Body Language

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Body Language

Role of body language in communications:

Body language plays an important role in communication. Body language is the unspoken element of communication that we use to reveal our true feelings and emotions. The element contains our gestures, facial expressions and posture.

Various functions of body language:

With the help of body language, we can understand what others are saying even before they start speaking. Dress code denotes professionalism, seriousness and status. Peoples’ posture shows their confidence and preparedness. Gestures give away information on feelings and thoughts. Gestures reveal a range of emotions from contempt to hostility to approval and affection. The right kind of eye-contact shows confidence levels. Bodily contact communicates power, empathy, modesty and understanding. Elements of Para-language like tope, pitch, tone and volume of speech including pauses and hesitations add additional information.

Students and body language:

Good body language is essential to students as it helps them in creating a positive picture, in establishing trust while dealing with others. It provides smooth communication and avoids misunderstandings. Body language also helps in understanding others effectively and ensures proper behaviour.

The philosophy of body language:

Body language plays a key role in making the first impression. It takes only one-tenth of a second to make a first impression. Though words may carry lies or pass on misinformation, the body never lies. Our actions reveal a lot about ourselves. The way we say something is more important than what we say.

Improving good body language:

In order to improve body language, we need to develop a positive mental attitude and change our value systems. We have to read and follow books on body language. We should be conscious of our body and learn to use our voice effectively, to maintain right eye-contact and to use right kind of gestures.(298 words)

Positive Mental Attitude

Positive Mental Attitude

What is meant by positive mental attitude? What are the advantages of it?

Positive mental attitude is looking at the bright side of the things. It is looking at the remedy side of any problem. It is about changing our ideas, perceptions and interpretations about things surrounding us. If we change our way of thinking, we can be in control of our lives. We can make the best use of our capabilities and downplay the effects of our shortcomings. Positive mental attitude is the ability to focus our attention on what is right and pleasant. It is willfully ignoring what is wrong and unpleasant. It encourages us to concentrate on what good can happen with our strong determination and confidence.

Positive mental attitude allows us to identify our own flaws and faults. It helps us in minimizing the impact of our weaknesses by understanding ourselves properly. It is not mere daydreaming. It is a calculated psychological weapon which encourages us to face reality and take up challenges in life. It opposes negativity, defeatism and hopelessness. Optimism and hope are vital to the development of positive mental attitude.

We can build a positive mental attitude by believing in ourselves, our skills and our abilities. We have to practice positive visualization and move with positive people. We have to be optimistic as well as realistic and set positive goals. We have to break away from negative thinking and negative habits. We must possess a strong desire to achieve and be successful. We need to believe that we can win.

The advantages of Positive Mental Attitude:

1. It helps us in getting satisfaction from what we do and what we have
2. It helps us in attaining success and achieving mental peace.
3. It makes goal reaching easy and enjoyable.
4. It helps us to adapt to different situations in life.
5. It gives us the courage to face problems.
6. It helps us in motivating ourselves.
7. It will bring in abundance of good things to our life. 
8. Positive thinking and an optimistic attitude will turn all our problems into opportunities.

Why People Really Love Technology: An Interview with Genevieve Bell

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Why People Really Love Technology: An Interview with Genevieve Bell

Mrs. Genevieve Bell is an Australian anthropologist and social scientist. She talks in an interview about how people understand upcoming technologies and how they use gadgets. People of all age groups adapt to technology quickly. Some countries are fearful of technology driven machines like robots whereas some countries welcome them. 

Though the internet is everywhere, it is not seamless because different places in the world have different regulations. Physical objects will come back with the development of 3-D printing. World Wide Web has paved way to free flow of information, transparency, and global access. Social networking, matrimony cum dating services, banking and e-commerce are few of the fruits of computing. People use technology and gadgets as per their requirements and fancies.

The Beloved Charioteer – Shashi Deshpande

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The Beloved Charioteer – Shashi Deshpande

Shashi Deshpande’s short story, ‘The Beloved Charioteer’ describes the sad existence of two widowed women. They are mother and daughter. The story is told in the first person by the mother. She gives birth to two sons and one daughter, Arati. The two sons do not survive and the daughter loves her father very much. Arati is married and her husband dies even before the birth of their daughter, Priti. Arati becomes a recluse and hates the world. The grandmother adores Priti. She remembers the bitter memories of her suppressed life as a housewife. She has to bear the burden of her daughter’s aloofness. She lives for her granddaughter, Priti.

The Interpreter of Maladies - Jhumpa Lahiri

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The Interpreter of Maladies - Jhumpa Lahiri

The Interpreter of Maladies is written by Jhumpa Lahiri. The story tells us about a guided tour of Mr. Kapasi. He is a driver cum guide. He can speak several languages. One day he takes an Indian-American family who is on a vacation for a tour of Konark temple. The family consists of Mr. and Mrs. Das and their three children, Ronny, Bobby, and Tina. Mr. Kapasi also works as an interpreter of maladies for a physician.

Mr. Kapasi observes that the family is typically American. Mrs. Das knows about Mr. Kapasi’s work as an interpreter with a doctor and takes an interest in him. Captivated by her interest, he begins to visualize a relationship with her. The story describes his fantasies at length. In order to spend more time with her, he takes the family to an ancient monastery. Mr. Das and the children leave the car to take some photos. Mrs. Das chooses to stay with Mr. Kapasi.

Mrs. Das reveals that their middle child is not her husband, Mr. Das’ son. She tells him how he is conceived with one of her husband’s friends. After disclosing the secret, she seeks his opinion and suggestion as he is an "Interpreter of Maladies." Initially, he evades giving an answer. Finally, he suggests that she should admit the fact to Mr. Das. She doesn't like his advice and gets angry. She gets down the car and joins her family.

Mr. Kapasi is suddenly shaken to reality. He saves Bobby from some aggressive monkeys. His daydreams involving Mrs. Das melt away.

The Open Window - Saki

Saki (Image: Wikipedia)

The Open Window

The Open Window is written by Saki (Hector Huge Munro). A young woman, Vera lives with her uncle Mr. Sappleton and his wife. Mr. Sappleton's two brothers-in-law and a pet dog are also in the country house. Mr. Nuttel arrives at the country house on the suggestion of his doctor.

Vera entertains the house-guest as the men are away and her aunt is in the kitchen. Mr. Nuttel knows nothing about the family. Mischievously, Vera characterizes her aunt as a mentally disturbed person. She tells Mr. Nuttel that her aunt keeps the French window open. Her aunt believes that the men and dog would come through the window. Vera weaves a story and tells Mr. Nuttel that the men are drowned in  a bog along with the dog three years ago.

To his horror, Mr. Nuttel finds three men and a dog coming towards the house. He is terrified. He thinks ghosts are coming. He runs away. Vera tells family members that Mr. Nuttel is afraid of dogs. He is attacked by stray dogs once and so he ran away fearing the family's pet dog.

Not Just Oranges - Isai Tobolsk

Not Just Oranges

Not Just Oranges is written by a Russian writer Isai Tobolsk. It tells us about human relations, love , and respect.

A poor woman lives alone with her daughter. The daughter is about five years old. She loves her daughter very much. This woman works as a charwoman in a hospital. Discharged patients give her fruits as gifts. She often brings home for her little daughter such presents. Once the little girl sees a ball in a toy shop and asks her mother to get it for her.  

The mother saves money and buys the ball for the daughter. The daughter is very happy and enjoys playing with the ball. But, the happiness is short-lived. One day the ball bounces through a rich neighbor’s window. The ball knocks down and breaks an expensive crystal vase. The old lady of the house, Mrs. Malachov is furious and shouts on the little girl.

  

After returning from work, the mother takes the girl to the old lady and promises to pay for the loss. The old lady and her husband once again express their anger. Moreover, they ridicule them about their inability to pay back. The girl enquires whether the flowers are dead. Soon Malakhovs realize their mistake. Later the old lady goes to the mother and returns the ball. The mother gives the old lady two oranges, which are quite costly. But the old lady leaves them for the girl.

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Digging – Seamus Heaney

Digging – Seamus Heaney

‘

Digging’ is written by Seamus Heaney, an Irish poet. The poet is ready to write with a pen in his hand. He visualizes that his father is working in the garden.  He tells us about the memories of his father working in fields when he was a young boy. He tells us about his grandfather also.  His grandfather was a peat harvester.  Eventually, he is ready to write with his pen.

The poem tells us that three generations of the poet are involved in digging. His grandfather and father are farmers, doing hard work in the fields.  His grandfather dug turf, and his father dug potatoes. He is digging up his memories. The poet breaks up the family tradition of hard work as a profession and chooses to become a writer.  He digs his memories and writes about his native Ireland.

This poem depicts the transformation of Ireland from an agricultural land to an industrial country. (154 words) 

Once Upon a Time – Gabriel Okara

Brief Summary of 

Once Upon a Time – Gabriel Okara

‘Once Upon a Time’ is written by a Nigerian poet, Gabriel Okara. 

The poet reminisces about a time when people were sincere and caring. He speaks regretfully about the present time. He says that people have lost innocence and openness. Honesty in expressing emotions is very rare nowadays. People don’t let us see what they might be really feeling. People are now dishonest and insincere, saying things they do not mean.

The poet tells us that he has learnt to deal with the present day insincere world by becoming just like all other people. He says that he has learnt to wear many faces. These faces are false faces showing no real emotions. The poet wants to be as innocent and sincere as his young son.

In this poem, Okara condemns the hypocrisy of adults. He portrays childhood as a time for honest laughter and spontaneity.  He wants to unlearn artificial living and relearn innocent and truthful living. (158 words)

Shyness, My Shield - Mahatma Gandhi

Shyness, My Shield

A. Answer the following questions in a sentence or two.

1. Who was Mr. Hill? Was he an important person?

Mr. Hill was the proprietor of the Thames Iron Works and president of Vegetarian Society. He was a puritan and an important person.

2. Why did the Committee decide to call for a motion to remove Dr. Allinson?

The Executive Committee of the Vegetarian Society decided to call for a motion to remove Dr. Allinson as he was in favor of the new birth control movement. The president of the society is a puritan and he didn’t like Dr. Allison’s views.

3. In which country do the events described in the essay occur?

The events described in the essay, Shyness, My Shield, written by Gandhi occurred in England.

4. In the essay, how many instances of his shyness does Gandhi describe?

In his essay, Shyness, My Shield, Gandhi described four instances of his shyness.

5. In paragraph 1, Gandhi says, ‘This went on for a long time.’ What does the word ‘this’ here refer to?

‘This’ here refers to Gandhi’s inability to express his opinions at the meetings of the Executive Committee of Vegetarian Club.

6. In paragraph 2, Gandhi says, ‘ ….and felt it cowardice to register a silent vote.’ Was he successful in expressing his opinion? Support your answer with evidence from the essay.

No, Gandhi was not successful in expressing his opinion. Though Gandhi took a written speech to the meeting, he could not muster the courage to read it. He wrote about it in paragraph 3.

7. The writer had his speech read by someone else in two instances. What are those instances and what was the result?

The first instance was at the meeting of Vegetarian Society and the second was at the meeting organized to promote vegetarianism in Ventnor. Gandhi felt ridiculous on both the occasions.

8. ‘But this time too, I succeeded in making myself ridiculous (paragraph 5). ‘What does he mean by this sentence?

Gandhi thought of making a humorous speech at the dinner he hosted on the eve of his departure from London. His memory failed entirely and he could not make the speech.

9. ‘My hesitancy in speech, which was once an annoyance, is now a pleasure (paragraph 6)’. What is the significance of this statement?

The statement is significant because Gandhi says that his hesitancy in speech taught him economy of words. It helped him in restraining his thoughts.

10. Why do you thing Gandhiji resigned from the Society, as he vaguely remembers to have done?

As he vaguely remembers, Gandhiji resigned to the Society because it was not fair to remove Dr. Allinson for his views in support of birth control.

B. Short Answer Questions.

1. The essay presents puritanical and anti-puritanical views. If you were a member of the Committee, who would you support? Justify your response.

Mr. Hill, the financier of the Vegetarian Society, was a puritan. He regarded birth control movement as cutting at the root of morals. Dr. Allinson, another member of the society supported the movement and advocated the movement in working classes. The movement was anti-puritan. Thus the essay presented puritanical and anti-puritanical views. If I were a member of the Committee, I would support Dr. Allinson. Birth control movement saves over population. It teaches humans about responsible and planned parenting. It protects humanity from hunger and diseases. Countries with less population are marching ahead. Countries with huge population are struggling to feed people. (102 words)

2. Gandhiji’s views on shyness are a little complex. Comment on them with evidence from the essay. Support your argument with the evidence from the essay.

Gandhiji’s views on shyness are a little complex as he suffered initially and later benefitted from shyness. When he was in London, he was embarrassed with his shyness. He failed to make any impression on his audience however hard he tried.  He could not express himself in the Executive Committee meeting of Vegetarian Club. He fumbled to speak in a meeting to promote vegetarianism at Ventnor. He made himself ridiculous while speaking on the eve of his departure from London.  Later he says that his hesitancy in speech taught him economy of words. It helped him in restraining his thoughts. (100 words)

3. Why does the writer say that his ‘constitutional shyness has been no disadvantage whatever’. Support your arguments.

Gandhi says that his constitutional shyness has been no disadvantage whatever. He admits that his shyness was once an annoyance and then a pleasure. He explains that his hesitancy in speech taught him economy of words. It helped him in restraining his thoughts. He never uttered or wrote anything without giving proper thought. He never regretted anything he spoke or wrote. He says that silence is a part of spiritual discipline and votary of truth. A man of few words never speaks thoughtlessly. He concludes that his shyness helped him to grow and in his search for truth. It is his shield and buckler. (104 words)

4. Consider the imagery of the words, “shield and buckler”. Where do these metaphors come from? Are they somewhat ironic?

The metaphors come from the Holy Bible. In Psalm 91:4 faithfulnesses is compared to shield and buckler. Gandhi in his essay says that his shyness is his shield and buckler.  He gives us examples of his clumsiness owing to his shyness when he was in London. He felt ridiculous whenever he attempted to speak before an audience. Later in life, shyness helped him in restraining his thoughts. He never uttered or wrote anything without giving proper thought. He never regretted anything he spoke or wrote. He concludes that his shyness is his shield and buckler. The imagery is somewhat ironic as shyness is generally considered as a negative quality. (109 words)

5. Recount some of the ways that he was affected when he had to speak. Are they funny?

Gandhiji could not express his views in meetings when he was in London. He fumbled to speak in Executive Committee meetings of Vegetarian Club. He failed to support Dr. Allinson. His speak had to be read by the Chairman. He could not read the speech he wrote before the audience of a meeting to promote vegetarianism. His friend Sjt. Mazmudar had to read it for him.  His last effort to make a speech on the eve of his departure from London was also ridiculous. His memory failed entirely and he failed to make a humorous speech. Yes. All the instances are funny. (102 words)

C. Long Answer Questions.

1. Summarize the main ideas of the essay.

Gandhi was a member of the Vegetarian Society. He could not speak in the Executive Committee meetings of the society. He could not support Dr. Allinson, who favored birth control movement. Gandhi says that he suffered initially and later benefitted from shyness. When he was in London, he was embarrassed with his shyness. He failed to make any impression on his audience however hard he tried.  He could not express himself in the Executive Committee meeting of Vegetarian Club. He fumbled to speak in a meeting to promote vegetarianism at Ventnor. He made himself ridiculous while speaking on the eve of his departure from London. 

Gandhi says that his constitutional shyness has been no disadvantage whatever. He admits that his shyness was once an annoyance and then a pleasure. He explains that his hesitancy in speech taught him economy of words. It helped him in restraining his thoughts. He never uttered or wrote anything without giving proper thought. He never regretted anything he spoke or wrote. He says that silence is a part of spiritual discipline and votary of truth. He concludes that his shyness helped him to grow and in his search for truth. It is his shield and buckler. (201 words)

2. Explain the significance of the statement, ‘It had helped me in my discernment of truth”.  Substantiate your answers with textual evidence.

In his essay, Shyness, My Shield Gandhi states that his shyness had helped him in his discernment of truth. He gives us examples of his clumsiness owing to his shyness when he was in London. He felt ridiculous whenever he attempted to speak before an audience. Gandhiji could not express his views in meetings when he was in London. He fumbled to speak in Executive Committee meetings of Vegetarian Club. He failed to support Dr. Allinson. He could not read the speech he wrote to the audience of a meeting to promote vegetarianism. His last effort to make a speech on the eve of his departure from London was also ridiculous. His memory failed entirely and he failed to make a humorous speech.

He admits that his shyness was once an annoyance and then a pleasure. He explains that his hesitancy in speech taught him economy of words. It helped him in restraining his thoughts. He never uttered or wrote anything without giving proper thought. He says that silence is a part of spiritual discipline and votary of truth. A man of few words never speaks thoughtlessly. He concludes that his shyness helped him to grow and in his search for truth. (202 words)

3. What factors did Gandhiji have to consider when he opposed the removal of Dr. Allinson? What does the episode reveal about his personality? Would you call him stubborn?

Gandhiji was a member of the Executive Committee of Vegetarian Society. Mr. Hill, the financier of the Society, was a puritan. He regarded birth control movement as cutting at the root of morals. Dr. Allinson, another member of the society supported the movement and advocated the movement in working classes. The movement was anti-puritan. Mr. Hill didn’t like the ideas of Dr. Allinson and wanted to remove him from the society.

Gandhi had a high regard for Mr. Hill and his generosity. As a puritan, Mr. Hill had the right to oppose the views of Dr. Allinson. At the same time, it is not fair or proper to expel any member from the society for promoting birth control movement. Gandhi felt that every vegetarian had a right to be member of the Vegetarian Club irrespective of his moral views.

This episode reveals that Gandhi had a sense of righteousness. He wanted to allow Dr. Allinson to continue as a member of the society because he was a vegetarian. The club, being a vegetarian club had nothing to do with morals. Mr. Hill thought otherwise and he was successful in expelling Dr. Allinson from the society.

No, I would not say that Gandhi is stubborn in this episode. (207 words)

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Brief Summery

Gandhi was a member of the Vegetarian Society. He could not speak in the Executive Committee meetings of the society. He could not support Dr. Allinson, who was in favor of birth control movement. He fumbled to speak in a meeting to promote vegetarianism at Ventnor. He made himself ridiculous while speaking on the eve of his departure from London. 

Gandhi says that his constitutional shyness has been no disadvantage whatever. He explains that his hesitancy in speech taught him economy of words. It helped him in restraining his thoughts. He never uttered or wrote anything without giving proper thought. He never regretted anything he spoke or wrote. He says that silence is a part of spiritual discipline and votary of truth. He concludes that his shyness helped him to grow and in his search for truth. It is his shield and buckler.  (143 words)