Lyrical Ballad

 

Here is a summary of the preface to the Lyrical Ballads in 500 words:

Wordsworth's preface to the Lyrical Ballads is an introduction to his poetry collection, as well as a manifesto for the Romantic movement in England. He explains that he and his friend Coleridge composed the poems as an experiment to test the public reception of poems that use "the real language of men in a state of vivid sensation." He claims that his poems are different from the poems of his age, which are artificial and conventional, and that he wants to return poetic diction to the natural and spontaneous expression of human emotions.

Wordsworth also outlines his principles for the composition of lyrical ballads, which he defines as "the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" that are recollected in tranquility by the poet. He argues that poetry, though passionate, should still be the product of prior thought and acquired skill. He believes that a worthy poet must be able to convey his or her own emotional sensibility to the reader, and that the best subjects for poetry are the common incidents and situations of life, especially those of rural and humble people.

Wordsworth also discusses the role of imagination and fancy in poetry, and distinguishes between them. He says that imagination is a creative faculty that modifies and shapes reality, while fancy is a mechanical faculty that merely combines existing images. He asserts that imagination is superior to fancy, and that it is essential for a poet to have a strong and original imagination. He also says that imagination can elevate ordinary objects and events into something sublime and beautiful, and that it can reveal the hidden connections between nature and humanity.

Wordsworth concludes his preface by defending his choice of simple and low subjects for his poems, and by expressing his hope that his poems will have a lasting impact on the readers. He says that he aims to create a class of poetry that is well adapted to interest mankind permanently, and not unimportant in its moral relations. He also says that he writes for a future age, and that he trusts that his poems will be judged by posterity with candor and justice.

Bharthri's sphoṭa theory

 Here is a summary of Bharthri's sphoṭa theory in 500 words, point wise, with proper headings:

- Introduction: Bharthri was a 5th century CE Hindu linguistic philosopher who wrote the Vākyapadīya, a foundational text on Sanskrit grammar and linguistic philosophy. He is also known for his poetic work Śatakatraya, which consists of three collections of 100 verses each.

- Sphoṭa theory: Bharthri's main contribution to linguistic philosophy is his theory of sphoṭa, which means "bursting forth" or "manifestation". According to this theory, the meaning of a word or a sentence is not derived from the combination of individual sounds or letters, but from an indivisible and eternal unit of cognition that is revealed by speech.

- Types of sphoṭa: Bharthri distinguishes between three types of sphoṭa: varṇasphoṭa, padasphoṭa and vākyasphoṭa. Varṇasphoṭa is the sphoṭa of a phoneme or a letter, which is the smallest unit of speech. Padasphoṭa is the sphoṭa of a word, which is composed of one or more varṇasphoṭas. Vākyasphoṭa is the sphoṭa of a sentence, which is composed of one or more padasphoṭas.

- Relation between sphoṭa and speech: Bharthri argues that speech is only an external manifestation of sphoṭa, which is internal and mental. Speech is subject to change and variation due to factors such as accent, dialect, tone, etc., but sphoṭa remains constant and invariant. Speech is also sequential and temporal, while sphoṭa is simultaneous and eternal. Speech is only a means to convey sphoṭa, which is the real carrier of meaning.

- Implications of sphoṭa theory: Bharthri's sphoṭa theory has several implications for linguistic analysis and communication. It implies that language is not arbitrary or conventional, but natural and innate. It also implies that language is not merely descriptive or referential, but creative and expressive. It also implies that language is not independent or isolated, but connected and holistic.

Wordsworth's theory -praised and criticized

  Wordsworth's theory of poetry is quite different from Coleridge's, and it has been both praised and criticized by various critics and poets. In this context, a human might say something like this:

Wordsworth's theory of poetry is based on his belief that  poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings  that are recollected in tranquility by the poet. He thinks that  nature is the best source of poetic inspiration , and that the poet should express his or her emotions in a simple and natural language that is close to the language of the common people. He also argues that poetry should aim to  rectify and expand the range of human feelings , and to create a  sympathy between the reader and the poet .

Some people may think that Wordsworth's theory of poetry is admirable and revolutionary, because it challenges the conventions of neoclassical poetry, which favored artificial and elaborate language, noble and heroic subjects, and strict rules of form and style. They may also appreciate Wordsworth's emphasis on the  individuality and creativity of the poet , and his  celebration of nature and rural life  as sources of beauty and wisdom.

Other people may think that Wordsworth's theory of poetry is flawed and unrealistic, because it ignores the  complexity and diversity of human language , and the  social and historical contexts  that shape poetic expression. They may also criticize Wordsworth's  idealization of nature and the common people , and his  neglect of other aspects of human experience , such as politics, culture, and morality.

I hope this gives you some idea of how different people may view Wordsworth's theory of poetry. 

Coleridge's Biographia Literaria

 

 Here is a summary of Coleridge's Biographia Literaria in 500 words, point wise, with proper headings:

- Introduction: Coleridge introduces his work as a combination of autobiography, literary criticism and philosophy. He reflects on his early education, poetic influences and literary career.

- Criticism of Wordsworth: Coleridge reviews the Lyrical Ballads, a collection of poems he co-authored with Wordsworth, and criticizes Wordsworth's theory of poetic language and his views on the role of nature and emotion in poetry.

- Criticism of Hartley: Coleridge rejects the associational psychology of David Hartley, who argued that all mental phenomena are derived from sensory impressions and their combinations. Coleridge argues that the mind has an active role in shaping reality and creating new ideas.

- Theory of Imagination: Coleridge develops his own theory of imagination, which he distinguishes from fancy. He defines imagination as the creative power of the mind that perceives the unity of reality and produces original works of art. He divides imagination into primary and secondary: primary imagination is the basic faculty of perception, while secondary imagination is the artistic faculty that modifies and transforms reality.

- Transcendental Philosophy: Coleridge outlines his philosophical principles, which are influenced by Immanuel Kant and German idealism. He argues that reason is superior to understanding, and that there are universal truths that transcend empirical experience. He also discusses the nature of free will, moral law and faith.

- Satyrane's Letters: Coleridge includes two letters written by his fictional persona Satyrane, who describes his travels in Germany and his encounters with various philosophers and poets. Coleridge uses these letters to express his admiration for German literature and culture, and to contrast it with the state of English literature and society.

- Conclusion: Coleridge concludes his work by apologizing for its imperfections and promising to continue it in a future volume. He also expresses his hope that his readers will appreciate his efforts and benefit from his insights.

I hope this helps you prepare for your MA exam. You can find more information about Coleridge's Biographia Literaria from these sources:

Feminist Theories

 Here are some main points of Feminist Theories of MA English. 

- Feminism is a political and intellectual movement that advocates for the rights and equality of women in various spheres of life.

- Feminist theories emerged from the experiences of women under different social, political, and economic situations, and were influenced by the social and moral philosophies of the time.

- Feminist theories aim to analyze the structures and systems that oppress, marginalize, or exclude women, and to challenge and transform them.

- Feminist theories also explore the diversity and complexity of women's experiences, identities, and perspectives across cultures, classes, races, ethnicities, religions, sexualities, etc.

- Feminist theories have contributed to the development of various disciplines such as literature, history, sociology, psychology, philosophy, etc., by introducing new concepts, methods, and perspectives.

- Feminist theories have also been at the forefront of critical thinking in the last four decades, challenging and rethinking major theoretical and political formulations such as Marxism, post-colonialism, post-modernism, etc.

- Feminist theories are not monolithic or homogeneous, but rather have multiple variations and movements that reflect different goals, strategies, and contexts. Some of the major ones are liberal feminism, radical feminism, socialist feminism, black feminism, ecofeminism, postcolonial feminism, queer feminism, etc.

To remember these points easily, you can use the following mnemonic:

Feminism is a movement for women's rights and equality

Experiences of women shape feminist theories

Marginalization and oppression of women are analyzed and challenged by feminist theories

Interdisciplinarity and innovation are features of feminist theoriese. 

Newness and diversity are embraced by feminist theories. 

Intersectionality and complexity are recognized by feminist theories. 

Subversions and transformations are goals of feminist theories. 

Types and trends of feminism vary across time and space

I hope this helps you.😊