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Urban Landscape and Political Violence in Anurag Kashyap’s Cinematic Narratives: A Foucauldian Perspective
Get PDFThis research examines the representation of political violence in Anurag Kashyap’s movies that are set in urban environments and the extents to which such portrayals are a mirror to society. We will first discuss what makes urban environments a haven for violent crimes and then, analyze the relations between the socio-physical determinants, power, and individual agency. By scrutinizing two of Anurag Kashyap’s films, renowned for their gritty urban realism, the study elucidates the ways in which these works articulate the contentious dynamics of political violence in India’s metropolises. Referring to the philosophical perspectives of Michel Foucault, we examine the dynamics of power in the politics of urban settings. This research uses Foucault’s ideas like power-knowledge, discourse, disciplinary bodies, and technology of the self to analyze how leaders use strategies and tactics that lead the youth to violence. The following analysis aims at understanding how, in addition to reflecting, Bollywood can actively contribute to building the perception of the urban turmoil, thereby understanding the role of cinema as a social mirror and critique. Overall, this research enriches the knowledge on violence and power relations and social control in urban environments and highlights the potential of cinema as a discursive tool for critique
Memory and Modernity: Exploring Urban Disillusionment and the Search for Meaning in Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway and Beyond
Get PDFModernist literature has left an indelible mark by delving into the profound impact of existential anxiety and disorientation that emerges when individuals find themselves ensnared in a web of disillusionment with no clear escape route. This exploration starkly delineates that alienation has been a consistent facet of human experience since the inception of modern capitalist ideas, particularly influencing minds and hearts in urban landscapes. Consequently, the examination of disillusionment remains pertinent in our contemporary society, where urban marginality, memory, and institutional influences continue to intricately shape our lives in complex and opaque ways. Against this backdrop, the present study, with the help of select text, Mrs. Dalloway (1925) written by Virginia Woolf, is an attempt to bring the alienation theme that offers the author’s views not just on a kind of “transformation” amplifying humans’ separation from the world but also on the troubles of the Modern Age. On the one hand, mirroring the fractured state of society and memories, where individuals are isolated and unable to communicate effectively symbolizes emotional emptiness, where characters or societies experience a lack of connection, meaning, or fulfilment. In other words, the present study can serve as a metaphor for the erosion of moral values, cultural decay, and the breakdown of social structures. On the other hand, it strives to provide women with the proper clues through their constant struggles and tireless resistance to have meaning in their lives
Challenges and Opportunities of Intercultural Communicative Competence at Tribhuvan University: A Phenomenological Study
Get PDFThis study delves on the issues of intercultural communicative competence specifically challenges and opportunities at Tribhuvan University. I attempted to address the importance of incorporating the components of intercultural communicative competence in school level and university curricula and the challenges and opportunities of incorporating intercultural communicative competence at school and university levels. Hermeneutic phenomenological research design was adopted to address the research questions of this study. Six participants (3 male and 3 female) were selected using purposive non-random sampling procedure as a sample for this study. The lived experiences of the participants were collected using semi-structured interview in this study. The findings of this study were consolidation of harmony and humanity, reducing violence and conflict through intercultural communicative competence, facilitating intercultural communication through English language, necessary of incorporating interculture communicative competence in school and university levels’ curricula, and lack of workshop, training and materials in intercultural communicative competence at Tribhuvan University. It is concluded that knowledge and awareness of intercultural communicative competence should be disseminated to all of teachers and students from school to university levels in Nepal through workshop, training and prescribing components of intercultural communicative components
A Pragma-stylistic Analysis of Two Poems by Wi’aam Mulla Salmaan
Get PDFThe present paper offers a pragma-stylistic study to two selected poems that express the theme of “yearning to Iraq” composed by the contemporary Iraqi poetess in exile: Wi’aam Mulla Salmaan, which express her individual experiences and emotions of loss due to the forced severing of her living in her native homeland. This has been done by exploring the ways in which pragmatic theories of speech acts, metaphorical flouting of Grice's maxims, and deixis can be stylistically applied to decoding the performative messages conveyed in the selected poetic texts. A second aim has been to see whether or not the stylistic qualitative and quantitative densities of such pragmatic features (or their absence) serve to pinpoint certain identifiable individual stylistic markers in these two poems. Data analysis has revealed that those pragmatic theories offer a valid and functional basis for unravelling poetic themes, emotions, attitude, and values expressed in the data. In addition, the regularities and irregularities in their use of particular speech acts, metaphorical implicatures, and deixis serve as markers of their individual styles. Thus, it has been found that the poetess singular use of commissive speech acts only at the close of each one of her two poems is one marker of her poetic style. Another individual stylistic marker of hers in the data is the overwhelming use of metaphors and personifications in contrast with her scarce use of similes. Also, the poetess’s yearning to Iraq renders the densities of the deixis that spell out this poet-visa-vie-homeland juxtaposition particularly high. Data analysis has also shown that the expressive and assertive speech acts may be not mutually exclusive in one and the same utterance, and that one utterance can spell out more than one speech act
Of Cowardice, Responsibility and Nationalism in Post-war Japan: Re-mapping the Postmodern Ex-centric in Kazuo Ishiguro’s An Artist of the Floating World
Get PDFThe ‘ex-centric’ is derived from ek, which means out, and kentron, which means centre. The term is Greek in origin and signifies not having the earth as its centre of an orbit. Since the 17th century, it has been used to describe behaviour that deviates from conventional accepted styles. This concept interrogates facts of one world — the status quo — the world as it is and recreates it based on the mini-narratives. This paper examines the spaces that legitimise discourses of difference, focusing on marginalised or ex-centric characters within dominant ideologies as portrayed in Kazuo Ishiguro’s An Artist of the Floating World (1986), set in post-war Japan. The paper critiques the shifting dynamics of centre-margin societal patterns vis-à-vis art and artists in post-war Japan. Art, as a mode of expression, illuminates societal values and encourages people globally, yet its definition changes over time as many critics come up with multiple perspectives. Art in past decades had different implications than current scenarios. This paper critically appropriates art and its relationship with the individual in the postmodern era, interrogating the concept of centre and margin. Additionally, it examines the role of artists during wartime, focusing on the portrayal of the Japanese Empire in contemporary paintings. Ultimately, the study examines how the concept of the center is defined, shaped, and perpetuated through philosophical, empirical, and ideological frameworks
Polyphonic Rhetoric in Organizational Change: Reconciling Divergent Voices in Risk Communication in Nepal
Get PDFOrganizational change often brings uncertainty and conflict, as stakeholders confront divergent perceptions and narratives about risks. This article explores the application of Mikhail Bakhtin’s concept of polyphonic rhetoric, rooted in the theory of dialogism, to reconcile these conflicting voices during organizational change. Focusing on the context of Nepal, the study examines how organizations manage risk communication during mergers and acquisitions, navigating the complexities of cultural, economic, and organizational diversity. Drawing on Stakeholder Theory, Sensemaking Theory, and Cultural Models of Communication, the article provides a conceptual framework for understanding how multiple voices are acknowledged and harmonized through polyphonic rhetoric. The research adopts a descriptive and conceptual methodology, utilizing secondary data from scholarly articles, journals, and reports to analyze the reconciliation of divergent perspectives. This study highlights the significance of dialogic approaches to risk communication in promoting organizational stability and fostering trust during transformative processes in Nepal's organizational landscape. When organizations fail to engage with these different voices, the risks of failure increase. However, when the polyphonic nature of these voices is recognized and addressed, it can turn potential conflicts into opportunities for improved collaboration, customer loyalty, and long-term sustainability. The findings indicate that the successful integration of organizations depends not only on technical and structural considerations but also on the effective communication and reconciliation of the diverse concerns from employees, customers, regulators, and other stakeholders
Language and Literature: A Reflection of Social Change
Get PDFThe terms social and society have been under a myriad of a definitions, perceptions, delineations and interpretations. A dictionary of sociology defines ‘society’ as: “A group of human beings cooperating in the pursuit of several of their major interests, invariably including self-maintenance and self-perpetuation” (Fairchild 300). The term social is explained as “having to do with the reciprocal relations of interacting human beings, either as individual or groups” (Fairchild 275). It is an all-comprehensive term concerned with man’s behavior, disposition and the mode in which he connects in society. Since no social interaction can take place without communication, every society must have a well- ordered language which can serve as a vehicle of expression. “Language is cardinal in rearing human young, in organizing human communities, in handing down the culture from generation to generation” (Whorf vi). It is not only a great force of socialization, a common speech but also serves as a potent symbol of social solidarity. It is a well- known fact that man has always belonged to a society of one kind or another and that without it he cannot exist. In the words of C.E.M. Joad, “Not only is man a being who only attains his real nature in society, he is a being who has always lived in some form or the other in society, even if his earliest society was only that of the family group” (36-37). As a well- known sociologist rightfully asserts: “That man has not only a ‘capacity’ for social life but also an intrinsic need of it, it is a self -obvious fact. Emotional development, intellectual maturity, the necessity of a certain amount of material goods and comforts for the full exercise of his liberty and progress in self-reflection, are unthinkable without society. No human being is known to have normally developed in isolation” (Gisbert 44). The natural social ingredient of which a man is an integral part is a well- established fact. Same is the case with literature which is fundamentally an expression of life through the medium of language. And since life in a large measure is a social reality, nothing absolute about life can be expressed that is unrelated to society. The writer or the poet is first and foremost a social being and happens to be in every way an intrinsic part or member of it. The very language and idioms, the turns of phrases and the figures of speech he employs draw their forces from the climate of the people among who he lives, imbibes and thrives. Further he is also a citizen and is bound to get involved in contemporary affairs, the socio-cultural flares which he or she imbibes and absorbs very naturally. In such a scenario he is bound to express views of social and political import. He not only gets influenced but also becomes a medium to influence the social temper of his age. Language, literature and society are therefore terms corelative, interrelated and interdependent. Furthermore, literature down the ages have been created in a society which is forever dynamic and vibrant subject to the flow of change. A study of such social change as reflected and evidenced in the language and literature of the region presents some significant facts about the society of that particular time. The reflection of society of that particular time should be of interest to not only to the linguists and scholars of literature but also to social scientists, sociologists, anthropologists, psychologists since language as the life line of human being concerns all. The present paper attempts to throw light on this socio-cultural aspect of language and literature by pontificating the changes they undergo related to the transformation taking place in society itself
The Impact of Integrating Critical Thinking into English Instruction on Pupil’s Academic Achievement
Get PDFCritical thinking does not mean challenging thinking that does not accept coexistence with others and starts from the “ego” and aims to obliterate the other thought, eliminate it, and replace it. Rather, critical thinking is constructive and calm thinking that recognizes and respects other thoughts and calls for research into different ideas to clarify and benefit them, to improve the existing situation and to increase their effectiveness to achieve the good for all. This paper reports impact of Critical Thinking in English Teaching on Students’ Achievement, the investigator selected an experimental design with two groups one experimental and the other control in order to verify. The researcher intentionally chose the Saqur Qurash school, a group of fifth-grade students in the city of Kut. It was three groups, as the total number of students reached (100) students. The research sample was chosen after they were distributed Randomly among three groups, two groups of (66) students were selected. The investigator prepared teaching plans for those topics, and teaches the two groups and then tested the pupils of the two groups at the end of the experiment. The paper concludes with a summary of the implications of the findings for the future of learning and teaching and recommendations relevant to advancing teaching for critical thinking with children
Nature and Imagination: Influence of the female poets of British Romanticism on the poetry of Rabindranath Tagore
Get PDFThis research article explores the profound influence of female poets from the British Romantic Canon, specifically Charlotte Smith (1749-1806) and Felicia Dorothea Hemans (1793-1835), on the poetic works of Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), focusing on their treatment of Nature and Imagination. While the Romantic Period traditionally emphasizes male poets, this study contends that the contributions of female Romantic poets are equally significant in shaping literary discourse. Tagore, a renowned figure in Bengali and world literature, was deeply influenced by the poetic themes and stylistic innovations of British Romanticism. Smith and Hemans, through their exploration of nature as a source of sublime beauty and spiritual inspiration, introduced Tagore to a poetic sensibility that transcended geographical and cultural boundaries. Their emphasis on the emotional and imaginative response to natural landscapes resonated profoundly with Tagore’s own philosophical and poetic outlook. This article employs a comparative analysis of selected works by Smith, Hemans, and Tagore to delineate the thematic and stylistic affinities between them. It examines how Tagore adapted and synthesized elements of Romantic poetics, particularly the celebration of nature’s evocative power and the privileging of individual emotion and intuition. Moreover, it investigates how Tagore, drawing from his exposure to British Romanticism through translations and critical engagements, incorporated these influences into his own literary oeuvre, thereby enriching the aesthetic and philosophical dimensions of his poetry. By reassessing the role of female Romantic poets in shaping Tagore’s poetic imagination, this study contributes to a broader understanding of cross-cultural literary exchanges and the transcultural dynamics of literary influence. It underscores the transformative impact of transnational literary connections in fostering innovation and diversity within literary traditions. Ultimately, this research elucidates the enduring relevance of the British Romantic Canon and its female voices in global literary landscapes, highlighting their lasting impact on Tagore’s literary legacy
Metropolitan Mosaics: A Study of Literary Representations of Children Amidst Urban Diversity
Get PDFUrban centers, often touted as melting pots of diversity, present a complex and dynamic backdrop where the voices and experiences of children are both moulded and reflected. This study explores how children’s multifaceted narratives in urban settings challenge preconceived notions of urban life and diversity. Utilizing Louis Wirth’s urban sociology, this research examines how urbanization influences social behaviour and community formation amidst historical and contemporary diversities. Furthermore, Cathy Caruth’s trauma theory elucidates the profound psychological impacts of Partition, revealing how trauma and memory shape the individual and collective identities of children. The childhood studies framework of Chris Jenks and Alan Prout highlights the active agency of children as they navigate these complex urban landscapes, transforming them into resilient actors. By analysing Ikramullah’s “Regret” and Amit Majumdar’s “Partitions”, this paper unveils the intricate tapestry of challenges children face during and after the Partition’s aftermath. The historic 1947 Partition emerged as a pivotal event that redefined urban landscapes and social boundaries, compelling children to contend with multifaceted forms of marginalization and division. This research provides a nuanced perspective on the enduring effects of historical trauma on the lives of children, offering insights into the long-term impacts on urban diversity and the continuous reshaping of urban identities.