Entertaining literature enthralls us with suspense, humor and the intense action of an engaging plot. Superior literature transcends mere action. It presents to the reader the author’s insights into human character and reveals the complex ways in which character and action interrelate to generate chains of consequences and results. Still finer literature reveals the complex interactions between action, individual character and the evolving character of the society in which the action takes place. The greatest literature goes still further. It reveals not only insights of individual and social character but of the character of life itself. MSS has formulated an original approach to the understanding and evaluation of fiction based on knowledge of human personality, social development and the character of life. It has applied this approach for an in-depth study of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, a study five of Shakespeare’s major works, as well as a wide range of other novels and motion pictures. In 2000, MSS began a study of Jane Austen’s novel, Pride & Prejudice, to examine the process of social development as well the reflections of fundamental truths of life and human character depicted in the novel. The study brings out through the narrative the process of social evolution that occurred in England during the Napoleanic era in contrast to the violent social revolution taking place across the English Channel. It also examines the power of personal attitudes and decisions to determine life events and their outcomes. Several seminars were conducted in Madras and Pondicherry to discuss the findings of the study.
Read the Introduction to Character of Life in Literature & Cinema
Pride & Prejudice Project | Shakespeare | Novels | Motion Pictures
For an overview of MSS projects in this field, please see Literary Criticism & Cinema
Pride & Prejudice Project
- For an in-depth study of human character, social development and accomplishment in Jane Austen’s famous novel, see Pride & Prejudice.info
- Study of Individuality & Social Evolution in Literature, By Janani Harish, June 9, 2012, Presented to The World Academy of Art & Science conference on “Humanities and the Contemporary World” in Montenegro and published in Eruditio Journal Issue 1, July 2012.
- Darcy’s Individuation, By Janani Harish, Feb 11, 2010, Presented to The World Academy’s e-conference on Individuality
- Feminine Individuality in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, By Janani Harish, Feb 3, 2010, Presented to The World Academy’s e-conference on Individuality
- Introduction to Pride and Prejudice, April 16, 2007
- Accomplishment and Human Development in Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, March 24, 2000
Shakespeare
- Character of Life – Consciousness Approach to Shakespeare: Introduction, 1977
- Character of Life in As You Like It, 1977
- Character of Life in Macbeth, 1977
- Character of Life in Othello, 1977
- Character of Life in Hamlet, 1977
- Character of Life in King Lear, 1977
Novels
- Framley Parsonage, February, 2009
- Gone with the Wind, September 20, 2007
- Siddhartha, July 3, 2007
- The Fountainhead, By Roy Posner, July 1, 2007
- Jane Eyre, May 13, 2007
- King’s Accomplishment from Dumas’ Vicomte de Bragalonne, By Garry Jacobs, April 11, 2007, previously published in Consecration magazine, vol.4, Issue 2, May-June, Pg 8
- European Gentleman from Dumas’ Vicomte de Bragalonne, By Garry Jacobs, January 17, 2007, previously published in Consecration magazine, vol.4, Issue 1, March-April, Pg 8
- Marquise of O, By Garry Jacobs, published in Consecration Magazine, Vol.2, Issue 2, May-June 2005, pg.9
- Around the World in 80 Days, January 20, 2000
- Count of Monte Cristo, January 20, 2000
- The Three Musketeers, April 23, 1999
Motion Pictures
- Wicker Park, August 26, 2007
- House of Eliott, By Roy Posner, June 15, 2007
- Les Miserables, June 5, 2007
- Contact, July 2, 2007
- Fountainhead, By Roy Posner, July 1, 2007
- Mona Lisa Smile, June 1, 2007
- Civil Action, May 28, 2007
- Chariots of Fire, May 22, 2007
- Around the World in 80 Days, By Roy Posner, May 14, 2007
- Gone with the Wind, May 10, 2007
- Count of Monte Cristo, May 10, 2007
- Seabiscuit, May 10, 2007
- Emma, May 8, 2007
- Master and Commander, May 8, 2007
- Erin Brockovich, May 8, 2007
- Elizabeth, April 22, 2007
- Legend of Bagger Vance, December 14, 2006
- King Arthur, By Garry Jacobs, published in Consecration Magazine, Vol.2, Issue 4, Sep-Oct 2005, pg.9
- Twelve O’clock High, December 4, 2003
- The Verdict, October 15, 2003