Mizan's Response to the novel, "Girl with a Pearl Earring"

“Girl with a Pearl Earring” is a novel about a sixteen year old beautiful girl, Griet who started working as a maid for eight stuivers a day in the Vermeer’s family in Holland. She was allowed to see her family only on every Sunday. Griet he was the oldest in her family and had two siblings Agnes and Frans. The economy of her family went down after her father lost his vision in an accident in a tile factory. So, her major duties in Vermeer’s family was to do the housework, laundry, clean the studio, and take care of Catharina’s six children who were, Aleydis the youngest, Maertge the oldest, Cornelia the second oldest, Lisbeth and their little brother Johannes. Catherina, the wife of Vermeer, a painter was little jealous at Griet as she had the permission to go to the studio. Catherina was not allowed because she was a clumsy person and once broke a box of Ven Leeuwenhoek, Vermeer’s friend. Slowly, Griet realized how to behave with the each person of the house she works at. For instance, Cornelia was unpredictable all the time. She could be a best friend on her best mood and could be the worst foe as well depending on her mood. Then she met peter, the butcher’s son from who they usually buy the meat. And she was notified by Peter that there is a plague going on the place her family live at.

 

Griet met with peter and knew her neighborhood was affected by the dreadful disease plague. She went to see her brother Frans and he was annoyed hearing about the quarantine as no one ever told him anything. She requested Vermeer’s family to see her family on that very moment, but they rejected her request telling her that she might bring the disease in their home as it is contagious. She was able to clean the studio room as Vermeer was done with his work. Afterwards, Van Ruijvan came to Vermeer’s house along with his wife to see her drawn portrait and he wanted to know more about Griet with his lustful mind. Later, the quarantine ended up and she rushed at home to see her family. But she saw only her father and mother because the cruel plague has taken her little sister, Agnes forever. She was really upset and Maria Thins was not telling her as she was doing her work slow, but Catherina was tough on her as usual. Vermeer started painting once again the baker’s daughter, and started teaching Griet how to mix the color. Catherina gave birth to a boy, Franciscus and they had a blessing party at their house. Griet had to sleep now in the attic as a nurse had moved in to take care of weak Catherina and the newborn baby.

Griet started feeling good about living in the attic. Although she did not like being locked at night. She had a chance to help Vermeer in grinding and mixing the color, to see his paintings clearly. She was afraid of Catherina, but she was glad that at least Maria Thins know she was helping Vermeer in order to paint faster. Tenneke became mean to her as she was jealous about Griet living in the attic. She was kind of friendly to Maria and Catherina as she once saved Catherina from getting beaten up by her brother. Peter came to meet Griet’s parents in the church and her mother invited him for dinner. She also got the first kiss from Peter when he was leaving from her house. The painting of the baker’s daughter was done by this time and the baker’s family came to pick it. Vermeer started painting another portrait of Van Ruijvan’s wife. Griet has posed for Ruijvan’s wife when she was not available someday. Griet learned about the color of lights and came to know that Vermeer was a protestant like her before he was married to Catherina. Vermeer asked Griet one day to set the studio up as he was going to paint her.

On a Sunday Griet’s father said her, “You smell of linseed oil” She did not disclose to her parents nor to Peter that Vermeer was painting her. Peter wanted to see her hair but she refused as no dutch girls were allowed to uncover their hair before their marriage. Vermeer also asked Griet to unveil her head, but she refused. One day he gave her Catherina’s pearl earrings to wear in order to finish the painting. Leeuwnhoek told Griet that Vermeer liked her. Catherina was six months pregnant once again. Cornelia somehow figured out about the painting and notified her mother, Catherina. By the time, the painting was finished. Catherina was immensely upset and asked Vermeer why he did not paint her portrait even though she was her wife. Griet left the house being scared and married Peter, the butcher’s son who eagerly had been waiting for her. She had two sons and Tenneke came to her meat shop as Catherina wanted to see her. She met Catherina and saw she had eleven children. Catherina gave her those pearl earring she once gave pose because Vermeer left a note to give the pearl earrings to Griet before he died.

Revision of composition # 4

It is important in our life to realize the true value of a person. Often we remain blind to the value of a person, so it becomes hard for us to understand. I also faced an experience in my life from which I have understood that persons who seem to be good might turn out to be a bad one in some situations.

       I had a chemistry teacher in ninth grade. His name was Abdullah, a short thin man with an innocent face. He was very well known for teaching chemistry among all the English medium schools in Sylhet. Many students including me used to go to him for lesson. I became a fan of him slowly for his tremendous way of teaching. He was also a good person. Everyone liked him for his good attitude. He used to help every students as well.

       However, things started coming out about him. Girls started complaining about him that he was harassing them. I did not believe it thinking it might be a rumor. My friend, Tasnia told me something shocking. She said Abdullah sir tried to do obscenities with her when she was alone after all students left. He was sitting opposite to her and was rubbing his feet with hers. I had to believe although it was really hard for me to do so. Because Abdullah sir, to me, was like an idol. But this incident hurt my good feelings for him as a teacher. Our Principal came to know about all his harassment to the girls and later Abdullah sir was fired from our school.

       It is hard to tell the true value of a person by only seeing his external look. Although I realized it later and all my respect for Abdullah sir turned into hatred. Not all people who look innocent are good as all that glow are not gold.

Revision of composition # 6

Power makes many people blind.It does not matter in what field of jobs,because some people are easily captivated by corruption anyhow.They lose the sense of right or wrong,become dishonest, and take advantage of power illegaly.I know  a political leader from Bangladesh who had been abusing power by becoming corrupted.I am going to write about the rise and fall of his power.
A mayor is elected by the people so that he or she can make the city life better.Arif Chowdhury,a political leader was elected as the mayorof Sylhet City Corporation about four years ago.He was a social worker as well as the student leader in his early life.He had been doing good work such as women rights for being assaulted,shelter for poor people etc.As time passed by,he became on of the candidates in the mayor election.He promised to change the entire Sylhet city into something special.And he was elected as the mayor by many votes.
As a mayor,Arif Chowdhury was really doing fine.However,things changed after six months of his time as a mayor.All of a sudden,it seemed that he had become reluctant.He stopped meeting with people who had problems to tell him;his friendship turned out to be with rich people and did not care to solve any troubles for poor people anymore.Moreoverhe had his own gang scattered all over the city.These were just the simple things that were visible.
Everyone was surprised after knowing more secrets about Mayor, Arif Chowdhury.He had been taking huge amount of bribes in order to give contracts to people for contruction works, owned  the land from poor hopeless people by tricking them,unnecesssary loan from banks,and the major part was that he storing all the ration that came from goverment in order to provide to the helpless.All these would never have been disclosed if he was not caught red handed by the C.I.D(Criminal Investigation Depertment.)After tracing  all the evidence of his illegal deeds,the secret service C.I.D had arranged a plot where Arif Chowdhury wanted to take bribe  from a building constuctor in terms of giving him a contract .Overall,he contravebed the laws in many ways and preassumably defrauded 10 million taka in Bangladesh currency.Now,he is imprisoned for nine years.
In every bad deeds there must be a downfall at a certain point.It is like a mountain has its peak where it goes down after a steep inclination.Being enticed to the blindness of the power,Arif Chowdhury lost his ethics,honesty,ideals,and sought more power.As a result,he had seen the extreme devastation of the power he had abused.

Revision of composition # 5

People in Dhaka city have a strong interest to follow the crowd. No one bothers to know the exact reason, instead the public starts gathering to accompany others without even judging whether it is right or wrong. I once were a witness of a wrong activity. Despite of knowing it a wrong deed, people followed a crowd that they never should have followed.
It was the time when i went to Dhaka for the first time, to get my U.S.A visa. My father and Sami were also with me; excitment captivated me with joy, but Sami and father were indifferent as they had been in Dhaka before.Our journey was by train, so we got off at the Kamlapur Railway Station. the entore station was crowded with people of multiple professions. All of a sudden, we heard a women's scream, "Help!" from our right. A moment later, i heard peple making noise of beating somebody. We approached towards it and and  a bunch of people were hitting someone severely.Pedestrians whoever were passing by, also jumped into the crowd and followed the punching and kicking.
My father, Sami and i were the silent viewers. My father does not like violence and he could not even stop the crowd all alone by him self. Later, when people stopped their beating round , i saw a 23 years old boy was rolling on the ground crying loud with pain. His forehead was bleeding, and shirt was torn apart. We came to know that he tried to snatch  a golden chain from a women's neck, and fell down while running away. It seemed terrible to me the way he was beaten up. Within  a wink, rickshaw drivers, cab driver etc. were gathered and perticipated in that brutality. Hatred grew in my mind  for all other people.
Althought it was against the law, but it is a normal thing in Dhaka city. I never support this type of cruelty act. Cops were out there to take any criminals to jail. But people were busy interpreting the law by themselves. I asked myself  that when would this type of thing be stopped? 

Revision of Composition #6

Power makes many people blind.It does not matter in what field of jobs,because some people are easily captivated by corruption anyhow.They lose the sense of right or wrong,become dishonest,and take the advantage of power illegaly.I know a political leader from Bangladesh who had been abusing power by getting corrupted.I am going to depict the rise and fall of his power.
Every city in the world elects a person as a Mayor so that he or she can make the city life better.Arif Chowdhury,a political leader was once elected as the Mayor of Sylhet City about four years ago.He was a social worker as well as a the student leader in his early life.He had been doing so many good works such as for women rights,shelter for poor people etc.As time passed by,he bacame one of the candidates in the Mayor election.He committed to change the entire Sylhet city into something special.And he was elected as the Mayor by many votes.
As a Mayor,Arif Chowdhury was really doing fine.However,things had changed after six months of his reign.Gradually, it seemed that he had become reluctant all of a sudden.He stopped meeting with people who had problems to tell him;his friendship turned out to be with rich people and did not care to solve any troubles for poor people anymore.Moreover, he had his own gang scattered all ovre the city.These were just the simple things that were visible to us.
Everyone was surprised after knowing more secrets about the Mayor, Arif Chowdhury.He had been taking huge amount of bribes in order to give contracts to people for contruction works, owned the land from poor hopeless people by tricking them, taking unnecessary loand from banks, and the major part was that he had been storing all the ration that came from government in order to provide to the helpless.All these would never have been disclosed if he was not caught red handed by the CID(Criminal Investigation Department.)After tracing all the evidence of his illegal deeds, the secret service CID had arranged a plot where Arif Chowdhury wanted to take bribe from a building constuctor in terms of giving him the contract.Overall, he contravened the laws in many ways and preassumably defrauded 10 million taka in Bangladesh currency.Now, he is imprisoned for nine years.
In every bad deeds there must be a downfall at a certain point.It is like a mountain has its peak where it goes down after a steep inclination.Being enticed to the blindness of the power,Arif Chowdhury lost his ethics, honesty,ideals, and sought more power.As a result,he had seen the extreme devastation.That is why Plato,a famous philosopher said that power seekers,corrupted people, and more educated people cannot be good leaders but the one who only seeks to serve people without looking for his or her own benefit.

Camera Obscura..

The camera obscura (Latin; "camera" is a "vaulted chamber/room" + "obscura" means "dark"= "darkened chamber/room") is an optical device that projects an image of its surroundings on a screen. It is used in drawing and for entertainment, and was one of the inventions that led to photography. The device consists of a box or room with a hole in one side. Light from an external scene passes through the hole and strikes a surface inside where it is reproduced, upside-down, but with colour and perspective preserved. The image can be projected onto paper, and can then be traced to produce a highly accurate representation.

History

The pinhole camera and camera obscura are sometimes credited to Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen, 965–1039 AD) ^{[4][verification needed]} for the first clear description^[5] and correct analysis^[6] of the device and for first describing how an image is formed in the eye using the camera obscura as an analogy.^{[7][verification needed]}
However, camera obscura was known to earlier scholars since the time of Mozi and Aristotle.^[8] Euclid's Optics (ca 300 BC), presupposed the camera obscura as a demonstration that light travels in straight lines.^[9] When Ibn al-Haytham began experimenting with the camera obscura phenomenon, he stated (in Latin translation), Et nos non inventimus ita, "we did not invent this".^[10]
In the 4th century BC, Aristotle noted that "sunlight travelling through small openings between the leaves of a tree, the holes of a sieve, the openings wickerwork, and even interlaced fingers will create circular patches of light on the ground." In the 4th century AD, Theon of Alexandria observed how "candlelight passing through a pinhole will create an illuminated spot on a screen that is directly in line with the aperture and the center of the candle." In the 9th century, Al-Kindi (Alkindus) demonstrated that "light from the right side of the flame will pass through the aperture and end up on the left side of the screen, while light from the left side of the flame will pass through the aperture and end up on the right side of the screen." While these earlier scholars described the effects of a single light passing through a pinhole, none of them suggested that what is being projected onto the screen is an image of everything on the other side of the aperture. Ibn al-Haytham's Book of Optics (1021) was the first to demonstrate this with his lamp experiment where several different light sources are arranged across a large area, and he was thus the first scientist to successfully project an entire image from outdoors onto a screen indoors with the camera obscura.^{[11][unreliable source?]}
Several decades after Ibn al-Haytham's death, the Song Dynasty Chinese scientist Shen Kuo (1031–1095) experimented with camera obscura, and was the first to apply geometrical and quantitative attributes to it in his book of 1088 AD, the Dream Pool Essays.^{[12][verification needed]} However, Shen Kuo alluded to the fact that the Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang written in about 840 AD by Duan Chengshi (d. 863) during the Tang Dynasty (618–907) mentioned inverting the image of a Chinese pagoda tower beside a seashore.^[12] In fact, Shen makes no assertion that he was the first to experiment with such a device.^[12] Shen wrote of Cheng's book: "[Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang] said that the image of the pagoda is inverted because it is beside the sea, and that the sea has that effect. This is nonsense. It is a normal principle that the image is inverted after passing through the small hole."^[12]
In 13th-century England Roger Bacon described the use of a camera obscura for the safe observation of solar eclipses.^[13] Its potential as a drawing aid may have been familiar to artists by as early as the 15th century; Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519 AD) described camera obscura in Codex Atlanticus. Johann Zahn's Oculus Artificialis Teledioptricus Sive Telescopium was published in 1685. This work contains many descriptions and diagrams, illustrations and sketches of both the camera obscura and of the magic lantern.

Camera obscura, from a manuscript of military designs. Seventeenth century, possibly Italian.

The Dutch Masters, such as Johannes Vermeer, who were hired as painters in the 17th century, were known for their magnificent attention to detail. It has been widely speculated that they made use of such a camera, but the extent of their use by artists at this period remains a matter of considerable controversy, recently revived by the Hockney-Falco thesis. The term "camera obscura" was first used by the German astronomer Johannes Kepler in 1604.^[14] The English physician and author Sir Thomas Browne speculated upon the inter-related workings of optics and the camera obscura in his 1658 Discourse The Garden of Cyrus thus-

For at the eye the Pyramidal rayes from the object, receive a decussation, and so strike a second base upon the Retina or hinder coat, the proper organ of Vision; wherein the pictures from objects are represented, answerable to the paper, or wall in the dark chamber; after the decussation of the rayes at the hole of the hornycoat, and their refraction upon the Christalline humour, answering the foramen of the window, and the convex or burning-glasses, which refract the rayes that enter it.

Edited sentence..

I refuse to agree to this kind of custom, because I don't want my next generation, including my son and many children continue with this horrific tradition that I do not support; And I will never support to see as many kids and parents have to kill their own family.

Mizan’s Response to “One of These Days”

The story “One of These Days” is about an unauthorized Dentist and a Mayor who has a swollen tooth ache, visits the Dentist to get rid of the affected tooth. It seems the Dentist does have an internal conflict with the Mayor the way he behaves. Finally, He helps the Mayor by pulling out the painful tooth in his office.

I liked the starting sentence of the story:

“Monday dawned warm and rainless.” Because the author has begun the story in a very dramatic way with this sentence.

“Now you’ll pay for our twenty dead men.” – These words seemed irrelevant to me.

Interpretation:

 The Dentist probably has some type of conflict between the Mayor and him. Because, he has not attempted to use the anesthesia, and took out the affected tooth that resulted severe pain to the Mayor.

In practical life, sometimes we either face or create such situation which is similar to the sequence that is mentioned above. We try to make someone suffer either in a good or in a bad way. For instance, while studying on eighth grade, we had a substitute Chemistry teacher-a grouchy young lady. She was always putting us down in eyes of our school’s Principal; she was misusing her power of being a teacher. One day, we punctured her bicycle’s tire, but she was quiet though it was obvious we did it.

About "A Chip of Glass Ruby.."

The first thing that seemed interesting is the title of the story.The author did not make any fault in giving such a picturasque tiltle.In my point of view,Mrs. Bamjee is being compared to "A Chip of Glass Ruby,"a precious stone.This is because Mrs. Bamjee,a typical ordinary Muslim woman who takes care of her all family members,and also involvs her in a hardcore protest against a hierarchy government in favor of the native people in the mean time.That is why Dr. Abdul Khan mentioned her "A wonderful woman" although nothing seemed to her like that.   (pg-2,prgph-1,line no.-13,17-19.)



The story was easy to comprehend,yet it gets confusing to me when Mrs. Bamjee said,"Not long now."(line-10,pg-2,prgph-1.)


Question:
          # Who are Mr. Bamjee's own children?
          # What does "stamped her own chillies." mean?(line-5,pg-9,prgph-2)


Interpretation:
            Sometimes we have to face great challenges in our life.I would like to identify it as a moral conflict.Well, nothing can guarantee that we can not avoid these conflicts from arising,and often these turn out to be terrible.It appears to be deciding between a good & a good;it's not simple that we can choose both,but whatever we do,we are going to be neglecting something that is really important.However,Mrs. Bamjee has been proving her ethics wonderfully woman through her responsibilities to her family and humanities.

Summary of "A Chip of Glass Ruby.."

The film "A Chip of Glass Ruby" is about an Indian-African woman,Mrs. Bamjee who lives in South Africa along with her family.She is involved with the anti-apartheid activities as well as maintaining the family profoundly in the mean time.However,Mr. Bamjee did not like the way his wife and his elder son,Jimmy are working as the activists for a certain group named,"The Parents Committee,"where they might get into a big trouble!And,this gave birth to a little conflict in the family.At the end,Mrs. Bamjee gets arrested by two police in the mid night,for being a member of such an anti-government doings.

The way Juror Five had voted..

The fifth juror reveals a confusing character in the beginning of the story.At first,he did not vote anything as he wasn't too sure about what to say.However,things turned out differently by and by.Observing the reasonable doubts from the eighth juror,he seemed to get convinced.For instance,when the juror eight was explaining his doubts about the woman and the old man's testimony,the fifth juror supported him.(line-18,Pg-35) Moreover, when the juror nine added couple of more doubts about the old man,it perhaps might helped the juror five to reach to an ultimate decission.Finally,he spoke up saying,"I would like to change my vote to 'not guilty'." surprising others in the midst of the argument(line-30,pg-37).

"Twelve Angry Men" by Reginald Rose Description of Fifth Juror..

Probably it was the first appearance for the fifth juror to any jury trial.As he told to the tenth juror, "I don't know.It just never occured to me."(line-5,pg-7) ,as soon as he came to know that they lock the door from outside.So,all jurors decided to vote as "guilty" or "not guilty" to reach in their final verdict;and it has to be unanimous.But the fifth juror became nervous when it was his turn.Being anxious he voted nothing,rather said,"I'll pass it."(line-23,pg-16)Although he remained quiet since the foundation of the story,whereas the others were interecting on the discussion.At a certain point,he also replied nervously to the third juror,"I am not sure.."(line-5,pg-25)when he was being asked if the accused boy lied or not.However,lastly his ethics helped him to come to a decission;after he listens to some  major logical reasons from the eighth juror."I would like to change my vote to 'not guilty'.",that's what he said.(line-30,pg-37)

"Sherlock Holmes" A Significant Book To Me..

The most important book to me is "Sherlock Holmes."It is a fictional detective book especially based on the investigation written by the famous English author and physician,Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.Holmes is incissive for his logical explanation,his brilliant aptitude to take almost any disguise,and his forensic science proficiency to get to the bottom of any complex cases.

Five years aback, I went along with my umcle to Mr. Saif's home,his friend.We sat in a big living room .It was quite a picturesque with exotic interior beautifications.Also there was a huge bookshelf standing at the east side all alone by itself,right next to a giant television.All over,it was something fancy to view. The first thing drew my interest was the book shelf;So,I stepped down next to it and took out a heavy book with no front cover.Inner part of the book was emblemed with  the title "Sherlock Holmes." That book carried few bunh of stories.However,I started  reading the first page of starting story.Gradually,I became more curious about the book.As time passed by,the book dragged me all the way into the flow of the story.While reading,often my heart started pounding thinking what was going to be happend next.But,It made me so disappoint when my uncle asked me to leave.Hence, I had to put the book back  to its place against my will.

Later, I became deperate to buy the book "Sherlock Holmes" that intrigued me so drastically.I started saving money from my school-lunch as quick as possible.Yet,a surprise was to come and that was my uncle who stunned me. He brought me the precious that I had been awaiting to attain.Actually he noticed the other day how interested I was towards the radiant creation of  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Today, I live thousand of miles away from my uncle.Yet,he is always there in my memory.I still have his present intact till today.All in all,once it was like a dream to obtain the book "Sherlock Holmes."But uncle had made my dream come true, for which I still count it as an important and a special gift.

Questions about Sunday In The Park..

2. What does the last paragraph in the story infers?

3. What the word City-pale is?

Sunday In The Park by Bel Kaufman

Morton & his wife were sitting in the park by late afternoon on a picturesque sunday along with their only child Larry, who was busy playing in the sandbox. There, too, was another boy in the sandbox.However, suddenly the other boy splashed some sands on him. But Larry seemed to be indifferent. Again the other big boy did the same thing. Having seen that, Larry's mother advised the big boy not to throw sands anymore . Next, the guardian of the boy, a man with an arrogant mind opposed her with harsh voice. Morton tried to be nice with the man to make him understand . Yet, it was of no use. At a certain point, Morton got really annoyed and that sullen man aswell. Ultimately, Morton acted as an intellectual by leaving the park with his family considering the fact that a violence would never have demonstrated the evaluation between a right or wrong.

"REUNION" A Short Story By John Cheever. (SUMMARY)

Charlie, a boy wanted to see his father three years after his parents got divorced.He wrote his father to meet him while awaitnig an hour & half for the train at the Grand Central in New York. However, Charlie was tremendously excited about his father & this reunion.So, his father came  & took him into couple of restaurants.But they were being ignored because of the discourteous acts that was made by Charlie's father.Even before charlie departs, his fahter were about to engage in a harsh argument with a newspaper clerk. But Charlie had to leave him as he was running late for trains.Seeing this sort of activities, Charlie became upset as never he has expected something from his own flesh & blood whereas he was once enchanted thinking high of his father.End of the day, he ended up with huge dissapointment & that was the ultimate moment he saw his father since then.