ON NOT ANSWERING THE TELEPHONE

ON NOT ANSWERING THE TELEPHONE

Introduction

'On Answering the Telephone’ is a very humorous piece that very gently talks of the practical problems of the machines invented by man. This is actually a speech given over the radio. This essay bears some connection to the earlier essay which we have done –‘Spoon feeding’ wherein we saw W.R.Inge feeling sorry that machines have indeed made the telephone and sees more discomfort with it than advantages.

Objectives

After reading this unit, you will able to

· list the merits and demerits of machines

· describe what witty writing is

· state the importance of bringing together the world as one unit

· explain the significance of the role of youth

Introduction to the Essay and the author

This essay opens up a very important debate about the merits and demerits of machines in general and the telephone in particular. As we study the essay in greater detail, we will get to know some of the main reasons as to why Plomer considers the telephone as a necessary evil. Besides, we will also get a good picture of want witty writing is all about.

This essay is an extract from the talk given by William Charles Plomer in the British Broadcasting Corporation. The essay focuses on the disadvantages of simple equipments that overshadow their advantages. He brings home the dependence of man on machines in a delightful manner. His recollections of his experience with these machines are indeed very funny and we cannot help agreeing with him that sometimes these machines do caused irritation in us.

William Plomer (1903-73) was born in Northern Transvaal, South Africa. He was a South African writer, who raised his voice against racism in his first novel, Turbot Wolfe (1925). His anti government sentiments came into conflict with the authorities and so he had to leave the country and settle in England. While in England, he wrote many reviews, gave broadcasts and served as editor in journals. Among his other novels, The Case is Altered (1932) and The Invaders (1934) are well-known.

Synopsis

Plomer begins the essay by saying that he does not have a telephone and that many people have been surprised at this. The author does not have one because he dislikes the idea of possessing it and is able to manage his daily life without it. But most people are shocked as to why he does not have one. They stare at him wildly and consider nom an eccentric. But for his part, he considers it an irritant and a waste of time. When a call that is expected keeps you waiting it cause unnecessary anxiety and suspense. Some other times, you may have to try a number that is constantly engaged. Speaking from the booth may be an equally horrible experience, as the booth may not be properly ventilated chocking us with cheap cosmetics and smoke.

Next he recalls a typical scene when a telephone rings. Very often it rings when we don’t want it to. Either when we are asleep or in the middle of a conversation or going out or taking bath. On these occasions, he suggests, that we should not be tempted to pick it up. Whatever may be the nature of the news it would anyway reach us. Equally absurd is the fact that we say ‘Hello’ to a total stranger. Since our names are printed in the telephone directory, our numbers are available to everybody. This gives rise to the possibility of unknown people calling us at all odd hours. He strongly believes that it is possibility to manage without telephones as in case of an emergency, we can always use public telephones which are large in number in England. He adds the remarks of an actor who said that if he were to be in lonely island. He would prefer to carry with him a telephone, bury its wires in the sand and derive great pleasures of watching it dead.

Telephone alone is not the cause of Plomer’s anger; he is equally disgusted with the typewriter and cars. When his friends suggested that he use a typewriter to type his letters to them, he decided to buy one. But then, as is always with his, he did not find it exciting to use. Though he learnt to type well, he did not appreciate the formation of letters in the typed format. He preferred the handwritten style to it. He was annoyed that the editors of publishing houses wanted only typed copies of his writing even if he could write neatly. Apart from its appearance, he rejected this machine as he never wanted to oil, or clean or repair it. Further the typewriter also did not like him. It would get jammed if he touched it. As for the cars he developed no liking for them either. He had been taught to drive in a busy city like Johannesburg and got his license at the young age of seventeen. When he visited another part of Africa where there was no motor traffic, driving was comparatively easier. So, he drove very fast and the speedometer broke. Soon driving also irritated him. He got bored and fed up of driving when traffic, especially in England, became heavy and rules strict.

William Plomer is not essentially against machines, but he is certainly against man’s undue dependence on them. He would not want to feed the typewriter with sheets of papers, he would rather use his legs to walk than lose the use of them by being driven in a car, or be called without prior information on the telephone. He is deadest against the domination of machines over man.

A DEVOTED SON

A DEVOTED SON

Introduction to the Story and the Author

This story opens up the age old debate of generation gap. As we read It me story we will be in a position to express our understanding of devotion. This sure am Awes us to dwell a little into geriatric (pertaining to old age) psychology that is fast plaint significance in recent times.

'A Devoted Son’ is a short story about how peoples attitudes vary in differed circumstances A proud father of a doctor son with sterling personals undergoes a sea change in his attitude towards the end of his life. The story elicits ideas like who is a devoted son? How devoted can a doctor son be? and the like.

Mrs. Anita Desai is popular writer in English. Some of her famous novels include fire on the Mountain; Cry the Peacock, Voices in the City, Bye Bye Blackbird and several short story collections. 'A Devoted Son' is taken from Games at Prilith and other stories

Synopsis

Rakesh was the son of Varma, a worker in the kerosene dealer's depot. He worked very hard and passed every examination in first division. The family celebrated his success with great revelry and joy. His M.D. thesis was much appreciated though only in medical circles. He went to the U.S.A. to acquire professional skill and expertise in his field. In all these years, what amused everyone is not his achievement alone but his respect and humility to his parents.

Many wondered that he still, paid obeisance to his parents at every occasion. And now contrary to popular expectations he returned to India and married the girl of his mother’s choice. Soon he settled down with a clinic, a car and began his practice as a surgeon became the best and the richest doctor in the town. This can certainly be called the achievement of a lifetime. Added to this is the fact that he touches his parent’s feet as a devoted son.

As years passed by, his mother died. He took great care of his father. He brought his morning tea; read newspaper for him; took him to the garden in the evenings for a breath of fresh air. During summer he helped his father sleep in the open lawn. He made the servants carry the old man's bed to the lawn and he personally helped him down the steps on to the bed. After his return from the clinic, every evening he sat with his father and spent some tune with him.

Then came a time when he had to restrict his father’s diet. As he was ageing, rich and fatty foods like oil, ghee, butter, cheese etc. had to be cut down. Sweets were completely forbidden. The old man could not control his tongue. So, he bribed his young grandchildren to get him jilebis from the market. However this arrangement did not last long. Rakesh caught his son red handed and he got furious with his father. He scolded his father, for not only spoiling his health but also teaching children to lie. Since then there was heavy restriction on the old man's food besides heavy supervision of the same.

Mr. Varma felt insulted by all these activities. He felt it was unbecoming of his son to behave in such a manner. Though from Rakesh’s point of view, he was only doing his duty to his father. And that he does all this for his fathers benefit and not out of discourtesy. But his father was dissatisfied with everything. He shared his grief with his neighbor Bhatia who was also old and adamant. As if adding insult to injury, his daughter-in-law who carried out the instructions of Rakesh regarding the old man's diet, seemed to relish the act of denying something that he liked most. As is bound to happen he fell ill. On one occasions during his second grandchild’s birth day he lied down like a corpse, stretching on ends and became the main focus of attention. The celebrations had to be abandoned. Soon he got up and spat a mouthful of betel juice, dispelling all the anxiety. Since then his stretching like a corpse became a regular feature but not the attention he demanded.

The number of pills and medicines increased. Though Rakesh did them all with affection and care for his old father, Varma was not ready to believe it. His loneliness intensified. A stage came when he had to react sharply to his son's advice. He began to woo death. He made it clear to his son that he had no intention to live. He refused his tonic and said that he did not want to survive on medicines. Despite the fact that Rakesh was indeed a devoted son, Varma refused to recognize it. And he died refusing to recognize it

THE SPARROWS

THE SPARROWS

The Sparrows was written by K.A.Abbas which tells the importance of displaying our sense of love and affection to our fellow human beings beginning with our own family.

Objectives

After reading this unit, you will able to
Explain how everything is achievable
Illustrate the need for compassion and love

Introduction to the story and the Author;

Through this story we will be able to show that anything can be achieved under the sun. All that is needed a sense of compassion and sincere love expressed towards worldly creatures. Only true love can elicit true relationship is the message this story.

‘The Sparrows’ is a wonderful story where nature teaches man to behave himself. What human beings could not demonstrate nature’s tiny creation a happy sparrow-couple could effortlessly achieve this story is remarkable not just for its narration but also for its characterization of the infra human, yet ultra humane sparrows. This is a very moving story of sorrow and disappointment of a supposedly hard-hearted man. His transformation from utter cruelty to one of endearing love and compassion forms the life line of the narrative.

Kwaja Ahmed Abbas is an eminent and distinguished short story writer, novelist and journalist. He attained great fame as a good storyteller with two volumes of stories, namely Rice and Other Stones and One Thousand Nights on a Bed Stone. His stories genially reflect the feelings of the down trodden and the poor.

Synopsis for story

Rahirn Khan was a fifty-year old peasant. Every body in the village hated him for his harsh and cruel behavior. He was not kind even to children and animals. No one dared to talk to him. The children would run away from their play if they saw him. But he was a very different man when he was young. His parents squashed his ambitions of joining the circus and marrying a Hindu girl, Radha. He loved Radha and found in her his soul mate But he Parents had other plans for him and got him to marry a girl of their choice and community, Radha in turn also married and settled in life.

He once heard his father boasting to his mother how well he succeeded in getting his
son to accept his words obediently. Rahim Khan then decided to avenge his defeat at the hands of his parents, his family and society.

Having decided to take revenge, his first and immediate target was his wife. He saw her as the scapegoat for all his misadventures. His kind soul suddenly became as hard as iron. For nearly thirty years, he ill treated his wife, his two sons and his two bullocks. He quarreled with everyone in the village. Subsequently the entire village developed a deep seated hatred for him.

Six years earlier his elder son Bundu ran away from home after an unusually severe beating. Three years later his second son Nuru also joined his brother. One day when he returned home from the fields an old lady from the neighborhood told him that his wife had gone to her brother's place and that she would be back shortly. Rahim Khan knew that she would never come back. He suddenly began to feel lonely not because he loved his family but because he had no one now to display his anger. Nobody was there to wash his feet; to give him food and other eatables. His wife’s absence made him feel uncomfortable so though a piece of furniture had been removed from his house.

One day as he was cleaning the roof spotted a small nest of sparrows in a corner
He initially wanted to exert his might on them. But good sense prevailed upon him
after long gap and he left them undisturbed. He pulled a stool climbed on it to have better look at them. But the parent sparrows would not allow him to breach into their privacy they threatened him by hovering around him and fluttering their wings hard at his face. He was amused at the little bird’s heroic efforts to save the young ones. He realized their love and care for the family. Soon the young ones grew well and began to move around inside his house. He started feeding them with breadcrumb’s and other grains. He called them as Bundu and Nuru after his two sons. There was now total transformation in his temperament and outlook on life. The villagers too took note of the change in him. But they had their own reservations against him. He even stopped shouting at the children.

On a day that brought in a heavy downpour, he noticed that the roof had begun to leak near the sparrows nest. He immediately climbed his roof to close the gap. He came back fully drenched. He had already started sneezing.. He failed to take care at once. He woke up the next day with high fever. His only companions now were the two sparrows. He was worried as to who would take care of the two birds after he dies. Couple of days passed. There was no sign of Rahim Khan walking out. The villagers grew suspicious. They sent for his wife who arrived with her sons. When they came in they could see his body lying still and the fluttering of the birds the only sound to be heard.

SEARCH FOR A STRANGER

INTRODUCTION

We are going to see the relationships that can exist between strangers. Some times we assume that we are meeting a stranger and then we realizes later that this stranger is very close to us in the short story “search for a stranger “ by Gordon .s. Livingston , is actually the search by the author for his mother . He feels that his mother is a stranger since he was adopted and did not know the truth till he was thirty eight years old.

After reading this summary you will able to

Explain how important strangers are

Recognize the fact that some strangers might cause a major change in our lives

Infer that a stranger’s life and ours have some connection

SUMMARY

The author is a child psychiatrist working in Columbia, USA. The author tells us about what happened to him the previous summer. One day his cousin asked him about his work. The author talked about a conference, which he had attended on adopted children. The difficulties faced by adopted children had been discussed in that conference. These children needed professional help to overcome the emotional problems they faced. One of the emotional problems was the feeling of a double identity. If a child wanted to know about his/her natural parents, the law did not help them. The courts usually sealed the adoption records. An adopted child usually felt bad when they could not easily find out about their birth, they feel that there is something shameful about them when they find out that their births have been kept a secret.

The cousin wanted to know why an adopted child should know about its adoption. The author feels that the child should know the truth from its adopted parents. If the child learns the truth of its adoption from other people, that he/she is adopted then there can be psychological damage. The author’s fourth child, Michael is adopted and he had told him the truth. The cousin then asked as to what he would do is he knew that he was an adopted child? The author replied that he would start searching for his natural parents. The cousin immediately asked him to start searching for his parents. The author thought that his cousin was joking but slowly he realized that he was speaking the truth. He was an adopted child.

The author felt very bad that he had not been told the truth for so long. He was thirty eight years old. He could not face the truth. Till now he had thought his adopted parents were his natural parents. He had been thinking that he wad Scotch-lrish. Many questions arose in the author’s mind. He was suddenly experiencing the problems that an adopted child experienced when he/she found the truth. He asked his adopted father as to why he had hidden the truth from him. He says he was afraid that he might have liked to see his natural parents. His adopted parents were afraid of losing him. The author assures his adopted father that he would always consider him and mom as his parents. His adopted mom had died a year ago. The author then starts his search for his natural parents.

The author had been born on June 30, 1938. When he had been adopted, his parents had been living in the city of Detroit. They had come along with their friends, the martins who had also adopted a child. He had been adopted from an agency in Memphis, Tennessee. The author made telephone calls to the martins and found out that he had been adopted from the Tennessee children’s home society. The author wanted permission from the Tennessee department of public welfare to see the records of the children’s home society. Since all adoption records were sealed by law, permission was denied.

The author left his parents to his colleagues and then flew to Memphis. He could not find any record in the Memphis city hall (every American town has a library and a reading hall). He then went to a local newspaper office and asked for its old issues. He found out that the children’s home had been closed in 1950. The director had been selling the children. The children were usually the children of unwed mothers, prostitutes, and mental patients. The author wondered to which category his mother belonged. The author engaged a local lawyer to help him in his search. The next day the lawyer found out that the author’s birth name was Donald Alfred Cardell. His sealed records were in the Memphis court house. The next morning the author and his lawyer went to the courthouse and made a request to see the records. The records were given to him.

His adoption decree was signed on the 17^th of august 1940. His mother’s name was Ann Simmons Cardell. The records stated that the father had abandoned the child. The author asked for a copy. The clerk realized that the author was holding his adoption decree .she took the adoption decree from him and said that he had to get the permission of the judge for copy. The author’s lawyer found out that his mother had been a school teacher from Mississippi.

The author flew to the city of Jackson, Mississippi and found his mother’s name in the academic records of the department of education. She had completed her master’s degree in education in the year 1952. the author made a phone call to the college’s alumni office. They informed him that they had received a letter form Miss.Cardell ten years ago from a place called Natchez. He found the name of Alfred Cardell Jr. in the phone book. He made a phone call to Alfred and found that Ann Cardell was his aunt. He told the author that that Ann Cardell was living Savannah.

The author flew to Savannah and called up Ann Cardell. He told her that he was her son and that he would like to meet her. She invited him to her home .Ann Cardell, his mother, was an elderly lady above sixty years of age. She served him coffee. She then began to tell the author about his birth. She had been born in a farming family in Mississippi. She had fallen in love with a handsome man, who was a good dancer. He was twenty-eight years old then. When she was pregnant, she had requested him to marry her. But he had gone away. An unmarried pregnant lady was not respected in Mississippi. So, she had gone to Memphis to have the baby. In this manner, the author was born.

The author felt, he was listening to his life history. He sympathized with his mother. His father had died three years ago of cancer. His mother then told him of how she kept in touch with him. She had a unique way of keeping track of him through her students. She would assume her students to be her son. When she comforted a child, she felt as if she were comforting the author. She tried to give to him by giving it to all her students. When she knew that the author would be in the third grade she applied for a transfer to that grade. By doing this, she felt that she was close to her son. But then she felt that she was becoming selfish. She wanted to forget him. She wanted to see him as a man. She was proud that he was now sitting in front of her. She asked him to forgive her. The author went and touched his mother. It was for the first time in thirty eight years that he was doing so.