Activity I ;REVIEW OF A STORY
1. Introduction: basic facts about the story, including the title, the author and the story genre.
2. Summary: Briefly summarise the story. Discuss the setting, the main character(s) and the main events or problems that the characters experience.
3. Personal reflection: Discuss what you like or dislike about the story. Give reasons to support your opinion. You may want to compare and contrast the story with other stories you have been read by the same author or in the same genre. You can also compare the story to your own personal experience or a current event in the news
.
4. Critical analysis
In the critical analysis, some questions to explore are:
- What is the author’s purpose for writing the story? Is the author successful in achieving this purpose?
- What is the setting of the story? Is it appropriate to the genre?
- How well are the characters developed? Do they think, feel, speak and act in a believable way?
- How well is the plot structured? Is the action suspenseful enough? Are the events too predictable?
- What is the theme, or the central idea, of the story?
- Does the story have a ‘coda’, or a lesson? What is it?
- Does the story have a ‘twist’, or an unexpected ending?
- Does the author use any literary devices, such as metaphor, simile, etc.
5. Conclusion: In conclusion, you should evaluate the story and either recommend it or not recommend it to others, depending on whether you think it is worthwhile reading.
Example:
Prepare a review of the story, emphasizing the role of its women characters.
Title 1: "Embers of Emotions: Unboxing 'Matchbox' by Ashapurna Debi"
Title 2: "Matchbox: A Tale of Family and Fire"
"Matchbox" by Ashapurna Debi is a heartwarming story that takes us into the life of Nomita and Ajit, a young couple living in a bustling joint family in rural Bengal. The story primarily revolves around the challenges they face within their family and their personal lives.
Nomita, a young and vibrant woman, is married to Ajit, and they live in a big family. However, there's a twist in the tale—Nomita's mother, a poor widow, is constantly in need of money. She writes letters to Nomita, sharing tales of misfortune to ask for financial help. It puts Nomita in a tough spot because her husband, Ajit, insists on reading her letters, which she finds invasive.
Things take a turn when Nomita finds one of her mother's letters crumpled in Ajit's pocket. To her surprise, he had received it days ago but kept it a secret. This discovery causes a heated argument as Nomita tries to make Ajit understand the importance of respecting her privacy.
In the midst of this drama, Nomita's frustration peaks, and she sets her sari on fire using a matchbox. Luckily, the fire is quickly put out, but the incident leaves a mark on their relationship. The story beautifully portrays the complex dynamics of a traditional joint family, where the smallest of incidents can have a big impact.
While all this is happening, the practical demands of daily life continue. The washerman is waiting for the laundry, and despite the emotional turmoil, Nomita manages to hand it over and get back to her daily chores. Her sister-in-law notices the commotion and teases her about spending too much time with her husband instead of fulfilling her family duties.
"Matchbox" is not just a simple story but a reflection of the challenges many Indian families face. It reminds us of the importance of boundaries and respect in relationships, and it subtly addresses the need for gender equality within the family. This story tells us that dominance by any gender can disrupt the harmony of a family and society. "Matchbox" is a touching and thought-provoking narrative that captures the essence of traditional Indian family life.
