LIFE AND LITERATURE

                                                                         MUMU                                     -IVAN TURGENEV      On one of the remote streets of Moscow in a gray house with white columns lived a widowed lady, surrounded by numerous servants. Among her servants, the janitor Gerasim, who was deaf and dumb from birth, stood out. He was gifted with an extraordinary, heroic force, he worked for four, and any case “bickered in his hands.” Once the lady brought Gerasim from the village. At first he yearned for his native places, but soon got used to city life. Yard people respected and were afraid of Gerasim. The man lived in a private room reserved for him over the kitchen, which he arranged in his own way and always locked it.      A year later, the old lady decided to marry the bitter drunkard of Capito on the laundress Tatiana, hoping that the marriage could fix it.  Tatyana was the girl of an unfortunate fate, she had worked very hard for pennies since the earl

  GOD’S CAN DIE                                                          - EDWIN THUMBOO              The poems title gods can die Thumboo explains that the term ‘gods’ refers to humanistic impulses, the goodness in man. He writes, ‘I believe that ultimately man makes and unmakes his destiny, depending on which side of him prevails’ (Nazareth in Ariels: Departure and Returns.             The poet observes the character of politicians and reflect their behavioural change. He point out two realities power and friendship. The poet refers the word GOD as goodness in man or moral activities. The poet makes it clear through his poem that friendship and politician are two different things. An individual become a changed man after acquiring power.             He devotes more time to serve for his country than for the betterment of the country and his people. His friendly may misunderstand him for his change in attitude but he never cares for the friends circle. He works for a particula

  THE VEIL                                                          -ISMAT CHUGHTAI                       The Veil is a short story that describes the tragic fate of an eighty year old virgin Gorbi. The story deals with pride and arrogance that portray the superficiality of traditions and customs and the false pride that governs the lives of the protagonist Kale Mian and Gorbi over a span of thirty years. The simple story expresses deep sorrow. The story The Veil written by Ismatchughtai is translated by Tahira Naqvi             The Veil also known as “lihaaf” is written by Ismatchughtai who was considered a controversial writer at the time. The story is about a woman who lives in an oppressive society and is married through obligation. Her husband neglects her and she is caged within the four walls of the house.             Gorbi is fair complexioned. At the age of fourteen she is engaged to Kale Mian a seventeen year old dark complexioned bride groom. According to their tr