Class: 11 ... Compulsory English ... Unit: 2 ... Chapter: 1 ... Poem Title: Corona Says ... Poet: Vishnu S. Rai

 

Class: 11       Compulsory English

   Unit 2       Chapter 1      Poems

Poem Title: Corona Says
Poet: Vishnu S. Rai

About the poet:

Vishnu S. Rai (1951-) was educated in India, Nepal, and the U.K. He taught English at Tribhuvan University for three decades and retired as Professor of English Language Education. Rai writes both in English and Nepali. He has written stories 'Martyrs & Other Siories' (English), play 'Realities' (English), travelogues 'Nau Dandapari' (Nepali), and a novel 'Paheli' (Nepali).

But above all he is a poet and he has published 'Sudama' (a semi epic in Nepali), 'Jeevan' (a collection of poems in Nepali), 'Vagabond Verses' (a collection of poems in English), and 'Tritiyaki joon' (a collection of songs and gazals in Nepali, and his English poems are taught in Nepal and abroad. Rai is known as a poet of human emotions.

About the poem:

The poem, 'Corona Says', written on the theme of the present world crisis of Corona and its devastating impact on human life, is a subtle satire on man's conduct and attitude.

It views Covid 19 as the byproduct of man's treatment to nature.

Corona Says

Stop crying,
Oh man,
Stop cursing me
And listen.
I didn't come here
of my own free will.
I was invited.
Believe me,
I had no choice
but to visit you.
How many lives were lost
Because of me?
You count.
But have you ever counted
How many have died so far
Because of you and your wars?

You call yourself
'the crown of creation'.
What about the others,
Those who fly in the sky,
Those who live in the ocean,
Those who crawl on the earth,
And those, the sources of your oxygen?
You think they all are your slaves
Who you can sell or kill
At your will.

Don't blame me.
I just wanted to show you
How clean the blue sky looks
Without dust and smoke.
I wanted you to realise
How caged animals feel
In a zoo.

I came
Not to give you a test.
I came
So that mother Earth
Could have a little rest.

You claim that you know everything.
I just wanted you to know yourself
The earth is not your property alone -
It's as much ours as yours.

Sure,
I will depart one day,
But remember
There're many others like me.
They'll come too.
If you don 't get rid of your inflated ego,
You'll be back to your cave time
That you endured
Long, L o n g   L o n g  ago ...

Before Reading

Answer these questions.

a. What is pandemic? Describe a pandemic that you have heard about in the history.

Ans: A pandemic is defined as an epidemic occurring worldwide. It usually affects a large number of people.

Throughout human history, there have been a number of pandemics of disease, such as smallpox and tuberculosis. The most fatal pandemic in recorded history was the black death or the plague, which killed an estimated 75-200 million people in the 14th century. Other known pandemics are. 1988-influenza pandemic (Spanish flu), COVID-19, and HIV/AIDS.

b. Is Corona Virus a pandemic? How?

Ans: Yes, CoronaVirus is a pandemic. It affects many people throughout the world. Most people infected with COVID-19 virus will experience mild-moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. It is rapidly spreading around the world. It can easily be transmitted to the people.

c. Do you think that human behaviour is responsible for the pandemic?

Ans: Yes. Human actions, like the degradation of the environment, help in the formation of the virus. Human's eating habit and scientific research are also the main causes of the virus's spreading all over the world.

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

a. Who is the speaker in the poem?

Ans: In this poem, Corona is the speaker who has brought upon severe impacts in the lives of human beings.

b. Who claim that they are superior to all?

Ans: The human beings claim that they are superior to all.

c. Why has the speaker come to the Earth?

Ans: Actually, the speaker hasn't come to the earth on his own free will. Instead, he was invited. The speaker corona is here to take revenge for what humans have done to nature. Moreover, it aims at giving her a little rest and make humans realize that they are not the almighty and the earth is the common habitat for all living organisms.

d. What positive changes have occurred on Earth after the speaker's visit?

Ans: After the speaker's visit, various positive changes have occurred on the earth. Some of them are enlisted below:

(i) Environmental pollution is minimized.
(ii) Nature has become dust free and fresh.
(iii) Humans have learnt to use natural resources properly.
(iv) Their ego has been transformed into fear.
(v) Humans have leant to be satisfied with what they have.

Reference to the context

a. What does the speaker mean when he says:

But have you ever counted
How many have died so far
Because of you and your wars?

Ans: These beautiful lines have been taken from Vishnu S. Rai's wonderful poem "Corona says”. Here, we find Corona as the main speaker who is talking to a man of the present world. The speaker says to the addressee about the bad aspect of war and thinking of superiority possessed by him. He wants to make the man realise about the impacts of inhumane wars. The speaker is blaming human beings for killing many people through their wars. He is asking about the calculation of the number of war-borne deaths.

b. Explain the following:

I will depart one day.
But remember
There're many others like me.
They'll come too.
If you don't get rid of your inflated ego,
You'll be back to your cave time
That you endured
Long, l o n g, l o n g ago …

Ans: These lines have been adopted from Vishnu S. Rai's wonderful poem 'Corona Says'. Here, we find Corona as the main speaker, who is talking to a man of the present world. Here, the speaker is warning the human about future circumstances. He is informing him about his fellow living creatures, who are similar to him. He says that one day he will depart from the planet but if humans don't get rid of their inflated egos, other similar viruses will keep appearing, thereby forcing them to go back to the caves as before. That will be the worst situation for the sufferers.

c. What does the speaker mean in the following lines? Explain.

The earth is not your property alone -
It's as much ours as yours.

Ans: Here, Corona is making the human realise that the earth belongs to all the creatures, not only the humans. Moreover, he means to say that the earth isn't their property alone. Every creature residing on this planet has the right to survive. Corona is asking us to keep our ego at check.

Reference beyond the text

a. What human behaviours are responsible for the suffering in people's lives?

Ans: Human behaviours are the sole causes behind all these sufferings of the people. Due to human egos and bad deeds, the present world is facing a crisis. Many people have lost their lives during this critical period. Due to their selfish nature, the earth and the creatures living on its lap have faced numerous problems of disease. Their ego and war for capturing nature has snatched the lives of many people.

b. How does an epidemic differ from pandemic? Briefly explain the impact of Corona Virus on human life and environment.

Ans: An epidemic is a widespread disease that affects many people in a population. In contrast, a pandemic is a disease that affects a wide geographical area and a large proportion of the population.

Corona virus is considered as one of the unforgettable threats of the twenty-first century. This disease has taken the lives of people at a very high level. People in the world are panic-stricken and fearful. Covid-19 has created devastating results in human's history. Due to this pandemic, people are seen sanitizing the environment every time.

In the poem's final lines, the speaker gives an important warning to mankind. Accordingly, if they don't change their ways, there will be a huge problem that could push civilization all the way back to cave. Human beings should learn the lesson from this poem and change their behaviour.

                               ***

Personal Letter

 1. Write a letter to your friend, Kiran, telling him how you are preparing for your final examination.

                               Ratuwamai-5, Ulughuttu
                                          Morang
                                    Feb. 25th, 2023

Dear Kiran,

I received your letter yesterday in which you have asked me about my preparation for the forthcoming final examination.

Our examination is at hand. It is scheduled to begin from 17th of Chaitra. I am preparing well for it. I have read all the textbooks and also a number of standard help books on each subjects. I have taken down all the main points and now I am writing answers to important and previously asked questions. I am writing three hours daily. I like to be creative and original. I prefer originality to reproduction.

I believe in honest labour, not in luck or chances. Why should I wait for luck to do something for me? In life there are no gains without pains.

With your good wishes, I am sure I will do very well in the examination. I hope I will stand first in my class. I look forward to hearing from you shortly.

Yours sincerely                                                            Rajesh

Job Application

 1. Write a job application for the post of a Primary Level Teacher lying vacant in Sunbarshi Secondary School, Ratuwamai-5, Morang. State your age, qualification and experience.

                                  Ratuwamai-5, Morang                                              February 24, 2023

   To                                                                                 The Headteacher,                                                   Sunbarshi Secondary School                               Ratuwamai-5, Morang

Sub: Application for the vacant post of the Primary Level Teacher

Dear Sir,

I would like to drop my candidacy as a qualified candidate for the post of the Primary Level Teacher lying vacant in your school as it was advertised in 'The Rising Nepal' dated February 20, 2023.

I am 20 years old energetic boy. I have recently passed Grade 12 examinations from Bhagawati Secondary School, Damak, Jhapa securing 3.6 GPA. I am very good at operating computer. I am fluent in spoken and written English as well. I have been working in The Rising Star English School, Biratnagar as an English teacher. Therefore, I have got a good experience in this field. I am a Nepali citizen. That is why I think I am fit for the post. If I am selected, I will be happy to serve your school as a teacher.

I have submitted the following documents along with this application:

       1. photocopy of academic mark sheets                 2. photocopy of experience letter                           3. photocopy of citizenship certificate

References can be obtained from:

a) Bhagawati Secondary School, Damak, Jhapa (The Headteacher), 9842277777

b) The Rising Star English School, Biratnagar (The Principal) 9842266666

I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.

                                        Yours Sincerely                                                   Ram Kumar Niraula                                                   9842255555

British Literature Timeline: A Brief Review

British Literature Timeline: A Brief Review   (till the 19th century)         

                   - Yagya Kumar Niraula        

Old English Literature

A legendary hero who kills powerful frightening creatures and becomes a king was celebrated in the Old English epic, Beowulf, written by an unknown writer in the 8th century.

The most important king of this Anglo-Saxon period, Alfred the Great (849-901) was also a scholar and writer. He supported the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle describing the life, history and language of this time.

Medieval Literature

Geoffrey Chaucer (1340- 1400) is considered to be the father of English poetry because he wrote in English rather than in French or Latin. His Canterbury Tales records the imagined conversations of pilgrims as they journeyed from London to Canterbury.

Renaissance and Reformation

The Renaissance in England culminated during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (ruled 1558-1603), a period of prosperity, successful sea voyages, and cultural activities. The Reformation of the Church in England from Catholic to Protestant was begun by Elizabeth's father, King Henry VIll in the 1530s.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616, world's greatest playwright, wrote historical plays about Kings of England the (Richard Il, Henry V), comedies (Twelfth Night, As You Like It), tragedies (Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear) as well as love poetry, in the form of sonnets. Many well known English sayings come from Shakespeare's work, and he had a great influence on the English language.

The English Revolution and Restoration

In 1640, a revolutionary struggle, The Civil War between the King's army and Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentary forces, began. In 1660, the bourgeoisie decided to restore the monarchy and Charles II (the son of executed Charles I) returned from exile in France.

John Milton (1608-1674) one of the greatest poets is celebrated for his powerful, rhetoric poetry and is famous mainly for his epic poem Paradise Lost. Besides poems, Milton published pamphlets defending civil and religious rights.

18h Century Literature

This century is the time of Enlightenment, the 'Age of Reason' when all branches of science were developed and resulted in great technical progress.

Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) uses his black humour and irony in his satirical pamphlets (The Battle of Books). His most famous work is Gulliver's Travels, a satire on British society.

Daniel Defoe (1660-1731) is remembered for his book Robinson Crusoe, which is still one of the most popular books among children. In Moll Flanders, he gives a realistic picture of the life of a prostitute in London.

Henry Fielding's (1707-1754) masterpiece, Tom Jones, is a novel about a rather controversial character of an adventurous sincere boy who had no respect for the moral codes of society, but had a natural sense of justice.

Romantic Literature

Literature at the end of the 18th century turned again to sentiments, traditions, and exotic settings.

George Gordon, Lord Byron represents the so called "Revolutionary Romantics". His work is concerned with the freedom of the individual as well as nations (The Prisoners of Chillon).

Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) took for his novels themes from Scottish history (Waverly Rob Roy) and from English history (Ivanhoe).

Themes of horror and mystery appeared in prose called "Gothic Novels."

Mary Shelley (1779-1851)  wrote Frankenstein, which is the most well-known of the Gothic novels with the horror genre that we are so familiar with in films and on TV today.

Victorian Novels

During the Victorian Age (Queen Victoria ruled from 1837-1901), novels in which writers described English society with all its characters became the most popular literary form. There were many talented women writers: The Bronté sisters lived in isolation in North Yorkshire. 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (1816-1855) and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (1818-1848) were two of the most original novels of the day as they were very fresh and unconventional.

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) wrote novels where heroes and villains were taken from the hustle and bustle of Victorian London (Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Great Expectations, Bleak House).

Thomas Hardy (1840 -1928) wrote about life in the Dorset countryside. He depicted the tragedy of the common man in his struggle with the elements and the social system of the time (Tess of the D'Urbervilles).                 

                                     ***

Direct and Indirect Speech/Narration (Reported Speech)

 DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH

(Designed especially for class 9, 10, SEE examinees, class 11 and 12)

                   - Yagya Kumar Niraula

Direct and Indirect Speech/Narration     (Reported Speech):

Change in Tenses

1. If the reporting verb is in the past tense, the tense of the verb in the reported speech must be changed to one of the four forms of the past tense.

She said, "She likes dancing."

She said that she liked dancing.

2. In some cases, the simple past tense becomes unchanged.

She said," Columbus discovered America in 1492."

She said that Columbus discovered America in 1492.

3. The following changes need to be made to the modal auxiliary verbs:

shall/will+ V1- should/would + V1

will have - would have

would/could/might/ought + V1- no change

must (necessity) - had to

shall have - should have

must (duty/law/truth) - no change

may/can+ V1- might/could + V1

Changes in Time and Place References

Places

here     -   there

this      -     that

these     -   those

come    -    go

Time

now  -  then

today  -  that day

tonight  -  that night

this week  -  that week

tomorrow  -  the following day/the next day 

yesterday  -  the previous day

Direct Speech

Direct speech repeats, or quotes, the exact words spoken. When we use direct speech in writing, we place the words spoken between inverted commas ("....") and there is no change in these words. We may be reporting something that's being said NOW (for example a telephone conversation), or telling someone later about a previous conversation.

Examples:

She says "What time will you be home?"

She said "What time will you be home?" and I said "I don't know! "

"There's a fly in my soup!" screamed Simone.

Ram said, "There's an elephant outside the window."

Indirect/Reported Speech

Reported speech is usually used to talk about the past, so we normally change the tense of the words spoken. We use reporting verbs like 'say','tell', 'ask', and we may use the word 'that' to introduce the reported words. Inverted commas are not used.

She said, "I saw him." 

She said that she had seen him .

'That' may be omitted:

She told him that she was happy.

She told him she was happy.

'Say' and 'tell'

Use 'say' when there is no indirect object.

He said that he was tired.

Always use 'tell' when you say who was being spoken to (i.e. with an indirect object).

He told me that he was tired.

Tense Change

The changes are shown below:

Simple present  -  Simple past

She said, "I always drink coffee."

She said that she always drank coffee.

Present continuous  -  Past continuous

"I am reading a book", he explained.

He explained that he was reading a book.

Simple past  -  Past perfect

"Ram arrived on Saturday", he said.

He said that Ram had arrived on Saturday.

Present perfect  -  Past perfect

"I have been to Spain", he told me.

He told me that he had been to Spain.

Past perfect  -  Past perfect

"I had just turned out the light," he explained.

He explained that he had just turned out the light.

Present perfect continuous  -  Past perfect continuous

They complained, "We have been waiting for hours".

They complained that they had been waiting for hours.

Past continuous  -  Past perfect continuous

"We were living in Paris", they told me.

They told me that they had been living in Paris.

Future  -  Present conditional

"I will be in Geneva on Monday", he said.

He said that he would be in Geneva on Monday.

Future continuous  -  Conditional continuous

She said, " I'll be using the car next Friday".

She said that she would be using the car next Friday.

NOTE:

1. You do not need to change the tense if the reporting verb is in the present, or if the original statement was about something that is still true. 

Example:

He says he has missed the train but he'll catch the next one.

We explained that it is very difficult to find our house.

2. These modal verbs do not change in reported speech:

might, could, would, should, ought to

Example:

We explained that it could be difficult to find our house.

She said that she might bring a friend to the party.

Time/place references change when using reported speech

Example:

"I will see you here tomorrow ", she said. 

She said that she would see me there the next day.

The most common of these changes are shown below:

Examples:

Today  -  that day

"I saw him today", she said.

She said that she had seen him that day.

Yesterday  -  the day before

"I saw him yesterday ", she said.

She said that she had seen him the day before.

The day before yesterday  -  two days before

"I met her the day before yesterday ", he said.

He said that he had met her two days before.

Tomorrow  -  the next/following day

"I'll see you tomorrow ", he said.

He said that he would see me the next day.

The day after tomorrow  -  in two days time/ two days later

"We'll come the day after tomorrow ,"they said.

They said that they would come in two days time/ two days later.

Next week/month/year  -  the following week/month/year

"I have an appointment next week ", she said.

She said that she had an appointment the following week .

Last week/month/year  -  the previous/week/month/year

"I was on holiday last week ," he told us.

He told us that he had been on holiday the previous week .

ago  -  before

"I saw her a week ago ," he said.

He said he had seen her a week before.

this (for time)  -  that

"I'm getting a new car this week," she said.

She said she was getting a new car that week.

this/that (adjectives)  -  the

"Do you like this shirt?,"  he asked.

He asked if I liked the shirt.

here  -  there

He said, "I live here."

He told me he lived there .

Other changes

In general, personal pronouns change to the third person singular or plural, except when the speaker reports his own words:

Example: 

He said, "I like your new car." 

He told her that he liked her new car.

I said, "I'm going to my friend's house." 

I said that I was going to my friend's house.

QUESTION FORMS

1. Normal word order is used in reported questions, that is, the subject comes before the verb, and it is not necessary to use 'do' or 'did' :

"Where does Ram live?" 

She asked him where Ram lived.

2. Yes/No questions

This type of question is reported by using 'ask' + 'if /whether + clause.

"Do you speak English?" 

He asked me if I spoke English.

"Are you British or American?" 

He asked me whether I was British or American.

"Is it raining?" 

She asked if it was raining.

"Have you got a computer?" 

He wanted to know whether I had a computer.

"Can you type?" 

She asked if I could type.

"Did you come by train?" 

He enquired whether I had come by train.

"Have you been to Pokhara before?" 

She asked if I had been to Pokhara before.

3. Question words

This type of question is reported by using 'ask' (or another verb like 'ask') + question word + clause. The clause contains the question, in normal word order and with the necessary tense change.

"What is your name?" he asked me. 

He asked me what my name was .

"How old is your mother?," he asked. 

He asked how old her mother was.

The policeman said to the boy, "Where do you live?"

The policeman asked the boy where he lived.

"What time does the train arrive?," she asked. 

She asked what time the train arrived.

"When can we have dinner?," she asked. 

She asked when they could have dinner.

Ram said to Hari, "Why are you so late?" 

Ram asked the Hari why he was so late.

Orders, Requests, Suggestions

1. When we want to report an order or request, we can use a verb like 'tell' with a to-clause.

Examples:

He told me to go away.

The pattern is verb+indirect object+ to-clause.

(The indirect object is the person spoken to.)

Other verbs used to report orders and requests in this way are: command, order, warn, ask, advise, invite, beg, teach, forbid.

Examples: 

The doctor said to me, "Stop smoking."

The doctor told me to stop smoking .

"Get out of the car," said the policeman. 

The policeman ordered him to get out of the car .

"Could you please be quiet," she said. 

She asked me to be quiet.

The man with the gun said to us, "Don't move."

The man with the gun warned us not to move.

2. Requests for objects are reported using the pattern ask+for+object :

Examples: 

"Can I have an apple?", she asked.

She asked for an apple.

"Can I have the newspaper, please?" 

He asked for the newspaper.

"May I have a glass of water?" he said. 

He asked for a glass of water.

"Sugar, please." 

She asked for the sugar.

"Could I have three kilos of onions?" 

He asked for three kilos of onions.

3. Suggestions are usually reported with a that-clause.'That' and 'should' are optional in these clauses:

She said, "Why don't you get a mechanic to look at the car?"

She suggested that I should get a mechanic to look at the car. 

          OR 

She suggested I get a mechanic to look at the car.

Other reporting verbs used in this way are:  insist, recommend, demand, request, propose.

Examples:

"It would be a good idea to see the dentist", said my mother.

My mother suggested I see the dentist.

The dentist said, "I think you should use a different toothbrush". 

The dentist recommended that I should use a different toothbrush.

My manager said, "I think we should examine the budget carefully at this meeting." 

My manager proposed that we examine the budget carefully at the meeting.

"Why don't you sleep overnight at my house?" she said. 

She suggested that I sleep overnight at her house.

Hopes, Intentions and Promises

When we report an intention, hope or promise, we use an appropriate reporting verb followed by a that-clause or a to-infinitive:

"I'll pay you the money tomorrow." 

He promised to pay me the money the next day.

             or

He promised that he would pay me the money the next day.

Other verbs used in this pattern include: 

hope, propose, threaten, guarantee, swear .

Examples:

"I'll be back by lunchtime."

He promised to be back by lunchtime.

              or

He promised that he would be back by lunchtime.

"We should arrive in London before nightfall."

They hoped to arrive in London before nightfall.

                  or

They hoped they would arrive in  London before nightfall.

"Give me the keys to the safe or I'll shoot you!"

He threatened to shoot me if I didn't give him the keys to the safe.

                      or

He threatened that he would shoot me if I didn't give him the keys to the safe.

                                 ***

Influence of Gadgets on Students' Lives

 

1. Write an essay on 'Influence of Gadgets on Students' Lives' in about 150 words.

Answer:

Gadgets have become an integral part of modern students' lives, influencing nearly every aspect of their daily routines. The widespread availability and use of smartphones, laptops, and tablets have made information and communication more accessible than ever before. Students can now study online, collaborate with classmates, and access an abundance of learning resources at their fingertips.

However, excessive gadget use can also have negative effects on students. It can lead to decreased attention spans, decreased physical activity, and poor sleep habits, which can have a significant impact on their health and well-being. Additionally, constant exposure to technology can lead to social isolation, decreased face-to-face communication skills, and an unhealthy addiction to screens.

In conclusion, while gadgets have brought about numerous benefits for students, it is important to use them in moderation. Students should strive for a healthy balance between technology use and physical activity, social interaction, and personal time. Gadgets can be incredibly useful tools, but it is up to each individual to use them in a responsible and beneficial way.

                                ***

A Dialogue Between Two Friends Who Are Planning for Their Educational Tour

1. Write a dialogue between two friends who are planning for their educational tour. Write at least six exchanges.

Answer : 

Ram : Hey, what's up? I heard we're going on an educational tour next week.

Hari : Yeah, that's right ! I'm so excited ! Have you started planning yet?

Ram: Not really, I was thinking we could plan it together. Where do you want to go?

Hari : I was thinking about visiting Pokhara where we can go boating on Fewa Lake and visit different museums which have a lot of interesting exhibitions on science, history, and art.

Ram : That sounds like a great idea. We can also visit Devis Falls, Mahendra Cave and Gupteshwar Mahadev Cave while we're there.

Hari : Definitely ! And we can also go to World Peace Stupa.

Ram : That's a good idea. What about transportation? Do you think we should rent a car or take a bus tour?

Hari : I think a bus tour would be easier and more convenient. We wouldn't have to worry about parking or navigating the city.

Ram : That's a good point. We can also use the extra time to rest and prepare for the next day's activities.

Hari : Exactly ! And we can also learn about the city and its history from the tour guide.

Ram : Alright, let's go with a bus tour. Let's reserve the bus.

Hari : Sounds good to me ! Let's get started !

                              ***