English Literature , Theory and Criticism

An Essay on “To Know When to Say It’s None of Your Business” by Mark McCormack Introduction Mark McCormack’s prose essay “To Know When to Say It’s None of Your Business” is a practical and reflective piece that examines the importance of privacy, discretion, and emotional intelligence in human relationships. McCormack, known for his insights into human behaviour and communication, argues that wisdom does not lie only in speaking effectively, but also in knowing when not to interfere . Through simple examples and direct observations, he highlights how unnecessary curiosity and intrusion often damage relationships rather than improve them. Summary of the Prose In this essay, McCormack points out that people frequently ask personal questions or interfere in others’ affairs without realising the discomfort they may cause. Topics such as income, family problems, private decisions, and personal failures are often discussed casually, though they deeply belong to an individual’s private life...

  An Essay on Aldous Huxley’s “A Portrait” Introduction Aldous Huxley’s prose piece “A Portrait” is not a conventional short story with a strong plot. Instead, it is a reflective character sketch that examines the nature of personality and the difficulty of truly understanding another human being . Huxley uses the idea of a “portrait” to explore how people are observed, interpreted, and often misunderstood. The piece combines description with psychological analysis and gentle irony. Summary of the Prose Piece In “A Portrait,” Huxley presents a detailed description of an individual whose personality is complex and full of contradictions. Rather than narrating a sequence of events, the writer focuses on the subject’s behaviour, attitudes, habits, and ways of thinking. The narrator observes how the person appears confident, cultured, and intelligent, yet beneath this surface there are signs of insecurity, emotional confusion, and self-deception. The portrait gradually moves from out...

  An  Essay on John Milton’s “On His Blindness” Introduction John Milton’s sonnet “On His Blindness” is one of the most profound autobiographical and devotional poems in English literature. Written after Milton had become completely blind, the poem reflects his inner struggle to reconcile personal loss with religious faith. More than a lament, the sonnet is a philosophical and spiritual meditation on duty, patience, divine will, and true service to God . Through controlled language and symbolic richness, Milton transforms private suffering into a universal statement about human limitation and spiritual obedience. Autobiographical and Historical Context Milton lost his eyesight gradually, becoming totally blind by 1652. At the time, he was deeply engaged in political and intellectual labour, including his work for the Commonwealth government and the composition of major literary projects. Blindness threatened not only his creative life but also his sense of divine purpose...

An Essay on Shakespeare’s Sonnet “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?” Introduction William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 is among the most widely admired poems in English literature. It belongs to the Fair Youth sequence and addresses enduring themes such as beauty, time, mutability, and immortality. What begins as a conventional gesture of admiration gradually unfolds into a philosophical reflection on the limitations of nature and the unique power of poetry. Shakespeare does not merely praise physical appearance; he situates beauty within a broader meditation on time’s destructive force and art’s capacity to resist it. Nature, Summer, and the Idea of Mutability At the outset, Shakespeare turns to summer as a traditional emblem of warmth, harmony, and beauty. However, he quickly reveals the inadequacy of this comparison. Summer is subject to excess and instability: winds disturb new growth, the sun alternates between harshness and obscurity, and the season itself is painfully brief. Th...

  Two Gentlemen of Verona    -A.J. Cronin  Introduction A.J. Cronin’s short story Two Gentlemen of Verona presents a moving narrative of sacrifice, resilience, and the quiet heroism of two young boys, Nicola and Jacopo, in post-war Italy. First published in the mid-twentieth century, the story has often been anthologized for its universal themes of love, responsibility, and human dignity. Set against the backdrop of a war-ravaged Verona, the tale juxtaposes the innocence of youth with the heavy burdens imposed upon it, thereby revealing the true meaning of nobility and gentlemanly conduct. The Setting and Historical Context The story unfolds in Italy shortly after World War II, a period when the country was struggling with economic and social devastation. Cronin’s depiction of the ruined city of Verona underscores the wider dislocation brought about by war. Amid this destruction, Nicola and Jacopo emerge as symbols of hope and resilience. Their struggle to surviv...

  A Day’s Wait  -Ernest Hemingway Introduction Ernest Hemingway’s short story A Day’s Wait (1933) is a deceptively simple narrative that encapsulates themes of misunderstanding, stoicism, and the confrontation with mortality. Written in Hemingway’s characteristic minimalist style, the story revolves around a young boy, Schatz, who mistakenly believes he is dying of influenza. His father, unaware of the boy’s confusion, observes his quiet courage throughout the day. By the time the misunderstanding is cleared, the story has already explored the complex relationship between childhood innocence, cultural perceptions of death, and Hemingway’s philosophy of endurance in the face of fear. The Iceberg Technique and Minimalist Style Hemingway’s “iceberg theory” is evident throughout A Day’s Wait . The story’s surface narrative is straightforward: a boy is sick, misinterprets his condition, and endures his day with silent bravery. Yet beneath this simplicity lies a psychological d...