ZENITH PUBLIC SCHOOL

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ENGLISH PROJECT (2024-25)

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 ZENITH PUBLIC SCHOOL
Affiliated to C.B.S.E. NEW DELHI, +2 Level
Affiliation No.: 330882

ENGLISH PROJECT (2024-25)

Submitted by : ANJALI BHAGAT(XII)

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Teacher’s Signature Principal’s Signature

 INDEX
1. THE BIOGRAPHY OF KAMLA DAS, AN INDIAN WRITER.
2. FAMOUS POET JOHN KEATS.
3. INDIGO
4. BRIEF INTRODUCTION (LOUIS FISCHER)
 THE BIOGRAPHY OF KAMLA DAS, AN INDIAN WRITER.
Introduction to the author:
‘An Introduction’ by Kamala Das passionately outlines her views on marriage,
sexuality, language, modern India and more.
'An Introduction' is undoubtedly one of Das' best and most famous poems.
First published in her 1965 debut collection, 'Summer in Calcutta', the poem
establishes many of the characteristics that would go on to define Das' poetic
career, including her use of the first person, and her treatment of seemingly
taboo subjects such as mental health and sexuality.
EARLY LIFE:
Kamala Das born on March 31, 1934 in Malabar, Kerala. Das is one of the best
known contemporary Indian Women Writers. Writing in two languages, English
and Malayalam, Das has authored many autobiographical works and novels.
Her upbringing in a conservative family deeply influenced her writing, as she
grappled with the constraints of literature and patriarchy.
WORKS OF KAMALA DAS:
Kamala Das’s poetry collections included: Summer in Calcutta (1965), The
Descendants (1967) The Old Playhouse, and Other Poems (1973). Alphabet of
Lust (1976) A Doll for the Child Prostitute(1977) and Padmavati the Harlot
(1992). Notable among her many Malayalam works were the short-story
collection Thanuppu (1967; “Cold”) and the memoir Balyakalasmaranakal
(1987; “Memories of Childhood”). Perhaps her best-known work was an
autobiography, which first appeared as a series of columns in the weekly
Malayalanadu, then in Malayalam as Ente Katha (1973), and finally in English
as My Story (1976).

LITERARY CAREER:
Das was noted for her many Malayalam short stories as well as many poems
written in English. ◦ She was also a syndicated columnist. ◦ She once claimed
that “poetry does not sell in this country (India)” but her forthright columns,
which sounded off on everything from women’s issues and child care to politics
were popular. ◦ Das first book of poetry, Summer in Calcutta was released with
fresh air in Indian English poetry. ◦ Her works are known for their originality,
Versatility and the indigenous flavour of the soil. ◦ She had also held positions
as vice chairperson in Kerala Sahitya Academy and in Kerala Forestry Board
President of the Children’s Film Society.
A PROLIFIC WRITER:
Das wrote more than 20 books. ◦ Her topics ranged from religion to politics to
the beauty secrets of Nair women. ◦ Several well received collections of poetry in
English, numerous volumes of short stories, and essays on a broad spectrum
of subjects. Since the publication of her first collection of poetry, “Summer In
Calcutta”(1965), Das has been considered an important voice of her generation,
exemplified by a break from the past by writing in a distinctly Indian Persona
rather than adopting the techniques of the English modernists ◦ Das
spontaneity often translated into whimsically and earned the ire of critics, but
it allowed her to explore the paradoxes of life and relationships with emotional
honesty.

AS A POET OF PROTEST:
Kamala is a poet of protest also. She rebels against the conventions, traditions
and accepted norms of society. Her protest is directed against injustices and
exploitation. She made her poetry a vehicle for the expression of her
resentments against male domination over women. In 'The Sunshine Cat' she
writes in a strong tone of protest: Being selfish And a coward, the husband who
neither loved nor Used her, but was a ruthless watcher........

My Mother at Sixty-Six:
The poem My Mother at Sixty-Six begins with a daughter observing her mother
closely as they begin their journey towards the Cochin airport. The author
paints a very vivid image of how the mother has aged and as she describes the
same, she also mentions the fear lurking in the mind of the daughter, the fear
of losing her mother. The author describes the mother’s face as whitish,
sleeping with an open mouth, which she says is almost comparable to a corpse.
The sudden realization pangs at the heart of the daughter and she chooses to
shift her attention by looking outside the window of the car. The scenery
outside provides an upliftment to the daughter’s mood. The huge trees with the
freshly sprinted green leaves, children playing cheerfully represented life,
energy and vigor. Here, we see that the narrator is drifted back to her own
childhood days where she remembers her mother as beautiful and young. This
is in sharp contrast to the present scenario and this makes the daughter’s
heart heavy.
As we read through the poem, we know that the daughter has reached the
airport, where she is saddened by the fact that she has to depart from her
mother. The author sees her mother in the backdrop of the dusky evening as
begins to bid farewell. Here, the narrator compares the mother’s smile to the
winters’ late-night moon. The poet has beautifully illustrated the sense by
comparing the image of the aging mother with the light of the moon being
obstructed by the haze and the fog. This metaphor is a representation of the
old age of the mother.
We then see that the pain of separation makes the daughter more vulnerable
as she is terrified of losing her mother unexpectedly. The daughter’s heart is
filled with emotions of grief and she is overwhelmed at the thought of
separating from her dear mother. However, we see that the daughter puts on a
brave face and quietly smiles. She keeps her hopes up of seeing her mother
and bids farewell to her mother with the words, “See You Soon, Amma”.
The narrator thus prevents the environment from getting too emotional and
painful. Also, she does not want to leave her mother teary-eyed. The author
says that the daughter wishes that her mother also lives her life fully and
happily.
To summarize, My Mother of Sixty-Six is a beautiful poem describing the
beautiful bond between a daughter and her mother. The key takeaway from the
summary of My Mother at Sixty-Six is that aging is a process that is bound to
happen inevitably. The journey of an individual starts in the womb of the
mother. As a child, a person is full of life and is energetic and gradually the
child becomes an adult. Eventually, the person moves towards his/her old age
and then embraces death. This is the cycle of life. The author of My Mother at
Sixty-Six does a great job of depicting how relationships between individuals
become more consolidated with age. The thought of losing someone dear and
close is unbearable and the author has beautifully depicted the same through
the words of her poem.
 FAMOUS POET JOHN KEATS.
Introduction
John Keats (October 31, 1795– February 23, 1821) was an English Romantic
poet of the second generation, alongside Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley.
He is best known for his odes—including "Ode to a Grecian Urn" and "Ode to a
Nightingale"—and his long-form poem Endymion. His usage of sensual imagery
and statements like “beauty is truth and truth is beauty” made him a
precursor of aestheticism.
Fast Facts: John Keats
• Known For: Romantic poet known for his search for perfection in poetry
and his use of vivid imagery. His poems are recognized as some of the
best in the English language.
• Born: October 31, 1795 in London, England
• Parents: Thomas Keats and Frances Jennings
• Died: February 23, 1821 in Rome, Italy
• Education: King's College, London
• Selected Works: “Sleep and Poetry” (1816), “Ode on a Grecian Urn”
(1819), “Ode to a Nightingale” (1819 ), “Hyperion” (1818-19), Endymion (1818)
• Notable Quote: "Beauty is truth, truth is beauty,'—that is all Ye know on
earth, and all ye need to know."
Childhood:
John Keats was born in London on October 31, 1795. Thomas Keats (a hostler
at the stables at the Swan and Hoop Inn, which he would later manage) and
Frances Jennings were his parents. John Keats had three younger siblings:
George, Thomas, and Frances Mary, known as Fanny. His father died in April
1804 in a horse riding accident, without leaving a will.
In 1803, Keats' parents sent him to John Clarke's school in Enfield, which was
close to his grandparents’ house and had a more progressive and modern
curriculum than in similar institutions. John Clarke fostered Keats' interest in
classical studies and history. Charles Cowden Clarke, the headmaster’s son,
became a mentor figure for Keats and introduced him to Renaissance writers
Torquato Tasso and Spenser, and the works of George Chapman. A
temperamental boy, young Keats was indolent and belligerent. But, starting at
age 13, he channeled his energies into pursuing academic excellence, to the
point that, in midsummer 1809, he won his first academic prize.
Keats' mother died of tuberculosis when he was 14, and Richard Abbey and
Jon Sandell were appointed as Keats' and his siblings' guardians. That same
year, Keats left John Clarke to become an apprentice to surgeon and
apothecary Thomas Hammond, the doctor for his mother’s side of the family.
Keats lived in the attic above Hammond’s practice until 1813.
Education :
Keats was receiving his education from Enfield academy when he became very
close with the headmaster, John Clarke, and his 15 year old son, Charles
Cowden Clarke. He earned the headmaster's approval by winning multiple
essay contests and by demonstrating his skill in Latin and French (“John
Keats”).

Keats’ Memorable Quotes:

• A thing of beauty is a joy forever; its loveliness increases; it will never
pass into nothingness.
• Beauty is truth, truth beauty that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need
to know.
• Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter.
• Nothing ever becomes real till it is experienced.
• The scenery is fine- but human nature is finer.
• My imagination is a monastery and I am its monk.
• The poetry of earth is never dead.
• Now more than ever seems it rich to die, To cease upon the midnight
with no pain.
• Now a soft kiss-Aye, by that kiss,I vow an endless bliss.
• I am certain of nothing but the holiness of heart's affections, and the
truth of imagination.
• Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art.
• Here lies one whose name was writ in water.
• Touch has a memory.
• Life is but a day; A fragile dew-drop on its perilous way From a tree’s
summit.
• I want a brighter word than bright.
• My love is selfish, I cannot breathe without you.
• Love is my religion- I could die for it.
• I have so much of you in my heart.
• If poetry comes not as naturally as the leaves to a tree it had better not
come at all.
• The excellence of every art is its intensity
A Thing of Beauty Summary in English
A Thing of Beauty is by the famous poet John Keats. Furthermore, the poet says
that a beautiful thing can give us extreme happiness and delight. Moreover, a
beautiful thing is eternal that never declines or fades. Also, a beautiful thing
resembles a shady shelter which gives us a comfortable sleep comprising of sweet
dreams and relaxation. This will ultimately lead to good health. The sight of lovely
and beautiful things will live on in our memories for the rest of our lives.
Thinking about them makes our bodies and minds healthier, as the ideas give us
serenity and mental calm.
The author says that individuals have an attachment to Earthly things. This
attachment is such that it has the resemblance of a flowery wreath. Furthermore,
there are traps that keep people connected to materialistic things. This
connection with materialistic things distracts humans from eternal happiness.
This is because the focus of such materialistic people will be on acquiring more
and more resources rather than on attaining eternal happiness. The world has a
lot of negativity, hatred, and greed. According to the poet, the cause of gloom
and sadness is this negativity. Moreover, one can fade away these negative vibes
away with the help of beautiful things that surround us. This is because these
beautiful things bring nothing but positivity. Man and nature are strongly
intertwined.
The beauty of nature is what keeps us connected to this planet.
Every morning, we select beautiful fresh flowers and make garlands.
They lift our spirits and make us forget about our problems for a while.
 INDIGO
Summary:
In the book Indigo, the author(Louis Fischer) describes a vital event in India’s
history, the first Civil Disobedience movement which started by Mahatma
Gandhi at Champaran in 1916. The problem which was faced by the
sharecroppers in Champaran was that all the tenants were forced to plant 15%
of their land with Indigo crops. This had been a long term contract between the
sharecroppers and the British planters/estate owners which had an adverse
effect on the sharecroppers and their families. Gandhi then launched what is
said to be the first instance of Satyagraha in India and the movement ended
with a victory as the English landlords were forced to return 25% of the money
which they had extorted from the sharecroppers.
Indigo is a story to glorify the struggle of Mahatma Gandhi against the
Britishers for the peasants of Champaran, Bihar. This war lasted a whole year
but didn’t come empty handed. Britishers agreed to meet the demands of the
peasants. Gandhi didn’t stop after the victory, he took social matters in his
hand. He helped them with education, personal hygiene, their health and
worked to build their self confidence. In the end, he taught the peasants a very
important lesson of self confidence and self sufficiency.

Theme Justification:
Let’s see how this theme is applicable to the chapter “Indigo”-
Gandhi’s leadership is shown through his efforts to help Champaran’s poor
peasants. He used non-violence, looked into their problems, and talked with
British landlords. This brought justice and better conditions for the farmers.
His actions inspired courage and independence among the people.
Mahatma Gandhi (born October 2, 1869, Porbandar, India—died January 30,
1948, Delhi) was an Indian lawyer, politician, social activist, and writer who
became the leader of the Indian Independence Movement against British rule.
As such, he came to be considered the father of his country. Gandhi is
internationally esteemed for his doctrine of nonviolent protest (satyagraha) to
achieve political and social progress.
In the eyes of millions of his fellow Indians, Gandhi was the Mahatma (“Great
Soul”). The unthinking adoration of the huge crowds that gathered to see him
all along the route of his tours made them a severe ordeal; he could hardly
work during the day or rest at night. “The woes of the Mahatmas,” he wrote,“are
known only to the Mahatmas.” His fame spread worldwide during his
lifetime and only increased after his death. The name Mahatma Gandhi is now
one of the most universally recognized on earth.
 BRIEF INTRODUCTION (LOUIS FISCHER)
Louis Fischer (1896-1970) was born in Philadelphia. He served as a volunteer
in the Army between 1918 and 1920, Fischer for European and Asian
publications. He was ale Ne of the Faculty at Princeton University. The
following is an excerpt from his book-The Mahatma Gandhi? The book has
been reviewed as one of the best books ever written on This extract highlights
the in peasants, who were sharecroppers, were exploited landlord system in
Bihar. The Chan who insisted on cultivation of indigo on fifteen per cent land
and made them surrender the from the sharecroppers to pay them
compensation for being released from the agree arrangement. Gandhi took up
the cause of the poor peasants. He secured justice for through convincing
arguments and negotiations. SUMMARY IN ENGLISH presenter. December
1916 Gandhi went to Lucknow to attend the annual convention of the national
Congress. There were 2,301 delegates and many visitors. A peasant from Cha
ajkumar Shula, asked Gandhi to visit his district. Shula followed Gandhi, whey
int. In 1917, Gandhi and Shula boarded a train for Patna. Shukla led Gandhi
to t a lawyer named Rajendra Prasad. They could not see him as he was out of
town. Gandhi decided to go first to Muzaffarpur to obtain complete information
about the c Champaran. He reached Muzaffarpur by train at midnight on 15
April 1917. Prof riplani, received him at the station. Gandhi stayed there for
two days. The news of rival and the nature of his mission spread quickly
through Muzaffarpur and to Ch: narecroppers from Champaran began arriving
there. Muzaffarpur lawyers brief out the court cases. He chided the lawyers for
collecting big fees from the sharecro ought that lawcourts were useless for the
crushed and fear-stricken peasants. The them was to be free from fear. Then
Gandhi arrived in Champaran. He began by trying to get the facts from the the
British landlords' association. He refused to give information to an outsider. 'G.
at he was not an outsider. Next, Gandhi called on the British official
commission hut division. The commissioner started bullying Gandhi and
advised him to lea stead of leaving the area, Gandhi went to Motihari, the
Capital of Champaran. Sever companies him. A large crowd of people greeted
Gandhi at the railway station. ginning of their liberation from fear of the
British. A peasant had been maltreated in a nearby village. The next morning
Gandhi the back of an elephant. Soon he was stopped by the police
superintendent's mes leered to return to town in his carriage. Gandhi
complied. The messenger drove Ga en he served him with an official notice to
quit Champaran at once. Gandhi signed the notice and wrote on it that he
would disobey the order. Gandhi received as ear in court the next day. At night
Gandhi telegraphed Rajendra Prasad, sent i he ashram and wired a full report
to the Viceroy.
A paragraph on 'Peasants of Champaran were oppressed by
European planners.
When the indigo production collapsed in Bengal, the European planters of
Indigo shifted their operations to Bihar. The farmers of Champaran, a village in
Bihar, were forced to grow indigo by the European planters instead of the food
crops which were necessary for their survival. The European planters were
destroying the productivity of the land which was the main reason for the
protest. Mahatma Gandhi was invited by some of the peasants to look after
their misery. Gandhiji accepted an invitation and started a mass movement
after seeing the plight of the indigo cultivators.
Mahatma Gandhi’s role in Champaran movement:
i) Mahatma Gandhi’s visit in 1917 marked the beginning of the Champaran
movement against the indigo planters.
ii) The European planter oppressed the peasants. Gandhiji witnessed the
miserable conditions of the peasants.
iii) Gandhiji established an ashram here and handpicked lawyers like Dr.
Rajendra Prasad to work for the betterment of the villages.
iv) He started a peaceful and non- violent movement.
v) The district officials ordered him to leave Champaran but he refused to
comply with the orders and started the Satyagraha movement.
vi) As a result, Gandhiji was arrested but he did not leave champaran.
vii) Finally, a law was passed to protect the farmers from the indigo planters.
Note: Indigo is a deep and rich color close to the color wheel blue, as well as to
some variants of Ultramarine, based on the ancient dye. The word indigo comes
from the Latin for “Indian”, as the dye was originally imported to Europe from
India.