Something you should Read.......

In my last post, "Is Marriage the Ultimate goal?", I talked about how I feel that marriage shouldn't be the ultimate goal of a women's life. While reading today, I came across this article by Urvashi Butalia. It talks on the same lines that how the old gender-based goals have become obsolete in the contemporary times in the lives of women. Women today are not only questioning the roles that cultures have defined for us but also making choices on their own terms. And the article above discusses the dilemma that women face when they do not conform to such stereotypes and and are asked questions like:" Don't you want to be a mother?  Aren't you lonely? Why aren't you married?"

Is Marriage the ultimate goal?

Today, I was watching a rom-com and it occurred to me that why marriage always is thought of as the only goal in a woman's life? Why isn't her career given as much importance?

Often in movies, there is a woman who is desperate for a husband and a guy who is absolutely tailor-made for her, they bump into each other, don't like each other at first and then fall hopelessly in love. Also, these days the term "emotionally damaged" is like the new in thing in rom-coms. I'm not against love or marriages but I simply ask why do you need a certificate for your love? Why can't it be just companionship? Or why doesn't a girl choose who she is over who she loves? Am not "I" equally important? 

Even while growing up, the whole concept of marriage is introduced to kids in a much gloried manner. Fairy tales endorse the promise of marital bliss. Toys such as many dolls come in pairs. Girls grow up with dreams of walking down the altar in big white dress. Why aren't they raised with the dream of being a successful being? Why aren’t they encouraged to find themselves and their place in the world?  Why is everyone in a rat race for finding their happily-ever-after???

Sketches

Something from my sketchbook.............Hope you like it :)

A Question

A QUESTION

a voice said, look me in the stars

and tell me truly, men of earth,

if all the soul-and-body scars

were not too much to pay for birth

ROBERT FROST

I'm not a big fan of poetry but the above poem did speak to me so I thought I must share it with you all.

To Kill A Mockingbird: A Review

Rating: 4.5 out of 5



Author: Harper  Lee







To Kill a Mockingbird is a Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Harper Lee. It is a story of an eight year old girl who opens her eyes to the dark side of the society. It was first published in 1960 and was an instant success. 

Set in the year 1935, the plot of the story revolves around the great depression. The story takes place in the fictional town of Maycomb county, Alabama. The story narrated by Jean Louis Finch a.k.a. Scout Finch revolves around two children Scout and Jem. The story talks about serious issues like racism and crime against women through the eyes of an innocent eight year old. 

The characters in the story are heartwarming. Scout is a smart, innocent, witty and lovely girl. She thinks rationally. Jem is Scout's elder brother who cares about her and treats her like a friend. As a reader, their bond reminded me of the one I share with my younger brother. All the fights and teasing and bothering each other all the time is what this relationship is all about. Dill is a friend to both and is an interesting personality. Atticus Finch is the adorable father to Scout and Jem. He is rational, loving and caring as well as a little firm too. He respects humanity above all and is very level-headed. Furthermore, it's his personality that commands respect out of everyone. I was very impressed by this character and I hope I see men like him in life as well.

The writing style is commendable. The story has a good flow to it and is hard to put down at certain points. The story is practically divided into two parts. In the first part Scout, Jem and Dill are trying to solve the mystery behind legend of Boo Radley. However, the second part is majorly about the Ewell vs. Robinson case. The detailing about the surroundings is adequate and the pace of the story is nice as well.

Conclusively this is a Bildungsroman Novel which will move you and make you adore the characters. Also, it will force you to analyse your ways and the judgements  you make about other people.


“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” 
― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

The Search for Absolution

“I see myself forever and ever as the ridiculous man, the lonely soul, the wanderer, the restless frustrated artist, the man in love with love, always in search of the absolute, always seeking the unattainable” 

― Henry Miller, Stand Still Like the Hummingbird

Picture by SaraJessica13

Most of us, in our lives search for absolution in some form or other. For some it might be the cushy job, for other the perfect partner or the perfect house. In all we all select a goal, we draw a picture in our minds of the perfect state we want ourselves to be in.And somehow we convince ourselves that our lives will have the happy ending.But how many of us do really get that??? So is all that dreaming worth the effort???

Cosmos: A Review

Author: Carl Sagan



Rating: 4.5 out of 5










Carl Sagan is unquestionably one of the brilliant minds to have ever lived on this earth. Cosmos is a very popular book in the so-called nerd fraternity, and many of my friends encouraged me to read this. And being a fan of the author's work I finally decided to read this. Cosmos lived up to every expectation and more. It is a delight to read.


“The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of starstuff.”

― Carl Sagan, Cosmos

Carl Sagan with his elegant and fluid writing explains the various virtues of space and of our existence in a manner that is comprehensible and exciting. The book is written in a manner as if the author is talking to the reader over tea, like narrating a story. Also while reading this book one really is humbled by the depth of the author's knowledge and far sight. Dr. Sagan's vision is based on his encore knowledge and deep understanding of the cosmos, and makes for an enthralling read.

Thus to sum up I would say that if one wants to begin reading non-fiction especially astronomy then this can be a great book for you.