“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are reported in your newspapers.”
Having never before travelled beyond our homes, we were struck dumb with wonder at his manner. No matter how trivial the topic, he could quote science, comment on the Vedas, or recite quatrains from Persian poets. Since we possessed no real knowledge of science, the Vedas, or Persian literature, our admiration for him only grew. My kinsman, a theosophist, became convinced that our fellow passenger was inspired by some strange magnetism, occult power, or astral body. He listened with devotional rapture even to the most common place remarks and secretly noted down his words. I suspect our extraordinary companion noticed this and was quietly pleased. When the train reached the junction, we gathered in the waiting room to await our connection. It was 10 p.m., and as the train was expected to be delayed owing to some fault in the lines, I spread my bed on the table and prepared to sleep. But just then, the extraordinary man began spinning a tale, and of course, I could not close my eyes all night. (307 words)
[Extracted with edits from Rabindranath Tagore's “The Hungry Stones"]
Literary Device in Narrator's Line
The question asks us to identify the literary device most evident in the narrator's description of the extraordinary man: “one might think the 'Disposer of All Things' sought his counsel in every decision”. This line is part of a larger narrative describing an encounter on a train, where the narrator and his kinsman meet a man of remarkable intellect and confidence.
Understanding Allegory
An Allegory is a literary work that uses symbolic representation to convey deeper meanings, often moral or political. In an allegory, characters, events, and settings can represent abstract ideas or concepts beyond their literal meaning. It's like a story within a story, where the surface narrative points to a hidden, symbolic message.
Analyzing the Narrator's Line as Allegory
Let's consider how the line “one might think the 'Disposer of All Things' sought his counsel in every decision” can be interpreted as allegory:
- Symbolic Representation: The "Disposer of All Things" can be seen as a symbol for divine wisdom, fate, or the ultimate power that governs the universe.
- The Man as a Symbol: The extraordinary man, described as having profound knowledge and confidence, might not just be a character but could symbolize a higher form of wisdom, intuition, or even a spiritual guide.
- Connection to Deeper Meaning: The narrator's thought that this man is consulted by the "Disposer of All Things" suggests a connection between the man's earthly wisdom and universal truths. This elevates the man from an ordinary person to a figure representing profound insight. The entire encounter might serve as a symbolic narrative about the narrator's own awakening to hidden forces and deeper knowledge in the world, making the man a key allegorical figure in this realization.
Evaluating Other Literary Devices
While other devices might be present in the text, they are not the *most* evident in this specific line:
- Irony: Irony involves a contrast between expectation and reality. The narrator expresses genuine wonder, not a humorous or pointed contrast.
- Euphemism: Euphemism replaces harsh words with milder ones. This line is not about softening language; it's about describing perceived authority.
- Hyperbole: While the line uses exaggeration (hyperbole) to emphasize the man's confidence, the context of the story and the narrator's perception of hidden forces and profound knowledge suggests a deeper, symbolic layer. Allegory encompasses this symbolic meaning more comprehensively than simple exaggeration. The exaggeration serves the allegorical purpose of marking the man as a significant, symbolic figure.
Therefore, considering the man as potentially representing a deeper concept or idea within the narrative, and his interaction with divine authority as symbolic, Allegory is presented as the most fitting literary device for this line.
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Important Questions from Non Grammar
- From the passage it is evident that:
- Which of the statements is true?
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- The passage explains the concept of species classification by
