MACBETH

Act 1 Scene 1
Setting – a battlefield amongst thunder and lightning

SUMMARY
As a storm rages, three witches appear, speaking in rhyming, paradoxical couplets: "when the
battle's lost and won" (1.1.4); "fair is foul, and foul is fair" (1.1.10). They agree to meet again on
the heath (plain) when the battle now raging ends. There they'll meet Macbeth.

Holy trinity – a 3 cornered symbol that connects to the power of 3 (3 Witches)

 3 stages of life: Life, death and rebirth
 3 elements: The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.
 3 domains: The earth, sky and sea, and past, present and future

Inverted Trinity - It represents the opposites. Instead of moving from life,

death to rebirth, it would now mean the reverse moving from rebirth to death.

“Fair is foul, Foul is fair”

 Appearances can be deceptive.
 Good is bad and bad is good
 In the witches’ world, there is no right or wrong. They do not play by the rules.
 Foreshadow the tragedy of the play (something evil is going to happen)
 Paradox
“Hover through the fog and filthy air”
 Aftermath of war, the air is filthy due to bloodshed
 Filthy air – evil intentions and cruelty
 Fog – raining
 Fog can be considered as Shakespeare warning the readers to expect the unexpected as
during fog your vision is blurred and you don’t know what is going to come. (can’t see
anything)
 Fog – evil intentions are hidden and not portrayed – foreshadowing
 These 2 lines are the chant of the witches and are repeated throughout the play.
Dark Imagery
 Dark imagery refers to the use of vivid and evocative language to create a sense of
darkness, evil, and foreboding.
 Entrance of 3 witches amongst Thunder, Lightning, and Rain – ominous atmosphere –
darkness and evil – supernatural element
 Barren wasteland/Battlefield – dark and foreboding tone.
 Attending spirits of the witches- Graymalkin, Paddock - images of evil and supernatural
 Heath (wilderness) – secretly meeting Macbeth – foreshadowing
 Creates a sense of unease and anticipation for what is to come, setting the stage for the
rest of the play
 Engages the readers.

ACT 1 SCENE 2
Setting – King Duncan’s headquarters
SUMMARY
At a military camp, King Duncan of Scotland, his sons Malcolm and Donalbain, and
the Thane of Lennox wait for news of the war. A captain enters, covered in so
much blood he is almost unrecognizable. The captain tells them of the state of the
battle against the invading Norwegians and the Scottish rebels Macdonald and the
Thane of Cawdor. Two Scottish nobleman have been especially
brave, Macbeth (the Thane of Glamis) and Banquo. Macbeth killed Macdonald
("unseamed him from the nave to th' chops" (1.2.22)). The Thane of Ross arrives,
and describes how Macbeth defeated Sweno, the Norwegian King, who now begs
for a truce. Duncan proclaims that the traitorous Thane of Cawdor shall be put to
death, and that Macbeth shall be made Thane of Cawdor.

- Battle is between Scotland and Norway.

- King of Norway – Sweno
- Macdonald was supplied with Kerns (foot soldiers) and Galloglasses
(fighting men with battle axes) from the Western Isles
- Rebel’s whore – Fortune is personified as a whore – it favoured Macdonald
and went against the king – anyone who betrayed the king was damned –
fortune is damned and hence called rebel’s whore.
- Ripped him open from the navel to the jaws and fixed his head upon our
battlements – bloody imagery
- Sparrow – ancestrial knowledge
- Eagle – wisdom, power and valour
- Hare – prey – King of Norway
- Lion – vitality - Macbeth
- Doubly redoubled – arms, ammunitions looked doubled - attacking enemy
with a lot of force – to glorify Macbeth – showcase his valour, courage and
power
- Golgotha – site where Christ was crucified – bibliogical imagery –
phantasmagoric character of Macbeth
- Bellona’s bridegroom – Macbeth – looked like the husband of the Roman
Goddess of War
- Firth of Forth – Mass of water bodies and Saint Colm’s Inch is present here
- Glorification of Macbeth ---- use of brutal imagery such as "unseam'd [the
rebel] from the nave to the chaps," ---- use of vivid and heroic terms like
“brave Macbeth” ------ encouragement received from King Duncan – “O
valient cousin! Worthy Gentlemen!” – creates a heroic image – ruthless
and daring in his approach to defeat the enemy– brutal – fearless
- Macbeth is trusted by the King due to his acts of heroism and loyal nature
- Macbeth has two aspects – bloodthirsty and vindictive -- loyal to his king
- He is merciless, sadistic and a loyal and noble soldier
- Act 1 Scene 2 sets the stage for Macbeth's eventual rise and descent into
ambition and darkness, as it highlights his martial prowess and the
admiration he receives from King Duncan.
 Act 1 Scene 3
Setting – The heath
SUMMARY
On the heath the witches appear. They call themselves the "weird sisters" (1.3.30)
and brag of their dread and magical deeds such as killing swine and cursing a
sailor to waste away. Macbeth and Banquo enter. The witches hail Macbeth as
Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and "king hereafter" (1.3.47). Banquo asks
Macbeth why he seems to fear this good news, then questions the witches about
his own future. They say that Banquo is "lesser than Macbeth and greater"
(1.3.63) because though he'll never be king, his descendants will. Macbeth asks
how the witches know this information. But the witches vanish, making the two
men wonder if they could have imagined the whole thing. Just
then, Ross and Angus enter. They tell Macbeth that the old Thane of Cawdor was
a traitor and that Duncan has made Macbeth the new Thane of Cawdor.
Macbeth and Banquo are shocked. Macbeth asks Banquo if he now thinks that his
children will be king. Banquo seems unsure, and comments that "instruments of
darkness" sometimes tell half-truths to bring men to ruin. As Banquo talks
with Ross and Angus, Macbeth ponders the prophecy. If it's evil, why would it
truly predict his being made Thane of Cawdor? If it's good, why would he already
be contemplating murder, a thought that makes "my seated heart knock at my
ribs" (1.3.134-136)? Macbeth feels that he's losing himself, and hopes that if fate
says he'll become king, he won't have to act to make it happen.
Ross and Angus think Macbeth's reverie is caused by becoming Thane of Cawdor.
Macbeth and Banquo agree to speak about the witches' prophecy later.

 Aleppo – a trading city in northern Syria

 After hearing witches’ prophecies, Macbeth faces an inner turmoil –
ambition VS morality

Macbeths Aside: -
 Short Summary – Two of the prophecies have come true, which means
that the third prophecy will also be true. Thank you, gentlemen. This
supernatural advice cannot be a bad thing, but it can’t be good either. If
it’s bad, why did it promise me a success that turned out to be true? I
 am the Thane of Cawdor. But if this is a good thing, why do I find myself
thinking about evil thoughts (committing regicide). The things I should
fear are less frightening to me than the horrible things I’m
imagining. Although my thoughts of murder are just a fantasy, they
shake my very sense of self. My ability to act is blocked by my swirling
thoughts, and nothing matters now except what is yet to come.
 At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is introduced as a valiant and
honorable warrior. However, his encounter with the witches and their
prophecies triggers a deep-seated ambition for power. The ambitious
thoughts that arise within him reveal a corrupting influence, as he
contemplates the possibility of murdering King Duncan to fulfil the
prophecies.
 As Macbeth entertains thoughts of regicide, his moral compass becomes
corrupted. He acknowledges the wrongfulness of his desires but is
increasingly drawn toward the prospect of gaining power.

BANQUO – voice of audience

 Initial curiosity and intrigue towards witches’ character
 Banquo’s reaction to witches’ prophecies is similar to audiences
 Concern for Macbeths fate – warns him that the witches might be luring
him to a situation with severe consequences by saying small truths.
 Remains sceptical of witches’ prophecies
 Unlike Macbeth, he maintains his integrity and warns him about the
consequences of regicide – depiction of moral values
 Act 1 Scene 4
 Setting – The king’s headquarters

SUMMARY
Macbeth and Banquo visit King Duncan as Ross and Angus are asked to
bring them. Macbeth receives appreciation from Duncan and Duncan
declares that the heir to his throne is his eldest son, Malcolm who will be
known as the Prince of Cumberland. The scene ends with them leaving for
Macbeth’s castle and Macbeth’s aside.

 Duncan tries to justify his action of Malcolm being the heir to his throne by
saying glory and power will be with everyone and not only Malcolm --- he
tries to prevent anyone from overthrowing Malcolm as his decision will
create a lot of chaos.

Macbeths Aside: -
 Short Summary – Malcolm is the Prince of Cumberland, I must either
accept it or I must do something about it because it is in my way of
becoming king (he talks like the witches talk --- transition to evil). Stars,
hide your brightness, let the light not see my evil desires and let my eye be
blind to the actions of my hand (murder). Yet, my eye will be forced to see
what it fears, once it is done.
 Extension of Macbeth’s internal conflict – still in a moral dilemma – the
lines between his morality and ambition have been blurred
 Moral compass has been corrupted
 He went from a loyal and honourable soldier in service of his king, to a dark
and evil man who is ready to betray the monarch’s trust.
 He doesn’t mind committing regicide and is completely consumed by the
witches’ prophecies – evoked a deep-seated desire for power in Macbeth
 We also see the ambivalence in Macbeth’s character as he is contemplating
on becoming king by unethical means or simply giving up on his dreams
 Act 1 Scene 5
 Setting – Macbeth’s Castle.
 Raven – A bird of ill omen that is always found on battlefields. The
breathless messenger that brings the news that the king is coming to
Macbeth’s castle is compared to the raven.
 This scene foreshadows the plot of the play
 We can see Lady Macbeth’s intelligence, cunning, manipulative, calculative
and observant nature.
 She seems to possess masculine qualities and does not hesitate to insult
her husband, unlike other women during that time.

SUMMARY
Lady Macbeth receives a letter from her husband, Macbeth, informing her about
the witches' prophecies, including the prediction that he will become the king of
Scotland. Excited and ambitious, Lady Macbeth begins to plot the murder of King
Duncan to expedite Macbeth's ascent to the throne. She invokes dark spirits to fill
her with cruelty and remorselessness, seeking the strength to carry out the
nefarious plan. When Macbeth arrives, she shares her determination to seize the
throne and convinces him to join her in the murderous plot and advices him on
how to win Duncan’s trust.

Lady Macbeth’s Monologue: -

 Short Summary - The breathless messenger croaks the announcement of
Duncan’s fatal arrival to my castle, just like a raven would croak out a
warning. Come on, you spirits that aid thoughts of murder: unsex me and
fill me up from head to toe with terrible cruelty! Thicken my blood. Block
my veins from all feelings of regret, so that no natural feelings of guilt or
doubt can sway me from my dark desires, or prevent me from
accomplishing them! Demons of murder, come to me from wherever you
hide yourselves as you wait to aid and abet corrupt and evil feelings, and
turn my mother’s milk into bile (fluid secreted by the liver. Liver was
associated with bravery and courage). Come, thick night—wrapped in the
darkest smoke of hell—so that my sharp knife can’t see the wound it
 makes, and heaven (her moral conscience) can’t peek through the darkness
and cry: “Stop! Stop!”
 Lady Macbeth challenges traditional gender roles through her ambition and
desire for power. In her soliloquy she asks the spirits to "unsex" her,
indicating a willingness to abandon traditional feminine qualities for the
sake of ambition. This challenges societal expectations of women as
nurturing and gentle.

Lady Macbeth’s Advice to Macbeth: -

 My thane, your face gives away your troubled thoughts, so that others can
read it like a book. To deceive all others, you have to look exactly as they
do. When you greet the king, do so completely: with your eyes, hands, and
words. Look like an innocent flower, but be the serpent that hides beneath
it. The king must be taken care of. Allow me to manage everything tonight,
because the events of this night will bring us sole mastery and power for all
our nights and days to come.

Act 1 Scene 6
 Setting – Approaching Macbeth’s Castle
 Martlet – A summer bird that resides within churches. It is a symbol of
determination and perseverance as the son of the martlet bird does not get
to lead the pack but continues to try. Banquo may be referring to Macbeth
as he is trying to become King, when the position is already full – just like
the Martlet’s hanging nest and the son of a martlet bird trying to lead the
pack. The use of Martlet can also be seen as Banquo describing the air
around Macbeth’s castle as gentle and calm as Martlet’s usually nest at
churches, where the air is calm and enchanting.
 Lady Macbeth welcomes King Duncan as he approaches their castle.
Women were generally considered to be the perfect hostess; they would
 make and organize dinners and were responsible to make the guests feel
comfortable.
 Lady Macbeth puts on a mask of kindness and loyalty as she welcomes
Duncan. She seeks to earn his trust and not think of her as a threat.

Act 1 Scene 7
 Setting – Macbeth’s Castle

SUMMARY
Macbeth is contemplating whether or not to go through with the plan to
murder King Duncan. He is torn between his ambition to become king and his
moral reservations about committing such a heinous act. Macbeth
acknowledges the consequences of the murder, fearing retribution and
upsetting the natural order. Lady Macbeth enters and challenges his resolve,
questioning his manhood and persuading him to carry out the plan. Despite his
initial hesitation, Macbeth ultimately decides to proceed with the murder,
setting the stage for the tragic events that follow.

Macbeth’s Monologue: -
 If the business of the murder ends as soon as the murder is committed,
then let the assassination be done quickly. If the assassination of the king
could have no further consequences and be successful then let this single
blow be the be-all and end-all of the whole affair. Then, at this point, I
would do it and risk the afterlife. But for such crimes there are still
consequences in this world. Violent acts only teach others to commit
violence—and the violence of our students will come back to plague us
teachers. Justice, being even-handed, forces the cup we poisoned and gave
to others back to our own lips. The king is here in double trust; first, I am
his kinsman and his subject. Second, I am his host, and should be protecting
him from any murderer rather than being the one murdering him. Besides,
Duncan has been such a humble leader—so honest and free from
corruption—that his virtues will make angels sing for him and cry out like
trumpets against his murder. Pity, like an innocent newborn baby, will ride
the wind like a winged angel, or on invisible horses through the air, to
 spread news of the horrible deed across the land, so that a flood of tears
will fall from the sky. I have nothing to side my action, other than my
vaulting ambition to become king.

 Macbeth's internal conflict regarding the murder of Duncan touches on the

idea of masculinity. His initial hesitation and contemplation suggest a
struggle with societal expectations of what it means to be a man, especially
in the context of ambition, violence and bravery
 Lady Macbeth criticizes Macbeth for lacking the ruthlessness typically
associated with masculinity. She questions his courage and masculinity
when he expresses doubts about committing the murder. This critique
reflects societal expectations of men to be assertive and decisive.
 Lady Macbeth uses gender stereotypes to manipulate Macbeth. She
questions his manhood and implies that carrying out the murder is a
demonstration of true masculinity. This manipulation reflects societal
norms regarding gender roles.

Act 2 Scene 1 & 2

 Macbeth imagines a dagger in front of him, symbolizing the impending
murder of Duncan.
 His hallucination is a manifestation of his inner turmoil and a symbol of his
mental state.
 After Duncan's murder, Macbeth undergoes a significant psychological
transformation.
 The consequences of his actions begin to affect his mental well-being
 The voice saying "Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep." highlights
his disturbed mental state
 The repetition of the word "bloody" throughout Act 2 Scene 2 emphasizes
Macbeth's preoccupation with the guilt associated with the impending
murder. The guilt begins to pervade his thoughts and becomes a central
aspect of his conscience.
Manhood and Womanhood
 Lady Macbeth asserts her womanhood by participating in the murder
plan and taking practical steps to cover up the crime.
 She shows strength, determination and bravery, challenging traditional
expectations of women as passive and nurturing.
 Lady Macbeth challenges Macbeth's manhood, questioning his resolve
to carry out the murder.
 Her taunts, such as "When you durst do it, then you were a man," imply
that true manhood is demonstrated through assertiveness and the
ability to act decisively.
 Macbeth expresses guilt and remorse after committing the murder,
indicating a sense of emasculation.
 DEATH OF A NATURALIST
- Seamus Heaney

 Frogs are associated with fertility, abundance, necromancy, and witchcraft

 In the first stanza of the poem, the tone is one of wonder, innocence, and curiosity. The
mood is idyllic, peaceful, and enchanting.
 In the second stanza of the poem, the tone shifts dramatically to one of unease,
apprehension, and even disgust. The mood becomes darker, unsettling, and somewhat
ominous.
 Flax dam – community
 Frogspawn – childhood
 Angry frogs – metaphor for the violence and aggression taking place between
Protestants and the Catholics
 Jars of Frogspawn – diff compartments of society
 Shade of the bank – shade of society
 Cowdung – dirt in society
 Frogs poised like mud grenades – represents ppl in society that are stubborn and stick to
their ideals – are not open to perspective.

LINEN BUSINESS IN IRELAND:

 The poem is set in Northern Ireland, where linen production was a major industry at the
time
 Heaney's descriptions of the flax dam and the natural world are often juxtaposed with
images of the linen mills and the industrial processes that were involved in producing
linen
 This contrast highlights the ways in which human activity can impact the natural world
 This is particularly relevant to the linen industry, which has historically been associated
with environmental degradation and pollution.
 Additionally, the overproduction of linen can be read as a metaphor for the excesses of
human society, and the ways in which our desire for material goods can lead to the
exploitation of both people and the environment

PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLICS:

 Conflict between Protestants and Catholics - deep-seated cultural and religious
differences.
 The description of the frogs as "angry" and "obscene" can be read as a metaphor for the
violence and aggression that was taking place between Protestants and Catholics at the
time.
 Overall, "Death of a Naturalist" speaks to the complex and often fraught relationship
between humans, nature, and society, and it offers a powerful commentary on the
impact of sectarian violence and conflict on the natural world
 JUXTAPOSITION OF TWO IDEAS:
 Throughout the poem, Heaney contrasts the beauty and wonder of the natural world
with the darker, more violent aspects of human society
 For example, the description of the frogs as "gross-bellied" and "angry" can be read as a
metaphor for the violence and aggression that was taking place between Protestants
and Catholics in Northern Ireland at the time
 By juxtaposing these two ideas, Heaney highlights the complex and often fraught
relationship between humans, nature, and society, and he offers a powerful
commentary on the ways in which our actions can impact the world around us
 Through this juxtaposition, Heaney highlights the abrupt shift in the speaker's
perception of nature – destruction of innocence
 The flax dam, once a source of wonder and curiosity in the first stanza of the poem,
becomes a site of fear and discomfort.

SEXUAL IMAGERY:
 Heaney uses this imagery to explore the complex relationship between humans and the
natural world and to highlight the ways in which our understanding of sexuality and
desire is often shaped by our experiences with the natural world
 The description of mammy frog and bullfrog portrays that women are just meant to
breed and men are the breadwinners of the family. It also portrays how men order over
women.
 The knowledge of sexual intercourse kills the innocence in us
 Often, sexual intercourse is viewed as a biological aspect of life, however, it is important
to know that sexual intercourse also depicts the deep passionate love between humans
 Highlights the death of desire and passion between humans and other animals in
nature.

THEMES:

1)Childhood innocence:
 The theme of childhood innocence is a prominent one in "Death of a Naturalist."
 The poem is set in a rural area of Northern Ireland and describes the experiences of a
young boy who is fascinated by the natural world around him
 Heaney's descriptions of the frogs and the other creatures that the boy encounters are
vivid and evocative, capturing the sense of wonder and excitement that is often
associated with childhood
 In the first stanza of the poem, the tone is one of wonder, innocence, and curiosity. The
mood is idyllic, peaceful, and enchanting.
 However, as the poem progresses, the tone begins to shift to one of unease,
apprehension, and even disgust, as the narrator becomes increasingly aware of the
darker, more violent aspects of the natural world. This shift in tone can be read as a
 metaphor for the loss of childhood innocence, and the realization that the world is not
always a safe or welcoming place. The mood of the poem, now, becomes unsettling,
dark and somewhat ominous.
 Overall, "Death of a Naturalist" offers a powerful commentary on the ways in which our
experiences of childhood can shape our understanding of the world around us

2) Subjective nature of beauty:

 The poem explores how beauty is not an inherent quality of nature but rather a
subjective response influenced by personal experiences, individual growth and societal
conditioning
 The poem starts with the young speaker's fascination and admiration for the natural
world, particularly the frogs and their spawn
 However, as the poem progresses, the speaker's perception of beauty changes
drastically
 He becomes repulsed by the "gross-bellied" frogs and their spawn, which now evoke
feelings of fear and disgust.
 The poem also explores the loss of innocence
 The speaker's initial appreciation of the frogs and the natural world represents a
childlike wonder and innocence
 However, as he grows older and becomes more aware of the complexities and harsh
realities of nature, that sense of beauty is transformed into a more jaded and conflicted
perspective

3)Death of belief, faith, and passion:

 Heaney explores the idea that as we grow older, we often lose the sense of wonder and
excitement that we had as children, and we become more jaded and cynical
 This loss of passion and belief can be seen in the way that the narrator's relationship
with nature changes over the course of the poem
 At the beginning, the narrator is full of wonder and excitement at the natural world
around him, but as the poem progresses, he becomes increasingly disillusioned and
disconnected from the world
 Overall, the theme of the death of belief, faith, and passion in "Death of a Naturalist"
speaks to the broader human experience of growing older and losing the sense of
wonder and excitement that we had as children

4) Transition, change and evolution:

 Heaney explores the idea that as we grow older, we often lose our sense of wonder and
excitement at the natural world, and we become more jaded and cynical.
 The flax is changing (rotting) in the dam, and of course, the frogspawn is changing into…
frogs.
  Transition from childhood to adulthood – destruction of innocence.
 The poem also emphasizes the impermanence of the world, where change is the only
constant; a single moment can herald unexpected change. It also serves as a cautionary
reminder that people are susceptible to change when faced with different
circumstances.
 The change/transition is brought about to bring alertness to the readers and also to
break the idea of absolutes (world with no ambiguity)

JUSTIFICATION OF THE TITLE:

 In Heaney's Death of a Naturalist, the title serves to convey the death of the naturalist
instinct of a child transitioning to adolescence and the death of childhood innocence
 At the beginning of the poem, the child regards the frogspawn at the flax dam with
excitement and a sense of wonder, as he is interested in the rhythms and workings of
life itself
 Eventually, however, he grows up and comes to regard the notions of conception, birth,
and growth with fear and disgust
 Death of how unified our perspective should be
 Death refers to not seeing nature in a unified way as beautiful and eye-catching
 Death of desire and passion – portrayed through bullfrog and mammy frog – sexual
intercourse is seen as nothing but a biological aspect of life – whereas it represents the
deep passionate love between humans and other animals.
 The Paper Menagerie
-Ken Liu

Magic Realism
 Magic realism is a writing style that blends magical or supernatural
elements with realistic settings and situations.
 Magic blurs the boundaries of the hard-hitting reality.
 The magic in Paper Menagerie is portrayed through Jack’s mother who
creates origami animals that come to life, delighting her son. The
magic of the story lies in the way the mother's love and care for her
son is expressed through her art.

Significance of Magic Realism

 To convey the emotional and cultural significance of the mother's art.
 The origami animals that come to life are a magical element that helps
to illustrate the mother's love for her son and the importance of
cultural heritage.
 To challenge the reader's perceptions of reality and to create a sense
of wonder and enchantment to keep the readers engaged.

THEMES
1)Culturally Imagined Boundaries
 Culturally imagined boundaries are the imaginary lines that people draw
between different groups based on cultural differences.
 These boundaries are often created through stereotypes, prejudices, and
misunderstandings, and can lead to discrimination and conflict.
 "The Paper Menagerie" explores the idea of culturally imagined
boundaries through the character of Jack, who is half Chinese and half
American. Jack struggles to understand and connect with his Chinese
heritage and is ashamed of it and feels like an outsider both in China and
in America.
 Examples of culturally imagined boundaries in the story include language
barriers between the mother and Jack, differences in cultural traditions
and customs, and stereotypes and prejudices that exist between the
Chinese and the Americans.
 The story suggests that these boundaries are often arbitrary and that by
embracing our differences and finding common ground, we can overcome
the prejudices and misunderstandings that divide us.

2)Cultural Assimilation
 Cultural assimilation is the process by which an individual or a group
adopts the customs, values, and behaviours of a dominant culture,
often at the expense of their own cultural identity.
 In the story, Jack is seen trying to fit into the American culture
(dominant culture) and puts down his Chinese identity. He doesn’t
want to eat Chinese food but wants to eat only American food and
demands his mother speak English and not Chinese. He also rejects
the paper animals his mother makes which are a part of the Chinese
culture and wants “real toys”.

3)Cultural Alienation
 Cultural alienation is the sense of feeling disconnected or estranged
from one's cultural heritage or from the dominant culture in which one
lives.
 The story portrays this idea through Jack’s mother as she is forced to
speak English and cook American food and is shouted at if she speaks
her native language, Chinese, at home. Hence, she feels disconnected
from her Chinese identity.
 The story suggests that cultural alienation can be a painful and difficult
experience and that it is important to find ways of connecting with our
cultural heritage and finding a sense of belonging.
 At the same time, the story also suggests that cultural alienation can
be overcome through imagination and creativity and that we can find
common ground and understanding even in the face of cultural
differences.

4)Immigrant Experience
 The Paper Menagerie" explores the immigrant experience through the
eyes of the mother, who is a Chinese immigrant living in the United
States.
 The mother struggles to communicate with her son, who is growing up
in a different cultural context, and she feels isolated and disconnected
 from her community. However, through her art and her stories, she
can connect with her son and share her culture with him.
 The story also touches on the theme of assimilation and the pressure
that immigrants often feel to conform to the dominant culture. The
mother initially tries to assimilate into American culture, but she
realizes that she is losing touch with her cultural heritage and her
sense of self. Her decision to reconnect with her culture and share it
with her son is a powerful statement about the importance of cultural
identity and the value of diversity.

5)Cultural Identity
 In "The Paper Menagerie," the son, Jack, struggles to reconcile his
Chinese heritage with his American identity. He initially rejects his
mother's culture and language, feeling embarrassed and ashamed of
his Chinese roots. This can be seen throughout the story, for example,
he keeps demanding his mother speak English and not Chinese and
cook American food. He also rejects his mother’s paper animals and
says he wants “real toys”.
 However, as he grows up, he begins to appreciate his mother's art and
stories, and he develops a deeper understanding and appreciation of
his cultural identity.
 Jack's rejection of his Chinese identity is a reflection of the pressure
that many immigrants and their children feel to assimilate into
American culture. Through Jack's journey, the story shows that
cultural heritage is an integral part of personal identity and that it is
possible to embrace multiple cultures without losing a sense of self.

6)Influence of American Ideology

 The Paper Menagerie touches on the influence of American ideology on
immigrant families. The story suggests that the pressure to conform to
American culture can create tension and conflict within immigrant
families, as children may feel torn between their cultural heritage and
the dominant culture. This is portrayed in the story through the
relationship between Jack and his mother (give examples).
 At the same time, the story also suggests that cultural exchange can
be a positive and transformative experience. Through the mother's art
 and stories, she can connect with her son and share her culture with
him. Jack's appreciation of his mother's art and his growing
understanding of his cultural identity are a testament to the power of
cultural exchange and the importance of embracing diversity.

7)Racism
 The Paper Menagerie" explores themes of racism and xenophobia
through the experiences of the mother and the son, Jack. For example,
Jack is bullied by his classmates for being half-Chinese, and he feels
ashamed of his Chinese heritage. He is also commented on by his
neighbours for having a name that doesn’t sound very “Chinesey”. This
reflects the discrimination and racism that many Asian Americans have
faced throughout history.
 The mother is also subjected to racism and discrimination from her
white neighbours. She is often treated as an outsider and is made to
feel inferior because of her Chinese heritage. This reflects the systemic
racism and discrimination that Asian Americans have faced in
American society.
 Moreover, the story also highlights the way that racism and
discrimination can be internalized and perpetuated within immigrant
families. For example, Jack initially rejects his mother's culture and
language, feeling embarrassed and ashamed of his Chinese roots. This
reflects the pressure that many immigrant children feel to assimilate to
American culture and reject their cultural heritage.
 ADVICE TO YOUTH
-Mark twain
Writing Style
 Use of satire and sarcasm
 Didactic writing style.

The Essay
-The essay is a social commentary on morality, religious, political and cultural
beliefs.
- He uses the sarcastic tone to highlight the hypocrisy that prevails in society.

-He is trying to subvert expectations and challenges conventional wisdom which

according to him is camouflaging the uniqueness of young people.

-By using humour, and a satirical tone, he is trying to prompt the readers to think
critically and act sensibly.

TEXTUAL ANALYSIS
In the essay he talks about how the youth should:
1. Be respectful (selective obedience towards parents),
2. Respecting superiors based on hierarchal position.
3. Wisdom of understanding everyday monotony- Commentary on Discipline
4. Careful ‘Lie’- Commentary on righteousness and morality
5. Questions the idea of being responsible and careful
6. Advices to read good books

THEMES
1. Questioning the idea of good and bad - He challenges the idea that there are
fixed definitions of what is considered morally right or wrong. Twain
encourages young people to question the established norms and think for
themselves, rather than blindly accepting societal judgments. By doing so, he
promotes critical thinking and individual autonomy in determining one's own
sense of morality.
2. A social commentary on societal standards and expectations set on youth-
He acknowledges that society often imposes rigid guidelines for how youth
should behave, dress, and make life choices. He playfully suggests that they
should do the opposite of what is expected, highlighting the absurdity of
societal expectations and promoting the youth to develop their own moral
compass and make informed decisions.
3. Question on definitions and meaning making by societal forces - Throughout
the essay, Twain presents a series of humorous and paradoxical statements
that underscore the inconsistencies in societal definitions of right and wrong.
For example, he advises young people to "be respectful to your superiors, if
you have any," subtly mocking the idea of respect being due solely based on
hierarchical positions rather than earned through personal merit.
4. By doing all the above, through his writing/speech, he tries to subvert
societal expectations and actually advices the young people to be
comfortable in their own skin and embrace their uniqueness.
 ABHISARA -THE TRYST
- Rabindranath Tagore

POETIC DEVICE:
1. Vivid metaphors and symbolic language to convey deeper meanings like
murky sky of August, tinkling of anklets, the flash of lightning
2. Elements of nature to create a sensory-rich backdrop for the poem - the
moon, stars, night, and breeze are all woven into the poem's imagery,
evoking a strong sense of place and atmosphere.
3. The rhythmic flow of the lines - use of alliteration and assonance
contribute to the poem's melodious quality, making it pleasing to the ear,
no particular rhyme scheme or metrical pattern followed
4. Delves into deep emotions and explores the intricacies of human
relationships.
5. Deeply romantic - expressing the passionate emotions of a lover
anticipating a rendezvous with their beloved.
6. Exploring universal themes of love, longing, and human connection
7. Third person narrative has been used to deliver the story in the poem.
8. Lucid and fluent language

THEME:
1. Materialism and wordly pleasures:
 Upagupta is compassionate, renounced from worldly pleasures and follows
the spiritual path
 On the other hand, Vasavadatta is addicted to worldly pleasures and cannot
see beyond her youth and beauty which are temporary qualities and one
must not be proud of them.

2. Transitionary nature of beauty:

 In the poem, we see how Vasavadatta, who once was a beautiful and proud
woman and a famous dancing girl, was ostracised by the society when she
suffered from small pox.
 This reminds us that youth and beauty are not permanent.
 So, we should not be proud of such qualities which are temporary in
nature.
3. Human compassion:
 We notice that there is a sharp contrast in Vasavadatta’s past life to her
present condition which reminds us about the unpredictable and the harsh
reality of life
 But this did not prevent Upagupta, who was the epitome of a kind and
compassionate man
 He chose to comfort and care for her despite the fact that she was
ostracised by the entire community
 This act of selflessness underscores the theme of unconditional love and
humanity that goes beyond physical attractiveness and social status of an
individual
 His actions highlight his profound understanding of Buddha’s teaching,
especially the emphasis on compassion and treating all beings with
kindness
 Upagupta’s adherence to his spiritual path and the non-discrimination
between people based on circumstances shows us that he is
compassionate.

4. Spiritual love and wisdom:

 The poem “The Tryst”, as the name suggests, can be seen as a love story
too. But this is not the traditional romantic love. It’s rather spiritual love
which is unconditional and asexual.
 The hermit, Upagupta was wise enough to politely refuse Vasavadatta’s
invitation for a rest at her home in the first part of the poem. He knew that
at that time she needed no help from him. So, he promised to visit her
when the time was right.
 And that time finally came even before a year was passed. Vasavadatta was
struck with small pox and nobody was there to care for her. Upagupta
visited the deserted woman and offered his selfless service out of his love
for her, out of his love for the entire mankind
SYMBOLS:
1. Light and darkness:
 Symbolically to give a glimpse of the inner world of the two characters in the poem.
 First part of the poem, it was a dark August night when the beautiful lady Vasavadatta
met the hermit, Upagupta
 Though the lady was glittering with jewels, she was actually in the dark, i.e., she was
ignorant of how temporary her youth and beauty was. Again, the flash of the lightning
might be suggestive of the inner light of wisdom that Upagupta showed by politely
refusing her suggestion to go with her
 In the later stage of the poem, the brightness of the moon suggests the same inner light
of the monk that remains intact
 The poem “The Tryst” depicts two meetings between Upagupta and Vasavadatta, one in
monsoon and the other in Springtime
 The changing seasons in nature symbolises the changing conditions of our life
 In the poem we see how Vasavadatta’s fate changes with time. Once she was the most
beautiful and most desired lady in the town, but later she was abandoned by everyone

2. Upagupta – beyond wordly pleasures, enlightened, not materialistic,

compassionate
3. Vasavadatta – materialist possession
4. Villagers – society
5. Small pox – societal evils
6. August – month of shravana – harvest season – dark
7. April – month of chaitra – spring

TITLE:
 The Bengali word “abhisara” and the English word “tryst” mean the same –
a private romantic meeting between two lovers
 Though the present poem doesn’t really deal with traditional kind of
romantic love affair, the meeting between Upagupta and Vasavadatta
outside the Mathura city wall when she needed someone the most to take
care of her was no less than a tryst
 It was a higher kind of love on display – spiritual love – unconditional love
towards mankind and asexual
 Upagupta, being a Buddhist monk, believed in selfless service to humanity.
He attended and cared for Vasavadatta when the entire city showed apathy
towards her
 It was a secret meeting between them and a secret love affair which
nobody in the city knew about.
 SONET 116
- William Shakespeare

Style of the poem

- Language is rich and evocative
- He uses poetic devices such as metaphors to create a powerful
expression of the enduring nature of true love.
- Written in iambic pentameter
- The poem is in the form of a sonnet – poem that has 14 lines
- It is divided into 3 quatrains of 4 lines each and ends with a
couplet (2 lines that rhyme)

Shakespeare’s definition of true love

- Shakespeare refers to agape – purest form of love with no
selfish intention, according to the Christian tradition.
- Love is not simply a fleeting emotion based on physical
attraction or the transient aspects of life. Instead, it is an
intrinsic quality that resides within individuals.
- It is a deep, profound connection that goes beyond the
physical realm, suggesting an intellectual and emotional union
- Love is portrayed as a “fixed mark” depicting its unwavering,
selfless, enduring and unconditional nature.
- True love is not contingent on external factors, it persists
through difficulties and does not diminish in the face of
obstacles and distance.
- True love is not affected by the passage of time. It is resilient
to the changes brought about by age.
- Love transcends the temporal and remains steadfast even after
death.
- “It is the star to every wand’ ring bark” – love is compared to
stars that guide a lost ship at sea. Shakespeare says that love
guides lost souls through the challenges of life. This reinforces
 the idea of love as a guiding and unwavering force in the
tumultuous journey of life.
- Shakespeare also describes love by negation. He describes love
by explicitly stating what it is not.
- He says that love is not true love if it alters when faced with
temporary changes or ends when one of the individuals want it
to end.