Multinational Research Society Publisher

MRS Journal of Arts, Humanities and Literature

Issue-7(July), Volume-3 2026

1. Idealised Love and Emotional Fragility in White Nights: A Study of Rom...
4

V. Gayathri*
Assistant Professor in English, G. E. Society’s RNC Arts, JDB Commerce and NSC Science College, Nashik Road, Tal. & Dist. Nashik, Maharashtra, India
1-4
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21272762

Fyodor Dostoevsky's novella White Nights (1848) presents a profound exploration of romantic idealism and the inherent fragility of human emotions through the lens of a transient encounter in St. Petersburg. This paper examines the central protagonist, the Dreamer, whose idealised vision of love serves as both a refuge from his isolated existence and a catalyst for emotional vulnerability. By juxtaposing the Dreamer's fantastical aspirations with the grounded reality embodied by Nastenka, Dostoevsky illustrates the tension between romantic illusion and the sobering demands of genuine human connection. The study delves into how the novella portrays emotional fragility not merely as a personal failing but as an intrinsic component of the romantic temperament. Through detailed textual analysis, this research highlights Dostoevsky's early philosophical concerns with isolation, the redemptive potential of love, and the psychological costs of retreating into an imagined world. The findings suggest that White Nights functions as a critical commentary on the perils of romantic escapism, offering insights into the emotional architecture of characters trapped between desire and disillusionment. Ultimately, the paper argues that Dostoevsky's depiction of idealised love reveals profound truths about the human condition, where the fragility of emotions both enables profound connection and precipitates inevitable heartbreak. This analysis contributes to broader discussions in literary studies concerning the representation of psychological interiority in nineteenth-century Russian prose and the enduring relevance of Dostoevsky's insights into the nature of romantic longing.

2. Writing the Margins: Caste, Class, and Gender as Sites of Resistance i...
3

Supriya*
Ph. D. Research Scholar, Department of English, VKSU, Arrah
5-8
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21272897

Arundhati Roy occupies a distinctive position in contemporary Indian English fiction as a writer whose literary imagination is inseparable from her political activism. Her two novels, The God of Small Things (1997) and The Ministry of Utmost Happiness (2017), separated by two decades, together constitute a sustained literary meditation on the structures of power that organise Indian society along the axes of caste, class, and gender. Rather than treating these categories as background social detail, Roy positions them as the central architecture of her narratives, using the intimate lives of her characters to expose how systemic hierarchies discipline desire, love, and belonging. This paper examines how Roy transforms marginality itself into a site of resistance, arguing that her fiction refuses the conventional realist strategy of representing the oppressed as passive victims and instead endows them with narrative agency, subversive desire, and quiet defiance. Drawing on postcolonial and feminist literary theory, along with concepts of subalternity, intersectionality, and heteronormativity, the paper analyses Roy's treatment of the "Love Laws" in The God of Small Things and the politics of embodiment and belonging in The Ministry of Utmost Happiness. It further considers Roy's narrative techniques, particularly her fragmented chronology, her attention to the materiality of bodies, and her deployment of the small and the ordinary as instruments of political critique. The paper concludes that Roy's novels function as counter-hegemonic texts that write the margins not merely as spaces of suffering but as fertile ground for resistance, solidarity, and alternative forms of community.

3. ANALYSIS: RETHINKING SOUTH AFRICA'S PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (PSC): L...
4

Dr. John Motsamai Modise*
Tshwane University of Technology
9-24
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21350844

The purpose of this study is to critically examine the effectiveness of the Public Service Commission (PSC) in promoting ethical governance, accountability, and anti-corruption within South Africa's public service. The study further evaluates proposals advocating for the restructuring or strengthening of the PSC using lessons derived from the Madlanga Commission model and assesses whether such reforms could improve institutional effectiveness, public trust, transparency, and consequence management. Despite South Africa having a comprehensive constitutional and legislative framework supported by numerous oversight institutions, corruption, maladministration, procurement irregularities, weak consequence management, and declining public confidence continue to undermine public administration and service delivery. Questions therefore arise regarding whether the Public Service Commission possesses adequate constitutional authority, institutional independence, and enforcement capacity to fulfil its mandate effectively or whether comprehensive institutional reforms are necessary to strengthen accountability and combat corruption more effectively. The study adopted a qualitative research approach using a systematic desktop literature review and documentary analysis. Secondary data were collected from the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, legislation, Public Service Commission reports, Auditor-General South Africa reports, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture (Zondo Commission), policy documents, government publications, international governance reports, and peer-reviewed academic literature. Thematic analysis was employed to identify recurring governance challenges, institutional weaknesses, and opportunities for reform. The study found that the Public Service Commission possesses a comprehensive constitutional mandate but has limited enforcement authority because many of its recommendations are advisory rather than binding. Persistent corruption, procurement irregularities, financial misconduct, and governance failures indicate weaknesses in implementation rather than deficiencies in legislation. The study further found that weak consequence management, limited institutional coordination, and insufficient implementation of oversight recommendations undermine the effectiveness of the public accountability system. Lessons from the Zondo Commission and the Madlanga Commission highlight the importance of institutional independence, transparent investigations, merit-based appointments, and stronger oversight mechanisms. Rather than replacing the PSC, the findings support strengthening its legal powers, investigative capacity, monitoring systems, and collaboration with other oversight institutions. The study concludes that strengthening the effectiveness of the Public Service Commission is essential for improving ethical governance, accountability, and public sector integrity in South Africa. Sustainable governance reform requires stronger institutional independence, effective consequence management, transparent public administration, and political commitment to implementing oversight recommendations. By enhancing the PSC's institutional capacity and aligning governance practices with constitutional principles and international best practices, South Africa can strengthen democratic governance, improve service delivery, combat corruption more effectively, and restore public confidence in state institutions.

4. Inclusive Education and Political Inclusion: A Study of Marginalized G...
2

Orlunga Bartholomew Godstime*...
Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education Rivers State University. Nigeria
25-30
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21449688

Inclusive education and political inclusion are critical pillars for advancing democratic processes in Nigeria, particularly for persons with disabilities (PWDs) who remain among the most marginalized groups. This study interrogates the intersection between educational access and political participation, examining how inclusive education policies and practices shape the democratic engagement of PWDs. Drawing on Nigeria’s National Inclusive Education Policy (2016) and international human rights frameworks, the research highlights the persistent challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited teacher training, societal stigma and electoral violence that hinder educational inclusion. These challenges directly translate into political exclusion, as limited literacy, inaccessible electoral processes, and discriminatory attitudes restrict PWDs from exercising their rights to vote, contest elections, and participate in governance. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study explores lived experiences of PWDs across selected Nigerian socio-cultural environment, revealing the policy-practice gap between official commitments and realities on the ground two theories guided the study. Findings underscore that inclusive education is not merely a social service but a democratic imperative: it equips PWDs with the knowledge, confidence, and agency to claim political space. The study recommends strengthening the implementation of inclusive education policies, investing in accessible infrastructure, and reforming electoral processes to guarantee full participation of PWDs. Ultimately, the research argues that sustainable democracy in Nigeria depends on dismantling systemic challenges and fostering both educational and political inclusion for persons with disabilities.

5. What Really Happens During a Photoshoot?
1

Vakhtang Egiazarov*
Photographer, Pseudonym – Vakho FX
31-32
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21523457

The article examines a little-studied aspect of the photographic process — what remains outside the final frame. Based on years of practical observation, it analyzes typical human reactions in front of the camera (the "wooden man" phenomenon), professional techniques for relieving tension, and comical situations typical of event and wedding photography. Special attention is given to the mechanics behind the so-called "perfect smile." The author concludes that "naturalness" in photography is the result of careful direction, aimed at returning the subject's genuine facial expression. The material is presented in a popular science style and is addressed to a wide audience interested in photography.





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