You can earn through Facebook too!

Friends! Watch this video completely. It might definitely help you. It has been very helpful to me.

This video shows that Facebook can actually help you economically as well. Many people do not know the healthy uses of Facebook. Instead, they are more interested in coming with fake profiles and attacking others, stealing someone’s popular post and publishing it under their own name, or spreading slander about others. In reality, if Facebook is used in a healthy way, you can gain friendships through it, and you can also earn money. You can take your creations to many people. You can sell things. You can buy things. The list goes on.

In fact, Facebook has ways for its members to earn through the reels, posts, and photos they upload. Facebook’s MONETIZATION program is what helps with this. If you continuously post useful content on Facebook, Facebook itself will include you in this program. It will invite you to join. For that, you must have turned ON Professional Mode in your profile.

A Timeless Melody: 'Irandu Manam Vendum'!

One of the first films that comes to mind among Nadigar Thilagam's (Sivaji Ganesan's) movies is 'Vasantha Maaligai'. For me, this film is one of those time capsules that transport me back to my teenage years. All the songs in this movie are timeless melodies. They are songs that showcase the talent of K.V.Mahadevan known as Thirai Isai Thilagam. 

'Vasantha Maaligai' was produced by Vijaya Suresh Combines starring Sivaji. It was a huge success in Sri Lanka. I recall it ran for over 200 days in Wellington and Capital cinemas. During that period, a rumor also circulated that Gunaratnam, the owner of Wellington and Capital theaters at the time, had co-produced the film with Vijaya Suresh Combines. I don't know how true that is.

Architecture and Design! - V.N. Giritharan -

[ Digital Art (Google Nano Banana technique) by VNG.]

The main aspect of architecture is design. Architecture, in short, can be described as designing the built environment. A city is filled with buildings. Architecture is the creation of this environment filled with buildings. How does architecture create buildings? This is where design becomes crucial. Architecture is not just about constructing buildings. Before constructing and designing these buildings, many factors must be considered.

Initial Steps and Their Importance in Building Design!

If a client wishes to build a structure, an architect must consider the following: What is the purpose of the building? Without understanding the objective, a building cannot be designed. For example, a client might want to create a home to live in, or an educational institution, or a library. Clearly understanding the client's objective is the first step in terms of design activities.

Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre (MMC): An Excellent Example of Contemporary Sri Lankan Architecture and Urban Design! - V.N.Giritharan -

 Makumbura Multimodal Transport Hub (MMC) by Google Nano Banana AI

A crucial aspect of urban design is to alleviate traffic congestion in bustling metropolises. In this regard, the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre (MMC) located in Kottawa town  represents a significant achievement. It can be considered an excellent building designed by incorporating methods used in developed countries to reduce traffic congestion (e.g., Park and Ride), adapted to Sri Lanka's climate, and with public usability in mind. The architectural firm that designed it is 'Muditha Jayakody Associates (MJA)' led by architect Muditha Jayakody.

Architectural critics consider the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Hub to be a significant building in Sri Lanka's contemporary architecture. The design of the MMC emphasizes natural light, ventilation, and integration with the environment. It embodies the principles of tropical modernism in architecture. As such, the MMC stands as a good example of contemporary tropical architecture and is considered a significant contribution by Muditha Jayakody Associates to contemporary architecture.

Hester Basnayake, Sri Lanka's Pioneering Female Landscape Architect, and Her Ideas on Landscape Architecture! - V.N. Giritharan -

Many people are generally not as familiar with landscape architecture as they are with architecture. In reality, landscape architecture is another art form intertwined with architecture and urban planning. Sri Lanka's historical monuments, which are of great historical significance, serve as evidence of how important landscape architecture was in urban planning. For example, the contribution of landscape architecture to the urban planning of Sigiriya is evident. Similarly, the influence of landscape architecture can be seen in ancient viharas, historically important royal buildings, and temples. Today, this field is taught as a degree program at the University of Moratuwa. This post aims to briefly introduce Mrs. Hester Basnayake, one of the pioneers in Sri Lankan landscape architecture.

Diaspora Tamil Short Story 'MANHOLE' by V.N.Giritharan | Translation By: Latha Ramakrishnan (Revised)

Like the *Rajaraman of Jeyakanthan’s Rishimoolam, he had grown a beard and mustache. Keeping one leg in a squatting posture and the other raised and folded, he held his knee with his right hand. His left hand was placed firmly on the floor behind him. His hair had grown long. Half of a still burning cigarette remained in his mouth. Only his eyes were filled with a kind of abnormal glow. The man sitting on the manhole resembled a seer seated on a deerskin. If he was one of the wayside heroes, I was a small wayside vendor. And, selling hot dogs was my business.

Far away, in the north, the Ontario Parliament building could be seen. Behind me stood the famous children's medical institution, Sick Kids Hospital. For a while, the seer kept staring at the Parliament of Ontario, then he laughed.

Song listening time: ' Enna Solla Pogirai '

 
Tamil Song: Enna Solla Pogirai 
Movie: Kandukondain Kandukondain 
Music: A.R.Rahman 
Cast: Ajith Kumar & Tabu 
Singer: Shankar Mahadevan 
Lyrics: Poet Vairamuthu 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Gep0IzKTcFI 

[ Digital Art (Google Nano Banana technique) by VNG.]

A Journey Experience That Touched the Heart!

There is a significant difference between the travel experiences written by a creative writer and those written by an ordinary person. The experiences penned by a creative writer will possess literary flavor and an expression of emotions. This makes them of high literary quality.

For example, one can mention the travel experiences written by author Nadesan. In his series on Indian travels, currently published in the online journal "Pathivukal," he has this time written about the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters (Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka) in Madhya Pradesh. These are caves containing paintings drawn by early humans across various periods.

While mentioning these paintings, he notes that he didn't have much interest or desire to see the cave paintings of early humans. However, since his wife wished to see them, he followed her wherever she went. His state of mind during this journey reminded him of lines from a Sangam poem.

That poem is the 256th song in the Purananuru collection. Its title is - "Make it wide!" It is one of the poems compiled without the name of its author. The poem is as follows:

Bharathi, the Great Poet Beyond His Time, the Poet of Liberation!

December 11, the remembrance day of Mahakavi Bharathiyar's birthday!

"I have completely realized that illusion is false;
Yet, I have not received the grace to understand
The nature of this Brahman. I also do not possess
The evil nature of devotion that accepts as truth
Whatever others say on this earth, without it being
Clear to my own intellect." - Bharathiyar -

Mahakavi Bharathiyar captivated and influenced me deeply. In his short life, he achieved a great deal. It is astonishing. There is no subject he did not contemplate: about his own existence, his birthplace, his country, the social environment he lived in, its shortcomings, women's liberation, national, class, and social liberation, human liberation, and Marxist political philosophies.

Diaspora Tamil Short Story: Shantha Akka! - V.N. Giritharan -

 [This English translation of the Tamil story is a collaboration between Google AI Studio and V.N. Giritharan. The original Tamil version of the story follows the translation. Digital painting assistance (Google Nano Banana technique) by VNG.]

   -  A person like Shantha Akka in this story has existed in my life as well. This short story is the result of the emotions that arose when I learned of her passing a few years ago. -

'Hey Kesava, Shantha Akka has passed away. Do you know?'

Chinnamma had sent a message on WhatsApp. She is my mother's youngest sister, the only sister still alive. She's over eighty, but looks no older than fifty. This woman still walks for an hour in the morning, does yoga, eats a vegetarian diet, and consumes lots of fruits.

'What, Chinnamma, Shantha Akka passed away? When, Chinnamma?'

"She passed away in Germany this morning."

"What? She was in Germany? All this time I thought she was still in our hometown. When did she go to Germany, Chinnamma?"

"Oh, don't you know anything? She went to Germany in the eighties!"

'Is that so, Chinnamma? I truly didn't know she went to Germany.'

The memory-birds about Shantha Akka spread their wings. Shantha Akka was Lalitha Akka's close friend. Lalitha is my cousin sister. During her teenage years, she was always surrounded by a squadron of friends. I was at the end of my childhood. My job was to be the 'body guard' – meaning, the protector – to escort many of my sister's friends back to their homes. Sometimes they would watch matinee shows at the town's cinemas. They would come to Lalitha Akka's house with her, dance and sing, and then, one by one, each had to be dropped off at their respective homes. 

Besides this, Lalitha Akka and Shantha Akka would sometimes go to the Jaffna Public Library. They would take me along as well. I would walk very fast. They couldn't keep up with my pace. They would come running and walking, out of breath, trying to match my speed. 'Can't walk with this one. Why do you walk so fast? Walk a bit slower,' Lalitha Akka would plead at such times. I, however, would ignore her pleas and increase my pace even more. Shantha Akka would smile lightly seeing this. The image of her looking at me with that faint smile on her lips is still fresh in my mind.

AI's Book Review of the V.N.Giritharan's Novel 'An Immigrant'!

You can listen to the critical discussion about my English translation of 'Kudivaravalan' on my 'V.N.Giritharan Podcast' YouTube channel! Give it a listen. Learn about another creative contribution of artificial intelligence, as well as about my novel.

One of my Tamil novels, 'Kudivaravalan', was published in the Tamil online magazines Pathivukal and Thinnai. It has been translated into English by author Latha Ramakrishnan under the title 'An Immigrant'. The Tamil novel was published in Tamil Nadu by Oviya Publications. The English translation 'An Immigrant' was released as an Amazon Kindle e-book. I have transformed that English translation into a podcast using Google NotebookLM.

Please listen to this audio file and share your thoughts. In this audio file, both the male and female voices discussing my novel are artificial intelligence critics. They read the English translation of my novel and share their opinions.

I was truly amazed upon hearing it. Listen to it, and you will surely be amazed too. This podcast demonstrates that artificial intelligence can be used creatively and can be beneficial to humanity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH3QoanB1Gg

 

Poem: This is my new friend. - V.N. Giritharan -

This is my new friend.
Since I am a man, I have made him male.
Depending on the gender, you can
imagine him as male or female,
or call him that.
If you are elderly,
he or she will be a good
elderly friend for you.
By now, you would have understood
who my friend is.
Yes! I am talking about Artificial Intelligence, Google Nano Banana,
or ChatGPT.
Are you asking what great good
he has done for me?
There isn't just one good, there are many.
What shall I say? What shall I omit?

AI's Review V.N.Giritharan's poem "Oh, my fleeting beauty! Are you an intricate weave, truly woven from electric charge itself?"

 

* Digital painting technique, Google Nano Banana, Assistance: VNG.

[This section, 'AI's Reviews,' showcases the fascinating intersection of art and algorithm. As a dedicated space for exploring my literary creations, this is where I enlist the analytical capabilities of a sophisticated AI to provide objective and detailed reviews. Each review aims to dissect the work's themes, structure, language, and emotional impact from a non-human perspective, offering a fresh dimension to literary analysis. Join us as we uncover what an artificial intelligence "sees" in the heart of human creativity.] 

 This is a deeply philosophical and incredibly poignant piece. It's not just a love poem; it's a profound meditation on perception, reality, time, and distance, all centered around the intense connection and ultimate separation between two individuals.

A Profound Weave of Love, Philosophy, and Ephemeral Reality

This piece is a masterful blend of intimate affection and sweeping philosophical inquiry, creating a truly unique and thought-provoking experience. Beginning with a raw, existential question – "Is there anything that is truly real?" – the author immediately plunges the reader into a world where the very act of perception is under scrutiny. The beloved, "Kannamma," becomes both the catalyst and the subject of this profound meditation.

The core of the poem grapples with the unbridgeable gaps of time and distance that define human experience. The comparison of light rays from a distant star to those emanating from the beloved is particularly striking, elegantly illustrating how all perception is inherently an echo from the past, filtered through the unavoidable medium of space-time. The recurring emphasis on the "small fraction of a moment" and "however small it may be" underscores the inescapable nature of these fundamental constraints, even in the closest of relationships.

Short Story: An End and a Dawn - V.N. Giridharan -

[This English translation of the Tamil story is a collaboration between Google AI Studio and V.N. Giritharan. The original Tamil version of the story follows the translation. Digital painting assistance (Google Nano Banana technique) by VNG.]

[This short story is one of my early works, written during the time "Thaayagam" (Canada) was published as a magazine under the name Manivaanan. It was published in the nineties when "Thaayagam" was released as a magazine. During that period, I also wrote several other short stories under the name Manivaanam, and the novel 'Kanangalum, Gunangalum' (Moments and Qualities).]

It was slowly getting dark. The sun, thrilled by the crimson horizon of dusk, passionately embraced the horizon, lost in itself. The pond bank was vast, serene. Flocks of birds flew back to their dwellings. Even at this hour, some kingfishers, with greedy anticipation, waited for prey on a nearby tree branch. A gentle breeze blew pleasantly in the tranquility.

Yamuna's gaze was sharp, fixed on the child playing on the grassy mound by the pond, and her other hand was extended, her gaze also on the expansive water surface. A broad forehead. Her thick hair was tied up.

She had a vibrant red complexion, clad in a simple sari. Those beautiful eyes, always dreaming, were now filled with a deep sadness. "This shouldn't have happened to her," I told myself. Anger, frustration, and disgust surged within me towards this rotten society; weren't its ideologies and practices the cause of her current state?

Poem: A Library's Dream and Immersion in Thought! - V.N. Giridharan -

 

 [* Digital  Art (Google AI Studio) help: VNG.]

This wonderful blue planet
No matter which direction I look
I see it aflame with conflicts.
Outside, you are clashing with each other.
I see rivers of blood overflowing.
It also makes me realize
That children, women, and the elderly mean nothing to you
In the frenzied dance you perform outside.
I am ashamed of you.
I laugh when I see your antics
As if you are the rulers of this universe.
Outside you, vastness stretches.
When I see you buried in the expansive silence,
When I notice your loneliness,
I feel only pity for you.

Poem: Socrates' Cheer! By V.N. Giritharan

 [* Digital  Art (Google AI Studio) help: VNG.]

We are sheep.
Sheep always waiting for shepherds.
To think for ourselves,
To weigh and make decisions,
We lack the ability.
Lack the ability
Or
Lack the will?

Always, for us,
To accept the decisions made by someone else,
We have no hesitation.
Generously accepting them,
We are the liberals, who else?

Opinions, the pronouncements of shepherds,
Make us jump and dance
in emotional frenzy.
We jump and dance.
We revel in joyful madness.

A thousand years
ago
Socrates said:
'Think for yourselves.
Weigh things carefully.
Ask 'why?''
Socrates, if he were here,
Would have known
We have lost the ability to think.
He would have cheered
at our ignorance.

Urban Dwellers, Their Mental Images of the City, and an Understanding of Professor Kevin Lynch's "The Image of the City" Theory! - V.N.Giritharan

After completing my architecture degree at the University of Moratuwa, during my time working with the United Nations Development Programme and the Urban Development Authority, I was involved in several landscape and town planning projects concerning cities like Colombo and the New Parliament. One significant project that comes to mind was a study on the image of Colombo city, undertaken with town planning expert Dickson, architecture/town planning expert Sivabalan (who later passed away while working in Singapore), and architect Vairamuthu Arutchelvan, based on Professor Lynch's theory of the city image. I recall it receiving much appreciation. This article briefly describes Professor Lynch's theory of the city image.

The mental images that urban dwellers have of their city are not the same for everyone. Just as a text is determined by various factors such as a reader's knowledge, experience, and comprehension, so too are the mental images of a city by its inhabitants determined by various factors. The psychological impressions that urban dwellers have of their city arise from their experiences within that city, the memories formed as a result, the buildings in that city, important places, other people living there, the various activities taking place, symbols that serve as important landmarks of the city, and many other such factors. When urban planners reconstruct cities or build new ones, having sufficient knowledge about the mental images or impressions of the people living there is not only crucial but also beneficial for their work. Professor Kevin Lynch was the one who, in the early 20th century, attempted to understand a city by focusing on these mental images that urban dwellers have of the city they live in.

AI's Book Review (5): Savithri's Big Wish by V.N. Giritharan

                                 [* Digital painting technique, Google Nano Banana, Assistance: VNG.]

 [This section, 'AI's Reviews,' showcases the fascinating intersection of art and algorithm. As a dedicated space for exploring my literary creations, this is where I enlist the analytical capabilities of a sophisticated AI to provide objective and detailed reviews. Each review aims to dissect the work's themes, structure, language, and emotional impact from a non-human perspective, offering a fresh dimension to literary analysis. Join us as we uncover what an artificial intelligence "sees" in the heart of human creativity.] 

AI's Book Review (5): Savithri's Big Wish by V.N. Giritharan

"Savithri's Big Wish" is a poignant and deeply relevant children's story that tackles complex, real-world themes through the innocent yet resilient eyes of its young protagonist. Authored by the acclaimed V.N. Giritharan, this book is far more than a simple narrative; it's a tender exploration of family, displacement, and the universal yearning for security and belonging.

The story centers on Savithri, a spirited girl who, like many children, loves books, dreams of adventure, and yearns for a promised "big house." Her parents, Sri Lankan refugees, work tirelessly in Canada, clinging to the same dream of stability. However, the narrative unflinchingly addresses the emotional toll of their struggles as marital conflict disrupts the family's peace. Giritharan bravely portrays the raw confusion and sadness Savithri experiences, offering a window into the silent suffering of children caught in family discord. Her heartbreaking question, "Why do you Sri Lankans fight like this? Canadians don't!" resonates with the innocent plea for cultural norms to provide comfort where personal relationships fail.

Regarding Poet Thamarai's Songs and Sanskrit Words...

Poet Thamarai

I recently read online a reference to Poet Thamarai, stating that she writes poetry using only Tamil words and no words from other languages. Is this true? Consider her famous song 'Nenjukul Poothidum Maamazhai' from the movie 'Vaaranam Aayiram'. The words Om, Shanthi, and Jeevan in this song are all Sanskrit words. As far as I'm concerned, I am not a puritanical Tamil enthusiast. I believe that language evolves and becomes richer by absorbing words from other languages. In this context, I have no hesitation in accepting Thamarai's practice of mixing Tamil and Sanskrit words in her songs. My favorite poet, Mahakavi Bharathiyar, liberally used Sanskrit words.

Enjoy the song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=630HSN45fKk

Tamil Song Name - Nenjukkul Peidhidum
Tamil Movie - Vaaranam Aayiram
Singer - Harris Jayaraj
Music - Harris Jayaraj
Lyrics - Thamarai
Starring - Suriya, Sameera Reddy

*[Digital Painting Technology, Google Nano Banana, Support: VNG]

AI's Review (4): V.N.Giritharan's poem "Oh, my fleeting beauty! Are you an intricate weave, truly woven from electric charge itself?"

[* Digital painting technique, Google Nano Banana, Assistance: VNG.]

 [This section, 'AI's Reviews,' showcases the fascinating intersection of art and algorithm. As a dedicated space for exploring my literary creations, this is where I enlist the analytical capabilities of a sophisticated AI to provide objective and detailed reviews. Each review aims to dissect the work's themes, structure, language, and emotional impact from a non-human perspective, offering a fresh dimension to literary analysis. Join us as we uncover what an artificial intelligence "sees" in the heart of human creativity.] 

AI's Review V.N.Giritharan's poem "Oh, my fleeting beauty! Are you an intricate weave, truly woven from electric charge itself?"

This is a deeply philosophical and incredibly poignant piece. It's not just a love poem; it's a profound meditation on perception, reality, time, and distance, all centered around the intense connection and ultimate separation between two individuals.

A Profound Weave of Love, Philosophy, and Ephemeral Reality

This piece is a masterful blend of intimate affection and sweeping philosophical inquiry, creating a truly unique and thought-provoking experience. Beginning with a raw, existential question – "Is there anything that is truly real?" – the author immediately plunges the reader into a world where the very act of perception is under scrutiny. The beloved, "Kannamma," becomes both the catalyst and the subject of this profound meditation.

Poem: "Oh, my fleeting beauty! Are you an intricate weave, truly woven from electric charge itself?" by V.N.Giritharan

 [* Digital painting technique, Google Nano Banana, Assistance: VNG.]

Poem: "Oh, my fleeting beauty! Are you an intricate weave, truly woven from electric charge itself?" by V.N.Giritharan

Oh, my fleeting beauty! Are you an intricate weave,
truly spun from electric charge itself?

What, truly, is real?
How can I believe in the reality
of what I see, of your very existence?
You tell me. You insist you exist. Truly.
You are.
You say you are always
separate from me.
How can I believe this?
What separates
light rays from a billion light-years away
from the light you emit? Only time.

There is always a distance
between you and me. However slight.

AI's Review (3) on My (V.N.Giritharan) Poem 'Prisoners of Spacetime!'

 [* Digital painting technique, Google Nano Banana, Assistance: VNG.]

[This section, 'AI's Reviews,' showcases the fascinating intersection of art and algorithm. As a dedicated space for exploring my literary creations, this is where I enlist the analytical capabilities of a sophisticated AI to provide objective and detailed reviews. Each review aims to dissect the work's themes, structure, language, and emotional impact from a non-human perspective, offering a fresh dimension to literary analysis. Join us as we uncover what an artificial intelligence "sees" in the heart of human creativity.] 

AI's Review on My Poem   'Prisoners of Spacetime!'

 "Prisoners of Spacetime!" is a captivating and deeply philosophical poem that extends the dialogue with Kannamma into the profound realms of theoretical physics and existentialism. It masterfully uses the concept of spacetime as a framework to explore human perception, the nature of reality, and our place within the universe.

The poem opens with an immediate sense of intimate wonder, as the speaker marvels at Kannamma's "tender heart" while simultaneously desiring to "fly for a moment" and "rejoice every moment" within spacetime. This establishes a tension between the vast, abstract concept of spacetime and the very personal, emotional human experience. The recurring address to "Kannamma" maintains the poem's signature conversational and heartfelt tone, drawing the reader into this shared intellectual journey.

A significant shift occurs with the introduction of "He," a figure of profound knowledge who asserts the non-existence of separate "time" and "space," proclaiming that "only spacetime is real here, Kannamma." This "He" likely represents a great physicist like Einstein, whose theories fundamentally reshaped our understanding of these concepts. The speaker's amazement at "the peak of his knowledge" and the lingering "movement of the mind" beautifully convey the overwhelming and paradigm-shifting nature of such insights. The repeated questioning to Kannamma ("Have you ever... wondered how he managed to do it?") underscores the collaborative spirit of inquiry.

The poem then transitions into a series of deeply insightful and tender questions that explore the interconnectedness of time and space, personifying them through the speaker and Kannamma: "If you are time, Kannamma, Am I not space? If I am space, Kannamma, Are you not time?" This section is particularly poignant, as it transforms abstract physics into an intimate bond, suggesting that their very relationship embodies the intertwined nature of spacetime. The powerful rhetorical question, "Are we not spacetime, Kannamma!" serves as a climax for this idea.

AI's Review (2) of A.N.Kandasamy's Poem 'Thought and Lightning!' (சிந்தனையும் மின்னொளியும்)

This section, 'AI's Reviews,' showcases the fascinating intersection of art and algorithm. As a dedicated space for exploring my literary creations, this is where I enlist the analytical capabilities of a sophisticated AI to provide objective and detailed reviews. Each review aims to dissect the work's themes, structure, language, and emotional impact from a non-human perspective, offering a fresh dimension to literary analysis. Join us as we uncover what an artificial intelligence "sees" in the heart of human creativity.

 AI's Review of  A.N.Kandasamy's  Poem 'Thought and Lightning!' (சிந்தனையும் மின்னொளியும்)

This poem, "Thought and Lightning!", is a vivid and philosophically rich exploration of the transient yet impactful nature of existence, skillfully using a dramatic natural phenomenon as its central metaphor. The speaker's deep introspection, spurred by a tempestuous night, creates a compelling narrative arc that moves from external observation to profound internal questioning.

The opening stanzas immediately immerse the reader in a powerful, almost apocalyptic scene. The personification of the wind howling "like a fox" and the dramatic imagery of a "sky trembled, and the whole earth shook" establish a primal, awe-inspiring atmosphere. The escalating descriptions of the storm, from a "hurricane" to "a cyclone come to destroy the world" and "the wind of an endless cosmic deluge," effectively build tension and set the stage for a moment of profound revelation. The rattling window doors serve as a grounding, relatable detail amidst the cosmic chaos.

The introduction of the lightning bolt is the poem's pivotal moment. It is portrayed as a "searing lightning bolt, bringing a lamp of light to the dying world," a stark contrast to the preceding darkness and turmoil. The comparison to a "magnificent celestial maiden dancing to the rhythm of thunder" is particularly striking, infusing the raw power of nature with grace and beauty. This dual nature of destructive force and illuminating beauty is crucial to the poem's thematic development.