English Literature

After Blenheim by Robert Southey is an anti-war poem (opposed to war) that offers deep insights on war and its consequences. Written in the form of a ballad, the poem is centered around one of the major battles of eighteenth century – the Battle of Blenheim in which the allied forces (coalition of forces including […]

Bangle Sellers (by Sarojini Naidu) is a beautiful, well crafted, poem where the poetess provides insight into the lives of a certain class of people – bangle sellers who wander from place to place to sell their wares. One bangle-seller becomes the narrator of this poem. The Bangle Sellers’ was published in the 1912 collection […]

Chief Seattle’s Speech – Treasure Trove of short Stories. Also find ICSE project/assignment questions on Chief Seattle’s Speech. Introduction Globally, forest cover continues to decline at an alarming rate as deforestation continues playing havoc with the climate. American novelist and poet, Henry Cuyler Bunner, is able to foresee the impending destruction and makes an ardent […]

An Angel in Disguise (1851) was featured in Arthur’s collection, After a Shadow and Other Stories. “The sweetness of that sick child, looking ever to her in love, patience, and gratitude, was as honey to her soul, and she carried her in her heart as well as in her arms, a precious burden.” The Story-line […]

Old Man at Bridge by Ernest Hemingway: Summary, notes, questions and answers. Old Man at Bridge: Story The story “Old Man at the Bridge” by Earnest Hemingway is set in the backdrop of Spanish Civil War; it was a war-like situation as the Fascists forces were advancing towards Ebro. Our narrator, a news reporter, is […]

The Merchant of Venice is a 16th-century play written by William Shakespeare. Let’s take a look at the story. Merchant of Venice – Summary Antonio and Bassanio are very close friends. Bassanio needs money to court the wealthy Portia, so he approaches Antonio, who is a merchant. Antonio doesn’t have enough cash in hand so […]

Industrialization did make life much easier for mankind, but also took a heavy toll on environment. American novelist and poet, Henry Cuyler Bunner, could see the impending destruction and through his poem has appealed to readers to take action. Just as the heart is the most important organ of the human body, trees also play […]

A significant percentage of the world population lives in extreme poverty, and children born in such families are often forced to work right from a young age in order to support their family. ‘The Blue Bead’ by English novelist Norah Burke is about a poor, yet fearless 12-year old girl whose only wish is to […]

Analysis of ‘The Little Match Girl’ by Hans Christian Andersen. Find notes and question and answers. Children from the weaker sections of the society are often forced to become wage earners in order to support their family. Such children are deprived of normal childhood and are forced to grow up prematurely. ‘The Little Match Girl’ […]

All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury: summary, notes, questions and answers. Introduction Ray Bradbury is considered as one of world’s greatest science fiction writers. “All Summer in a Day” takes place on the planet Venus in a future world where people have come to live and set up a colony. Venus, the second […]

Television – Poem by Roald Dahl The most important thing we’ve learned, So far as children are concerned, Is never, NEVER, NEVER let Them near your television set — Or better still, just don’t install The idiotic thing at all. In almost every house we’ve been, We’ve watched them gaping at the screen. They loll […]

As part of ICSE Class 10 board exams, students are required to write a composition (essay) of around 300 to 350 words from a choice of subjects. The idea is to see how well students can describe, explain, present ideas coherently, arrive at conclusions and suggest solutions. Here are more tips and suggestions to help […]