Truthful Tale

 It is August 1 today, Lokmanya's death anniversary. Hence this tale which has many a moral for times today! The story goes back to Lokmanya's school days. Once, during the short break, a few students ate turnips. They littered the classroom with the shells. 

The teacher was very angry with the dirty classroom. As nobody was ready to own up, he started caning one n all. When it was young Bal's turn, he refused to be punished as he had not committed any crime. Nor was he ready to rat on his classmates, to tell tales. 

The matter reached his father who supported his son's version as Gangadharji never gave any pocket money to his kid. So he buying stuff by the road side was out. Sure shows the story Lokmanya's sterling qualities such as truthfulness, bravery, solidarity, rebellion against injustice, and so on. Equally laudable is his father's response. 

Now compare the story with the narratives today. Here are thousands of students who download questions and best answers from "Telegram" groups. Here are parents who are ready to shell out monies for helping their wards to dodge the system. Here is the tuition mafia ready to leak the question papers. And here are God's plenty to take political advantage of an ugly situation. We sure need Lokmanya's galore! 

Pratima@ It is necessary to add some quotient of punishment to students who download leaked question papers, and to parents who encourage their children's wrong behaviour. Since there is such demand, there is the ugly supply!                                How about all the non-scholarly teachers who do not teach the entire portion, despite being paid lakhs in salaries? Instead, they prefer to directly and/or indirectly leak the probable questions! A lot is indeed rotten in the academic arena! 

Quote of the day:                                                             "A hero is someone who knows that responsibility comes with his freedom," says Bob Dylan. 

Word of the day: Tuition culture                                   Tuition culture is defined as  a widespread system of private after-school coaching driven by intense academic competition, high societal pressure for top grades, and gaps in regular school instruction. It operates as a parallel education sector ranging from local group classes to massive commercial coaching institutes.

Soupçon III.x

                              Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series                                                        III.x

How to read "Gulliver's Travels" in 2026 when the Elon Musk's and Jeff Bezos of the world are busy exploring the space on a private company basis? Indeed, if one were to possibly afford a seat on the SpaceX or Virgin Galactic vehicle, one might visit simply unthinkable  planetary worlds which, like Swift's fantasy territories, may help one critique the twenty-first century crudities, cruelties and culpabilities from a space-ial vision, right? 

Yes, Swift's 'Gulliver's Travels' remains relevant even after three centuries. His flying Island of Laputa, for example, is like the IG Nobels awarded to crazy inventions every year. 

His Lilliputians fighting over which side of an egg to break may find a mate in contemporary tussles of leaders over trivial issues that loom large for decades. An example might be the Putin-Zelensky-Trump tiffs, not to forget the Iran issue which forever threatens to turn/blow in to the third world war! 

Similarly, Gulliver's travels, especially in the last book, show us how current communication is nothing but different echo chambers being extremely happy with their own unique reverberations and replicas! 

Unlike Daniel Defoe's almost contemporaneous novel, "Robinson Crusoe", a tale of survival via the Protestant work ethic, "Gulliver's Travels" does not exhibit colonising and/or proselytising tendencies. Nor is Gulliver's viewpoint instrumental. Hence, by contrast, it shows up the exploitation of all sorts of resources rampant now. Hence the relevance of reading today this three year old narrative, despite its rather heavy style! 

Pratima Agnihotri 

Some solulu to delulu!

 The Prime Minister in his newest "Friends" insta post has a found a solulu to the delulu of the GenZ! 'Let's ghost the drama. Swiped left. Valid. We move.' is his message. You got FOMO, no?

Not to worry! That is the GenZ lingo. In simple human(e) terms, it can be translated as "The PM has suggested a solution" to the delusional grandeur of the GenZ which made them think that they can get away with the vilest foulest ugliest language. 

What is the PM's solution? 'I choose to forget the bad mouthing. I forgive you. Let bygones be bygones.' After all said n done, kids! I have consciously chosen to put the P. M's sentiments in the GenZ lingo because otherwise they are sure to find his feelings/suggestions paternalistic, avancular and patronising, and, ah, yes, symbiotic of Bramhinical patriarchy! 

Yes, such are the typical delulu to which actually there is no solulu because ideologies, too, Kant would agree, are 'categorical imperatives'! Dark(ened) indeed is the vision when we wear such 'blinds'! 

Oh, yes, the GenZ lingo! Such are their abbreviations that even GenAlpha, too, may not understand them, forget the Millennials. As for the Boomers, better bum off, okay?

Here are a few specimens. BFR is no new arm of the army. It means "be for real" because "NGL" which assures one n all that "not gonna lie." In brief, "IYKYK"! How I wish such advice were available in abundance on July 20 because "if you knew, you knew", should have been the 'brain rot' avoided by all!

Now that the PM has chosen to forgive all, the rest of us better "IJBOL" which, thankfully, is a less vulgar version of "LMAO"! Oh, yep, IJBOL has nothing to do with "bol ke labj tere sirf azad nahi, balki zinda bhi hai". It is the very GenZ version of "I just burst out laughing"!!!

Pratima@ Yes, language sure follows the only constant, that is, change. Yet change need not make it downright non-communicative, right? Slang does not sizzle, okay? Slang simply sucks!

Quote of the day:                                                           Absolutely agreed, Albert Schweitzer! "We're all islands shouting lies to each other across seas of misunderstanding"  as slangy solulu come from lolulu!

Word of the day: slang                                                  Slang refers to very informal words and expressions that are more common in spoken language. Slang is mostly used only by a particular group of people (for example, students, young people, criminals) and often stays in fashion for a short time. Usually, slang is not polite.

Soupçon, III.ix

                           Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series                                                        III.ix 

Most interesting is the plot structure of "Gulliver's Travels."  The four separate books remain stringed together due to Gulliver's presence. The entire book may not enjoy the classical  'beginning, middle, end' pattern imminently present in each separate book though.  In fact, it might even be argued that the Freytag formula of linear plot construction  fits each separate book perfectly. 

The entire book sure begins with the  details of Gulliver's childhood and youth, his life so far. Unmistakable is, however, the fact that each fantasy-istic voyage, every adventure has its own linear beginning-muddle-end structure. In a way, it can hence be argued that the novel has a mise-en-scène structure. 

The Sheherzade like story within story narrative helps cyclically repeat the human cupidities which adds hugely to the satirical impact of the novel. The novel has two layers of plot. The first one is the straight faced narration of adventures which has over the time reduced the book in to a children's story. 

On a deeper level, however, the book is a trenchant satire. Hence even today, three hundred years later, when some of the immediate contexts have faded, the novel is a superb read. 

Pratima Agnihotri 

Academics, ahoy!

 I must say, I would actually like to thank the CJP. Want to know why? Well, their antics have undoubtedly turned everybody's, society's, bureaucracy's, not to forget career politicians' attention to education!!! 

What a marvel indeed! Otherwise, education, a concurrent subject for the Center and the States, is much ignored. The proof thereof could be the percentage of the GDP granted to this sector. 

Currently, however, education is one of the core debates, everywhere, on the streets, in the media, in the parliament, too. However much Madame may mock "gomutra experts",  it IS undeniable that post 2014, the educational/academic discourse in our country HAS changed, and for the better. 

Many areas, considered taboo by the erstwhile educational mafia, are now very much legit. Let me give an example or two. J. Sai Deepak, for instance, has expanded the notion of coloniality most interestingly. The very look towards Indian history and mythology has changed, as the brilliant contributions by Ami Ganatra, Meenakshi Jain, Vikram Sampath and others of their ilk are ample proof. 

Textbooks, too, have changed! In fact, the NEP, initiated on July 29, 2020, has undoubtedly started changing the profile of education, given its multi-disciplinarity, its insistence on critical thinking and on inclusivity.

That does not mean that there are not any problems. There are aplenty. The six-year old NEP needs further fine tuning. The NEET type large-scale entrance exam issues need to be addressed farther and further. Caste continues to be a tricky question. 

Yet unmistakable are the attempts. The civilizational orientation with a clear nationalist feel is apparent and obvious. Why, scholars like Dr. Anand Ranganathan are media stars! In other words, just yesterday celebrated the NEP Day, and we can now say with some satisfaction, "All is well!" 

Pratima@ Just as the NEP Day proves that Indians are no longer paper tigers, and hence needs celebration, so does the tiger day. Despite the tourist troubles, the tiger conservation attempts seem to bode well. 

Quote of the day:                                                            Carl Rogers maintains, "The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change."

Word of the day: coloniality                                        Coloniality is the enduring legacy of power, knowledge, and culture left behind by European empires. It means, in brief, that old colonial ideas—such as racial hierarchies and Western dominance—continue to shape our modern social, political, and economic systems long after formal rule has ended. 

Soupçon, III. viii

                              Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series.                                                      III.viii

The narrative voice in "Gulliver's travels" is indeed interesting. It is a first person narrative. Gulliver speaks of his adventures as an "I" informing the reader about all that happened to him. In other words, while he witnesses worlds beyond imagination, and audits the goings-on therein, he is very much a participant, nay, a central character, in the stories he is telling. Such a narration adds both an intimacy and hence a trenchant quality to his critique. 

In a way, he is a "fallible or unreliable" narrator because the events witnessed in the novel are only uni-focussed, have only his perspective. At times, despite his critical stance, he sounds partly naive n credulous, partly pompous. Surely, for Jonathan Swift, such a speaker makes his authorial attack on the shallowness of "l'affaire humaine'' that much more blistering and focussed.

Pratima Agnihotri  

The Guru Pournima that could have been

 Yes, the Guru Pournima day is both, religious and secular. It is religious because in Ganagapur, near the Karanataka-Maharashtra border, is organised a religious festival of the "padya/paduka poojan" of Shri Dattatreya. Similarly, in most all temples, devotional programmes are organised on a regular basis on this day to commemorate the eternal divine guidance.  

It is secular because most students remember the intellectual/emotional debt they owe to their teacher(s). Yours truly, for example, got extremely touching messages by students  whom one taught some six or seven years ago, students who have been abroad in the meanwhile, students who have been working in truly reponsible positions, students who have themselves graduated in to parenthood and teacher-dom.

True, the "guru"  concept is indeed much larger than a subject teacher, and hence the students' kind messages mean much. Indeed, a guru is someone who helps us develop intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. In that sense, our best "gurus" would be our parents, right? 

Yet I must say that I expected a more nuanced celebration this year, given the CJP turmoil supposedly over student grievances. Well, we all know that it was more politicking than a genuine concern for the student welfare, hardly so sensitive or sincere or sympathetic.

Why do I think thus? Well, after the partying in a five star, or was it in a seven star, hotel got over, the CJP is more concerned with arguing over who how why should not be punished, while the unfortunate suicide victims are almost overlooked in such sound and fury, not signifying much. In fact, they have never been more than the pics in the background for those fighting in their name. 

Hence the government or its student wing and/or the media, not to forget the larger society beyond party politics, should have taken cognizance of these parents' pain, should have used the Guru Pournima as an occasion to assuage it. Surely their sufferings are far far more then any sum the CJP may assure grandly, and hence these soul wringing woes could have been addressed on this auspicious day!

Pratima@ The debate in the parliament, too, did not address that infinite pain.  I did feel hence that the Guru Pournima celebrations  were more a mere ritual. 

Quote of the day:                                                                "Any ritual is an opportunity for transformation," maintains Starhawk. 

Word of the day: assuage                                           Assuage is a verb which means to lessen the intensity of something painful or distressing, to pacify or calm. Occasionally, it may mean to satisfy an appetite.

They say it!

 The GenZ Movement! Incidentally, GenZ refers to those born in the 1997 to 2012 period, while Abhijeet Dipke was born on September 29, 1995. In other words, the founder -- surely you cannot accord/grant the paternity to the great judge, it better suits Dipke-ji, right? Now, please, in the right urgent spirit of the protesters, do not ask me who is the mother, okay!?! -- is himself NOT a GenZ! 

That interesting the movement is! Yet I must say that I absolutely adore it for one major reason. Well, it has introduced me to simply superb Youtubers. To be very honest, I am not a lot in to the typical social media obsessions. I am not on insta. I visit my fb account once a while. I often use YouTube videos, too, as a source of information and/or appreciation/understanding of arts, both of the plastic and performing varieties.

Hence such a find was a wonder. In Marathi, we have Dr. Uday Nirgudkar, Sachin Patil, Shrikant Umrikar, Sushil Kulkarni, Prabhakar Suryavanshi, Anay Joglekar, and Bhau Torsekar. Let us not get in to the debates by the obviously pro/anti types such as Sharad Ponkshe, Raju Parulekar, Niranjan Takle, and others of their ilk as their discussions reflect much too much of the sound and fury partisanship. 

Actually, it was the wealth of Hindi Youtubers that was truly the most pleasant surprise. Abhishek Tiwary, Karan Verma, Sushant Sinha, Neeraj Atri, and regular platforms such as the Jaipur dialogues, for instance! There are women contributors, too, such as Gayatri Devi, Mamata Painuli, and many others! 

What l appreciate about all such socio-cultural-economic-political commentators is their commitment, their passion, and their sincerity. They are exceptionally close to ground realities which they understand and unravel in utmost complexity. 

Their communication is worth a listen n learn, too. It is direct, forthright, genuine, yet never ever vulgar. They call a spade a spade. They use very simple language which seems to win them lakhs of subscribers and views by tons. Equally good is their enunciation. 

In brief, getting to meet these marvels online was a wholesome way of getting to know the Jantar Mantar events in a multifarious way, and I am absolutely thankful for the feel. Hence our title which is a word play on the legend of the great R.K.Laxman cartoons. 

Pratima@ When it comes to more scholarly analyses with academic type of strength, you literally have a wealth of content. Beginning with J.Sai Deepak, Dr. Ranganathan, the list is ever expanding indeed. The time spent listening to/watching such YouTube videos is absolutely enriching.                                                          Thought provoking are the feeds by Shashi Tharoor. Extremely interesting are certain anchors and journalists from the mainstream media, especially English and Hindi.  Much to learn indirectly about content creation from such Dronacharya's!!! 

Quote of the day:                                                             "Create (content) because it's fun. Create because it helps people. Create like nobody's watching." Yes, Matt D'Avella! 

Word, rather, term of the day: content creation                                                                         Content creation is the process of gathering information/ideas, making digital media, and consistently sharing it to educate, entertain, or connect with an audience, prefarably niche. 

Soupçon III.vii

                              Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series.                                                      III.vii

The Fourth and final book of "Gulliver's Travels" is the most famous. So trenchant is the satire in this part of the book that Swift has been criticised as a misanthrope. Here we are in the country of the Houyhnhnms. Unique are the Yahoos, a 'strange sort of animal' according to Swift. 

Soupçon, III.vi

                           Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series.                                                           III.vi

The Third Book of "Gulliver's Travels" has eleven chapters. This voyage takes him to very many places such as Laputa, Balnibarbi, Luggnagg, Glubbdubrib, , and even Japan. Though this part of the novel is not as famous as the Lilliput adventure, the satire here is truly trenchant. 

Geet Sunharen

"Anand kabhi marte nahin" is one of the most favourite n famous one-liners from Hindi films. Ironically, however, the lyricist of that tear-jerker, who was a favourite of the likes of Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Basu Chatterjee, died unsung, without many (t)ears mourning his loss. 

Yes, Yogesh Gaur, mostly known as Yogesh, is one of the finest lyricists, especially of the turbulent seventies, when the romance n gentleness of the Rajesh Khanna type of character was giving way to the 'angry young man' of the Amitabh Bachchan persona. 

After a tough struggle, Yogesh's career as a lyricist flourished in times when movie songs were getting the folksy feel of the "yaari hai iman mera" or "khay ke pan Banaras wala". Yet he penned beauties such as " kahin dur jab din dhal Jaye" or "zindagi kaise hai paheli." Such songs from "Anand" (1971) were followed by  "Rajanigandha" (1974), "Mili"(1975) and "Choti si baat" (1977), for instance.

Oh, yes, whether it is pouring or whether it is the summer at its sunniest, you have to just listen to " rim zim kare sawan", and that very second, the monsoon mood sets in. Such is the magic of his lyrics.

His sensitive lines capture in simple words deep feelings. Lucky he was to get masterful music directors and superb singers as well as brilliant actors who lip-synced his verses on the screen. No wonder, even in the post GenZ jamana, his lyrics allure one n all. Yet, very few remember the lyricist. Well, such are the riddles, tough to unravel, that life tosses at one n all. 

Yet in the world today, where attention span is at its lowest, when a new sensation emerges every sixty seconds, when there is a breaking news every half hour, on the air float the 'hai tum yaad muzhe/gane lagi har dhadkan' or 'rajni gandha phool tumhare' and the ambiance is as fragrant as a bouquet of tuberoses. Indeed no "choti choti si baat"!

Pratima@Forgetting, especially those who are excellent but silent, is the way of the world. Some proof would be the Kargil Day getting lost to that entire shenanigans, quite often tomfoolery, if the 'celebration' is any proof, called the GenZ protest, politically highjacked finally! 

Quote of the day:                                                              Says Robert Frost, "Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words".

Word of the day: Shenanigans                                    The word means either silly, high-spirited behavior or harmless pranks, and dishonest trickery. 

Nary a narrative!

 Once upon a time, there was a beautiful pond. Peaceful it was, too. Most all frogs lived there rather comfortably. Not that there were not any problems. In fact, there were many. Yet solutions were arrived at, often much debated, too. All loved such spirit of democracy.

The Frog Chief was much admired, despite the detractors and their grudges. That, too, was the feel of democracy. The Opposition demurred, as was its wont. Despite all sorts of trials and tribulations, accusations and adulations, life was what it could be, given the times. 

Suddenly, there was much turbulence, deep n wide, in the pond. A group of frogs, who called themselves the "Scuttling Society", created a huge uproar. The moss in one corner was not cleaned properly, they croaked.

'But it was,' many pointed out. In fact, 'twice it was cleared, and much much more efficiently the second time,' some said. A furore erupted. The SS Frogs, no, no, Dear Child, do not fear. No reference here to Hitler, Dear. SS simply means the 'Scuttling Society', okay, Baby?

So the SS said, 'Clean it up right NOW, and as we want it.' The Frog Chief ignored the 'grau-grau.' Now, who said, 'growl, growl'? Nope, I did not! The SS enjoyed all sorts of support, from many a corner of the moss, from here n there, from ponds near n far.

The SS loved the sudden solace of attention. They revelled in the sound and the fury of the admiring bog. Signified it everything to them. '"Clean up, right away or we jump out. If we lose our lives thus, remember, all would label you a dictator." 

The Frog Chief did ignore, but not for long. Thus began the clean-up. Heads rolled, snakes surrounding the pond revelled in this ready-made n fast food. When all seemed cleaned up n quiet on all the fronts, loudly echoed from the cleared corner, 'Hey, Chief, next it is your turn'!

Pratima@ The moral of the story is rather plain. Now do not complain because the tale carries a disclaimer which reads as "if this story reminds you of certain current events, it is your imagination." Well, I was just re-telling Aesop's famous fable!

Quote of the day:                                                                    "The end may justify the means as long as there is something that justifies the end," mused Leon Trotsky. 

The word if the day: Fable                                                Fables are short stories using animals, plants, or objects with human traits. They always end with a clear moral or life lesson.

The Pandharpur Puja

 Shesh-shayani Ashadhi Ekadashi is a day, a date revered by most Maharashtrians. The formal government puja of the arch deity of Maharashtra, Vithoba, is performed by the Chief Minister very early, in fact, in the very wee hours of  this morning. It is a beautiful, devotional and devoted ritual. 

To me, too, this puja matters a lot. Let me explain why. Aai was from Pandharpur. Naturally, Vithoba was very close to her heart. She studied, moreover, most sincerely and in great detail  Sant Dnyaneshwar's and Sant Tukaram's oeuvres. In fact, like her Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta course, these studies, too, fetched her laurels. 

In Marathi, there is a proverb which can be loosely translated as "when the cart moves, along with it rotates the axle of the wheel." That was me. Getting her books from the college library, listening to her analysis, arranging her discussions with her classmates, I garnered some star dust.

One of the rituals she loved about the wari was watching its televised coverage. From Day One in Alandi to all the "ringan"s, she watched each and every event. As the high point of the wari is Viththal Darshan, we used to watch the Ashadhi Ekadashi Mahapuja which would start at 2.30 a.m. 

I used to wake her up, and then till almost 4 a.m., she would be physically in Pune, but her mind would be in the Viththal Mandir in Pandharpur. Even after her sad demise, I have continued the practise as a tribute to her and her genuine devotion!

Pratima@ Now would begin the Chaturmas which both my parents observed, and in their footsteps, i follow it as a tribute to them.

Quote of the day:                                                            The following two quotes capture the essence of going on a pilgrimage. "We do not go on a pilgrimage to arrive. We go to be changed by the going," asserts Macrina Wiederkehr, while Phil Cousineau states, "Pilgrimage is the human need to put the body where the heart wants to go." 

Word of the day: devotion                                            Devotion means fervour, great love and piety, a state of mind shared by lakhs of warkaris, and for the last eight centuries.

Caring for One's Own Self

 Often a guilt trip is what many ride. Why is it so? That is because life long they are blamed for not caring enough for others, and instead prioritising self care.

Sure you should not ignore the welfare of others, especially those absolutely dependent on you, be it kid or the parent(s). It is the primal duty, to be performed most pleasantly, and with love.

Equally important it is to care for your own self. Such self care is not selfishness. If and only if you respect yourself truly, you can care for others, right?

Self care consists of a healthy body, a sensible mind full of sensitivity, an intelligent brain, a heart full of kindness, and a soul charged with imagination, integrity and contentment 

Currently, there are very many avenues available so as to acquire such a balanced selfhood. Mindfulness, with some sense of discipline and control over self, is the best route to follow during such a search for peaq\ce and contentment. 

Sure, currently, mindfulness is weaponised in to a billion-building bullying business which one follows to avoid mind games. Yet, we better remember, it is only when our mind is happy, fulfilled and quiet that we enter in to meaningful relationship with others, with the world, and with the self. Hence self help is indeed the best help!

Pratima@ In this self help week, time it is to initiate some hobby. Equally important it is to be financially absolutely independent. Oh, yes, better to remember that Satan prefers an idle mind!

Quote of the day:                                                            "Self-care is how you take your power back." Says Lalah Delia. 

Word of the day: Self-care                                                Self-care means taking active steps to protect your physical health, mental well-being, and emotional balance which arrives through physical rest, healthy eating, and setting clear personal boundaries.

Soupçon III.v

                             Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series.                                                           III.v

The Second Book of "Gulliver's Travels" deals with the 'Voyage to Brobdingnag.' It consists of eight chapter as well. Let us at first summarise it in some detail so that we can understand better the irony and the satire Swift employs in this part of the novel. 

The PI Pathos

 On the day dedicated to "pi" (π), a mathematical constant representing the ratio of any circle's circumference to its diameter, which is approximately 3.14159, let me talk of the pathos of Pi. 

Yes, I am referring to Yann Martel's magnificent n moving novel "Life of Pi." The main character of this 2001 deep text (yes, it deals with themes as deep as the high seas which it traverses), Pi Patel, has to lead an unbelievable life cum journey.

After a shipwreck, he survives some two hundred and twenty seven days, stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean n with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker as the frenemy. 

Generally, I am not very keen on watching movies based on books. Most often, such movies murder the magic that is a literary text, be it a play or a novel. Yet I sure would like to watch Ang Lee's 2012 film based on this novel.

Especially it is the end that I am truly interested in. In the novel, after a journey that can shame with its adventures the mythological "Odyssey",  when they finally reach the shore, Richard Parker just vanishes in to the forest without even a single glance back at Pi, lying prostrate n desolate in the sand.

In our life, we often meet many such Richard Parker's who vanish in to the distant horizon for no rhyme no reason. It is this pathos of Pi, far more grievous and dangerous than the mathematical 'pi' that terrorised our school days, which needs extensive exploration deeper than the 'Challenger Deep' in the 'Mariana Trench', right?

Pratima@ On the lighter side, in Marathi, Mr. Tiger is the nephew of Ms Kitty. Tougher to decide who between these two mysteries would be more self-centered, right?

Quote of the day:                                                               "I wept like a child... because Richard Parker had left me so unceremoniously. I still cannot understand how he could abandon me so unceremoniously, without any sort of goodbye, without looking back even once. That pain is like an axe that chops at my heart." Thus laments pathetically  Pi Patel. 

Word of the day: Bengal tiger                                       The Bengal tiger, one of the most endangered species, is famous for its striking orange coat and unique black stripes, its immense size and strength as an apex predator, and its vital role as a cultural icon and the national animal of India. 

Soupçon III. iv

                           Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series.                                                           III.iv

"Gulliver's Travels" is a novel consisting of four parts. Part I, "A Voyage to Lilliput", consists of eight chapters. We shall summarise it in some detail, and try to understand the irony and the satire Swift employs in this part of the novel. 

Soupçon III. iii

                             Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series.                                                           III.iii

Yesterday we looked at two basic narrative modes within which the novel operates; namely, travelogue and fantasy. The novel, though now considered a children's book, is essentially a great satire. 

Though his "The Journal to Stella" reveals his warmth and gentleness, Swift indeed is known as a great satirist as is proven by his famous "A Modest Proposal" which mocks both, the wealthy and the religious establishment because both are heartlessly indifferent to the plight of the poor in Ireland, Swift's motherland.

In his "Verses on the Death of Dr. Swift", he maintains, "Yet malice never was his aim;/He lashed the vice, but spared the name." Further, he states, "His satire points at no defect,/But what all mortals may correct." In other words, his satire does not deride an individual, rather shows up the British and European vices. In Part IV, he renders ridiculous the very human race, and so much so that his critique is often considered misanthropic. 

The satire in "Gulliver's Travels" is 'formal satire' of the 'Juvenalian' mode. It has unmistakable elements of the 'indirect satire' in the 'Menippean' mode as well. Tomorrow we shall summarise the novel, and continue to analyse the satirical elements accordingly. 

Pratima Agnihotri

A Week for the weak!!!

 Sixty is indeed a cross-over, whichever may be the field. In the field of education, much contested currently, if you manage sixty and/or above, the whole family releases a sigh of relief, even in the AI-era. 

Most interesting, however, is the "sixty n sixty-plus" phase of your life because you are literally dying to eternally extend wor(l)ds of wisdom, alias "advice", to others, while the whole world is hell-bent on advising you! 

Cough or sneeze a little, and the crowd, hardly five or six years younger to you, starts a wheeze about lung and heart health. Remedies, prefarably of the harmless(?!?) Ayurvedic variety, rattle glibly off every tongue, while it is you who has to swallow that bitter concoction.

Curious is the case with the doctors. Mention any ache, and a battalion of tests starts chasing you with the vigour of a posse of police on a hot trail of the worst ever gangster. Of course, after all is done and tested, your gerontologist is sure to convince you that "all is well!" 

Life indeed is great fun because the whole jingbang is dead set on proving you weak, while you never felt stronger in your whole life, right? So, hey, all of you who have crossed the threshold which officially nominated you as "senior citizens", in this week dedicated to you, never ever feel weak-ened. After all, you have now nothing to lose but life!

Pratima@ Let anybody and everybody be in a tearing hurry to send you back to pavilion retired, never ever stop enjoying every nano second tirelessly n every which way. There is no knowing now which might be the last breath, right?

Quote of the day:                                                            Said Henry Ford, "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty."

Word of the day: senior citizen                                 This Indianism refers to any person who has attained the age of sixty years or above. Better tax benefits await you if you manage to live n be super seniors!

Soupçon III.ii

                           Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series.                                                           III.ii

We can understand and appreciate "Gulliver's Travels" better if we understand the genres Swift is using. First and foremost, we have to grant that this travelogue is a 'phantasy'. The modern spelling of this term often is 'fantasy'.

In the typical fantasy mode, this novel is speculative fiction. It presents multiple constructed worlds full of mythical creatures, be it Lilliput or Brobdingnag, Laputa or the country of the Houyhnhnms. 

 True, in this imaginary universe, Tribnia and Langden in the third voyage are respectively Britain and England, places Swift mocks for their constant counter- plotting and tale-telling. That, however, is precisely the strength and beauty of the irony and satire with which the novel overflows. 

Even if Gulliver's travels are fantastique, as readers, we are ready to suspend disbelief  because they reflect what Aristotle calls 'probable impossibility.' Swift's narration reverberates with emotional truth, not to forget its tremendous narrative coherence. The lack of strict factual realism, in fact, adds to the pointedness of Swift's satire. 

We can call this novel a 'phantasie' also/especially because the main character's, Gulliver's, travels are a hero's journey. Not only does he face trials and confront conflicts, but he also evolves, he grows as a person in the process. Hence this 'high fantasie', with adventures in entirely fictitious wo(r)lds, appears both true and real. Tomorrow and the day after, let us look at the travelogue as a satire. 

Pratima Agnihotri

N.B.: We have consciously used all the possible spellings of the genre so as to cover all its major characteristics.