Final Term Notes [7]

English Literature

Literary devices:

Types of Flashback:
The technical term for flashback is analepsis. The definition of analepsis refers to the
interruption of the overall chronology of the narrative to include a past event or situation that will
reveal important background information relating to the storyline or characters.
● A dream sequence flashback:
It occurs when a character envisions or recalls previous events in a dream, one example
from literature is found in ’Wuthering Heights’ by Emily Bronte. In the beginning of the
novel, Mr. Lockwood’s upsetting dream about Cathy, who has already died, sets the
stage for key elements of the plot.
● A straight-break flashback:
In the narrative, it happens when the narrator interrupts the chronological flow of the text
to give additional backstory designed to enhance the reader's understanding of the
events or characters.
● Somatic flashback:
A somatic flashback causes the character to physically re-experience the trauma. It
could be pain, discomfort or sensation. That depends on what kind of experience a
character has endured.

The Kraken by Alfred Tennyson:

Question/Answer:

1. Why is’ The Kraken’ a sonnet?

Answer: ‘The Kraken’ is a sonnet because it is composed of an octave which is made up of 8
lines and contrary to other sonnets having a sestet, it has a set of 7 lines.
2. What is the tone of the poem?
Answer: The tone of the poem shares moments of foreboding though, reaching the end of the
poem, the tone shifts to be something more hopeful.
3. Where does the Kraken sleep?
Answer: The Kraken sleeps on the floor of the ocean.
4. Who wrote the poem ‘The Kraken’? [background]
Answer: The poem ‘The Kraken’ was written by one of leading poets of the Victorian era in
England, Alfred Tennyson. His poetry is remarkable for its metrical variety, rich imagery and
verbal melodies. It dealt with the doubts and difficulties of an age in which traditional beliefs
about human nature and destiny were increasingly called into question by science and modern
progress.
5. What is the kraken a metaphor for?
Answer: The Kraken is a metaphor for the unknown and for fade. It also symbolises Tennyson’s
doubt and fear as the progress of science threatens to kill the metaphorical Kraken.
6. What is the meaning of the poem ‘The Kraken’?
Answer: The poem’s meaning comes from Tennyson’s fear and doubt over advancing scientific
discovery. He was worried that the progress of science would mean the end of religious faith,
represented by the death of the Kraken.
7. Explain what is meant by “the thunders of the upper deep.”
Answer: The meaning of the given phrase is what is under the noisy surf of the ocean.
8. Battening line 12.
Answer:This conveys the enormous strength of the Kraken, because it implies that he seizes
the ‘huge sea-worms’ so powerfully that they cannot hope to break free.
Or,
This means that the Kraken becomes tough though eating ‘huge sea-worms.’ he is a powerful
hunter, but also very lazy.
9. Using your own words as far as possible, explain when and how the Kraken will
die?
Answer: The Kraken won’t be seen by humans and angels until the universe gets destroyed by
fire and when the deepest parts of the ocean begin to heat up, the Kraken will thunderously rise
to the surface of the ocean, only to die.

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare:

ACT 1:

Question/Answer:

1. Describe the character of Portia.

Answer: Portia, the female protagonist of the play ‘The Merchant of Venice’ by William
Shakespeare is a young, beautiful, intelligent, rich heiress of Belmont. She is
strong-willed, devious, romantic and sometimes ruthless. She has keen insight of human
character and is resourceful. She shows the power of judgement in the play. She has the
impression from the start of having a nature whose emotional drives are frustrated by the
terms of her late father’s will.
2. Who is Nerissa? What does Portia tell her? Why is she unhappy? What is her
relationship with her?
Answer: Nerissa is Portia’s lady-in-waiting. She enjoys the status of a kind companion,
being able to exchange views and to advise her mistress and to share in her joys,
sorrows and schemes. Portia tells her that she is sick of her life and feels unhappy. She
is sad because she is not free to choose her life partner. They have a close friendship.
3. “God made him and therefore let him pass a man” [line 15]. Who is being referred
to by Portia? In what tone is she talking of him?
Answer: his line has been said by Portia. Here, she is seen talking about of her suitor,
the French lord, Monsieur Le Bon. she talks about him in a sarcastic tone saying that, ge
is not a ‘proper’ man, though God has given him a human shape. According to her, he
has no individuality of his own.
4. What is the real reason for Portia’s sadness?
Answer: The real reason for Portia’s sadness is that she wants to marry the person of
her choice but she cannot. She can't disobey the will of her late father who has designed
the lottery of caskets for her marriage.
5. Who enters in Act 1, Scene 2? What news was conveyed to Portia?
Answer: A servant later enters in the scene. He conveys the news that four suitors are
leaving without taking chance, while a new suitor, the Prince of Morocco, is coming soon
to try his luck.
6. Illuminate the meaning of the phrase “Your father’s imposition depending on the
casket.”
Answer: This line has been said by Nerissa to Portia. Nerissa means that the suitors do
not find the conditions imposed by the will of her late father to their liking as they find it
too hard for them.
7. Give the meaning of “May you stead me? Will you pleasure me?”
Answer: This line has been said by Bassanio. He is asking Shylock that “Can you help
me and will you do me this favour?”
8. Shylock says that Antonio is a ‘good’ man. What does it mean by the connotation
‘good’?
Answer: Shylock says that Anotonio is a good man. When Shylock says this, he means
that Antonio is a reliable man whose surety is sufficient to give a loan.
9. How does Shylock plan to get the money immediately?
Answer: Shylock plans to get money immediately from a wealthy fellow Jew, Tubal. It
shows that Shylock wants to execute the bond as soon as possible and use the chance
to take his revenge on Antonio.
10. How are Antonio’s big ships compared to the smaller ships?
Answer: Salerio compares Antonio’s big ships sailing in the waves with the great lords
and wealthy citizens who look down on the less wealthier men as they walk along the
street. He says that compared to the smaller ships, Antonio’s ships move swiftly along
the sea with their canvas sail and look like grand spectacles or pageants of the sea.
11. What is meant by two-headed Janus?
Answer: The two-headed Janus is the mythological Roman god of Doorways and
Openings, looking into the past and future. This description is an illusion by Salerio
about Antonio’s dual persona- cheerful and despondent.
12. Why does Gratiano want to drink wine?
Answer: Gratiano is a jolly goodman who believes in eating, drinking and being merry.
He does not want to sticken to his heart with sad sights and sobs.
13. What is intended by “the sadness of Antonio”?
Answer: He stands to lose a fortune in his present business ventures. He owes a
fantastic sum of money to Shylock.
14. Explain “I have much ado myself.”
Answer: It was told by Antonio as per the play. Antonio was very sad and tired of
something. He was confused and not happy with what is happening in his life. Hence, he
said that line which means I have more difficulty in understanding myself.
15. What does the ‘Sacred Nation’ mean?
 Answer: The Holy Jewish Nation.
16. What does the word ‘in sooth’ mean?
Answer: The word ‘in sooth’ means ‘really’.

ACT 2:

RTC:
1. “There will come a Christian by
will be a worth a Jew’s eye.”
Answer: This line have taken from the play ‘The Merchant of Venice’ by William
Shakespeare in Act 2, Scene 5.

This line was said by Launcelot whilst having a conversation with the Jew, Shylock.

Act 2, Scene 4 demonstrates how Launcelot seems to be following Lorenzo's

instructions. He also praises him since the phrase "dear as a jew's eye" was frequently
used to denote anything of exceptional value. The main point is that Lorenzo will help
Jessica escape her father's strict rule if she pays attention to him while he follows the
masqueraders in the parade.

2. “The patch is kind, but a huge feeder,

Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day
More than the wild-cat. Drones hive not with me,
Therefore i part with him - and part with him
To one that i would have him help to waste
His borrowed purse. Well Jessica, go in.
Perhaps i will return immediately.
Do as i bid you, shut the doors after you.
‘Fast bind, fast find’-
A proverb never stale in thrifty mind.”
Answer: These lines have been taken from the novel ‘The Merchant of Venice’ by
William Shakespeare in Act 2, Scene 5.

These lines have been said by the Jew, Shylock to his daughter Jessica.

Shylock berates Launcelot for being able to gormandize or eat as much as he does in
Shylock’s house. He calls him a “drone” and states that he would let him go work for
Bassanio so he would waste the Venetian’s money instead of his.

3. “I am glad ‘tis night, you do not look at me,

For i am much ashamed of my exchange
But love is blind, and lovers cannot see”
Answer: These lines have been taken from the play ‘The Merchant of his Venice’ by
William Shakespeare in Act 2, Scene 6.
 These lines have been spoken by Jessica to Lorenzo when she was dressed as a man
on her balcony.

Jessica is pictured wearing a page-boy attire in this image. Shakespeare's female

characters, including Jessica, would have been performed by boys, which would have
given the Elizabethan audience something to laugh about. Shakespeare makes only a
few references to actresses; they occasionally take place in Venice and London, but
Maragret Hughes' 1660 production of Desdemona is frequently considered as the first
time a professional actress appeared on a London stage.
4. “To kiss this shrine mortal breathing saint
The Hyrcanian deserts and vasty wilds
Of wide Arabia are through fares now
For princes to come view fair Portia
The watery kingdom whose ambitious head
Spits in the face of heaven, is no bar
To stop the foreign spirits, but they come
As o’er d brook to see fair Portia
One of these three caskets her heaven picture”
Answer: These lines have been taken from the play ‘The Merchant of his Venice’ by William
Shakespeare in Act 2, Scene 7.

These lines were said by the Prince of Morocco.

Here, he was talking about the three caskets, one of which contains Portia’s portrait. He was
talking about

5. “All that glisters is not gold-

Often have you heard that is told
Many a man his life hath sold
But my outside to behold
Gilded tombs do warns infold
Had you been so wise as bold
Young in limbs, in judgement old,
Your answer had not been inscrolled.
Fare you well, your suit is cold.”
Answer: These lines have been taken from the play ‘The Merchant of his Venice’ by William
Shakespeare in Act 2, Scene 7.

These lines were written on the scroll that was inside of the golden casket that was chosen by
the Prince of Morocco.

All that glitters is not gold was a latin saying long before it was first written in English at the
beginning of the 13th century. It represents the deception and hollowness of money, the lovely
face that once adorned the skull, or the "outward" shadows of existence. The worms fed on the
corpse's decomposing flesh in the famous people's graves, which were frequently adorned with
painted effigies and other decorations. The idiom "Young in limbs, in judgement old" refers to
having the vigour of a young man and the wisdom of an old man.The expressions "Your answer
had not been inscrolled" and "Fare you well, your suit is cold" both imply that one has received
such an answer and that one's hopes have been dashed, respectively.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Volume 1

Question/Answer:

1. Which important discovery does Mrs. Bennett make after coming to Netherfield
Park?
Answer: Mrs. Bennett makes the discovery after coming to Netherfield Park is that Jane
is out of danger and that her illness is not alarming anymore.
2. What is a ball? Who promised to give a ball at his residence?
Answer: A ball is a dance performance in which ladies and gentlemen participate. Mr.
Bingley promised to host a ball at his residence, Netherfield.
3. What is the view of Mrs. Bennett about the daughters of Lady Lucas?
Answer: According to Mrs. Bennett, the daughters of Lady Lucas are good-mannered
but not as handsome. Indeed she has a very low opinion about the beauty of a Charlotte
Lucas.
4. What is Mr.Bingley’s view about the superiority about town and country life?
Answer: Mr. Bingley thinks that whenever he stays in the countryside, he prefers it more
than the town life and whenever he stays in the town, he believes that he prefers it more
than the countryside.
5. Why does Miss Bingley want Jane to return to Longbourn?
Answer: Miss Bingley feels that Mr. Darcy has become weak towards Elizabeth. As long
as Jane will stay, Mr.Darcy will get that much acquired with Elizabeth. Since, Elizabeth is
not going to leave Jane’s side, so Miss Bingley wants them to return to Longbourn.
6. What lackings in Elizabeth keeps Darcy from proposing to her?
Answer: As Elizabeth does not belong to an aristocratic family as Mr. Darcy, the lack of
aristocracy keeps Mr. Darcy from proposing.

RTC:

1. “She seems a very pleasant young woman,” said Bingley.

Answer: This line has been taken from the novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
from Act 1, Chapter 9.

This line has been said by Mr. Bingley to Mrs. Bennett.

 He thinks that she is a pleasant person. It also implied that Bingley may not be
particularly exquisite when it comes to judging people’s character.

2. “I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love,” said Darcy.
Answer: This line has been taken from the novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
from Act 1, Chapter 9.

This line has been said by Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth.

He is trying to express his feelings to Elizabeth. He uses the quote to explain that he has
always thought poetry and literature can inspire and fuel romantic love. This quote
suggests that he is a romantic at heart and that he values the power of words to convey
deep emotions.

3. “Your humility, Mr. Bingley,” said Elizabeth, “must disarm reproof.”

Answer: This line has been taken from the novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
from Act 1, Chapter 10.

This line has been said by Elizabeth to Mr. Bingley.

This line highlights Elizabeth’s character and her ability to see past social status and
wealth. It also shows her appreciation for people who are humble and sincere, as
opposed to those who are arrogant and boastful.

4. “Nothing is more deceitful,” said Darcy, “ than the appearance of humility. It is

often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast.”
Answer: This line has been taken from the novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
from Act 1, Chapter 10.

This line has been said by Mr. Darcy.

Mr. Darcy expresses his distaste for false humility just after Elizabeth speaks about Mr.
Bingley’s humility. While Darcy sounds pompous, his remarks do reflect his integrity and
dislike for people who are deceitful – like Mr. Wickham, for example.

5. “You used us abominably ill,” answered Mrs. Hurst, “in running way without
telling us that you were coming.”
Answer: This line has been taken from the novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
from Act 1, Chapter 10.
This line has been said by Mrs.Hurst to her sister, Miss Bingley.

She had left London to visit Netherfield without informing her sister and her husband.
This sentence means that she and her husband were displeased with Caroline’s sudden
 appearance without prior notice. They believed thats she has treated them poorly by not
informing them of her visit beforehand.

6. “Do let us have a little music,” -cried Miss Bingley, tire of a conversation in which
she had no share - “Louisa, you will not mind my waking Mr.Hurst?”
Answer: This line has been taken from the novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
from Act 1, Chapter 11.

This line has been said by Miss Bingleyto her sister, Mrs.Hurst.

Miss Bingley is annoyed because Mr. Darcy has been paying more attention to Elizabeth
than her.
7. “Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed. But pride - where there is a real superiority of
mind, pride will be always under good regulation”
Answer: This line has been taken from the novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
from Act 1, Chapter 11.

This line has been said by Elizabeth to Mr. Dacry.

When Elizabeth calls out on Mr.Darcy on what she believes are his weaknesses, pride
and vanity, he shows some self-awareness by actually acknowledging his defects. But
he doesn’t see pride as a weakness where there is superiority of mind and it is properly
controlled. That may sound arrogant but he has a point here.

8. “I cannot see that London has any great advantage over the country in my part, except
the shops and public places. The country is a vast deal pleasanter, is not it, Mr. Bingley.
“When I am in the country,” replied he, “I never wish to leave it; and when I am in town it
is pretty much the same.”
Answer: These lines has been taken from the novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen from
Act 1, Chapter 9.

These lines have been said by Mrs.Bennett and Me.Bingley.

When assked if he found the country vastly more pleasant than London, Charles Bingley replies
to Mrs. Bennet that he is equally happy in the country or city. This is after Mr. Darcy suggests
that there is more variety of character in town than in the country – a remark Mrs. Bennet
strongly objects to.