LitAide

Who is the protagonist of the novel Nana ? a) Satin b) Nana Coupeau c) Madame Hugon d) Rose Mignon Answer: b) Nana Coupeau What is Nana’s profession when the novel begins? a) Seamstress b) Actress c) Opera singer d) Prostitute Answer: b) Actress What role does Nana play in the opera The Blonde Venus ? a) Diana b) Venus c) Hera d) Aphrodite Answer: b) Venus Who is Nana’s first wealthy benefactor in the novel? a) Count Muffat b) Steiner c) Philippe Hugon d) Georges Hugon Answer: b) Steiner What is Count Muffat’s position in society? a) A wealthy banker b) A government official c) A military officer d) A playwright Answer: b) A government official What is Nana’s son’s name? a) Louis b) Georges c) Raoul d) Louiset Answer: d) Louiset What disease does Nana die of at the end of the novel? a) Tuberculosis b) Smallpox c) Cholera d) Influenza Answer: b) Smallpox Who is Satin in the novel? a) Nana’s rival b) Nana’s c...

The sonnet is part of a famous sonnet sequence, "Astrophel & Stella" by Philip Sidney. In this sonnet, Astrophel, the narrator, personifies sleep and calls on it as if it were a person. He praises sleep as "knot of peace", i.e. a flowery bed offering peace. As we all know that sleep gives us rest and recharges our mind and body. If we are sleep-deprived, we grow frustrated/irritated. The narrator further calls it "baiting-place of wit, the balm of woe" to describe its state of calmness, which helps us to think clearly, and of course, we get great ideas during and after a proper slumber. In this way, it sharpens our wit. It also soothes both our physical as well as mental pains. Moreover, it is the only wealth of a poor man, i.e. a poor man can have a better rest than a rich man, on account of his toil during the daytime. A prisoner holds sleep highly as it frees him for a while. Sleep doesn't discriminate between the high class and the low class; e...

In this sonnet, our lover, Astrophel, broods in his self-pitying state of love. In a fine example of Pathetic fallacy, he begins to attribute his love-stricken emotions to the moon. It is nighttime, the moon shines right above in the sky. The narrator, as a lover, relates to the moon and calls him a failed lover like him. The moon's pale appearance signifies to him an illness or a dejection that afflicts the moon. It amazes Astrophel that Cupid, the angel of love, has the strength to shoot his enchanted arrows at a celestial body such as the Moon. Being an experienced lover, Astrophel has eyes that long for love. He can straightaway recognize anyone who burns in love like him, and the moon's desolate state is something he himself has, so he knows and understands the sad state of the moon. He further asks Moon whether, among its inhabitants, being in deep love is a sign of foolishness. He wonders whether beautiful ladies on the moon are more conceited than the ones over here on ...

This story is composed of memories of our narrator about a distinguished and artistic shoemaker.  Although, we are aware that shoemaking is literally a craft, not an art. However, this anecdote tells a different view. If a craftsman is devoted to perfecting the quality of his craft, then surely, why shouldn't we call him an artist? Galsworthy shares his precious memories of his favourite shoemaker, who lives and breathes in his shop, devoting his life to his art or craft, shoemaking. The author knew Mr. Gesslar from his childhood. He had a shop in London owned jointly by him and his brother. One can easily recognize his German accent, giving clue to his ancestry. From the narrator, we know the skill of Mr. Gesslar and his finest quality of shoes. Such was the quality and strength of his shoes that the narrator used to meet him in years as the former hadn't feel the need to visit him. And, after each meeting, he can feel the visible ageing of Mr. Gesslar. The shoemaker had unsha...

A tree symbolizes differently to children, mothers, father, and animals. It doesn't stand for a single thing It is interesting to note that although, a tree is a living being but we, human beings, treat it as a multi-purpose object. Every part of a tree is of utility for us, even after it has been cut down,  Birds build their shelter on trees. For children, trees have always been a source of enjoyment. They love playing around trees, and every child wishes to get a treehouse. Swings are suspended on trees and remain a favourite in a park. Children find a tree a perfect place to hide in their game of hide-and-seek. They find it hassling when their kites get caught in a tree. Adults too love to host their tea parties under a tree. In summertime, a tree provides cool shade for everyone, but during winter, no shade is there due to less sunlight. When a tree has been chopped down, its name changes to "timber", which is again useful to us. Mothers usually tell their children th...

According to the dictionary, the word "chivvy" means to nag, "to continuously urge someone to do something, often in an annoying way". Brief summary For children, there is one thing despicable to them, i.e. getting rebuked all the time by grown-up people like parents, teachers, etc. Parents are always mindful of what the children are doing, and it becomes their habit to utter words of caution and prevention to the children like: "Speak up Don't talk with your mouth full  Don't stare  Don't point Don't pick your nose" According to the grown-ups' psychology, children cannot do anything on their own; they need a little push and help from adults. They fear that the children will hurt themselves doing something without the supervision of the guardians. But, on the contrary side, parents complain that children are too dependent on them and can't initiate something on their own. So, the conundrum for the children is that if they take some ...

 This poem was written by a famous nineteenth century writer, Rudyard Kipling. Kipling, a Nobel Laureate, who was renowned for his storytelling. But here, we are discussing his philosophical poem "If". This poem is a practical advice by the poet, in the role of a father to his son, guiding him how to become a "real man". His wisdom points to living a life of integrity, grit and temperance.  His avoidance of the life of extremity is worthwhile and pragmatic. According to Khuswant Singh, the poem is said to summarize the core message of Bhagwata Gita. Notably, this poem is hung on every study table in the rooms of every cadet in the prestigious National Defence Academy, Dehradun (India). Lessons from the poem :- Remain calm and composed in adverse situations when everyone's mind goes boggling. People may blame one for the tough times/conditions, but one shouldn't lose it under such censure. Trust your own abilities and have some confidence in yourself even whe...