Subodh Bhattarai (English & Communication Notes - BBA/BBS/BBBS/BHM/BIM/BMS/MBA/MBS & +2)

Marriage as a Social Institution   Stephen L. Nock Steven L. Nock was a sociology professor at the University of Virginia who researched marriage and family issues. He wrote books and articles about how American families have changed, including topics like privacy, fatherhood, cohabitation, and divorce. His book, Marriage in Men's Lives , won a major award for its impact on family research. In this essay, Nock discusses the national marriage debate, focusing on how social and demographic trends have changed marriage and family roles. He believes marriage and parenthood are private matters, relevant only to the individuals involved. He also highlights programs that have improved marriage stability, reduced divorce rates, decreased births outside of marriage, and promoted responsible fatherhood. Marriage is more than just a partnership between two people; it's a relationship defined by legal, moral, and societal norms. These norms create rules that shape how marriages work and ma...

  On Libraries   Oliver Sacks   Oliver Sacks' essay " On Libraries " is a heartfelt tribute to the importance of intellectual freedom, community, and the joy of discovering something unexpected. Sacks, a renowned neurologist and author, reflects on how libraries shaped his mind and spirit throughout his life. Sacks' essay is a heartfelt reflection on the irreplaceable value of libraries and books, both in his own life and in society at large. He argues that digital books, while convenient, cannot replicate the profound experience of handling and reading a physical book, nor can they replace the centuries of knowledge contained within traditional libraries. As a child, Sacks was drawn to his family's home library, a large, oak-paneled room filled with books. This room was a special place for him, where his father, a Hebrew scholar, kept his books, and where the works of Ibsen, poets of his father's generation, and adventure books belonging to his older brothers...

  The poem " Soft Storm " by Abhi Subedi reflects on the chaos and turmoil in Nepalese society while also expressing hope and compassion. Written in free verse, the poem blends natural and social imagery, with the speaker observing the city of Kathmandu at night. On the surface, it seems to describe a journey through the city's narrow streets, but it carries a deeper message about the indifference of people towards the suffering and poor conditions of others.  The poem is a complex interplay of contrasting images and emotions, where the poet grapples (hand-to-hand struggle) with the harsh realities of the world while maintaining a delicate sensitivity. The title itself is paradoxical. A storm is typically associated with violence and destruction, while soft evokes gentleness and tranquility. This juxtaposition mirrors the poet's internal conflict as he witnesses the world's harshness yet responds with empathy and compassion. The poet undergoes a transformation. H...

  IN-DEPTH SUMMARY: " The Awakening Age " by Ben Okri is a poem that reflects deep themes of unity, hope, and the potential for a brighter future despite past and present hardships. Okri, a celebrated poet and storyteller, often writes about the struggles of African people, but his message here extends globally, calling for solidarity (unity) among all humans. O ye who travel the meridian line,   May the vision of a new world within you shine. This line addresses people who journey along the meridian (being at the best stage of development) line, a symbolic reference to those who traverse different parts of the world or who experience various challenges in life. Okri wishes that these travellers carry within them a vision of a better world, a world filled with new possibilities and hope. May eyes that have lived with poverty's rage,   See through to the glory of the awakening age. Here, Okri speaks to those who have experienced the harsh realities of poverty and anger. H...

  SUMMARY: Julia de Burgos’ poem " I Was My Own Route " is a powerful expression of self-discovery and liberation, particularly from the constraints of a patriarchal society. This poem portrays a woman’s journey to find her true identity, free from the expectations imposed on her by men and societal norms. De Burgos, a trailblazer (explorer) for Latina/o writers, expresses how women are often expected to conform to traditional roles and behaviors dictated by men. However, the speaker in the poem chooses a different path—one of self-discovery and liberation. The title of the poem suggests a journey of self-determination and independence. It conveys the idea that the speaker has chosen her own path in life, rather than following the routes laid out by others—especially by a patriarchal society. The phrase "my own route" emphasizes autonomy and the act of carving out one's own identity and destiny, free from external control or expectations. The use of the past t...

  Born in Swansea, Wales, Dylan Thomas (1914-1953) is famous for his acutely lyrical and emotional poetry.   “ Every Morning I Wake ” is an extract from Under the Milk Wood . In this poem, Thomas prays to the magnificent God to have mercy on ordinary inhabitants living under the Milk Wood (a wooded area in the hills above a Welsh seaside village of Llaggerub in Dylan Thomas’ play Under Milk Wood). The poem captures a simple yet profound meditation on the fleeting nature of life, the struggle between good and evil within each of us, and the hope for divine compassion and protection. SUMMARY: Dylan Thomas’s poem “ Every Morning When I Wake ” is a deeply reflective and prayerful meditation on the human condition, mortality, and the quest for divine protection and mercy. Through simple yet profound language, Thomas explores the cycle of daily life, the precariousness (uncertainness) of existence, and the complexities of human nature. The poem’s structure, moving from morning to n...