151 615 THE GALAPAGOS ADVENTURES OF CHARLES DARWIN escapade - adventure; experience naturalist - an expert in natural history unmotivated - not having interest in or enthusiasm for something scholar - student/intellectual person exploratory - having to do with investigating or finding out more imps - small and mischievous devils adjacent - right next to truncated - cut short tranquil - peaceful endemic - a quality native to a certain place Get Set Go! Know the keywords and their meanings Understand and Know Have you read the book the 'Treasure Island ?' It is an action novel filled with huge ships, tough pirates, and hidden wealth. Imagine travelling through a place like Lilliput, where there are creatures you've never seen before and humans who are the size of pins. Whether they are imagined or actual, adventures are full of mystery and the unexpected. Let’s Read Darwin knew that this expedition would be another escapade to finding something amazing. He was always interested in journeys of discoveries and often read and researched about expeditions. All he could think of throughout his journey was, ‘‘This world is still a mystery to be solved. I wonder what this place has in store for me.’’ He had a companion, Captain Robert Fitzroy, who was a naturalist on the HMS Beagle, the ship they were sailing in. Darwin himself was a rather failing and unmotivated medical scholar, who needed some inspiration to get back to the world that listened to him with a wooden face. At the beginning
152 of his career, what kept pushing him was his curiosity to discover something new around him. He always considered his best times were spent on his exploratory walks, where he would collect whatever he could find. In 1831, Darwin began his five-year voyage with little ambitions for some ground-breaking scientific discoveries. After turning and surveying some of the coasts of South America, they stopped over in these new islands. The islands were a canvas, painted with beautiful beings. It had crystal-clear waters, white-sand beaches, palm trees and lush green hills and incredible underwater life. Looking at this, Darwin instantly knew this place was special that could let him discover something extraordinary. These were the majestic Galapagos Islands. ‘It is just a matter of time; the Beagle will set its sail for the Galapagos Islands. I am really looking forward to being somewhat near England and also near the look of an active volcano,’ Darwin had written in his letter to J.S. Henslow, who would later become a gem the world would never want to lose. As soon as he and his friend, Robert, stepped into this place, they spotted some extraordinary fish which were strangely two and even three feet long. The other crew members of the ship immediately jumped into the water with their fish nets to catch these enormous fish. They turned out to be those really clumsy and disgusting large lizards, probably around three feet long that were as black as the rocks they lay on. Turns out that it was the way they crawled and pursued their prey coming from the sea. Some might even term them the imps of darkness. But Darwin had come to take a close look at the activated volcano, about which he had been studying for some time before coming here. He went further ahead to the adjacent Floreana Island, with his servant, to examine a district resembling chimney. Around 60 of these hillocks truncated with lava, lay around a hundred feet about the plain lava down on the ground. What fascinated Darwin was the size of two very large tortoises. ‘My goodness! Look at the size of their shells,’ said Darwin as he pointed to the tortoises, which were about seven feet in circumference. They appeared to be most tranquil, surrounded by leafless shrubs as they moved ahead in their natural pace, chewing off a cactus from one corner. They seemed to be the most old-fashioned animals among other inhabitants of the Island. The next morning, the Beagle travelled to Isabela Island. Again to their surprise, they found a great number of iguanas. It was sure that they had never seen so many iguanas in one place ever before. These animals were feasting on fish and little animals. Later, it was found that they also sustained themselves with algae, which was not something they thought an iguana would ever feed on. Since Beagle had found no water on the Northern Islands, they headed towards the Santiago Island. Here, the springs were deliciously cold and good.
153 ‘Even the tortoise drank enormous amount of water and swam into the ocean that would lead them to the neighbouring islands. The full-sized tortoises were almost a yard long, strong good enough to carry two humans on them. Oh, I know I would not like to mess up with these hunks,’ said Darwin as he described these wonderful species. Darwin found these islands to be the home of so many species -- fur seals, rays, tortoises, herbivorous lizards, iguanas, and twenty-six species of unusual native birds -- among which fourteen later became Darwin’s finches. In search for something new, he found the idea of endemic species a revolutionary discovery, which later central to Darwin’s arguments. Darwin had come to find some motivation, but after this visit, he had found such an inspiration that made him the most sought-after scientist and revolutionary in the world. Let’s Write I. Read the given extract and answer the following questions. A. Looking at this, Darwin instantly knew this place was special that could let him discover something extraordinary. 1. With whom did Darwin go on a voyage? 2. What was the name of his ship? 3. Which place was Darwin referring to? 4. Give the synonym of the word ‘extraordinary’. B. Darwin found these Islands to be the home of so many species -- fur seals, rays, tortoises, herbivorous lizards, iguanas, and twenty-six species of unusual native birds -- among which fourteen later became Darwin’s finches. 1. Which islands was Darwin referring to in the above extract? 2. Name the species found on these islands. 3. How many of the species became Darwin’s finches later? 4. Give the synonym of the word ‘unusual’. II. Answer the following question in 30-40 words. 1. Describe the tortoises found on the Floreana Island. 2. Why did Darwin need inspiration in his career? 3. Describe the Floreana Island. 4. In what ways did the adventure change Darwin?
154 III. Multiple Choice Questions. 1. What was the name of the ship on which Darwin was sailing? a. HMS Beagle b. Fitzroy c. Galapagos d. Santa Oasis 2. Which animal had a seven-foot circumference? a. iguana b. shark c. tortoise d. fish 3. What did the black lava rocks turn out to be? a. large lizards b. active volcanoes c. very large fish d. ashes 4. Which island had springs of refreshing cold water? a. Galapagos Islands b. Santiago Islands c. Havelock Island d. Isabella Island 5. In the end, which idea did Darwin find to be the most revolutionary discovery? a. adventures b. endemic species c. lava rocks d. new species IV. True or False. 1. Darwin was not a very motivated scholar. ( T / F ) 2. Darwin first stumbled across the Isabella Islands. ( T / F ) 3. The large, black lizards were called the imps of darkness as they were black and looked disgusting. ( T / F ) 4. Captain Robert Fitzroy was Darwin’s companion on the ship. ( T / F ) 5. Darwin’s adventure inspired him greatly. ( T / F ) Digging Deep 1. What was Darwin’s revolutionary idea? 2. Why did Darwin choose Galapagos Islands for his voyage? 3. What did Darwin and Robert find on the Floreana Island and in what way was it unique? Thinking Hat What’s the Good Word? A. Which among the following did Darwin go to for his escapade? a. Galapagos Islands b. Shutter Islands c. Australia
155 B. Make a sentence using the word ‘escapade’. A. What does a naturalist study? a. fashion b. nature c. literature B. Find out three ‘naturalists’ and write them here. A. How does an unmotivated person usually feel? a. very satisfied b. very lazy c. very happy B. Make a sentence using the antonym of the word ‘unmotivated’. A. Who do you usually call a scholar? a. someone who doesn’t spend much time in studies b. someone who studies a lot and achieves well academically c. someone who has no motivation in life B. Write the antonym of the word 'scholar.' Let’s Learn Grammar A. Convert the following sentences into complex sentences. You can add details of your own to make them complex: 1. Some might even term them as the imps of darkness. 2. These were the majestic Galapagos Islands. 3. I wonder what this place has in store for me. 4. The best times are yet to come. 5. How far is the railways station? B. Find out with the help of the Internet what was Charles Darwin famous for. Write down your findings. Understanding Literary Genres Science Fiction Definition of Science Fiction One of the most imaginative literary subgenres is science fiction. Sci-fi books introduce readers to other worldly characters and technologies while taking them on adventures in distant galaxies, submerged worlds, and everywhere in between.
156 Science fiction is a subgenre of literature where future science and technology are frequently depicted in the narratives. Science fiction has a connection to scientific ideas since these novels often feature sciencerelated rules or theories that are both partially factual and entirely fabricated. Because it then delves into the fantastical genre; it shouldn't be entirely unbelievable. The plot invents circumstances that are not found in either the present or the known history. Science fiction books often feature a human element that describes how future discoveries, events, and scientific advancements will affect us. Science fiction books frequently take place in the future, in outer space, on alien worlds, or in other universes or dimensions. Science Fiction Literature's Background The second, century saw the beginning of the science fiction genre. The Syrian satirist Lucian's novel 'A True Story' is regarded as the first science fiction work to examine alternate universes and extraterrestrial life. During the Age of Enlightenment, writers responded to scientific and technical breakthroughs with a wave of science fiction works, including Francis Bacon's 'New Atlantis' (1627), and Johannes Kepler's 'Somnium' (1634). What Distinguishes Hard Science Fiction from Soft Science Fiction? Hard science fiction and soft science fiction are the two main divisions in science fiction. Hard science fiction is based on actual science. They draw inspiration from "hard" scientific sciences like astronomy, physics, and chemistry. • Soft science fiction books can fall into one of two categories: either they lack scientific rigour or they draw on "soft" social sciences like psychology, anthropology, and sociology for inspiration. Although the terms are somewhat ambiguous, they aid readers in understanding a novel's premise and what to anticipate from it right away. What Common Elements Make Up Science Fiction? It's common to refer to science fiction as "literature of ideas." Future-oriented ideas are prevalent in sci-fi fiction. Anything is conceivable since they have such vivid imaginations, particularly in soft sci-fi books. A science fiction book may deal with space, time travel, aliens, or time-travelling extraterrestrials. Whatever the setting and cast of characters, sci-fi fiction are always intricate, full of rich detail, and hidden commentary on society that occasionally takes the form of satire. Q.1. Do you think the above story is a piece of science fiction? Why or why not? Q.2. How is science fiction different from other fiction writings?
157 Understanding Literary Elements Read through the various literary elements that are used in literature: Tone The narrator's attitude toward the events, settings, and characters in the story is expressed through tone, which is connected to voice. Conflict Story problems are primarily caused by conflicts. Conflicts can be either large or small. Theme A theme is the main message or idea of a story, and it can be conveyed through characters' actions, transformations, and settings. Flashback A story’s segments can be interrupted so that readers can relive a character’s key moment in time. This is called a flashback. Plot Pattern of events in a story that reveal the main theme. Point of View When the story is told from the character or an outside observer’s perspective. Characterisation The visualising, creation, placement and development of the people in a story. Symbolism A place, person, object or event that is presented with a deeper meaning in contrast to its literal meaning. Allusion When we make a suggestion and count on the other person to get the reference, we are using an allusion. Alliteration When two or more words with the same first consonant sound are combined, as in "fish fry," alliteration takes place. Hyperbole The deliberate use of exaggeration and overstatement for emphasis and impact is known as hyperbole in rhetoric and literature. Imagery The term 'imagery' refers to the use of figurative language to describe things, activities, and concepts in a way that engages our physical senses. Personification A literary technique that communicates abstract concepts in a relevant way by using nonliteral language. Onomatopoeia When we read, we practically hear the sounds that an onomatopoeia creates because it genuinely looks like the sound it makes. Oxymoron A figure of speech known as an oxymoron combines words with opposite meanings that are incompatible with one another. Motif A motif is a recurring pattern—an image, sound, word, or symbol that appears repeatedly throughout a certain story. What is a motif ? One of the most effective literary methods when creating a novel or short tale is the motif. At the same time, it can be challenging to define a motif.
158 Motif A literary device known as a motif is a recurring theme that serves as a literary work's metaphorical underpinning. A motif can occasionally be a particular visual. Other times, it's a recurring word, phrase, or linguistic theme. A recurrent event or behaviour can serve as a motif. It might be a temperature, a sound or fragrance, or even a colour. The crucial feature is that a motif repeats, and this recurrence aids in illuminating the main concepts, overarching themes, and underlying the meaning of a narrative. How Motifs Work in Writing? Motifs are used by authors for a variety of reasons. Motifs have the power to: evoke a mood; illuminate core themes; captivate audiences intuitively; develop special symbolic meanings through repetition; and establish a pattern of thoughts. What is the Difference Between Motifs and Themes? There is some overlap between the ideas of motifs and themes, thus you may occasionally hear people use the two literary terms synonymously. However, understanding the differences between the two literary strategies can help you appreciate narrative more. • Themes are the main ideas of a work of literature. • Motifs are recurring elements that point to these themes. These depictions of purifying water are recurring literary motifs if they appear frequently in a text along with scenes of cleaning floors, refreshing rain and hand washing. "The yearning for purification" could be one of the narrative's themes. The motif is an unmistakable pattern in the text whereas the theme is up for interpretation and discussion. Examples of Motifs bold this When you read a novel, a long poem, or even a short story, you immediately spot something that seems to repeat itself. That was purposefully included by the author. This could be something like the fish from Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea. It might be a notion like the revolution George Orwell presents in Animal Farm. It might be an animal, thing, symbol, or simply a smile that appears throughout the narrative with various people and demonstrates its importance to the plot. Let’s Speak Questions from the story: 1. If you could include a motif in the above story, where would you do it? 2. How do you think a motif is different from other literary devices? 3. Name some writers who use motifs in their piece of writing. 4. What other literary device did you notice in the story above?
159 Let’s read an abridged extract from ‘The Time Machine’ by HG Wells. The Further Vision I have already told you of the sickness and confusion that comes with time travelling. This time I was not seated properly in the saddle. For an indefinite time, I clung to the machine as it swayed and vibrated, quite unheeding how I went, and when I brought myself to look at the dials again, I was amazed to find where I had arrived. One dial records days, and another, thousands of days, another millions of days, and another thousands of millions. Now, instead of reversing the levers, I had pulled them over so as to go forward with them, and when I came to look at these indicators I found that the thousands hand was sweeping round as fast as the seconds hand of a watch—into the future. As I drove on, a peculiar change crept over the appearance of things. The palpitating greyness grew darker. I was still travelling with prodigious velocity, and the blinking succession of day and night, which was usually indicative of a slower pace, returned. At last, a steady twilight brooded over the earth, a twilight only broken now and then when a comet glared across the sky. The band of light that had indicated the sun had long since disappeared. For the sun had ceased to set and the moon had vanished. Sometime before I stopped, the sun, red and very large, halted motionless upon the horizon, now and then suffering a momentary extinction. I perceived by this slowing down of its rising and setting that the work of the tidal drag was done. The earth had come to rest with one face to the sun, even as in our own time the moon faces the earth. Slower and slower went the circling hands until the thousands one seemed motionless and the daily one was no longer a mere mist upon its scale. Still slower, until the dim outlines of a desolate beach grew visible. I stopped and sat upon the Time Machine, looking around. The sky was no longer blue. It was inky black, and the pale white stars shone out of the blackness. Overhead, it was red and starless, and southeastwards it grew brighter to a glowing scarlet where the huge hull of the sun lay motionless. The rocks were of a harsh reddish colour , and all the trace of life I could see at first was the intensely green vegetation covering every place. It was the same green seen on forest moss or lichen in caves: plants like these grow in perpetual twilight. The machine was standing on a sloping beach. There were no breakers and no waves, only a slight oily swell rose and fell and showed that the eternal sea was still moving and living. I noticed that I was breathing very fast. The sensation reminded me of mountaineering and I understood that the air was rare. Far away up the desolate slope, I saw a huge white butterfly-like thing flittering up into the sky and disappearing over some hillocks beyond. The sound of its voice was so dismal that I shivered and seated myself more firmly upon the machine. Looking around me again, I saw what I had taken to be a reddish mass of rock moving slowly towards me. It was really a monstrous crab-like creature. It had many legs moving slowly and uncertainly, its big claws swaying, its long antennae, like carters’ whips, waving and feeling, and its stalked eyes gleaming on either side of its metallic front. Its back was corrugated and blotched. Literature Reading
160 As I stared at this sinister apparition crawling towards me, I felt a tickling on my cheek as though a fly had alighted there. I tried to brush it away with my hand but in a moment it returned, and almost immediately came another one by my ear. It was drawn swiftly out of my hand. I turned and saw that I had grasped the antenna of another monster crab that stood just behind me. Its evil eyes were wriggling on their stalks, its mouth was all alive with appetite, and its vast claws, smeared with slime, were descending upon me. In a moment my hand was on the lever and I had placed a month between myself and these monsters. But I was still on the same beach and I saw them distinctly now as soon as I stopped. Dozens of them seemed to be crawling here and there in the sombre light, among the intense green. I cannot convey the sense of abominable desolation that hung over the world. The red eastern sky, the blackness, the dead sea, the stony beach crawling with these foul monsters, the poisonous-looking green of the lichenous plants and the thin air, all contributed to an appalling effect. I moved on a hundred years and there was the same red sun larger and duller, the same dying sea, the chilled air and the crowd of earthy crustacea creeping about. In the westward sky, I saw a vast new moon. The darkness grew apace; a cold wind blew from the east and the showering white flakes in the air increased in number. From the edge of the sea came a ripple and whisper. Beyond these lifeless sounds the world was silent. All the sounds of man, the bleating of sheep, the cries of birds, the hum of insects, the stir that makes the background of our lives, all that was over as the darkness thickened and the cold air grew intense. At last, the white peaks vanished into blackness. The breeze rose to a moaning wind. In another moment the pale stars alone were visible. The sky was absolutely black. A horror of this great darkness came on me. I felt pain in my breathing. I shivered, and deadly nausea seized me. I got off the machine to recover myself. I felt giddy and incapable of facing the return journey. I stood sick and confused I saw again the moving thing upon the shoal, there was no mistake now that it was a moving thing, against the red water of the sea. Then, I felt I was fainting. I clambered upon the saddle. And I came back.