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Sketches and Conversations Recalled THE book is an array of recollections. In a series of sketches (a sketch is a short descriptive piece, bearing resemblance to a short story), the author recalls her various encounters in her eventful life. And her proclaimed intention, mentioned in the Preface, is to stress the wider significance of human encounters, which, she believes, forms the background of history, particularly political history. Richness and variety are the most striking features of the book. Here is a variety of people, places, countries, cultures, environments and situations. And also a potpourri of heterogeneous themes—human thoughts and emotions, relationship, academia, languages, trans-cultural understanding, ethics, animals and author’s own wide interests, besides her work and travels. Witty, satiric and startling observations at the beginning or closing of the majority of sketches, adding to their appeal, arrest the audience’s attention. As in On Animal, she observes, "Could the two-lagged animal who carried five sticks called guns, and killed each other with the excuse of doing this for food have much of a claim to be called civilsed"?
A group of sketches, where she thinks of her academics, students and colleagues, will definitely interest those in the field of teaching. Here also some useful tips for dealing with students and some subjects. Repeatedly, she extols interactive teaching, involving maximum participation of students (common in America) as the best mode of teaching. Equipped as she is, with the long experience of teaching philosophy in universities, both in India and abroad, hence with a deep understanding of the subject, the book is full of her reflections about philosophy. Some ways of making the "dull and ponderous" philosophy interesting are thought of. The sketch Jokes in the Philosophy Classroom juxtaposes philosophy with the sense of humour (jokes). Some of the great names in the world of philosophy are also recalled, refreshing the reader’s memory. A cheer for those interested in English language, as the book carriers out a linguistic study and innovation. On Learning Latin, she puts forward the idea that learning of English is complemented by a command of Latin. The difference between standard English and different Englishes is looked upon in the informative and entertaining sketch English as she is spoke. The striking sketch, Proverbs, picks up holes in popular English proverbs. Moreover, probably with the aim of startling the audience, thereby arousing their interest in sketches, she dispenses with the standard pattern of writing title, replacing capital letter with small letter, using bad grammar, or absurd, fantastic expression, as in The colleague from down under. The book also serves as a travel guide with a substantial amount of information on environments, climatic conditions and customs of many foreign countries she has visited to deliver lectures or take part in conferences. The sketch On the Bus is a comic description of the difficulty of making oneself understood abroad. Part II of the book, Conversations, a record of the interactions among three senior academics, further the discussion, in the form of dialogue, over some of the issues raised in the first part, Sketches from Memory. As a reflection of the author’s wide resources, the book has inspirational appeal. Extraordinary diversity, richness of idea, descriptive power, verbal felicity, irresistible sense of humour and gift of characterisation are some of her strengths as a writer. Besides, she is an incarnation of polymathy, exuberance, grit, poise and an amazing adaptability. However, her marvellous characterisation deserves a special mention. As at the close of the book, some characters linger in our memory like stoical and resilient three German ladies, the generous, loving, stimulating teacher miss Wilson, extraordinary gallant Katrina and the visual handicap but with an astounding depth of sight Peter. In the final analysis,
the writer’s retrospection, equipping readers with inspiration,
knowledge, a higher sense of perception and of course, amusement,
makes an interesting, stimulating read.
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Exploiting
the ridiculous aspects of human behaviour and life, with doses of
humour scattered here and there, a bunch of sketches regale the
audience. An intriguing satire on the platform behaviour, enriched
with ironic, comic remarks, the sketch, Being on the Platform,
is thoroughly thrilling.