Assignment 101: "Umrao Jaan: Empowering Portrayals and Societal Reflection on Prostitution Through Angelica's Lens

Assignment 101: "Umrao Jaan: Empowering Portrayals and Societal Reflection on Prostitution Through Angelica's Lens  

This blog is part of an assignment for paper 101- The Literature of Elizabethans and Restoration Periods.

Personal Information:-

Name:- Aakash Chavda

Batch:- M.A. Sem 1 (2023-2025)

Enrollment Number:- 5108230011

E-mail Address:- aakashchavda637@gmail.com

Roll Number:- 1

Assignment Details:-

Topic: "Umrao Jaan: Empowering Portrayals and Societal Reflection on Prostitution Through Angelica's Lens  

Paper & subject code:- 101 - Literature of the Elizabethan and Restoration Periods & 22392

Submitted to:- Smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English, MKBU, Bhavnagar. 

Date of Submission:- 01 December,2023

Abstract

This study extensively explores how the film "Umrao Jaan" empowers its portrayal of prostitution, focusing on the character Angelica from Aphra Behn's restoration comedy 'The Rover'. Through an analysis of Angelica's character and interactions with the character of Amiran from the movie 'Umrao Jaan', the research uncovers nuanced layers of empowerment within the representation of both characters. Additionally, the study delves into the film's societal reflection on prostitution stigma, examining the broader commentary on societal attitudes and social prejudices. By scrutinizing character dynamics within the socio-cultural context, the research sheds light on themes of empowerment and societal perceptions. The research highlights the potential of cinematic narratives, especially those centered on characters like Angelica, to challenge norms and foster nuanced discourse on sex work. It advocates for a deeper examination of filmic representations, emphasizing cinema's role in shaping societal perspectives on marginalized communities.

 

Key Words: Prostitution, sex workers, cinematic portrayal, societal stigma

Introduction

 

The film "Umrao Jaan," based on the first Urdu novel "Umrao Jaan Ada" (1899) by Mirza Hadi Ruswa, is known for its complexity and melodrama. It has inspired two Bollywood adaptations featuring iconic female leads—Rekha in the 1981 version directed by Muzaffar Ali and Aishwarya Rai in the 2006 adaptation. The narrative revolves around Amiran, kidnapped from Lucknow in 1840 and forced into a life as a courtesan named Umrao Jaan. Her tumultuous journey includes relationships with high-status individuals like Nawab Sultan, but societal disapproval, changing circumstances, and personal tragedies lead to a series of disownments and misfortunes. The character of Angelica in "The Rover" bears a striking resemblance to Amiran in terms of portrayal, struggles, societal constraints, and the inability to find true love due to their status as courtesans. Both stories unfold with a sense of tragedy, leaving the heroines penniless and reflective on their challenging lives. The films' runtimes exceed two hours, emphasizing the depth and intricacy of their narratives (paraphrased from Kalia's analysis).

 

Prostitution as an Occupation

 

In spite of a well-paid occupation, prostitution is considered low-skill and labor-intensive, generally female-dominated. The idea of women as 'commodities' is way more stereotypical, but it is still prevalent in contemporary times in some way. This occupation is more common in still-developing countries, but that doesn't mean that it is absent in developed countries. We argue that the line between poverty and prostitution is thin, which is why it is so common in developing countries. Prostitution is a multibillion-dollar business that employs millions of women worldwide. A recent study by the International Labour Office estimated that in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, between 0.25 and 1.5 percent of the female population work as prostitutes and that the sex sector accounts for between 2 and 14 percent of the gross domestic product (Lim 1998). Inappropriate portrayals of sex workers in films have a taste of success because they cater to the popular interests of the masses, whether in Indian cinema or Western cinema. Sex and sexual objectification of women seem to have become intertwined in its movie narratives.

 

While Angelica in "The Rover" is a resilient and self-reliant character, her identity as a courtesan subjects her to societal biases and condemnations. The representation of prostitution in the play mirrors the prevailing attitudes of that era, portraying women in such professions as marginalized and morally scrutinized. She also charges a substantial amount of 'A Thousand Crown' per month to grant sexual favors to the clients; these clients are often from high-class society, such as Don Pedro and Don Antonio in the play. They were so mad at the beauty of Angelica that they agreed to pay the amount. Despite being close friends, both became enemies of each other because of Angelica. Even a charming man like Willmore succumbs to the beauty of Angelica. On the other hand, Umrao Jaan also works for the same; she has nothing to do but host Mujra (a dancing show) for Sultans and earn money for their keepers. Same agency of earning we can observe in both the works and people who revel in these kind of thing are often from elevated class. 

 

 

Tawaif Culture in 'Umrao Jaan'

 

The idea of a ‘Courtesan’ or ‘Tawaif’ in India has not only undergone a semiotic shift but also a massive paradigmatic and ideological shift. This shift is suggestive of the constructed nature of this culture and that of the social identity known as ‘Tawaif’’. Being a tawaif has more serious implications than merely a profession for a class of women; it is a complex social culture. One such movie that portrays this culture is Umrao Jaan (1981). Initially, the word tawaif was not the synonym for prostitution. Indian courtesans pervaded pre-colonial art, literature, and mythology and were the “keepers of culture." They performed at princely courts where nautches (an anglicized form of ‘nach’) or ‘dance performances’ were held by Indian kings. The deposition of the king of Lucknow, Wajid Ali Shah, resulted in the complete downfall of the economic and social status of the courtesans. The story of a Lucknow tawaif Umrao Jaan (Rekha), sold in childhood, grows up in Khanum Jan’s kotha, loves a Nawab, and yet is a victim of social restrictions.

 

The cinematic representation of the tawaif culture involves a complex interplay of socio-cultural constructs such as language, spatial dynamics, gender, sexuality, power, and marriage. These elements collectively contribute to the creation of the tawaif as a product shaped by broader ideologies. Filmmakers, through their ideological lens, reflect and reinforce societal attitudes towards tawaifs, who often face gendered treatment and challenges in forming their individual identities.

 

 

Socio-Cultural Context

 

Following the collapse of the Puritan Protectorate in 1660, the halls of court seemed to buzz with a festive attitude: “Out with the old and in with the... older.” Cavalier revelries under Charles II regained the notoriety of their pre-Cromwellian counterparts. Britain’s king led his noblemen by example with a hedonistic lifestyle of parties, sex, and extravagant spending. The social and sexual freedom of this “libertinism,” however, did not extend to women. Although women might crave higher degrees of autonomy and sexual expression, their lives still fit within the boundaries of three roles: nun, prostitute, or wife. Between the categories of “virgin” and “whore” lay a void, not a spectrum; one could give “the whole cargo or nothing." The Rover speaks to this double standard, which limited her female peers’ sexual desires to the realm of convent, brothel, or home. Set loose in the topsy-turvy world of Carnival, her characters demonstrate the active, complicated game required of women seeking to secure personal happiness. In the case of Angelica, this is about brothels. Behn’s female characters strive for independence within the limitations of the English system of courtship and marriage.

 

Theme of Empowerment 

 

While comparing Angelica and Umrao Jaan, we can see that the character of Angelica is more empowered as compared to Umrao, because after receiving rejection at home by her mother and brother, Umrao went back to the brothel. The character of Umrao seems helpless and arouses the emotion of pity in oneself. In the case of Umrao, the empowerment seems more falsified. Umrao Jaan grew up in the brothel of Khanum Jaan, Heartlessly mercantile, she is the cunning mistress behind the buying of young girls for her kotha and transforming them into minting machines. She trains them in dance, music, and the art of seduction. She is the epitome of immense ‘power’ and appears to be a 'Panopticon'-like figure, to use Foucault’s concept of strict surveillance. But this surveillance is not for preserving a strong moral code. She watches over the most coveted tawaifs so that they do not get involved in an emotional relationship with any client or engage in any sexual relations with a procurer-man who lives in the same kotha. Despite being this literate, she cannot help herself from getting out of that brothel but rather tries to captivate herself in it. Angelica, on the contrary, after getting betrayed and falling in love with Wilmore, attempts to kill him with a pistol and take revenge, but does not succeed. This incident shows a more empowered version of Angelica than Umrao Jaan.

 

Moreover, dialogues in the films are effectively written to portray how tawaifs are made clearly aware of their ‘hateful’ and ‘untouchable’ identity in the society of'respectable' people. These also highlight the gender roles society has defined for women and how social respectability and acceptability are based on strictly conforming to these roles and affect the empowerment of women. This can be observed in the dialogue with Nawab Sultan.

 

"Tum ek tawaif ho, Umrao. Tumhara koi darja nahi hai yahan."

 

                       ("You are a courtesan, Umrao. You have no status here."

 

The tawaifs are made to feel that they are insignificant, mere playthings to the men, meant for temporary pleasure, and easily bought in a few annas. By constantly reminding them of their position in society, people try to cripple the will of tawaifs.

 

Interactions and Relationships

 

We can examine Umrao Jaan's romantic entanglements with various partners throughout the narrative. Her relationship with Nawab Sultan and Gauhar Mirza showcases the complexities of love and desire. Firstly, young Umrao is attracted to Gauhar Mirza, but Gauhar Mirza is thrown out by Khanum Jan when the Maulvi catches him getting physically intimate with Umrao Jaan. After that, Umrao Jaan deeply fell in love with Nawab Sultan but could not marry him because of class differences,  partly because Sultan knew that Umrao was meant to serve everybody. Here is the idea that you could be a devoted wife or a prostitute, which becomes stronger in the case of Umrao Jaan and Nawab Sultan. At the climax of the narrative, Umrao Jaan is reunited with her mother, but after the revelation of her being a prostitute, her brother refuses to accept Umrao as her sister.

 

On the other hand, Angelica is desired by all the men in Naples. After her encounter with Willmore at the carnival, she fell in love with him. Angellica’s attempt to unite her sexuality with true love fails. She is initially immune to “the general disease of sex...that of being in love." She can sleep with whomever she wants and has found a way around Behn’s observation that women need reliable male support. However, her life lacks the romantic passion of a hedonistic lifestyle. Moreover, Angellica’s sexual liberation, which lovers must pay to experience, contributes to her inability to snag Willmore’s long-term affection. His lust could have been satiated with her portrait since someone else would “have the thousand crowns to give for the original." Her relegation back to Courtesan shows how transgressive, premarital sex, and proper marriage cannot mix. As a sexual female, Angellica has no place in the world when in the throes of libertine love; she can be neither an indifferent courtesan nor a devoted wife.

 

Conclusion

In Conclusion, the comparative analysis of Umrao Jaan examined through Angelica's perspective, intricately weaves empowering portrayals of sex work and gives a deep reflection on societal attitudes. Angelica's character, more resilient and structured, challenges stereotypes, offering a more empathetic understanding of those engaged in sex work. The film becomes a potent vehicle for questioning societal norms and fostering a respectful discourse around the complexities of this often stigmatized profession.

References

- Allnatt, Linsey D. For sex or marriage: The commodification of women in William Shakespeare's “Measure for Measure” and Aphra Behn's “The Rover”. University of Houston-Clear Lake, 2008.

- Edlund, Lena, and Evelyn Korn. “A Theory of Prostitution.” Journal of Political Economy, vol. 110, no. 1, 2002, pp. 181–214. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.1086/324390. Accessed 25 Nov. 2023.

- Ganguly, Jayati. "Reading the ‘Tawaif’: A Study of Pakeezah, Umrao Jaan, Tawaif and Devdas." Middle Flight 7.1 (2018): 237-251

- Goodson, Ellen T. “Aphra Behn's "The Rover": Evaluating Women's Social and Sexual Options.” Inquiries Journal, http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1695/aphra-behns-the-rover-evaluating-womens-social-and-sexual-options. Accessed 25 November 2023.

- Kalia, Ammar. “Umrao Jaan Ada's tale of courtesans and toxic men makes an unempowering musical.” The Guardian, 23 January 2020, https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2020/jan/23/bollywood-umrao-jaan-ada-melodrama-musical-exploitation-sexual-violence. Accessed 25 November 2023.

- Ganguly, Jayati. "Reading the ‘Tawaif’: A Study of Pakeezah, Umrao Jaan, Tawaif and Devdas." Middle Flight 7.1 (2018): 237-251

    https://ssmahavidyalaya.org.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/MIDLE-FLIGHT-2018.pdf#page=252

Word Count - (1872)

Images Used - (2)

MANBHAVAN YOUTH FESTIVAL: 2023

Hello readers, 

        In this blog, I will share my memorable experience of participating in Quiz competition and Kalayatra, of the Manbhavan Youth Festival 2023, which was held from November 3 to 5, 2023. Based on the theme of "Nari Shakti Vandana".

 

Beginning on November 3, during the kick-off show, many guests were there, including politicians, Ami Upadhyay, the Vice Chancellor of Ambedkar University, professors, Yuvraj of Bhavnagar, and folk singer Sagardan Gadhvi.

 

After a beautiful rendition by the students of the Kalarpan Dance Academy group, various competitions were started.

My Experience of Participating in Quizz Competition

Me and my other two classmates, Bhumi Gohil and Kusum Sarvaiya, had participated in a group quiz competition in which we got 25 questions to solve in one hour. Each question carried two marks with a negative marking system, if you choose the wrong answer, you'll lose one mark, and from my experience, it is recommended not to choose the wrong answer if you are not 100 percent sure about the correct one.

And that is exactly what happened with our team, there was lots of confusion among the three of us, we were not able to communicate with each other smoothly, and that led us to our fall.

 

Unfortunately, our team couldn't make it to the next round. It was a terrible experience as a team, but at the end, what you learned from that experience matters most. we have learned the power of teamwork and the necessity of communication skills during these kinds of events or competitions.

 

During these times, our presentations and preparation for Kalayatra were also going on simultaneously, so we got less time to read contemporary things and all, which holds most marks in these kinds of quiz competitions. 

Hopefully, next year we will try hard to get number in the quiz competition. 

Experience of Kalayatra 

Prior to the Youth Festival, there was an event called Kalayatra held in which all the participants had to perform a sort of drama that carried out a social message. The theme of Kalayatra was also based on "Nari Shakti Vandana". The route of Kalayatra was from Shamaldas Arts College to J. K. Sarvaiya College.

During the preparation of Kalayatra, we faced lots of problems regarding the execution of the theme. We had a couple of ideas in mind as a team, but execution was a problem because it went over our budget.

So, we thought of a unique idea in which there were two spheres, the outer sphere representing modern women and their participation in various occupations along with men. The inner sphere represents the plight of old-generation women, who are not allowed to do any kind of job, even if their will is not their own. They were like caged birds in their own home; they are just puppets of strong patriarchy.

I was the representative of patriarchy in the middle sphere, and by using the cob web in the inner circle, we had tried to execute the stereotypical dominance of men over women, just like insects that are caught in the cob web are prey for spiders. In prior times, women were also caught in an invisible cobweb of despicable societal norms and a patriarchal mind. Though there are some women who are victims of patriarchy in contemporary times, our purpose was to make people aware of this situation and make these women stronger in terms of their willpower.

Moreover, different posters for Kalayatra, which satirize patriarchy, were totally handcrafted.

This was an altogether new experience for me. I faced many difficulties in carrying out my role. I was not able to give proper expressions, but I gave my 100 percent. I will be ready for these kinds of future opportunities.

I would like to extend my gratitude to Alpa ma'am for being a team mentor and for providing her invaluable insights throughout the Kalayatra.

 

Here I am posting a demo video of Kalayatra.

 

Thank you for visiting. 

Oscar Wilde's Importance of Being Earnest

Hello, 

      Here, you will find some of the question-answers  related to Oscar Wilde's comic play Importance of Being Earnest. 

1) Wilde originally subtitled 'The Importance of Being Earnest : A Serious Comedy for Trivial People' but changed that to ' A Trivial Comedy for Serious People'. What is the difference between the two subtitles? 

Ans

The play "Importance of Being Earnest" falls under the genre of Comedy of Manners. The play is considered as farcical comedy and intellectual farce. 

Oscar Wilde, through this play and many of his other comical play had satirized the pompousness and rigid norms of contemporary Victorian society. This play is all about the trivial and comical incidents. 

So it would be inappropriate to name the subtitle as A Serious Comedy for Trivial People. Moreover, Oscar Wilde had made pun on the later subtitle. In that he considered people as serious, but it is people that are trivial rather than the incidents.  

2) Which of the female character is the most attractive to you among the Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen Fairfax, Cecily Cardew or Miss Prism?  Give your reason for her being the most attractive among . 

Ans

Among all the female characters, I personally find Cecily as being most attractive of all. 

Though, she also shares same mental trails with Gwendolen, as she is also had fixation on the name Ernest, that she also asserts that Ernest name "inspired absolute confidence".

Yet, she seems like a mature female character, with contrast to others. Her youthful innocence, romantic idealism, and whimsical nature contribute to her charm. Combination of her sweetness and comic incidents adds to her charm. 

3) The Play Repeatedly Mocks Victorian Traditions And Social Customs, Marriage, And The Pursuit Of Love In Particular. Through Which Situations And Characters Is This Happening In The Play?

Ans

The play "Importance of Being of Earnest" by Oscar Wilde is brilliant satire on the Victorian society.

The play mocks its traditions and customs through various characters and events. The character of Jack Worthing becomes the imposter named as Ernest to escape from the harsh realities of life and the responsibilities at his home in the countryside, and would make excuse to help his fictional brother Ernest. On the other hand, Algernon becomes Ernest in seek of love of Cecily. In these two examples we can see the hypocrisy and frivolous nature of Victorian upper-class people. 

In the character of Lady Bracknell,  we see the fake pride and sense of superiority of upper-class people of the society. she was not initially happy with the marriage between Algernon and Cecily because she believed that Cecily had no money and she is also not aware about her parents, but after the revelation  of her wealth Lady Bracknell instantly agrees for the marriage.  

 

4) Queer scholars have argued that the play's themes of duplicity and ambivalence are inextricably bound up with Wilde's homosexuality and that the exhibits "flickering presence - absence of homosexual desire" Do you agree with this observation? Give your arguments to justify your answer. 

Ans

Certainly, the themes of duplicity and ambivalence are connected with the Wilde's homosexuality. Here, we can find two character who are in a way living the double lives, for example, Jack Worthing and Algernon both lives alias life as Ernest.

This we can connect with the homosexuality of Wilde, at that time being a gay is believed to be a taboo in the Victorian society and they are seen as lowly people. In the character of Jack Worthing we see the responsible and literary side of the of the Oscar Wilde and in the character of the Ernest which is a fictitious character, that we see and connect with flamboyant and homosexual side of Oscar Wilde.

5) Write your critique on various adaptation of the play. 

Ans

The 1952 film adaptation of "The Importance of Being Earnest," directed by Anthony Asquith, is a timeless portrayal of Oscar Wilde's play. The cast, led by Michael Redgrave and Michael Denison, adds a charming touch, skillfully bringing out the wit and satire present in Wilde's writing. The movie successfully retains the comedic essence of the play, showcasing the absurdities of Victorian society.

The opulent period settings and costumes contribute to the overall visual appeal, creating a delightful backdrop that complements Wilde's satirical commentary. However, some critics contend that the film might fall short of fully capturing the depth of Wilde's social critique due to the constraints of the time, which often led to censorship or toning down of certain themes.

In essence, the film provides an enjoyable cinematic experience, immersing viewers in Wilde's world and delivering a humorous perspective on societal norms and expectations. If you appreciate classic adaptations and Wilde's clever humor, it's a movie well worth watching.

The Rover - Thinking Task

Hello everyone, 

 

                 This blog is based on Aphra Bhen's restoration comedy The Rover. 

1) Angelica considers the financial negotiations that one makes before marrying a prospective bride the same as Prostitution. Do you agree? 

Ans

Angelica is a prostitute character in Aphra Bhen's The Rover. A prostitute with admirable beauty, everyone in the play wants to have her as a possible partner, including Don Pedro and Don Antonio, one of the richest Spaniards. Angelica charges a thousand crowns for a month, and they both agree to pay her.

 

Wilmore, one of the four English men and rover of the play, who came into the carnival for entertainment, gets in touch with Angelica, is instantly attracted to her beauty, and starts flirting with her. While Angelica falls in love with Wilmore without knowing that he is a mere bee flying from one flower to another. 

Angelica wanted to marry Wilmore and started giving him free services out of love. While we consider marriage, we often make comments on the financial aspects of marriage, which is of course a pivotal aspect of our society. Dowry is one such example.

 

On the other hand, prostitution revolves around a commercial transaction for sexual services. It's a transactional exchange, typically lacking the emotional and commitment components integral to marriage. While both may involve negotiation, the underlying dynamics and the nature of the relationships are vastly different.

 

Thus, both things run parallel; financial negotiation is a more practical aspect of marriage, and Angelica, while in love with Wilmore, couldn't give justice to her profession as prostitution and felt betrayed at the end of the play. 

2) "All women together ought to let flowers fall upon the tomb of Aphra Bhen, for it was she who earned them right to speak their minda", Virginia Woolf said so in 'A Room of One's Own'. Do you agree with this statement? Justify your answer with the reading of your play 'The Rover'. 

Ans

Virginia Woolf's tribute to Aphra Bhen in her work 'A Room of One's Own' is very appropriate and significant.

 

Aphra Bhen is the one writer who inagurated the important role of women in literature. She is the one who tried to express the voice of women through her work "The Rover", and questioned and challenged the gender norms of society through characters like Helena, Florinda, and Angelica. Women actors started acting on the stage in the restoration period.

 

Her contributions indeed opened doors for future generations of women writers, fostering a space for diverse voices in literature. 

3) Which female character best represent the playwright, Aphra Bhen? Consider the characteristics and beliefs of each female character, and make an argument that relates these distinctive attributes to what you know about Bhen. 

Ans

In the play "The Rover", there are many female characters such as Florinda, Helena, Veleria, Angelica, Lucetta, and Moretta, but one that best represents the character of Aphra Bhen is the character of Helena.

 

Aphra Bhen is considered a pioneering female playwright in English literature. She was writing her plays during the Restoration period, along with other literary geniuses like Congreve and Dryden. She often depicted the plight of women and their role in society.

 

The Rover is one such play where she portrayed the difficulties faced by women in Restoration time. In the character of Helena, who is spirited and bold, Bhen portrayed her struggles and conventions, asserting her desires and agency in a male-dominated world.

 

Hellena's journey in "The Rover" could be seen as a metaphor for Behn's own struggles and triumphs, carving a space for herself in a literary landscape dominated by men.

Video resource for further understanding, 

JUDE THE OBSCURE : TASK

Hello everyone, 

           This blog task is based on Thomas Hardy's novel Jude the Obscure. For the further information click here,  

 

1) What is the significance of epigraph written by Hardy - 'Letter Killeth' - for this novel, Jude the Obscure. 

Ans

           "The letter killeth, but the sprit giveth life"

Thomas Hardy's choice of the epigraph "Letter Killeth" for his novel "Jude the Obscure" immediately signals a thematic exploration of the conflict between societal conventions and individual aspirations.

 

This biblical reference, taken from 2 Corinthians 3:6, serves as a lens through which the novel's characters navigate the rigid structures of Victorian society.

 

Here, 'Letter Killeth' is referred to as meaning that we do not have to stick to the literal interpretation of laws or doctrines, meaning of any religious texts, or to blindly follow the writings of such religious texts, emphasizing the potential harm that can come from strict adherence to societal expectations. Rather, we have to look for the spirit of the written words, which can be more helpful to human society.

The characters in the novel, particularly Jude and Sue Bridgehead, were the objects of societal constraints. They grappled with many societal conventions, such as marriage, education, and love. It is evident in the novel that Sue and Jude are such characters who are stuck in unhappy marriages. Though both love each other, they cannot live together because of rigid social norms.

 

Richard Phillotson, the schoolmaster, planted the seed of education in the mind of Jude, and just like his mentor, Jude wants to pursue higher education and wants to take admission to the University of Christminster. For that, Jude learns the Latin language and reads many religious books of sermons and popes. but, because of his low birth and work as a stonemason, he was not qualified for admission to the university.

 

The spirit of rebellion is evident in Sue Bridgehead's character, who is in open rebellion against social conventions and norms. She was married to Jude's mentor, Phillotson, but that was an unwanted marriage. She just wanted to make Jude jealous after the revelation of Jude's marriage to Arabella.

With this epigraph, Hardy criticized Victorian morality and the rigid conventions of contemporary society.

 

In conclusion, the epigraph "Letter Killeth" in "Jude the Obscure" encapsulates the novel's central theme of the tension between societal letters and the human spirit. Hardy employs biblical wisdom to challenge the Victorian conventions that stifled individuality, portraying the tragic outcomes of a society unwilling to recognize the life-giving potential of the human spirit.

2) is it possible to connect the meaning of epigraph of 'Esdras' at the beginning of the first chapter of the novel and the myth of Bhasmasur? 

Ans

Myth of Bhasmasur

Bhasmasur was a demon who received a boon from Lord Shiva, allowing him to turn anyone into ashes by touching their head. However, he planned to use this power against the creator. Bhasmasur wanted destructions of mankind, but this lust for power led him to his his devastation.

Though, coming from different culture Esdras at the beginning of the novel and myth of Bhasmasur can be connected through themes of the novel. we can draw parellel between themes like pursuit of knowledge, desire of power and self-destruction.

Parallel Between the Epigraph and Myth of Bhasmasur

In the context of "Jude the Obscure," Jude's character can be seen as someone who seeks knowledge and fulfillment but is thwarted by societal norms and expectations—the "letter" that, in its rigid interpretation, proves restrictive and damaging. The pursuit of education is particularly visible in Jude who wanted to study at the Christminster university, despite of his command and proficiency over Latin language he was not able to get admission in the college. This power of knowledge is also sought by Bhasmasur as well.

 Bhasmasur highlight the pitfalls of blindly following rules or seeking power without understanding the broader consequences. Jude's struggles in the novel can be interpreted as a narrative that embodies the tension between external constraints and the internal spirit or essence of individual lives.

The biblical quote speaks to the need for a deeper understanding of the underlying principles or spirit that gives life to actions and decisions. In the case of Bhasmasur, the myth warns against the misuse of power and the destructive consequences that can follow.

In "Jude the Obscure," one could argue that the characters, like Bhasmasur, grapple with the unintended consequences of their actions and choices, highlighting the importance of understanding the spirit behind societal norms and personal aspirations.

In conclusion, the epigraph and the myth both contribute to a thematic exploration of the consequences of blindly adhering to rules or seeking power without a profound understanding of the underlying spirit. "Jude the Obscure" invites readers to reflect on the tension between societal expectations and the deeper essence of human existence, resonating with universal themes found in both biblical teachings and mythological narratives.

(Prompted by ChatGPT)

3) Jude the Obscure - Hardy's Symbolic Indictment of Christianity.

Ans

In the novel Jude the Obscure, Thomas Hardy criticizes the rigidity of social laws and conventions in Victorian times.

 

Hardy uses vivid images and different symbols derived from the evolution of Christianity to criticize so-called Christian society. One such image is the portrayal of the pig, which describes the animality of Arabella. Killing the pig became the main reason behind the breakup of the marriage between Jude and Arabella.

 

Marriage, drinking, and blood are the major images in the novel, which represent the three different beaches of religion: Judaism, Christianity, and Pagan. Arabella is a representative of an unclean animal among Jews because of her butchering work.

Moreover, Sue, Jude, Arabella, and Phillotson are the characters that have symbolic meanings, as earlier we saw Arabella as Jewish. Here, Jude is one of the Jewish names, but there is also a reference to the name Jude in the New Testament, so Jude is associated with both Jews and Christians. And the name Phillotson is a reference to non-Jewish middle-class people.

 

Initially, Sue Bridehead was free from any religious beliefs, and she seemed to have no faith in Christianity, even though she worships the pagan goddess. On the other hand, Jude was a profound believer in God and had the utmost faith in Christianity, so he started learning the Latin language to get admission to Christminster University.

 

Marriage remains one of the major symbols in the novel. Sue and Jude both love each other but cannot be together because they are both married to other people, in a way a miss-matched marriage, which was inevitable since Sue and Jude are both obscure characters. And, because of the love and relationship between Jude and Sue, Phillotson had to resign from his work under societal pressure.

 

Moreover, the character of Littler Father Time can be seen as a Christ figure, and his killing of his siblings and his suicide can be interpreted as 'Crucifixion'.

 

References 

- Barad, Dilip. “Jude the Obscure.” Dilip Barad | Teacher Blog, 27 January 2021, https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2021/01/jude-obscure.html. Accessed 18 October 2023.

- Holland, Norman. “‘Jude the Obscure’: Hardy’s Symbolic Indictment of Christianity.” Nineteenth-Century Fiction, vol. 9, no. 1, 1954, pp. 50–60. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/3044291. Accessed 18 Oct. 2023.

Thinking Activity - A Tale of a Tub

  Hello, 

       This thinking activity is about Jonathan Swift's religious satire work "A Tale of a Tub".

1)  How far do you think Digression is necessary?

Ans

A Tale of a Tub is one of the best allegorical and satirical works of Swift, which satirizes so-called religious society and the three branches of Christianity: Roman Catholics, Anglicans, or Church of England, and Protestants.

 

Here, Swift represents his work in two parts: one is the fictional part, which follows the story of three brothers as three branches of Christianity. And the other one is the non-fictional part or digression, in which he discusses various things, such as who is a true critic and who is better among ancients and moderns.

 

Such digression is necessary in our day-to-day lives as well. In modern times, the lives of most of us have become so fast that sometimes we just live our lives like robots without really enjoying them. Sometimes we feel like we are missing something, and that something could be any little thing; it could be a little vacation, traveling with friends, talking with your favorite person, or spending some time with a family member. which can help us find little moments of happiness in our light-fast lives.

 

2) Identify any one movie/web series/song/poem/novel which talks about the sensitive topic like religion. Write in brief about it and explain what kind questions are raised through that work.

Ans

One such Bollywood movie that talks about sensitive topics like religion is "Oh My God," directed by one of the most famous Bollywood directors, Umesh Shukla. The movie follows the story of Kanji Lal Mehta, played by Paresh Raval, a shopkeeper who sells idols of god. He blames God for the earthquake in which his shop was destroyed, and he decided to sue God. In spite of his business of selling the idols of different gods, he is not a believer in God and just sees God's idols as business material.

 

While everyone is against Kanji Lal Mehta, the God comes, a character played by Akshay Kumar who assists Kanji Mehta in his hard times. This movie raises many questions about Indian religious beliefs, and Kanji Lal is the prime example of this.

 

In spite of his business of selling God's idols, which is seen in India as a religious kind of work, Kanji Lal has a belief in God. Any religious person in India would find Kanji Lal's behavior towards his business very disrespectful to God.

 

Through this character, this movie raises questions about India's blind faith in God, and yet God still favors Kanji Lal.

 

Moreover, we can examine the hypocrisy of religious institutions in several scenes of the movie and ask the audience to reflect on their own perspective on faith and spirituality.

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

 

HARD TIMES : THINKING TASK

Greetings, 

         

          We had recently completed our study of one of the most significant novel of the Victorian age, "Hard Times : for these times" by Charles Dickens. In this novel Dickens had profoundly satirized the dehumanization effects of growing industrial revolution in England, in early nineteenth century. Dickens has raised important questions against the materialistic and utilitarian philosophy of mills and factory owners, and their Immodest behavior towards working class people. 

To understand the concept thoroughly, we had watched one Hindi play based on this novel. It is quite a surprise that there is drama performance based on novel, and one must say it is truly faithful to the novel, whether it is about composition, script or about dialogues, which really conveyed the thoughts of novel and of Dickens.

Just like the novel this play also is divided into three collective parts,

First is - Sowing 

Second is - Reaping

Third is - Garnering

Here is the Play,

Cast of the Play

Aarti Vasan - Jane and Josephine

Aakash Hingorani - Josiah Bounderby, clown

Abhishekh - Childers, Jupe, doctor. Chitra clown, Mrs. Pegler -

Isha Mrs. Gradgrind, Mrs. Sparsit -

Jyotsana - Louisa

Kajori - Rachel

KiranDeep Sharma - singer

Kunal - Tom, clown

Lakshya Goel - Stephen, narrator, stuntman Prakash Mr. Sleary, James Harthouse.

Pulkit - butler, clown

Santosh - Dilkhush, circus crowd

Saif Bitzer, stuntman Sajid Anwer Mr. Choakumchild, Kidder, Stephen's wife

Shubham - Sissy

Sudipto Banerjee - Mr. Gradgrind

V.K. Sharma - narrator

Music Direction - Kashish Sharma

Lyrics - V.K. Sharma

This play starts with the same lines with which novel has begun,

"Now what I want is fact, Teach these boys and girls nothing but facts"

This play is beautifully directed by Kiran Deep Sharma. in this play we find mingling of two dramatic cultures, Indian in the form of  "Nat" and "Sutradhaar", and Greek in the form of "Chorus". because of this hybrid form of dramatology this play becomes more powerful and capable enough to provide in depth understanding and concept of the novel.

Moreover, by using of the Indian dramatic elements such as, Nat and Sutradhaar, this play can connect with audience in profound manner. whether, it is in the beginning of the play or after the completion of an Act, they would throw light upon what will happen and what had happened. by using this method they can give more emphasis on the ideas and concepts they wants to convey.

The songs, which are used in the Play are equally important to study as it provides the central ideas and the depiction of surroundings in lyrics. Here, the songs are used as satire of the fictional Cocktown and its atmosphere, in a very humorous way with deep meaning behind it.

These are the opening lines from the play, which sets the initial tone of the play. These lyrics ridicules and satirized the growing industrialism of Cocktown and its effects on human society 

कमाल की कहानी यह हेतो बड़ी पुरानी जी।

पर गौर से जो देखेंगे तो साफ नजर आयेगी सच्चाई इसमें आजकी।

छू न जाए छाव अगर आप को ये आजाकी तो जो चाहे वो कहेना जी।

तो चार्ल्स डिकेन्स की तरह हम भी क्यों न करे कल्पना कॉकटाउन जैसे शहर की।

रंग जहां की नदी के निर्मल पानी का भी हो चुका ही बैंगनी,

ये मशीनी कारखानों का जमाना यूं समझो कि आज का है।

मैटेरियलिज्म पेर अपने अच्छी तरह जमा चुका है।

हर व्यापारी नेता को ये खेल समझ में आ चुका है।

आए हो इस दुनिया में तो कम करो कुछ ऐसा,

हाथो हाथ माल बीके, अच्छे खासे दाम मिले,

ताकि और ज्यादा हो मुनाफा।

EMOTION, IMAGINATION या COMPASSION से कभी, पेट किसका भरता है क्या?

इनके बदले डॉलर या फिर पाउंड किसी को मिलता है क्या?

इसीलिए तो नजर में इनकी करना और सहानुभूति या किसी से हमदर्दी चीजें हैं बेकार की?

पर गौर से जो देखेंगे तो साफ नजर आयेगी सच्चाई इसमें आजकी।

These lines appears at the end of the play,

अमीर हो गरीब हो चाहे, है आखिर इंसान।

बेल नही हम जो करे भाग भाग के काम, रात-दिन सुबह-शाम।

इसीलिए हम करे जगन, Tension थोड़ी हो कम।

कुछ तो मोज-मस्ती हो, या कोई ऐसा खेल-तमाशा।

सोच पुरानी बदले जो, नई सोच से करे शुरुआत।

किसकी है ये जिम्मेदारी, कौन करेगा 

कल्पना के घोड़े पर बैठे मिलकर साथ सब

दुनियाभर की सैर करे,

और दुसरो की गलतीओ से के सबक…

हर पेचीदा सवालों के जवाब ढूंढे हस्ते-हस्ते

ताकि सबकी जिंदगी में कुछ तो पड़े फरक।

2) Discuss the theme of "Dehumanizing Aspect of Industrialization" with illustration from the novel.

Ans

The novel, Hard Times illustrates the socio - economical condition of England, and portrays mechanization and growing industrialization. Through these portrayals, Dickens had raised moral and ethical questions against these industrial conditions and its effects on human society.

Workers are working in the mill and in the steam factories for hours, that also with low salary. constantly making "Goods" in the factories in big numbers. all the resources are owned by one individual person who earns profit, with the help of countless labors. This shows the capitalist and utilitarian philosophy of the factory owners.

This growing of industries and production of goods in large numbers, not only affected the economy of the day, but had a impact on human society as well. And, the embodiment of dehumanizing impact of industrialization is Thomas Gradgrind's system of education, which is based on facts alone, where there is no room for creative thoughts or emotion. 

He is the head of an institution which runs on particular philosophy, solely based on facts.

Opening lines of the novel,

                 

                       "Now, what I want is facts, Teach these boys and girls,

                         nothing but facts, facts alone are wanted in life."

Here, word fact is used several times and not have soothing, but a jarring effect. everything is mere numbers and quantifiable which is not the right thing. In the last line, the most complex things, life is reduced to mere reason, numbers, facts and details which can be found in books.

Thomas Gradgrind is manifestation of dehumanizing influence of socio - economical condition.

There are many students in Gradgrind's school, growing with his factual philosophy of numbers and details. He asked them a question,

 "Can we have horse painted on our walls in the room?"

Half of them agreed and half were not, Thomas Gradgrind disapproved of them who agreed that horses can be painted on wall, which seems like imagination, and there is no hope for imagination in his school. Gradgrind tells them that, 'they are land animals walk on land not to be seen as walking on wall.' here we can find that Gradgrind is against imagination, wonder and dream and favors only facts and details.

He says to sissy that, "you must discard the word fancy altogether"

By teaching the philosophy of facts Thomas Gradgrind took the power of imagination from children and make them robots without any kind of sympathy or feelings for others. He believe that children are mere "Pitchers" a "Vessel" to be filled with facts only.