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Here is what Grade- Saving websites actually do!


Our generation has witnessed the end of a century and commencement of another. The NexGen society is moving forward in every possible fashion and we are highly grateful to the technology that has provided us with access to the ‘World Wide Web’. Life has simply become a piece of cake and it is convenient for the young and old alike. 
As a student of English Literature, I have been able to complete my assignments on time.  

Extending my gratitude to the creators of the following:
1. Poetry Foundation - https://www.poetryfoundation.org/
2. Grade Saver - http://www.gradesaver.com/
3. Spark notes - http://www.sparknotes.com/
4. Shmoop - https://www.shmoop.com/
5. The VICTORIAN Web - http://www.victorianweb.org/
6. How Many Syllables - https://www.howmanysyllables.com/
and many more... 
Homer, Ovid, Shakespeare, other writers and their works are available. Summaries, analysis  of the text , themes , characters, symbols, references , critical essays by well known writers or contemporaries of the authors , it doesn’t end there -  flowcharts , prezis , slides , comics , videos  related to the topic are at one’s disposal.  I would personally say ‘LiteratureMadeEasy’.  

The effort put in to make all of this has certainly been a helping hand for the students.  The only concern hovering over our head is that the young generation is losing their creativity, imagination, and ability to think and question the why and how, the hand is not really helping but spoon-feeding most of us. Students are only relying on these websites, not putting in any effort from their side.

 Studying and understanding literature requires an extensive reading of various texts. Oral traditions and books were the original medium of passing the knowledge one possessed.  Discarding the old and embracing the new is well-proclaimed but when it comes to Literature (of any kind) one must: hold the old, embrace the new and also seek for the additional. This will not only keep us up with the newer mediums but also will challenge our ability to do better.  

The writers who fill in the websites refer to books and write in accordance of/with/to their opinion. This opinion would be biased involuntarily since the person is writing from their point of view. My question is why should we stick to one opinion about a text or a character when we can certainly have one of our own? This is one subject that touches all topics be it science, philosophy, history, art, politics, economics etc. One of the key points of being a student/ teacher of ‘literature’ is that nothing is wrong provided you get the facts and history right. 

Every coin has two sides and so does the perception of literature.  Not that I am pronouncing that we should only be pro books and con internet but manage both effortlessly.  Here’s a well-known joke – 

Q: What is the difference between an etymologist and an entomologist?  A: Only an etymologist can tell! 
And if you are a fan of words which make up most of literature, you would know the answer! 

-Janki J Sampat 
TYBA (2017-18)



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