GOING PLACES

Q1- Sophie and Jansie were class-mates and friends. What were the differences between
them that show up in the story?
Ans: Sophie and Jansie were totally opposite of each other though they were friends. Sophie was
always lost in her dreams. She wanted to lead a life full of luxury and sophistication. She dreamt
of owning a boutique, be like Mary Quaint or an actress and wanted to become rich and famous.
On the other hand, Jansie was a girl who had a realistic approach towards life. She knew that
they came from a poor family and were working in a small factory. Therefore, she did not
involve herself in daydreams like Sophie. Rather she tried to teach her that such dreams required
a lot of money and a meager salary from the factory was not enough to fulfill such dreams.

Q2- How would you describe the character and temperament of Sophie’s father?
Ans: Sophie’s father is a plump and aggressive person. Sophie fears his anger. He doesn’t
believe in the wild stories of his daughter but as a caring father, he reminds her not to make such
stories as this could lead her to trouble. He is a football fan because he visits the football ground
with his kids, every Saturday, to watch his favorite team ‘United’ play the match. He also wishes
Danny Casey to become like Finney and enjoys the winning of his team by visiting the pub.

Q3- Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other person? From her
perspective, what did he symbolise?
Ans: Geoff was an introvert type of person and so he spoke less about himself. This made Sophie
like him as she thought that he visited some secret places that were full of interesting people. So,
she tried to win his affection in order to get a chance to ride with him to that special place where
she would visit by wearing a beautiful yellow dress. She also imagined of being welcomed by
the crowd there. Sophie wanted to live that beautiful life which was full of colours and happiness
that Geoff lived but she could not.

Q4- What socio-economic background did Sophie belong to? What are the indicators of her
family’s financial status?
Ans: Sophie belonged to a lower middle class family. She lived in a small house with her family.
When she returned home from school, she felt uncomfortable because of the steam and the
untidy look of her house. Her mother was stooping because of the burden of the work she did.
Her father was a labourer and her elder brother was a mechanic. She also worked in a biscuit
factory in order to support her family. Such things indicated that Sophie belonged to a lower
middle class family.

IMPORTANT SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS.

Q1 Why did Jansie discourage Sophie from having dreams?
Ans. Jansie and Sophie both belonged to low middle class families. They did not have any means
to fulfil their ambitions and dreams Jansie had calmly accepted her fate. But Sophie was a very
ambitious girl. She had very unrealistic dreams and fantasies. Jansie knew that her friend had to
meet disappointment in the end. Therefore she discouraged Sophie from having dreams.

Q2 What did Sophie think of doing after her school?

Ans. Sophie was a highly ambitious girl. First she decided to open a boutique, then she thought
of becoming a manager to start with. She also thought of becoming an actress.

Q3 Why did Sophie long for her brother’s affection? OR

Why did Sophie like her brother more than any other person?
Ans. Sophie liked her brother more than any other person. But he was very introverted. He
would not tell any of his secrets. However he was the only person who listened to Sophie’s wild
stares: Therefore. Sophie longed for her brother’s affection.

Q4 Why didn’t Sophie want Jansie to know about her meeting with Danny?
Ans. Sophie thought if Jansie came to know about her meeting with Danny, she would tell
everyone. Then thousands of people would come to her house and it would make her father very
angry. She thought that her father could then possibly murder her.

Q5 Why did Jansie discourage Sophie from entertaining thoughts about the sports star
Danny Casey?
Ans. Jansie knew her friend Sophie well. She knew that Sophie’s meeting with Danny Casey
was just her imagination. She wanted Sophie to be practical. She thought such thoughts would
create troubles for Sophie Therefore she discouraged Sophie from entertaining thoughts about
the sports-star Danny Casey.

Q6 It is natural for teenagers to have unrealistic dreams? What would you say are the
benefits and disadvantages of such fantasizing?
Ans. Teenage is considered the best period in a person’s life. In this age the person has
maximum energy and he is free from every responsibility. But it is also the age when the person
has dreams and fantasies. Every teenager has some role model. Also it would be beneficial for
the person if he goes into the direction of his/her dreams diligently. But mere fantasising and
dreaming bring nothing but disappointment.

Q7 Damn that Geoff, this was a Geoff thing not a Jansie thing: Why did Sophie say so?
Ans Sophie told her brother, Geoff about her meeting with Danny Casey She was sure that he
would not tell anybody her secret. But on the other hand, Geoff told that secret to Jansie’s
brother and Jansie asked Sophie about it Sophie became very angry with her brother and said,
Damn that Geoff, this was a Geoff thing not a Jansie thing.
Q8 How did Sophie’s father react when Geoff told him about her meeting with Danny
Casey?
[Link]’s father turned his head on his thick neck to look at her. His expression was one of
disdain. Sophie told him that Danny Casey was going to buy a shop. At this her father muttered
This is another of your wild stories. One of these days you’re going to talk yourself into a load of
trouble” This shows that the old man knew his daughter very well.

Q9 What is Geoff’s profession? How is he different from his sister?

Ans. Geoff left his school three years ago Now he works as an apprentice mechanic. He has to
travel to his work to the far end of the city. But he is very introverted. He is not a daydreamer
like Sophie But he loves his sister very much so he listens to her wild stones patiently.

Q10 Who was Danny Casey? How can you say that the members of Sophie’s family were
great fans of his?
Ans. Danny Casey was a young football player. He played for the United Sophie and the
members of her family were a great fan of his Sophie even started dreaming to have a date with
him. Her family went to see a football match in which Danny was playing.

Q11 Do you think that Sophie’s meeting with Danny actually happened or it was just a part
of her imagination?
Ans. It appeared possible that Danny might have met with Sophie at the arcade it also appeared
possible they might have talked a bit. But it didn’t appear to be possible that Danny would have
called her to meet the next week. The last part of her story is highly improbable; it was just a part
of her imagination.

Q12 What thoughts come to Sophie’s mind as she sit by the canal?
Ans. Sitting by the side of the canal Sophie waits for Danny Casey to come. The time keeps on
passing. She starts feeling pangs of doubt inside her. Then she remembers Geoff saying he would
never come. She thinks that she will never be able to prove that the others were wrong to doubt
her.
Q13 Why didn’t Sophie want Jansie to know about her story with Danny?
Ans. Sophie didn’t want Jansie to know her story about Danny Casey. She thought that Jansie
would fill everyone in on it. Then the people would come in large numbers to know about it in
detail Sophie was very afraid of her father. She feared that her father would become furious. He
could also murder her.

Q14 Did Sophie really meet Danny Casey?

Ans. It is very difficult to say whether Sophie met with Danny Casey: She might have seen hun
from a distance and then she weaved the whole story about her meeting with him in her mind.
Q15 Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other person? From her
perspective, what did he symbolise?
Ans. Sophie liked her brother because she had full faith in him. She thought that he would never
let her secrets out. Therefore, she used to share her secrets with Sophie’s brother and spoke very
little. Sophie thought he was a symbol of some exotic and interesting world.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1 Sophie lives in a world full of dreams which she does not know she cannot realise.
Comment. OR Contrast Sophie’s real world with her fantasies.
Ans. Sophie belongs to a low middle class family. She has no means to gain name and fame.
Therefore, she starts weaving in her mind the unrealistic dreams and fantasies. First of all she
thinks that she would open a fine boutique in the city When her friend Jansie tells her that it
would take a lot of money to open a boutique, she says that she would become a manager to
begin with. She does not realise that no one would make her a manager straight off.
Then she thinks of becoming an actress. She takes a chance meeting with Danny Casey as the
beginning of a love affair with him. She dreams of meeting with him. But this and her other
dreams are just a product of her imagination. She doesn’t know how to realise them.

Q2 Describe the bond between Geoff and Sophie in spite of differences in their
temperament and thinking.
Ans. Geoff was Sophie’s elder brother. He was an apprentice mechanic and left his school three
years ago. Unlike Sophie he was very introverted. Sophie was in fact jealous of his silence. But
in spite of all this he loved his sister very much. Sophie would share all her secrets with her
Geoff knew that most of the stories Sophie told him were just a product of her imagination.
But even then he listened to her very patiently. He knew that Sophie’s story of meeting with
Danny Casey was not true. But even then he promised her that he would not let her secret out to
anybody. However, be warned Sophie that Danny Casey was a famous player. He must have a
lot of girlfriends. He knew that Danny Casey would not turn up next week to meet her. He tried
to persuade Sophie against her craziness for Danny in fact Geoff was not only the elder brother
of Sophie but also her friend and guide.

Q3 How different is Jansie from Sophie? Jansie is just as old as Sophie but she is very
different from her. Bring out the contrast between the two friends, citing relevant instances
from the story, “Going Places”. OR
Sophie and Jansie were class-mates. What were the differences between them that show up
in the story? OR
Jansie is just as old as Sophie but she is very different from her. Bring out the contrast
between the two friends citing relevant instances from the story, “Going Places”.
Ans. Sophie and Jansie are classmates and friends But they are poles apart as far as their
character and temperament is concerned Jansie is a very down to earth girl. She knows that she
belongs to a low middle class. She knows her limitations. She has accepted her fate that she has
to work in a biscuit factory as a petty employee after her school education.
On one hand Sophie is an ambitious girl. She too belongs to a low middle class: But she has very
unrealistic ambitions and dreams. First of all, she says that she will open a boutique, then she
says she will become a manager. She also wants to become an actress In fact she doesn’t know
what she wants to become. She weaves a fantasy around a famous football player: She imagines
that he would come and meet her. As a result of her unrealistic dreams and fantasies she has to
face disappointment.

Q4 Attempt a character sketch of Sophie as a woman who lives in her dreams. (CBSE
2012)
Ans. Sophie belongs to a low middle class family. She has no means to gain name and fame
Therefore she starts weaving in her mind the unrealistic dreams and fantasies. First of all, she
thinks that she would open a fine boutique in the city. When her friend Jansie tells her that it
would take a lot of money to open a boutique, she says that she would become a manager to
begin with.
She does not realise that no one would make her a manager straight off. Then she thinks of
becoming an actress. She takes a chance meeting with Danny Casey as the beginning of a love
affair with them. She dreams of meeting with him. But this and her other dreams are just a
product of her imagination In fact, Sophie is a woman who lives in her dreams. She doesn’t
know how to realise her dreams.

Q5 Teachers always advise their students to dream big yet the same teachers in the
classroom find fault with Sophie when she dreams. What is wrong with Sophie’s dreams?
Ans. It is always good to dream big. But the dreams should also be realistic. We can’t achieve
great heights suddenly as if someone has turned a magical wand Sophie belongs to a low middle
class family. She has no means to gain name and fame: Therefore, she starts weaving in her mind
the unrealistic dreams and fantasies. First of all, she thinks that she would open a fine boutique in
the city. When her friend Janse tells her that it would take a lot of money to open a boutique, she
says that she would become a manager to begin with. She does not realise that no one would
make her a manager straight off.
Then she thinks of becoming an actress. She takes a chance meeting with Danny Casey as the
beginning of a love affair with him. She dreams of meeting with him. But this and her other
dreams are just a product of ner imagination. She doesn’t know how to realise them. We should
dream big but for that we should make constant efforts. Mere dreaming brings disappointment as
it happens with Sophie.
Q6 What were the options that Sophie was dreaming of? Why does Jansie discourage her
from having such dreams
Ans. Sophie was a very ambitious girl. She lived in the world of dreams and fantasies. She told
Jansie that she would open a boutique after leaving the school. At this, Jansie informed her that it
took a lot of money to open a boutique. At this Sophie said she would begin her career as a
manager Jansie informed her no one would appoint her as a manager straight off
Then Sophie told Jansie that she would become an actress since the actress had not to work for
the whole day. She said when she had earned enough money then she would open her boutique.
Jansie knew that she and Sophie were both earmarked for a biscuit factory. She wished that
Sophie should not say such unrealistic things. Jansie wanted Sophie to be sensible and she
wanted to discourage her from such fantasies.

Q7 Sophie is caught between the world she lives in and the world she wants to live in.
Elucidate.
Ans. Sophie is a girl who attends school. She inhabits a universe that is far apart from the harsh
facts of life and is filled with fantasy. She has lofty aspirations that are outside the scope of her
resources. She considers opening a boutique. She then considers pursuing a career as an actor.
She is also capable of designing clothing. She stands in stark contrast to Jansie, a friend and
classmate. Jansie is sensible and grounded. She is aware that the biscuit factory has been
assigned to both of them.
Sophie worships heroes because of her passionate and idealistic personality. Danny Casey, a
talented young Irish football player, is the hero of her dreams. She now finds him to be
romantically fascinating. Even Geoff reminds her that Casey is a well-known person. She must
follow him like many other girls do. But she is a hopeless romantic. He is constantly on her
mind. She sits there day after day seeing Danny Casey approaching her. She is aware that he
never will. She feels helpless and depressed. She carries her hopes and disappointments with her
every day. They do not exist. They are all works of her imagination.

Q8 Evaluate the two different perspectives to life that Jansie and Sophie represent.
[Link] and Sophie were distinct from one another. Sophie loved to daydream and use her
imagination to create her own imaginary worlds. She showed a desire to rise above her working-
class background and achieve refinement by following her dreams of being a fashion designer or
actress.
In contrast to Sophie, Jansie was more grounded and sensible. She made unsuccessful attempts to
bring Sophie back to reality. Jansie’s attempt to remind her buddy that they were designated for
the biscuit factory and extravagant ambitions were out of character for their financial situation
shows her maturity and sensibility.

Q9 Unrealistic dreams often lead to a great deal of unhappiness. Justify the statement on
the basis of the story “Going Places‟.
Ans. Unrealistic dreams often lead to a great deal of unhappiness. One must learn to maintain a
healthy balance between fantasies and reality. Fantasising based on realistic goals or the world
around, provides a means to reach higher ambitions and dreams. Sophie is a day dreamer who
likes to live in an imaginary world. She escapes the harsh reality of the world and dreams of
opening a boutique as a side business. She dreamt of becoming a successful actress.
Sophie’s hero worship and fantasising were in clash with her socio-economic background. She
belonged to a family of meager means and resources. However, her dreams and fantasising were
quite extreme. She could not afford to day dream and be lost in her reveries. In order to make her
dreams become realities, she needed to work very hard, which she did not do. Not only did she
suffer from day-dreaming but also became prone to telling lies. As a consequence, nobody
trusted her. She was expected to believe more sensibly by her father, Geoff and Jansie.

POETS AND PANCAKES

1. What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up’?
Ans. By ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up, the writer is trying to throw light upon
the difficulties actors and actresses have to face because of half a dozen mirrors surrounded with
large light bulbs. The bulbs generated a lot of heat and were definitely not a pleasure for the eyes

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

Ans At first, a Bengali was the head of the make-up studio but then he outgrew Gemini Studios
and left it for better opportunities. After him, it was supervised by a Maharashtrian who was
assisted by a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and
the usual local Tamils. The fact that people from different cultures worked together puts forward
the post-independence national integration scenario. It shows that people were united way before
All India Radio and Doordarshan raised the concept.

3. 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’ had the duty of slapping paints on the faces of players at the time of
crowd-shooting. He joined Gemini Studios with a dream of becoming a first-rate actor, screen-
writer or producer.

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

Ans. The author’s job was to cut and collect newspaper clippings or sometimes even writing
them by hand. This was easier and lesser in comparison to what others were doing at the Studio.

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

Ans. Subbu, as a man of many qualities, had the ability to look cheerful at all times, was an
excellent actor who could portray his roles in several ways, was an accomplished poet, and loved
anyone he met.
6. Why was the legal adviser referred to as the opposite by others?
Ans. The legal adviser was referred to as the opposite by others because he once resorted to
blackmailing an actress by recording her while she was throwing tantrums on the set. This is not
considered to be legal, thus he was usually called the opposite.

7. Why was the Moral Rearmament Army welcomed at the Studios?

Ans. Frank Buchman’s Moral Re-Armament army was welcomed at the studio mainly because
of their political association. The MRA came as a welcome change to their monotonous days at
the studio.

8. Name one example to show that Gemini studios was influenced by the plays staged by
MRA.
Ans. Frank Buchman’s Moral Rearmament Army staged two plays“Jotham Valley” and The
Forgotten Factor” in a most professional manner. The Gemini family of 600 and the people of
Madras city watched them times and again.

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

Ans. The Englishman’s visit to the Gemini Studios is referred to as anunexplained mystery
because no one could decipher his identity, whether he was a poet or an editor. Besides, when he
spoke, no one at the studio understood what he intended to say as his accent was beyond their
comprehension.
10. How did the author discover who the English visitor to the studios was?
Ans. Before investing money in participating in a short story contest organized by an English
periodical- The Encounter, the author did a research on the magazine. He went to the British
Council Library where, while going through an issue of that periodical, he discovered that its
editor was Stephen Spender, the poet that had once visited the studio.
11. 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. The author portrays the make-up artists and the usage of the pancakes in an interesting way.
Even the caricature of Subbu is hilarious. The way he tries to help his principal is quite amusing.
The episode of the legal adviser that inadvertently causes the end of an actress’s career is yet
another example. The frustration of the office boy, the superficial praising of Gandhi, hatred of
Communism and the ‘mystery’ surrounding Stephen Spender are some of the instances where
the author has incorporated gentle humour.

EXTRA
Q1. What kind of effect does Asokamitran’s style of writing have on the reader?
Ans. His works are distinguished by their simplicity and clarity of thought, and they are based on
his professional and personal experiences. The majority of his stories are about middle-class
people. As a result, he was able to touch the hearts and minds of countless readers both at home
and abroad. His skill and imagination as a creative writer have led several generations of Tamil
readers to a greater understanding of their plight in today’s world and, ultimately, a reflective
assertion of their own humanity.

Q2. Discuss the significance of the make-up room in the chapter, ‘Poets and Pancakes’.
Ans. A Bengali was the head of the make-up studio at first, but he outgrew Gemini Studios and
moved on to better opportunities. Ans was in charge after him. A Maharashtrian led the charge,
with help from a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese,
and the usual local Tamils. The fact that people from various cultures collaborated promotes the
post-independence national integration scenario. It demonstrates how people came together.

Q3. ‘In all instances of frustration, you will always find the anger directed towards a single
person openly or covertly…’ Do you think it is right to direct our anger towards someone
who is not responsible for the cause of anger? Justify.
Ans. No, it is not appropriate to direct our rage at someone who is not the source of our rage. We
become angry when we encounter roadblocks on our path to growth, when someone challenges
our authority, when someone mocks us and our self-esteem suffers, or when things are simply
not the way we want them to be. Weaker people become the target for our rage because it is
assumed they will not retaliate.
However, this is a bad practice, and one should try to control one’s anger to the greatest extent
possible.
Q4. The people left in ‘utter bafflement’ after the English poet’s speech. Mention two
things the speaker could have kept in mind before addressing an audience to avoid such a
reaction. Give your rationale for it.
Ans. Stephen Spender was summoned to the Gemini Studios to speak with the staff about
Communism, but what he said was about his struggles as a poet. Regardless of what he said, no
one seemed to be listening. When Spender realized that his audience had not followed his talk,
he came to a halt in humiliation at having given a speech to a deaf audience, while the Gemini
staff dispersed in humiliation because Spender’s accent had failed them.
So the speaker should have anticipated the audience’s interest and spoken accordingly.
Q5. Why was the Moral Re-armament Army welcomed at the Gemini Studios?
Ans. The Moral Re-armament Army was a sort of anti-International Communist movement. Mr.
Vasan, the CEO of Gemini Studios, literally played right into their hands. People at Gemini
Studios were opposed to communism. So the Moral Re-armament Army couldn’t have asked for
a better host in India than the Gemini Studios, which welcomed them with open arms.
Q6. Give one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced by the plays staged by
MRA.
Ans. ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’ were staged by the MRA. These were
delivered in the most professional manner possible. Because of the fantastic sets and costumes,
the Gemini family of 600 people saw these plays several times. For years, the Gemini Studios
imitated the ‘Jotham Valley’ sets and costumes. Also for some years almost all Tamil plays had a
scene of sunrise and sunset in the manner of ‘Jotham Valley’.
Q7. How did the people of Madras and those at Gemini Studios respond to the plays staged
by the Moral Re-Armament Army?
Ans. The Moral Re-Armament Army performed two plays, ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten
Factor,’ in an extremely professional manner. Gemini Studios employees saw the plays
numerous times. Though the message was simple, the costumes and sets were excellent. These
plays were performed several times in Madras and had a significant impact on the studios and
Madras in general. For many years, almost all Tamil plays imitated the scenes of ‘Jotham
Valley’ at sunrise and sunset.
Q8. Account for Subbus importance in Gemini Studios.
Ans. Subbu was an all-around genius. He was a great poet, writer, and actor. He gave Gemini
Studios a new meaning and direction, as well as the art of filmmaking, by channeling all of his
energy and creativity into the company’s benefit. Furthermore, almost everyone admired him for
his noble and charitable nature.
Q9. Who was Subbu’s enemy? Why?
Ans. The ‘boy’ in the make-up department was Subbu’s adversary. His rage and frustration were
directed at him. Subbu, the boy was convinced, was the source of his woes and miseries. This
‘boy’ was envious of Subbu’s rising stars, success, and closeness to the boss.
Q10. What does Asokamitran’s narrative in Poets and Pancakes demonstrate about
Subbu?
Ans. In “Poets and Pancakes,” Asokamitran’s narrative delves into the character of Subbu, a
young writer working for a magazine in Chennai. The story depicts Subbu’s struggles with
creative expression and the pressures of the literary establishment through his experiences.
Subbu is portrayed in the story as a talented but insecure writer who frequently clashes with the
conservative and commercially-driven ethos of his magazine. The story reveals the complexity
of Subbu’s character and the conflicting motivations that drive him through his encounters with
other writers and editors.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1. Author has used gentle and subtle humor to point out human foibles and
idiosyncrasies in the lesson ‘ Poets and Pancakes’. Elucidate
Ans. This piece contains several instances of gentle humor. The description of the make-up
department consuming truckloads of pancakes (which they did not eat, of course) is particularly
intriguing. The make-up room, complete with mirrors and lights, resembled a hair salon. Because
there was a gang of people from different parts of India, the make-up department was a symbol
of national integration. This gang of nationally recognised make-up artists could transform any
decent-looking person into a hideous crimson-colored monster. The task of making actors look
ugly was assigned to a strict hierarchy in the make-up department.
There was a young man in the office (though he was not a boy but a grown up man of forty). He
had joined the Studios years before in the hopes of becoming a famous actor, screenwriter,
director, or lyricist. He came to the author to inform him of how great literary talent was being
squandered. The author, on the other hand, prayed for a crowd, shooting all the time to get rid of
a genius of a bore.

Q2. Why is Subbu described as a many-sided genius? Give a reasoned answer.

Ans. The author depicts a caricature of the so-called “go-getters” who are not actually talented
but manage to create an aura of talent around themselves through the character of
Kothamangalam Subbu. Though he worked in the Story Department at Gemini Studios, he was
always with the boss. Subbu uses all of his energy and creativity to benefit his boss. He
successfully delves into the various spheres of filmmaking, giving the impression of being a
brilliant storyteller, a talented actor, and a man who is always ready with numerous solutions to
any problem. He makes the art of filmmaking appear simple to his boss.
Thus, Subbu, with his cunning, exploits his boss’s gullibility and presents himself as a multi-
faceted genius with multi-faceted abilities.

Q3. Subbu was ‘tailor-made for films’. How did he use his genius in various activities in the
Gemini Studios?
Ans. Subbu is portrayed by the author as a man with diverse abilities who can successfully delve
into various aspects of filmmaking. Subbu had mastered all aspects of filmmaking, from
storyboarding to poetry and character development. He had been ‘tailor-made’ for filmmaking.
Filmmaking appeared to be rather simple with an expert like Subbu walking around, as he
understood all of the minutiae and technicalities of filmmaking. Subbu was the one who gave the
Gemini Studios a “new direction and definition” during its golden years. Subbu focused all of his
energy and creativity on his boss, Mr. Vasan.
If his boss was unhappy with one scene, Subbu would offer him several alternatives. He was
familiar with all of the complexities of filmmaking and could demonstrate his talent in any
artistic arena.

Q4. How was the Moral Re-Armament Army welcomed at the Gemini Studios?
Ans. In 1952, Frank Buchman’s Moral Re-Armament Army, consisting of 200 people from
twenty different nationalities, paid a visit to Madras. The MRA was seen as a counter-movement
to international communism, and the Gemini Studios did not hold communism or communists in
high regard. But because Mr. Vasan, the boss at Gemini Studios, was fascinated by the MRA,
they couldn’t have found a “warmer” host than Gemini Studios in India. The MRA performed
two plays, ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor,’ in a professional manner. Six hundred
Gemini Studios patrons saw the plays several times. Although the messages in these plays were
simple, the sets and costumes were of the highest quality.
Both the Tamil drama community and Gemini Studios were impressed. The sunrise and sunset
scenes from ‘Jotham Valley’ were copied for years.

Q5.‘Subbu was a troubleshooter.’ Do you agree with this statement? Give an account of
Subbu’s qualities of head and heart.
Ans. Subbu was a self-centered go-getter whose subservience brought him close to his boss and
propelled him to the number two position at Gemini Studios. He was a cunning individual who
preyed on his boss’s gullibility and portrayed himself as competent and capable. Despite the fact
that he was undeserving and lacked talent, he always maintained a positive attitude and refused
to let anything dampen his spirits. He had something nice to say about everyone. With an expert
like Subbu around, filmmaking appeared to be simple. He put all of his energy and creativity to
work for his boss.
Subbu was also a fantastic poet and actor. He wrote truly original poems for the masses, and as
an actor, he was better at playing secondary roles than the main actors. His adoration for his boss
earned him enemies. He also enraged many of these people, who saw themselves as far more
talented and deserving than him.

Q6. What political significance does Gemini Studios’ invitation to Moral Re-Armament
army and Stephen Spender show?
Ans. The Moral Re-Armament army was a counter-movement to Communism, and the Gemini
Studios had a natural dislike for Communists and Communism. They believed that the
Communists’ goal was to sow discord and violence. By acting as a “warm host” to the Moral Re-
Armament army, the Gemini Studios demonstrated a counter-movement to Communism’s ideas.
The Gemini Studios invited Stephen Spender to highlight how a renowned English poet, who
was once attracted to Communism, was later completely disillusioned by it. This fueled their
antipathy towards Communism, which they were able to publicly express.

Q7. What was the Moral Rearmament Army? Describe their visit to the Gemini Studios.
Ans. In 1952, Frank Buchman’s Moral Rearmament Army paid a visit to the Gemini Studios. It
was a theater company. In reality, it was an anti-international communist movement. It had 200
participants and was billed as an international circus. The players were from twenty different
[Link] performed two plays in the most professional manner possible. The plays were
simple homilies with fantastic costumes and sets. Their play, “Jotham Valley,” made an
impression on the Tamil theater. For years, they imitated sunrise and sunset scenes in their own
unique way. The scenes were performed on a bare stage with a white backdrop and a flute tune.
Though the MRA was anti-communist, and anti-communist sentiment existed at the Studios, the
arrival of the MRA had no effect on the bosses’ attitude; their businesses continued as usual.

[Link] ‘office boy’ of the Gemini Studios was not as blessed as Subbu. Explain.
Ans. According to the hierarchy in the make-up room, the ‘office boy’ was the junior-most and
thus was in charge of the make-up of the players who played the crowd. He wasn’t exactly a
‘boy;’ he was in his early forties and had started working in the studios years before in the hopes
of becoming a star actor, screenwriter, director, or lyrics writer. The ‘boy’ felt that his great
literary talent was being squandered in a department reserved for barbers and perverts.
Subbu, on the other hand, had risen to the position of No. 2 at Gemini Studios solely because he
was a Brahmin. He’d started out as a make-up artist in the [Link] must have had to deal with
more uncertainty and difficulty because there were no well-established film producing
companies or studios when he began his career.

THE THIRD LEVEL NCERT

1. What does the third level refer to?
Ans. Third level refers to an additional floor at the Grand Central Station which originally only
had two levels. Charley was hallucinating one night while going home when he reached the third
level.
2. Would Charley ever go back to the ticket counter on the third level to buy tickets to
Galesburg for himself and his wife?
Ans. Charley went looking back for the third level that could take him and his wife to Galesburg
because he wanted to go back to his past. He wanted to go back to the world that has not seen
two of its deadliest wars that changed everything.

1. What do you infer from Sam’s letter to Charley?

Ans. The way Charley discovered Sam’s letter was rather peculiar. It was one of those first-day
covers people used to mail to themselves back in time with a blank page inside. So to begin with,
the cover had a letter in it and not a blank page in it. Secondly, the letter dates back to 18 July,
1894 when Sam (the writer of the letter) didn’t exist because both Sam and Charley exist in the
present times. Thus, it is sound to conclude that it was just a product of Charley’s imagination.

2. The modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and stress. What are the ways in
which we attempt to overcome them?
Ans. One cannot count on fingers the negative aspects the modern lifestyle has to offer. There is
stress, pressure, fear, insecurity and worry. In order to relieve yourself of all these miseries, one
can indulge in creative activities from time to time. Making time for yourself and what you love
without worrying about a productive outcome is a crucial thing many people tend to ignore in the
hustle and bustle of daily lives. Secondly, one can read a good book or even meditate. Long
walks in the lap of nature are not to be underestimated because nature has its own healing power.
Apart from these, a short weekend getaway, movie night with friends or even alone at home can
be done in order to dissociate oneself from the routine.

3. Do you see an intersection of time and space in the story?

Ans. Yes, there are a lot of instances that tell us about the intersection of time and space in the
story. First intersection being the one between the first two levels of the Grand Central Station
and its third level which is based somewhere in the 1890s whereas the former exists in the
present times. Also when Charley went to buy tickets for Galesburg which existed in 1894 while
he and his wife exists in the present times. Not to ignore the old-fashioned architecture of the
third level in contradiction to the modern interiors of the first two levels. Lastly, the letter dated
18th July, 1982 that Charley found also throws light upon the intersection of time and space as
both the sender (Sam) and the receiver (Charley) exist in the present times.
4. Apparent illogicality sometimes turns out to be a futuristic projection? Discuss.
Ans. While a lot of the world’s greatest inventions were made by people who were criticised for
their ideas. Audiences used to mock at them for being illogical. Sighting the example of Thomas
Edison who invented the light bulb, no one believed in him at first but all he had was an idea and
it’s realistic projection in mind. The idea here tells us how important it is to sometimes follow
one’s insight and have hope for it holds the capacity to change the world through its futuristic
projections.

5. Philately helps keep the past alive. Discuss other ways in which this is done. What do you
think of the human tendency to constantly move between the past, the present and the
future?
Ans. Philately does indeed help in keeping the treasures of past alive. It gives one a chance to
revisit and embrace the past of one’s existence. Some of the other ways in which it can be done
is by keeping a record of all the letters, ancient manuscripts, things that are discontinued but
were a significant part of the past, images, videos and written records of experiences.
Human beings are a collection of all the experiences they have been through. Their tendency to
connect with the past from time to time helps them stay connected to the roots while helping
them to face the present and future challenges with more strength. Connecting with the future on
the other hand, is just as important to know the outcome of one’s current actions and decisions. If
one doesn’t seem satisfied with the realistic interpretation of future, it can certainly help in
altering current actions to direct towards a better future.

Short Question Answers

.Q1 What did Charley find at the Grand Central Station?
Ans. At the third level, Charley saw the people wearing old-fashioned dress, an old locomotive,
newspaper dated June 11, 1894, brass spittoons, flickering gas same lights and many other things
related to that era.
Q2 “I’ve taken the obvious step.” Explain.
Ans. Nobody believed in Charley’s statement about the existence of The Third Level. His wife
was alarmed and brought him to the psychiatrist. Charley himself needed to meet the
psychiatrist. It was an ‘obvious step’.
Q3 What was Charley’s vision about Galesburg town?
Ans. Charley thought that Galesburg was still a wonderful town. In that century in 1894, people
used to sit in their lawns, having sufficient time to talk to each other, smoking cigars and women
waving palm leaf fans on very long summer evenings. Overall, it was a peaceful and friendly
place.
Q4 Why did Charley return from the third level?
Ans. With the wings of imagination Charley returned to collect enough money to buy two tickets
to Galesburg town for himself and his wife Louisa. The clerk did not accept the currency which
Charley had so he went back to get the old currency.
Q5 When and how did Charley find the letter of Sam?
Ans. One night while fussing with his stamp collection, Charley found, among his oldest first-
day covers, the letter of Sam with a six cent stamp mailed to his Granddad. It had been in his
collection.
Q6 What did the ticket clerk say to Charley?
Ans. The ticket-clerk scolded Charley that that was not the real currency which he was having.
Additionally, he warned Charley that if he was trying to skin him, he would not go very far. He
would be prisoned.
Q7 “But now we are both looking.” What does this refer to? Explain.
Ans. The above mentioned words were said by Charley as he and his wife Louisa, both every
weekend started to search for the third level because they had the proof that Charley’s friend
Sam had disappeared. So, both Charley and Louisa were looking for the third level.
Q8 What does the third level refer to?
Ans. The third level refers to the subway of the Grand Central Station in New York. Though this
Third level was not present there physically, Charley claimed it to be present there.
Q9 Would Charley ever go back to the ticket counter on the third level to buy tickets to
Galesburg for himself and his wife?
Ans. No, Charley would never go back to the ticket-counter on the third level to buy tickets to
Galesburg for himself and his wife because he would never find that third level again possibly.
Q10 Do you think that the third level was a medium of escape for Charley? Why?
Ans. Yes. The third level was a medium of escape for Charley because he might be unhappy and
fearful from worldly worries. He explained that he meant the modern world is full of insecurity,
fear, war, worry and all the rest of it and he just wanted to escape from that. Perhaps Charley was
not able to handle the stress.

Q11 What do you infer from Sam’s letter to Charley? OR

In his letter to Charley, Sam writes, ‘…then I got to believing you were right.’ What could
have made Sam begin to believe?
Ans. Sam’s letter to Charley proves that Sam had found and reached the third level. He had been
staying there in Galesburg since the last two weeks watching various activities and explaining to
Charley. He invites both Charley and his wife Louisa and motivates them to continue their search
for the third level. So, we can say that Sam was also a victim of worldly worries and sought the
escape, like Charley.

Q12 “The modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and stress. What are the
ways in which we attempt to overcome them?
Ans. No doubt, the modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war worry and stress. To overcome
them, people start to adopt their own ways. As some people start to imagine and develop their
own unreal world whereas some people start to use alcoholic products and destroy their lives.
These all ways are just escapement and not the solution.

Q13 What would you describe as your “waking-dream wish fulfilment”? Explain.
Ans. Charley quoted this statement. A waking dream wish fulfilment is what we wish to happen
or see. It’s not the reality. He told this to Sam, his psychiatrist. While talking about the third
level, Charley quoted this statement. He is an Escapist. He couldn’t bear all the tensions
happening around him. He said this out of his imagination.

Q14 Why do you think Charley withdrew nearly all the money he had from the bank to
buy old-style currency?
Ans. Charley had got his three hundred dollars out of the bank and got them changed into old-
style currency so that he could go back to the third level and buy the tickets to Galesburg.

Q15 How would you evaluate Sam’s character? Elucidate any two qualities, and
substantiate with evidence from the text.
Ans. Sam is a fiercely devoted friend to Charlie. Sam considers emigrating to the tranquil World
of Galesburg in order to escape the pulls and stresses of modern life. He writes a letter from The
Third Level of Grand Central after locating it, telling Charlie to keep looking for The Third
Level.

Q16 ‘It’s easy to judge others and give advice, but much more difficult to apply it to
ourselves.’ Elaborate with reference to the character of Sam in The Third Level
Ans. Sam was being judgmental when he told Charley that he was dissatisfied with life and was
looking for an escape. The third level was just an imagination, so Charley should accept reality
and be satisfied with it. However, Sam himself wanted an escape from the stress filled modern
life and went in search for the third level.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1 Do you think that the third level was a medium of escape for Charley? Why?
Ans. Actually, Grand Central Station did not have a third level. Charley stated that while
travelling back to his house, he just made an imaginary trip to the third level in order to escape
the unsettling reality of this planet. He would frequently explore relocating to Galesburg, which
had already been established in 1894 and was thought to be a peaceful community at the time.
He himself had aspirations of going there and pictured himself living in that era. Whenever he
got back to his regular life, he couldn’t stop thinking about that realm. In this way, we can claim
that the third level was unquestionably a medium of escapement for Charley because his friend
Sam’s disappearance forced him to believe in it and subsequently he and his wife Louisa both
started to search the third level. Even though it was just in his head, it made him feel better.
Q2 Why did Charley again want to go to the third level? OR
How did ‘The World’ help Charley to confirm his doubts regarding the existence of a third
level?
Ans. Since Galesburg had been in Charley’s thoughts since the beginning as a peaceful place, he
had found and noticed a significant difference once he had visited the third level in his
imaginations. However, when Charley arrived at the ticket window, he discovered that he was
unable to purchase tickets or complete any transactions due to the lack of currency of those days.
Once he realised it, he went back to the actual world to get some old-fashioned money from the
exchange before going back to the third floor and Galesburg to settle down.
He originally intended to get two tickets to Galesburg for himself and his wife since he was
certain that there, people lived carefree lives with plenty of time for one another. With the money
he had with him, he could easily subsist there because everything was so inexpensive. Thus, even
though the third level didn’t actually exist—it was just in Charley’s head—he wanted to go back
there for his escape and satisfaction.

Q4 Do you see an intersection of time and space in the story?

Ans. Absolutely, the story shows how time and space intertwine. As an escapist, Charley travels
from the present to the past. It is practically impossible for someone to have reached the final
century in 1894, yet thanks to his imagination, he was sent to the third level and ended up in
Galesburg, Illinois. That appears to be psychological, and Sam, his psychiatrist friend, also slips
to the third level and becomes a victim of the contemporary worldly concerns. Science fiction
author Jack Finney discusses the intersection of time and space in a highly rational way and
establishes its plausibility through escapement.

Q5 Apparent illogicality sometimes turns out to be a futuristic projection? Discuss.

Ans. Sometimes what seems to be nonsensical turns out to be a futuristic vision, much like the
majority of what we see around us. were once in someone’s head and seemed impossible, but
subsequently turned out to be possible. It’s now achievable thanks to science. Such occurrences
are caused by our unconscious mind.
With the help of these factors combined, we are occasionally able to create or learn incredible
truths and things that were completely unknown to the world until their physical manifestation.
Hence, impossibility appears at first but quickly enters the view due to correct projection,
shocking the general populace.