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| Francic Bacon |
Paragraph Questions
Answer the following in 10 – 15 lines each :1. What according to Bacon is the theme Of Studies?
Francis Bacon was a great english essayist. ‘Of Studies’ is an interesting essay depicting the benefits and disadvantages of studies. Reading books gives us happiness. It helps us to become more intelligent in communication. Natural abilities can be developed by reading books. Sometimes it becomes harmful if too-much time is spent on it. Showy tendency should be avoided. There are books to be skipped through, books to be read completely and some others to be read with great care and to be digested. Through studies an individual becomes a full man. The author tells that the study of different subjects helps us to cure the weaknesses of the mind.
2.How does Bacon emphasize the value of experience?
Francis Bacon was a great english essayist. In the essay “Of Studies” he writes about the value of education. Reading books is a good habit. It is liked by wise people. By studies, one can improve one’s knowledge. They read the books and get a lot of knowledge. They develop themselves by utilising the content in practical life. The views of the authors will be judged and utilised in daily life. By regular study of books, one can become worthy in day to day life. Bookish knowledge becomes ripened by its application in real life situations. Experience perfects our knowledge.
3. What did Bacon mean in the line “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed and some few to be chewed and digested”.
Francis Bacon was a great English essayist. In the essay ‘Of Studies’, he gives the benefits of studies and the importance of reading books. He writes with an aphoristic style. He describes books to be of three types. Some books are there for formal reading, just taste it and leave it. Some books have to be studied completely. We read them because of our curiosity. Some other books are to be studied carefully. They are useful to the reader in real life experience. They can be chewed and digested. The subject matter can be tested, brought into experience, by means of applying the knowledge in day to day events. One should real with real understanding books. Sometimes it becomes harmful if too-much time is spent on it. Showy tendency should be avoided. There are books to be skipped through, books to be read completely and some others to be read with great care and to be digested. Through studies an individual becomes a full man. The author tells that the study of different subjects helps us to cure the weaknesses of the mind.
4.How do studies cure the diseases of the mind?
Francis Bacon was a great English essayist. In the essay ‘Of Studies’, he gives the benefits of studies and the importance of reading books. Being an essayist with great knowledge and experience, he tells us that studies are useful to cure some diseases of the mind. History can improve wisdom and poetry can improve imagination. Physical exercise cure the body weaknesses. Similarly, mathematics can cure the weakness of wavering mind. Weak thinking can be cured by the study of philosophy. For memory loss, the study of law shall work as a remedy. Thus study of books is useful not only to acquire knowledge but also to get the weaknesses treated.
Annotations
1. Studies serve for delight, for ornament and for ability.Context: This line is taken from the essay “Of Studies” written by Francis Bacon. He was called the Father of English Essay. This line is about the benefits of studies.
Explanation : We get delight when we read a book. When we are at leisure, we read and enjoy. Reading enriches our capacity of communication and judgement. Thus it makes us efficient and it is like an ornament. Effective thinking and perfect knowledge are possible by studies. Many people take the advice of a man who studies well.
General Relevance : The short sentence, has got great meaning. Bacon’s sentences are aphoristic and are filled with sensitive views.
2. Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them.
Context: This sentence is taken from the essay”Of Studies” written by Francis Bacon. He was called the Father of English Essay. This line is about people who treat studies in their own way. Their views are different one from the other.
Explanation : While looking into the practical side of the subject, the writer points out, three kinds of people. Cunning and dishonest people dislike studies. They are proud that they have enough of knowledge. There are people who are interested in studies. These simple men shall have a liking for studies. The third group of people who are wise, study books well, get knowledge and apply it in their daily life.
General Relevance : Bacon’s sentences are aphoristic. They are filled with sensible ideas. The division of the three kinds,’shows the wit of Bacon. Real life situations are shown in the essay.
3. Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.
Context : This sentence is taken from the lesson “Of Studies” written by Francis Bacon. He was called the Father of English Essay. This passage is about the three types of books available. Different books are to be treated differently.
Explanation: The essayist differentiates the books according to the subject matter. Actually one should not read much. If any body reads, he should know the content of the book. Some books are to be read formally. We have to taste it and leave it Some books are to be read completely. We read them because we are curious. Some of the other books are to be studied carefully. They are useful for us in real life experiences. The knowledge acquired shall become our own and so they have to be chewed and digested.
General Relevance : Bacon’s style is aphoristic. The words tasted, swallowed and chewed give an interesting experience. Thus the language of the ‘essay is appreciated.
Explanation: The essayist differentiates the books according to the subject matter. Actually one should not read much. If any body reads, he should know the content of the book. Some books are to be read formally. We have to taste it and leave it Some books are to be read completely. We read them because we are curious. Some of the other books are to be studied carefully. They are useful for us in real life experiences. The knowledge acquired shall become our own and so they have to be chewed and digested.
General Relevance : Bacon’s style is aphoristic. The words tasted, swallowed and chewed give an interesting experience. Thus the language of the ‘essay is appreciated.
4. Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man and writing an exact man.
Context: This sentence is an extract from the essay “Of Studies” written by Francis Bacon. He was called the Father of English Essay. The sentence is about reading, speaking and writing. Bacon’s view about these three skills is very great.
Explanation : After giving a description of different kinds of books, Bacon tells us about the virtue of the three skills. Reading enables one to become a full man. By reading, one can get knowledge, speaking and participating in a dialogue with others, shall help one to become a ready man. If a man writes, he becomes an exact man. Bacon’s views of a full man, a ready man and an exact man, exhibit his wit and deep thinking.
General Relevance : Bacon’s style is aphoristic. Here in this sentence man’s abilities are. brought forth for the reader, in an interesting way.
'Of Studies' Summary
Francis Bacon was a great English essayist. The ‘essay “Of Studies” is taken from his book “Essays”. It is a clear description of the benefits1 derived by studies.Reading books, gives us happiness. It helps us to become more intelligent in communication2, good judgement is possible by studies. Natural3 abilities of an individual can be developed by reading books. Cunning4 people do not like reading, simple people are interested in reading and wise people read and better themselves, by studies.
There are different books available in the world. Some books are useful for formal5 reading, some books are to be read completely and some other books are to be read with great care and digested6. Reading helps to make a full man. According to the author, there are distinct7 benefits by each subject. For wisdom, histories, for wit, the poetry, for concentration, the subject of mathematics, and such others are useful Through physical exercises, many diseases of the body can be cured8. Similarly studies, cure different weaknesses of the mind.
