Writing Exercises

Hananya A.S.
BA0190022

1) What are the major arguments presented by K.Satchidanandan in his article "The
Plural and the Singular" in relation to Indian literature? (350-400 words)
In the article “The plural and the Singular”, K. Satchidanandan talks of the nature of
Indian literature. In this context, he presents to us the arguments of Nihar Ranjan Ray. He
argues that the term “Indian” can never be of a singular nature because of the vast nature
of languages that come under its wing. Languages are conditioned by the locale and the
socio-cultural forces at play. Each and every language that comes under the umbrella
term “India” has its own defining characteristics by way of form and style, images and
symbols, nuances and associations. The usage of the word “Indian” might suggest a
unified cultural identity which he argues is absent in the traditional literature that can be
studied. This vastly changes in the modern context of Indian literature. The usage of
English as a common language has brought Indian literature to a platform where its
singularity or unified nature can be argued.

The question of the specificity of each work is one that comes up. The idea put forward
by Sisir Kumar Das is that the study of the history of Indian literature is the total literary
activity of the Indian people. It becomes an account of all literary traditions, great and
little, their ramifications and changes, their recessions and revivals, dominance and
decline. The importance of the context to the work gets distorted by way of trying to
accumulate a common history to all works instead of specific history to each work.

The author, however, presents a very well-argued contradiction to the aforementioned

view. He says that language cannot be the only measure for a piece of literature. He
believes that it is important to recognise the role of other criteria which are social,
cultural, political, ethical and aesthetic. He then draws attention to the fact that it is a
common practice to refer to the country of origin of a piece of literature as opposed to the
language used. The next argument he presents is the usage of multiple languages in one
 text. While languages are different the thoughts, genres and emotions of various Indian
works are similar. India is also ground for various social movements that affect the nature
and kind of each author’s work differently.

The author, in the end, preaches the need for a more complex view to be brought about. A
view that can look past the mechanical binary and understand the nuances of works
whilst recognising the larger cultural context. A view that can see the unity in diversity.

2) Write a critical note on V.S.Naipaul based on Dr Meenakshi Mukerjee's article "A

House for Mr Naipaul". ( 150-200)

V.S Naipaul is a Trinidad-born English writer who writes both fiction and non-fiction. A
recurring theme in all his works is the lack of a permanent place of residence and the lack
of a clear identity. He references the constant displacement and lack of sense of
belonging that he has. The author takes a very privileged view of things and is English
for all practical reasons. He looks at his ties with both Trinidad and India with a lot of
distaste. He at multiple instances references the “third-worldly” nature of Trinidad which
he believes was for him only a temporary place of residence. He also has views about
India being caught in the clutches of religion and tradition and not developed. He later,
rather arrogantly, claims that it is his work acted as a source of education the Indians. His
ideas of Indian history are largely that of a radical Hindu nationalist. He blatantly rejects
the fact that Indian history is largely intertwined with the advent of Muslims by way of
invasions or otherwise. For someone who claims to be above the “traditional Hindu”
nature of the Indian subcontinent, it seems rather ludicrous when Mr Naipaul plays
directly into the hands of the Hindu right. Mr Naipaul rejects his ties to India on one hand
and on the other hand, it is a recurring theme in all his books.

3) Write a critical summary of Francis Bacon's essay "Of Judicature" (200 words)
Francis Bacon’s essay “Of Judicature” is split into four parts. He provides multiple
guidelines that he says judges ought to follow. The judiciary exists for the interpretation
of laws and not the making of them. Judges should be more learned than witty, more
 reverend than plausible, and more advised than confident. Judges are put on the same
responsibility scale as God. Judges should be aware of hard constructions and strained
inferences so as to understand the pain and effect of law. A judge must have regard to the
time as well as to the matter. Judges are to be sincere and merciful in their duty.
The counsel and advocates should not be informal and aggressive with the judge, nor
make himself into the handling of the cause after the judge has already declared his
sentence; but, on the other side, he should not let the judge meet the cause halfway, nor
give any occasion for the party to say his counsel or proofs were not heard.
The clerks and ministers the premises ought to be preserved without scandal and
corruption. No one should find any deficiency in the law and policy. Judges should work
towards the interpretation of the law and must never think themselves above its
structures.

4) What are the functions of the study, according to Bacon? (200 words)
There are three main purposes of the study, this is “to delight, for ornament and for
ability.” Studies provide the most delight when one is in a private setting. The knowledge
that is acquired serves as an ornament during a conversation. A well-read man has the
advantage of a good vocabulary and greater knowledge this adds more value to the
conversation. Studies help improve one’s judgment and leadership qualities. A learned
man lives life with higher efficiency. Francis Bacon says that studies make a man perfect.
The natural abilities of a man are enhanced by studies as it provides both direction and
experience. Studies teach a man to learn from observation. He cites various examples of
different disciplines affecting a man’s character. A study of history makes a man wise
while a study of poetry makes him witty. Mathematics makes a man exact and precise
and natural philosophy increases the depth of the mind. Morals make a man grave
whereas a study of logic and rhetoric makes him more comprehensive. Mr Bacon goes on
to claim that there is no disease of the mind that cannot be cured by the proper study.
Thus, Bacon concludes the essay by establishing that for every deficit of the mind a
remedy is to be found in studies.
5) Write a literary appreciation on any one short story which I have sent, in terms of
character, settings and plot. ( 350-400 words)
The story of Sankarkutty and his mother is one that has a mystical factor attached to it.
The story revolves around three characters which are Sankarkutty, his mother and a
curious boy, Kannan. The story begins with Sankarkutty visiting his mother after very
long. This reaction of the mother indicates the lack of attention and compassion she feels.
This is when we see the introduction of a boy called Kannan. This sense of storytelling
indicates that the void that is present in her life because of the distancing of her son is
filled by this boy. His mother goes on to describe the circumstances under which she met
Kannan. The mother describes the feeling of a divine connection with the boy. The
setting of the temple and the prayer to god also indicate the same. She describes a feeling
of familiarity that she feels with the boy and a description of the motherly connection she
immediately feels with him. The son is very apprehensive of this boy and his stories. This
indicates a lack of belief or emotional capabilities in the son. The story goes on to build
on this rather mysterious connection of the boy with the family. The last string is when
Kannan is seen looking for the papers of a case that not even the mother is well-versed
with.
This story beautifully lays its elements of divinity out front. The underlying idea of
compassion and the emotional company is reiterated through various acts of the boy
towards the mother. The setting of the play suggests that the mother is a woman of belief.
When she is lonely she seeks out for company and reaches out to god and it is almost like
her faith is rewarded in the form of this young boy. It is not clear to the end of the story if
the boy is true or false but the author has put him in the position of a god. The last line of
the story indicates this with Sankarkutty asking if he should call the boy “ elder brother”.
The story despite its short nature shows the entire character flip and growth of
Sankarkutty. Sankarkutty is first filled with absolute dismissal of the connection with the
boy, he then goes on to a confusing stage and in the end, is filled with faith.
This is a beautiful story that reinforces the importance of faith. Maybe there was no
divine connection but if the feeling of it can lead to someone’s happiness then no one has
the right to take that away. This is the story of love in the form of an ambiguous form of
god. The takeaway, in the end, is irrespective of the form, love is the most important
thing.