Bhargav

The Waste Land: A Pandemic Perspective This blog is part of a unique Thinking Activity designed by Dr. Dilip Barad, centered on the Flipped Class Activity   to The Waste Land . By analyzing T.S. Eliot's iconic poem through the lens of pandemics and the concept of "viral modernism," this activity uncovers profound reflections on personal and collective trauma, cultural memory, and human resilience. Introduction T.S. Eliot's Waste Land is an exemplary poem and a staple subject of post-World War I disillusionment; however, with Elizabeth Outka's new concept, "viral modernism," a new prism for reading this poem as one reflecting the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918 has emerged. Pandemics shape lives in unique, often unspoken ways. Their personal battles and cultural erasure echo through the broken lines, vivid imagery, and death and isolation of Eliot's poem.  Video 1: Pandemics and Cultural Memory in The Waste Land Summary The first video examines how The W...

  Exploring War, Politics, and Disintegration in Yeats’s Poetry and Modern Interpretations Poetry often holds a mirror to the human condition, offering deep reflections on personal, social, and global experiences. When dealing with the subjects of war, politics, and societal turmoil, poets like W.B. Yeats, Wilfred Owen, and Siegfried Sassoon use their craft to provoke thought and stir emotions. This blog delves into Yeats’s views on war poetry, comparing his treatment with that of Owen and Sassoon, creates a modern poem inspired by Yeats's themes, reflects on his stance on apolitical poetry, and analyzes how he uses imagery to convey a sense of disintegration in “The Second Coming.” 1. Comparing the Treatment of War in On Being Asked for a War Poem with Other War Poems by Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon W.B. Yeats’s poem On Being Asked for a War Poem reflects his stance on the futility of war poetry, in contrast to poets like Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon, who wrote direc...

Exploring Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West Through Film Introduction Films about historical figures often tread a fine line between artistic interpretation and factual accuracy. The portrayal of Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West’s relationship in cinema is no exception. Their connection, rich with emotional complexity and intellectual stimulation, serves as fertile ground for filmmakers. This blog explores four key aspects related to the depiction of their relationship: the role of letters as a narrative device, perspectives on marriage and societal expectations, the sincerity in portraying Woolf’s depressive state, and the portrayal of the Woolf-Sackville-West relationship. 1. The Role of Letters as a Narrative Tool The letters exchanged between Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West form a critical element of their story. In the film, these letters serve not only as a medium of communication but also as a narrative tool that advances the plot, reveals character depth, and ...

  1. THE BREAD OF THE PEOPLE  (Bertolt Brecht) Justice is the bread of the people Sometimes is plentiful, sometimes it is scarce Sometimes it tastes good, sometimes it tastes bad. When the bread is scarce, there is hunger. When the bread is bad, there is discontent. Throw away the bad justice Baked without love, kneaded without knowledge! Justice without flavour, with a grey crust The stale justice which comes too late! If the bread is good and plentiful The rest of the meal can be excused. One cannot have plenty of everything all at once. Nourished by the bread of justice The work can be achieved From which plenty comes. As daily bread is necessary So is daily justice. It is even necessary several times a day. From morning till night, at work, enjoying oneself. At work which is an enjoyment. In hard times and in happy times The people requires the plentiful, wholesome Daily bread of justice. Since the bread of justice, then, is so important Who, friends, shall bake it? Who ba...