Literature assignment

Assignment of literature 

Name: Pathan suzan

College Name : ~Maharani shri nandkuverba mahila arts and commerce college

Subject: English

Professor Name:   Aamena mam

Date of submission: 20-02-2026

T.Y B.A SEM : 6

PAPER NAME:   Major-14

Class assignment

1.That long silence by shashi deshpande

 Characters: 

1. Jaya 

• The protagonist and narrator of the novel.

• A middle-class, educated woman and writer.

• Struggles with identity, marriage, and her own suppressed voice.

• Reflects on her life and the “silence” she has maintained in her marriage.

2. Mohan

• Jaya’s husband.

• A practical, conventional middle-class man.

• Works as an engineer and expects Jaya to behave like a traditional, supportive wife.

• His professional troubles trigger the couple’s self-reflection.

3. Rahul

• Jaya and Mohan’s sensitive teenage son.

• Emotionally disturbed and withdrawn.

• Represents the impact of parental conflict and silence on children.

4. Rati

• Jaya and Mohan’s daughter.

• More confident and modern compared to Rahul.

• Symbolizes the younger generation of women with greater freedom.

5. Kamat

• Jaya’s neighbor and friend.

• Encourages her to express herself and write honestly.

• Plays a key role in Jaya’s realization about her silence.

6. Mukta

        • Mohan’s widowed sister.

• Lives independently and raises her son alone.

• Represents a different model of womanhood and resilience.

7. Nayana

• Mukta’s daughter.

• Helps show Mukta’s struggles as a single mother.

8. Jeeja (Mohan’s mother)

• Traditional and conservative.

• Influences Mohan’s expectations of Jaya as a wife.

9. Jaya’s parents

• Her father is liberal and educated, encouraging her writing.

• Her mother is more traditional and submissive, shaping Jaya’s conflicting ideas about womanhood.

2. Toba tek singh by Saadat Manto Hasan

1. Bishan Singh [Toba tek singh]

• The central character of the story.
• A Sikh inmate in the lunatic asylum
• Known as “Toba Tek Singh” because he constantly talks about his hometown.
• Repeats meaningless phrases and stands on his feet all the time
• Deeply attached to his land and confused about whether it lies in India or Pakistan.
• Symbolizes the pain and confusion caused by partition.
• In the end, he dies in the no-man’s land between India and Pakistan.

   2. Fazal Din

• A Muslim friend of Bishan Singh from his village
• Visits him in the asylum.
• Informs him about his family and tells him that Toba Tek Singh is now in Pakistan.
• Represents humanity and friendship beyond religious divisions.

3. The ‘God’ Inmate

• A patient who claims he is God. 
• Bishen Singh asks him whether Toba Tek Singh is in India or Pakistan.
• He answers jokingly, making Bishen Singh angry. 
• Represents how even “God” cannot solve the confusion of Partition.

4. Muslim League Worker (the Jinnah -claiming patient)

• A Muslim patient from Chaniot.Used to be a strong supporter of the Muslim League.
• Bathes 15–16 times a day, then suddenly stops.Declares that he is Quaid-e-aazam muhammad ali jinnah.
• Shows how political events deeply affected even asylum inmates.

5. Sikh Patient claiming to be master tara singh

• A Sikh inmate who claims he is Master Tara Singh, a Sikh leader.
• Created as a mirror to theMuslim patient acting like Jinnah. 
• Both are locked in different cells to prevent communal fights.

6. The hindu Lawyer

• A young Hindu man who became insane after a failed love story.
• His beloved lives in Amritsar
• Gets depressed when told Amritsar will be in India.When he learns he will be sent to India, he refuses, saying his law practice won’t succeed there.
• Shows how Partition separated lovers and destroyed lives.

7.The two Anglo Indian patients

• Stay in the European ward.
• Shocked when told that the British have left India.Worry about what will happen to European food and European ward privileges.
• Represent the fear and uncertainty of minorities during Partition.

8. Newspaper-Reader Muslim Inmate

 Read the newspaper Zamindar
When asked “What is Pakistan?” He gives a funny, confused answer:“A place in India where
razors are made.”Shows how people did not understand the concept of a new country.

9. Bath-Time “Pakistan Zindabad” Patient

• A Muslim inmate who shouts Pakistan Zindabad loudly.
• Shouts so hard that he faints.
• Symbolizes extreme confusion and misplaced nationalism.

10. Roop Kaur

• Bishen Singh’s daughter

11. Bhai Balbir Singh

• Friend of Fazal Din, mentioned in his message

12. Bhai Vadhawa Singh

• Another friend mentioned in Fazal Din’s message

13. Bahain Amrit Kaur

• Woman mentioned by Fazal Din for greeting.

3. Lihaaf {The Quilt} by ismat chughtai

Characters:- 

 1. Begum Jaan

• The central character of the story.
• Wife of Nawab sahib.
• Neglected by her husband, who shows no interest in women.
• Lives a lonely and frustrated life inside the house.
• Becomes emotionally and physically close to her maid Rabbo.
• Represents the suppressed desires and loneliness of women in a patriarchal society.

2. Rabbo

• Begum Jaan’s personal maid and companion.
• Always stays close to Begum Jaan and massages her body.
• Shares an intimate relationship with Begum Jaan.
• Dominant and protective toward her.
• Symbolizes hidden female desire and companionship.

3. The Narrator (Young Girl)

• A young girl sent to stay at Begum Jaan’s house. 
• Innocent and curious observer of events.
• Narrates the story from a child’s perspective.
• Notices strange movements of the quilt (lihaaf) at night but does not fully understand them.
• Helps create suspense and mystery in the story.

4. Narrator’s Mother

• Sends the narrator to stay with Begum Jaan. 
• Believes Begum Jaan’s house is respectable and safe.

{4. The night of full moon [pooranmashi] by kartar duggal.}

Characters

1.Malan 

• Malan is Minnie’s mother. 
• Even though she is middle-aged, she is still very beautiful and looks young, almost like Minnie’s sister. 
• Her husband ignores her and stays busy with work, which makes her feel lonely and unhappy.
•  For many years, a man has loved her silently and waited for her. 
•  full-moon night, Malan finally gives in to her hidden feelings and goes to meet him.
• This decision later causes a misunderstanding, and people wrongly blame her daughter Minnie
• for what happened.

2. Minnie

• Minnie is Malan’s daughter. 
• She is young, beautiful, innocent, and shy. 
• She is about to be married in a week and behaves like a well-mannered and respectful girl. 
• She regularly prays at the temple and follows social rules. Sadly, she becomes a victim of false accusations when villagers think they saw her with a man at night.
•  In reality, it was Malan wearing Minnie’s dupatta and bangles, but Minnie has to suffer because of this mistake.

3. The Lover (Malan’s Secret Admirer)

• The lover is a man who has deeply loved Malan for more than twenty years.
•  Every full-moon night, he comes quietly, hoping Malan will accept his love.
•  For years, she refused him, but this time she opened the door. 
• He meets Malan near the bo tree on the full-moon night. 
• His meeting with Malan becomes the reason for the later misunderstanding in the village.

4. Malan’s Husband 

• Malan’s husband is a strict and hardworking moneylender. 
• He is always busy earning money and caring only about work. 
• He does not show love, care, or emotional support to Malan. 
• Because of his cold behavior, Malan feels neglected.
•  On the important full-moon night, he is away from home, which indirectly allows the misunderstanding to take place.

5. Lajo (Neighbour Woman) 

• Lajo is Malan’s neighbour.
•  She is curious, judgmental, and enjoys gossiping about others.
•  She claims that she saw Minnie with a strange man in the fields at night.
•  Instead of checking the truth, she spreads her assumption.
•  Her words play a big role in starting the false rumour and damaging Minnie’s reputation.

6. Jumma (Village Watchman)

• Jumma is the village watchman.
•  He also says that he saw “Minnie” with a man during the night.
• In truth, he saw Malan, but he could not recognize her because she was wearing Minnie’s dupatta. 
• By repeating what he saw without understanding the truth, Jumma adds more strength to the false accusation and scandal.

7. Ratna (Zamindar / Landlord)

• Ratna is the rich and powerful landlord of the village. 
• He becomes angry when he finds a broken red bangle in his field.
•  Since Minnie was seen wearing twelve bangles, he believes the broken one belongs to her.
•  Without listening carefully or thinking deeply, he accuses Minnie in front of everyone.
• His strong words make the  situation worse and increase the public humiliation.

5. Karma by kushwant singh

 1. Sir Mohan Lal 

•  A rich, educated Indian man who is obsessed with British culture.
• Speaks perfect English and looks down on Indians.
• Proud, arrogant, and believes he is superior — but faces irony at the end.

2. Lachmi (his wife)

• Simple, traditional Indian woman.
• Kind, patient, and practical.
• She sits in the lower-class compartment and ends up safe and comfortable.

3. The British Soldiers (Tommy soldiers)

• Rough, drunk English soldiers who enter Sir Mohan Lal’s compartment.
• They insult and throw him out of the train despite his “English” manners.

6.  “How I Taught My Grandmother to Read” – Sudha Murty:

1. Sudha (the Narrator)

• A young school-going girl.

• Loving, patient, and responsible.

• She teaches her grandmother how to read and write.

2. Grandmother (Ajji / Krishna)

• Sudha’s grandmother who cannot read or write at first.

• Very loving and determined.

• Works hard to learn reading so she can be ind ependent.

3.Sudha’s Mother (minor character)

• She usually reads the magazine stories aloud at home.

• Supportive family member.

4.The Writer Triveni (indirect character)

• Author of the Kannada story “Kashi Yatre”, which inspires the grandmother to learn reading.

-:Home assignment :-

⇨ The night train at Deoli By Ruskin Bond 

 About the Author 

 

 Basic details:

•  Born: 19 May 1934, Kasauli (Himachal Pradesh, India)
•  Writes mainly in English.
•  Lives in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand.
• Famous for writing about hills, small towns, and human feelings.

Famous works:

• The Night Train at Deoli

• The Blue Umbrella

• The Room on the Roof

• Rusty series stories

Awards:

• Sahitya Akademi Award
• Padma Shri
• Padma Bhushan

Writing style:

• Simple and easy language

• Warm, emotional, and realistic

• Often based on real-life experiences 

 

Summary:-

→  The story is told by a young college student who travels every summer by night train between Dehradun and Delhi to visit his grandmother. During these journeys, the train stops briefly at a small, quiet, and almost forgotten station called Deoli. The station feels lonely, with only a few trees, a tea stall, and hardly any people. The narrator is always curious about the place because it looks mysterious and unfinished, as if no one really belongs there.

→ One day, while the train stops at Deoli early in the morning, he sees a young girl selling baskets on the platform. She is simply dressed, shy, and gentle. Their eyes meet, and he feels an instant emotional connection with her. Even though they don’t talk much at first, her presence stays in his mind long after the train leaves.

→ On his next journey, he hopes to see her again  and she is there. This time, he gathers courage and talks to her. He buys a basket from her, and they share a quiet, meaningful conversation. The moment is small but full of warmth and innocence. He feels happy and excited, and he starts looking forward to every journey just to meet her.

→ However, on a later trip, when the train stops at Deoli, the girl is missing. He searches for her and asks people about her, but no one knows where she has gone. He feels sad and confused. Even though years pass and he grows older, he continues to travel on that route and always looks for her, hoping she might return one day.

→ The story ends without a clear answer about what happened to the girl. The narrator keeps her memory alive in his heart. The story beautifully shows how a short, silent relationship can leave a deep emotional impact and how some moments remain unfinished yet unforgettable.

⍅Characters of the night train at Deoli

1. The Narrator (Young College Student)

• The main character and storyteller.

• Sensitive, curious, and romantic.

• Travels by train during holidays and feels a deep connection with the basket-seller girl.

2. The Basket-Seller Girl

• A simple, shy village girl who sells baskets at Deoli station.

• Innocent and gentle.

• She forms a quiet emotional bond with the narrator and becomes an unforgettable memory.

3. The Girl’s Aunt (mentioned only)

• The girl says she lives with her aunt.

• Not directly seen in the story.

4. The Narrator’s Grandmother (minor mention)

        • He travels to visit her during vacations.

• Not directly involved in the main events.

Themes:

1. Innocent Love / First Attraction

• The narrator and the basket-seller girl share a pure, quiet bond.

• Their connection is simple, shy, and emotional rather than dramatic.

2. Mystery and Uncertainty

• The girl suddenly disappears, leaving questions unanswered.

• The open ending creates a feeling of curiosity and wonder.

3. Memories and Longing

• A short meeting leaves a deep impact on the narrator’s heart.

• He keeps remembering her even after many years.

4. Beauty of Small Moments

• The story shows how brief encounters can be meaningful and unforgettable.

5. Loneliness and Imagination

• The lonely Deoli station reflects the narrator’s inner feelings and dreams.

↣Essay

Karma 

by Khushwant singh

“Karma” by Khushwant Singh is a short story that presents a powerful message about pride, identity, and irony. The story focuses on Sir Mohan Lal, an educated Indian man who is deeply influenced by British culture and believes himself to be superior to other Indians. Through a simple train journey, the writer shows how arrogance and false pride can lead to humiliation.

Sir Mohan Lal is rich, well-educated, and proud of his perfect English manners. He dresses like an English gentleman and dislikes being associated with ordinary Indians. He considers himself different and better than his own people. His wife, Lachmi, is the complete opposite. She is simple, traditional, and comfortable with her Indian identity. While Sir Mohan Lal chooses to sit in a first-class compartment to feel superior, Lachmi travels in a lower-class compartment without complaints.

During the journey, a group of drunk British soldiers enters Sir Mohan Lal’s compartment. Even though he tries to impress them with his English accent and behavior, they treat him badly and throw him out of the train. This becomes the most ironic moment of the story. The man who wanted to be accepted as English is rejected and insulted by the very people he admired. Meanwhile, his simple wife safely continues her journey.

The story highlights themes like colonial mentality, pride, and the importance of self-acceptance. Khushwant Singh uses irony to show that blindly copying others and feeling ashamed of one’s own culture leads to disappointment. The title “Karma” reflects the idea that people face the consequences of their actions and attitudes.

 conclusion,

 “Karma” is a meaningful story that teaches readers to stay humble and respect their true identity. It reminds us that dignity comes from self-respect, not from imitation or false superiority.