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B.Com. III- Compulsory English
1. My First Case
-Mahatma Gandhi
How did Gandhiji familiarize himself with different Indian laws?
Answer: When Gandhiji returned to India from England after completing his law degree, he lived in Bombay and
tried to familiarize himself with Indian laws. He wanted to practice in the Indian courts and hence this was
necessary for him. He found the study of Indian laws, a tedious affair. He really struggled with the Civil
Procedure Code but got on rather well with the evidence act. He developed some liking for the Evidence Act and
also read Mayne’s Hindu Law with deep interest. His friend Virchand Gandhi used to tell him all sorts of stories
about the stalwarts in the field of law in India. Gandhiji used to be awed by hearing these stories.
He thus familiarized himself with the Indian laws. However, even after a considerable effort, he could not gather
courage to conduct a case and found himself helpless beyond words.
What happened when Gandhiji appeared for his first case in the court?
Answer: ‘My First Case’ is an extract from Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiography ‘The Story of My Experiments with
Truth’. It narrates Gandhiji’s struggle as a newcomer in the field of law.
After coming from England, Gandhiji lived in Bombay looking for briefs as a young lawyer. As a matter of
principal, he denied to pay commission to agents for getting briefs. So he got his first case rather late. It was a
case of a lady called Mamibai and was quite a simple matter expected to last no longer than a day. The case was
heard in Small Cause court where Gandhiji made his debut as a lawyer. As a lawyer of the defendant, he had to
cross-examine the plaintiff’s witness. But as soon as he stood up, he became nervous and lost his courage. He
was reeling and thought as if the whole court was reeling as well. He could not think of any question to ask. He
sat down and told the agent that he was unable to conduct the case and returned the fee.
He felt very shy and went away quickly from the court thinking that the judge and other lawyers must have
laughed at him. He then decided not to take up cases till he had gathered enough courage to conduct them.
Thus, Gandhiji’s first case was a disappointing matter for him.
2. Globalization
-Joseph Stiglitz
How does Joseph Stiglitz assess the salient features and the effects of Globalization?
Joseph Stiglitz, the renowned economist, opens the discussion on Globalization by asking why Globalization
which has done so much good, become controversial. He then goes on to enumerate some merits of
globalization. First of all, opening up to international trade has helped many poor and developing countries
prosper due to the creation of jobs and due to export-led growth. Globalization has also reduced the sense of
isolation among nations and made the world a global village. Foreign aid and debts from international financial
institutions like the World Bank and IMO has brought unimagined benefits to many poor and developing
countries. These benefits range from the rehabilitation of rebels to checking the spread of fatal diseases like
AIDS.
However, Globalization has a dark side too. First and foremost, it has not been able to bridge the growing divide
between the rich and the poor. On the contrary, this rift has only widened during globalization. It has also been
unable to reduce poverty and ensure stability. Globalization could not bring promised results in Russia and other
countries who adopted the development model of the West. Western countries have been hypocritical in asking
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other countries to remove the trade barriers while they themselves had these barriers intact. Moreover, the
West, says Stiglitz, is also guilty of garnering disproportionate share of the benefits of globalization. All these
things have led to wide protests against globalization and the international institutions that promote it.
At the end, Stiglitz argues that only the creation of their own development models by the poor and developing
countries can help them rather than the Western models of development.
List the benefits of foreign aid that Stiglitz acknowledges.
In his essay ‘Globalization’, the renowned economist Joseph Stiglitz weighs the pros and cons of Globalization.
Foreign aid has been a distinctive feature of Globalization which has helped in bringing about positive changes in
the developing world. Debts from the developed countries and the international financial institutions like the
World Bank, IMF and UNCTAD have helped many poor and underdeveloped countries reap rich benefits.
Foreign aid has brought unimagined benefits to many poor and developing countries. These benefits range from
the rehabilitation of rebels to checking the spread of fatal diseases like AIDS.
In Philippines, for example, jobs provided by World Bank financed projects have helped rehabilitate the guerillas.
In other countries irrigation projects have more than doubled the income of farmers who could get water.
Similarly, education projects have led to rise in literacy in the rural areas and in quite a few countries, AIDS
projects have helped check the spread of this deadly disease.
Thus foreign aid had brought unprecedented benefits to the poor and developing countries.
3. The Function of Education
-J. Krishnamurti
What, according to J. Krishnamurti, is the function of education?
J. Krishnamurti, in his essay on the Function of Education, raises the crucial question of what education really is
and what the true function of education is.
He begins by asking us why we go to schools and colleges and universities and why we take education. He asks
us to reflect on the true meaning and function of education. He asks us whether the function of education is to
get a degree and secure a job or to learn to understand the whole process of life. Life is something much bigger
than just a job or getting married or something like that. Life is very beautiful. Education is meaningless unless it
enables you to understand the vast expanse of life. Education must enable us to cultivate intelligence necessary
for this in us. But to be intelligent, we must be fearless and to be fearless, we must be free from ambition which
breeds fear and anxiety.
To be fearless and to be able to appreciate the beauty of life, one must revolt against the present rotten society,
revolt against everything organized.
Thus, the function of education is to make one truly fearless, intelligent and able to discover the beauty and
richness of life.
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4. Popular Superstitions
-Joseph Addison
Sum up Joseph Addison’s views on popular superstitions.
Joseph Addison, in his essay ‘Popular Superstitions ’, gives an interesting account of some superstitions prevalent
in the society and how they affect our lives.
Addison begins with an anecdote where he went to dine with a family and spilt salt which was taken as a bad
omen by the hostess. Confused author made some more mistakes which made the hostess even more nervous.
Addison left the place at the earliest and this incident made him think on the issue of superstitions.
He recounts how very small things are interpreted as bad omens and become cause of unnecessary concern for
the people. From the shooting of a star to the screech of an owl or the voice of a cricket, there are hundreds of
things which are taken as bad omen and make living a hell. Addison gives us a funny example of a lady who used
to predict others’ fortunes but got afraid when a dog howled in stable.
To sum up, Addison gives us a way of fortifying ourselves against superstitions and that way is to surrender
ourselves and secure the friendship and protection of that Diving Being who disposes of events and governs
futurity. When one has the complete faith in God and assigns oneself to His care and protection and seeks His
help, one can remain free from the fear of superstitions.
5. What I Required from Life
-J. B. S. Haldane
What does J.B.S. Haldane require from life?
In the essay ‘What I Require from Life’, J.B.S. Haldane lists his requirements and expectations from life.
Haldane begins by saying that he must make the best of the time in which he lives. First and foremost, he wants
work and a fair wage for his work apart from the fulfillment of basic human needs. He wants the kind of work of
which he can see the fruits. He wants to be free to choose his own work which he enjoys and considers himself
lucky for being so. Freedom is the second requirement which Haldane craves for. He wants freedom of speech in
particular.
Haldane wants good health and does not mind an odd episode of short illness. Friendship is the next thing that
Haldane desires for himself. He wants to be in a company of equals whom he can criticize and be criticized by
them.
Apart from these four general human needs, Haldane has some specific requirements for himself like some
meaningful adventure. He does not insist but would like to have a room filled with books, a motor car, good
tobacco and daily bath. In addition to these he says that he would love to have a garden and a bathing pool in or
around his house.
He wants to see all the men and women of this world happy, healthy and at work. He wants to see that they
should have good medical aids. Haldane wants to see the end of class and gender inequality. He is a socialist and
hence wants to see socialism in most of Europe. To sum up, he desires a decent and dignified death.
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6. The Doctor’s Word
-R. K. Narayan
Discuss the significance of the title ‘The Doctor’s Word’
OR
Describe how Dr. Raman saved Gopal’s life
R. K. Narayn’s short story ‘The Doctor’s Word’ is about the importance of faith and words of encouragement as
greater healers than the medicine itself.
Dr. Raman and Gopal are childhood friends. Dr. Raman is a successful physician who is known for giving
straightforward and blunt opinions when a patient was critical. As a matter of principal, Dr. Raman never minced
words and told truth to the patients and/ or their relatives about the patient’s condition. When he did not see
any hope, he would tell this openly to them but if he saw even the slightest chance, he used to give everything
he had to save the patient. He believed that agreeable words never saved lives.
Once, Gopal, Dr. Raman’s bosom friend, falls critically ill and Dr. Raman gets the news after one and half month.
He sees Gopal in a critical condition and starts treatment immediately. He even performs a surgery on him. Dr.
Raman is not sure about Gopal’s chances of survival and when Gopal asks him to tell the truth as it was a must
for him to secure the future of his family by signing the will, Dr. Raman finds himself in a dilemma in which he
had seen so many people. If he advised Gopal to sign the will, it will ruin the slightest chance of Gopal’s survival
and if he didn’t, the future of Gopal’s family was at stake.
For the first time in his life, after a lot of contemplation, Dr. Raman decided to part with his usual practice and he
assures Gopal that he (Gopal) would definitely survive. Given the tremendous faith that Gopal has in Dr. Raman,
his spirits are lifted and he survives.
Thus a word of encouragement from Dr. Raman and Gopal’s great faith in his doctor friend proves the ultimate
healer for Gopal. This proves that Dr. Raman was wrong in thinking that agreeable words do not save lives. They
do. Hence the title ‘The Doctor’s Word’.
7. Of Travel
-Francis Bacon
How, according to Bacon, should one behave while travelling to a foreign country? OR
What are the matters that Bacon wants a traveler to do and not to do?
Francis Bacon, the father of English essay, gives us practical advice regarding travel in his essay ‘Of Travel’.
Bacon begins by saying that travel educates the young and enriches the experience of the elders. He
recommends that the young people should travel to a foreign country under the guidance of a tutor or a grave
servant who knows the place well. He also recommends keeping a diary during the travel. Bacon then proceeds
to give a long list of what places to see and occasions to visit while travelling in a foreign country. This list
includes courts of Princes especially when they are giving audience to ambassadors, courts of justice when they
are in session, walls and fortifications of cities and towns, colleges, libraries, gardens of pleasure, churches,
monasteries, jewels and robes, tasteful comedies and so on.
If time permits, a traveler may witness weddings, funerals, capital executions and such shows. One should also
have some knowledge of the language of the country before going there. Bacon also recommends that the
traveler should not stay too long only at one place and even while at that place, he should keep changing his
lodging so as to give him a complete experience of that place. A traveler should seek the company of the people
of the place more and more. He should also avoid the company of quick tempered men. Quarrels are to be
carefully avoided. Making friends with people working in embassies, gives oneself a benefit of travelling to many
countries just by visiting one country.
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To conclude, Bacon says that the travel of a person should reflect in his talk rather than his apparels or manners
and he should be more inclined to advice than to tell stories. One should pick up only the best of what he has
seen and experience during his travel just as one picks only the best flowers for a bouquet.
8. The Fly
-Katherine Mansfield
What, according to you, does the story ‘The Fly’ symbolize?
Katherine Mansfield’s story ‘The Fly’ is full of symbolism.
At the beginning of the story, the old Mr Woodifield meets ‘the boss’ in his well-furnished office. The boss,
though elder than Woodifield, is in much better health. A shot of rich whisky revives the spirits of Mr Woodifield
and he recalls the news that he wanted to share with the boss. Woodifield’s daughters, while touring Belgium,
visited their brother’s grave and discovered that the grave of the boss’s son was nearby. Mr Woodifield and the
boss had both lost a son in the War and Woodifield revived the memories of the boss’s son. For six years he had
been grieving his son but today, he was unable to burst into tears. He had worked hard to setup business for his
son and cherished the dream of his son taking up the responsibility. This dream could not come true.
He suddenly notices a fly trying to climb out of an ink pot. He saves the life of the fly, but then he starts playing
with it and drowning it in a blob of ink. Each time, the fly dries up its wings and gets ready to fly. The last time he
does this, the fly dies and the boss throws it in dustbin with disgust.
The story draws a symbolic parallel between the fly and the boss’s changing responses to the memory of his
dead son. The boss’s disgust at the failure of the fly to survive, represents his disgust at his own son who failed
to escape the calamity of the First World War. Just as the fly showed promise of flying again every time, the
boss’s son showed promise of being a worthy heir of his father.
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1. Yussouf
-James Russell Lowell
How does James Russell Lowell glorify the virtue of forgiveness in ‘Yussouf’?
Yussouf is a respected leader of his tribe and people know him as ‘the good Yussouf’. He has lost his son.
Somebody has murdered him.
One night a stranger comes to Yussouf’s tent seeking shelter from persecution of the rulers. Yussouf readily gives
him asylum saying that the tent belongs to God. Next morning, he wakes up the stranger early and giving him his
swiftest horse and some gold, asks him to flee.
The stranger is overwhelmed by Yussouf’s large heartedness. He kneels down, starts sobbing and reveals to
Yussouf with a heavy heart that he is Ibrahim- the same man who killed Yussouf’s son. On this, Yussouf offers
him thrice the gold and asks him to flee into the desert, never to return.
In doing so, Yussouf believes that his black thought (i.e. the thought of revenge) will go away from him. He looks
up to the heavens and says, “O my son, you are avenged! Now rest in peace.” Thus, in forgiving Ibrahim, Yussouf
avenges the death of his son in the sense that Ibrahim would forever live under Yussouf’s obligation.
Yussouf, by forgiving Ibrahim becomes free from the dark thoughts of revenge and achieves inner peace.
Thus, the poet glorifies the divine virtue of forgiveness.
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2. Thou Art Indeed Just, Lord
-G. M. Hopkins
Give the substance of the poem ‘Thou Art Indeed Just, Lord’
In the sonnet ‘Thou Art Indeed Just, Lord’, G.M. Hopkins expresses his gloom and disappointment over the
apparent paradoxes of life and also gives way to his own sense of frustration in not being able to be creative.
The poet begins by saying that if one contends with the Lord, He is indeed just. However, the poet cannot
understand why sinners prosper and why all his efforts end in failure in this world. He is unable to understand
how God, who is his friend, would have behaved differently if he had been the poet’s enemy.
The poet complains that even drunkards end lecherous people thrive more than him. Trees flourish with leaves
once again and flowers bloom too. Birds also build nests but the poet has run out of creativity. He longs for the
elixir of life and asks the Lord to water his roots with rain.
3. The Village Schoolmaster
Bring out, after Goldsmith, the characteristics of the village schoolmaster.
OR
Sketch the character of the Village Schoolmaster.
In a deserted village called Auburn, there was once a schoolmaster who taught in his noisy little school. Hea was
a strict disciplinarian and all the truants knew this well. Every morning, the students could read the forthcoming
dangers on his face. He used to crack many jokes and the students used to laugh dutifully at all his jokes.
Still, he was a kind hearted man and whatever strictness he had, came from his love of knowledge. Entire village
testified how knowledgeable he was. He could write, calculate, measure lands, tell the seasons and festivals
beforehand and debate very well too. He could continue to argue even after he was vanquished. Even the village
parson gave credit to the schoolmaster for his debating skills.
As words of wisdom out in a thundering voice from this mouth, the villagers used to gaze at him in astonishment
and their wonder kept growing as to how a small head could carry all the knowledge he had.
4. Stay Calm
-Grenville Kleiser
What are the benefits of staying calm as mentioned by Grenville Kleiser?
Grenville Kleiser, in his poem ‘Stay Calm’, gives us the benefits of staying calm and maintaining one’s composure
even in trying circumstances.
According to the poet, whenever one feels like saying something that one would regret later or feels an
unforgettable insult- that is the time to check resentment and maintain mental peace. Because it is easy to be
angry when you are cheated or insulted and it is easy too, to get annoyed when your wishes are denied. But it is
extremely vital to stay calm to win the final battle over selfishness and hatred. So, it is important to be calm even
when you are right.
Hence, whenever and enemy – hidden or visible, confronts you, or some danger is around, it is important to stay
calm and balanced and then one can be assured that one has mastered the most important thing in life.
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5. Say Not the Struggle Naught Availeth
-Arthur Hugh Clough
How does the poet convey the message of hope through the poem ‘Say Not the Struggle Naught Availeth’?
‘Say Not the Struggle Naught Availeth’, is a sonnet of hope and courage. Clough uses reason and logic to explain
that there is hope even in hopeless situation. The poet encourages the readers not to give up fighting because
they will surely achieve victory in the course of time. He also says that there will never be total darkness and that
even scientifically speaking, there will be a little light.
The poet begins by asking the reader never to believe that struggle is futile and the injuries sustained during a
battle are vain even when the enemy does not faint. If hopes are called fools, fears can surely be called liars. It is
quite possible that in the faraway smoke, your comrades are still chasing the fleeing enemy and possess the field
just for you. When the sea-waves breaking against the shore seem tired and futile, they are actually making
inlets slowly and surely. Light of the day comes not just through eastern windows, it also illuminates the West.
Hence, one must never give up hope even in apparently hopeless situations and believe in the ultimate success
of struggle.
6. A Psalm of Life
-Henry Wordsworth Longfellow
How, according to H.W. Longfellow, should one treat his life?
Life is not full of sadness nor is it an empty dream. Some pessimistic people consider life as unreal and empty as
a dream. They don’t accept and enjoy even good things. Such people are dead in their spirit.
But the poet triumphantly declares that life is real and earnest. It gives us opportunities to be better human
beings. Grave or death is not the destination of life. The statement of the Bible, 'Dust thou art, to dust returnest'
is a remark about body and not about soul.
Life means to act at present. We should not worry about the past or the future. Therefore, we must act right
now.
While working, we have to follow the footprints of great men in the past. This is the way we can make our own
lives great and sublime. Our own greatness will also be recorded as an example for the future generations. If any
person gets disappointed and frustrated in his life, he may look at these examples and may get adequate
consolation.
Therefore the poet advises us to get rid of sloth and be brave enough to face any situation in our lives. Our
efforts must also continue with undiminished faith in God. We must learn to labour and wait patiently to see the
fruits of our labour.
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7. From Hamlet
-William Shakespeare
Summarize the advice given by Polonius to his son Laertes.
‘From Hamlet’, is an extract from William Shakespeare’s famous tragedy, Hamlet. Polonius is an old
counsellor of Denmark. His son Laertes, who has come to Denmark for the funeral of King Hamlet from
France (where he studies), is now about to leave for France. On this occasion, Polonius has some words
of wisdom to offer to his son.
Polonius, first of all, asks his son to be of good character. He tells him not to share his own thoughts with
others and implement his thoughts only after due contemplation. He should be friendly and accessible
to all but should not make himself vulgar. Polonius further tells Laertes to make friends only after trying
them for their friendship and once they prove themselves to be true friends, he should keep them
hooked to his heart. He should refrain from being too friendly with any unknown and new person.
Polonius asks Laertes to avoid quarrels, but once he is into a quarrel, he should teach a good lesson to
the opponent. He should listen to everybody but reveal himself to a select few. Advice should be taken
from every man but final decision is to be reserved. Polonius warns Laertes not to be a spendthrift and
have only those habits which he can afford. As the apparel very often reveals the personality, they are to
be chose carefully-rich but to fancy and gaudy. In France particularly, the people are very tasteful
regarding clothes. Hence, Laertes must take due care in this regard.
Polonius specifically instructs Laertes neither to lend nor to borrow money as loan loses both itself and
the friend and the habit of borrowing spoils one’s budget.
Finally and most importantly, Polonius urges Laertes to be true to his own self. Then he cannot be false
to anybody else.
8. Ode to Autumn
-John Keats
Bring out the richness of the description on Nature as evident in Keats’ ‘Ode to Autumn’.
OR
Discuss the theme of Keats’ ‘Ode to Autumn’.
Ode to autumn is regarded as one of the finest poems written by John Keats. It is divided into three
stanzas which describe a progression through the season, from the late maturation of the crops to the
harvest and to the last days of autumn when winter is nearing. The poet has personified autumn here.
In the opening stanza, he addresses autumn as a season of ‘mist and mellow fruitfulness’. Here, autumn
is seen conspiring with the sun to make the fruits mellow and ripe. It is filling the hazel shells with a
sweet kernel. The flowers are also budding and blooming and bees are being attracted towards them.
Entire Nature is becoming ripe and mature.
In the second stanza, the poet sees autumn as a female overcome by the fragrance and soft exhaustion
of her own labour. She is passive, an embodiment of the earthly paradise and the place of repose.
However, she is also the peasant girl drunk with the odours and efforts of gathering, winnowing, reaping
and gleaning.
In the last stanza, Keats praises the red-breasted robin and winter’s other singers and finds in their
twittering before the departure of Autumn an emblem of natural completion. Just as there are songs of
Spring, Autumn to has her own songs and poet, praises the singers of Autumn for their sweet songs in
this stanza.
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Some Tips on Essay Writing
From the given essay topics choose the one that you know most about.
In the first paragraph, give an outline of your essay- what you are going to discuss.
Then go on elaborating your points. Make a separate paragraph for each point.
At the end conclude the essay by offering some suggestions, solutions, recommendations or pieces of advice.
Be specific and to the point.
Use simple construction and short sentences.
Use active voice for the most of essay. Use passive voice only where it is necessary.
Do not use big and bombastic words or phrases. It may happen that you yourself do not know it meaning.
Make sure your grammar and spellings are correct.
Use proper punctuation.
Avoid the mistakes of tenses and subject verb agreement.
For your examination, you may think of topic related to your text like- Education and the Youth, Globalization,
Globalization in India, Importance of Forgiveness, Superstitions – A Curse, Travel, My Memorable Travel, M
Expectations / Requirements from Life etc.