George Bernard Shaw was one of the greatest dramatist the world has known. He was a prodigious writer and wrote nonstop all his life. He had a great struggle initially and the novels that he attempted were not a success with critics and publishers.
But by 40 his life changed and he reached the greatest success both in terms of quality and fame. He is the only one to have won bt the Nobel and the Oscar.
He was a sharp observer of events of the world, of human beings and ideas that ruled human beings. Nothing missed his brilliant eyes and mind.
Thus, he could see the stupidity and the follies of both ideas and men and even grasped how ideas shaped men. He was also active in life not sitting n an ivory toer. He wa a critic in a magazine and also was active in politics. He was a professed socialist but as an artist and thinker he was way beyond politics and was primarily a seer interested deeply in the affairs of the world and men.
Thus came out some magnificent plays each executed to perfection.
His plays had satire, intelligent wit, sympathy, deep observation, expose of false and ridiculous ideas. Hence the full, whole effect of the plays was sheer engagement and entertainment. His plays became hugely popular and he lived on to the ripe age of 94 and was writing when he passed away. He wrote prodigiously and his was a mind that had so much content and the greatest talent to express it all in the most serious and yet the most entertaining.
Ayn Rand is one of the most popular novelists of the 20th century and her books have sold around 40+ million copies as of 2016 and her sales increase year by year, astonishing the publishing world.
She was voted also as the second most influential author after the bible, in the US.
She is championed by countless people who are convinced of her OBJECTIVIST philosophy and strive to lead a far more meaningful and happy life.
Most of the great leaders whether they are business magnates, inventors, actors, directors, musicians, politicians, writers etc have been greatly influenced by Ayn Rand according to various surveys carried out.
The greatest of thinkers and the commonest man have been influenced by Ayn Rand.
Who is Ayn Rand?
What is her philosophy and why did she capture the minds of millions of people?
What did she really stand for?
Ayn Rand stood for man at his highest possible.
She believed all the good things that any one would believe. She said that Man should live for himself, not sacrifice himself to others nor sacrifice others to himself. She said that faith is not good as it tampers with thinking and she knew that reason, our supreme tool to live and function was man’s greatest asset and value.
She was an atheist but not a militant one; she was an atheist by implication because she did not posit a super nature above the evidence provided by the senses. For her Existence was absolute. Existence exists and only existence exists. The nothing is literally nothing.
She said that Man is a value and his own life is the standard of value. Thus she being a supreme individualist championed Selfishness and Capitalism, the simple deep, egoism of the rational kind.
Man should live his whole life with a purpose and practice rational self interest. She held that reason, purpose and self esteem were supreme values for which thinking were the means.
Thus, she advocated man’s inalienable rights and loved the American Founding principles. All this she held with a blinding and binding certainty and she explored every single issue that concerned life, here on earth.
Who can deny any of the above?
But Ayn Rand’s distinction was her courage to uphold the above as absolute, to fashion the above in beautiful life affirming stories with deadly conflicts and man emerging as the hero and winner.
She believed that man was a heroic being with reason as his tool and his own purpose as the rule of living.
Thus each of her famous novels were received with shock, deep admiration because each of her novels, whether it was “Fountainhead”, “Atlas Shrugged” or “We the Living” etc, had in it plots that were interesting and exciting, value conflicts that were deep and significant, and the writing part was a full expression of a mind that thought and valued at the same time with seam less integrity, clear and deeply passionate together. Her mind went on and formulated a whole philosophy of living on earth and she named her philosophy OBJECTIVISM and wrote and taught that through many landmark non-fiction books too.
Her certainty stung the reader and that “Ayn Rand Effect” would leave you a completely transformed person.
The full Ayn Rand inaugurated a way of thought that has the possibility to bring complete peace to the world, solve each of the problems of the world and the exposing of the ills and madness of the word would pave the way for that ideal that is the practical- each man living for himself with 100% rights, each happy and productive working to the best of ability and each free, the government merely an agency to protect man’s rights.
Thus Ayn Rand is the future world which can be, should be and must be if we love Life and Man.
Shakespeare was born in 1564 on the 23rd of April. He remains an enigma as very little evidence remains of his life, except the extraordinary poems and Plays he wrote. All that we can do is to take the bare facts of his life and reconstruct his life in all its passion and glory.
Shakespeare lived his childhood in Stratford, a small town near London. He must have been a keen observer of people because the kind of observations that he brought into his plays in later life are so universal and cannot come without deep seeds laid in childhood.
In 1582, at 21 he married Anna Hathaway. 3 years later he had his first child Susanna of whom he was very fond.
In the early 1590s he struggled to make his mark in theatre in London and by 1598, he succeeded in establishing himself as a producer, playwright, and actor.
From here he flowered and all his native genius poured out in three major phases, first of the histories and comedies, then the deep tragedies and finally the tragi-comedies.
Shakespeare excelled himself as a supreme entertainer of his times, but little would that world would have known that he would be played by every single community and culture across the whole world in the future.
Today he is widely recognized as the supreme literary giant who could create stories from the most ordinary person by giving a universality, depth and shocking familiarity that could entice any audience anywhere, anytime.
This ability came from his deep observation of people and the world around him and even in history. He understood the core, flawed nature of human beings and could see with stark clarity where it would take them. He could see drama and comedy and tragedy from all the real people he observed.
The comedy was the flawed and foolishness of people and the tragedy too was the same. Shakespeare had a simultaneous ability to craft DRAMAS from that material that required a special genius.
Thus you see Shakespearean characters, and they are not out of this world, they are all the people whom you know and recognize, the common fears, insecurities, jealousies, attachments, loves, betrayals, the tragic-comic flaws…
Shakespeare is the common man’s world but taken to a universal stage.
Read the conversations below and practice with your partner two times
The Standard Expressions in English are highlighted.
1. Asking information about Train
Passenger : Excuse me sir!
Clerk : How may I help you?
Passenger : Could you please tell me when the Pinakini Express will arrive?
Clerk : It is running 2 hours late. It will arrive at 10.00 AM.
Passenger : Are there any other trains that go to Nellore?
Clerk : I’m sorry. But there aren’t any.
Passenger : On which platform will the Pinakini arrive?
Clerk : Platform number 4.
2. Getting Angry
Teacher : Bhavana! Why didn’t you submit your project?
Bhavana : I’m sorry ma’m. I didn’t get the time.
Teacher : Whom are you fooling Bhavana? You had the whole Sunday yesterday.
Bhavana : Ma’m, my relatives had come over.
Teacher : Don’t give me lame excuses! I am going to deduct all your marks.
Bhavana : Please ma’m give me another chance!
Teacher : No way! This is the limit. You are clearly taking me for a ride. It is final. Now leave me alone and let me work.
3. Making plans for a movie
Naresh : I’m feeling bored. How about a movie?
Baji : I don’t like movies. They don’t have good stories.
Naresh : A new English movie has come in town and everybody is saying it is fantastic.
Baji : Which one?
Naresh : Gulliver’s Travels.
Baji : Oh that’s a great book! I have read it.
Naresh : Yes and now they have made a movie out of it.
Baji : We must see it.
Naresh : It seems that the special effects are simply superb.
Baji : How about going for the first show today?
Naresh : Ok, I think we will get the tickets easily.
Baji : Be ready by 5. I will pick you up. We will have some snacks before the movie.
Naresh : Ok. I will wait for you. Bye then.
Baji : See you at 5.
4. Sharing feelings - Achievement
Sundhar has won the state level singing competition. After hearing news from the organizers he is very excited and goes to his best friend Aditya’s house to share the news.
Sundhar : Guess what! I won the state level singing competition.
Aditya : Wow, that’s great news. Congratulations. Let’s celebrate.
Sundhar : Sure. I’m so excited! I never thought I will actually win.
Aditya : But you worked hard for it and you deserve it. Have you informed everybody.
Sundhar : It is going to come in the news tomorrow in Hindu.
Aditya : Wow, that’s great!
5. Parting
Sudha : I have got some sad news to tell you.
Urmila : What’s it?
Sudha : My father has been transferred to Delhi. We will be leaving in two weeks.
Urmila : Oh no! That’s really sad news. I will miss you.
Sudha : I will miss you too. I am not able to believe that I will be actually leaving in two weeks.
Urmila : But don’t take it too negatively. It’s good to go to a big city like Delhi and you’ll make new friends there.
Sudha : But the thought of leaving you makes me feel very sad.
Urmila : We can always keep in touch through mail. We will always be friends.
Sudha : Yes we will .
6.Asking help
Keerthana : Hi Chaitu!
Chaitanya : Hi Keerti! When will you come back?
Keerthana : Just yesterday.
Chaitanya : How was your trip?
Keerthana : It was great. Kerala is truly a wonderful state. The nature is so peaceful there. I had a great time.
Chaitanya : I really envy you.
Keerthana : But I missed 15 days of school. Can you help me out with the topics I missed.
Chaitanya : Sure. Come to my house from tomorrow. We will do joint study for the final exams.
Keerthana : It such a blessing to have a friend like you.
Chaitanya : Come on! What are friends for?
7. Discussing the qualities of someone
(Shankar sir is new teacher in the school. Two students are discussing his qualities)
Ravi : Does Shankar sir come to your class also?
Rishi : Yes he does.
Ravi : Isn’t he a wonderful teacher!
Rishi : Oh yes! The way he explains Physics! Anybody can understand.
Ravi : And he so friendly!
Rishi : We are really lucky to have such a teacher.
8.Asking doubts?
Student : Maam, I didn’t complete the homework.
Teacher : Why?
Student : I didn’t understand the lesson maam.
Teacher : Why didn’t you clear your doubts in the class?
Student : My friends laugh at me maam.
Teacher : What did you mean? Is it wrong to ask doubts?
Student : I am sorry maam.
Teacher : What is your doubt?
9. Announcement in the Class
Student : (Entering another class for an announcement) Excuse me sir.
Teacher : Yes.
Student : I need to make an announcement.
Teacher : Go ahead.
Student : Those who want to participate in singing and painting competition must give their names to the coordinator. Thank you sir.
10. Getting Angry
Coordinator : What the hell are you doing here? (Student is loitering in the playground)
Student : I was told to go out of the class.
Coordinator : Why? And why aren’t you standing outside the class? Why are you roaming around here?
Student : I’m sorry sir.
Coordinator : Go, stand outside the class. By the way, why were you sent out of the class?
Student : I was looking out of the window.
Coordinator : You meet me in the break period.
11. Teacher gets angry
(in the class, everybody is shouting)
Teacher : Everybody keep quiet, why the hell are you shouting?
(the class become quiet)
Teacher : How many times have I told you to be silent when the teacher is in the class.
Students : Sorry sir.
Teacher : What do you mean by sorry? Everyday I tell you this.
12. Asking for ideas
Principal : Our students are good at studies but they need to improve in their communication skills.
Eng. Teacher : In what way can I help?
Principal : I want you to come out with some ideas about communication skills course that we can implement in our school.
Eng. Teacher : Ok. I’ll sleep over it.
Principal : You will have to take some extra classes.
Eng. Teacher : Sure, I don’t mind.
13. Afraid of exams
Class teacher: Why did you get less marks when you answer and participate so well in the class?
Student : I’m afraid of exams. During the exams I forget the answers to many questions.
Class teacher: I guess you need to take exams in a cool manner. Don’t take it too seriously. Relax and write your exams. It is not a life and death issue.
Student : Thank you sir. I will do that.
14. Asking money
Student 1 : Do you have any money on you? I need to have some snacks and I forgot to bring money.
Student 2 : I’m afraid my money just got over. Wait, I will ask somebody else.
(he gets some money)
Student 2 : Here it is.
Student 1 : Thanks a lot. I was really hungry.
15. Monitoring the class
Student 1 : How could you tell the class teacher that I’m not listening in the class? She complained to my dad.
Class monitor: I didn’t mean to hurt you. I had to say that because you really are not studying. Somebody needs to tell you.
Student 1 : Who are you to pass judgments? I can take care of myself.
Class monitor: Isn’t it true that you are neglecting your studies.
Student 1 : Mind your own business.
Class monitor: It is my job to take care of the class and I will do it.
16. Dropping studies
Maanas : Excuse me sir, I need to talk to you.
Class teacher: Yes, what is it Maanas?
Maanas : Sir, I have decided to stop studies. I’ve been detained in the 9th standard.
Class teacher: Have you lost your mind? Do you know how difficult is to survive without a proper education?
Maanas : But I am very weak in studies. I don’t understand anything.
Class teacher: Come on! You can improve. Anybody can improve. You call your dad and I will talk to him. We will make a plan for tuitions.
Maanas : Will tuition help?
Class teacher: I know a friend who gives an excellent tuitions. I will tell him to take personal care of you. Don’t decide in a hurry.
Maanas : Ok sir. Thank you sir.
17. Surprising news
Student 1 : You know what! Sudheer has got 95% marks in Maths.
Student 2 : What? I can’t believe it. He never scored more than 50%.
Student 1 : And even in Social he got 91%.
Student 2 : My goodness! What is the secret?
Student 1 : I heard that his Uncle is teaching him. He is a professor.
Student 2 : Wow! Sudheer is really lucky!
18. Meeting an old friend
Lokesh : Hi Tej.
Tej : Hi Lokesh.
Lokesh : You know what, I bumped into Krishna in the market an hour ago.
Tej : Oh really! What is he doing? Where is he studying?
Lokesh : He is living here. He is staying in Delhi.
Tej : Wow! That’s great. Why did he leave school suddenly?
Lokesh : It was a sudden transfer. He was very happy to see me today. He asked about you too.
Tej : How’s he doing in Delhi?
Lokesh : He is doing very good. He is the topper there too. We planned a movie today. We are meeting him in the evening today.
Tej : We will go to our favourite Kaamath hotel.
Lokesh : Yes. We will catch up on each other.
19. Trying to convince
Shankar : Why did you fight with Maanas?
Jagadish : He is a real pain in the neck.
Shankar : What really happened?
Jagadish : He keeps disturbing me in the class. Today the teacher thought I was doing the mischief.
Shankar : Come on! Forgive him. I will talk to him.
Jagadish : I don’t care about him anymore. He will not change.
Shankar : He is a nice guy at heart, he is only very naughty.
Jagadeesh : Unless he changes I am not going to talk to him.
20. Giving warning
Teacher : Where is Susheel?
Student : God knows. He has not yet come maam.
Teacher : How can he do that? The bell has rung 5 minutes ago.
Student : He is always like that. He roams around in the playground.
(Susheel comes in)
Teacher : Why the hell are you late?
Susheel : I’m sorry maam. I didn’t hear the bell ring.
Teacher : What do you mean, where were you?
Susheel : I was in the playground playing basketball.
Teacher : You must learn to come to class on time. This is the last warning.
Susheel : I’m really sorry maam. I won’t do it again.
21. Getting to know a new student
Prashanth : Hello, I’m Prasanth.
Sandeep : Hi, I’m Sandeep.
Prashanth : So, where are you from?
Sandeep : I am from Mumbai.
Prashanth : I am from Vizag itself. How comes you came from Mumbai to Vizag?
Sandeep : My dad got transferred. He works in the Steel Plant.
Prashanth : So, how do you find Vizag?
Sandeep : It’s a beautiful city. It is very calm and quiet unlike Mumbai.
Prashanth : Which school did you study in Mumbai?
Sandeep : I studied in DAV. How long have you been in this school?
Prashanth : Actually from L.K.G.
Sandeep : Oh I see!
Prahsanth : This school is nice. We have many extracurricular activities and the teachers are really friendly. You will see.
Sandeep : What games do you play?
Prashanth : I play cricket and badminton. In fact, I’m in the badminton team. What about you?
Sandeep : I’m afraid, I’m not a sports person. I’m the studious kind.
Prashanth : Oh! That’s great. Then you can help me in my studies.
Sandeep : Sure. Any time.
Prashanth : Do you speak Marathi at home?
Sandeep : Yes. And you will have to help me out with Telugu. Don’t worry you will pick it up.
Prashanth : There the bell rings. Come sit with me.
Sandeep : Thanks.
22. Asking advice to teacher about career after 10th
Avinash : May I come in, maam?
Teacher : Hi Avinash! Do come in. Please take your seat.
(Avinash sits.)
Teacher : So how did you do your exams?
Avinash : I did very well maam. I really want to thank you for all the effort you put in to make us perfect.
Teacher : That’s ok. So, what is your plan now?
Avinash : I’m still undecided. My parents are telling me to take up M.P.C in my +2. But I am more interested in Commerce. I’m a bit confused and I really need your advice.
Teacher : You are a good student and no matter what you take up, you will do well. But it is important in life to choose what you really are interested in.
Avinash : I have always been very interested in Commerce. Actually the real world of money fascinates me and I want to excel in it.
Teacher : I guess then you should go by your heart.
Avinash : But my parents still think conventionally. They want me to be an engineer like everybody else. I don’t want to hurt them and I don’t know how to convince them.
Teacher : You must understand that they have their own perspective. You must be patient and really talk to them and explain to them.
Avinash : Could you please talk to my parents. That will be a great help.
Teacher : Sure. I will do that.
Avinash : Ok maam. I will carry on now. I will tell my dad to call you. But first I will talk to him.
Teacher : All the very best and take care!
23. Counselling
Likith : Hey Sandeep! You look out of sorts. What is the matter?
Rahul : I got only 490 out of 600 in my board exams. I expected more.
Likith : It happens Rahul. But marks are not the end of the world.
Rahul : But I studied so hard! I feel so depressed.
Likith : Hey! You must not feel like that. There are always ups and downs in life. You must not let this be a final word on you.
Rahul : I know that but I feel so sad. All my friends scored more than me.
Likith : Trust me. In my engineering college, there are so many who got high marks in their tenth but have very little knowledge and talent in their fields now. You are different. You have a good understanding of Physics which many don’t.
Rahul : I know. Is it really ok?
Likith : Of course. It doesn’t matter much. Our director always says that in interviews they look at your personality and knowledge and more than marks.
Rahul : Thanks a lot Likith. I really feel much better now.
Likith : Don’t look back. Do well in life.
24. Realizing one’s mistake
When do you apologize? When you have done something wrong and you realize your mistake.
Father : Will you get your report card Sudheer?
Sudheer : I will. Here it is.
Father looks at it for sometime
Father : You got very low marks. Why didn’t you study?
Sudheer : I don’t like studies. I don’t understand my subjects.
Father : That’s because you don’t concentrate and don’t ask doubts. If you don’t ask doubts how will you learn?
Sudheer : I will try dad.
Father : That’s what you told me last time also and this time your marks are worse. Yet I know you are intelligent and if you concentrate you will score well.
Sudheer : I’m sorry dad. I will concentrate from now on.
Father : I am not convinced. Unless you realize the value of education, you will never concentrate.
The next day father and mother are talking and Sudheer overhears the following conversation.
Father : I’m worried about Sudheer. He is a great kid but somehow he is not getting the interest in studies. What will he do in the future?
Mother : Yes. He is always playing cricket. I never see him study.
Father : (Sadly) I think I will have to work harder and earn more money. So that Sudheer can be secure in the future.
The next day
Sudheer : Dad! I’ve realized my mistake. I’ve been very irresponsible. You have struggled so hard for me and I have given you nothing in return. From now things will be different. I will study hard.
Father : That’s my boy! I always knew you are special and one day you will realize. I’m so happy.
25. Complaints
Parent counselor calls the mother of Subhash to give a complaint about him. All three are present and seated.
Counselor : Good morning maam.
Parent : Good morning.
Counselor : I called you to talk about Subhash.
Parent : What is it?
Counselor : Actually Subhash is scoring very low marks as you know. In the 4th assessment he got only 30%. If he continues this way he will have to be detained.
Parent : Oh! Actually he is a dull student. But this year in the 10th class, he has become worse. But he is good at everything else.
Counselor : Yes, that’s what makes me sad. He is a very nice boy and very friendly. He never gossips and he always quiet. But for some reason, he has no interest in studies.
Parent : What should we do?
Counselor : We have got a new class teacher and I will call him now. He says he has got a solution.
Parent : Oh! That will be a great help.
(Naresh, the class teacher called and he is seated)
Counselor : This is Mr.Naresh and he is Subhash’s class teacher. This is Subhash’s mother.
Parent : Hello.
Naresh : Hello.
Counselor : I informed madam about Subhash’s academic performance and I called you to give some suggestions.
Naresh : I have studied Subhash’s answer papers carefully in all subjects. He doesn’t have any problem. I’ve also talked to him. But the problem is he missed out on basics in the lower classes. His grammar is poor, he is not confident in even calculations etc.
Parent : What do you suggest? Can we do something now?
Naresh : There is always something that we can do. He needs to go back to the lower classes and get his basics through extra classes. I have designed the syllabus and talked to his teachers. But he needs to stay back in school for an hour extra.
Parent : Oh! I’m so thankful to you! If Subhash can be improved I don’t want anything else!
Naresh : It is my duty and I will ensure that he clears his board exam. On your part, please encourage him.
Parent : Sure, I will do that.
Counselor : So that’s it. Tomorrow we will begin the extra classes.
Conclusion
This brings us to the end but for you this should be the beginning. You have understood how English is constructed. You have seen the English structure in various contexts. By now, we are sure you know what is the correct form of English. You also have learnt expressions and vocabulary. That is needed for effective written and spoken English.
Now you must go on from here and do lots of reading, lots of writing, lots of listening and watching. You must become better and better with each day. You will reach the day when you have an absolute command on English and this foundation will always stay with you and actually will get strengthened.
