A 1996 Commencement Speech

Salman Rushdie, India (1947)
Unit: Education
Subject: Flax-Golden Tales

Literal Comprehension:

In A 1996 Commencement Speech, Salman Rushdie talks about human rights and encourages people not to give in to lies and conspiracies. He shares an incident where American students protested against Jean Kirkpatrick’s speech by boycotting it and staging a sit-in. Rushdie recalls his own graduation from Cambridge University in 1968. He was accused of throwing dirty gravy on a wall and was denied his degree. To receive it, he had to bow before the Vice-Chancellor, even though he had done nothing wrong. Looking back, he regrets his silence and submission to injustice. He believes that injustice forces people to beg for what is rightfully theirs. Rushdie advises students never to accept injustice or surrender to cruelty and lies. He appreciates Bard College for supporting him in difficult times. He also says that if gods limit freedom and rights, they should be questioned. According to him, people should always follow their best nature.

Interpretation:

Rushdie highlights the importance of justice, freedom, and personal rights. He advises students to stand against injustice and never compromise their dignity. He even suggests challenging gods if they impose unfair limits on people’s freedom and thoughts. He believes that self-respect comes from holding onto good values and standing up for what is right.

Critical Thinking:

While the speech is inspiring and meaningful, some ideas can be questioned. Is it really possible to challenge gods? Is it right to criticize the university that granted us our degree? These are thoughts worth considering.

Assimilation:

This speech deeply moved me. It reminded me of times when I had to accept injustice to get what was rightfully mine. Like Rushdie, I now regret those moments of silence. His words have inspired me never to accept unfair treatment and to always stand up for justice.

Elements of Fiction  

The Elements of Fiction are the fundamental components that make up a fictional story. These elements help structure and develop the narrative, characters, and themes. The main elements of fiction include:

1. Plot

• The sequence of events in a story, usually following a structure such as:
  • Exposition – Introduction of characters, setting, and background information.
  • Rising Action – Development of conflict and tension.
  • Climax – The turning point or most intense moment.
  • Falling Action – Consequences of the climax leading to resolution.
  • Resolution (Denouement) – Conclusion of the story.

2. Characters

• The people, animals, or beings in a story.
• Types of characters:
  • Protagonist – The main character, often the hero.
  • Antagonist – The character or force opposing the protagonist.
  • Static Character – A character who remains unchanged.
  • Dynamic Character – A character who undergoes development or transformation.

3. Setting

• The time and place where the story occurs.
• Includes physical, social, and historical context.

4. Theme

• The central idea or underlying message of the story.
• Examples: love, justice, fate vs. free will, good vs. evil.

5. Point of View (Narration)

• The perspective from which the story is told:
  • First-Person – The narrator is a character in the story (uses "I" or "we").
  • Third-Person Limited – The narrator knows the thoughts of one character.
  • Third-Person Omniscient – The narrator knows the thoughts of all characters.

6. Conflict

• The struggle between opposing forces in a story.
• Types of conflict:
  • Internal Conflict (Man vs. Self) – A struggle within a character.
  • External Conflict – A struggle against an outside force:
    • Man vs. Man – Conflict between characters.
    • Man vs. Nature – Struggle against natural forces.
    • Man vs. Society – Struggle against social norms or institutions.
    • Man vs. Fate/Supernatural – Struggle against destiny or unseen forces.

7. Symbolism

• The use of symbols (objects, characters, or events) to represent ideas or themes.

8. Tone and Mood

• Tone – The author's attitude toward the subject (e.g., serious, humorous, sarcastic).
• Mood – The emotional atmosphere of the story (e.g., suspenseful, gloomy, joyful).

9. Style

• The author's unique way of writing, including word choice, sentence structure, and literary devices.

Each of these elements contributes to the richness and depth of a fictional work, making it engaging and meaningful for readers.