Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Aristotle's Poetics

 



Hello everyone, 

This blog is based on task given by Dilip Sir. Let us discuss, 


1. The God of the small things: 

# Tragic Hero

In "The God of Small Things," the tragic protagonist is Ammu, who faces societal constraints, personal hardships, and tragic circumstances that lead to her downfall. Her love affair and the consequences highlight the tragic nature.

#Hamartia of Tragic Hero:

Ammu's hamartia in "The God of Small Things" is pursuit of forbidden love and her defiance of societal norms. Her passionate relationship with Velutha, a lower-caste man, goes against the strict caste system and cultural expectations of their society. This choice ultimately leads to tragic consequences for both her and Velutha, reflecting the tragic flaw or mistake that contributes to their downfall.


# Did it followed the rule of Aristotelian Tragedy? 

"The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy tells a story that's sad and complicated, but it doesn't follow all the rules of old-style tragic stories.

In the book, there's a character named Ammu. She's like the main character, and she goes through a lot of tough times. One of the big things in the story is her love for a man named Velutha. But there's a problem: Velutha is from a lower caste, and they're not supposed to be together because of the strict rules of their society.

Ammu's big mistake, her "hamartia," is that she chooses to love Velutha despite what society says. This choice breaks the rules and leads to a lot of trouble. It's like a tragic flaw because her love for Velutha is what eventually brings about her downfall and his too.

However, the story doesn't exactly fit the old "Aristotelian" rules of tragedy. In those old stories, there's a specific structure where the main character makes a big mistake, things get worse and worse, and then they finally realize their mistake and things either get better or they die. This is called a "catharsis."

In "The God of Small Things," the structure is a bit different. The book also talks about society, politics, and history, especially how the caste system and colonialism affect people's lives. It's not just about one person's downfall; it's about a whole family and the world they live in.

So, while Ammu's story has tragic in  elements and she does make a big mistake that leads to her downfall, the book doesn't strictly follow the old rules of tragic stories. It's more complex and doesn't neatly fit into a single genre like traditional tragedies do.

In sum up, "The God of Small Things" does have a tragic character like Ammu who makes a big mistake in loving Velutha, which leads to her downfall. However, the book goes beyond the traditional rules of tragic stories. It talks about bigger issues like society and history, making it a unique and complex narrative that doesn't fit neatly into a single genre.


2. Literary text of B.A. that followed Aristotelian Tragedy rules: 

Death of the Selsemam: 

Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller can be seen as an example of Aristotelian Tragedy, even though it's a modern play. Let us briefly discussed about it. 

Willy Loman, the main character, is just a regular guy, not a king or hero. But his strong desire for success, like the American Dream, becomes his tragic flaw. This flaw drives him to unrealistic beliefs and actions.

The story starts with Willy's struggles and his realization that he's not as successful as he thought. This realization becomes a turning point, where things start going downhill. 

As the play goes on, Willy faces the truth about himself and his family. He realizes that his dreams and actions have caused pain. This is his moment of recognition.

Willy's pride and unrealistic dreams are like his enemies. They lead him to make bad choices and ignore reality. The audience feels a mix of pity and fear as they see his downfall unfold.

The play's climax is when Willy takes his own life. In the end, even though "Death of a Salesman" has its own modern twists, it still shares many elements with Aristotelian Tragedy. It reminds us that personal flaws and choices can shape our lives in unexpected ways.


3. How far do you agree with plato's objection of freedom of expression enjoyed by creative writers ? 

Plato was worried about art's effects on society. He thought artists might twist the truth and cause problems. But I don't fully agree with him.

I believe that art is a way for individuals to express themselves and show their feelings and ideas and art can help us see the world from different angles and learn about various cultures. Even if art portrays strong emotions or challenging topics, it doesn't necessarily mean that people will act badly because of it.

In modern times, societies often believe in freedom of expression. Art can sometimes challenge our thoughts and beliefs, leading to important discussions. 

While Plato's worries were about art's influence, today's perspective leans more towards the belief that art is a powerful tool for sharing, learning, and growing as individuals and as a society.

# List of movies: 

"Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" (2006): This film explores complex relationships and infidelity, potentially challenging traditional moral values.

"Fashion" (2008): The movie delves into the fashion industry, potentially highlighting negative aspects of the industry and lifestyle.

"Rockstar" (2011): The film portrays the journey of a musician, including themes of self-destructive behavior and emotional turmoil.

"Delhi Belly" (2011): Known for its adult humor and content, the movie might align with concerns about art's influence on society.

Murder" (2004): This film deals with themes of infidelity, crime, and passion, which could evoke strong emotions.

"Jism" (2003): The movie explores themes of desire, lust, and manipulation, potentially challenging conventional morality.

"Gulaab Gang" (2014): The film deals with themes of female empowerment and vigilantism, potentially highlighting controversial methods.

"Aitraaz" (2004): This film explores themes of sexual harassment, manipulation, and power dynamics.

"Raaz" (2002): The movie is a horror-thriller that could evoke strong negative emotions, aligning with concerns about art's influence.

[ For the information of movies I used Chatgpt.]


Work Cited: 

O.P., Ezra Sullivan. “Objections and Responses to the Existence of Free Choice.” Nova et Vetera, The Catholic University of America Press, 9 Oct. 2019, muse.jhu.edu/article/735131. 

Trauma in Arundhati Roy’s the God of Small Things - Researchgate, www.researchgate.net/publication/342610704_Trauma_in_Arundhati_Roy%27s_The_God_of_Small_Things. 

Yiotak. “Death of a Salesman: An Aristotelian Tragedy.” Death of a Salesman: An Aristotelian Tragedy, 1 Jan. 1970, yiotakastritis.blogspot.com/2010/03/death-of-salesman-aristotelian-tragedy.html. 


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