My Favourite Poet
Hanif Mirza
Professor Marsh
ENG 1104 38
25 Feb. 2013 My favorite Poet
Throughout the twenty one years of my life. I have had the privilege of knowing about many poets and dramatists. However, there is one particular poet whose name is etched in my memory. Whenever somebody asks about my favorite poet, his name will automatically flash into my mind. He is Michael Madhusudan Dutt, was a popular 19th century Bengali poet, dramatist and the first sonnet writer in Indian Subcontinent.
Michael Madhusudan Dutt was born in Jessore District, East Bengal, India (now in Bangladesh). His early schooling was in Bengali and Persian. In 1837 he entered Hindu College where most of his education was in English. Early exposure to English education and European literature at home and in Kolkata made him desire to emulate the proverbially stiff upper-lip Englishman in taste, manners and intellect. One of the early impressions was that of his teacher, Capt. D.L.Richardson at Hindu College.
His adolescence, coupled with the spirit of intellectual enquiry convinced him that he was born on the wrong side of the planet, and that conservative Hindu society in early nineteenth century Bengal had not yet developed the spirit of rationalistic enquiry and appreciation of greater intellectual sophistry to appreciate his talents. He espoused the view that free thinking and post Enlightenment West would be more receptive to his intellectual acumen and creative genius. In this, perhaps he forgot the color of his skin, as he was to realize later on in life, much to his consternation and disgust. In 1840, He ran away from home and converted to Christianity to escape an arranged marriage by his family and adopted the first name, Michael. His early conversion to Christianity is indicative of his cross-cultural condition in life.
In 1843, Michael went to London to become a barrister. During his life in London, Dutt was particularly
Professor Marsh
ENG 1104 38
25 Feb. 2013 My favorite Poet
Throughout the twenty one years of my life. I have had the privilege of knowing about many poets and dramatists. However, there is one particular poet whose name is etched in my memory. Whenever somebody asks about my favorite poet, his name will automatically flash into my mind. He is Michael Madhusudan Dutt, was a popular 19th century Bengali poet, dramatist and the first sonnet writer in Indian Subcontinent.
Michael Madhusudan Dutt was born in Jessore District, East Bengal, India (now in Bangladesh). His early schooling was in Bengali and Persian. In 1837 he entered Hindu College where most of his education was in English. Early exposure to English education and European literature at home and in Kolkata made him desire to emulate the proverbially stiff upper-lip Englishman in taste, manners and intellect. One of the early impressions was that of his teacher, Capt. D.L.Richardson at Hindu College.
His adolescence, coupled with the spirit of intellectual enquiry convinced him that he was born on the wrong side of the planet, and that conservative Hindu society in early nineteenth century Bengal had not yet developed the spirit of rationalistic enquiry and appreciation of greater intellectual sophistry to appreciate his talents. He espoused the view that free thinking and post Enlightenment West would be more receptive to his intellectual acumen and creative genius. In this, perhaps he forgot the color of his skin, as he was to realize later on in life, much to his consternation and disgust. In 1840, He ran away from home and converted to Christianity to escape an arranged marriage by his family and adopted the first name, Michael. His early conversion to Christianity is indicative of his cross-cultural condition in life.
In 1843, Michael went to London to become a barrister. During his life in London, Dutt was particularly