rssenglishworld, The English Literature and Grammar Digest

Abhisar, The Tryst / Upagupta  by Rabindranath Tagore Upagupta, the disciple of Buddha, lay asleep on the dust by the city wall of Mathura. Lamps were all out, doors were all shut, and stars were all hidden by the murky sky of August. Whose feet were those tinkling with anklets, touching his breast of a sudden? He woke up startled, and the light from a woman’s lamp struck his forgiving eyes. It was Vasavadatta the dancing girl, starred with jewels, clouded with a pale-blue mantle, drunk with the wine of her youth. She lowered her lamp and saw the young face, austerely beautiful. “Forgive me, young ascetic,” said the woman; “graciously come to my house. The dusty earth is not a fit bed for you.” The young ascetic answered, “Woman, go on your way; when the time is ripe I will come to you.” Suddenly the black night showed its teeth in a flash of lightning. The storm growled from the corner of the sky, and the woman trembled in fear. A Year had not yet passed. It was evening of a day i...

Summary of Indigo by Satyajit Ray The story is narrated in the first person by Aniruddha Bose, a 29-year-old, unmarried Bengali babu working in a merchant firm in Kolkata. Though financially secure, Aniruddha feels suffocated by the monotony and chaos of city life and often escapes alone on road trips. He also has a keen interest in creative writing and, significantly, has been reading extensively about indigo cultivation in Bengal, the atrocities committed by British planters, and the Indigo Revolt. Aniruddha decides to visit his old school friend Pramod in Dumka. He chooses to travel alone by car. His journey is delayed first by social obligations and later by poor roads. After leaving the Grand Trunk Road near Panagar, he suffers a puncture, which he reluctantly repairs. Soon after, a violent thunderstorm breaks out. In the blinding rain and darkness, Aniruddha mistakenly takes a wrong road. Disaster strikes again when his second tyre bursts, leaving him stranded without a spare. As...

  Summary of Atithi Atithi is a poignant psychological short story that explores the tension between freedom and social responsibility, restlessness and domestic stability, and the individual’s inner calling versus societal expectations. Arrival of Tarapada The story revolves around a young orphan boy named Tarapada, who is discovered wandering aimlessly by Motilal Babu, a kind and affluent zamindar. Struck by the boy’s gentle manners, intelligence, and musical talent, Motilal Babu brings him home and treats him not as a servant but as an honoured guest—an atithi. Tarapada quickly becomes beloved by everyone in the household. His ability to sing, play the flute, and his calm, thoughtful nature charm both the family and the villagers. However, beneath this surface calm lies a deeply restless spirit. Tarapada’s Nature and Inner Conflict Though Tarapada enjoys affection and comfort, he is fundamentally a wanderer. He feels suffocated by routine, attachment, and permanence. His soul ye...