Prakruti Bhatt's Assignments

Is it ever possible to atone one's crimes?; especially when it is the matter of crimes committed during a war. This question seems to be at the center of this one-act play by Margaret Atwood, which discusses it in the context of the Second World War; particularly the Nazi holocaust of Germany, and its aftermath. Click here to read the summary and central themes of the play Atwood has tried to provide various perspectives towards the same event in an insightful way. Whether it is the character of Dr Krauss or that of Otto, the relation of the victim and the oppressor is drawn very tactfully by the playwright. The title of the play also adds on to the plot construction. The Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year in Judaism, and Jewish people observe this day in intensive prayer and fasting, in order to repent for one's sins. Some of the questions which remain at the end of the reading is: How far is it justifiable to forgive Dr Krauss' sins? And ...

W.W Jacobs is a popular short story writer and novelist. Jacobs first collection of short stories, titled Many Cargoes was an immediate success followed by a novelette titled The Skipper's Wooing and another collection of short stories Sea Urchins. However, Jacobs' most popular work is The Monkey's Paw published in The Lady of the Barge in 1902. The short story revolves around the consequences of meddling with fate. The Monkey's Paw of the title is introduced to the White family by Sergeant-Major Morris, a friend who served in the British Army in India. The story thus also becomes an interesting study of colonial sensibilities. According to Morris the paw grants the wishes of the possessor. How the wishes of the White family are granted, thus, forms central part of the narrative. The story reminds us that unintended consequences often accompany the best intentions. Click here to read the detailed summary