Class 12 English Unit 9: Writing Book / Film Review and Speech

 

Writing: Book/ Film Review  

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp8xHISHGu4 

A.   Write a review of a book/film which you have read/watched recently.

Name of the book: The Canterville Ghost

Author: Oscar Wilde 

Publisher: Maple Press Classics

Readership: a great number of readers

Cover and illustrations: Suggestive and meaningful

Plot: The ghost in the story is real. Weary of his long, unhappy life, the ghost seeks salvation through peaceful death which is denied to him because of his diabolic act of murdering his wife. Virginia, the American girl, prays for him and weeps for him— as desired by the ghost—and Death shows mercy on him at last. The ‘golden girl’ toms out to be a savior for him. Through her caring and concern, she proves that love is stronger than life and even death. Characters: 

The Ghost: The ghost of Sir Simon de Canterville is the central figure in the novel. Unlike conventional ghosts, he is a moody, weary, helpless ghost. Though he has done enough mischief, he fails to do any harm to the stubbornly materialistic American family. He becomes a pathetic figure with repeated failures to frighten the new inhabitants. Despite his supernatural powers, he is unhappy and yearns for the release of his soul. When Virginia helps him get peaceful death, he gives her precious jewels out of gratitude.

Mr. Otis: Mr. Otis, the American minister, is materialistic and ruthless in his attitude. He believes that money can buy anything, even a ghost. He does not have faith in the world of ghosts. So he confronts the ghost boldly and defeats him in his bad intentions. He is a fond father. When Virginia disappears, he does his best to find her out. He does not like British conventions and traditions. He is a thorough Republican.

Virginia: Virginia is the young daughter of the American minister. She is an expert rider. She loves the young Duke of Cheshire whom she marries later. She is unlike other members of her family. She remains aloof from her family’s anti-ghost campaign and does not scoff at the ghost. The ghost, too, is soft towards her. She is caring and affectionate. She takes pity on the ghost in his extreme depression. She takes a calculated risk in helping the ghost get peaceful death. Through her attitude, she proves that love is stronger than life and even death.

Insight into some interesting incidents:

The ghost of Sir Simon appears before Mr Otis who is awakened by a curious noise at 1 o’clock in the night. The ghost, an old man of terrifying appearance, fails to frighten Mr Otis. When (the ghost again tries to terrify the family, he meets the same fate as before. The twins shoot two pellets on him and their peashooters and Mr Otis covers him with his revolver and asks him to hold up his hands. The ghost shrieks and gives his most horrible laugh but to no avail.

The ghost gives up the hope of ever frightening the American family. Virginia happens to see the ghost in extreme depression. The disappearance of Virginia causes a flutter in the house. It is thought that she has been abducted. When she appears finally, she tells her family that the ghost is finally dead.  The ghost is ceremonially buried.

Message: Oscar Wild conveys the message that love is a potent force. It can achieve anything by overcoming all obstacles. It can conquer even life and death.

Appeal the book holds: The Centerville Ghost is a ghost story in an unconventional for your way. The ghost has some supernatural powers but he is a weary ghost. He is unable to inflict any real harm. Throughout the novel, there is nothing violent and ghoulish. The novel has a popular appeal.

Let's See Book Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vzf0sw222qE 

B.    Your school is going to organize a speech competition on coming Friday. The subject of the speech is “Let’s save the trees and protect our environment.” Draft a speech using the following prompts. The natural world – plants, elements, and animals – billions of living beings and billions of trees- environment – entire air, soil, trees, water- co-existence of all good environment- a human being - greedy/selfish/consumerist- thinking him owner- other things property- urbanization- industrialization- road construction canal/dam construction- airport construction- loss of trees- control greed/ appetite- good environment- quality life- bad environment- bad life.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4K0SnRlik0&t=3s 

 

Let’s save the trees and protect our environment

Respected Chair,

Distinguished Personalities,

Judges and participants,

Namaskar to everyone, thank you for allowing me to express my view on such an important topic ‘Let's Save the Trees and Protect Our Environment.’ When one thinks of the most important element to survive, the answer that always comes to our mind is air. Air is important for all living beings be it animals or humans. The trees which occupy 32% of the earth's surface provide us with this air.

The trees of the planet act as the lungs of our body and purify the air we breathe. It is due to the existence of trees we inhale fresh air. As trees inhale carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen which serves as the important life source of all living beings. The more trees the planet has the fresher and purer the air we breathe. Men's attempt to outlive nature is costing us an unfortunate price. This drive for civilization and modernization is harming the environment and therefore the planet to an irreversible extent. When man violates nature, the planet suffers and we have to bear the harmful consequences. Let's understand how. The road to civilization is more often through the way by destroying natural resources.

Men view trees as roadblocks in modernization that is they see it as it comes in the way of building more buildings and roads. So, they tend to deforestation, which is the act of cutting down trees. When trees are cut, they build more homes and offices on the land. Deforestation leads to many unnatural things that disrupt the balance of nature. Due to deforestation, air pollution increases, and global warming rises. Animals lose their home and shelter, and the quality of the soil where deforestation is practiced deteriorates due to the untimely removal of roots of trees leading to soil erosion. As their population is only increasing, it is imperative to have more trees so that the next generation lives breathing fresh air. If deforestation continues the planet will not be able to inhabit future generations because of the imbalance it experiences. The best way to solve this problem is by avoiding deforestation and moving towards afforestation that is planting trees. We should all strive to save our home which is the planet. Even planting one tree can save so many lives.

It is high time that we take action and protect the environment which nourishes all living and breathing creatures. When saving trees, they save lives and inevitably save the planet. Saving trees and protecting the environment is the motto we should all live by. Let's leave behind a green planet for the next generation. Spread the word and take action to save trees and in that way, we can protect the environment.

Thanks for the patient's hearing!

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