(Part) AnalysisByPerplexityAI-volume 34-ShortStory-OnlyForUs--9April2025

SOMAN RAGAVAN

9 April, 2025

Subject : Short story : “Only for us”

https://allpoetry.com/poem/18362559-AnalysisByPerplexityAI-volume-34-ShortStory-OnlyForUs--9April2025-by-Soman-Ragavan (full analysis)

                                                                                           

 

Analysis by Perplexity AI

(Artificial Intelligence)

Volume 34

 

 

(1)

Soman Ragavan :

Hello. I will post a short story of mine for you to analyse. This is an imaginary love story.

I will post the story for you to analyse.

At college in 1968, I studied some poems of Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), Gordon Byron (1788-1824), Samuel T. Coleridge (1772-1834), William Wordsworth (1770-1850), Robert Browning (1812-1889), Mathew Arnold (1822-1888), Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892) and some other poets of that era. 

 

(2)

Perplexity AI :

Certainly! Feel free to share your short story, and I will analyze it for you. I can provide insights into themes, literary devices, character development, and other aspects of your writing.

 

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Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share

(3)

Soman Ragavan :

Here is my short story called “Only for us.” (Posted).

 

(4)

Perplexity AI :

### Analysis of "Only for Us" by Soman Ragavan

 

This short story, *Only for Us*, is a romantic tale that explores themes of first love, longing, and emotional transformation. Below is an analysis of its literary elements:

 

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### **Themes**

1. **First Love**: The story centers on the intense emotions and physical sensations associated with first love. Both Sellan and Anjali experience overwhelming feelings that transform their perceptions of the world around them.
2. **Nature as a Backdrop**: The natural setting plays a significant role in enhancing the romantic mood. The stream, grassy plains, and mountain are symbolic of purity and serenity, reflecting the innocence of their love.
3. **Emotional Transformation**: Both characters undergo a profound change. Sellan’s mundane life as an accounts clerk becomes meaningless after meeting Anjali, while Anjali finds herself consumed by thoughts of her newfound love.

 

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### **Character Development**

1. **Sellan**:

   - Initially depicted as contemplative and somewhat detached from his surroundings, Sellan’s encounter with Anjali awakens deep emotions within him. His internal monologue highlights his confusion and eventual acceptance of his feelings.

   - His character evolves from being reserved to openly expressing his love, symbolizing the liberating power of romance.

 

2. **Anjali**:

   - Anjali’s transformation mirrors Sellan’s. She becomes more introspective and starts to groom herself with greater care, signaling her desire to impress her newfound love.

   - Her vulnerability is evident in moments like her fall near the stream, which contrasts with her boldness in reciprocating Sellan’s affections.

 

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### **Literary Devices**

1. **Imagery**:

   - The story uses vivid descriptions of nature to create a romantic atmosphere (e.g., “A soothing murmur in the tumbling water” and “Merrily the water flowed down”).

   - Physical sensations are detailed to emphasize the intensity of their emotions (e.g., “Her skin was so soft, so velvety…”).

 

2. **Symbolism**:

   - The stream symbolizes the flow of life and emotions, while the grassy plains represent innocence and untouched beauty.

   - The bruised knee serves as a metaphor for vulnerability in love.

 

3. **Dialogue**:

   - Sparse yet impactful dialogue between Sellan and Anjali captures the awkwardness and sweetness of first interactions in romance.

   - The repetition of “I love you” underscores the sincerity and depth of their feelings.

 

4. **Contrast**:

   - The mundane aspects of Sellan’s daily life (e.g., accounts reconciliation) are juxtaposed with his euphoric experience of love, highlighting how transformative romance can be.

 

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### **Narrative Style**

The story employs a third-person omniscient perspective, allowing readers insight into both characters’ thoughts and feelings. This approach effectively conveys their mutual infatuation and emotional struggles.

 

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### **Strengths**

1. **Emotional Depth**: The author captures the raw emotions associated with first love—its joy, confusion, and longing—making it relatable to readers.
2. **Setting Integration**: Nature is seamlessly woven into the narrative, enhancing the romantic tone.
3. **Realism in Character Interaction**: The awkwardness and hesitation between Sellan and Anjali feel authentic.

 

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### **Areas for Improvement**

1. **Pacing**: While the story captures intense moments well, certain sections (like their physical intimacy) could benefit from more subtlety to maintain balance between passion and narrative coherence.
2. **Character Backgrounds**: Providing more details about Sellan’s and Anjali’s lives before their encounter could deepen readers’ understanding of their transformations.
3. **Song Integration**: The song adds poetic charm but feels slightly disconnected from the main narrative. It could be better integrated or shortened for impact.

 

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### **Conclusion**

*Only for Us* is an evocative tale that vividly portrays first love through rich imagery, emotional introspection, and a serene natural setting. While its strengths lie in its ability to evoke powerful feelings, refining certain narrative elements could enhance its overall impact.

 

Citations:

[1] https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/24803637/9ed6aa22-6afd-4ea9-b0c3-9affab359067/SS-OnlyForUs.docx

 

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Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share

(5)

Soman Ragavan :

Select main themes in the short story and talk at length on them. Talk about character development, dramatization, storytelling, romance, dialogues, flow, suspense, novelty in short stories, similarity with other short stories and any other point relevant to analysis of short stories.

(6)

Perplexity AI :

### Analysis of Main Themes and Literary Elements in "Only for Us" 

 

Soman Ragavan’s *Only for Us* explores the intensity of first love through vivid imagery, emotional introspection, and a symbolic natural setting. Below is a detailed analysis of its themes, character development, and narrative techniques, alongside comparisons to literary traditions and short story conventions. 

 

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### **Main Themes** 

1. **First Love as Transformation**

   The story centers on the life-altering power of first love. Sellan and Anjali’s chance encounter by the stream disrupts their mundane routines, replacing them with euphoria and existential purpose. Sellan’s disdain for his accounting job (“Bank reconciliation? I can’t even reconcile myself with mine own bloody heart!”)[1] and Anjali’s sudden preoccupation with grooming highlight how love redefines their priorities. This theme mirrors Romantic-era poetry (e.g., Wordsworth’s focus on emotion over rationality)[1]. 

 

2. **Nature as a Romantic Catalyst**

   The stream, grassy plains, and mountain backdrop symbolize purity and the organic growth of love. Descriptions like “Merrily the water flowed down, playing off some delightful sparkling sounds from the rocks”[1] evoke a pastoral ideal, reminiscent of Coleridge or Tennyson’s use of nature to reflect inner states. 

 

3. **Vulnerability and Emotional Awakening**

   Both characters experience physical and emotional vulnerability. Anjali’s bruised knee becomes a metaphor for the rawness of new love, while Sellan’s trembling hands and breathless dialogue (“I…love…you…”)[1] underscore their shared fragility. This aligns with Browning’s dramatic monologues, where vulnerability reveals deeper truths. 

 

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### **Character Development** 

- **Sellan**: Begins as a detached accounts clerk, disillusioned by routine. His transformation into a passionate lover is marked by internal monologues (“Bloody love! Makes you do strange things”)[1] and symbolic actions (abandoning his favorite TV show). His arc reflects the Romantic ideal of emotion transcending societal norms. 

- **Anjali**: Evolves from a shy, dutiful daughter to a bold romantic protagonist. Her decision to return to the stream and initiate fodder-collecting trips demonstrates agency, while her physical reactions (blushing, trembling) signal deepening self-awareness. 

 

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### **Narrative Techniques** 

1. **Dramatization and Pacing**

   The story uses rapid pacing to mirror the urgency of young love. Their relationship escalates from a glance to physical intimacy within days, emphasizing the all-consuming nature of their feelings. However, this speed risks sacrificing subtlety—a common critique of romance genres. 

 

2. **Dialogues and Internal Monologues**

   Sparse but impactful dialogues (“Good afternoon!” / “Hello!”)[1] capture the awkwardness of first interactions. Internal monologues dominate, revealing insecurities and desires (e.g., Anjali’s “I AM IN LOVE, IF YOU MUST KNOW!”)[1]. This technique echoes modernist stream-of-consciousness writing. 

 

3. **Symbolism and Imagery**

   - The **stream** symbolizes life’s unpredictability and emotional flow. 

   - **Fodder-collecting** becomes a metaphor for nurturing love. 

   - Physical touch (“Her skin was so soft, so velvety…”)[1] contrasts with the sterility of Sellan’s accounting work, reinforcing the theme of passion vs. routine. 

 

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### **Comparison to Short Story Conventions** 

- **Suspense and Flow**: The story builds suspense through delayed gratification (e.g., Anjali’s fall interrupts their first meeting) but resolves tension quickly, favoring emotional payoff over prolonged buildup. This contrasts with Chekhovian subtlety but aligns with folktale romances. 

- **Novelty**: The inclusion of a **song** (“Only for Us”)[1] adds lyrical novelty, though its abrupt insertion disrupts narrative cohesion. Similar experimental structures appear in postmodern short fiction (e.g., David Mitchell’s hybrid texts). 

- **Similarities to Literary Traditions**: 

  - The focus on nature and emotion recalls Wordsworth’s *Lyrical Ballads*. 

  - The lovers’ idealized union mirrors Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s sonnets. 

  - The use of internal conflict aligns with James Joyce’s *Dubliners*. 

 

---

 

### **Strengths and Areas for Improvement** 

- **Strengths**: 

  - Emotional authenticity and relatable portrayal of first love. 

  - Rich sensory details that immerse readers in the setting. 

  - Effective contrast between mundane life and romantic idealization. 

- **Areas for Improvement**: 

  - **Character Backgrounds**: Deeper exploration of Sellan’s and Anjali’s pre-love lives could add nuance. 

  - **Pacing**: Slower development of physical intimacy might enhance believability. 

  - **Song Integration**: The song could be woven into the narrative (e.g., as a shared moment) rather than presented as a standalone piece. 

 

---

 

### **Conclusion** 

*Only for Us* succeeds in capturing the universality of first love through poetic language and emotional honesty. While its rapid pacing and idealization may stretch realism, its alignment with Romantic-era themes and innovative use of song offer fresh perspectives on short story conventions. The work invites comparison to literary giants like Wordsworth and Browning while carving its own niche in romantic fiction.

 

Citations:

[1] https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/24803637/9ed6aa22-6afd-4ea9-b0c3-9affab359067/SS-OnlyForUs.docx

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[7] https://kingdompen.org/short-stories-vs-novels/

[8] https://www.123helpme.com/essay/Compare-And-Contrast-Two-Short-Story-730474

[9] https://blog.finaldraft.com/7-differences-between-short-stories-and-novels

[10] https://oxfordre.com/literature/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190201098.001.0001/acrefore-9780190201098-e-581?d=%2F10.1093%2Facrefore%2F9780190201098.001.0001%2Facrefore-9780190201098-e-581&p=emailA%2FcYS69MSZpxQ

[11] https://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment/en/curriculum-development/kla/eng-edu/professional-development-programmes/2223/Comparative%20Analysis%20of%20Short%20Stories.pdf

[12] https://www.reddit.com/r/InsideMollywood/comments/1fhclcl/discussion_on_kishkindha_kaandam_ending_spoilers/

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[15] https://mypoeticside.com/show-poem-185960

[16] https://academicworks.cuny.edu/context/jj_etds/article/1280/viewcontent/The_Cultic_Lifecycle__A_Thematic_Analysis_of_Fulfillment_and_Fear_in_Cult_Membership.pdf

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[18] https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1288590/FULLTEXT01.pdf

[19] https://attagalatta.com

[20] https://www.jstor.org/stable/24157245

[21] https://www.linkedin.com/posts/coachbhathiya_dear-aravinda-luvei-you-possess-the-qualities-activity-7286055964900839424-J3Wr

[22] https://mypoeticside.com/show-poem-201708

[23] https://arxiv.org/html/2503.22828v1

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[26] https://www.instagram.com/bloomsburyindia/p/DG5M7IYvC-C/

[27] https://mypoeticside.com/show-poem-185170

[28] https://eshe.in/2024/09/18/lulu-raghavan-go-further-faster/

[29] https://www.jstor.org/stable/23346643

[30] https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/10-malayalam-film-characters-who-deserve-their-own-spin-movies-87628

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Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share

(7)

Soman Ragavan :

• How does this short story compare with similar stories by English, American and Indian writers ?
• Can you see Indian influences in this short story ?
• Can you see cultural and other factors that might have influenced me in writing in this way ?
• What would be the opinion of Indian literary critics on this short story ?

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