Dr. Sachin Londhe, Associate Professor of English, K. N. Bhise College

  Death, be not proud (Holy Sonnet 10) John Donne 1. About the Poet :John Donne)  John Donne (1572–1631) was the leading poet of the Metaphysical School . Born in London into a Roman Catholic family during a time of religious conflict. Studied at Oxford and Cambridge but could not take a degree because of his Catholic background. Later converted to Anglicanism and became Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral , one of the most respected preachers of his time. His poetry combines emotion, intellect, wit, and philosophy . Famous for his metaphysical conceits , paradoxes, and dramatic openings. Wrote love poetry, religious poetry, sermons, and sonnets. Major works include Songs and Sonnets , Holy Sonnets , Meditations , and numerous sermons. “Death, be not proud” is one of his most celebrated religious sonnets. 2.  Poem Publication Details Poem Title: Death, be not proud (Holy Sonnet 10) Poet: John Donne Written: Around 1609–1610 First Published Posth...

   LITERARY DEVICES / TERMS 1. Plot Definition: The plot is the organized sequence of events that make up a story. It shows how the story begins, develops, reaches a climax, and ends . It includes all major actions and conflicts. Detailed Explanation: A good plot has: Beginning – introduces characters and setting Middle – presents conflict and rising action Climax – the turning point Falling Action – events after climax Resolution – final outcome Example (An Astrologer’s Day): The astrologer works in a marketplace (beginning). A stranger challenges him (conflict). The astrologer realizes the stranger is Guru Nayak , whom he once stabbed (climax). He tells Guru Nayak the truth in a clever way (falling action). Guru Nayak leaves, and the astrologer feels relieved (resolution). 2. Setting Definition: Setting refers to the time, place, atmosphere, and social environment of a story. Detailed Explanation: It includes: Geography (village, cit...

  Sociological Approach to Literature 1. Origin of the Sociological Approach The Sociological Approach studies literature as a product of society. It examines how social conditions, institutions, values, and class structures influence literary texts. Its development is linked to the growth of Sociology as a discipline in the 19th century. a. Early Connections Ancient thinkers like Plato and Aristotle noted that literature reflects society. However, it was not considered a formal method until modern times. b. 19th Century Foundations The Industrial Revolution created new social problems—poverty, class conflict, inequality. Writers like Dickens and Tolstoy began portraying social realities. Sociologists such as: Karl Marx Émile Durkheim Max Weber influenced critics to study social forces in literature. c. 20th Century Expansion Sociological criticism became established as an academic field. It focused on: society’s effect on literature literatur...

  Feminist Approach to Literature 1. Origin of the Feminist Approach The Feminist Approach grew out of the larger social, political, and cultural movement called Feminism , which fights for women’s equality, rights, and representation. a. Early Roots (18th & 19th Century) Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792) is considered one of the first feminist texts. Women writers began questioning gender inequality in society and literature. b. First Wave Feminism (Late 19th – Early 20th Century) Focus on women’s right to vote (suffrage). Literature started highlighting women’s struggles in marriage, society, and work. Example: Kate Chopin’s The Awakening . c. Second Wave Feminism (1960s–1980s) Strong influence on literary theory. Critics analysed how literature portrayed women and how male-dominated culture created stereotypes. Key texts: Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex d. Third Wave (...

  Biographical Approach to Literature 1. Origin of the Biographical Approach The Biographical Approach is one of the oldest methods of literary criticism. Its origin can be traced to: a. Classical Period (Greek & Roman) Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle connected a writer’s character and experiences with their works. Roman writers like Plutarch wrote Parallel Lives , linking literature to the life stories of authors and historical figures. b. Renaissance and Enlightenment With the rise of humanism, scholars studied authors’ lives to understand their writings better. Writers like Samuel Johnson in the 18th century wrote Lives of the Poets , a major early biographical criticism work. c. 19th Century (Romantic Age) Romantic poets believed strong emotions come from personal experience. Readers and critics increasingly studied writers’ letters, diaries, and life events. d. 20th Century Onwards Formal biographical criticism became a recognised ...

  The Four Wheels of the English Novel  In the 18th century, the English novel took its true shape. Literary critics often call these four writers the “Four Wheels of the English Novel” because each one introduced a new direction , just like four wheels move a vehicle forward.   1. Samuel Richardson (1689–1761) Father of the Epistolary and Psychological Novel Why is he important? Richardson was the first novelist to explore the inner mind of characters. He wrote novels in the form of letters . This is called an epistolary novel . Through letters, he showed characters’ personal feelings, emotions, and struggles. His Style Emotional Moral and instructive Focused on female characters and their virtue Slow, detailed, and sensitive writing Major Works Pamela (1740) – A story of a young maid who resists her master’s advances and is rewarded for her virtue. Clarissa (1748) – A long, tragic novel about a woman's fight for dig...