliza: She is a poor flower girl. Professor Higgins teaches her note-book. Freddy, the lady's son, who goes to get a cab returns
English grammar and correct pronunciation. By her hardwork and without a cab. Both the mother and the daughter scold him, so he
intelligence within six months she becomes a beautiful rushes out in the rain again to bring a cab and dashes against a
accomplished lady. flower girl who is entering and knocks down her flower basket. As
the flowers fall in the mud, she comments on the bad manners of
4. Freddy: He is the son of Mrs. Hill. Though he comes from a Freddy in her Cockney dialect. After saying sorry, Freddy goes
noble family, he is neither rich nor well educated. He loves Eliza out. The flower girl is about eighteen years and she is poor and
passionately and at the end Eliza marries him. dirty. Freddy's mother gives her six pence as all her flowers are
scattered in the mud.
 taker asks him whether he knows Colonel Pickering, the author of
A military gentleman also enters to take shelter. When Eliza, the 'Spoken Sanskrit', he tells him that he is Colonel Pickering. Then
flower girl asks him to buy a flower, he gives her three pence as the note-taker introduces himself as Higgins, the author of
he has no change. A bystander advises Eliza to give the military 'Universal Alphabet. Colonel Pickering tells him that he has come
man, a flower as the person sitting there is noting down every word to meet Higgins and Higgins replies that he is going to India to
that she says. So, the girl gets frightened and shouts and all the meet the Colonel. He invites the Colonel for dinner. Eliza requests
people gather round her and try to calm her down. The people the Colonel to buy a flower as she needs money for her night's
think that the person who is noting down everything is a detective. lodging. When Higgins calls Eliza a liar, she gets angry. As the
As Eliza wants to know what he has noted down, she is told that church bell rings then, Higgins puts a lot of money into her basket.
he has written a phonetic script of the sounds produced by Eliza
in her cockney speech. Thinking him to be a police detective, Eliza When Freddy comes with a cab, he learns from Eliza that his
is frightened and feels that she will be charged for calling the mother and sister have gone by bus. Freddy is attracted by Eliza,
military gentleman as 'Captain'. The military gentleman, who pities so when she says that she would go home in the cab, he agrees
her asks the note taker not to charge her. and leaves her. Eliza asks the driver to drive her to her home in
Angel Court. As she is not willing to pay a shilling which the driver
All the persons who are taking shelter support Eliza and tell that demands, she walks home and goes to bed and dreams of her
the police should not disturb an innocent girl. Then Higgins, the future.
note-taker amazes the bystanders by telling each and every one
where they are from. ACT II
Higgins explains to Colonel Pickering about the instruments in his
As the rain stops, everyone leaves the place except Eliza, Higgins laboratory in Wimpole street for recording and reproducing
and Pickering, the Colonel. When the Colonel asks Higgins how sounds. He also tells him his training methods. In the lab there is
he is able to find out the place from which people come, Higgins a model of a half a human head that shows all the vocal organs.
tells him that he is a Professor of Phonetics and from the way Files of all the old cases are kept in drawers in cabinets and there
people pronounce words, he could find out the place in which he is also a piano and comfortable sofa sets and chairs in the
lives. He says that he could teach people who speak dialects to laboratory.
speak fashionable speech. When Eliza continues to talk in her
dialect, he asks her to stop and adds that people who talk like that Higgins is very enthusiastic about all the scientific methods but he
have no right to live. is careless about himself and cannot understand others' feelings.
Though he is short tempered he has hatred for none.
Higgins claims that in three months he could make Eliza speak
like a duchess in an Ambassador's party or get her the post of a The house keeper, Mrs. Pearce announces the arrival of a very
lady's maid or a shop assistant. The military gentleman believes common girl with a horrible way of speaking. As Higgins wants to
him as he himself is a student of Indian dialects. When the note-
record her dialectal sounds and show the colonel how records are wood and he used to treat them just as pupils. So, Pickering is
prepared, he asks Mrs. Pearce to send the girl up. satisfied that though Eliza is in a helpless condition, she could be
safe in that house.
The girl who comes up is Eliza, the flower girl who has now
cleaned herself a little bit. As Higgins has already noted down her After cleaning Eliza, Mrs. Pearce meets Higgins and tells him that
speech sounds, he asks her to go out. But Eliza who does not if he wants to train the girl properly, he must not swear before her
want to go away tells him that she has come to take lessons from and should behave decently in her presence Higgins promises to
him in order to become a lady in a fashionable flower shop where do so.
she will not be accepted unless she talks good English. When
Higgins asks her how much she would pay him, she answers that Alfred Doolittle, Eliza's father, an elderly dust man comes there
she will give him a shilling for a lesson. Higgins is greatly amused and blackmails Higgins. When he tells Higgins that he wants his
to hear this. daughter, he at once asks him to take her with him. When Higgins
threatens to call the police to arrest him for trying to get money
Now Colonel Pickering makes a bet that if Higgins could make her from him, Alfred tells him the truth that he wants money and
speak like a duchess at an Ambassador's Party within six months demands five pounds. Though Higgins is ready to give him ten
he would bear the entire cost of the experiment. As Higgins is very pounds, he takes only five pounds and wants to remain as one of
confident of making her pass the test, he wants to start the the undeserving poor. When Pickering asks him why he does not
experiment immediately and asks Mrs. Pearce to clean Eliza. marry his mistress, he replies that though he is willing, she is not
When Eliza hears Higgins saying that he would throw her into the ready to marry him. Higgins is impressed by Doolittle's views on
gutters after training her, she wishes to go back. morality.

Higgins asks her to stay and gives her a choclate which makes When he leaves he sees a beautiful lady in Japanese dress.
her suspect them as immoral persons who are trying to give her a Without recognizing her as his daughter, he apologizes to her.
drug in the choclate. But Mrs. Pearce and Pickering give her When he comes to know that she is Eliza, he is amazed. Both
assurance that she will be treated well. Higgins tells her that if she Higgins and Pickering are also impressed by Eliza. Doolittle
passes the test after sixmonths, she will be made a lady in a leaves after asking Higgins to beat Eliza if he wants to teach her.
fashionable flower shop.
When the lesson starts, Higgins is very severe to Eliza. She is
Mrs. Pearce takes Eliza to her luxurious bed room and makes her made to pronounce every letter of the alphabet correctly. Higgins
take bath by pushing her into the bath tub. As Eliza has never is happy when she pronounced correctly but whenever she
bathed in her life, she screams out of fear. commits a mistake he used to roar like a wounded lion. He warns
her that if she repeats a mistake she will be dragged round the
Higgins tells Pickering that he never gets emotionally attached to room thrice by her hair. The experience is so painful that Eliza
the young girls whom he teach. To him they are only blocks of feels like running away from there and take shelter in Drury Lane.
Her only solace is Pickering who by his fatherly advice encourages
her. After the Hills departure, Higgins asks his mother's opinion about
Eliza, she feels that her manners and speech are not perfect.
A record is kept of every stage of her development. Dozens of Higgins and Pickering tell her that she is only a trainee and they
records are made and dozens of photographs are taken. Within a are not emotionally involved with her. Mrs. Higgins points out that
few months she makes much progress and is ready to be after the training Eliza would become a fine lady but she could not
presented before Higgin's mother. She is taken to concerts and earn her a living. But Pickering assures her that a number of ways
music parties and picks up all tunes and is able to differenciate are opened to her and she will be alright Mrs. Higgins feels that
between different human sounds. She even pronounces African men cannot be reformed.
dialects. She learns to play well on the piano and can produce the
music of Beethoven and other masters. She imitates others way After six months Eliza is ready for the test and Higgins and
of speaking well. Pickering take Eliza to the Ambassador's Party. The Hostess is
much impressed by Eliza's beauty, graceful style and the accent
ACT III of her speech.
In the drawing room of Mrs. Higgins, the mother of Higgins, is
expecting some friends for her At Home day, but none has turned Nepommuck, the interpreter in the international parties who knows
up so far. Then Higgins enters with his hat on but his mother does thirty two languages is an old student of Higgins. He comes and
not like him coming on that day. Mr. Higgins has the bad habits of meets him. He talks with Eliza and considers her to be a foreign
entering the room with his hat on and talking with his hands in his princess as no English lady could talk so perfectly like her.
pockets and using bad words. He offends his mother's friends by Everyone in the hall stares at Eliza and they think that Eliza is a
pointing out their bad pronunciation. Higgins tells his mother that princess and Higgins has won his bet.
he has invited a young girl to her house. Mrs. Higgins thinks that
it is a love affair. But Higgins does not like young girls because his ACT IV
idea of a lovable woman is that she should be like his mother. He After the Ambassador's Party, Higgins and Pickering return at
has not yet found such a girl. Higgins telis his mother that he is midnight with Eliza. Both are very tired. Pickering congratulates
bringing Eliza, the flower girl, whom he is teaching to speak Higgins for winning the bet. Both the men have no considerations
correctly. She will talk only of the weather and of other's health. for Eliza's feelings. Eliza has become attached to Higgins and
Then Mrs and Miss. Eynsford Hill, the mother and sister of Freddy expects that Higgins would propose to her. But to Higgins she is
come. Colonel Pickering also arrives. When Freddy comes, only a speaking machine. She is so angry that when Higgins
Higgins realises that he has met him already. searches for his slippers, she brings the slippers and throws them
at him. She tells him that though she has helped him to win his
Eliza comes there. She is beautiful and graceful. Freddy falls in bet, he has made her unfit for anything and she wishes that he
love with her. She talks correctly when she talks about weather had left her where he had found her.
but betrays herself when she talks about his father and aunt.
When Higgins tries to go to his bed-room, Eliza stops him and asks When Mrs. Higgins asks Alfred Doolittle to refuse the grant if he
whether her clothes belonged to her. He tells her that she could does not like it, he explains that he cannot do it. Mrs. Higgins feels
take anything except the jewels. Higgins is so angry with her, that that now he can provide for his daughter, Eliza. As Higgins has
he bangs the door at her. Eliza is also angry and she comes down paid £ 5 to Alfred Doolittle for the girl, she no longer belongs to
and sees Freddy there. When Freddy tells her that he spends most him.
of the nights there, they embrace each other and are interrupted
by a constable. So they run off to another place. When interrupted Then Mrs. Higgins reveals that Eliza who has come to her in the
by another man, they get into a taxi. Eliza plans to move in the taxi morning is in the upstairs of her house. She has told her how they
throughout the night and go to Mrs. Higgins in the morning. have treated her. Mrs. Higgins points out to them how they have
annoyed her. She promises to call Eliza down if Higgins would
ACT V behave properly. Eliza comes down and talks to them as if they
Eliza retums home in the morning to take her things and goes to are strangers. Higgins gets angry and asks her to go home. Eliza
the house of Mrs. Higgins. Higgins and Pickering are upset when takes no notice of him. She asks Pickering whether he will forget
they do not find her in the house. Both go to Mrs. Higgin's house her as the experiment is over. She tells him that she cannot forget
in search of her. Mrs. Higgins has kept her in an upper room and him because it is from him that she has learnt manners. She is
asks her not to come down till she is sent for. thankful to him for treating her like a lady while Higgins treated her
always as a flower girl.
Higgins tells his mother that Eliza has run away and asks her what
to do. Mrs. Higgins tells him that she has every right to go away. Alfred comes and touches Eliza's shoulder. Eliza is moved to see
As Higgins has become so dependant on Eliza, he cannot find his her father in fine dress. He tells her that he is going to church to
things. When Pickering rings up the police, Mrs. Higgins condems marry her step-mother and he invites Eliza for the wedding.
him for giving the girl's name to the police. She feels that they have Pickering asks Eliza to go but she hesitates because her step
no sense. mother would insult her. Her father assures her that she will
behave in a refined way. He also requests the colonel to come to
Alfred Doolittle, Eliza's father, comes there in fine dress. He tells the wedding as he feels nervous because it is his first marriage.
Higgins that it is Higgins who is responsible for Alfred Doolittle He tells them that he did not marry Eliza's mother and that Eliza is
becoming rich. Mr. Higgins has written to Mr. Wannafeller that an illegitimate child Higgins is ready to attend the wedding.
Alfred Doolittle is the most original moralist in England. Mr.
Wannafeller who had left a large part of his wealth for founding a Pickering asks Eliza to forgive Higgins and requests her to come
Moral Reform World League, has left three thousand pounds a back to their house. When they are alone, Higgins assures to treat
year to Alfred Doolittle on condition that he should deliver lectures her as he has been treating her. Eliza tells him that she can do
and now he has become a gentleman and he wants Higgins to without him. Higgins replies that he too can live without her but he
teach him middle class language. will miss her a lot. He tells her that he took special care to train her
because it is his job.
 Eliza decides not to marry Higgins even if he proposes to her
Eliza expresses the fact that when she was a flower girl, she was because she knows that for him, his mother is his ideal and he has
free but now she is a slave. Higgins suggests that he would adopt not met such a young girl. Eliza cannot divert his attention from his
her as his daughter and settle money on her. When he asks her mother. Moreover, Phonetics is his first love and even if she
whether she would marry Pickering, she becomes angry and slaps marries him, she cannot get his love. She wants to marry only a
him saying that Pickering is like her father. She tells him that person who is equal to her. As she thinks that Higgins is her
Freddy is in love with her and is sure that he will make her happy. superior in every way, she chooses the young handsome Freddy
who loves her passionately because he will always do what she
When Eliza tells that she will marry Freddy, Higgins is shocked as desires,
he has trained her to become the consort of a king. Eliza feels that
Freddy's love for her will make him her king. She has decided to Freddy's mother, though poor has come from an aristocratic family
earn money by teaching phonetics. She says that she would and expects her son to marry a rich heiress and so is shocked
advertise that she was a flower girl who was trained by Mr. Higgins when he marries Eliza, the flower girl, Freddy has no professional
to behave like a duchess and she would do the same thing to any education. Eliza's father who is now rich cannot support them
girl who pays her thousand guineas. because now he moves with the aristocrats and his expenses
exceed his income.
Though Higgins is angry, he admires the independent spirit of her.
He is proud of her strength. The wedding present of £ 500 given by Pickering keeps Eliza and
Freddy going for sometime. As Higgins and Pickering want Eliza
Mrs. Higgins is ready for the wedding but she does not like Higgins to stay in their house, she continues to be there with Freddy who
going to the wedding. When Eliza leaves, Higgins gives her is good for nothing. His only work is to make Eliza happy.
instructions about his breakfast and clothes. Eliza knows that he
cannot do without her. When Mrs. Higgins expresses that Eliza will Eliza does not want to teach Phonetics without Higgins' consent.
marry Higgins, he tells her that Eliza will marry Freddy and not When Pickering asks her to start a flower shop, Freddy likes the
him. idea very much but is afraid that his mother and sister would
oppose. But When he learns that his sister, Clara, is working in a
Post script or sequel furniture shop, Eliza opens a flower shop near Victoria and Albert
Museum.
In the post script Shaw explains what happened afterwards. As
many women who begin life as poor girls learn to act as queen on In the beginning they did not get any returns from the shop. As
the stage, the audience expect the hero to marry the heroine, So, they do not have any knowledge of accounts, they attend evening
also it is expected that Higgins will marry Eliza. classes to learn book keeping and typing. Higgins teaches Eliza
to write and she develops a good hand writing.
It is Pickering who has to make up the deficit every month. But "Pygmalion" is no exception, combining elements of
gradually, they start getting profit and so they start to sell comedy with serious social critique.
vegetables also.
3. Plot Summary:
Eliza continues to live with Pickering and Higgins and manages • Act I:
their household affairs. She behaves like the favourite daughter of o The play opens outside Covent Garden in London,
Pickering. Higgins always bullies her but Eliza starts bullying him where Henry Higgins, a professor of phonetics,
in retum. As Higgins feels that it is he who has made Eliza what meets Eliza Doolittle, a poor flower girl with a strong
she is, he cannot treat her as his equal. But Eliza is so devoted to Cockney accent. Higgins boasts that he could
both of them, that she cannot even think of leaving them. transform Eliza into a duchess simply by teaching
her to speak properly.
• Act II:
Key Points and Self Notes o Eliza visits Higgins’ home, requesting speech
lessons to improve her chances of working in a
1. Overview: flower shop. Higgins accepts the challenge, making
• Author: George Bernard Shaw
a bet with Colonel Pickering, another phonetics
• Published: 1913
expert, that he can pass Eliza off as a refined lady in
• Genre: Drama (Romantic Comedy, Social Commentary)
six months.
• Setting: Early 20th-century London
• Act III:
o After months of rigorous training, Higgins presents
2. Background and Context: Eliza at a high society gathering, where she
• Shaw’s Inspirations: Shaw was inspired by the Greek
impresses everyone with her speech and manners.
myth of Pygmalion, where a sculptor falls in love with a However, the success leaves Eliza feeling uncertain
statue he has created. Shaw uses this myth as an allegory about her identity and future.
to explore themes of transformation, social class, and • Act IV:
identity. o Following the triumph, Higgins and Pickering
• Social Commentary: "Pygmalion" reflects Shaw’s interest
celebrate, while Eliza confronts Higgins about her
in issues of social inequality, particularly the rigid class uncertain future and her feelings of being treated as
structures of Edwardian England. The play is also a critique a mere experiment. Tensions rise as Eliza questions
of the superficiality of class distinctions based solely on what will become of her now that the experiment is
language and appearance. over.
• Shavian Drama: Shaw’s plays often challenge societal
• Act V:
norms and provoke thought through humor and wit. o Eliza’s father, Alfred Doolittle, enters, having
unexpectedly come into money and been forced into
 the middle class, much to his dismay. Eliza, after
considering her options, decides to assert her 5. Character Analysis:
independence, challenging Higgins and ultimately • Henry Higgins:
leaving to consider her future. o Higgins is a brilliant but arrogant phonetics professor
who views people as objects of study rather than as
4. Key Themes: individuals. His treatment of Eliza as a "project"
• Social Class and Identity: rather than a person highlights his lack of empathy
o The play explores the artificiality of social class and understanding of human emotions.
distinctions, particularly through the transformation • Eliza Doolittle:
of Eliza from a flower girl to a lady. Shaw critiques o Eliza is the central figure of the play, undergoing a
the idea that one’s worth is determined by social profound transformation. Initially portrayed as a poor
status and appearance. flower girl with low self-esteem, she grows into a
• Transformation and Identity: self-assured and independent woman. Her journey
o Eliza’s transformation is not just physical but also reflects the complexities of identity and the struggle
psychological. As she acquires the speech and for self-determination.
manners of a lady, she grapples with her sense of • Colonel Pickering:
self and where she belongs in society. o Pickering, a fellow phonetics expert, contrasts with
• Language and Power: Higgins in his treatment of Eliza. He is kind and
o Shaw emphasizes the power of language as a tool respectful, demonstrating that manners and
for social mobility. Higgins’ ability to change Eliza’s empathy are as important as education.
speech highlights how language can be used to • Alfred Doolittle:
manipulate perceptions of class and identity. o Eliza’s father, a dustman with unconventional views
• Gender and Independence: on morality, provides comic relief while also offering
o Eliza’s journey is also one of emancipation. She a critique of middle-class morality. His
moves from being a dependent subject of Higgins’ transformation into a "respectable" gentleman after
experiment to asserting her own independence, inheriting money is ironic, as it forces him into a role
challenging the traditional gender roles of the time. he never wanted.
• The Role of the Expert: • Mrs. Higgins:
o Higgins represents the expert or intellectual who o Higgins’ mother, a voice of reason and morality in
believes in the power of science (in this case, the play, often challenges her son’s behavior and
phonetics) to shape human destiny. However, Shaw attitudes. She sympathizes with Eliza and provides
questions the ethical implications of such power, a more humane perspective on the events.
particularly when it disregards the humanity of the
subject. 6. Literary Techniques:
 • Dialogue and Wit: o Eliza’s success at the ball is a pivotal moment,
o Shaw’s use of sharp, witty dialogue drives the play, showcasing the culmination of her transformation.
revealing character traits and advancing the plot. However, it also raises questions about the cost of
The dialogue also serves to highlight the social that transformation and what it means for her
commentary, particularly on issues of class and identity.
gender. • Eliza’s Confrontation with Higgins:
• Symbolism: o This scene is crucial in Eliza’s journey towards
o Eliza’s transformation is symbolic of the larger independence. Her confrontation with Higgins
theme of social mobility and the superficiality of highlights her growing self-awareness and her
class distinctions. Her change in speech and refusal to be treated as a mere experiment.
appearance represents the ability to transcend • The Final Scene:
societal limitations, but also the potential loss of o The play’s ambiguous ending leaves open the
identity. question of Eliza’s future and her relationship with
• Irony: Higgins. This lack of resolution reflects Shaw’s
o The play is rich in irony, particularly in the way rejection of conventional romantic endings and
characters perceive themselves versus how they are underscores the play’s focus on personal growth
perceived by others. For instance, Higgins considers and autonomy.
himself a creator and benefactor, yet he is often
blind to the emotional consequences of his actions. 8. Themes and Motifs:
• Social Satire: • The Creator and the Created:
o Shaw uses the play to satirize the rigid class o The Pygmalion myth serves as an underlying motif,
structures and the obsession with appearances in with Higgins as the creator and Eliza as the created.
Edwardian society. The superficial nature of social The play explores the ethical implications of
mobility, as demonstrated by Eliza’s transformation, creation, particularly when the creator imposes his
is a critique of the values of the time. own vision without considering the will of the
created.
7. Analysis of Key Scenes: • Social Mobility:
• Eliza’s First Visit to Higgins: o The ease with which Eliza can move between social
o This scene sets the stage for the central conflict of classes by changing her speech highlights the
the play, introducing the power dynamics between arbitrary nature of social distinctions. However, the
Higgins and Eliza. It also reveals Eliza’s play also questions the true value of such mobility if
determination to improve her situation, despite the it comes at the cost of personal identity.
condescension she faces. • The Nature of Freedom:
• The Embassy Ball:
 o Eliza’s quest for independence is central to the play. • Higgins, with his blend of brilliance and arrogance, serves
Her transformation gives her new opportunities, but as a cautionary figure, reminding us of the dangers of
it also places her in a liminal space between classes, intellectual hubris and the need for empathy in human
where she must navigate her own path. relationships.
• The Illusion of Identity: • The play’s exploration of language as a tool for both
o The play explores the fluidity of identity, particularly empowerment and control offers valuable insights into the
in relation to language and appearance. Eliza’s ways in which society constructs and enforces class
ability to adopt the manners of a duchess challenges distinctions.
the notion of a fixed identity tied to social class. • "Pygmalion" invites readers and audiences to reflect on
their own assumptions about class, identity, and the nature
9. Reflection on the Play’s Conclusion: of transformation, making it a timeless work that continues
• Final Reflection: to resonate in contemporary discussions of social inequality
o "Pygmalion" ends on an ambiguous note, with Eliza and personal autonomy.
asserting her independence but her future still
uncertain. This reflects Shaw’s emphasis on By studying "Pygmalion," you gain a deeper understanding of
personal growth and the complexity of human Shaw’s critique of societal norms and the complexities of human
relationships, rather than a simple resolution. relationships, particularly in the context of class and gender
• Legacy of the Play: dynamics.
o "Pygmalion" remains one of Shaw’s most enduring
works, celebrated for its sharp social commentary,
rich character development, and exploration of
themes that remain relevant today. The play’s
influence extends beyond the stage, most notably in
its adaptation into the musical "My Fair Lady."

10. Personal Reflection:

• "Pygmalion" is a profound exploration of social class,
identity, and transformation. Shaw’s wit and sharp social
critique make the play both entertaining and thought-
provoking.
• The character of Eliza is particularly compelling,
representing the struggle for self-determination in a society
that seeks to define individuals by their social status and
appearance.
 6. Who is Alfred Doo little? Eliza's
CHOOSE THE CORRECT a) husband
b) father
ANSWER c) servant

1. On a rainy evening, where were the people taking shelter? 7. What does Higgins promise? To transform Eliza
Under the portico of a a) Countess
a) school b) duchess
b) church c) professor
c) shop
8. Where does Eliza's first public test is held?
2. What happens to Eliza, when she is warned that some one is a) In a public hall
taking notes on her speech? She becomes b) in a school
a) shocked c) at the house of Higgins's mother
b) happy
c) hystorical 9. What impresses Freddy? Eliza's
a) beauty
3. Who is Henry Higgins? b) Polite manners
a) a phonetician c) simplicity
b) doctor
c) a police officer 10. How much time does Higgins take to transform. Eliza?
a) One year
4. Colonel Pickering has come to meet Higgins, from where? b) thirty days
a) Scotland c) six months
b) Ireland
c) India 11. How much money has Mr. Doolittle inherited?
a) Four hundred dollars
5. Why does Eliza come to Higgins's house? b) three thousand pounds
a) To take English lessons c) thousand rupees
b) to sell flowers
c) to propose love 12. Whom does Eliza marry?
a) Freddy
b) Higgins
c) Pickering
13. At the end what does Eliza do? 4. Henry Higgins and colonel Pickering are ______
a) Starts a school a) Scientists
b) opens a florist b) scholars of dialects
c) becomes an actress c) businessmen

14. How does Pickering help Eliza? 5. Eliza is a _______

a) Takes her to India a) Flower girl
b) gets her a job b) famous actress
c) provides financial assistance c) Playwright

15. What does Higgins think of Freddy to be? 6. Eliza visits Higgins's house to take _____ from Higgins.
a) A fool a) Lessons
b) a scholar b) notes
c) a millionaire c) her luggage

7. Higgins assures to change Eliza to a _____ in six months.

a) Duchess
FILL IN THE BLANKS b) lady
c) scholar
1. Pygmalion is the most popular play of _______
a) Shakespeare 8. Eliza insults Higgins by flinging his _____ in his face.
b) Goldsmith a) Papers
c) G.B. Shaw b) slippers
c) keys.
2. Several film versions have been made of Shaw's play______
a) Candida 9. Higgins has recommended Doolittle to the millionaire as a
b) The Apple cart most original ______
c) Pygmalion a) Writer
b) moralist
3. Henry Higgins's talents come from ______ c) speaker
a) Magical power
b) Phonetics
c) Scientific knowledge
10. Pickering has taught _____ to Eliza.
a) Astrology PARAGRAPHS
b) Mathematics
c) Self respect 1. Write a paragraph on the nature of Mrs. Higgins.
Professor Higgins mother, Mrs. Higgins is a stately lady in her
11. At the end Eliza is transformed from the cockney ______ to a sixties who sees the Eliza Doolittle experiment as idiocy. She
beautiful elegant woman. considers Higgins and Pickering as senseless children. She is the
a) teacher first and only character to have any doubts about the whole affair.
b) slumgirl When her worries prove true, it is to her that all the characters tum.
c) flower girl Because no woman can match up to his mother, Higgins claims,
he has no interest in tallying with them.
12. Finally Eliza marries ______
a) Higgins To observe the mother of Pygmalion (Higgins), who completely
b) Pickering understands all of his failings and inadequacies she is a good
c) Freddy contrast to the mythic proportions to which Higgins builds himself
in his self-estimations as a scientist of phonetics and a creator of
13. Higgins teaches Eliza how to _______ duchesses.
a) Make money
b) speak correctly Mrs. Higgins is a refined, independent woman, who repeatedly
c) defend herself tries to reform her son's wild social habits. Higgins visits her often
for her company and her advice.
14. Pickering teaches Eliza how to ______ in high society.
a) Behave 2. Write a paragraph on Shaw's concept of Visible Speech?
b) act In the concept of "Visible Speech," Shaw hits on the two aspects
c) cheat of theater that can make the greatest impression on an audience:
sight and sound. Therefore, the transformation of Eliza Doolittle is
15. It is ______ who provides financial assistance to Eliza to most marked and obvious on these two scales, In regard to both
open a florist shop. these senses, Pygmalion stays faithful to the most clichéd formula
a) Freddy of the standard rags-to-riches stories, in that the heroine changes
b) Higgins drastically in the most external ways. However, while Eliza
c) Pickering certainly changes in these blatant external ways, these changes
serve as a mask for a more fundamental development of self-
respect that Eliza undergoes. Because Higgins only ever charts
"Visible Speech," it makes him liable to forget that there are other
aspects to human beings that can also grow. But in the possible The Pygmalion myth comes from Ovid's Metamorphoses.
loss that Higgins faces in the final scene, and in his inability to Pygmalion is a sculptor who creates a sculpture of a woman so
recognize that loss as a possibility at all, the play makes certain perfectly formed that he falls in love with her. Aphrodite is moved
that its audience sees the tension between internal and external by his love and touches the statue to life so that she becomes
change, and that sight and sound do not become measures of Galatea, and the sculptor can experience live bliss with his own
virtue, personality. or internal worth. creation. While Shaw maintains the skeletal structure of the
fantasy in which a gifted male fashions a woman out of lifeless raw
3. Write a paragraph on the transformation in the play? material into a worthy partner for himself, Shaw does not allow the
Eliza Doolittle threatens Higgins that she will take his phonetic male to fall in love with his creation. Right to the last act, Higgins
findings to his rival in order to support herself, art imitates life, and is still quarrelsome and derisive in his interaction with Eliza, and
Shaw's literature echoes a significant episode from his own youth. does not even think of her as an object of romantic interest. Shaw
As a boy, Shaw's mother was an accomplished singer who goes on to undo the myth by injecting the play with other
dedicated herself to the perfection of "The Method," her teacher Pygmalion figures like Mrs. Pearce and Pickering, and to suggest
George Vandeleur Lee's yoga-like approach to voice training. She that the primary Pygmalion himself is incomplete, and not ideal
went so far as to leave her husband to follow her teacher to himself. In transforming the Pygmalion myth in such a way, Shaw
London. However, upon realizing that Lee was concerned only calls into question the ideal status afforded to the artist, and further
about his appearances and the status of his street address, she exposes the inadequacies of myths and romances that overlook
left him and brought up her daughters by setting up shop herself, the mundane, human aspects of life.
teaching "The Method" as if it were her own. Shaw could not have
helped but be impressed and influenced by this courageous move 5. Write a paragraph on the role of the three major
on the part of his mother to strike out on her own and to create an characters?
independent life for herself. Thus, though Pygmalion shows a lot The characters are beautiful crafted in Pygmalion. One can't help
of sympathy for the flower girl who wants a higher status in life, it but love little Eliza who is thrown into the world of high society
is even more concerned with the unloved, neglected woman who typical of many fairy tale Princesses. The audience can watch her
decides to make herself heard once and for all. The play's blossom from a simple flower girl to an elegant woman on the
determination to have Eliza grows into a full human being with her outside.
own mind and will also explains why the play makes seemingly
inexplicable structural moves like leaving out the climax, and In Higgins the audience sees a modern day Pygmalion who
carrying on for a further two acts after the climax. In other words, creates a "creature" for his own ambitious project and
the superficial climax is not the real climax at all, and Shaw's entertainment. Higgins is the typical misogynistic male and the
project is deeper than that of a fairy godmother. perfect character foil to Pickering, a kind and gentle man.

4. What is the Pygmalion myth? In what significant ways, and These three characters balance one another out perfectly
with what effect, has Shaw transformed that myth in his play? throughout the play and create an entertaining picture of high
class Victorian day society, where appearance is everything and When she said something correctly, he was so happy that he
elegance can simply be crafted through speech. called it splendid. He warned her that if she repeated the mistake
she would be dragged round the room three times by the hair of
her head. Whenever she started crying, she was given a
6. How Is Pygmalion a problem play? chocolate. It was such a terrible ordeal for Eliza that she felt like
Pygmalion is not a mythological story but a problem play. It deals running back to her Drury Lane for shelter. But Colonel Pickering
with two problems-a world problem a world and an English was of great help to her. He gave her fatherly advice and
problem. The world problem is one of education. When a boy is encouragement.
picked up from the slums and given school and college education,
his cultural and intellectual level rises much above his own people. A record was kept of every stage of her development. They made
After passing out from the university he cannot go back to his own dozens of records and took dozens of photographs. Eliza made a
people, and because of his family background, he is not accepted good progress within a few months and was ready to be presented
among the higher classes. He is discontented and cries out like before Higgin's mother. She was taken to concerts and music
Eliza, "Where am I to go? What is to become of me?" parties and she picked up all the tunes. She had a good ear and
was able to differentiate between different human sounds. She
Side by side with this is a typically English problem. The English could even pronounce African dialects she played on the piano
alphabet is very defective. The letters do not stand for fixed and reproduced the music of Beethoven and other masters. She
sounds. Only a good professor of English can teach correct became very good in imitating others' way of speaking.
pronunciation. The higher classes send their sons and daughters
to good schools and colleges and so they speak English correctly. 8. Describe the Ambassador's Party.
The uneducated or half-educated classes do not pronounce the After six months of training. Eliza was ready for the test. On one
words correctly. So the difference between the classes in England summer evening. Pickering and Higgins drive up in a Rolls Royce
depends on the way people speak. So Higgins gives Eliza a new car with Eliza finely dressed. At the party they were received by
life by training her to speak correctly. Within six months the flower the host and hostess. The hostess was much impressed by Eliza's
girl is so transformed that everyone thinks that she is a princes. beauty, graceful style of walking and her accent.

7. Describe how Eliza was trained by Higgins. Nepommuck, an old student of Higgins met him. He knew thirty
Colonel Pickering took a bet that if Higgins could pass off Eliza, languages and was indispensable in the international parties as
the flower girl, as a duchess at an Ambassador's Party within six an interpreter. Though Nepommuck was not a good phonetician
months, he would pay for the entire experiment. Higgins agreed to he could learn a foreign language in a fortnight. When he was
make her a duchess and started the experiment immediately. asked by the hostess to find out who Eliza was, he talked to Eliza
When the lessons started, Higgins was very severe to Eliza. He and said that she was a Hungarian princess. His opinion was that
made her pronounce every letter of the alphabet correctly and no English lady could talk English so perfectly. Only a foreigner
when she made a mistake he roared at her like a wounded lion. who was trained by an expert could speak English so well. Inside
the hall people stopped talking and looked at Eliza. The younger Higgins was responsible for Alfred Doolittle becoming rich. He had
people at the back stood on chairs to have a look at Eliza. One written to Mr. Wannafeller, the American Millionaire who had given
lady expressed her view that Eliza spoke like Queen Victoria. a large part of his wealth for founding a Moral Reform World
Everyone thought her to be a Princess. Eliza could not bear people League, that Doolittle was the most original moralist in England.
staring at her. Higgins had won his bet and Eliza had done her When Mr. Wannafeller died, he left three thousand pounds per
best. year to Doolittle on condition that he should deliver as many
lectures as they ask him to deliver up to six times a year. This had
9. Describe Eliza's reaction after the Ambassador's Party. made him a gentleman.
After the Ambassador's Party, Higgins and Pickering returned
home with Eliza at midnight. Both the men were very tired. When he was poor, he used to ask others for money. But now
Pickering congratulated Higgins for wining the bet. Then he went others are asking him for money. Even the advocates and doctors
to his bed room. tried to get money from him. He had only two or three relatives
when he was poor but now he had about fifty relatives. Now he
As Higgins and Pickering thanked God for the experiment being had to live for others and not for himself. He had become a victim
over, Eliza was angry. Neither of them cared for her feelings. of middle class morality. Higgins could make money by teaching
During the six months in which she underwent training she had him middle class English.
become attached to Higgins. She even expected that he would
propose to marry her. But Higgins never realized her feelings. To Mrs. Higgins asked him to refuse the grant if it made him unhappy.
Higgins she was only a speaking machine, he had never looked He explained that as he was one of the undeserving poor, he had
at her as a young woman. not kept any money for the future. So, if he refused the grant he
had to spend his old age in the work house. Three thousand
When Higgins went in search of his slippers, Eliza went out and pounds a year had made him a member of the middle class. Men
brought his slippers and angrily threw them at Higgins. When who were happier would serve him and take tips from him. He
Higgins asked what was wrong with her, she did her best for him would look on the helpless and envy them. When he was poor, he
to win the bet but he was not bothered about her. He had made a was a man of spirit. But now his spirit was crushed and was
lady of her but she wished that he had left her where he had found intimidated. He still retained his enthusiasm for life.
her. Higgins banged the door and left her. This made Eliza furious
she came down and saw Freddy waiting. When he said that he
spent most of the nights there, she was moved and both embraced ESSAYS
each other. They were interrupted by a constable. Then they got
into a taxi. Eliza planned to move throughout the night and go to 1. Consider 'Pygmalion' as a didactic play.
Mrs. Higgins in the morning. Introduction:
Shaw is more of a preacher and moralist than an artist. He did not
10. Describe Alfred Doolittle's condition after he became rich. write for the sake of art but for the sake of the society. His aim was
to reform and correct society. He was chiefly interested in the his old age in the work house. He is intimidated. He has become
problems of the day. He, who saw things as they were, had the a slave to the bequest as his daughter, Eliza, who has become a
courage to tell them in his plays in an uncompromising language. slave to her accent. Though they wish, they cannot go back to their
Through his plays he wanted the people to look at the weakness former life.
of social customs, conventions and institutions and correct them.
'Pygmalion' is a didactic play in which the playwright tries to teach Doolittle's mistress leads a happy life with him in the unmarried
a number of lessons. state. Money has intimidated her. So, she has to conform to the
middle class morality and she agrees to marry Doolittle against
Class differences: her wishes.
The play 'Pygmalion' shows that there is no fundamental
difference between the higher and lower classes in society. A Social justice:
duchess speaks and behaves in a refined manner not because of Justice in society requires that people should get what they need.
any inborn superiority but because of her education, inherited But the rich who inherit wealth and property do not do any work by
social prestige and money. She appears to be superior to a girl themselves but they exploit the poor who suffer for ever in the
who belongs to the lower class because of the environment in modern society. The life of a poor flower girl like Eliza is a story of
which she has lived. one long suffering.

Eliza, the poor flower girl, acquires refined speech and graceful The society derives no benefit either from the underserving poor
style of walking and passes off as a duchess in the Ambassador's or from the undeserving rich. Only those who do useful work in
party when she is trained by Higgins and is kept in the upper class society are good persons.
environment for six months. So, the distinction between classes is
not one of merit but of environment. If a person belonging to the Conclusion:
lower class gets a chance to be trained in the ways of correct Shaw who was interested in a moral revolution wanted to change
speech and manners, he too can easily come up to the level of the the existing social order. Through the play, 'Pygmalion' he shows
upper classes. that there is nothing intrinsically great about the higher classes.
Because they inherit property and wealth, they are well educated
Middle class morality: and so they feel superior even if they do not do any useful work in
The society pretends that it distributes wealth to people as they the society. The upper class people are not basically superior to
deserve. But it is wrong. Alfred Doolittie is one of the undeserving the lower classes. Even the poorest girl like Eliza can talk and
poor. He is always up against the middle class morality. He is a behave like the upper class people and can cross the barrier
rebel who feels that people should get what they need. The between the classes if she is intelligent and hard-working and gets
bequest of Mr. Wannefeller, the American Millionaire, has relieved a chance to be in the environment of the upperclass.
him of his poverty but it has made him unhappy. The middle class
morality has defeated him. If he refuses the grant he has to pass
2. Is Shaw a realist? idols. While the other realists are painters of phenomena, Shaw is
a seeker of the reality behind phenomena.
Introduction:
Shaw has acquired immense popularily all over the world as a Naked realism:
dramatist, orator and social reformer. He is recognized and Shaw is good at exposing the naked reality behind all the social
honoured as one of the greatest intellects of the modern age. He and religious phenomena. In his plays he gives accurate facts and
believed that unless society is reformed, no man can reform sometimes the facts and phenomena are exaggerated. But his
himself. His aim in writing plays is not to tell stories but to convey pictures are true to life. He portrays manners and describes social
ideas. In order to illustrate his ideas. he has made his characters, conditions in his plays but he has turned the social state topsy-
his spokesmen. Shaw is a realist who has the courage to face the turvy. Many things that appear to be natural and normal seem to
truth. He declares that the institutions are numan inventions and be perversions to Shaw. So, his realistic pictures seem to be
feels that they should not be allowed to outlast their earthly utility. caricatures. His normality is abnormal and his truths are
paradoxes.
His realism:
Realism is the key-note of Shaw's dramatic art. He paints life as His aim:
he sees it and not as he wants to see it. As he could unravel the Shaw's purpose behind his realistic portrayal of men and manners
reality behind facts, he presents the essential reality underlying all is to expose the mistakes and vices, outwon customs and
social institutions, conventions and beliefs. He has discovered the manners, beliefs and behaviour of men in their personal and social
essential reality behind social and political institutions, democracy, life, so that they may be reformed. Shaw's aim is reformatory. He
war, religion, marriage and a number of other things. To him the criticises man and his social behaviour because he loves man and
most interesting thing in life is the reality of life. So, he exposes wants to set him on the right path.
the hard reality behind life. He uses reality to explain how life
works and how it must work. He goes to the roots of conventional Conclusion:
beliefs and ideas and shows what is the essential reality behind Shaw is "more of a preacher and moralist than an artist". He is
external conditions. He feels that this reality is not real but only a mainly interested in the problems of the day. He sees things as
distortion of reality. they are and portrays them exactly in his plays in an
uncompromising language.
Special feature of his realism:
Shaw's realism has a constructive plan and a reformatory zeal 3. Bring out Shaw's great achievement in 'Pygmalion'.
behind it. He is an unsentimental critic of life and institutions with Introduction:
a definite purpose in view. He exposes the social follies and evils Shaw, "who is called more of a preacher and moralist than an
so as to remove them from the society. Shaw is not only a realist artist", has revolutionary ideas on the problems of love, marriage,
but is also a caricaturist because he is an iconoclast, a breaker of sex, religion, war and many other things and he expresses his
view on all these problems through his plays. Though Shaw calls
'Pygmalion' as a romance, actually it is a problem play. The two thinking and feeling. Both intellectually and culturally, he rises
problems presented in the play are the problem of education and above the level of the people of his own class. So after leaving the
the problem of sounds in the English language. university, he is bewildered because he cannot go back to his old
life, neither will he be accepted in the upperclass.
His Achievement:
Shaw's achievement in Pygmalion' lies in the fact that he has This is the condition of Eliza, the poor flower girl. Mr. Higgins trains
written an Interesting play on a dry subject like Phonetics. In the her to speak correctly and Pickering teaches her good manners.
beginning of the play Higgins, the Professor of Phonetics, while So after six months she is changed into a beautiful, refined, strong
taking shelter in the portico of St. Paul's church makes a sensation willed lady. She cannot go back to her old life. She is not accepted
among the pedestrains by telling them from which place they have in the higher society. So, she cries out, "Where am I to go? What
come, like an astrologer or a magician. In the play the dramatist is to become of me?"
presents what wonders Phonetics can do within six months.
Though it looks like a lecture cum demonstration, Shaw has made The second problem presented in the play is a typically English
it a more interesting play. problem. Shaw loves English language and he was disgusted to
hear the poor uneducated people of London, mispronouncing the
Use of Myth: words. This is because of the defective English alphabet in which
By joining several myths and legends Shaw has made an letters do not stand for specific sounds. The same letter produces
interesting modern story. Eliza is a poor and ignorant girl. Like Eve different sounds in different words. The English spelling is also
in the garden of Eden she wants knowledge. Like Doctor Faustus confusing. Only the people of upper class who are educated in
she seeks knowledge and power of the upper class. As in the good schools and colleges can speak correct English. The
mythological story Pygmalion, this poor girl is changed into a difference between people in England depends on the way they
beautiful, refined lady of strong will within six months. Just like the speak.
Cinderella in the fairy tale she passes off as a duchess in the
Ambassador's party. This wonder is worked out by the efforts of Eliza who belongs to the lower class is trained to speak correctly
Higgins, an expert in Phonetics. by Professor Higgins and within six months she is so changed that
people regard her as a princess.
Problem Play:
Though Shaw has based his play on the mythology, Pygmalion, it Shaw's view is that if the English alphabet is made phonetic,
is not a mythological play but a problem play. It presents two everyone will be able to pronounce words correctly and the class
problems. The first is the problem of education and the second is distinctions based on language will disappear. He also advocates
the problem of sounds. spelling reform.

The problem of education is a world problem. When a boy from

the lower class is given education, he is taken to a higher level of
Other Mertis of the Play:
'Pygmalion' is known for its fine characterization, Higgins, and After six months of training, she is taken to the Ambassador's
Eliza are immortal characters and Alfred Doolittle is a fine comic Party by Higgins and Pickering. The hostess is tremendously
character. impressed by her beauty, graceful style of walking and accent of
speaking. Inside the hall, people stop talking to look at Eliza and
The dialogue in the play is witty and gripping. the younger ones at the back stand up on their chairs to have a
glimpse at her. She is so beautiful that everyone thinks her to be
Conclusion: a princess.
Thus Shaw's achievement in 'Pygmalion' lies in the fact that
though the subject is dry, he has made it a grand success world Her Self-confidence:
wide by his witty and humorous dialogue and fine characterization. Though Eliza is only an ordinary flower girl, she is ambitious and
self-confident. She desires to acquire the knowledge and power of
the upper class. Her aim is to become a lady in a fashionable
flower shop. So she decides to pay and get lessons from Higgins.
CHARACTER SKETCHES When she comes to Higgin's room, he never asks her to sit down.
So, she rebukes him by saying that if he is a gentleman, he would
1. Eliza have asked her to sit down. After the training of six months, her
self confidence is fully developed and she becomes a woman of
Introduction: strong will whom even Higgins admires. She has guts enough to
Eliza is a poor ignorant flower girl. She is the illegitimate daughter throw the slippers at Higgins' face.
of Alfred Doolittle, a dust man. In the beginning of the play she
meets Higgins, the Professor of Phonetics in the portico of St. Her Inteiligence and Hardwork:
Paul's Church. As Higgins notes down every word she speaks, Eliza is always alert and has a receptive mind. She is so intelligent
thinking him to be a police spy, she is frightened. After the six that within a short period she becomes a sort of personal assistant
months of training given to her by Higgins, she passes off as a to Higgins and Pickering. Within six months she becomes so
Princess in the Ambassador's Party. indispensable in the house that when she decides to leave,
Higgins tells her that he cannot do without her and that he will miss
Her Beauty: her.
When it rains Eliza enters the portico of St. Paul's church to take
shelter. Then she is dirty and poorly dressed. She comes to meet In the beginning, while teaching, Higgins is very strict and rude to
Higgins in Wimpole street. Then she has cleaned herself up a little. Eliza. But without minding that, Eliza puts in hard work and shows
Mrs. Pearce, the house keeper of Higgins cleans her up and gives good progress within a short time. As her ear is good, Higgins finds
her a fine dress. When she comes in the Japanese dress, she is it easy to teach her English grammar and correct pronunciation.
so beautiful that even her father cannot recognize her.
Colonel Pickering instils self-confidence and self-respect in her by 2. Henry Higgins
setting an example to her. He treats her as a lady. Eliza learns to
speak correct English from Higgins and develops good manners Introduction:
from Pickering. So at the end of six months she becomes a Higgins is an expert in Phonetics and a specialist in the dialects of
beautiful accomplished lady. London. From a person's pronunciation and accent he can say
what place he comes from. He is intellectually brilliant but has no
Her Unhappiness: human touch. He is a typical professor who is mad after his
Throughout her life Eliza struggles. As she is the illegitimate subject, Phonetics.
daughter of a poor dustman, she suffers under the cruel treatment
of her step mother. As she grows up she is turned out of the house Dedicated teacher:
and is made to earn her living by being a flower girl. Higgins's first love is Phonetics. It is his ruling passion. He is
completely dedicated to the task of teaching people to speak
The training process under Higgins is a painful experience to her. English correctly. He has perfected the methods of training a
He roars at her like a wounded lion and bullies her that if she student to speak correctly within a short time. He is horrified at the
repeats a mistake she would be dragged round the room by her way English is spoken by the uneducated people of London. He
hair. decides to teach Eliza, the poor flower girl, to speak English
correctly, not because of his interest in her, but he takes It as a
At the Ambassador's Party, she impresses everyone and by doing challenge to his knowledge and teaching methods. He finds
her best she wins the bet for Higgins. But this does not make her people interesting chiefly because he can note down their dialects.
happy as she realizes that to Higgins she is only a speaking Higgins has written the book, 'Universal Alphabet. His students are
machine. He has no emotional attachment to her. She knows not spread all over Europe. Teaching is the only interest in his life.
what would happen to her. So she cries out in pain.
Bad Mannered:
Her Love for Freddy: His enthusiasm for correct speech even takes him to the realm of
In desperation she accepts Freddy and marries him. Though bad manners. He has the bad habits of entering a room with his
Higgins calls Freddy a fool, she tells him that he is not a fool but a hat on and talking with his hands in his pockets and using bad
king enough for her because he loves her. words. His mother's friends do not come to her house if he is
present because he offends them by pointing out their wrong
Conclusion: pronunciation. He does not behave properly in the church. He
Eliza remains devoted to Pickering whom she considers as her used to make loud remarks on the Clergyman's pronunciation
father. Higgins bullies her often but she gets the guts to bully him while the service is going on.
in return. Higgins admires her strong will and is proud that it is he
who has made her what she is. Eliza, the ordinary flower girl While training Eliza he treats her most brutally. Whenever she
crosses her social barrier by her intelligence and hard work. makes a mistake, he roars at her like a wounded lion. He bullies
her that if she repeats a mistake she will be dragged round the
room three times by the hair of her head. Often he wounds her by Conclusion:
his words. Higgins is the best teacher. But he has no human feelings at all.
That is why he is not moved in the slightest degree by the beautiful
Witty: young Eliza, though he lives in close touch with her for six months.
Higgins is witty and interesting words and phrases are at his He is not a man but only a teaching machine. That is why Higgins,
command. He describes Eliza as "deliciously low-so horribly dirty". Shaw's Pygmalion, has no love for Eliza whom he has changed
After Eliza's entrance he asks his housekeeper whether there is into a princess.
good fire in the kitchen. She thinks that he wants some thing to be
cooked. But he says, "Take off all Eliza's clothes and burn them".
When Mrs. Pearce advises him not to wipe his hands on his 3. Colonel Pickering
dressing grown in future, he replies, "I will wipe them in my hair in
future. Introduction:
Pickering was a Colonel in the Indian army. He has made a special
Lacks Feelings: study on Sanskrit dialects and has written a book called, 'Spoken
Though he is a brilliant teacher, he has no tender feelings. He is Sanskrit. Pickering has come to England to meet Higgins, an
no better than a teaching machine. He has no emotions at all. He expert in Phonetics and Higgins wants to go to India to meet
is not attracted to his girl students. They are like dead wood to him. Pickering. Both are mutually attracted towards each other. When
As he does not know what feelings are, he wounds other people's Higgins claims that he can train Eliza, the poor ignorant flower girl,
hearts without intending to do so. To him Eliza is only a speaking and make her pass off as a duchess within six months, Pickering
machine. After the experiment is over, he wants to drop her. He bets that if Higgins wins, he will pay for the entire experiment and
treats her as his personal secretary but has no emtional thus the training for Eliza starts.
attachment for her. When she decides to marry Freddy, he
wounds her by calling Freddy, a fool. Again, when Eliza tells him Well Mannered:
that she is going to start a flower shop, he wounds her saying that Pickering is very chivalrous and is a noble person. Though he was
Freddy will make a fine errand boy. a Colonel in the Indian army, he has neither the manners nor the
language of a typical army officer. Generally army officers use
Remains a Bachelor: abusive words in their conversation. But Colonel Pickering is most
Higgins is above forty years. He is unromantic and is not moved refined in the use of his words and he never loses his temper
by young girls. His first love is Phonetics. His mother is the most under any provocation. He never gets excited and is always
refined and cultured lady. As she is his ideal, he judges girls by decent and polite.
her standard and as he has not yet found a girl like his mother, he
remains a bachelor up to this time and is likely to remain so in the When Eliza first comes to their house, Higgins shouts at her and
future. says "Sit down". Pickering very courteously tells her, "Won't you
sit down?" Instead of calling her as Eliza, he calls her as Miss. they are able to impart perfect education to Eliza. Whenever
Doolittle. This instils self-respect and confidence in the poor flower Higgins bully Eliza, she bullies him in turn but she is always
girl. devoted to Pickering as she considers him as her father.

Attachment to Eliza:
When Higgins trains Eliza, he is very strict and rude to her. When
she mispronounces a word, he roars at her like a wounded lion MINOR CHARACTERS
and bullies her that if she repeats a mistake, she will be dragged
round the room three times by her hair. But Pickering always 1. ALFRED DOOLITTLE
encourages her and is very affectionate to her. He looks upon her Alfred Doolittle is the father of Eliza. He is a lazy dust man. He is
as his favourite daughter. Whenever she said something correct, self-confident but immoral. He gives to drinking and debauchery.
he encouraged her by saying, "Splendid' and he also consoles her Eliza is his illegitimate daughter. As his sixth mistress treated her
that he will never let Higgins drag her round the room by her hair. cruelly, Eliza is turned out of the house when she is grown up.
But for Pickering's kindness and encouragement, Eliza would
have run away from Wimpole Street. Alfred Doolittle comes to Higgins' house when he knows that Eliza
has come there and threatens Higgins. But Higgins deals with him
Higgins teaches Eliza to speak correctly and from Pickering she tactfully and finally he sells his daughter for £ 5.
learns good manners. Eliza says that Pickering did hundreds of
polite things which he never noticed because they come to him Though Doolittle is uneducated, he speaks the dialect eloquently
naturally. Eliza also expresses that she is always a flower giri to and Shaw uses him as his spokesman. Through him Shaw
Higgins but to Pickering she is a lady because he always treats exposes the injustice of the economic system of England and
her as a lady. laughs at the English Middleclass morality. The society pretends
that wealth is distributed to people as they deserve. But it is wrong.
Pickering does not feel when he loses the bet. But he is happy Doolittle is one of the 'undeserving poor'. He is a rebel. His needs
when Higgins wins the bet and Eliza passes off as a duchess. are great but is paid only a little.

It is Pickering's wedding present of £ 500 that keeps Eliza and Because of Higgins, he becomes a rich man and now he is
Freddy going. When Eliza starts a flower shop, Pickering makes 'undeserving rich man. The bequest of the American millionaire
up the deficit of the shop every month. has relieved him of his poverty and happiness. He does not want
to be a gentleman. The middle class morality compels him to
Conclusion: marry his sixth mistress. He cannot refuse the grant because he
Though Pickering often makes stupid suggestions and Higgins has to spend his old age in the work house.
has better knowledge of Phonetics than him, Pickering is a better
man. It is because Pickering has what Higgins lacks that together
Doolittle is witty and humorous and so he has become a popular him as he loves her passionately and she is sure that he will never
comic character. try to dominate her but will make her happy by doing what she
desires.
2. FREDDY
Frederick Eynsford Hill, called as Freddy belongs to a noble family When Eliza starts a flower shop, he helps in everything and works
that has become poor. As his mother cannot maintain the dignity hard and learns all the work and finally ends up as Mr. F. Hill, the
of the family, he is brought up in poverty. Florist and Greengrocer. Eliza makes him a success in life and he
keeps her happy always by amusing her.
Freddy has got only some elementary education at a cheap
school. His mother does not like to send him to an ordinary school
and study with the poor boys and she cannot afford to send him to
a good school. So, Freddy is not properly educated and he is
trained for no profession. His position is poor and helpless. He
does not want to become a clerk. His mother hopes that he will
become the private secretary of some rich man. But as no such
thing happens, she hopes that he will marry a rich girl. When he
marries Eliza, the poor flower girl, her dreams are shattered.

Freddy's mother always calls him as helpless and his sister says
that he has no commonsense. To her he is a selfish pig. To
Higgins, Freddy is a fool who is fit to be a fine errand boy. The only
work he can do is to amuse Eliza. Only Mrs. Higgins and Colonel
Pickering are kind to Freddy.

From the time he brings a cab to his mother and sister to the
portico of St. Paul's church, he collides with Eliza and falls in love
with her and starts writing love letters to her. He passes most of
his nights in the street below her window and will go home only
after she puts off the light.

After Eliza passes off as a princess in the Ambassador's Party,

she hopes that Higgins will propose to her. As no such thing
happens, she comes out of the house dissappointed and sees
Freddy waiting for her. She is moved and she decides to marry
 Look Back in Anger Tamil Summary Video (Youtube)
- Jhon Osborne

Original Text

Introduction to the Author

English Summary Video

(Youtube)
John Osborne was born in 1929 in a suburb of London to Thomas
Godfrey Osbome, a commercial artist, and Nellie Beatrice, a bar- Introduction to the Play
maid. They belonged to the poor middle class. His father died "Look Back in Anger' is Osborne's most popular play. In this play,
when he was twelve years old. During the time of the Second the playwright has captured the mood of despair, anger and
World War, Osborne was in London with his mother. He was sent frustration of the post-war generation. When the play, Look Back
to Belmont College, Devon, a cheap boarding school. He was in Anger, came into the English Stage Company, Osborne was a
always unhappy. His education ended in 1946 when he left school. 26 year old actor. Then he had neither particular distinction nor
any literary reputation. Though the play did not Immediately prove
His first play was produced in 1946. He worked as a journalist for to be a hit, when one Act of the play was shown on television, it
the trade magazines like 'Gas World' and 'The Miller. In 1948 he aroused the interest of the people and the audience swelled to the
became a tutor to the juvenile actors in a touring theatrical theatre.
company.
The play is not a perfect one but it abounds with life and vitality
Then he became an actor and later actor manager and wrote plays and it is a most exciting play. The life it deals with is like the life
in collaboration with Stell Linder and Anthony Creighton. In 1951 lived at the moment when the play was written and produced.
he married Pamela Elizabeth Lane, an actress. In 1956 he
became an actor in the English Stage company. The same year Technically 'Look Back in Anger' was a formal rather old-fashioned
his 'Look Back in Anger was staged and was a great success. The play but in it a revival in English drama was seen. Osborne's aim
play won him several awards. In 1957 his play, The Entertainer' in writing the play was to make the people feel and to give them
was performed. He continued to act. He divorced his wife and lessons in feeling. The play's emotional force, the capacity to
married Mary Ure in 1958. In 1963 this marriage was dissolved rouse feeling, accounts for its contemporary popularity and for the
and he married Penelope Gilliatt, a critic and a journalist. He universality of its appeal.
divorced Penlope in 1967 and again married Jill Bennett in 1968.

Osborne's well known plays are "Luther', 'Inadmissible Evidence',

'A Patriot for Me", Plays for England', 'A Subject of Scandal and DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Concern', 'A Bond Honoured', 'Time Present and The Hotel in
Amsterdam'. Osborne continues to write and West of Suez was Jimmy Porter : the hero of the play..
produced in 1971. He has taken interest in the cinema and the film
version of some of his plays are quite successful. Alison Porter : His wife

Hugh Tanner : Jimmy's friend

Mrs. Tanner : Hugh's mother

 upon the upper classes. She wakes up to reality after her painful
Cliff Lewis : Another friend of Jimmy experience of losing her child and she comes back to Jimmy.

Helena Charles: Alison's friend. HUGH TANNER

Hugh Tanner is a friend of Jimmy. Alison and Hugh disliked each
Colonel Redfern : Alison's father. other at first sight. Alison finds Hugh to be more ruthless than
Jimmy. They behaved like savages and plundered the houses of
Nigel : Alison's brother Alison's friends and relations. Hugh goes abroad leaving his old
mother to look after herself.

MRS. TANNER
Mrs. Tanner, the mother of Hugh, thinks that Alison is responsible
CHARACTERS A BRIEF for her son's departure. Mrs. Tanner is impressed by the beauty of
Alison and loves her but Alison does not respond to the old
INTRODUCTION woman. When the Porters receive the news of Mrs. Tanner's
illness, Alison refuses to accompany Jimmy to see Mrs. Tanner.
JIMMY PORTER She does not even send flowers to Mrs. Tanner's funeral.
He is the hero of the play. Every action, situation and person
revolve around him. He is a highly educated person from the CLIFF LEWIS
working classes of England. His consciousness of the gap Cliff is another close friend of Jimmy. Unlike Jimmy he is unaware
between the working classes and the upper classes makes him of class consciousness. He is very polite and is very affectionate
attack the higher classes. His education has made him an angry to Alison. He always tries to prevent Jimmy from hurting his wife.
young man. It is his anger that drives the play. Jimmy is a Though he is ignorant and uneducated he has the qualities of a
frustrated young man. He suffers lot and is a tortured soul at war gentleman. He is presented as a foil to Jimmy.
with himself and with the world.
HELENA CHARLES
MRS. ALISON PORTER She is Alison's friend and she belongs to the same social class as
Alison, wife of Jimmy Porter, comes from the upper middle class. Alison. She is very bold and courageous. She lives with Jimmy for
She is calm and patient. She endures the ruthless attacks of sometime. But realizes that it is immoral and so leaves him when
Jimmy on her and her family. She marries Jimmy against her Alison retums.
parents' opposition. After marriage she finds herself in a totally
different world. She becomes aware of Jimmy's deep-rooted class COLONEL REDFERN
prejudice and realises that he has married her to avenge himself Colonel Redfern, father of Alison, is a retired army commander.
He had spent forty years of his life in the army in India. After his
retirement he returns to England but he cannot reconcile himself Jimmy points out that the newspaper he is reading and the one
to the life he has to lead in England. He feels disillusioned. He Cliff reads are the two posh Sunday papers. Cliff talks about
realises that his and his wife's opposition to Alison's marriage with Bishop of Bromley's appeal to all the Christians to donate for the
Jimmy is wrong. manufacture of the hydrogen bomb. Jimmy who ironically says
that he would send a subscription to the Bishop, he himself reads
the Bishop's appeal and says that the Bishop is upset because
ACTWISE SUMMARY OF THE someone has remarked that the Bishop is favouring the rich
against the poor. Then Jimmy comments all these things are
PLAY written by Alison's father under the name of the Bishop. As Jimmy
deliberately wants to offend Alison, Cliff asks Alison not to bother.
ACT-1
On a chilly evening in the month of April in the one room flat in a Jimmy explains another news about a woman. This woman had
large Midland town, Jimmy and his friend Cliff are busy reading gone to a mass meeting of an American Evangelist. When she
newspapers. Alison, Jimmy's wife is ironing clothes on an ironing- tried to go near the Evangelist, she got in the crowd and got
board. serious injuries. The crowd which was expressing its support to
the Evangelist by shouting slogans, did not pay heed to the
Jimmy complains that every Sunday he has to read the same kind screaming and yelling of the woman. Jimmy narrates the incident
of book reviews. He says that though the books reviewed are in order to get a response from his wife and Cliff, but as they
different, the reviews are of the same type. So he feels that remain indifferent, Jimmy is disappointed and says that something
Sunday papers make one feel ignorant. When he asks about Cliff's is wrong with himself.
opinion, he answers in the negative. So he calls him ignorant.
Alison asks him what he is talking about. Jimmy repeats his Alison continues her ironing. Jimmy becomes impatient as he has
complaint and also complains that his wife never listens to what become bored of the routine works of Sunday. He says that their
he says. When Jimmy starts talking, Alison begins to yawn. youth is slipping away in that manner. He gets angry with Alison
and Cliff for not responding. Cliff suggests of going to a film but
Jimmy repeats his criticism about Alison. So, Cliff asks him to stop Alison says that she cannot go. Jimmy remarks that a film cannot
criticizing Alison. Jimmy gets angry and snatches the paper from be enjoyed on Sunday nights because of the crowd that goes to
Cliff. the theatre. He feels that spending money on Sunday newspapers
is a waste as nobody reads them except himself.
When Jimmy says that he feels hungry, Cliff calls him a glutton
and he is a food maniac. Jimmy asks for some more tea, Cliff Jimmy remarks that Cliff and Alison by being indifferent are
reminds him that he has already taken many cups of tea while he making him mad. To him they are not even human beings because
and Alison have drunk only one cup. they have no ordinary human enthusiasm. He feels for being
devoid of the company of people who are enthusiastic.
 quite disappointed as he has not annoyed Alison. So, he makes
Jimmy comments on Alison's father by comparing him to Mr. another attempt to provoke her. Cliff tries to divert his attention.
Priestly and he also makes fun of Alison saying that she is a great But Jimmy continues hurting. Alison by calling her Lady
one who can get used to new things and places very quickly. Again Pusillanimous. Alison becomes so desperate that if Jimmy goes
he expresses the boredom of a Sunday evening with the same on talking like that she will go mad.
routine.
However Jimmy never stops. He tells her that she should go mad.
Then Jimmy listens to a musical concert of Vaughan Williams on He refers a dictionary and reads out to Cliff, the meaning of
the radio. The musical programme in English again makes Jimmy pusillanimous as timid of mind and again. calls Alison as 'Lady
comment on Alison's father who has come back from India after Pusillanimous'. Alison who is used to these comments, goes on
many years. As Cliff makes no response to Jimmy, he calls him a with her work and Jimmy switches on the radio to listen to the
lump of dough. musical programme.

Jimmy asks Alison whether her friend Webster would come that After ironing Cliff's trousers, Alisons goes back to the ironing board
evening. When she replies that he might drop in, he says that to continue her work. But Jimmy asks her to stop ironing as the
though he likes him, he cannot tolerate him that evening. Further noise from the ironing board disturbs the musical programme.
he says that Webster is the only one of Alison's friends who has Alison says that she will soon finish her work. Jimmy switches off
guts and sensitivity. When Alison mentions about Madeline who the radio and complains that everyone is disturbing him from
was Jimmy's mistress when he was only eighteen, Jimmy says hearing the music concert. When Alison says that Jimmy is
that Madeline was so full of life that being in her company is itself behaving like a child, he calls her clumsy and noisy and says that
an adventure. a woman who is clumsy and noisy is fundamentally insensitive.

Jimmy goes on provoking Alison by talking ill of her friends and At this time the Church bells ring and Jimmy says that if the
relations. He says that all her friends like her parents are militant, ringinging does not stop he will become mad. Then he criticises
arrogant, malicious and vague. To him Alison is between the landlady, Miss. Drury who says that Jimmy must have gone to
maliciousness and vagueness. Cliff asks him to stop talking about the church and be swinging those bells. Cliff tries to passify Jimmy
Alison's friends and relations. Then Jim starts commenting on by offering to take him out for a drink and dance but Jimmy is not
Alison's brother, Nigel. He says that with his vague knowledge, willing to go out with him. Cliff tries to catch hold of Jimmy and
one day he will become the cabinet minister. Though Nigel is asks him to apologize fro being nasty. Then Jimmy grapples with
stupid, he is sure to come upto a high position in his political Cliff and they both fall down and continue their wrestling and they
career. hit the ironing-board and strike against Alison. Alison's arm comes
in touch with the hot-iron and she cries out of pain. Cliff at once
Alsion continues with her ironing work without answering back. brings a bit of soap to soothe Alison from her burning sensation
Cliff also remains silent. Though Jimmy feels triumphant, he is on her arm. Meanwhile Jimmy leaves the room and goes to Cliff's
room and lies there on the bed, reading. Alison thanks Cliff for
applying soap on her arm and kisses her affectionately. He tells Alison returns and informs that her friend Helena Charles, an
her that he has become so fond of her and her husband that he actress, has come there with her company in order to play at a
would not be able to live away from them. Alison tells him that the local theatre and that she will stay with them as she has no other
feeling of love has gone out of her and both she and her husband place to go to. Jimmy who does not like this says that Alison is
have ceased to feel young. Cliff expresses that he does not know living in a dream world and something must happen to wake her
how long he would see Alison and Jimmy quarrelling with each up from her sleep. For example, she might have a child who dies
other. soon afterwards. Such an experience would make Alison more of
a human being. He adds that Alison never takes the initiative in
Then Alison reveals to Cliff that she is pregnant and she has not making love, and has no passion. Jimmy's words hurt Alison and
yet informed her pregnancy to Jimmy. Cliff asks her to tell Jimmy she feels helpless. Cliff is also helpless.
that she is expectant as Jimmy loves her. Alison feels Jimmy will
suspect her motives and will not be happy about she being ACT-II
pregnant. Cliff tells her that as he and Jimmy belong to the Scene 1
working-class, they have same view about many things. Jimmy's
mother has some rich relations. He hates them as much as he Two weeks have passed since Helena Charles has come to their
hates Alison's rich relations. When Alison asks Cliff whether she flat. Jimmy and Cliff are absent. Helena and Alison are talking to
should tell Jimmy about her pregnancy, he asks her to do so. each other. Alison thanks Helena for helping her in her household
duties. Helena tells Alison that looking after two men is a difficult
Then Jimmy reenters the room. Cliff goes out to get cigarettes. undertaking. Alison replies that Cliff looks after himself and does
Before going she reminds Alison to tell Jimmy about her not need any one to look after him.
pregnancy. Jimmy's mood changes and he speaks sentimentally
to Alison. When Alison says that she is fond of Cliff, he tells her Jimmy annoys Alison and Helena by blowing a trumpet. Alison
that it is Hugh's mother who had established him in the sweet stall. feels that if the landlady hears the trumpet, she would give notice
Both of them exchange love and affection. When Alison is about to them to quit the place. Helena says that he plays so noisily as
to tell Jimmy about her pregnancy, Cliff returns with the news that if he wants to kill someone especially her because she sees such
she has a phone call downstairs from Helena Charles and Alison hatred in his eyes. Alison tells Helena that once Jimmy had his
leaves to attend the phone. own Jazz band and now he might even give up his sweet stall to
start a jazz band.
Jimmy tells Cliff that Helena is one of Alison's old friends, who is
Jimmy's enemy. He says that as he had a number of love-affairs, When Helena wants to know whether Cliff is in love with Alison,
he is no more interested in women. He also tells Cliff that Alison she tells her that there is no sexual passion between them but only
is having a regular correspondence with her mother. But none of mutual attachment. She tells her that Cliff is a kind and lovable
them mention his name in their letters. man and her fondness for him is genuine.
 opposition. Jimmy though seemed to be weak in his body was
The Alison describes to Helena the circumstances which made strong in his will and was determined in marrying Alison. When
her marry Jimmy in spite of her parents' opposition. At that time Alison and Jimmy were staying with Hugh, he was writing a novel,
Jimmy had no job and no money. As he had no place to live in, he and he decided to go abroad as England was not suitable for him
took her to Hugh's flat in Poplar. Jimmy saw that Alison and Hugh to live in. Though he asked Jimmy and Alison to accompany him,
hated each other at first sight. Alison was cut off from her friends Jimmy refused. So, both had a terrible quarrel over the matter.
and relations and so in the wedding celebration, she felt very Jimmy felt that it was wrong on Hugh's part to leave his old mother
lonely and depressed. She could not go to her parents for money alone. So their partnership broke. Hugh went off to a foreign
and her brother Nigel was busy with Parliament election. country and Jimmy and Alison came to the present flat. Hugh's
mother, though a good woman thinks that Alison is responsible for
Alison tells Helena that her life in Hugh's flat was a nightmare, her son leaving her alone and Jimmy also feels that it is because
Both Jimmy and Hugh, who were hostile to the middle class, of Alison that Hugh went off. Jimmy loves Hugh's mother because
behaved like savages and to them Alison was a hostage from the she has been poor throughout her life. To Alison, she is an
middle class against which they were fighting. She tells Helena ignorant woman.
that at that time her financial position was very tight.
Helena advises Alison as she is going to have a baby, she must
In order to overcome the financial difficulty, Jimmy and Hugh went decide what she is going to do. She asks Alison why she has not
as uninvited guests to the houses of Alison's friends and relations. yet informed Jimmy of her pregnancy. Alison tells her that the baby
Like the barbarian invaders both of them plundered their houses. is surely Jimmy's and that she has no particular reason for not
Alison's friends and relatives tolerated them because of her and telling Jimmy about the child. Helena suggests that either Jimmy
once when Hugh tried to seduce a girl in a household, they were must change himself and look after Alison properly or Alison
turned out. should leave that mad-house. When Helena says that Jimmy has
no idea of love, Alison points out to the toy bear and toy squirrel
Helena who hears all this asks Alison how she happened to marry and tells her that she and Jimmy would play the bear and squirrel
a man like Jimmy. Alison replies that when her father returned to game, imagining themselves to be a bear and a squirrel and they
England from India after his retirement to him everything in use to escape from the sordid world by imagining themselves to
England had undergone a change and her mother was always a be animals. Helena tells Alison that she has to fight against her
difficult person to be dealt with. husband or should get out of that place because otherwise Jimmy
would make her die.
When Alison was twenty one years old, she met Jimmy at a party.
He was young and weak and had come to the party on a bicycle, Cliff enters and calls Jimmy for tea. As he asks Jimmy to stop
with oil all over his dinner jacket. Men at the party distrusted him playing trumpet, Jimmy says that one who does not like Jazz has
and women were full of contempt for him. But Alison was attracted no feeling for music or human beings Then he says that he is the
by him and decided to marry him in spite of her parent's strong only person who treats the newspaper properly because he pays
for them. When Cliff calls Jimmy as a mean fellow, he calls Cliff as
Welsh trash. So, Cliff calls himself as nothing. Then Jimmy When Jimmy asks Helena why she is still there even after her work
remarks that if he is nothing, then he must be the Prime Minister. is over, she answers that Alison has asked her to stay on. Then
Jimmy provokes Alison by making an adverse comment on her. he asks Alison why under the influence of Helena she is going to
Then he announces that he has composed a new song and tells the Church. Alison is irritated by his questions. He says that the
a title for it and asks Alison whether it is a suitable one. Alison last time Alison went to the Church was to get married. But he
agrees with the title. When he recites a few lines of the song. Clift himself would not have gone to the Church even for his marriage,
calls it a good one. Then he tells that he has written a poem on if the local registrar was not close to Alison's father. Thinking that
the previous day which has a religious influence, so it will specially Alison's parents would stop the marriage by getting the information
appeal to Helena. Helena asks him why he is so offensive and from the registrar, he decided to be married in the Church secretly,
unpleasant in his talk. Jimmy does not answer her but says that but Alison's parents were there in the Church before them
she has underestimated him by thinking that he is unpleasant and because they had known about the marriage.
offensive in his talk.
Then Jimmy starts criticizing Helena. He calls her a 'sacred cow
When Alison dresses herself to go out to Church with Helena, who has influenced both Alison and Cliff. He ridicules Helena in a
Jimmy is shocked because he does not like his wife going to the long speech. Helena who is' annoyed by his speech warns him
Church. So, he asks her whether she has forgotten how hard he that she would slap him if he comes near her, as he has been
tried to get her out of her past habits. They exchange sarcastic insulting her ever since she came there. Jimmy tells her that he
and bitter words. Jimmy shows his contempt for Alison's mother will hit her back as he will not hesitate to hit girls.
whom he calls as very rough and tough. He says that she
considers him to be a ruffian because of his long hair. Jimmy then describes the death of his father whom he had seen
dying when he has a ten year old boy. After his father returned
However much Cliff and Helena try to stop Jimmy from talking in from the war in Spain, he was in the most wretched condition and
an offensive way, he continues his criticism on Alison's mother, was deserted even by his wife. So, Jimmy was the only one to take
whom he calls as an old bitch and expresses his wish that she care of him. His father struggled for a year. From what his father
should be dead. He talks in this manner to provoke Alison but she had told him, he had learnt about life, death and betrayal.
shows no reaction. Only Helena says that she is sick to hear his
words. No one is affected by Jimmy's speech. Helena prepares herself to
go to Church. When Alison follows her Jimmy cannot tolerate her
Jimmy goes on saying that he is going to write a book which will behaviour and starts abusing her. Alison is so angry that she flings
express his anger on every one and everything. The book will be a tea cup on the floor and says that she wants peace. Jimmy who
recollected in fire and in blood. Helena thinks that Jimmy talks so is very angry says that while he is ill, she is seeking peace, without
violently because the world has treated him badly. Alison telis her comforting him. He hopes that a day will come when she will fall
that Jimmy cannot be separated from his suffering. at his feet in an abject manner.
 looking after the sweet stall in Jimmy's absence. When the Colonel
Helena returns with the news that Jimmy has a telephone call wonders why an educated man like Jimmy should be running a
downstairs. When he goes to attend the phone call, she tells sweet stall, Alison replies that Jimmy who had tried many jobs is
Alison that Jimmy is very selfish and she also rebukes Cliff for now happy with the sweet stall.
letting his friend to misbehave. Cliff tells her that Jimmy and Alison
will be always quarrelling but things have become worse since her Alison complains about Jimmy to her father. She tells him that as
arrival. He also tells her that but for him the husband and wife Jimmy does not like her writing to her mother, she has to write and
would have been separated long ago. He adds that he loves all. receive letters secretly. When she says that Jimmy hates her
Helena replies that she cannot understand either Jimmy or Cliff. family, the Colonel is not at all angry. On the other hand he says
But she has found no one in the house to behave decently. that he and his wife are responsible for Jimmy's violent behaviour.
He remarks that Jimmy has acted in good faith. He also feels for
Then Helena informs Alison that she has given a telegram to her having tried to prevent Alison's marriage with Jimmy.
father asking him to come and take away Alison. When she asks
Alison whether she will go with her father, she answers The Colonel also blames Alison and says that she should not have
affirmatively. Helena states that Jimmy will learn to face the reality written to her mother and he also expresses that he was confused
of life only after Alison is gone away from him. at receiving a telegram from her. Alison justifies herself saying that
Jimmy has abused her mother in a very bad language.
Jimmy returns and tells Alison that the telephone call is from a
London hospital which has informed him that Mrs. Tanner is very Alison tells her father that she who had been leading a happy life
serious and he says that he must go to see the dying old lady and for twenty years has been undergoing suffering for the past four
wishes that Alison should accompany him. He also tells her that years because of her marriage with Jimmy, who according to her,
the old woman was moved to see Alison's photograph and had has married her to take revenge.
said that Alison was beautiful. Without paying heed to Jimmy,
Alison walks towards the door to go to the Church with Helena. Then Alison's father recalls his happy life in India. But happiness
So, Jimmy becomes very upset. has gone away with his departure from India, because things have
greatly changed in England.

Scene 2 Alison tells him that he is sad because everything has changed
Colonel Redfern arrives at Jimmy's flat the next evening. Alison while her husband is sad because everything remains the same.
tells him that Jimmy has gone to see Mrs. Tanner who is very It is because neither of them can face the actual situation. She
serious. From her the Colonel understands that it is Mrs. Tanner feels that something has gone wrong somewhere. Then she packs
who established Jimmy in the sweet stall business. Alison also up her things to go away with her father. As she weeps suddenly,
tells him that Jimmy and Mrs. Tanner are very fond of each other. the Colonel asks her whether he has really decided to leave Jimmy
She tells him that Cliff, another friend of Jimmy, living with them is and return to her parents.
 expressed her deep loving need of Jimmy. After reading the letter
Then Helena enters. When Alison is ready to go with her father, Jimmy mocks at its contents and asks Helena if it is she who
Cliff has not yet returned from the sweet stall. When the Colonel dictated the letter to Alison. Helena then reveals to him that Alison
asks Helena if her things are to be placed in the car, she replies is expecting a baby.
that she is not going with them. Alison is surprised to hear this as
Helena has earlier told her that she would go with her to her Jimmy is neither excited nor happy to hear the news that his wife
parent's home. is going to have a baby. Moreover he says that he is not bothered
about his wife being pregnant and he also does not care if the child
Helena explains that as she has an important appointment about turns out to be a monster. He warns Helena that if she slaps him,
a job in Birmingham the next day, she would stay in the flat for the she should be ready to receive a slap in tum.
night. Then Cliff comes from the sweet stall. Cliff feels that it would
be better if Alison waits till Jimmy's return and she herself tell him Then Jimmy describes the death of Mrs. Tanner to Helena. He
about her decision. Alison who is not ready to wait for Jimmy tells her that he was the only one by the side of the dying Mrs.
hands over an envelope to Cliff and asks him to handover to Tanner and that he walked alone behind the coffin in the funeral.
Jimmy. Alison and her father leave after bidding good-bye to He is very angry that Alison did not even send a bunch of flowers
Helena and Cliff. Helena tells Alison that she will soon join her in to be placed on the coffin. It is because Alison always had a very
her parent's house. low opinion about Mrs. Tanner. To her she is an old ignorant
woman. That is why he is not bothered about Alison going to have
After Alison has left with her father, Cliff comes to know that a baby.
Helena is staying there for the night. As he does not want to be in
the house when Jimmy returns, asking Helena to give Alison's Jimmy catches hold of Helena and in a threatening manner asks
letter to Jimmy, he leaves the house. her to go out of the house. When Helena hears this, she slaps him
on his face violently. So Jimmy undergoes much pain. Suddenly
After Cliff's departure, Jimmy comes in angrily. He is angry Helena kisses him passionately and draws him to her.
because he has been run over by a car in which his wife has been
travelling. Cliff who is going away from the house has walked into
him but he pretending not to see him, has gone out without ACT III
greeting him. He is surprised to see Helena in the house. Helena
gives him Alison's letter and Jimmy is amazed to read the content Scene - 1
of the letter. Several months have passed. It is a Sunday evening. Helena's
things have replaced Alison's on the dressing table. She is ironing
In the letter Alison has said that she is going away to get peace the clothes and Jimmy and Cliff are reading the news papers.
and in order to get peace she is ready to sacrifice anything. She
has asked Jimmy to be patient with her and she has also
Cliff asks Jimmy to stop smoking his pipe because it stinks. But dominating woman. Jimmy feels for being doomed to bid good-
Helena tells that she likes the smell of his pipe. Then Jimmy bye.
comments on a news item, that is about sacrificing young cocks
to the goddess of fertility, a practise going on in the Midlands. He Jimmy feels for parting with a loyal, generous, good friend like Cliff.
also sarcastically says that their landlady must have been But he is prepared for the separation because Cliff is going to start
indulged in such practices and asks Helena if she is interested in a new life. To him Cliff is worthier than half a dozen Helenas, yet
that sacrificial killing. he has to keep Helena and send away Cliff. Then Jimmy gives a
speech which expresses his depression. He feels that no brave
Jimmy continues his talk saying that for years Alison's mother has causes are left in the world and men have allowed themselves to
been sticking pins into his waxen image, to torment him. Then he be exploited by cruel women who use men to satisfy their whims
says that as Cliff's blood is not suited for sacrificial offering, and wishes.
Helena's blood would be preferable. Jimmy goes on commenting
about the news items in the news-papers. Then he says that he After Helena returns with the washed shirt of Cliff, Jimmy hurries
has noticed an evil look In Helena's eyes because she is leading up Cliff and Helena suggesting to go out and have a good time.
a sinful life with him as his mistress. Then he asks her whether Then he tells Helena that Cliff is leaving them. Helena says that
she had been talking with the parson. Cliff asks him to stop she knows it already and feels for Cliff's leaving. Jimmy also
commenting on religion and politics. expresses his regrets and says that though Cliff is untidy and
irritating, he has a big heart and such a person will be forgiven his
Then the three pass the time by performing a comic act of singing faults.
a comic song. Jimmy asks Cliff to make tea but he refuses and
pushes down Jimmy. He gets up and attacks Cliff and both fall Jimmy and Helena exchange words of love and Jimmy promises
down. In their wrestling Cliff's shirt gets dirty and Helena offers to to love her and when he suggests that they will make a good pair
wash Cliff's shirt. on the stage, Helena agrees with him. So Jimmy decides to close
his sweet stall and start a new life with Helena.
After Helena goes away to wash the shirt, Cliff reveals his intention
of leaving that place and trying something else. Jimmy replies that When Jimmy is about to enter Cliff's room, the door opens and
he can do whatever he likes. He says that as Helena has to do a Alison enters. Jimmy is stunned. Alison greets him but Jimmy calls
lot of work for looking after two men he has decided to leave the Helena and says that a friend of hers has come. Then he goes
place. He also wants to find a girl for him who will look after him. out, leaving them together.
Cliff agrees with Jimmy that Helena will be able to find a suitable
girl for him. He says that he has no specific idea of what to do. Scene - 2
Jimmy tells him that he cannot live without Jimmy's guidance and While Helena and Alison are talking, Jimmy plays his trumpet in
support and he fears that Cliff may fall into the hands of a Cliff's room. Alison expresses her regret for coming there back.
Helena tells her that as Jimmy's wife she has every right to come
back and it is she who is there without any right. But Alison says trumpet, she shouts to Jimmy and asks him to stop playing. She
that she has done something foolish and tells Helena that she also tells him that she wants to talk to him. As Jimmy is reluctant
does not want Jimmy and Helena to be separated. As Alison does to come because of Alison's presence, Alison tries to leave. But
not find fault with Helena for having taken her place, Helena feels Helena makes her stay because she wants to tell Jimmy that she
guilty and realises that her relationship with Jimmy is a wrong one. has decided to go.
She is aware that she is doing something wrong by living with
Jimmy as his mistress. Jimmy comes in and notices that Alison is pale. So when Helena
explains what had happened to Alison, he says that he can see
Helena tells Alison that she has found out what is wrong with what has happened to her. When Helena asks if he is not sad to
Jimmy. He is born out of time and he is still in the middle of the hear that she has lost the child, he accepts that it is his child but it
French Revolution and is not sure of where he is and what he is is not the first misfortune in his life. But Alison says that it is her
doing. Alison calls Jimmy as an 'eminent Victorian". Helena says first misfortune. When Jimmy asks what Alison is doing there,
that when she first came to that place she wondered how Alison Helena asks him to be sensible and to consider Alison's physical
married a person like Jimmy. condition.

Helena then firmly says that her affair with Jimmy must come to Then Helena tells Jimmy that she is leaving him and that she has
an end. So she is leaving that place. She, who believes in good to catch the first train to London. She tells him that her decision is
and evil, knows that she is doing something wrong by living her own and it has nothing to do with Alison's presence. She
together with Jimmy as his mistress. She says that she is going knows that what she is doing is wrong. So, she cannot be happy.
not because she wants to restore Alison's place as Jimmy's wife Though she loves Jimmy, she cannot continue her living with him,
but because she has realized that living with Jimmy is wrong. To because it hurts Alison.
her Alison is a fool if she starts living with Jimmy again. But Jimmy
is sure to find someone else. For Helena It is all over, the affair Saying that she will be leaving in about half an hour, she tells
has come to an end. Alison that if she wants to go back, she can stay in a hotel that
night. Jimmy comments that everyone wants to escape from the
Helena notices that Alison is no longer carrying a baby, she must pain of being alive and everyone wants to escape from love, Then
have had an abortion and considers it to be a divine judgement on he tells Helena not to deceive herself. He says that one should
them all. Alison tells her that she had a miscarriage, but it is not a either lead a life of the senses or a pure spiritual life. After looking
divine judgement. Now the sound of the trumpet has become at Jimmy for a moment Helena goes down as she is firm in her
louder. decision of going away from Jimmy.

Alison asks Helena not to leave Jimmy because he needs her. Jimmy is shaken by Helena's departure. He is annoyed to hear the
She also tells that Jimmy wants neither Alison nor Helena but a church bell ringing. When Alison says that she wants to leave,
kind of hench woman. As Helena is irritated by the sound of the Jimmy complains that she has wounded him by not sending even
flowers to Mrs. Tanner's funeral. Then he says that the world is full • Setting: A one-room attic flat in a Midlands town, England,
of injustice and that a strong man is always lonely and in the 1950s.
companionless. Then he recalls the first night when he saw Alison
in a party and felt that he had found the person he had been 2. Background and Context:
wanting because she seemed to be a woman with "a wonderful • Post-War Britain: "Look Back in Anger" was written in a
relaxation of spirit. But after their marriage he has found out that post-World War II Britain that was undergoing significant
as she is not strong, she has not that relaxation of spirit. Only when social, economic, and political changes. The play reflects
one suffers one will get the strength to relax. As Alison has had no the frustrations and disillusionment of the younger
misfortune in life, she has not the relaxation of spirit. He also adds generation, who were disenchanted with the traditional
that if she really loved him she could have adjusted herself to live British establishment and its values.
without feeling lost. • The Angry Young Men: Osborne’s play is often
associated with the "Angry Young Men" movement, a group
Jimmy's words make Alison cry and she says that her neutral of British writers who expressed their dissatisfaction with
attitude to life is wrong. She tells him that when she was the status quo. The play's protagonist, Jimmy Porter,
undergoing the miscarriage, she very much wished that Jimmy epitomizes this anger and frustration.
should see her in that condition as he always wanted her to suffer • Impact on British Theatre: The play is credited with
some misfortune, so that he could have been satisfied that she revolutionizing British theatre. It introduced a new kind of
was suffering. Though Jimmy has lost the chance of becoming a realism, portraying the lives of ordinary people and their
father, he has got the satisfaction that Alison has undergone a struggles in a raw, unfiltered manner. The play’s success
tremedous suffering. marked the beginning of the "kitchen sink" drama, which
focused on the gritty realities of working-class life.
Alison becomes emotional and falls at Jimmy's feet. Jimmy is rigid
for a moment, then he takes her up and asks her not to cry. He 3. Plot Summary:
reminds her of the bears and squirrels game, they used to play, • Act I:
and that they will be the bear and the squirrel, and Alison looks at o The play opens in the cramped attic flat shared by
him affectionately and both are reconciled to each other. Jimmy Porter, his wife Alison, and their friend Cliff.
Jimmy’s constant tirades against the world—
particularly against Alison’s upper-middle-class
Key Points and Self Notes background—create a tense atmosphere. Alison
1. Overview: reveals that she is pregnant, but she hasn’t told
• Author: John Osborne Jimmy yet, fearing his reaction.
• Published: 1956 • Act II:
• Genre: Drama (Kitchen Sink Realism) o Alison’s friend Helena arrives, concerned about
Alison’s well-being. She represents the upper-class
 values that Jimmy despises. Helena convinces abuse to assert control. The play also examines the
Alison to leave Jimmy, especially after Jimmy limited roles available to women, as seen in Alison’s
berates Alison for her lack of passion and passive suffering and Helena’s moralistic stance.
involvement in his life. Alison decides to go back to • Alienation and Isolation:
her parents, leaving Jimmy alone with his rage. o The characters in the play, particularly Jimmy, are
• Act III: deeply alienated from society and from each other.
o The final act reveals that Helena has started a Jimmy’s outbursts are a cry for connection, yet his
relationship with Jimmy, taking Alison’s place. behavior pushes people away, leaving him isolated
However, when Alison returns, having lost the baby, and bitter.
Helena realizes the futility of her relationship with • The Search for Identity:
Jimmy and decides to leave. The play ends with o Jimmy’s anger is also tied to a crisis of identity. He
Jimmy and Alison reconciling in a way that suggests struggles to find meaning in a world that seems
their relationship is based on shared suffering and indifferent to his desires and aspirations. His
deep, if twisted, emotional bonds. relationship with Alison is an attempt to assert his
identity, but it is fraught with contradictions and
4. Key Themes: unresolved tensions.
• Class Conflict:
o The play is deeply concerned with the class tensions 5. Character Analysis:
in post-war Britain. Jimmy’s anger is partly rooted in • Jimmy Porter:
his resentment towards the upper classes, o The protagonist, Jimmy, is a complex character
embodied by Alison and Helena. His tirades often driven by anger and frustration. He is highly
express a sense of betrayal by a society that he feels intelligent and articulate but also deeply bitter and
has failed him. resentful. His anger is directed at the establishment,
• Disillusionment and Anger: the upper classes, and his wife, Alison. Despite his
o Jimmy Porter’s character represents the harshness, there is a sense that Jimmy is searching
disillusionment of the younger generation in the for something more meaningful in life, though he
1950s. His anger is not just personal but is a broader often sabotages his own efforts to find it.
critique of the British establishment, which he sees • Alison Porter:
as stagnant and hypocritical. o Alison is Jimmy’s wife, a woman from an upper-
• Gender Roles and Relationships: middle-class background who married Jimmy
o The play explores the dynamics of marriage and against her parents’ wishes. She is portrayed as
relationships in a modern context. Jimmy and passive and long-suffering, enduring Jimmy’s verbal
Alison’s marriage is marked by a struggle for power abuse without retaliation. Alison’s decision to leave
and dominance, with Jimmy often resorting to verbal Jimmy reveals her inner strength, but her eventual
 return suggests a complicated, co-dependent wit, anger, and sarcasm, are central to the play’s
relationship. impact. The dialogue captures the rhythms and
• Cliff Lewis: frustrations of everyday life, making the characters’
o Cliff is a friend of Jimmy and Alison who lives with struggles feel immediate and relatable.
them in their flat. He is loyal, good-natured, and • Symbolism:
serves as a buffer between Jimmy and Alison. Cliff’s o The flat itself is symbolic of the characters’
departure signals the breakdown of the fragile entrapment and frustration. The ironing board,
stability in Jimmy and Alison’s relationship. constantly in use, symbolizes the repetitive and
• Helena Charles: mundane nature of their lives. The trumpet, which
o Helena is Alison’s friend who initially comes to take Jimmy occasionally plays, represents his longing for
Alison away from Jimmy but ends up having an affair a different, more passionate existence.
with him. Helena represents the moralistic upper • Dramatic Structure:
class that Jimmy despises. Her decision to leave o The play’s three-act structure mirrors the escalating
Jimmy after Alison’s return highlights the play’s tension in Jimmy and Alison’s relationship. Each act
themes of moral ambiguity and the complexities of builds on the previous one, leading to a climax that
human relationships. leaves the characters—and the audience—
• Colonel Redfern: uncertain about the future.
o Alison’s father, Colonel Redfern, represents the
older generation and the values of the British 7. Analysis of Key Scenes:
Empire. His relationship with Alison reflects the • Jimmy’s Rants:
tension between traditional values and the new, o Throughout the play, Jimmy’s rants serve as a
disillusioned generation represented by Jimmy. vehicle for expressing his dissatisfaction with life.
These monologues reveal his intelligence and
6. Literary Techniques: insight but also his deep bitterness and inability to
• Realism: find peace. They are crucial for understanding his
o The play’s use of realism, particularly in its depiction character and the play’s themes of anger and
of working-class life, is a significant departure from disillusionment.
the more polished and idealized portrayals of life • Alison’s Departure:
seen in earlier British dramas. The setting—a o Alison’s decision to leave Jimmy is a pivotal moment
cramped attic flat—emphasizes the claustrophobic in the play. It marks her attempt to assert her
and oppressive nature of the characters’ lives. independence and escape from Jimmy’s oppressive
• Dialogue: influence. However, her return at the end
o Osborne’s sharp, confrontational dialogue is a key complicates this assertion, suggesting a deeper,
feature of the play. Jimmy’s monologues, filled with unresolved connection between them.
 • The Final Scene: power struggles, reflecting the broader themes of
o The final scene, where Jimmy and Alison reconcile human connection and alienation.
after her miscarriage, is both poignant and
ambiguous. Their reunion is marked by a sense of 9. Reflection on the Play’s Conclusion:
resignation rather than resolution, reflecting the • Final Reflection:
ongoing struggle in their relationship and the play’s o The play’s ending is deliberately ambiguous, leaving
exploration of love, pain, and co-dependency. the audience to question the future of Jimmy and
8. Themes and Motifs: Alison’s relationship. Their reconciliation is
• The “Angry Young Man”: bittersweet, suggesting that while they may be able
o Jimmy Porter is the quintessential “angry young to find comfort in each other, the underlying issues
man,” disillusioned with the world around him and in their relationship remain unresolved.
filled with rage at the perceived injustices of society. • Legacy of the Play:
The play explores the causes and consequences of o "Look Back in Anger" is widely regarded as a
this anger, as well as its impact on those around him. landmark in British theatre. It brought a new level of
• Social Stagnation: realism to the stage, portraying the lives and
o The play critiques the social stagnation of post-war struggles of ordinary people with unflinching
Britain, where traditional class structures remain honesty. The play’s themes of class conflict,
entrenched despite the changing times. Jimmy’s disillusionment, and the search for meaning
anger is partly a response to this stagnation, as he continue to resonate with audiences today.
sees little opportunity for advancement or
meaningful change. 10. Personal Reflection:
• The Struggle for Meaning: • "Look Back in Anger" is a powerful exploration of the
o The characters in "Look Back in Anger" are all frustrations and challenges faced by the younger
searching for meaning in a world that seems generation in post-war Britain. Jimmy Porter’s character,
increasingly indifferent to their desires and needs. with his mix of intelligence, anger, and vulnerability, is both
Jimmy’s anger, Alison’s passivity, and Helena’s compelling and tragic.
moralism are all responses to this existential • The play’s portrayal of class conflict and social stagnation
struggle. offers valuable insights into the societal issues of the time,
• The Complexity of Relationships: many of which remain relevant today.
o The play presents a nuanced portrayal of • The relationship between Jimmy and Alison is particularly
relationships, particularly the marriage between thought-provoking, raising questions about love, power,
Jimmy and Alison. Their relationship is marked by a and the complexities of human connection. Their
complex mix of love, resentment, dependency, and interactions reveal the deep emotional wounds that drive
 their behavior, making their relationship both fascinating 3. Jimmy earns his livelihood by_______.
and troubling. (a) Advertising
• Osborne’s use of realism and sharp dialogue brings the (b) running a sweet stall
characters and their struggles to life, making "Look Back in (c) writing
Anger" a seminal work in modern drama that challenges (d) working in an office
audiences to confront the uncomfortable realities of life and
relationships. 4. Alison's parents ______ to her marriage with Jimmy.
(a) opposed
By studying "Look Back in Anger," you gain a deeper (b) agreed
understanding of the social and emotional challenges faced by (c) objected
individuals in a rapidly changing world, as well as the ways in (d) prevented
which personal and societal frustrations can shape human
behavior and relationships. 5. Alison reveals her pregnancy first to _____.
(a) Jimmy
(b) her mother
(c) Helena
CHOOSE THE CORRECT (d) Cliff

ANSWER 6. Jimmy and Alison used to play the game of ______.

(a) lions and lambs
1. The angry young man is _____. (b) tiger and lions
(a) Hugh Tanne (c) bears and squirrels
(b) Cliff Lewis (d) rabbits and tortoises
(c) Colonel Redfem
(d) Jimmy Porter 7. Alison's friend Helena Charles is an _______.
(a) Teacher
2. Jimmy and Cliff belong to the ______. (b) actress
(a) upper class (c) doctor
(b) middle class (d) lawyer
(c) working class
(d) upper-middle class
8. Jimmy had watched his father dying a slowdeath when he was 13. When Alison leaves with her father, she hands over a
just a ______. ______ to Cliff, to be passed on to Jimmy.
(a) Boy (a) Purse
(b) child (b) letter
(c) teen-ager (c) bag
(d) young man (d) suitcase

9. A telegram is sent secretly to Alison's father to come and take 14. Alison leaves with her father because she is desperately in
away his daughter by ______. need of ______.
(a) Alison (a) money
(b) Cliff (b) company
(c) Jimmy (c) peace
(d) Helena (d) job

10. Jimmy goes to London to see Hugh's _______ who is 15. Jimmy _____ about Alison's pregnancy.
seriously ill. (a) happy
(a) Wife (b) angry
(b) brother (c) unhappy
(c) mother (d) does not care
(d) father
16. Helena lives with Jimmy as his _____.
11. Jimmy's comments on people and things are______. (a) wife
(a) Harmless (b) friend
(b) bitter and sarcastic (c) mistress
(c) amusing (d) lady-love
(d) humorous
17. Jimmy feels ______ when Cliff decides to leave the sweet
12. After returning from India, Colonel Redfern could not stall.
________ England. himself to the changed. (a) happy
(a) Reconcile (b) sorry
(b) chnage (c) angry
(c) adapt (d) unhappy
(d) reform
18. Jimmy decides to close the sweet stall and start a new life (c) negative
with ______. (d) none of these
(a) Helena
(b) Alison 24. Helena realises that she is ______.
(c) Webster (a) Right
(d) Madeline (b) proud
(c) wrong
19. Alison's entry makes Helena and Jimmy _____. (d) corrupt
(a) Happy
(b) stunned 25. At last Jimmy and Alison are ______.
(c) angry (a) Separated
(d) satisfied (b) punished
(c) rewarded
20. Alison had ______ her baby. (d) reconciled
(a) Delivered
(b) adopted
(c) lost
(d) conceived PARAGRAPHS
1. Give an account of Allson's life at Hugh's flat.
21. Alison feels ______ to have disturbed Jimmy and Helena's life. Alison married Jimmy against the opposition of her parents. At the
(a) Happy time of their marriage, Jimmy was jobless. So, she and Jimmy had
(b) satisfied no money at all and they had no place to live in. As Alison had cut
(c) angry off all her connections with all her friends and relations, Jimmy
(d) sorry took her to Hugh's flat and Alison and Hugh disliked each other at
the first sight itself. With Hugh she and Jimmy had a simple
22. After Alison's return Helena decides to ______. wedding celebration in which she felt lonely and depressed.
(a) Leave the place
(b) remain there She lived a few months in the flat of Hugh in Poplar with Jimmy.
(c) punish Jimmy Her life there was like a nightmare and she felt as if she had been
(d) revenge Alison dropped in a jungle. Both Jimmy and Hugh, who were hostile to
the middle class, considered her a hostage from that class against
23. Alison had a ______ attitude towards life. which they are fighting and they behaved ruthlessly like savages.
(a) positive
(b) neutral
As they had to face financial difficulties, Hugh and Jimmy visited her happy and relieve her from the sufferings of Jimmy's verbal
the houses of Alison's relations and friends. They also took Alison attacks. She will call Jimmy as a beautiful bear. When they play
with them. They plundered those houses and behaved like the game, they will be so happy that they will embrace each other
barbarian invaders and enjoyed themselves. Alison's friends and lovingly and will feel that everything is alright.
relations who felt sorry for Alison, behaved very decently. On one
occasion as Hugh tried to seduce a girl, they were turned out. Jimmy attacks Alison mainly because she belongs to the middle
class which he opposes as he himself comes from the working
Then Hugh decided to go abroad. He wanted Jimmy and Alison class. When they imagine themselves to be a bear and a squirrel,
also to go with him. But Jimmy refused and asked Hugh not to they forget their social positions and the intellectual gulf between
leave his old mother alone. Hugh without paying heed to Jimmy's them. The bear represents masculine strength and the squirrel
words went abroad, leaving his poor mother to look after herself. stands for feminine softness and gentleness. The game is a kind
Both Jimmy and the old woman felt that Alison was responsible of escape to Jimmy and Alison from the harsh realities. of life and
for Hugh's departure. After Hugh had left them, Alison and Jimmy from their failure to have adjusted themselves to each other in a
had come to the flat in the Midland town. harmonious relationship.

Thus Alison who belonged to the upper class and who enjoyed life At the end of the play when Jimmy and Alison are reconciled to
in her parental house, by marrying Jimmy, an educated young each other, Jimmy says that they will be together in their bear's
man of the working class, suffered a lot because of the lack of cave and squirrels' nest and will live on honey and nuts. Thus the
money and because she was not able to adapt herself to the fantasy world of the bears and squirrels game helps in for their
changed circumstances. reconciliation.

2. Bring out the significance of the bears and squirrels game. 3. Write short notes on Colonel Redfern.
The bears and squirrels game is a brave attempt by Jimmy and Colonel Redfern, Alison's father, is a retired military officer of
Alison to compensate themselves for the failure of their marriage. about sixty. By nature he is a gentle and kind hearted man. But his
Alison who marries Jimmy against the opposition of her parents, life as a soldier has hardened him. He had spent forty years of his
leads an unsatisfactory life because Jimmy has no money and no life in India as the army commander and had exercised immense
job. She cannot bear the life in Hugh's flat. The bears and squirrels authority and received great respect.
game is the only way in which Alison and Jimmy could escape
from everything. He had left England in 1914 and till 1947 he had paid only brief
visits to his country twice or thrice and as a result of India's
Jimmy and Alison imagine themselves to be a bear and a squirrel liberation in 1947, he had returned to England. During his stay in
respectively when they make love to each other and thus forget India, England had changed a lot but he remembers only England
their human character, rationality and social prejudices. During the that he used to know before 1914 and is not able to adjust himself
game Jimmy will call Alison as a beautiful squirrel which will make to the changed circumstances. When he was in India, he used to
feel very self-important as the commander of the army. But after helpless. He could never forget it and at the age of ten he knew
his retirement he has no authority and so feels somewhat uneasy. about life, betrayal and death. Jimmy is so bitter about life in
general because of this bitter experience which he looks back in
He loved his life in India so much that when he has to leave it he anger.
felt that all happiness has gone out of his life. After his return to
England, he feels disillusioned. 5. How does Jimmy describe his bitter experience of his
father dying?
When he comes to take Alison back home, he justifies the violent Jimmy Porter is the angry young man. His anger is not at all
behaviour of Jimmy and realizes that he and his wife are wrong in superficial. It has deep roots. Jimmy is capable of suffering on
opposing Alison's marriage with Jimmy. Alison complains about behalf of others and of living in other people's place. He tells
Jimmy to the Colonel but he feels that he and his wife are Helena that he was only a boy of ten, when he had watched his
responsible for Jimmy's violent behaviour. He cannot accept father dying a slow death for twelve months. That was his initiation
Alison's statement that Jimmy married her to take revenge. When into suffering. He recalls that experience with bitterness. His
Alison is ready to go with him, he asks her whether she has really mother had been upset with his father for having done everything
decided to leave Jimmy and go back to her family. wrong. She might have felt pity for him but Jimmy was the only
one who really cared.
The Colonel behaves in a polite way to Helena and Cliff and is
much attached to his wife. He is a very cultured man. Jimmy as a boy had suffered at the bed side of his dying father.
Everytime he sat on the edge of his father's bed to listen to his
4. Give an account of Jimmy's father's death. father talking or reading, he had to fight back his tears. He had
Jimmy when he was only a boy of ten years had watched his father spent hour after hour in his father's tiny bed-room, listening to his
dying slowly by sitting by his bedside. His father had returned from father's talk which he could not understand at that age. All he had
the war in Spain in a most wretched condition. His mother was felt at that time was the despair, the bitterness and the sickly smell
bitter and indifferent to him and had no genuine respect for him. of a dying man. At that early age he had learnt what it was to be
Jimmy was the only one to take care of his father. Though his angry and helpless. When he was ten years old he came to know
mother pitied her husband, she was not ready to share his agony. more about love, betrayal and death and he has never been able
Jimmy was the only one who cared for his father. Jimmy used to to forget that experience. At the end of twelve months of watching
sit by his father's bedside and while listened to him talking, he his father, he had become a veteran. His year long vigil on his
struggled against his tears. For twelve months he watched his dying father's bed side has left a permanent scar upon his psyche.
father dying. His father had talked to him for hours and had poured Jimmy could not forget this horrifying experience of his childhood.
out all that was left of his life. Jimmy could hardly understand even
half of what he had said. In those days all that Jimmy could feel
was the despair, the bitterness and the sickly smell of a dying man.
Jimmy learnt at an early age what it meant to be angry and
6. Why Is Jimmy Porter dissatisfied with the society and 7. Why is Jimmy at war with class-distinction?
others? Jimmy Porter comes from the working class but his wife, Alison
From the beginning of the play, Jimmy speaks in a discontented, belongs to the affluent middle class. Her parents had violently
restless manner. He makes a lot of fuss about the news in the opposed her marriage to Jimmy and Jimmy is not able to forget
Sunday newspapers. He reads a couple of news and makes fun this fact though four years have passed since their marriage. So
of one of the contributors, Bishop Broomley, who supports the rich he wages a war against class distinction and always criticizes
against the poor but denies doing so. He also ridicules the woman Alison and her family. Alison's father, Colonel Redfern has
in her religious assembly. He cynically declares that those who returned from India but he could not reconcile himself to the
ostensibly make sacrifices whether of their careers, their beliefs or changed England. So Jimmy makes fun of him as always living in
their sexual pleasures never wanted those things in the first place. the past.
He condemns the so called 'posh' news papers whether
Conservative or Liberal, for the kind of gossip and conjectures they Jimmy describes Alison's brother Nigel as "that straight- backed,
publish. He is dissatisfied with the Sunday newspapers because chinless wonder from Sandhurst. Nigel's knowledge of life and
the reviews seem to be the same every week, though the books ordinary human beings is so vague and hazy that Jimmy feels that
are different. He is much annoyed by the liberal use of the French he must be rewarded with a medal for it. And the irony is that,
language since half the review of the novel in English he has read despite such glaring defects in him, Nigel will manager to become
is in French. This makes him feel ignorant. a Cabinet Minister. To Jimmy Alison's mother is a bitch whom he
wishes to be dead and says that by eating her flesh, the worms in
Jimmy calls his friend, Cliff, as an ignorant man and snubs him at her grave will get indigestion. As for Alison, she is a "Lady
the slightest pretext. He scolds his wife, Alison, for her careless pusillanimous" whose passion, however, is that of a python and
ironing of clothes. He complains that she hardly listens to him but who because of that terrific passion, devours him everytime she
goes to sleep when he begins to speak. He tells her that she has makes love to him.
got much to learn and he wishes that something like losing a baby
should happen to her to wake her out of her sleep. Jimmy is equally bitter towards Helena, Alison's friend, who is
coming to stay with them. She is one of his natural enemies. He is
Jimmy loses his temper when he hears the church bells ringing. sarcastic and critical of Alison and her cricle of friends because he
He says that the noise makes him crazy. He also flings at Miss. feels that the upper classes by their total obsession with formal
Dury, their old land lady who he says must have gone to the behaviour and intellectualism have deprived life of its basic
church and who must be swinging those bloody bells. He gets emotions. So he always wages a war against class-distinctions.
angry to find Cliff and Alison lacking in even ordinary human
enthusiasm. Jimmy is full of resentment against everybody and
everything and he criticises everything and everyone.
 The characteristics of a post-war youth:
ESSAYS The drift towards anarchy, the instinctive "leftishness", the
1. 'Look Back In Anger is a play of protest against the rejection of the official attitude, the surrealist sense of humour, the
contemporary English society. Discuss. casual promiscuity, the sense of lacking a noble cause for fighting
and the determination that no one who dies will go unmoumed,
Introduction: are the characteristics of a post war youth. All these characteristics
The play, 'Look Back in Anger was a great success on the stage are found in Jimmy, Who is the embodiment of disillusionment and
because of the Immediacy of the subject matter. The playwright rebelliousness.
has well displayed his feeling for the contemporary scene and the
temper of the post-war youth. The play expresses the unease, Jimmy's dissatisfaction:
discontent and frustration of the English society as a result of the Jimmy is bored with the Sunday Newspapers which make one feel
Suez war. The angry Jimmy Porter who comes from the working ignorant. He is discontented with his wife who never pays heed to
class has become the spokesman of this mood. The play him but starts yawning as soon as he starts speaking. He is
expresses the mood of its time, that is, the mood of the angry dissatisfied with his friend, Cliff, who is ignorant. He cannot
young man of the new educated class which felt itself denied the understand the news items in the paper. He mocks at the Bishop
opportunities of the old. and the woman who goes to meet the American Evangelist. He
criticizes the so called "posh" newspapers and is angry with Alison
Dissatisfaction of the young: and Cliff for being devoid of ordinary human enthusiasm.
'Look Back in Anger' reflects the mood and temper of England
after the Second World War. The young idealists were not at all Jimmy's war against the middle class:
satisfied with the measures taken by the Government to build up Jimmy always wages a war against the class distinctions. He is
a welfare state in their country. Though all was well with the world, hostile to the middle class. He himself comes from the working
to these young men all was not well. 1956, the year in which 'Look Class but his wife belongs to the upper middle class and he
Back in Anger' appeared was rich in causes for agitation and regards her as a hostage from the class against which he is
disillusionment all over the world and in England a protest was waging a war. He criticizes not only Alison but also her family
organizing itself round the question of nuclear disarmament. members. He ridicules her father for living in the past. He calls her
mother as a bitch and sarcastically says that her brother with his
Jimmy, the spokesman: vague knowledge is sure to become a Cabinet minister.
The young men of the post-war generation looked round at the
world and found nothing right or satisfying with it. These young Attitude towards religon and cinema:
men were labelled as the "angry young men" for whom Jimmy is Jimmy opposes formal religion and rituals. He is annoyed by the
the spokesman. ringing of the church bells. He does not want his wife to go to the
Church. When Alison prepares herself to go to the Church under
the influence of Helena, he is irritated. He criticizes the midnight
invocations to the goddess of fertility. He does not want to go to Significance of the third act:
cinema because he feels that his enjoyment of a film will be ruined Helena who stays in Jimmy's flat has become close to him. As
by the crowd that visits a cinema on Sunday nights. they are mutually attracted, they decide to marry and start life
afresh somewhere else, by leaving Midland town. Cliff decides to
Laments for the lack of good and brave causes: leave Jimmy. So, he informs that he will be leaving them for better.
Jimmy feels that as there are no brave causes left in the world,
people of his generation cannot die for a noble cause. There will At this juncture, the door opens and Alison enters. Jimmy who
be no brave new world. He calls Helena hypocritical and he never expects this is shocked. He tells Helena that a friend of hers
ridicules her ideas about life. has come.

Uncertainty and aimlessness: Alison apologises for having intruded the life of Jimmy and Helena.
Though Jimmy is a graduate he cannot find a job. He is not yet Helena feels the same way. She feels guilty for having disrupted
settled in life. He has tried all sorts of jobs and he also wants to the married life of her friend Alison. So she leaves them at once.
leave the sweet stall, but he does not know what exactly he will
do. He is just drifting. Jimmy is the typical aimless youth of the Alison is changed after losing her baby. She feels sorry for having
post. war England with his uncertainty and drift. deserted her husband and has come back to establish her
relationship with him.
Conclusion:
Just like the post-war youth, Jimmy is bored with life. Doing the When Jimmy hears about the abortion of Alison, he does not feel
routine things like reading newspapers, drinking tea and ironing upset. He blames Alison for not having sent even flowers to Mrs.
clothes have made him depressed and frustrated. He feels that his Tanner's funeral.
youth is slipping away in that way. He is sick of People because
no one has beliefs or convictions or enthusiasm. Alison understands that she has made Jimmy angry by being
passive. Now she has become submissive and she knows that
she is in need of Jimmy's support.
2. Bring out the significance of the Third Act and the end of
Osbome's Look Back In Anger. Al last Jimmy is touched, he feels pity for Alison and calls her a
poor squirrel and Alison calls him a poor bear. Thus the lovers are
Introduction: reunited.
In the play 'Look Back in Anger, Osborne has expressed the
feelings and mood of the youth of the nineteen fifties and presents Alison knows very well that Jimmy is a bully and living with him is
the life and society of post war England. a difficult task. But she is ready to live with him with all his vices
because she is in love with him.
The end of the play: Closeness with Alison:
The critics feel that the end of the play is timid and on expected After marriage, Alison and Jim quarrel with each other often.
lines. The climax proves to be very conventional. Jimmy tortures her by making bitter remarks against her class and
parents. Alison insults him by being passive and silent. Whenever
Alison surrenders to her husband's ego because she loves him the couple quarrelled, Cliff tries to pacify the feelings between Jim
and the loss of her baby and the sufferings she had underwent and Alison. He is very willing to apologise for his friend's lapses.
has made her to realise the need of him. As Alison has far greater rapport with Cliff than with Jimmy, it is to
him. that she first reveals the news of her pregnancy. As a friend,
Jimmy, though indifferent in the beginning, is happy to have his Cliff advises her to tell the news to Jimmy. Cliff is very sympathetic
wife back. He knows that Helena can only be his mistress not his to her. When Alison prepares to leave with her father in Jimmy's
wife. Moreover he hates not Alison but only the class to which she absence Cliff tries in vain to make her stay back.
belongs. So the lovers are reconciled.
Decision to leave:
Conclusion: After Alison left Jimmy, Helena stays back with Jimmy and
Though the play is full of unconventional ideas, by making Jimmy becomes his mistress. Now Cliff feels isolated. He decides to quit
a changed soft man at the end, the playwright has given a the sweet stall business and try something better. He wants to
conventional ending to the play. leave Jimmy's house also. He tells Jimmy that Helena finds hard
to look after two men. So he has decided to quit his house and will
marry some rich woman who will take care of him. When Jimmy
3. Cliff in 'Look Back In Anger', is a loyal, generous and a hears that Cliff is going to leave him, Jimmy is very upset as he
good friend. will miss his boyhood friend very much.

Introduction: Conclusion:
Cliff Lewis and Jimmy Porter are good friends from their childhood Hugh Tanner is another friend of Jimmy. Alison dislikes him
and they share a single room flat in Midland town. Jim is living with because he also belongs to the working class. But she is close
his wife Alison, who belongs to the middle class. with Cliff, though he too is of the same class because Cliff is
always generous, loyal and a good friend. To her he Is a kind
Unemployed: lovable and nice person.
Though Jimmy is a graduate he does not get a job. He tries his
hand at many things and at last is settled by running a sweet shop
to earn his living. Cliff is not as educated as Jimmy and he is also
unemployed. He helps Jim in looking after the sweet stall.
4. Consider Alison as an embodiment of the values of the integration of her family. Alison hates Hugh so much that later
upper class in 'Look Back In Anger'. when Jimmy asks her to go with him to see Mrs.Tanner in her
death bed, she refuses to accompany Jim. She has suffered ill-
Introduction: treatment and crude behaviour when she stayed with Hugh. She
Alison, the wife of Jimmy is a contrast to him. She comes from a never even sends flowers to Mrs. Tanner's funeral. Mrs. Tanner
middle class and Jimmy belongs to the working class. who is fond of Jimmy helps him to start a sweet stall. But even
then Alison does not like her or her son.
Physical appearance:
Alison is tall, slim and dark. The bones of her face are long and Her tolerance:
delicate. There is a surprising reservation about her eyes which Even four years after her marriage, she remains passive to all the
are so large and deep that they should make equivocation is criticism and biting remarks of Jimmy. She maintains her balance
impossible. Mrs. Tanner talks exuberantly of Alison's beauty. even when he provokes her by his sarcastic remarks. She makes
no remark on his working class temperament. She never mentions
Her parentage: the difference of social status. Patience is her remarkable quality.
Alison comes from a middle class family. Her father colonel
Redfern has served in India for forty years and is retired. Her Nobility and self-sacrifice:
mother, according to Jim is an overfed, over privileged old bitch. Alison who leaves with her father after deserting her husband
Her brother Nigel is busy with his politics. Alison marries Jimmy comes back to see Helena as Jimmy's mistress. Instead of getting
against the wish of her parents. angry with Helena, she feels sorry for interrupting their life. She
feels that Helena is more suitable to be the wife of Jimmy.
Her virginity:
Alison remained a virgin till her marriage which is unusual in a Helena feels guilty of disturbing the married life of her friend. So,
middle class family. Jimmy is even surprised at this and has she leaves them at once. Alison surrenders completely to her
taunted her with her virginity. He feels that she has deceived him husband saying that the loss of her child has changed her and that
in a strange way. she has realised the need for her husband's support. Finally,
Jimmy and Alison are reconciled.
Life in Hugh's flat:
After marriage as Jimmy had no money and no job, his boyhood Conclusion:
friend Hugh Tanner readily accomodates them in his flat in poplar. Alison knows that Jimmy is a bully and living with him is an uphill
Jimmy expects Alison to be affectionate to Hugh but as Hugh is task. But, as her love for him is genuine, she accepts Jimmy with
softly insulting, Alison cannot do so. She even hates him because all his vices and is ready to live with him.
he and Jimmy used her hostage to exploit her rich relations and
friends. Then Hugh decides to go abroad to seek better prospects.
His aged mother feels that Alison is wholly responsible for the dis
5. Is Jimmy Porter a self-portrayal of John Osborne? evocation of a time of home made cakes, bright ideas and bright
uniforms. Jimmy is profoundly sentimental and his sense of
Introduction: emotional loss is very much the same from which Osborne himself
Osborne's best works can be called autobiographical and his had suffered.
literary life work is considered as an extended autobiography. He
writes because of his internal compulsions. In his plays he Family background:
externalises his inner compulsions and frustrations and thus finds Jimmy Porter comes from the working class and is a graduate but
a reliet In his youth he has to bear great emotional stress and he does not get a job which his qualification deserves. So he is
strain and has to face many urgent personal problems. In his frustrated. Like Jimmy, Osborne was born in a London Suburb of
writings he expresses his inner suffering, frustration and emotional poor middle class parents. He got his education at Bellmout,
complexes. So his major characters seem to be the projections of college Devon, where he was unhappy most of the time. His
his inner urges and frustrations. childhood was unhappy. Jimmy's father dies when he is only ten
years old and he watches his father dying slowly. So, also
Jimmy Porter, a self portrait: Osbome's father died when he was only tweleve years old and he
Jimmy is deeply involved in the class war as Osboume was. He too must have seen his father dying by inches. Osborne's mother,
comes from the working class and is proud of being so and is self- a bourgeois intellectual resembles Alison in many ways.
consciously proletarian. Osborne's family had also worked hard to
earn their livelyhood. His grandfather was a shabby genteel Consciousness of class conflict:
Edwardian as Alison's father, Colonel Redfern. Through Jimmy, Osborne has expressed his own consciousness
of class conflict. his own frustrations and his own bitterness.
Jimmy marries Alison who belongs to the middle class and as he Emotionally, Jimmy is certainly a self-portrait of Osborne.
is hostile to the middle class, he regards her as a hostage from
that class against which he is waging a war. He never reconciles Conclusion:
himself to the middle class origin of Alison but always criticizes her Osborne was an angry youngman in life and Jimmy is an angry
family. The playwright has imparted his own hostility to the upper young man in the play. Though Jimmy's views are not his views,
classes to Jimmy Jimmy's anger is certainly that of Osborne's. That is why the play,
'Look Back in Anger' is called an angry young play by an angry
Nostalgia: young man
The nostalgia that pervades Jimmy's rhetoric is Osborne's own
nostalgia for a vanished Edwardian world of his grandfather, a
world, the pleasures of which Osborne had never enjoyed. That is
why Jimmy's nostalgia is less a nostalgia for past experience than
for denied experience. When Colonel Redfern recalls his days in
India as an army commander, his words echo Jimmy's earlier
6. Justify the title of the play 'Look Back In Anger'.
Jimmy's anger starts in human idealism and he desires that men
Introduction: should be more honest, more alive and more human than they
The title of the play should be apt and it should suggest to the normally are.
readers what the play is about. The title 'Look Back in Anger is a
suitable one, as it deals with the anger of Jimmy, the hero of the He becomes convinced that he is the only one who knows what
play. It is Jimmy's anger that drives the play and makes the wheel suffering is and so has every right to scourge those who are less
go round. agitated than himself.

Anger and Protest: The play is much more about the sense of frustration and
The title has two parts namely, "Look Back' and 'in Anger'. The bitterness induced by an intangible emotional loss than about any
play has enough of anger. The entire play is an anger monologue good, brave causes.
of the frustrated young man Jimmy He attacks everything and
everyone around him like Alison, her family members, Cliff, Regret for a vanished youth:
Helena, the Bishop, Church, Sunday Newspapers the social Jimmy looks back with anger to the time when he was a ten year
system, hydrogen bomb etc. old boy sitting by the side of his father who lay dying slowly. He
was the only one who really cared for his father. Even his mother,
Jimmy Porter who comes from the working class is a university in spite of her feeling of pity for the dying man, did not do much to
graduate but is forced to run a sweet stall for his living. He lives in comfort him. In those days what Jimmy could feel was the despair
a shabby flat with his upper class wife. So he angrily denounces and the bitterness and the sickly smell of a dying man. At an early
the whole social order as unjust, immoral and corrupt. He is angry age, Jimmy learnt what it meant to be angry and helpless which
because he has not got what he deserves and desires. he can never forget. He knew more about love, betrayal and death
when he was only ten years old.
The play is a protest against contemporary society. Jimmy seems
to be a rebel against the society which has betrayed the young He looks back with anger what happened to him four years ago,
people and against an older generation which has let the younger when he and Alison decided to marry. He cannot forget the
people down. Jimmy feels that the society has not treated him treatment meted out to him by his wife's relatives, especially, her
according to his deserts. mother. He is bitter over all that Alison's relatives did to him. So
he regards his wife as a hostage from the upper class against
Jimmy wages a war against the class distinctions. He is from the which he wages a war.
working class but his wife comes from the affluent middle class.
Alison's parents opposed her marriage with Jimmy and though Nostalgia:
four years have passed, Jimmy is not able to forget that. So he Jimmy is profoundly sentimental. He looks back at the past with a
keeps on criticizing Alison and her family. sense of emotional loss and expresses his frustration in a bitter
and abusive language. He constantly abuses not only his wife but alive by living in dreams or in the past. The texture of ordinary
also her family members and the class to which she belongs. despair is the staple of most of his plays.

The bears and squirrels game is a sort of enacted nostalgia. The In his plays Osborne wants to fight out the intellectual inertia which
game is a brave attempt by Jimmy and Alison to compensate possesses the youth of the twentieth century irrespective of the
themselves for the failure of their marriage, the pleasures of youth class or the profession to which they belong. In 'Look Back in
which both Jimmy and Alison have missed and which both look Anger' Jimmy charges both Alison and Cliff for being slothful and
back, the former with anger and the latter with wistful yearning. having no enthusiasm for anything. By his plays Osborne intends
to shake the young out of the lethargy that has overtaken them.
Conclusion:
Thus the title of the play is apt, suggestive and significant. Though Osborne is charged with sentimentality, he wants to make
people feel and tries to give them lessons in feeling. So his plays
have great emotional depth. His plays are full of pathos and 'Look
7. Bring out the fralts of Osborne as a dramatist. Back in Anger' is essentially a play of pathos.

Introduction: Osborne's plays succeed as plays of feeling but they fail as plays
Osborne is a working and developing dramatist who writes as the of ideas. 'Look Back in Anger' is stimulating but it does not come
mood or the moment dictates. Some of his plays like 'Look Back into the category of didactic realistic plays.
in Anger' enjoy a permanent and universal popularity, It is Osborne
who has provided the English theatre with a new germinal impulse. His language:
He is not a social realist and his treatment of social themes seems Osborne's language is the language of passion by which he
to be decidedly haphazard, not because that he has not the skill expresses the spiritual deadness of his age. He is gifted with the
to marshal them differently but because they are not of dramatic witty and stinging rhetoric. His language which is close to common
importance to him. speech has the quality of immediacy by which he conveys the
texture of ordinary despair of today's young men. The language is
Theme of his plays: forceful and vigorous and adequately it conveys the anger of the
Though social questions loom large in Osborne's plays, he is not young men like Jimmy.
concerned with social theories and their solutions. For instance
the action of the play, 'Look Back in Anger' is only indirectly Osborne's plays have strong and racy dialogues and powerful,
affected by the social problems like the class distinction. Though emotional situations but he fails to say anything important about
Jimmy is irritated by the absurdities of the English class system, society or human psychology.
Osborne's plays are concerned with the texture of ordinary
despair. He attacks people who have escaped the pain of being
Characterisation: 8. How does "Look Back In Anger' reflect the mood and
Osborne's characters are all exceptional individuals. They are temper of Post-war England?
social misfits and even neurotics. His characters are all
maladjusted figures at odds with their environment and his heroes Introduction
are not only exceptional but are not interesting. The play, "Look Back in Anger' is the key to the mood and temper
of Post- World War II England. With World War II ended an era in
In his plays Osborne gives much importance only to the central the history of Great Britain and the nation had to make a painful
figures. So very little is left for the other characters. In 'Look Back adjustment to a more modest role in world affairs. The economic
in Anger', Jimmy dominates the whole play and he is the only fully recovery of the 1950s and the industries set up after 1945 began
realized character. The passivity of supporting characters in his to yield results in increased production. This led to a demand for
plays is a weakness of Osborne. labour and large-scale immigration. Other disasters of the new era
were the Church of England, class distinctions and middle-class
Plot construction: morality.
The content or the subject matter of Osborne's plays may be new
and original but the construction of his plays are old fashioned and In literature the new generation produced the "Angry Young Man".
traditional. In most of his plays, the plots are based on the The writers of this period created a literature of protest and
conventional love triangle as in 'Look Back in Anger". produced characters with a working- class background. These
characters were generally disturbed, angry, desperate and
Limited range: anguished. Jimmy Porter of "Look Back in Anger' emerged out of
Osborne has a limited range and he could achieve success only this intellectual climate.
by working within this limited range. Whenever he attempted
genres outside his range, he has made a sorry hash of things. Jimmy Porter, the spokesman
In the public mind, "Look Back in Anger' together with 'The
Conclusion: Entertainer' which followed it, became related at the sametime to
John Osborne whose achievement and contribution are social and political characteristics like the unease, discontent and
outstanding, is a major dramatist of the second rank. As a frustration of the English society in the aftermath of the Suez War
dramatist he is successful in conveying the texture of ordinary in 1956. Jimmy Porter, who has the working class origin becomes
despair and giving lessons in feeling. Osborne is preoccupied with the spokesman of the post-war younger generation, which looked
a number of themes and all his works are coloured by his working round at the world and found nothing right with it. He becomes the
class orientation which makes his work distinctive and different. hero of the dissatisfied young people. Most of the people who felt
this way were in their middle thirties and they were all labelled as
"angry young men" and Jimmy Porter is regarded as the cult figure
of the younger generation.
Characteristics of Post-war youth towards a practical solution. The play is a dramatisation of the way
The play, 'Look Back in Anger' presents a realistic post-war youth. in which the characters feel about these concerns.
All the characteristics of the post-war youth are found in Jimmy
Porter. Those characteristics are the drift towards anarchy, the 9. Comment on the aptness of the title of the play, 'Look Back
instructive "leftishness", the automatic rejection of the official In Anger',
attitude, the surrealist sense of humour, the casual promiscuity,
the sense of lacking a noble cause worth fighting for and Introduction
underlying all these, the determination that no one who dies shall 'Look Back in Anger' is an apt title for the play because there is
go unmourned. Jimmy is the very embodiment of disillusionment enough of anger in the play. Jimmy Porter, the hero is an youngry
and rebelliousness. man. He, who belongs to the working class, marries an upperclass
girl and through out the play, he criticises her family and her class.
Jimmy's criticism He is bored with life and is frustrated. He always rages against
Through out the play, Jimmy rages against things, persons and things, people and institutions. He is angry because he is
institutions. The ringing of the church bells annoys him as he is unhappy. His wife listens patiently but one day leaves him as she
opposed to formal religion and its ritual. He is irritated when Alison is deadly in need of peace. So, he turns to her friend. But the wife
tells that she is going to church with her friend, Helena. He scoffs returns after she has lost the baby. As she has undergone a
at the theology of Dante and at the midnight invocations to the misfortune, he hopes that she would understand him better.
Coptic Goddess of fertility in which the people of Midlands indulge.
Angry tirades
Cynical The play consists of long angry tirades. Jimmy is the
Jimmy's disillusionment has made him so cynical that he criticises representative of the younger post-war generation, which looked
the entire female sex for being too noisy and blood thirsty. He round at the world and found nothing right with it. In his long
accuses women of trying to bleed men to death and is fed up with speeches he expresses his disagreement with the society. His
hetrosexual love and is toying with the idea of following the French criticism is mostly against Alison's mother, who vehemently
philosopher novelist, Andre Gide. opposed Alison's marriage to him. The play sets up a wailing wall
for the post-war generation of under thirties and it aims at being a
Conclusion despairing cry against the prevailing injustice in society.
Inspite of being a graduate, Jimmy is not able to settle down in life.
He is a drifter who has tried at many things. He is bored with life Reasons for his anger
and tries to escape from this boredom by playing loudly on his Many of Jimmy's impressive tirades are concerned with the
trumpet. debased values of modern life. He is irritated over the absurdities
of the English cast-system. But what really he is revolting against
But Osborne's play is not a social tract or political treatise. Jimmy is not simply the class system but something even more frightful,
simply responds to what is happening around him without working namely, the kind of intellectual inertia or sluggishness which
afflicts the working class man like Cliff as well as the well-bred In the 1930s, Jimmy would have been a Communist and would
middle class woman, Alison. He is infuriated by the lack of have fought in Spain but now there is nothing for him to do but to
imaginative response that he encounters everywhere. He is angry run a sweet stall and relive nostalgic memories of the time when
with Cliff and Alison because they are incapable of raising there seemed to be something to believe in. Anarchism is a sterile
themselves out of their delicious sloth and he is annoyed that they attitude except when it is held by the artist. Jimmy is no artist that
are devoid of even the ordinary human enthusiasm which he he talks. and talks till he rots. He is immature. Emerging from the
expects from them. extreme youth, most people accept the world and some try to
change it. But Jimmy can do neither. So, the play 'Look Back in
Jimmy looks back with anger to the time when he was a mere boy Anger', is a tragedy.
often, sitting by his father's bedside and watching him die a slow
death. His mother might have felt pity for his father, but it was Conclusion
Jimmy, the only one who really cared. He has never known what The playwright brings out clearly the appaling side of the self-
it is to be really young. He is rooted in the past and he looks back destruction of Jimmy, which continues till the calm of desolation is
with anger at all that happened to him in the past, like the established at the end and the tragedy of Jimmy is parallelled by
treatment that he received from his wife's family and her relatives. that of Alison. Out of these complex psychological and social
He is so bitter against them that he regards his wife as a hostage themes, Osborne has made a powerful and sombre play, relived
from the upper class and aims at revenging her. every now and then by flashes of humour.

The bears and squirrels game which Jimmy and Alison play is a 10. Is 'Look Back In Anger' a one-man play?
sort of enacted nostalgia, a compensation for those pleasures
which they both have missed and at which they look back, Jimmy Introduction
with anger and Alison with wistful yearning. Jimmy Porter dominates the play, 'Look Back in Anger'. He bullies
the world in general and his women in particular for not caring. He
Themes of the play campaigns against apathy and complacency and deadness.
The basic theme of the play is the psychology of the modern Caring is the attitude he demands and advocates. For example
romantic, of the youngman who behind all his toughness and when he describes his father dying a slow death he tells Helena
rudeness is building idealised images of people and things which that he was the only one who cared. The passivity of the
they are unable to live up to and which then turn to bitterness with supporting characters especially Jimmy's wife, Alison, is a clear
him. The second theme is that his situation is made worse by the weakness of the play. Jimmy is presented as a fighter and he
fact that in the present day world, there is no cause to which he relishes a fight but all the other characters in the play are
can give himself whole heartedly, no centre on which he could disappointingly Ineffective. This imbalance cannot be denied. The
concentrate his adolescent dreams. supporting characters are too feeble to support Jimmy and his
anger.
Spokesman for Post-war youth simply Jimmy's values, with which the author is evidently in
Jimmy is undoubtedly intended by the playwright as a spokesman agreement. The content of the play is thus reduced to Jimmy's
of the post. war youth. So, he is needed to be portrayed in an views which are too indiscriminate to be taken seriously in
elaborate manner and because of this Osborne could not pay themselves. So the dramatist is committing himself in the play to
adequate attention to the portrayal of the other characters in the Jimmy's views.
play. As Jimmy has to be presented from every angle and in all his
realtionships, the dramatist has reduced the scale of the portrayal Conclusion
of other characters. It is in this sense, 'Look Back in Anger' is a The playwright has invested so much of his thought, experience
one-man play. and energy in the person of Jimmy that he had little left for the
other characters. Jimmy is responsible for both the play's
Osborne has taken much pains to portray the individual, Jimmy, tremendous initial impact and for its ultimate failure. Osborne's
who is the only fully realised character in the play. Jimmy is made portrayal of Jimmy is completely faithful to contemporary social
to express his views about the bishops, about church going, rituals reality and Jimmy can and do exist. To this extent, his creation is
and religious practices, about politics, the hydrogen bomb, about a remarkable feat of the imagination and so 'Look Back in Anger
the so called "posh" news papers, about jazz about the class can be called as a one man play.
distinctions that prevailed at that time, about suffering and about
women in general.

Mood of the play CHARACTER SKETCHES

What is important in 'Look Back in Anger' is the mood of the play.
Though the play has a coherent plot, it is not the story of Jimmy 1. JIMMY PORTER
and Alison that attracts us but it is Jimmy's anger, his mood and
Alison's passivity to Jimmy's cruelty, her mood that attract us. The Introduction:
play does not offer a genuine dramatic conflict but it offers only the Jimmy Porter is the hero of the play, 'Look Back in Anger'. He is a
mood, that is, Jimmy's anger and not a plot in its classical sense. frustrated, angry young man round whom revolves the action of
the play. His character is highly individualised, but at the same
Osborne's commitment to Jimmy's views time he is also a type the mouthpiece of the angry young men of
As a play, 'Look Back in Anger' is a relative success only by the the day-as well as a representative of universal human nature. He
standards of a shallow slice of life naturalism. It gives us one is at once individual, typical and universal.
powerfully realized, entirely possible human being and a setting in
which the other human beings, despite the talk, are not much more Anger and frustration:
than stage-furniture. And because it fails ultimately as a drama, It is Jimmy's anger that drives the play, that makes the wheels go
"Look Back in Anger fails to say anything significant about society round. The roots of his anger can be found in his class
or about human psychology. Such values as it expresses are consciousness. He is a rebel against the society which had
betrayed the young people and against the older generation which irritated and attacks her by abusive words. Jimmy's love for Alison
had let the younger people down. He is a university graduate but is genuine and he yeams for love, sympathy and understanding.
is running a sweet stall because the society has not treated him But he never gets these things from Alison and so he is angry with
according to his deserts and he is not given what he deserves and her. Only after undergoing a miscarriage Alison understands that
what he desires. other people are as much in need of love as she is at that moment.
Jimmy is ready to be reconciled with her when at the end, she
Jimmy also wages a war against class distinctions. He has come realises her mistake and submits herself to him. He loves her
from a working class family while his wife is from the affluent genuinely and tenderly.
middle class. Alison's parents had opposed her marriage with
Jimmy and Jimmy has not forgotten that even though four years Relationship with Helena:
have passed. He constantly criticizes Alison and her family Jimmy hates women and he calls Helena as his enemy and does
members. In the class divided society, Jimmy's anger and not like her visit to his house. He thinks that she is influencing his
bitterness cry from his heart for recognition. wife much and is the cause for the estrangement between himself
and his wife. But in Alison's absence, he takes her as his mistress
Jimmy's anger starts in human idealism and the desire that men and gets solace from the frustrations of life in her company. As
should be more honest, more alive, more human than they Helena is able to adjust herself to his changing moods, both find
normally are. abundant satisfaction and happiness in each other's company.

A suffering soul: Friendship with Cliff:

Jimmy suffers and is frustrated. To him the miseries of the world Jimmy is fond of Cliff who is the only friend left. When Cliff decides
are his miseries and will not let him rest. He is capable of vicarious to leave him and start a new life, he tells Helena that Cliff is a loyal
suffering. He suffers for Hugh's mother, the old woman going generous and good friend and he lets him free to go wherever he
through the sordid process of dying just as he had suffered as a wants and to do whatever he likes.
boy of ten years at the bedside of his dying father. At an early age
he learnt what it was to be angry and helpless. Imaginative Attack on establishments:
suffering is a solitary experience and Jimmy knows it. Jimmy will Jimmy's anger is directed against the establishment, the social
be lost without suffering. He is a tortured soul at war with himself system, the Sunday papers, the Bishop, the Members of
and with the world. Parliament, Church, Alisons mother, everything and everyone
around him. He is angry that everything remains the same in the
Love for Alison: society. He finds the society drab, passionless lacking enthusiasm
When Jimmy first sees Alison in a party, she seems to be a woman and devoid of any cause worth fighting for.
with a wonderful relaxation of spirit. But only after marriage, he
discovers that she has not that spirit. Moreover, Alison is always
passive and is devoid of ordinary human enthusiam. So. Jimmy is
Conclusion: world. Only after marriage she comes to know about Jimmy's deep
Jimmy Porter, a university graduate who runs a sweet stall in rooted class prejudice and his hatred and detestation for the
London, can only look back in anger and towards a void in the middle class to which she belongs. She feels that he has married
future. Though he is neither an attractive figure nor a very clear her not out of love but to have his revenge on her class. She finds
sighted one, he is a man who is driven by a genuine desire to it impossible to adapt herself to the changed circumstances and
render an account of himself in uncompromisingly human terms. as she refuses to come close to his social circle, he hurts her by
his constant verbal attacks.

2. ALISON Passive sufferer:

Alison continues to be a silent and passive sufferer under her
Introduction: husband's cruel comments on her and her family. She maintains
Alison, the wife of Jimmy, is quite an impressive woman. Her a dignified silence. Because of her misfortune of being better borm
patience is remarkable. She remains calm in the face of Jimmy's than her husband, he makes use of the fact incessantly and
ruthless attacks upon her and her family. She is not at all a feeble brutally. All that she can do is to suffer the assault passively. Her
or spineless person. Her strength lies in her power of endurance. passivity irritates Jimmy and he criticizes her for being devoid of
the ordinary human enthusiasm.
Physical appearance:
Alison, who comes from the upper middle class family is tall, slim Non-allegiance:
and dark. The bones of her face are long and delicate. Her eyes Jimmy tries to win her allegiance to his vision of life but fails
are large and deep and she has an elegant air about her. She has because Alison never learns to adopt his set of values and give up
an elusive personality. the ones she is used to since her birth. She hates Hug Tanner at
first sight and she cannot love Mrs. Tanner. When Hugh goes
Married life: abroad, Jimmy and Mrs. Tanner feel that Alison is responsible for
Alison meets Jimmy in a party, falls in love with him and marries the separation. Jimmy feels that Alison has betrayed him by
him against her parent's opposition. At the time of her marriage, marrying him while remaining mentally and spiritually in her
Jimmy had no job and no money. He takes her to his friend Hugh's parent's world. He wishes that she must undergo pain and
flat where her life was a nightmare. Hugh and Jimmy regarded her suffering before she can learn to think like him.
as a hostage from the middle class against which they were
waging a war. Regeneration through suffering:
At the end Alison returns having lost her baby. At the time of her
Her disillusionment: miscarriage, she yeamed for the love of Jimmy. Then only she
Her marriage with Jimmy brings about a shocking change in her realises that Jimmy is as much in need of love and sympathy as
social world. In her parent's home, she was completely free and she is at that moment. After her suffering she wakes up to reality.
enjoyed life fully. After marriage she finds herself in a totally new She submits herself to Jimmy and he accepts her back.
 his life is more simple and less complicated than that of Jimmy's.
Conclusion: Jimmy is rough, boorish, crude and offensive but Cliff is gentle and
Having had a miscarriage, Alison finds herself to be the victim of has an affectionate disposition.
the cruel fate ang in her state of desolation and desperation, she
seeking the company of her husband has a psychological
justification Fondness for Alison:
Alison and Cliff have mutual love and affection for each other and
there is nothing of sex in this affection. He always tries his best to
3. CLIFF LEWIS protect Alison from Jimmy's constant verbal attacks. He wants
none of them to be hurt. So he tries to come between them,
Introduction: whenever Jimmy provokes Alison. He helps Alison in her
Cliff, Jimmy's intimate friend is of the same age as Jimmy and he household works. Alison likes him and trusts him so much that it
is also from the working class. He looks easy and relaxed and is to him that first tells the news of her being pregnant. Cliff advises
seems to have the natural intelligence of the self-taught. He is a her to tell it to her husband. He has a genuine desire to be of some
healthy young representative of the average working class young use to his friend and his friend's wife. He is a 'no-man's land"
man, between Alison and Jimmy.

Good qualities: Jimmy's love for him:

Short, dark and bigboned Cliff has more gentleman qualities in Jimmy too is genuinely fond of Cliff. He tells Alison that Cliff seems
spite of his working class origin. His talks with Alison are marked to be the only trend left to him. Later, Cliff tells Jimmy that he wants
by natural politeness and affection. He never makes any insulting to leave the sweet stall and try his hand somewhere else, Jimmy
remark. Whenever Jimmy tries to hurt Alison, he tries hie best to tells him that he is free to do whatever he wants. Jimmy tells
prevent him. Though he does not succeed, still he makes his Helena, that Cliff is a loyal, generous and good friend. He says
efforts. When Jimmy insults him he takes them in a playful that Cliff is worth half a dozen Helenas. Though Jimmy often uses
manner. Though Jimmy accuses him as ignorant uneducated and Cliff as a butt for his cruel jokes and insulting remarks, but he is
of being devoid of ordinary human enthusiasm he accepts them conscious of his friend's solid worth. Cliff possesses the virtue of
smilingly. He is friendly, affectionate and generous. solidarity which Jimmy cannot find either in Alison or Helena. He
always tries to preserve peace in Jimmy's household. He is
A contrast to Jimmy: attached both to the husband and wife. Jimmy recognizes the
He is not a university graduate like Jimmy. So he does not know sterling quality of Cliff when he tells Helena that he has a big heart.
anything about the class conflict that colours Jimmy's awareness
of life. He is not bothered by the difference between his own life Conclusion:
style and that of the upper classes. He accepts people by their Cliff is a more credible person. He instils both stability and a sense
face value and judges them by what they do or do not believe. So, of pity into the play without which Jimmy's astringency might fall
victim to a law of diminishing returns. The very incongruity of Cliff's A woman of guts:
friendship with Jimmy makes it more acceptable. Though Cliff is Helena is a spirited woman with considerable guts. She tries to
only a minor character and does not play an important role in the assert herself in Alison's house. When Jimmy speaks to her
action of the play, he is significant for his sterling merits as a friend offensively and continues to condemn Alison's mother, she has
and well wisher of both Jimmy and Alison, his virtue of solidarity the guts to tell Jimmy that she feels like slapping him.
and loyalty, his simple nature and his general good nature and Jimmy's comment on her:
sense of humour. Jimmy says that Helena is one of his natural enemies. He critcizes
the middle class society and looks upon Helena as the
representative of that class and talks in a bitter and sarcastic
manner about her. He refers to her as an expert in the new
4. HELENA CHARLES economics- the economics of the supernatural. He says that
Helena and others like her spend their time mostly looking forward
Introduction: to the past and that they can see the light only in the Dark Age. To
Helena, Alison's friend belongs to the same upper middle class to him Helena is an altogether too- perfect embodiment of everything
which Alison belonged to, before her marriage. But as an that he despises. He insults her in a most ungentlemanly manner.
individual she is completely different from Alison. She is a vibrant
and forceful personality. She is very attractive and has an obvious Her relationship with Jimmy:
sense of authority. She represents middle-class womanhood After Alison leaves Jimmy, Helena takes her place and lives with
which feels very secure in its Inherent rights. Her behaviour shows Jimmy as his mistress. Helena and Jimmy are able to adjust
her self-importance, power and dignity. themselves to each other well and live harmoniously. Helena is
more accomodating than Alison and she adjust herself to Jimmy's
Her influence on Alison: moods well. So, both find abundant satisfaction and happiness in
Helena is inquisitive about the relationship between Cliff and each other's company. Her loyalty to conventions:
Alison. She dislikes Jimmy and considers him to be a savage who
does not know what love or anything else means. She considers When Alison returns to Jimmy, Helena feels guilty and realizes the
Jimmy's flat as a mad house. She urges Alison to fight against enormous injustice she has been doing to Alison by living with
Jimmy or to get out of his house because otherwise he will kill her. Jimmy. So, she decides to leave Jimmy. She believes that her
She makes Alison to go with her to the Church. It is she who sends affair is suiful. She says that she believes in right and wrong and
a telegram to Alison's father to come immediately and take Alison she knows that everything she has done is wrong. To her, loyalty
back to his house. So, she is responsible for the separation of to conventions is more important than loyalty to people. She is not
Alison and Jimmy. a shameless, vulgar and lustful woman but a woman with a
conscience and one who hr.s not lost her sense of right and wrong.
She leaves Jimmy and Alison because she believes one cannot
be happy while doing a wrong or hurting somebody else.
Conclusion:
Helena is a dynamic character. She is a straightforward and
outspoken person. By realizing the wrong she has been
committing by living with Jimmy as his mistress, she rises to a
greater moral height.
 Tamil Summary Video (Youtube)
UNIT-IV (Novels)
Pride & Prejudice
- Jane Austen
Original Text
Author Introduction:

English Summary Video

(Youtube)

Jane Austen was born on December 15th 1775, at Steventon

parish, Hampshire. Her father Mr George Austine was the Rector
of the parish and her was Cassandra Liegh. The first twenty-five
years of her peaceful life were spent at Steventon, in which she
observed much and collected sufficient material for use in her
novels. She got inspiration from Dr Johnson's work. When jane
was twenty-one years of age, she completed her first novel Pride 2. Jane - Elizabeth's elder sister, beautiful and sweet tempered.
and Prejudice. It was considered as her masterpiece. Few of her
other famous works are Sense and Sensibility, Northenger Abbey, 3. Mr. Bennet - Elizabeth's father, irresponsible towards family.
Emma, Mansfield Park and Persuasion. Her world is limited
geographically, socially and morally. Her characters never move 4. Mrs. Bennet - Her mother, a vulgar, indiscreet woman.
out of country and all they are from the middle class. The
appreciable thing is her artistic gift i.e. pure technical excellence, 5. Mary Bennet - The third daughter.
many of her novels are unsurpassed. In the construction of plot, in
the development of character and in the artistic display of dramatic 6. Catherine (Kitty Bennet) - The fourth daughter.
situations, she ranks among the great masters.
7. Lydia Bennet - The youngest daughter who elopes with Mr.
Wickham.
Introduction of the Novel:
Pride and Prejudice is widely read as it was, Austen's romance is 8. Mr. Collins - A distant cousin of Mr.Bennet, a clergy man.
indisputably one of the most enduringly popular classics of English
literature. Written with incisive wit and superb character 9. Mr. Fitz William Darcy -The hero of the novel, a proud young
delineation, Pride and Prejudice tells the story of the Bennett man.
family, its ignorant mother, negligent father, and five very different
daughters, all of whom Mrs. Bennett is anxious to see married off. 10. Georgiana Darcy - His sister.
Set in rural England in the early nineteenth century, its major plot
line focuses on the second eldest daughter, Elizabeth, and her 11. Colonel Fitzwilliam - His cousin.
turbulent relationship with the handsome, rich, but abominably
proud Mr. Darcy. Slighted by him when they first meet, Elizabeth 12. Lady Catherine de Bourgh - His aunt, a dominating lady.
develops an instant dislike of Darcy, who, however, proceeds to
fall in love with her, despite his own better judgement. Subsequent 13. Miss de Bourgh - Her sick daughter.
to a disastrous and rejected marriage proposal, both Elizabeth and 14. Charles Bingley - Darcy's friend who loves Jane Bennet.
Darcy eventually learn to overcome their respective pride and
prejudice. 15. Caroline Bingley - His sister attracted towards Darcy.

16. Mrs. Hurst - Bingley's married sister.

WHO IS WHO IN THE NOVEL
1. Elizabath - the second daughter of the Bennets, the heroine of 17. Mr. Hurst - Her husband.
the novel.
18. George Wickham - Charming youngman who elopes with 3. Meryton - A village in the county of Hertfordshire, where the
Lydia. Lucas live.

19. Charlotte Lucas - Elizabeth's friend who marries Mr. Collins. 4. Lucas Lodge - The house of Willaim Lucas.

20. Sir Williams - Charlotte's father, neighbour to the Bennets. 5. Netherfield Park - A house taken by Mr. Bingley on rent. It is
three miles from Longboum.
21. Mrs. Lucas - His wife.
6. Hunsford - A village in the county of Kent where Mr. Collins
22. Mrs. Gardiner - Mrs. Bennet's sister-in-law who lives in lives.
London.
7. Lambton - A small town in Derbyshire where the Gardiners go
23. Mr. Gardiner - Her husband, Mrs. Bennet's brother. with Elizabeth to spend the holiday.

24. Mrs. Philips - Mrs. Bennets sister 8. Pemberley - The country residence of Mr. Darcy, very close to
the town of Lambton.
25. Mr. Philips - Her husband.
9. Brighton - A famous health resort in London. It is from here that
26. Colonel Forster - Colonel in Wickham's regiment Lydia and Wickham run away.

27. Mrs. Forster - His wife 10. Gretna Green - A town in Scotland, which serves as a refuge
for the runaway lovers.
28. Mrs. Reynolds - House keeper at Pemberley.

CHARACTERS A BRIEF
PLACE IN THE NOVEL
INTRODUCTION
1. Hert ford shire, Kent and Derby shire - Three counties in
England. Elizabeth Bennet
The novel's protagonist. The second daughter of Mr. Bennet,
2. Longbourn - A village in the county of Derbyshire where the Elizabeth is the most intelligent and sensible of the five Bennet
Bennets live. sisters. She is well read and quick-witted, with a tongue that
occasionally proves too sharp for her own good. Her realization of
Darcy's essential goodness eventually triumphs over her initial Mrs. Bennet
prejudice against him. Mr. Bennet's wife, a foolish, noisy woman whose only goal in life
is to see her daughters married. Because of her low breeding and
Fitzwilliam Darcy often unbecoming behavior, Mrs. Bennet often repels the very
A wealthy gentleman, the master of Pemberley, and the nephew suitors whom she tries to attract for her daughters.
of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Though Darcy is intelligent and
honest, his excess of pride causes him to look down on his social George Wickham
inferiors. Over the course of the novel, he tempers his class- A handsome, fortune-hunting militia officer. Wickham's good looks
consciousness and learns to admire and love Elizabeth for her and charm attract Elizabeth initially, but Darcy's revelation about
strong character. Wickham's disreputable past clues her in to his true nature and
simultaneously draws her closer to Darcy.
Jane Bennet
The eldest and most beautiful Bennet sister. Jane is more Lydia Bennet
reserved and gentler than Elizabeth. The easy pleasantness with The youngest Bennet sister, she is gossipy, immature, and self-
which she and Bingley interact contrasts starkly with the mutual involved. Unlike Elizabeth, Lydia filings herself headlong into
distaste that marks the encounters between Elizabeth and Darcy. romance and ends up running off with Wickham.

Charles Bingley Mr. Collins

Darcy's considerably wealthy best friend. Bingley's purchase of A pompous, generally idiotic clergyman who stands to inherit Mr.
Netherfield, an estate near the Bennets, serves as the impetus for Bennet's property. Mr. Collins's own social status is nothing to
the novel. He is a genial, well-intentioned gentleman, whose easy- brag about, but he takes great pains to let everyone and anyone
going nature contrasts with Darcy's initially discourteous know that Lady Catherine de Bourgh serves as his patroness. He
demeanor. He is blissfully uncaring about class differences. is the worst combination of snobbish and obsequious.

Mr. Bennet Miss Bingley

The patriarch of the Bennet family, a gentleman of modest income Bingley's snobbish sister. Miss Bingley bears inordinate disdain
with five unmarried daughters. Mr. Bennet has a sarcastic, cynical for Elizabeth's middie- class background. Her vain attempts to
sense of humor that he uses to purposefully Irritate his wife. gamer Darcy's attention cause Darcy to admire Elizabeth's self-
Though he loves his daughters (Elizabeth in particular), he often possessed character even more.
fails as a parent, preferring to withdraw from the never-ending
marriage concerns of the women around him rather than offer Lady Catherine De Bourgh
help. A rich, bossy noblewoman; Mr. Collins's patron and Darcy's aunt.
Lady Catherine epitomizes class snobbery, especially in her
attempts to order the middle-class Elizabeth away from her well-
bred nephew. CHAPTERWISE SUMMARY
Mr. And Mrs. Gardiner CHAPTER-1
Mrs.Bennet's brother and his wife. The Gardiners, caring, In the country village of Longbourn in Hertfordshire, lived Mr. and
nurturing, and full of common sense, often prove to be better Mrs. Bennet with their five marriageable daughters. Though they
parents to the Bennet daughters than Mr. Bennet and his wife. had been married for twenty three years, they had no mutual
understanding. Mr. Bennet was reserved while his wife had
Charlotte Lucas uncertain temper and mean understanding. Her only aim in life
Elizabeth's dear friend. Pragmatic where Elizabeth is romantic, was to get suitable husbands for her daughters.
and also six years older than Elizabeth, Charlotte does not view
love as the most vital component of a marriage. She is more Jane was the eldest and the most beautiful of the five daughters.
interested in having a comfortable home. Thus, when Mr. Collins Elizabeth, the second was the most intelligent and cultured. She
proposes, she accepts. was the pet of her father. Mary was fond of reading and the
youngest daughters Catharine and Lydia flirted with men and
Georgiana Darcy especially military officers.
Darcy's sister. She is immensely pretty and just as shy. She has
great skill at playing the pianoforte. One day Mrs. Bennet was happy to hear that her neighbourhood,
Netherfield Park was let to Mr. Bingley, a young, rich, bachelor of
Mary Bennet London. As she hoped that he might choose one of her daughters
The middle Bennet sister, bookish and pedantic. as his wife, she insisted on her husband to call on him as soon as
he arrived.
Catherine Bennet
The fourth Bennet sister. Like Lydia, she is girlishly enthralled with CHAPTER- 2
the soldiers. Mr. Bennet was the first person to visit Mr. Bingley. But he kept it
as a suspense and made his wife get angry. When he disclosed
the matter, both the mother and the daughters were surprised and
were happy. Mrs. Bennet planned to invite Mr. Bingley for a dinner.

CHAPTER-3
From Mrs. Lucas, Mrs. Bennet and her daughters gathered
information about Bingley who was young, handsome and
agreeable. Mrs. Bennet was certain that one of her daughters
might me married to him.
 that she smiled too much. Bingley's sisters also agreed that Jane
Mr. Bingley returned Mr. Bennet's visit but he was unable to accept was beautiful and cultured.
the invitation to dinner as he was going to London the next day.
There was a rumour that he had gone to London to fetch a large CHAPTER-5
party for a ball to be held in Meryton. Lucas family lived in Lucas Lodge, near Longbourn. They were
close to the Bennets. Sir William Lucas was formerly a tradesman.
It was not a large party, it consisted of only five persons, Mr. When he was the mayor, he was awarded the knighthood "Sirl".
Bingley and his two sisters, Mr. Hurst, his elder sister's husband He was a friendly, helping gentleman. His wife was also a very
and Mr. Darcy, his friend. All were attracted by Darcy who was tall, good woman. They had several children. Charlotte Lucas, the
young and handsome and was richer than Bingley. But it was soon eldest was a close friend of Elizabeth. The next day after the ball,
found out that he was too proud and disagreeable and could not they visited the Bennets and discussed about the ball. Elizabeth
be compared with his friend who was very lively, friendly and and Charlotte agreed with the cultured behaviour of Bingley.
unreserved. Charlotte said that she had over-heard Bingley saying to his friend
that Jane was the prettiest girl. Charlotte felt that Darcy had the
Due to the scarcity of gentlemen, Elizabeth had to sit down for two right to be proud because of his wealth and social status. Elizabeth
dances. Darcy was also standing unengaged, as he had no said that she could easily forgive his pride, if he had not wounded
suitable companion. When Bingley proposed that he should dance her pride.
with Elizabeth, he loudly said that she was tolerable but not
handsome enough to tempt him. When Elizabeth heard this, she CHAPTER-6
was provoked, but controlled herself. That ladies of Longbourn and Netherfield exchanged calls. The
Bingley sisters liked Jane and Elizabeth but found Mrs. Bennet
CHAPTER- 4 and the younger daughters intolerable.
Jane and Elizabeth discussed about the Bingleys and Darcy,
when they were alone. They agreed that Bingley was handsome Elizabeth understood that Jane was in love with Bingley. She
and well mannered. To Jane her sisters were charming. But discussed this matter with her friend Charlotte and said that Jane's
Elizabeth felt that they were proud and boastful. Though Bingley cheerful nature and tolerable temper would make no one suspect
and Darcy were friends, they had different characteristics. Darcy that she was in love. Charlotte felt that to be very guarded would
liked Bingley for his easiness, openness and ductility of temper. prove to be disadvantageous.
Though Darcy was clever, he was proud, reserved and fastidious.
Bingley and Darcy had different opinions about the Meryton ball. Darcy was slowly attracted by the beautiful expression of
Bingley thought that he had met pleasant people and pretty girls. Elizabeth's dark eyes. He also admitted that she had a light and
But to Darcy the collection of people he had met had neither pleasing figure. Elizabeth who was unaware of this considered him
beauty nor fashion. Darcy agreed that Jane was beautiful but said as a disagreeable person.
In a party given by Sir William Lucas, Elizabeth entertained the cultured manner. Darcy was tired of Miss. Bingley who always
company by her songs. Sir William asked Darcy to dance with tried to please him in all manners.
Elizabeth, to which Darcy readily agreed. But Elizabeth took
revenge on him by refusing to dance with him. As Jane's condition was worse it was decided that Dr. Jones
should be sent for the next morning.
CHAPTER- 7
The village of Longbourn was a mile away from Meryton, where CHAPTER-9
Mrs. Philips, Mrs. Bennets' sister, lived. As a regiment of army was Next morning Elizabeth sent home a note asking Mrs. Bennet to
stationed in the neighbourhood, Catherine and Lydia often visited come and see Jane. So, Mrs. Bennet arrived at Netherfield Park
their aunt as they were interested in some military officers and with Lydia and Catherine. Though Jane was not in danger, Mrs.
their mother also encouraged them. Bennet wanted her to stay at Netherfield park for some more days
and the Doctor also advised so.
Jane was invited by Caroline for dinner. Mrs. Bennet made Jane
go on horseback so that she may stay at the Netherfield Park for Mrs. Bennet stayed there only for a short time. But she behaved
the night and might get a chance to come in close contact with so silly that the Bingley sisters ridiculed her and her daughters
Bingley. Because of bad weather, Jane got drenched on the way after they had left. Elizabeth was badly hurt by their comments.
and in the morning sent home a note saying that she was sick and Bingley and Darcy regarded Elizabeth to be very intelligent and
that the Bingleys had asked her to stay there till she recovered. So Darcy did not join the Bingley sisters in their criticism against
Elizabeth walked all the three miles to Netherfield to see Jane. Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth reached there, she was quite exhausted and her CHAPTER-10
appearance caused a flutter among the ladies. However she was As Jane was little better, Elizabeth joined the party after the dinner.
received politely. As Jane had high fever, Elizabeth decided to Darcy was writing a letter and Miss. Bingley was sitting by his side
stay there till she was alright. and going on complimenting him. Bingley and Mr. Hurst were
playing cards and Mrs. Hurst was watching them. Elizabeth
CHAPTER-8 engaged herself by doing some needle work.
Elizabeth had her dinner with the Bingley's and returned to Jane's
room. As soon as she left, Bingley's sisters commented on her Darcy's letter was finished. Bingley sisters were singing a song.
shabby condition but Bingley only admired her love and affection Elizabeth noticed Darcy's eyes looking at her face frequently. As
for her sister. Darcy felt that the exercise had brightened her eyes. she was unaware of the fact that he was admiring her, she thought
that he was looking at her to disapprove of her appearance. Darcy
Bingley showed a great concern for Jane and he looked after her proposed to Elizabeth to dance a reel but she declined curtly.
himself. This impressed Elizabeth much. Darcy was much Darcy was not hurt by this because he was so much attracted by
influenced by Elizabeth's quick replies, intelligent comments and
her. Elizabeth was surprised at his gallantry while Miss. Bingley they were asked to stay there till the next morning. Mr. Bingley
was feeling jealous. really regretted their departure. Miss, Bingley loved Jane, but was
jealous of Elizabeth, so she was happy about their leaving. Darcy
In the morning, Darcy and Miss, Bingley were walking together was happy about their departure because he was alarmed of his
and Miss. Bingley was criticising the vulgarity of Elizabeth's attraction of Elizabeth.
relations. They suddenly came upon Elizabeth and Mrs. Hurst,
who left Elizabeth and joined them. Darcy was annoyed of the Mrs. Bennet did not receive Jane and Elizabeth cordially but Mr.
uncivility of Mrs. Hurst. Elizabeth had to leave them. Bennet was happy that they were back, because he had missed
them a lot.
CHAPTER-11
After Jane recovered, she joined the others in the drawing room. CHAPTER- 13
Mr. Bingley was much pleased to see Jane alright. He sat by her Mr. Bennet told Mrs. Bennet about the letter of Mr. Collins
and engaged her fully. After tea Mrs. Hurst went to sleep. Darcy announcing his arrival the next day and his intention to stay there
began reading a book and Miss. Bingley also pretended to read for a week. Mr. Collins was a distant relation of Mr. Bennet and
She dissuaded Bingley from giving a ball. But Bingley said that he since Mr. Bennet had no male heir by the virtue of his will, Mr.
had committed and t was a settled thing. Collins had to inherit his property. Mr. Collins was a clergyman in
Lady de Bourgh's parish. Collins had praised his patron in the
Then Miss. Bingley started walking, she asked Elizabeth to join letter and from the letter Mr. Bennet understood that Collins was
her. When Darcy was called to join them, he denied and said that not a sensible man.
by sitting by the fire he could enjoy their figures. This led to a verbal
duel between Elizabeth and Darcy in which he said that he could Mr. Collins arrived as informed and was received politely by the
not forget the follies and vices of others soon and that his good Bennets. He appeared grave and behaved informally and praised
opinion once lost is lost for ever. Elizabeth said that his defect was Mrs. Bennet very much. So she was quite softened towards him.
to hate everybody. For this he replied that her defect was to
misunderstand everybody. Miss. Bingley started playing music. CHAPTER-14
Darcy realised that paying too much attention to Elizabeth was Mr. Collins appreciated the generosity and patronage of Lady de
dangerous. Bourgh, through whose generosity he had received his parish. He
also praised Miss de Bourgh, a sick girl. Mr. Berinet who listened
CHAPTER- 12 to him with great enjoyment was glad that his guess of Mr. Collins
As Jane was fully recovered, Elizabeth wrote to her mother, asking as an absurd man was correct.
her to send them the carriage. As Mrs. Bennet wanted them to
stay at Netherfield Park for some more days, wrote them back After tea Mr. Collins was taken to the drawing room and was asked
saying that the carriage would not be available till Tuesday. to read aloud to the ladies. Mr. Collins had just read three pages
Elizabeth made Jane borrow Bingley's carriage immediately. But from 'Fordyce's Sermons', he was
 were happy about that. On their return home, Collins praised Mrs.
interrupted by Lydia's gossip. As he was offended he stopped Philip's manners and politeness and satisfied Mrs. Bennet.
reading and spent the rest of the evening by playing backgammon
with Mr. Bennet. CHAPTER-16
Next evening, the five sisters reached Meryton with Mr. Collins.
CHAPTER-15 Mr. Wickham was already there. Mr. Collins took the opportunity
Mr. Collins was neither wise nor was educated or had a company to praise the furnishings of Lady Catherine's residence. Elizabeth
of good society. As he was brought up by his father in long was impressed by Wickham's polite behaviour.
subjection, he had inherited great humility in his manners. By
getting an early, unexpected prosperity, he had become proud and At the card tables Mr. Collins played whist with Mrs. Philips and
selfish Mr. Wickham was sitting with Elizabeth. In the course of the
conversation Wickham told Elizabeth that he was connected with
As he had sufficient income now, he decided to marry. He had Darcy's family from his infancy. After Elizabeth assured him that
heard about the beauty of the Bennet girls. By marrying one of Darcy was considered to be a disagreeable person in the
them he thought he could make amends for inheriting their father's neighbourhood, Wickham told her that his father was a solicitor in
property. On the first day he chose Jane. As he learnt that her Darcy's estate. As an appreciation of his service, Darcy's father
attentions were inclined elsewhere, he chose Elizabeth. Mrs. decided to secure him a living. So he was brought up for church.
Bennet was happy that two of her daughters were about to get But Darcy, who disliked him, was jealous and deprived him of his
married. living. He also said that Darcy's sister was also proud like him.

Lydia was anxious to visit her aunt at Meryton as she wanted to Elizabeth who believed all the scandolous reports about Darcy
be acquainted with the militia stationed there. All her sisters except could not understand how such a good man like Bingley could be
Mary accompanied her with Mr. Collins. There they met Mr. Denny friends with such a bad person like Darcy. When she asked
and his friend Mr. Wickham. Wickham about this, he said that Darcy was such a person who
knew the art of pleasing when and where he chose. He also told
When the girls were talking with the officers, they saw Mr. Bingley Elizabeth that Lady Catherine de Bourgh, the insolent lady was
and Darcy on their way to Longbourn to enquire about Jane's Darcy's aunt and that her sick daughter would inherit a large
health. Elizabeth noticed that when Mr. Darcy and Wickham saw fortune and it was believed that Darcy would marry her and the
each other, their colour changed, one became white and the other two estates would be united. When they returned to Longbourn,
red. But Darcy and Bingley rode on, the next moment. Elizabeth was obesessed with the thoughts of Wickham.

Mr. Denny and Wickham accompanied the girls to their aunt's CHAPTER- 17
house but they did not enter in. Mrs. Philips promised to invite the The next day, Elizabeth told Jane all that Wickham had told her.
officers for supper the next day, if they would also come. The girls But Jane did not believe it. She said that the injustice done to
Wickham might be an outcome of the misunderstanding between Elizabeth asked Jane to find the truth from Bingley. When Jane
the two. But Elizabeth believed that the injustice suffered by asked Bingley about Wickham, he said that he did not know
Wickham was because of Darcy. Wickham personally but he could vouch for the good conduct and
honour of his friend, Darcy. He said that Wickham had imprudently
The same day the Bingley sisters came there to invite them lost the regard of Darcy. Elizabeth was not convinced, she
personally for the ball at Netherfield. Mrs. Bennet felt flattered on remained rigid in her dislike of Darcy.
being invited. Elizabeth anxiously waited to dance with Wickham.
But Mr. Collins requested her to dance with him the first two Mr. Collins found out that Darcy was the nephew of his patroniness
dances. She had to accept him under decency. Mr. Collins' and bored his with long speeches. Mrs. Bennet was telling
increasing civility to her made Elizabeth guess that he had chosen Charlotte loudly about the prospects of Jane and Elizabeth's
her for matrimony. Mrs. Bennet also gave hint that such an alliance marriage. When Elizabeth asked her to talk low, Mrs. Bennet
would be very agreeable to her. But Elizabeth ignored the hints scolded her and passed malicious comments on Darcy more
and decided not to be confused. loudly. Elizabeth could not stop her. Mary offered to sing and made
an utter fool of her by her weak voice, Mr. Bennet had to stop her
CHAPTER-18 Then Mr. Collins gave a long speech on the duties of the clergies
Elizabeth entered the drawing room at Netherfield, expecting and bored all Everyone at Netherfield were relieved when the
Wickham but was disappointed to hear Mr. Denny telling Lydia that Bennet's family left at last.
Mr. Wickham had gone to town on business in order to avoid the
company of Mr. Darcy. CHAPTER- 19
The very next day, with the permission of Mrs. Bennet Mr. Collins
She had to bear with Mr. Collins for the first two dances. Then she talked to Elizabeth and proposed to her. He gave three reasons
accepted the offer of Darcy and when she danced with him, she for marrying. The first one was every clergyman should set an
talked about Wickam to him. Darcy could not conceal his hatred example in the parish by marrying, the second was, marriage
for him and said that Wickham was not a good man. Elizabeth and would add to his happiness, thirdly he was advised by his
Darcy could not talk on other matters, they parted in silence, patronness to marry. He was magnanimous in selecting a bride
dissatisfied. Darcy's heart was full of powerful feelings for who could bring no dowry. Elizabeth thanked him for his
Elizabeth. compliments and politely refused his proposal.

Miss. Bingley approached Elizabeth and cautioned her of CHAPTER-20

Wickham. She said that inspite of Darcy's kind treatment of After Elizabeth left Collins, Mrs. Bennet rushed in congratulating
Wickham, he had treated him in a most infamous manner, as he him. But when she heard about Elizabeth's refusal, she was much
was the son of a steward. This made Elizabeth angry. disappointed. She said that Elizabeth was proud and did not know
her own interest. This made Collins doubt the match. Mrs. Bennet
realised her mistake and insisted Mr. Bennet to advise Elizabeth
to accept the proposal. As, Mr. Bennet supported Elizabeth, she the only honourable provision. She knew that Elizabeth would not
was disappointed. Elizabeth was adamant in her refusal. Mrs. approve her decision, so she decided to inform the matter herself
Berinet could do nothing when Charlotte came to spend the day and asked Mr. Collins to keep the engagement a secret.
with them, Mrs. Bennet asked her to advise Elizabeth. Mr. Collins'
pride was hurt and he decided to withdraw his proposal. As Mr. Collins had to leave early in the morning, he took leave of
the Bennets in the night itself. He said that he would return to
CHAPTER-21 Longbourn soon.
Mr. Collins was disappointed by Elizabeth's refusal. Now he turned
his attention to Charlotte who listened to him with great civility. He In the morning Charlotte came and told Elizabeth of her
decided to stay there till Tuesday. engagement to Collins. Elizabeth was stupefied and was shocked
that Charlotte had sacrificed herself for worldly advantages.
Next morning the girls went to Meryton. Wickham, who joined
them told Elizabeth that he purposely went to town to avoid Darcy. CHAPTER- 23
Later in the day, Mr. Lucas himself called on the Bennets and
Jane received a letter from Bingley saying that their brother had formally informed of Charlotte's engagement. The Bennets could
already gone to London and they were also going there and they not believe him. Elizabeth confirmed the news. Mrs. Bennet was
had no idea of spending the winter at Netherfield. She had also angry with Elizabeth and was jealous with the Lucases, Mr. Bennet
given a hint that her brother would most probably marry Miss was calm. Lydia and Catherine wanted to spread the news in
Darcy, Jane was much upset as she thought that Bingley would Meryton..
never retum to Netherfield. Elizabeth cheered up Jane saying that
Miss. Bingley who knew that her brother loved Jane wanted him Though Jane made a prompt reply to Miss. Bingley, she did not
to Marry Miss. Darcy. So she had gone to London to keep him receive any letter from her. Mr. Collins sent a letter expressing his
there. They informed their mother only about the departure of the gratitude and announcing his arrival soon. When he came back in
Bingleys to London. a fortnight, he was received coldly. He spent most of the time at
Lucas Lodge. Mrs. Bennet was envious of Charlotte as she would
CHAPTER- 22 be the successor of her house.
The Bennets went to dine with the Lucases. Charlotte fully
engaged Collins who came with them. The next day Collins went CHAPTER-24
to Longbourn secretly. Charlotte who saw him from the upper Jane again received a letter from Miss. Bingley, confirming their
window met him in the lane, and they settled everything before stay in London for the winter. She had also talked of Mr. Bingley's
meeting her parents, who readily gave their consent to the growing intimacy with Miss. Darcy.
marriage. Charlotte knew that Mr. Collins was neither sensible nor
agreeable. But she knew that for a well educated woman of twenty Elizabeth was shocked by Charlotte's acceptance of Collins and
seven who was neither beautiful nor had any dowry, marriage was the coldness of Mr. Bingley. She was dissatisfied with the world
and believed that no human being should be trusted by their had promised to write to her regularly and to visit her in March with
outward behaviour of love and affection. her father Sir, Lucas and sister Maria.

Jane thought that Charlotte had accepted Collins because she Jane wrote to Miss. Bingley about her stay in London. As she
had high regards and respect for him. She also believed that received no reply. she herself visited her and her visit was returned
Bingley could neither be influenced by his sisters nor by Darcy. It by Miss. Bingley, Jane who had informed this to Elizabeth in her
was they who had mistaken him to be in love with her. letter had said that she noticed a lot of change in Miss. Bingley
and had decided not to have any more contact with her. She also
Except Jane everyone in the family believed that Darcy had had written that she felt some duplication on Miss. Bingley's part.
cheated Wickham, who had now become very close to them. They Though Elizabeth was pained she was relieved that Jane would
all criticised Darcy. no more be duped.

CHAPTER- 25 Elizabeth wrote to Mrs. Gardiner saying that Mr. Wickham was
Mr. Collins returned to Hertfordshire. Mr. Gardiner, the brother of now attached to another young lady Miss. King with the fortune of
Mrs. Bennet came to Longbourn with his wife for the Christmas. £ 10,000. Elizabeth was neither happy nor pained about Mr.
Mrs. Gardiner was very close to the Bennets especially to Jane Wickham's affair and she also did not hate Mr.Wickham or Miss.
and Elizabeth. When Elizabeth told her of Jane's love for Mr. King.
Bingley, she invited Jane to London for a change and Jane
accepted the invitation. Though the Gardiners lived in a different CHAPTER-27
part of the town and there would be no chance for Jane to meet In march, Elizabeth accompanied Sir William Lucas and Maria to
Bingley, Elizabeth hoped that their love would be renewed. Hertfordshire to visit Charlotte, as promised. On their way they
stopped at London to see Jane. Mrs. Gardiner told Elizabeth that
Mr. Wickham visited Longbourn frequently, Mrs. Gardiner was Jane was trying to come out of her failure of love affair. Mrs.
already acquainted with him, before her marriage. She saw Gardiner also told that Mr. Wickham had mercenary motives but
Elizabeth's attachment to him and before leaving for London, she Elizabeth did not hate him. Mrs. Gardiner invited Elizabeth for a
warned Elizabeth not to encourage such an attachment. pleasure tour in summer to Lake District and Elizabeth gladly
accepted the invitation.
CHAPTER-26
When Mrs. Gardiner warned Elizabeth, she told her that she was CHAPTER- 28
not in love and would not be rash in marriage. The next day Elizabeth and Lucases reached Hunsford. They
were received warmly by the Collins and were shown round the
After the gardiners left for London with Jane, Mr. Collins returned house and garden.
to Longboum and as scheduled his marriage with charlotte took
place and Charlotte accompanied him to Hertfordshire. Elizabeth
As usual Mr. Collins praised Lady Catherine and said that they Elizabeth noticed that Lady Catherine assumed herself to be an
used to dine at Rosings, her residence, two times a week. He said unofficial Justice of peace and interfered in the affairs of the
that they could meet her in the church on Sunday and hoped that parishioners.
they would be invited for a dinner.
At Easter, Darcy visited her aunt with his cousin, Colonel
Next day Elizabeth saw Miss. De Bourgh and her tutor Mrs. Fitzwilliam. Mr. Collins went to Rosings to pay them his
Jenkinson's stopping at Mr. Collins garden gate. Elizabeth found compliments. The two gentlemen came with him home,
Miss De Bourgh to be sickly and of a crooked nature and
wondered how she would match Mr. Darcy. After they had left Mr. Colonel Fitzwilliam impressed all by his free and easy manners.
Collins said that they were invited for the dinner at Rosings, the But as usual Darcy was haughty and reserved. He asked Elizabeth
next day. of her family. When Elizabeth asked him whether he met Jane in
London, he was confused and said that he was not lucky to see
CHAPTER-29 her. After a short while the two gentlemen returned to Rosings.
Mr. Collins felt highly obliged by Lady Catherine's invitation for
dinner so soon. So, he sang her praise and instructed the guests CHAPTER- 31
how to behave. When they reached Rosings, Sir Lucas and Maria As Darcy and his cousin were with her, Lady Catherine did not
were perplexed only Elizabeth kept herself composed. invite the Collins often. Only after a week they were invited to
spend an evening at Rosings. During this one week Fitzwilliam
They were received by Lady Catherine, her daughter and Mrs. had visited Hutsford many times and had become intimate with
Jenkinson. Lady Catherine was a tall domineering lady. She was them. At Rosings Elizabeth sat by his side and they were
very authoritative. Her daughter was sick and pale. conversing freely. Lady Catherine who was left alone, called them
loudly and asked what they were talking about. When they said
They were given a grand dinner. Lady Catherine questioned they were talking about music, she said that she and her daughter,
Charlotte about her domestic affairs. She also asked Elizabeth Anne could have gained proficiency in music, if they had learned
many questions. Some of them were quite embarassing. and advised Elizabeth to practise on the pianoforte of Mrs.
Jenkinson. Darcy noted the rudeness in his aunt's behaviour and
After coffee, cards were played. When Lady Catherine felt that she was ashamed.
had enough, the game was stopped abruptly and the carriage was
ordered to take home the guests. After coffee, Elizabeth was playing on the piano. Darcy, who was
disgusted by the rudeness of his aunts' behaviour, moved and
CHAPTER-30 stood near by the pianoforte. Elizabeth thought that he wanted to
Sir William left Hunsford after a week, leaving behind Maria and frighten her. In the intervals of her playing, she talked about his
Elizabeth. Mr. Collins spent most of his time in reading and pride and particularly she referred to the first ball when he danced
gardening, Elizabeth was spared. only four dances, and as gentlemen were scarce more than one
lady was sitting down without a partner. Darcy explained that by Elizabeth understood that the friend was Bingley and that Darcy
nature, he could not move easily with strangers. was responsible for Jane's failure in love. So, she was angry and
her hatred for Darcy increased.
Lady Catherine said that Elizabeth's taste was much inferior to that
of her daughter. Elizabeth looked at Darcy's face but she could not She brooded over the matter so much, that she got headache and
trace out any sign of love for his cousin. so she did not go with the Collins to Rosings, where they were
invited for tea
CHAPTER-32
Next morning when Elizabeth was alone, she was writing a letter CHAPTER-34
to Jane. To her surprise, she saw Darcy entering her room all When the Collins had gone, Elizabeth engaged herself in re-
alone. He apologised for the interruption. When there was no sign reading Jane's letters written to her since her being in Kent. Just
of conversation between them, Elizabeth asked him whether the then Darcy came and enquired after her health and suddenly he
Bingleys had any intention of returning to Netherfield. He said that startled her by proposing to her. He told her that he loved and
they might sell Netherfield. They continued awkward conversation admired her inspite of the degradation he had to suffer by marrying
till Charlotte returned with Maria. After a while Darcy left them. her. He spoke so proudly and Elizabeth was already angry with
Charlotte thought that he was in love with Elizabeth but she him, so she refused him curtly. Darcy who was surprised at the
laughed away the idea. refusal asked the reason for rejecting his proposal. She replied
that she could not accept a man who liked her against his will,
After that Darcy paid frequent visits to Collin's residence. reason and character. Moreover, he was the one who ruined the
Sometimes he came alone and sometimes with Colonel happiness of her dear sister and he had deliberately spoiled the
Fitzwilliam. Though he looked at Elizabeth intensively, nothing career of Mr. Wickham. Darcy admitted that he was responsible
could be traced out of his look, whether there was admiration in it for separating Jane and Bingley but he was not at all at fault in
or not. He spoke very little. Wickham's case. Apologising for having wasted her time, he went
away
CHAPTER-33
Elizabeth was in the habit of walking in the park and during those After Darcy lett, Elizabeth was in great tumult. She was surprised
walks she met Darcy more than once and she found that he asked that Darcy had loved her all these months and it was really an
her Imilevant questions about her personal tastes. honour to be loved by such a risan. But she could not forgive a
man who with shameless pride agreed of what he had done to
One day as she was walking, reading Jane's letter, Colonel Jane. She was so agitated that she could not meet Charlotte on
Fitzwilliam came to her They talked about the wilfulness of Darcy. her retum. So she humed into her room.
During the conversations, Fitzwilliam told her that Darcy was
happy about saving a friend from the consequences of an
imprudent marriage. Though he did not mention the name.
CHAPTER-35 Darcy had said in the letter that she could confirm the truth from
Next morning, when Elizabeth was walking in the park, Darcy Colonel Fitzwilliam, who was one of the executors of his father's
came to her and gave her a letter and asked her to read it and will.
went away. Elizabeth read the letter in which Darcy had given the
explanation for the two charges made against him. He CHAPTER-36
acknowledged the role he had played in Jane Bingley affair He Elizabeth started reading Darcy's letter with prejudice and did not
had observed Jane and as he did not notice any special regard for agree that Jane had no love for Bingley. So she was angry against
Bingley in her behaviour, he was convinced that she was not in Darcy's pride and insolence.
love with Mr. Bingley. He had acknowledged that he might have
been mistaken. From Bingley's point of view, he felt that her But regarding Wickham's matter, she could accept Darcy's
mother's family was quite objectionable and the behaviour of her explanation. She believed Wickham to be a good man but she did
mother and three younger sisters and even her father were not know what good he had done. He himself had told her that he
enough reason to make him feel that it was not a wise match for was not afraid to meet Darcy, but he purposely avoided the ball at
his friend. Netherfield, the next week. His diverted attention to Miss. King
proved his mercenary motives. So now Elizabeth felt ashamed of
In the case of Wickham, he had totally refuted the charge against herself.
him and had given a detailed explanation. Wickham's father had
served in the Pemberley estates for a long time. In return for his This made her re-read Darcy's explanation about Jane and
service, the late Mr. Darcy supported his son at school and took Bingley. She knew that Jane did not display her feelings and also
him up his god son and had destined in his will that a clerical remembered Charlotte's remark about that. So now she felt that
profession should be given to him as soon as it fell vacant. But Darcy's explanation was not wholly unjust.
Wickham wrote to Darcy that he did not want to be a clergyman,
but wanted to study law and demanded three thousand pounds. Regarding the reproach against her family, she herself was
After receiving the money, he resigned all his claim to the clerical ashamed of the behaviour of her mother and sisters and how could
profession. He just wasted the money by leading a life of idleness a refined man like Darcy tolerate them. She came back only after
and dissipation. When the profession fell vacant, he wrote to Darcy two hours and was told that Darcy and his cousin had called on
and asked him to give it to him, but his request was rejected. Apart them to take leave.
from this he had also planned to elope with his sister, Georgiana,
with the help of Mrs. Younge, under whose care was Miss. Darcy. CHAPTER- 37
By the timely presence of Darcy, the catastrophe was avoided and The next morning Darcy left Rosings with Colonel Fitz William. The
his sister, who confided in him was saved. same day the Collins were invited for a dinner at Rosings. As
Elizabeth was still dispirited, Lady Catherine asked her to extend
her stay at Hunsford. But Elizabeth was firm in being in the town
the next Saturday.
 Elizabeth was afraid of meeting Wickham but she was relieved to
She had read Darcy's letter so many times that she knew it by know that the regiment was moving from Meryton to Brighton,
heart. She was angry against his pride. But she also realised that where Mrs. Bennet and her two younger daughters wanted to go
she was unjust in her condemnation. She could not deny the fact for a short holiday in summer. But Mr. Bennet was not ready to
that the follies and silliness of her mother and younger sisters had grant their request.
ruined Jane's happiness.
CHAPTER- 40
During the last week's stay of Elizabeth at Hunsford, they were Next morning Elizabeth told Jane about Darcy's proposal to her.
frequently invited to the Rosings and Lady Catherine gave them a Though Jane did not agree with the way Darcy put forth his
touching farewell and wished them a happy joumey. proposal, she was sorry for the unhappiness Darcy would have
got by Elizabeth's refusal. She was not happy about the
CHAPTER-38 wickedness of Wickham but yet she believed both Darcy and
Before she left Hunsford, Mr. Collins met Elizabeth alone and Wickham to be good. Elizabeth admitted that it was her prejudice
expressed his thankfulness. He hinted at her foolishness for against Darcy that made her refuse him. The two sisters decided
having rejected him and he also pointed out Charlotte's luck in not to expose the weakness of Mr.Wickham and make it public as
getting a husband like him and a patroness like lady Catherine. he was leaving the place shortly.

In four hours they reached Mr. Gardiner's house, where they Elizabeth noted that Jane still loved Bingley but she could not tell
should stay for a few days. Elizabeth was eagerly awaiting to her the role played by Darcy in removing Bingley from her. Mrs.
return to Longbourn and astonish Jane by saying what had Bennet felt that Bingley who had proved to be an undeserving
happened between her and Darcy. young man would be properly punished, if Jane died of broken
heart.
CHAPTER-39
Elizabeth and Jane with Maria left the Gardiners and came to an CHAPTER- 41
inn where Bennets' carriage was waiting for them. Kitty and Lydia As it was the last week of the regiments stay in Meryton, the young
had come to receive them. They had a cold lunch. They both ladies were sad. But Lydia was not sad as she was invited by the
behaved in the same silly simpleton manner. Colonel's wife, Mrs. Forster, to accompany them to Brighton.
Though Mrs. Bennet and Lydia were happy, Kitty was sad
Kitty and Lydia told them about Meryton and militia. Elizabeth because she was left out. Elizabeth asked her father to be strict
heard from them that Wickham's engagement with Miss. King was and not to allow Lydia to undertake the trip. As Bennet felt that
broken and that Miss. King had gone to Liverpool to be away from Lydia would never obey him, he thought it was better to let her go.
Wickham. Their parents received them warmly. Mr. Bennet was
happy to see Elizabeth. When some officers came to dine at Longbourn, Elizabeth met
Wickham for the last time. He was displeased and frightened to
know that she was frequently in the company of Darcy and
Fitzwilliam, during her stay at Hunsford. When Elizabeth said When they were going round the spacious garden, unexpectedly
about Darcy that he improved on acquaintance, Wickham replied they saw Darcy coming towards them. He had arrived a day
that Darcy behaved better before his aunt because he wanted to earlier. Elizabeth was very embarassed but Darcy behaved very
marry his daughter. Elizabeth could not help smiling at this. Then politely, and he hurried away.
they parted with mutual civility and desire not to meet again.
To the surprise of Elizabeth Darcy appeared again and wanted to
CHAPTER-42 be introduced to her relations. After the formalities were over, Mr.
After Lydia's departure, Mrs. Bennet and Kitty felt bored for Darcy and Mr. Gardiner entered into conversations.
sometime but were cheered up, several weeks before the summer
engagements began. Elizabeth was waiting for her summer trip When they departed from the Pemberley, the Gardiners were full
with the Gardiners. She received a letter from them saying that on of praise of Darcy. They could not believe how Elizabeth called
account of Mr. Gardiner's business engagements, the tour had such a man as disagreeable. They also did not believe him to be
been curtailed a little. Instead of visiting the lakes they would go cruel to Wickham. Elizabeth explained to them that if Wickham did
to Derbyshire. They visited Lambton, the native place of Mrs. not get the church endowment it was not Darcy's fault.
Gardiner. Pemberley, Darcy's place was within five miles and was
only a mile or two far from their route. Mr. Gardiner wished to visit CHAPTER- 44
the place because it had finest woods. Elizabeth was afraid and To the astonishment of Elizabeth and the Gardiners, Darcy called
embarassed to meet Darcy but was relieved to hear that Darcy on them the next day with his sister, Georgiana, who was shy and
was away from the place. She, herself was curious to see the charming. She was only sixteen years old.
place.
When they were together, Mr. Bingley made his appearance. He
CHAPTER-43 greeted Elizabeth and the Gardiners cordially. He said that he was
The Gardiners and Elizabeth were thrilled to see the natural disappointed in not meeting Jane for so long. Elizabeth observed
beauty of the Pemberley grounds. Elizabeth felt that to be mistress him closely and found out no sign of love between him and Miss.
of Pemberley would be an achievement. Mrs. Reynolds, the Darcy. Before leaving Darcy and Georgiana invited the Gardiner's
chambermaid showed them round the house. The grandeur of the and Elizabeth for a dinner, the day after next and the invitation was
house and its furniture had impressed them much. They came to gladly accepted. They decided to call on Miss. Darcy, the next
know that Darcy would return the next day with a company of morning.
friends. She said that she knew Darcy from his childhood. She
praised him much and said that the rumour about him as a haughty Elizabeth now found out that hatred for Darcy had gone from her
and proud man was unjust, as he was the most kind-hearted heart long ago and now she was grateful to Darcy for his past love
landlord and master, She said that he was good not only to the and for lovig her still. She now admired him and wished for his
tenants and servants but was also a good brother. welfare.
 see Elizabeth so upset, that he sent a servant to bring the
CHAPTER-45 Gardiners. Elizabeth disclosed the matter to Darcy and she burst
As decided, Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth returned Miss. Darcy's into tears while doing so. She blamed herself for she who knew
call, the next morning at Pemberley, Georgiana received them the character of Wickham, had not prevented Lydia from going to
cordially. With her were Miss. Bingley, Mrs. Hurst and Mrs. Brighton. Darcy was thinking about some course of action, but he
Annesley, with whom Georgiana stayed in London. did not express it out. He absolved Elizabeth from dining with him
that day and he returned to Pemberley, promising to keep it a
When they were having their refreshments, Darcy appeared and secret. Elizabeth wondered how this incident would affect her
Elizabeth tried to be easy and unembarassed. In order to ridicule relationship with Darcy.
Elizabeth Miss. Bingley said that the removal of the militia from
Meryton must be a great loss to the Bennets. Both Elizabeth and Though the Gardiners were not close to Lydia, still they were
Darcy were embarassed by her indirect reference to Wickham. worried and they packed up and left for Longboun with Elizabeth.
Miss. Darcy was confused. Elizabeth, without losing her
composure answered in a disengaged tone and saved Darcy and CHAPTER-47
his sister. On their way to Longbourn, they discussed about Lydia. Mr.
Gardiner felt that as Lydia was neither friendless nor unprotected,
After Elizabeth left with her aunt, Miss. Bingley criticised her it would not be easy for Wickham to elope with her without the
appearance. So Darcy was provoked and he made a prompt reply intention of marrying her. But Elizabeth was not relieved as she
that Elizabeth was the most beautiful woman of his acquaintance. knew very well that Wickham was deceitful and insinuating and
Lydia had no decency or virtue.
CHAPTER-46
When they returned from Pemberley, Elizabeth received two When they reached home, everybody was found to be very
letters from Jane, conveying sad news. The first letter informed depressed, Mrs. Bennet was ill. She did not feel guilty but she
about Lydia's elopement with Wickham to Scotland, to get blamed Mr. Bennet for not having let them all to go to Brighton. If
married. The second letter was more disturbing. It said that they had gone, this mishap would have not happened. She was
Colonel Forster had visited Longbourn and reported that Wickham also afraid that Mr. Bennet who had gone to London to find
neither wanted to go to Scotland nor would he marry Lydia. He Wickham might be killed in a duel by him and they would be turned
had tried in vain to trace them out. He said that Wickham was an out of Longbourn by the Collinses. Mr. Gardiner assured her that
untrust worthy man. This made Mrs. Bennet ill and Mr. Forster and he would go to London the next day to help Mr. Bennet to find out
Mr. Bennet had gone to London to trace them out. Jane had asked Lydia.
Elizabeth to cut short her tour and return to Longbourn soon.
Jane showed Elizabeth, a letter written by Lydia to Mrs. Forster
Elizabeth turned pale to read the letters. When she was about to telling that she and Wickham were going to Gretna Green and
look for the Gardiners, Darcy appeared. He was so disturbed to soon she would write her name as Lydia Wickham. Jane also
informed that Bennet was trying to find out the coach in which they record his consent. Mr. Bennet suspected that Mr. Gardiner might
had eloped. have paid atleast 10,000 pounds to Wickham, to make him agree
to marry Lydia.
CHAPTER-48
On Sunday Mr. Gardiner left for London and on Tuesday, Mrs. Mrs. Bennet was so happy that she could not control herself. She
Gardiner received a letter from him saying that he had met Mr. was in a hurry to convey the news to her neighbours, the Philips
Bennet but there was no trace of Lydia or Wickham. He had also and the Lucases. Elizabeth was disgusted by her mother's
said that as he had taken the full responsibility of finding out Lydia, behaviour.
he had asked Mr. Bennet to return to Longbourn.
CHAPTER-50
Mr. Collins had sent a letter expressing his sorrow, but he had Mr. Bennet was certain that Mr. Gardiner must have bribed
indirectly mentioned that Elizabeth's refusal of his proposal had Wickham to marry Lydia. He felt sorry for not having saved any
saved him from being involved in their sorrow and disgrace. money to be used at the time of need. He was greateful to Mr.
Gardiner and asked him about the exact amount he had spent.
Mr. Gardiner's second letter said that Colonel Forster had reported But Mr. Gardiner replied him asking him not to mention about the
that Wickham had left behind him a good deal of debt and financial arrangement again.
gambling at Brighton.
Mrs. Bennet was not at all ashamed of the situation. She was
Mrs. Gardiner returned to London with her children and Mr. Bennet indeed happy about Lydia's marriage and wanted to make Lydia
returned home. Though he had outwardly the same philosophic and Wickham stay in a house near Longboum Mr. Bennet strongly
appearance, he was deeply distressed and he was now harsh to opposed this and firmly said that he was not ready to spend any
Kitty. money for the sake of Lydia.

CHAPTER-49 Elizabeth felt sorry for having acquainted Darcy with the
The Bennets received a letter from Mr. Gardiner saying that Lydia disgraceful event. But she trusted him that he would not spread
and Wickham were found out. They were not still married and were the news. She now loved him and felt that if this incident had not
staying in London. He had also said that if Lydia was allowed her taken place, she would have happily married him.
equal share of 5000 pounds, she was to inherit after her father's
death and an annuity of hundred pounds during his life time, Mr. Gardiner wrote to Mr. Bennet saying that Wickham had been
Wickham could be persuaded to marry Lydia. He had said that persuaded to resign from his former regiment and to take a fresh
Wickham's condition was not as bad as it was feared to be. He commission in a regiment stationed in the North. Jane and
would have something left even after all his debts were cleared. Elizabeth persuaded Mr. Bennet to let Lydia and Wickham be
As Elizabeth and Jane persuaded Mr. Bennet to act according to received at Longbourn before they left for the North.
the advice of Mr. Gardiner, he agreed to do so and sat down to
CHAPTER-51 the background and let Mr. Gardiner take all the credit. Mrs.
On the day of their wedding, the newly married couple arrived at Gardiner was full of praise for Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth was so happy
Longbourn and were cordially received by Mrs. Bennet. But Mr. to read the letter. She realised that their family owed to Darcy their
Bennet was angry. Jane and Elizabeth were shocked to see that present peace and happiness. At the same time she selt ashamed
Lydia was neither changed in her behaviour nor was she ashamed of herself for her prejudice and hateful behaviour to such a
of the elopement. Wickham was also unchanged. gentleman like Darcy

They were to stay at Longbourn for ten days. Lydia wished to visit CHAPTER-53
the neighbourhood and hear herself to be called as Mrs. Wickham. Lydia and Wickham left for New-castle and this made Mrs. Bennet
Being married, she felt superior to Jane. Elizabeth noticed that dejected. But she was cheered up by the news that Mr. Bingley
Wickham's love for Lydia was not equal to her love for him. was expected at Netherfield in a day or two. Jane was
embarassed as what would people say of Lydia's elopement. Two
During her talk Lydia disclosed the fact that Darcy was present in days after his arrival at Netherfield, Bingley visited Longbourn with
her wedding. though she was supposed to keep it a secret. Darcy. Mrs. Bennet was very pleased with Bingley but she was so
Elizabeth was not happy about the presence of Darcy in the family uncivil to Darcy that Elizabeth was embarassed Elizabeth noticed
affair. So she wrote to Mrs. Gardiner asking her to explain why that Bingley still loved Jane but she found Darcy showing no
Darcy was present there. special regards to her. He was more thoughtful and Elizabeth was
disappointed. As Bingley was attracted by Jane, he paid his full
CHAPTER-52 attention to her.
Elizabeth got a prompt reply from Mrs. Gardiner saying that the
next day after their departure Darcy left Pemperley to London to CHAPTER-54
hunt for Lydia and Wickham. With the help of is Younge, who was On the following Tuesday a large party was arranged at
once the governess of Miss. Darcy he was able to trace them out. Longbourn, to which Mr. Bingley and Darcy also joined. Bingley
Fist he talked to Lydia and requested her to return to her friends. had taken his usual place by the side of Jane. Darcy was sitting at
But she was adamant. When he asked Wickham why he did not the far end of the table with Mrs. Bennet. They seldom talked to
marry Lydia, he found out that he cherished hopes of making a each other. Elizabeth was much hurt by her mother's ungracious
fortune by marriage in some other country. Darcy convinced him behaviour to Darcy, who had done so much to her family. She
to many Lydia by clearing all his debts and settling one thousand hoped that she would get an opportunity to be with Darcy. She
pounds on Lydia, purchased a fresh commission for him in the was disappointed as Darcy did not give her such an opportunity.
army. Though Mr. Gardiner was ready to sattle everything, Darcy After sometime Darcy came to her, she enquired him about
insisted on making the whole settlement himself. He felt that he Georgiana. Nothing more passed between them. Hewent away.
was responsible for Lydia being cheated by Wickham because if
he had exposed the wickedness of Wickham and made it public, Mrs. Bennet noticed the intimacy of Jane and Bingley and highly
the elopement would have been avoided. He wished to remain in hoped of their marriage soon. Jane was also happy.
 marriage was planned by their mothers when they were infants.
CHAPTER-55 So, she would not allow it to be prevented by a woman of lowbirth
After some days Mr. Bingley visited Longbourn alone because and a family of no importance. Elizabeth argued that if Darcy was
Darcy had gone to London for ten days. When he was invited for not formally engaged why should he be controlled in choosing his
the dinner he declined but agreed to come the next day. own bride and if she was his choice, why could she not accept
him. Lady Catherine threatened Elizabeth that if she accepted him
The next day after dinner, Mrs. Bennet so planned that Jane and and acted against her will, she would be despised by all who were
Bingley were left alone. Bingley was very loving to Jane, but he connected with Darcy. Though Elizabeth did not admit that they
did not propose. He went with Mr. Bennet for hunting and they were formally engaged, she refused to oblige Lady Catherine. So,
returned for dinner. Again Bingley and Jane were alone and they Lady Catherine left her in anger after insulting her by remarking
were engaged in intimate conversation and at last Bingley made about Lydias marriage with Wickham. She did not even see Mrs.
his proposal to Jane and obtained the formal consent of Mr. Bennet, who thought that she had come to convey a message of
Bennet. Charlotte.

Mrs. Bennet was happy. Mr. Bingley daily visited Longbourn. He CHAPTER-57
came before breakfast and stayed after supper. He confessed to Elizabeth was confused by Lady Catherines visit. Though she was
Jane that when he left for London, the last year he was sincerely not moved by her threats, she was not sure whether Darcy too
in love with Jane but he did not know of her being in London. Jane would be unaffected. She decided in mind that if Darcy did not
was too happy. Mrs. Bennet conveyed the happy news to Mrs. come back with Bingley at the stipulated time she would give up
Philips who made it spread fast in the neighbourhood. all hope about him.

CHAPTER-56 The next morning, Elizabeth was called by her father to his room.
A week after Jane's engagement with Mr. Bingley, Lady Catherine When she saw a letter in his hand, she thought that it must be from
visited Longboum unexpectedly and gave a surprise to the Lady Catherine, about Darcy. But the letter was from Collins who
Bennets. She entered the room with an air and simply nodded to had congratulated Jane for being engaged to Bingley and he had
Elizabeth's salutation and made critical remarks about the wamed Elizabeth not to get the displeasure of Lady Catherine by
smaliness of the house and its furniture. She declined to take any accepting Darcy. He had also rebuked Mr. Bennet for admitting
refreshment and asked Elizabeth to walk with her on the lawn. Lydia and Wickham into the house after they were married. He
When they were alone, she told Elizabeth that she had heard an said that it would be an encouragement to vice.
alarming news that Elizabeth was about to be engaged to her
nephew, Darcy. As she thought it to be a scandolous falsehood, As Mr. Bennet knew that Elizabeth did not like Darcy, he
she had come in person to have it contradicted. Elizabeth considered Collins letter as an evidence of his absurdity. Elizabeth
answered politely and firmly refused to be explicit. Lady Catherine was really sad that her father had no sense of penetration.
told her that Darcy was almost engaged to her daughter and their
CHAPTER- 58 she was in eamest and was confident of being happy with Darcy.
Darcy arrived at Longbourn with Bingley soon after Lady Jane congratulated her heartily.
Catherine's visit. Before Mrs. Bennet informed Darcy about his
aunt's visit, Bingley proposed a walk. So, a party of five, Jane, The next evening Darcy came with Bingley to Longbourn and
Bingley, Elizabeth, Darcy and Kitty set out for the Lucas Lodge. when Mr. Bennet withdrew to his library, he followed him and
Mrs. Bennet and Mary remained at home. Jane and Bingley formally sought his approval. Mr. Bennet who could not believe
purposely lagged behind and Kitty went off to meet Maria. So that, called Elizabeth and asked her whether she could be happy
Elizabeth and Darcy were left together. with Darcy. She explained to him how her feelings towards Darcy
had undergone a gradual change and she convinced him that
Elizabeth took the opportunity to thank Darcy for all that he had Darcy was her right choice. She also told her father all that Darcy
done to her family in the matter of Lydia. Darcy was embarassed had done for Lydia voluntarily. Mr. Bennet was really astonished
to find out that Mrs. Gardiner had disclosed the secret. He and he was in high spirits.
confessed that he had done everything for her sake and said that
his feelings towards her was still unchanged. Elizabeth told him When Mrs. Bennet heard the news, she was so excited that she
how her feelings for him had undergone a complete change and could not even speak coherently. Elizabeth was afraid of her
now she was ready to welcome his assurances, Both admitted that mother's vulgarity, but Mrs. Bennet was so emotional that she
their pride and prejudice had led them into awkward situations. remained silent.
They walked a long distance talking about various past events,
giving explanations for their conduct and feeling ashamed of the CHAPTER-60
harm each had done to the other. Elizabeth and Darcy talked about how and when they fell in love.
Darcy could not tell exactly because he was quite in love with
Darcy told her that he had confessed to Mr. Bingley that he was Elizabeth before he was aware of it. He said that he was attracted
wrong in thinking Jane to be indifferent and had convinced him of by the liveliness of her mind.
her love which had encouraged him to propose to Jane. He also
said that her frank and firm responses to Lady Catherine had Elizabeth wrote a letter to Mrs. Gardiner telling her about her
made him hope that she would now accept his proposal. engagement and thanked her because all was possible because
of her graciousness. Darcy wrote a formal lettery to Lady
CHAPTER-59 Catherine and conveyed her his engagement.
After a long walk Elizabeth and Darcy returned. All were talking till
evening. Jane and Bingley were in a happy mood but Darcy and Jane received a letter from Miss. Bingley, congratulating her. Miss.
Elizabeth were silent. They did not show out their feelings. When Darcy also wrote a long loving letter to Elizabeth.
everyone had left, Elizabeth told Jane that she was engaged to
Darcy. Though Jane was uneasy, Elizabeth convinced her that Mr. Bennet wrote a short note to Collins and asked him to console
Lady Catherine as much as he could.
The Collinses came down to Lucas Lodges to escape from the Key Points and Self Notes
anger of Lady Catherine. Elizabeth was happy about Charlotte's 1. Overview
arrival. • Author: Jane Austen
• Published: 1813
CHAPTER-61 • Genre: Romantic novel, Social Commentary, Satire
Jane and Bingley and Elizabeth and Darcy were married on the • Setting: Early 19th-century rural England, mainly in
same day. Jane and Bingley lived in Netherfields for a year. As Hertfordshire, Derbyshire, and Kent.
they could not tolerate the vulgarity of Mrs. Bennet and her
• Narrative Style: Third-person omniscient, with a strong
Meryton relations, they shifted to an estate within thirty miles of focus on free indirect discourse to present the thoughts and
Pemberley. Kitty now spent her time with her two elder sisters. Her feelings of characters.
behaviour had changed because she was free from Lydia's
influence. Only Mary remained at home. 2. Historical and Social Context
• Regency England: The novel is set during the Regency
Even after marriage Lydia and Wyckham were not changed. Still period (1811–1820) in England, a time marked by strict
they were extravagant in their wants and desires and were class hierarchies, limited roles for women, and the
heedless of future. Often they approached Jane and Elizabeth for significance of marriage as a social contract.
financial assistance. Though Darcy helped Wyckham in • Marriage and Social Mobility: During this period,
hismprofession, he did not allow him to Pemberley. Wyckham's marriage was often more about economic necessity and
feelings for Lydia soon became indifferent, but her love for him social status than love. Women had limited means to
lasted longer. secure their futures, making marriage one of the few ways
to improve social standing.
Though Miss. Bingley was hurt by Darcy's marriage, she did not • Critique of Social Norms: Austen subtly critiques the
express her feelings out as she wanted to retain the right to visit
social norms of her time, particularly the roles and
Pemberley. Georgiana and Elizabeth were much attached to each expectations placed on women, as well as the rigid class
other and Georgiana became quite mature in Elizabeth's distinctions that dictated social interaction.
company. Though Lady Catherine was very angry in the
beginning, gradually she got reconciled with the situation. Darcy 3. Plot Summary
and Elizabeth were always on the most intimate terms with the • Introduction:
Gardiners because it was they who united them by bringing o The novel opens with the famous line: "It is a truth
Elizabeth to Derbyshire. universally acknowledged, that a single man in
possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a
wife." This ironic statement sets the tone for the
 novel’s exploration of marriage, class, and social o Darcy’s First Proposal: Darcy confesses his love
expectations. for Elizabeth and proposes marriage, but his
o The Bennet family, consisting of five daughters— proposal is tainted by his pride and his derogatory
Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia—faces remarks about her family. Elizabeth rejects him,
financial insecurity due to the entailment of the accusing him of destroying her sister’s happiness
family estate, Longbourn, which can only be and mistreating Wickham.
inherited by a male heir. o Darcy’s Letter: Darcy writes Elizabeth a letter
• Key Plot Points: explaining his actions regarding Jane and Bingley,
o Arrival of Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy: Mr. Bingley, and revealing Wickham’s true nature. Elizabeth
a wealthy and affable gentleman, moves into begins to reconsider her previous judgments.
Netherfield Park, sparking interest in the local o Elizabeth’s Visit to Pemberley: Elizabeth visits
community. He quickly forms an attachment to Jane Darcy’s estate, Pemberley, with her aunt and uncle.
Bennet. Mr. Darcy, Bingley’s friend, initially offends She is impressed by Darcy’s refined taste, the
the community with his aloofness and pride. estate’s beauty, and the warm praise from his
o The Meryton Assembly: At a local ball, Darcy’s servants. Darcy’s subsequent polite and hospitable
refusal to dance with Elizabeth Bennet leads to her behavior surprises her.
developing a prejudice against him. Elizabeth, witty o Lydia’s Elopement: Lydia elopes with Wickham,
and independent, becomes the protagonist through creating a scandal that could ruin the Bennet family.
whose perspective much of the story unfolds. Darcy, out of love for Elizabeth, intervenes secretly,
o Mr. Collins’s Proposal: Mr. Collins, the Bennets' ensuring Wickham marries Lydia and restoring the
pompous and obsequious cousin, proposes to family’s reputation.
Elizabeth as a duty. She refuses, despite the o Darcy’s Second Proposal: After the resolution of
security his proposal could bring. Collins quickly Lydia’s situation, Darcy proposes again, this time
marries Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeth’s pragmatic with humility and genuine affection. Elizabeth
friend. accepts, and they marry. The novel concludes with
o Wickham’s Arrival: George Wickham, a charming the union of Darcy and Elizabeth, as well as Jane
militia officer, arrives and wins Elizabeth’s sympathy and Bingley.
by recounting his alleged mistreatment by Darcy.
This further cements Elizabeth’s negative view of 4. Themes
Darcy. • Pride and Prejudice:
o The Netherfield Ball: Bingley’s growing affection for o The novel’s title encapsulates its central themes.
Jane is disrupted by Darcy’s intervention, who Darcy’s pride in his social status and Elizabeth’s
believes Jane to be indifferent. This causes Bingley prejudice against him based on first impressions are
to leave Netherfield, leaving Jane heartbroken. significant barriers to their relationship. Both
 characters undergo personal growth, overcoming Darcy must navigate the pressures of social
these flaws to understand each other’s true nature. expectations to achieve personal fulfillment.
• Marriage:
o Austen presents marriage as a multifaceted 5. Character Analysis
institution—ranging from economic necessity to • Elizabeth Bennet:
romantic fulfillment. The novel critiques marriages o The novel’s protagonist, Elizabeth, is intelligent,
based solely on social standing or convenience witty, and independent. Her character arc revolves
(e.g., Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins) and around overcoming her initial prejudices and
advocates for unions based on mutual respect, love, learning to see beyond first impressions. Elizabeth’s
and compatibility (e.g., Elizabeth and Darcy, Jane refusal to conform to societal pressures, particularly
and Bingley). regarding marriage, makes her a pioneering figure
• Social Class and Mobility: in literature.
o The novel explores the rigid class structures of • Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy:
Regency England and the difficulties in crossing o Darcy is initially portrayed as proud and aloof, but as
these boundaries. Darcy’s initial hesitance to pursue the novel progresses, his true character is revealed.
Elizabeth due to her lower social standing illustrates He is a man of integrity, generosity, and deep
the challenges of class mobility. feelings, whose pride stems from his position and
• The Role of Women: responsibilities. His transformation is central to the
o Austen critiques the limited roles available to women novel’s resolution.
in her society, who are often defined by their marital • Jane Bennet:
status. Elizabeth Bennet, with her wit, intelligence, o Jane is the eldest Bennet sister, known for her
and desire for a marriage based on love rather than beauty, kindness, and naivety. Her relationship with
convenience, represents a challenge to these Mr. Bingley contrasts with Elizabeth and Darcy’s
societal norms. more complex relationship. Jane’s goodness and
• First Impressions: patience are rewarded with a happy marriage.
o The novel’s original title was First Impressions, • Mr. Charles Bingley:
emphasizing the theme of initial judgments and their o Bingley is Darcy’s friend and a wealthy, good-
potential to mislead. Both Darcy and Elizabeth make natured gentleman. His easy-going nature and
significant errors in judgment, which they must affection for Jane Bennet make him a beloved
correct to find happiness. character. However, his susceptibility to influence,
• Individual vs. Society: particularly by Darcy, highlights the theme of social
o The tension between individual desires and societal pressure.
expectations is central to the novel. Elizabeth and
• Mr. Collins: o Darcy’s aristocratic aunt, Lady Catherine,
o Mr. Collins is the Bennet family’s heir and a represents the rigid social hierarchy of the time. Her
clergyman. His obsequiousness, pomposity, and attempts to control Darcy and Elizabeth’s
focus on social propriety make him a source of relationship underscore the novel’s critique of class-
comic relief. His marriage to Charlotte Lucas based prejudice.
represents the pragmatic, rather than romantic,
approach to marriage. 6. Literary Techniques
• Charlotte Lucas: • Irony:
o Charlotte is Elizabeth’s pragmatic friend who o Austen’s use of irony, particularly in the narrative
marries Mr. Collins for security. Her marriage voice, is central to the novel’s tone. The famous
reflects the limited options available to women and opening line is a prime example of how Austen uses
serves as a foil to Elizabeth’s more idealistic views irony to critique societal norms and expectations.
on marriage. • Free Indirect Discourse:
• George Wickham: o This technique allows the narrator to slip in and out
o Wickham is a charming and deceitful officer who of characters’ thoughts, giving readers insight into
attempts to seduce Elizabeth and later elopes with their internal struggles and perceptions. It is
Lydia Bennet. His true nature, revealed through particularly effective in revealing Elizabeth’s
Darcy’s letter, serves as a catalyst for Elizabeth’s changing feelings toward Darcy.
reevaluation of Darcy. • Satire:
• Lydia Bennet: o Austen satirizes the social customs and institutions
o The youngest Bennet sister, Lydia, is flirtatious, of her time, particularly the emphasis on marriage as
reckless, and immature. Her elopement with a means of securing social and financial status.
Wickham brings shame to the Bennet family, but • Character Foils:
also provides an opportunity for Darcy to o Austen uses character foils, such as Elizabeth and
demonstrate his love for Elizabeth by resolving the Jane or Darcy and Wickham, to highlight the
situation. qualities and flaws of her main characters.
• Mr. and Mrs. Bennet: • Symbolism:
o Mr. Bennet is sarcastic and detached, while Mrs. o Pemberley, Darcy’s estate, symbolizes Darcy
Bennet is frivolous and obsessed with marrying off himself—its beauty and grandeur reflect his true
her daughters. Their marriage, based more on nature, which Elizabeth only begins to appreciate as
convenience than love, serves as a cautionary tale she gets to know him better.
in the novel.
• Lady Catherine de Bourgh:
7. Key Scenes and Analysis signifying the overcoming of pride and prejudice.
• Opening Line: The novel concludes with marriages that reflect the
o The novel’s opening line establishes the central importance of love and mutual respect.
theme of marriage and introduces the ironic tone
that pervades the story. 8. Themes and Motifs
• First Impressions: • Complexity of Character:
o The Meryton Assembly, where Darcy’s initial o The novel delves into the complexity of human
rejection of Elizabeth sets the stage for the central character, illustrating how initial impressions can be
conflict of the novel, illustrates the theme of first misleading. Both Elizabeth and Darcy must
impressions and their potential to mislead. overcome their own pride and prejudice to see each
• Darcy’s First Proposal: other’s true character.
o Darcy’s first proposal is a turning point in the novel. • Marriage as a Social Institution:
His haughty manner reflects his internal struggle o Austen critiques the societal pressure to marry for
between his feelings for Elizabeth and his sense of financial security and social status rather than love.
social superiority. Elizabeth’s rejection forces both The novel presents various marriages, some of
characters to confront their flaws. convenience and some of genuine affection, to
• Visit to Pemberley: explore different attitudes toward marriage.
o Elizabeth’s visit to Pemberley is significant in • Class and Social Mobility:
changing her perception of Darcy. The grandeur and o The rigid class structure of Regency England is a
beauty of the estate, combined with the positive central theme. The novel explores the limitations
remarks from Darcy’s housekeeper, reveal a and challenges faced by individuals who seek to
different side of his character. move beyond their social station.
• Darcy’s Letter: • The Role of Women:
o Darcy’s letter to Elizabeth, explaining his actions and o Austen portrays the limited opportunities available to
revealing Wickham’s true nature, is a crucial women and the societal expectation that they should
moment of revelation and character development. marry well to secure their future. Elizabeth Bennet’s
• Lydia’s Elopement: independence and refusal to conform to these
o Lydia’s elopement with Wickham threatens the expectations make her a pioneering figure in
Bennet family’s reputation and highlights the feminist literature.
consequences of reckless behavior and lack of • Miscommunication and Misjudgment:
parental guidance. o The novel highlights the consequences of
• Final Resolution: miscommunication and misjudgment in
o Darcy’s second proposal, made with humility and relationships. Characters must learn to overcome
genuine affection, is accepted by Elizabeth,
 their initial misunderstandings and see each other’s 10. Personal Reflection
true worth. • Key Takeaways:
o Pride and Prejudice offers a rich exploration of social
9. Reception and Legacy norms, personal growth, and the complexities of
• Initial Reception: human relationships. Austen’s witty and incisive
o Upon its publication, Pride and Prejudice was well- critique of her society, combined with her deep
received by readers and critics alike. It quickly understanding of character, makes the novel a
became one of Austen’s most popular works and timeless work that continues to engage and inspire
has remained a beloved classic. readers.
• Enduring Popularity: • Relevance Today:
o The novel’s exploration of universal themes such as o The novel’s themes of love, class, and social
love, pride, and social status continues to resonate mobility remain relevant in contemporary
with readers today. It has been adapted into discussions of society and human behavior. Its
numerous films, television series, and stage portrayal of the challenges faced by individuals who
productions, each offering a different interpretation seek to define their own identity and happiness in
of its characters and themes. the face of societal expectations continues to
• Influence on Literature: resonate with modern readers.
o Pride and Prejudice has had a lasting impact on • Character Development:
literature, influencing countless authors and o The growth of Elizabeth and Darcy as characters is
inspiring a wide range of adaptations and central to the novel’s appeal. Their journey from
reinterpretations. Its exploration of character, social misunderstanding and prejudice to mutual respect
norms, and relationships has made it a touchstone and love highlights the importance of self-reflection
for discussions of literary style, social commentary, and personal integrity in overcoming social barriers
and the role of women in literature. and achieving true happiness.
• Feminist Criticism:
o The novel is often examined through a feminist lens
for its portrayal of a strong, independent female
protagonist who challenges societal expectations.
Elizabeth Bennet’s character continues to inspire
discussions about gender roles and the constraints
placed on women in literature and society.
CHOOSE THE CORRECT 6. Whom does Mr. Collins marry?
a) Jane
ANSWER b) Lydia
c) Miss Bingley
1. Complete the quotation: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, d) Charlotte Lucas
that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want
of a_______. 7. Why does Miss Bingley disike Elizabeth?
a) house a) She is jealous of Darcy's growing attraction to Elizabeth.
b) title b) Elizabeth insulted Miss Bingley at the ball.
c) wife c) Wickham has told Miss Bingley lies about Elizabeth's
d) dog character.
d) Darcy is constantly speaking ill of Elizabeth.
2. The Bennet family lives in the village of...
a) Pemberley 8) Where do the Bingleys and Darcy go for the winter?
b) Longboum a) Pemberley
c) Rosings b) Londori
d) London c) They remain at Netherfield
d) France
3. How does Mr. Darcy offend Elizabeth at the first ball?
a) He insults her father 9. In March, Elizabeth goes to visit ________
b) He dances with Jane too often a) Miss Darcy
c) He slaps her b) Charlotte Lucas
d) He refuses to dance with her c) Wickham and Lydia
d) Miss Bingley Ans: b
4. Elizabeth's best friend is namedc________
a) Mrs. Philips 10. Lady Catherine de Bourgh is Darcy's, ______
b) Charlotte Lucas a) Aunt
c) Miss Bingley b) Sister
d) Mrs. Gardiner c) Mother
5. What does it mean that Mr. Bennet's property is "entailed"? d) First wife
a) Lady Catherine de Bourgh gave it to him.
b) It can only be inherited by a male.
c) It comes from his wife's family.
11. When Darcy propose for the first time, Elizabeth ______ c) Marry Darcy
a) Tells him that she is engaged to Wickham d) See Wickham
b) Asks him for more time
c) Tums him down 17. The novel ends with _____
d) Faints a) Darcy marrying Elizabeth, and Bingley marrying Miss
Darcy
12. Elizabeth's feelings toward Darcy begin to change when he b) Darcy marrying Elizabeth, and Wickham marrying Jane
______ c) Bingley marrying Jane, and Elizabeth marrying Wickham
a) Sends her a letter explaining his actions d) Bingley marrying Jane, and Darcy marrying
b) Fights a duel with Wickham Elizabeth
c) Sends money to Jane
d) Marries Miss Bingley 18. Who would agree that "a single man in possession of a good
fortune, must be in want of a wife"?
13. Darcy's estate is called _____ a) Mr. Bennet
a) Rosings b) Mrs. Bennett
b) London c) Elizabeth Bennett
c) Pemberley d) Mr. Bingley
d) Bringhton
19. What is the name of the estate where Mr. Bingley lives?
14. What socially diastrous romantic decision does Lydia make? a) Netherfield Park
a) She elopes with Wickhant. b) Mansfield Park
b) She marries Bingley. c) Longbourn Manor
c) She rejects Mr. Collins's proposal. d) Pemberley
d) She runs away to France with a lover. Ans: a
20. Where do Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennett first meet?
15. When he returns to Netherfield, Mr. Bingley______ a) In the garden
a) Has just married Miss Darcy b) Dinner in London
b) Pursues the priesthood c) The road to Longboum
c) Begins courting Elizabeth d) A ball in Meryton
d) Resumes courting Jane

16. What does Lady Catherine forbid Elizabeth to do?

a) Marry Bingley
b) Visit Rosings
21. What word does Mr. Darcy first use to describe Elizabeth 26. What instrument does Miss Bingley play for her guests?
Bennett? a) A pianoforte
a) Tolerable b) A pipe organ
b) Amiable c) A harp
c) Beautiful d) A violin
d) Mannered
27. Why is Darcy glad to see Jane and Elizabeth return home after
22. Who is Charlotte Lucas? Jane has recovered from her illness?
a) Mrs. Bennet's cousin a) He hates Miss Bingley
b) Elizabeth's closest friend b) He wants sollitude
c) The Bennet's housekeeper c) He doesn't like Jane
d) Mr. Bingley's oldest sister d) He loves Elizabeth

23. When Jane accepts an invitation to visit the Bingleys, how 28. When Mr. Bennet dies, who will inherit his estate?
does she travel? a) Mrs. Bennet
a) On foot b) Jane Bannet
b) On a horse c) Mr. Bingley
c) By train d) Mr. Collins
d) By coach
29. What is Mr. Collins' profession?
24. Which room in Darcy's ancestral home is discussed during a) Gardener
Elizabeth's first visit with Mr.Bingley, his sisters, and Mr.Darcy? b) Clergyman
a) The billiard room c) Lawyer
b) The ballroom d) Politician
c) The library
d) The art gallery 30. Who is Lady Catherine de Bourgh?
a) Mr. Bennett's sister
25. What social blunder soes Mrs. Bennet younger daughters? b) Mr. Darcy's aunt
make when she visits Mr. Bingley's home with her c) Mr. Bingley's grandmother
a) Getting drunk d) Elizabeth's former governess
b) Boasting about Jane's beauty
c) Making fun of Mr. Darcy
d) Cheating at cards
31. At the Netherfield ball, who does Miss Bingley warn Elizabeth 36. What promise does Elizabeth make to Charlotte?
not to trust? a) To visit her
a) Darcy b) To watch her cat
b) Denny c) To visit Charlotte's parents
c) Lady Catherine de Bourgh d) To beware of Wickham
d) Wickham
37. What does Elizabeth daydream about during her tour of
32. Who does Mr. Collins marry? Darcy's estate with the Gardiners?
a) Lydia Bennet a) Reading in the library
b) Charlotte Lucas b) Coming back with Jane
c) Anne de Bourgh c) Confronting Wickham
d) Georglana Darcy d) Being the house's mistress

33. Who is Lady Catherine de Bourgh? 38. Where does Elizabeth first meet Georgiana?
a) Mr. Bennett's sister a) At Pemberly
b) Mr. Darcy's aunt b) At Rosings
c) Mr. Bingley's grandmother c) At an inn
d) Elizabeth's former governess d) On the road

34. Who does Mr. Collins marry? 39. Why does Elizabeth avoid discussing Wickham with Miss
a) Lydia Bennet Bingley?
b) Charlotte Lucas a) it's boring
c) Anne de Bourgh b) She's embarrassed
d) Georgiana Darcy c) To protect Georgiana's feelings
d) She still loves Wickham
35. Whose behavior is Elizabeth referring to when she complains
that people lack "merit or sense"?
a) Mr. Bennet 40. What is the Bennet family's greatest worry after Lydia
b) Mr. Darcy disappears?
c) Lydia a) That Wickham is unsuitable
d) Charlotte b) That she'll be murdered
c) That she's too young
d) A ruinous scandal
41. While Mr. Bennet searches for Lydia and Wickham in London, when Darcy agrees to pay off his debts and purchases him a new
the Bennets receive a rude letter from __________ ? commission in the army. As they have no mutual love, after their
a) Lady Catherine de Bourgh marriage, Lydia and Wickham sink into indifference towards each
b) Miss Bingley other.
c) Mr. Collins
d) Mrs. Gardiner Lydia Wickham episode takes place at the moment when
Elizabeth's feelings towards Darcy changes and cherishes hopes
42. Who does Lady Catherine de Bourgh want Darcy to marry? of marriage with thim. When Darcy hears about the elopement, he
a) Miss Bingley takes efforts to trace the couple and arranges their marriage by
b) Jane Bennet clearing off the debts of Wickham. He does everything for the sake
c) Anne de Bourgh of Elizabeth. So the episode gives him an opportunity to prove to
d) Elizabeth Bennet Elizabeth his geniune love. When Elizabeth knows this, she is
overwhelmed. Her prejudice melts away and she realises that
43. Where do Jane and Bingley settle after their wedding? Darcy is exactly the man who is most suited to her. So the episode
a) An estate near Pernberly of Lydia and Wickham helps in uniting Darcy and Elizabeth.
b) the North of England
c) At Netherfield Park Lydia-Wickham episode is a criticism of the military life of the day
d) In London and it is also a criticism against parents like Mr. Bennet. If he had
greater control over his daughters and much care for them, Lydia
would not have brought disgrace to the family by running away.

PARAGRAPHS Thus Lydia Wickham episode is relevant to the novel both

thematically and structurally.
1. Write short notes on Lydia. Wickham episode.
Lydia-Wickham episode is integrally related to the main Elizabeth- 2. Write short notes on the daughters of Mr.Bennet.
Darcy plot. Lydia is attracted towards Wickham's external charm. Jane the eldest daughter of Mr. Bennet is the most beautiful and
On the part of Lydia it is infatuation and not love. Wickham does the gentlest of all. She is so beautiful that Mr. Bingley is attracted
not love Lydia at all because she has neither money, nor beauty, by her and calls her a sweet girl. Even the proud Darcy accepts
nor brains. His gambling and his extravagance has involved him that she is beautiful. Though she is charming, she is free from
in great debts and so he has to leave the neighbourhood. It is vanity. She finds no harm in others and is ready to forgive even
Lydia who is responsible for the elopement. Even after elopement, those who are responsible for she being separated from Bingley
he has no idea of marrying Lydia because he hopes of making in the beginning.
fortune by marriage in some other country. He is persuaded to
marry Lydia by Darcy and Mr. Gardiner and he consents only
Elizabeth, the second daughter, though not so beautiful as her Elizabeth, a woman of inferior birth, who belonged to a family
sister Jane, is charming and attractive. She is the pet of her father. which had no name and fame. Elizabeth coolly asked her if Darcy
The most remarkable quality of her is wit and vivacity. She wins had not been formally engaged, why should he be checked to
Darcy by her virtues, mental alertness and discipline. Elizabeth is choose a woman of his own choice and if Elizabeth was his choice
witty, vivacious, clear sighted, humorous and intelligent. why should she not accept it. Lady Catherine threatened her that
if she wilfully acted against her she would have to face the
Mary, plain but vain and affected is the least attractive of the consequences. Though Elizabeth was not formally engaged to
Bennet sisters. She has neither taste nor talent but eagerly Darcy still, she refused to do anything to oblige Lady Catherine.
displays her paltry learning and attainments. She is infact a half- Lady Catherine who became furious left the place after passing
comic and half-pathetic figure. insulting remarks about Lydia's marriage with Wickham.

Kitty and Lydia, the two youngest are according to Bennet the 4. Give 9 Reasons Why Elizabeth Bennet is a Fernale Role
silliest girls in the country. Kitty is completely under the influence Model.
of Lydia and she is little refined by the healthy influence of her two We all have something to learn from this female, icon.
elder sisters after they are married.
Jane Austen's literary heroine Elizabeth 'Lizzy' Bennet is one of
Lydia, the youngest of the Bennet sisters is the favourite of her the most badass female literary characters ever written. Fiercely
mother. She has an unstable personality and is devoid of vocal about challenging stereotypes related to gender, social, and
judgement and has no sense of shame or responsibility. cultural norms, Lizzy remains a paramount figure of defiance and
pride.
Thus the five Bennet sisters are fully distinguished from one
another. While her pride has proved costly at times, ironically portraying her
as the very judgmental figure she often fights against, it
3. Describe the meeting between Lady Catherine and nonetheless proves to be one of the many qualities of her
Elizabeth. character which fans adore. She isn't perfect. However, there is a
Lady Catherine de Bourgh visited Longbourn one day, suddenly lot to learn from her character.
and wished to go for a walk on the lawn with Elizabeth. When they
were alone, she told Elizabeth that she had heard an alarming ✓ Here are nine reasons why Lizzy is a female role model to
news that Elizabeth was engaged to Darcy, As she had thought it all readers!
to be a scandalous falsehood, she had come in person to have it
contradicted. Though Elizabeth answered politely, she firmly ✓ She is confident in herself and won't let others' biases bring
refused to be explicit on the subject. Lady Catherine told Elizabeth, her down.
that Darcy and her daughter were engaged to be married in their
cradles itself and she would not tolerate it to be prevented by ✓ She is fiercely loyal to her sisters... even the annoying one.
 ✓ She refuses to let men intimidate her and calls them out on ESSAYS
their rude behaviour.
1. Bring out Jane Austen's skill in plot construction with
✓ She challenges others through her witty and intelligent refence to 'Pride and Prejudice'.
retorts rather than through anger and petty remarks.
Introduction:
✓ She doesn't conform to others' low expectations of her. The plot of the novel 'Pride and Prejudice' is well Knit and organic.
Its precision, simplicity and symmetry are appreciable. In the plot
✓ She would rather sacrifice financial security than be stuck nothing is superfluous. The plot has no moral or philosophical, no
in a loveless marriage with a man unworthy of her. obtrusive characters and no digressive episodes. The main plot
and the sub-plot depend on each other for completion and the
✓ She doesn't place a man's value on his appearance. She interplay between characters and incidents in the novel have
judges a man for his morals rather than his attractiveness. perfect organic unity.

✓ She recognizes her faults and tries to right her mistakes The main plot:
rather than stay in denial. The affair of Darcy-Elizabeth ending in their marriage is the main
plot of the novel. The events follow logically and inevitably. The
✓ Most importantly, perhaps, is her pride in books! story begins with the arrival of Mr. Bingley with his friend Mr. Darcy
at Netherfield Park. The ball given by Mr. Bingley at Netherfield
5. Write a short note on Pride and Prejudice as a love story. Park marks a stage in the development of the plot. The conflict
Pride and Prejudice contains one of the most cherished love rises between Elizabeth and Darcy because of their pride and
stories in English literature: the courtship between Darcy and prejudice and thus the plot develops.
Elizabeth. As in any good love story, the lovers must elude and
overcome numerous stumbling blocks, beginning with the Then the events follow in quick succession by which Elizabeth's
tensions caused by the lovers' own personal qualities. Elizabeth's prejudice is increased while Darcy falls in love with her. The
pride makes her misjudge Darcy on the basis of a poor first conflict weakens as Darcy proposes to Elizabeth but it is rejected
impression, while Darcy's prejudice against Elizabeth's poor social at once.
standing blinds him, for a time, to her many virtues: After
overcoming their pride and prejudice as well as countless other Elizabeth's visit to Pemberley brings them closer. But Lydias
smaller obstacles they are happily married. disgraceful elopement parts them again though temporarily. This
parting makes Elizabeth cherish hopes of marriage and it gives
Darcy an opportunity to prove his love to Elizabeth. Thus the
attitudes of the hero and the heroine gradually but inevitably
undergo a complete reversal in such a way that their marriage marriage is based on physical charm. In Jane-Bingley's marriage,
seems to be the only natural solution. their love seems to be fragile. All these marriages are contrasted
with the marriage of Darcy and Elizabeth based on emotional
Sub-plots: compatibility and intellectual understanding. All these four
The plot of the novel is compound and not simple. Besides the marriages give the plot a fine thematic unity.
main plot there are three sub-plots namely, Jane-Bingley love
affair, Lydia-Wickham episode and Collins- Charlotte episode. All Conclusion:
there sub-plots are closely woven together with the main plot and There is not a character or an episode which does not contribute
they substantially contribute to its progress. It is Bingley who to the development of the plot. Within the limited range, Jane
brings Darcy to Netherfield and it is Jane-Bingley affair that brings Austen has achieved greatly by her ingenuity and precision of
Elizabeth close to Darcy and makes him gradually fall in love with workmanship.
her. Jane Bingley episode serves as a foll to the main plot. Jane
and Bingley are mere passive lovers as contrasted with the active
nature of Darcy and Elizabeth. Bingley's departure from 2. Examine the appropriateness of 'Pride and Prejudice' as
Netherfield to London increases Elizabeth's prejudice against the title of the novel.
Darcy as she thinks that he is responsible for the separation of
Jane from Bingley Introduction:
Jane Austen originally intended 'First Impressions' as the title of
Lydia-Wickham episode is still more relevant as it highlights the the novel, but later changed it as 'Pride and Prejudice'. This title is
nobility of Darcy and thus serves to dispel the prejudice of so appropriate and significant that it needs no justification, Jane
Elizabeth and offers an opportunity for Darcy to act heroically and Austen whose strength is in dilineating social manners is not a
prove his love for Elizabeth and thus it ultimately unites them. psychological novelist, but the title 'Pride and Prejudice' indicates
her interest in the psychological study of the interaction of the
Charlotte-Collins episode brings Darcy and Elizabeth together at human emotions like pride and prejudice.
Rosings, where she comes to know more about Darcy and
gradually her prejudice against him weakens. Charlotte marrying Appropriateness of the title:
Collins brings out the contrast of Elizabeth's prudent and noble in Jane Austen's novel, the whole of the misfortune is the result of
nature with Charlotte's materialistic nature. Thus all the sub-plots Darcy's pride and Elizabeth's prejudice, which is shown by the title.
are fused into a single compact whole.
Darcy embodies pride. He is introduced as the proudest, most
Thematic unity of the plot: disagreeble man in the world. His pride consists in his selfishness
The main theme of the novel is love and marriage, which is and overbearing and he cares for none beyond his family circle
common both to the main plot and the three sub-plots Charlotte and thinks meanly of all the rest of the world.
Collins marriage is based on economics. Lydia Wickham's
Darcy's pride hurts Elizabeth, when he refuses to dance with her between the husband and wife. She does not approve of a
by making a humiliating remark as, "she is tolerable, but not marriage which lacks such an association.
handsome enough to tempt me". When Elizabeth happens to
overhear this, she gets prejudiced against him and resolves to Reconciliation of Pride and Prejudice:
hate him In the first meeting itself, Elizabeth gets a bad impression of Darcy
who seems to be cold and extremely proud. When he hurts her by
Just as Darcy's pride clouds his judgement, Elizabeth's prejudice passing a remark about her and refuses to dance with her, she is
clouds hers. But in the end, the dichotomy between pride and prejudiced against him. On the future occasions, Darcy begins to
prejudice results in the happy union of love that ends in marriage admire Elizabeth and starts loving her, inspite of himself.
when the misunderstanding caused by the first impressions are Elizabeth's prejudice against Darcy increases because of the false
removed. In the end pride and prejudice are reconciled and tied in presentation of his character by Wickham. But finally the pride of
marriage by true affection, which is the theme of the novel. So, the Darcy and prejudice of Elizabeth are removed and they are happily
title 'Pride and Prejudice' is suitable to the theme of the novel. married.

Main theme of the novel: Conclusion:

The main theme of the novel is the search for husbands for her Darcy is proud of his social superiority and is prejudiced against
daughters of marriageable age by Mrs. Bennet. The hunt begins all those who are beneath him in his social status. Elizabeth is
with the arrival of Mr. Bingley with his friend Mr. Darcy at proud of her perception, superior personality and sharpness of her
Netherfield Park. The Jane-Bingley love story and the clash intellect. Her prejudice against Darcy starts when her sense of
between Darcy's pride and Elizabeth's prejudice accelerates the pride is hurt. So, both Darcy and Elizabeth are guilty of both pride
action of the story. and prejudice and thus the title 'Pride and Prejudice' seems to be
the most appropriate title to the novel.
The novelist is concerned with the matrimonial game of her
characters. The love story of Jane and Bingley and Lydia-
Wickham episode show the youthful vigour of the young. The 3. Write an essay on the theme of Love and Marriage in 'Pride
Collins-Charlotte episode also shows life to be a matrimonial and Prejudice'.
game.
Introduction:
Through her novel what Jane Austen wants to convey is that Love and Marriage seems to be one of the major themes in 'Pride
mutual harmony is necessary for a successful marriage. She and Prejudice', In Jane Austen's novels, love is neither a terrible
proves marriage to be a union of good persons of similar natures thing nor a very deep passion. It is just a necessity of life, when
and temperaments. To her the real aim of marriage is one is young. In her novels, she does not deal with illicit love. Love
companionship, a mutual intellectual and emotional association always ends in marriage in her novels. In 'Pride and Prejudice',
through five marriages, four new ones and a fifth old one, she
gives good reasons for marriage. Even the eloped Wickham and away with Wickham and brings disgrace to the family. She is
Lydia are made to marry at the end. responsible for the elopement as Wickham has no love for her. He
has been involved in heavy debts because of his gambling and
Mrs. and Mr. Bennet: under economic pressure he agrees to marry Lydia and the
In their temperament, Mrs. and Mr. Bennet are poles apart. Mr. marriage gives him immediate financial relief. But soon his love for
Bennet is sharp and witty but Mrs. Bennet is vulgar and silly in her Lydia tums into indifferences, though her love for him lasts a little
behaviour. They make an ill-matched couple. longer.

Mr. Bennet marries Mrs. Bennet for the sake of beauty. But once Jane and Bingley:
his attraction for beauty subsides, he realises that Mrs. Bennet Jane and Bingley are gentle and have a sweet temperament. Both
would not make him an ideal wife. So he diverts his attention to of them are free from malice and ill-will and are ready to forgive
nature and books. others. They love each other sincerely. Their marriage is certainly
going to prove a happy one as both are of good nature and
Mrs. Bennet becomes a nervous wreck and her sole aim in life is deserve to be each other's partner.
to find suitable husbands for her daughters. The daughters are
affected by the disadvantages of such an unsuitable marriage. Elizabeth and Darcy:
The indifferent and irresponsible father and a stupid and indulgent Darcy's pride and the false presentation of his character by
mother exercise a bad influence on the three young daughters. Wickham, makes Elizabeth unduly prejudiced against Darcy. But
The third daughter becomes a pedant with neither talent nor taste. as the story progresses, their pride and prejudice gradually move
The two youngest, Kitty and Lydia prove to be the silliest girls in towards understanding. Darcy sheds his pride and proves his love
the country, always running after the military officers at Meryton. for Elizabeth whose prejudice is also removed and they have
gradually developed mutual affection and understanding between
Charlotte and Mr. Collins: them. Elizabeth has love and respect for Darcy, which form the
When Mr. Collins' proposal is rejected by Elizabeth, he at once basis for a sound marriage and she is sure that they are to be the
turns his atterition to her friend Charlotte, who readily accepts him happiest couple.
and they are the first to get married in the novel. Charlotte accepts
him not out of love. She very well knows that he is a fool and his Conclusion:
company is irksome, but she is very practical and accepts him To Jane Austen, the aim of marriage is companionship and
under economic pressure. By her marriage she gives a feeling of intellectual and emotional relationship between the husband and
relief to her family members that she will not die an old maid. wife. She does not approve of a marriage where such an
association is wanting. To her life is a game of matrimony and in
Lydia and Wickham: all her novels, she is busy in finding suitble husbands for her
Lydia has neither sense nor character to control her feelings. She heroines.
is attracted by the charming personality of Wickham. She runs
 She does not present extremes of love and hate or righteousness
4. Justify by Illustrating from 'Pride and Prejudice', the and evil in her novels.
description of Jane Austen's work as 'two inches of Ivory'.
(or) Characters:
Jane Austen's range as a novelist is limited, but within her She has taken her characters from very ordinary life. Her men do
limits she is superb. Elucidate. not have high aims and her women quietly accept their social
position. She hardly refers to peasantry and gentry. In her novels
Introduction: there are no great villains, no saints, no cynics, no eccentric
Jane Austen, a very conscientious novelist is conscious of her characters. She presents the manners of a small circle of country
potenlialities and limitations. Her experience was meagre, gentle folk, who spend their time in balls and dinners and playing
insignificant and limited. She did not know deep passions and cards and visiting friends. She confines her characters in their
flights of extreme emotions. But within that limited range, she personal relationships and in their world there is no room for
could produce works of art filled with meaning. She, being the adventures or mysteries. The greatest villainy in her novels is
daughter of a country parson, spent most of her life in small elopement.
villages like Steventon, Bath, Southampton and Chawton, which
were affected neither by the great political upheavals or Woman's point of view:
revolutionary changes of the time. She had keenly observed the Certain limitations are imposed on Jane Austen by her own sex.
domestic lives of the parishioners and writes only about them. She She writes as a woman and on themes that interest women. She
Is finely alive to her limitations and never touches a character or never describes a scene without a woman. Her heroes are shown
scene that she does not know. fragmentarily. The action of the novel is presented from the
heroine's point of view. In 'Pride and Prejudice' everything is
Limited range: looked at through Elizabeth's eyes. In her novels, she has pictured
Jane Austen works on three or four families in a country village men as they appear to women and not as they appear to men.
which belong to the gentry. She confines herself to humanity in its
social and family relationships. She never presents man in relation Conclusion:
to God and never talks of religion or ethics. In her novels there are With these limitations, natural and chosen, Jane Austen has
no adventures or romantic reveries or abstract ideas or death attained the perfection of her art. She works on a narrow canvas,
scenes. There is no indication of Napoleonic Wars or French or but what she loses in largeness of canvas, she gains in depth.
Industrial Revolutions. Within the two inches of ivory, her 'Pride and Prejudice' is a perfect
piece of art, noted for its well constructed plot, good narration,
Familiar theme: simple and chaste style.
Her themes are limited to love, marriage and sex. In all her six
novels, beautiful giris wait to be married to eligible bachelors. Their
aunts and mothers hunt for these bachelors and plan to trap them.
5. Write an essay on Jane Austen's style. married life is admirable, so also is her comment on Mr. Collins.
Epigrammatism gives force and clarity to Jane Austen's style.
Introduction:
Though Jane Austen's style seems to be formal and old fashioned, Witty dialogues:
its precision, lucidity and economy reflect her disciplined habit of Jane Austen's dialogues are truthful and apt. The witty dialogues
mind and disciplined attitude towards life. Proper words in proper of the novel delight the readers. The novelist shrewdly selects
place is the characteristics of Jane Austen's style. individual idiosyncrasies in her characters and uses them
effectively. This style with its quick response to idiosyncrasy
Irony: makes her characters to be communicative.
Jane Austen uses irony as a stylistic technique of change literal
meaning to expose the laughable qualities of a character or to Conclusion:
emphasize a decided judgement. Jane Austen's irony is either Jane Austen uses simple words of everyday use and these words
playful like that used by Elizabeth or sharp like that of Bennet. are not beyond anyone's scope, but she works wonders with them.
Irony in Jane Austen's hands is a tool with multiple edge. As for as Jane Austen arranges and rearranges her words and phrases to
her style is concerned, Irony is more pervasive and it is partly her liking so that everyone of them remains exquisitely whole.
responsible for her abiding charm.

Style expressive of character: CHARACTER SKETCHES

Jane Austen's style used in her dialogue achieves harmony with
her narrative manner. She varies her style to suit her characters. 1. ELIZABETH BENNET
Each character is made to use a language of his own. For
example, Mr. Collins uses a high flown language, full of cliche, Introduction:
which shows out his conceit and absurdity. From his very first letter Elizabeth Bennet, the heroine of the novel is the cleverest, wittiest
to Mr. Bennet, he and Elizabeth understand that Collins is not a and liveliest character. Of all her heroines, Jane Austen liked
sensible man. Lydia's speech expresses her vulgarity and Elizabeth most and she herself states, " must confess that I think
silliness. her as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print: how I shall
be able to tolerate those who do not like her at least I do not know".
Epigrammatic style: Elizabeth has attracted not only many readers but also some very
An epigram is a witty pointed saying, often with balanced phrases enlightened and discerning critics.
and clauses. The playfulness and epigrammatic brilliance are the
characteristics of the style of 'Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth's Physical beauty:
speeches with balanced phrases are usually epigrammatic. The Though Elizabeth is not as beautiful as Jane, yet she is graceful
epigrammatic style used by the novelist to describe Mr. Bennet's and charming. Her beauty is not of the striking type but which
reveals itself to scrutiny. Her eyes are so facinating that Darcy's
enchantment began with his discovery of her dark eyes which Self-awakening:
made her face intelligent by their beautiful expression. In the Elizabeth is willing to leam. Her self-awakening starts when she
beginning he remarks that she is tolerable, but not handsome receives Darcy's letter giving explanations for the charges against
enough to tempt him. But the same Darcy later says that she is him. Though she starts reading the letter with a strong prejudice
one of the handsomest women of his acquaintance. He against him, gradually she realises the truth of his statements and
acknowledges her figure to be light and pleasing. feels ashamed of herself. Self-understanding gradually leads to
the awareness of reality. She understands the wickedness of
Intelligence: Wickham and her feeling towards Darcy changes. She honestly
Of the five daughters of the Bennets, Elizabeth is the best. She is accepts that her prejudice is wrong.
not only charming, but also intellectually engaging. She is mentally
sane, spiritually and emotionally disciplined and controlled. She Moral courage:
possesses loveliness of mind, delightful wit and superb sense of Mr. Collins proposes to her. His proposal promises her the
humour. Her high spirit, perfect command of epigrammatic comforts and security of a home. Besides this her mother wams
expression and her ready gift of repartee win her the admiration of her that she will not be able to maintain her after her father's death.
the readers. From the very first letter of Collins to Mr. Bennet, she Elizabeth is not bothered. She is bold enough to reject Collins'
finds out that he has no sense. She judges the character of Lady proposal.
Catherine de Bourgh, in the first meeting itself. She warns her
father of the impending dangers of Lydia's flirtations and asks him Elizabeth rejects Darcy's proposal also, eventhough she knows
not to allow her to go to Brighton. that to be the mistress of Pemberley would be something great.
She has the moral and spiritual courage to reject these proposals
Prejudice: because she does not want to marry where there is no love.
When Elizabeth happens to overhear Darcy passing a remark that
she is tolerable. her pride is hurt and she is prejudiced against him. When Lady Catherine de Bourgh meets her and threatens her to
Then onwards her prejudice makes her misunderstand every word promise her that she will not marry her nephew, Darcy, Elizabeth
and action of Darcy. Her prejudice stems from a pride in her own is bold enough to tell her that she will make no such promise.
perception. As she is blinded by her own pride, she ignores his
positive virtues and overweighs all negative evidence against him. Wit and Humour:
She is charmed by Wickham and believes his words that he is Elizabeth has an unfailing and irrepressible sense of wit and
cheated by Darcy. So her prejudice against Darcy increases. humour. Though, Mr. Bennet is also witty, he is often cynical and
pungent. But Elizabeth's wit is sharp and it pleases with an
Her perception in general is quite admirable. But she fails with the aesthetic pleasure and it never hurts. Her wit is refined, subtle and
intricate people like Charlotte Lucas, George Wickham, Fitzwilliam it never overturns discretion.
Darcy, who stand in a relationship of great intimacy to her.
Conclusion:
*Of all Jane Austen's heroines, Elizabeth is the most delightful and Love for Elizabeth:
lovable one. She is the cleverest, wittiest, liveliest and is most like Darcy is attracted by the beautiful expression of Elizabeth's dark
the novelist herself. Jane Austen has given Elizabeth her own eyes. He is caught by her light and pleasing figure and the easy
gaiety, high spirit, courage, wit and readiness, good sense and playfulness of her manners. When Elizabeth goes to Netherfield
right feeling. to nurse her sick sister, Jane, he observes her closely and is
impressed by her warm heartedness, intellectual sharpness and
her sparkling wit.
2. FITZWILLIAM DARCY
Then he meets her at Hunsford and calls at the parsonage
Introduction: repeatedly. She refuses his proposal bluntly, accusing for
Fitzwilliam Darcy, the friend of Mr. Bingley is the hero of the novel. breaking Jane's heart by preventing Bingley from marrying her and
Darcy, the owner of Pemberley estates is the centre of interest in for ruining Wickham's life. She also blames him for not behaving
the novel. In judgement and understanding he is definitely better in the manner of a gentle man. This accusation makes him think
than his friend, Bingley. because he has always prided himself to be acting like a
gentleman, and her refusal marks a beginnning of the great
Physical appearance: change in him.
Darcy is young, handsome, active, good and interesting. When he
first arrived at Netherfield Park with Bingley, he attracted the ladies When they meet at Pemberley he is very cordial to her and is very
by his fine tall personality, handsome features and noble mien. He conscious of his behaviour. He asks her to introduce him to the
is a well-educated, cultured young man with a lofty, aristocratic Gardiners and he introduces his sister to her. When Lydia elopes
outlook. with Wickham, it is he who saves the family from disgrace, by
tracing them out, and by purchasing a new commission in the army
His pride: for Wickham, he persuades him to marry Lydia. All this he does
Though well mannered, Darcy is always haughty, reserved and for the sake of his love for Elizabeth.
fastidious. In the very first apperance, he appears to be a proud
man. He is so proud that when he is asked to dance with Elizabeth, A good friend, a loving brother, a considerate master:
he bluntly rejects her saying that she is tolerable but not handsome He is a close friend of Bingley, who esteems highly and relies on
enough to tempt him. He is grim and forbidding and appears to be his judgement. Darcy is a loving brother to his sister, ready to fulfill
so stem and inflexible that everyone looks at him with awe. Even her desires. To his servants and tenants, he is the best master
when he proposes to Elizabeth his tone is proud and haughty. It is and a good landlord.
Darcy's pride that leads to Elizabeth's prejudice. In the beginning,
it is only his pride that obscures his better qualities and makes him
objectionable to Elizabeth and others.
Conclusion: A schemer:
In the beginning Darcy is rather proud and this pride makes him As Wickham is provoked by Darcy he plans to disgrace him as
behave in the most ungentlemanly manner to those whom he well as to make his fortune. So, with the help of Mrs. Younge, the
considered not to be his equals. But it is this pride which is the govemess of Darcy's sister, Georgiana, he tries to elope as
cause of his acts of generosity. Georgiana is a heiress to thirty pounds. But Darcy prevents the
elopement by going at the crucial moment.
3. George Wickham
Then Wickham uses Elizabeth's prejudice against Darcy to spoil
Introduction: his character in the neighbourhood. Elizabeth, who is attracted by
Wickham is a man with a fine countenance, a good figure and very Wickham believes all that he says and her hatred against Darcy
pleasing address. Though he is handsome, he is persuasive, increases. When Wickham is engaged to Miss. King, whose dowry
disingenuous, calculating and dishonourable. is ten thousand pounds, Elizabeth does not accuse him. But some
how the engagement breaks and Miss. King leaves the place.
Outward appearance:
In his glamorous military uniform, Wickham looks so charming that Elopes with Lydia:
young girls. even Elizabeth, are attracted by him. As he has grown Wickham has no love for Lydia. He knows that she has neither
up in the environment of Pemberley and has received university money, nor beauty nor brains. He has no intention of marrying her.
education, he has acquired superficial polish and gentility. But he runs away with her in order to black mail Mr. Bennet and to
extort as much money as possible because his gambling and
His background: extravagance have got him into debts and so he is forced to leave
Wickham's father looked after the extensive Darcy estate so the place. Even after elopement, he hopes to make fortune by
efficiently that as a mark of appreciation of his services, the late marriage in some other country. Only by Darcy's persuasion he
Mr. Darcy decided to secure him a living. He supported Wickham marries Lydia. His elopement with Lydia shows that he is
at school and at Cambridge. In his will, he desired that a valuable extremely selfish and lacks principles. When he returns to
family living might be given to him as soon as it fell vacant. But Longbourn after the marriage, he shows no sign of shame.
Wickham soon wrote to Darcy that he has resolved against taking
orders and is interested in studying law. So, he resigned all claim Conclusion:
to assistance in the church and accepted three thousand pounds Wickham who is the most plausible and the most villainous of Jane
in return. But soon, he spent all the money and reduced to a life of Austen's anti- heroes plays a prominent, interesting and
idleness and dissipation. When the living in the church, orginally convincing role in the novel.
meant for him, fell vacant, he wrote to Darcy and asked him to
present it to him. But as Darcy rejected his request, he became
resentfol and vindictive and started abusing Darcy to others.
4. LYDIA BENNET Her married life:
After marriage, Wickham's affection for Lydia changes into
Introduction: indifference and her's lasted a little longer. But both have not
Lydia Bennet is the youngest of the Bennet sisters. She is only changed. Still they are extravagant in their wants and are heedless
sixteen years old. She is the pet of her mother, whom she of the future. They often apply to Jane or Elizabeth for financial
resembles. She is the tallest of all the sisters. She is well built and assistance.
has a pleasant face and fine complexion and is also good
humoured. Conclusion:
Lydia plays an important role because her elopment gives Darcy
A flirt: an opportunity to prove his love to Elizabeth and be united with
She is self willed and irresponsible. She has no sense of shame her.
and is devoid of judgement. Her elder sister Catherine is always
in her company and they make an ignorant idle pair. Her aunt Mrs.
Philips who lives at Meryton helps the girls to meet the military 5. JANE BENNET
officers stationed there. Running after the officers and flirting with
them is Lydia's favourite pastime. Jane and Elizabeth often check Introduction:
the imprudence of Lydia and Catherine. Jane is the eldest daughter of the Bennets. She and her sister,
Elizabeth are Initimate with each other. Mrs. Bennet who is proud
Elopement: of Jane's beauty, prefers her to Elizabeth
Lydia who accompanies Mrs. Forster to Brighton, elopes with
Wickham and brings disgrace to the family. Darcy who traces the A Beauty:
pair in London persuades her to give up the thought of marrying Jane is really very beautiful among her sisters. She is an
Wickham. But as she is adamant, he persuades Wickham to marry acknowledged beauty. Her charm and sweet temper attracts
her, by clearing all his debts and purchasing him a new everyone who sees her. At the first meeting with Jane. Mr. Binley
commission in the army. is overwhelmed by her beauty, his sisters call her a sweet girl and
even the proud Darcy accepts that she is beautiful, though she
When Lydia returns to Longboum after marriage, she is not at all smiles a little too much, Jane is conscious of her beauty but she
ashamed. She is thoughtless and is blind to Wickham's treachery. never behaves proudly because of it.
She feels proud of being married and even assumes superiority
over Jane and Elizabeth and offers to find husbands for them. She Her good traits:
is silly, Ignorant and in experienced. Mr. Bennet is wholly Jane is sweet tempered in her appearance, serene in her attitude
responsible for her weakness, for having failed to control her and is honest in her behaviour. The good natured Jane believes
properly. everybody to be good natured. She never sees a fault in anyone
and never speaks ill of others. Though Miss. Bingley is proud and
conceited, to Jane, she is charming and she admires her.
Elizabeth who is prejudiced against Darcy, believes all that 6. CHARLES BINGLEY
Wickham tells about him. When she repeated all that Wickham
said about Darcy, to Jane she says that there must have been Introduction:
some misunderstanding between the two. She cannot think ill of Mr. Bingley is quite young, wonderfully handsome and extremely
either Darcy or Wickham. When Charlotte accepts the proposal of agreeable. He is an intimate friend of Darcy. When he comes to
Mr. Collins, Elizabeth disapproves the match, but Jane who takes Netherfield Park, the entire neighbourhood admires him. As
a tolerable view hopes that they will be a happy pair. Bingley is a young man of large fortune, mothers with eligible
daughters are eager to meet him as they hope that he may choose
Her concern for others: one of their daughters for marriage.
Jane is much concerned about others' well being. She is deeply
touched when anyone is in distress. Lydia's elopement afflicts her Physical appearance:
mother much and she suffers from a severe nervous breakdown. Bingley is good looking and gentleman-like. He has a pleasant
Jane looks after her patiently. When Elizabeth informs her that she face and easy unaffected manners. He is also sensible, good
has accepted Darcy's proposal, Jane is distressed and is very humoured and lively. Jane admires him for his ease and perfect
dismayed because she fears that Elizabeth is going to marry good breeding. He is undoubtedly elegant and gentle in manners.
without love. But she is really happy when she comes to know Bingley who is easy going is not only easily pleased but also easily
about Elizabeth's love for Darcy. Jane is of the nature of feeling pleases others and makes a pleasant impression in others. He is
the joys and sorrows of others as if they were her own. praised for his modesty and sweet temper.

Her calmness: Intimacy with Darcy:

Though Jane is a woman of great feeling, she always remains Although Bingley and Darcy are of different temperaments, yet
calm. She never displays her feelings out. She falls in love with they are good friends. Darcy likes Bingley for his easiness and
Bingley at first sight. He too loves her deeply. But he is prevented ductility of his temper. Bingley has great regards for Darcy's
from marrying her by Darcy because he thinks that Jane does not wisdom and discretion. They have different opinions. For example,
love Bingley, as her behaviour did not show any special regard for regarding the Meryton ball, Bingley thinks that he has not seen
Bingley. Later he realises his mistake and finally Bingley's love is more joyous and fair looking ladies than that company but to Darcy
restored to Jane. they are not so beautiful and fashionable. While Bingley admires
Jane's beauty, Darcy agrees that she is beautiful but thinks that
Conclusion: she smiles too much.
Jane is simple, passive and insipid. She is too demonstrative in
Bingley's presence and too resigned in his absence. But Jane His love for Jane:
never behaves proudly because of it. Bingley loves Jane sincerely. Her love for him is also genuine.
Because of their similar nature, there arises a harmonious
relationship between them. As Jane does not show her love out, His pride:
Darcy believes that she does not love Bingley and so he does not When the living of Hunsford fell vacant, fortunately he gets the
allow Bingley to marry her. So, Bingley leaves Netherfield chance and now he is exceedingly proud of his position as a
abruptly, leaving Jane to pine for him. Though his love is sincere clergyman and he refers to it time and again. His unexpected
it lacks strength. prosperity completely turns his head. Getting a living at an early
age has made him conceited and pompous. He holds a very high
His flaw: opinion of himself, of his authority as a clergyman and his right as
The flaw in Bingley's character is that he is a little too easy going. a rector.
He makes decision in a haste thoughtlessly. As he is influenced
by others easily, he is easily changed. He relies a little too much His servility:
on Darcy's decision. He feels servile veneration for his patroness Lady Catherine.
Ridiculously he stoops in his relationship to her. Though she
Conclusion: always treats him as a servant, his nature is so contemptible and
After an interval, Bingley returns to Netherfield, renews his love to mean that he feels flattered by any advice that she might give him,
Jane and makes her the happiest creature in the world. no matter how rudely worded it might be. As Lady Catherine has
condescended to advice him to marry, he has come to Longbourn
7. MR. COLLINS to get a suitable bride. His connection with Lady Catherine is the
greatest advantage he can offer to his wife. He considers it a
Introduction: solemn duty to give reverence even to the nephews and neices of
The most funny character in the novel is Mr. Collins. He is vastly Lady Catherine.
stupid and vastly funny. As Mr. Bennet has no male heir, his estate
is entailed on his distant cousin, Collins. Proposal to Elizabeth:
His proposal to Elizabeth is one of the great comic scenes of the
His humility: novel. He starts it by stating his reasons for marriage. It is not
Collins is extremely foolish and he had no good home influences because of love, but because Lady Catherine has advised him to
to improve him. His uneducated miserly father sent him to one of marry, he proposes. He wants to marry one of the Bennets as a
the universities, where he did not mix with his fellow students and compensation for Mr. Bennets' estate being entailed on him. When
thereby he had lost the advantage of university education. As his Elizabeth refuses his proposal, he takes it to be mere coyness. He
father had brought him up in great subjection, he has got great cannot imagine a girl ever rejecting a man like him, who is blessed
humility of manner. by Lady Catherine. He shows out his meanness by his behaviour
to Elizabeth after she has rejected him. Though his vanity is hurt,
he easily transfers his love to Charlotte Lucas and when she
accepts him, he is as pleased as he would be with that of Elizabeth
because with him there is no question of love at all, whether it is
Elizabeth or Charlotte. He cannot be in love with the ladies that he Whenever she is discontented or thwarted in any of her plans, she
proposes because he is already in love with his own astonishing fancies herself to be nervous.
position.
Her foolishness makes her daughters Jane and Elizabeth blush
No Christian Charity: and provides much merriment to her husband. Whenever she
He writes a letter to Mr. Bennet after Lydia's elopement. The letter speaks, she exposes her folly and whenever she appears, she
reveals his nature, it renders him to be despicable. It is intended makes herself ridiculous. The best example of her foolish
to be a letter of condolence. In it he informs that he has told all the behaviour is her extreme happiness over the elopement of Lydia
details of Lydia's elopement to Lady Catherine who agreed with with Wickham. Jane Austen has transformed her into an
him, that the family would be disgraced in consequence. He inexhaustible source of fun.
congratulates himself for being rejected by Elizabeth, otherwise,
he too would be involved in their disgrace. He also advises Mr. Mrs. Bennet who is vulgar and indiscreet is a foolish match-maker.
Bennet to throw off such an unworthy child from his affection for It is ironical that her utter stupidity and vulgarity scares away the
ever. Though Mr. Collins is proud of his position as a clergyman, very youngmen she would like to trap for her daughters. Her
he has no sense of Christian charity and forgiveness. concern for her daughters is commendable particularly in the face
of her husband's irresponsibility. Mrs. Bennet, a creation of pure
Conclusion: humour is a great comic character.
Mr. Collins represents the degeneration of the Church of England
in the eighteenth century. Though he proves to be a bore of bores, 2. MR. BENNET
without him much of the amusement of the novel would have been Mr. Bennet, an odd mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour,
lost. Jane Austen has delineated him as the most poetical and the reserve and caprice is quiet, studious and indolent by nature. Of
happiest character in the novel. all his daughters, he likes Elizabeth most because of her keen
intellect.

MINOR CHARACTERS He finds his two youngest daughters running after the military
officers, to be the silliest girls in the country. Yet he remains
1. MRS. BENNET indifferent and detached without realising that it is the parents' duty
Mrs. Bennet is vulgar, foolish and peevish. She is a woman of to mend their behaviour. Whenever he is disgusted with their
mean understanding. little information and uncertain temper. The silliness, he finds soloce in his library or in gardening.
business of her life is to get her daughters married, but she is not
worried about the propriety of the matches. She suffers from Mr. Bennet is a more complex character. He is sharp and witty and
instability of disposition. Even the most trivial incidents can drive is eccentric and satirical. But his sarcasm at the expense of his
her to violent fits of chagrin and dismay or ecstatic out bursts. wife and younger daughters does not leave a pleasant taste. His
approach to life is casual and it shows his lack of responsibility,
particularly in view of the fact that his estate is entailed on a distant After her marriage, she acts quite sensibly in her situation. She
cousin and if the girls are not married in time, they will be entertains her guests with dignity and is sufficiently subservient to
absolutely unprovided for after his death. Lady Catherine. She tries to keep Mr. Collins engaged elsewhere
and conveniently forgets his presence when he is around,
Mrs. and Mr. Bennet make an illmatched pair. Captivated by her
beauty, Mr. Bennet marries Mrs. Bennet, a woman of illiberal mind 4. LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH
and weak understanding and has to pay for his imprudent Lady Catherine de Bourgh is a wealthy widow with an only
marriage. Love, respect, esteem and confidence disappear from daughter and she is the aunt of Darcy. She is arrogant, proud
his life after marriage for ever. The disadvantages of such an impudent and her manners are dictorial and insolent. She is a tall
unsuitable marriage affects the daughters. The indifferent and and rather large lady who must have been beautiful in her youth.
irresponsible father and a stupid and indulgent mother reflect a Her wealth, rank and position and the flattery of people around
disastrous effect on the three younger daughters. her, like Collins, have made her vain and conceited. She takes
pleasure in displaying her wealth and the luxury of her
Lydia's elopement causes him enough humiliation and he establishment. It is not out of kindness or generosity that she
awakens into self- realisation. He advises Elizabeth that only if she invites people to dinner but to show herself off and to win their
esteems her husband, she can be happy and respectable. admiration and thanks.

3. CHARLOTTE LUCAS She is impudent and arrogant and does not consider the feelings
Charlotte Lucas, the close friend of Elizabeth, is the daughter of of others. So, she constantly wounds Elizabeth when she goes to
William Lucas. She is gifted with good sense. She is an intelligent, her residence. Lady Catherine, who can bear no criticism or
plain, unromantic young woman of twenty seven. She is fully opposition cannot tolerate Elizabeth when she answered all her
conscious of her plain appearance and modest fortune. She is too queries with composed dignity.
practical in her outlook. To her, marriage is important only in as
much as it provides a home and financial security. She is aware She contemplates an alliance between her sick daughter and
of the social and economic insecurity of an ageing spinster's life. Darcy, his nephew. So, she persuades Elizabeth in vain to
She is not bothered about whom she marries, provided her promise that she will never marry Darcy, who belong to a higher
husband is capable of providing her with financial security. She rank and status. Elizabeth refuses to be forced into compliance by
knows that Mr. Collins is a fool, yet with her eyes open, she her wealth and authority. It is an irony that Lady Catherine
accepts his proposal immediately and takes pleasure in marrying becomes the indirect means of bringing together Elizabeth and
him. She is quite contented with Collin's character, connections Darcy. Lady Catherine is fond of having her own way in everything
and situation. By accepting his proposal, she makes her parents and bullying those who oppose her rights to do so.
feel triumphant and her brothers and sisters relieved.
 Jane Eyre Tamil Summary Video (Youtube)
- CharlotteBrontë
Original Text

Introduction to the Author

English Summary Video

(Youtube)

Charlotte Bronte was born on 21st April, 1816 to Patrick Bronte, a

clergyman. Her mother, Maria Bronte died in 1821 and her two
elder sisters died in their girlhood years. Charlotte and her two
younger sisters Emily and Anne passed their pathetic lives almost
entirely at the parsonage in the moorland village of Haworth in
Yorkshire. Though their lives were full of struggles and
disappointments, their genius made them famous, Charlotte's
brother Partric Branwell was a spoilt son. WHO IS WHO IN THE NOVEL
Partrick Bronte sent his daughters to the school for clergymen. Jane Eyre
The harsh conditions of the boarding school caused the death of She is the heroine of the novel. She narrates the story. In the
the first two daughters. Later Charlotte was sent to a better novel, from the beginning she undergoes sufferings. But at the
boarding school. Then she worked as a teacher there. After that end, her wish is fulfilled, she marries the person whom she loves
she worked as a governess in well to-do families. and the story ends happily.

The Bronte sisters tried to start their own school. But it was a Edward Fairfax Rochester
failure. Charlotte started composing poems. It was also not a He is the owner of the mansion in the Thornfield Hall. He is a
success. Then the sisters tried their hands at writing fiction. Emily married man. He does not discard his mad wife, but takes care of
wrote' Wuthering Heights' and Anne 'Agnes Gray' and Charlotte her by keeping her in the top floor of the mansion. He falls In love
published 'Jane Eyre'. with Jane, twenty years younger to him, but is not able to marry
her. He becomes blind in his attempt to save his wife from fire,
Already Charlotte had rejected her proposals of marriage but she later he marries Jane Eyre, recovers his eyesight, and lives
accepted the proposal of Arthur Nicholls, the clergyman who happily with his wife Jane.
assisted her father. They were married in 1854. Their married life
was short but a happy one. Charlotte, became pregnant. She was Mrs.Sara Reed
affected by consumption and she died in 1855. She is Jane's aunt. Mr. Reed, her husband has left Jane Eyre, the
ten year old girl under her custody. She treats Jane very cruelly.
Works
Charlotte Bronte's novel 'Jane Eyre' was published in 1847. It won John Reed
her a great fame. Her third novel 'Shirley' was published in 1847 The eldest son of Mrs. Reed petted and spoilt by his mother. He
and her last novel 'Villette' which was published in 1855 was well is a big heavy boy of fourteen. He bullies and punishes Jane
received. Her first novel 'The Professor' was published continually.
posthumously in 1857.
Eliza Reed
The eldest daughter of Mrs. Reed is Eliza, Though she is not as
bad as John Reed, yet she is contemptuous to Jane.

Georgiana Reed
She is the youngest daughter of Mrs. Reed She is very beautiful,
Bessie Lee She is the teacher of history and grammar in Lowood school. She
She is the governess of the Reed family, she is very sincere in is hasty and ill-tempered. She is very harsh to Helen Burrs.
carrying out the orders of Mrs. Reed. So she is strict to Jane. But
at times she shows kindness to the poor innocent girl. She visits Helen Burns
Jane when Jane is in the Lowood school. Later she marries the She is one of the students at the charity school. A very good friend
coachman of the Reed family and gets settled in life. of Jane. She is pious and religious. She suffers from consumption
and dies earlier.
Miss Abbot
She is one of the maid servants in the Reed household. Mrs.Alice Fairfax
She is the house keeper of Thomfield Hall and is a distant relative
Mr.Lloyd of Mr. Rochester. It is she who appoints Jane Eyre as the
He is the apothecary who comes to treat Jane when she becomes governess of Miss. Adele, the ward of Mr. Rochester. She shows
ill, when she is locked in the Red room. It is he who suggests the kindness to Jane but she opposes Mr. Rochester marrying Jane
idea to Mrs. Reed to send Jane to Lowood School, a charitable as the age difference between them is very much.
institution.
Adele Varens
Mr.Brocklehurst She is the illegitimate daughter of Celene Varens, a French opera
The director of Lowood School, the Charity School, is Mr. dancer. She was Mr. Rochester's mistress for some time. But
Brocklehurst. Though a clergyman, he is a hypocrite. He preaches Adele is not the daughter of Mr. Rochester. However he takes the
only to others. His wife and daughters never follow his preachings. responsibility of looking after her by appointing a governess. Adele
He is a miser, who saves much of the money meant for the food Varens is only eight years old when she comes to Thornfield Hall.
of the girls of the charity school.
Mrs.Bertha Rochester
Miss Temple She is the mad wife of Rochester. She has inherited madness from
She is the superintendent of Lowood School. She is very good and her family, Mr. Rochester is forced to marry her, who is unaware
clever. But she carries out the orders of Mr. Brockkhurst strictly. of this fact. Butt even after she becomes mad, he never abandons
Inspite of Mr. Brocklehurst's' instructions, she shows some her. He keeps her in the top storey of Thomfield Hall and appoints
kindness to Jane and other girls. a maid servant to look after her. Mrs. Bertha sets fire to Thomfield
Hall and dies in the fire.
Madame Pierrot
She is a French lady who teaches French at Lowood school. She Grace Poole
is a pleasant sort of person She is the maid servant who looks after the mad Bertha. As she is
negligent of her duties, Bertha does many mischievous things at
Miss Scatchred Thomfield Hall.
 T She is the daughter of Mr. Oliver Rosamond, a wealthy man.
Richard Mason She is in love with st. John Rivers and wants to marry him. But he
He is the brother of Bertha. He is a West Indian trader. It is he who does not reciprocate her love, as he wants to marry Jane.
stops the marriage of Jane with Mr. Rochester by appearing with
Mr. Briggs, the London solicitor, at the church before the marriage John Eyre
ceremony takes place. He is Jane Eyre's uncle, living in the West Indies. He comes to
Gateshead Hall to see Jane Eyre. But by that time she is sent to
Leah Lowood School. So he returns to the West Indies and when he
She is one of the maid servants at Thornfield Hall. dies, he leaves all his wealth, about twenty thousand pounds to
Jane Eyre. Jane divides the whole amount into four shares and
Mother Bunches keeping one share for herself, she gives the rest of the shares to
Mr. Rochester visits Thomfield Hall in the disguise of a gypsy her three cousins.
woman and assumes the name Mother Bunches. He reveals his
true identity only to Jane Eyre.

Blanche Ingram CHAPTERWISE SUMMARY

She is the most beautiful and richest lady in the region in which
Thornfield Hall is situated. Everyone believes that Rochester OF THE NOVEL
would marry her. But Rochester falls in love with Jane Eyre, CHAPTER-1
though she is twenty years younger to him and he has no idea of Jane Eyre, a ten year old orphan girl lives with the Reed family.
marrying Miss. Blanche Ingram. Mr. Reed, her maternal uncle leaves Jane under the custody of
his wife, Mrs. Sara Reed, when he dies. Mrs. Reed is very cruel to
St.John Rivers Jane. She has a son called John and two daughters Eliza and
He is a clergyman and a missionary. He is the priest of the parish Georgiana, Jane is not beautiful like the daughters of Mrs. Reed.
of Morton. When Jane is in a helpless condition it is he who takes
her into his house. He proposes to Jane with a wish of visiting One day in the month of November, Jane Eyre is reading a book,
India, taking her with him as his wife to do missionary work. But John, a stout boy of fourteen years appears before her suddenly
Jane rejects the proposal, and scolds her for answering his mother impudently. Then he
takes the book from Jane and flings it at her. The book hits Jane,
Diana Rivers and Mary Rivers she falls down and strikes her head against the door and gets an
They are the two sisters of John Rivers. They behave very kindly injury. So she tries to attack him in return. At this time Mrs. Reed
to Jane Eyre. They live with their brother in the Moor House. enters there, followed by Bessie, the governess and the maid
Abbot. Mrs. Reed orders Bessie to take Jane to the Red Room
Rosamond Oliver and lock her up there. So, Jane is locked in the Red Room
 the nursery. Christmas and New year are celebrated at
CHAPTER-2 Gateshead-Hall with galety and festive cheer, but Jane is
The Red Room is the spare room is the house. It is only rarely excluded from these celebrations.
used. It is in this room Mr. Reed breathed his last. Jane in the Red
Room is filled with desperate thoughts. She does not know why On the 15th January, Jane is asked to come to the breakfast room
she is ill treated and hated by every one in the house. She feels in the morning. When she comes there, she sees a tall man with
that if her uncle, who brought her as an infant to the house, had Mrs. Reed. This man is Mr. Brocklehurst, the director of Lowood
been alive, he would have been kind to her. When she is in this school. He questions Jane on the Bible and asks her whether she
state of mind, she sees the gleam of a lantem and thinks that a likes Psalms. In the presence of Jane, Mrs. Reed tells Mr.
ghost has come. She is extremely horrified, oppressed and Brocklehurst that Jane is a deceitful and tricky girl, who used to
suffocated. So she runs to the door, shakes the lock and utters a tell all sorts of lies. She tells him that Jane will spend all her
scream, which brings Bessie and Abbot there. Mrs. Reed comes vacations in the school and she wants to be relieved of the
there and when she sees the room opened, she pushes Jane back responsibly of looking after her.
into the Red Room and locks her in. Now Jane faints.
Before leaving, Mr. Brocklehurst gives Jane a book named 'Child's
CHAPTER-3 guide' and asks her to read the story about the sudden death of a
When Jane wakes up, she finds herself in her own bed. She sees girl called Martha, a naughty child addicted to falsehood and
Bessie and Mr.Lloyd, the apothecary in her room. Mr.Lloyd asks deceit.
her many questions to find out the reason why she fainted. Bessie
is now kind to Jane. The next day also Mr.Lloyd visits her and asks Then Mrs. Reed orders Jane to go out of the breakfast room. Jane
her questions. When he asks her whether she likes to go to a gathers her courage and for the first time retorts Mrs. Reed. She
school, she replies positively. So he gives a suggestion to Mrs. tells her that she is the worst lady in the world except her son John
Reed to send Jane to a charity school. Mrs. Reed agrees to do so. and says that she dislikes her. She also says that Mrs. Reed
From the conversation of Bessie and Abbot, Jane comes to know should give that book to Georgeana because it is she who tell lies
about her parentage. Her father was a poor clergy man. Her and not she (Jane) Mrs. Reed is frightened at the way in which
mother had married him against the wish of her parents. So she Jane spoke and she tries to appease Jane. Then she leaves the
was disinherited by her father. After a year of the marriage Jane's room. Jane is happy at her first victory. Then Bessie comes to take
father had died because of typhus fever and her mother too was her to lunch. She tells Jane that the Reed family is going out to tea
infected by the fever and she died leaving Jane, an orphan. that afternoon and she would like Jane to have tea with her.

CHAPTER-4 CHAPTER-5
Jane has regained her normal health and is waiting for the day to On the moming of the 19th January, Jane has to leave Gateshead
be sent to the school. Since her illness, she has been separated hall. Bessie comes to make Jane ready. At six o'clock she has to
from the Reeds' family and is made to spend most of her time in leave by a coach to Lowood School, Jane does not disturb Mrs.
Reed or her children before her departure, as Mrs. Reed has is not enough for her. At night after the meal, the children go to
asked her not to do so. The coach arrives and Jane's trunk is bed after saying their prayers. This is Jane's first day experience
hoisted up and Jane enters the coach after bidding good bye to at Lowood School.
Bessie.
CHAPTER-6
When Jane arrives at the School, it is dark and raining. Two ladies The next day begins as usual. It is very cold and the water is frozen
come to receive her and make arrangements to for her food and so the girls cannot wash. In the course of the day Jane is enrolled
bed. One of them is Miss. Miller. That night Jane shares Miss. in the fourth class and is given regular tasks and assignments.
Millers bed and has a sound sleep because of her weariness. Helen Bums is again punished by Miss. Scatchred for her dirty
nails. Jane gets better acquainted with Helen who is not at all
In the morning Jane has to rise early and get ready for the classes. angry with Miss Scatchred. She tells Jane that the teacher is
After the prayers the students go for their break fast. The porridge severe to her because of her faults. She says that civilized people
is bumt. Every girl seems to be disappointed, but it is nothing new should behave a Jesus Christ asked. Christ says that one should
to them. Then the classes begin. Jane observes both the teachers love one's enemies and should bless those wh curse one. Jane
and the students. Miss. Maria Temple, the superintendent of the feels that she could neither love Mrs. Reed nor bless her son, John
school teaches geography and music to senior girls. She Reed. monitor comes and asks Jane to put her drawer in order
announces that a lunch of bread and cheese will be served to all and Jane readily obeys her.
as the porridge was bunt. Then the students go to the garden.
CHAPTER-7
Jane makes acquaintance with Helen Bums, a girl of thirteen Jane's first quarter at Lowood seems to be a long period and it is
years. She gives Jane much information about the school and the not a good experienc either. She has to struggle to adapt herself
teachers. Jane learns that the school was founded by late Mrs. to the new rules and tasks. As the food given meagre, the bigger
Naomi Brocklehurst and is now run by her son Mr. Brocklehurst, a girls robbed the smaller ones of a part of their food.
clergyman. The School is called Lowood School and it is a charity
institution. Helen tells Jane of the teachers Miss. Smith, Miss Sometimes Mr.Brocklehurst visited the school. On one such visit,
Scatchred, Madame Pierrot, Miss Miller and Miss. Temple. She he behaves rudely te Miss. Temple for giving extra food. He never
says that of all the teachers, Miss. Temple is the good, kind and listens to her even though she explains the necessit that the
clever lady. porridge was burnt. He tells her that the girls should be trained to
lead a life of austerity When he sees a girl Julia with curls, he gets
In the afternoon, Miss Seatchred dismises Helen Bums from the angry. Miss. Temple tells him that it is her natura curls. He orders
history class and makes her stand in the middle of the class room. that the girls entire hair should be cut. At this time his wife enters
Though the punishment seems to be degrading to Jane, Helen with her two teenaged daughters. They seem to be very
Bums seems to be unaffected. After the school, the girls are given fashionably dressed and their hair is elaborately curled. When
another meal. Jane continues to be hungry, as this meagre food
Jane sees this she understands that the clergyman's preachings Now Jane works very hard. She is promoted to the next class and
are only for others and not for his family. is allowed to start learning French and drawing. Jane begins to
like the school very much.
Mr.Brocklehurst turns his attention to Jane, the new girl. He openly
calls her a liar and accuses her for being ungrateful to Mrs. Reed, CHAPTER-9
her kind hearted guardian. He tells the other girls to shun Jane's Spring has come and with it the fever Typhus has crept into the
company and he asks the teachers to keep a watch on her. He charity institution. Due to insufficient food and neglect of cold, out
punishes Jane by making her stand on a stool for half an hour, for of the eighty girls, forty five are affected with ever. So classes are
being ungrateful to Mrs. Reed. Jane feels very much humiliated stopped and Miss. Temple spends all her time with the infected
and disgraced. girls in the sick room. The girls who are healthy are asked to leave
the school, if they have friends or relatives to receive them. Some
CHAPTER-8 sick girls went home only to die and some died in the school and
After the school is dismissed and all the girls have gone to have are buried quietly,
tea, Jane descends from the stool. She cannot control her grief.
She sits down and weeps. She has come to the school with an Jane and a few others who are well, enjoyed the beauties of
intention of making friends and winning respect and affection. As Nature. Now Jane comes into contact with Mary Aun Wilson, a
she is slowly progressing, Brockle hurst has crushed and shrewd observant girl. Brocklehurst and his family members never
shattered all her hopes. Now Helen Bums comes to her and came near the school.
consoles her saying that Brocklehurst is not a god and no one will
believe him. She says that it is enough if Jane is true to her Jane hears that Helen Burns is sick. She is not affected by the
conscience. typhus fever but is suffering from consumption. Jane gets the
permission of Miss. Temple to go to Buns' room and visits her.
Miss. Temple comes there and takes the two girls into her room. Burns is happy to see Jane. She is a staunch believer in god and
She patiently hears the story of Jane, how she was ill treated by is not afraid of death. Jane spends the night with Helen Burns and
Mrs. Reed. She assures Jane that she will write to Mr. Lloyd to be in the morning Burns is found to be dead. She is buried in the
confirmed of what Jane says about Mrs. Reed. Temple kindly Brocklebridge church yard. Fifteen years after her death a marble
enquires about Helen Burns' health. tombstone is erected at her grave and her name is inscribed with
the word "Resurgam" meaning I shall rise again.
Mr.Lloyd replies to Miss. Temple saying that all Jane said is True.
So, Miss. Temple announces in the assembly that Jane is clear of CHAPTER-10
all the charges made against her by Mr. Brocklehurst. Every one After the typhus fever has stopped and the devastation of the
is happy to hear this and the teachers shake hands with Jane. institution is over, many philanthropists donated money to improve
the conditions of the poor students in the school and to supply
nourishing food. A new building with healthier surroundings is
built. New regulations are made and improvements in diet and Jane tells Bessie that she can play on a piano, can draw and paint
clothing are introduced. The funds of the school are entrusted to and even knows French Bessie tells Jane that though she is not
the management of a committee. Brocklehurst continues to be the beautiful, she is genteel and is quite a lady, Bessie also Informs
treasurer. Thus the school improved and becomes a truly useful about the visit of Mr. Eyre to Gateshead hall to see Jane, before
and noble institution. Jane continues to study here and her life is seven years. As he is told that Jane is at lowood school, he left the
an active one. place saying that he is going to the island of Madeira, where he
has a wine business.
Jane has spent eight years in the school. For six years she has
been the student and for the two years she has been the teacher. CHAPTER-11
Through out she has been a useful, industrious hard worker. Miss Jane Eyre travels to Thomfield where she is received by Mrs.
Temple is always by the side of her as a mother, governess and a Fairfax, the housekeeper. Jane is appointed as the governess of
companion. Now, she marries Reverend Mr. Nasmyth and Adele, a French speaking girl, the ward of Mr. Rochester, the
accompanies him to a distant country. After Miss. Temples owner of the house.
departure, Jane does not feel good at Lowood. She wants liberty
and she desirous to do something new. So she advertises in the From Adele, Jane comes to know that her mother is dead and for
paper that she is descries of teaching children in a private family. sometime she has been with Madam Frederick and her husband.
Soon she gets a reply offering her the post to teach a girl below Mr. Rochester has brought her to England only six months ago.
ten years. The salary will be thirty pounds per year. Adele is a nice girl and there is no problem in communication
between Jane and Adele as Jane knows French and Adele has a
She approaches the superintendent and asks her to break the smattering of English
matter to Mr.Bocklehurst. When Mr.Brocklehurst hears, he asks
her to get the permission of her guardian Mrs. Reed. As Mrs. Reed Mrs. Fairfax, a distant relative of Mr. Rochester, tells Jane that he
allowed Jane to do anything that pleases her, the committee visits Thomfield only occasionally. He used to visit suddenly and
allows her to leave Lowood school. unexpectedly. He is a rich broad minded land lord to his tenants.

Before Jane leaves Lowood, Bessie, the governess of the Reed One day Mrs. Fairfax takes Jane to the uppermost storey of the
family comes to see her. She has married the coach man of the house to have a view of the landscape from the top. When they
family and has a son and a daughter. Bessie tells that Eliza and are climbing down the narrow dark stair case Jane hears an
Georgiana have grown up. Because of the love affair of unnatural tragic laughter. When asked, Mrs. Fairfax tells Jane that
Georgiana, the sisters are not in good terms and John Reed is not it must have come from Grace Poole, a woman sewing garments
progressive in the college and Mrs. Reed is very much worried in one of the rooms. But Jane is not convinced. Then Jane sees
about her extravagant son. Grace Poole coming out of a room. Mrs. Fairfax scolds her for
making noise.
CHAPTER-12
Jane is quite happy at Thomfield. Mrs. Fairfax is a good tempered CHAPTER-13
kind-hearted intelligent lady and Adele is a good-natured child. After the arrival of Mc Rochester, Thomfield has completely
Jane starts loving her. At times Jane used to climb the staircase changed. Mr. Rochester is busy with his work and often his agents
and go to the roof of the house to enjoy the natural scenery. When and tenants waited to speak with him. Jane and Adele have
she is there alone sometimes she hears Grace Poole's laugh and vacated the library, which has now become the reception room for
her eccentric murmuring. Jane has seen Grace and has tried to the callers.
talk to her, but she has never responded. The other servants of
the house are quite allright In the evening Mrs. Ferrtax tells Jane that Mr. Rochester wants
Adele and Jane to join him at tee in his room. So Jane poes to Mr.
One afternoon in January, Mrs. Fairfax has written a letter to some Rochester's room with Mrs. Fairfax, Adele is already there.
one. To post the letter she has to go to the small town Hay, Jane
voluntarily offers to post the letter as it will be a pleasant winter Mr. Rochester appreciates Jane for having taken pains with Adele,
aftermoon walk for her. as she has shown much improvement within a short time. In reply
to his various questions, Jane tells him about Mr. Brockdehurst,
On her way to the town Hay, Jane sits on a stile and enjoys the the Lowood School and her stay there for eight years. She also
natural scenery. Then she hears a noise and sees a horse rider to tells him that she can play a little on piano and knows some
be slipped on the sheet of ice. He and his horse are injured. French. She shows him her paintings and drawings. Mr.
Seeing their condition, their dog barks and comes to Jane for help. Rochester highly appreciates her paintings
Janer helps the man to get up and mount to his horse. He has only
a sprain. When he asked Jane about her whereabouts, she tells Then Mr. Rochester says good night to all. So they leave him Mrs.
him that she lives in the Thomfield hall and that she is a governess Fairfax tells Jane that actualy Mr. Rochesters' brother is the owner
there. He asks her about the owner of the house and whether she of Thomfield hall and the lands surrounding it. Mr. Rochester has
knows him. Jane tells him that Mr. Rochester is the owner of the become its owner as his brother has passed away, a few years
house and that she has not seen him. He goes awity asking her to beck.
make haste to go to Hay and to retum soon, as it will become dark
soon. CHAPTER 14
In the momings Mr. Rochester is very busy with his work and in
When Jane retums to Thomfield, she sees the same big dog. She the aftermoon men in the neighbourhood come to see him. In the
asks Leah, the servant, whose dog it is. She tells her that the dog evenings he used to ride on his horse and return late at night. So
belongs to Mr. Rochester, their master. She also says that Mr. Jane only sees very little of Mr. Rochester One day, after the
Rochester has just come and that he has had an accident on his guests have gone, he gives a box of presents to Adele and tells
way. John has been sent to bring a surgeon to attend the injured Mrs. Fairfax that he wants to talk to Jane alone.
aride of Mr.Rochester
During the conversation he asks Jane her opinion about his laughter and she also hears footsteps climbing up the stair case.
physical appearance, Jane openly tells him that he is not Thinking that it must be Grace Poole, Jane gets out of her bed and
handsome. Mr. Rochester accepts that he is not handsome but at goes to see what Grace Poole is doing at that time. Now, as she
the same time he tells Jane that she is not a pretty girl. smelt fire, she looks around and finds out that the smoke is coming
from Mr. Rochester's room. She goes out and finds Rochester's
Rochester tells Jane of his past life. He tells her that though nature door half opened and the curtain of his bed room on fire.
intended him to be a good man, circumstances have made him a Rochester is sound asleep. Jane quickly fetches up a basin of
commonplace sinner who has led a dissolute life. He says that the water and extinguishes the fire. In the meantime, Rochester
spring of his life is gone but has left him with the responsibility of wakes up and Jane explains everything. He seems to understand
bringing up the French girl Adele. To Jane his language seems to and he feels grateful to Jane and asks her not to tell anyone about
be enigmatic but she is not afraid of him. the fire, for he himself will find out the cause of the fire.

CHAPTER-15 CHAPTER 16
One afternoon, Mr. Rochester reveals to Jane, the mystery that Jane spends a sleepless night. But the moming is as usual. She
surrounded Adele. He tells her that Adele is the daughter of Celine hears noises in Mr. Rochester's room and the servants have
Varens, a French opera dancer, with whom he was passionately restored everything to order. The bunt curtain has been removed.
in love. He thought that she returned his love as she accepted his Jane sees Grace Poole also sitting in the room and calmly sewing.
presents with tavour. But the lady cheated him by having an affair She shows no sense of guilt. Jane cannot understand how Grace
with another man. On making this discovery, he has cut all his Poole can behave in such a manner and what is the reason for her
connections with her. After a few years, Celine abandoned her setting fire to Mr. Rochester's bed.
little daughter. He knows that he is not the father of the girl, that is
Adele, even then he has decided to adopt her as his ward. He asks In the evening when Jane goes to have tea with Mrs. Fairfax, she
Jane if she will try to seek a new job as she will not like to teach tells her that Mr. Rochester has gone to Mr. Eshton's residence,
an illegitimate girl, Jane answers him that Adele is in no way where a large number of rich fashionable persons have
answerable to her mother's faults, so she will love her more than assembled to enjoy themselves. She also hears that the party
before. includes ladies also. When Mrs. Fairfax describes the beauty of
Miss. Blanche Ingram and her accomplishments such as playing
After hearing the past life of Mr.Rochester, his friendly frankness the piano and singing, Jane feels jealous as she is in love with Mr.
attracts Jane and she develops a liking for him. To her he is Rochester and thinks that Mr. Rochester is also responding to her
basically a man of better tendencies and high principles. feelings, though he has not expressed his feelings out. Now all her
hopes are shattered.
A few weeks later Jane is lying on her bed with disturbed thoughts
about Mr. Rochester. Suddenly she feels as if some one is
touching her chamber door. Then she hears a low demoniac
CHAPTER-17 accompaniment. Jane now goes out by the side door. Mr.
A week passed and no news has come from Mr. Rochester. Ten Rochester follows her and asks her to go to the drawing room
days passed and still he has not come. Mrs. Fairfax tells Jane that every evening. as longs as the guests are there in the house.
it is usual of Rochester. He may be absent from Thomfield even
for a year. She hopes that he might have gone to the Continent, CHAPTER-18
Jane consoles herself that she is only the governess in the house The days at Thornfield Hall are busy and merry. Every corner of
and she should not expect anything more. She also feels that it the house is brisk and alive. As it rains continually the indoor
will be better for her to find another job for herself. games become varied and lively.

A few days later Mrs. Fairfax receives a letter from Mr. Rochester, Jane watches only Mr. Rochester and Miss Ingram. Mr.
informing about his arrival in Thomfield hall with his guests in three Rochester's interest in Blanche seems that he has intended to
days. He has given her directions to make all the necessary marry her. Jane is not jealous of Blanche and she never stops
preparations and arrangements for the stay of the guests who loving Rochester or thinking of him. He is her sole interest.
would bring their own maids and valets. So for the next three days
the whole household is busy making the arrangements. One day Rochester goes to Millicote on business and is not likely
to retum late in the evening. In his absence a man by name Mr.
As expected the guests arrived on the evening of Thursday. Mrs. Mason visits Thomfield Hall. He calls himself to be the friend of
Fairfax in her best dress is ready to receive them. In the evening Mr. Rochester, coming from Jamaica in the West Indies. He wants
Jane hears music from the drawing room. The next day is also as to wait till Mr. Rochester's return.
happy as the previous one. The guests with their host are going
out to some site in the neighbourhood. In the evening the party After some time, the foot man enters and tells Mr. Eshton that a
returns and Mr. Rochester asks Mrs. Fairfax to send Jane and gipsy woman has come and she wants to tell the fortune of the
Adele to the drawing room. ladies present in the house. Though most of the guests want to
dismiss the gipsy woman, Blanche Ingram insists in meeting the
Mrs.Fairfax describes each and everyone of the guests to Jane. old gipsy woman. She meets her in the library. When she returns,
She describes Mrs. Eshton and her two daughters. Lady Lynn, she tells others that they can go and meet her if they wish. Mary
Mrs. Dent and Lady Ingram and her two daughters Miss Blanche Ingram, Anny and Louisa Eshton go together to meet the gipsy
Ingram and Miss Mary Ingram. Miss. Blanche is exceptionally woman. On their return all the three said that the gipsy woman has
beautiful. Of the gentlemen, Henry and Frederick Lynn are young, told them correctly of their past lives and has guessed their private
Colonel Dent is soldierly and Mr. Eshton, the magistrate of the thoughts. The servant comes again and tells that the gipsy wants
district is very decent. But to Jane of all these men Mr. Rochester, to meet the other young lady in the room and that she will not go
though not handsome, seems to be the most dignified one. Jane without seeing her. So Jane goes to see the gipsy woman.
sits near the window and the window curtain half hides her.
Blanche plays the piano and Mr. Rochester sings to its
CHAPTER-19 first aid to Mason and assures him that he will soon get a surgeon
Jane meets the gipsy woman. She tells Jane that she is a cold, to dress his wounds. He asks him to leave his fear. Leaving Jane
sick and silly person. When asked about her fortune she says that with Mr. Mason, Mr. Rochhester goes to fetch the surgeon.
happiness is very near her, she has to stretch out her hand to take
it up. Jane knows that Mr. Mason is attacked by Grace Poole, but she
can not understand why Mr.Mason went to see her at that time of
Jane notices the voice, the accent, an the hand and the ring in the the night and why Mr. Rochester wants to maintain secrecy about
gipsy woman's hand and suddenly realises that she is no other these things and why has Rochester been shocked at the mention
than Mr. Rochester. Then Rochester reveals his identity. Jane tells of Mr. Mason, in the evening.
him that Mr. Mason is waiting to meet him. As soon as he hears
the name Mr. Rochester is shocked and is about to fall and it is Rochester comes with the surgeon Carter. The attacker has
Jane who supports him. Rochester asks her whether she will wounded him with the knife and has also bitten him. Though Mr.
support him always then he asks her to direct Mr. Mason to the Mason has lost much blood, he is out of danger. After the surgeon
library and Jane does the same. finishes his treatment, Rochester asks the surgeon to take Mason
with him and keep him in his house till his recovery. Then Mr.
CHAPTER-20 Mason can go back to Jamaica.
That night Jane has forgotten to draw her curtain, and moon's rays
began to cast on her face, so Jane rises to draw the curtain. Just Before the dawn, the surgeon leaves the house with Mr. Mason.
at that moment, she hears a sharp shrill cry that shakes the whole Rochester expresses his thanks to Jane and asks her whether she
house, It has come from the third storey of the house. Following would help him again if necessary. Jane assures him of her help
the cry, Jane hears a half smothered voice shouting for help and and then they part that night.
calling out the name of Rochester to rescue him. The cry wakes
every one, even the guests in the house. Soon Rochester comes CHAPTER-21
to the corridor and tells everyone that a woman servant in the One day Jane receives a message that Mrs. Reed has had a
upstairs has seen a night mare and so it is she who shouted. Thus stroke and is now bed ridden. Robert Leaven, the coach man of
Mr. Rochester convinced the crowd and every one returns to their Reed's family who brings, the message tells Jane that John Reed
rooms. who has led a dissolute life killed himself a week back and now
Mrs. Reed is very much shocked and Leaven has come to take
But Jane is not convinced. She expects something to happen. Jane to Gateshead Hall as Mrs. Reed is telling her name
Then she hears a knock at her door. When she opens the door, incessantly. Jane who has forgotten all her childhood ill-treatment
Rochester asks her to follow him to the third storey of the house. in the hands of Mrs. Reed, decides to meet her, who is in her death
There, in a room she sees Mason in an easy chair with one of his bed. Jane requests Mr. Rochester to grant her leave to visit her
arms wounded. Mason's shoulder and arm have been attacked aunt. After asking her many questions about Mrs. Reed, Mr.
with a sharp weapon. With the help of Jane, Mr. Rochester gives
Rochester gives permission to Jane to go and Jane leaves for see her again. Mr. Rochester scolds her in a humorous way for
Gateshead Hall with Leaven. being absent for a month.

At Gateshead Hall Bessie receives Jane warmly and tells that the A fortnight passes calmly. There is no symptom of Mr. Rochester's
conditions of Mrs. Reed is no good. Eliza and Georgiana, the marriage. Jane thanks that the marriage contract between Mrs.
daughters of Mrs. Reed meet Jane. But they are not cordial, they Rochester and Miss Ingram must have been broken off. Now Mr.
are only indifferent and haughty towards Jane. Rochester calls Jane often to his presence and he is more kind to
her. Jane's love for him increases.
Jane goes to see Mrs. Reed in her bed. Jane kisses Mrs. Reed
and presses her hand kindly and tells her who she is. Mrs. Reed CHAPTER 23
withdraws her hand and regards Jane icily as her feeling towards One mid summer eve, after Adele has gone to bed, Jane comes
Jane is not changed and is unchangeable. She wants to tell Jane to the orchard to enjoy the smell of the flowers. There she happens
something to unburden her soul before her death. She asks Jane to meet Mr. Rochester. He tells her that he is going to be mamed
to take a letter from her dressing case, the letter is from her and so Adele must be sent to school. So Jane must leave
paternal uncle, John Eyre from Madeira, dated three years back. Thornfield hall, though she is much attached to Mrs. Fairfax and
In the letter John Eyre has expressed his wish to know about Jane little Adele. He asks her whether she is ready to go to Ireland,
Eyre and her address as he wanted to adopt her and bequeath his where he will get a job for her.
wealth to her. Mrs. Reed who does not like Jane becoming
properous by inheriting John Eyres' wealth, replied him that Jane Jane in not ready to go to Ireland as it is far away and she says
is dead because of typhus fever at Lowood and thus she has taken that she will be really grieved to leave Thomfield hall, as she has
revenge on Jane for her bad conduct towards her. lived a full and delightful life there. But she will not stay there after
his marriage with Miss. Ingram.
Jane who wants to be reconciled with Mrs. Reed, bends low, so
that Mrs. Reed may give her a kiss of reconciliation, but, Mrs. Now, Mr. Rochester takes Jane in his arms and kisses her and
Reed turns her face to the other side. That night Mrs. Reed dies. tells her that he is going to marry only Jane and not Miss. Blanche
Ingram because she loves not him but only his purse. He asks
CHAPTER-22 Jane whether she will take him as her husband.
Jane stays at Gateshead Hall nearly a month. Georgiana has gone
to London, accepting her uncle's invitation and Eliza has decided Jane who cannot believe her ears is so excited that she readily
to go to the Continent and study the Roman Catholic doctrines by accepts the proposal of Mr. Rochester. It rains and when they
staying in a religious house. reach Thomfield Hall, they are quite wet. Mrs. Fairfax sees Mr.
Rochester kissing Jane and she watches them with a feeling of
After a tedious journey Jane arrives at Thomfield hall. Everyone amazement.
there, the little Adele, Mrs. Fairfax, Lea and Sophie are happy to
In the moming Adele comes and tells Jane that the great chestnut CHAPTER-25
tree in the Orchard has been struck by the lightning of the night Four weeks of love making comes to an end and the marriage day
and half of it is split away. is going to dawn. All the preparations for the marriage are
completed. Jane's boxes are packed, locked and corded, as soon
CHAPTER-24 after the marriage Jane is going to travel with Mr. Rochester as
After the tempest at night, the moming is calm and peaceful. Jane Jane Rochester. She is restless and excited. She has a strange
recollects what happened in the night and wonders whether it is a and anxious thought at her heart, a strange thing which she cannot
dream. Mr. Rochester meets Jane and tells her that he will marry understand has happened the previous night.
her within four weeks and the wedding will take place quietly in the
church down below. He also tells her that he will get the jewels of Rochester has gone out to settle a business. It is very late night
the Rochester family, from the bank and present it to her on the but he has not yet returned. Jane is waiting for him anxiously. She
day of marriage. Jane is not much bothered about the jewels, she goes to the orchard and then comes to the library to see whether
says that she does not like to wear jewels. Mr. Rocherster tells her the fire is lit. She is so restless that again she goes out and walks
that after the marriage he will take her to London and from there fast. Soon she meets Rochester and both reach Thornfield. Then
they will go to the cities of Paris, Rome, Naples, Florence, Venice Jane goes to meet Rochester in the library and he wants to know
and Vienna. Jane feels thrilled and excited to hear these things. the cause for her mental disturbance.
Mr. Rochester asks Jane to go with him to select dresses for her,
at Millcote. Jane describes to Rochester the dream she had the previous
night. In the dream Jane is on an unknown road and Rochester
Before going to Millicote, Jane requests Mr. Rochester to inform has travelled a long distance, leaving her behind and making it
Mrs. Fairfax about their marriage as she is likely to misunderstand impossible for her to overtake him. In the other dream she is
Jane. Mrs. Fairfax is astonished to hear the news. wandering on a moon lit night with an unknown child in her hand.
She stumbles and falls down, the child also falls down from her
At Milcote, Mr. Rochester takes Jane to a silk ware house and a arms Then she wakes up. On waking up, she sees some one with
jeweller's shop. Jane does not want to make a display of the the lighted candie. Jane thought it to be Sophie, but it is not
dresses and jewels, she tells him that she will maintain the same Sophie. It is a strange, unknown ghastly figure. She sees the figure
standard of living as the govemess even after becoming his wife. taking the veil of Jane, wearing it on her head and looking at the
mirror. Then it removes the veil, tears it into two and flings them
In the evening Jane requests Mr. Rochester to sing her a song. In on the floor and tramples over it. Then the strange figure comes
his sweet pleasing voice he sings a love song to her. To Jane, Mr. to Jane's bed sees her face closely by thrusting up the candle and
Rochester has become the whole world. then extinguishes the candle. Jane has become insensible of
terror. Jane asks Rochester who that strange figure is.
Rochester consoles Jane saying that it is only her imagination. is Mr. Mason, whom Jane has seen in Thomfield Hall and for
When Jane tells him that she saw the veil torn into two, lying on treating whose wounds Jane has helped Rochester, a few months
the carpet, he says that half of it is a dream and half is real. The back. Mr. Mason said that he has seen his sister still living in
woman is Grace Poole, her imagination has made her to be a Thornfield Hall and he has seen her in April last. The clergy man
strange woman and the tearing of the veil is real. He says that one cannot believe what he says to be true as he has never heard of
year and a day after their marriage, he will explain everything to a Mrs. Rochester at Thomfield. But, Mr. Rochester admits that the
her. He asks her to sleep in the nursery with Adele that night. But charge against him is true and he asks the marriage ceremony to
Jane spends a sleepless night that day. be stopped and he asks all of them to go with him to Thornfield
Hall to see his wife. So everyone gets into Mr. Rochester's
CHAPTER-26 carriage to go to Thomfield Hall.
Next morning, Jane with the help of Sophie, dresses herself for
the marriage ceremony. Mr. Rochhester is in a hurry to go to the On arriving at Thorn field Hall, Rochester takes them to a room in
church in time. There is no one to accompany Rochester and Jane the third storey, where they see a woman looking more like a
to the church. When they, arrive at the church, the priest Mr. Wood hideous creature. Rochester tells them that it is his wife.
is waiting with a clerk. Two strangers slip into the church in a Meanwhile that figure tries to leap towards Rochester and bite his
stealthy manner. cheeks. With the help of Grace Poole he ties her to a chair with a
cord. Then he asks all the others to leave the place.
The marriage ceremony begins with the usual procedure of the
priest asking the bride and bridegroom whether they know any The Solicitor tells Jane that her uncle John Eyre will be glad to
impediment in the way of they being united legally in matrimony. hear that the marriage is stopped. He further adds that her uncle
As Jane and Rochester know no impediment, the priest proceeds is seriously ill and if he recovers he is sure to call Jane to Jamaica.
by asking whether he will have Jane for his wedded wife. Before
Rochester answers him, they hear a loud voice saying that the Jane returns to her room. She does not weep but is very calm.
marriage cannot go on as he knows the existence of an She does not consider Mr. Rochester to be a criminal or a sinner.
implement. The speaker now comes forward and says that the He has not betrayed her but he has not been true to her. She can
impediment consisted in the existence of a previous marriage and no longer stay in Thorn field Hall. But she does not know where to
Mr. Rochester has a wife still alive. go. All her hopes are shattered.

Both Jane and Rochester are shocked. When questioned by the CHAPTER-27
clergy man, the stranger said that he is Mr. Briggs, a solicitor in Though Jane still loves Mr. Rochester, she decides to leave
London. He produces an evidence saying that Mr. Rochester Thornfield Hall at once. She feels sick. She has not taken her
married Bertha Mason fifteen years before in a church in Jamaica breakfast but no one comes to ask about her health. She goes out
and the record of the marriage is still found in the register of the of her room and stumbles over an obstacle. Just then Rochester
church in Jamaica. The other man who has come with the solicitor
appear before her and asks her if she would forgive him. Jane Hall and hired Grace Poole to attend her. Only Mr.Carter, the
forgives him at once but not outwardly, only in wardly. surgeon and Grace Poole knew about her madness. Grace Poole
has proved to be a good keeper but at times has been baffled. The
Rochester tells Jane that he cannot live without her. First he mad woman is both cunning and malignant to take advantage of
pleads with her to accept his love. Then he threatens her. But Jane Grace Pooles temporary lapses and has got hold of a knife with
is stubborn. She refuses to yield either to his entreaties or his which she stabbed her brother and she has taken the key of her
threats. She tells him firmly that as his wife is still alive, she cannot cell twice and has come out during the night. On the first occasion
live with him as his mistress. She has decided to quit Thornfield she has tried to burn Mr. Rochester in his bed and the second
Hall. occasion is tearing Jane's veil.

Rochester tells her the entire story of his previous life and explains For ten long years he has wandered all over Europe and has tried
the circumstances which made him marry Bertha Mason. the companionship of mistresses. He chose three women, but all
Rochester had an older brother called Rowland. His father, an have failed so he has got rid of them and has come back to
avaricious man did not want to divide his property among his sons. England. Only after meeting Jane he has got true love in his life.
He resolved to give all his property to his eldest son. At the same He wants to make her his wife and live with her. Jane adamantly
time he did not want to leave Rochester as a poor man. So he says that she will not be his wife. Rochester feels angry with Jane
arranged a marriage for him with Bertha Mason, who was very for her stiff resistance to his entreaties so he catches hold of her
beautiful at that time. Mr. Mason, a West Indian planter was ready and shakes her. But Jane calmly bids farewell to him saying that
to give a fortune of thirty thousand pounds to his daughter. Only God will reward him for his kindness towards her.
after the honeymoon Rochester knew the fact that madness had
been running in the Mason family living in Jamaica for three In the night in her sleep she has a dream in which her mother
generations. Mrs. Mason was mad and Bertha's younger brother Nature asks her to flee from temptations. In the morning, she
was a dumbidiot, Rocherter's father and his brother knew all this, wakes up, packs a few things and with only twenty shilling in her
yet they had got him married to the mad woman in view of the rich pocket, she walks out of Thornifeld Hall. A mile away from
dowry. Mr. Rochester had lived with this mad wife for four years. Thornfield Hall, there lies a road that stretched in the opposite
During this period her character developed and madness direction of Millicote. She takes that road and goes on walking.
increased rapidly. Meanwhile his brother died and after him, his After sometime, she is so weak that she falls down. She manages
father also died. He inherited all the property and became rich but to get up and continues her journey, without knowing where she
he was absolutely poor as far as happiness was concerned. He is going.
had to live with his wife and bear everything. He could not get rid
of her by legal proceedings. At the age of twenty six he found CHAPTER-28
himself in a helpless condition. He even attempted suicide. It was Jane has got into a coach while walking on the road and the
his wisdom which had shown him the right path. He then brought coachman sets her down at the place called Whit cross. Jane is
her to England and made her stay in the upper storey of Thornfield standing on the road without a single shilling and she has forgotten
to take her package out of the coach. That night she spends with
Nature. Mary and Diana and their brother after their return from a walk,
enter into a conversation with Jane. St. John tells her that he will
Next morning she is very tired and is badly in need of food. She try to restore her to her home. Jane says that she has no relatives,
wanders over the whole village asking for work and food and no no friends and no house. She thanks them for their hospitality and
one is ready to give her either of these. It starts raining and she she tells them the story of her whole life without mentioning the
gets completely drenched. Seeing a light from a farm house, she name of Rochester. She tells them her name as Jane Elliot
walks towards it. Through the window she sees three ladies. She because she is afraid that revealing her real name may get her
knocks at the door, and the elderly woman comes and opens the into troubles.
door. Jane explains her predicament to her, but she refuses to do
anything for her. So she sits in the doorstep and weeps in utter Jane tells them that she wants to seek a job until then she wants
anguish. to live with them. St. John promises to help her to lead an
independent life.
Just then the brother of the girls comes and he asks the elderly
woman Hannah to call her in and give her milk and bread. Jane CHAPTER-30
comes to know that he is St. John, the clergy man and the two Gradually Jane recovers and becomes well acquainted with the
ladies are his sisters Diana and Mary and Hannah is their servant. inmates of the Moor House. She discovers that she and the sisters
After some time she is taken to room up stairs. Her wet clothes Diana and Mary have similar tastes, sentiments and principles.
are removed and a dry bed is provided to her and soon she falls Diana offers to teach her German language and the sisters admire
asleep. her drawing skill and a mutual affection develops between Jane
and the sisters. St. John is seldom at home and he is a reserved
CHAPTER-29 type of man. So Jane cannot develop any intimacy with him.
Jane spends three days and nights in a small room and in a narrow
bed. Hannah visits her frequently but she is not happy to have her A month has passed and soon Diana and Mary are to leave the
there. Mary and Diana visited her once or twice a day. They are Moor house, to become governesses in a large fashionable city in
happy that they have saved her. St. John visits her once and tells the South of England. When Jane asks St. John about her job, he
her that nature will cure her tells her that he has already established a school for boys in the
village of Morton and now he is going to start a school for girls. He
Gradually, Jane recovers and comes down and talks with Hannah. has already arranged the building for the school. He needs a
When questioned she sells her that she is not a beggar and that teacher for whom he will pay thirty pounds per year and he asks
she is well educated. From Hannah she learns that the house is Jane whether she will accept the post. Jane readily accepts to be
called The Moor House and that St. John is a parson in the parish the teacher. He tells her that she has to teach the poor girls
at Morton and that their parents are dead. Hannah has been in the knitting, sewing, reading and writing.
house for thirty years and nursed them all.
St. John informs the sisters of their uncle John's death. The sisters
tell Jane that the dead uncle is their father's brother and because Rosamond Oliver visits Jane in her cottage often. St. John is in
the two brothers were not on good terms, the uncle who is love with Rosamond, but he nevershows it out. He has a religious
expected to leave his property has left it to another relative. He and spiritual fervour and he does not want to renounce his
has left them each only thirty guineas. religious mission for the sake of the pleasures of Vale Hall, that is
the house of Rosamond.
The next day Jane leaves Marsh End for Martion and a day later
Diana and Mary leave for the distant place in Southem England. Rosamond asks Jane to draw a portrait of her and Jane does so.
After a week St.John and Hannah move to the parsonage at The next day she visits Jane in her cottage with her father Oliver,
Morton, leaving the old farm house abandoned. who is very much pleased with the portrait. He praises Jane and
awards her. Mr. Oliver speaks well of the Rivers family but he does
CHAPTER-31 not like St. John's decision of becoming a missionary.
Jane settles down in a cottage at Morton to start her life as a
school teacher. The Schoci has twenty students in the beginning. Oneday when conversing with St.John, Jane tells him that
All the students are girls. They are poor ignorant and ugly. Jane Rosamond likes him and she also gives him the suggestion to
wonders what sort of life she would have been leading with Mr. marry her. St. John tells her that though he loves Rosamond, she
Rochester, she consoles her mind that living a luxurious life in wil not suit him as a life partner because his aim is to become a
France as Mr. Rochester's mistress is in no way better when missionary. He tells Jane that he has taken a vow to spread the
compared to her present position as a free, honest school teacher. doctrines of Jesus Christ and he will fulfill his vow.

St. John comes to know how she is getting on with her work. Then CHAPTER-33
a young beautiful gir called Rosamond Oliver comes to meet Jane. Again St.John visits Jane and tells her own story. He tells her how
Jane guesses that st. John is in love with the girt. Rosamond asks a little girl was left as a dependant in the Reed family, her ill-
St.John to accompany her to her house to meet her father Mr. treatment, life at Lowood school and becoming the govermess of
Oliver, but St.John adamantly refuses to do so. Rochester's ward and how, the marriage is stopped. He tells her
that Briggs, the solicitor has written to him saying that Mr. John
CHAPTER-32 Eyre of Madeira is dead leaving twenty thousand pounds to Jane.
Jane continues her work in the village school actively and Briggs has the will and the necessary documents. Jane Eyre has
faithfully. She understands the nature of the students. Most of to prove her identity. He tells her that he knows Jane Elliot and not
them are obliging and amiable. Some are intelligent, She starts Jane Eyre. Now Jane accepts that she is Jane Eyre.
liking some of the best girls and they also begin to like her. Parents
have a great regard for her. Wherever she goes, she is cordially Then St. John reveals her his own story. He is St. John Eyre
saluted and welcomed by friendly smiles. Jane has become a Rivers. His mother Eyre had two brothers. One is the clergy man
favourite in the neighbourhood. who married Jane's mother Miss. Reed and the other is John Eyre
of Madeira who has left his property to Jane, his brother's also expresses his wish to take her with him as his wife to do
daughter, overlooking him and his sisters who are his sister's missionary work. Jane rejects the proposal and tells him that she
children. So now Jane and St. John, Diana and Mary have become cannot leave England. As he goes on pressing her to take up the
dose relatives. They are cousins. missionary work, she tells him that she will go with him as his sister
and not as his wife. St. John is not ready to accept her idea. Then
Jane decides to share the property that she has inherited from her he tells her that he is leaving for Cambridge the next day and on
uncle, equally with her cousins, she divides the twenty thousand his return he will again ask her willingness to accompany him as
pounds to four equal shares of five thousand pounds and with the his wife. If she refuses then she will be disobeying God and not
help of a lawyer documents are drafted for the transfer of five him.
thousand pounds each to St.John, Diana and Mary. Jane will keep
one share for herself. CHAPTER-35
St. John has post poned his trip to Cambridge for a week. During
CHAPTER-34 this period he behaves to Jane in such a stern way that Jane feels
By the time of Christmas everything regarding the Legacy is it as a punishment.
settled. Diana Mary and Jane are happy in the company of each
other. Jane closes Morton school but promises the students that Diana is happy to hear about St. John's proposal to Jane but when
she will visit them once a week and teach them an hour. she said that he wishes to take her to India, she does not welcome
the idea as Indian climate will not suit Jane.
One day Diana asks St. John whether there is any change in his
plan of going abroad and doing missionary work. He replies that After his return from Cambridge, St. John renews his proposal to
his plan is unchanged and unchangeable. When asked whether Jane. He tries all sorts of ways to make Jane accept him. He
he has any intention of marrying Rosamond Oliver, he tells them argues, entreats and speaks in the name of God. He speaks in
about the forth coming marriage of Rosamond with Mr. Grumbly, such a way that Jane even decides to change her mind. She tells
a highly respected person in the region. He seems to be him that if it is God's will, she will marry him. So St. John is
unconcemed about Rosamond's marriage. pleased. But suddenly Jane hears some one calling her as Janc
She recognizes the voice to be Rochester's. The voice is
Jane who remembers Mr. Rochester every moment wants to know expressive of woe and pain. Replying the voice as 'I am coming,
about his whereabouts. So she writes to Mr. Briggs asking about wait for me', She runs out into the garden. But she sees no one.
Mr. Rochester but Mr. Briggs is unable to give her any information Now Jane changes her opinion of marrying St.John and tells him
about him. So, she writes to Mrs. Fairfax, but she never responds. that she wants to be alone. She prays to God and waits for the
Again she writes to her but has not got any reply from her. next day.

One day when Jane and St. John go for a walk, he tells her that
he is leaving for India in six weeks to be a missionary there. He
CHAPTER-36 one hand is so crushed that it was amputated, the other eye was
In the next morning, she finds a note for her from St.John in which burnt, so he lost his eye sight. He lives in Ferndean now with old
he has said that he is going away and will be back in a fort night, John and his wife. Jane leaves for Fendean to meet Mr.
when he expects a clear reply from Jane. A servant tells her that Rochester.
St. John has gone to Whitcross. She has also decided to go to
Whitcross to know the whereabouts of Rochester as she feels that CHAPTER-37
the voice she heard is a real one. In the dark rainy evening Jane reaches the manor house of
Fendean. She sees from a distance Rochester. She goes to
After telling her cousins that she is going on a journey and will John's wife Mary, who is wonderstruck to see her and tells her that
retum after fourdays, she goes to Whitcross and from there to she has come to see Mr. Rochester and wants to spend the night
Thomfield Hall in a coach. She gets down at an inn and walks to there. She goes to the parlour where Rochester is. His dog pilot
Thomfield Hall. She finds the house to be in ruins. The whole jumps up when it sees Jane. Thinking that it is Mary, Rochester
building has been burnt. In order to find out what has happened, asks her to give him water. Jane tells him that Mary is in the
she returns to the inn. kitchen. Rochester wants to feel the presence of the speaker, so
wants to touch it. So Jane holds his hand and touching her fingers
Jane inquires the innkeeper about the Thornfiled Hall, he tells her Rochester recognizes Jane. He cannot believe that Jane is before
that it was burnt about harvest time. The fire broke out in the him. He considers it to be a dream. She assures him that from
midnight and before the fire engine came, the whole building was then onwards, she will never leave him. She tells him that she is
in flames. It was a dreadful calamity. He tells her about then independent and rich. She likes to live with him. If he has any
Rochester's mad wife and his love for the governess. After the objections she will build her own house near his house and
governess left him, Rochester is so disappointed, that he shut through out her life she will remain his neighbour, nurse and house
himself up like a hermit in the hall after sending away Mrs. Fairfax keeper.
to her friends and Adele to a school.
Jane tells Rochester all that has happened to her after she left
It was Rochester's mad wife who set fire, As Grace Poole had Thornfield Hall. She tells him that she has inherited the wealth of
taken a larger dose of drink than usual, when she was fast asleep her uncle John Eyre. Rochester has his own doubts about St.
the lunatic took the key from her pocket and came out and first set John. After many questions about St. John, Rochester is
fire to the hangings of the room next to herself and got down to a convinced that Jane is not in love with St. John and what she has
lower storey. On waking up Rochester saw his house on fire he told is truth. So he asks her whether she will marry him. Jane
awakened the servants and helped them to get out of the house. readily accepts the proposal.
Then he went to save his wife standing on the roof and shouting.
When he approached near her, she jumped down yelling and was Rochester tells Jane that three days back, he was so
immediately killed. The whole house was burnt. Though overwhelmed with the thoughts of Jane that he expressed out his
Rochester survived the fire, one of his eyes was knocked out and feelings by calling her name thrice as Jane. Now Jane recalls the
Incident of she hearing a voice calling her thrice. It is clear that Diana marries a navy officer and Mary marries a clergy man, a
Rochester's soul has called out to her soul. college friend of her brother St.John. Both are good men. They
love their wives and are loved by them. Once a year they come to
CHAPTER-38 see Jane. St. John Rivers proves to be a tireless faithful
After three days Jane and Rochester are married in a quiet missionary. He remains unmarried. He keeps writing to lane and
manner. Only Rochester, Jane, the parson and his clerk are the his last letter informs Jane that he is approaching the end of his
persons in the wedding. On returning from the church, Jane life.
informs Mary about her marriage and gives her a five pound note
to John and Mary as a token of her happiness. Then she informs
all her three cousins about her marriage. Diana and Mary write Key Points and Self Notes
back approving her action, but St.John never responded. But after
six months he writes to her without mentioning about Mr. 1. Overview:
• Author: Charlotte Brontë
Rochester or about her marriage. From that time onwards he
• Published: 1847
keeps writing to her regularly.
• Genre: Gothic Fiction, Bildungsroman, Romance
• Setting: Early 19th-century England, primarily in various
Jane goes to meet Adele in the school, she is very happy to see
Jane. As she is not happy in the school, Jane brings her home, fictional locations such as Gateshead, Lowood School,
admits her in another school. Adele is happy and shows much Thornfield Hall, Moor House, and Ferndean
• Significance: Jane Eyre is considered one of the most
progress in her studies. When she leaves school, she proves to
be docile, pleasing and obliging companion to Jane. influential novels in English literature, known for its
innovative narrative style, exploration of social class,
Ten years have passed. Jane is really happy with Rochester. She gender roles, and the development of a strong,
is his very life as he is her life. They have mutual love and independent female protagonist.
understanding with each other.
2. Background and Context:
• Victorian Era: The novel is set in the Victorian period, a
After the marriage, Rochester is completely blind for two years.
Jane serves him as his eyes and also as one of his hands. Then time characterized by strict social hierarchy, a rigid moral
they meet an eminent oculist in London who restores the sight of code, and limited rights for women. These societal norms
his one eye. Though Rochester cannot see distinctly he can find deeply influence the characters and their actions within the
his way without being led by the hand. When a boy is born to Jane, novel.
• Gothic Elements: Jane Eyre incorporates many elements
Rochester can see that his son has inherited his large black and
brilliant eyes. of Gothic literature, including mystery, the supernatural,
dark and moody settings, and the exploration of complex
psychological themes.
 • Autobiographical Elements: The novel draws on Brontë’s o Jane’s Departure: Devastated, Jane leaves
own experiences, particularly in its depiction of the harsh Thornfield and wanders until she is taken in by the
conditions at Lowood School, which mirrors Brontë’s Rivers family. She learns that they are her cousins
experiences at the Clergy Daughters' School at Cowan and that she has inherited a fortune from her uncle.
Bridge. o Return to Thornfield: Jane eventually returns to
Thornfield, only to find it in ruins after a fire caused
3. Plot Summary: by Bertha Mason. She discovers that Mr. Rochester
• Introduction: The novel follows the life of Jane Eyre, an was injured in the fire, losing his sight and a hand.
orphaned girl who faces a series of hardships and o Reunion and Conclusion: Jane and Mr. Rochester
challenges as she grows into adulthood. The story is reunite, and she chooses to stay with him,
narrated by Jane herself, providing a first-person account demonstrating the triumph of love and equality over
of her inner thoughts and emotions. social conventions and personal pride.
• Major Events:
o Gateshead: Jane’s early life is marked by abuse 4. Key Themes:
and neglect at the hands of her Aunt Reed and • Love vs. Autonomy:
cousins. Jane's strong sense of justice leads to a o A central theme in the novel is Jane’s struggle to
confrontation with her aunt, resulting in her being balance her desire for love with her need for
sent away to school. independence and self-respect. Jane refuses to
o Lowood School: At Lowood, Jane endures harsh compromise her principles, even for the man she
conditions, but she forms a close friendship with loves, highlighting her strong sense of self.
Helen Burns and comes under the influence of the • Social Class and Inequality:
kind Miss Temple. Helen’s death and Miss Temple’s o The novel explores the rigid class structure of
departure shape Jane’s understanding of morality, Victorian England and the limitations it imposes on
faith, and resilience. individuals, particularly women and the poor. Jane’s
o Thornfield Hall: As an adult, Jane becomes a status as a governess places her in an ambiguous
governess at Thornfield Hall, where she meets the social position, neither a servant nor an equal to the
brooding and mysterious Mr. Rochester. A complex family she serves.
relationship develops between them, complicated by • Gender Roles:
secrets and social expectations. o Jane Eyre challenges traditional gender roles,
o The Proposal and Revelation: Mr. Rochester presenting Jane as a strong, intelligent, and
proposes to Jane, but their wedding is interrupted by independent woman. The novel critiques the
the revelation that he is already married to Bertha expectations placed on women to be submissive
Mason, a woman of unsound mind whom he keeps and dependent, advocating for equality in
hidden in the attic. relationships.
 • Religion and Morality: existence of his first wife, Bertha Mason, and
o The novel presents various interpretations of attempting to marry Jane despite his existing
Christianity, from the harsh, hypocritical faith of Mr. marriage. His relationship with Jane is marked by
Brocklehurst to the compassionate, forgiving power dynamics and secrets, but he ultimately
Christianity of Helen Burns and Miss Temple. Jane’s undergoes a transformation, becoming more
own moral and spiritual journey is central to her humble and self-aware.
character development. • St. John Rivers:
• The Gothic and the Supernatural: o St. John is a clergyman and Jane’s cousin, who
o Gothic elements pervade the novel, particularly in offers her a different kind of life—one dedicated to
the mysterious atmosphere of Thornfield Hall and religious duty rather than personal happiness. He is
the figure of Bertha Mason. The supernatural is also cold, ambitious, and determined to carry out his
hinted at, such as when Jane hears Rochester’s missionary work, viewing love and passion as
voice calling her across the moors, which distractions. His proposal to Jane is significant as it
symbolizes their deep connection. represents a choice between a life of duty and one
• Isolation and Belonging: of emotional fulfillment.
o Jane’s journey is marked by periods of intense • Bertha Mason:
isolation, both physical and emotional. Her search o Bertha is Mr. Rochester’s first wife, whom he keeps
for a sense of belonging and family is a driving force hidden due to her mental illness. She embodies the
in the novel, leading to her eventual reunion with Mr. Gothic elements of the novel, representing the dark,
Rochester and the Rivers family. repressed side of Mr. Rochester’s life. Her presence
raises questions about madness, colonialism (as
5. Character Analysis: she is of Creole descent), and the treatment of
• Jane Eyre: women.
o Jane is the protagonist and narrator of the novel. • Helen Burns:
She is characterized by her strong will, intelligence, o Helen is Jane’s close friend at Lowood School,
and moral integrity. Throughout the novel, Jane embodying a Christian ideal of forgiveness,
seeks to assert her independence while staying true patience, and acceptance of suffering. Her death
to her principles. Her journey from a mistreated deeply affects Jane, influencing her understanding
orphan to a confident, self-assured woman is central of religion and morality.
to the novel’s narrative. • Mrs. Reed:
• Edward Rochester: o Mrs. Reed is Jane’s cruel aunt, who raises her after
o Mr. Rochester is the dark, brooding master of her parents’ death. She represents the harshness
Thornfield Hall and Jane’s love interest. He is and indifference of the upper class, treating Jane as
complex and morally ambiguous, hiding the
 an outsider. Her mistreatment of Jane fuels Jane’s relationship between Jane and Rochester and their
desire for justice and independence. eventual reunion.
• Miss Temple: • Foreshadowing:
o Miss Temple is a kind and fair teacher at Lowood o Brontë uses foreshadowing to build suspense and
School who acts as a mother figure to Jane. She hint at future events. For example, Jane’s recurring
provides Jane with the love, guidance, and moral dreams of a child before her wedding foreshadow
support she needs during her difficult years at the revelation of Bertha Mason and the collapse of
Lowood. her relationship with Rochester.
• Imagery:
6. Literary Techniques: o The novel is rich in imagery, particularly in its
• First-Person Narrative: descriptions of nature and the weather, which often
o The novel is told from Jane’s perspective, allowing reflect Jane’s inner emotional state. For example,
readers to experience her thoughts, feelings, and the stormy weather before Jane’s wedding mirrors
inner struggles. This narrative style creates a deep the turmoil she will soon face.
connection between the reader and Jane, making
her journey more personal and impactful. 7. Analysis of Key Scenes:
• Bildungsroman Structure: • The Red-Room Incident:
o Jane Eyre is a coming-of-age story that follows o The red-room is where young Jane is locked as
Jane’s development from childhood to adulthood. punishment by her aunt, Mrs. Reed. This traumatic
The novel’s structure reflects Jane’s growth in self- experience is a defining moment in Jane’s
awareness, moral understanding, and emotional childhood, symbolizing her feelings of isolation, fear,
maturity. and oppression. It sets the stage for Jane’s lifelong
• Gothic Elements: struggle against the injustices she faces.
o The novel incorporates classic Gothic elements, • Jane’s Departure from Thornfield:
such as mystery, the supernatural, and the o After discovering Mr. Rochester’s secret marriage,
exploration of dark psychological themes. Thornfield Jane makes the difficult decision to leave Thornfield,
Hall, with its hidden secrets and eerie atmosphere, despite her love for him. This scene is crucial in
serves as a quintessential Gothic setting. demonstrating Jane’s commitment to her principles
• Symbolism: and her refusal to compromise her moral integrity.
o The novel uses various symbols to enhance its • The Gypsy Scene:
themes. For example, fire and ice represent passion o In this scene, Mr. Rochester disguises himself as a
and reason, respectively, while the “red-room” gypsy to gain insight into Jane’s feelings. The scene
symbolizes Jane’s oppression and isolation. The is significant for its exploration of deception, power
split tree at Thornfield symbolizes the fractured
 dynamics, and the growing emotional connection o The novel explores different approaches to religion
between Jane and Rochester. and morality through its characters. Jane’s own
• The Proposal Scene: moral compass is shaped by her experiences and
o Rochester’s proposal to Jane is one of the most the people she meets, leading her to develop a
iconic moments in the novel. The intensity of their balanced, compassionate, and forgiving Christian
emotions, the equality they seek in their relationship, faith.
and the Gothic atmosphere of the garden all • The Search for Love and Belonging:
contribute to the dramatic impact of this scene. o Jane’s quest for love is central to the novel.
• The Fire at Thornfield: However, she refuses to accept love that
o The destruction of Thornfield by fire serves as a compromises her sense of self-worth or moral
turning point in the novel. It symbolizes the end of integrity. Her relationships with characters like Helen
Rochester’s deceitful life and the cleansing of the Burns, Mr. Rochester, and St. John Rivers all
sins that have haunted him. The fire also leads to contribute to her understanding of love and the need
Rochester’s physical and emotional transformation, for belonging.
making him more humble and dependent on Jane. • Social Critique:
• The Reunion at Ferndean: o Brontë critiques the social hierarchy of Victorian
o The final reunion between Jane and Rochester England, particularly the limited opportunities for
takes place at Ferndean, a remote and secluded women and the injustices faced by the lower
manor. This scene represents the resolution of their classes. Through Jane’s experiences, the novel
relationship, now based on mutual respect and challenges the rigid class distinctions and the
equality. Rochester’s blindness and physical treatment of women as inferior beings.
vulnerability allow Jane to take on a more dominant • Fire and Ice:
role, reversing the power dynamics that once existed o The motifs of fire and ice recur throughout the novel,
between them. symbolizing passion and reason, destruction and
calm. Rochester is often associated with fire,
8. Themes and Motifs: reflecting his intense emotions and the dangers they
• Identity and Independence: pose, while Jane’s calm and rational nature is
o Jane’s journey is one of self-discovery and the likened to ice, though she also possesses a
pursuit of independence. She constantly seeks to passionate spirit.
define herself on her own terms, resisting the
societal pressures to conform to expectations based 9. Reception and Legacy:
on gender, class, and social norms. • Initial Reception:
• Morality and Religion: o Upon its publication, Jane Eyre received mixed
reviews. Some critics praised its originality and
 emotional depth, while others criticized it for its
perceived immorality and defiance of social CHOOSE THE CORRECT
conventions. Despite the controversy, the novel
quickly gained popularity and has since become a ANSWER
classic of English literature. 1. What are the names of the servants who care for Rochester at
• Feminist Readings: Fendean?
o Over the years, Jane Eyre has been celebrated as a a) John and Clara
feminist text for its portrayal of a strong, independent b) Reginald and Mrs. Fairfax
female protagonist who challenges the gender c) Mrs. Fairfax and Grace Poole
norms of her time. Jane’s insistence on equality in d) John and Mary
her relationships and her rejection of oppressive
societal expectations have made the novel a 2. Which character is in love with Rosamond?
touchstone for feminist literary criticism. a) St. John
• Adaptations: b) Rochester
o Jane Eyre has been adapted into numerous films, c) John Reed
television series, stage productions, and even d) Mr. Mason
operas. Each adaptation offers a different 3. Who sets the fire in Rochester's bedroom?
interpretation of the novel’s themes and characters, a) Jane
highlighting its enduring appeal and relevance. b) Bertha
• Enduring Relevance: c) c) Mrs. Fairfax
o The novel’s exploration of themes such as love, d) Grace Poole
identity, social justice, and morality continues to
resonate with readers today. Jane Eyre remains a 4. Which character is based on the Reverend Carus Wilson, a
powerful and influential work that speaks to the figure from Charlotte Brontë's childhood?
universal human experiences of suffering, a) St. John Rivers
resilience, and the quest for self-fulfillment. b) Rochester
c) Mr. Brocklehurst
d) Mr. Lloyd
5. Who writes to St. John regarding Jane's inheritance from John 10. What does the kind teacher give Jane and Helen to eat?
Eyre? a) Bundt cake
a) Mr. Briggs b) Strawberries
b) Mr. Mason c) Cookies
c) Mr. Brocklehurst d) Seed cake
d) Mrs. Reed
11. How does Jane earn a living after leaving Thornfield?
6. Where did Rochester marry Bertha Mason? a) She paints.
a) Jamaica b) She writes and sells short stories.
b) Madeira c) She becomes a governess at a different manor house.
c) St. Kitts d) St. John Rivers finds her a teaching job in the town
d) Bermuda of Morton.

7. Who first suggests that Jane be sent away to school? 12. With whom does Jane believe Rochester is in love for most of
a) Mrs. Reed her time at Thornfield?
b) Mr. Brocklehurst a) Herself
c) Mr. Lloyd b) Blanche Ingram
d) John Reed c) Georgianna Reed
d) Celine Varens
8. What is the nationality of Jane's pupil at Thornfield? 13. To which destination does St. John Rivers want Jane to
a) Spanish accompany him as his wife and fellow missionary?
b) German a) India
c) Jamaican b) China
d) French c) Hannah
d) Persephone
9. Which teacher is kind to Jane at Lowood?
a) Mrs. Scatcherd 14. What is the name of the Riverses' servant?
b) Miss Temple a) Alice
c) Mr. Brocklehurst b) Bertha
d) Miss Ames c) The Congo
d) Ireland
15. Who wears the disguise of a gypsy woman? Reed, a harsh and stern woman by nature did not keep up her
a) Blanche Ingram promise. She never showed any kindness to Jane. She treated
b) Lady Ingram her cruelly. Her children, John, Georgiana and Eliza were also
c) Rochester contemptuous of Jane and they regarded her as a dependant.
d) Lady Bartholomew Anesis John bullied and punished Jane continually. Jane had no
happiness in the house. She was saddened by the chidings of
16. What happens within the first ten years of Jane and Bessie, the governess and was humbled by the consciousness of
Rochester's marriage? her physical inferiority to Eliza and Georgian Reed, One day when
a) A daughter is born she was reading a book, John started striking her and when she
b) A son is bom got a blood injury, Jane attacked him in retaliation. So, Mrs. Reed
c) A star is bom ordered to confine Jane in the Red room.
d) None of the above
2. Bring out the sigrificance of the Red Roorn.
17. What is the subject of the book Jane is reading at the The red room was one of the largest and grandest of the rooms in
beginning of the novel? the house. But it was seldom used. Mr. Reed, Jane's uncle, who
a) Fish had died nine years before had died in this room and his body was
b) British royalty laid in that room until it was carried to the coffin. Since that day an
c) Fairies and knights air of dreary consecration had guarded it from intrusion and the
d) Birds room smelt of damp and neglect. Mrs. Reed visited the red room
to inspect the contents of secret drawer in the ward robe in which
was stored several documents, her jewel casket and a picture of
her late husband. When Jane was locked in that room, she asked
PARAGRAPHS herself why everyone in the house condemned and bullied her.
She knew that her uncle brought her to the house when she was
1. How was Jane III treated by the Reed family? a child. She thought that if he had been alive, he would have been
Jane Eyre's father was a poor clergyman. Her mother had married kind to her. Thoughts about her uncle made her remember stories
him against the wishes of her parents. So, Jane's grand father Mr. about ghosts. Suddenly she saw a ray of light on the ceiling.
Reed had disowned her, Jane's father caught typhus fever, a year Thinking it to be a ghost, she rushed to the door, shook it violently
after the marriage and the mother was also infected by the and screamed loudly. Bessie and Abbot came running to open it
disease. So both had died of the fever within a month of each when Jane asked them to take her out of the room, Abbot said that
other. When Jane Eyre became an orphan, her maternal uncle, screaming was one of her naughty tricks to be released. At that
Mr. Reed, had brought her to his house, Gateshead Hall. Mr. Read time Mrs. Reed appeared. She pushed Jane back into the red
died soon. But before his death he had made his wife, Mrs. Reed, room and again locked her inspite of her sobs. Immediately after
to promise that she would bring up the child as her own. Mrs. that Jane fell down unconscious because of her fright.
 and made her stand in the middle of the class room. Jane was
3. Give an account of Jane's first day at Lowood school. wondered to see her bearing it calmly. After five, the girls were
By the suggestion given by Mr. Lloyds, the apothecary Mrs. Reed given another meal. Jane was still hungry. After half an hour's
sent Jane to the Lowood School. When the coach in which Jane recreation, they had study, then a piece of oat-cake and water.
travelled reached the school, Miss. Miller received her and that Then prayers and bed. This was Jane's first day at school.
night Jane was with her. When Jane opened her eyes she heard
the bell ringing and the girls were up and dressing. So she too 4. Narrate Jane's first meeting with Mr.Rochester.
washed herself up. When the bell rang again, the girls formed a One afternoon, Jane went out to the town of Hay to post a letter
line and descended the stairs and came to the school room and for Mrs. Fairfax. In the course of her long walk, she was sitting on
formed classes. With a reading from the Bible, the work began. a stile to rest for a while. It was a cold day and there was ice on
The reading lasted for an hour and again the bell rang and the girls the road. Suddenly she heard the tramp of a horse's hoofs and
went to another room for break fast. Jane was hungry and was saw a big dog running ahead. When she got up and walked on,
anxiously waiting for the break fast. On the dining tables were she heard a sliding sound and a clattering tumble, Both the rider
steaming basins of porridge but the smell was digusting as the and the horse had fallen on the ground. Jane helped the stranger
porridge was burnt. After the prayer was said and hymn was sung, to get up. With her support, he mounted to his horse. He had
the girls had their porridge. Jane could eat only a few spoons. sprained his ankle. He was a dark, stern faced man with broad
Other girls also gave up eating. Breakfast was over, but none had chest and heavy eyebrows. After posting the letter, Jane returned
breakfasted. Again grace was said and the students went back to to Thornfield hall. When she entered the house, she saw the same
the school room. Discipline was restored and at nine o'clock the big dog. When she enquired whose dog it was she was told that
girls settled down before the four teachers. Miss Temple, the the dog belonged to Rochester, the owner of the Thornfield hall.
superintendent taught geography to the older girls and the other That was how Jane first met Mr. Rochester without knowing his
girls worked with the other teachers. At twelve o'clock Miss identity.
Temple ordered a lunch of bread and cheese to be served to all.
Then the girls were asked to go to the garden which was divided 5. Describe the fire in Mr. Rochester's bed room.
into small plots and the girls were to cultivate those beds. In the One day in the middle of the night, Jane heard some sound just
garden. Jane met Helen Burns who was reading a book. She above. As she was alarmed, she got up and tried to find out the
answered all Jane's questions. From her Jane learnt that Lowood cause. It seemed as if some one was groping a way along the dark
was a charity school. All the students were poor and most of them gallery outside. After some time she heard the strange laugh
were orphans. Mr. Brocklehurst was the director and Miss Temple, followed by a low moan. She heard footsteps going up the third
the superintendent was the best of the teachers. Other teachers storey stair case. So Jane got up and came out of her room. She
were Miss. Miller, Miss. Smith and Miss. Scatchred. Madame saw a candle on the floor in the passage. The air seemed to be
Pierrot was the French teacher. The bell rang and the girls went in filled with smoke. She saw the smoke coming from Mr.
for dinner. After dinner, they had classes till five o'clock. In the Rochester's bed room. So she rushed into his room and saw the
afternoon, Miss. Scatchred dismissed Helen Bums from the class bed curtain on fire. With the water found nearby, she was able to
extinguish the fire. Mr. Rochester was lying motionless in sleep.
She woke him up and told him that some one had set fire to his Relalities in the plot
bed curtains. The cause of the fire puzzled Jane and she was The plot of Jane Eyre is full of real and truthful events. The scenes
wondering whether Grace Poole would have set fire to Mr. of the charity school are the most realistic as it is based upon
Rochester's bed curtains. Rochester who seemed to have Charlotte's own life at Cawan Bridge School. Helen Burns her
understood how the fire had started asked her not to say anything friend at Lowood School is her sister Maria and Miss Temple and
about it. He thanked Jane for saving his life. Miss. Scatchred are drawn from real life. Like Jane, Charlotte had
worked as a governess. Romantic and realistic elements are
skillfully blended in the novel.
ESSAYS
Improbabilities
1. Write an essay on the plot construction of the novel Jane The plot of Jane Eyre is full of improbabilities. It is unbelievable
Eyre' that Rochester hides his wife in a room in the third storey and no
one knows about it. The mad wife gets loose many times and yells
Introduction about the house without anyone noticing her. It is also
Like Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte confined herself to her limited unbelievable that Mrs. Reed takes revenge on Jane by hiding her
range and within that limited experiences, she constructed the uncle's letter as she cannot forget Jane's conduct to her at the age
plots of her novels. Her plots are generally rambling and full of of ten. It is also incredible that Jane falls at the door steps of her
improbabilities. relations the Rivers. Jane's dreams and the voice heard by her are
all improbable.
Well designed plot
The plot of the novel is full of design and order. In has a unity Conclusion
because it centres round Jane and Rochester. The story falls into No event in the novel is mechanically linked by a plot but it is
seven episodes namely, Jane's life at Gateshead Hall, Jane's life organically united by imagery and symbolism which pervade in the
at Lowood School, Jane as governess at Thornfield Hall, Jane's novel. No event is found to be useless. From the beginning to the
visit to Gateshead Hall, Jane's return to Thornfield Hall, Mr. end the story runs organically.
Rochester's proposal and the events ending in her flight, Jane with
the Rivers at Moor House and finally her return to Thornfield and
her marriage with Rochester.

The plot is full of interesting, exciting and complicated events. The

complications are not confusing as there is a sequence of cause
and effect in the description of scenes and events. Nothing is
superficial in the plot.
2. Treatment of love In Jane Eyre'
(or) True love
Discuss the novel Jane Eyre' as a love story Jane loves Rochester deeply, profoundly and passionately. Being
(or) a modest woman, she never expresses her love to him, but keeps
The theme of the novel. it to herself. Though she leaves him after the marriage is stopped,
her love for him neither falters nor diminishes. She does not accept
Introduction the proposal of St. John Rivers, because she still loves Rochester.
"Jane Eyne' is pre-eminently a love story which is given rather an St. John gives her maximum pressure to accept his proposal and
unconventional treatment. The novel deals with Jane, the when she is about to yield to his pressure, she hears Rocheter's
heroine's love for her employer, Rochester, and his love for her. voice calling her. So she resolves to go in search of Rochester.
The love affair begins in a calm atmosphere at Thornfield hall, but She finds Rochester a helpless man. He is blind and is a cripple.
is violently disturbed by mysterious happenings and the marriage She accepts him and serves him as his eye and his one hand.
is stopped and the heroine leaves the hero. But still loves him and Rochester's love for Jane is equally passionate and ardent. Their
is eventually united with him. The love story is the principal love for each other is so true that it does not change with change
concern of the novelist and all the other episodes in the novel are of fortune or place. The power of their true love keeps them happy
mere accessories. even many years of marriage.

Unusual and unconventional love Conclusion

The love story in the novel is most unusual because, unlike the The intensity and the fervour of love on both sides, the constancy
heroines who are beautiful in the other novels in this novel Jane is of love on both sides and the almost obsessive nature of this love
a plain and simple girl without beauty or rank. She falls in love with on both sides make it highly a romantic affair. The mutual love
Rochester, who is double her age. Rochester is by no means a between Jane and Rochester makes her think herself to be her
handsome man. Besides, he is a married man and his wife is mad husband's very life as fully as he her life. There is perfect concord
and is living in the same house in a room in the top, storey of the between Jane and Rocheter in their married life.
house. Rochester is attracted by Jane's education, moral sense
and strong character.
3. Bring out the autobiographical elements in Jane Eyre.
Jane's Individually
Jane retains her individuality through out Rochester's court ship Introduction
with her. She is not ready to please him if what he wants her to do "Jane Eyre' is an autobiographical novel. The incidents in the
offends her dignity as a woman. She is not willing to go against novel are from Charlotte Bronte's own life. The novelist has made
the dictates of her conscience. That is why, when the marriage is use of a substantial part of her first hand experience in life in her
stopped, Rochester pleads with her to live with him and give him story of the heroine Jane.
company, she refuses to be his mistress.
Similarities between Jane and Charlotte Charlotte's brother
Jane Eyre resembles Charlotte Bronte in physical appearance. John Reed, Jane's cousin, is Charlotte's brother Branwell Bronte.
Like Charlotte, Jane is small, plain and simple. Charlotte Like John, Branwell was also dissipated and spent a lot of money.
purposely created Jane to be simple and plain looking, to show, Just as Mrs. Reed is worried about her son's future, Branwell was
that a heroine could be an interesting one without being beautiful. a cause of grief and worry to the Bronte family.
Just as Jane's life Charlotte's life was full of struggles.
Similarity in altitude and character
Charity School Like Jane, Charlotte was also simple, reserved and unworldly. She
Lowood School in Jane Eyre is Cowan Bridge School to which was also endowed with indomitable will and sense of principle.
Charlotte and her sisters were sent. The school was chosen not Charlotte who had seen the injustice and the self-righteous
for its excellence but for its cheapness. Many of the students died crudeness of the clergymen of her time, has portrayed those
of typhus fever that spread in Lowood school and the students characteristics in Brocklehurst, the clergy man who is the director
who were not infected were sent home. Charlotte was withdrawn of Lowood school. Jane detests and scoms Brocklehurst.
from the school within a year. Helen Buns in 'Jane Eyre' who is
helpless and who dies of consumption is Charlotte's sister Maria Chest nut tree
who also died of consumption. In her life Charlotte had stayed in a country house for some time.
In the orchard of this country house was a big chest nut tree which
The meagre and ill cooked food which is provided to students in was struck by a lightning and was split into two. In the novel,
the Lowood school and the cruelty of Brocklehurst, the director of Thomfield Hall corresponds to the country house. In the orchard
the school, to the poor students were the conditions which actually of Thornfield hall is also a huge chestnut tree which is also struck
existed in the charitable institutions of the time and Charlotte had by a lightning and half of it is burnt down.
herself witnessed those conditions.
Other similarities
The kind and loving Miss. Temple, the superintendent of Lowood At Moor House, the portraits of Jane, Diana Rivers and Mary
school and the strict Miss. Scatchred are also drawn from life. Rivers are based on Charlotte Bronte, Emily Bronte and Anne
Bronte respectively in their tastes, disposition and characters. St.
Charlotte Bronte and her sister Emily went to Brussels to learn John Rivers is based on a suitor who proposed to Charlotte but
French. Charlotte had the skill of drawing and painting and she was rejected by her. Rochester's blindness may have been based
worked as a govemess for many years to eam her lively hood. So on the calaract from which Charlotte's father was suffering in his
also, Jane in the novel learns French and is appointed as a old age. Charlotte's own marriage was delayed as Janes is.
governess in Thomfield Hall, Jane is also good at drawing and
painting. Conclusion
The reality that Charlotte Bronte knew was herself and her little
world and this reality she has described in her novel vividly.
 possible. In her dream she sees Thornfield hall ruined and has
become the retreat of owls and bats. When she wakes up from her
4. Bring out the Gothic elements in Jane Eyne' dream, she sees a strange figure in her room with a candle. This
Introduction strange lady with a ghastly face tears her wedding veil into two
In the novel 'Jane Eyre' Charlotte Bronte has used Gothic devices. and goes near Jane's bed, gazes at her and extinguishes the
In the novel the discovery of passion, that rehabilitation of the candle before her eyes.
extra-rational is not oriented in marvellous circumstance but
moves deeply into the lesser known realities of human life. After Jane's marriage with Rochester is stopped, she is so
confused and does not know what to do. Then she hears her inner
Red room voice asking her to leave Thornfield hall at once.
The description of the red room in Gateshead Hall, in which Jane
in locked is full of the symbols which are suggestive of horror. The Telepathic call
Red room is a spare room and it is here that Mr. Reed breathed When Jane is with the Rivers at the Moor house, St. John
his last. When Jane is locked up in this room, she is very much proposes to her and presses her to accept his proposal so much
horrified and the thoughts of her uncle Mr. Reed, makes her feel that when Jane is about to yield to his pressure, she hears
as if a spirit has entered the room. So she screams and faints. Rochester's voice calling her name thrice. So she rejects the
proposal of St. John and resolvos to go in search of Rochhester.
Other horrible happenings
In the Thornfield Hall Jane hears a harsh, bitter and mirthless Conclusion
laugh. She cannot find out from whom the laugh came. Again she Thus, from the beginning to the end the novel is full of Gothic
hears strange sounds and is disturbed in sleep, one night. She elements.
seesa lighted candle outside her room. She finds the air filled with
smoke, coming from Mr. Rochester's room. Jane extinguishes the
fire and saves Rochester from being burnt to death. CHARACTER SKETCHES
1. JANE EYRE
One night, when Rochester's guests are staying at Thornfield,
everyone in the house is aroused from their sleep by sharp, shrill, Introduction
screams and shrieks. Everyone comes out to know the cause of Jane Eyre, the heroine of the novel, unlike the conventional
the scream. Mr. Rochester calms the guests saying that a maid heroines, is small plain and simple. But she is vigorous and full of
servant who had a nightmare was so terrified that she has started zest for life. When the novel begins, she is a ten year old girl, a
screaming. dependant in the Reed family.

On the night before her marriage Jane sees strange dreams. The
dream symbolizes that her marriage with Rochester is not
Unfortunate child
Jane's father was a poor clergyman. As her mother married him Sympathy for others
against the wishes of her friends and father, her father disowned Towards the end when Mrs. Reed is not well and Jane is called to
her. After one year of their marriage Jane's father caught typhus Gateshead Hall, she readily goes there. She forgives her aunt and
fever and the mother was also infected and both died within a is ready to be reconciled with her. She sympathises for Mrs. Read
month of each other. So Jane is left as an orphan. Her uncle Mr. and her children. Though Rochester has hidden the secret of his
Reed brings her to his home, but he dies soon leaving Jane in the first marriage from her, she never considers him a cheat. She for
hands of his wife Mrs. Reed. She treats Jane cruelly and her son gives him and develops a sympathy for him.
John Reed bullies and punishes Jane continually. Even the
servants of the family never show any favour to Jane. Keen observer
Jane is a keen observer. When Mr. Rochester disguises himself
Revolutionary nature as a gypsie and foretells, it is Jane who notices the ring on the
Jane is revolutionary by nature. For some time she tolerates the finger and finds out that it is Rochester.
tortures at Gateshead Hall. When John Reed hurts her, she
attacks him in retaliation and she also revolts against Mrs. Reed True love for Rochester
and tells her that she will never call her as aunt. Jane's love for Rochester is true. Though she leaves Thornfield
hall, she never forgets Rochester. She still loves him. When at
Lover of freedom Moorhouse she hears the voice of Rochester, she goes to seek
As she is a lover of freedom, she wishes to leave Gateshead Hall him. Finally she meets him at Ferndean as a blind and crippled
and go to Lowood school. At Lowood school when she is working man. She accepts to marry him and serves him as his eyes and
as a teacher after Miss. Temple leaves the school, she desires as his one hand. She instills confidence in him and because of
liberty and prays to God to grant her liberty. She likes Thornfield mutual love there is perfect concord in her married life.
hall very much because she is totally free there.
Conclusion
Lover of books and nature Jane Eyre who is endowed with indomitable will and sense of
In the beginning of the novel, she is sitting on a window sill and principle, is a unique personality and in Jane the novelist presents
reading a book. At Lowood school and at Thornfield hall, she a plain young girl of the middle class working her way up by the
enjoys the beauties of nature. sheer force of her strong character.

Active and hard working

Jane is always active. She does not like to be idle. At Lowood
School, Jane has spent eight years, six years as a student and
two years as a teacher there. Both as a student and teacher she
makes a mark by her hard work industry and usefulness.
2. EDWARD ROCHESTER Licentious
Rochester's married life with Bertha proves to be an unhappy one
Introduction because of her madness. So he becomes licentious and seeks the
In the portrayal of Mr. Rochester, the hero of the novel, Charlotte company of mistresses. He had three mistresses. He is attracted
Bronte has shown an almost as deep an insight into masculine by Miss Ingram and everyone believes that he is going to marry
nature as she has shown into feminine nature by portraying Jane, her. But he does not marry her because he believes that she loves
the heroine of the novel. Mr. Rochester is one among the immortal not him but his purse. When his marriage with Jane is interrupted,
characters of English fiction. he tries to keep her as his mistress.

Unconventional Treacherous
Like Jane Eyre, the hero of the novel, Mr. Rochester is also not a Rochester is a deceitful man. He proposes to Jane without telling
conventional hero. He is not handsome and virtuous. He is dark, her about his first marriage. He tries to entrap Jane into a
strong and stern and is past youth, perhaps he might be thirty five. bigamous connection by hiding the fact that his wife is still alive,
he has committed treachery.
Lively
Without Rochester, life is dull and uninteresting in Thornfield Hall. True love
It is quiet and silent. But with the arrival of Rochester, it becomes Though Rochester deceives Jane, his love for her is true. He loves
totally changed and is full of life. As he is a wealthy man he her so passionately that after she leaves him, he becomes a
maintains social position. Everybody likes him and he arranges recluse. When she returns he is over joyed. Though he had many
big parties at home in which he is the centre of attraction. His mistresses, his love for Jane is genuine. In order to intensify
absence makes his guests dull and his reentrance fills them with Jane's love for him, he behaves as though he is going to marry
spirit. Miss. Ingram, Finally when he marries Jane, their mutual love
brings perfect concord in their lives.
Not a happy man
Mr. Rochester is a rich man and maintains a good social position, Conclusion
but he is not happy because of his mad wife. He struggles with her Charlotte Bronte's portrayal of Mr. Rochester is remarkably
for four long years. He travels from country to country in search of successful. Both the heroine Jane and the hero Rochester stand
happiness and peace. But he neither gets happiness nor finds but as striking examples of Charlotte Bronte's skill and talent for
peace. When his marriage with Jane is stopped, his heart is delineating human character.
broken and when Jane leaves Thomfield Hall, he misses her a lot.
He always remembers her and becomes a recluse. When
Thorufield Hall is burnt, he becomes blind and crippled.
3. HELEN BURNS is nothing to be sad of, as all must die one day. She is not afraid
Introduction of death because her conscience is clear.
Helen Burns is the friend of Jane at Lowood School she is Jane's
senior. In the novel she appears only for a short while. Though she Friend of Jane
dies soon, she wins the sympathy and praise of the readers. When Jane goes to Lowood school, it is Helen Burns who gives
her information about Lowood institution, Brocklehurst Miss.
Intelligent Temple and other teachers. When Mr. Brocklehurst insults Jane
Helen Bums is a thin, pale little girl of thirteen who is very in the public, Jane is very much depressed. Helen Burns consoles
intelligent. In the class after a chapter is read twice, the girls are her and gives her strength to adjust herself to the new
usually questioned. When most of the girls are unable to answer, surroundings. Jane admires Helen Bums' tolerance, intelligence,
it is Helen Bums who answers all the questions because she has mature thinking and fearlessness.
an excellent memory power.
Conclusion
Endurance Helen Bums is lovely and lovable. When she dies of consumption,
Helen Burns has much endurance. Miss Scatchred treats her she is buried in the Brockle bridge church yard. For fifteen years
cruelly. She always scolds her, punishes her by making her stand after her death, the grave was only a grassy mound. But then Jane
in the middle of the class room. Helen Bürns tolerates everything. provided a marble tomb stone for her friend with Helen's name and
She never complains against Miss. Scatchred. Even when Jane the word Resurgam' Inscribed on it.
tells her that Miss. Scatchred is cruel, she tells her that she is not
cruel but only severe and she punished her because of her faults. 4. ST. JOHN RIVERS
When Jane suggests that she should leave the school because The Part Played by John Rivers in the novel
she is punished too much, she tells her that she has been sent to
school to get education and she will not go until she achieves her Introduction
goal. St. John Rivers is the parson in the parish at Morton, a village. He
visits the Moor house, where his sisters Diana and Mary live, now
Loves books and then. He is only a secondary character in the novel.
When the other students in the school play games and enjoy the
beauty of nature, Helen Burns sits silently and reads books. Books Kind and Compassionate
are her companions. Jane Eyre leaves Thornfield hall and comes to Whitcross, where
she wanders for two days without food and shelter. She comes to
Falth is God Moor house and asks for some food. But Hannah drives her away.
She is an embodiment of piety and humility. She has much faith in St. John who sees the unknown girl lying unconscious at his door
god. Before her death, she is happy that she is going to her eternal steps, asks Hannah to take her in and give her food. He is so kind
home. She asks Jane not to be sad about her death because there hearted and that he gives shelter to Jane Eyre.
 Noble work
Offers job to Jane As aimed, he goes to India and starts his missionary work. He is
After regaining her health, Jane requests him to get her a job. He a faithful, firm devoted missionary. From India he writes to Jane
being a poor clergyman tells her that he can offer only little help. regularly. He remains unmarried. His last letter informs Jane that
He tells her that he is going to start a school for the girls in the his life is drawing to a close.
village and he asks her whether she will be willing to be the
teacher of the school at thirty pounds a year. Jane readily accepts Role in the novel
the job. It is St. John who saved Jane Eyre when she is starving. But for
him she would have died of exhaustion and hunger. It is he who
Devoted to his work informs about her inheritance of twenty thousand pounds from Mr.
St. John Rivers is a reserved man with a brooding nature. He is John Eyre, her paternal uncle. When the Rivers are found to be
enthusiastic in his work as a clergy man and he is blameless in his her own cousins, Jane divides the money among her and her
habits. He can preach so powerfully that the listeners' hearts are cousins.
thrilled at his preachings. But he does not have mental
contentment or serenity. Without bothering the weather condition, Conclusion
he is ready to offer his service whenever and wherever needed. St. John, a missionary and preacher by vocation is more rational
than emotional.
Aim in life
His aim is to visit the Eastern countries and preach the Christian
doctrines. He loves a beautiful rich girl called Rosamond Oliver. 5. MRS. REED
She also reciprocates his love and his father has much respect to
him. He does not want to marry her because she will not be a Introduction
suitable wife for a missionary. Mrs. Reed is the aunt of Jane Eyre. At the time of his death, Mr.
Reed makes his wife promise to bring up Jane as one of her
Proposal children. But she fails to keep up her promise.
St. John proposes to Jane. He wishes to marry her and take her
to India to assist him in his missionary work. Jane rejects his Cruel lady
proposal but offers to go with him as his sister. He does not accept. From the beginning she treats Jane, the ten year old girl cruelly,
He gives her so much pressure to accept to marry him that Jane Jane is the daughter of her husband's sister who married a poor
is about to yield him. But she hears a voice calling her by name, clergy man against the wish of her father. Mrs. Reed hates Jane's
so she resolves to go in search of Mr. Rochester. mother, so she hates Jane also. She insults her by calling her a
dependant. She and her children treat Jane contemptuously. She
allows her son John Reed to bully and punish Jane continually.
On one occasion when Jane attacks him in retaliation she orders
to lock up Jane in Red room. Though Jane pleads with her to let 6. MISS. TEMPLE
her out, she never shows sympathy to the little girl. She pushes
her into the room and locks her up. Jane faints because of fear. Introduction
She excludes Jane from the enjoyment of Christmas and New Miss. Temple is the superintendent of Lowood School. She shows
year celebrations. As she wants to get rid of Jane, she sends her love and kindness to Jane, who has never experienced such
to the charity school called Lowood and tells Mr. Brocklehurst, the things at Gateshead Hall and who longs for love.
school director, that Jane is a liar in her very presence.
Pious and kind
Never reconciles Miss. Temple is gentle, noble kind and sympathetic. She is unlike.
Later at the time of her death, Mrs. Reed calls Jane to Gateshead Brocklehurst, the director of the school. He has given her strict
Hall from Thorfield Hall as she wants to confess to Jane for the orders not to show any kindness to the poor students studying in
two wrongs she has done to Jane. One in not keeping up her the school and staying in the school's boarding house as orphans.
promise to her husband to bring up Jane as her own child and the He has ordered herto give the students only a meagre amount of
other is hiding the letter of Mr. John Eyre from Jane. The letter unnourishnig food. Occasionally Miss. Temple breaks his
informs that Mr. Eyre wants to adopt Jane and leave all his wealth instructions and has supplied extra food to the girls when the food
to her. As Mrs. Reed did not like Jane becoming rich, has taken is ill cooked and is not worth eating. When she does so, Mr.
revenge on her for her behaviour to Mrs. Reed, by hiding the letter. Brocklehurst scolds her very much.
Though Mrs.. Reed confessed her wrongs, she dies without being
reconciled to Jane. Shows favour to Jane
At Lowood school, Mr. Brocklehurst humiliates Jane openly and
Mrs. Reed's role in the novel when she is fully distressed, Miss Temple shows her sympathy
In the beginning of the novel Mrs. Reed is an important person. and kindness. Miss. Temple writes to Mr. Lloyds, the a apothecary,
Her brutal treatment of Jane and merciless attitude towards the asking him about Jane. She gets a favourable report from him. So
orphan girl imparts to Jane an almost cynical outlook on life. in the open assembly, she declares Jane free of all the charges
made against her by Mr. Brocklehurst. Jane is greatly relieved and
Conclusion comforted. Miss. Temple also shows extra care and affection to
Jane's hatred of Mrs. Reed is quite natural, but she forgets it and Helen Burns who is suffering from consumption.
readily forgives Mrs. Reed. As living Mrs. Reed had ever hated
Jane and as dying she may hate her still. Role of Miss.Temple at Lowood School
Miss. Temple is a pious and gentle lady who provides food and
love for both the body and mind of the poor orphan students in the
charity school. When Jane becomes the teacher of the school she
owes much of her instruction to Miss. Temple who is still the
headmistress. Miss Temple gets married and goes with her
husband to a distant country. She has been a mother, a governess Visits Lowood School
and a friend to Jane. She has given Jane harmarious thoughts, Later Bessie visits Jane at Lowood school. Then she is married
allegiance to duty and order. She has provided solace and comfort and has two children. She admires Jane for knowing to play piano,
to such unfortunate girls in the school like Jane and Helen Burns. to paint and to speak French. She tells her that she has become
So after her departure, Jane does not feel good at Lowood. She quite a lady.
desires for liberty and wants to leave Lowood.
Informations given by Bessie
Conclusion Bessie informs Jane about the members of the Reed family John
Miss Temple offers a striking contrast to Mrs. Reed and Mr. Reed has become dissipated, his mother is worried about his
Brocklehurst. Jane's love for Miss. Temple is as natural as her future. Eliza has grown tall, Georgiana has fallen in love with a lord
hatred for Mrs. Reed. and has attempted to run away but is discovered and reported by
Eliza. So the two sisters are always quarrelling. Besides this she
also informs Jane about the visit of Mr. John Eyre at Gateshead
7. MISS BESSIE LEE Hall. Mrs. Reed treats him harshly and tells him that Jane is at
Lowood school. He is very much disappointed as he is in a hurry
Introduction to leave London in a ship, he is unable to go to Lowood School.
Bessie Lee is the nurse or the govermess in the Reed family. She
carries out the instructions and orders of Mrs. Reed strictly. Bessie's role
In the beginning of the novel Bessie plays an important role as she
Not harsh is the source of comfort and consolation to poor Jane at
Bessie is not as cruel as Mrs. Reed or as harsh as the other Gateshead Hall. Later she visits Jane at Lowood school and
servants, to Jane. She has to deal harshly and roughly with Jane informs her about the Reeds and her paternal uncle Mr. John Eyre.
because she has to obey the orders of her employer Mrs. Reed.
When Jane is ill, Bessie is a source of comfort to her. She reads Conclusion
books to her and sings songs in her sweet voice to which Jane Bessie is one of the good persons in the novel and she offers a
listens joyously. contrast to her employer, Mrs. Reed, the cruel lady.

Jane's regard for Bessie

Bessie is the only person at Gateshead Hall for whom Jane has 8. MR. BROCKLEHURST
much regard. Bessie is kind to her. She sits with her when she has
her supper and kisses her twice before bidding good night. To little Introduction
Jane, Bessie is the best, the prettiest and the kindest person in the Mr. Brocklehurst, the director of Lowood School is a clergy man.
world. He is a tall man with large features and seems to be harsh.
Stren and relentless His role in the novel
Mr. Brocklehurst is a cruel man. He pays a visit to Gateshead Hall He is more devilish than Mrs. Reed and he is almost a villain in
in response to the request of Mrs. Reed who wants to admit Jane Janes's life. By her experiences with Mr. Brockle hurst, Jane
to a charitable institution. He behaves sternly and relentlessly to becomes more intelligent and more mature.
Jane and interviews her by asking questions from the Bible and
Psalms. Mrs. Reed accuses Jane as a liar to Mr. Brocklehurst in Conclusion
her very presence so when he leaves he gives Jane a book Mr. Brocklehurst offers a sharp contrast to Mr. Rochester Through
entitled 'Child's guide' and asks her to read about the death of the him, the novelist makes us aware of the conditions prevailed in the
naughty child Martha who was a liar. This makes Jane very charity schools of her time.
distressed.

Hypocritical and self righteous 9. MRS. FAIRFAX

Mr. Brocklehurst advises Miss. Temple to teach the students of
Lowood School humility, simplicity and austerity. But his own Introduction
daughters and wife are highly fashionable proud and haughty. So Mrs. Fairfax is the house keeper at Thomfield hall. She is a placid,
his preachings are only for others. He is a hypocrite and self good natured woman.
righteous man.
Appoints Jane
Narrow minded miser It is Mrs. Fairfax who appoints Jane as the goveness at Thomfield
He is a miser who tries to save every penny on the food supplied Hall for Adele, the ward of Mr. Rochester.
to the girls in the charity school. He gives strict instructions to Miss.
Temple to supply meagre food to the girls. Once when the porridge Supplies information
supplied for the breakfast is bumt, Miss. Temple orders that the Mrs. Fairfax tells Jane about Thornfield Hall, its owner Mr.
girls should be given extra bread. When Mr. Brocklehurst comes Rochester and his ward Adele, the French girl. This prior
to know this he scolds her severely. No student likes him because information helps Jane to equip herself to do her duties well and
he used to starve them and bore them with his lectures. to be prepared to meet Mr. Rochester when he visits Thomfield
Hall. It is Mrs. Fairfax who informs Jane about Rochester's rich
Humiliates Jane friends who come to stay in his mansion. She also tells Jane about
Mr. Brocklehurst is as cruel as Mrs. Reed. In the assembly he Miss Blanche Ingram, a beautiful rich lady whom Mr. Rochester is
humiliates Jane by asking the other students to shun her company likely to marry.
and exclude her from their sports and conversation as she is a liar.
He asks the teachers to be careful of her and watch her every Introduces Nature
movement. He never shows kindness to any one. It is Mrs. Fairfax who introduces Jane to the natural scenery
around Thornfield Hall by taking her to the top of the mansion.
 down upon the governesses. She has a beautiful personality but
Indirect help a barren mind. She is not original and she has no kindness.
When Jane goes to post the letter of Mrs. Fairfax to the little town
of Hay, she meets Rochester on the road, without knowing his Supposed to marry Rochester
identify. So it is Mrs. Fairfax who is responsible for Jane's first Everyone believed that Rochester is going to marry Miss. Ingram
meeting with Rochester. and Rochester also gives an impression that he intends to marry
her. But when he spreads a rorumour that he is not as rich as he
Rochester's regard for her is thought to be, Miss. Ingram and her mother give up their interest
As Mrs.Fairfax is his distant relative, Mr. Rochester treats her with in him because Miss. Blanche loves only Rochester's purse and
respect. After the fire has burnt Thornfield Hall, he sends away not him.
Mrs. Fair fax to her friends at a distance and he has settled an
annuity on her for life because she has served him well and is a Contrast to Jane
very good person. Blanche Ingram is extremely beautiful and highly accomplished.
But Jane is plain looking with little accomplishments. Jane is far
Conclusion superior to her mentally and intellectually Miss. Ingram is shallow
Mrs. Fairfax is always considerate and friendly to Jane and tries and lacks fine human sentiments. Jane is thoughtful, introspective
to make her feel at home. She is an important minor character in and independent minded.
the novel.
Conclusion
10. MISS. BLANCHE INGRAM Blanche Ingram is a subsidiary character who plays no role in the
action of the story. She is drawn to bring out the merits of Jane.
Introduction
Miss. Blanche Ingram is the daughter of Lord Ingram, one of the
rich and fashionable friends of Mr. Rochester.
11. MINOR CHARACTERS
A beauty
Mrs. Fairfax tells Jane that Miss. Ingram is the most beautiful girl 1. Adele
in that region. People admired her beauty and accomplishments. Adele is the illegitimate daughter of Celine Varens, a French opera
She can sing beautifully in her rich powerful voice. dancer. Jane is appointed as the governess to this French girl.
Celine Varens was at one time Mr.Rochester's mistress. When Mr.
Proud and haughty Rochester finds her to be unfaithful to him, he leaves her. After
Though a beauty, she is a haughty and proud lady. She always some time, Celine deserts the child and runs away to Italy with a
laughs but her laugh is satirical. She is class conscious and looks singer. Though Adele is not his daughter, Rochester takes up her
as his ward and takes the responsibility of bringing her up. He has
affection for the little lively girl and when he visits Thomfield hall
he brings a lot of presents to her. Thus she is a pampered child in
contrast to Jane who as a girl often was ill treated by the Reed
family.

2. Miss Scatchred
Miss. Scatchred is a teacher at Lowood School. She teachers
history and grammar. She treats Helen Burns cruelly. She insults
her by dismissing her from the class and making her stand in the
middle of the large class room. She always finds fault with her and
complains that she is dirty. To Jane she is cruel but to Helen
Burns, she is only severe.

3. Mr.Mason
He is the brother of Bertha, the mad wife of Rochester. He lives in
Madeira and is well acquainted with Mr. John Eyre, the paternal
uncle of Jane. Once he pays a visit to Thornfield Hall. There he
goes to the upper storey at midnight, to the room where his sister
is kept. She attacks him fiercely and wounds him. When her cries
for help, Rochester goes to rescue him. He gives him first aid and
calls a surgeon to dress his wound and sends him away with the
surgeon. When the marriage of Jane with Rochester is about to
take place in the church, he comes with Mr. Briggs, a London
solicitor and stops the marriage saying that Mr. Rochester is
already married and his wife is still alive and is living in the
Thomfield Hall, where Mr. Rochester lives. Thus Mr. Mason plays
a crucial role in the novel.
UNIT – V (Detective Fiction) Tamil Summary Video (Youtube)

Hound of Baskervilles
- Arthur Conan Doyle

Original Text

Introduction to the Author

English Summary Video

(Youtube)

The most famous creation of Scottish novelist and poet Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle is the detective Sherlock Holmes. Bom in Edinburgh,
Scotland, on May 22, 1859, Doyle completed his education at the
University of Edinburgh before opening a medical practice in
Southsea, Hampshire. Short stories and novels such as "The
mystery of Cloomber and "The Firm of Girdlestone" marked the
beginning of his writing career. Nevertheless, it was his Sherlock
Holmes novels that made him well-known and popular. Among his
most well-known works, "The Hound of the Baskervilles displays
his proficiency with puzzles and suspension. Doyle's interest in
spiritualism and medical background contributed to his witty CHARACTERS A BRIEF
writing style. In 1902, he received a knighthood for his
contributions to literature, Despite his passing on July 7, 1930, Sir INTRODUCTION
Arthur Conan Doyle's work stays a testament to his imagination
and talent as a storyteller. His characters and testimonies keep Sherlock Holmes: The renowned detective who unravels the
captivating audiences, ensuring his location in literary records. enigma of the Hound with his exceptional sleuthing skills.

Dr. John Watson: Holmes' trusted confidant, physician, and

Important Characters: narrator of the tale, whose astute observations prove invaluable.

✓ Sherlock Holmes Sir Henry Baskerville: The unsuspecting heir to the Baskerville
estate, whose life is imperiled by the legendary Hound.
✓ Dr. John Watson
Sir Charles Baskerville: The late patriarch of the Baskerville
✓ Sir Henry Baskerville family, whose untimely demise sets the mystery in motion.

✓ Sir Charles Baskerville Stapleton: A seemingly affable neighbor with a sinister secret,
whose true intentions are shrouded in mystery.
✓ Stapleton
Laura Lyons: A captivating woman entangled in Stapleton's web
✓ Laura Lyons of deceit, whose motives are not entirely clear.

✓ Mrs. Hudson Mrs. Hudson: The loyal and unobtrusive housekeeper of 221B
Baker Street, who provides a comforting presence amidst the
✓ Inspector Lestrade chaos.

✓ Jack Stapleton (Stapleton's brother) Inspector Lestrade: A Scotland Yard detective who seeks
Holmes' expertise in solving the perplexing case.
✓ Beryl Stapleton (Stapleton's sister)
Jack Stapleton: Stapleton's brother, who is equally embroiled in The Investigation Intensifies
the intricate plot, hiding secrets of his own. Holmes and Watson press on, gathering clues and interviewing
suspects. At the scene of Sir Charles' death, they discover a
Beryl Stapleton: Stapleton's sister, an innocent bystander suspicious footprint, leading Holmes to deduce that the killer was
ensnared in her family's tangled web of lies and deceit. a woman. Watson is awestruck by Holmes' exceptional powers of
observation. As they confront Laura Lyons, she reveals a startling
connection to Stapleton, further complicating the mystery.

DETAILED SUMMARY The Truth Revealed

The veil of mystery is lifted as Holmes and Watson uncover the
The Mystery Begins truth behind the murder and the legend of the Hound. Stapleton is
In the iconic 221B Baker Street residerice, Sherlock Holmes and exposed as the killer, leveraging the legend to conceal his true
Dr. John Watson are drawn into a mystifying case by Dr. James intentions: revenge against the Baskerville family. Holmes and
Mortimer. Sir Charles Baskerville's sudden demise under Watson confront the culprit, and Stapleton confesses to the crime.
suspicious circumstances sets off a chain of events, imperiling the The curse of the Hound is lifted, and the Baskerville family can
safety of his heir, Sir Henry Baskerville. The centuries-old legend finally rost in peace.
of the Hound of the Baskervilles, a supernatural creature believed
to haunt the family, is revealed, piquing Holmes' interest and The Conclusion
Watson's skepticism. As they venture to Dartmoor to investigate, Returning to London, Holmes and Watson have solved the case,
they encounter an eerie atmosphere, a plethora of suspects, and lifting the curse of the Hound. Holmes reflects on the power of
a deepening mystery. reason over superstition, while Watson is impressed by Holmes'
exceptional detective skills. The case is closed, the mystery
The Legend Unveiled solved, and the Hound of the Baskervilles revealed as a symbol of
Holmes and Watson delve deeper into the legend of the Hound, a fear and intimidation rather than a supernatural creature. Holmes
tale of a supernatural creature believed to haunt the Baskerville and Watson have once again showcased their remarkable
family. Sir Charles' fear of the Hound is revealed, while Holmes detective work, solving a case that will be etched in their memories
remains skeptical and Watson is captivated. In the local village, forever.
they encounter the enchanting Laura Lyons, a woman with ties to
the enigmatic Stapleton. As they unravel more about Stapleton's
past, his true nature is exposed, casting a shadow of unease over
the investigation.
 • The Mysterious Death:
Key Points and Self Notes o Sir Charles was found dead on the grounds of his
estate, Baskerville Hall, with an expression of terror
1. Overview
on his face and paw prints of a large hound nearby.
• Author: Arthur Conan Doyle
• Holmes and Watson Investigate:
• Published: Serialized in The Strand Magazine from August
o Holmes and Watson are intrigued by the case. While
1901 to April 1902; book form in 1902.
Holmes remains in London, Watson travels to
• Genre: Detective fiction, Gothic fiction
Devonshire with Sir Henry Baskerville, the heir to the
• Setting: Devonshire, England, in the late 19th century;
Baskerville estate, to investigate the mystery.
primarily at Baskerville Hall and the surrounding moors.
• Baskerville Hall and Its Inhabitants:
• Narrative Style: First-person narrative, primarily from Dr.
o At Baskerville Hall, Watson encounters a number of
John Watson’s perspective.
peculiar characters:
▪ Sir Henry Baskerville: The new heir to the
2. Historical and Social Context
estate, who is in danger from the supposed
• Victorian England: The novel reflects the Victorian
curse.
fascination with the supernatural and the Gothic, as well as
▪ Dr. Mortimer: A friend of the Baskervilles and
the scientific advancements of the era.
a key figure in uncovering the curse.
• Class and Social Hierarchies: The story addresses the
▪ The Stapletons: Jack Stapleton, a naturalist
social dynamics of the British class system and the
with an interest in the moors, and his wife
influence of family lineage and inheritance on social
Beryl, who warns Watson of the dangers.
standing.
▪ Mrs. Barrymore: The housekeeper at
• Gothic Tradition: The setting and themes draw on Gothic
Baskerville Hall, who has her own secrets.
conventions such as haunted landscapes, ancestral
▪ Mr. Barrymore: The butler, who is also
curses, and the clash between rationalism and superstition.
involved in some mysterious activities.
• The Hound’s Appearance:
3. Plot Summary
o Watson hears the eerie sound of a hound on the
• Introduction to the Curse:
moors and learns of the escape of a convict, Selden,
o Dr. James Mortimer seeks the help of Sherlock
who is hiding on the moors.
Holmes after the mysterious death of Sir Charles
• Holmes’ Disguise and Revelation:
Baskerville. Mortimer recounts the legend of the
o Holmes, who had been secretly investigating the
Baskerville family, cursed by a supernatural hound
case, eventually reveals himself. He explains that
due to the actions of Sir Hugo Baskerville, an
Jack Stapleton, a Baskerville relative, was using the
ancestor.
legend of the hound to murder Sir Charles and
 attempt to kill Sir Henry in order to inherit the desire for the Baskerville inheritance drives his
Baskerville estate. actions, highlighting the lengths to which individuals
o The “hound” is a trained dog coated with phosphorus will go for wealth and status.
to give it a ghostly appearance. • Isolation and Entrapment:
• Climax and Resolution: o The moors symbolize the characters’ sense of
o Stapleton’s plan is foiled when Holmes and Watson isolation and entrapment. The physical isolation of
confront him on the moors. Stapleton flees but is Baskerville Hall and the moors mirrors the emotional
believed to have died in the Grimpen Mire. and psychological isolation experienced by the
o With Stapleton’s death, the threat to Sir Henry is characters.
neutralized. Holmes and Watson return to London,
reflecting on the case’s resolution. 5. Character Analysis
• Sherlock Holmes:
4. Themes o Holmes is portrayed as the epitome of rationality and
• Rationalism vs. Supernatural: detective prowess. His methodical approach and
o The novel explores the tension between reason and logical reasoning are crucial in unraveling the
superstition. Holmes’ methodical approach mystery. Holmes’ presence is marked by his
contrasts with the supernatural fear surrounding the analytical mind and his ability to remain detached
Baskerville curse. The resolution emphasizes that from emotional influences.
logical explanations can often dispel seemingly • Dr. John Watson:
supernatural phenomena. o Watson serves as the narrator and is integral to the
• The Gothic Atmosphere: story’s development. His observations provide
o The desolate moors, the haunted Baskerville Hall, insight into the investigation and his perspective
and the legend of the hound contribute to the Gothic adds depth to the narrative. Watson’s loyalty to
atmosphere of the novel. This setting creates a Holmes and his empathetic nature contrast with
sense of foreboding and suspense, essential to the Holmes’ cold logic.
novel’s mood. • Sir Henry Baskerville:
• The Power of Observation and Deduction: o The heir to the Baskerville estate, Sir Henry
o Holmes’ skills in observation and deduction are represents the modern, pragmatic approach to the
central to solving the case. His ability to interpret family’s legacy. His bravery and determination to
seemingly trivial details reveals the truth behind the confront the dangers of the curse reflect his
Baskerville curse. character’s resilience and independence.
• Social Class and Ambition: • Jack Stapleton:
o The novel touches on themes of social class and o Stapleton is the novel’s antagonist, driven by greed
ambition through Stapleton’s motives. Stapleton’s and ambition. His outwardly respectable demeanor
 hides his true nature as a schemer. His manipulation • Foreshadowing:
of the Baskerville legend and his use of the hound o The novel uses foreshadowing to build suspense
as a weapon highlight his cunning and ruthlessness. and anticipation. Early references to the Baskerville
• Beryl Stapleton: curse, the ominous sounds on the moors, and the
o Beryl is portrayed as a complex character caught in mysterious behavior of characters hint at the
her husband’s schemes. Her fear and eventual unfolding mystery.
willingness to help Watson and Sir Henry illustrate • Symbolism:
her moral struggle and the constraints placed upon o The Hound: The hound symbolizes fear and the
her. power of superstition. Its ghostly appearance and
• Dr. James Mortimer: the terror it evokes represent the psychological
o Mortimer is a friend to the Baskervilles and serves impact of the curse.
as the catalyst for the investigation. His belief in the o The Moors: The moors symbolize isolation, danger,
curse and his professional demeanor add credibility and the unknown. The treacherous landscape
to the case and help set the plot in motion. mirrors the characters’ internal conflicts and the
• Mrs. and Mr. Barrymore: moral ambiguity of the mystery.
o The Barrymores are significant to the domestic • Climactic Resolution:
aspect of the story. Their actions and secrets add o The novel’s climax, involving the confrontation with
layers to the mystery, contributing to the novel’s the hound and the unraveling of Stapleton’s scheme,
atmosphere of suspicion and intrigue. is a dramatic and satisfying resolution. Holmes’ final
revelations and the resolution of the case
6. Literary Techniques underscore the triumph of reason and justice.
• First-Person Narrative:
o The use of Watson as the first-person narrator 7. Major Themes Explored in Key Scenes
allows readers to experience the investigation • The Legend of the Curse:
through his eyes. This perspective creates a sense o Dr. Mortimer’s recounting of the Baskerville curse
of immediacy and intimacy with the story. sets up the central mystery and establishes the
• Gothic Elements: Gothic tone. This scene introduces the conflict
o Doyle employs Gothic elements such as the eerie between the supernatural and rational explanations.
moors, the haunted Baskerville Hall, and the • Watson’s Investigation:
supernatural hound to create a suspenseful and o Watson’s experiences at Baskerville Hall and on the
atmospheric setting. These elements enhance the moors highlight the themes of observation, isolation,
novel’s mood and thematic depth. and the influence of fear. His discoveries and
encounters with various characters drive the
investigation forward.
 • Holmes’ Revelation: • Gothic Influence:
o The reveal of Stapleton’s motives and the true o The novel’s use of Gothic elements adds to its
nature of the hound demonstrates the resolution of intrigue and atmosphere. The moors and the hound
the mystery. Holmes’ detailed explanation of the contribute to the sense of danger and mystery,
case highlights the triumph of logical deduction over enhancing the reader’s engagement with the story.
superstition.
• The Confrontation on the Moors: The Hound of the Baskervilles remains a classic example of
o The climax on the moors, with the hound and the detective fiction that skillfully integrates Gothic elements to create
confrontation with Stapleton, is a tense and dramatic a gripping and memorable narrative.
resolution. It emphasizes the novel’s themes of
danger, isolation, and the ultimate victory of reason
and justice.
CHOOSE THE CORRECT
8. Personal Reflection
• Key Takeaways: ANSWER
o The Hound of the Baskervilles is a masterful blend 1. What is the name of the legendary hound?
of detective fiction and Gothic horror, showcasing a) The Hound of the Watson
Doyle’s skill in creating suspenseful and b) The Hound of the Holmes
atmospheric narratives. The novel’s exploration of c) The Hound of the Baskervilles
rationalism, social ambition, and the power of d) The Hound of the Stapleton
observation makes it a compelling and thought-
provoking read. 2. Who is the client that approaches Holmes?
• Relevance Today: a) Dr. James Mortimer
o The novel’s themes of rationality versus superstition, b) Sir Henry Baskerville
the impact of fear, and the importance of logical c) Laura Lyons
deduction continue to resonate. The character of d) Stapleton
Sherlock Holmes remains an enduring symbol of
detective excellence and intellectual prowess. 3. What is the name of the Baskerville heir?
• Character Development: a) Sir Henry Baskerville
o The development of characters like Holmes, b) Sir Charles Baskerville
Watson, and Stapleton enriches the story. Holmes’ c) Sherlock Holmes
methodical approach contrasts with Stapleton’s d) Dr. Watson
deceit, while Watson’s perspective provides depth
and relatability.
4. What is the motive behind the murder? 9. Who is the owner of the Hound?
a) Revenge and greed a) Dr. Watson
b) Love and jealousy b) Sherlock Holmes
c) Hate and anger c) Stapleton
d) Fear and intimidation. d) Sir Henry Baskerville

5. What is the name of the Baskerville estate? 10. Who helps Holmes solve the case?
a) Watson House a) Inspector Lestrade
b) Holmes Manor b) Dr. Watson
c) Baskerville Hall c) Sir Henry Baskerville
d) Stapleton Cottage d) Mrs. Hudson

6. Who is the beautiful woman connected to Stapleton? 11. What is the outcome of the play?
a) Laura Lyons a) The mystery is solved, and the curse is lifted
b) Mrs. Hudson b) The Hound kills again
c) Irene Adler c) Holmes is defeated
d) Mary Morstan d) Watson is kidnapped

7. What is the name of the dangerous terrain on the moor? 12. What is the genre of the play?
a) Grimpen Mire a) Comedy
b) Dartmoor Swamp b) Romance
c) Baskerville Bog c) Science Fiction
d) Holmes' Hole d) Mystery/Detective

8. How does Sir Charles die? 13. Who is the protagonist of the play?
a) He is killed by the Hound a) Sir Henry Baskerville
b) He dies of natural causes b) Dr. Watson
c) He is murdered by Stapleton c) Sherlock Holmes
d) He is killed by Holmes d) Stapleton
14. How many acts are in the play? 19. What is the final outcome of the play?
a) 3 a) The Hound is captured
b) 4 b) The curse is lifted
c) 5 c) Holmes is defeated
d) 6 d) Watson is kidnapped

15. Who is the trusty sidekick?

a) Dr. Watson FILL IN THE BLANKS
b) Sherlock Holmes
c) Inspector Lestrade 1. The play "The Hound of the Baskervilles" was written by Sir
d) Mrs. Hudson Arthur Conan Doyle

16. What is the famous quote from the play? 2. The main detective in the play is Sherlock Holmes.
a) The game is afoot
b) "Elementary, my dear Watson" 3. The legendary hound is known as The Hound of the
c) "The Hound is loose" Baskervilles.
d) "The curse is lifted"
4. The client who approaches Holmes is Dr. James Mortimer
17. What is the impact of the play on literature?
a) it created the detective fiction genre 5. The Baskerville heir is Sir Henry Baskerville.
b) It popularized the mystery genre
c) It influenced many other works 6. The story takes place in Dartmoor, England.
d) It is a classic of English literature
7. The villain of the play is Stapleton.
18. What is the motive behind the villain's actions?
a) Revenge and greed 8. The motive behind the murder is revenge and greed.
b) Love and jealousy
c) Hate and anger 9. The narrator of the play is Dr. Watson.
d) Fear and intimidation
10. The Baskerville estate is called Baskerville Hall.

11. The beautiful woman connected to Stapleton is Laura Lyons.

12. The dangerous terrain on the moor is called Grimpen Mire.

 Holmes' character provides a foil to the supernatural and irrational,
13. Sir Charles dies at the beginning of the play, killed by the and his rational thinking and scientific approach triumph over
Hound. superstition. His character represents the power of human
ingenuity and intelligence, highlighting the importance of critical
14. The Hound is revealed to be a real dog. thinking and observation. Holmes' relationships with other
characters reveal his personality and motivations, showing his
15. Holmes trusty sidekick is Dr. Watson. loyalty and trust, sense of justice and morality, and intelligence
and analytical mind. In conclusion, the character of Sherlock
16. The famous quote "Elementary, my dear Watson" is said by Holmes is a crucial element in the success of "The Hound of the
Sherlock Holmes. Baskervilles", making him a cultural icon and a symbol of detective
fiction.
17. The play has 5 acts.
2. What role does Holmes and Watson's relationship play in
18. The villain's accomplice is Laura Lyons. the play's success?
One of the play's highlights is the collaboration between Sherlock
19. The curse of the Hound is finally lifted. Holmes and Dr. Watson. While their exchanges and banter
demonstrate a profound trust and respect between the two
20. The play is a classic of literature. characters, Watson's narration offers a firsthand account of
Holmes' extraordinary talents. Because of their bond, fans see
Holmes to be more approachable and relevant. Watson's devotion
PARAGRAPHS to Holmes and his respect for him also act as a counterbalance to
Holmes's analytical style, emphasizing the value of interpersonal
1. How does the character of Sherlock Holmes contribute to relationships in the investigation of riddles. Additionally, their
the play's success? friendship serves as an example of the importance of
Sherlock Holmes, the iconic detective, is a key element in the camaraderie, cooperation, and teamwork in overcoming
success of "The Hound of the Baskervilles". His exceptional obstacles.
intelligence, analytical mind, and observational skills make him a
compelling character, driving the plot forward and solving the 3. How do the discussions in society at the time relate to the
mystery. Holmes' ability to deduct and solve mysteries is play's examination of reason vs superstition?
unmatched, and his eccentricities and flaws make him a more The play examines the conflict between reason and superstition,
nuanced and relatable character. His sense of justice and morality reflecting the discussions that were prevalent in society at the
drive him to solve the mystery, and his wit and humor add to the period as conventional wisdom was questioned by the scientific
play's entertainment value. revolution and the growth of logical thought. The drama reflects
the hope and advancement of the day by demonstrating how
reason and science can overcome superstition and fear. The Themes and Symbolism
drama also emphasizes the value of critical thought and the perils Dartmoor represents the strength of nature and the unknown. The
of unquestioning conviction, reflecting the intellectual discussions putting symbolizes the characters' inner struggles and fears. The
of the day. The play is a timeless masterpiece because of its study moor represents the darkness and evil that lurks inside
of these subjects, which still has resonance with audiences today. Dartmoor is a symbol of the characters' confinement and isolation.
The putting represents the struggle between cause and
superstition. Dartmoor is a symbol of the past and its impact on
ESSAYS the prevailing. The setting represents the electricity of the
1. How does the play's setting, Dartmoor, make a contribution environment to shape human destiny. Dartmoor is a symbol of the
to the tale's environment and topics? unknown and the unexplained. The putting represents the concern
of the unknown and the supernatural. Dartmoor is a image of the
Prologue: human psyche and its many mysteries
Dartmoor, a sizeable and rugged landscape in Devon, England,
sets the tone for the classic detective story, "The Hound of the Character Development
Baskervilles". The play's use of placing creates a experience of The setting affects the characters' movements and selections. The
immersion and engagement, drawing the audience into the arena characters' reviews on Dartmoor shape their personalities and
of the story. motivations. The placing provides opportunities for man or woman
growth and improvement. The characters' interactions with the
Setting and Atmosphere placing reveal their strengths and weaknesses. The placing
Dartmoor's rugged landscape creates a sense of isolation and challenges the characters and forces them to confront
confinement. The harsh climate adds to the experience of their fears
foreboding and dread. The placing reflects the characters' feelings
and moods. The eerie and atmospheric panorama creates anxiety Epilogue:
and suspense. The putting lets in for themes of nature and barren In conclusion, the play's placing, Dartmoor, is a important detail in
region to be explored. Dartmoor's history and legends add to the developing the tale's environment and subject matters. The
experience of mystery and intrigue. The putting presents a feel of placing's rugged panorama, harsh climate, and eerie surroundings
realism and authenticity. The use of placing creates a sense of create a experience of tension and suspense, drawing the target
immersion and engagement. The setting is a key element in audience into the arena of the story. The placing also affects the
developing the play's surroundings. Dartmoor is a individual in its characters' moves and decisions, shaping their personalities and
own right, shaping the story and characters motivations. Through its use of setting, the play explores themes
of nature, wildemess, and the human psyche, making it a undying
traditional.
2. How does the man or woman of Sherlock Holmes make resolution and closure. Holmes' man or woman is a key element
contributions to the play's success? in the play's fulfillment. His individual has turn out to be a cultural
icon and a symbol of detective fiction
Prologue:
Sherlock Holmes, the long-lasting detective, is a key element Relationships with Other Characters
inside the achievement of "The Hound of the Baskervilles". His Holmes' relationships with other characters reveal his personality
first-rate intelligence, analytical mind, and observational abilities and motivations. His interactions with Watson display his loyalty
make him a compelling character, riding the plot forward and and consider. His interactions with Sir Henry display his
solving the mystery. expérience of justice and morality. His interactions with Stapleton
display his intelligence and analytical thoughts
Characteristics and Traits
Holmes outstanding intelligence and analytical thoughts make him Epilogue:
a compelling character. His observational abilities and interest to In conclusion, the character of Sherlock Holmes is a essential
detail are unparalleled. Holmes' capability to deduct and remedy detail inside the success of "The Hound of the Baskervilles". His
mysteries is unrivaled. His eccentricities and flaws make him a notable intelligence, analytical mind, and observational abilties
extra nuanced and relatable man or woman. Holmes' make him a compelling person, driving the plot ahead and fixing
independence and individuality make him a real original. His the mystery. Through his character, the play explores
experience of justice and morality power him to solve the thriller.
Holmes' wit and humor add to the play's leisure price. His 3. Write an essay for major characters.
capability to think outdoor the box and task conventional
information Major Characters
Sherlock Holmes is a brilliant and eccentric detective in his late
Holmes' sell belief and self-warranty inspire consider and 30s or early 40s. He is intelligent, analytical, and observant, with
admiration. His character has emerge as iconic in detective fiction. exceptional detective skills that allow him to deduct and solve
Impact at the Story. Holmes' character drives the plot forward and mysteries. Holmes is independent and eccentric, often neglecting
solves the thriller. His presence creates tension and suspense as his personal appearance and hygiene in favor of his work. Despite
he uncovers clues. Holmes person offers a foil to the supernatural his eccentricities, he is fiercely loyal to his friends and will stop at
and irrational, His rational wondering and medical method nothing to uncover the truth. Holmes' goal is to solve the mystery
overcome superstition. of the Hound of the Baskervilles and uncover the truth behind the
legendary hound. Through his exceptional detective work, Holmes
Holmes' individual represents the energy of human ingenuity and hopes to bring peace to the Baskerville family and prove his own
intelligence. His person highlights the significance of important abilities as a detective.
wondering and observation. Holmes' individual adds intensity and
complexity to the tale. His man or woman offers a experience of
Dr. John Watson is a loyal and trustworthy doctor and veteran in deception, Stapleton hopes to outwit Holmes and Watson and
his late 30s or early 40s. He is intelligent and observant, with a achieve his goals.
keen eye for detail that serves him well in his role as Holmes'
assistant. Watson is also a skilled narrator, able to recount the Dr. James Mortimer is a kind and gentle doctor in his middle age.
events of the story with clarity and precision. Despite his own He is a friend of the Baskerville family and has a deep
abilities, Watson is often overshadowed by Holmes' brilliance, but understanding of their history and the legend of the Hound. Dr.
he remains fiercely loyal to his friend and colleague. Watson's goal Mortimer is concerned and compassionate, always willing to lend
is to help Holmes solve the mystery and uncover the truth, while a helping hand to those in need. Despite his gentle nature, Dr.
also providing a different perspective on the events of the story. Mortimer is fiercely loyal to the Baskerville family and will do
Through his narration, Watson hopes to bring the reader into the whatever it takes to help them. Dr. Mortimer's goal is to help
world of the story and provide a unique insight into the mind of Holmes and Watson uncover the truth behind the Hound, while
Sherlock Holmes. also providing a unique insight into the Baskerville family's history
and the legend of the Hound. Through his knowledge and
Sir Henry Baskerville is a friendly and outgoing young man in his expertise, Dr. Mortimer hopes to bring peace to the Baskerville
late 20s or early 30s. He is the heir to the Baskerville estate and family and help them overcome the challenges that face them.
is suspected of being the next target of the Hound. Sir Henry is
naive and trusting, often taking people at face value and failing to Laura Lyons is a beautiful arid charming actress in her late 20s
see the deceit and manipulation that surrounds him. Despite this, or early 30s. She is Stapleton's lover and is deeply involved in his
he is determined to uncover the truth behind the Hound and his plans to inherit the Baskerville estate. Laura is manipulative and
family's curse. Sir Henry's goal is to uncover the truth and bring cunning, able to use her charm and beauty to get what she wants.
peace to his family, while also proving his own worth as a member Despite her involvement in Stapleton's plans, Laura is not entirely
of the Baskerville family. Through his determination and bravery, evil and is capable of showing compassion and empathy. Laura's
Sir Henry hopes to overcome the challenges that face him and goal is to help Stapleton achieve his goals, while also protecting
emerge victorious in the end. her own interests and well-being. Through her charm and beauty,
Laura hopes to manipulate those around her and achieve her
Stapleton is a charismatic and manipulative neighbor of the goals.
Baskervilles in his late 30s or early 40s. He is cunning and
deceptive, able to disguise himself and hide his true intentions with Barrymore is a loyal and trustworthy butler of the Baskerville
ease. Stapleton is driven by a desire for wealth and power, and estate in his middle age. He is reserved and dignified, with a deep
will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Despite his charming understanding of the Baskerville family's history and the legend of
exterior, Stapleton is ruthless and dangerous, willing to do the Hound. Barrymore is fiercely loyal to the Baskerville family and
whatever it takes to get what he wants. Stapleton's goal is to inherit will do whatever it takes to protect them. Despite his loyalty,
the Baskerville estate and wealth, and he will use any means Barrymore is also deeply concerned about the fate of the
necessary to achieve this goal. Through his cunning and Baskerville family and the legend of the Hound. Barrymore's goal
is to protect the Baskerville family and their estate, while also involvement in the mystery ultimately led to her own involvement,
helping Holmes and Watson uncover the truth behind the Hound. as she helped Holmes and Watson uncover the truth.

4. Write an essay for minor characters. Squire Stapleton was Stapleton's brother, who was a neighbor of
Sir Charles Baskerville was the late owner of the Baskerville the Baskervilles and provided information about the family's
estate, whose death was attributed to the Hound. He was a kind history. He was a wealthy man, with a large estate and a grand
and gentle man, loved by the locals, and his death was a shock to house, and was known for his love of hunting and the outdoors.
the community. Sir Charles was a wealthy man, with a large estate Squire Stapleton was a proud man, with a strong sense of family
and a grand house, but he was also a humble and generous and tradition. He was fiercely loyal to his family and his community,
person. He was known for his charitable works and his love of and would do anything to protect them. Despite his proud exterior,
nature. Despite his wealth and status, Sir Charles was a simple Squire Stapleton had a soft spot for his brother and was willing to
man who loved the quiet life in the country. His death sets off the help him in any way he could. However, his loyalty ultimately led
chain of events in the play, as his nephew Sir Henry Baskerville to his downfall, as he was caught by Holmes and Watson and
inherits the estate and becomes the target of the Hound. brought to justice.

Jack Stapleton was Stapleton's brother, who was also involved Cartwright was a local farmer, who provided information about
in his plans to inherit the Baskerville estate. He was a rough and the Hound and its appearances. He was a simple man, with a
rugged man, with a harsh face and a menacing gaze. Jack was a rugged face and a weathered hat. Cartwright was a hard worker,
poacher and a thief, with a criminal record and a reputation for always up at the crack of dawn to tend to his farm and his animals.
violence. He was fiercely loyal to his brother, and would do He was a quiet man, who kept to himself and didn't like to get
anything to help him achieve his goals. Despite his rough exterior, involved in other people's business. Despite his quiet nature,
Jack had a soft spot for his brother and was willing to do whatever Cartwright had a keen eye for detail and was able to provide
it took to help him. However, his loyalty ultimately led to his valuable information to Holmes and Watson. His knowledge of the
downfall, as he was caught by Holmes and Watson and brought local area and the Hound's appearances ultimately helped the
to justice. detectives solve the mystery.

Mrs. Barrymore was Barrymore's wife, who was the housekeeper Perkins was a local man, who provided information about the
of the Baskerville estate. She was a kind and gentle woman, with Hound and its appearances. He was a friendly man, with a warm
a warm smile and a caring nature. Mrs. Barrymore was devoted to smile and a cheerful demeanor. Perkins was a talkative man,
her husband and her work, and was fiercely loyal to the Baskerville always happy to chat and share his knowledge with others. He
family. She was a hard worker, always ensuring that the house was a bit of a gossip, always eager to share the latest news and
was spotless and the family was well cared for. Despite her busy rumors. Despite his talkative nature, Perkins was a reliable source
schedule, Mrs. Barrymore always had time for a chat and a cup of of information, and his knowledge of the local area and the
tea, and was a beloved member of the household. Her husband's
Hound's appearances ultimately helped Holmes and Watson
solve the mystery.
 Tamil Summary Video (Youtube)
Murder on the Orient Express
-Agatha Christie

Original Text

Introduction to the Author:

English Summary Video

(Youtube)

Agatha Christie, a luminary in the literary world, was born in

Torquay, England in 1890, Her remarkable prowess in crafting
captivating mystery novels earned her the esteemed moniker
"Queen of Crime." Christie's prolific career yielded an impressive
array of 66 detective novels and numerous plays, including the
iconic "And Then There Were None" and "Murder on the Orient
Express." Her works are distinguished by their ingenious plot
twists and turns, masterfully calibrated to keep readers in a state Important Characters:
of suspense. Christie's creative genius extended to the
development of iconic detectives, notably Hercule Poirot and Miss 1. Hercule Poirot
Marple, who have become an integral part of popular culture. Her
writing career, spanning over five decades, has cemented her 2. M. Bouc
legacy as one of the most successful authors in history. Christie's
influence on the literary landscape continues to inspire writers and 3. Dr. Constantine
readers alike, solidifying her position as a legendary raconteuse.
Her works remain widely acclaimed, with adaptations and 4. Mary Debenham
interpretations continuing to emerge. Christie's contribution to the
mystery genre is unparalleled, ensuring her influence will be felt 5. Mrs. Hubbard
for generations to come.
6. Daisy Armstrong

Introduction to the Novel: 7. Colonel Arbuthnot

"Murder on the Orient Express" is a gripping drama penned by the
illustrious Agatha Christie. Set against the opulent backdrop of a 8. Princess Dragomiroff
train joumeying from Istanbul to Paris, the narrative revolves
around the enigmatic murder of the affluent entrepreneur, 9. Hector McQueen
Ratchett. The esteemed detective, Hercule Poirot, must
meticulously untangle the intricate web of clues and suspects that 10. Ratchett
ensues. As Poirot delves deeper into the investigation, he
uncovers the clandestine past and motives of each passenger, 11. Countess Andrenyi
leading to a startling revelation. With a masterful plot twist, the
detective exposes the killer's identity, underscoring the themes of 12. Count Andrenyi
justice, morality, and deception that permeate the play. Christie's
magnum opus has been adapted into numerous productions, 13. Cyrus Hardman
including cinematic and theatrical renditions, cementing its status
as a timeless classic. The drama's complex plot and indelible 14. Antonio Foscanelli
characters continue to captivate audiences, rendering "Murder on
the Orient Express" a perennial masterpiece of suspense and 15. Greta Ohlsson
intrigue.
16. Hildegarde Schmidt A young and intelligent governess, Mary Debenham, travels to
Baghdad, harboring secrets and motives that gradually come to
17. Edward Henry Masterman light. Her enigmatic relationship with Colonel Arbuthnot raises
questions, and her alibi becomes a critical aspect of the
18. Pierre Michel investigation.

5. Mrs. Hubbard:
The flamboyant and outspoken Mrs. Hubbard, accompanied by
CHARACTERS A BRIEF her son, conceals a sharp mind and keen instincts beneath her
dramatic exterior. As the investigation unfolds, her perceptive
INTRODUCTION observations and surprising insights prove invaluable.

1. Hercule Poirot: 6. Daisy Armstrong:

The renowned Belgian detective, distinguished by his exceptional The tragic fate of young Daisy Armstrong, a victim of kidnapping
cognitive abilities and signature mustache, brings his remarkable and murder, drives the Investigation forward. Her innocence and
skills to bear on the case. His fastidious nature and keen insight charm are remembered by those who knew her, and her family's
prove invaluable in unraveling the mystery. grief and guilt fuel the quest for justice.

2. M. Bouc: 7. Colonel Arbuthnot:

As the director of the Orient Express, M. Bouc leverages his A British army officer, Colonel Arbuthnot, travels with Mary
resources and connections to facilitate the investigation, Debenham, his past and connections to the Armstrong family
demonstrating his loyalty and trustworthiness. His attention to shrouded in mystery. As the investigation progresses, his loyalty,
detail and keen observational skills make him an asset to Poirot's honor, and secrets are revealed, casting light on the complex web
inquiry. of relationships.

3. Dr. Constantine: 8. Princess Dragomiroff:

The train's medical officer, Dr. Constantine, provides crucial The aristocratic Princess Dragomiroff, accompanied by her loyal
expertise, examining the victim and offering astute observations maid, Hildegarde, conceals a sharp mind and astute observations
that shed light on the crime. His professional demeanor and beneath her refined exterior. Her connection to the Armstrong
objective analysis prove essential in understanding the family and the case remains unclear, but her testimony proves
circumstances surrounding the murder. vital.

4. Mary Debenham: 9. Hector McQueen:

Ratchett's personal secretary, Hector McQueen, exhibits a 14. Antonio Foscanelli:
nervous and fidgety demeanor, his loyalty to Ratchett tested as The Italian salesman, Antonio Foscanelli, conceals a suspicious
the investigation unfolds. His secrets and motives are gradually past and nervous demeanor, his connections to Ratchett and the
revealed, exposing a complex character with a pivotal role in the case slowly uncovered. His secrets and motives are revealed,
crime. exposing a complex character with a pivotal role in the crime.

10. Ratchett: 15. Greta Ohlsson:

The shady businessman, Ratchett, conceals a dark past and true The Swedish missionary, Greta Ohlsson, travels to Africa, her
identity, his connections to the Armstrong family and kidnapping innocence and naivety tested as the investigation unfolds. Her
slowly uncovered. His murder sets the investigation in motion, connection to the case remains unclear, but her testimony proves
revealing a complex web of relationships and motives. vital, revealing a kind and gentle soul.

11. Countess Andrenyi: 16. Hildegarde Schmidt:

The elegant Countess Andrenyi, traveling with her husband, The loyal cook of the Armstrong family, Hildegarde Schmidt,
Count Andrenyi, harbors secrets and motives that gradually come conceals secrets and motives that gradually come to light. Her
to light. Her loyalty to her husband is tested as the Investigation connection to the case is pivotal, with a surprising twist that
unfolds, revealing a complex character with a vital role in the case. reveals a complex character.

12. Count Andrenyl: 17. Edward Henry Masterman:

The diplomat Count Andrenyi, husband of Countess Andrenyl, Ratchett's valet, Edward Henry Masterman, harbors a hidden
exhibits a calm and collected exterior, his loyalty and honor tested agenda and nervous. demeanor, his secrets and motives slowly
as the investigation progresses. His secrets and motives are revealed. His role in the crime is pivotal, with a surprising twist that
gradually revealed, exposing a complex character with a pivotal exposes a complex character.
role in the crime.
18. Pierre Michel:
13. Cyrus Hardman: As the conductor of the Orient Express, Pierre Michel's
The American detective, Cyrus Hardman, travels incognito, his involvement in the case extends far beyond his official duties. His
expertise and keen observational skills proving invaluable to personal connection to the events that transpired adds a layer of
Poirot's investigation. His connections to Ratchett and the case complexity to his character, and his motives are shrouded in
are slowly revealed, casting light on the complex web of mystery. As the investigation unfolds, Michel's role becomes
relationships. increasingly crucial, as he possesses vital information that could
shed light on the crime. However, his loyalty and integrity are
called into question, and the truth about his involvement slowly
begins to emerge, revealing a multifaceted character with a CHAPTER-2:
profound impact on the case. The Next morning, Poirot wakes up feeling refreshed and geared
up for the day. He heads to the dining car for breakfast, wherein
he meets his fellow passengers, together with Monsieur Bouc,
who's also journeying on the Orient Express. Poirot is thrilled to
DETAILED SUMMARY peer his friend and they sit collectively, playing their meal and
discussing their travels.
CHAPTER-1:
The well-known detective Hercule Poirot is in Istanbul, having As they chat, Poirot notices some different passengers, together
simply solved a case in Syria. He is keen to go back to London with a younger woman, Countess Andrenyi, who appears fearful
and searching forward to a nicely-deserved relaxation. Poirot and on aspect. He additionally sees a German nurse, Hildegarde
checks into the Pera Palace Hotel, in which he is warmly acquired Schmidt, who is accompanying an aged lady, Princess
through the supervisor, Monsieur Bouc. As he settles into his Dragomiroff. Poirot's eager observational capabilities absorb each
room, Poirot receives a telegram from London, summoning him element, from the clothes they put on to their mannerisms
back to England on pressing business.
and conduct. After breakfast, Poirot returns to his compartment to
Poirot is disappointed via the sudden exchange in plans, however acquire his mind. He is approached through Ratchett, who
he knows that responsibility calls. He packs his baggage and introduces himself and attempts to strike up a conversation. Poirot
heads to the teach station, where he forums the Orient Express. is not
As he reveals his compartment, he's struck through the luxurious
and elegance of the educate. Poirot is inspired via the opulent inspired by means of Ratchett's boorish conduct and quickly
decorations and the refined atmosphere, feeling like he is in a one- excuses himself. As he settles returned into his seat, he cannot
of-a-kind international. help but marvel what sort of guy Ratchett is and what his real
intentions are.
As the educate departs Istanbul, Poirot settles in for the long
journey ahead. He takes out his notebook and begins to review CHAPTER-3:
the case files he were reading in advance. Suddenly, he is As the teach keeps on its journey, Poirot notices that Ratchett
interrupted with the aid of a noisy voice and a boisterous laugh. seems to be looking to ingratiate himself with the opposite
Poirot appears up to look a tall, enforcing man, later brought as passengers. He moves up a communique with the Countess
Ratchett, getting into the compartment round the corner. Little Andrenyi, who appears uncomfortable and attempts to extricate
does Poirot understand that this chance come upon will lead him herself from the verbal exchange. Poirot also observes that
into a complex web of mystery and deceit. Ratchett seems to be attempting to affect the Princess
Dragomiroff, who remains imperious and unimpressed.
Meanwhile, Poirot has a verbal exchange with Monsieur Bouc, reveals that she is journeying to fulfill her husband, a diplomat,
who tells him extra approximately the other passengers, Bouc and that she is concerned about the political tensions in Europe.
well-knownshows that Ratchett is virtually an American named Poirot also speaks with Hildegarde Schmidt, who seems fearful
Cassetti, who became worried in a scandalous kidnapping case and on area.
inside the United States. Poirot's hobby is piqued, and he begins
to wonder if Ratchett's presence on the educate is mere twist of As the day draws to a near, Poirot retires to his compartment, his
fate. mind racing with theories and suspicions. He is satisfied that
something sinister is afoot, however he can't pretty positioned his
As the nighttime attracts in, the passengers gather within the finger on what it is. Little does he know that the night time in
eating automobile for dinner. Poirot observes the dynamics advance will carry a stunning tum of events with the intention to
between the passengers, noting the tension among Ratchett and alternate the entirety.
the Countess Andrenyi, as well as the Princess's disdain for
Ratchett. He also notices the quiet, reserved behavior of CHAPTER-5:
Hildegarde Schmidt, the German nurse. As the night time wears That night, Poirot is awoken by using a noisy cry and the sound of
on, Poirot retires to his compartment, his mind whirling with a door slamming shut. He speedy gets off the bed and goes out
theories and suspicions. into the hall, in which he unearths the conductor, Pierre Michel,
standing out of doors Ratchett's compartment. Michel is shaken
CHAPTER-4: and tells Poirot that he went to check on Ratchett and found him
The next morning, Poirot wakes as much as find that the teach stabbed to demise.
has been caught in a snowbank since the previous night time. The
passengers are restless and aggravating to hold their journey. Poirot immediately takes charge of the state of affairs, educating
Poirot joins the others within the dining car, wherein they're served Michel to lock the compartment and not allow every person contact
a makeshift breakfast. Ratchett is specially agitated, stressful to something. He then begins to have a look at the crime scene,
realize while the educate can be able to pass. taking in each detail. He notices that Ratchett's frame is lying in a
pool of blood, with multiple stab wounds. Poirot also unearths a
As the morning wears on, Poirot notices that Ratchett seems to be piece of paper at the floor, with the phrases "Justice is executed"
receiving extraordinary appears from the alternative passengers. scrawled on it.
He realizes that Ratchett's genuine identification as Cassetti, the
kidnapper, is widely recognized many of the passengers. Poirot As the alternative passengers begin to stir, Poirot instructs Bouc
starts to suspect to maintain them calm and contained. He then units out to analyze
the crime, starting by means of wondering the passengers and
that Ratchett's presence on the educate can be extra than just a collecting statistics. Poirot soon realizes that everyone on the
coincidence. As the passengers try to bypass the time, Poirot educate had a cause for the murder, and that the case will be an
engages in a conversation with the Countess Andrenyi. She awful lot extra complex than he initially idea.
 Poirot realizes that the killer should had been someone who was
CHAPTER-6: able to move across the train with out being observed. He starts
Poirot starts offevolved his investigation via thinking the to suspect that the killer can also had been disguised as a
passengers and accumulating records. He begins with the conductor or a member of the teach's group of workers.
Countess Andrenyi, who well-knownshows that she had a quick
encounter with Ratchett inside the dining car the preceding night As the research keeps, Poirot interviews the relaxation of the
time. Poirot then speaks with Hildegarde Schmidt, who appears passengers, together with Mary Debenham and Colonel
apprehensive and agitated. She well-knownshows that she Arbuthnot. They both appear shaken by using the events, however
become in Ratchett's compartment in advance that night, however Poirot notices that they seem to be hiding some thing.
claims she turned into only there to retrieve a book.
Poirot additionally speaks with the teach's workforce, which
Poirot also questions Princess Dragomiroff, who denies having includes the conductor, Pierre Michel, and the chef, Antoine. They
any information of Ratchett's real identification. However, Poirot each claim to have visible nothing suspicious, but Poirot is not
notices that she appears to be hiding something He then speaks satisfied.
with Greta Ohlsson, a Swedish missionary, who exhibits that she
had a conversation with Ratchett in advance in the journey. Poirot As the bankruptcy ends, Poirot is deep in thought, looking to piece
starts offevolved to suspect that Ratchett changed into trying to together the proof and clear up the thriller. He is satisfied that the
manipulate the passengers in a few manner. important thing to the case lies in the mysterious observe and the
torn material.
As the research maintains, Poirot discovers some critical portions
of evidence, such as a tom piece of fabric caught inside the door CHAPTER-8-15:
of Ratchett's compartment and a suspicious-looking dagger. He Poirot keeps his research via interviewing the passengers and
additionally reveals a mysterious notice in Ratchett's pocket, with gathering more evidence. Mary Debenham and Colonel Arbuthnot
the words "Meet me inside the bags rack at midnight" scrawled on each declare to have visible nothing suspicious at the night time
it. of the homicide, but Poirot notices a faint heady scent of fragrance
on Arbuthnot's coat, which seems inconsistent together with his
CHAPTER-7: tale.
Poirot continues his research via examining the luggage rack and
attempting to find another clues. He reveals a piece of material Greta Ohisson, the Swedish missionary, famous that she saw
that fits the torn material caught in Ratchett's door and discovers someone in a conductor's uniform entering Ratchett's
a hidden compartment in one of the bags racks, Inside, he finds a compartment on the night time of the murder. Poirot examines the
be aware that reads: "You will recognize me by means of my cigar conductor's uniform and unearths a suspicious stain on the sleeve,
smoke". in addition to a chunk of paper inside the pocket with the phrases
"Member of the Family" written on it.
 homicide weapon. Poirot's investigation leads him to suspect that
The Countess Andrenyi exhibits that she changed into within the the murder become a collective effort, concerning several
lounge vehicle round middle of the night however saw nothing passengers.
unusual, even though Poirot notices that she seems anxious and
agitated. Princess Dragomiroff claims to have seen nothing on the CHAPTER-17:
night of the murder, but Poirot suspects that she may be hiding Poirot's suspicions are showed whilst he discovers a 2d pipe
some thing. purifier, same to the one discovered in Ratchett's compartment,
inside the possession of Princess Dragomiroff. This leads him to
Poirot discovers a hidden compartment in Ratchett's luggage, suspect that she might also have been concerned in the homicide.
containing a letter that reveals his true identification as Cassetti, He additionally reveals a bit of paper within the Princess's
the kidnapper. Hildegarde Schmidt reveals that she changed into compartment, with the phrases "Member of the Family" written on
in love with Ratchett however he had rejected her, and he or she it. Poirot realizes that the murder became a cautiously planned
also saw someone in a conductor's uniform getting into Ratchett's and carried out act of revenge, and that the passengers have been
compartment on the night time of the homicide. all in at the plot. He interviews the conductor, Pierre Michel, who
well-knownshows that he noticed nothing suspicious on the night
As Poirot pieces collectively the evidence, he begins to form a of the homicide. However, Poirot notices that the conductor
theory approximately the murder. He realizes that the killer have appears fearful and agitated, and his alibi appears suspicious.
to were a person who was capable of pass across the train without Poirot's research leads him to suspect that the conductor may
being observed, and that the homicide turned into a cautiously have been concerned within the murder.
deliberate and carried out act of revenge. The research is ongoing,
and Poirot is getting toward solving the thriller. CHAPTER-18:
Poirot maintains to research, interviewing the passengers and
CHAPTER-16: accumulating extra evidence. He speaks with Mary Debenham,
Poirot continues his research, interviewing the passengers and who reveals that she become within the lounge car around
gathering extra proof. He speaks with Princess Dragomiroff, who nighttime, but noticed nothing suspicious. Poirot notices that she
reveals that she become inside the front room automobile round seems worried and agitated, and her alibi appears suspicious. He
midnight, but noticed nothing suspicious. Poirot notices that she also interviews Colonel Arbuthnot, who claims to were in his
seems fearful and agitated, and her alibi seems suspicious. He compartment all night time, but Poirot suspects that he may be
additionally interviews the Countess Andrenyi, who claims to were hiding some thing. He finds a bit of paper within the Colonel's
in her compartment all night, however Poirot suspects that she compartment, with the phrases "Member of the Family written on
may be hiding some thing. He reveals a chunk of cloth stuck within it. Poirot realizes that the homicide changed into a carefully
the door of Ratchett's compartment, which he believes might also planned and done act of revenge, and that the passengers were
have come from the killer's apparel. He also discovers a small gold all in at the plot. He begins to piece together the activities of the
dagger in the compartment, which he suspects can be the
night of the murder, revealing a complicated net of motives and with Poirot's rationalization, revealing the fact at the back of the
alliances. murder on the Orient Express.

CHAPTER 19: CHAPTER-21:

Poirot's investigation leads him to suspect that the homicide Poirot well-knownshows the identity of the killer and the purpose
changed into a collective attempt, concerning several passengers. to Bouc and the Doctor. He explains that the passengers and the
He realizes that the passengers and the conductor labored conductor labored together to kill Ratchett, avenging Daisy's loss
together to kill Ratchett, avenging Daisy's loss of life and bringing of life and bringing justice to the person accountable. Poirot
justice to the person accountable. He interviews the Countess exhibits that he located a piece of fabric caught inside the door of
Andrenyi once more, who well-knownshows that she became in Ratchett's compartment, which led him to suspect that the killer
Ratchett's compartment on the night of the homicide, but claims turned into a lady. He explains how he interviewed the passengers
she become there to retrieve a ebook. Poirot suspects that she and accumulated more proof, which led him to suspect that the
may be hiding something, and her alibi appears suspicious. He murder become a collective effort. Poirot exhibits that he found the
also interviews Princess Dragomiroff again, who exhibits that she connections among the passengers and their relationships to the
turned into inside the front room vehicle round midnight, however Armstrong circle of relatives. He explains how he observed the
saw not anything suspicious. Poirot notices that she seems proper identity of Ratchett and his function inside the kidnapping
apprehensive and agitated, and her alibi appears suspicious. He and murder of Daisy Armstrong. Poirot exhibits how the
begins to piece together the activities of the night time of the passengers and the conductor worked together to plot and
homicide, revealing a complicated net of reasons and alliances. execute the homicide. He explains how they used their abilities
and sources to perform the crime.
CHAPTER-20:
Poirot exhibits to Bouc and the Doctor that he knows the identity CHAPTER-22:
of the killer and the reason, which turned into revenge for the Poirot explains how he pieced collectively the events of the night
murder of little Daisy Armstrong. He explains that the passengers of the homicide, revealing a complicated internet of reasons and
and the conductor labored together to kill Ratchett, avenging alliances. He exhibits how the passengers and the conductor
Daisy's demise and bringing justice to the person accountable. He labored together to kill Ratchett. Poirot explains how he used his
exhibits that the homicide become a cautiously planned and understanding of human psychology to recognize the motives and
accomplished act of revenge, and that the passengers have been movements of the passengers. He well-knownshows how he used
all in at the plot. He explains how he used his "little grey cells to his "little grey cells" to unravel the complex threads of the case.
get to the bottom of the complex threads of the case and discover Poirot explains how he observed the sudden twist that some of the
the reality. Poirot's clarification well-knownshows a surprising passengers were related to the Armstrong own family or had a
twist: most of the passengers have been related to the Armstrong personal connection to the case. He exhibits how this connection
family or had a non-public connection to the case. The novel ends stimulated them to seek revenge in opposition to Ratchett. Poirot
explains how he used his understanding of human nature to
apprehend the reasons and moves of the passengers. He reveals the murder. He exhibits the real identity of the killer and the motive
how he used his revel in and abilities to clear up the case. in the back of the crime.

CHAPTER-23: CHAPTER-25:
Poirot famous the very last info of the case, explaining how the Poirot explains how he used his information of human psychology
passengers and the conductor carried out the murder. He reveals to understand the motives and movements of the passengers. He
the real identification of the killer and the motive behind the crime. exhibits how he used his "little gray cells" to resolve the complex
Poirot explains how he used his knowledge of human psychology threads of the case. Poirot explains how he discovered the
to recognize the reasons and movements of the passengers. He surprising twist that the various passengers had been related to
well-knownshows how he used his "little gray cells" to get to the the Armstrong family or had a personal connection to the case. He
bottom of the complex threads of the case. Poirot explains how he well-knownshows how this connection prompted them to are
located the surprising twist that a few of the passengers have been searching for revenge towards Ratchett. Poirot explains how he
related to the Armstrong family or had a private connection to the used his knowledge of human nature to apprehend the reasons
case. He exhibits how this connection motivated them to are and actions of the passengers. He well-knownshows how he used
seeking revenge against Ratchett. Poirot explains how he used his enjoy and skills to remedy the case. Poirot reveals the very last
his know-how of human nature to recognize the reasons and info of the case, explaining how the passengers and the conductor
movements of the passengers. He famous how he used his executed the homicide. He exhibits the genuine identification of
experience and talents to remedy the case. the killer and the purpose behind the crime.

CHAPTER-24: CHAPTER 26:

Poirot explains how he used his understanding of human Poirot explains how he used his expertise of human psychology to
psychology to recognize the reasons and moves of the understand the motives and actions of the passengers. He
passengers. He reveals how he used his "little grey cells" to get to exhibits how he used his "little gray cells" to unravel the
the bottom of the complicated threads of the case. Poirot explains complicated threads of the case. Poirot explains how he observed
how he determined the sudden twist that the various passengers the unexpected twist that the various passengers had been related
have been associated with the Armstrong circle of relatives or had to the Armstrong family or had a non-public connection to the
a personal connection to the case. He well-knownshows how this case. He famous how this connection influenced them to are trying
connection inspired them to are seeking for revenge against to find revenge in opposition to Ratchett. Poirot explains how he
Ratchett. Poirot explains how he used his knowledge of human used his knowledge of human nature to recognize the motives and
nature to apprehend the reasons and movements of the movements of the passengers. He well-knownshows how he used
passengers. He well-knownshows how he used his experience his enjoy and abilties to solve the case. Poirot well-knownshows
and abilties to remedy the case. Poirot famous the final info of the the very last information.
case, explaining how the passengers and the conductor achieved
CHAPTER-27: he found the sudden twist that the various passengers were
Poirot exhibits the final information of the case, explaining how the related to the Armstrong own family or had a personal connection
passengers and the conductor executed the homicide. He famous to the case. He famous how this connection encouraged them to
the actual identity of the killer and the reason at the back of the are seeking revenge in opposition to Ratchett.
crime. Poirot explains how he used his knowledge of human
psychology to recognize the motives and actions of the CHAPTER-30:
passengers. He well-knownshows how he used his "little gray The novel ends with Poirot's clarification, revealing the reality
cells" to get to the bottom of the complicated threads of the case. behind the homicide at the Orient Express. The passengers and
Poirot explains how he determined the sudden twist that many of the conductor are arrested, and justice is served for the murder of
the passengers had been related to the Armstrong circle of Daisy Armstrong. Poirot's extraordinary detective competencies
relatives or had a non-public connection to the case. He exhibits and his potential to understand human psychology are highlighted,
how this connection prompted them to are looking for revenge and the novel concludes with a sense of closure and
towards Ratchett. determination. Poirot's reputation as a superb detective is
solidified, and the radical ends with a sense of pride and
CHAPTER-28: completion.
Poirot explains how he used his expertise of human nature to
recognize the motives and actions of the passengers. He exhibits CHAPTER-31:
how he used his experience and talents to resolve the case. Poirot The final chapter of "Murder at the Orient Express" via Agatha
well-knownshows the final information of the case, explaining how Christie is a concise and impactful conclusion to the novel. Poirot,
the passengers and the conductor executed the homicide. He having revealed the fact behind the murder, is hailed as a hero
well-knownshows the real identity of the killer and the cause in the and a genius. The passengers and the conductor, who have been
back of the crime. Poirot explains how he used his know-how of chargeable for the homicide, are arrested and taken away.
human psychology to understand the motives and movements of
the passengers. He exhibits how he used his "little gray cells" to Poirot reflects on the case, satisfied with the outcome however
unravel the complicated threads of the case. additionally aware of the complexity of human nature. He realizes
that the homicide turned into now not just a crime, but a act of
CHAPTER 29: justice for the victims of Cassetti's crimes.
Poirot reveals the very last information of the case, explaining how
the passengers and the conductor completed the homicide. He The novel ends with Poirot returning to London, wherein he is
well-knownshows the true identification of the killer and the reason greeted as a hero. He is met with admiration and appreciate from
behind the crime. Poirot explains how he used his knowledge of his peers and the general public, solidifying his recognition as one
human psychology to apprehend the reasons and movements of of the best detectives of all time.
the passengers. He reveals how he used his "little gray cells" to
resolve the complicated threads of the case. Poirot explains how
The very last chapter additionally consists of a poignant second in
which Poirot displays at the case and the character of justice. He 3. How many suspects are there in the novel?
realizes that the legal device isn't always constantly perfect and A) 5
that every so often, taking the regulation into one's own arms is B) 10
essential. C) 15
D) 20
The novel concludes with a sense of closure and determination,
but also leaves the reader with a deeper know-how of the 4. What is the name of the princess who is a suspect?
complexities of human nature and the character of justice. A) Princess Dragomiroff
B) Princess Natalia
The very last bankruptcy is a becoming conclusion to the novel, C) Princess Sophia
tying up loose ends and presenting a sense of delight and finishing D) Princess Elena
touch. Poirot's individual is solidified as a amazing and
compassionate detective, and the radical ends on a high notice, 5. Who is the conductor of the train?
leaving the reader with a lasting impact. A) Hildegarde Schmidt
B) Antonio Foscarelli
C) Greta Ohlsson
D) Pierre Michel
CHOOSE THE CORRECT
6. What is the name of the American businessman who is a
ANSWER suspect?
A) Ratchett
1. Who is the main detective in the novel "Murder on the Orient B) Cassetti
Express"? C) Hubbard
A) Hercule Poirot D) Hardman
B) Colonel Arbuthnot
C) Mary Debenham 7. Who is the young woman who is traveling with Colonel
D) Princess Dragomiroff Arbuthnot?
A) Princess Dragomiroff
2. Who is the victim of the murder? B) Countess Andrenyi
A) Armstrong C) Mary Debenham
B) Cassetti D) Greta Ohisson
C) Ratchett
D) Daisy Armstrong
8. What is the name of the country where the murder takes place? 13. Who is the suspect who is a missionary?
A) France A) Mary Debenham
B) Italy B) Greta Ohlsson
C) Turkey C) Princess Dragomiroff
D) Bulgaria D) Hildegarde Schmidt

9. How does the murderer kill the victim? 14. What is the name of the suspect who is a businessman?
A) Poisoning A) Ratchett
B) Shooting B) Cassetti
C) Stabbing C) Hubbard
D) Strangling D) Hardman

10. Who is the father of Daisy Armstrong? 15. Who is the suspect who is a maid?
A) Colonel Arbuthnot A) Hildegarde Schmidt
B) Mr. Armstrong B) Greta Ohlsson
C) Ratchett C) Mary Debenham
D) Cassetti D) Princess Dragomiroff

11. What is the name of the organization that kidnapped Daisy 16. Who is the mastermind behind the murder?
Armstrong? A) Ratchett
A) The Mafia B) Cassetti
B) The Kidnapping Ring C) Armstrong
C) The Syndicate D) Princess Dragomiroff
D) The Armstrong Gang
17. Who is the suspect who is a former soldier?
12. Who is the suspect who is a doctor? A) Colonel Arbuthnot
A) Dr. Constantine B) Pierre Michel
B) Dr. Arbuthnot C) Antonio Foscarelli
C) Dr. Schmidt D) Dr. Constantine
D) Dr. Ohisson
18. What is the name of Agatha Christie's famous detective in
"Murder on the Orient Express"? 8. Hercule Poirot is a Belgian detective.
A) Hercule Poirot
B) Miss Marple 9. Ratchett is revealed to be the kidnapper and murderer of Daisy
C) Colonel Race Armstrong.
D) Superintendent Battle
10. The novel "Murder on the Orient Express" is famous for its
19. Agatha Christie is known for which genre of writing? complex plot and multiple suspects with secrets.
A) Romance
B) Science Fiction 11. The suspects in the novel include a countess, a princess,
C) Mystery and Crime and a doctor.
D) Historical Fiction
12. Hercule Poirot uses his "little grey cells" to solve the mystery.

FILL IN THE BLANKS 13. The novel "Murder on the Orient Express" has been adapted
into a film and a play.
1. The author of the novel "Murder on the Orient Express" is
Agatha Christie. 14. Agatha Christie was a British author.

2. The novel "Murder on the Orient Express" was published in 15. "Murder on the Orient Express" is considered one of Agatha
1934. Christie's best works.

3 . The main detective in the novel "Murder on the Orient Express"

is Hercule Polrot. PARAGRAPHS
4. The victim in the novel "Murder on the Orient Express" is 1. What significance does the Orient Express train hold in the
Ratchett, also known as Cassetti. narrative?
The Orient Express train serves as a symbol of opulence and
5. The majority of the story in "Murder on the Orient Express" takes isolation, encapsulating a microcosm of society with passengers
place on the Orient Express train. from diverse backgrounds and social classes. The train's
confinement creates a sense of claustrophobia, heightening
6. The Orient Express train is traveling from Istanbul to Paris. tensions and suspicions among the passengers, and ultimately
contributing to the mystery's unfolding. As the story progresses,
7. The novel "Murder on the Orient Express" is set in the 1930s. the train becomes a character in its own right, playing a crucial
role in the development of the plot and the ultimate revelation of murder investigation. The characters' interactions and
the truth. relationships with one another add depth to the story, revealing
their individual personalities and possible connections to the
Additionally, the Orient Express train represents a transitional crime, As the investigation unfolds, the passengers' true identities
space, where characters from different walks of life are forced to and motives are slowly revealed, adding to the suspense and
interact and confront their differences. This enclosed environment tension of the story.
allows Christie to explore themes of class, race, and gender,
highlighting the social tensions and prejudices of the time. Moreover, the passengers' characters serve as a reflection of the
societal norms and values of the time. Christie uses their
2. How does Hercule Polrot's character contribute to the characters to explore themes of class, race, and gender,
novel's success? highlighting the social tensions and prejudices of the era. The
Hercule Poirot's distinctive personality, intellect, and detective passengers' interactions and relationships also reveal their
skills make him a compelling and memorable character. His individual biases and prejudices, adding to the complexity of the
Belgian heritage, impeccable taste, and fastidious nature add to story.
his charm, while his ability to observe minute details and utilize his
"little grey cells" to solve the mystery has become iconic in 4. How does Agatha Christie's writing style contribute to the
detective fiction. Poirot's character has been imprinted on popular novel's tension and suspense?
culture, making him one of the most recognizable detectives in Christie's masterful writing style creates a sense of tension and
literature. His unique approach to detective work and his ability to suspense by slowly revealing clues and information, expertly
piece together seemingly unrelated clues have made him a utilizing foreshadowing, red herrings, and misdirection to keep
beloved character among readers. readers engaged and guessing. The novel's pacing is expertly
managed, building towards a surprising climax that challenges
Furthermore, Poirot's character serves as a reflection of Christie's readers' assumptions. Christie's use of language and her ability to
own experiences and Interests. His background as a Belgian craft complex characters and plots have made her one of the most
refugee in England during World War I mirrors Christie's own celebrated mystery writers of all time.
experiences as a refugee in France during the same period.
Poirot's character also reflects Christie's fascination with Additionally, Christie's writing style is characterized by her use of
psychology and her interest in exploring the human psyche multiple narratives and perspectives, adding to the complexity and
through her writing. suspense of the story. Her use of language and her ability to
create a sense of atmosphere and tension have been widely
3. What role do the other passengers play in the narrative? praised, making her one of the most influential mystery writers of
The other passengers on the Orient Express are carefully crafted all time.
to create a diverse and suspicious cast of characters, each with
secrets and motives that make them potential suspects in the
 Poirot to investigate Ratchett's past, uncovering a web of deceit
ESSAYS and conspiracy. This discovery becomes a vital link in the chain of
evidence, as Poirot uses it to expose Ratchett's true identity and
1. What are the key clues that Polrot uses to solve the connection to the Armstrong family.
murder?
Inconsistent Testimonies: A Complex Web
The Enigmatic Letter As Poirot interviews the passengers, he encounters a array of
Poirot's investigation commences with an enigmatic letter inconsistent testimonies. Each passenger seems to be hiding
received by Ratchett, the ill- fated victim. The cryptic message something, and Poirot must navigate this complex web to uncover
hints at a dark past and a connection to the Armstrong family, the truth. He listens attentively to their alibis, searching for
piquing Poirot's interest. He scrutinizes the letter's nuances, from discrepancies and contradictions. Poirot's keen mind analyzes the
the handwriting to the paper quality, and deduces that the author testimonies, identifying patterns and connections that others might
is familiar with the Armstrong case. This letter sets the tone for miss. He recognizes that the passengers are not telling the whole
Poirot's quest for truth, as he recognizes that unraveling Ratchett's truth and that their testimonies hold vital clues. By carefully
true identity and connection to the Armstrong family is crucial to examining the inconsistencies, Poirot begins to reconstruct the
solving the murder. events surrounding the murder.

The Suspicious Compartment: A Web of Deceit The Revelation of Identity: The Truth Revealed
Poirot's attention is drawn to Ratchett's compartment, where he The final clue that leads Poirot to the truth is the revelation of
discovers a series of curious objects. A broken pipe, scissors, and Ratchett's true identity. Through his meticulous investigation,
a monogrammed handkerchief raise his suspicions. He notes the Poirot discovers that Ratchett was responsible for the kidnapping
deliberate arrangement of these objects and the lack of visible and murder of little Daisy Armstrong. This revelation explains the
signs of struggle. Poirot's keen eye for detail leads him to suspect motives behind the murder and the connection to the Armstrong
that the murderer intentionally placed these objects to mislead the family. Poirot's discovery is a testament to his exceptional
investigation. He meticulously examines each object, recognizing detective skills, as he has unraveled a complex web of deceit and
that the compartment holds vital clues to reconstructing the events conspiracy to reveal the truth.
surrounding the murder.
2. Unvelling the Masks: An Exploration of Identity in "Murder
The Passport: A Trail of Deception on the Orient Express"
Ratchett's passport proves to be a crucial piece of evidence,
revealing that he was traveling under a false identity. Poirot Agatha Christie's iconic novel, "Murder on the Orient Express," is
studies the passport carefully, noting alterations and forged a masterful tale of deception, disguise, and the intricate web of
entries. He realizes that Ratchett was hiding his true identity, secrets that shroud human identity. This essay delves into the
which is central to the murder investigation. The passport leads novel's exploration of the struggle with identity, revealing the
complex dynamics of human nature and the ease with which novel leaves us pondering the enigmatic nature of identity and the
individuals can assume new personas. human capacity for concealment and deception.

Beneath the Surface: The Mystery of Identity

The novel's cast of characters is a labyrinth of secrets, with each
passenger on the Orient Express concealing their true selves
behind elaborate masks. Ratchett, the enigmatic victim, is
revealed to be Cassetti, a notorious criminal. Similarly, the other
passengers harbor secrets, donning false identities to obscure
their pasts.

The Psychology of Deception: Unraveling the Threads

Christie's novel expertly weaves together the threads of human
psychology, exposing the motivations behind the characters'
deceptions. From self-preservation to manipulation, the novel
showcases the complexities of human nature, blurring the lines
between truth and falsehood. Even the illustrious detective
Hercule Poirot grapples with his own identity, torn between justice
and morality.

Unmasking the Truth: A Journey of Discovery

Through its intricate plot and surprising twists, Christie's novel
masterfully uncovers the characters' true identities, revealing the
fragility of human pretenses. The novel challenges the notion of a
fixed identity, instead highlighting the dynamic nature of human
selves.

Conclusion
In "Murder on the Orient Express," Agatha Christie skillfully
unravels the complexities of human identity, exposing the intricate
web of secrets that shroud human nature. The novel serves as a
poignant reminder that appearances can be deceiving and that
truth often lies hidden behind masks of deception. Ultimately, the