John Briggs
Sheridan's 'School for Scandal' is one of the most representative
plays of the genre 'the comedy of manners'. If we're willing to forgo
our intellectual pretensions for the moment, it even provides
interesting reading! I have nostalgic memories of watching this play
brilliantly staged by a British theatrical group (I forget which)
back in the early eighties in the city of Madras (now re-christened
'Chennai'.), the performance being sponsored by the British Council.
Sir Oliver Surface, uncle of Charles and Joseph Surface, is due to
arrive from India, and Joseph Surface alleges that his brother has
been receiving a generous bounty sent by his uncle in India where as
he has had to be satisfied with 'crackers and sweetmeat.' The phrase,
is not apparently used in the same sense as " the green stuff" or
"mega bucks" . (Infact I have never heard it used in the same sense
anywhere else!) So, Briggs, with all my respect, that was a really
wild shot you took!
I endorse Einde O'Callaghan, conceding the point that samosas do come
with a filling of mashed potatoes, sliced carrots, beetroot and a few
green peas thrown in for the 'crunch'. May be samosas do not fit the
exact idea of a 'cracker'.
Einde O'Callaghan
Those from the UK may, with ease, surmise where you migrated (?) to
Germany from by your very surname, but I do not and am curious to
find out. Do let me hear from you.
Molly Mockford
Which multinational or for that matter 'desi' (read 'native')
cor****ate house sticks to 'non-dubious' business practices? When you
roll up your sleeves and get in to the business of amassing wealth,
the sky is the limit and all means, utterly valid. To talk about
social commitment etc. at that point would only be with a view to
enhance sales. I have noticed of late there are many plywood
manufacturers who come out with ads proclaiming they plant a sapling
for each tree they fell.. They would have us believe that they are
more ardent about the ecology than the Greens themselves. I choose not
to believe a word of what they say.
|
