The Life and Works of Michael Madhusudan Dutt
Explore the intriguing life of Michael Madhusudan Dutt, a renowned 19th-century Bengali poet and dramatist who straddled multiple cultural identities. Born in Sagordari and influenced by Western literature, Dutt's journey towards self-realization and creative expression is a fascinating tale of passion and struggle.
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WELCOME Bijoy Chakraborty Senior Teacher (English) Ispahani Public School & College Cumilla Cantonment Mobile No: 01914-901045 E-Mail: bijoy.ipsc@gmail.com
Class : X Sub Unit Lesson : 3 : English 1st paper : 12
Recall the unit theme Roots What were the titles of the previous two lessons My Roots
A. Look at the pictures. Who is the person? MICHAEL MADHUSUDAN DUTT
Key Words Teenage, teens, youth, puberty Adolescence Ardent Eager, passionate, devoted Hope, desire, want, wish, aim Aspire Dedicate, bestow, allocate Devote Knowledgeable, scholarly Intellectual
Key Words Playwright, writer, author Dramatist Entirely Completely, wholly, totally Anger, fury, annoyance, rage Ire Classy, cultured, stylish Sophisticated
THE RETURN OF THE NATIVE Michael Madhusudan Dutt was a popular 19th-century Bengali poet and dramatist. He was born in Sagordari on the bank of the Kopotaksho River, a village in Keshobpur Upozila under Jessore district. From an early age, Dutt aspired to be an Englishman in form and manner. Though he was born in a sophisticated Hindu family, he took Christianity as a young man, much to the ire of his family, and adopted the first name Michael. In his childhood, he was recognised by his teachers as a precious child with a gift of literary talent. His early exposure to English education and European literature at home and his college inspired him to imitate the English in taste, manners and intellect. Since his adolescence he started believing that he was born on the wrong side of the planet, and that his society was unable to appreciate his intellect.
THE RETURN OF THE NATIVE He also believed that the West would be more receptive to his creative genius. Michael was an ardent follower of the famous English poet Lord Byron. So after adopting Christianity, he went to Europe and started composing poetry and drama almost entirely in English. They proved his higher level of intellectual ability. However, he failed to gain the right appreciation. With his utter frustrations he saw that he was not regarded as a native writer of English literature. Out of his frustration he composed a sonnet in Bangla Kopotaksha Nad , which earned him huge reputation in Bangla. Gradually he could realise that his true identity lies here in this Bengal and he was a sojourner in Europe. Afterwards he regretted his attraction for England and the Occident. He came to Bengal and devoted himself to Bangla literature from this period. He is the poet to write the first Bangla epic Meghand Badh Kabya.
Some important information and points of the passage: 1. Introduction: A celebrated 19th century Bengali poet and dramatist Born in a sophisticated Hindu family in Sagordari on the bank of Kopotaksho River. Converted to Christianity in his youth against the will of his family Adopted first name Michael 2. Madhusudan s belief: He wholeheartedly believed that he was born in the wrong society and his society would not be able to value him properly. He went to Europe and started writing in English but failed to gain expected appreciation. 3. His turning to his own identity: He realized his mistake and returned to his native land and wrote Kopotaksha Nad which got much recognition. The first Bengali epic Meghnad Badh Kabya is written by him.
B. PAIR-WORK How does the story relate to the theme of the lesson? Michael had to come back to his own root. He wanted to be English but was disillusioned. But he had name and fame when he came back home as a native Bangalee.
C. PAIR-WORK Read the statements. Make Wh-questions for each of these statements. Statements: a. He introduced amitrakshar chhanda (blank verse) in Bangla literature. b. Michael passed most of his European days in Versailles, France. c. His days in Europe were terrible. d. It was unbearable to him as he had to suffer extreme poverty. e. It was Iswar Chandra Bidyasagar who helped him to clear off his loans and return to India. f. Dutt married twice. While living in Madras, he married Rebecca Mactavys, of English descent. g. Later he married Henrietta Sophia White, who was also ethnic English. h. His second marriage lasted until the end of his life. i. Michael and Sophia had a son Napoleon and daughter Sharmistha. j. Dutt died in Calcutta General Hospital on 27 June 1873, three days after the death of Henrietta.
C. ANSWERS Wh questions: a. What did he introduce in Bangla literature? b. Where did Michael pass most of his European days? c. How were his days in Europe? d. Why were his days unbearable in Europe? e. Who helped him to come out of his debts? f. How many times did he marry? Who did he marry in Madras? g. Who was Sophia? /Who did he marry afterwards? h. How long did his second marriage last? i. Who were Napoleon and Sharmistha? j. When and where did Michael die?
D. Write notes about Michael under the following headings. One example is given for you. Michael as a man Michael as a poet Attitude to his roots could realize that his true identity lies in this Bengal had strong will to imitate the English celebrated 19th- century Bengali poet and dramatist
Choose the best answer from the alternatives: Which of the following has the closest meaning of the word adolescence used in the text? (i) old age (ii) aged (iii) teenage (b) What does the expression a precious child with a gift of literacy talent mean? (i) a rare child having literature (ii) a child with rich literary talent (iii) a child having interest for literature (iv) a child with literary zeal (c) Michael and Byron are similar regarding -----. (i) idea (ii) speech (iii) tolerance (iv) extravagancy (iv) young (d) Meghnad Badh Kabya is -------. (i) a poem (ii) a ballad (iii) an epic (iv) a lyric
Choose the best answer from the alternatives: (e) Realizing his fault Michael became --------. (i) glad (ii) delighted (iii) happy (iv) repentant (f) He was born in a/an -------- family. (i) aristocratic (ii) rustic (iii) ignoble (iv) uncultured (g) They proved his higher level of intellectual ability. What do they refer to? (i) Michael s teachers (ii) Michael s parents (iii) Michael s complete work (iv) English poetry and drama composed by Michael
Questions & Answers 1. Where was Michael Madhusudan Dutt born? Ans: Michael Madhusudan Dutt was born in Sagordari on the bank of the Kopotaksho River, a village in Keshobpur Upozila under Jessore district. 2. What was the belief of Michael from his adolescence? Ans: The belief of Michael from his adolescence was that he was born on the wrong side of the planet and that his society was unable to appreciate his talent. He also believed that the West would be more receptive to his creative genius. 3: What did he get from Europe? Ans: He wrote poetry and drama almost entirely in English. They proved his higher level of intellectual ability. But he failed to gain the right appreciation from Europe. With his utter frustration he saw that he was not regarded as a native writer of English literature.
Questions & Answers 4. Why did he return to his native land and language? Ans: He returned to his native land and language because he did not get expected appreciation from Europe. Moreover, when he composed a sonnet in Bangla Kopotaksha Nad, it earned him huge reputation in Bangla. 5. Do you support that he was an uncommon talent? Give reasons in 2/3 sentences. Ans: Yes, I support that he was an uncommon talent. It is only for his talent, he could bring about a great change in Bangla literature.
Fill in each gap with a suitable word based on the information of the text Michael Madhusudan Dutt was extremely ambitious to become an Englishman from an (a) -------- age. He used to (b) ------- the English in taste, manners and (c) --------. He was a passionate (d)-------- of the famous English poet Lord Byron. He left Bengal for Europe and started creating works (e) ------- in English. early imitate intellect follower entirely
Summary/Theme of the passage The passage has been written about the return of Michael Madhusudan to his roots. From his early age, he had strong will to be an Englishman. He also believed that the west would be more receptive to his creative genius. Afterwards, he understood about his misconception. Then he composed a sonnet in Bangla Kopotaksha Nad which earned him huge reputation in Bangla literature and so he came back to his native land.
Home-task Write down your personal opinion about Roots based on the information of the passage.
