New Ideas

  THE MERITS AND DEMERITS OF STRUCTURALISM AND POST-STRUCTURALISM AS CRITICAL CONCEPTS ACCORDING TO TERRY EAGLETON According to Mary Klages in his work  Literary Theory: A guide for the perplexed,  Structuralism is a way of thinking that words to find the fundamental basic units or elements of which anything is made. Structuralism appears in a variety of fields, including anthropology, linguistics, mathematics, and literary and cultural criticism. Pramod k. Nayar also pointed out in his work  Contemporary Literary Theory and Cultural Theory: From Structuralism to Ecocriticism  that structuralism looks at the relationship between the various elements within the self-contained, well-organized structure of a text in order to understand the ways by which the text produces meaning. It focuses on the form of a text by looking at elements like voice, character, setting, and their combination.              ...

### Chapters 1. **A Triumph of Surgery** by James Herriot    This story is about Mrs. Pumphrey and her over-pampered dog, Tricki. Tricki, a small dog, becomes obese and ill due to Mrs. Pumphrey's excessive feeding and pampering. When Tricki's condition worsens, she calls Mr. Herriot, a veterinarian, for help. Mr. Herriot decides to take Tricki to his clinic, recognizing that the dog needs a controlled environment away from Mrs. Pumphrey's overindulgence. At the clinic, Tricki is placed on a strict diet and given plenty of exercise, eventually recovering and regaining his health. Mrs. Pumphrey is overjoyed when Tricki returns home, healthier and more active. The story highlights the importance of moderation in caring for pets and the detrimental effects of excessive pampering. It also underscores the expertise of veterinarians in handling such situations and the significance of a balanced lifestyle for animals. 2. **The Thief’s Story** by Ruskin Bond    The story revo...

### Chapters 1. **A Letter to God** by G.L. Fuentes    Lencho, a poor farmer, faces devastation when his crops are destroyed by a severe hailstorm. Desperate and deeply religious, he writes a letter to God, pleading for 100 pesos to plant new crops and sustain his family. The letter is addressed simply to "God," but it reaches the local post office. Amused at first, the postmaster is moved by Lencho's unwavering faith. He decides to help, collecting money from his colleagues. They gather only 70 pesos, which the postmaster places in an envelope with a note signed “God.” Lencho receives the money and is initially happy but soon becomes angry, believing that God sent the full amount, and the post office employees stole the rest. He writes another letter to God, asking not to send the money through the postal service because they are "a bunch of crooks." This story highlights Lencho’s innocent faith and trust in divine intervention while ironically showcasing his m...

### Chapter Summaries of "Moments" Class 9 NCERT Book #### 1. **The Lost Child** "The Lost Child" by Mulk Raj Anand is a touching story about a little boy who goes to a village fair with his parents. The boy is fascinated by the vibrant fair, eagerly expressing his desires for toys, sweets, and balloons. However, each time he asks for something, his parents distract him with another spectacle. As they move through the fair, the child is enchanted by a roundabout swing and, in his excitement, gets separated from his parents. Panic-stricken, he searches for them frantically, his previous desires for the fair's attractions vanishing. In his desperation, he cries out for his parents, attracting the attention of a kind-hearted stranger. The stranger tries to comfort him by offering him the very things he previously longed for—balloons, sweets, and the roundabout ride—but the child only wants his parents. The story poignantly highlights the bond between parents and ch...

 ### Prose Summaries #### 1. **The Fun They Had** In this futuristic tale by Isaac Asimov, education is highly mechanized, with robotic teachers and virtual classrooms. Margie and Tommy, two children living in this era, discover a printed book from the 20th century, sparking their curiosity about how schools used to be. Margie is particularly intrigued by the idea of human teachers who could interact with students, answer their questions directly, and understand their individual needs. This contrasts sharply with her experiences with the impersonal, mechanical teacher. Margie’s mechanical teacher is strict and monotonous, causing her to yearn for the lively and interactive school life described in the old book. The story concludes with Margie reflecting on the joys of the past educational system, appreciating the human connection and personal attention that it fostered. This story serves as a critique of over-reliance on technology in education and emphasizes the irreplaceable valu...