Abstract This paper explains that Zadie Smith's novel "White Teeth" presents an optimistic vision of race relations in modern England by depicting how friendship and romance can transgress both religious and racial barriers, even though at times these barriers can create rifts between brothers and husbands and wives. The author points out that the younger and older generations in the novel negotiate the rocky terrain of a newly multi-national, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society through the long-standing friendship of the protagonists Samal Iqabal, a Bengali and Archie Jones, a white, living in North London. The paper relates that the ideological excesses of religious, class and other forms of identity that hem individuals in within modern Britain are overcome through human elemental desires to enjoy sensuality and to take delight in the beauty of the flesh.
From the Paper "The friendship of Samal and Archie shows how the need for human companionship, to say nothing of sexual desire often transgresses racial intolerance and hatred within the world of the novel "White Teeth". For example, because he sees himself as ugly, Archie Jones proves willing to look outside of his own racial group for happiness in his marriage. Thus he marries a beautiful woman of Caribbean ancestry named Clara. Clara wishes to escape the limits of her own conservative religious upbringing, so she escapes into Archie's arms, despite her loveliness and her youth in comparison to Archie. Her own daughter with Archie, although not beautiful, has her father's soul, and similarly seeks out love and friendship with members of other religions, races, and classes."
Abstract This essay is an analysis on the life of Rabindranath Tagore, a Bengali who had a privileged upbringing in Britain, but who loved his native land. The essay describes Tagore as being primarily known as a multitalented artist - a novelist, essayist, philosopher, poet, Nobel Prize winner, song-writer and singer, playwright and actor. However, he was frequently distracted from artistic creativity due to his concerns about the realities and problems of life in India. This essay argues that to truly appreciate Tagore, it is necessary to go beyond his artistic oeuvre. Instead, it recognizes that Tagore also made an important contribution through his political message, and it argues that his anti-nationalism message is entirely relevant to important modern day problems.
From the Paper "The non-literary achievements of Tagore may be seen as deriving primarily from his grasp of the poverty of the concept of nationalism. Quayum explains that Tagore perceived the poverty of the notion of nationalism, despite the fact that the notion attracts so many fervent followers. Crucially, Tagore saw that this notion grew out of 'the post-religious laboratory of industrial-capitalism' (Quayam 3), and its problems derive directly from this inauspicious origin. Reflecting this origin, nationalism is, in Tagore's words, an 'organization of politics and commerce' that brings 'harvests of wealth' due to the operation of greed, power and selfishness (Quayam 3). The problem is that nationalism on the one hand impoverishes our souls and cuts us off from our common humanity - and on the other hand, is the direct inspiration for much of the suffering in our world..."
Tags: politics, artist, India, Bengali, achievements, contributions
Abstract This paper examines the history and ethnicity of Bangladesh whose inhabitants are Bengalis, who are largely descended from Indo-Aryans who began to migrate into the country from the west thousands of years ago. In particular, it focuses on the art and literature of the region.
Outline
Current Bangladesh Ethnicity
Bangladesh History
Political Dynamics in Ancient Bengal (326 B.C. to 1204 A.D.)
Muslim Revolution in Medieval Bengal (1204-1757)
Imperial British Rule in Bangladesh (1757-1947)
The Road to Pakistan
Current Bengali Culture
Bengalese Culture and the Primacy of the Individual
Bengalese Language
Bengalese Writings as a Reflection of the National Character of Bangladesh
The National Temperament of Bangladesh as Typified Through its Legal Documents
Bangladesh National Character as Revealed Through its Literature
Bengali Poetry
Bengali Prose
Conclusion
From the Paper "Ancient Bangladesh also witnessed the flowering of temple, stupa and monastic architecture as well as Buddhist art and sculpture. There was discernible influence of the Pala art of Bengal on Javanese art. There was a close affinity between the scripts used on certain Javanese sculptures and proto-Bengali alphabet. A group of temples in Burma were built on the model of Bangladeshi temples. The architecture and iconographic ideas of Bengal inspired architects, sculptors and artists in Cambodia and the Indonesian archipelago. The influence of Pala art in Bengal could be easily traced in Nepalese and Tibetan paintings, as well as in Tang Art of China."
A discussion whether English should be the lingua franca in the European Union. The papers also discusses the effect that globalization has had upon England and its language policies as well.
Abstract The writer explains that in the European Union, all languages from member countries are to be given the same status. In practice, many documents are only translated into English and French as translating into all the member country's languages is too complicated. The paper explains that some feel that English should become the language of the EU, despite its policy to the contrary. The writer shows that some feel that English should be used in the EU as a common language, and not as a political stance. The paper goes on to discuss the effects of immigration, emigration and tourism to the UK, and how this has affected English in the UK. The writer explains that as policies of equality and human rights take precedence, foreign languages are being used more widely in education, where once, all education was only in English. The paper explains a recent language policy to use English as the sole language for education, in order to give all children in the UK an equal chance at making the best of their learning experience. In conclusion, while a lingua franca serves to overcome many obstacles, this should be balanced by a recognition of diversity in both the English language itself and in terms of different languages within the UK.
From the Paper "However, there has recently been a greater emphasis on language diversity within the UK. As policies of human rights and equality take precedence, foreign languages enjoy more attention in schools. Since globalization and travel are greater realities today, it is possible to have a Dutch mother, a Spanish father, and be fluent in English, Spanish and Dutch. Some countries, including the UK, have begun to acknowledge this to a certain degree. It is also interesting to note the linguistic diversity locally within the UK. The United Kingdom is internally much more diverse than the general perception gives it credit for. There are many languages and cultures within this country. These include the Welsh, Scottish and Irish traditions, which remain cultures within themselves, despite the fact that English is perceived to be the dominant language within the United Kingdom. Bourne (Eggington & Wren, 1997:51) [2] notes that the modern United Kingdom has 500 000 Welsh speakers and at least 80 000 Scottish Gaelic speakers within its borders. A small number of Northern Ireland schools also still teach Irish Gaelic. Currently more than five percent of the total population in British schools is bilingual. The history of the UK is similarly colorful. Welsh, English, Latin, French and Flemish were used in Wales during the Middle Ages, while children with home languages such as Polish, Ukrainian, Chinese, Yiddish and French, among others, frequented British schools during the nineteenth century. Current language surveys reveal over 170 languages spoken in London schools, of which Bengali features the greatest number of speakers."
Abstract This paper examines the novel "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri. It provides a discussion of the rhetoric of naming in the novel, including why names and naming are a central concern of the author and important in defining or undermining the identity of the named. It also looks at the author's use of different rhetorical devices to illustrate this point is also provided.
From the Paper "In The Namesake Jhumpa Lahiri provides an account of the Ganguli family, an Indian American family of educated middle-class Bengali immigrants. Torn between two cultures and two worlds the Ganguli's live in Suburban Massachusetts ..."
Abstract This paper reviews the novel "Brick Lane" by Monica Ali. This is the story of a Bengali woman who grows up surrounded by superstition and the belief in fate. The paper describes her development as she raises her own family in London and attempts to shed her superstitious belief system.
From the Paper "Learning from her sister that their mother chose suicide, Nazneen becomes able to embrace her strength. In her new found freedom, Nazneen has defied fate and made her own choices, and has not been punished or met death over it. Living in London has expanded her thinking, and her perspectives shift as she sheds her superstitious upbringing It has become clear to her that when a person depends solely on Fate, she possesses no power of her own to change anything. Her husband, as a highly educated man, could not make a happy life for himself where so much autonomy of choice keeps him confused and angry. In India, where there was not as much freedom and wealth, people are forced to rely on fate and their religious beliefs to be able to handle the rough parts of their lives. We can assume Nazneen's children will decide their own fates as they grow up, following their mother's example. Nazneen overcomes incredibly deep programming to make this major shift in her life, but she is happy, and dances in her autonomy."
