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MANAGING EDITOR

Dr. R.C. Vasuki

EDITOR

Dr. Monica Ramraj

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Dr. P. Bala Shanmuga Devi

Dr. T. Lilly Golda

Ms. B. Abinaya Bharathi

PRODUCTION EDITORS

Dr. P. Bala Shanmuga Devi

Dr. T. Lilly Golda

Ms. B. Abinaya Bharathi

COVER DESIGN

Dr. P. Bala Shanmuga Devi

Ms. B. Abinaya Bharathi

PRINT PRODUCTION

Dr. D. Sankari

Dr. P. Bala Shanmuga Devi

Ms. B. Abinaya Bharathi

TREASURER

Dr. J. Vasantha Sena

CIRCULATION

Ms. R. Vadivukarasi

SCRIBLAPRIL 2018

Contents

Teachers’ Corner – 3

Alumnae Alcove – 7

Book Review – 7

Gaze At the Maze - 8

Poetry Pages – 9

Novelists’ Nest – 11

Cari-paint Collections – 22

Printed and Published byThe Department of EnglishA.P.C. Mahalaxmi College for womenThoothukudi-2Email : apcenglish@gmail.comTel – 0461- 2345655

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Teacher’s Corner

The Golden SquirrelDeep, deep inside a beautiful greenforest, there was a big tree. The treewas a hundred years old and had athousand strong branches. Small andbig birds alike, loved to nest there.Every morning the whole vicinityechoed with the chirping and cheeringof those small little lovely birds. .

And there under a hidden branch,away from the eyes of thoseinquisitive multi-coloured featheredbirds, was the nest of a squirrelcouple. Rich as the forest deep,elegant as the stream sweet, gentle asthe breeze greets, these squirrelswere a feast to the million leafy eyesof the tree. Every morning, everybranch, every leaf and every flowerawaited the arrival of those dazzlingbeauties. The tree waited from duskto dawn for them to come out of theirlittle home darting with smiling facesand their golden bright tails. TheseSquirrels had the most radiant andmost beautiful tails that anyone hadever seen.

At the break of dawn, when the SunGod spilled his rays softly on the

earth, more bright than those rays,shined the fluffy tail of those littlesquirrels. Perched on a branch, akingfisher, with all its rainbowfeathers was lucky enough to seethem and, wondered: "Why do I feelso plain when I see these goldensquirrels? I must find out."

The kingfisher decided to wait forthe next dawn. Around midnight itwoke up with a jolt when the owlhooted. It told to itself, "I shouldremain awake. Or I might miss them."The kingfisher waited. Very slowly theearth started blooming for the day.Soft murmurs of the birds, gentle ebbof the stream, sweet fragrance offresh flowers and gleaming eyes ofsmall animals informed the break ofday.

From nowhere, just as though bymagic with no trace of movement,there appeared the golden squirrels.Their tail held high like a monarch'sflag glittering with imperial majesty.The kingfisher was about to ask themthe secret of their beauty, but wait,what a lavishly radiant smile was that

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on their face! Brighter than thetwinkling stars, brighter than all thediamonds of the earth put togetherwith fierce dazzling effect theirsmiles shone through the misty silenceof dawn. The squirrels looked at thewonderstruck kingfisher and asked "You wanna know the secret right!Nothing that none knows of." "Yes,yes, please do say" pleaded the bird."Smile from your heart dearbirdie...smile with your soul. This isthe secret of a golden tail."

All the creatures there did believethe squirrels for they did sportgolden tails!!!!!

Dr. P. Bala Shanmuga Devi

Associate Prof. of English

A.P.C. Mahalaxmi College for Women

Thoothukudi-2

******

Remember me!

Through SmirksThrough SparsSomething holds us together,The world of darkness surrounds

Want it to absorb me.

Hunting a right combination ofwordsLoads to expressCrawling insideFind me where I’m collapsedListen to my every sob.

I start to discover the pathLeads me to the world ofdarkness,No matter when others failedYou heal my pain.Remember me!Forever you and me!!!

B. Abinaya BharathiAssistant Professor of EnglishA.P.C. Mahalaxmi College forWomen, Thoothukudi-2

******

4

Go beyond the Ordinary and Go for theBest

The Civil Services promise anexcellent profession for those having theright aptitude and attitude. Among theservices, the IAS, IPS and IFS are the mostpreferred. The written examination has twostages-Preliminary and Main. Thepreliminary examination is an objective typescreening test for the Main examination.Candidates who pass the Preliminaryexamination will have to apply in a detailedapplication form made available to them forthe Main examination.

The candidates must be in the 21-32 agegroups and the upper age limit is raised by 5years for SC and ST tribes and three yearsfor the other Backward Classes (OBC)category. The minimum educationalqualification is a degree in any discipline.General candidates get six chances to takethe examination and Other BackwardClasses (OBC) will have 9 chances. The SCand ST candidates have no such restriction.

The Preliminary examination has twocompulsory papers, each of two hours andcarrying 200 marks. Both question paperswill be of objective type multiple choicequestions set in English and Hindi. Therewill be negative marking for incorrectanswers.

Paper I in the preliminary examination willcarry questions from current events ofnational and international importance;History of India and Indian NationalMovement; Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic, Geography ofIndia and the World. Indian Polity andGovernance- Constitution, Political System,

Panchayat Raj, Public Policy, Rights issuesetc; Economic and Social Development,

Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives;General Issues on Environmental Ecology,Biodiversity and Climate Change-that do notrequire subject specialisation ;GeneralScience.

Paper II known as the Civil ServicesAptitude Test, covers questions to assessability of comprehension, interpersonalskills including communication skills,Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability;Decision-Making and Problem Solving,General Mental Ability, Basic Numeracy(number and their relations, orders ofmagnitude etc) , Data interpretation(charts,graph, tables etc) and English LanguageComprehension Skills.

The Main Examination has nine writtenpapers of the conventional essay type andeach paper will be of three hours durationand an interview. The question papers, otherthan literature part of language papers, willbe set in English and Hindi only. The Mainexamination comprises the following papers:

1) Paper A- One of the IndianLanguages to be selected from theeighth schedule of constitution(300marks)

2) Paper B-English( 300 marks)Papers to be counted for merit aregiven below.i) Paper I: Essay (250 marks)ii) Paper II: General Studies-I

(250 marks) (Indian Heritageand Culture, History andGeography of the world andSociety)Paper III: General Studies –II(250 marks) ( Governance,Constitution, Polity, Social

iii) Justice and InternationalRelations)

iv) Paper IV: General Studies-III(250 marks) (Technology,Economic Development ,

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Bio-diversity, Environment,Security and DisasterManagement)

v) Paper V: General Studies-IV(250 marks) (Ethics,Integrity and Aptitude)

vi) Paper VI: Optional Subject-paper I (250 marks)

vii) Paper VII: Optional Subject-paper II(250 marks)

Total marks for the Main written test is 1750and marks for personality test (interview)are 275. Grand total - 2025 marks. Marksobtained for paper I - VII only will becounted for merit ranking.

For Optional Subjects candidate maychoose any one of the optional subject formthe following.

Agriculture Animal Husbandry and

Veterinary Science Anthropology Botany Chemistry Civil Engineering Commerce and Accountancy Economics Geography History, Law, Management Mathematics Medical Science Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology, Public Administration Sociology, Statistics Zoology

Literature of any languages(English, Tamil, Malayalam etc.)

Candidates will have the option to answerall the question paper except the qualifyinglanguage papers –Paper A and Paper B inany of the languages included in the Eighthschedule of the constitution of India.

Candidates will be interviewed by the Boardand asked questions on matters of generalinterest. Interview is to judge the mentalcalibre of a candidate and assess theintellectual qualities, social traits andinterest in current affairs. Mental alertness,critical powers of assimilation, clear andlogical exposition, balance of judgement,variety and depth of interest, ability forsocial cohesion and leadership, intellectualand moral integrity are to be judged.Interview for personality test carries 275marks.

Newspapers, NCERT books of class X,XIand XII, magazines and news channels playa vital role in preparation. One should spentatleast 5-7 hours daily and this rigorouspreparation should go for a year to achievethe goal. To be the best we need to aimhigher in life .It requires rock-climbing –likeapproach which inspires us not to give-upeven if it means some pain to achieve theaim that we set out to achieve.

Dare enough to aim high! All the Best toGo beyond the Ordinary and Go for theBest.With Best Wishes to the futureAdministrators of India,

Signing Off,

R.VADIVUKARASIAssistant Professor of EnglishA.P.C.Mahalaxmi College for WomenThoothukudi-628002

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TO MY HONOURABLE CRITICS

Neither your words can taste mybloodNor I do waste my salty flood.Your commands can’t make my bloodFlow from my foot to headBy your demands,If I should walk by head,Won’t I be dead???

I can neither see by your eyesNor hear through your earsNor speak with your lipsNor think by your brain;Remember! I’m also an owner,So you need not be a donor.

I can’t cut my fingers to suit yourgloves,For your specs, I can’t widen my eyes,As per your cap, I can’t minimize myhead,To wear your boots, can I bend myfoot?Never make my naked heart wear anyclothes!!!

Since you give me kerchief,Should I sweat? Or weep of grief???The world is boundless and so ismine,So your orders can’t draw any bordersNeither can you make my browssaluteNor will my pen be mute!!!

- Vishanithi. RGovt. Hr. Sec. School, S.Tharaikudi,Ramnad Dt.

Eleanor & ParkAuthor: Rainbow RowellPublisher: OrionRelease date: February 1, 2013Pages: 325ISBN: 978-1-4091-2054-4

Eleanor & Park is my favourite

book. I really cannot express how much I

adore this book and get connected to it. I just

read it and got lost in it. I was re-reading for

the joy I felt while reading but I was

disappointed with the end.

It is a beautiful story of two broken

people, who discover themselves in each

other's confinement. It's just true passionate

first love. Eleanor & Park is a short trip for

Alumnae Alcove

BOOK REVIEW

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anyone who has not forgotten his/her first

love. This book is going to remain my all-

time favourite book.

The title of the book hints at the two

main characters: one is Eleanor, who is a

“big girl” with bright red hair. Kids on the

bus call her “Big Red”. She is also poor, she

cannot afford a toothbrush or batteries for

her walkman. The other one is Park, a half-

Korean kid who does everything in his

power to avoid bringing attention to himself,

until Eleanor walks onto the bus. He stays

away from his colleagues because of his

race and passion for comic books and good

music. On the first day of school, Eleanor

sits down next to him in the bus.

As the story moves on, Eleanor and

Park slowly come close to each other

without speaking. He reads comics everyday

in the bus, and he begins to notice that she is

also reading along. He starts flipping pages

more slowly, giving her time to read the

whole thing. Then he starts loaning them to

her over night. From there, they enter into

conversations, whispering quietly to each

other in the bus. Their focus on the comic

characters begin to shift gradually into

conversation on music. Eventually, they

begin holding hands on the ride on their way

from and back to school. When their silence

is broken their first love begins to blossom.

They are fascinated with the feel of each

other's touch. They begin to love each

others’ company.

I was greatly moved with Eleanor's

character as I could clearly understand the

sufferings of Eleanor both at home and in

school. I don't usually believe in calf love,

but I really hope that these two crazy

characters make it, in spite of all the

difficulties they face. Rowell doesn't overly

romanticize their relationship. She doesn't

attempt to diminish their feelings.

I would have preferred some more

information at the end. It may seem slow for

readers who prefer more plot based novels.

My favourite part about this book is how

flawed and awkward Eleanor and Park are,

and how by the end of it you want the best

for them anyway. Rainbow Rowell has

stolen my heart with her writing.

I would recommend all the

youngsters to read this and to figure out all

the sufferings of a sixteen year old girl. I

would also like to give this book a 5star

rating. This book is a must-read for

teenagers.

Review by Haritha Baskaran, III BA

English.

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Gaze At the Maze

M H R Q U Z F L S P V M A Y H T K X

A L I N W D C O L E R I D G E P S K

V I R G I N I A W O O L F X T Z L R

R E B W O R D S W O R T H U K M D I

A M A S Q G E O R G E O R W E L L J

P O K I J S R H T O E N O R A M R S

I J U K F A A C M Z Q S A I T A I H

O I S U L M N W A Z F E M T S Z C R

H Y V D O U I M P O P T O A T E H A

A X M P Q E D Y O S S V Z N W R A Z

L H M A R L O W E Z I H A R D Y R O

O F A V I J Z K B M G C Y I E A D Q

L P R Z A O A X W G A W R V V S S D

Q L K G D H G D A N I E L D E F O E

G U R E S N T A T W S Z U E H O N L

Z M Y X T S O F A M I S A T I A U R

A O H L D O C X G A Z E B E K Q M U

P O Q R Y N H D I V Z C H A U C E R

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Clues:

1. Modernist woman writer,Known for Stream ofConsciousness

2. Wessex and techniquenovelist & a pessimist.

3. Published 4 poems inLyrical Ballads andcoined the phrase “Wilingsuspension of disbelief”

4. Epic writer of 17th

century, blind poet and aperson who gave voice forthe license of press.

5. Nature poet, pioneer ofRomanticism and thehigh priest of nature.

6. Author of Animal Farmand a satirist.

7. A romantic poet knownfor his popular line:“Beauty is Truth; TruthBeauty”.

8. Father of Englishliterature. His name inFrench means‘Shoemaker’.

9. 16th century dramatist,invented tragicomedy into

English, coined many newwords in English.

10. Founder of theEnglish Dictionary and aliterary critic.

11. Father of EnglishDrama, perfected blankverse in English for hiswork ‘Hero andLeander’.

12. Known for his workwhich is second only tothe Bible in its number oftranslations (RobinsonCrusoe).

13. Father of Epistolarynovels.

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I take my cage everywhere – toexplain my pain I am hereI try to drop my every fear – butI sneak out with all my tearsThe scars of my wounds are sodeepIt’ll not vanish even though IweepShe was born to this raw worldShe cried. Oh she knows thesuffering that awaits...(You speechless child-Better cry not, until others cry foryou)How many times did she travel todeath and life?It’s terrible to forever remain inbetween.Wait...Is it your blessings or trap?

Ho...GOD! You are an enigma toreadWorld gives her safety until she isinside her mother’s wombWhen she steps down into thisworldIt’s even ready to abort hervirginityHo...GOD! Is it your blessings ortrap?IS THERE ANY SENSE IN SAVINGA FEMALE CHILD???All the wild raw beasts looked ather chestInstead of Chester-box (heart)-ohGODDo you hear the cracking soundof heart beat?You might save her before shefalls apart.She ranHe chased

Poetry Pages

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She criedHe draggedShe escapedHe tuggedShe is not LazarusTo rise againHe invites her to theADVENTUROUS WORLDDon’t know whetherHeaven or HellLike head or tailNone other than“HE” is “DEATH”Let me get this Straight-Unveil your faceUnveil your phase

Let this world knowWe smiled even thoughWe’re surrounded by thornybushes.LET US LIVE NOT SURVIVE.

JENIFER RUBEKA.M.A.II M.A. EnglishSarah Tucker CollegePalayamkottai

You were a fish out of pot – nowYou are a bird out of cageNo one can raise their rageNot any more.....

Unveil your faceUnveil your phase

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LULLABY

Oh! Great art of music

It helps to cure a baby sick.

Oh! Pleasant group of words;

You can even blunt a sword;

The joy which it gives is incessant,

I would like to get it as mypresent.

The music that creates animpression in everyone’s heart,

Creates an impact in my thought.Every child is lucky to have thistreasure,

Which could not be counted as ameasure.

How sweet is the selection ofmusical tone;

Which can be compared to none;

I miss those lost days,

When my cares were at bay!

K. Anushya LakshamiIII B.A English

A.P.C.M.C., Tuticorin-2

I DON’T KNOW…

I promised you not to shed atear.....

A love so precious a love so true..

Just talking to you makes my day..

but now, everything is gone..

No calls…. No good morningtexts…..

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Tears are popping out of myeyes….

Just stopped.....because....

Recapped your promise not toshed tears..

I love you with all of my heart

Together forever never apart..

He will be gone about aweek,,maybe months..

I dont know…Still staring at mymobile..

So many mornings came..but notyou..

Iam not afraid of anything justwaiting for your hai..

He’s gone iam here..

Thinking about promises..

Suddenly wokeup..

Is it a dream??

Its say nah..its your LIFE..whichyou don’t know..R.RajeswariIII B.A EnglishA.P.C.M.C.

.

Walking in the rain

Taking a stroll through thepavement,

Gazing now at the firmament,

Hearing thunder pound out abeat,

I lounge along feeling that heat.

The showers of nature I embrace,

Awed at clouds roaring at my face.

Dainty droplets mesmerize me,

Jaunty footsteps I take with glee.

I forget that I’m not a child,

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I fralic with the raindrops mild.

The drops of drizzle did kiss;

The touch of nature is pure bliss!

Every little drop is an art;

Penetrating my little heart,

They wipe away my sorrow

And drench me with love nonecan borrow

Everything is so green and full;

All the miseries down they pull.

Rainbow colours the lonely sky

With ling’ring thoughts I saunter.

Juliet Silvia. AII BA English Literature

St. Mary’s College (Autonomous)

Akhil Sharma

1. An Obedient Father (2000)

2. Family Life (2014)

ManilSuri

1. The Death of Vishnu (2001)

2. The Age of Shiva (2007)

Novelists’ Nest since 2000

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Amitav Ghosh

1.The Glass Palace (2000)

2.Sea of Poppies (2008)

3.The Hungry Tide (2004)

4.River of Smoke (2011)

5. Flood of Fire (2012)

Kiran Desai

1.The Inheritance of Loss(2006)

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Rajashree

1. Trust Me (2006)

Swati Kaushal

1. Piece of Cake (2004)2. A Girl Like Me (2008)

Jane De Souza

1. Happily Never After (2016)

2.The Spy Who Lost Her Head(2013)

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Anuja Chauhan

1. Baaz (2017)

2.Those Pricey Thakur Girls (2013)

Krishna Udayasankar

1.Govinda (2012)

2.Immortal (2016)

Preethi Shenoy

1.The One You Cannot Have(2013)

2. It's All in the Planets (2016)

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Vikas Swarup

1.The Accidental Apprentice (2013)

2.Six Suspects (2008)

Emma Clayton

1. Chicken House(2008)

JAME D. “JIM”GRANTPen Name :LEE CHILD1.One Short (2012)

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Lisa Appignanesi

1. All About Love( 2011)

J.K.Rowling

1. Harry Potter( 1998-2007 )

Zadie Smith

1. White Teeth (2002)

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Lucy Atkins1. The Missing One (

2014)Monika Ali

Untold Story( 2011)

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N. Rekha, I B.Sc,

Jaya College of Arts and Science,

Thiruninravur, Chennai

J.K. ROWLINGCARI-PAINTCOLLECTIONS

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Ajune Samuel.JII M.A. English

St. John’s College,Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli.

JOHN KEATS

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Jasmine NishaII M.A. English

St. John’s College, Palayamkottai.

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SOLITARY REAPER

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Rekha NIst B.Sc.,

Jaya College of Arts and Science,Thiruninravur, Chennai

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Rekha NIst B.Sc.,

Jaya College of Arts and Science,Thiruninravur, Chennai

SYLVIA PLATH

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Jenifer RJaya College of Arts and Science,

Thiruninravur, Chennai.

JANE AUSTEN

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Jenifer RJaya College of Arts and Science,

Thiruninravur, Chennai.

CHARLOTTE BRONTE

29

L. Divya

I BA English

APCMC

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M H R Q U Z F L S P V M A Y H T K X

A L I N W D C O L E R I D G E P S S

V I R G I N I A W O O L F X T Z L E

R E B W O R D S W O R T H U K M D C

A M A S Q G E O R G E O R W E L L J

J O L I J S R H T O E N O R A M R F

I J U K F A A C M Z Q S A I T A I B

T I S U L M N W A Z F E M T S Z C R

H Y V D O U I M P O P T O A T E H A

A X M P Q E D Y O S S V Z N W R A Z

L H M A R L O W E Z I H A R D Y R O

O F A V I J Z K B M G C Y I E A D Q

L P R Z A O A X W G A W R V V S S D

Q L K G D H G D A N I E L D E F O E

G U R E S N T A T W S Z U E H O N L

Z M Y X T S O F A M I S A T I A U R

A O H L D O C X G A Z E B E K Q M U

P O Q R Y N H D I V Z C H A U C E R

Answers:

1. Virginia Woolf2. Hardy3. Coleridge4. Milton5. Wordsworth6. George Orwell7. Keats

8. Chaucer9. Shakespeare10. Samuel Johnson11. Marlowe12. Daniel Defoe13. Richardson