one of the famous school of Indian aesthetic "Vakrokti" in English literature
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Exploring “Vakrokti” in English Literature Presented By Jatin Varu
Presented by :- Jatin Varu Enrollment Number :- 5108230049 Email :- [email protected] Batch :- 2023-2025 Date :- 09 April 2024 Subject Code :- 22402 Roll No. :- 11 PERSONAL INFORMATION
01 02 03 04 05 06 WHAI IS “VAKROKTI” HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF VAKROKTI VAKROKTI IN CLASSICAL SANSKRIT LITERATURE VAKROKTI IN ENGLISH LITERATURE VAKROKTI IN THE MODERNIST ERA: JAMES JOYCE &VIRGINIA WOOLF CONCLUSION POINTS TO PONDER
Vakrokti is a literary concept originating from classical Sanskrit poetics. It refers to the artful use of language , particularly the creative bending or twisting of words and meanings to achieve a heightened aesthetic effect. Vakrokti is often considered a hallmark of skilled and sophisticated writing in the Indian literary tradition. In the context of English literature, vakrokti has been studied and adapted by scholars as a means of understanding the creative use of language in works ranging from medieval poetry to modern prose. Mastery of vakrokti is seen as a mark of a skilled, sophisticated writer. ( Priestley ) WHAI IS “VAKROKTI”
Dramatic Irony: This is when the audience knows more about a situation than the characters. It was used effectively by ancient Greek dramatists when staging stories already familiar to the audience. For example, showing Agamemnon returning triumphantly from the Trojan war when the audience knows he will be murdered by his wife and her lover upon arrival. The author notes that Thomas Hardy used a modified form of this, where the reader knows events will not have the consequences the characters expect. Verbal Irony in statements: This involves using statements that mean the opposite of their literal meaning. It is difficult to convey effectively in writing without vocal intonation. The best ironic writers cultivate a quiet, grave manner and simple prose style to mask the irony. Swift is cited as the "supreme master of irony" with his clear, lucid prose that can mislead less intelligent readers into thinking he is sincere, such as in "A Modest Proposal" where he calmly suggests eating Irish children. The article notes that appreciating irony flatters the reader's sense of superiority by being "in the know." However, overusing irony can breed "an air of elaborate futility" as exemplified by Anatole France's repeated little ironies about the church. Effects and purposes of irony: It has a "complicated and subtle" effect on the reader. It flatters the reader's sense of superiority by being intended for those "in the know." There is an element of "fearfulness" and "self-protection" in its use. Overuse can breed "an air of elaborate futility." ( Priestley ) Life and literature would be "dull without irony."
The concept of Vakrokti is discussed as one of the five main theories or schools of thought in Sanskrit Poetics. The review provides the following context about Vakrokti: Vakrokti is mentioned as one of the eight important concepts in Sanskrit Poetics, along with Rasa, Alamkara, Guna, Riti, Dhvani, Aucitya. These eight concepts gave rise to the five well-known schools of Sanskrit Poetics - Alamkara, Guna-Riti, Rasa-Dhvani, Vakrokti and Aucitya. The chapter on Vakrokti school gives an account of the views put forward by the advocates of this theory, highlighting its salient features, limitations, shortcomings and contributions to Sanskrit Poetics. Out of the six concepts - Alamkara, Riti, Vakrokti, Rasa, Dhvani and Aucitya - the first three (including Vakrokti) are concerned with the external aspect or form in poetry, while the latter three deal with the inner content or core of poetry. The five schools are regarded as five ways of synthesizing the basic concepts in Sanskrit Poetics, rather than conflicting theories. Vakrokti was one of the major theories that emerged in Sanskrit Poetic tradition, focused on the aspect of obliqueness or figurative expression in poetry. The review discusses it as one of the five influential schools analyzing form and aesthetics in Sanskrit literary criticism. ( Patwardhan ) HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF VAKROKTI
VAKROKTI IN CLASSICAL SANSKRIT LITERATURE Vakrokti, a concept originating in ancient Sanskrit literature, gained prominence in classical Indian poetics. Renowned Sanskrit poets like KALIDAS & BHAVBHUTI masterfully employed vakrokti techniques, infusing their works with intricate layers of meaning and linguistic sophistication. The classical Sanskrit tradition celebrated vakrokti as a means of elevating the written word, leveraging oblique expression, metaphor, and rhetorical devices to transcend the literal and evoke deeper emotions and insights. ( Hegde )
VAKROKTI IN ENGLISH LITERATURE According to the article by Cleanth Brooks : Brooks defends his use of the term "irony" in a broader sense than the conventional usage to describe the relationship between parts and whole in poetry. He acknowledges the criticism that he has "wrenched" and extended the meaning of the term. He argues that the parts of a poem are organically related to the whole context, not just random images or statements juxtaposed. The meaning of any particular line or image is qualified and shaped by the surrounding context. This contextual qualification or modification of meaning is analogous to what is typically called "irony" when there is an overt reversal or undercutting of the literal meaning. But Brooks sees it operating in more subtle ways even in simple lyrics. He analyzes examples like Shakespeare's "Who is Silvia?" and Wordsworth's "A slumber did my spirit seal" to show how the meaning of statements is shaped and nuanced by the total context in complex ways. Brooks argues that recognizing this organic, contextual interrelation of parts in a poem is crucial to properly understanding poetry, rather than taking lines at face value outside their context. He calls this the "revolutionary" concept underpinning modern criticism. (Brooks)
1).Vakrokti in the works of Jane Austen In Jane Austen's famous novels, she cleverly uses a technique called "vakrokti." This technique involves suggesting ideas indirectly rather than stating them outright. Austen uses this approach to delve into deep themes and portray human behavior in a sophisticated and subtle way. 2).Vakrokti in the novels of Charles Dickens Charles Dickens, the famous Victorian writer, used a literary technique called "vakrokti" in his well-known books. In stories like "Oliver Twist" and "Great Expectations," he cleverly hinted at ideas instead of stating them directly. This made his narratives rich and complex. Dickens was good at noticing how people behave and speak, and he used this skill to show deeper meanings in his stories. This made him one of the first writers to use "vakrokti" in English literature. 3).Vakrokti in the writings of Oscar Wilde Oscar Wilde, the famous Irish writer, had a unique way of using language. He often hinted at ideas instead of saying them directly, which was called "vakrokti." In his poems and plays like "Lady Windermere's Fan" and "The Picture of Dorian Gray," Wilde used clever phrases and paradoxes to challenge society's norms. His language was both thought-provoking and enjoyable, as he explored deep topics like right and wrong, who we are, and what it means to be human.
VAKROKTI IN THE MODERNIST ERA: JAMES JOYCE &VIRGINIA WOOLF The works of literary giants James Joyce and Virginia Woolf epitomized the innovative spirit of the modernist movement. Through their experimental styles and unconventional narrative techniques, they masterfully wove the concept of "vakrokti" into the fabric of their groundbreaking novels. Joyce's stream-of-consciousness writing and Woolf's ethereal, lyrical prose exemplified the modernist embrace of "vakrokti" The Sanskrit term for the artful use of figurative language and poetic devices to convey the complexities of the human experience.
CONCLUSION Vakrokti in English literature shows us how authors cleverly hint at ideas instead of stating them directly. Writers like Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Oscar Wilde use this technique to make their stories more interesting and thought-provoking. By using indirect language, they explore important themes like human behavior and society's rules in a way that captivates readers. This artistic approach has left a lasting impact on literature, showing us how powerful and engaging storytelling can be.
Brooks, Cleanth. “Irony and ‘Ironic’ Poetry.” College English , vol. 9, no. 5, 1948, pp. 231–37. JSTOR , https://doi.org/10.2307/371944. Accessed 9 Apr. 2024. Hegde, Suryanarayana. The Concept of Vakrokti in Sanskrit Poetics: A Reappraisal . Readworthy, 2009. Patwardhan, M. V. Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute , vol. 52, no. 1/4, 1971, pp. 233–34. JSTOR , http://www.jstor.org/stable/41688727. Accessed 9 Apr. 2024. Priestley, J. B. Jstor Home , National Council of Teachers of English, Sept. 1929, www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/803281 . Accessed 09 Apr. 2024. REFRENCES