English Literature , Theory and Criticism

  An Essay on Oscar Wilde’s “The Happy Prince” Introduction Oscar Wilde’s The Happy Prince is a touching prose tale that blends fantasy with moral seriousness. Though written in the form of a fairy tale, it addresses profound social and ethical issues such as poverty, sacrifice, compassion, and true happiness . Through symbolic characters and simple narration, Wilde criticises social inequality and highlights the nobility of selfless love. The story appeals both to children and adults, making it one of Wilde’s most enduring works. Summary of the Story The story is set in a city where a statue of the Happy Prince stands high above the streets. When the Prince was alive, he lived in luxury and knew no sorrow. After his death, his statue is covered with gold leaf, sapphires for eyes, and a ruby on his sword. From his elevated position, the Prince now sees the suffering of the poor for the first time and weeps silently. A Swallow, resting at the statue while migrating to Egypt, ...

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...