FLAMINGO NOTES PROSE

THE LAST LESSON

Q1. What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?
Ans. That particular day Franz was expected to be prepared with participles as Mr. Hamel, the French
teacher was going to question the students in school and Franz didn’t know it at all.

 Q2. What did Franz notice that was unusual about the school that day?
 Ans. There was no commotion and on that day everything was as quiet as a Sunday morning. Even Mr.
Hamel was not annoyed when Franz walked into the classroom late. M. Hamel was in his Sunday best.
There were village folk sitting on the back benches.

 Q3. What had been put up on the bulletin board?

 Ans. The crowd in front of the bulletin board indicated the presence of an important news item. Later,
Franz realized that the news was that the order had come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools
of Alsace and Lorraine. Mr Hamel announced that he would be teaching his last French lesson that day.

Q4. Why were Mr. Hamel’s words like a thunderclap to Franz?

 Ans. Franz was shocked when Mr Hamel announced that it would be the last French lesson that day. He
realized that he hardly knew how to write and would not get a chance to learn any more French. He felt
sorry for not having learnt his lessons and for having wasted his precious time. The thought that Mr
Hamel would go away made him feel uneasy.

Q5. What was Franz’s reaction when he learnt that he was attending his French lesson for the last
time?
Ans. He felt sorry that he had not learnt his lessons and wasted his time in seeking birds’ eggs and going
sliding on the Saar. He felt that his books which were such a nuisance a while ago and heavy to carry
were now like old friends that he didn’t want to give up at all. The teacher whom he thought to be so
cranky now appeared to be a friend.

Q6. Why were the old men of the village present in the classroom?
 Ans. The old men of the village were sitting in the classroom. Franz felt that they too, like him, we’re
sorry for not having gone to school often. It was their way of thanking the master for his forty years of
faithful service and showing their respect for the country that was no longer theirs.

Q7. What was Hamel’s reaction when Franz could not answer his question in class, correctly?
Ans. Franz was scared of Mr Hamel’s reaction when he was unable to answer the question. His heart
started beating and he dared not look up. Mr Hamel, instead, told Franz that he would not scold him. He
blamed all Frenchmen for not knowing how to speak or write their own mother tongue.

Q8. Who did Hamel blame for not knowing French?

Ans. Hamel not only blamed Franz and other Frenchmen for not loving their mother tongue but held
himself responsible for sending his students often to water his flowers instead of learning their lessons.
He also fell guilty of having given them a holiday when he wanted to go fishing.

Q9. How had the teacher dressed on the day of the last lesson?
 Ans. He was dressed in his beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt and little black silk cap-all embroidered,
something he never wore except on special days like prize days and inspection days.

[Link] was Franz afraid of being scolded?

 Ans. Franz was afraid of being scolded because his teacher M. Hamel was to question the students on
participles. Franz was not prepared and he had started for school very late that morning.

 [Link] did Franz find much more tempting than the rule of participles? What did Franz do?
Ans. It was a warm and bright day. The birds were chirping at the edge of woods. The Prussian soldiers
were drilling in the open field at the back of sawmill. He could spend life out of doors. He resisted the
temptation and hurried off to school.

[Link] was the usual scene when Franz’s school began in the morning?
 Ans. Usually, there was a great bustle. The noise could be heard out in the school. Students opened and
closed their desks. They repeated the lessons together very loudly. They kept their hands over their ears to
understand better. The teacher would go on rapping the table with his great iron ruler.

[Link] did Wachter tell Franz? What was the latter’s response?
Ans. Wachter, the blacksmith on reading the latest bulletin about the teaching of German told Franz not
to go so fast. He added that he would get to school in plenty of time. Franz thought Wachter was making
fun of him so he rushed to school.

[Link] did M. Hamel tell the class about French language?

Ans. M. Hamel said that French was the most beautiful language in the world. It was the clearest and the
most logical language. The French should guard it among them and never forget. He added that when
people are enslaved, as long as they held fast to their language, they had the key to their prison.

[Link] was M. Hamel behaviour contrary to how he would usually behave?

 Ans. M. Hamel was solemn and gentle. He was no longer the ruler-wielding teacher. M. Hamel was
wearing clothes he wore on special occasion. What he taught seemed so easy to Franz. He explained
everything with a lot of patience. It seemed that he wanted to put into their heads at one stroke all that he
knew.

 [Link] did Franz enjoy their lesson in writing?

 Ans. M. Hamel had made copies for the class. The words ‘France, Alsace, France, Alsace’ were written
on them in a beautiful round hand. The pupils set to work quietly.

 [Link] did Franz not want to go to a school that day?

Ans. Franz was reluctant to go to a school that day as he was unprepared with his homework—the rules
of participles. M. Hamel was to question the class on the topic and he was scared of the teacher.

[Link] was Franz not scolded for reaching the school late that day?                   
Ans. Franz was late for school. Usually, there was always a great hustle and bustle in the morning. He
had hoped to take advantage of that noise and commotion. He wanted to get to his desk without being
noticed. But that day he had to go in before everybody. M. Hamel only asked him very politely to take up
his seat without scolding him as it was Hamel’s last lesson of French in that school.

[Link] did Franz wonder about when he entered the class that day?                  
 Ans. M. Hamel was to question the students on participles. Franz knew nothing about them and feared a
scolding. He also wondered about a big crowd he had seen around the notice board at the Town Hall. For
a moment he was tempted to run away but he overcame his temptation and hurried off to school.

[Link] were some elderly persons occupying the back benches that day?
 Ans. Some elderly persons occupied the last benches on the day as it was the last day of the teaching of
French. They wanted to pay homage to their country and respect to M. Hamel for his dedicated service of
forty years. They regretted having lost the opportunity to learn their own language.

Q21. “What a thunderclap these words were to me!” (Franz). What were those words and what was
their effect on Franz?                                                                                                                    
 Ans. Franz reached the school late on the day of the ‘ant lesson. M. Hamel mounted on his chair. He
spoke in a grave and gentle tone and made it clear that it was his last French lesson as an order had come
from Berlin. All the schools of Alsace and Lorraine would teach only German from the next day when a
German teacher would replace him. The news left Franz shocked and aggrieved as he was going to lose
his teacher, and the opportunity to learn his language.

 Q22. How were the parents and M. Hamel responsible for the children’s neglect of the French
language?                                                                                                                                       
 Ans. M. Hamel didn’t scold Franz for neglecting the learning of French. Most of the people of Alsace
could neither speak nor write their own language. Their parents preferred to put them to work on a farm
or at the mills. Mr Hamel didn’t even spare himself from blame. He had often sent his students to water
his flowers instead of learning their lessons.

23. What shows M. Hamel’s love for the French language?

[Link] a mark of his love for the French language. M. Hamel gave a tribute to his mother tongue in his
Ian lesson. He called it ‘the most beautiful language’ in the world, which is the clearest and most logical.
He appealed to the children and the people of the village to keep their mother-tongue close to their heart.

24. What tempted Franz to stay away from school?

 Ans. Franz was already late for school. He had not even prepared the topic of participles for which he
was going to be tested that day. Moreover, it was a warm day and he was tempted by the chirping of birds
and sounds of Prussian soldiers exercising at the back of the sawmill.

25. What changes came over little Franz after M. Hamel’s announcement?
Ans. Franz was shocked at M. Hamel’s announcement that it was their last lesson in French. Suddenly he
felt his love for his mother tongue and realised that he could hardly write well enough in French. He was
full of remorse and regret being so careless and unattentive in his class. Moreover, he also developed a
liking for his teacher M. Hamel.

26. What was the mood in the classroom when M. Hamel gave the last French lesson?
Ans. There was complete silence in the class. Everyone was full of regret and remorse. Children as well
the village elderly were gloomy and repentant for not giving importance to their mother tongue. The order
from Berlin had caused a sea-change in the attitude of the people of Alsace and Lorraine to their
language.

27. What had Franz counted on to enter class unnoticed?

Ans. Franz was late for school that day. But he was quite confident to enter the class unnoticed because
usually there was a lot of confusion and noise at the beginning of the school. Every day there was a sound
of opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated in unison and teacher’s great ruler rapping on the table.
So Franz thought that the word take advantage of the situation and enter the class unnoticed.

28. Why was M. Hamel kind to Franz even though he was late for school?
Ans. It was the last lesson of M. Hamel in the school as the new German teacher was arriving the
following day. M. Hamel was sad and sentimental as he was to leave the school after forty years of
service as a teacher in French. He was very emotional, kind and understanding. So, He did not scold
Franz even though he was late.

29. How had the teacher dressed on the day of the last lesson?
 Ans. He was dressed in his beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt and little black silk cap-all embroidered,
something he never wore except on special days like prize days and inspection days.

30. Why was Franz afraid of being scolded?

 Ans. Franz was afraid of being scolded because his teacher M. Hamel was to question the students on
participles. Franz was not prepared and he had started for school very late that morning.

 
31. What did Franz find much more tempting than the rule of participles? What did Franz do?
Ans. It was a warm and bright day. The birds were chirping at the edge of woods. The Prussian soldiers
were drilling in the open field at the back of sawmill. He could spend life out of doors. He resisted the
temptation and hurried off to school.

32. What was the usual scene when Franz’s school began in the morning?
 Ans. Usually, there was a great bustle. The noise could be heard out in the school. Students opened and
closed their desks. They repeated the lessons together very loudly. They kept their hands over their ears to
understand better. The teacher would go on rapping the table with his great iron ruler.

33. What did Wachter tell Franz? What was the latter’s response?
Ans. Wachter, the blacksmith on reading the latest bulletin about the teaching of German told Franz not
to go so fast. He added that he would get to school in plenty of time. Franz thought Wachter was making
fun of him so he rushed to school.

34. What did M. Hamel tell the class about French language?
Ans. M. Hamel said that French was the most beautiful language in the world. It was the clearest and the
most logical language. The French should guard it among them and never forget. He added that when
people are enslaved, as long as they held fast to their language, they had the key to their prison.

35. How was M. Hamel behaviour contrary to how he would usually behave?
 Ans. M. Hamel was solemn and gentle. He was no longer the ruler-wielding teacher. M. Hamel was
wearing clothes he wore on special occasion. What he taught seemed so easy to Franz. He explained
everything with a lot of patience. It seemed that he wanted to put into their heads at one stroke all that he
knew.

 36. How did Franz enjoy their lesson in writing?

 Ans. M. Hamel had made copies for the class. The words ‘France, Alsace, France, Alsace’ were written
on them in a beautiful round hand. The pupils set to work quietly.

 37. Why did Franz not want to go to a school that day?

Ans. Franz was reluctant to go to a school that day as he was unprepared with his homework—the rules
of participles. M. Hamel was to question the class on the topic and he was scared of the teacher.

38. Why was Franz not scolded for reaching the school late that day?                   
Ans. Franz was late for school. Usually, there was always a great hustle and bustle in the morning. He
had hoped to take advantage of that noise and commotion. He wanted to get to his desk without being
noticed. But that day he had to go in before everybody. M. Hamel only asked him very politely to take up
his seat without scolding him as it was Hamel’s last lesson of French in that school.

39. What did Franz wonder about when he entered the class that day?                  
 Ans. M. Hamel was to question the students on participles. Franz knew nothing about them and feared a
scolding. He also wondered about a big crowd he had seen around the notice board at the Town Hall. For
a moment he was tempted to run away but he overcame his temptation and hurried off to school.

40. Why were some elderly persons occupying the back benches that day?
 Ans. Some elderly persons occupied the last benches on the day as it was the last day of the teaching of
French. They wanted to pay homage to their country and respect to M. Hamel for his dedicated service of
forty years. They regretted having lost the opportunity to learn their own language.

41.”What a thunderclap these words were to me!” (Franz). What were those words and what was
their effect on Franz?                                                                                                                     
 Ans. Franz reached the school late on the day of the ‘ant lesson. M. Hamel mounted on his chair. He
spoke in a grave and gentle tone and made it clear that it was his last French lesson as an order had come
from Berlin. All the schools of Alsace and Lorraine would teach only German from the next day when a
German teacher would replace him. The news left Franz shocked and aggrieved as he was going to lose
his teacher, and the opportunity to learn his language.

 42. How were the parents and M. Hamel responsible for the children’s neglect of the French
language?                                                                                                                                       
 Ans. M. Hamel didn’t scold Franz for neglecting the learning of French. Most of the people of Alsace
could neither speak nor write their own language. Their parents preferred to put them to work on a farm
or at the mills. Mr Hamel didn’t even spare himself from blame. He had often sent his students to water
his flowers instead of learning their lessons.

Long Answer-type Questions

1. The ban on teaching French strengthened the resolve of the French to learn their language. Give
evidence from the text to prove/disapprove the above statement.
Ans. The Last Lesson’ clearly brings out the resolve of the French to hold fast to their language. The
order from Berlin imposing German language on them made them more determined to respect and learn
their language. This was evident in the last lesson of M. Hamel. All the back benches were occupied by
villagers that day, including old Hauser, former mayor, former postmaster, etc. Students in the class were
quiet and were eager to make the best of the last opportunity to learn their mother tongue.
Hammel taught the last lesson with immense patience and told his students to safeguard their language.
lie reminded them that they would be able to liberate themselves only if they would keep their language
with them. Even the students realised the importance of their language and listened to their teacher very
carefully. They could not be distracted by beetles or the cooing of the pigeons that day.

2. How was the last lesson different from earlier lessons?

Ans. The last lesson was different from earlier lessons in many ways. It revealed the love and respect of
the teacher and students for their mother tongue. M. Hamel spoke very kindly and taught very patiently.
He did not scold anybody that day. It seemed as if he wanted to give all that he knew before going away.
He was in his best attire and his ‘iron ruler’ was no more in use. This lesson was attended by villagers to
show their love and respect for their mother tongue and M. Hamel. The students listened very carefully
and everybody was absolutely quiet. Franz was sorry for not learning his lesson. The last lesson was an
emotional time which stirred patriotic feelings and awakened the villagers to the importance of their
mother tongue.

3. Justify the title ‘The Last Lesson’.

Ans. The title The Last Lesson’ is significant and conveys the central theme of the story. The title
highlights the fact that sometimes even the most precious things in our lives are taken for granted by us.
The people of Alsace never gave much thought or importance to their mother tongue. They did not insist
that their children should give it wholehearted attention. They did not encourage regular attendance of
their children in French classes. They thought there was plenty of time to learn it. They preferred their
children to work and earn rather than learn. They received a severe jolt when orders came from Berlin to
ban French and make German compulsory. This brutal order from Prussians made them realise the
importance of their mother tongue. So they came in full force to attend M. Hamel’s last lesson. In fact, the
story shows the awakening of the turn to the importance of their mother tongue. This was displayed by
them by attending the last person of the French. Thus, the title The Last Lesson’ reveals the theme of the
story and is fully justified.

4. Write a character sketch of little Franz.

 Ans. Franz was a typical schoolboy. He was carefree and hated to go to school. He was afraid of his
French Teacher M. Hamel’s ‘iron ruler’. He was more interested in spending his time outside the school.
Many times, he missed the school and went in search of ‘bird’s eggs’ or watching the Prussian soldiers
drilling at the sawmill. He did not realise the importance of learning his mother tongue till the time his
country passed into Prussian hands and teaching French was banned. This came as a thunderbolt to him
when he came to school and found it to be his last French lesson. At this point, he lamented the loss of his
language. His entire perspective towards the language and the teacher changed. He was surprised to learn
and understand everything on the last day and did not find M. Hamel strict during the lesson. He was not
able to understand the severity of war and wondered whether “the Pigeons would be made to coo in
German”.

5. The day of the last lesson was full of regret and sadness. Describe the events of the day in the
classroom in light of the above remark.
Ans. The order from Berlin brought a sense of shock and surprise in the class. As per the order, this was
the last French class. Alsace and Lorraine had been captured by the Prussians. So only German was to be
taught in the schools. This made all the distinguished village elders feel guilty of ignoring theft mother
tongue. So, they all came to the class to showcase their love and respect for their mother tongue and
French teacher M. Hamel. The entire school was filled with an air of remorse and regret. There was
complete silence. The teacher, M. Hamel, was in his best dress and was full of emotions. Even the
students in the class, including little Franz, felt remorse for their indifference to their mother tongue.
There was an atmosphere of stillness and quietness in the class.

6. Give a character sketch of M. Hamel.

Ans.M. Hamel was a teacher at a school in a village in the French districts of Alsace and Lorraine. He
used to teach the French language. He had been teaching his mother tongue for the last forty years. He
loved his profession from the core of his heart and had a deep sense of respect for the mother tongue. He
had always been very particular and strict in imparting the knowledge of the language to his pupils. The
news, that French would no more be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine and that this was going
to be his last lesson, completely shattered a calm and composed man like M. Hamel. He tried his level
best to remain calm and composed but broke down at the end. He felt tormented at the fact that people
had become indifferent to learning French and appealed to them to keep their language alive.
Hamel was a patriot in the real sense. He regarded the mother tongue to be a means of holding one’s
identity and self-respect. He blamed not only the parents and children but himself also for neglecting
French.
 His concern and love for his country are evident when, at the end of his last lesson, he writes on the
blackboard ‘Viva La France!’ in bold letters.

Q1. My Last French Lesson! Why! I hardly know how to write! The problem is that students don’t
take school seriously and parents are not keen to make them study. Write an article on the role of
society and the government in solving the problem.
 Ans. M. Hamel blames himself and the parents for the neglect of learning by the students. The parents
would rather send their children to work on farms and in mills (for extra money, rather than attend school.
M. Hamel, the teacher would give students a holiday when he wanted to go fishing or wanted them to
water the flowers thus neglecting studies. India has a poor literacy rate. The problem of illiteracy and
school dropouts persists. This problem can be solved with the efforts of the society and the government.
The NGOs and the government can make education need-based and incorporate vocational training into
the curriculum. The government can give incentives so that children go to school. Midday meals, free
uniform and books can be an incentive. Media can create awareness about the importance of education for
removing backwardness and illiteracy.

Q2. What message does the story ‘The Last Lesson’ carry? How relevant is it today?                                        
Ans. The story carries the message of the importance of holding on to one’s identity and culture and not
losing it or taking it for granted. It emphasizes the importance of holding onto one’s language as the key
to our identity. It highlights the importance of one’s language in preserving our heritage and history. In
the story, the oppressors were using the ultimate weapon of imposing their language on their captives in a
bid to wipe out their national identity and pride. It, therefore, has a strong message for us to take pride in
our own language because it gives us our identity which once lost cannot be regained.

Q3. “ Bah! I have plenty of time. I’ll learn it tomorrow.”  Franz was shocked when he heard that it
was the last lesson in French and he hardly knew his mother tongue.
Many of us find ourselves in similar situations and regret when all is over. What qualities should we
inculcate in our life so that we are able to achieve our goals?
Ans. Opportunity knocks the door only once. In fact, everyone gets only one chance in life and if it’s lost
there. is no way to redeem it. It is said that hard work can turn the impossible into possible. But along
that, value for time is very essential. Most of us are in a habit of delaying things. Unless and until we are
consistent and regular in our efforts, we cannot achieve our goals. Setting a goal is an easy a task but the
journey to reach that goal is a tedious task and demands perseverance, grit and determination. One has to
be focused and consistent in one’s efforts.
To achieve our goal in life, we need to understand the importance of time. Like Franz, we should not
delay the efforts and sit comfortably thinking that there is enough time. As we know that time and tide
wait for no man. So in order to achieve our goals, we need to be vigilant, consistent, punctual, regular
hardworking and a determined person who greatly values time.

Q4. The people of Alsace and Lorraine did not understand the importance of learning their
language French. Emphasising the importance and need for learning one’s native language, discuss
what values are revealed when one sets upon learning one’s native language.
Ans. One of the major effects of Westernization is that people have started losing interest in learning their
native language. One’s native language is the repository of one’s culture, identity and way of living. As
long as one speaks and communicates in one’s language, one can be proud of oneself. Many Indians who
live abroad make it compulsory for their family to speak in their native language at home so as to have a
sense of belongingness to their country. In fact, the native language binds us with our roots. Every
language has its own speciality and the people who speak that language imbibe that speciality. Above all,
native language inculcates a sense of pride. A person who doesn’t know his native language is like a slave
who has no freedom.
 
Q5. How does the author present a nation’s love for its lost freedom?

For the people of Alsace being conquered by another country wasn’t a new experience. But they had
never foreseen that their freedom to learn their own language would be taken away from them one day.
They had a teacher to teach them French but they never took him seriously. They used to put off learning
for another day but one day came without another day to follow. When their freedom to learn their own
language was taken away from them, the people of Alsace realized its importance. Everyone, young and
old, reflected the loss of something whose importance they realized only when it was taken away from
them. They wanted their freedom back. They wished to learn their language as intensely as their teacher
wished to teach them in an hour’s time. The usually boisterous classroom became a peaceful place of
learning. Some felt a sudden love for their books that were once burden for them while others wept with
their books in hand. The teacher became emotional and accepted his failure in teaching the people and his
students strove to learn French in an hour. They hated the Prussians and themselves for their lost freedom.

Q6 How was the last class a new lesson for Franz?

Franz was a typical child of Alsace. He too, like the others, had put off learning for another day. To Franz
learning French was very difficult. He loved anything except his own language. But when he was told that
there was no more chance to learn of his language, Franz felt guilty of not having taken keen interest to
learn it. It is obvious that Franz knew no French, if at all to read and write. All of a sudden his love for
learning his language grew strong in him. He paid his full attention to his master Hamel. He understood
every rule of the grammar, every sentence, very easy. The teacher no longer appeared to him cranky nor
his terrible ruler any more terrorizing. He loved to learn French in an hour. He felt very sorry for not
learning. The last class was unforgettable for Franz.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

1. Why was Franz late for school that day?

Franz was instinctively not interested in learning French language. That day he had to learn the rules
 of Participles and he was least prepared for that and was therefore afraid of his teacher, M. Hamel.
Moreover, he was allured by the attractions on the way to school.
2. What attracted Franz on his way to school?
Franz was attracted by the warm weather outside. The birds that chirped at the edge of the forest and
the Prussian soldiers who were drilling also slowed down his interest to go to school.
3. What did Watcher mean by saying Franz would get to his school in plenty of time?
Watcher, the blacksmith, meant it ironically. He meant there was no more French taught in the
school as per the ban imposed by the Prussians and it would take a long time to get it back and
therefore there was no need to hurry to his school.
4. Describe the atmosphere of the school on usual days.
On usual days the school no longer looked like a school. The noises inside the school could be heard
out in the street. Children were in a playful mood, opening and closing their desks and shouting their
lessons in chorus. The teacher had to use his ruler to silence the class.
5. How did the classroom look different that last day? Whose presence was extraordinary?
For the first time in its existence, M. Hamel’s classroom looked like a classroom. There was a deep
silence in the class. No one spoke a word. All were sad. Besides, the presence of the villagers there
was extraordinary.
6. Why was that class to be the Last Class?
Alsace was conquered by the Prussians and as a result a new order came from Berlin to ban teaching
of French in the schools of Alsace. The order further said that all the French teachers like M. Hamel
had to leave the territory within a day and therefore that class was to be the last class.
7. How had Franz’ books become ‘old friends for him?
Friends become sweeter when they depart from us. With the ban on French, his books were also
going to separate from Franz and therefore they seemed to be old friends for him.
8. Franz related the extraordinary changes in the classroom to the ban on French that had been
published on the bulletin board. How?
When Franz passed the bulletin board at the Town Hall, he didn’t know what was so curious about
it. Later, when he reached his school there were changes and curiosity there too. Finally when he
was told of the ban on French and of M. Hamel’s transfer, he connected the order on the bulletin
board and the extraordinary changes in the classroom.
9. What did M. Hamel mean by, ‘And now you see where we’ve come out!’
The people of Alsace were generally unwilling to learn their language. They left learning to another
day and did all except that. Suddenly the ban on French was imposed by the Prussians and the people
had no time left to learn their mother tongue.
10. How does M. Hamel blame the parents of his students?
The parents of his students were, in M. Hamel’s opinion, greedy for money. They considered
learning less important than making a living. They used to send their children to work in the farms
and mills to earn an extra amount of money.
11. How is a nation’s language important for its citizens beyond the mere use for communication?
Language is primarily important for communication. Besides, it has the amazing power to bind a
nation together. Once a nation is thus united it can stand against all foreign aggressions and
safeguard its freedom.
12. The dead reaction to the beetles that flew into the classroom clearly said the children’s
resentment to the ban on French. Explain.
In M. Hamel’s school beetles used to swarm in and children used to take that for fun, too. But that
day there was an amazing change in the usual reactions to the beetles. Due to the shock and sadness
caused by the ban on French even the little children took no notice of the beetles.
13. What changes had happened in and outside the classroom during the forty years of M.
Hamel’s service? How do they speak of his incompetence?
M Hamel was sent to teach the Alsace population. Forty years passed yet Alsace remained illiterate.
Only the desks and benches had been worn smooth; the walnut-trees in the garden were taller, and
the hopvine that he had planted himself twined about the windows to the roof. Yet there was no
change or growth in the literacy and education levels of the people.
14. Why was Franz not able to understand if Mr. Wachter was teasing him or not?
Franz didn’t understand what Mr. Wachter meant by saying there was plenty of time for Franz to get
 to his school because he was illiterate and therefore didn’t understand the order published on the
bulletin board.
15. What hidden message did Watcher’s advice to Franz contain?
Wachter’s advice for Franz hid a message for him. Having had no safe way to communicate to Franz
and scared of working against the Prussian order, M Wachter was trying to tell him that there was no
need to rush to his school as there was no French taught there anymore.
16. Why did M. Hamel say that people should safeguard their language among themselves?
In M Hamel’s opinion language has great importance for every nation. If a nation is well literate,
there will be a great unity and understanding among the citizens. If a nation safeguards its language,
it is not likely that another nation can conquer it.
17. Why did Franz wonder if the Prussians would make even the pigeons coo in German?
Having felt helpless about the ban on French un the Prussian rule, France saw that imposing one’s
language upon the defeated nation is as inhuman as enslaving its people and it can be considered as
senseless as snatching the pigeon’s right to coo in any way it likes to.
18. How did old Hauser make a comic melodrama out of his presence in the class?
Hauser was an old man in Alsace. Like many others, he too was illiterate yet had an undying passion
for learning French. The sight of him with his old alphabet books, reciting lessons with the little boys
and girls, made everyone laugh at one point but at another point they felt sorry for him and for
themselves remembering the bitter reality that they would not have another day to learn their mother
tongue.
19. How far is a language important for a nation’s freedom?
A nation that stands separated cannot stand against its enemy. Language is one of the most powerful
elements that boosts the unity of a nation. If a nation has a single language it is said to be united and
no aggression can conquer it.
20. “What would I not have given to be able to say that dreadful rule for participle all through,
very loud and clear, and without one mistake?” What did Franz mean by this?
Franz wished if he could recite his lesson clearly, without any mistake so that he could please M
Hamel, the sad teacher just because Franz could recite his lesson without any error.
21. “Now those fellows out there will have the right to say to you…” What will the fellows rightly
say to the French men? OR What was the justification of the Prussians for imposing German
on the Alsace population?
The Prussians had all the right reasons to impose German on the French citizens. Even though it was
their way of annexing Alsace and Lorraine to Germany, they explained that it was their literacy
program meant for Alsace.
22. How does the author present a nation’s love for its lost freedom?
For the people of Alsace being conquered by another country wasn’t a new experience. But they had
never foreseen that their freedom to learn their own language would be taken away from them one
day. They had a teacher to teach them French but they never took him seriously. They used to put off
learning for another day but one day came without another day to follow. Their freedom to learn
their own language taken away from them, the people of Alsace realized its importance. Everyone,
young and old, reflected the loss of something whose importance they realized only when it was
taken away from them. They wanted their freedom back. They wished to learn their language as
intensely as their teacher wished to teach them in an hour’s time. The usually boisterous classroom
became a peaceful place of learning. Some felt a sudden love for their books that were once burden
for them while others wept with their books in hand. The teacher became emotional and accepted his
failure in teaching the people and his students strove to learn French in an hour. They hated the
Prussians and themselves for their lost freedom.
23. How was the last class a new lesson for Franz?
Franz was a typical child of Alsace. He too, like the others, had put off learning for another day. To
Franz learning French was very difficult. He loved anything except his own language. But when he
was told that there was no more chance to learn of his language, Franz felt guilty of not having taken
keen interest to learn it. It is obvious that Franz knew no French, if at all to read and write. All of a
sudden his love for learning his language grew strong in him. He paid his full attention to his master
Hamel. He understood every rule of the grammar, every sentence, very easy. The teacher no longer
 appeared to him cranky nor his terrible ruler any more terrorizing. He loved to learn French in an
hour. He felt very sorry for not learning. The last class was unforgettable for Franz.

____________________________________________________________________________________
_

Lost Spring

by Anees Jung

1. Write a detailed description of Seemapuri.

Seemapuri is a vast slumon the periphery of Delhi. Yet it is miles away fr4om it in advancement and
modernity. People who live there were squatters who had come from Bangladesh in 1971. Saheb’s family
was one among them. People in Seemapuri lived in structures of mud, with roofs of tin and tarpaulin,
devoid of sewage, drainage or running water. There are over 10 000 rag pickers in Seemapuri. They have
lived there for over 30 years without an identity. The government and the politicians remember them only
during election time for to them it is an important vote bank. Ironically, though they have no ID cards,
they are given ration cards which enables the government to get their names on the voters’list and to buy
grain from the ration shops. There was no school in the slum. The children roamed in the streets, an army
of barefoot boys who appeared like morning birds and disappeared at noon. For these rag pickers, garbage
was like gold. It was their daily bread, a roof over their heads, even if it was leaking. To the children, the
garbage was a treasure trove in which they could hope to find a coin or even a ten rupee note.

2. What does garbage mean to the adults and children of Seemapuri?

Garbage means gold to the adults. It was their daily bread, a roof over their heads, even if it was leaking.
It was a means of survival for the elders. To the children, the garbage was a treasure trove in which they
could hope to find a coin or even a ten rupee note. It was wrapped in wonder where they kept scrounging
with a hope of finding more.

3. Attempt a description of the bangle town of Firozabad.

Firozabad is a town famous for its bangles. Every family is engaged in making bangles. It is the centre of
India’s glass blowing industry where families have spent generations working around furnaces, welding
glass, making bangles for all the women in the land. The lanes in Firozabad are foul smelling and clogged
with garbage. The homes are hovels with crumbling walls, shaky doors, no windows, crowded with
families of humans and animals living together in a primeval state. In most dark huts, around the
flickering oil lamps, sit boys and girls with their fathers and mothers, welding pieces of coloured glass
into circles of bangles. Their eyes are more adjusted to the dark than the sunlight out side. About 20 000
children work in glass furnaces illegally and in pathetic conditions. They work in glass furnaces with high
temperatures, in dirty cells without air and light. This makes them lose their eyesight before they become
adults.

4. ‘The lives of bangle makers of Firozabad are colourless, drab and dull, unlike the colourful
bangles that they make.’ Justify the statement in light of the lesson, ‘The Lost Spring.’

The bangle makers of Firozabad make colourful bangles – sunny gold, paddy green, royal blue, pink,
purple – every colour born out of the colours of the rainbow. But the life they lived was colourless,
‘struggling in dingy cells and living in slums.’ The writer cites the example of Savita, a young girl, sitting
near an elderly woman and soldering pieces of glass. Although her hands moved mechanically, she didn’t
seem to know the sacred significance of the bangles for an Indian woman for whom it is suhag, a good
omen in marriage. She would only realize this when she becomes a bride. Likewise, most families in
Firozabad worked at furnaces, welding glass, making bangles. They worked in furnaces with high
temperatures, in dingy cells devoid of air and light. They often lost their sight before they turned adult.
The only accomplishment of Mukesh’s father was to build a shanty home for his family and to teach his
two sons the art of bangle making. He lived in a state of perpetual poverty, with not enough money to
renovate his hovel or send his two children to school.

5. Why don’t the bangle makers of Firozabad not form co-operatives?

The bangle makers of Firozabad live in a vicious circle of middlemen, the sahukars, the bureaucrats, the
politicians and the police. The perpetual state of poverty and mind numbing toil have killed all initiative
and the ability to dream. They lived in constant fear of being hauled up by the police, beaten and dragged
to the jail on the pretext of doing something illegal. There is no leader among them, no one who could
help them see things differently or infuse courage in them and give them hope. They seem to have
resigned themselves to the poverty and hard life with lethargic stoicism. They talk endlessly in a spiral
that moves from poverty to apathy to greed to injustice. Their families appear to be caught in a web of
poverty, burdened by the stigma of the caste in which they are born. Along with the art of bangle making,
the children seem to inherit the fear, exhaustion and apathy of their fathers and fore fathers.

6. How are Sahib and Mukesh similar. How are they different from each other?

Saheb and Mukesh are young children, representing the future of India. However, unlike most children
their age, survival itself is an intense challenge to the, Both of them hail from extremely poor families,
illiterate and insecure, and through generations their condition only seems to have worsened. While Saheb
is a squatter from Dhaka, Mukesh belongs to an impoverished family of bangle makers from Firozabad.
Saheb is a rag picker, barefoot and scrounging for gold in heaps of garbage. Mukesh works in a dingy
glass blowing factory, constantly exposed to high temperature, glass dust, dim light and the threat of
becoming blind early in life.

Most children are fortunate enough to attend school and enjoy the security and comforts of a family.
However Saheb and Mukesh are more like child labourers; working to supplement their family income.
Not attending work equals starvation and consistent poverty, insecurity and fear of police and agents have
robbed them of a secure, carefree and enjoyable childhood. Yet life is their teacher – the garbage dumps
and glass furnaces their school. Through all the hardships and the pain, they seem to have the courage and
grit to make something of their lives oneday like other children their age. Mukesh hopes to become a
motor mechanic someday. He is determined to walk the long distance to a far off garage to learn the job.
while Saheb dreams of being his own master.

7. Did Saheb enjoy the job at the tea stall? Why/why not?

One morning, the author of ‘Lost Spring, Stories of Stolen Childhood saw Saheb at the milk booth with a
steel canister in hand. Saheb informed the author that he now worked in a tea stall and was paid Rs 800
and all his meals. The author observed that Saheb had lost his carefree look and that the steel canister
seemed heavier than the plastic bag he would carry so lightly over his shoulder while going rag picking.
The bag had been his own while the canister belonged to the tea stall owner. Saheb was a paid labourer
and no longer his own master.

______________________________________________________________________________
Additional Questions & Answers

1. Where is Saheb coming from? Why did he have to leave his country?
Saheb is a rag picker who lives in Seemapuri on the Delhi-UP boarder. He came to Seemapuri from
Bangladesh with thousands of others forced by natural calamities there.
2. Why did the author realize that her advice was ‘hollow?’
On meeting Saheb the author advised him to go to school. But when she gave an afterthought the
author realized that the thought of going to school had never occurred to children like Saheb. For
them rag picking is more meaningful than schooling and learning.
3. Why was the author embarrassed when Saheb asked her if her school was ready?
Seeing Saheb ruining his childhood picking waste, the author once asked him if he would join her
school if she started one. Saheb gave her a positive answer. Another day when the two met, Saheb
asked her if her school was ready. The author suddenly felt speechless as she had not meant to start a
school as Saheb had expected.
4. How does Anees Jung explain the over sensitivity of the poor rag pickers to the rich men’s
promises?
Anees Jung strongly believes that the poor people are over sensitive to the promises of the rich. She
had experienced this in the case of Saheb who believed the fake promise of starting a school given
by her.
5. Why should there be a hard time for Saheb to believe the meaning of his name?
Saheb’s full name is Saheb-E-Alam which means the Lord of the Universe. Being a poor rag picker,
Saheb cannot believe that the Lord of the Universe is supposed to be like him and therefore he will
struggle to believe the meaning of his name.
6. How does the author reason the barefoot tradition of the rag pickers?
The rag pickers of Seemapuri are traditionally barefooted. The author is doubtful about the origin
and reasons behind this tradition of the rag pickers. She believes that it is an excuse to explain their
poverty. But on the other side she sees the possibilities of the traces of an ancient tradition preserved
by the poor rag pickers.
7. What does the story the man from Udupi told the author tell about the blindness to traditions
and religious stigma?
A man from Udupi once told the author his own story when he was a boy and his father a priest in
the temple. As a young boy he would go to school past this old temple and stop briefly to pray for a
pair of shoes. Thirty years later when the author visited his town and the temple, she saw a lot of
modern instances in the town and lifestyle of the people. The author means to indicate the timely
changes education brings to people and how the illiterate rag pickers remain unchanged, carrying the
rotten traditions.
8. How is Seemapuri both near and far away from Delhi?
Seemapuri is a backward area on the periphery of Delhi. Geographically it is very close to Delhi
whereas its traditions, standard of life and people are far behind the time.
9. Food is more important for survival than an identity. How is this statement true in the lives
of the Seemapuritan rag pickers?
Thousands of rag pickers live in Seemapuri. They do not have any identity in their society or in
the country. Yet they are happy for the fact that here they don’t need to starve as it used to be in
Bangladesh where they had come from.
10. How did Seemapuri turn out to be a better place for the Bangladeshis?
Seemapuri was a deserted area when the Bangladeshis arrived here three decades ago. They were
forced to come here due to the natural disasters in Bangladesh. They loved Seemapuri because
they could survive here. They had food and shelter here.
11. How do you understand rag picking having the proportions of a fine art in Seemapuri?
Like any other art form, rag picking possesses certain talents and rules. One needs guidance and
inborn talents to be a successful rag picker. He should know where to find garbage, what to take,
what to ignore, what time is best for it and so on. In Seemapuri every child is taught the essential
art of rag picking.
12. ‘It seems that for children, garbage has a meaning different from what it means to their
parents.’ Explain.
 In Seemapuri survival means rag picking. The elders have made it their profession for a fixed
wages whereas for the children rag picking is a game of treasure-hunting. They work through the
garbage with a hope that one day they would get a gold coin or a rupee note from the garbage
heap.
13. Why is Saheb keenly watching the neighbourhood tennis players?
Sometime Saheb can be found outside the club watching people play tennis. He is not interested in
playing tennis. He was content to watch the game from outside. He is more interested in using the
swing.
14. Whether Saheb likes or not, he is altogether changed for all his prosperity. What is the
change? What does this change suggest?
Saheb was once a rag picker and now works in a tea-shop, carrying milk for a better, fixed wages.
Unlike the others in his family and caste, Saheb’s willingness to opt another line of work other
than the traditional way of following his lineage is a mark of change in his life.
15. How is Mukesh’s attitude different from that of Saheb, both two sides of the same coin?
Mukesh and Saheb belong to slums and are forced to work as children. Saheb is cool and lack
much determination in life. He is less expressive. Changes happened to him unexpectedly.
Mukesh is determined and well planned. He is practical too. Unlike the rest of his people, Mukesh
is ready to rebel with the social set up and is optimistic about his bright future.
16. What is the incongruity of Mukesh’s dreaming to be a motor mechanic?
Mukesh belongs to a bangle-making family in Firozabad. His people believe that they have to
keep up with the traditions and that they have to do no other work other than bangle-making for
the auspiciousness of marriage in the country. But Mukesh wishes to be a motor mechanic which
is out of question in his tradition.
17. How does the author narrate the child labour prevailing in Firozabad?
Around 20,000 children are working in glass furnaces with high temperatures, in dingy cells
without air and light. Here they slog their daylight hours, often losing the brightness of their eyes.
Their eyes are more adjusted to the dark than to the light outside. Due to this they often end up
losing their eyesight before they become adults.
18. Karam and God-given lineage amply tell the sad picture of the stigma of religion that rules
the poor people of India? Explain.
India is still primitive in many spheres of life even in our time. A big majority of Indians in the
villages still believe the division of labour system that began centuries ago. When one is not doing
any better in life due to the unwillingness to adopt another profession, they accept it as God’s plan
and do the same work as if it is a God given lineage.
19. Which are the two hurdles that Mukesh has to break away for a better existence?
Mukesh has realized that being a bangle maker will not alleviate his poverty and therefore he
wishes to become a motor mechanic to be successful in his life. But doing any job other than
bangle making is out of question in his society. He has to first convince his family and society of
the need of undertaking another profession. If the society lets him choose his way, Mukesh has to
face an inconvincible group of middlemen, politicians and their watchdogs, the police of
Firozabad, who are altogether the sole beneficiaries.
20. Why is Saheb not his own master?
Saheb was his own master when he was a rag picker. He was not accountable to anyone nor was
he to work for someone. But now Saheb is working for a tea shop, having to carry milk from a
milk booth. Even though he is paid Rs.800 and all his meals, Saheb has lost his freedom to roam
with his friends and to be his own master.
21. How far is the change good for Saheb?
Saheb was once a carefree boy, with no responsibilities and tensions, and of course, no
achievements in life. But now he is a responsible boy, earning more than anyone in his society
does. While the others go on a lazy life, Saheb-e-Alam is rising to a prosperous life. Soon he will
be rich and leading a different life and a model for the rest of him.
22. In what sense is Mukesh’s father a failure?
Mukesh’s father was once a tailor before he became a bangle maker in Firozabad. He was a failure
in his life as he could not teach his two sons nothing other than the art of bangle making.
 23. Explain: Daring is not part of his growing up.
Mukesh’s society does not dare to question the social evils that they suffer under the middlemen
and politicians and policemen. Most people here believe that they are asked by god to carry on
this unprofitable profession of bangle making while some people blame their destiny for their
wretchedness. So no one is allowed to think differently and the question of how to overcome the
curse of the middlemen usually doesn’t arise among them because if any one dared to rise against
them, they are suppressed.
24. What do you mean by ‘stigma of caste?’
Religion has the power to make anyone anything. Once one got trapped by any religion, he is no
more ruled by reason; superstitions start ruling them. He finds reason for any senseless act of him
in the mirage created by the religion. This illusion is called stigma of religion.
25. What is the vicious circle for the people of Firozabad? Why is it called so?
People of Firozabad live in an illusionary world. Bangle makers over generations, they believe
that it is a God-given work that they are doing and feel proud of being bangle makers. In fact this
superstition is a trap for them. They are in an inescapable whirlpool, surrounded by beliefs and
traditions. They do not understand that the rich people and the politicians want them believe such
beliefs.
26. Do you think Mukesh will reach his goal of becoming a motor mechanic? Give reasons.
Yes, there are all the possibilities that Mukesh will one day become a motor mechanic. First of all
it is his unique ambition in life that he shares with none else in his society. He is aware of the
hurdles he has to face. His dream is a very reasonable and not far from his reach if he could
overthrow the middlemen or run away from them. If you have another question or another answer,
kindly ask us or answer us down there in the box.
27. How are politicians, agents, middlemen and policemen responsible for the misfortunes of the
people of Firozabad?
Firozabad may offer a livelihood for thousands of bangle makers but there a number of
businessmen and politicians who make a living out of them. Having found the bangle-makers of
Firozabad their potential source of income, these people keep the population of Firozabad
perpetually illiterate and under the shadow of fear and superstitions. Even when the poor and
suppressed people come forward to organize trade unions, they beat them up and put them in
prisons until their ability to revolt is subdued.

__________________________________________________________________________________
_____

DEEP WATER

1. Why was Douglas’ mother particular that he should not go to the Yakima river? How did she
manage to keep the son away? (Click on the questions to see the answers | Do you find this
inconvenient?)

The Yakima River was treacherous. Drowning was common in it. By reminding him of each drowning
incident, Douglas’ mother kept him away from the Yakima River.

2. What made the YMCA pool a safe place to learn swimming?

The YMCA pool at Yakima was not so deep. At the shallow area it was only three feet deep and at the
deepest end it was nine. Moreover, the bottom of the pool was tiled, its slope was gradual and the water
was clear.

3. What was the author’s early childhood fear of the water? How did it affect him in the rest of his
life?
The author and his father once went the beach of California when the former was three or four. While
playing in the surf of the sea, the author was knocked down by the water and was buried under it. His
breath was gone and a deep fear developed in his mind.

4. What was the misadventure that happened while William Douglas was making his attempt to
learn swimming in the YMCA pool?

Douglas was attempting to learn swimming in the YMCA pool. He was sitting on the side of the pool
waiting for other boys to come. Unexpectedly a fat boy arrived there, and, seeing Douglas sitting timidly,
grabbed him and threw him onto the deepest part of the pool and left him to drown.

‘5. I was frightened, but not yet frightened out of my wits.’ What does this mean?

It was quite unexpected that Douglas was thrown into the deepest part of the YMCA Pool. The fact that
he didn’t know swimming increased the risk and danger. But Douglas was not ready to overtaken by the
sheer fear of sinking. On the contrary he strengthened his mind and got ready to apply his wit to
overcome the situation.

6. What were Douglas’ plans when he went down the water the first time?

Douglas was frightened at being hauled into the deep water but was strategic even at such a crucial stage.
While sinking, he planned to make a leap once his feet touched the tiled bottom of the water and
consequently reach the surface and swim to the side and escape.

7. Douglas presents before us the true experience of dying which is not frightening but peaceful.
Explain.

Douglas’ experience of dying in the YMCA pool taught him an untold mystery about death. He says it is
a peaceful experience to die. People generally think of death as a frightening experience. When all efforts
to escape from death, one is left with no other choice than dying, a sort of peace wraps him. It wipes out
fear, it wipes out terror. There was no more panic. I t is quiet and peaceful. Nothing to be afraid of. One
feels it nice, to be drowsy, to go to sleep, no need to jump, too tired to jump. it is a feeling of being
carried gently, to float along in space, tender arms around us, tender arms like Mother’s.

8. Love for water could never die in Douglas. How did this statement come true to Douglas in the
years that followed?

Water was very cruel with Douglas since his childhood. Even though he had been frightened twice,
Douglas’ love for water was everlasting. After having undergone a fatal experience at the YMCA pool
Douglas didn’t give up his desire to learn swimming. He waited for his time and overcame the fear of
water and made himself a good swimmer.

9. How did Douglas decide to overcome his fear of water?

After the misadventure at the YMCA Pool, Douglas found his fears for water assuming an alarming
height. He decided to overcome this fear by getting effective training from a professional trainer.

10. But I was not finished. What was unfinished for Douglas?

At the end of his rigorous training to swim, Douglas’ trainer informed him that his job was completed.
Yet Douglas was not entirely satisfied. He had his own fears and anxieties regarding his swimming skills.
He wanted to overcome the last bit of fear from his mind.
11. What did Roosevelt mean when he said, ‘All we have to fear is fear itself?’ How did Douglas
realize this in his own life?

President Roosevelt believed that it is fear all we have to fear. People are afraid of fear. Even when the
mind wills to do certain acts, fear stops us from doing that. In the case of Douglas, too, he never feared
water. On the contrary he had great attachment to water. What he feared was the fear for water.

When William Douglas was just three or four years, his father took him to a beach in California. While
playing in the surf/waves, Douglas was knocked down by a huge wave. Though his father laughed at it,
little Douglas caught a fear of water. When he was a teenager, he tried to learn swimming in the YMCA
Pool at Yakima but got drowned in the pool, instead. He was but not ready to accept his defeat. With the
help of an instructor he learnt swimming and finally kept his fears aside.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

Q1. Douglas had a fear of water even before his experience of drowning in the Y.M.C.A pool?
Why?

Ans. At the age of three or four, Douglas had gone with his father to the beach. A powerful wave had
struck him and knocked him down while he was with his father in the surf. This experience had terrorized
him and this fear stayed even as he grew older.

Q2. What is the ‘misadventure’ that William Douglas speaks about?

Ans. The misadventure tool place when Douglas went swimming in the Y.M.C.A pool. A big bruiser of a
boy, about eighteen years old, picked him up and tossed him into the deep end. He swallowed a lot of
water and went at once to the bottom. He planned to hit the bottom and make a big jump and come to the
surface. But his plan failed and he almost had a brush with death.

Q3. What was the bruising experience that Douglas had at the Y.M.C.A?

Ans. To overcome his fear of water Douglas started learning swimming at the Y.M.C.A pool. However,
he was tossed into the deep end of the pool by a big boy of eighteen. Douglas almost drowned in the
incident and his fear of water became more intense and hard to overcome.

Q4. What were the series of emotions and fears that Douglas experienced when he was thrown into
the pool? What plans did he make to come to the surface?

Ans. Douglas was frightened when he was thrown into the water but he did not lose his wits. He made a
plan to make a big jump, to come to the surface, lie flat on it and paddle to the edge of the pool. He
summoned all his strength and made a great spring upwards but instead, he came up slowly. He opened
his eyes and saw nothing. He tried again but was seized by terror. He was shrieking underwater and was
paralyzed-stiff and rigid with fear. He only knew one thing – that he was alive.

Q5. How did this experience affect him?

Ans. This experience revived the fear of water. He felt weak and trembled as he walked home. He shook
and cried when he lay on his bed and could not eat anything that night. He was haunted by the frightening
experience. The slightest exertion upset him, making him wobbly in the knees and sick in the stomach.

Q6. What strategy did the author remember when he was drowning in the Y.M.C.A pool?
 Ans. Douglas thought that as he would hit the bottom of the tiled pool, he would spring up like a cork to
the surface, then lie flat on the water, strike out with his arms and thrash with his legs and reach the edge
of the pool. However, this plan failed.

Q7. ‘I crossed to oblivion and the curtain of life fell’. Why did the author make this remark?

Ans. The author had made three futile attempts to spring up to the surface but as his strength failed and
energy got exhausted, he gave up and stopped all his efforts. He relaxed and passed into a state of
unconsciousness and then there was no fear after that.

Q8. Why was Douglas determined to get over his fear of water?

Ans. Douglas after his misadventure and a near brush with death became so scared of water that he could
not go fishing, canoeing, boating and swimming. He tried hard to overcome his fear but it held him firmly
in its grip. Finally, one October he decided to get an instructor and learn to swim. He started going to the
pool 5 days a week, an hour each day.

Q9. What joys did his fear of water deprive him off?

Ans. The author’s fear of water-deprived him of the joy of having fun with his friends during their fishing
trips and also the thrill of canoeing, boating or swimming. The moment he would go near water, his fear
of water would start haunting him.

Q10. How did the instructor make a swimmer out of Douglas?

Ans. The instructor put a belt around Douglas and attached a rope to the belt which went through a pulley
that ran on an overhead cable. He held on to the rope and went back and forth across the pool for three
months, after which his terror of water slackened a bit. He could put his face underwater and exhale and
inhale with the nose out of the water. Then he learnt to kick with his legs for many weeks till he could
relax. After seven months he could swim the entire length of the pool.

Q11. How did Douglas make sure that he conquered the old terror?

Ans. Douglas would still feel the old terror even after the instructor taught him to swim. To overcome this
fear, he started talking to terror and challenged it. He would go for another length of the pool after talking
to terror. Still, to ensure that he conquered it completely he went to Lake Wentworth, dived at Triggers
Island and swam two miles to Stamp Act is land. He tried all strokes, put his face underwater, and
mocked at his terror which fled as he swam on.

Q12. What did the author mean by ‘But I was not finished’ after his swimming lessons with the
instructor were over?

Ans. The author’s remark meant that he was not sure whether his old terror had left him. He still felt
scared and frightened while swimming the length of the pool up and down.

Q13. What impression do you get of Douglas from the essay?

Ans. Douglas was a brave and strong-willed person. Despite his horrifying experiences in water when he
almost drowned, he didn’t give up. He resolved to overcome his fear by learning to swim. He hired an
instructor and with complete focus and determination, he succeeded in learning to swim.

Q14. What did Douglas experience as he went down to the bottom of the pool for the first time?
Ans. The movement towards the bottom of the pool after being tossed in it by a big boy was gradual as he
was in the deep side. He felt nine feet to be ninety. His lungs were ready to burst before he touched the
bottom. He did not lose his presence of mind and tried to make a great jump upwards.

Q15. What two things did Douglas dislike to do? Which one did he have to do and why?

Ans. Douglas was very thin and hated to show his skinny legs. He was also scared of going into the pool
alone. So he sat by the poolside and waited for others to come.

Q16. ‘On the way down I planned’, remarks Douglas. What plan had he devised and how far did it
succeed?

Ans. After being tossed into the deep side of the pool, Douglas planned to save himself from being
drowned. He decided to spring back to the surface like a cork after touching the bottom. Then he would
lie flat on it, paddle to the edge and save himself. His plan did not succeed. He tried to come up three
times by putting his plan to action, but he could not do so and swallowed a lot of water instead.

Q17. In what connection does Douglas mention ‘a big bruiser of a boy’?

Ans. Douglas talks about the boy who tossed him into the deep end of the Y.M.C.A pool. This boy was
about eighteen, he had a good physique and ‘was a big bruiser’ according to Douglas. This boy, after
Douglas almost drowned, exclaimed that he was only fooling.

Q18. How did Douglas initially feel when he went to the Y.M.C.A pool? What made him feel
comfortable?

Ans. As Douglas started going to the Y.M.C.A pool to learn how to swim. His childhood fears and
memories of the unpleasant experience were revived. He gradually regained some confidence and started
paddling with the help of water wings. He watched other boys and copied their style. Slowly he started
feeling more comfortable.

Q19. Give two character traits of Douglas that enabled him to overcome his fear of water.

Ans. Douglas had a strong-will and steadfastness of purpose. It is with the help of these two traits, i.e. his
determination and fixity of purpose that he was able to conquer terror and learn swimming.

Q20. What were the thoughts that came to Douglas’s mind when he was going towards the bottom
of the pool for the third time?

Ans. When Douglas went down the third time, his effort ceased. He relaxed and his legs felt limp. He felt
there was nothing to be afraid of. It was nice and he felt drowsy, ready to sleep, too tired to jump. He felt
he was floating and the tender arms of his mother were carrying him gently and putting him to sleep.

Q21. When did Douglas decide to learn swimming? What were the options available to him?

Ans. Douglas decided to learn swimming when he was ten or eleven years old. The options available to
him were the Yakima River and the YMCA pool. The Yakima River was dangerous and many had
drowned in it. So he closes the YMCA pool.

Q22. Why does Douglas recount a childhood experience of terror and his overcoming it?

Ans. Douglas suffered a handicap. He could not go for boating, swimming, canoeing and fishing. His
willpower and determination made him overcome it. He realised that there is the terror that fear produces.
In death there is peace. He had experienced both the sensation of dying and the terror that fear of it can
produce. So the will to live somehow grew in intensity. He felt a release when he overcame his fear.

Q21. What two things did Douglas dislike to do?

Ans. Douglas hated to walk naked into the pool and show his very thin legs. Secondly, he was afraid of
going into the pool alone. He would sit on the side of the pool and wait for others.

Q22. What shocking experience did Douglas have at YMCA pool?

Ans. At the age of ten or eleven, William O. Douglas decided to learn and swim at the YMCA pool
because it was only two or three feet deep at the shallow end. He had an aversion to the water but he felt
comfortable when he paddled with his new water wings in the water. One day he went to the pool when
no one else was there. He was waiting for others to come. Then there came a big bruiser of a boy who
picked Douglas and ducked him into the deep end. He landed in a sitting position, swallowed water and
went at once to the bottom. Though he was saved, his fear of water intensified after this misadventure.

Q23. Why did Douglas fail to come to the surface of the pool as he hoped to?

Ans. When Douglas was thrown into the pool by a muscular boy, he landed in a sitting position,
swallowed water and touched the bottom. He was frightened but he had not lost his wit. He thought of a
strategy to come up to the surface by making a big jump when his feet touched the bottom. But his lungs
were about to burst. He thought to spring back to the surface like a cock but he moved slowly. He grew
panicky and saw water everywhere. He reached up as if to catch a rope with his hands but he could not
clutch water and was paralysed.

Q24. How did Douglas’ introduction to YMCA pool revive his childhood fear of water?

Ans. At the age of ten or eleven, William O. Douglas decided to learn and swim at the Y.M.C.A pool
because it was only two or three feet deep at the shallow end. He had an aversion to the water but he felt
comfortable when he paddled with his new water wings in the water. One day he went to the pool when
no one else was there. He was waiting for others to come. Then there came a big bruiser who picked
Douglas and ducked him into the deep land. He landed in a sitting position, swallowed water and went at
once to the bottom. This misadventure revived his childhood fear of water.

25. When Douglas realised that he was sinking, how did he plan to save himself?

Ans. When Douglas was thrown into the deep water of the pool, he was terrified. He knew that going to
drown as he didn’t know to swim. So he thought of a strategy to save himself. He decided that as his feet
hit the bottom of the pool, he would make a big jump and come to the surface. Then he would swim to the
edge of the pool.

26. How did Douglas’ misadventure at the YMCA pool affect his later life?

Ans. Douglas’ misadventure at the YMCA pool developed an aversion of water in him. He suffered from,
hydrophobia and could not swim. As a result, he was devoid of pleasures of swimming, rafting, fishing,
canoeing and other water sports. This made him feel incomplete.

27. What factors led Douglas to decide in favour of Y.M.C.A. pool?

Ans. When Douglas was three years old, he was swept over by sea waves at the California beach. Since
then he developed an aversion to water. But he wanted to learn to swim. So he decided to learn to swim in
a safer place. The Y.M.C.A. pool was the safest pool with two or three feet deep at the shallow end and
nine feet at the deep side. It was very safe even for the beginners. Thus Douglas decided to learn to swim
at the Y.M.C.A. pool.

28. Why did Douglas go to Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire? How did he make his terror flee?

Ans. After getting training from the instructor, Douglas, in pursuit of complete elimination of the fear of
water, decided to go to various water bodies. Finally, he decided to go to go to Lake Wentworth to test
himself for fear. He swam there without fear, which made his confidant believe that he had chased away
all residual fears and terrors.

29. How did William Douglas’ aversion to water begin?

Ans. Douglas had a very bad experience at the age of three or four years. His father took him to the
beach in California and there he was knocked down by huge waves and was almost buried under water.
This left a scary impact on his mind. Second, when he was ten or eleven years old, a bruiser threw him
into the Y.M.C.A. pool. This time he narrowly escaped death. He was saved from getting drowned but an
aversion to water overpowered him. As a result, he became scared of water and couldn’t enjoy swimming,
canoeing, fishing or any other water sport.

30. How did Douglas’s experience at the YMCA pool affect him?

Ans. This incident spoiled the confidence of Douglas. He became hydrophobic and always avoided water.
The moment he entered the water, his limbs would become paralysed and a terror would grab him. This
fear ruined his fishing trips. He could not enjoy any water sports like canoeing, fishing, swimming, etc.
due to this fear of water.

31. How did Douglas remove his residual doubts about his fear of water?

Ans. The instructor worked with Douglas for seven months through rigorous training, the instructor made
him get rid of his fear of water. But still some vestiges of fear used to haunt Douglas whenever he was
alone in the water. So he decided to go the various water bodies to overcome his fear of water and
become confident.

32. What was Douglas’ initial reaction on being thrown into the pool?

Ans. When Douglas was thrown into the pool, he was frightened. He knew that he was going to drown as
he didn’t know to swim. But even then he was not out of his wits. On his way down the pool, he planned
that when he hit the bottom, he would make a big jump, come to the surface, lie flat on it and paddle to
the edge of the pool.

33. What sort of terror seized Douglas as he went down the water for a second time? How could he
feel that he was still alive?

Ans. When Douglas went down for a second time, panic seized him. His lungs ached, his head throbbed
and he was terrified. He was shrieking and was paralysed under water. But he could realise that he was
alive as he shook and trembled with fright. He didn’t give up and tried for a third time to save himself.

34. What was the immediate effect of Douglas’ experience of nearly drowning in the pool? And
what was the long-term effect?
Ans. The immediate effect was both physical and mental. He was sick and could not eat that night and
was weak at the knees. It took him many days to recover. The long-term effect was that he developed
hydrophobia, i.e. fear of water, and, as a result, he dreaded going near water to enjoy any water sport and
fishing.

35. What happened to Douglas when he failed in his attempt to come onto the surface of the water a
third time?

Ans. When Douglas was thrown into the pool, he tried his level best to save himself. He planned a
strategy to come onto the surface of the water. He tried twice but failed. As Douglas went down for the
third time, he sucked water as he tried to breathe air. Then all his efforts stopped. He had a blackout.
Everything became quiet and calm.

36. Why did Douglas want to overcome his fear of water?

Ans. Douglas wanted to overcome his fear of water because this fear had become his handicap. The
moment he entered the water, his limbs would become paralysed and terror would grab him. This fear
ruined all his fishing trips. He could not do canoeing, boating and swimming. So in order to enjoy his life
completely, he decided to overcome his fear of water.

37. Why couldn’t Douglas come up in his first attempt?

Ans. Douglas couldn’t come up in his first attempt, though he tried his best. His strategy didn’t work. His
strategy was that when his feet hit the bottom, he would make a big jump, come onto the surface, lie flat
on it and paddle to the edge. But by the time he reached the bottom, he felt as if his lungs were about to
burst and he became helpless.

38. How did Douglas get rid of all the residual fear of water that he had?

Ans. The instructor had built as swimmer out of Douglas. But still same vestiges of fear used to haunt S
whenever he was alone in the water. In order to get rid of all the residual fear, Douglas swam across
various water bodies. He went up to the Tieton to Conrad Meadows, up the Conrad Creek ‘Bail to Meade
Glacier and, finally, camped at Warm Lake.

39. Explain how Douglas felt when he was thrown into the pool. What plan did he make to come to
the surface?

Ans. When Douglas was thrown into the pool, he got frightened and a sense of panic gripped him. But
still was not out of his wits. He thought of a strategy to save himself. He decided that as his feet hit the
bottom of the pool, he would make a big jump and come to the surface. He would lie flat on it and paddle
to the edge of the pool.

Long Answers

Q1. How did the swimming instructor ‘build a swimmer’ out of Douglas?

Ans. William Douglas had a most frightening and nightmarish experience at the Y.M.C.A pool when a
boy of eighteen had tossed him into the pool and he had had a near brush with death. The terror that he
experienced and the resulting fear of water prevented him from enjoying fishing, canoeing, swimming
etc. with his friends. The fear became so deep-rooted that Douglas then decided to overcome it.

The first step he took was to get an instructor. The instructor made him swim five days a week and very
patiently taught him how to exhale underwater and inhale above water. He made him practise very hard
five days a week, an hour each day. His safety was ensured when the instructor put a belt around him,
with a hook and a rope attached to it. An overhead cable had a pulley in it and the rope going over it. The
instructor would hold the rope while Douglas swam from one end of the pool to the other. In about six
months, and with a lot of hard work and determination, Douglas was able to perfect the art of swimming.
His instructor had built a swimmer out of him, bit by bit.

Q2. A big boy threw Douglas into the swimming pool. How did this experience affect Douglas?

Ans. William Douglas had decided to overcome his childhood fear of water and joined the Y.M.C.A
swimming pool. He had gradually gathered confidence and was trying to learn swimming by using water
wings and aping other boys. Just when he was beginning to feel at ease, the misadventure happened.

A big boy, about eighteen years of age, saw Douglas sitting by the poolside and tossed him into the deep
side of the pool. Douglas was frightened but did not lose his wits. He planned the strategy of giving
himself a thrust just as he would touch the bottom and then move up to the surface of the water and float
towards the edge. His plans failed and thrice he went up and down in the water, being unable to reach the
surface and breathe. He had almost given up when he was rescued. The boy admitted that he was only
‘fooling’.

Douglas had to pay a heavy price for this ‘joke’. He was shocked and trembled when he recovered from
this incident. But worse was the fact that his fear turned into terror and a sort of phobia. He could not get
into the Cascades or bathe in the Warm Lake. He could not even go for fishing, canoeing, boating or
swimming. His fear of water deprived him of all the joys that he wanted to experience in the water. He
tried hard to overcome his fear but psychologically, the fear had a strong hold on him.

3. How did Douglas try to save himself from drowning in the YMCA pool?

Ans. When Douglas was flung into the swimming pool by a big boy, he became fearful. But he thought
rationally and planned a strategy to save himself self f from drowning. He decided that as he hit the
bottom of the pool, he would take a big jump to come to the surface of the water. Then he would lie flat
and paddle to the edge of the pool. But unfortunately, it took so long for him to reach the bottom and felt
as if his lungs would burst. Even then he tried to take a big jump using all his might but in vain. Once
again, he tried the same technique but his action did not produce the desired result. Finally, panic seized
him. His limbs got numb and he fainted.

4. How did Douglas develop an aversion to water?

Ans. When Douglas was three or four years old, his father took him to the beach in California. The waves
of the sea knocked him down and almost buried him in water. He was terrified and unable to breathe.
Since then he developed an aversion to water. Later on, when he was ten or eleven years old, one day
while sitting on the side of the swimming pool, he was flung into the pool by a bruiser.

It was really an encounter with death. He underwent a terrible experience in his attempt to save himself.
He almost drowned in water, which suffocated him, an abject fear immobilised his limbs. Though he was
rescued, he became hydrophobic. He could not swim and do any other water activities like canoeing,
fishing, boating, rafting, etc. Every time he came in contact with water, pangs of panic would paralyse
him. He spent many years of his life under this fear and then finally decided to conquer it.

5. Douglas fully realised the truth of Roosevelt’s statement, “All we have to fear is fear itself.” How
did this realization help him brush aside his fear and become an expert swimmer?
 Ans. Fear is a paralysing emotion. It restricts all kinds of efforts, creativity and all kinds of ventures that
one thinks of achieving. But with the help of grit, determination and hard work, fear can be conquered.
William Douglas proved this. He chased away his fear of water by first psychoanalysing it and then
treating it in a systematic manner. After his misadventure at YMCA pool, Douglas has developed
hydrophobia. In spite of that, he hired a professional trainer and learnt swimming step by step. Due to his
strong willpower and rigorous practice, Douglas was made a swimmer by the trainer. But even now
Douglas was not satisfied and set a higher benchmark for his perfection and devised various tests and
situations to defeat the fear in all forms. Thus, ultimately, Douglas was able to overpower his fear of
water completely and became an expert swimmer.

6. Desire, determination and diligence lead to success. Explain the value of these qualities in the
light of Douglas’ experience in Deep Water.

Ans. It is only through courage, desire and determination that man has succeeded in making the
impossible possible. The most appropriate example is William Douglas’ pursuit to overcome his fear of
water. After the terrible experience of almost drowning at the Y.M.C.A. swimming pool, Douglas
developed a fear of water. The moment he entered the water, pangs of panic paralysed his lumps. He
spent many years of his life, under this fear. But finally, he decided to overcome this fear and succeeded
in his attempts due to his relentless efforts and positive approach. He hired the services of an instructor,
who after rigorous training and special technique, built a swimmer out of him. It took Douglas almost
seven months to overcome this fear. But, finally, Douglas proved that it was courage, determination,
desire, diligence and optimism that made him get rid of fear.

7. ‘This handicap stayed with me as the years rolled by.’ Which handicap is being referred to and
what are the events that made Douglas handicapped?

Ans. The handicap being referred to is the fear of water Douglas had developed due to some unfortunate
incidents in his childhood. As a result, he could not enjoy water sports and swimming. When he was three
or four years old, his father took him to the beach in California. Douglas was knocked down by the sea
waves and was almost buried in water. He developed an aversion to water. Moreover, when he was ten or
eleven years old, a bruiser flung him into a swimming pool. At that time he had a terrible experience. He
was almost in the water, which suffocated him and the fear immobilised his limbs. However, he somehow
escaped drowning. Since then he was scared of water and could not enjoy canoeing, swimming, rafting,
fishing, etc. This became a handicap for him, as he was deprived of the joy of water sports and
swimming.

8. But I was not finished.’ Describe how Douglas gained confidence as a swimmer after the
instructor had left him.

Ans. Douglas was slowly made a swimmer by the instructor. He trained him to overcome his fear of
water, swim, move his legs and inhale and exhale while swimming. In seven months, the instructor made
a swimmer out of Douglas. But Douglas was not confident as yet. The vestiges of fear of water still
haunted him. So he decided to swim in various pools and lakes to completely overcome his fear. He went
to the Tieton to Conrad Meadows, up the Conrad Creek Trail, to Meade Glacier and finally swam in
Warm Lake. After this, Douglas was confident that he had completely overcome his fear of water.

9. Do you think that ‘Deep Water’ is an appropriate title? Give reasons in support of your answer.

Ans. ‘Deep Water’ is the most appropriate title for the chapter. Literally ‘deep water’ means ‘in trouble’.
The author suffered from hydrophobia and was really afraid of going deep in water. The misadventure at
the YMCA pool made his efforts more difficult when a big bruiser threw him into deep water. The author
underwent a series of emotions under water. He made a plan to come up to the surface of the water but
failed. He was somehow rescued and saved. In order to overcome his fear, he hired an instructor and
mastered each step of swimming. His grit, determination and rigorous practice enabled him to be an
expert swimmer. The title signifies that the phobia of water was very deep rooted and had to be pulled out
with great difficulty.

Q10. Roosevelt said, “All we have to fear is fear’. Do you agree? Take evidence from ‘Deep Water’
and express your views in 120-150 words.

Ans. Roosevelt rightly said that it is fear that is the greatest impediment in the path of success. It hampers
progress as it limits us. It is only when we overcome the fear that we can achieve success. Douglas had
an aversion for water. It deprived him of activities like swimming, boating, fishing and canoeing. He
decided to take steps to overcome this fear. He resolved to learn swimming by engaging an instructor.
The instructor built Douglas into a swimmer. In six months he conquered his fear. However, even though
he could now swim, he still felt terrified of water. With willpower and determination, he gradually
overcame fear.

Q11. Douglas was tossed into the pool by a bruiser of a boy Bullying is prevalent in schools and
colleges. Write an article on ‘Bullying, a threat to the development of a child.’

Ans. Douglas had developed a fear of water since childhood. At the Y.M.C.A Swimming Pool, a big
bruiser of a boy suddenly played a dangerous prank and pushed him into the water. The narrator was
frightened. Bullying can cause long-term problems to the victims of bullying. Educators and students
themselves have to take measures to curb this problem. Children must take the initiative and report the
cases immediately to parents and teachers. Douglas, with his determination and perseverance, could
overcome his fear. Similarly, victims of bullying can also do so. It is important for children to have open
communication with parents.

Q12.. Cases of older children bullying younger ones have become alarmingly common, especially in
the school How would you connect it to William Douglas’ experience at the YMCA swimming pool?
What is the mindset of the modern youth that is reflected through such incidents? Which values do
you think we must imbibe in order to change?

Ans. Bullying at school or at college is common. Senior students making fun and at times physically
assaulting and mentally torturing the juniors have become very common nowadays. This is what
happened with Douglas at the YMCA pool when a big bruiser threw him into the deep water. The youth
today When that by such acts they want to showcase their might. But they fail to understand that the one
who exerts his might on the weaker is the weakest. We need to speculate the reason for bullying others
and also the way to fight such bullies and to save ourselves. The first quality that the youth needs to
nurture is confidence in themselves and to be free from any complexes. They need to be honest and
accept their weakness or shortcomings bravely. They should never pretend to be over smart. On the other
hand, they should not allow everyone to order them or unnecessarily overpower them. The present youth
must imbibe the toughness, right approach, willpower and concerted efforts. Thus, if the present
generation is vigilant, confident and cautious, evils like bullying will soon be overcome.

Q13. There is terror only in the fear of death’, as Roosevelt knew when he said, ‘All we have to fear
is fear itself.’ Coming face to face with fear, instead of suppressing it, helps one to do away with it
completely, just like Douglas did in the story ‘Deep Water’. What qualities should one possess to
live a rich and fulfilling life by overcoming fear?
 Ans. Fear is just a state of mind and as Roosevelt has rightly said, ‘All we have to fear is fear itself.’ No
doubt, if one wants to live a fulfilled life, one must get rid of all kinds of fears that restrict one’s
happiness. But most of us live in the fear of one thing or the other throughout our life. One needs to be
strong and determined, like Douglas, to overcome fear. When he was flung into the pool by a bruiser,
Douglas did not give up. Though fearful, he showed his determination to save himself by attempting three
times to come on the surface. In spite of being hydrophobic, Douglas decided to conquer his fear of water.
It was only due to his willpower and perseverance that the instructor could build a swimmer out of him.
His persistent efforts and rigorous practice were the key factors. Even after the instructor told him that he
had become a swimmer, Douglas tested himself by swimming in different lakes and finally got
satisfaction at Warm Lake. It was his steadiness and tenacity which empowered him to fight and shed
away the fear from his mind.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
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The Rattrap
Selma Lagerlof

From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
The tramp went around selling small rattraps made of scrap wire. One day he was struck by the idea that
the whole world was nothing but a big rattrap. It existed only to set baits for people. It offered riches and
joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing in the same manner as the rattrap offered cheese. As soon as
someone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed in on him and then everything came to an end.

Why was he amused at this idea?

His own life was sad and monotonous. He was a vagabond, lonely and isolated from any family life. The
world had treated him harshly. So it gave him some joy to think of the world this way. It becomes a
pastime for him to think of people letting themselves being caught in the dangerous trap of others who are
still circling around the bait.

Did the rattrap maker expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?

The peddler was surprised at the kind of hospitality that he received at the crofter’s home. He was invited
inside with a smile and he was made to feel quite welcome instead of the usual hostile and sour faces that
he met. He was served hot porridge for supper and the crofter shared his pipe tobacco with him. They also
played a game of cards. Thus the tramp was treated well by the crofter.

What made the man think that he had fallen into a rattrap?

After stealing the money from the crofter, the tramp turned into the forest. He wanted to avoid walking on
the road. Confused and disoriented by the trees in the forest and the narrow twisting paths made him
realize that he was lost. Tired and cold, he lay down in despair feeling that the forest had transformed into
a rattrap. He felt guilty as if he was caught by the bait.

Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?

The peddler betrayed the trust that the crofter had on him by breaking the window pane and removing the
thirty kronors from the leather pouch. He had seen the crofter keeping the money in the pouch and
hanging it on a nail near the window frame.

What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
After having stolen thirty kronors from the crofter, the peddler realized that he could not walk on the
public highway and so he turned off the road into the woods. It was a big and confusing forest and the
paths twisted back and forth. He walked without coming to the end of the wood and finally realised that
he had been walking around in the same part of the forest. Recalling his thoughts about the world, and the
rattrap he realised that he had let himself to be fooled by a bait and had been caught.
Why did the iron master speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?

The iron master walked closely up to the peddler and looked him over very carefully. Due to the uncertain
reflection from the furnace he mistook the man as his old regimental comrade Captain Von Stahle. He
addressed the stranger as Nils Olof and invited him home to spend the Christmas with him and his
daughter.

Why did the peddler decline the invitation of the ironmaster?

The peddler was aware of the fact that the ironmaster had extended an invitation to his comrade, Captain
Von Stahle. He also knew that after stealing the crofter’s money, he was at a risk of getting caught. So, he
declined the invitation.

What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson’s invitation?

Edla’s ability to persuade and convince the peddler to stay on made him accept the invitation. She was
compassionate and friendly. She asked him not to be afraid and assured him that he could go away freely
after Christmas dinner. She begged him to join them for Christmas. Her sincerity and friendly nature
made the peddler accept the invitation.

What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?

Just as Edla lifted the peddler’s hat he jumped up abruptly and seemed to be quite frightened. Her kind
looks, her compassionate and friendly nature was unable to calm him. She thought that it looked as if he
had stolen something or had escaped from jail.

When did the iron master realize his mistake?

The iron master realised his mistake when he met the stranger the next morning. The valet had bathed
him, cut his hair and shaved him. Moreover, he was dressed in a suit which belonged to the iron master.
He wore a white shirt, a starched collar and whole shoes. When the iron master saw him in broad daylight
it was impossible to mistake him for an old acquaintance now. The iron master threatened to hand him
over to the sheriff.

How did the peddler defend himself against not having revealed his true identity?

The peddler explained that he had no pretensions regarding his true identity. He was not at fault. All
along he had maintained that he was a poor trader. He had requested to be allowed to stay alone. He was
willing to put on his rags again and go away.

Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?

Edla did not think it proper to chase away a human being whom they had invited to their house and had
promised him Christmas cheer. She understood the reality of the peddler’s life and wanted him to enjoy a
day with them. Hence she still entertained the peddler even after knowing the truth about him.

Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Edla was happy to see the gift left by the peddler. It was a small rattrap in which lay three wrinkled ten
kronor notes. There was also a letter written in a large jagged handwriting, a confession made by the
peddler. He did not want to embarrass her at this Christmas season.

Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain Von Stahle?

The iron master had invited the peddler to his house mistaking him for Captain Von Stahle. He was
welcomed there and looked after as a Captain, even after the reality became known. The peddler got a
chance to redeem himself from dishonest ways by acting as an honourable Captain. He did so by gifting
Edla a small rattrap with three wrinkled ten kronor notes and a letter saying that he did not want her to be
embarrassed this Christmas season by a thief and he wanted to be nice to her as if he were a real Captain.

‘The next day both men got up in good season’. Why? Who are the men and what did they do after
getting up?

The two men are the old crofter and the rattrap peddler. The crofter got up early in the morning to milk
his cow. His guest also wanted to get up because the host was up. Both left the cottage at the same time.
The crofter locked the door and put the key in his pocket. Thereafter, they both bade each other goodbye
and went their own way.

How did the peddler feel after robbing the crofter? Why did he discontinue walking on the public
highway?

The peddler after having stolen the money, felt pleased with himself. Then he realised the danger of being
caught by the police if he chose to go on the highway. Hence, he decided to continue his journey through
the dense woods to avoid getting caught.

Why did the blacksmith fail to notice the entry of the peddler in the forge?

The forge was a noisy place. The big bellows groaned and the burning coal made cracking sounds. The
fire boy was shovelling charcoal into the furnace noisily. A waterfall roared outside. Sharp north wind
made the rain strike the brick-tiled roof. Hence the blacksmith did not notice the peddler entering the
forge.

What two plans did the iron master reveal to his daughter at the breakfast on Christmas Eve? How
did the daughter react?

The iron master firstly decided that the old regimental comrade (the peddler) had to gain some flesh on
his bones. Then he must choose a different profession and not run around the country selling rattraps. The
daughter reacted by saying that there was no indication to show that he had once been an educated man.

'The Rattrap' is a story in which a good deed or an act of kindness changes a person’s view of the
world. Discuss with reference to the theme of the story.

The Rattrap’ is a story that proves the idea that the essential goodness of human beings can be awakened
through understanding and love. Circumstances had forced a peddler to indulge in petty crimes. He used
to sell rattraps made from scrap metal. But once he stole the money of the crofter who had given him
shelter. Pangs of guilt troubled him when he loses his way in the forest. His bitter and hardened
temperament receives a chance for repentance when he encounters the iron master and his daughter. The
author brings about an effective twist in the story to show that innate goodness exists in all human beings.
The iron master’s daughter showed him sympathy, love and respect and restored his dignity and self-
esteem. Motivated by Edla’s kindness, he redeemed himself by returning the stolen money and feeling
sorry for his deed.
How has the author of ‘The Rattrap’ developed the theme of the story?

The author, Selma Lagerlof, has used the 'rattrap' as a metaphor to develop the theme of the story. The
world is a rattrap where human beings constantly fall prey to various baits like riches and joys, food,
shelter, heat etc. that allure a person to fall into the rattrap. Once a person accepts the bait, he or she is
trapped forever. However, the author has brought across the idea that all human beings possess an
essential goodness that can be tapped through love, compassion and understanding. The peddler gets
tempted to steal the crofter’s money. Too afraid to move about in the open, he chooses to move through
the woods. Later, it is the kind, sympathetic and generous treatment given to him by Edla and her father
that helps him get transformed and free himself from the feelings of guilt.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

Why had the peddler to resort to petty thievery?

The rattrap seller lived mostly by selling rattraps that he himself made. At times, when his business did
not go well, he had to resort to petty thievery for survival.

What was the new line of thought the peddler once came across?
The peddler was once thinking about the rattraps. Suddenly he realized that the whole world is a
rattrap. The riches and luxuries and comforts are the baits. Like rats people allow themselves to be
tempted by these baits and get caught and end up life struggling to get out.

How is the peddler’s philosophy practical and true in the modern world?
The peddler found that the whole world with its riches and comforts alluring people is a rattrap. This is
even today a practical philosophy. The modern world is full of alluring things, people, places and
opportunities everywhere. Humans have an unquenched thirst for all these. Instinctively they desire to
achieve them but turn out to be trapped at the end. Addictions are the best examples.

Why was the peddler happy to think of the world as a rattrap?

The peddler was a struggling man and was therefore glad to see others getting into troubles. Moreover
most people he met were heartless and showed him no generosity. He wanted them to get into troubles
in life so that they could understand the sufferings of the poor and he could be happy to see them in
troubles.

Why was the peddler welcomed by the crofter? How did this amaze the peddler?
The Crofter was old, lonely and was in need of someone to talk to. This amazed the peddler because it
was not quite usual that anyone welcomed him so warmly and fed him so lovingly and behaved with
him so friendly.

‘The old man was just as generous with his confidences as with his porridge and tobacco.’
Explain.
The way the peddler was welcomed by the crofter was unusual. The crofter generously served him food
and let him stay with him. Besides he went to the extent of sharing his secrets with the peddler and
showed him his great treasure of an amount of thirty cronors.

What was the extraordinary ‘bossy’ of the Crofter?

The crofter was once able to support himself. But now he has become old and could not do labor as
before. He is now supported and taken care of by his cow whom he considers as his boss.

What made the Crofter show the peddler his money pouch?
When the crofter told the peddler that he had thirty kronor in possession, the latter seemed to have
disbelieved this. To prove himself true the crofter showed him the entire amount of thirty cronors.
Why did the peddler return to the Crofter’s house after half an hour?
Even though the peddler had been generously treated by the crofter, the former was tempted to steal his
thirty kronor and therefore he returned to the Crofter’s house when he was away.

What made the peddler take the woodland road to his destination?
After stealing the crofter’s money, the peddler began to feel insecure going the main road where he
could be easily arrested by the police. To avoid any risk he took the woodland road.

Having taken the Crofter’s money as bait, the peddler got trapped into a rattrap. What is the
irony in this?
The peddler believed his own philosophy that the whole world is a rattrap and the attractions here are
baits attracting people into its deadly doors. But by taking the crofter’s money, the peddler had
forgotten his philosophy and took the bait and allowed himself to be caught.

How did the hammer strokes rekindle the lost spirit in the peddler? Or How did the sounds from
the iron mill encourage the peddler?
Having wandered through the confusing forest and fallen down on the earth, the peddler thought that
his end had approached. But as his ears lay close to the earth, the peddler heard the regular thumping of
hammer strokes and guessed that was from an iron mill. He dragged himself to the direction of the
sounds hoping to get himself warmed from the chilling cold and dripping water and find a way out of
the forest.

Why did the Ironmaster invite the peddler his home?

The Ironmaster, the owner of the iron mill, was once in the army. He had a close regimental friend
there. His name was Nils Olof Von Stahle. After his retirement what the Ironmaster last heard of Von
Stahle was that he too had retired from the force. The peddler had the similar looks of Von Stahle and
the Ironmaster took him for his lost friend therefore wanted him to come to him home.

Why did the peddler refuse to go with the Ironmaster?

Initially the peddler was glad to be acknowledged as the Ironmaster’s friend, the captain, with a hope
that he could get some money from this confused gentleman. But when the Ironmaster asked him to
come home to his manor house, the peddler refused, suspecting some crazy intentions behind the
Ironmaster’s invitation.

Why did the peddler agree to go with Edla?

Edla Wilmansson was the Ironmaster’s daughter. She was not pretty or attractive yet was
compassionate. When she came and asked the peddler to come home, he agreed and went with her
because she seemed friendly and that boosted up the peddler’s confidence. Besides, probably he didn’t
want to be disturbed again.

How were the Ironmaster and his daughter different in their outlook?
The Ironmaster invited the peddler home for celebrating Christmas with his daughter and him because
he thought the peddler was his old friend and that they had none to celebrate Christmas with. The
Ironmaster was business minded and it was not the genuine compassion that made him treat the
peddler. But Edla was just the opposite. She was a fountain of true love for others. She had the same
compassion and love for the peddler even after knowing that the man was not her father’s regimental
friend.

Why did Edla intercede/request for the peddler?

Edla Willmansson, the Ironmaster’s daughter, had a soft corner for the peddler. She was sympathetic to
him because she was so to all the poor and suffering people. She had understood the essential value of
human beings, too. She interceded for the peddler because she had wished his presence with her family
as a Christmas friend, not as his father’s old regimental friend. She had believed in the true Christian
values such as charity and benevolence, which are in fact the spirit of Christmas.
 How did the peddler celebrate his Christmas at the manor house?
It was the first Christmas the peddler ever celebrated in his whole life so peacefully. The whole day and
throughout the Christmas night he was sleeping that was interrupted only by the calls to eat at intervals.

What was Edla’s Christmas gift for the peddler?

Edla Wilmansson didn’t give anything apparently to the peddler. She informed him that her father’s fur
coat that had been given to him was not to be returned. She told him that he would be welcome to the
manor house on every Christmas to spend a peaceful Christmas. But the real Christmas gift that Edla
gave the peddler was the great transformation that made him a new man.

Why did Edla sit dejected when she returned from the church?
Edla and her father had left the peddler home while they went to church for Christmas celebrations. But
in the church the crofter whose money the peddler had stolen earlier told everyone how and by whom
he had been robbed by a man who sold rattraps. Realizing that the same man was at her home and that
it was she who wanted him home and that he would have stolen everything, Edla felt dejected.

How did the peddler dare to consider himself as a captain? How far is that apt?
A captain is far refined than a peddler. When the peddler began to think and behave different from his
usual tramp way, he felt a need for change in his life. Moreover, the newly awakened man in the
peddler could command the old man in him to change, as a captain commands.

Do you think that the peddler had really changed?

Yes, the peddler changed his old way of life after staying with Edla and her father on a Christmas. He
did not take anything from Edla’s house even though he was able to. Besides, he returned the 30
cronors that he had stolen from the old crofter. Moreover, he calls himself ‘captain’ in the letter for
Edla. From all these, we can conclude that the peddler had changed.

Character sketch
The peddler was a man who dragged his cheerless existence, dreaming the ill fate of the rich people
whom he perceived as rats getting ready to be trapped in the world of traps. He carried with him this wish
and imagined the rich people who refused him a night’s stay at their homes getting trapped or getting into
troubles. A vagabond as he was, he never knew that there were good people among the rich lots. He
considered them all equally evil, heartless and brutal to all the poor people. He could never think of a
change of his work or attitude.
Even though he hated the rich people for their brutality and insensitivity, the peddler himself was
heartless with the people who helped him some time. The old crofter’s experience substantiates this. By
stealing the thirty hard earned Kronor of the old man, he behaved as mercilessly as the others used to
behave with [Link] spite of these ill feelings, the peddler had some positive traits as well. He was taught
to say good bye while leaving the crofter even though he was sure to steal his money after some time.
It is curious to hear him thanking Edla Wilmansson when she offered him a fur coat of her father. But the
most striking aspect of his personality is his change. He was not as stubborn and hard hearted as he
appeared to be while walking with the crofter’s money with a cheer of self esteem. With some people to
love him, care for him and to respect him as Captain, the peddler tasted the life of a respected and loved
man. This nasty fellow that the world considered him, made the biggest of his decisions to change his
ways and to become a respected and loved man. Last, but not the least, another aspect of the peddler is his
self reliance. Even though he knew that he could be employed by the Iron Master through the extended
sympathy of Edla, the peddler was greatly determined to seek his own fortune, far away from the
countryside. Thus, the peddler was a lot of goodness overgrown and entangled by weeds of ill will.
________________________________________________________________________
 INDIGO

Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being ‘resolute’?

Ans) Rajkumar Shukla was a man with a strong will power and determination. He had come all the way
from Champaran district to Lucknow to speak to Gandhiji. He accompanied Gandhiji everywhere, even to
the ashram near Ahmedabad. For weeks he never left Gandhiji’s side till he asked him to meet him at
Calcutta.

Why do you think the servants thought Gandhiji to be another peasant?

Ans) Shukla took Gandhiji to Rajendra Prasad’s house as a poor yeoman. Gandhi was dressed in a
simple dhoti and was accompanying a poor peasant. Hence the servants mistook him to be a peasant

List the places that Gandhi visited between his first meeting with Shukla and his arrival at
Champaran.

(Ans) Gandhi first met Shukla at Lucknow. Then he was in Cawnpore and other parts of India. He
returned to his ashram near Ahmedabad. Later he visited Calcutta, Patna and Muzaffarpur before arriving
at Champaran.

What did the peasants pay to the British landlords as rent? What did the British now want instead
and why? What would be the impact of synthetic indigo on the prices of natural indigo?

(Ans) The peasants used to pay indigo as rent to the British landlords. Germany had now
developed synthetic indigo. So the British landlords wanted money as compensation for being released
from natural arrangement. The prices of natural Indigo would go down due to the synthetic indigo.

The events of this part of the text illustrate Gandhi’s method of working. Can you identify some
instances of this method and link them to his ideas of Satyagraha and non-violence?

Ans) Gandhiji opposed unjust laws. His politics was intermingled with the day to day problems of
millions of Indians. He was willing to oppose the unjust laws and go to jail. The famous Dandi March is an
example of his law-breaking action. He broke the salt law. His disobedience was always peaceful and a
fight for truth and justice. This had a direct link to his ideas of Satyagraha and non-violence.

How did the episode change the plight of the peasants?

(Ans) The Champaran episode began as an attempt to ease the sufferings of large number of poor
peasants. He got the whole hearted support of thousands of people. Gandhiji admitted that he had done a
very ordinary thing. He declared that the British could not order him about in his own country. Hence he
considered the Champaran episode as a turning point in his life.

Why do you think Gandhi considered the Champaran episode to be a turning point in his life?

(Ans) The peasants were saved from spending time and money on court cases. After some years the
British planters gave up control of their estates. When these reverted to the peasants, indigo sharecropping
disappeared.

Why did Gandhi agree to a settlement of 25 percent refund to the farmers?

(Ans) For Gandhi the amount of the refund was less important than the fact that the landlords had
been forced to return part of the money and with it, part of their prestige. So he agreed to the settlement of
25 percent refund to the farmers.
(Q.49) How was Gandhi able to influence lawyers? Give instances.

Ans) Gandhi asked the lawyers what they would do if he was sentenced to prison. They said that
they had come to advise him. If he went to jail, they would return. Then Gandhi asked them about the
injustice to the sharecroppers. The lawyers held consultations. They concluded that it would be a shameful
desertion if they returned home. So they told Gandhi that they were ready to follow him into jail.

What was the attitude of the average Indian in smaller localities towards advocates of ‘home rule’?

Ans) Gandhi was received by Professor J.B Kriplani at Muzaffarpur railway station at midnight.
He had a large body of students with him. Sharecroppers from Champaran came on foot and by transport
to see Gandhi. The lawyers at Muzaffarpur also called on him. A vast multitude greeted Gandhi when he
reached Motihari railway station. Thousands of people demonstrated around the court room. This shows
that ordinary people also contributed to the freedom movement.

How do we know that ordinary people too contributed to the freedom movement?

(Ans) The average Indians in smaller localities were afraid to show sympathy for the advocates of
home-rule. Gandhi stayed at Muzaffarpur for two days in the home of professor Malkani, a teacher in a
government school. It was an extraordinary thing in those days for a government professor to give shelter
to one who opposed the government.

How did the development of synthetic indigo affect the English estate owners?

Ans) When Gandhi arrived in Champaran, he first set out to ascertain the facts. He wanted the
viewpoints of the landlords and the peasants. He visited the secretary of the British Landlords Association
to get to know their point of views. The secretary told him that he could give no information to an outsider.
Gandhi’s efforts proved futile.

Why did Gandhi meet the Secretary of the British landlords association on arriving in Champaran?
What was the secretary’s response?

(Ans) Most of the arable land in Champaran belonged to the English landlords who had signed a
long term contract with the peasants. The farmers planted 15% of their holdings with indigo and
surrendered it as rent. With the development of synthetic indigo, its cultivation was no longer profitable.
The landlords wanted to release the peasants of the contract and take money from them as compensation.

Why did Gandhi meet the British official commissioner of the Tirhut division?

(Ans) To understand the situation at Champaran, Gandhi wanted the viewpoints of the landlords
and the peasants. The secretary of the British landlords association refused to impart any information.
Gandhi, then, called on the British official commissioner of the Tirhut division. The commissioner bullied
Gandhi and advised him to leave Tirhut.

What was the conflict of duties in which Gandhi was involved?

(Ans) In court, Gandhi pleaded guilty for having disobeyed the official notice to quit Champaran.
He read out a statement claiming he was involved in a conflict of duties. He clarified that he disobeyed not
to break law and set a bad example but to render the humanitarian and national services for which he had
come to Champaran.

Why did Gandhi stay on in Champaran even after the sharecropper’s problems were solved?
Ans) Gandhi aimed at improving Champaran culturally and socially. The problems were many.
Health conditions were miserable. There was poverty, illiteracy and lack of sanitation. So he stayed on
even after the sharecropper’s problems were solved.

How did Gandhi teach his followers a lesson in self reliance?

Ans) Charles Freer Andrews, the English pacifist and follower of Gandhi came to bid him farewell.
Gandhi’s lawyer friends asked Andrews to stay on and support them. Gandhi vehemently opposed the
suggestion and asked them to face the crisis independently. If their cause was just, Gandhi said, they
would win the battle by relying on themselves.

Why did Gandhi consider freedom from fear more important than legal justice for the poor
peasants of Champaran?

Ans) The poor peasants were ruthlessly exploited by the landlords of Champaran. They engaged
lawyers to fight their battles. There was no respite for the farmers under the unjust system. When Gandhi
came to Champaran, he realised that the fear stricken peasants got no help from courts. The real relief for
them was to be free from fear of the British. Gandhi was summoned to appear in court for having refused
the official notice to quit Champaran. The news of Gandhi being in trouble with the authorities spread fast.
The peasants gathered in thousands around the court house. They shook off their fear and held
demonstrations. The officials were baffled and helpless. This voluntary uprising of the peasants was their
liberation from fear. For them, the British power was no longer unchallengeable.

Civil disobedience had triumphed the first time in modern India. Relate the events during Gandhi’s
stay in Champaran that led to the triumph.

(Ans) Gandhi visited Champaran to look into the problems of the poor peasants. At Motihari, he
was greeted by thousands of peasants. A peasant had been maltreated in a nearby village. Gandhi set out to
see him. The police ordered him to return. Gandhi complied. At home, he was served an official notice to
quit Champaran. Gandhi signed the receipt and wrote on it that would disobey the order. This was the
beginning of Civil disobedience. Gandhi received summons to appear in court the next day. The peasants
thronged the courtroom. The officials were powerless. Gandhi helped them regulate the crowd. The
magistrate postponed announcing the sentence by two hours and asked Gandhi to furnish bail. Gandhi
declined. The judge released him without bail. Later, the case was dropped by the Lt. Governor himself.
Civil disobedience had triumphed.

What idea do you get about Gandhiji from the Chapter ‘Indigo’?

(Ans) The chapter ’Indigo’ highlights the greatness of Gandhiji who was simple, unassuming and
at the same time, firm and resolute. He faced the officials and with conviction disregarded the orders to
leave Champaran. The case against him had to be dropped. He fearlessly faced four protracted interviews
with the Lt. Governor for the justice of the indigo sharecroppers. He broke the deadlock settling for only
25% refund. He was wise and judicious. He agreed because the refund instilled courage in the peasants as
the landlords were obliged to surrender part of their money and prestige. Gandhi demonstrated by his
actions an important lesson of self reliance in the freedom struggle. He refused the help of Mr. Andrews
and claimed that if the cause was just, one must rely on oneself.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

Who was Raj Kumar Shukla? Why did he want Gandhiji in Champaaran?

Raj Kumar Shukla was a peasant from Champaran. He was a sharecropper under the British landlords
there. The sharecropping system had become a big trouble for all the peasants in Champaran and there was
no one to help them. Shukla heard from someone that Gandhiji could solve their problems and therefore
wanted Gandhiji in Champaran.
What made Gandhiji accompany Raj Kumar Shukla to Champaran?

Gandhiji had no plan to involve himself in any mass movements. But when he heard about the miseries of
the Champaran peasants under the British landlords and that the Indian lawyers there didn’t do anything
honestly for the peasants and having seen the determination and tenacity of Shukla, Gandhiji decided to
accompany him to Champaran.

How were Gandhiji and Raj Kumar Shukla treated by Rajendra Prasad’s servants? Why?

Rajendra Prasad was an influential lawyer in Patna. Gandhiji had acquaintances with him too. But when he
reached his home with Raj Kumar Shukla, he was not at home. His servants thought that Gandhiji was also
an ‘untouchable’ as the peasants were generally considered and asked them to stay on the ground and
refused to drink water from the well.

Why did Gandhiji want to make a fresh enquiry into the sharecroppers’ problem?

Raj Kumar Shukla had given Gandhiji an exact account of the nature of problems in Champaran. But
Gandhiji, being a seeker of truth, wanted to gather all the facts regarding the sharecroppers’ problems
beyond what Shukla had imparted to him.

What was extraordinary about Professor Malkani’s accommodating Gandhiji in his home?

Professor Malkani was a British Government professor at Muzzafarpur and Gandhiji fighting against the
same government for freedom and home-rule. Generally no one harbored the advocates of home-rule for
fear of the British and therefore Professor Malkani’s act was extraordinary.

How did the Muzzafarpur lawyers look at Gandhiji’s presence in Champaran? What did Gandhiji
blame them for?

The Muzzafarpur lawyers were of the opinion that the sharecropping issue would never be solved. The
thought that this issue would be a long-term source of their income. So they convinced the poor, illiterate
peasants that there would be justice for them. Therefore these lawyers were unhappy with Gandhiji’s
arrival there to solve the sharecroppers’ issue.

What was the cause of the Champaran sharecroppers’ resentment?

The sharecropping system began a long time before Gandhiji was called to involve. The peasants were
already struggling under this. What aggravated the resentment was a new agreement the British landlords
had made the peasants to sign to pay a big amount to get free from the old agreement. The landlords did
this not to alleviate the peasant’s struggles but because they learnt that Germany had developed synthetic
indigo due to which the demand for natural indigo would decline.

Why did Gandhiji discourage the peasants and the lawyers from going to the court of law?

When Gandhiji saw that the illiterate peasants still relied on the Indian lawyers who promised justice for
them, he knew how foolish that was. Being himself a lawyer, Gandhiji saw that the poor Indians would not
get justice as long as the law, prosecutors, courts, judge and the accused being British.

Why were the sharecroppers ready to sign the agreement to pay the money to get released from the
previous agreement to plant indigo?

The peasants had already been suffering due to the age old agreement made by their forefathers. They
could not do any other work than the cultivation of indigo and therefore remained poor. When they were
told of the new agreement to pay a compensation to be released from the previous agreement, the peasants
found it better.
Why did the sharecroppers demand their money back?

The British landlords were very shrewd and knew how to exploit the poor, unlettered Indian peasants.
When they heard that the demand for natural indigo would soon fall and that the Champaran peasants
would be free from the agreement, they exhorted/took money from them before the peasants knew the true
story. But when the peasants knew the truth they realized that they were cheated and therefore wanted their
money back.

On what grounds was Gandhiji called an outsider? How did he react to that?

India was not a federal nation at the time when Gandhiji reached Champaran. The country was scattered
into kingly and princely states. Gandhiji belonged to the West of India while Champaran lay on the
extreme East. Though Gandhiji considered India as a whole, the British ruled it divided and therefore
Gandhiji came from outside Champaran, hence an outsider. Gandhiji felt angry to be considered an
outsider and he wanted to show the British who was outsider and who was insider.

Why was Gandhiji stopped on his way to the village where a peasant was maltreated?

While in Champaran, Gandhiji heard that a poor peasant of another village had been beaten by the
landlords’ men. Gandhiji and many of his followers went to see the situation. But Gandhiji was stopped by
the police fearing that his presence along with many furious people and the sight of the ill-treated peasant
would cause a mutiny in Champaran.

What did Gandhiji learn from the voluntary support of the villagers in Champaran?

Gandhiji had never foreseen the support he would have got from the peasants of Champaran. He was not
sure of the unity among this people but when he saw the voluntary support the uneducated peasants gave
him Gandhiji learned that what India wanted was a strong leader and that he could certainly win the battle
of Champaran.

How were the British authorities held helpless during Gandhiji’s trial?

The day when Gandhiji was tried in the Tirhut court, thousands of villagers surrounded the courthouse
announcing support for their leader. With their limited police force, the British authorities were helpless in
front of the mob fury. They were forced to seek Gandhiji’s help to save their face.

Both Gandhiji and the British authorities learnt lessons during his trial. What were the lessons?

Both Gandhiji and the British authorities were not aware of the unity and strength of the Indian peasantry
till they witnessed it at the time of Gandhiji’s trial. Gandhiji learned from this that a leader was what India
needed while the British became aware of the real threats to their existence in India.

What were the two types of duties Gandhiji brought to a conflict?

Being a lawyer himself Gandhiji amazed the lawyers and judge of the Tirhut Court with the accurate use
of eloquence and law points. He said that he was involved in a conflict of duties: one with the law of the
court and the other with his own conscience. He said he had to stand with his conscience because he
believed that serving people was more important than serving the law.

How did Gandhiji make the judge release him without bail?

The crafty British judge wanted to postpone the trial so as to get Gandhiji without the cover and support of
the peasants to put him behind the bars. Sensing this, Gandhiji declared that he was guilty and requested
the court to grand him his punishment. at this point, the judge was forced to announce the verdict and
released Gandhiji without bail.
What was the immediate reaction of the Indian lawyers when Gandhiji sought their advice?

Gandhiji was released on bail but was still in danger of being caught and tried in secret. Knowing this
Gandhiji sought the advice of the Indian lawyers. The lawyers were already discontent with him and
therefore said they would not mind if he went to prison.

When did Gandhiji announce that ‘the battle of Champaran was won?’ What made him say so?

The Indian lawyers behaved indifferently with Gandhiji when he was released on bail. But Gandhiji
reminded them that they would lose support and trust of the peasants if they didn’t help him. He further
explained that he was an outsider yet was going to jail for the peasants. At this crucial point the lawyers
discussed among themselves and announced their support for Gandhiji. Having secured the support of the
rich and poor, the educated and the uneducated, Gandhiji announced that the battle of Champaran was
won.

‘Civil disobedience had triumphed, the first time in modern India.’ Comment.

Gandhiji began his Civil Disobedient Movement in Champaran by refusing to leave the place as ordered
by the police authorities. His arrest and trial followed. But finally the judiciary had to release Gandhiji and
drop his case due to pressure from the peasants and thus his Civil Disobedient Movement became
successful in Champaran.

Why was Gandhiji ready to accept a meager compensation of only 25% of the money from the
landlords?

The Commission that was set up for solving the Champaran issue finally agreed to pay 25% of the money
as compensation to the peasants who had been fooled by the British landlords. Gandhiji, being the only
representative of the peasants, agreed to this suggestion of the Commission. Even though the amount was
very less for the peasants, Gandhiji considered the agreement to be a mile stone as it was the first instance
in the history of Indian freedom struggle when the British were forced to obey the Indians.

Gandhiji foiled the Commission’s hidden plans to help the British landlords by his tactful reply.
Explain what were the Commission’s hidden plans.

Even though the Commission seemed to be ready to solve the Champaran peasants, the British members of
the commission had some hidden intention in mind. They were prepared either to foil the Commission or
to save their money and prestige. It was for this that they disagreed to pay the 50% of the peasants’ money
even though Gandhiji’s demand was more than just. Gandhiji outwitted their hidden plans by unexpectedly
accepting their meager compensation amount.

How was the Champaran episode a turning point in Gandhiji’s life?

When Gandhiji undertook his mission in Champaran he was least certain about the cooperation and unity
of the people that would have turned out to be support for him. But the voluntary support they gave him at
his trial opened his eyes and Gandhiji placed himself the leader that the whole of India needed and began
his Freedom Struggle since then.

Who was Charles Freer Andrews? Why did Gandhiji’s friends want him in Champaran? Why was
Gandhiji against this?

Charles Freer Andrews was an English man, a close follower of Gandhiji with similar ideas of a pacifist.
He was a social worker in Champaran. When Gandhiji came to Champaran, Andrews was getting ready to
go to his new destination. Gandhiji’s friends thought of stopping Andrews in Champaran for Gandhiji’s
help. But Gandhiji read their minds and saw that they were depending on a foreigner for India’s freedom.
To show them the meaning of self reliance, Gandhiji refused to ask Andrews to stay with him.
Who was Charles Freer Andrews? Why did Gandhiji’s friends want him in Champaran? Why was
Gandhiji against this?

Charles Freer Andrews was an English man, a close follower of Gandhiji with similar ideas of a pacifist.
He was a social worker in Champaran. When Gandhiji came to Champaran, Andrews was getting ready to
go to his new destination. Gandhiji’s friends thought of stopping Andrews in Champaran for Gandhiji’s
help. But Gandhiji read their minds and saw that they were depending on a foreigner for India’s freedom.
To show them the meaning of self-reliance, Gandhiji refused to ask Andrews to stay with him.

What were Gandhiji’s contributions to Champaran?

Gandhiji came to Champaran to alleviate the distress of the the poor peasants who had been mercilessly
fooled by the British landlords and the Indian advocates who drained their money by false promising them
justice from a court that worked for the British. Even though his task was Herculean, Gandhiji found time
to improve the life of the peasants. He constructed temporary schools for the education of the people.

Getting his friends and followers to teach the unlettered people of Champaran, he brought about a lot of
changes in the people’s outlook. He saw that the hygienic standards in Champaran were nothing but
literally filthy. Gandhiji brought about a great change in the people’s awareness and outlook towards
cleanliness by teaching the women of Champaran the essential lessons of hygiene. Finding the health
conditions very pitiful, Gandhiji hired a doctor for six months and availed his service for the people.

Even though there were limited number of medicines available, Gandhiji managed to bring about a change
in the health of the people. The greatest contribution that Gandhiji did for the people of Champaran was
his leadership in the indigo issue but he didn’t ignore the people’s well being because his social worker
was not committed to abstract ideas.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
________

POETS AND PANCAKES

Q1. What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up?

Ans: The writer means the misery caused by the incandescent lights that poured out intense heat. The
make-up room of the Gemini Studios had bright bulbs in the room full of large mirrors that reflected the
glowing lights. Under such blazing heat make-up was done.

Q2. What is the example of national integration that the author refers to?

Ans: The make-up team and also those who came and went were from different states. It was headed by a
Bengali and next in hierarchy was a Maharashtrian, assisted by an Andhraite, a Madras Indian Christian,
an Anglo-Burmese and other local Tamils. It was truly a gang of nationally integrated make-up men.

Q3. What work did the ‘office boy’ do in the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the studios? Why was he
disappointed?

Ans: The office boy applied make-up to the crowds, mixing his paint in a giant vessel and slapping it on
the crowd players. He had joined the studios in the hope of becoming a star actor or a top screen writer,
director or lyrics writer. He was a bit of a poet. He was disappointed as he was placed low even in the
hierarchy of make-up men.
Q4. Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the studios?

Ans: The author’s job was to cut out newspaper clippings on a wide variety of subjects and store them in
files. Many of these had to be written out in hand. Seeing him sitting at his desk and tearing up
newspapers most people thought he had nothing to do at the studios.

Q5. Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on?

Ans: The office boy was frustrated because his hopes of making big in the movie world failed. He vent
his anger and frustration on Kothamangalam Subbu, the No. 2 in the studios, whom he held responsible
for his dishonour and neglect.

Q6. Who was Subbu’s principal?

Ans: S.S. Vasan, the founder of Gemini Studios, was the boss and Subbu’s Principal in the studios. Subbu
had a great loyalty to him. This made him identify himself with his principal completely. He turned his
entire creativity to his principal’s advantage.

Q7. Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. List four of his special abilities.

Ans: Subbu was a many-sided genius. He was born a Brahmin. It is a virtue in itself as it exposed him to
more affluent situations and people. Second, he had the ability to look cheerful at all times. Third, he
always had work for somebody. Fourth, he had great loyalty to his principal, S.S. Vasan, the Boss.

Q8. Why was the legal adviser referred to as the opposite by others?

Ans: The lawyer was the only one at the studios who wore pants, tie and sometimes a coat, unlike others
who wore khadi dhoti and shirt. His job was to give support and advise on problems, but in fact he
created problems. He brought the career of a brilliant actress to an end by terrorizing her. He was rightly
called an illegal adviser.

Q9. What made the lawyer stand out from the others at Gemini Studios?

Ans: The lawyer wore pants, a tie and sometimes a coat, while all wore khadi dhoti and white khadi shirt.
He looked alone and helpless. He was a man of cold logic in a crowd of dreamers. He was a neutral man
among Gandhiites and Khadiites.

Q10. Did the people at Gemini Studios have any particular political affiliations?

Ans: The people at Gemini Studios wore Khadi and worshipped Gandhi, but beyond that they had no
particular political interests or understanding. They only had opinions on communism, which they loathed
and looked down on communists. They considered communists as heartless atheists who are devoid of
emotions. They went about letting loose anarchy in the society.

Q11. Why was the Moral Re-Armament Army welcomed at Gemini Studios?

Ans: The Moral Re-Armament Army was invited to stage two plays, which were more like plain homilies
‘ (sermons/lectures) for the Gemini family. It was discovered only later that the group was part of the
movement countering international communism and Vasan had invited them under the influence of his
political interests.
Q12. Name one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced by the plays staged by MRA?

Ans: MRA staged two plays ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’. Their high quality costumes
and

well made sets earned a lot of admiration. Their sunrise and sunset scene impressed them so much that all
Tamil plays started reproducing the scene with a bare stage, a white background curtain and a tune
playing on the flute.

Q13. Who was the Boss of Gemini Studios?

Ans: Mr. S.S. Vasan, the founder of Gemini Studios was the Boss. Apart from producing films, he was an
editor of a popular Tamil weekly ‘Ananda Vikatan’. He was a great admirer of scholarly people. Subbu
seemed to enjoy an intimate relationship with him. Mr. Vasan is projected as a bit of showman here.

Q14. What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people at Gemini Studios?

Ans: The Englishman’s speech was peppered with words like ‘freedom’ and ‘democracy’ and the Gemini

family had no political interests, so they were dazed and a silent audience. Also, the Englishman’s accent
was difficult to understand, because of which all communication had failed. He was basically a poet and
that made no sense to the people whose life centered around a film studio.

Q15. Why was the Englishman’s visit referred to as unexplained mystery?

Ans: The Englishman was a poet whose name was not familiar. In his speech he talked about the thrills
and travails of an English poet, which made no sense for the simple people at Gemini Studios who had
had no exposure other than films and so they were not interested. These simple people had neither taste
for English poetry nor political interests. Hence, his visit is referred to as an unexplained mystery.

Q16. Who was the English visitor to the studios?

Ans: The English visitor to the studios was poet Stephen Spender, editor of British periodical ‘The
Encounter’.

Q17. How did the author discover who the English visitor to the studio was?

Ans: The author discovered his identity by reading his name on the pages of ‘The Encounter’ in the
British Council Library. He also knew about him from the paperback edition of the book The God That
Failed.

Q18. What does The God That Failed refer to?

Ans: The God That Failed refers to a book that was a compilation of six essays by six eminent men. It
was a low priced student edition released to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Russian
Revolution. It dealt with the author’s disillusionment with communism.

Q1. The author has used gentle humour to point out human foibles. Pick out instances of this to show how
this serves to make the piece interesting?
Ans: ‘Poets and Pancakes’ has an underlying tone of humour which is satirical and has been deployed by
the author to point out human foibles. It is mainly manifested in his description of the make-up room
people.

The make-up room, he says, was in a building that had once been the stables of Robert Clive. He further
makes fun of the make-up team that slapped make-up. Ironically, the make-up turned any normal man
into a hideous monster, far from being presentable. He also refers to the fiery misery of the actors when
their make-up was done under the bright bulbs, large mirrors reflecting blazing heat. His description of
Subbu’s No. 2 position in Gemini Studios, the frustration of the office boy and the opposite role played
by the legal adviser in the acting career of a countryside girl are humorously dealt with but effectively
bring out the flaws in the set-up.

The showmanship of the boss and what influences his guest list point out human weaknesses in a light-
hearted manner. The humour is at its peak in the description of the visit of Stephen Spender. S.S. Vasan’s
reading a long speech in his honour but he too knew precious little about him. Spender’s accent is highly
unintelligible. Then the author’s establishing long lost brother’s relationship with the English visitor is
also funny and humorous. All these slight digs at human foibles tickle in us humour.

Q2. Why was Kothamangaiam Subbu considered No. 2 in Gemini Studios?

Ans: Kothamangaiam Subbu was on the attendance roll with the story department and was No. 2 at
Gemini Studios not by virtue of any merit, but because he was a Brahmin with affluent exposure. He was
cheerful and had a sense of loyalty that placed him close to the Boss. He was quick to delegate work to
others. As if tailor-made for films, sparks of his creativity showed in his suggestions on how to create
shots. He composed poetry, scripted a story and a novel. He gave direction and definition to Gemini
Studios during its golden years. He performed in a subsidiary role better than the main players. He had a
genuine love for his relatives and near and dear ones. His extravagant hospitality was popular among his
relatives and acquaintances, probably that is why he had enemies.

Q3. How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at Gemini
Studios?

Ans: The Gemini Studios witnessed a surprising visit by a tall Englishman who was proclaimed to be a
poet. The welcome speech by the Boss was delivered in the most general terms, which only showed that
even the Boss did not know much about him. The poet talked about the thrill and travails of an English
poet which made no sense to the simple people at Gemini Studios. They had no exposure other than films
and so, they were not interested. Also, words like democracy and freedom that featured in his speech held
no interest for them as they had no political thought or interests. Moreover, the Englishman’s accent was
difficult to understand, because of which all communications failed. He was basically a poet and that
made no sense to the people whose life centred round a film studio. Therefore, his visit remained an
unexplained mystery for much time.

Q4. What do you understand about the author’s literary inclinations from the account?

Ans: The author, Asokamitran, was entrusted with the job of maintaining the newspaper clippings of
movies and other articles. Though to others, who just saw him tearing papers, he appeared to be doing
nothing, the job kept the author well informed. Also, there prevailed an intellectual environment to some
extent because the poets and script writers used to hang out there in the mess that served coffee any time
of the day. The author would pick up fifty paisa copies of journals from the footpath and took part in the
poetry writing competition. He actually read essays ‘The God Who Failed’ to know more about the poet
Stephen Spender. All these are evidence that he had some literary taste.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q1. How does the writer describe the make-up room of the Gemini Studios?

Ans: The make-up room of the Gemini Studios had incandescent lights. It also had lights at all angles
around large mirrors. Those subjected to make-up had to face bright light and a lot of heat there. It was on
the upper floor of the building that was believed to have been Robert Clive’s stables.

Q2. Bring out the humour in the job of the make-up men.

Ans: The make-up men came from all corners of the country and could transform any decent-looking
person into a repulsive crimson coloured fiend and made people look uglier than they were in real life.
They used truck loads of pancakes and locally manufactured potions and lotions to transform the looks of
the actors.

Q3. How was the make-up room a fine example of national integration?

Ans: Transcending all the barriers of regions, religions and castes, people from all over India came to
Gemini Studios for jobs. The make-up department was headed by a Bengali, succeeded by a
Maharashtrian, assisted by a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madrasi, Christian and an Anglo Burmese
and the usual local Tamils. Hence, the writer finds in the make-up department a perfect example of
national integration.

Q4. Why did the author appear to do nothing in the studio?

Ans : The author’s job in the studio was to cut newspaper dippings of all the relevant news items and
articles that appeared in different newspapers and maintain a record of the same. This tearing of
newspaper gave an impression that he was free and simply whiling away his time. People used to barge in
his cubicle and lectured him.

Q5. Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on and how?

Ans: The office boy had joined the studio years back. He aspired to be a top film star, or top screen
writer, lyricist or director. He felt frustrated on not being able to realise his dreams and had been given a
job much below his calibre and dignity. He blamed Kothamangalam Subbu for all his woes, ignominy
and neglect. He often gave vent to his frustrations in the narrator’s cubicle. The narrator yearned for relief
from the never-ending babble of the office boy.

Q6. Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. Justify.

Ans: Kothamangalam Subbu may not have had much formal education but, by virtue of his being born as
a Brahmin, he had had exposure to many affluent situations and people. He had the ability to look
cheerful at all times, even after a setback. He was always full of creative ideas. Above all, he was a
charitable and extravagant man and hospitable to his relations. His loyalty had put him close to his boss.
But he seemed to others a sycophant and a flatterer and, probably, that was the reason he had enemies.

Q7. How did the lawyer unwittingly bring an end to a brief and brilliant career of a young actress?
Ans: A talented but very temperamental actress lost her cool on the sets. The lawyer recorded her outburst
and played it back, much to her embarrassment. The actress from the countryside was so terror- struck
that she retreated and never got back to films. In this way, his mischief making brought an abrupt end to
the brilliant actress’ career.

Q8. Why did the magazine, ‘The Encounter’, ring a bell in the writer’s mind?

Ans: The writer wanted to participate in a short story writing contest organized by ‘The Encounter’, a
British publication. Before sending his entry, he waited, confirm the authenticity of the periodical, so he
visited the British Council Library. When the author read the editor’s name, a bell rang in his mind. It was
Stephen Spender, the poet who had visited the Gemini Studios.

Q9. What was significant about the book which the author took from roadside?

Ans: ‘The God That failed’ was the name of the book which caught the attention of the author. It
contained the essays of six eminent men, who described their journey into communism and their return
from it after being disillusioned. It suddenly assumed great significance for the author as he discovered
that one of the essays had been written by Stephen Spender, the poet, who had visited the studio. He now
understood the reason for his having been invited.

Q10. What do you understand about the author’s literary inclinations from the account?

Ans: The author was very knowledgeable young man whose job required him to pour over the newspaper
all day long. His interest in creative writing and participating in story writing contests indicates his
interest in literature. This interest was so keen that he read books on varied subjects and went about
buying them even when he was short of money.

Q11. What kind of people, according to the author, are meant for prose writing?

Ans: According to the author, prose writing is not the pursuit of a genius. It is for the patient, persistent
and persevering drudge whose heart can take rejections and whose spirit to keep trying does not get killed
so easily.

Q12. Why was Gemini Studios a favourite haunt of poets?

Ans: Gemini Studios was a favourite haunt of poets as it had an excellent mess which supplied good
coffee at all times of the day and for most part of the night. Meeting there was a satisfying entertainment.
Moreover, Mr. Vasan was a great admirer of scholarly people.

Q13. ‘Prose writing is not and cannot be the true pursuit of a genius’, says the author. Explain the
statement.

Ans: In this statement, the author says that prose writing can’t be the true pursuit of a genius because it is
always rejected. A genius is not that is accepted everywhere. The author states all this with criticism that
prose writing is actually meant for rejection. Prose writers are patient, persistent and persevering drudges.
They can’t be down played by rejection slips. Everytime he gets a rejection slip for his manuscript, he
starts making a fresh copy and sends it to another publisher with return postage.

Q14. ‘Suddenly the book assumed tremendous significance.’ Explain the statement.
Ans: The author bought one copy of the book ‘The God That Failed’ from the footpath. Six eminent men
of letters in six separate essays describe their journey into communism and their disillusioned return.
Among them one was Stephen Spender. The author at once recollected that Stephen Spender had visited
Gemini Studios. He knew about the mystery of his visit now. So, the book assumed tremendous
significance for him.

Q15. Explain the appropriateness of the title ‘Poets and Pancakes’?

Ans: The chapter describes Gemini Studios and its functioning very clearly. Its employees are little
unrecognized poets. Though they work in a film studio, the focus is on the author’s station in the Studios
as a make-up boy using pancakes on crowd players, and how he failed as a poet. So, the title is
appropriate.

Q16. How humorously does the author describe Frank Buchman’s Moral Re-Armament Army?

Ans: The author humorously calls the Moral Re-Armament Army after someone as ‘an international
circus’. Then he states that they were not very good on the trapeze. Their acquaintance with animals
should have been much as animals play tricks in a circus. “But the group ate animals”, says the author
their acquaintance with animals was only at the dining table.

Q17. What was thought of a communist by the studios people?

Ans: According to these people, a communist was a godless man. He had no filial or conjugal love. He
had compunction about killing his own parents and children. He was always out to cause and spread
unrest and violence among the innocent and ignorant people.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

Question 1.

Why did the legal adviser lose his job in the Gemini Studios?

The legal adviser worked in the story department of the Gemini Studios which was later closed by the
boss. So, in this way, the legal adviser lost his job.

Question 2.

What do you understand by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make up?

The makeup room was glowed by many incandescent lights which produced very fiery heat. Artists had
to face that extreme heat as they had to sit there for makeup. They were pitiful and could not do anything
in this regard.

Question 3.

What was the poet’s preconceived idea about communism?

The poet opined that the communists were heart-less and godless persons. They did not love their wife,
children as well as relatives. They were always ready for violence and to tease the innocent people.
Question 4.

Who was Greta Garbo?

Greta Garbo was a Swedish actress who received honorary Oscar for her unforgettable screen
performances. Guiness Book of World Records named her the most beautiful woman who ever lived and
she was also voted Best Silent Actress of the country.

Question 5.

What do you infer of Robert Clive from the text?

Robert Clive was Commander-in-Chief of British India who owned many buildings in Madras and fought
many battles and married a maiden in St. Mary’s Church in Fort St. George in Madras.

Question 6.

What do you understand by national integration?

The national integration is a combination which consists of each and every, many castes, tribes and
communities in it. National Integration is above than any of the religion or thinking and it unites various
people from various places and cultures.

Question 7.

What is a hierarchy?

Hierarchy is a process in which members of any of the organigation or society are ranked according to
relatives their, their status and authorities.

Question 8.

What is the designation‘a office boy’ signify?

The office boy is a person of no age limit who works in various offices and departments. He simply does
the ordinary or menial tasks as fetching the coffee or drinks, filing, introducing visitors to the office etc.

Question 9.

What happened with Subbu’s literary achieve-ments? ‘

Though, Subbu was a tailor made for films but he had a talent of poetry and writing novels. Later, as his
filmy career grew higher, his literary talent and achievements were overshadowed and dwarfed by his
own success.
Question 10.

What could be the reason of the shut of the story department?

The story department was comprised of many poets and writers and also a lawyer with them. But later, it
was closed. The possible reason for the shutting down of the story department may be its uselessness or
unbearable expenses or regular salary of the members and less output in return.

Question 11.

Which poets from England were known to the Gemini Studios’ staff ?

The ordinary staff of the Gemini Studios knew or heard about Wordsworth and Tennyson; and the more
literate ones knew of Keats, Shelly and Byron or about Eliot. But they didn’t know about Stephen
Spender, who was invited at the Gemini Studios.

Question 12.

‘The God That Failed’ was the composition of six eminent men of letters. Describe.

The God That Failed’ contained six separate essays of six renowned essayists about their journeys into
communism and their disillusioned return. Those six distinguished writers were : Andre Gide, Richard
Wright, Ignazio Silone, Arthur Koestler, Louis Fischer and Stephen Spender.

Question 13.

What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up?

The writer means that the artists who were subjected to make-up had to bear very intense heat due to the
multiple incandescent lights and reflecting big mirrors.

Question 14.

What is the example of national integration that the author refers to?

Make-up department is the fine example of national integration that the author refers to as people from
various and distinct parts of India used to work there together.

Question 15.

What work did the ‘office boy’ do in the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the studios? Why was he
disappointed?

During the crowd shooting in the Gemini Studios, the office boy used to paint their faces slapping with
heavy paint. Thinking that he would become a top star, screen writer or a director or lyrics writer; he
joined the Gemini Studios. He couldn’t succeed and was disappointed due to his faliure and thought that
his talent was going to be wasted.
Question 16.

Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the studios?

The author’s duty was to cut the newspaper clip-pings for the subject, arrange them in a file and some-
times writing by hand and this work appeared to be ^useless or valueless in others’ view.

Question 17.

Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on?

The office boy was frustrated because he assumed that his talent was being wasted working in a
department that was suitable only for barbers and perverts. He showed his anger on Kothamangalam
Subbu for his negligence and dishonour.

Question 18.

Who was Subbu’s principal?

Mr. S.S. Vasan, the owner of the Gemini Studios, was the principal of Subbu.

Question 19.

Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. List four of his special abilities.

Though Subbu was a versatile character having many qualities, nevertheless his main four abilites can be
counted as following: he was tailor-made for films, could solve any of the problem; he, being a poet could
write any type of poetry; he was always joyful and having very sound relationship with his relatives and
acquaintances; and lastly he was also having a talent of writing novels.

Question 20.

Why was the legal advisor referred to as the opposite by others?

Instead of solving the legal problems of the people, the legal advisor himself used to create problems for
them. Once, when a talented heroine heard her own voice, she was disappointed and her growth and
career became steady and unfruitful.

Question 21.

What made the lawyer stand out from the others at Gemini Studios?

The lawyer, in comparision with other members of story department, used to wear trousers, shirts and tie
whereas others wore dhotis and especially khadi. So, sometimes wearing a coat also, the lawyer stood out
different from others.

Question 22.

Did the people at Gemini Studios have any particular political affiliations?
No, the people at Gemini Studios had no political affiliations. They wore khadi and were devotees of
Gandhiji. They didn’t have any opinion about any political party or even with communism.

Question 23.

Why was the Moral Re-armament Army welcomed at the Studios?

The Moral Rearmement Army was welcomed at the Gemini Studios as they staged two successful plays
many a times and the army was invited by the owner of the Gemini Studios. They were also appreciated
for their sense of costumes and arrangements.

Question 24.

Give one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced by the plays staged by MRA.

The Gemini Studios was actually influenced by the sunset and sunrise scenes presented by MRA through
their play ‘Jotham Valley’, The scene seemed to be unique with white background and a tune played on
the flute.

Question 25.

Who was the boss of Gemini Studios?

Mr. S.S. Vasan was the boss of Gemini Studios.

Question 26.

What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people at Gemini Studios?

People at the Gemini Studios were totally unknown about the strange accent of the Englishman and
couldn’t understand his wordings so this was the cause of lack of communication.

Question 27.

Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to as unexplained mystery?

Englishman’s visit is referred to as unexplained mystery because nobody could understand the purpose of
his visit as studio’s people made Tamil films for the simplest sort of people and they had no taste for
English poetry.

Question 28.

Who was the English visitor to the studios?

Stephen Spender, an English poet and editor was the English visitor to the Gemini Studios.

Question 29.

How did the author discover who the English visitor to the studio was?
The author was interested in a contest organised by a British periodical ‘The Encounter’. So for
periodicals, he went to British council library where he saw the prints of ‘The Encounter’. He discovered
the editor’s name which was ‘Stephen Spender’ an Englishman who visited the Gemini Studios.

Question 30.

What does ‘The God That Failed’ refer to?

‘The God That Failed’ refers to a collection of six essays by six eminent men of letters. It was their
journey to enter into the communism and their dis-illusioned return.

Question 32.

Why was Kothamangalam Subbu considered No.2 in Gemini Studios?

Kothammangalam Subbu, a Brahmin was a multi-talented personality. He used to solve each and every
problem of Gemini Studios. He was very close to the boss and was always seemed with him. He
commanded all the activities of all the persons related to the Gemini Studios. So we can say that Subbu
was the next boss of the Gemini Studios.

Question 1.

Write a brief note on what you have learnt about Subbu’s Character?

Subbu, Kothamangalam Subbu was a Brahmin by caste and placed at no. 2 position at the Gemini
Studios. He always remained cheerful and satisfied. Though he was very generous to all people of the
Gemini Studios as well as all the relatives and acquaintances, yet he too was having his woes. People
disliked him because of his closeness to the boss. He was very loyal to his boss.

At Gemini Studios, he had the solution of all problems at one place. He seemed to be indulged in every
important affair of the company. He also had the artistic talent as he was a poet and novelist also. He used
to write in a simple way for common mass as he composed several folk dictions and deftly created
characters for novel. He was an amazing actor though never acted for a lead role but got more praise than
the main character. He was a tailor-made actor with unmatchable capacities.

Question 2.

What was Moral Re-armament Army? Describe about their journey to the Gemini Studios?

Frank Buchman’s Moral Re-armament Army came to the Gemini Studios in 1952. It was a drama
company with 200 strong and expert artists named as international cricus. All those persons belonged to
twenty different countries. They performed two different plays successfully representing simple homilies
with fine dressings and an effective set.

Plays played by the players were ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’ which were widely
appreciated by the members of the studios. The scenes of sunrise and sunset were hugely copied by the
audience for many years. Those scenes were played on a bare stage with a white background and a tune
was played on the flute. Thus MRA influenced the spectators in a very impressive manner.

Question 3.
Describe the make-up department of Gemini Studios?

The make-up department of the Gemini Studios was established on the upstairs of a building that was
believed to have been Robert Clive’s stables. The make-up room had the look of a hair-cutting salon with
lights at all angles. The lights were incandescent which produced the extreme heat and about half dozen
big mirrors reflected the light, that was totally unbearable for the artists to be made-up.

The make-up department was first headed by a Bengali who when left, a Maharashtrian headed it with an
assistant Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and the usual
local Tamils. In this way, there was a great deal of national integration. A strict hierarchy could be
noticed at make-up department. The chief make-up man attended to the chief actors and actresses. His
senior assistant looked to the ‘second’ hero and heroine, the junior assistant the main comedian and so
forth.

The players who played the crowd were the responsibility of the office boy. He used to mix his paint in a
giant vessel and slap it on the crowd players. So, the gang of nationally integrated make-up men could
turn any decent-looking person into a hideous crimson hued monster with the help of truck-loads of
Pancake and a number of other locally made potions and lotions. Thus, the make-up room was not less
than a torcher room for the artists who were to be prepared for the shoot.

Question 4.

How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at Gemini
Studios?

Only Tamil films were made in the Gemini Studios and the peoples of the Gemini Studios had nothing to
do with the English poetry. Not any of the English visitor could generate any point of interest among
Gemini Studios’ peoples regarding English poetry and they were also unable to understand the strange
and different accent of the Englishmen. So it was surely the incongruity of an English poet ad-dressing
the audience at Gemini Studios and the anthor found no productivity of any talent or knowledge through
the visits of Englishmen.

Question 5.

What do you understand about the author’s literary inclinations from the account?

Author, though had a work of newspaper cutting collection in the Gemini Studios but undoubtedly this
belonged to his literary taste which also required the sound knowledge of literature.

He needed be aware about different papers and periodicals also. After his retirement, he continued
reading habit so once when he found a low priced edition of‘The God That Failed’, he immediately
bought it. This account reveals his literary taste that made him a successful writer also. The author has
used gentle humour to point out human problems. Pick out instances of this to show how this serves to
make the piece interesting.

Many instances of humour are used by the author in this piece. Scenes of makeup department and usage
of Pancakes is very humorous. It was more a hair cutting saloon than the makeup room containing too
much lights and mirrors. Makeup team could easily convert an ordinary man into a hideous crimson hued
monster.
According to the strict hierarchy, people were fixed for various levels artists. A office boy, though a 40
years man he was, joined the Gemini Studios to become a star actor, a writer or a lyricist but failed and
started to motivate others though he himself had as failed to achieve his aim.

Read, the following paragraph and answer the questions that follow:

(Para-1)

A strict hierarchy was maintained in the make up department. The chief make up man made the chief
actors and actresses ugly, his senior assistant the ‘second’ hero and heroine, the junior assistant the main
comedian, and so forth. The players who played the crowd were the responsibility of the office boy.
(Even the make up department of the Gemini Studios had on ‘office boy!) On the days when there was a
crowd-shooting, You could see him mixing his paint in a giant vessel and slapping it on the crowd
players.

Questions:

(a) What do you understand by ‘hierarchy’ ?

(b) Whose responsibility was to make up the crowd ?

(c) How the office boy used to prepare the make up paint?

(d) Name the chapter and the writer.

Answers :

(a) Hierarchy is a system in which members/ participants of any oragnisation/ company are ranked
according to relation or their authority.

(b) The crowd was made-up by the office boy of Gemini Studios.

(c) The office boy used to prepare the make up paint by mixing it (paint) in a giant vessel.

(d) The chapter’s name is ‘Poets and Pancakes’ by ‘Asokamitran’.

(Para-2)

An extremely talented actress, who was also extremely temperamental, once blew over on the sets. While
every¬one stood stunned, the lawyer quietly switched on the re¬cording equipment. When the actress
paused for breath, the lawyer said to her, “One minute, please,” and played back the recording. There was
nothing incriminating or unmentionably foul about the actress’s tirade against the producer. But when she
heard her voice again through the sound equipment, she was struck dumb.

Questions :

(a) What happened to the actress once on the sets ?

(b) What did the lawyer said in the mid of the shot ?
(c) Was there something special about actress’s tirade ?

(d) Why was the actress struck dumb ?

Answers:

(a) Once on the sets, the actress with extremely tempera-mental blew over.

(b) In the mid of the shot, the lawyer said to the actress, “One minute, please,” and played back the
recording.

(c) No, nothing was special and mentionable about the actress’s tirade.

(d) The actress struck dumb when she heard her own voice again through the sound equipment.

(Para-3)

Gemini Studios was the favourite haunt of poets like S.D.S. Yogiar, Sangu Subramanyam, Krishna Sastry
and Harindranath Chattopadhyaya. It had an excellent mess which supplied good coffee at all times of the
day and for most part of the night. Those were the days when Congress rule meant Prohibition and
meeting over a cup of coffee was rather satisfying entertainment. Barring the office boys and a couple of
clerks, everybody else at the Studios radiated leisure, a pre-requisite for poerty.

Questions :

(a) Why all four poets mentioned above gathered at Gemini Studios ?

(b) What was the use of mess at Gemini Studios ?

(c) What was the meaning of Congress rule those days ?

(d) Why leisure, a pre-requisite for poetry was ?

(a) All four poets mentioned above gathered at Gemini Studios because it was an excellent place for
discussion and they felt relaxed gathering there.

(b) Mess at Gemini Studios supplied good coffee at all times of the day and for most part of the night.

(c) Congress rules, those days meant ‘Prohibition’.

(d) Leisure was a pre-requisite for poetry because poetry was liked by not only office boys or clerks but
by everybody there.

(Para-4)

A few months later, the telephone lines of the big bosses of Madras buzzed and once again we at Gemini
Studios cleared a whole shooting stage to welcome another visitor. All they said was that he was a poet
from England. The only poets from England the simple Gemini staff knew or heard of were Word worth
and Tennyson; the more literate ones knew of Keats, Shelly and Byron; and one or two might have faintly
come to know of someone by the name Eliot. Who was the poet visiting the Gemini Studios now ?
Questions: .

(a) Why did they clear the whole shooting stage ?

(b) What did they come to know about the visitor ?

(c) Which poets were known among the more literate peoples of Gemini Studios ?

(d) Was they sure about the visitor that time ?

(a) They cleared the whole shooting stage to welcome an another visitor at Gemini Studios.

(b) They came to know that the visitor might be a poet from England..

(c) Keats, Shelley and Byron were known among the more literate peoples of Gemini Studios.

(d) No, they were not sure about the visitor that time.

(Para-5)

And years later, when I was out of Gemini Studios and I had much time but not much money, anything at
a reduced price attracted my attention. On the footpath in front of the Madras Mount Road Post Office,
there was a pile of brand new books for fifty paise each. Actually they were copies of the same book, an
elegant paperback of American origin. ‘Special low-priced student edition, in connection with the 50th
Anniversary of the Russian Revolution’.

Questions :

(a) What attracted the writer and why ?

(b) Where did the writer find new books ?

(c) What do you understand by ‘paper back’ ?

(d) Why those books on footpath were so cheap ?

Answers:

(a) Anything at a reduced price attracted the attention of the writer because his pockets were not full of
money.

(b) On the footpath in front of the Madras Mount Road Post Office, the writer found new books.

(c) Paperback is a type of book characterized by a thick paper or paperboard cover, and stick together
with glue rather than stitches or staples.

(d) Those books on footpath were so cheap because those were the books, special low-priced student
edition, in connection with the 50th Anniversary of the Russian Revolution.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_
 THE INTERVIEW

Question 1.

What are some of the positive views on interviews?

The positive views on interviews are that it is a medium of communication and a source of truth and
information. Some even look at it as an art. These days we know about the celebrities and others through
their interviews.

Question 2.

Why do most celebrity writers despise being interviewed?

Most celebrity writers despise being interviewed because they look at interviews as an unwarranted
intrusion into their lives. They feel that it diminishes them. They feel that they are wounded by interviews
and lose a part of themselves. They consider interviews immoral and a crime, and an unwanted and
unwelcome interruption in their personal life.

Question 3.

What is the belief in some primitive cultures about being photographed?

Some primitive cultures consider taking a photographic portrait is like stealing the persons’s soul and
diminishing him.

Question 4.

What do you understand by the expression ‘thumbprints on his windpipe’?

Saul Bellow once described interviews as being like ‘thumbprints on his windpipe’. It means he treated
interviews as a painful experience, as something that caught him by his windpipe, squeezed him and left
indelible thumbprints on that. It also means that when the interviewer forces personal details from his
interviewee, it becomes undesirable and cruel.

Question 5.

Who, in today’s world, is our chief source of information about personalities?

The interviewer is the chief source of information in today’s world. Our most vivid impressions of our
contemporaries are based on communication that comes from them. Thus, interviewers hold a position of
power and influence.

Question 1.

Do you think Umberto Eco likes being interviewed? Give reasons for your opinion.

Umberto Eco does not think highly of interviewers who he thinks are a puzzled bunch of people. He has
reasons for thinking so as they have often interpreted him as a novelist and clubbed him with Pen Clubs
and writers, while he considers himself an academic scholar who attends academic conferences and writes
novels on Sundays.
Question 2.

How does Eco find the time to write so much?

Eco humorously states that there are a lot of empty spaces in his life. He calls them ‘interstices’. There are
moments when one is waiting for the other. In that empty space, Eco laughingly states that he writes an
article. Then he states that he is a professor who writes novels on Sundays.

Question 3.

What was distinctive about Eco’s academic writing style?

Umberto’s writings have an ethical and philosophical element underlying them. His non-fictional writing
work has a certain playful and personal quality about it. Even his writings for children deal with non-
violence and peace. This style of writing makes reading his novels and essays interesting and being like
the reading of most academic writings. His works are marked by an informal and narrative aspect.

Question 4.

Did Umberto Eco consider himself a novelist first or an academic scholar?

Umberto identified himself with the academic community, a professor who attended academic
conferences rather than meetings of Pen Clubs. In fact, he was quite unhappy that the people referred to
him as a novelist.

Question 5.

What is the reason for the huge success of the novel, The Name of the Rose?

The success of The Name of the Rose, though a mystery to the author himself, could possibly be because
it offered a difficult reading experience to the kind of readers who do not want easy reading experiences
and those who look at novels as a machine for generating interpretations. For the same reason, the sale of
his novel was underestimated by his American publishers, while the readers actually enjoyed the difficult
reading experience that was offered bv Umberto Eco by raising questions about truth and the order of the
worid.

Reference-to-Context Questions

Question 1.

Today, almost everybody mho is literate will have read an interview at some point in their lives, while
from the other point of view, several thousand celebrities have been interviewed over the years, some of
them repeatedly.

Answer the following.

(a) Everybody who is literate has been interviewed at some point in their lives. (True/False)

(b) Several celebrities have been interviewed repeatedly. (True/False)

(c) _________ would have read an interview at some point in their lives?

(d) Several thousand _________ have been interviewed over the years, and some of them repeatedly.
Answer:

(a) False

(b) True

(c) the literate

(d) celebrities

Question 2.

H.G. Wells in an interview in 1894, referred to ‘the inteiviewing ordeal’, but was a fairly frequent
interviewee and forty years later found himself intetriewing Joseph Stalin.

Answer the following.

(a) Joseph Stalin interviewed H.G. Wells. (True/False)

(b) Find a word from the extract that means ‘a person who is being interviewed’.

(c) How long after 1894, did Wells interview Joseph Stalin?

(d) Despite giving several interviews. Wells referred to the process as ‘the interviewing _________ .

Answer:

(a) False

(b) interviewee

(c) forty years

(d) ordeal

Question 3.

Yet despite the drawbacks of the interview, it is a supremely setviceable medium of communication.
“These davs, more than at any other time, our most vivid impressions of our contemporaries are through
interviews.”

Answer the following.

(a) These days communication is through interviews. (True/False)

(b) The most vivid impressions of contemporaries is through interviews. (True/False)

(c) Interviews are a supremely serviceable _________ of communication.

(d) Of whom can vivid impressions be collected through interviews?

Answer:
(a) False

(b) True

(c) means

(d) contemporaries

Question 4.

In 1980, he acquired the intellectual equivalent of intellectual superstardom with the publication of ‘The
Name of the Rose’, which sold more than 10 million copies.

Answer the following.

(a) ‘The Name of the Rose’ is a book about a superstar. (True/False)

(h) The book, ‘The Name of the Rose’ was published in 1980. (True/False)

(c) How many copies did ‘The Name of the Rose’, sell?

(d) Eco acquired _________ with the sale of ‘The Name of the Rose’.

Answer:

(a) False

(b) True

(c) More than 10 million

(d) superstardom

Question 5.

I have some philosophical interests and I pursue them through my academic work and my novels. Even
my books for children are about non-violence and peace… you see, the same bunch of ethical,
philosophical interests.

Answer the following.

(a) The writer pursues his academic interests through children’s books. (True/False)

(b) Through what means does the writer pursue his philosophical interests?

(c) The writer’s books for children are about non-violence and _________

(d) The writer has some _________ interests.

Answer:

(a) False
(b) academic work

(c ) peace

(d) philosophical

Question 6.

Did you know what will happen if you eliminate the empty spaces from the universe, eliminate the empty
spaces in all the atoms? The universe will become as big as my fist.

Answer the following.

(a) By eliminating empty spaces in atoms, the universe will be as big as an atom. (True/False)

(b) Besides the universe, where else does the speaker want to eliminate empty spaces.

(c) Find a word from the extract that means to ‘remove’.

(d) If the empty spaces in the universe and in atoms were measured, then the universe would be as
_________ as the writer’s fist.

Answer:

(a) False

(b) atoms

(c) eliminate

(d) big

Question 7.

Your non-fictional writing, your scholarly work has a certain plavful and personal quality about it. It is a
marked departure from a regular academic stvle – which is invariably depersonalized and often diy and
boring.

Answer the following.

(a) The writer’s scholarly work is about play things. (True/False)

(b) The writer’s scholarly work is a marked departure from the academic style. (True/False)

(c) Which kind of writing by the author has a playful and personal quality?

(d) Scholarly writing is often dry and _________, according fo the writer of the passage.

Answer:

(a) False
(b) True

(c) academic writin

(d) boring

Question 8.

At that point, at the age of 22, I understood scholarly books should be written the way I had done – by
telling the story of the research. This is why my essays always have a narrative aspect.

Answer the following.

(a) At age 22 the author understood how scholarly books should be written. (True/False)

(b) Scholarly books are written to tell the story of the research. (True/False)

(c) What special aspect do the essays written by the author have?

(d) According to the writer, he had written his research in a manner that told the _________ of his
research.

Answer:

(a) True

(b) True

(c) narrative aspect

(d) story

Question 9.

I started writing novels by accident. I had nothing to do one day and so I started. Novels probably
satisfied my taste for narration.

Answer the following.

(a) The author started writing novels because he was a novelist. (True/False)

(b) According to the author, novel writing probably satisfied his _________ for narration.

(c) The author started writing novels _________ .

(d) In writing, the author had a taste for _________ .

Answer:

(a) False

(b) taste
(c) accidentally

(d) narration

Question 10.

I know that by writing novels I reach a larger audience. I cannot expect to have one million readers with
stuff on semiotics.

Answer the following.

(a) The author reaches a million readers by writing semiotics. (True/False)

(b) The author reaches a larger _________ by writing on semiotics.

(c) He has reached a _________ readers by writing novels.

(d) _________ is the main focus of the author’s writing.

Answer:

(a) False

(b) audience

(c) million

(d) Semiotics

Question 11.

And this is because journalists and publishers believe that people like trash and don’t like difficult reading
experiences.

Answer the following.

(a) According to journalists, authors like to read trash. iTrue/Faise)

(b) According to journalists, people don’t like _________ reading experiences.

(c) According to journalists, people like _________ trash.

(d) Whose opinion about public reading habits is being aired in the passage?

Answer:

(a) False

(b) difficult

(c) reading
(d) journalists

Question 12.

I myself at 9p.m. after dinner, watch television and want to see either ‘Miami Vice’, or ‘Emergency
Room ’. I enjoy it and I need it. But not all day.

Answer the following.

(a) The author states that before dinner he watches television. (iVue/Faise)

(b) The author enjoys watching ‘Miami Vice’. (True/False)

(c) The author enjoys watching ‘Miami Vice’ or ‘ Room’ on television, after dinner.

(d) What time does the author enjoy watching television?

Answer:

(a) False

(b) True

(c) Emergency

(d) after dinner

Short Questions and Answers

Question 1.

Why did Lewis Carroll have a horror of the interviewer?

Lewis Carroll was said to have had a just horror of the interviewer. It was his horror of being lionized
which made him thus repel would-be acquaintances, interviewers, and those seeking his autographs. So,
he never consented to be interviewed.

Question 2.

How did Rudyard Kipling look at interviews?

Rudyard Kipling condemned interviews. His wife writes in her diary that Rudyard Kipling told the
reporters that he called being interviewed as immoral and a crime like an offence against any person. It
merited punishment. It was cowardly and vile.

Question 3.

How were Rudyard Kipling and H.G. Wells critical of interviews yet they indulged in interviewing others
or being themselves interviewed?
Rudyard Kipling criticized interviews yet he interviewed Mark Twain. H.G. Wells referred to an
interview in 1894 as an ordeal. Yet he was a fairly frequent interviewee. He also interviewed Joseph
Stalin forty years later.

Question 4.

How are interviews, despite their drawbacks, useful?

Despite their drawbacks, interviews are a supremely serviceable medium of communication. We get ‘ our
most vivid impressions of our contemporaries through interviews. Denis Brain writes that almost
everything of moment reaches us through interviews.

Question 5.

What, according to Umberto Eco, is the one thing he does through his various pieces of writing?

According to Eco, he is always pursuing his ethical, philosophical interests which are non-violence and
peace, through his academic work, his novels and even his books for children. He uses his spare moments
constructively.

Question 6.

Umberto Eco tells Mukund that he has a secret. What is that?

Umberto Eco tells Mukund that he has a secret to reveal. He tells him that there are empty spaces in the
universe, in all the atoms. If they are removed, the universe will shrink to the size of a fist. He calls these
empty spaces interstices and he writes in these interstices.

Question 7.

How, according to one of Eco’s professors in Italy, do scholars do in their research? How is Eco’s
approach different?

According to one of Eco’s professors in Italy, scholars made a lot of false hypotheses. They correct them
and at the end they put the conclusion. But Eco told the story of his research and included his trials and
errors. His professor allowed the publication of Eco’s dissertation as a book.

Question 8.

What did Umberto Eco learn at the age of 22 that he pursued in his novels?

At the age of 22, Umberto Eco understood that scholarly books should be written the way he had done,
that is, they should be written by telling the story of the research. He means to say that they should have
the narrative technique. That’s why he started writing novels so late—at the age of 50.

Question 9.

How did Eco start writing novels?

Eco states that he started writing novels by accident. One day, he had nothing to do, so he started writing.
He felt that novels probably satisfied his taste for narration and he produced five novels, including the
famous The Name of the Rose.
Question 10.

Did Umberto Eco consider himself a novelist first or an academic scholar? Discuss briefly.

Umberto Eco considered himself an academic scholar, a university professor who wrote novels on
Sundays. If somebody said that he was a novelist, that bothered him. He participated in academic
conferences and not the meetings of Pen Clubs and writers. He identified himself with academic
community.

Question 11.

What makes Eco’s The Name of the Rose a very serious novel?

The Name of the Rose is a very serious novel. It is a detective story at one level but it also delves into
metaphysics, theology and medieval history. Due to these reasons it was greatly received by the public.

Question 12.

What, according to Eco, puzzles journalists and publishers?

According to Umberto Eco, journalists and publishers are puzzled when something unexpected happens.
They believe that people like trash and do not like difficult reading experiences. But Eco’s novel The
Name of the Rose, a serious work, sold between 10 and 15 million copies. This puzzled them.

Question 13.

What is the reason for the huge success of the novel, The Name of the Rose?

The reason for the huge success of the novel, according to Eco, is a mystery. Nobody can predict it. He
states that if he had written the novel ten years earlier or ten years later, it wouldn’t have been the same.
So, the time component, its narrative technique, its aspects of metaphysics, theology and medieval
history, made it a grand success.

Question 14.

Do you think Umberto Eco likes being interviewed? Give reasons for your opinion.

I think Eco likes being interviewed. His answers to Mukund’s questions are straightforward, precise and
to the point. They are never wavering. He even mentions his preferences about TV shows. While
answering he gets humorous and laughs. Nowhere does he say anything that may give us this sort of
glimpse that he does not like being interviewed.

Question 15.

Is Umberto’s informal style consciously adopted or natural?

Umberto’s doctoral thesis was a story of his research and a sum of his experience, his trials and errors.
The thesis was appreciated and published as a book. Umberto then developed on his taste for narration
and this narrative aspect lends an informal touch to all his essays and novels. It makes his style alive and
reading his works is not dry and boring like the reading of other academic works.
Question 16.

Why did Umberto take to writing novels?

Umberto took to writing novels to satisfy his taste for narration. He did not have even a single novel to his
credit, till the age of 50. One day having nothing to do, he started writing a novel. Moreover, he thought
that novels have more readership and he could reach a larger audience.

Question 17.

What made Roiand Barthes frustrated? What did he want to do?

Eco s friend Roland Barthes was an essayist. He was not satisfied fully with his scholarly essays. He
yearned to do some creative writing. He remained frustrated that he was as essayist and not novelist. But,
unfortunately he died before he could do so.

Question 18.

How did Umberto Eco become spectacularly famous?

Umberto Eco had earned a good reputation in the field of semiotics or the study of signs. His scholarly
works were staggeringly large and wide ranging. But his spectacular fame came to him with his novel
The Name of the Rose which stormed the world and sold more than 10 million copies.

Question 19.

What sort of TV programmes does Eco watch after dinner and why?

After dinner, Eco watches light television programmes like Miami Vice and Emergency Room. These
programmes do not tax his mind and he feels relaxed after a hard, day’s work. But he cannot watch such
programmes the whole day.

Question 20.

Bring out Umberto Eco’s humility and modesty as evident in the chapter.

Umberto Eco takes success in his stride and talks about his achievements in all modesty. He very humbly
gives credit to the people’s capability of appreciating difficult reading experiences. Regarding doing so
many things, he tells that it a fallicious impression, but at the end of the day, he is doing the same thing.

Long Questions and Answers

Question 1.

The Interview as a communication genre is here to stay. Discuss with reference to the interview with
Umberto Eco.

The interview today is a communication genre that has come to stay. Its detractors—mostly celebrities—
despise it as an intrusion into their lives. However, a good interview can be a source of truth, it is an
excellent medium of communication and in the modern world our most vivid impressions of
contemporaries are through interviews. It is through the interview that we learn about Eco’s diverse
writings, his interest in the philosophy of non-violence and peace and his ability to put every spare
moment to constructive use. At the interviewer’s prompting, he tells us why he writes scholarly works in
an informal style and how he started writing novels. We realise that he is an academician at heart. He
honestly talks of the success of his book as a mystery saying that it might •not have sold so well in
another time.

Question 2.

How did Umberto Eco assess his style of writing in The Name of the Rose?

Umberto Eco considered himself to be an academician who was happy writing novels on Sundays.
Though he did not feel he was a novelist, he felt the novel fulfilled his desire for narration. In fact, he
spoke of himself as a university professor who wrote novels on Sundays. The novel, according to him,
enabled him to reach a larger audience. The Name of the Rose was a very serious novel. It was a detective
story that delved into metaphysics, theology and medieval history’. It enjoyed a huge audience as,
according to him, people did enjoy difficult reading experiences. Like him. many did not like easy
experiences all the time. The novel deals with a period of medieval history and the publisher did not
expect to sell so well in a state where nobody had studied Latin or seen a cathedral. He felt the timing was
crucial. Perhaps its popularity would have been less, had it been written earlier or later. ‘

Question 3.

How do celebrity writers despise being interviewed as given in ‘The Interview’?

Since its invention a little over 130 years ago, the interview has become commonplace journalism. Over
the years, opinions about its functions, methods and merits vary considerably. Some say it is a source of
truth and in practice, an art. Others despise it being an unwarranted intrusion into their lives. They feel it
diminishes them. They equate it to taking a photographic portrait of somebody which in some primitive
cultures mean ‘stealing the person’s soul.’ Some people feel wounded by interviews and lose part of
themselves. They call it immoral, a crime and an assault. To some it is cowardly and vile or an ordeal.

Question 4.

How does Eco explain that he is convinced he is always doing the same thing?

Umberto Eco explains to Mukund Padmanabhan in an interview that all the people have a lot of empty
spaces. These he call ‘interstices’. He explains them through an example. He says that one is to come to
him and is in an elevator and he is waiting for him. While waiting for the guest’s elevator to appear before
him. he has already written an article. It means he writes in snatches of time. However, his creative ideas
flow in his mind every time even when he is hosting his guest. Though he relaxes on Sundays, yet is very
much busy to write novels. On other days he is busy with his academic work.

Question 5.

How does Mukund Padmanabhan comment on Eco’s academic writing style? What does Eco say about
it?

Mukund Padmanabhan states that Eco’s non-fictional writing, that is, his scholarly work has a certain
playful and personal quality about it. It is a marked departure from a regular style. That regular style is
invariably depersonalised and often dry and boring. To a question if he consciously adopted

an informal style, he cited the comments of one of the professors who examined and evaluated his first
doctoral dissertation. The professor said that scholars learned a lot of a certain subject, then they made a
lot of false hypotheses, then they corrected and put conclusions at the end. But Eco told the story of his
research, including his trials and errors. At the age of 22, Eco understood that scholarly books should be
written by telling the story of the research. His essays, therefore, have a narrative aspect. That is why, he
wrote novels to satisfy his taste for narrative.

Question 6.

How does Mukund Padmanabhan impress you as an interviewer? Do you consider his interview with
Umberto Eco a success?

Mukund Padmanabhan’s interview with Umberto Eco tells about his capabilities as a successful
interviewer. He does not encroach upon his privacy or embarrass him with personal questions. He does
not come in-between the celebrity and the readers. His questions are well worded. His questions • draw
out of him what his fans would like to know. The questions asked by Mukund cover all the aspects of his
works and personality. Eco gives elaborated answers to all his questions. With every question, the
interviewer withdraws to the background leaving the interviewee in the limelight. The whole interview
does not appear to be an ordeal for the interviewee. In short it is crisp at the same time informal.

Question 7.

What are the opinions of some of the celebrities on interviews?

Celebrities have often seen themselves as victims of interviews. In V.S. Naipaul’s opinion, interviews
have left people wounded and part of them stolen. Lewis Carroll was in horror of the interviewer and he
never consented to be interviewed. He often silenced all those who sought to interview him or ask for his
autographs. Rudyard Kipling too held a very critical attitude towards interviews and disapproved of them
after he was left almost wrecked by two reporters from Boston. According to his wife, since then he
found interviews were vile, immoral and a crime. To H.G. Wells, being interviewed was an ordeal, while
to Saul Bellow, interviews were like thumbprints on his windpipe, an extortion of personal details by an
overbearing interviewer. They all seemed to be terrified of interviews.

Question 8.

How does the interview with Umberto Eco prove that the interview is the most commendable tool to elicit
information about the interviewee?

Mukund Padmanabhan from ‘The Hindu’ interviews Umberto Eco and proves that interview is the most
commendable tool to elicit information about the interviewee. Through his interview he reveals that Eco
is a prolific writer and yet a man who is most modest about his achievements. He very humbly spells the
secret of his varied and staggeringly voluminous works produced by him. When Mukund asks him about
David Lodge’s remark that how one man can do all the things that Eco does’, Eco very modestly says it is
a fallacious impression, in fact he has always been doing the same thing by pursuing the same
philosophical ideas. He views himself as an academic, rather than a novelist. He admits that he has started
writing novels by accident and writes novels on Sundays.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

Question 1.
Other than celebrities, what do some people think about an interview?
Answer:
Other than celebrities, mostly common persons think that an interview is the only and best source of truth.
It according to them, is an art.

Question 2.
In which way do the celebrities take an inter-view?
Answer:
Celebrities find themselves as victims, they take interview as an unwarranted intrusion into their lives
which somehow diminishes them.

Question 3.
What did ‘Caroline’, the wife of ‘Rudyard Kipling’ write in her diary?
Answer:
Caroline wrote that two reporters from Boston destroyed their whole day on 14 October, 1892.

Question 4.
Who described interview like thumbprints on his windpipe and why?
Answer:
‘Saul Bellow’ once described interviews as being like thumbprints on his windpipe because he became
exhausted by the interviewes.

Question 5.
How Umberto Eco managed to write too much in his life?
Answer:
Umberto Eco started to utilize interstices: the empty space which according to him is enough with
everyone.

Question 6.
How can we say that Umberto Eco had a wide range of writing?
Answer:
Umberto Eco was an expertise in semiotics and other than this he started to write fiction, literary fiction,
academic texts, essays, children’s books, newspaper articles etc. So his versatility in writings can be
easily understood.

Question 7.
What made ‘The Name of the Rose’ a hugely successful novel?
Answer:
According to Umberto Eco, the most possible reason about the success of the novel was a time’s mystery
and actually nobody could predict the exact reason of it.

Question 8.
What is Umberto Eco’s theory of interstices?
Answer:
Umberto Eco says about the elimination of empty spaces from the universe, from all the atoms and then
the universe would become as big as his fist.

Question 9.
How many copies of the novel ‘The Name of the Rose’ were sold?
Answer:
More than 10 million copies of the novel ‘The Name of the Rose’ were sold.

Question 10.
How and when did Umberto Eco start to write novels?
Answer:
Umberto Eco started to write novels accidently at the age of 50. Then only on Sundays, he used to write
the content of the novels.

Question 11.
Umberto Eco does many things, but says, “I am always doing the same thing but that is more difficult to
explain”. What does he mean to say?
Answer:
Umberto Eco says that he has philosophical interests which reflect in all his writings : fiction and non-
fiction. In this way, he does the same thing, though he seems to pursue various activities : writing notes
for newspapers, novels, teaching, writing essays, children’s books etc.

Question 12.
Despite the drawbacks, the interview is a ‘supremely serviceable medium of communication’. Explain.
Answer:
Despite its drawbacks, the interview has its own advantages. Though, interview is an intrusion into the
personal life of the interviewee, it is always a supremely serviceable medium of communication. Through
the interviews only, we get vivid impressions of our contemporary celebrities. We get a glance of their
way of working.

Question 13.
What are some of the positive views on inter-views?
Answer:
Interview is considered as a reliable source of truth. Contemporaries and their success can be read through
the interviews. A very important part of journalism is interview now a days.

Question 14.
Why do most celebrity writers despise being interviewed ?
Answers :
Most celebrity writers despise being interviewed because they have faced the fright of interview. Among
them, interview is regarded as an unwarranted entrance into their privacy.

Question 15.
What is the belief in some primitive cultures about being photographed?
Answer:
Some primitive cultures believe that a person’s soul is stolen if he or she is photographed.

Question 16.
What do you understand by the expression “thumbprints on his windpipe”?
Answer:
“Thumbprints on his windpipe” expresses the block,age to any person’s freedom and privacy. It can be \
considered as a suffocation felt by the interviewes.

Question 17.
What in today’s world, is our chief source of information about personalities?
Answer:
In today’s world, our chief source of information about personalities is an interview.

Question 18.
Do you think Umberto Eco like, being Inter viewed? Give reasons for your opinion.
Answer:
Umberto Eco surely likes being interviewed as a part of his interview is presented in this chapter. He
answers every question asked by Mukund and never frustrates and criticizes the interview like many other
celebrity writers.

Question 19.
How does Eco find the time to write so much?
Answer:
Umberto Eco uses each and every moment of time. Even he is capable to utilize the little space between
different act.s. So he calls it as usage of interstices; the management of time.
Question 20.
What was distinctive about Eco’s academic writing style?
Answer:
Eco’s academic writing style can be said as narrative which is personalised and interesting. Ecos writing
style is not dull and boring; different from others.

Question 21.
Did Umberto Eco consider himself a novelist first or an academic scholar?
Answer:
Umberto Eco firstly considered himself as an academic scholar because he was a professor and wrote
many academic texts while he wrote his first novel at the age of 50 accidenty.

Question 22.
What is the reason for the huge success of the novel, The Name of the Rose?
Answer:
The Name of the Rose is a serious detective story but delved into metaphysics, theology and medieval
history. The novel got a huge success and the reason Umberto Eco assesses is its favourable publication
time.

The Interview Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
Give a character sketch of Umberto Eco on the basis of the chapter ‘The Interview’.
Answer:
Umberto Eco, a university professor at the university of Bologna in Italy, is an academician and a famous
novelist. He, through various interview discloses his secret of success in life and never hates the
interviewers. He has his taste in various fields of writings as academic texts, fiction and non-fiction,
literary fiction, essays, children’s books, newspaper articles etc.

He always wanted to be called as an academician not a novelist. He used to participate in academic

conferences, on the other hand, he avoided the meetings of writers and Pen Club Members. He has
written forty scholarly works and novels only five. He used to denote time for writing novels on only
‘Sundays’. He discovered a magical trick of working in interstices.

He used to use even the seconds of his time. He captured the empty spaces for writing notes or any
content. He had an expertise in ‘Semiotics’: the study of signs. He never became a slave of proud as he
openely admitted that his novel ‘The Name of the Rose’ got success accidently and the time was in his
favour. He didn’t have any attitude of the celebrity though his novel was bought by more than the 10
million of the readers.

Question 2.
‘Mukund Padmanabhan’ was a reporter from ‘The Hindu’. In the context of the chapter, re-veal his traits
as an interviewer.
Answer:
Mukund Padmanabhan was surely a successful and well thought-out reporter who always used to ask
answerable and dexterous questions to his interviewees. He used to plan and prepare to con-duct an
interview of a celebrity. He never asked ugly or embarrasing questions and on the other hand, the
celebrity whom he interviewed always seemed to be comfortable with his questions. Through the
inteviews, readers not only got the informations

about the celebrities but many other important aspects of Mukund’s personality also came in their
knowledge. He asked brief and quality questions to his interviewees scrupulously. He let the interviewees
spoke in their own manner and never tried to interrupt or cross-questioned them.
His interviewees used to be free and frank with him. He was always a prepared interviewer. Mukund, in
advance arranged the informations and personality traits of his interviewees and then with full
preparations, started his sessions. In all we can say that Mukund Padmanabhan was a disciplined and
dedicated interviewer.

Question 3.
Several celebrities despise being interviewed. Is this justified? Why? Why not?
Answer:
There are several celebrities mentioned in this chapter like Rudyard Kipling, V.S. Naipaul, H.G. Wells,
Saul Bellow and etc. who dislike interviews very strongly. They never became ready to be interviewed.
Most of them considered interviews as an unwarranted intrusion into their lives. They did not want to
reveal the secrets of their personal lives.

Even an interview is considered as an immoral activity, as a crime or sometimes as an assault. They feel
that the interviewers waste their precious time which can be used by them for more creativity. On the
other hand, common mass take interviewes very positively as they come to know about the inner and
hidden things of their ideals. But interviewes have their drawbacks also.

Celebrities feel shy and disappointed when they are asked for interviewes but they forget that they
become famous and wealthy through the successful interviewes. General mass become their fan and
devotee by knowing more and more about their ideals. Celebrities are even worshipped. In this regard, it
can be said that interview cannot be termed as an immoral activity.

GOING PLACES
• What are Sophie’s dreams regarding her future in the story, “Going places”?
Sophie dreams of becoming a fashion designer and opening her own boutique or being an actress
with a boutique on the side.
Why didn’t Sophie trust Jansie enough to tell her about her meeting with Danny?
Jansie was a gossiper. If she knew about Sophie’s meeting with Danny, the whole neighbourhood
would get to know of it. So Sophie didn’t trust Jansie enough to tell her about the meeting.
• How did Sophie say that she had met Danny Casey?
Sophie says she had met Danny Casey in the arcade when she was looking at the clothes in
Royce’s window. He came and stood beside her.
Sophie and Jansie were class mates and friends. What were the differences between them
that show up in the story?
Sophie was a dreamer, letting her imagination go wild. Jansie was practical, knowing they would
both work in the biscuit factory, after school, and not as an actress or fashion designer that Sophie
dreamt of.
• What socio- economic background did Sophie belong to? State some indicators of
this?
Sophie’s family belonged to the lower middle income group. Sophie was always dreaming of a
better life. Even her father longed for a decent house to live in. The language used was unrefined.
• What was the relationship between Sophie and her older brother, Geoff?
Geoff was always the first person whom Sophie confided in. However, Geoff thought she was too
young and rarely spoke about himself. He was quiet and lost in his thoughts.
• How did Sophie dream of the world greeting her arrival?
Sophie was impatient as she knew the world was expectantly awaiting her arrival. She would be
riding behind Geoff. There would be a sound of applause as the world rose to greet them.
• Where was Sophie and Danny Casey supposed to meet again? What did he promise
to give her then? Did he fulfill his promise?
Their meeting place was to be the wooden bench below an elm tree, along a sheltered path by the
canal. Danny promised to give her his autograph but didn’t fulfill it as he never showed up.
• Do you think Sophie appears to be impractical? Explain with an example.
Sophie was a dreamer at its chronic stage and was therefore impractical in her behavior. She used
to jump from one to another plan, all beyond her reach. Once she told her friend Jansie that she
would start a boutique. When Jansie commented that it would not be possible for her, Sophie
changed her plan and quickly went on planning to be an actress, a manager or a fashion designer,
all beyond her reach.

• Why did Sophie, then, make such big plans?

Sophie was poor and was aware of that yet she was not able to accept the fact. Between facts and
desires, she struggled to build a dreamy world of hers where she had expensive friends and
sought-after boutique. In this world she was a manager, an actress and the centre of attraction.
Thus, by creating this fairy world, Sophie made her dreams take wings and fly.
• Geoff was an entirely different character from Sophie. Explain.
Geoff was Sophie’s elder brother. He was a very practical young man. He dreamed to become a
motor mechanic and worked hard for it and became one. He took life with all its struggles and
conquered it as much as he could. But Sophie lived in her dreams and found enjoyment and
realization in dreams. She was never ready to struggle.

• Why was Sophie jealous of Geoff?

Sophie was a nonstop speaker. Whatever she talked was impracticality and lie. But on the other
side Geoff was a silent young man. His silence gave him a lustrous personality. Sophie always
wanted to be able to hold her tongue but was never able to do so and this made her jealous of
Geoff’s silence.
• What was Geoff’s unknown world that Sophie believed to have existed? Did this
world really exist?
Sophie believed that Geoff had a world unknown to her, that existed in the city. In that world there
were exotic and interesting people. No, this world did not really exist.
• ‘Sophie wished she could be admitted more deeply into her brother’s affections.’
What does she mean by her brother’s affections?
Sophie’s world was one of fantasy. Her brother Geoff was a very practical young man with an
urge to work hard. Unlike Sophie, he was very silent. Sophie believed that Geoff had a world of
great friends and lovers, unknown to her. After thinking so over and over, Sophie began to believe
that Geoff’s world was real and wanted to be considered very important among Geoff’s friends.

• Evaluate Sophie from her feeling that the city expectantly awaited her arrival?
Even though Sophie was a poor teenager, she had expensive dreams. She could not accept the fact
that she was poor. She considered her to be a rich city girl. She considered herself to be very
important for the city. She placed herself to be the centre of the city life. From all this Sophie
appears to be an impractical girl who lived in a world of dreams.
• What was Sophie’s latest lie?
Sophie was a habitual liar and an endless dreamer. She told lies in the best convincing way. The
latest of her lies was that she had an unexpected meeting with Danny Casey, the Irish football
player. She further told that the great hero was in love with her and that he had promised an
evening with her in a park.
• Why did Sophie give an extra importance to Geoff by showing that she was
‘chastened by his unawareness?’
One of Sophie’s tricks while telling lies was to pass the lie first to Geoff, her brother. Geoff was a
simpleton and easily believed her stories. When Geoff asked her whether she had told their father
about her meeting Danny Casey, Sophie expressed her pain and agitation at his forgetting that he
was always the first one to whom she disclosed her top secrets. In fact the purpose of making
Geoff feel that he was very important to Sophie was to make him believe her by pleasing him.
• How was Danny Casey going to be a lot of distractions for youngsters?
Danny Casey was a rising football prodigy from Ireland. He had already become a sensation in
England where he played for the United Manchester. People believed that Danny would become a
distraction for the youngsters of the time if his popularity went on rising.
• What were Sophie’s expectation when she walked to the park?
Sophie expected that she would meet Danny Casey in the park. She wondered about the thrill the
moment she saw the great hero walking to her. She was happy that she would get an autograph
from Danny Casey and that she would be able to convince everyone that she had not been a liar.
• Why did Sophie go to the park to meet Danny Casey even though it was a lie?
A repeated lie sometimes appears to be a truth, especially to the one who told it. After telling
everyone about her meeting Danny Casey, Sophie too had a faint feeling that she had really met
him. When that feeling grew up to a concrete belief, Sophie forgot that it was a lie and therefore
she went to the park to meet Danny Casey.
• In the second stage of Sophie’s mental transformation she starts doubting Danny
Casey. What makes her suspect him?
By the time Sophie found herself sitting on the bench under the solitary elm tree, she had given
way for suspicion – not on her, but on Danny Casey. Strangely enough, instead of suspecting
herself, Sophie suspected Danny Casey’s not coming. She had heard Geoff jeering at her with a
clumsy remark that Danny would not come.
• In the final stage of Sophie’s mental transformation we see a Sophie suspecting
herself and realizing the truth. Explain.
It took infinitely long time for Sophie to point a finger to her. After suspecting Danny Casey for a
while she introspected and realized how matters stood. It was the most painful realization she ever
had. She realized that there had never been a meeting with Danny Casey and she stood up as the
culprit. It was sheer shame, a burden that she could not put down, that she was a born liar. It was a
pain that she could not stop lying.
• ‘I can see the future and how I will have to live with this burden.’ What burden is
Sophie talking about?
Sophie is talking about her habit of telling lies and her helplessness in keeping this burden down
for ever.

• Do you think Sophie will ever be able to get rid of her behavioral traits? Support
your opinion.
Probably no. After all, the Danny Casey episode was not the first of her lies. Her father’s asking
her, “is it another of your wild stories?” is a clear indication to her previous lies and Geoff’s not
ready to believe her is another. Sophie’s accepting it as a burden and her musing that she should
live with it, point to nothing but the existence of her habit for a while. It is consolatory that she
introspected and figured out the evil in her but her not willing to get rid of it is a hint that she
would ever live with it.

• Discuss Sophie’s day dreaming and romantic urges in the background of utter
poverty and misery.
 It is quite hard to say if Sophie told lies only to feed her wild dreams. In the first place she appears
to be an immature liar who found solace and peace in telling lies to her brother so that others will
also come to know about them and she could be a center attraction for some time but she had more
than just this reason to tell lies.
Her claim that she met footballer Danny Casey and that he had promised her an autograph if she
could meet him in the lovers’ park in the dim evening, was expected to wear a new impression in
her family that she hated and the society that laughed at her. She wanted to show her father that
she was not too small to have friends. She wanted her father to go speechless seeing queues of
fans waiting in front of his residence to catch a glimpse of their great Danny Casey who was now
Sophie’s sweet heart. She wanted Geof to to understand that she was a girl so much sought after
by young men, the most famous of the country. She wanted her close friend Jansie who always
complained that she was not practical minded and believed that Sophie could only become an
ordinary, least paid employee of a biscuit factory.
For all this, Sophie had only one way of realization; telling lies. To convince her, to convince her
father and brother and to convince her friend, she told lies that were expected to pass from one to
the other, till everyone in the neighborhood came to her and asked if it was true that Danny Casey
was really in love with her. In her reply, Sophie pretended to be betrayed by her brother by
spreading a ‘sacred secret’ out but in the next moment told the curious enquirer the rest of what
Geoff had told.

POETRY

POETRY

MY MOTHER AT SIXTY-SIX ….Kamala Das

SUMMARY

This poem by Indian poet Kamala Das presents a daughter’s anguish at the realization that her mother
was growing old and that one day she would die. It is a poem on separation. It is a poem on death. While
going to the airport to board a flight to a distant country, with her mother in the car, the poet suddenly
grows aware of mother’s ageing and death in her absence.

Way to the airport

The poet was going to the Cochin Airport. It was some twenty or thirty years ago. She was probably in a
taxi. It is certain that she was going to a distant place for a long stay there. She was accompanied by her
aged mother. The mother was very old, older than her age. During the journey the mother slipped into a
doze. Her mouth remained open like that of a dead body. Moreover, her face had lost the color of life. Her
face was colorless, ashen.

Pain of separation and an attempt to encourage the mother

While the poet was deeply thinking about this separation, doubting the possibility of their meeting again
and the possible demise/death of the aged mother, she happened to look at the mother. To cheer her mind
from these upsetting thoughts, the poet looked out and tried to brush away her sadness.

An attempt to forget pain

In an attempt to look cheerful, the poet now looked out of the car. But what she saw outside didn’t cheer
her up. On the contrary, she grew sadder looking out. Why? What she saw there sharply contrasted with
what she had with her. The young trees were running cheerfully. Young children were in their jolly mood,
playing fun and frolic. Everything looked cheerful and lively outside while the mother remained almost
lifeless and the poet sad.

The security check-in was completed. The daughter was left with a few seconds to see her aged mother.
She turned back at the mother who stood a few feet away.

Late winter’s moon

The poet now looks at the mother’s aged face. The two words, wan and pale, well describe the mother’s
appearance. The late winter’s moon is dim. It is always under the threat of dark clouds of fog and mist.
Any moment the moon in the late winter can be hidden by these clouds. Similarly the poet’s mother is
approached by death. Any time she could be swept away by death.

Childhood fears return

In the childhood, the poet had to separate from her mother innumerable times. It was quite painful for the
poet to separate from her mother those days. She used to fear these occasions as she thought they would
never meet again.

Smiles that mean pain

The poet was overcome by the intense pain of separation. She could not speak many words at this time.
Controlling her overwhelming emotions, she managed to bid her mother farewell. She had the least hope
of meeting her mother again yet she struck a note of optimism by saying they both would meet again
soon!

See you soon, mother…

The poet is attempting to ease the situation by a long smile that meant consolation to her mother. She
smiled with the expectation that her mother would translate it that the daughter was not worried about
anything and therefore there was no need to worry about their union. They will definitely meet.

Kamala Das captures the subtleties of human relationship in this poem entitled ‘My Mother at Sixty-six.’
The strong bond, between mother and daughter, is evident. The pain of seeing her mother aged and
feeble, was too much for the poetess.

The poetess drives from her parent’s house to Cochin, one Friday morning. Her mother was sitting beside
her. She glimpsed at her and was terribly sad to see her dozing open-mouthed, her face ashen like that of
a corpse and she realized that her mother had the hallmark of a very aged person and she was just 66. She
preferred to set aside these dismal thoughts, to look out of the window, and what she saw outside made
her even sadder. She saw the exuberance of life and sheer youthfulness- young trees sprinting, merry
children spilling out of their homes. She focuses on the word ‘merry’ because laughter was synonymous
of youthfulness and life.

After checking in her luggage at the airport, she looked again at her mother colourless, pale as a late
winter’s moon. There was trepidation and a sudden feeling of anxiety that she would lose her mother and
this would be the last glimpse of her. However, she put up a brave front and kept on smiling and smiling.

FIGURES OF SPEECH

1. Her face ashen like that of a corpse.

This is a Simile because her ashen face is directly compared to that of a corpse.
2. At young trees sprinted

This is Personification because the young trees have been given the human qualities of sprinting
and youthfulness.

3. Merry children spilling out of their homes

This is a Metaphor because the merriment or laughter is indirectly compared to something spilling
over.

4. As a late winter’s moon

This is a Simile as the mother is directly compared to a late winter’s moon

5. Was smile and smile and smile

This is Repetition as the word/s ‘and smile’ have been repeated

6. I looked again at her, Wan, pale, as a late winter’s moon

This is tautology ( use of unnecessary repetition of words meaning the same.) In this case use wan
and pale both meaning discoloured or bloodless.

EXTRACTS

Driving from my parent’s home to Cochin,

last Friday morning, I saw my mother beside me
Doze, open mouthed, her face ashen like that of a corpse.
Where was the poet going? Who was with her?

The poet was going to Cochin Airport. With her was her aged mother.

How did the mother look like? Why did the poet feel sad seeing the mother’s appearance?

The mother was sleeping inside the car with her mouth open. Her face was colorless like that of a dead
body.

Why does the poet relate the mother’s appearance to that of a corpse?

The poet’s mother was aged. At sixty six it was hard to tell how long she would live. Moreover, inside the
car she was sleeping, her mouth held open and her skin so colorless like that of a dead body.

What has the poet realised with pain?

The poet, Kamala Das, has realised with pain, that her mother has aged and could pass away suddenly,
and she would be lonely.

Name and explain the figure of speech in the last three lines.

This is Simile because the mother’s ashen face is directly compared to that of a corpse.

And realized with pain that she was as old as

She looked but soon put that thought away
And looked at young trees sprinting,
The merry children spilling out of their homes.
What did the poet realize with pain?

The poet realized with pain that her mother had grown terribly old, a thought that she never had in her
mind before.

Why was the realization painful?

The realization, that the mother was approaching death, was painful to the poet. The poet was supposed
to stay away from her mother for a long duration, far away. They might not even meet again.

Why did the poet put that thought away?

The poet was thinking about a long separation from her aged mother. She even feared that the mother and
daughter would not meet again. Suddenly she noticed that her mother had been reading her mind. In an
attempt to disguise her line of thoughts, the poet looked out of the car and pretended to be cheerful.

What did the poet see outside of the car?

The poet saw cheerful life outside the car. There were young trees running back in a lively mood and
children playing around their houses.

How does the poet strike a contrast between what travelled with her and what moved outside?

The mother was sleeping inside the car with her mouth open. She was similar to a dead body. She was
cheerless and approaching death. But outside the car was life in its freshness and vivacity. There were
young trees running cheerfully. There were children playing and running merrily. This was a life-death
contrast.

But after the airport’s security check,

Standing a few yards away I looked again at her,
Wan, pale, as a late winter’s moon
How did the mother look like at the airport?

The mother stood a few yards away from the poet who was about to disappear beyond the check-in and
then to a distant land for a long stay there. She appeared to be lifeless and colorless, like a late winter’s
moon that was dim and supposed to be hidden by the fog.

How do ‘wan’ and ‘pale’ describe the mother?

The mother was aged weak beyond her age. She appeared wan and pale. Wan and pale suggest weakness
and lifelessness.

What is a late winter’s moon?

In the late winter the sky is filled with fog and mist. The moon at that season cannot shine brightly. It
appears to be dim and most of the time rests behind these clouds. No one can predict how long the moon
could stay and what time the clouds would hide it.
Why does the poet compare her mother to a late winter’s moon?

The mother was quite aged. She was cheerless and gloomy. Like the late winter’s moon that could any
moment be overshadowed by the fog, the mother remained a victim to imminent death.

And felt that old familiar ache, my childhood’s fear,

But all I said was, “See you soon, Amma”
All I did was smile and smile and smile.
What is the poet’s old, familiar ache? How did that ache return at the airport?

The poet used to separate from her mother in her childhood. Those separations were painful to her. After
so many separations this pain and separations were familiar to the poet. At the airport she faced another
separation from her mother and it reminded her of the number of separations in the past.

The poet had the fear of separation from her mother in her childhood. How was that fear different
at the airport?

The poet was about to separate from her aged mother at the airport. The mother and daughter had many
times stayed separated in the past but this was going to be different from all. The childhood separations
were brief and less painful. But today, the poet was flying to a distant land for a long stay there. She could
not say if the two would ever meet again.

Why did the poet promise her mother of a meeting in the near future?

The poet was doubtful of her seeing her mother again. She knew that the mother was also aware of the
same as she was. Yet, to encourage her mother, to leave a hope in her mind, to make herself strengthened,
the poet promised a futile reunion in the future.

The poet’s repeated smile seems out of place in a way. In which way is that appropriate?

The poet had no reason to smile at the time of separation from her aged mother. She was deeply
distressed and pained to separate her mother at such a very old age of the mother. Yet, to make the mother
feel ‘there is nothing to worry,’ the poet attempted to be glad, cheerful and reassured by her extended
smile.

Why did the poetess smile in spite of her pain?

The poetess, Kamala Das, smiles in spite of her pain, because she is trying to hide her fear and anxiety of
the future. She feels helpless and distressed, that she may never see her mother again, but she smiles and
puts up a brave front.

Name and explain the figure of speech in the last line of the given stanza.

Repetition because the words ‘and smile’ are repeated, to hide the anxiety and fear that the poetess feels
of the future.

That she thought away, and looked but soon

put that thought away, and looked out at young
trees sprinting, the merry children spilling
out of their homes.
What was the thought that entered the poet’s mind?

The poet was terribly sad to notice her mother beside her, dozing, open-mouthed, her face pale, like a
corpse. She realizes, that her mother is old, and could pass away, leaving her alone.

Explain the figure of speech in the phrase ‘young trees sprinting’

This is Personification because the young trees have been given the human qualities of sprinting and
youthfulness.

What made the poet look out?

Kamala, looks at her mother’s ashen face, as she dozes, and is reminded that her aged mother, could
suddenly pass away, leaving her alone. Pushing these thoughts aside, she looks at the young trees and
merry children that remind her of her childhood days, of youthfulness and life.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

1. What is the kind of pain and ache that the narrator feels?
Ans. The emotional pain and ache that the narrator feels is the realization that her mother has grown old
and is frail and pale like a corpse.

2. Why are the young trees described as sprinting?

Ans. The young trees are personified in the poem. They seem to be running in the opposite direction
when seen through the window of the moving car. The movement is juxtaposed with the expression on
the mother’s face i.e. ashen like a corpse.

3. Why has the narrator brought in the image of the merry children ‘spilling out of their homes’?
Ans. The narrator highlights the helplessness and frailty of old age with the help of contrasts. The listless
mother dozes off open-mouthed, whereas the children spill out of their homes signifying movement and
energy, which the old people are bereft of. The image of the children spilling out of their homes and trees
sprinting provides a contrast to the lack of vitality in the mother.

4. Why has the mother been compared to ‘late winter’s moon’?

 Ans. The mother has been compared to the late winter’s moon which is dull and shrouded. It symbolizes
the ebbing away of life. The moon brings to the narrator’s mind, the night or the approaching end of life.

5. What do the parting words of the narrator and her smile signify?
Ans. The parting words ‘see you soon Amma’ are used by the narrator to reassure the mother and to
infuse optimism in the narrator herself. She accepts the reality of her mother’s approaching death, yet
keeps up the facade of a smiling, happy face in order to put up a brave front. It requires a lot of effort and
hence the poet has used the poetic device of repetition to emphasize this.

6. What childhood fears do you think the narrator is referring to in the poem ‘My Mother at Sixty
Six’?
Ans. The narrator refers to the fears a child has of losing a parent or getting lost somewhere and thus
getting separated from them or even one’s own process of ageing. The narrator felt this kind of fear while
looking at her mother’s aged and pale face. She was afraid that she might never see her alive again.

7. What does the narrator mean by ‘all I did was smile and smile and smile…’?
Ans. The narrator realizes the pain and aches she would feel at separating from her mother. It was her
childhood fear that she was experiencing once again. She was trying to hide her true emotions from
herself and her mother by smiling and smiling.

8. What does the narrator’s mother look like? What kind of images has been used to signify her
ageing?
Ans. The narrator’s mother is sixty-six years old, looks pale like a corpse. The imagery of death has been
created by this comparison.

9. What were the activities that the narrator saw outside the car window?
Ans. The narrator saw young trees speeding past which seemed as if they were sprinting or running fast.
Happy, enthusiastic and energetic children could be seen running out of their homes. They present an
image of youth and energy in comparison to the lack of energy of the narrator’s mother.

10. Why does the narrator look outside? What does she perceive?
Ans. The very thought of separation from her mother upsets and depresses the narrator. She experiences
the fear that she may never meet her mother again. In order to drive away such negative thoughts, she
looks out of the window and her mind gets diverted when she sees trees moving rapidly and children
playing merrily.

11. What does the narrator do after the security check-up? What does she notice?
Ans. Immediately after the security check-up at the airport, and standing a few yards away from her
mother, the narrator observes her mother once again and compares her to the pale, colourless winter’s
moon, marking the last phase of her life, i.e., her old age. She is pained to see her in such a condition and
the fear of separation returns in her, once again.

12. What is the narrator’s familiar ache and why does it return?
Ans. The narrator is pained to see her mother old and pale. This arouses the ‘familiar ache’ in her heart
which she used to experience in her childhood.

13. Why does the narrator smile and what does she say while bidding goodbye to her mother?
Ans. The narrator smiles in order to put up a brave front so that her mother does not observe her pained
and frightened look. She smiles in order to reassure her mother and says that she would see her again
soon.

14. What poetic devices has the poet used in ‘My Mother at Sixty-six’?
Ans. The poem is rich in imagery. Devices of comparisons and contrasts are also used by the poet to draw
out the difference between youth and old age. She describes the mother’s face using similes ‘ashen like a
corpse’, and ‘late winter’s moon’. The merry children playing happily are contrasted with the old, weak
and pale mother.

15. What kind of pain does Kamala Das feel in ‘My Mother at Sixty Six’?
 Ans. The pain that Kamala Das feels is the pain of separation from her mother by death. She had also felt
it in her childhood.

16. Why are the youngsters described as springing? (My Mother at Sixty-six)
Ans. The poetess is in the car on her way home to the Cochin airport. She looks outside some young
children were running and playing. The poetess seems to contrasts her ageing mother with the youngsters’
full of life.

17. Why does Kamala Das compare her mother to ‘a pale winter’s moon’?
 Ans. The late winter’s moon is calm and hazy with a dim lustre; it loses its vitality and power. So the
poetess compares her mother’s calm, colourless and withered face to the late winter’s moon. She has
become weak and was due to her age of sixty-six.

18. Having looked at her mother, why does Kamala Das look at the young children?
Ans. While driving her car, the mother was sitting with her. She was dozing with mouth open. Her face
was pale and ashen. She looked like a corpse. She was deeply depressed and pain started troubling her
mind. In order to put these troubled thoughts away, she looked at the outside world which was full of life,
activity and energy. This distraction made her feel happy.
19. What was Kamala Das’s childhood fear?
 Ans. After seeing her mother at sixty-six in a pale like a corpse face, her childhood fear of separation
from her mother returns. She is deeply pained lest she should not find her mother alive after her return.
These thoughts are painful and distressing to her.

20. In the last line of the poem, ‘My Mother at Sixty-six’, why does the poet use the word ‘smile’
repeatedly?
Ans. In the last line, the poet repeats the word ‘smile’. This repetition brings out the poet’s need to hide
her pain from the mother and even herself and to pretend that all was well and they would meet again.
The smile heightens the contrast between her inner pain and outward behaviour.

21. How does Kamala Das try to put away the thoughts of her ageing mother?
Ans. In order to put away the thoughts of her ageing mother, the poetess started looking out of the
window of the car at young trees sprinting, the merry children spilling out of their homes.

22. What is the kind of pain and ache that the poet feels?
 Ans. Whenever the poet looks at the colourless and pale face of her mother, her old familiar pain
realising that her mother was ageing and would die soon.

23. Why are the young trees described as ‘sprinting’?

Ans. The young trees are described as “sprinting” because when we look at them from a moving car, they
seem to be running fast in the opposite direction.

24. Why has the poet brought in the image of the merry children ‘spilling out of these home’?
[Textual)
Ans. The image of the merry children ‘spilling out of their home’ is to suggest the idea of youth and
beauty in contrast to the ashen-like pale wan face of her ageing mother. This image emphasises the fact
that the old mother has lost the vitality, energy, charm, beauty and youth.

25. Why has the mother been compared to the late winter’s moon?
Ans. The mother has been compared to the late winter’s moon as she is very old and her face is ashen,
pale and withered. She looks very dull and lifeless like the late winter’s moon.

26. What do the parting words of the poet and her smile signify?
Ans. The parting words express the poet’s optimism. These words console the mother that she would
soon visit her again. She smiles to conceal her fear and pain of separation from her mother and gives her
ageing mother an assurance of survival.

27. What was Kamala Das fear as a child? Why do they surface when she is going to the airport?
Ans. As a child, the poet always had a fear of getting separated from her mother. There was a sense of
insecurity and fear of losing her mother. The childhood fear reappeared when, while going to the airport,
she looked at the pale and withered face of her mother and realised that her mother was ageing and she
might lose her soon.

28. What were the poet’s feelings at the airport? How did she hide them?
Ans. The poet was full of pain and fear of being separated from her ageing mother. The fear of losing her
mother gripped her. But she bade her mother goodbye with a smile to give her hope of survival and
meeting again.

 Q1. In today’s fast life, children neglect their ageing parents. What do you think children can do to
have an involved and inclusive relationship with their elderly parents?

 Ans. Children are caught up in their own world of stress and ambition. They sometimes ignore their
parents. However, if they live in the same city, they should take out some time for them. If they are in
another city, the children must ring them up regularly.
Birthdays and festivals are a good time to spend with their elderly parents and make them feel wanted. If
children accompany their parents for the medical check-up, the parents will feel reassured. Last but not
least, children must let them know how much they are loved. This is the best gift children and
grandchildren can endow to the elderly parents.

 Q2. The poem, ‘My Mother At Sixty Six’, brings home the theme that ageing is a natural process
and is going to envelop one and all. Comment.
 Ans. The narrator sees her mother dozing looking pale as a corpse. The mother’s pale face arouses the
narrator’s childhood fears of losing her mother but she cannot stay on. She accepts her mother’s ageing as
a natural process. She hides her pain and guilt under a smile. The narrator delves on the complexities of
life in which we have to strike a balance and sometimes part with our dear ones as we have other
commitments.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_

KEEPING QUIET

Pablo Neruda

Now we will count to twelve

and we will all keep still.
The poet uses the number twelve that probably represents the dial of a clock.
For once on the face of the Earth
let’s not speak in any language,
let’s stop for one second,
and not move our arms so much.
Let’s not speak in any language.

Here the poet is encouraging a unified movement among people, with no discrimination based on race or
language. This would be a mass movement for the first time on the face of the earth, and would greatly
enhance unity. Let us stop for a moment and not move our hands so much in violence i.e. Let us not fight
and argue so much.

It would be an exotic moment

without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.

It would be a splendid moment with reduced industrial activity (engines). The silence or the peace would
form the common link between all of us, bringing us all together.

Fishermen in the cold sea

would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.

Fishermen represent proficient hunters of all kinds. The whales represent the oppressed class of human
beings, because of their helplessness. It is therefore a cry for the oppressed. In this quiet moment of
introspection, people would stop hurting others in an attempt to understand themselves. The whole of
humankind is in a mad rush to finish off their existence and achieve whatever goals they set. People are
so occupied with the daily rush of things and the flurry to accomplish their various goals that they never
take the time to look into themselves and understand themselves. Mankind has been personified as the salt
gatherer in the poem. In an exotic moment of peace, people would finally slow down and look into
themselves in an act of introspection, identify their follies and rectify them, making them better human
beings.

Those who prepare green wars,

wars with gas, wars with fire,
victory with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their
brothers in the shade, doing nothing.

Green wars can be thought of as wars wherein people utilize nature – to hide (conceal) themselves among
the foliage of forests or make use of the environment. “Victory with no survivors” is a paradox. People
who win a war claim to possess victory; but is that so? Have they not lost tremendous lives in the
process? How then can they claim to have had victory? All wars originate from the lack of self-
understanding, and the understanding that all individuals are equal, which is why the poet stresses on
introspection. There can be two interpretations drawn out from the last few lines of the stanza. One
interpretation expounds that the people responsible for wars such as politicians, scientists, trigger the war
and later stay in the shade walking hand in hand with the rival as brothers, while thousands of lives are
lost in the battle. Another explanation is that people are never happy to go to war. They realize the
absurdity of victory from war. As a result of this reflection, People can be friendly as brothers, and walk
about in the shade doing no violence.

What I want should not be

Confused with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about;
I want no truck with death.

The poet’s words should not be confused with death or a state of complete dormancy. The poet’s message
is about life and he does not want it to be related in any way to death. It is not a state of inactivity but
rather of continued action at a slower pace.

If we were not so single-minded

about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.

As mentioned before, the basic concern of all human beings is being alive. Human beings are single-
minded about survival. Human beings are in a mad rush to finish life and accomplish all their varied
targets. If people could slow down for once and do nothing, the massive silence will intrude the despair of
never appreciating or recognizing ourselves. When we look around, all we see is an extremely pathetic
condition wherein people are only concerned or afraid of dying and never of understanding themselves.
Death is a threat to many of us because it means that we will not be able to fulfill all the targets that we
create. We will not be able to accomplish the task of survival in peace.

Perhaps the Earth can teach us

as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.

This paragraph is possibly empathetic toward human beings, persuading them to take a lesson from
nature. During winter, the earth is blanketed with a coat of ice, and it appears as though there is no life in
the environment. Even the air is frigid (frosty) and draughty. However, this is not the end and this does
not last for long. The earth gets itself refined of all these trivial discrepancies, counting them all as a part
of the rejuvenation process. Despite all natural disasters and calamities, the earth continues its journey.
After a certain period of time, the cycle of reconstruction continues. The earth rejuvenates itself and
moves on, alive once again.

Now I’ll count up to twelve

and you keep quiet and I will go.

Maintaining a third person viewpoint to the entire dilemma, the poet leaves us on a train of thought. Now
that he has passed on the message, his work is done and he quietly leaves the scene.
1) The poet wants us to keep still- silent and motionless as we count to twelve. For atleast this once, let
us not speak in any language, engage in any dispute or debate, not move our arms so much, which we
have often moved, to harm others. So let us not move, instead, let’s stop for a moment.

2) That moment when we stop moving or speaking would be very fascinating. There would be no
hurry, even the machines would stop. Thus obliterating noise which is unpleasant. This would be a
strange experience for us- to be together but not in a hurry. We perhaps will enjoy the uniqueness of the
moment.

3) The poet wants a fisherman in the cold seas (Polar Region) to not harm the whales. In a larger
context, stop harming nature around us. He also wants the men gathering salt to pause and look at their
hurt hands. A reference to all those who work hard to make a living, to pause and care – even the
workaholics to stop, and take care of oneself and everyone else connected to them.

4) The poet wants all kinds of war stopped immediately. The green wars against the environment, the
biological warfare or the wars using poisonous gases and the wars with fire. For even if it does bring
victory, it would be one without survivors. Instead of waging wars, they should start afresh- leave behind
all the hate in the relationships and start on a clean slate- go for a walk under shady trees and enjoy just
being together and with nature.

5) The poet makes sure that the stillness he is talking about is not to be confused with total inactivity
or death. Life is all about living and nothing to do with death. The poet feels that if we were not so
determined about being busy and on the move, and take a moment off to rest- to feel and experience the
silence of that moment, then it may help us to understand ourselves better. The inability to understand
ourselves leads to life threatening situations and decisions and this creates sadness. A moment of silence
would help us to take stock and understand ourselves and our life situations better.

6) Under this much needed stillness, there is life and activity. Just as the earth teaches us, even when
everything seems dead and silent, the earth is teeming with life. Under apparent stillness, there is life.
This silence or stillness exuded positivity- a higher form of activity.

7) In the end the poet says that he will leave after he counts to twelve, for it is now our turn to keep
quiet- for each one of us to stop the rush and be still and to use the silence to understand ourselves better.
The poem was originally written by Pablo Neruda in Spanish but later translated to English. Its main
thrust was the significance of mindfulness, introspection and retrospection as these lead to attention, unity
and brotherhood.

It was an appeal to pause and really see that set in a mundane flurry of human habit; people are led to
blindly perform what is expected of them while sadly not perceiving the impact to nature and society.

Stanza 1 By asking the reader to count to twelve, the poet calls for a time to be tranquil and
unmoving. His use of the number twelve could be associated to the clock hours or possibly, even the
number of months in a year. Both attributions however, effectively depict how our hours and months pass
by before us, as we continue to chase after them without so much as a pause in between.

Stanza 2 Again, the poet reinforces his call not to take a step further, move nor speak. The appeal to
not speak in any language is symbolic of asking people to now “speak” in one language – silence. This
would bring everyone together and lead us to introspection. In this view, symbolism may also be seen in
the use of the phrase, “move our arms so much” which in this context, if taken lightly can be considered
as merely brisk walking, but could also be signifying violence or our selfish pursuits. It is to be noted as
well how the poet mentions “once” and “one second” in this stanza. The appeal is set on the premise that
humans are constantly speaking and constantly moving- again, a reinforcement of his earlier hedge on the
lack of time to be still and introspective.

Stanza 3 Unity Here, the poet introduces the impact of such behavior. The poet then proceeds
to ask the reader to ponder, consider and bask on the glory of this rare occurrence: where the usual flurry
of diverse human activity is now silenced to a standstill and in surprising unity. As humans are perceived
to be unique in their own ways and possess free will, a complied deliberate silence of all shall create this
mysterious yet wonderfully unusual unanimity.

Stanza 4 Here, the poem develops by providing what ensues through this quietness. The poet shows
how because of this, humans would now have more time to think about their actions and how they would
have the time to notice the details that surround their daily lives. Knowing the power they have over
nature but also being aware of where they stand, humans now demonstrate their free will not to harm
nature. Mentioning about the man gathering salt who notices that his very hands are hurt displays the
result of retrospection.

Stanza 5 In this part, the poet references wars and those that participate in it, to drive his point
home. Because there is now a time to breathe in and out, without being required to do what is usually
done, or blindly follow orders, there will also be time for introspection. And through this, humans are
now able to see how in a war, there really are no winners. This is where he continues to show the critical
impact of allowing time for introspection: a conscious effort not to contribute or be part of dissension.
Another symbolism can be spotted when the poet mentions “put on clean clothes.” This is not just to
emphasize how with war, there is the shedding of blood, but rather the very act of putting on new clothes
can be seen as taking on a different role, a different persona, and basically having a different take on the
matter at hand.

Stanza 6 Thriving Earth The poet then divulges to clarify that his plea for stillness, for a
moment’s pause, is not to be mistaken for the mere act of doing nothing or death. He mentions to truly
look at life as it is: which is of living while experiencing the beauty of quietness and the moments that go
through it. Note how he used “no truck with” which is an idiom meant to connote not having association
with. The poet considers going through the hustle and bustle of life without pausing, as death. The poet
then proceeds to give the reader a conditional statement to allow him to consider what would happen if
humans had not been slaves to time, routine and habit. He presents the bearing this unforeseen single iota
of change, rubbing off on the majority of people, would ultimately result to a much needed introspection.
The poet further injects irony when he mentions “death” in this stanza again as he goes to show how
humans are terrified of eventually dying. This, while not noticing that the life they are actually “living” is
merely existing, without truly being aware of what they are doing and becoming. Also, the poet asks us to
learn from earth which seems to be still when seen from far away but is burstling with life with all the
flora and fauna within.

Stanza 7 Having presented the dilemma, the poet effectively passes the baton to the reader and has
now given him the power and the choice to be still and begin his own introspection and retrospection. As
with the central idea of his poem, the call to pause and be mindful of one’s own self and ways, resonates
to the very conclusion of the poem.

FIGURES OF SPEECH
1. We will
[Link] of the sound ‘w’.
2. Without rush, without engines
Repetition/Alliteration
3. We world
Alliteration. Repetition of sound ‘w’
4. Sudden strangers
Alliteration. Repetition of sound ‘s’
5. His hurts hands
Alliteration. Repetition of sound ‘h’
6. Green wars, wars with gas, wars with fire
Repetition. Repetition of words ‘wars’
7. Victory with no survivors
Antithesis. Opposing ideas ‘victory’ and ‘no survivors’ are expressed in the lines
8. Clean clothes
Alliteration. Repetition of sound ‘c’
9. Walk about…… Doing nothing
Antithesis. Opposing ideas ‘walking about’ and ‘doing nothing’ are expressed in the lines.
10. Total inactivity
Antithesis. Opposing ideas expressed in the lines ‘total’ and ‘inactivity’.
11. Life is what……about I want ……….death
Antithesis. Opposite ideas expressed ‘life’ and ‘death’ in the lines.
Questions and Answers
i) Now we will count to twelve
 And we will all keep still
a) What will counting upto twelve and keeping still help us to achieve?
This will help us to achieve peace of mind and quiet introspection of our lives, so that we will be able to
understand oneself and others better.
b) Name and explain the figure of speech in the first line of the given stanza.
It is Alliteration because repetition of the sound ‘w’.
a) How did Pablo Neruda use ‘the earth’ in ‘Keeping Quiet’ to prove that he did not advocate
‘total inactivity’?
The poet wants the readers to slow down and not confuse ‘total inactivity’ with death. Just as
the Earth rests in winter, when everything remains silent and calm, it gets rejuvenated and nourishes other
living things. In this way, we, too, should learn from the Earth to rest and get rejuvenated to take care of
ourselves and those around.
ii) “Perhaps the Earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.”
a) What do we learn from the Earth?
During winter, the Earth appears to rest, as it is calm and silent, but the Earth is teeming with
life. Under the apparent stillness, there is life. This silence exudes positivity – a higher form of activity.
So, like Earth, we too, should learn to rest for a moment and use this silence to understand ourselves
better.
b) Name and explain the figure of speech in the first line.
It is Personification because the earth has been giving the human quality of teaching.
ii) “It would be an exotic moment
Without rush, without engines,
We would all be together
In a sudden strangeness”
a) Why does the poet feel that the moment would be strange?
It would be a strange experience for us- to be together but not in a hurry and we will perhaps
enjoy this quiet, unique moment.
b) Name and explain the figure of speech in the second line. In the second line, ‘without rush, without
engines’, the figure of speech is Repetition as the world ‘without’ has been repeated.
b) How can peace and friendship be encouraged in the world, according to Neruda?
According to the poet, peace and friendship can be encouraged only through self-understanding and
understanding of others around. People should respect each other by leaving all hate in relationships
behind, by going for a walk, under shady trees and enjoying being together with nature.
i) Those who prepare green wars, wars with gas, wars with fire, victory with no survivors, would put
on clean clothes, and walk about with their brothers in the shade, doing nothing.
a) ‘Green wars’ – what do these words suggest to you?
 ‘Green wars’ are wars against nature. This is the destruction of forests, woodlands or nature reserves of
the environment.
b) What message does the poet wish to convey through the given lines? What is the outcome of
these wars?
It is just destruction with no survivors, no victory. The poet wishes to convey that humans should respect
each other and not resort to wars and violence.
Additional Explanation

Now we will count to twelve

and we will all keep still.
The poet uses the number twelve that probably represents the dial of a clock.
For once on the face of the Earth

let’s not speak in any language,

let’s stop for one second,

and not move our arms so much.

Let’s not speak in any language. Here the poet is encouraging a unified movement among people, with no
discrimination based on race or language. This would be a mass movement for the first time on the face
of the earth, and would greatly enhance unity. Let us stop for a moment and not move our hands so much
in violence i.e. Let us not fight and argue so much.
It would be an exotic moment

without rush, without engines,

we would all be together

in a sudden strangeness.

It would be an splendid moment with reduced industrial activity (engines). The silence or the peace would
form the common link between all of us, bringing us all together.
Fishermen in the cold sea

would not harm whales

and the man gathering salt

would look at his hurt hands.

Fishermen represent proficient hunters of all kinds. The whales represent the oppressed class of human
beings, because of their helplessness. It is therefore a cry for the oppressed. In this quiet moment of
introspection, people would stop hurting others in an attempt to understand themselves. The whole of
humankind is in a mad rush to finish off their existence and achieve whatever goals they set. People are
so occupied with the daily rush of things and the flurry to accomplish their various goals that they never
take the time to look into themselves and understand themselves. Mankind has been personified as the salt
gatherer in the poem. In an exotic moment of peace, people would finally slow down and look into
themselves in an act of introspection, identify their follies and rectify them, making them better human
beings.
Those who prepare green wars,

wars with gas, wars with fire,

victory with no survivors,

would put on clean clothes

and walk about with their

brothers in the shade, doing nothing.

Green wars can be thought of as wars wherein people utilize nature – to hide (conceal) themselves among
the foliage of forests or make use of the environment. “Victory with no survivors” is a paradox. People
who win a war claim to possess victory; but is that so? Have they not lost tremendous lives in the
process? How then can they claim to have had victory? All wars originate from the lack of self-
understanding, and the understanding that all individuals are equal, which is why the poet stresses on
introspection. There can be two interpretations drawn out from the last few lines of the stanza. One
interpretation expounds that the people responsible for wars such as politicians, scientists, trigger the war
and later stay in the shade walking hand in hand with the rival as brothers, while thousands of lives are
lost in the battle. Another explanation is that people are never happy to go to war. They realize the
absurdity of victory from war. As a result of this reflection, People can be friendly as brothers, and walk
about in the shade doing no violence.
What I want should not be

Confused with total inactivity.

Life is what it is about;

I want no truck with death.

The poet’s words should not be confused with death or a state of complete dormancy. The poet’s message
is about life and he does not want it to be related in any way to death. It is not a state of inactivity but
rather of continued action at a slower pace.
If we were not so single-minded

about keeping our lives moving,

and for once could do nothing,

perhaps a huge silence

might interrupt this sadness

of never understanding ourselves

and of threatening ourselves with death.

As mentioned before, the basic concern of all human beings is being alive. Human beings are single-
minded about survival. Human beings are in a mad rush to finish life and accomplish all their varied
targets. If people could slow down for once and do nothing, the massive silence will intrude the despair of
never appreciating or recognizing ourselves. When we look around, all we see is an extremely pathetic
condition wherein people are only concerned or afraid of dying and never of understanding themselves.
Death is a threat to many of us because it means that we will not be able to fulfill all the targets that we
create. We will not be able to accomplish the task of survival in peace.
Perhaps the Earth can teach us

as when everything seems dead

and later proves to be alive.

This paragraph is possibly empathetic toward human beings, persuading them to take a lesson from
nature. During winter, the earth is blanketed with a coat of ice, and it appears as though there is no life in
the environment. Even the air is frigid (frosty) and draughty. However, this is not the end and this does
not last for long. The earth gets itself refined of all these trivial discrepancies, counting them all as a part
of the rejuvenation process. Despite all natural disasters and calamities, the earth continues its journey.
After a certain period of time, the cycle of reconstruction continues. The earth rejuvenates itself and
moves on, alive once again.
Now I’ll count up to twelve

and you keep quiet and I will go.

Maintaining a third person viewpoint to the entire dilemma, the poet leaves us on a train of thought. Now
that he has passed on the message, his work is done and he quietly leaves the scene.

1) The poet wants us to keep still- silent and motionless as we count to twelve. For atleast this once,
let us not speak in any language, engage in any dispute or debate, not move our arms so much, which we
have often moved, to harm others. So let us not move, instead, let’s stop for a moment.

2) That moment when we stop moving or speaking would be very fascinating. There would be no
hurry, even the machines would stop. Thus obliterating noise which is unpleasant. This would be a
 strange experience for us- to be together but not in a hurry. We perhaps will enjoy the uniqueness of the
moment.

3) The poet wants a fisherman in the cold seas (Polar Region) to not harm the whales. In a larger
context, stop harming nature around us. He also wants the men gathering salt to pause and look at their
hurt hands. A reference to all those who work hard to make a living, to pause and care – even the
workaholics to stop, and take care of oneself and everyone else connected to them.

4) The poet wants all kinds of war stopped immediately. The green wars against the environment, the
biological warfare or the wars using poisonous gases and the wars with fire. For even if it does bring
victory, it would be one without survivors. Instead of waging wars, they should start afresh- leave
behind all the hate in the relationships and start on a clean slate- go for a walk under shady trees and
enjoy just being together and with nature.

5) The poet makes sure that the stillness he is talking about is not to be confused with total inactivity
or death. Life is all about living and nothing to do with death. The poet feels that if we were not so
determined about being busy and on the move, and take a moment off to rest- to feel and experience the
silence of that moment, then it may help us to understand ourselves better. The inability to understand
ourselves leads to life threatening situations and decisions and this creates sadness. A moment of silence
would help us to take stock and understand ourselves and our life situations better.

6) Under this much needed stillness, there is life and activity. Just as the earth teaches us, even when
everything seems dead and silent, the earth is teeming with life. Under apparent stillness, there is life.
This silence or stillness exuded positivity- a higher form of activity.

7) In the end the poet says that he will leave after he counts to twelve, for it is now our turn to keep
quiet- for each one of us to stop the rush and be still and to use the silence to understand ourselves
better.

More Explanation

The poem was originally written by Pablo Neruda in Spanish but later translated to English. Its main
thrust was the significance of mindfulness, introspection and retrospection as these lead to attention, unity
and brotherhood.

It was an appeal to pause and really see that set in a mundane flurry of human habit; people are led to
blindly perform what is expected of them while sadly not perceiving the impact to nature and society.

Stanza 1 By asking the reader to count to twelve, the poet calls for a time to be tranquil and
unmoving. His use of the number twelve could be associated to the clock hours or possibly, even the
number of months in a year. Both attributions however, effectively depict how our hours and months pass
by before us, as we continue to chase after them without so much as a pause in between.

Stanza 2 Again, the poet reinforces his call not to take a step further, move nor speak. The appeal to
not speak in any language is symbolic of asking people to now “speak” in one language – silence. This
would bring everyone together and lead us to introspection. In this view, symbolism may also be seen in
the use of the phrase, “move our arms so much” which in this context, if taken lightly can be considered
as merely brisk walking, but could also be signifying violence or our selfish pursuits. It is to be noted as
well how the poet mentions “once” and “one second” in this stanza. The appeal is set on the premise that
humans are constantly speaking and constantly moving- again, a reinforcement of his earlier hedge on the
lack of time to be still and introspective.

Stanza 3 Unity Here, the poet introduces the impact of such behavior. The poet then proceeds
to ask the reader to ponder, consider and bask on the glory of this rare occurrence: where the usual flurry
of diverse human activity is now silenced to a standstill and in surprising unity. As humans are perceived
to be unique in their own ways and possess free will, a complied deliberate silence of all shall create this
mysterious yet wonderfully unusual unanimity.

Stanza 4 Here, the poem develops by providing what ensues through this quietness. The poet shows
how because of this, humans would now have more time to think about their actions and how they would
have the time to notice the details that surround their daily lives. Knowing the power they have over
nature but also being aware of where they stand, humans now demonstrate their free will not to harm
nature. Mentioning about the man gathering salt who notices that his very hands are hurt displays the
result of retrospection.

Stanza 5 In this part, the poet references wars and those that participate in it, to drive his point
home. Because there is now a time to breathe in and out, without being required to do what is usually
done, or blindly follow orders, there will also be time for introspection. And through this, humans are
now able to see how in a war, there really are no winners. This is where he continues to show the critical
impact of allowing time for introspection: a conscious effort not to contribute or be part of dissension.
Another symbolism can be spotted when the poet mentions “put on clean clothes.” This is not just to
emphasize how with war, there is the shedding of blood, but rather the very act of putting on new clothes
can be seen as taking on a different role, a different persona, and basically having a different take on the
matter at hand.

Stanza 6 Thriving Earth The poet then divulges to clarify that his plea for stillness, for a
moment’s pause, is not to be mistaken for the mere act of doing nothing or death. He mentions to truly
look at life as it is: which is of living while experiencing the beauty of quietness and the moments that go
through it. Note how he used “no truck with” which is an idiom meant to connote not having association
 with. The poet considers going through the hustle and bustle of life without pausing, as death. The poet
then proceeds to give the reader a conditional statement to allow him to consider what would happen if
humans had not been slaves to time, routine and habit. He presents the bearing this unforeseen single iota
of change, rubbing off on the majority of people, would ultimately result to a much needed introspection.
The poet further injects irony when he mentions “death” in this stanza again as he goes to show how
humans are terrified of eventually dying. This, while not noticing that the life they are actually “living” is
merely existing, without truly being aware of what they are doing and becoming. Also, the poet asks us to
learn from earth which seems to be still when seen from far away but is burstling with life with all the
flora and fauna within.

Stanza 7 Having presented the dilemma, the poet effectively passes the baton to the reader and has
now given him the power and the choice to be still and begin his own introspection and retrospection. As
with the central idea of his poem, the call to pause and be mindful of one’s own self and ways, resonates
to the very conclusion of the poem.

FIGURES OF SPEECH
1. We will
The figure of speech is Repetition. The words ‘we will have been repeated.
Or
[Link] of the sound ‘w’.
2. Without rush, without engines
Repetition/Alliteration
3. We world
Alliteration. Repetition of sound ‘w’
4. Sudden strangers
Alliteration. Repetition of sound ‘s’
5. His hurts hands
Alliteration. Repetition of sound ‘h’
6. Green wars, wars with gas, wars with fire
Repetition. Repetition of words ‘wars’
7. Victory with no survivors
Antithesis. Opposing ideas ‘victory’ and ‘no survivors’ are expressed in the lines
8. Clean clothes
Alliteration. Repetition of sound ‘c’
9. Walk about…… Doing nothing
Antithesis. Opposing ideas ‘walking about’ and ‘doing nothing’ are expressed in the lines.
10. Total inactivity
Antithesis. Opposing ideas expressed in the lines ‘total’ and ‘inactivity’.
11. Life is what……about I want ……….death
Antithesis. Opposite ideas expressed ‘life’ and ‘death’ in the lines.
Questions and Answers
i) Now we will count to twelve
And we will all keep still
a) What will counting upto twelve and keeping still help us to achieve?

This will help us to achieve peace of mind and quiet introspection of our lives, so that we will be able to
understand oneself and others better.
b) Name and explain the figure of speech in the first line of the given stanza.

It is Alliteration because repetition of the sound ‘w’.

a) How did Pablo Neruda use ‘the earth’ in ‘Keeping Quiet’ to prove that he did not advocate ‘total
inactivity’?

The poet wants the readers to slow down and not confuse ‘total inactivity’ with death. Just as
the Earth rests in winter, when everything remains silent and calm, it gets rejuvenated and nourishes other
living things. In this way, we, too, should learn from the Earth to rest and get rejuvenated to take care of
ourselves and those around.

ii) “Perhaps the Earth can teach us

as when everything seems dead

and later proves to be alive.”

a) What do we learn from the Earth?

During winter, the Earth appears to rest, as it is calm and silent, but the Earth is teeming with
life. Under the apparent stillness, there is life. This silence exudes positivity – a higher form of activity.
So, like Earth, we too, should learn to rest for a moment and use this silence to understand ourselves
better.

b) Name and explain the figure of speech in the first line.

It is Personification because the earth has been giving the human quality of teaching.
ii) “It would be an exotic moment
Without rush, without engines,
We would all be together
In a sudden strangeness”
a) Why does the poet feel that the moment would be strange?

It would be a strange experience for us- to be together but not in a hurry and we will perhaps enjoy this
quiet, unique moment.

b) Name and explain the figure of speech in the second line. In the second line, ‘without rush, without
engines’, the figure of speech is Repetition as the world ‘without’ has been repeated.

c) How can peace and friendship be encouraged in the world, according to Neruda?
 According to the poet, peace and friendship can be encouraged only through self-understanding and
understanding of others around. People should respect each other by leaving all hate in relationships
behind, by going for a walk, under shady trees and enjoying being together with nature.

i) Those who prepare green wars, wars with gas, wars with fire, victory with no survivors, would put
on clean clothes, and walk about with their brothers in the shade, doing nothing.

a) ‘Green wars’ – what do these words suggest to you?

‘Green wars’ are wars against nature. This is the destruction of forests, woodlands or nature reserves of
the environment.

b) What message does the poet wish to convey through the given lines? What is the
outcome of these wars?
It is just destruction with no survivors, no victory. The poet wishes to convey that humans should respect
each other and not resort to wars and violence.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
______
A THING OF BEAUTY

SUMMARY

A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Its loveliness increases through the years. It will never fade. What does
it do? It provides refuge and a safe haven. It has a power to fill us with contentment, good health and
happiness and has a calming effect. This ethereal (forever) beauty binds us to the earth and helps us to
tackle the world’s problems.

We can face the day to day grind and utter depression, the incomprehensible nature of man, of people
who consider themselves paragons of virtue, of gloomy days that befall us, of times when we go astray
and sow our wild oats indulging in unhealthy trends. These are put before us and it is a thing of beauty
that helps us to rediscover ourselves. It moves away the dark spirits of our lives. The poet shows us
beauty in nature. They have a function to perform,yet they are so beautiful in their own special ways, like
the sun, moon, and trees that give shade to all, daffodils enhances forests or woodlands, streams give
relief from the heat, the musk rose stands out in the midst of the ferns with its fragrance.

Finally, the poet reminds us of the great tales that were fought by knights, who were crusaders of love and
in the end perishing for a cause that was so close to their hearts- for a thing of beauty, for love. The
beauty of love is like an endless fountain, if one drinks it, one is immortalized and its experience is
heavenly. ‘Love is the essence of everything beautiful, the force behind everything wonderful’.

FIGURES OF SPEECH

A Thing of Beauty – John Keats

1. A thing of beauty is a joy forever

The figure of speech is Metaphor. A thing of beauty is indirectly compared to love.

2. Its loveliness increases….. Pass unto nothingness

Antithesis. Opposing ideas expressed in the lines to emphasize a statement

3. Flowery land to bind us to earth

Metaphor. Flowery land is indirectly compared to wreathe

4. Of noble natures of gloomy days

[Link] ideas ‘noble natures’ as against ‘gloomy days’ expressed in the lines.

5. Some shapes

Alliteration. Repetition of sound ‘s’

6. Trees old and young.

Antithesis. Opposing ideas ‘old’ and ‘young’ expressed in the lines to emphasize a statement.

7. Simple sheep

Alliteration. Repetition of sound ‘s’

8. Cooling covert

Alliteration. Repetition of sound ‘c’

9. Daffodils….. green world

Antithesis. Opposing ideas or words to emphasize a statement ‘daffodils’ and ‘green world’

10. Cooling covert…….. Hot season

Antithesis. Opposing ideas expressed in the lines. ‘cooling’ and ‘hot’

11. Musk rose….. Midforest brake

Antithesis. Opposing ideas expressed in the lines. Musk rose in the midst of the ferns.

12. Gradeur of dooms

Antithesis. Opposing ideas expressed in the lines to emphasize a statement ‘mighty’ and ‘dead’.

13. Mighty dead

Antithesis. Opposing ideas expressed in the lines to emphasize a statement ‘mighty’ and ‘dead’.

14. Have heard

Alliteration. Repetition of sound ‘h’

15. An endless fountain of immortal drink

Metaphor. Endless fountain is indirectly compared to love/thing of beauty

16. An endless fountain of immortal drink…… Heaven’s brink

 Hyperbole. It is an exaggerated statement.

The central idea of the poem is love, a thing of beauty that is a joy forever. Love is everlasting and
eternal, like an endless fountain. If one drinks it, one is immortalized and the experience is heavenly.

A thing of beauty is a joy forever

Its loveliness increases,
it will never pass into nothingness;
But will keep a bower quiet for us,
and a sleep full of sweet dreams,
And health, and quiet breathing.
Vocabulary

 A thing of beauty – A beautiful thing

 Joy – happiness
 Loveliness – Beauty
 Pass into nothingness – Become extinct; dead; forgotten
 Bower – Garden
 Quiet – Silent; motionless

Analysis

1. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever?

A thing is said to be a ‘thing of beauty,’ because it is a source of joy forever. When we think of it we
should be happy and in its absence too, it should fill our minds with divine memories of it.
2. How does the loveliness of the beautiful thing increase?
A really beautiful thing gives us such a happiness that will keep on increasing every day and will
continue to be doing so for ever contrary to the ordinary things that give us happiness for some time
and then disappears.
3. How does a thing pass into ‘nothingness?’
A thing passes into nothingness when it dies and disappears from our memories. Such a thing is not a
thing of beauty.
4. What is a bower? How does the beautiful thing keep a bower quiet for us? (This explanation is
the best I could write but be warned, this section is usually overlooked by our teachers)
A bower is a shady place under the huge branches of trees. A bower is always restless and noisy due
to the wind that makes leaves rustle and birds to chirp. But there will be a sudden silence and
stillness in a bower at the presence of a beautiful thing like a flower.
5. How is the beautiful thing able to provide us with sweet dreams? What else does the beautiful
thing provide us with?
If we have the sweet memories of a beautiful thing, it will provide us with sweet dreams in sleep. It
also gives us health and quiet breathing.

Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing

a flowery band to bind us to the earth.
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and over darkened ways
made for our searching:
Yes, in spite of all, some shape of beauty
moves away the pall from our dark spirits.
Vocabulary

 Therefore – Because of this

 Morrow – Morning
 Wreathe – Arrange flowers into a bouquet
  Flowery band – Bouquet

Explanation: Imagine that someone took to the habit of taking drugs. It is said that one gets a pleasure by
taking drugs. But soon he becomes an addict to it and won’t be able to pass a day without drugs. The
comfortable blanket that he was covered with the first time turns out to be a burden! He wants to stop
taking drugs but cannot. The comfort has now become a misery for his dear ones and for him. The
‘blanket’ cannot be lifted from him by any power. It is at this time a beautiful thing, such as a loving
smile, a loving touch, a  loving care, etc., comes for his help.

1. What does the poet mean by ‘wreathing a flowery band?’

Wreathing a flowery band refers to arranging flowers in a beautiful order. Here the poet refers to our
habit of gathering all good hopes, dreams and aspirations for beginning a more successful life each
day.
2. Why do we need to ‘wreathe a flowery band every morning?
Wreathing flowery band is symbolic of gathering all good hopes every morning to begin a happy
day. It is very necessary for all human beings to wreathe a flowery band every morning to love life
in spite of all the sufferings and pains of life around.
3. What is the ‘spite of despondence?’
Spite of despondence is a state of our minds filled with ill-will and hatred for others due to profound
hopeless and gloom.
4. How does the ‘dearth of noble natures’ occur in our lives?
With the passage of time we generally ignore the great values and moralities taught by our ancestors.
It happens due to our tendency to embark the lighter ways and easier rules in the society.
5. How do days become ‘gloomy?’
Days become gloomy when hopelessness fills our lives.
6. Why do people take the ‘unhealthy and over darkened ways for happiness? Do they find
happiness there? Explain.
The pleasure that one gets from bad means appears to be sweeter than those that come from good
means. Even though they find happiness there, such happiness will not last. After providing a time of
excitement and pleasure, this sort of happiness turns sour and misery.
7. What is the ‘pall’ that covers our spirits? How does it fall on our spirits?
The pall that covers our spirit is a blanket of comfort that we get from wrong means. It falls on us
when we allow ourselves to enjoy evil pleasures.
8. What can remove the ‘pall’ from our dark spirits?’ How?
Only beautiful things can remove the pall from our dark spirits.
9. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and ordeals?
The presence of beautiful things in the world gives human beings an urge to live longer.

Such (as) the sun, the moon, trees old and young,
Sprouting a shady boon for simple sheep;
And such are daffodils with the green world they live in;
and the clear rills that for themselves
a cooling covert make against the hot season;
The mid forest brake, rich with a sprinkling of musk rose blooms;

1. How are the sun and moon beautiful things?

The sun and moon are beautiful because they are source of life and endless joy for everyone.
2. How is ‘tree’ a perfect example for a beautiful thing in its greatness by providing shade to the
simple sheep?
The tree bears the heat of the sun to give shade and cool for anyone who seeks shade and rest under
its branches. Its greatness is a degree greater because it gives shade not only for the mighty ones, but
also for the simplest of the animals such as sheep.
3. How are the daffodils beautiful things?
Daffodils are beautiful for the charm and fragrance that they spread in the garden where they live.
 4. What are clear rills? What act of the rill makes it a beautiful thing?
Clear rills are beautiful, clean rivers. They flow through all kinds of lands, selflessly sharing their
water with all the trees and animals on their way, making them rich and grow.
5. How is the ‘mid forest brake’ made rich?
The mid forest is made rich with the fragrance of the musk rose.
6. What act of the ‘musk rose’ makes it beautiful?
The musk rose grows and blooms along with ferns. The humility of the great musk rose to grow with
the dull fern makes it beautiful. Moreover, it spreads its fragrance far away and makes the nature
more beautiful and sweet. The musk rose’ readiness to share its goodness with the rest of the world
makes it rich.

And such too is the grandeur of the dooms

We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.

1. What is the ‘grandeur of the dooms of the great people?’ How does the poet compare this
‘grandeur’ with that of the beautiful things?
The greatness with which the great people die is the ‘grandeur of the dooms of the mighty dead.’ The
poet compares this greatness with that of the beautiful things on account of the fact that the great
people die for giving happiness to the rest of the world.
2. Who are the mighty dead? Why are they called so? How are they beautiful?
The mighty dead are the great people who have sacrificed their lives for the humanity by struggling
and dying for others. They are called so because they were selfless and provided happiness for the
others. They were mighty because it is more difficult to die for others than living for oneself. They
are equally beautiful as they suffered for other people like the daffodils and trees, they provided
happiness to others like the clear rills and they burnt for others like the sun.
3. Which ‘tales’ does the poet here refer to? Why are they lovely?
The poet refers to the really beautiful stories that we have either heard or read. These tales are
beautiful because they can leave an indelible happiness in us and each time we recall these stories,
we feel our burdens lifted, mind refreshed and life moving happily in spite of all disturbances.
4. How are the ‘lovely tales’ ‘fountain of immortal drink?’
A fountain of immortal drink gives us immortality. Similarly, reading and listening to really
beautiful tales fill our minds with joy beyond description.

__________________________________________________________________________

Question 1.

Why do the people who run the roadside stand wait for the squeal of brakes so eagerly? (2003 Delhi)

The “squealing of brakes” means that a car has stopped at their roadside stand. It raises their hopes that
the city-folk have stopped there to buy something from their roadside stand and some city money will
come into their hands.

Question 2.

Explain: “soothe them out of them wits” with reference to the poem The Roadside Stand’. (2005 Delhi)

The powerful men approach the country folk with false promises of providing them with better living
conditions and a better life. These innocent and simple rustics repose blind faith in their false claims and
feel soothed and satisfied. They fail to see through their crookedness and selfishness.
Question 3.

Why does Robert Frost sympathise with the rural poor? (2009 Delhi; 2011 Comptt. Outside Delhi)

Robert Frost feels an unbearable agony at the plight of the rural poor who are ignored and neglected by
the rich politicians. The Government and the party in power are indifferent to their welfare. They fool
them by making false promises and then fully exploit them to suit their own selfish interests.

Question 4.

What was the plea of the folk who had put up the roadside stand? (2008 Delhi; 2011 Delhi; 2013 Delhi)

The folk who had put up the roadside stand pleaded to the city dwellers to stop and buy their wares so as
to enable them to earn some extra money for a decent living. They wanted that the rich people who
passed from there in their cars should stop there and buy some goods from them. The money that these
folks would earn from the rich people would help them to lead a better life.

Question 5.

What is the ‘childish longing’ of the folk who had put up the roadside stand? Why is it ‘in vain’? (2011
Comptt. Delhi)

The ‘childish longing’, the poet refers to, is the dreams and desires of the rural folk who have a child-like
longing for a better life that they hope to live with the help from the city dwellers. Their longing is in vain
because the city folk are not willing to help them and so their ‘childish longings’ are not likely to be
fulfilled.

Question 6.

Why didn’t the ‘polished traffic’ stop at the roadside stand? (2012 Delhi)

The ‘polished traffic’ conveniently overlook the roadside stand and do not stop there as their mind is
focussed only on their destination. Moreover, they were critical of the poor decor of the stand, its artless
interior and paint.

Question 7.

What news in the poem ‘A Roadside Stand’ is making its round in the village? (2013 Outside Delhi)

The news making its round is about the resettlement of the poor, rural people who will be resettled in the
villages, next to the theatre and the store. They would be close to the cities and will not have to worry
about themselves any more.

Question 8.

Why do people at the roadside stand ask for city money? (2013 Comptt. Delhi)
The rural people running the roadside stand are poor and deprived, unlike the people of the city. They
thus ask for city money so that they too can lead a life of happiness and prosperity. This much-needed
city money can give them the life that had been promised to them by the party in power.

Question 9.

What does Frost himself feel about the roadside stand? (2011 Comptt. Outside Delhi)

The poet is distressed to see the interminable wait on the part of the shed owners for their prospective
buyers. He is agonised at the ‘childish longing in vain’ of the people who have put up the roadside stand.

2. Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Question 10.

The little old house was out with a little new shed

In front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped,

A roadside stand that too pathetically pled,

It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread,

But for some of the money, the cash, whose flow

supports

The flower of cities from sinking and withering faint.

Where was the new shed put up? What was its purpose?

Why does the poet use the word ‘pathetic’?

Explain: ‘too pathetically pled’

Who are referred to as ‘the flower of cities’? (2009 Outside Delhi; 2010 Comptt. Delhi; 2012 Comptt.
Delhi)

1. A little house at one side of the road was extended and a shed was added to it to put up a road stand. It
was set up to attract passersby to buy things from them so that they could earn some money.

2. By using the word ‘pathetic’ the poet emphasizes on the fact that the condition of the shed was most
humble and that it presented a rather pitiable sight.

3. It was as if by putting up the shed the owner was desperately pleading to the rich city folks to stop by at
his roadside stand and buy things from there so that they could earn some extra money.

4. ‘The flower of the cities’ here refers to the rich and wealthy city-dwellers who can afford the best
things.

Question 11.
The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead,

Or if ever aside a moment, then out of sorts

At having the landscape marred with the artless paint

Of signs that with N turned wrong and S turned

wrong

Offered for sale wild berries in wooden quarts,

What does the poet mean by ‘with a mind ahead?

What are N and S signs?

Why have these sings turned wrong? (2010 Comptt. Outside Delhi)

Answer:

1. The phrase ‘with a mind ahead’ suggests that the people who pass the roadside stand in their polished
cars conveniently overlook the roadside stand as their mind is focussed only on their destination.

2. The N and S signs stand for the North and the South direction.

3. These signs have turned wrong because they have been painted in the wrong way and so these
signboards are wrongly presented.

Question 12.

Or beauty rest in a beautiful mountain scene,

You have the money, but if you want to be mean,

Why keep your money (this crossly) and go along.

The hurt to the scenery wouldn’t be my complaint

So much as the trusting sorrow of what is unsaid

What attraction does the place offer?

What should one do if one wants to be mean?

What does the poet not complain about?

What do you think is the real worry of the poet?

Answer:

1. The place offers a scenic view of the beautiful mountains.

2. If one wants to be mean he can keep his money and move on ahead.

3. The poet does not complain about the landscape which has been spoilt because of the artless painting
done on the building.

4. The poet’s real worry is the unexpressed sorrow of the people who have put up the roadside stand.

Question 13.

It is in the news that all these pitiful kin

Are to be bought out and mercifully gathered in

To live in villages, next to the theatre and the store,

Where they won’t have to think for themselves

anymore,

While greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of prey,

[Link] the poem and the poet.

2. Explain why merciful have been called ‘greedy good-doers’ and ‘beneficent beasts of prey’?

3. Why won’t these poor people have to think for themselves any more?

Answer:

1. The poem is ‘A Roadside Stand’ by Robert Frost.

2. The merciful are the crooked politicians, greedy people pretending to be good, who only pose as
beneficiaries. These powerful men are actually beasts of prey in the guise of beneficiaries who ruthlessly
exploit the common people.

3. These poor people are now in the hands of the so-called ‘merciful beneficiaries’, who will actually do
them more harm than any good, so they will not have to think about themselves any more.

Question 14.

Sometimes 1 feel myself I can hardly bear

The thought of so much childish longing in vain,

The sadness that lurks near the open window there,

That waits all day in almost open prayer

For the squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car,

Of all the thousand selfish cars that pass.

1. What cannot be borne by the poet and why?

2. What is the ‘childish longing7?

3. Why the longing has been termed as ‘vain’?

4. Why do the people driving in the cars stop sometimes? (2004 Delhi; 2011 Outside Delhi)

Answer:

1. The poet cannot bear the thought of how these country folks are lured with false promises which are
never going to be fulfilled because he feels genuinely sad about so much deprivation to these innocent
people.

2. Like children, these country folk have many unfulfilled wishes and desires. So they keep their windows
open expecting some prospective customers to turn up so that some good fortune can fall into their share.

3. The longing has been termed as ‘vain’ because it will never be fulfilled.

4. The people driving in the car stop sometimes either to just enquire about the way to their destination or
to ask for a gallon of gas if they ran short of it.

Question 15.

Sometimes I feel myself I can hardly bear

The thought of so much childish longing in vain,

The sadness that lurks near the open window there,

1. Why is the longing called childish?

2. Where is the window?

3. Why does sadness lurk there?

Answer:

1. Like children, these rural folk nurture many unfulfilled dreams and desires which might never be
satisfied. They crave in vain like children waiting for their wishes to be fulfilled.

2. The window is a part of their roadside stand where they wait expectantly.

3. Sadness lurks there because no car halts there to buy anything from their roadside stand and the rural
folk are unable to earn some extra money.

Question 16.

The sadness that lurks near the open window there,

That waits all day in almost open prayer

For the squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car,

Of all the thousand selfish cars that pass,

Just one to inquire a farmer’s prices are.

1. Which open window is referred to? Why does sadness lurk there?

2. What does the farmer pray for?

3. Is the farmer’s prayer ever granted? How do you know? (2012 Outside Delhi)

Answer:

1. The open window is that of the roadside stand where they wait expectantly for a car to stop by. Sadness
lurks there because no city dweller halts there and thus the hopes of the country folk are belied as no
customer stops there.

2. The farmer prays that the city folks apply the brakes of the car and halt at their roadside stand to buy
something from there.

3. The farmers’ prayers are not granted. The poet tells us that even if city folk do stop at the roadside
stand it is only to enquire about the prices of the goods.

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Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

SUMMARY OF THE POEM:

• The poet is a feminist and she addresses the difficulties of a married woman.

• She spends good amount of time in embroidering panel of tigers prancing across the screen.

• The tigers are fearless creatures pacing elegantly and majestically. They symbolize the spirit of

freedom. Aunt is a victim of male chauvinism (male domination).

• Aunt Jennifer is so oppressed and terrified that she finds it hard to pull the needle.

• The “weight of Uncle’s wedding band “expresses how victimized and oppressed she is. It

implies that aunt Jennifer has to work hard to meet his expectations.

• She spends her life in fear but she embroiders on the panel the fearless tigers to express her

secret longing for a life of freedom and confidence.

• Even her death does not end the problem and torture which a married woman experiences..
1. ‘Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen,

Bright topaz denizens of a world of green.

They do not fear the men beneath the tree;

They pace in sleek chivalric certainty.

a. What are ‘Aunt Jennifer’s tigers’ a reference to?

‘Aunt Jennifer’s tigers’ are a reference to the tgers she is embroidering on the panel of a screen.

b. What is the screen?

The screen is the panel or the tapestry where she was doing her embroidery/ needle work.

c. What are the two action verbs? What do they signify?

The two action verbs are ‘prance’ and ‘pace’. They symbolize the majestic gait and the fearless nature of
the tigers. They walk with dignity asif they were aware that the forest belonged to them.

d. What is the suggestion of the word ‘topaz’?

“Topaz” refers to the bright yellow of the royal tigers. This bright colour is striking and draws attention to
their majestic presence. The bright yellow is in sharp contrast to the drab, timid life that Aunt leads,
shackled by the bonds of marriage.

e. What is the connotation of the word ‘denizens’? 2 marks

The word ‘denizens’ means residents of a particular place or region. This word implies that the tiger is
majestic and undaunted in its natural environment. It paces with dignity as if it owned the green forest.
But their creator, Aunt Jennifer, is weak and oppressed.

f. What are the traits of the tigers that lend a contrast to the Aunt? 2 marks

The tigers are fearless and chivalric. They are confident and sure-footed unlike Aunt Jennifer, who is
nervous and oppressed. The tigers don’t fear men, but stride majestically across the forest floor and
conduct themselves in a heroic, manly fashion. However, Aunt Jennifer lacks freedom and lives in
constant fear of her husband. Though she wishes to lead a liberated, carefree life like the men, she faces
constant subjugation and dominance in the patriarchial society.

g. What is the rhyme scheme? How does it add t the meaning of the poem?

The rhyme scheme is ‘a a b b’. It matches the splendid rhythmic gait of the royal beast.

h. What did Aunt Jennifer’s tigers represent?

Aunt Jennifer’s tigers were indicative of the Aunt’s yearning for freedom and liberation from male
oppression and dominance. They symbolize her intense frustration, agony, resentment and anger of not
being able to express herself freely or living a life that she desired in a patriarchial society. Her tigers are
self-assured, liberated, majestic beasts that pace the forest floor, fearlessly. In contrast, Aunt Jennifer is
nervous, suffers constant apprehension from her husband and leds an oppressed life, as per the will of her
dominating husband. The tigers represent everything that women desire to be.

2. ‘Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool

Find even the ivory needle hard to pull,

The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band,

Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.

a. What do ‘fluttering fingers’ mean?

The poet, Adrienne Rich, uses the device of alliteration, “fluttering fingers” to suggest Aunt Jennifer’s
physical weakness as well as her nervous agitation. Aunt Jennifer feels her oppression and subjugation so
intensely and is filled with so much resentment and frustration that she is not able to handle the ivory
needles to do her needle point. Her fluttering fingers are also indicative of her fear of her husband.

b. What has caused this condition?

The domineering nature of her husband, the constant harassment she faced, the continual surrendarnce to
her husband’s will and the perpetual fear that she lived in has caused this condition.

c. What does the weight of the “band” symbolize? 2 marks

The “massive weight” of the “wedding band” is symbolic of subjugation and male dominance. She is
oppressed under the weight of the band that ‘sits heavily’. The band is a metaphoric expression of her
agony, enslavement, suppressed creativity and resentment. The rhyming words ‘bound’ and ‘hand’
indicate that marriage restricted her freedom and confined her creativity.

d. Who do you think is the speaker in the poem? Why do you think so?

‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’ refers to a lady’s agony, anger and resentment at living an oppressed life in a
patriarchal society. The point of view here seems to be that of a woman, probably the niece commenting
on the inequality and the injustice meted to women in the male dominated society of the late 19th century.
Each of the stanzas begins with ‘Aunt Jennifer’s tigers’, ‘Aunt Jennifer’s fingers’ and ‘when Aunt is
dead’. This is evidence that her niece in recounting Aunt Jennifer’s sad story.

3. ‘When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie

Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by.

The tigers in the panel that she made

Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid.’

a. What is the time projected by the poet? What does she suggest?

In the third stanza, the speaker predicts the future and suggests that even when she is dead, Aunt Jennifer
will continue to be burdened by her oppressive marriage. The wedding ring has left a pale, mark, which
she will never be rid off.

b. What does ‘terrified hands’ symbolize?

Her hands will stiil bear the discoloured mark of the wedding ring, even in death. She will continued to be
plagued by her torturous marriage. She has suffered terrible agony in her unhappy marriage and the ‘the
band’ will remind her of the subjugation to her husband even in death.

c. Explain the implication of ‘ringed fingers?

The word ringed has a double connotation. The literal meaning refers to the pale mark that has formed on
her fingers due to the many years of unhappy marriage that she was trapped in. The metaphorical
meaning refers to the travails of her oppressive marriage that she was burdened by.

Though the wedding ring is light in weight, it ‘sits heavily’ upon her hand.

d. ‘Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid.’ What is the poetic device used? What is the effect?

The poet, Adrienne Rich’ uses the alliteration, ‘prancing’ and ‘proud’ to heighten the element of irony in
the poem. Aunt will face death one death one day but the tigers will continue to roam fearlessly and with
assurance. It also indicates that while Aunt Jennifer was physically weak and mentally repressed,
dominated by her insensitive, inconsiderate husband. It is ironic that this nervous, docile woman should
create the strong, majestic tigers.

e. Explain the stark difference in the death of Aunt and the tigers prancing.

The tigers remain free, fearless and majestic throughout the poem. They seem to become stronger as the
poem progresses. In contrast, Aunt Jennifer seems to be losing her identity steadily as the poem
progresses. Even in her death, Aunt Jennifer seems to be burdened by the ordeals of her unhappy
marriage. However the tigers continue to prance, proud and unafraid.

f. Why has the poet referred to Aunt Jennifer as Aunt in the end?

‘When Aunt is dead’ indicates that Aunt Jennifer allowed herself to become so obedient to her
domineering husband, that she has lost her identity. In this context, Aunt could refer to any woman
burdened by the shackles of a torturous marriage. The poet appears to warn all women to stop being
docile and stand up for their rights, to avoid the pathetic fate of Aunt Jennifer.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. How do Aunt Jennifer’s tiger look?

The tigers, made by Aunt Jennifer on the screen, are jumping and playing about without any fear of the
men beneath the tree. They walk in elegance and style displaying the spirit of courage, fearlessness,
strength and confidence.

2. What do the tigers made by the Aunt symbolize?

The tigers made by Aunt Jennifer symbolize the spirit of courage, strength and fearlessness Aunt Jennifer,
a victim of male oppression, expresses her crushed feelings in the form of art. So, the tigers are symbolic
of the fear of male domination with which Aunt Jennifer suffers.

3. Why do you think Aunt Jennifer’s hands are fluttering through her wool? Why is she finding the needle
so hard to pull?

Aunt Jennifer is victimized by the overbearing and dominant nature of her husband. Her life has become a
torture due to her suppression by her atrocious husband. The fear of her authoritative husband has gone so
deep into her being that she seems to have lost all strength and energy. Thus her hands shake and flutter
so much that she is not even able to pull the needle through the tapestry.

4. What do you understand by “massive weight of uncle’s wedding band”?

Generally ‘wedding band’ is a symbol of joy and happiness. But in case of Aunt Jennifer, it has become a
symbol of torture and oppression. Her relationship with her authoritative husband has become a painful
burden to carry. Her ‘wedding band’ has brought her a world of pain, misery and torture. She has lost her
freedom and entered a world of humiliation and oppression.

5. Explain ’her terrified hands will lie, still ringed with the ordeals she was mastered by’.

These lines convey Aunt’s complete submission to the oppressive authority of her husband. The fear of
her husband has gone so deep into her being that even death cannot liberate her from the chains of her
mental suppression. Memories of her husband’s tortures and atrocities which bent her into a humiliating
slavery will continue to haunt her even after her death.

6. Explain ‘The tigers in the panel------------proud and unafraid.’

Here the tigers symbolize the unquestioned authority of man enjoyed by him over his woman counterpart.
The lines suggest the dispassionate and unconcerned attitude of the male towards the desire for freedom
among women. Here, Aunt Jennifer tries to find an escape in her art but ends up portraying an image of
her own suppression. While woman can never free herself from the oppressive authority of her male
counterpart, the male, on the other hand will go on enjoying his authoritative arrogance and ferocity
without any fear of regrets.

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