Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

 1)

Feminist reading of Harmione’s

character in Harry Potter: How do the character

portrayal of Harmione and other female

characters support feminist discourse?

Lets begin the discussion with the question that why do we need to discuss Feminist discourse time and again?  Lets illustrate it with an example that "Man would be proud to call himself wizard, but will women be proud in calling her witch? definitely not. Because there is something wrong in the structure and language of society. obviously it is patriarchal. we tend to see everything in binaries.Where one automatically comes into dominating power position and Other is labled as "Lack", something that they doesn't have.

And to uncover, unearth this binaries we will require counter discourse which is obviously our point of discussion Feminist reading of Hermione's character.

When we judge any character we've to keep in mind with whom we are comparing? If we compare Hermione with Ophelia(Hemlet) or Hester Prynne (The Scarlet Letter) then definitely Hermione is far better female character. And we can also derive the conclusion that day by day the role and place of female in society as well as in literature also.She is very intelligent girl from childhood and beats boys also in learning magic tricks, which proves her a fast learner.And that's why in Deathly Hallows part Ron says to Harry that without Hermione they cant survive a day or two. Ron says but don't tell this to Hermione.  they admire Hermione's knowledge and strength as a great witch. so it looks very good . But is it so? Is there really no problem with the portrayal of Hermione?

Yes, there is problem. She is used as a OBJECT for the rivalry between Ron and Harry. This OBJECTIFICATION is problematic. Writer could have use something else for rivalry between two friends.

More than that 'Padma' and 'Parvati'- Patil sisters and 'Cho' are also Used as object, nothing else.

another thing is that All the intellectual talk happens between Harry and Dumbledore. why Hermione is not part of that? if she is really intellectual character then why she is absent from the scene? Other charge can be that "How many Horcruxes were really destroyed by Hermione? Unluckily, the answer is not favorable.

Because somehow it is deep rooted in our Psyche that women are always weaker than men.

But perhaps surrounded by Patriarchal structure Rowling can't do that. Some how she is also a subject. Imagine what would have been happen if Hermione will be protagonist, not harry??Then perhaps the series won't be as popular as it is. Only female protagonist will not work for sure. So even Rowling wish she cant do that.

So, after deeply pondering these points one can conclude that Strength of Hermione's character is superficial and surfacial only. If we dig deeper then Hermione fails as a strong character(compare to Harry).

2)      Discourse on the purity of Blood and

Harry Potter: How do the novels play with the

thesis of pure blood (Master Race) giving an

anti-thesis by belonging protagonists to half-

blood / Mud-blood? What sort of synthesis is

sought in this discourse in Harry Potter series?

Concept of purity of blood (race) is very much present in the Harry Potter. Establishing social order by master race is not a new idea. Killing other as inferior race is very prominent in the history.

Now the point is that what is attacked by J.K. Rowling in the Harry Potter? And what she finally wants to establish as a conclusion by the thesis- antithesis on race?

Protagonist- Harry Potter and Hermione Granger are  Mud -blood. Ron Weasley is a pure blood. Draco Malfoy is also pure blood. Where as evil Voldemort is Mud Blood but craving for pure blood.

Rowling SUBVERTS the entire narrative by making protagonists who are mud bloods. And important thing is that they are equally or sometimes more powerful in magic than Pure blood. so, definitely it leads us to think that what should be criteria to judge the people - Race/ blood or merit?.

At the same time we have to keep in mind that Rowling is not despising Pure blood. Voldemort is evil and he is also mud blood. if writer make Voldemort as a pure blood, then definitely it is problematic.Witches and wizards consider themselves superior than non-magic people or non-human species like elves and giants. This act again shows racism working within the magical world. 

It is a satire on Voldemort kind of people that idea of superior race is dangerous/ harmful.  recent History has proved us that how dangerous it is.

many times reference comes in the novel they how pure blood were insulting mud bloods as inferior. And if we hear this kind of dialogue even today in and around us, then we've to be double careful.

5)      The discourse of Power and Politics in

Harry Potter: How does Ministry of Magic

control the resistance? How do they prosecute

the ‘Other’?

It will be interesting if we bring in Michel Foucault's view regarding Power, knowledge and Politics.According to Foucault Knowledge is created by those who are in power position about Other. For Foucault, power and knowledge are created by discourse. Truth, morality and meaning reside within discourse,

Where is the politics in the novel? The answer is that ministry of magic is  the law making body in the wizarding world. The information about Hogward or magical world is kept secret from the non magical people. It is also controlled that one should not strictly do magic in front of muggles outside the Hogward. and if one does then they are punished. This control and punishment itself are the sufficient example of power and politics in Hogward.

Lets quote Foucalt's views abut power......

In his “History of Sexuality” Foucault approaches the concept of power in this manner:

“ power is everywhere, not because it embraces everything but because it comes from everywhere. And power insofar is repetitious, inert and self-reproducing…power is not an institution, not a structure; neither is it a certain strength we are endowed with it; it is the name of a complex strategical situation in a particular society.”   

   

We can also apply Althusser's concept of ISA- ideological State Apparatus, Where Ministry of Magic functioning as a ISA.  they defy rules to gain knowledge. At the same Other (Students) those who are not in power position they are constantly under SURVEILLANCE. There are always two - one who Sees and other are being seen.(The kind of  phobia of constantly seen by somebody CCTV as shown in 1984 by George Orwell is also present here)  but one is trapped in this ideology. of one wants to get real/ true knowledge then they've to break the rules.

 

The specific function of a school means that essentially a power structure. Starting from the headmaster, professors, students and finally servants- Hogwarts presents a HIERARCHICAL POWER STRUCTURES  Students are split up in houses and each house has a common room that is accessed through a secret password. In order to navigate the school the students must be aware of the rules, the signs and symbols that regulate life. Harry Potter manages to defy these rules by gaining knowledge of the castle’s secret passages from the maradaurer’s map.

Interpretation challenge of play Breath by Samuel Beckett.

Dear friends, 

this blog is written as a task while studying Waiting for Godot, by Samuel Beckett at Department of English. This is my comment under the blog of Dr. Dilip Barad. For further reading and interesting video you can visit blog of Barad sir, http://dilipbarad.blogspot.in/2014/09/interpretation-challenge-breath.html

Interpretation challenge of play Breath by Samuel Beckett.

I would like to use quote for play Breath, which is used for Waiting for Godot is that "Nothing happens. Nobody comes, nobody goes, its awful. there is not a single character in the play. No story, no plot. Neither begining nor end.

 In these videos there is nothing except darkness, or garbage or absurd sound. The play is rather symbolic. Human life is meaningless and full of absurdity. The video of modern interpretation shows people walking like machine. People have no time, they have become more mechanical. Or say people are running, but what is meaning of their life. Camera also moves on photo of children, then every thing is empty. Later on chair is empty- symbolizes death.

Other video focuses on medical waste, symbolizes nothingness, meaninglessness.  Camera also focuses on symbol  “Swastik” symbolize Hitler- and we can connect with death of so many people. Massacre done by Hitler is signified. Human existence is futile. 

Even Breath- title suggests Absurdity. We breath to live, but even Breathing is absurd. Similarly human life is also like this. Essence of the play is feeling of uncertainty. Sound, garbage, waste  means nothing. It reflects the mentality of people.  Effect of war is clearly seen on the people. It presents despair and disillusionment of post world war generation.

The Swamp Dwellers by Wole Soyinka.

• The Swamp Dwellers is a play by Nobel prize winner writer Wole Soyinka.
• The play is very short, but it opens up deeper layers for discourse.
• The Swamp Dwellers is a close study of pattern of life in the isolated hamlets of the African countryside as well as an existential study of the simple folk who face rigors of life without any hope or succor. the play is a necessity for a balance between the old and new. Soyinka is not for excessive glorification of past. In the play we can see Soyinka's crusade against authoritarianism, complacency and self delusion.
• The play expresses a kind of angst, showing the wrong effect of colonialism, imperialism, globalization etc.
• Before interpreting the play it is necessary to know the time and place of book of written. For example  text of 16th century will be quite different than 21st century text. 
• The Swamp Dwellers was written nearly at the end of colonialism. it was published in 1958, a year after Ghana's independence and few year before Nigeria's anticipated freedom.
• So, rather than just presenting or criticizing other, it focuses more on where should we move as a society and Nation.
• Makuri and Alu are husband and wife. Their two sons Awuchike and Igwezu went to city to make money. Igwezu returns in village all alone, without his wife. Because his wife Desala left him and she chooses Awuchike, Igwezu's brother only because of money.
• The play is very serious debate on the concept of tradition and modernity. 
• In the play village stands for tradition, at the same time city is for modernization. older people think city as a breeding place of immorality, corruption and rottenness. Alu & Makuri's son went into city and they changed, so parent's hate for city becomes stronger. Priest Kadiye also comes because he thought that Igwezu came from city, so he might have money. The swamp dwellers have mixed feeling about city. for many people city is the place of comfort, money and luxury.
• The concept of Modernization is connected with colonialism, imperialism and industrialization.
• The play mirrors the socio cultural pattern, the pang and the suffering of the swamp dwellers and underlines the need for absorbing new ideas.

Sense of an Ending by Julian Barne

Sense of an Ending is a Man Booker Prize (2011) winner text by Julian Barnes. The novel is comparatively shorter, but has unique philosophical depth to think.

The novel centre arounds the Tony Webster - narrator, who is in his 60s, and recreates past about his school days, girlfriend Veronica, and friend Adrian through his memory.The book is divided into two segments, the first part is entirely his memory narrative. The same incidents are narrated again in second part with DOCUMENTS. and surprising thing is that what Documents says is quite opposite from his story told by memory- example is Tony's Letter written to Adrian and Veronica. so, it will open new discourse on memory- that how far can we rely on memory?? it opens up the gate to deconstruct many narratives that are based on memory. Tony turnes out as unreliable narrator.

Apart from memory novel also critically ponders upon History & Documentation, as well as Existentialism- Concept of Suicide (philosophically).

*  What is the meaning of

phrase ‘Blood Money’ in

Veronica’s reply email?

Sarah pays Tony to compensate him for the loss of Adrian. (This definition of blood money is payment by the murderer to the victim’s kin.) There is so little to tell us about Sarah and Adrian’s relationship, She says Adrian spoke highly of Tony. She says Adrian’s last months were happy. Perhaps she sees this payment as a way to wipe away her guilt and Tony as the only party remaining she can plausibly make it to. After all, how could she ever make it up to Veronica?

*How do you decipher the

equation: b = s – v x/+ a1 or

a2 + v + a1 X s = b?

until the secret opens, no one knew what does this equation mean? Later on it make sense. b= stands for baby, child.

s= stands for Sarah Ford, mother of Veronica.

a1= stands for Adrian

a2= stands for Antony(Tony Webster)

v= for Veronica.

After break up with Veronica, when Tony comes to know about relation of Veronica with Adrian, Tony writes a letter to Adrian. So, due to letter Adrian meets Sarah Ford.what happen between them is not told, but later on it is revealed that Young Adrian, who is age of 40- is mentally retarded is child of Adrian and Sarah. So young Adrian is brother of Veronica. Due to this Adrian Finn has to commit suicide.

so now, who is to be blamed for this???

It is Tony who wrote so terrible letter which lead Adrian to meet Sarah. so Tony also shares the chain of responsibility. at large extent his letter is to be blamed for consequences.

Adrian’s diary is willed to

Tony by Sarah Ford. How

come Sarah Ford owned it?

Why was it in the

possession of Veronica?

Diary of Adrian was possesed by Sarah, because he had relation with her. she told that last day of him were happy. so we can connect the dot that when both were spending time with each other, Adrian may have given diary to her.

Was the mentally retarded

middle aged ‘Adrian’, Tony’s

friend who did not commit

suicide and was suffering

from trauma and thus gone

mad, and was living with

hidden identity?

NO, it is not so. Adrian had commited suicide. But mentally retarded person is Sarah & Adrian's son, who is like this may be because of pregnency of Sarah at late age.

In the light of new

revelations, how do you

read character of Veronica?

Instinctive, manipulative,

calculating, stubborn,

haughty, sacrificial,

trustworthy, good

Samaritan?

Interestingly we find two Veronica in the novel. The first image Tony created through his memory is not appropriate for the Veronica of the second part. We believe about Veronia whatever narrated by Tony in the first part. But when as a reader we directly come in contact with her- she is more carring, trustworthy, good samartian, who is taking lot of care of young Adrian. she is not calculative or stubborn, but rather more sacrificial.

What do you mean by

Unreliable Narrator? Is

Tony Webster classifiable as

Unreliable Narrator?

Yes, in second part Tony turns out as unreliable narrator.“Was this their exact

exchange? Almost certainly not. Still, it is my

best memory of their exchange.” (Pg 19) This single dialogue from the text itself is able to deconstruct Tony' s entire memory narration. Because he himself says that this are my best memories. Another example can be added is that of Tony's letter. In the first part Tony only says that he had written letter to Adrian & Veronica, but did not mention the ugliness of his letter. in part two when Veronica gives letter to him, even he is shocked to read his own letter.

"Mahabharat"

"Mahabharat" is the biggest book in the world containing 1,00,000 slokas. It is widely accepted that it wasnt the same in size in first edition.
First one was "Jay", with nearly 25,000 slokas, the second was "Bharat", the third and final is what we've today "Mahabharat"with 1 lakh slokas.
It is said that "Yanna Bharate tanna bharate", means whatever is in Mahabharat is everywhere and whatever is not here that is no where. This line is the biggest complement for the book. Because whatever happens in the world that we can observe in mahabharat also. Birth, love,hatred, rivalry, envy, greed for power, Good V/s Evil, betrayal, Morality- immorality & New Morality, Oath, WAR, killing- (Massacre), prosperity, peace and ultimately Death, - everything is present here.
This meta narrative stands as icon for Indian culture.
As a story it tries to include tale 

• Mahabharat is divided into 18 Parva.
• Adi Parva
• Sabha Parva
• Vana Parva
• Virata Parva
• Udyoga parva
• -Bhishma parva
•  Drona parva
• Karna Parva
• - Shalya parva
• Sauptika Parva
• Stri Parva
• Shanti Parva
• Anushasana Parva
• Ashvamedhika Parva
• Ashramavasika Parva
• Mausala Parva
• Mahaprasthanika Parva
• Svargarohana Parva
• Harivamsa Parva 

Waiting for Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee

Waiting for Barbarians

It is a novel, published in 1980 by Nobel Prize winner South African writer J.M.Coetzee. He has choosen title of the novel from a poem by C.P. Cavafy.
This novel can be read from post colonial perspective, in which colony writes back.
The novel is narrated by unnammed narrator - The Megistrate. People's peaceful life comes to an end when Empire declares the Emergency. Because Empire was thinking that some indigeneous people called "Barbarians"- native people are going to attack Empire.To know the secrets of the Barbarians (Natives) they bits them, torture them, rape them, kill them. Colonel Joll did unimaginable torture to people.But ultimately no one comes.
But now the real question arises that who are the barbarians?? Britishers( White people- Colonizer) or Native ???
To prove them Barbarians, these people have actually became the Barbarians.Colonel Joll is metaphor for entire Empire. He has created truth, which he wanted to prove. He anyhow wanted to prove that Barbarians are planing to attack them.

the Magistrate begins to question the legitimacy of imperialism and.personally nurses a barbarian girl who was left crippled and partly blinded by the Third Bureau's torturers. The Magistrate has an intimate yet uncertain relationship with the girl. Eventually, he decides to take her back to her people. 

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Things fall Apart by Chinua Achebe:-

Achebe portrays with simplicity & dignity the history of Africa.Imposition of colonial power in Ibo community is the heart of the novel. Writer minutely observes the turmoil resulting out from British rule.

Novel centres around the life of Okonkwo, who is a wrestling champion in the village. He didnt like his father, because he was interested in music and arts. It gives us vision to understand that in their community- interest in music or other arts of men were considered as affiminate, feminine quality. So he always hated his father and tried to be different than him.

Another major incident is killing of boy Ikemefuna. Just to prove his manliness he kills a boy who was much like his own son. Even that boy was considering him as a father.

Later on he killed a boy by gunshot, so he was exiled for seven years.

When he returns, everything was totally changed due to colonial effect. even his own som had Christian name and was going to missionary school. now nobody respects or pays attention to Okonkwo. Now even he is surprised to see his own people.

Novel is also open for feminist discourse, because men were having more than one wives. & women were bitten a lot by husband. Women were only child bearers for them.

At the end of the novel Okonkwo commits suicide, he hanged himself. And surprising thing is that nobody was ready to even touch his body. it was sin for the people. And more shocking thing is that Hero's death is described in just one paragraph in the novel.

Nightingale and Rose by Oscar Wilde

For Digital ePortfolio reading again B. A. texts.

Really it is a great feeling to read the short story of Oscar Wilde. Because if we look into the personal life of the writer then it is full of suffering. he was heavily talking opium. at the same time he has spent his last year of life in prison, so no one can expect great thing from him. but it is not so. 

What we have learn from the theory of DEPERSONALIZATION , that work of art and poet- writer  are two different entity. we shouldn't be judgmental that if writer's personal life is disturbed, then his writing also not will be good.

there are many examples in literature, for example, Eugene O'Neill that his personal life was also full of pain and suffering. but then even he is famous as American Shakespeare. His works are tremendously popular among the people. My point is that WORK IS IMPORTANT, not the personal life. 

Nightingale and Rose is very short, simple and touching story. within few pages what writer tell that can't be told in even long books. on the one side we have beautiful, sweet Nightingale who sacrifice life for love, and when we come to know that boy has thrown Red Rose , we feel sorry for Nightingale.

..............'No red rose in all my garden!' he cried,

and his beautiful eyes filled with tears. 'Ah, on

what little things does happiness depend! I have

read all that the wise men have written, and all

the secrets of philosophy are mine, yet for want

of a red rose is my life made wretched.'.............

................

→'If you want a red rose,' said the Tree, 'you

must build it out of music by moonlight, and

stain it with your own heart's-blood. You must

sing to me with your breast against a thorn. All

night long you must sing to me, and the thorn

must pierce your heart, and your life-blood

must flow into my veins, and become mine.'

★ 'Death is a great price to pay for a red

rose,' cried the Nightingale, 'and Life is very

dear to all. It is pleasant to sit in the green

wood, and to watch the Sun in his chariot of

gold, and the Moon in her chariot of pearl.

Sweet is the scent of the hawthorn, and sweet

are the bluebells that hide in the valley, and

the heather that blows on the hill. Yet Love is

better than Life, and what is the heart of a

bird compared to the heart of a man?

..................

.... 'Look, look!' cried the Tree, 'the rose is

finished now;' but the Nightingale made no

answer, for she was lying dead in the long

grass, with the thorn in her heart...................

But the girl frowned.

'I am afraid it will not go with my dress,'

she answered; 'and, besides, the Chamberlain's

nephew has sent me some real jewels, and

everybody knows that jewels cost far more than

flowers.'..........

.......... he

threw the rose into the street, where it fell into

the gutter, and a cart-wheel went over it.............

...... 'What a silly thing Love is,' said the Student

as he walked away. 'It is not half as useful as

Logic, for it does not prove anything, and it is

always telling one of things that are not going to

happen, and making one believe things that are

not true. In fact, it is quite unpractical, and,

as in this age to be practical is everything, I

shall go back to Philosophy and study

Metaphysics.'

So he returned to his room and pulled out a

great dusty book, and began to read.!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why Technology in Education???

*It is very much important to use technology in class. as time is evolving, we have to update ourselves. We cannot teach to the students with traditional methodologies. Technology is a medium which  reduces human effort and makes teaching- learning process interesting and innovative.

* with chalk and talk method  it is not possible to explain everything in the class. But technology can overcome  the limitations of the teachers. by sitting into classroom, student can see outer world through video resources. it is very time, energy and money consuming to visit each and every place which are part of the syllabus. for example historical places, forests, wonders of the worlds etc. but viewing this place is possible through video. and more than that students get opportunity to study  under scholar through video lectures.

*Technology helps the teachers prepare students for the real world environment. As our nation becomes increasingly more technology-dependent, it becomes even more necessary that we want our students to prepare for the citizen of 21st century. because this is the future. outside world, students have to do daily work with this gadgets in time to come. Basic things like online booking, online application, online payment, online shopping, E- Governance is the future of 21st century.

*Many teachers complains that students are not interested in or paying attention in classroom. but the reason behind not paying attention is that they are not interested in the technique/ methodology in which they teach. teachers tries to teach the way they had learnt. but this won't work.

# WHY TECHNOLOGY,

# How better technology can be use  for academic purpose ?

because older methodologies are failing. Now we can't be regressive to find answer to this. we have to think progressively, and answer to this is maximum integration of technological tools and gadgets.

Today technology has advanced a lot. If it is use in education then it EXTENDS THE HOURS OF TEACHING.

traditional classroom teaching was limited for few hours only. learners have to be present in classroom to learn, otherwise s/he will miss everything. But now it is not so.

*ANY TIME, ANYWHERE, ANYTHING CAN BE LEARN IS THE SLOGAN OF MODERN STYLE OF LEARNING.

many advertisements and video tries to bring in this concept of self learning, which we have seen in the class. Though we are not talking about total absence of teacher, but role of teacher is changing ...

another concept is developing at the same time is of SELF - LEARNING. A person AT ANY AGE can learn. there is no boundary / limits for age.

MOOC and other ONLINE COURSES FROM RENOWNED UNIVERSITIES are fine example of this. people from any field, of any age group can join the course and satisfy their desire for learning. where as we are still (ENTIRE EDUCATION SYSTEM) is narrow minded, stopping or not allowing to study after particular age or person from other field. for example B.Com student cannot take admission in M.A. whereas world through Technology is becoming  Open for everybody. and this openness is its strength.

*We have to move from isolated learning to collaborative learning.

  

*There are different kinds of learners- from different backgrounds, with vivid skills, capacities, abilities and limitations also.Scholars have differentiate this types as - Visual learners, Auditory learners and Kinesthetic learners.

Now the point is that all learners in the same class are different than each other, so how can we teach them equally by same method?? No single learning style is appropriate for everyone.

The reason behind failure of traditional classroom teaching with Direct method or Grammar translation method is that each and every students are not benefited from this.

BUT,

Using technology- Audio- Visual teaching aids allows or gives space to each and every kind of learners to study on their own.

Those who are visual kinds of learners they will learn by viewing videos.

Whereas those who are Auditory kinds of learner they prefer to listen and learn. Kinesthetic learner will learn by performing- you do the thing and learn fast.

Some learners will find ease in learning with Inductive approach or some with Deductive approach.Similarly those who are habituated of reading printed material will find problem in Reading from screen or from video learning.

Now, to take care of each and every learner is not possible with traditional methodologies, and especially in OVERCROWDED CLASSES IN INDIA. OUR GOVT.CANT SPEND MORE MONEY ON EDUCATION THE WAY DEVELOPED COUNTRIES LIKE AMERICA CAN.

**

scholars won't go in villages?? so what is solution??

TECHNOLOGY CAN REACH EVEN IN REMOTE VILLAGES- .  by sitting in remotest part of the world, one can view video of  scholars fromYale, Oxford, Cambridge etc. universities.  and that is possible without a singlerupees.it is freely available.

So the solution is that to use technology. Not just use, but to integrate technology.

★Technology as a great help in evaluation:-

Within few minutes result can be generated by software, with accuracy and without biases.

Technology offers wider scope in evaluation process. Only written tests are not enough to measure the knowledge, comprehension, understanding and application. Something is always left out.

Whereas here those who hesitates in speaking/ giving answers in classroom discussion, they can give their answer in online discussion.Thus, it gives voice to the silent or introvert learners in the class.

Even online test makes evaluation process more easier, faster, better & also reduces human effort and saves time and energy.

And more important thing is that students will by product acquire LSRW SKILLS. Before replying learners will think about the subject.(and this thinking/churning in the mind is the beginning of the learning)This will develop their ability to think and express themselves through written or oral language. Thus from passive learners students will become active participants.

Now everybody has accepted this WHY? part of technology. because it caters the need of the majority. Classroom becomes dynamic. Teachers also comes to know up to what level students has absorbed the topic.

there is a difference between using technology and integrating technology is that in integrating technology – technology is not a target but  it can be learnt by product. the focus is on teaching by maximum through digital  resources. it makes learning easy and enjoyable.

Using technology  is limited, because the focus is more on technology, where as integrating it more wider. If only teacher use, then its only use of technology. There should be space for learners to use technology in class and that is integration. Through this so many skills can be developed at a time. and this can be happen only if the technology is use as routine part of classroom environment, with clear learning objectives.

it is also proved through research in America that without teacher only technology won't work.

*

TECHNOLOGY IS NOT A DESTINATION, BUT A MEDIUM THROUGH WHICH SOMETHING ELSE IS LEARNT.

for example, through online tests, blog task, video resources, E- content reading "LANGUAGE" can be learn.

**Technology is JUST VEHICLE TO REACH AT DESTINED PLACE.

AND THAT DESTINATION IS LANGUAGE LEARNING- A GOOD COMMAND OVER LSRW SKILLS, & LANGUAGE PRODUCTION.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

The Da Vinci Code is a suspense thriller novel by Dan Brown. 
What difference do you see in the portrayal of 'Ophelia' (Kate Winslet) in Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet, 'Elizabeth' ( Helena Bonham Carter) in Kenneth Branagh's Mary Shelley's Frankenstein or ' Hester Prynne' (Demi Moore) in Roland Joffé's The Scarlet Letter' or David Yates's 'Harmione Granger' (Emma Watson) in last four Harry Potter films - and 'Sophie Neuve' (Audrey Tautau) in Ron Howard's The Da Vinci Code? How would justify your answer?

If we compare Ophelia with Hermione or Sophie Neuve, then there is a vast difference. 21^st century  female characters are getting more space. Female characters has  grown a lot.  They are equal or more smarter than male characters. Sophie and Hermione both accompanies to male members in the journey. But its in novel,  the picture is different in the movie.

Here it is necessary to clarify that there is a wide difference between portrayal female characters in literature and movies. 

When representation of female is observed deeply one will find problem that female body is largely objectified. This objectification is problamatic. This can be proved by above mentioned references that How Ophelia's ( Kate Winslet)in Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet is shown. This kind of presentation is not there in original Hamlet by Shakespeare. The kind of sexual scenes and nudity is shown that is objectifying female's body as a commodity. The same kind of observation can be derieve from the character of Elizabeth of Frankenstein also. Hester Prynne (Demi Moore) is also showned nude in the movie. The point is that female’s body is used as commodity. Hermione is also used as a object for the rivalry between Harry and  Ron.

But Ron Howard  didn’t do that, that is very good thing. Throughout the movie director is able to catch the spirit of the FEMININE SACREDNESS.  During entire movie, no one will find camera rolling over female’s body for sensual pleasure. There is not a single kissing scene in entire movie, even if it is a blockbuster hit movie. Western media generally criticized for showing lowliness of female’s body as a object. But the spirit of the novel is that in pagan religion both gender were equal. The binaries are created later on. So it tries to look female as  a sacred one. Sophie’s character is ideally portrayed to show feminine sacredness.

·      (If)You have studied ‘Genesis’ (The Bible), ‘The Paradise Lost’ (John Milton) and ‘The Da Vinci Code’ (Dan Brown). Which of the narrative/s seem/s to be truthful? Whose narrative is convincing to the contemporary young mind?

It is an age old debate that literature/ movie misrepresents reality but the point is that it never claims that it says truth. It is SEMI- HISTORICAL. It uses historical evidences to construct a new story. But, if one asks forcefully to chooses one of three, then I would choose The Da Vinci Code as a more convincing narrative. Because Bible says that Eve is created from the rib of Adam, which is not possible to believe scientifically. Bible also says that God has created entire universe, but empirical evidences to prove it right are not available. Even it seems difficult to believe for the rational mind people.

·        What harm has been done to humanity by the biblical narration or that of Milton’s in The Paradise Lose? What sort of damage does narrative like ‘The Vinci Code’ do to humanity?

The damage done by Biblical narration and Paradise lost is that they have created binaries. And put man into privileging position and female into under privileged position. All women started believing that they are the responsible for the fall of man from heaven  & suffering of entire mankind. This realization as inferior is damage done by it. in one or another way it tries to say that if you trap in argument of  female (as Eve) then you will suffer like Adam- this is problematic. 
Milton has divided the role of male and female in society-that female should do house hold work and male should engage in intellectual work. When Raphel comes to inform about the possible danger of Satan, Eve is absent. Thus, putting Eve (female) away from intellectual discussion and deciding their role is problematic. 

The Da Vinci Code has a very progressive beginning with Prof. Langdon. but what he does at the end of the novel is regressive. He kneels down at the Sarcophagus of Mary Magdalene. He suppose to reveal the secret about the Jesus's blood line and his relation with Mary Magdalene. But rather than making it public, he becomes the secret keeper.
Sir Leigh Teabing wanted to liberate entire humanity by revealing the secret. But Langdon dont do that. This is the biggest damage done by them to Humanity. Because if we look at the history then religion killed more people than any other thing. People like Silas and Aringoras are killing people on the name of God or religion. this would have been stop if secret had been revealed.   

 “Although it is obvious that much of what Brown presented in his novel as absolutely true and accurate is neither of those, some of that material is of course essential to the intrigue, and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman has retained the novel's core, the Grail-related material: the sacred feminine, Mary Magdalene's marriage, the Priory of Sion, certain aspects of Leonardo's art, and so on.” How far do you agree with this observation of Norris J. Lacy?

Novel is discussed and debated a lot since its time of publication. many documentaries are research are made on this. all these has falsified the narrative of the Dan Brown. Few evidences he uses may be correct, but everything is not so. so Norris's observation is true. one is that Da vinci's cryptex, mirror image writing etc are falsified. cryptex was originally machine. so on several ground it fails as a truth.