Poetic Appreciation of The Poem Money class 12

 

Poetic Appreciation of The Poem Money class 12

Title: "Money"

The title "Money"  suggests a lament or reflection on the nature and impact of money on the poet's life. The inclusion of "O!" adds an emotional intensity, implying a sense of longing, regret, or realization.

About the Poet:

W.H. Davies was a Welsh poet and writer known for his simple yet poignant poetry that often reflected on nature, the human condition, and societal issues. Born in 1871, Davies led a varied and often tumultuous life, experiencing homelessness and traveling extensively before gaining recognition for his literary works. His poems often explore themes of poverty, friendship, and the simplicity of life.

Theme/Summary gist of the Poem:

The poem "Money, O!" explores the poet's reflections on the impact of wealth and poverty on human relationships and happiness. The poet recounts his experience of having money and the false friendships it attracted, contrasting it with the authenticity of relationships formed during times of poverty.

The main themes of ‘"Money" surround the idea that money is not as important as the people that you have in your life. The poem argues that while people endlessly seek out money, it cannot buy what is most important in life: genuine companionship. "Money" argues that a poor man can find more fulfillment in his life than a rich man.

Poetic Style/Language/Poetic Devices:

The poem employs simple language and a straightforward style, characteristic of Davies' works. The use of repetition, particularly the refrain "Money, O!", emphasizes the central theme of the poem and adds a musical quality to the verse.

"Money" is divided into 5 stanzas, with each stanza being 4 lines long. The poem follows an interesting rhyming scheme that varies slightly by stanza. The first, second, fourth, and fifth stanzas follow an ABCB rhyme scheme, while the third line follows an ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem is therefore a “Quatrain” poem.

The imagery in the poem, such as the comparison of a child holding a trumpet to the poet's inability to express himself due to societal constraints, vividly portrays the poet's feelings of restraint and frustration. Additionally, the comparison of the buzzing of bees to the diligent work of poor individuals creates a vivid contrast between the simplicity of their lives and the superficiality of wealth.

Message/Moral in the Poem:

The poem "Money" conveys a moral about the true nature of happiness and friendship. It suggests that material wealth often leads to shallow relationships and false friendships, while genuine connections are forged through shared experiences and mutual support, especially during times of hardship. The poem encourages readers to reevaluate their priorities and recognize the value of authenticity and sincerity in relationships over material wealth. It serves as a reminder that true happiness and fulfillment come from genuine human connections rather than monetary possessions

Sources:

The analysis was generated by an AI language model developed by OpenAI and from the source

https://poemanalysis.com/william-h-davies/money-o/

Around the World in Eighty Days-Summary/Characters/Theme

 Around the World in Eighty Days-Summary

In Jules Verne's classic adventure novel "Around the World in Eighty Days," Phileas Fogg, a stoic and punctual gentleman, accepts a seemingly impossible wager at his London gentlemen's club. He bets £20,000 that he can circumnavigate the globe in just 80 days, a feat considered preposterous in the late 19th century. Accompanied by his quick-witted valet Passepartout, Fogg embarks on a whirlwind journey across continents and oceans, utilizing every available mode of transportation, from steamships and trains to elephants and hot air balloons.

Their adventure is fraught with challenges and obstacles. They narrowly escape arrest after being mistaken for bank robbers, contend with storms and treacherous terrain, and even face pursuit by Inspector Fix, a detective convinced Fogg is financing his trip with stolen money. Throughout their travels, they encounter diverse cultures, witness historical events, and even rescue a young Indian woman named Aouda, who becomes integral to the story.

As the clock ticks down, Fogg and Passepartout face delays and setbacks, pushing their luck and resourcefulness to the limit. Yet, Fogg remains imperturbable, relying on meticulous calculations and unwavering determination. The climax arrives as they race across the American continent by train, narrowly catching a steamer back to England just in time. However, a final twist awaits them, revealing a crucial miscalculation in their journey.

The ending is thrilling and unexpected, demonstrating the true meaning of the adventure and the value of friendship. "Around the World in Eighty Days" is a timeless tale of exploration, daring, and cultural discovery, captivating readers with its fast-paced plot, memorable characters, and vivid descriptions of exotic locales. It remains a beloved classic that continues to inspire dreams of travel and adventure.

 

Around the World in Eighty Days-Characters

Phileas Fogg:

The Stoic Gentleman: Wealthy, meticulous, and utterly predictable. Fogg thrives on routine and lives by a strict schedule. Emotionally reserved, he rarely shows excitement or fear.

Driven by Logic: Fogg approaches everything, even his daring wager, with logic and calculation. He trusts facts and figures over sentiment.

Unexpected Hero: Despite his rigidity, Fogg proves surprisingly resourceful and courageous throughout the journey, showcasing hidden depths to his character.

Passepartout:

The Impulsive Valet: Quick-witted, excitable, and easily flustered, Passepartout provides a contrasting foil to Fogg's stoicism. He's impulsive and prone to emotional outbursts.

Loyal Companion: Despite initial hesitation, Passepartout becomes fiercely loyal to Fogg, following him faithfully on their adventure. His wit and resourcefulness prove valuable assets.

Evolving Perspective: Initially narrow-minded, Passepartout's exposure to different cultures broadens his horizons and deepens his understanding of the world.

Aouda:

The Rescued Princess: Beautiful, kind, and resourceful, Aouda is initially introduced as a damsel in distress. However, she proves strong and courageous, refusing to be a passive victim.

Culturally Rich: Aouda offers insights into Indian customs and traditions, enriching the narrative and challenging Fogg's Western perspective.

Unexpected Romance: An unlikely bond develops between Aouda and Fogg, adding a layer of emotional depth to the adventure.

Inspector Fix:

The Tenacious Detective: Fix is determined to capture Fogg, believing him to be a bank robber. He's persistent and resourceful, making him a formidable antagonist.

Misguided Motivation: While Fix's pursuit adds suspense, his initial accusations are based on prejudice and mistaken identity.

Unintentional Ally: Despite his antagonism, Fix's actions inadvertently help Fogg overcome obstacles, blurring the lines between friend and foe.

Themes Explored in "Around the World in Eighty Days"

Time and Control: 

Fogg embodies a desire to conquer time through strict scheduling and meticulous planning. The journey itself becomes a battle against the clock, highlighting the limitations and opportunities presented by time constraints.

Cultural Encounter and Discovery: 

The rapid travel exposes Fogg and Passepartout to diverse cultures, customs, and landscapes. This challenges their preconceived notions and broadens their perspectives on the world and its people.

Friendship and Trust: 

Initially thrown together by circumstance, Fogg and Passepartout develop a strong bond of friendship built on mutual respect and shared experiences. This highlights the importance of trust and companionship in overcoming challenges.

Adventure and Risk: 

The entire journey is an embodiment of the adventurous spirit, pushing boundaries and embracing the unknown. It celebrates the thrill of exploration and the rewards of venturing outside one's comfort zone.

Appearance vs. Reality: 

The novel constantly plays with perceptions. Fogg's stoicism masks hidden depths, while Fix's initial pursuit based on mistaken identity highlights the dangers of judging based on appearances.

Fate and Luck: 

While Fogg relies on meticulous planning, unexpected events and chance encounters influence the outcome. This raises questions about the role of fate and human agency in shaping our journeys.

Progress and Modernity: 

The story reflects the rapid technological advancements and growing interconnectedness of the world in the late 19th century. However, it also subtly critiques colonialism and ethnocentrism prevalent during that era.

Ultimately, "Around the World in Eighty Days" is a timeless tale that transcends its historical context. It explores themes of human potential, cultural understanding, self-discovery, and the power of adventure, remaining relevant and captivating for readers of all ages.

The summary/Character sketch and theme discussion are based on information provided by Bard, a large language model from Google AI

The Sign of the Four: Summary and Character Sketch

The Sign of the Four by Arthur Conan Doyle

Summary and Character Sketch

The Sign of Four: A Summary

The Mystery: Miss Mary Morstan seeks Sherlock Holmes' help after receiving valuable pearls anonymously every year on the anniversary of her father's death. Her father, Major Sholto, served in India and passed away under mysterious circumstances. The only clues are a map of a fort with the cryptic message "The Sign of the Four" and four names: Jonathan Small, Mahomet Singh, Abdullah Khan, and Dost Akbar.

The Investigation: Holmes takes the case and soon discovers Major Sholto had died after acquiring immense wealth during the Indian Rebellion. Mary receives the pearls following the instructions hidden within the map, leading Holmes and Watson on a thrilling adventure. They encounter Thaddeus Sholto, Mary's estranged brother, and uncover a complex plot involving escaped convicts, hidden treasure, and past betrayals.

The Danger: Jonathan Small, the leader of the convicts, seeks to reclaim the treasure with the help of his partners. Holmes and Watson find themselves in perilous situations, including a tense confrontation in a foggy London house and a daring escape from a booby-trapped boat.

The Resolution: Holmes unravels the mystery, revealing how Major Sholto acquired the treasure and the motives behind his death. He confronts Small and his accomplices in a dramatic showdown, bringing them to justice and securing the fortune for Mary and Thaddeus.

Key Themes: The Sign of the Four explores themes of greed, justice, revenge, and colonial legacy. It highlights Holmes' deductive reasoning and Watson's unwavering loyalty, showcasing their iconic partnership.  

Character Sketch

Jonathan Small (The Wooden-Legged Man)

-Jonathan Small is the wooden-legged man who seeks revenge on Major Sholto for the theft of the Agra treasure.

-one of “the four” original men who acquired the treasure.

-lived a tough life, having lost his leg to a crocodile while serving as a soldier in India for the British Army. –got engaged in a plan plan to acquire the treasure with Abdullah Khan and Mahomet Singh, who were guards under his command (the fourth man, Dost Akbar, was the foster brother of Abdullah Khan) While guarding the Agra fortress during the Indian Mutiny,

-Small was sent to a punishing colony on the Andaman Islands for his role in the killing of the merchant who had possession of the Agra treasure.

-meets Captain Morstan and Major Sholto, letting them in on the secret about the treasure in exchange for help with his escape.

-Sholto, however, double-crossed the others and fled to England with the treasure.

-Small managed to escape the Andaman Islands with his companion, Tonga, and searched for Sholto, eventually managing to recover the treasure from Pondicherry Lodge, the Sholto family home.

-His victory doesn’t last long, however, as Holmes soon catches up with him and brings about his imprisonment.

-Small scatters the jewels of the Agra treasure into the Thames to prevent anyone else from enjoying their riches.

(Courtesy: Litchart.com)

Miss Mary Morstan:

Miss Morstan comes to Sherlock Holmes to see if he can help her find out what happened to her father, Captain Morstan, who disappeared a few years previously. She has also been receiving a pearl once a year in the post and been told to go to London’s Lyceum Theater in the evening of the day she comes to see Holmes. She therefore acts as the catalyst for the entire story, providing Holmes with a much-needed problem to solve. She is generally portrayed as quite passive, but is also virtuous, especially in her apparent lack of concern about her share of the Agra treasure (she is more interested in knowing what has happened to her father). Over the course of the novella, Miss Morstan falls in love with Dr. John Watson; at the end, she agrees to marry him. She lives with Mrs. Forrester, serving as her governess. She is described as beautiful and is around twenty-seven years old.

Dr. John Watson

Dr. Watson is the narrator of the story and Sherlock Holmes’ loyal assistant. He is a doctor by profession and has a background as a surgeon in the British Army. Over the course of the novella, Watson falls in love with Miss Morstan, finally asking her to marry him. Watson aids Holmes throughout the story, though the major breakthroughs in the case are always the result of Holmes’ brilliant mind. Watson functions as a kind of counterpart to Holmes; the detective frequently uses him as a sounding board for his ideas, and in his inability to see problems as clearly as Holmes, Watson is representative of the general reader. That is, Watson is a kind of everyman figure of decent—but not Holmes’ level—intelligence. Watson is more emotional than Holmes and is frequently concerned for the latter’s wellbeing, especially when it comes to Holmes’ drug use. But Watson is in awe of Holmes’ abilities, which is why he decides to preserve them for posterity by writing them down. In his powers of observation about the more emotional side of life, Watson actually possesses something that Holmes lacks—an ability to understand people and the way that they feel.

Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes, the story’s protagonist, is the infamous detective and occupant of 221b Baker Street. He has a supreme, almost superhuman intelligence that allows him to solve difficult cases. This intelligence is based on his deeply held belief in the power of rationalism—essentially, any problem is solvable if looked at clearly and logically enough. Holmes’ mindset is distinctively Victorian, showing an affiliation with the ideas of Charles Darwin and encompassing certain elements of outdated pseudoscience that results in a discomforting belief in the superiority of white people over other races. Because of Holmes’ intellectual and deductive abilities, Miss Morstanasks him to help her solve the case of her missing father, Captain Morstan, which subsequently draws in the mystery of the Agra treasure too. Likewise, Athelney Jones, the Scotland Yard detective, is fully aware of Holmes’ abilities and relies upon him for help in his own work (though doesn’t always give Holmes the credit he deserves). Holmes, for his part, takes on cases for the thrill of it—not because he wants fame or fortune. This thrill-seeking also contributes to the darker side of Holmes’ character: his drug-taking. Holmes’ mind needs stimulation and, when he doesn’t have a case to work, he turns to cocaine, which greatly concerns his assistant, Dr. Watson. Ultimately, the entire novella functions at the pace of Holmes’ thoughts. When Holmes is stuck on an aspect of the case, the action slows to a halt; when he has a breakthrough, the action picks up again.

Tonga

Tonga is a native of the Andaman Islands who was aided by Jonathan Small when suffering from ill health. This made him feel a sense of loyalty towards Small, which explains why he accompanies him in attempting to recover the Agra treasure. Tonga’s portrayal in the book is extremely problematic: he is described as a savage “black cannibal,” painted more as an animal than a human being. He thus represents the deep racial prejudices of the Victorian era. Tonga uses poisonous blow darts as a weapon, killing Bartholomew Sholto with one and almost hitting Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson too. Tonga dies when Holmes and Watson shoot him during the boat chase. Notably, Tonga is given no dialogue at all throughout the entire novella, again reflecting the racial prejudice that his character embodies.

Thaddeus Sholto

Thaddeus Sholto is one of Major Sholto’s sons, brother to Bartholomew Sholto. He is an eccentric character with an anxious manner. Thaddeus is the one who decides to contact Miss Morstan, feeling that she has been treated unfairly and deserves her share of the Agra treasure (a view also expressed by Major Sholto on his deathbed). Thaddeus has been sending pearls each year to Miss Morstan and it is him who contacts her to try and reunite her with her share of the riches. According to Thaddeus, his brother would have preferred to cut out Miss Morstan altogether.

Bartholomew Sholto

Bartholomew Sholto is one of Major Sholto’s sons and lives at the family home, Pondicherry Lodge. Thaddeus Sholto, Bartholomew’s brother, takes Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson and Miss Morstan to Bartholomew with the intention of dividing up the Agra treasure. It transpires, however, that Bartholomew has been killed by a poisonous blow dart. His face is locked in a frozen grimace when he is discovered. Bartholomew differs from Thaddeus in that he disagreed with his brother’s intentions to honor Miss Morstan’s share of the treasure—he would have preferred them to greedily keep it for themselves.

Captain Morstan

Captain Morstan was an officer in the British army who served in India. He is Mary Morstan’s father, and his unexplained disappearance is the catalyst for the novella’s plot. He was friends with Major Sholto and had agreed with him to facilitate Jonathan Small’s escape from the Andaman Islands penal colony—where he and Sholto were working—in exchange for a share of the Agra treasure. Sholto deceives him and takes the treasure for himself. According to Thaddeus Sholto—which in turn is according to Major Sholto—Captain Morstan died from a heart attack during an argument with Sholto. Sholto then hid his body to avoid suspicion and the detection of the treasure.

Major Sholto

Major Sholto is the father of Bartholomew and Thaddeus Sholto and was a friend to Captain Morstan, with whom he served in India. Jonathan Small relates how he brought Sholto into the Agra treasure scheme, hoping to secure his release from the Andaman Islands penal colony where Sholto was an authority figure. Sholto, suffering from gambling debts, double-crossed Small and Captain Morstan and took the treasure for himself. On his deathbed, he had a slight change of heart and instructed his sons to share the treasure with Miss Morstan—but he died before revealing the treasure’s location after seeing the face of Jonathan Small at the window.

Sources: 

1. Litchart.com

2. The summary is based on information provided by Bard, a large language model from Google AI.