Assignment

College Name :

   ~Maharani Shri NandakuvarBA mahila arts and commerce College Bhavnagar

      Name  : 

        ~ Pandya Himanshi Mahesh bhai

         T.y.b.a sem :~ 5 

         

         Sub : English 

        

         Paper Name: A study of the novel 

      

          Professor Name : shivani ma'am 

            

           Unit ~ 1&2

 

     

          *** Class assignment ***

🌸 Sense and Sensibility

                    By :~ Jane Austen 

Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility (1811) is a novel that beautifully explores love, family, money, and social expectations in 19th-century England. It was Austen’s first published novel, released anonymously with the byline “By a Lady”. Even though it is over 200 years old, it still speaks to modern readers because it captures universal struggles: following the heart or listening to reason.

About the Author: Jane Austen ✨

Jane Austen (1775–1817) is one of the most celebrated English novelists. She was born in Steventon, Hampshire, into a middle-class family. With her sharp observations and satirical wit, Austen wrote about domestic life, marriage, and women’s struggles in a patriarchal society.

#Her major works include #

Pride and Prejudice (1813)

Mansfield Park (1814)

Emma (1815)

Northanger Abbey (1818, posthumous)

Persuasion (1818, posthumous)

Sense and Sensibility was her debut, setting the foundation for her career as a novelist who critiqued social norms with elegance and humor.

~ Main Characters

1. Eleanor Dashwood – Practical, thoughtful, and self-controlled. She represents “sense” (reason).

2. Marianne Dashwood – Romantic, emotional, and impulsive. She represents “sensibility” (passion).

3. Mrs. Dashwood 

           

             Their widowed mother, affectionate but not very practical.

4. Margaret Dashwood 

         

         The youngest sister.

5. Edward ferrars

        

             Kind and honorable, Elinor’s love interest.

6 .Colonel Brandon 

        A loyal, sincere man who loves Marianne.

7. John Willoughbby 

             Charming but selfish; he betrays Marianne.

8. Lucy Steele 

           Cunning and ambitious; she creates problems in Elinor’s love life.

# Detailed Summary of the Novel #

 Beginning – Loss and Change

The novel opens with the Dashwood family losing their father. Because of inheritance laws, their half-brother John Dashwood inherits most of the estate, leaving Mrs. Dashwood and her three daughters in financial difficulty.

They move to a small cottage in Devonshire, where the two elder sisters—Eleanor and Marianne—begin their journeys of love and heartbreak.

*Eleanor and Edward Ferrars*

Eleanor quietly falls in love with Edward Ferrars, her sister-in-law’s brother. However, Edward is engaged to Lucy Steele, a woman he does not truly love. Eleanor suffers in silence but remains composed, showing her sense and inner strength.

 ~Marianne and Willoughbby 

            Marianne is swept away by the charming John Willoughbby . Their romance seems perfect, but he abandons her for a wealthy heiress, leaving Marianne devastated. Her “sensibility” leads her to deep suffering and near death from heartbreak.

# The Turning Point

Colonel Brandon, a steady and honorable man, cares deeply for Marianne. While she ignores him at first, she later realizes his genuine love. Meanwhile, Edward is freed from his engagement when Lucy chooses his wealthy brother instead.

 The End – Balance of Sense and Sensibility

Eleanor marries Edward Ferrars after a long wait filled with patience and restraint. Marianne learns from her mistakes and marries Colonel Brandon, finding true happiness. The novel ends with both sisters achieving fulfillment—Eleanor through her sense, and Marianne by balancing sensibility with wisdom.

Major theme ✨

1. Sense vs. Sensibility 

       The central theme. Austen does not dismiss either but shows the importance of balance between reason and passion.

2. Love and Marriage 

    Marriage is both a personal choice and a social/economic necessity.

3. Wealth and Inheritance 

       The plot reflects how women’s lives were shaped by property laws and financial dependence.

4. Family and Sisterhood   

        The strong bond between Eleanor and Marianne is at the heart of the story.

5. Social Class and Morality 

        Austen critiques selfishness, greed, and social climbing through characters like Fanny Dashwood and Lucy Steele.

~Literary Style and Features

Irony and Satire – Austen humorously criticizes social conventions, especially regarding money and marriage.

Realism – Instead of grand adventures, Austen focuses on everyday life and ordinary people.

Character Contrast – Eleanor and Marianne embody two opposite qualities, making their development meaningful.

Narrative Voice – A mix of gentle humor and moral reflection.

* Critical Appreciation *

Sense and Sensibility is not just a love story but also a social critique. It questions the limited roles available to women and the way money governs relationships.

Austen shows that women need both rationality and emotions to survive in a restrictive society.

The novel also reflects the transition from the 18th-century “cult of sensibility” (emphasizing emotions) to the more balanced 19th-century ideals of reason and practicality.

# Why You Should Read Sense and Sensibility

It teaches us the value of balancing heart and mind.

It presents timeless lessons on love, patience, and resilience.

It offers a witty, realistic portrayal of society and family bonds.

Jane Austen’s writing style is full of humor, grace, and intelligence, making it enjoyable even today.

 💭Conclusion

Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility is more than a romance novel. It is a story about human nature, emotions, and the struggle to find harmony between reason and passion. Through Eleanor and Marianne, Austen reminds us that while love and feelings are powerful, wisdom and patience help us endure life’s challenges.

Even after two centuries, the novel co

       at Austen’s insight into love and society is truly timeless.

             ***Home assignment***

       

       Unit ~ 3&4

 

🌊 The Old Man and the Sea 

                ~By : Ernest Miller hemingway 

Introduction

The Old Man and the Sea is a short novel written by Ernest Hemingway in 1952. It is one of his most famous works and won him the Pulitzer Prize in 1953. Later, Hemingway was also awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954, and this novel played a big part in that honor.

This story is simple but very powerful. It talks about an old fisherman named Santiago, his struggles with nature, and his courage in the face of difficulties. Even though it is short, the novel carries deep lessons about life, strength, and never giving up.

About the Author – Ernest Hemming way

Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) was an American writer known for his clear and simple writing style. He wrote many novels and short stories like A Farewell to Arms, The Sun Also Rises, and For Whom the Bell Tolls. Hemming way believed in writing truthfully about life, struggles, and human emotions.

He lived an adventurous life—he worked as a war reporter, loved fishing, and often traveled. These experiences shaped his writing.

~Main Characters

Santiago – The old fisherman, the hero of the story. He is poor and unlucky but very brave and full of hope.

Manolin – A young boy who loves Santiago and takes care of him. He learns fishing from him and respects him a lot.

The Marlin – A huge fish that Santiago struggles to catch. It represents dreams, challenges, and goals.

The Sharks – They attack Santiago’s marlin. They are symbols of destruction and life’s problems.

~Summary of the Story

Santiago is an old fisherman who has not caught a single fish for 84 days. The other fishermen call him unlucky. Only the boy Manolin still loves him and helps him with food and care.

On the 85th day, Santiago goes alone into the deep sea. After many hours, he hooks a giant marlin. The fish is so strong that it pulls Santiago’s boat far into the sea. The old man struggles for three long days without rest, food, or proper sleep.

Finally, Santiago kills the marlin with his harpoon. He ties the fish to his boat and starts returning home. But on the way, sharks attack the marlin. Santiago fights with all his strength and kills some sharks, but many others come and eat the fish.

When he reaches home, only the skeleton of the marlin is left. Santiago is tired and weak, but he has shown great courage. The villagers respect him again, and Manolin promises to fish with him in the future.

°Themes in the Novel°

1. Struggle and Perseverance  

       Santiago never gives up, even when the fish is stronger than him.

2. Pride and Honor    

      He wants to prove that age and bad luck cannot defeat him.

3. Man vs. Nature 

       The sea, the marlin, and the sharks show the challenges of life and nature.

4. Loneliness 

       

 Santiago is alone in his struggle, showing the reality of human life.

5. Victory in Defeat 

   Although he loses the fish to the sharks, his bravery makes him a true winner.

*Symbols in the Story*

The Marlin – A big goal or dream that requires courage to achieve.

The Sharks – Enemies and problems that destroy our success.

The Sea – The challenges and mysteries of life.

Lions in Dreams – Santiago dreams of lions on the beach, which represent strength, youth, and hope.

💭Conclusion

The Old Man and the Sea is not just a story of a fisherman. It is a story about life itself. Santiago teaches us that even if we face failures, our courage, hope, and determination are what truly matter.

Heming way :gives us a strong message:

👉 “A man can be destroyed but not defeated.”

This makes the novel timeless and inspiring for everyone.

# ppt# 

 

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGt9FrdqK4/zwN2X1Ib0hmhhsstoGKa3Q/edit?utm_content=DAGt9FrdqK4&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton.

                          #  Essay  #

  

Here are some good pairs we can compare:

      

1. Edward Ferrars vs. John Willoughbby – two very different lovers.

2. Colonel Brandon vs. Willoughbby – maturity vs. passion.

3. Lucy Steele vs. Eleanor Dashwood – selfishness vs. selflessness.

✍️ Character Comparison: Edward Ferrars and John Willoughbby in Sense and Sensibility

Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility explores the lives and struggles of the Dashwood family. While much of the attention falls on the sisters Eleanor and Marianne, the novel also presents two very different male characters: Edward Ferrars and John Willoughby. These men represent opposite qualities of honesty and deception, constancy and betrayal. Through their differences, Austen highlights the importance of integrity and true affection in relationships.

Edward Ferrars  

     The Honest but Reserved Gentleman

Edward Ferrars is a quiet, kind, and honorable man. Though he is not very confident or charming, he values honesty and loyalty above everything else. He is truly in love with Eleanor Dashwood, but he faces difficulties because of his secret engagement to Lucy Steele, made when he was very young.

Edward suffers because of this engagement but refuses to break his promise, even when it brings him unhappiness. This shows his strong sense of duty and morality. His honesty and simplicity may make him less attractive than Willoughbby at first, but his character proves to be trustworthy and steady.

John Willoughbby 

       The Charming but Unfaithful Suitor

In contrast, John Willoughbby is handsome, romantic, and full of charm. Marianne is drawn to him immediately because of his passion for poetry, music, and nature. Willoughby represents the excitement of romance, and he seems like the perfect partner for Marianne.

However, beneath his charm lies selfishness and irresponsibility. He abandons Marianne for a rich heiress, showing that he values money and social status more than true love. His betrayal causes Marianne deep heartbreak and almost ruins her health. Willoughby’s actions show how dangerous it can be to trust only outward appearances.

Contrast Between Edward and Willoughbby 

Honesty vs. Deception – Edward stays true to his word, while Willoughbby betrays Marianne.

Steadiness vs. Passion – Edward is calm and reserved, while Willoughbby is exciting but unstable.

True Love vs. Self-Interest – Edward loves Eleanor sincerely, while Willoughbby chooses wealth over Marianne.

Austen’s Message

Through these two characters, Austen shows that real happiness does not come from charm or passion alone, but from honesty, loyalty, and integrity. Willoughby may be attractive, but he is shallow and unreliable. Edward may appear plain, but his goodness makes him the true hero of the story.

Conclusion

The contrast between Edward Ferrars and John Willoughbby is central to Sense and Sensibility. They represent two very different ideas of love: one based on truth and constancy, the other on passion and selfishness. By the end of the novel, Austen rewards Edward with happiness and leaves Willoughby with regret, reminding us that true love must be built on sincerity and moral strength.

Reference by  📚

     

SparkNotes – The Old Man and the Sea Study Guide

A detailed study guide with plot overview, character breakdowns, themes

 https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/oldman/

CliffsNotes- Offers a clean and structured plot summary, along with character n side

 https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/o/the-old-man-and-the-sea/book-summary

LitCharts – The Old Man and the Sea Summary & Analysis

Link: https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-old-man-and-the-sea/summary