Digital Humanities

This blog is in response to a thinking activity given by our professor Dilip Barad https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2021/11/introduction-to-digital-humanities.html?authuser=0 this is the link you can go there and see more detail about this task. In this Blog I am going to write about my understanding of "Digital Humanities".

The fundamental question that arises is: What exactly is Digital Humanities?

Digital humanities is an academic discipline that explores the intersection between digital technologies and culture. It emerged from the humanities, which study aspects of human society, and include well-known popular subjects, like history, philosophy, literature and modern languages. As a new and emerging field, digital humanities aims to open up new areas for research in these subjects and to explore traditional questions in a different way.

Digital Humanities is a diverse and still emerging field that encompasses the practice of humanities research in and through information technology, and the exploration of how the humanities may evolve through their engagement with technology, media, and computational methods.

Digital Humanities (DH) can be seen as an interdisciplinary field that applies computational techniques, data analysis, and digital tools to enhance humanistic scholarship. It goes beyond traditional approaches to research and scholarship by leveraging technology to explore vast quantities of data, uncover hidden patterns, and gain new insights into various facets of human culture, history, language, literature, and more.(Chat GPT)

Digital Humanities encompasses a wide range of activities, including text mining, data visualization, digital storytelling, cultural preservation, digital archives, network analysis, and computational linguistics. It involves collaborating with experts from diverse disciplines, such as computer science, information science, linguistics, history, archaeology, literature, and philosophy, to name a few.(Chat GPT)

Here is a video featuring a speaker discussing the field of Digital Humanities.

While searching for informative videos on Digital Humanities, I come across a highly comprehensible resource that effectively explains the concept and functioning of Digital Humanities. This video utilizes visual images to facilitate a clear understanding of the subject matter, making it an excellent educational tool for grasping the essence of Digital Humanities.

what is done under Digital Humanities?

1. CLiC Dickens Project by University of Birmingham.

Within our department's computer lab, we have actively pursued various projects within the realm of Digital Humanities. Like we have done CLiC Dickens project, which demonstrates through corpus stylistics how computer-assisted methods can be used to study literary texts and lead to new insights into how readers perceive fictional characters. This Project is developed by University of Birmingham.

Here is a Link of that project:- 

https://clic.bham.ac.uk/

Here is a Link of Activity book:- 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bPX3RTQvhY0lYwqN_jpHsmHJYG4mihc3/view

Our sir has assigned us into pairs, and my classmate Gayatri and I have been partnered together to work on Activity Number 10. At first glance, this activity seemed relatively straightforward, but once we delved into it and gained a deeper understanding, we realized that it posed more challenges than we initially anticipated. 

So, Our Activity is based on Setting and atmosphere in novels:-

For the creation of fictional worlds, the setting and atmosphere play an important role. While each novel creates its own particular world, it is still possible to identify similarities across novels and we can interpret accounts of settings against the social and historical context of the time. Charles Dickens is often referred to as an author who was concerned with living and working conditions in the city, Jane Austen, in contrast often shows us social life away from the city. A starting point to compare the type of fictional worlds that these two authors write about is a ‘key comparison’.

Activity 10.1 Keywords comparing Austen and Dickens:-

As we progressed with the activity, we found ourselves comparing words and their usage. To use our analysis, we referred to a provided link containing Keywords of works by both Dickens and Austen. https://clic.bham.ac.uk/keywords?clusterlength=1&corpora=corpus%3ADNov&pvalue=0.0001&refcorpora=emma&refcorpora=persuasion&refcorpora=pride&refcorpora=ladysusan&refcorpora=mansfield&refcorpora=sense&refcorpora=author%3AJane%20Austen&refsubset=all&subset=all&table-filter=

Further if you want to read you can go to the Activity book of CLiC Project.

Here are the outcomes we obtained from this activity:

We are supposed to identify or compare what kind of Keyword's are frequently used in Dickens works as well as in Jane Austen's works. In Austen, the female pronoun she and the possessive determiner her are relatively more frequent than in Dickens. In

Dickens, his and Mr are relatively more frequent than in Austen. In Dickens we also find the body part nouns face, hand and head more often than in Austen.

1. Keyword's used in Dicken's works:-

Male Characters are more like: Oliver, Jonas, Copperfield, Paul, Bob etc..

Body Parts are used like: Eye, Breast, Shoulder, Feet, Nose, Mouth, Ears, Eyebrows etc..

Elements of Settings like: Chair, Bag, box, Knife, Windows, Kitchen, Bridge, Roof etc..

He used dark colors like: Red, Black, Blue etc..

Due to the large number of keywords involved (2,039), it is not possible to do categorize each individual word.

2. Keyword's used in Austen's works:-

 

All of her novels predominantly focus on female characters, incorporating terms such as "She," "Her," "Mrs.," "Miss," and others that center around women.

Female Characters like: Elizabeth, Emma, Catherine, Marianne, Lydia, Fanny, Jane, Anne, Isabella, Maria etc..

Her writings frequently incorporate terms such as "Marriage," "Engagement," "Affection," "Love," "Wish," "Match," and other related expressions.

She always supported women's Independence and freedom of women etc..

For Austen there are words like feelings, happiness, manners, behavior, civility, conduct, pleasing, kindness which seem to suggest themes around interpersonal relationships. Another set are: marry, marriage, marrying, invitation, dance, ball with can be seen to relate to romantic relationships.

2. Moral Machine:

Moral Machine, A platform for gathering a human perspective on moral decisions made by machine intelligence, such as self-driving cars.

Here is a link of this activity:

https://www.moralmachine.net/ 

Another engaging activity we participated in was the Moral Machine exercise, which presented us with challenging ethical dilemmas. Each of us assumed the role of a "Digital Murderer" as we deliberated and made choices using provided slates.

If you’re feeling creative, you can also design your own scenarios, for you and other users to browse, share, and discuss. 

3. Generate Poem Using Chat-GPT:

As part of our study in Digital Humanities, we were given the task to create poems on the topic of "Digital Humanities." We utilized AI assistance to compose these poems, aiming to explore the question of whether computers or AI can generate and write poetry that resonates with human expression.

Here is a Lecture on Can a Computer Write poetry? This lecture is given by Oscar Schwartz.

 

Here is a Poem which I have generated from Chat-GPT. My Poem is based on benefits of DH and Disadvantages of DH:-

-These are a few examples of the activities we have undertaken as part of our exploration in the field of Digital Humanities.

Movie Based On DH

Let Me give one movie example which can be used as we are studying Digital Humanities.

One film that explores the intersection of technology and humanity is "Ex Machina" (2014). Although it's not directly about digital humanities, it delves into the themes of artificial intelligence, consciousness, and the impact of technology on human existence. The movie follows a young programmer who is invited to administer the Turing test to an intelligent humanoid robot, leading to thought-provoking discussions on the nature of humanity and the ethical implications of creating intelligent machines. 

-It indirectly touches upon several themes relevant to the field of digital humanities:

1.Ethical considerations: The film prompts us to consider the responsibility and consequences of developing advanced technologies that simulate or mimic human behavior.

2.Human-machine interaction: In digital humanities, human-machine interaction plays a crucial role in various aspects, such as user interfaces, data visualization, and interactive storytelling. The film highlights the complexities and challenges of creating believable interactions between humans and machines.

3.The nature of humanity: The movie's exploration of consciousness and self-awareness prompts us to question how technology can enhance our understanding of human existence.

4.Data and algorithms: The movie indirectly highlights the importance of careful data handling, algorithmic transparency, and the potential biases that can arise in the intersection of technology and humanity.

Ultimately, "Ex Machina" invites us to consider the potential of technology to shape and transform our understanding of ourselves, while reminding us of the importance of ethical decision-making and thoughtful engagement with digital tools in the context of digital humanities.

Conclusion:

Digital Humanities stands at the intersection of technology and scholarship, empowering researchers to explore human culture in innovative ways. As we embrace the digital era, Digital Humanities serves as a testament to the enduring value of the humanities and its capacity to adapt and thrive in the digital landscape.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. Your attention is greatly appreciated.

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R.K.Narayan 's Crime and the Punishment

This task is assigned by Megha Ma'am. In this blog I am going to write according to my views and Understanding of the Short Story "Crime and Punishment" from Malgudi Days by R.K.Narayan.

Here is my Blog where you can read about R.K.Narayan:-

https://drashtijoshi.blogspot.com/2023/07/rknarayans-astrologers-day.html?authuser=0

About Story

Let's talk about short story and what is story line of "Crime and Punishment" by R.K.Narayan.

In the humorous and sarcastic story "Crime and Punishment" R K Narayan presents a smart boy who is unwilling to study. His parents are keen on getting him a double promotion to the first form. But the boy gives a wrong answer to the teacher's question on purpose. Losing his patience the teacher slaps the boy on his cheek. The boy starts crying and threatens the teacher that he would tell his parents about the punishment. The parents were against any sort of punishment. They wanted him to follow the theories of child psychology.

For the thirty rupees he was receiving for teaching the boy, the teacher had to put up with their ideas. But the boy takes advantage of the situation and makes the teacher stop the lesson and play with him. He has to play the role of a station master with a toy train. When the toy stops functioning the boy asks him to repair it. When he expresses his inability to do it, the boy runs to the parents to tell them about the punishment.

The teacher has to run after the boy. But when they meet the parents they ask the teacher about the boy's progress in his studies. The boy pleads with him not to betray him. The teacher tells them that he is doing well. He adds that as they had finished their lessons early, he was playing about with the child to keep up his spirits.

Usually teachers punish students for their crimes. Here the punishment given by the teacher becomes a crime. The teacher is then punished for his crime by the boy. So there is a role reversal here. The story also presents a sarcastic picture of our education system and educational principles that we follow.

Here is a Original Short Story:-

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hRtKPP8KbT7Q6QW56hAJeiNEgK-Hb0T07rkbxVP1l20/edit

Here are some suitable examples of movies related to the major theme of this story:- "Relationship of teacher and Students".

1. Movie: "Dead Poets Society" (1989):-

Directed by Peter Weir, "Dead Poets Society" is a powerful film that delves into the transformative power of education and the role of an inspirational teacher. Set in a conservative boys' prep school, the story revolves around English teacher John Keating (played by Robin Williams) and his unorthodox teaching methods that encourage his students to embrace their creativity and follow their passions. This movie beautifully illustrates the impact a teacher can have on the lives of their students, as well as the profound influence of a nurturing and supportive educational environment.

2. "Taare Zameen Par" (2007):-

Directed by Aamir Khan, "Taare Zameen Par" tells the story of Ishaan, a dyslexic child struggling with academics and feeling misunderstood by his family and teachers. His life takes a turn when a new art teacher, played by Aamir Khan, recognizes his hidden talent and provides him with the guidance and support he needs to thrive. The film beautifully portrays the transformative power of a compassionate teacher in helping a student overcome obstacles and discover their true potential.

3. "Chhichhore" (2019):-

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, "Chhichhore" explores the pressures of academic performance and the importance of life skills. The film follows a group of friends who reunite after many years to support one of their own who is struggling with life-threatening circumstances. Through flashback sequences, the movie highlights the experiences they had as students, underlining the valuable life lessons taught by their college professor. It emphasizes the significance of a holistic education that goes beyond grades and academic achievements.

4. "Hichki" (2018):-

Directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra, "Hichki" tells the story of Naina Mathur, a woman with Tourette's syndrome who aspires to become a teacher. Despite facing rejection from several schools due to her condition, she finally gets an opportunity to teach a group of underprivileged students. The film explores Naina's journey of breaking barriers, earning the trust of her students, and inspiring them to overcome their own personal struggles.

5. "Super 30" (2019):-

Directed by Vikas Bahl, "Super 30" is based on the true story of mathematician Anand Kumar, who starts a coaching institute to help underprivileged students crack the prestigious IIT entrance exam. The film highlights the transformative impact of a passionate teacher and the dedication required to uplift students from marginalized backgrounds. It showcases the journey of both the teacher and students as they overcome societal barriers and achieve academic success.

6. "3 Idiots" (2009):-

Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, "3 Idiots" is a comedy-drama film that explores the pressures and expectations associated with the Indian education system. The story follows three friends who pursue their passions against societal norms and the rigid academic system. The film emphasizes the importance of a holistic education, critical thinking, and the role of teachers in fostering a nurturing and inspiring learning environment.

-These movies, like "Crime and Punishment" by R.K. Narayan, delve into the complexities of the teacher-student relationship, showcasing the transformative power of education, the impact of dedicated educators, and the personal growth experienced by students. Each film offers its unique perspective on the dynamic roles of teacher and student, highlighting the challenges, triumphs, and lessons that shape their journeys.

Thank you so much for visiting.

R.K.Narayan’s “An Astrologer’s Day”.

This task is assigned by Megha Ma'am. In this blog I am going to write answer according to my views and Understanding of the Short Story "An Astrologer's Day" from Malgudi Days by R.K.Narayan. My answers are based on the reading of the original short story and watching a short film based on it.

We watched a short film on An Astrologer’s day Prepared by Pocket Films on You tube.

Cast & Crew: 

Director: Sushant Bhat 

Producer: Sushant Bhat 

Music / Sound: Saumit Deshpande 

Editor: Sushant Bhat

Cinematographer: Saumit Deshpande

Here you can watch short film on Youtube.

About Author:-

R.K. Narayan, Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami is a legendary writer of early Indian English literature. Being a writer of fiction, non-fiction and mythology, R.K. Narayan proposed a great range of pen work for his readers worldwide. His famous autobiographical trilogy of “Swami and friends”, “The Bachelor of Arts” and “The English teacher” are one of his finest pieces, even the famous fictional town of “Malgudi” was introduced in the book “Swami and friends”. His connection to his characters and highlighting of the social context got him a serious comparison with William Faulkner.

Having a successful career of almost sixty years got R.K. a series of awards and honors including the AC Benson medal from the Royal Society of Literature, the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan, third and second of India’s highest civilian awards. He got the nomination for Rajya Sabha, India’s upper house of Parliament.

Here is a Group Presentation on R.K.Narayan:

 R.K.Narayan.pptx from DrashtiJoshi21

Here is Video Recoding of  this Presentation.

About Story:-

This is a story about an astrologer who made his living by using his wits and shrewdness. One day, he is confronted with a truth that had once made him flee his village home. This confrontation and the subsequent revelation lifts a heavy load off his chest. The central character of this story is an astrologer who carried the persona of an all-knowing man. His attire made him appear like a divine prophetic man. Adorning a saffron-coloured turban on the head, the Astrologer sat under a tamarind tree and began his work at midday.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IBgF6_hLhnf1HhvlMCSjGYqtmyvo3vpc/view  (Here is a link of original short story.)

Now let's explore the questions:

1. How faithful is the movie to the original short story?
2. After watching the movie, have your perception about the short story, characters or situations changed?
3. Do you feel ‘aesthetic delight’ while watching the movie? If yes, exactly when did it happen? If no, can you explain with reasons?
4. Does screening of movie help you in better understanding of the short story?
5. Was there any particular scene or moment in the story that you think was perfect?
6. If you are director, what changes would you like to make in the remaking of the movie based on the short story “An Astrologer’s Day” by R.K.Narayan?

How faithful is the movie to the original short story?

The movie is based on this short story, and it is faithful to the original short story. However, at times, it doesn't capture the essence of the short story as well as we would expect from a script that is originally based on it. This is evident from the first scene. The movie faithfully adapts the short story, but there are instances where the script doesn't capture the essence of the original material. This discrepancy is apparent right from the first scene.

"The place was lit up by shop lights. One or two had hissing gaslights, some had naked flares stuck on poles, some were lit up by old cycle lamps, and one or two, like the astrologer's, managed without lights of their own."

The movie fails to include the original lines from the short story, as they do not appear in the film.

After watching the movie, have your perception about the short story, characters or situations changed?

Yes, my perception towards story is changed like after watching movie my thoughts towards character of Astrologer is little bit changed like before watched movie only reading of short story we can not imagine that much but after that we watched movie and we can better understand how that astrologer look and how he attract people.

Do you feel ‘aesthetic delight’ while watching the movie? If yes, exactly when did it happen? If no, can you explain with reasons?

Watching the movie brings about a sense of aesthetic delight. As I observed, the characters are portrayed in distinct ways, offering a fresh perspective. This alternative portrayal allows us to perceive the characters differently, leading to an enhanced aesthetic experience.

Does screening of movie help you in better understanding of the short story?

While watching the movie, we discover that it remains faithful to the original short story. However, what the camera is capable of expressing, by giving words to the silence, is an element that cannot be experienced through reading alone. The visual medium of film allows for a unique way of storytelling, enabling the camera to convey emotions and meaning beyond what the written word can capture.

Was there any particular scene or moment in the story that you think was perfect?

In my opinion, the scene where Guru Nayak arrives and the situation of the astrologer is depicted is a perfectly executed scene. It captures my attention and allows me to truly immerse myself in the story. The way it is portrayed on screen is exceptional, and I find it to be a standout moment in the movie.

If you are director, what changes would you like to make in the remaking of the movie based on the short story “An Astrologer’s Day” by R.K.Narayan?

As a director, there are a few scenes that I would consider changing in the movie. Firstly, the last scene deviates from the original short story and would benefit from some alterations to align it more closely with the source material. Additionally, the depiction of the marketplace in the opening scene differs from how it is described in the original short story, and I would seek to modify it to better reflect the author's intentions.

All of the responses are my personal interpretations. If there are any additional suggestions or modifications you would like me to consider, please feel free to provide them in the comment box.

Thank you for visiting.

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