Shanlax International Journal of English

Patriarchal Ideologies and Traditional Gender Roles in William Shakespeare’s Play The Tempest

2024-08-31T12:04:53+00:00

The paper delves into William Shakespeare’s portrayal of patriarchy, gender inequality, and the subjugation of women in his play The Tempest which promotes patriarchal ideologies to a great extent. It attempts to highlight the traditional patriarchal norms evident through Prospero’s exertion of control over his daughter, Miranda. It also investigates why the best attributes of women of the Elizabethan period are their physical beauty, chastity and obedience. The study again examines the illustration of women as ‘the other’ and objects of male gaze and lustful desire as well as pawns for men in terms of attaining personal ambitions and objectives. It tries to explore the commodification of women, their lack of agency, their silence, vulnerability and their passive existence owing to male supremacy, societal expectations, and patriarchal views. Grounded in the theory of feminism, this qualitative research aims to achieve its intended objectives. The primary data for this study is sourced from William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest and is further supplemented by additional information obtained from reliable secondary sources.

Conceptual Metaphor Analysis of the Word Aram (Virtue) in Thirukkural

2024-08-31T12:04:53+00:00

The term ‘aram’ is derived from the verb ‘aṟu’ and has subsequently evolved into ‘aṟam’. This word has various meanings, such as cut-through, create a path, and differentiate. Nevertheless, it is difficult to precisely determine the exact definition of ‘aṟam’. Hence, this study is undertaken for two main purposes. The primary goal is to categorise the metaphors associated with the term ‘aṟam’ in Thirukkural using the Conceptual Metaphor Theory. The second goal is to describe these metaphors by a comprehensive descriptive analysis. This study employs a qualitative research methodology. The data in this study was analysed using Lakoff & Johnson’s (2003) Conceptual Metaphor Theory. A total of 1,330 kuṟaḷs from Thirukkural were utilised as data sources to categorise the metaphors associated with the term aṟam. The analysis determined that the term aṟam contains a total of 49 metaphors. Out of them, 30 metaphors (59%) are classified as structural metaphors, 16 metaphors (31%) are categorised as orientational metaphors, and 5 metaphors (10%) fall under the ontological category. To summarise, considering these three classifications of metaphors, it is evident that all of them are inherently interconnected with the notion of love.

Exploring Emojis in Digital Communication among Bangladeshi Undergraduates: Private University Scenario

2024-09-05T03:41:28+00:00

This study examines the perceptions and use of emojis in digital communication among English majors in private in Bangladesh. There has been limited study on Bangladeshi private university students regarding emoji usage. This study thus investigates the impact of emojis on the development of language and communication norms, employing socio-linguistic principles and theories of digital communication. The research collected data from a cohort of one hundred and thirty-three undergraduate students attending three private universities in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The data was obtained through a quantitative methodology that involved the use of questionnaires and qualitative interviews. The results indicate a more profound comprehension of emoji interpretation and usage within the cultural and educational contexts of Bangladesh. The study contributes to sociolinguistics and digital communication studies, offering practical implications for educators, policymakers, and communication professionals in Bangladesh and beyond.

Exploring Sexual Perversion in Thomas Stearns Eliot’s Poem The Waste Land

2024-08-31T12:04:53+00:00

The Waste Land, which is an eminent poem by Thomas Stearns Eliot, stands as a foundation of modernist literature. This poem is renowned for its intricate layers and profound thematic complexities. The prime aim of this article is to explore sexual perversion within the poem. The author went throughbooks, and journal articles for the secondary data to make a comprehensive review concerning the poem and sexual perversion. The critical analysis of the previously published materials was done by maintaining the sexual perversion as a prominent theme of the poem. Phrases and verse lines which hint at the case of sexual perversion were extracted from the poem and they were critically analyzed as the primary data. The critical analysis was based on Georges Bataille’s, French writer, theory of eroticism which specifically addresses sexual perversion as a deviated physical relationship between a man and a woman, disregarding contemporary social values and norms. By situating these depictions within the historical and cultural context, the article concludes Eliot’s treatment of sexual perversion as a critique of contemporary moral decay and social degradation. The implication of this article lies in its critical examination of the poem’s portrayal of sexual deviancy as a metaphor for the spiritual and cultural disintegration of modern civilization.

Carnivalesque and Grotesque Realism: Stage as Carnival Space in Mahesh Dattani’s Brief Candle

2024-08-31T12:04:53+00:00

The present research paper aims to analyze the play Brief Candle using Mikhail Bakhtin’s concepts of ‘Carnivalesque’ and ‘Grotesque.’ The researchers argue that the play has ‘Carnival Space,’ where the reality is subverted momentarily through the metadrama. Moreover, the researchers use grotesque ideas to focus on the exhibition of gross bodily elements that happen because of medical treatment. The object of abhorrence is masked by disfiguration and roleplay. Drawing on Mikhail Bakhtin’s work, Rabelais and His World, the paper attempts to delineate various characteristics of Carnivalesque with instances from the text. The researcher also argues that the play creates a carnival space by adopting the subversions and other characteristics of Bakhtin’s concepts.

Trends in Modern Malayalam Literature: A Renaissance in the Making

2024-09-07T13:07:55+00:00

A notable revival is taking place in Malayalam literature, as seen by the unexpected success of ‘Ram c/o Anandhi’ by Akhil P Dharmarajan. This comeback can be attributed to several things, such as the influence of social media, changing reader demographics, improvements in printing technology, and a return of interest in a wide range of literary genres. Social media has developed into an effective tool for book promotion, enabling writers to swiftly connect with a large audience. A portion of the reason for Akhil P Dharmarajan’s success is the widespread social media activity around his book, where users are making reels and shorts that increase the book’s exposure. In a similar vein, Nimna Vijay and Joseph Annamkutty Jose have used their social media followings to increase book sales by converting indifferent readers into ardent advocates. The publishing sector has seen a radical transformation thanks to technological developments in printing, especially print-on-demand technologies. Publishers may now more effectively address the urgent demand
from readers by lowering expenses and financial risks thanks to this innovation. This has been essential in allowing for the increase in book sales. Diverse genres are gaining popularity once more. A rising interest in crime thrillers and autobiographies has counterbalanced the fall in the market for pornographic books. Reprints of classic works are being released, and new writers are finding willing readers for their stories. All these signs point to a bright future for Malayalam writing. The convergence of contemporary marketing tactics, technology developments, and the interest of a lively new readership suggests a robust and long-lasting literary renaissance. Using a qualitative methodology, this study looks at reader demographics, sales data, social media trends, and case studies of prominent Malayalam writers. Authors and publishers were interviewed by various media, as part of the data collection process these interviews were analysed, and sales records and social media analytics were also analysed.

A Life’s Vision and Its Transformation in Feministic Impulsions in Adeline Virgina Woolf

2024-09-07T13:10:43+00:00

Virginia Woolf, the third child of Sir Leslie Stephen, was a prominent critic and historian, but suffered from severe illness, even going into a coma, during a period of significant historical, political, and social change. Her work, a literary achievement, focuses on the thoughts and feelings of her characters, Vanessa, Thoby, Virginia, and Adrian, who relocate to London’s 46 Gordon Square. Her internal monologue captures life’s singularity, making it intriguing and personal. In 1906, after Thoby’s death, she felt devastated and lost her sister Vanessa’s engagement to Clive Bell. Despite Leonard’s advice to see a doctor, she refused, stating she could withstand another attack. Understanding her interest in women’s concerns is crucial before exploring her major contributions to feminism. Since her early years, she has held a profound and undefined dislike
for the way men treat women famous for her modernist writings, she was an English novelist who tragically abandoned her in 1941 from mental illness and despondency. Her death serves as a reminder of the transient nature of human awareness and the profound challenges that even brilliant minds may face. Despite her tragic death, her innovative books and essays continue to inspire readers and authors worldwide, remaining a testament to her legacy.