"The candles were melting, and everytime I looked at the candles, I just did not want it to burn out..."

II MA English | The Mirror and the Lamp

Lively, lovely musings | Snippets from today’s class

Well, quite exclusively for today’s II MA English class, I had brought along with me a few essentials that were needed for a live, thought-provoking demo ‘tabled’ in right earnest for my II MA English class – a vibrant bundle of talent in every way!

After turning off one of the fans, I then proceeded to light the candle with the help of Gladson. Ganesh and Preethi took care of the photography, even while the teacher distributed an A-4 paper each to all the forty plus students in class.

The ten-minute assignment was quite simple. The student was given the sweet option of getting into philosophy mode, psychology mode, pedagogy mode, romantic mode, poetic mode, etc., and then come out with their own unique observations on the ‘candle-mirror demo’ that was ‘tabled’ before them all.

The teacher then gave them all a powerful quote that says –

If you try to be the best,

You will be number one.

But if you try to be unique

You will be the only one!

emphasizing on those vibrant aspects in their personality that make them so unique, so special and a cut above everyone else!

The students then came up with their own lively, lovely observations.

Here goes –

💛 JEAN ELIZABETH MATHEW says -

When Sir had asked us to write about the experiment, I felt rather a sense of urgency to write something as fast as I could. Why did I have the urgency?

It was just that - the candles were melting, and everytime I looked at the candles, I just did not want it to burn out.

I wanted it to burn on.

Well, this is the thing about human life, we will eventually burn out one day from this world, and as humans we would always want to continue to live in this world and there is an urge to always succeed in life, and continue to find out new possibilities and inventions.

We might burn out one day – just like the candles. But, the thing is, we should never be scared to burn out. We should live in the present, burn for the little time we have in this world. The ‘mirror’ in the experiment can help you look at life in a different way.

We see that there is a light that is reflected from the mirror as the candles burn, their reflection can be observed by many people, in this case around 40 students can see the reflection from the mirror.

Humans forget this part, where we are ‘reflectors’ to others. While we burn, we are magnificent, and we might not feel enough at the moment we burn. But, as you burn, you are being a flame, a light, to others who feel dark and lost.

So when you burn, burn for yourself, and most importantly do not forget that you can burn for others as well, and also be content and satisfied with what you are doing in this world.

So be happy and make the best out of your life.

BURN ON!

***

💛 Gayathri. K says -

Sir,

I personally feel, the three candles depict three human beings. The three candles are of different sizes. This gives us an idea to think differently. Size, colour, shape does not matter. But the amount of work matters, our efforts mould us into powerful individuals.

The mirror on the other hand reflects all the three candles in the same way. So if our thoughts are unique, if our hard work and sincerity towards our work is true, people or the society reflects our thought. The candles change their shape as the time passes, so when our efforts are unique, if we have tolerance and patience, change us into better individuals.

***

💛 Three Candles

- Cathlin Esther R.

Three candles burning in the dark

Short. Tall. Short

Bright yellow flames

Fluttering about swiftly like the thoughts in my head.

A chorus of flames in the background –

The reflection of a mirror.

 

Three candles burning in the dark

Like iron bars in a cell gate,

They protect the multiplied flames on the mirror –

The children of the three pillars.

 

Three flames reflecting in the dark.

Shining brighter than diamonds, though in a mirror,

They watch their pillars burning down in flames.

As light and heat swallows them up.

The children growing brighter with every drop –

Of molten wax.

 

The reflection and the light in the dark.

Together, they shine bright in epiphanies and dying explorations.

An imbalance gains, as the light shines;

One goes down, while the other goes up.

 

Six flames burning in the dark.

The children lighting paths for the darkening flame.

Six flames looking up at the sky,

The stars now reflecting their brilliance,

Shining light on a weary traveller’s path.

It all started with three candles,

Three candles burning in the dark.

***

💛 R. M. Malar says -

The candle, for me, signifies the Beginning and the End of human life. The light of the dawn propels us towards the dark tunnel of life. The burning pyre’s glow ends human life. Light is the beginning and the end. The ‘Mirror’ reflects the ‘story’ of human life from the cradle to the grave. In short, ‘Reflection’ and ‘Light’ constitutes humanity.

***

 💛 The Mirror and the Lamp

- Ganesh Aadhitya, S.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where

I love you without any pride or troubles

I love you the way because I do not know any other way

Except in this form, in which I am not, nor are you.

So close that your hand upon my chest is my hand

So close that your eyes close with my dreams

- Pablo Neruda

The ‘Fire’ that is burning in front of me represents the intense love Neruda embodies in his ‘100 Love Sonnets’. The mirror, if properly placed, reflects back the love. If not, it becomes ‘unrequited’.

To feel the love of the person whom we love is the ‘fire’ that feeds our life.

Every human being is a living history. The ‘uncontainable fire’ within us gives meaning to our life. The ‘consciousness’ that we are here, on this planet for more than just ‘breathing’ our life away, is essential to the survival of the human kind. Fire also represents empathy for me. To empathise is to be a human. I empathise, therefore I am.

***

💛 Liza says -

From where I am seated, I cannot see the reflection of the candle in the mirror. This was because of the angle the mirror was placed. The perception we have of a person might not reveal everything about them. Sometimes, the idea that we have might not even reflect their real self.

We might not see the flame growing within the person or how it consumes them but we might be ready to make judgements which is quite unfair and mean. Never pass comments or judgements without knowing the person’s struggles.

***

The Mirror and Candles

💛 Angela Rachel Mathew says -

The mirror reflects everything placed in front of it. It’s rich with choices. Whereas the candles are focussed onto their sole purpose of shining for others and to melt into nothingness.

One represents the imitation and the other creation.

When the candles burn to death, the reflection ends with no trace. But for the candle, it is remembered for its unique character. They themselves are burning stories of love, kindness, humility, pain, etc. 

When it’s dark, the mirror alone can do nothing. But the candle can spread its ‘fire-y’ wings. Still it’s restricted. But together this light is multiplied.

So the world needs both the creators and imitators. But choose your purpose wisely.

***

💛 PREESHA E.

The mirror and the candle, for me, stand for Reflection and Enlightenment. Reflecting upon our own selves, our disposition, our demeanour makes way for the attainment of enlightenment. And the enlightenment of one’s soul achieves its true purpose when it dispels darkness for the good of all. Sometimes at the cost of one’s own life.

***

💛 Alan says -

Teachers / Professors / Parents / Elders are like candles who melt as they age, as they teach us. A candle is self-consuming to give. In the same manner, they mould and create the younger generation.

The Candle and the Mirror remind me of M.H.Abram’s ‘The Mirror and the Lamp’. The mirror reflects the image and light of the candles. Literature is the mirror and the candles are life. Literature is a reflection of life.

I infer no meaning whatsoever from the candles in front of the mirror.

However, looking at the mirror, I reflect on the burning candles and was reminded of how life goes on, the start, and the end, consuming the self.

***

💛 K. W. Joanson

I would like to quote a famous quote by the famous Spanish painter Pablo Picasso,

‘The meaning of life is to find your gift and the purpose of Life is to give it”. It is just like that, without oxygen one cannot luminate fire or fire cannot exist without oxygen. Even after getting illuminated it again goes into the air as smoke. This is how one should ‘reflect’ (mirror) the meaning and purpose of life. Everything in life from the amoeba to the Universe revolves around this aspect of nature. Find the gift of Life and give to the ones in need.

***

What I See…

💛 B. Preethi

The light lit on the candle burns with smoke and laves its untraceable trace in the air. The candle burns and melts, shrinks and dwindles in height. Yet not all the candles attain the same height. The candle burns and the wax drops down / drips down the candle like tears. And though the light is all-powerful, I cannot see its reflection. That’s because, all I see is the crease of the ceiling joining together in one straight line.

What I concur…

The candles burning and leaving waxy tears down. But its reflection is not seen on the mirror. Is it the fault of the eye? Or Is it the fault of the person’s perspective.

Sometimes in life, we melt and we burn for people, despite the world seeing/witnessing our achievements. Our own loved ones would not be able to see our reflection.

***

💛 M. Preethi says -  

She saw the dim dawn, reflecting the obstinate dark. Making no haste, her waves wandered hopelessly. Suddenly stood still captivated by the shining star. Within a blink, she was lit like a beautiful lamp, spreading life.

***

💛 Dinesh Kumar says -

There is difference in height – two of equal size (small), and one – taller than the other two.

The bigger one can be considered as guru (it can be anyone). It is unique, it shows its elegant way.

From another viewpoint, we can consider that bigger one as a beginner, and the two smaller candles as experienced things.

If the bigger one increases its flame, then it will become smaller, and end its life soon. (it can also be considered vice versa).

That the bigger one handling to show its light and the smaller candles getting smaller soon without knowledge / experience. (and vice versa).

The mirror – reflecting factor, teaches lesson, depicts present and make to think about past and future.

The melting wax can be saved, it is the experience (it may be good or bad), that purifies.

Now in the two smaller candles, one candle is become too small now because of its heat, and the other one adapting to the current situation and glowing, it has time to show its light to others.

***

💛 Elanithi Kumar. E says,

The society is made of inequality, Every individual will surely shine in the field in which they have potential and when they make the use of it. And the society in turn, will shine when they use the resources all together.

All the candles with mirror make for a brighter society.

***

💛 Ka. Tamilkani says -

Mirror and candle reminded me of science experiment in school days.

Candle gives light with help of other components like wax, air etc. Likewise. One is not fully responsible for his achievement. It may be sacrifice of parents help of friends etc.

In the mirror, it reflects only one side.

***

💛 A. Muhammad Haleem says -

1. Everything has its own unique capability as it is surely created for a reason.

2. The CANDLES denote Enlightenment, Achievement. For instance, birthdays, functions etc., and the MIRROR is an ICONIC object that signifies its uniqueness as it projects reflection.

3. While both the objects have a high contrast among them;

The three candles:

Though the one may be tall, another medium and the other small, all generates light. Same way, a person may be inferior, superior, small or tall, educated or uneducated all are blessed with the same amount of knowledge. It is up to them how to utilize them and trigger out talent and unique capacity.

4. The glass in between shows that, if we strive hard, things are possible and can be achieved.

***

💛 R. Shobana says -

It is like reflecting the reality of the candles.

It’s just melting themselves and showing the things brighter because of light.

Hurting itself and lighting, the surrounding.

Like a candle, also a man should be able to do something good to the others who surrounded them.

In this world, like a candle, each and everyone should do something for others that is what they learnt and experienced own.

***

💛 Ragulkumar. B

1. The candle has reflection when shown towards mirror. Like that our thoughts and values learnt in our school and college should be reflected in our life like a candle.

2. The candle stands on its own and its has giving the same reflection towards us. Like that in our life we should be unique like candles and want to stand on our own like candle.

3. The candle reflects its own nature and structure and it represents the good things. The candle is the best example for getting appreciation, unique and all. Thought of the candle is to give light and give brightness. Like that we want to use all the aspects in life to brighten our future.

***

💛 My own observation - Anon

“Face is the index of the mind”

The candle denotes our minds, the candle cannot escape the reflection of the mirror. Just like that, the beauty of the flame gets reflected in the mirror, where the mirror denotes our faces.

Another observation

Each and every candle denotes an individual. Not all the three candles get reduced in size at the same time equally. Every individual’s lifespan is just like those candles. We must do our best before we get reduced to ashes.

***

💛 S. Sunyogita says -

Mirror has a purpose to reflect, but it can be only sun in light. Mirror has no purpose, when light doesn’t fall. It will be only dark and blank.

We humans are like mirrors, everybody has both beauty and ugliness within themselves. The light shows the goals, dreams of our life.

If our life is without goals, aims or dreams, is dark our goals what determine who you are, and shows light in yourself.

***

💛 Gladson, J says -

Just by observing the candles, I can relate it to the crucifixion of Christ.

My inferences

The first candle which is shorter than the other two relates to the thief who was grumbling till the death.

The middle candle which is taller than the other two represents Christs.

The candle at the end represents the other thief who repented at the end and therefore the candle is a little bit taller.

The candles melting, shows the way, life is getting shorter for them, because of the crucification.

Another observation that I could feel before the candles started melting. Two candles were of equal height and one was a bit taller.

The two candles represented the Father and the Holy Spirit and the taller candle represented the Son.

The candle represents humans. Human should reflect the gloryness and the qualities of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The mirror is placed on something that looks like a woman’s heels.

***

💛 Fanny Praiselin, K says -

The candle burns brightly at the top though the wax melts away. I personally feel that the candle is similar to our parents. They sacrifice themselves, their desires, happiness and everything so that we can burn happily and brightly in our life. Though they are hurting they make sure we are happy.

Like the wax melts, their lives also melt so that we can be in a better place in our life. The fire burns brightly until thelast piece of wax melts just like how our parents live their life for us till their last breath. Only after our parents pass away or only in their absence we get to know their sacrifice. Only then we look ourselves in the mirror of life.

***

💛 Princy Evangeline. C says -

We have two choices to spread light and positivity to people around us. As an individual you can choose to spread light all by yourself (by being kind, compassionate, considerate etc) or you can be the mirror that reflects the light (by being a part of a community that spreads light).

***

💛 An experiment with three candles and a mirror

So, I can see three candles of different sizes placed before the mirror. Something like this it’s placed on the table.

The first thing that struck me when I saw these lighted candles was emotions – pain, suffering, worry… it looks like a mother and two children standing together and facing the reality of life.

It reminds me of praying, venting out [the flame], about their struggles.

Even though there is space in between each candle, they are standing together.

When we cry in front of the mirror, it sometimes give us a strong power like feeling like you can do this! Don’t cry! You are the best! [Self-motivation].

So, based on this perspective, the three candles,

1. Positivity (big one)

2. Negativity (small one)

3. Neutral (medium one)

So the small candle is the negative vibes in a person that fades away slowly when we talk to ourselves in the mirror. Positivity candle remains to be the taller one shining bright by reflecting through the mirror.

***

💛 S. Manimaran says -

According to me, I could compare the lit up candle to karma. If we do wrong deeds to others, we might think that person is suffering but the truth is the same thing (karma) will hit us by any other ways. Mirror symbolizes reflective nature, which shows the melting candle, it defines karma will hit us like the mirror.

***

💛 Abishekh. C says -

Melting candle looks into the mirror with a smile of satisfaction that the purpose is fulfilled.

***

💛 Bhavya, K says -

Nobody can let out the fire inside me unless I give them a chance.

The one who stands all the winds, all the storms will only succeed in life at last.

I have a fire inside me.

Everything has two sides. Besides all the negatives a candle give like the smoke, burns and all these are a lot of positives.

Burning desire to do things.

Till my death, I will shine like the same.

Till my end, I will be a burning fire.

Till the last wax melts, I will be a light.

Taller ones will spread more light.

So don’t worry about thinking your height.

Sacrifice. You will have to suffer some burns, but at last you will be able to spread light.

Reflection of what we are. The reality is shown as that.

***

💛 Sankey Samuel. X says -

Sir, when I saw those properties, it reminded me of M. H. Abrams, ‘The Mirror and the Lamp’. But here, it is not LAMP, but CANDLES, which has its own unique characteristics. CANDLES stand for sacrifices; MIRROR stands for REFLECTION. When comparing them with our lives, we sacrifice things for our LOVED ONES, and our LOVE for them is reflected through our ACTIONS>

***

💛 ALLAN WINSTON RAJ. A says -

I feel that the three candles which is lighted represents the three crosses in Christianity, where Jesus was crucified in Mt. Golgotha and later he is risen. I can observe that the three candles makes me to feel calm and concentrate. It symbolizes the peace and divine in Nature.

The Mirror which is placed behind the candles reflect its light which is glowing. My soul gets serenity. Let there be light! A verse from the Bible where God created this world as we find in the book of Genesis. My mind and heart connects when I view this. It helps me to concentrate and feels like it improves our thinking.

***

💛 S. Immanuel Gifton Vijay says -

According to me, candle is something that represents a hard worker. A candle burns itself down like a hard worker who takes anything on, in his path of success similar to a candle giving light. Mirror is the representation of the reflection of their own journey of success.

My second thought on this is that, candles are arranged in a way of a podium that is used to honour top three competitors in an Olympic or any Sports event.

***

💛 Anupriya Beck

Candles as we may call signifies Hope, Faith, Comfort.

If we have Hope, we can conquer the world. Having the hope makes you believe that one fine day there will become a time for the desired result.

I have personally felt this feeling. There was a time as if everything had been against us. The Hope (The Candle) gave my family the ability to wait for the right time.

The Incident

In 2018, a normal day in anybody’s life. It is an incident which includes my mother. She never knew that this terrible day would ever come across her.

She was blamed and taken to jail for child manipulated verdict, was under suspension for two years. We kept fighting in courts, and the judgment was not in our favour. But we still had hopes that truth will win. This feeling still traumatizes her, remembering of those days.

Luckily, the judge changed. He was transferred, who actually was sitting on the judge seat to give justice to the victims.

On 30th June 2022, was the day she was clearly given justice.

Our Hope for this day had finally come. It was like a new beginning for my mother as well. Our family members because it was as if we were suffering along with her.

***

💛 R. Kavya says -

A Candle – It’s just an object with the help o a match stick, it sacrifices itself, in order to give a life or light to others. The term ‘Candle’ itself has a term ‘can’ in it. So it has got an option whether to sacrifice its life or not (can/can’t). But it chooses to sacrifice its life which makes it stand unique. Now say, is it just an object?

***

💛 Pinky says -

When the candle and mirror celebrate its purpose! I wonder if they are really happy with their single purpose of their life. Are they really celebrating?

***

💛 P. Tejaswini says -

A mirror does not judge. It reflects what is there in front of it. All the three candles are of different sizes, the mirror does not judge. All the three candles consume themselves to provide light to the world. This symbolizes that no matter how small, or weak we are, we are beautiful and unique in our own ways and shine like a star.

***

💛 Sruthi Jacob says -

Through harsh polishing only one gets the ability to reflect the light of another. It doesn’t absorb the light or heat energy produced. It selflessly reflects it to eliminate the darkness of others. Both the mirror and the candle are the greatest examples of selfless love, the candle eventually dies out by giving its light to others.

***

💛 Basilea says -

While giving its light for everything that is around, the Candle kills itself, yet does not realise it until it sees itself in the mirror. Now the candle weeps and weeps and is confused whether it is happy, that it gives its life to shine on others, or sad that it kills itself by doing so. However, it still observes its own reflection and looks at its light and knows its purpose and burns even brighter until the light fades.

***

💛 Teacher’s Observations –

‘The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be ignited’ says Plutarch. In fact, today in class we were all witness to a live demonstration to this wondrous Plutarchian quote of yore!

Students were first presented with a set of Higher Order Thinking Skills, and they were exhorted to create their own meaning from the given context ‘tabled’  before them all. 

Quoting Hemingway who famously said - (which has been a great source of motivation for writers as well) –

“All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know”, the students were then asked to jot down their observations in the ‘truest sentences’ that they could possibly know!

I am really astonished and wonder-amazed at the spontaneity with which the vibrant kids of the II MA English class presented their thoughts and ideas in the truest ways that they possibly could. 

More power to y’all dear class! Stay blessed.

Love,

Your Course teacher

Dr. Rufus