NEB Grade XI Compulsory English Note | Language Development | Unit- 8 A Few Kind Words for Superstition (Part 2)

Unit:8

A Few Kind Words for Superstition

Critical Thinking

a. What is the key takeaway of this essay? Do you think that this essay is satirical? Why?

The essay aims to change the usual view that superstition is only harbored by the uneducated and irrational people and introduce a different perspective towards superstition. Every individual, no matter how logical or rational, carries superstitions, and that is a normal and natural trait, although this is not indicated directly. The essayist does not make any precise or obvious points about what the essay will be about, except that it will revolve around superstition.

The essayist believes that many superstitions are so widespread and so old that must have been risen from a depth of human mind that is indifferent to any race or creed. For him, superstition is associated with a human interest to know his fate and to have its role in deciding it.

The essay is satirical. It makes fun of learned and educated people who have nothing to do with superstition, but believe in it. The essayist uses several examples associated with superstition, from his personal life at the University he lives in, his surroundings, and religious studies. These illogical happenings in the essay strongly ridicule the scientific and modern human civilization. Throwing salt over the left shoulder after spilling it, or avoiding walking under a ladder, resolving a matter related to university affairs by consulting the I Ching, placing jujus, lucky coins, and other bringers of luck on the desks of the candidates in an examination hall, etc. are some of the superstitious activities rational persons believe in.

The essayist mocks at his own superstitious behavior: giving four shillings to touch a Lucky Baby before taking exams in college, revealing that he did it for the joke.

b. Can education bring change in the belief of superstition? Present your arguments to support your answer.

Education can bring change in the belief of superstition. It improves cognition and the ability of reasoning. Educated people are less likely to be superstitious and can make others aware of the evil practice. At least educated people send the sick to the hospital, rather than to call witch doctors to cast out demons in order to cure the sick. Education provides an understanding of the diseases, the cause and the cure of the diseases.

Superstitions befall when someone fears the unknown. Once the unknown becomes familiar, there is not superstition any longer. If a person comes to know about the actual truth behind various meaningless things, their fear from the mind will be abolished.

It is true that the paranormal things are deep rooted in people’s mind The reason behind this is the impact of society where they grow and cultural practices they involve in. It is difficult to eradicate them, but not impossible. Only educated people can make it possible.

Writing

Write an essay on 'Superstition'.

Superstition

Superstition refers to blind or traditional beliefs that are the products of some weak minds and have no basis in reasons. Such beliefs are thought to have come from our ignorance and fear. Though superstitious beliefs are not based on any reasons or scientific proof, they are supposed to bring about both bad luck and good luck.

There are many people in our society who believe in superstition though science has ruled the entire world. Even the educated people are not free from superstition. They accept fortunetelling, ghosts and other unnatural things as if they exist. If we see the empty jar during our journey, we say it is not a good sign. If a black cat crosses the road in front of us, it is also believed to be bad luck. Hanging spider indicates that some guests are coming. There are many more superstitions which are deeply rooted in our society.

Superstition is considered to be a hindrance in the part of progress. Superstitious people are narrow-minded and don't want to change their mind. It is heard or seen that many people have lost their lives because of superstition. In some communities, when a person falls ill, he is taken to the witch doctor instead of taking him to the doctor. When a person is bitten by a snake, he is taken to the witch doctor. Because of this, he has to lose his life. Superstitious beliefs don’t serve any benefits, but control our thinking and decision- making pattern.

To sum up, superstitions are being replaced with scientific discoveries, and our thoughts and actions should not be guided with such ill-beliefs. A true knowledge and hard work should always get victory over superstition.

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