Pyarichand Mitra (1816–1883), a pioneering figure of the Bengal Renaissance and an early architect of Bengali prose fiction, played a significant role in shaping the cultural and educational landscape of nineteenth-century Bengal. This study critically examines the impact of Pyarichand Mitra’s writings on the curriculum and pedagogical practices of Bengali schools, tracing how his literary contributions helped transform the medium and content of formal education during and after his lifetime. By foregrounding secular themes, social realism, and colloquial Bengali in works such as Alaler Gharer Dulal, Pyarichand Mitra challenged the dominance of classical and Sanskritized learning, promoting instead a vernacular-based curriculum that reflected everyday social experience and middle-class aspirations. Through a historical-analytical methodology, the research evaluates curricular archives, early Bengali textbooks, and educational reports to assess the integration of Pyarichand Mitra’s works into school syllabi and language instruction. The findings indicate that his influence extended beyond literary selection; it fostered modern pedagogical shifts—encouraging comprehension-based learning, moral education through relatable narratives, and enhanced student engagement with prose literature. Even in contemporary curricula, Pyarichand Mitra’s presence signifies the continuity of a pedagogical legacy rooted in cultural identity and literary modernity. Ultimately, the study argues that Pyarichand Mitra was not merely a literary innovator but a transformative educational reformer whose writings substantially contributed to the democratization of knowledge and the evolution of Bengali school education.

The following paper scrutinizes M. Yourcenar’s interpretation of T. Mann’s literary contributions and its profound influence on her own artistic philosophy, as articulated in her essay, “Humanism and Hermeticism in Thomas Mann” (1955). Yourcenar’s appreciation for Mann’s work is examined through five key perspectives: manic realism and myth, time complexity, the isotopic continuum between the microcosm and macrocosm, principles of hermeticism and initiation, and the concept of nigredo. Yourcenar perceives Mann’s oeuvre as a catalyst for contemplating the alchemical transformations of modern humanism, a form of humanism that has ‘passed through the abyss’, acknowledging and surpassing the antihumanistic tendencies of the era. This philosophical exploration is further reflected in her novel, “The Abyss” (1968), underscoring the profound impact of Mann’s ideas on her literary journey. The article explores how modern humanism bridges the gap between dissolution and crystallization of the human concept.

This study explores the life and literary contributions of Darman Moenir, a prominent writer from West Sumatra whose works reflect the interplay between Minangkabau cultural identity and Indonesian literary modernity. The research aims to examine how his personal experiences, socio-cultural background, and artistic vision shaped his writings and career trajectory from 1970 to 2012. Using the historical method, which comprises heuristic, critical, interpretative, and historiographical stages, this study analyzes primary sources, including interviews and personal documents, as well as secondary literary materials. The findings reveal that Darman Moenir's works, including Bako, Dendang, and Aku, Keluargaku, Tetanggaku, embody realism, romanticism, and expressionism while addressing social and cultural themes. His achievements and awards highlight his significant contributions to advancing Indonesian literature. The study concludes that Darman Moenir's life and oeuvre represent an enduring dialogue between local wisdom and national literary expression.

This essay investigates the role of Ghulam Murtaza Syed (G.M. Syed) in the conceptualization, formation, and defence of a distinct Sindhi ethno-national identity from 1930 to 1995. I propose that Syed was not merely a reactive political figure but the primary intellectual architect of modern Sindhi nationalism. His long career, which I trace from his early social reforms and involvement in the Pakistan Movement to his eventual advocacy for an independent 'Sindhudesh', represents a coherent intellectual and political journey. This journey was defined by a sixty-year struggle to define and defend a unique Sindhi identity—rooted in millennia-old cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions—against the successive hegemonies of British colonialism, pan-Indian nationalism, pan-Islamic identity, and, finally, the centralizing Pakistani state. I analyze his political manoeuvres, such as his pivotal role in passing the 1943 Pakistan Resolution in the Sindh Assembly, as actions predicated on a specific, maximalist interpretation of provincial autonomy. I further argue that his post-1947 disillusionment, particularly with the separation of Karachi and the One-Unit policy, was a predictable outcome of the fundamental clash between his vision of a multinational "Pakistan" and the state's drive toward a monolithic "Pakistani" identity. Finally, I examine his prolific literary contributions, particularly Nation in Chains, as the foundational texts of a secular-Sufi Sindhi nationalism that consciously positioned the Indus Valley civilization, not the arrival of Islam, as the basis of Sindhi nationhood. This work concludes that G.M. Syed successfully embedded a resilient and distinct ethno-national consciousness into Sindhi society, ensuring that the "Sindhi question" remains a central, unresolved dynamic in Pakistani politics.

This paper conducts a critical examination of William Faulkner’s exploration of alienation, identity, and trauma in Light in August, drawing upon trauma studies and existential philosophy to scrutinise the existential anxiety permeating the protagonist’s experiences. Central to this analysis is Faulkner’s depiction of Joe Christmas, whose life is marred by profound alienation and psychological turmoil. The study expounds on how Christmas’s past traumatic experiences, in tandem with societal rejection and marginalisation, fuel his ongoing struggle for identity and belonging. This relentless quest reflects deeper existential questions surrounding self-acceptance and connection, underscoring a universal human desire to overcome isolation and achieve selfunderstanding. By employing psychoanalytic and existential frameworks, the article provides an in-depth interpretation of Christmas’s alienation and psychological crisis as emblematic of broader human concerns. Ultimately, Faulkner’s portrayal of these existential predicaments within the context of the American South reiterates his ability to interweave individual and societal trauma, revealing enduring insights into the complexities of the human condition. Through this approach, the article enhances scholarly appreciation of Faulkner’s literary contributions, offering a critical perspective on how his works confront fundamental issues of human identity, societal oppression, and the quest for meaning within a fractured world.

This comparative analysis examines the literary contributions of Aravind Adiga and Meena Alexander, two notable Indian writers who have tackled intricate postcolonial themes. Adiga's novels, known for their satirical realism, scrutinize the sociopolitical landscape of modern India, emphasizing issues of class, caste, and gender inequality. In contrast, Alexander's poetry and memoirs explore identity, trauma, memory, and migration through lyrical and fragmented storytelling, drawing on her personal experiences of displacement and cultural hybridity. While Adiga's narratives often focus on urban settings and their inherent contradictions, Alexander's work highlights the female body and struggles women face in navigating diverse cultural identities. Adiga uses a daring, satirical style to confront readers with harsh realities of inequality, whereas Alexander's introspective and poetic approach encourages deep exploration of identity and cultural displacement. Despite their differing emphases and methods, both authors made significant contributions to Indian literature in English, urging readers to face uncomfortable truths about contemporary India and its global standing. This comparative study underscores the richness and diversity of Indian English literature, illustrating how the contrasting methods of Adiga and Alexander offer a more comprehensive portrayal of Indian experiences both domestically and in the diaspora.

More than a century after its end, the First World War continues to loom large in cultural memory, particularly in contemporary fiction in the United Kingdom but also elsewhere. However, both commemorative practice and literary representation remain overwhelmingly dominated by a narrowly conceived narrative of the war as fought by white, middle-class men on the Western Front. This article explores the role played by ephemera – defined broadly as any small, portable items and print materials that are not books – in shaping contemporary commemorative discourse and historical fiction about the First World War. It proposes that paying attention to the ephemera that inform writing about the First World War offers a valuable tool to understand and critique the limitations and opportunities of literary contributions to the war's legacy in the present.

Abstract From the large number of quotations that survive in the vast and varied written documents of the Roman imperial period, it is evident that Virgil was the most popular poet, at least in the Latin-speaking western part of the Empire, where he played the same role as Homer in the Greek-speaking East. A notable aspect of Virgil's legacy, however, lies not merely in the sheer volume of quotations and allusions that have survived; rather, it is the remarkable versatility of his written mediums which include inscriptions painted or scratched upon walls, papyri, ostraca, writing tablets, and even scrawls on simple bowls. Furthermore, the scope of Virgil's literary influence extends beyond the confines of the privileged upper classes, as evidenced by his presence in the epitaphs of ordinary people, gladiatorial dressing rooms, or in barracks of distant garrisons. Additionally, his literary contributions have permeated diverse geographical areas, from Hadrian's Wall to Dura-Europos on the Euphrates. The present article explores the potential explanations for the phenomenon of Virgil's ‘ubiquity’.

This article sheds light on a medical bimonthly, the Madras Journal of Medical Science (MJMS), which was active between 1850 and 1854. A unique aspect of MJMS was that it was published by the apothecaries and dressers of the Madras Subordinate Medical Service for their professional development. Similar to any professional journal of the mid-19th century, this journal included a few original case reports (referred to as literary contributions) by the apothecaries and dressers working with the Madras Medical Establishment (MME). This journal also included a few paraphrased articles from contemporary British medical journals, as well as featuring some locally relevant information related to the medical profession. This effort, aimed at academic growth, made by the subordinate medical staff of MME and not by the mainstream, higher-qualified medical personnel, impresses as valiant and daring.

This paper explores the influence and reflection of the French writer Henri Barbusse’s literary and sociopolitical activities within the Georgian cultural space. It presents a comparative analysis of his works and how they were perceived in Soviet Georgia. Henri Barbusse emerged in the literary field in the 1890s as a symbolist poet, later becoming the author of neo-naturalist novels and psychological short stories, as well as a publicist and political figure. World War I radically transformed his worldview. He volunteered for the front in 1914 as a true pacifist. The social-economic crises and the subsequent rise of fascism convinced him that there was no visible solution – thus he turned his hopes toward the events unfolding in the first socialist state, Soviet Russia. The paper analyzes Barbusse’s impressions of his travels in Georgia and the Georgian translations of his works. It also evaluates how the Georgian press reacted to his writing and visits. In the late 1920s, the Soviet authorities made particular efforts to attract Western intellectuals and cultural figures in order to portray socialism as a global success. Barbusse was one of the first intellectuals to depict the Soviet Union as the symbol of a “new world.” His literary and publicist activities contributed to the reinforcement of Soviet socialism. His deep ties to communist ideo- logy are clearly reflected in his works; however, at the same time, he also vividly portrays the brutal reality of imperialist militarism. At that time, speaking out against war was considered a betrayal of national interests and provoked nationalist outrage – such as in the case of Jean Jaurès’ assassination. Barbusse was one of the first in European literature to depict the cruelty of war in his novel Le Feu (Under Fire) and psychological stories, revealing the harsh and absurd conditions on the frontlines. Barbusse’s travelogue “This is What They Did to Georgia,” written after his October 1927 visit to Georgia, unfortunately does not objectively reflect the ideological pressure and dire socio-economic conditions in the country at the time. Party workers accompanied him everywhere, providing fabricated and glorified reports of success. The text contains inaccuracies about the First Democratic Republic of Georgia, which can be considered slanderous. The Georgian intelligentsia was divided in response to his visit: supporters of the Soviet regime (Platon Kikodze, Silibistro Todria, Tedo Sakhokia, Aristo Chumbadze) endorsed Barbusse’s evaluations and believed in the restoration of justice and equality under the Soviet system. Opponents, including émigrés (e.g., David Sharashidze), harshly criticized him, while others avoided expressing opinions. These differing attitudes influenced how his works were translated and interpreted, and how his political and literary contributions were addressed in essays and critiques. Barbusse’s novel Le Feu (Under Fire) was first translated into Georgian in 1923 by Tedo Sakhokia (with a second edition in 1930). His short stories were translated by Aristo Chumbadze in 1930, successfully capturing the tone and style of the original. Barbusse’s poetic vocabulary, use of antithesis, grotesque, irony, and sarcasm were preserved. Aristo Chumbadze, a brilliant stylist, produced translations that are both natural and refined, maintaining syntactical harmony with the original. During the 1950s–1970s, Barbusse’s 1914 collection of psychological short stories drew attention from Georgian writers and readers. The stories are grouped around themes: 1. Fate; 2. Mad love; 3. Compassion. Many translations were published in Tbilisi-based and regional journals and newspapers. Roena Kenia’s translations such as La Tendresse, Hallali, Le Vrai Juge (The True Judge), Le Premier Amour (First Love), and Le Frère (The Brother)—are noted for their artistic quality and fidelity to the original. The paper also presents a typological analysis comparing Henri Barbusse’s and Sergo Kldiashvili’s attitudes toward World War I and their respective works: Barbusse’s novel Under Fire and story “One Weeps, Another Laughs,” with Kldiashvili’s Ashes and “The Goblin Boys.” Regrettably, Henri Barbusse failed to see the persecution of the Georgian intelligentsia and the ideological control over culture. He contributed to the integration of Georgian literature into socialist aesthetics and brought Georgian writers closer to European proletarian literature. Barbusse did not envision any better way out of the crisis of his time and blindly believed that democracy could only be expanded through revolution. Nevertheless, it must be emphasized that his novel Under Fire is an anti-war work that no political agenda can justify. His psychological stories are not ideologically driven; rather, they are filled with compassion for humanity and a deep desire to reveal human nature and promote goodness.

Iqbal Faheem Jozi is a renowned poet of the modern era. He is a progressive writer and poet with a new aesthetic rhythm. Iqbal Faheem, moving beyond the conventions of the ghazal, turned towards poems. His poetry holds a unique place of its own; each verse in his poems reflects creative excellence. In Jozi’s poetry, one finds a distinct musical tone and elements of modern aesthetics. His style possesses a special identity. His poetry presents a beautiful blend of tradition and innovation. Jozi gave Urdu poetry a new direction by highlighting contemporary social issues and challenges. In his works, he had addressed various aspects of modern society. His poems explore themes such as love, hatred, loneliness, social injustice, separation, wind, rain, and existential concerns, all written in a thought-provoking and engaging manner. Jozi’s poetry holds a unique and distinguished position. He is regarded as a powerful poet of the modern age, demonstrating remarkable creativity and a strict adherence to poetic principles. He uses simple, expressive language to create beauty and colour, weaving modern themes into his verses with elegant and artistic depth. His collection includes poems that reflect both internal and external aspects of life. His poems are based on romanticism, loneliness, nature, and realism. The poems are expressions of emotions and states of mind. Iqbal Faheem Jozi chose the prose poem as a medium for social expression. Undoubtedly, his name will always be included among the prominent writers of prose poetry. This article deals with his literary contributions to Urdu Literature.

Unwritten Histories: The Rediscovery of Jewish Women’s Literary Contributions

Ecotourism has been identified as among the bedrocks of tourism development in some parts of Africa. These include nations in eastern Africa, southern Africa and part of western Africa. These countries have over the years, leveraged on the opportunities of ecotourism to compete favourably in the global tourism market. However, various issues and challenges have undermined these huge opportunities of ecotourism for tourism development in a place. This study is aimed at examining some of these challenges and recommending various measures that can be applied to promote sustainable ecotourism development in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. The study used field observation and key informant interview approaches in qualitative research. It also adopted a literature method to understand the literary contributions to the subject matter. Identified challenges were classified under environmental, social and economic challenges. The study also considered risks associated with mass tourism in ecotourist destinations. At the end various measures were recommended to facilitate sustainable ecotourism management in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. The study has implications for sustainable ecotourism management in Africa, especially those places with huge ecotourism opportunities, but with less capacity for sustainable management. This is imperative hence ecotourism derives a fair share of the economic fortunes of those nations.

ABSTRACT This paper explores the motifs of confinement and mortality as depicted in Nawal El Saadawi’s Woman at Point Zero and Sylvia Plath’s Ariel, emphasizing the deep emotional turmoil experienced by women from various cultural backgrounds. Both authors portray the notion of imprisonment not solely as a physical location but as a mental condition that reflects the limitations imposed by patriarchal systems. El Saadawi’s narrative is informed by her firsthand experiences as a psychiatrist in an Egyptian women’s prison, centering on Firdaus, a death row prisoner whose existence epitomizes the severe challenges encountered by women. Conversely, Plath articulates her personal struggles with mental health and societal pressures through confessional poetry, culminating in Ariel, a collection that captures the conflict between freedom and self-destruction. By examining the intertwined lives of these two women, the article investigates universal feminist themes of confinement, resilience, and the pursuit of independence. It posits that both El Saadawi and Plath reframe death as a means of empowerment, ultimately transforming the narrative of female suffering into a powerful assertion of self-identity. Through their literary contributions, they confront the dominant narratives surrounding women’s oppression, providing a nuanced perspective on the intricacies of women’s experiences within their respective cultural frameworks.

ABSTRACT This study primarily aims to examine the effect of CO 2 emissions on firms performance in the first place. Additionally, it seeks to explore the moderating effect of ESG performance on the relationship between CO 2 emissions and firm performance. Based on a sample of companies listed on the S&P 500 over the period 2011–2021, this study uses a panel fixed effect model to highlight these assumptions. This study finds that CO 2 emissions have a significant negative association with firm performance. In addition, strong ESG performance plays a moderating role as it is able to mitigate the negative impact of CO 2 emissions on firm performance. This work makes multiple literary contributions. Initially, the study opens up a fresh field of research by looking at how CO 2 emissions affect firm performance in various scenarios like the conclusion of the Paris Agreement, the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement, and the adoption of the ISO 14001 standard. Second, the exploration of the moderating effect of ESG performance remains unique in this analysis as it helps to shape the relationship between CO 2 emissions and firm performance. From a policy perspective, the results highlight the need for strengthened climate‐related regulations and the promotion of ESG practices and environmental certifications (e.g., ISO 14001), which can incentivize firms to reduce emissions while safeguarding financial performance.

This article examines how two Scandinavian picture book biographies, Anne-Cath. Vestly (2020) by Agnes-Margrethe Bjorvand and Tove: En lille digter (2020) by Line Jensen, convey the lives and literary work of authors to children and young readers. Through a comparative analysis, the article explores how different narrative and visual strategies are used to depict life stories and authorship, and how these influence the child reader’s experience and understanding of the texts and the authors’ literary contributions. The article draws on theories of nonfiction, picturebooks, and multimodality, and demonstrates how iconotext, portraits, and anecdotes contribute to the adaptation and presentation of literary lives for a young audience.

This study aims to trace the views of Orientalists on Mahfouz's literature, elucidating their approach to studying a model of Arabic literature and analyzing these views through the lens of cultural criticism, particularly through the concepts of the "self" and the "other." The study employed the descriptive-analytical method based on cultural criticism. The study revealed that Orientalists' opinions on Mahfouz'works were diverse, largely shaped by their preexisting ideas. They interpreted Mahfouz's works based on their social and cultural perspectives, often selecting elements that aligned with their own biases. Soviet Orientalist criticism was the closest to reflecting Egyptian reality and demonstrated a deeper understanding of and fairness toward Mahfouz. Meanwhile, European Orientalist criticism provided important insights into the influence of European philosophy and modern literature on Mahfouz's works, yet it was not free from the Western superiority complex toward the East. This perspective often failed to align with Mahfouz's artistic and creative capabilities or with the Egyptian reality, instead being filtered through a cultural intermediary who imposed their own ideological framework. Israeli Orientalist criticism, in contrast, focused on tracking the manifestations of Arab society, aiming to study and understand it as it is—ultimately with the intention of exploiting this knowledge. Naguib Mahfouz served as a mirror reflecting Egyptian society in particular and the Arab world in general, presenting a truthful image to both Arab and Western audiences. However, Orientalist readings of his literary output varied significantly. Some offered a fair and appreciative evaluation of his artistic and literary contributions, while others used their analysis to highlight cultural biases that elevated the Western world's modernity and superiority over the East.

Aim. This study focuses on the biblical layer found within the stories of Mitrush Kuteli. Through a multi-faceted approach, the study aims to shed light on the intricate layers of meaning embedded in Kuteli's narratives and their significance within the broader context of Albanian literature and cultural history. It also offers a detailed psychoanalytic interpretation of Kuteli's use of biblical elements, exploring their symbolic meanings and psychological implications. Methods. The research employs a combination of cultural, biographical, descriptive, and analytical methods to explore and understand the unique biblical dimension in Kuteli's work. Results. It classifies and analyses the different types of perceptions (sensory, fantastic, biblical, and universal) present in Kuteli's work. By investigating these aspects, the study provides a nuanced understanding of Mitrush Kuteli's literary contributions and the intricate layers of meaning within his work. Conclusion. Intertextuality serves as a valuable resource for writers to establish fresh interpretations and links among various texts, concepts, and cultures. The use of metaphorical language effectively expresses intricate emotions and ideas while also enhancing the overall atmosphere and tone of a story. The conflict between the tangible and the intangible is a core element of human experience, and literature often delves into this conflict to illuminate our perception of both ourselves and the surrounding world.

The present paper aims to analyze the Nobel laureates in Literature from 1901 to 2022, emphasizing their distinct contributions. The study encompasses the distribution of Nobel Laureates across the years, the gender-wise distribution, the top-ranking countries, the average age of laureates at the time of receiving the prize, as well as highlights the individual laureates with their specific areas of contributions and genres of literary contributions. The findings revealed that 119 individuals have been honoured with the Nobel Prize in Literature. The youngest recipient was 41 years old, while the oldest was 88. There are 48 different countries represented globally, out of which France emerged as the top-ranking nation. Among the 119 laureates, 17 were female, and 102 were male. The contributions of the laureates to various literary domains have significantly enriched the world of literature.

This paper analyses the pivotal contributions of Anna Schwartz in shaping the Monetarist school of thought in the 20th century. Schwartz’s research has yet to receive thorough recognition, as she was often overshadowed by her academic partner, Milton Friedman. Schwartz’s key literary contributions to the field included the Money and Business Cycles project, A Monetary History of the United States and the Gold Commission Report. Her critical analysis of transmission effects within the money supply allowed her to develop the new Quantity Theory of Money, alongside Friedman. Further, her scrutiny of the role of the Federal Reserve during the Great Depression challenged prevailing Keynesian thought, allowing for a new perspective on monetary mechanisms within the US economy. Schwartz’s timelessness is reflected in her inquiries into the 2008 Financial Crisis, demonstrating how her research on the Great Depression was still applicable, almost a century later. As an advocator of monetary stability, Schwartz wished to produce research which would shift perspective on economic policy. Indeed, this paper concludes that Monetarism would not be so widely recognised without Schwartz’s contributions, which still teach valuable lessons to policymakers and academics in modern-day economies.