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Understanding "His First Flight" Analysis

The document discusses the story 'His First Flight' by Liam O’Flaherty, focusing on a young seagull's struggle to overcome his fear of flying. His parents encourage him through mockery and by tempting him with food, ultimately leading to his first successful flight. The family's joyful reaction to his achievement highlights the theme of overcoming fear and the support of loved ones.

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4 views4 pages

Understanding "His First Flight" Analysis

The document discusses the story 'His First Flight' by Liam O’Flaherty, focusing on a young seagull's struggle to overcome his fear of flying. His parents encourage him through mockery and by tempting him with food, ultimately leading to his first successful flight. The family's joyful reaction to his achievement highlights the theme of overcoming fear and the support of loved ones.

Uploaded by

patil.ashwini.kiran
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Unit-2

Section B
His First Flight
- Liam O’Flaherty
A. Word meanings: -
ledge: a narrow shelf projecting from a cliff
brink: edge
flap: move (his) wings up and down
expanse: stretch
muster up: gather
upbraiding: scolding
threatening: trying to alarm or frighten (him)
skim: move quickly and lightly over
herring: small silvery fish
devour: eat hungrily
taunting: mocking
preening: cleaning his feathers with his beak
whet: sharpen
derisively: scornfully
plaintively: pitifully
monstrous terror: very great fright
curveting: moving gracefully
banking: tilting
commended himself: cheered himself on
shrilly: in a high-pitched and piercing manner
dogfish: a species of shark

B. Answer these questions.


1. How did the young seagull's parents try to make him
leave the ledge?
Ans: The young seagull's parents would fly around him
with his brothers and little sister, teaching them how to
dive and catch fish and the art of flying. They would
rest on the nearest rock and eat fish while the young
seagull watched with hunger. They would also mock
him for his cowardice in an effort to compel him to fly.
His mother tempted him to fly by offering him food,
and it was successful.
2. What did his parents teach his brothers and sister?
Ans: The seagull's parents taught his brothers and little
sister how to dive and catch fish and also taught them
how to fly
3. Who was it who did not give up on him? What did
he/she do?
Ans: The seagull's mother did not give up on him. She
flew towards him with some food and stopped just
before the ledge, compelling the young seagull to jump
off to appease his hunger. This made the seagull fly.
4. Describe the first few moments of his flight.
Ans: In the first few moments of his flight, the seagull
felt his sense of hearing fade away and his heart almost
stopped. But as soon as he spread his wings, he began
to soar.
5. How did his family react to his first flight?
Ans: The seagull's family was very happy and reacted
by screaming words of encouragement while flying and
diving around him.
C. Think and answer.
1. When we attempt something for the first time, we
are very often afraid. Can you relate this to the first
flight of the bird? Write how.
Ans: Whenever we attempt something for the first
time, we are afraid. This is natural. In the case of the
seagull, he had never flown before and was very afraid.
But just like the seagull, we must overcome our fear, go
ahead, and achieve our goals.
2. His family rejoiced at his success. How
do we know this?
Ans: His family rejoiced at his success. This can be seen
in the way his mother screamed out in happiness, and
his entire family started flying and diving around him

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