English Literature Academy

Compiled by
Manjula Sanath
Adv.Diploma in English(uni.of Colombo)
B.A in English (university of Sri Jayawardenapura)
TEFL(UK)

Action And Reaction by Chitra Fernando .
Chitra Fenando’s collection of short fiction, Three Women (1984).
The three stories in Three women are;
01 . Missilin
02. Action and Reaction
03 . Of Bread and Power.
Fernando is known for her sensitive portrayal of Sri Lankan women from different social classess.
Loku Nanda projects herself as an epitome of virtues, a paragon of virtues, a pillar of Buddhist piety , mostly generosity. She is one of the co-protagonists of the story. Her life style is influenced by her belief and her understanding of the Buddhist principle – Karmic law . The writer begins the story with the revelation of Loku Nanda’s hypocrisy behind her piousness . Snobbishness of Loku Nanda is also brought out . She will do only what her class allows her within her generosity. She rescues the ants in the basin of water while she destroys Kusuma’s life . She adopts Kusuma , a toddy tapper’s daughter contrary to the Buddhist philosophy , she expects a life long servitude from Kusuma . However , the readers’ attitudes towards her changes with the development of the story . Mahinda’s narration of Loku Nanda gradually draws the readers’s sympathy towards her.
Kusuma.
Kusuma is also one of the co-protagonists of the story . She is brought to Loku Nanda’s house when she was 12 years , to be adopted , not as a daughter but as a servent…She becomes a replica of Loku Nanda when she establishes a certain power at Loku Nanda’s place. She becomes a blind follower of religious practices, dominates Loku Nanda by being involved in donations to the temple without even accepting Loku Nanda’s contribution to the meritorious acts. Class conflict is evident. Kusum’s crushing the kevum is symbolic of ….

Compiled by
Manjula Sanath
Adv.Diploma in English(uni.of Colombo)
B.A in English (university of Sri Jayawardenapura)
TEFL(UK)

Tempest.
Written in 1610 , the complete play of Shakespeare which was written towards the end of his professional career. The play has subplots in addition to the main plot . The play is set mainly in Prospero’s island which is a paradise.
Main plot .
This is mainly about Prospero ( kind of an intellectual leader who finally realizes his weaknesses and try to enforce Machiavellian attitudes to restore his dukedom ) being exiled from his state, Milan with his daughter , landing in a magical island , his exercise of magical power and eventually his forgiveness of his enemies.
Sub- plot.
Ferdinand and Miranda’s love and marriage .
Antonio and Sebastian’s conspiracy to murder Alonso and Gonzalo so that Sebastian can become the king of Naples.
Caliban , Stefano and Trinculo’s conspiracy to murder Prospero and capture the power of the island.
Main themes.
Theme of power is central to the play , power struggle .This is manifested in different versions and in different forms . They are spiritual and temporal power.
Natural and supernatural power .
Political power, legitimate power and illegitimate power .
Vengeance and forgiveness.
Love , marriage and romance .