20th Century Novel | all important explanations | quotations

Explanations:
2021

a) "Life never gives us what we want at the moment that we consider appropriate. Adventures do occur, but not punctually."

This line is from E.M. Forster’s A Passage to India, and it talks about how life is unpredictable and does not always give us what we want when we think it should happen. We often expect certain things to happen at the right time, but life doesn’t always work like that. For example, in the novel, Adela goes to India expecting to have a peaceful, adventurous trip, but her visit to the Marabar Caves leads to misunderstandings and tension instead. The adventures and events that happen in the story do not come at the right time as expected. Life is not always punctual, and sometimes things happen when we least expect them. Forster uses this line to show how life can be full of surprises and things we cannot control. It also reminds us that we cannot always plan things the way we want. This theme of unpredictability is important in the novel, as the characters’ lives are shaped by the unexpected events in colonial India, which challenge their expectations and beliefs.

b) "But his soul was mad. Being alone in the wilderness, it had looked within itself, and, by heavens! I tell you, it had gone mad."

This line is from Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. It is about Kurtz, a character who becomes mentally disturbed after being isolated in the wilderness of Africa. The "wilderness" (অরণ্য) here does not just mean the physical jungle, but also the wild, untamed forces of nature that affect people when they are away from civilization. Kurtz, who was once a respected European man, becomes "mad" because he is left alone for too long in this harsh environment. The "madness" represents the loss of his moral sense and his descent into greed and power. Without the rules and order of society, Kurtz begins to follow his darkest desires. The quote tells us that when people are isolated and cut off from society, they can lose their sense of right and wrong and even lose their sanity. It also shows how the wilderness brings out the worst in Kurtz, turning him into a completely different person. Conrad is showing how the power of nature and isolation can destroy a person's mind and soul, leading them to madness.

c) "Love should give a sense of freedom, not of prison."

This line is from D.H. Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers. In the novel, the character Paul Morel struggles with love and relationships. He feels trapped by the emotional expectations placed on him, especially by his mother. In this quote, Lawrence suggests that love should not feel like a prison or something that keeps you locked up. Instead, love should make you feel free to be yourself, to grow, and to explore life. True love should give people space to live their lives without feeling suffocated (দম বন্ধ করা) or controlled. In Paul’s relationships with Miriam and Clara, he feels that their love for him limits his freedom and independence, which makes him feel unhappy. The idea is that love should allow both people to be their true selves and not feel like they are being held back or trapped. This quote reflects the idea that love should be empowering (ক্ষমতাশালী) and should not restrict a person's growth or happiness. Lawrence is criticizing the way some relationships can be possessive (স্বার্থপর), where one person’s love can make the other feel trapped.

d) "A heartless woman he called her, she never told him that she loved him."

This line is from Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse. It talks about the relationship between Mr. Ramsay and his wife, Mrs. Ramsay. In the novel, Mr. Ramsay feels insecure and often wants to hear his wife tell him that she loves him. However, Mrs. Ramsay never says these words aloud, even though she deeply loves him. She shows her love in her actions, by caring for him and their family, but she doesn’t express it verbally. Mr. Ramsay, however, feels that if she doesn’t say the words, it means she doesn’t love him. This makes him feel hurt and upset, and he calls her "heartless." The line shows how Mr. Ramsay’s need for verbal confirmation (মৌখিক আশ্বাস) makes him feel unloved. Mrs. Ramsay, on the other hand, expresses her love through actions, which Mr. Ramsay does not recognize. This line is about how people show love in different ways, and how sometimes one person may not understand the other person’s way of expressing love. It also shows how communication in relationships can be difficult, and how people sometimes misunderstand each other’s feelings. Woolf uses this line to explore the complex emotions in relationships and how love is not always shown in the way people expect.