1

LESSON 1 THE LAST LESSON BY ALPHONSE DAUDET

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: - Alphonse Daudet (13 May1840 -16 December 1897) was a French
Novelist, short story writer, playwright and poet. He followed the Literary Movement known as
Naturalism. He was born in Nimes, France. His father, Vincent Daudet, was a silk manufacturer
and faced many failures in his misfortunate life which had affected the boyhood of Alphonse. He
worked as a teacher, journalist, Editor and the secretary of a minister. His major works are Little
Good-For- Nothing, Letters from My Mill, Tartarinat Tarascon, The Monday Tales etc.
SUMMARY: - The narrator of the story ‘The Last Lesson’ is Franz, a young school going boy.
That morning, he was late for school, and was frightened of being scolded, as the teacher had
asked him to learn the rules of participles. He did not know anything at all. For a moment he
thought of running away from school and enjoy the warm and bright weather, chirping of birds
on the trees and the drill of the Prussian soldiers behind the sawmill. (A mill for cutting wood)
The scene outside was more attractive but he controlled the temptation and chose to attend the
school. As he passed the town hall, he noticed a huge crowd. He ignored the bulletin board and
the gathering there. As he walked hurriedly towards the school, the blacksmith Wachter called
him saying that a lot of time is left with him and no need to be in a hurry to reach school. Franz
had taken that as sarcastic as he used to be late always. The usual scene of the school was a lot of
noise and confusion of the opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated in unison very loud
and the rapping sound of the teacher’s great ruler. But that day when he reached the school, he
felt it as unusual as there was no sound coming out of the school. It seemed as if Sunday
morning. Franz tried to enter the classroom without being noticed but it was impossible. In the
classroom, he saw that his classmates were seated and the back benches of the class room were
occupied by the elders of the village and M. Hamel, his teacher, was walking with his terrible
iron ruler under his arm. He got so blushed and frightened but unexpectedly, M Hamel permitted
him to enter inside the classroom without scolding. He jumped over the seat and observed the
classroom. He noticed that his teacher had worn his beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt and the
little black silk cap, that he wears on inspection and prize days. The whole school seemed strange
and solemn (serious) He saw that they all were sad. He was confused and could not figure out,
what was happening. Then M Hamel stood up and said that it is their last lesson in French as an
order has come from Berlin that French will not be taught and only German will be taught in
Alsace and Lorraine, and a German teacher will come to teach them from the very next day.
These words of his teacher had fallen as a thunderclap (unexpected shock) in his ears. He
realized what was put upon bulletin board. He regretted for not being serious towards studies and
wasting time seeking the bird’s eggs and sliding on the Saar (A river which passes through
France). He remembered that he used to consider his books as nuisance (burden). Suddenly he
began to feel them as best friends. His attitude towards studies had changed. The news that he
would not be able to study French any longer, made him to forget all about the cranky ways and
the ruler of his teacher. Now he understood the reason for the special dress of the teacher and the
presence of villagers in the class room to express their respect and gratitude to the teacher who
served them for the past forty years. As he was thinking so, the teacher called his name to recite
participles. He wanted to recite the lesson at a stretch but he got mixed up and couldn’t recite it.
M Hamel said that the teacher, parents and students were responsible for such condition as the
students keep on postponing their studies; teacher had given a holiday whenever he wanted to go
for fishing and send
 2

Students for watering the plants and the parents were eager to send their children to farms and
mills to earn money. He continued his teaching by saying that French is the most beautiful,
clearest and logical language. He added that it is their duty to guard their language. If they permit
their language to be alive in their minds, no one can enslave them. Language is a tool to fight
domination. Then he taught them Grammar, writing and the necessity to express patriotism
through their language, be preserved in their minds. Franz felt everything fancy that his teacher
who had taken care of everything in the school, will have to leave the school. He also has felt
whether the Prussians force even the pigeons to change their language and sing in German
language. Franz felt that the teacher must be heart broken. Just then the clock struck twelve and
the angelus (a prayer song) began in the church. The trumpet sounds were heard to indicate the
returning of Prussian soldiers. M Hamel stood up to convey that the class got over but became
emotional and couldn’t say anything. He just has written “Vive La France!” on board and
gestured with his hand to say that the school is dismissed and they may go.
I Read the following excerpts carefully and CHOOSE CORRECT OPTION that follow:-
1) Who started for school very late?
i) Franz ii) Wachter iii) M.Hamel iv) Parents
2) Why was he in great dread of scolding?
i) Late to school ii) Afraid of teacher iii) Not studied participles iv) Wanted to enjoy outside
world
3) Why did he think of running away?
i) He was afraid of the teacher ii) He did not know participles iii) He wanted to enjoy the
outside world
iv) He wanted to neglect studies
4) Where did he want to run away?
i) Out of doors ii) Beauty of nature iii) Freedom outside iv) Marching soldiers
5) What does the narrator say about outdoors?
i) Warm, bright and tempting ii) Dull pathetic, frightening iii) Attractive but frightening iv)
Peaceful and happy
6) “But I had the strength to resist” Explain
i) Thought about rules of participles ii) Thought about the ruler and scolding iii) Thought about
school
iv) Thought about studies
7) What did Franz see in front of the town hall?
 3

i) Order from Berlin in the bulletin board ii) Blacksmith Watcher iii) A crowd in front of the
bulletin board iv) Elders of the village
8) Which were the bad news come from the bulletin board?
i) The lost battle ii) The draft iii) the orders of the commanding officer iv) All of the above
9) What did he think without stopping?
i) what can be the matter then, ii) the people to gather there. iii) Whether he is late to school
iv) All of the above
10) Whom did he find reading the bulletin?
i) The crowd ii) The villagers iii) The soldiers iv) The black smith
11) What does he observe in the school every day?
i) There was a great bustle ii) Noise which could be heard out in the street iii) the lessons
repeated in unison. iv) All of the above
12) What did he see through the window?
i) his classmates already on their places ii) M Hamel, walking up and down iii) M Hamel with
his terrible ruler, under his arms iv) All of the above
13) How did Franz explain himself, while entering into the classroom?
i) Late to school ii) Tensed of lessons iii) Tensed of the ruler iv) Blushed and frightened
14) How was the school that day?
i) The school was as quiet as Sunday morning ii) The school was closed iii) The school was
filled with noise iv) The school was shady
15) What did he do when the teacher had permitted him to sit in the class room?
i) He had opened the door ii) Went in before everybody iii) Jumped over the bench and sat iv)
All of these
16) Which are the occasions mentioned that the teacher wears his special dress?
i) Every day ii) Once in a week iii) Inspection and prize days iv) None of the above
17) How did the school seem?
i) As quiet as Sunday morning ii) Filled with emotions iii) so strange and solemn iv) filled with
respect and gratitude
18) What surprised him most?
 4

i) The back benches were occupied by the villagers ii) The school was as quiet as Sunday
morning
iii) The school was filled with emotions iv) The school was so strange and solemn
19) In which tone did M Hamel speak, while informing about the order from Berlin?
i) Grave and emotional tone ii) Emotional and gentle tone iii) grave and gentle tone.
iv) Respect and sincere
20) That was what they put up in the town-hall. What does the word ‘that’ mean by?
i) The crowd in front of town hall ii) The order that has come from Berlin iii) Rules of
participles iv) The last lesson
21) What did Franz realize about the presence of elders in the classroom?
i) In honour of the last lesson ii) To express their respect iii) To express their gratitude iv) All of
the above
22) Why were the villagers sorry?
i) Because of the order ii) they were not keen to go to school iii) Because of the teacher iv)
Because of the language
23) While he was thinking all this, what did he hear?
i) He heard that his name was called ii) it was his turn to recite the dreadful rule for the
participle.
iii) The teacher called his name iv) All of the above
24) How did Franz stand there when he got mixed up with the words?
i) holding on to his desk ii) with a beating heart iii) not daring to look up iv) All of these
25) How does M Hamel blame the people in France?
i) they put off learning for another day ii) they don’t know how to speak their own language
iii) they don’t know how to write their own language. iv) All of these
26) We have all a great deal to reproach ourselves with’ what does the word ‘we’ mean by?
i) The teacher ii) The students iii) The parents iv) All of these
27) Who does the word ‘he’ refers?
i) M Hamel ii) Franz iii) Villagers iv) Soldiers
28) What did he do?
 5

i) He stopped talking ii) Leaned his head against the wall iii) Written on board iv) All of these
29) How did he converse?
i) Emotionally ii) Without a word iii) Sadly iv) Gravely
30) What did the gesture mean by?
i) The school is dismissed and they may go ii) The teacher is emotional iii) The teacher is
speechless
iv) All of these
1 Answer the following questions in 40 words. 2 marks each
a) For Franz what was much more tempting than going to school? Why?
Ans: - For Franz going out to play in bright warm sunlight, with birds, chirping in open field and
to see the Prussian Soldiers, practicing drill, was more tempting than learning the rules of
participles.
b) Why were the elders of the village sitting in the classroom?
The elders of the village were sitting in the classroom because they felt sorry for not learning the
language. They wanted to thank the teacher for his forty years of faithful service and show their
respect to the language and the country.
c) What was Franz expected to prepare on that day?
Ans: - Franz was expected to prepare the rules of participles that were not known to him and he
was afraid of the punishment which is possibly expected from M. Hamel.
d) What did Franz notice that was unusual about the school that day?
Ans: -On that day everything was so quiet and still as Sunday morning, M. Hamel was wearing
his special dress which he used to wear on inspection and prize distribution day and the back
benches of the classroom were occupied by the elders of the village.
e) How different from usual was the school on the day of last lesson?
On the day of last lesson everything was so still as Sunday morning. There was no hustle and
bustle in the school. All his classmates were already there in their seats and M Hamel was
walking up and down with his terrible ruler under his arm but he did not scold him.
f) What was special about M Hamel on the day of Last Lesson?
M. Hamel was wearing his beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt and the little black silk cap, all
embroidered that he wears only on inspection day and prize distribution day.
g) How did the teacher teach them on the last day?
 6

He taught them from one thing to another, went on to talk of the French language, saying that it
was the most beautiful clearest and the most logical language in the world that they must guard it
among them, and never forget it.
h) What did Franz feel when he listens the last lesson?
He was amazed to see how well he understood it. All he said seemed so easy. It seemed as if the
teacher wanted to give them all he knew before going away and put it all into their heads at one
stroke.
i) What did Franz feel fancy?
Whenever Franz looked at the teacher, he found him sitting motionless in his chair, gazing first
at one thing then at another, as if he wanted to fix in his mind just how everything looked in that
little schoolroom. This made Franz to think that it is
fancy that the man who taught in the same place for forty years with his garden outside the
window and his class in front of him.
j) “Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons” Explain.
This thought has come to the mind of Franz. Even though it was a childish thought it shows that
Frenchmen are highly patriotic, and proud in their language. They are having a strong feeling of
revolt against Germans. According to them no language can be imposed on the unwilling
learners as all other languages other than one’s own native language remains as foreign
language. OR
Franz was disheartened when he came to know that he can no longer learn his language- French.
Their district has been captured by Germany and now German will be taught to them. He feels
that mother tongue comes to a person naturally, and no one can snatch it away.
k) “What a thunderclap these words were to me “Explain.
Ans: - On the day of Last lesson the words of M. Hamel that informed them in his grave and
gentle tone that, that was the last French lesson that he shall give them as the order has come
from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace
and Lorraine and a new master will come to teach them German from the very next day, created
a shock in Franz as he had realized, how careless was he, of his studies as well as teacher. So, the
words of M. Hamel had fallen in to his ears as a thunderclap.
l) How did people react when they realize that they will never be able to learn their language?
The elders of the village gathered and occupied the back benches of classroom. Old Hauser with
his three-cornered hat, the former mayor, the former postmaster and several others were there.
They all looked emotional and the old Hauser who brought an old Primer, held open on his knees
to express their respect to their language.
m) How did M. Hamel bid goodbye to everyone on the day of Last Lesson?
 7

When the church clock struck twelve, the trumpet of the Prussians, returning from drill sounded,
M Hamel stood up and tried to speak but something choked him and turned to the blackboard,
took a piece of chalk and wrote as large as he could, “Vive La France” then stopped and leaned
his head against the wall, made a gesture to others that school is dismissed.
n) Why does M Hamel reproach himself for his students, unsatisfactory progress in studies?
M Hamel, as a teacher irregular in teaching, who often sends his students to water his plants and
gave a holiday, whenever he wanted to go for fishing. He reproaches over his negligence on
teaching his students.
o) Why doesn’t M Hamel want the people forget French?
M Hamel doesn’t want the people to forget French, as it is the most beautiful, clearest and
logical language in the world and as long as they hold fast to their language it would never be
locked by others, as if they had the key to the prison.
p) Describe the Last Lesson by M Hamel?
On the day of last lesson M Hamel was so eager to teach them all lessons like History, Writing
and Grammar. He was emotional and when the church bell struck twelve, he stood up and
written ’Vive La France’ on board. He gestured to show that the class got over and they can go.
q) How did Franz find teaching and learning that day?
Franz found teaching and learning very interesting, that day. He was keener in listening the
teaching and realized that he understood everything very clearly as M. Hamel had never
explained everything with so much patience.
r) What were the usual notices that used to appear on the bulletin board?
For the last two years, all the bad news like the lost battle, the draft and the orders of the
commanding officer were the usual notices seen in the bulletin board of the town hall.
s) Why did Franz think that Blacksmith watcher was making fun of him?
Franz usually used to be late to school and on that day as he hurried to school as fast as he could.
Blacksmith Wachter called him and said not to go so fast as there is plenty of time left. Being a
boy who is least bothered to reach school, he felt that as a sarcastic comment on him and thought
he is making fun of him.
t) What was the usual scene in the school?
Usually when he reaches school, there used to be a great bustle which could be heard out in the
street, the opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated in unison, the teacher’s ruler rapping on
the table and he used to try to reach to his seat without reaching to the notice of others.
u) What surprised him most in the classroom?
The thing that surprised him most in the classroom was to see on the back benches, that were
always empty had been occupied by the elders of the village, old Hauser with his three-cornered
 8

hat, and an old primer in his hands, thumbed at the edges, held it open on his knees and was
looking through his great spectacles. The former Mayor, the postmaster and several others also
were sitting in the classroom.
v) What did Franz call as wretches?
Franz called, the notice put upon the notice board informing the order that has come from Berlin
to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine and the new master who is expected
to come to school from the next day to teach German, as wretched.
w) The people in the story suddenly realize how precious their language is to them. What shows
you this? Why does it happen?
Sudden realization in people shows their spirit of linguistic Chauvinism that is carrying pride in
one’s language. This happens because they realize its importance suddenly and they develop an
inclination towards learning.
x) What did Franz feel to see the method of teaching on the last day of the lesson?
Franz was amazed to see that how well he understood all that M Hamel said, seemed so easy. He
realised that he had never listened carefully that the teacher never explained everything with so
much patience. It seemed as if he wanted to give them all he knew before going away, and to put
it all into their heads at one stroke.
y) How did the teacher teach on the day of last lesson?
The teacher taught, first grammar, then writing which was done in new copies. They have written
the words France, Alsace repeatedly which looked like little flags floating everywhere in the
school room hung from the rod at the top of their desks. It was so quiet in the classroom that not
even the littlest ones were getting disturbed of anything even by the beetles entered into the
classroom.
z) What did he observe in M Hamel?
Whenever Franz looked up from his writing, he saw M Hamel sitting motionless in his chair and
gazing first at one thing then at another, as if he wanted to fix in his mind just how everything
looked in that classroom where he taught for the past forty years, with his garden outside the
window. The moving sound of the teacher’s sister to pack things in the trunk made him to think
pitifully how it must have broken his heart to leave that all.
2 Answer the following in 100-120 words (6 marks each)
a) Franz ‘attitude towards school as well as towards M. Hamel changes when he comes to know
about the takeover of his village by Prussians. Do you agree? Discuss with reference to The Last
Lesson.
Ans: - Franz who always used to be the latecomer to school, found that going out to play in
bright warm sunlight, in open field with chirping birds and to see the Prussian soldiers practicing
drill, are more tempting than learning the rules of participles. Books were a nuisance and so
heavy to carry. The ways of the teacher were cranky. Since he came to know that an order has
 9

come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine and a new master
will come to teach them German from the next day, his attitude towards the teacher and studies
changed. He has decided to pay attentionto the lesson and the school became important for him.
He felt he would miss his school from next day. He became upset genuinely to know that his
teacher is leaving the school. The idea that he would not see him again, made him to forget about
his ruler and cranky ways. He began to feel the importance of studies.
b) Everybody during the last lesson is filled with regret. Comment.
Ans: -There was deep regret over the order which has come from Berlin to teach only German in
the schools of Alsace and Lorraine and a new master will come to teach them German from the
next day. Franz who always used to be the Latecomer to school found that going out to play in
bright warm sunlight, with the chirping of birds in the open field and to see the Prussian soldiers
practicing drill as more tempting than learning the rules of participles. Books were a nuisance
and so heavy to carry. The ways of the teacher were cranky but during the last lesson he wished
if he would have attended the class more often and paid more attention as he found lessons more
interesting on the last day. The village people regretted that they hadn’t paid much attention in
learning their language and not letting their children go to school more often. M.Hamel himself
felt a regression for sending his students to water flowers and giving a holiday for students when
he wanted to go for fishing.
c)” We’ve all a great deal to reproach ourselves with” Explain
Ans: -Franz was so much nervous on the day of Last lesson as he was asked to learn the
principles of Participles. So, he couldn’t give the answer even though he knew the answer he got
mixed up with the first word and stood holding the desk, of his nervousness. In return M. Hamel
began to speak about the negligence of people putting off learning for next day even though they
don’t neither speak nor write their own Languages and pretend to be proud of being Frenchmen.
He also added that they all are responsible for this because: - i) Parents were not eager enough to
send them to school and preferred to put them in work on a farm or at the mills, so as to have a
little more money. ii) The teacher has often sent them to water his flowers and whenever he
wanted to go for fishing, he had given a holiday instead of insisting them to sit in classroom and
study. iii) The students used to put off learning for next day without even caring as their
language as the most beautiful, clearest and the logical language.
d) How different from usual was the atmosphere at school on the day of the last lesson?
Ans: - Usually when school begin there used to be a great bustle which could be heard out in the
street, the opening and closing of desks, the lessons repeated in unison and the teacher’s great
ruler rapping on the table but on the day of Last Lesson the school was quiet and still That day he
saw his classmates already in their places and M. Hamel walking up and down with his terrible
iron ruler under his arm. He was wearing his beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt and the little
blackcap, all embroidered that he usually wore on inspection days and prize distribution days.
The whole school seemed so strange and solemn and even the small children were not distracted.
The backbenches were occupied by the elders of the village. They were sorry that they hadn’t
given attention in their language and have gathered there to express their gratitude for his forty
years of faithful service.
 10

e) Our native language is a part of our culture and we are proud of it. How does the presence of
village elders in the Classroom and M. Hamel’s Last Lesson show their love for French? OR
The people in the story suddenly realise how precious their language is to them. What shows you
this? Why does this happen? OR

“When people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their language, it is as if they had the key
to their prison.” Explain with reference to the ‘Last Lesson’.
Ans: -The order that had come from Berlin created great sensation among the villagers. The
elders of the village were sitting at the back benches of the classroom as they felt sorry for not
gone to school more often. They were sad because they have lost all chances of learning their
own language. They have gathered there to express their gratitude for his faithful service. They
also wanted to show their respect for the country that was theirs no more. They regretted for
neglecting their language. On the day of Last Lesson M. Hamel explained everything patiently,
appealed to people to preserve ‘French’. He inspired them saying that French language is the
most beautiful, and logical language which must be guarded among them and can help them be
united and never forget it. He continued saying if people are enslaved, as long as they holdfast
their language it is as if they had the key to their prison. These words have inspired the villagers
and they along with the teacher overwhelmed with Emotions. M.Hamel wrote ‘Vive La France’
on the board, which made the villagers to understand that they should guard their language as
nobody can impose other language into their mind. It is also an expression of Language
Chauvinism.
j) “Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons” Explain.
This thought has come to the mind of Franz to think whether the Germans are going to make
even the pigeons to sing in German language. Even though it was a childish thought it shows that
Frenchmen are highly patriotic, and proud in their language. They are having a strong feeling of
revolt against Germans. According to them no language can be imposed on the unwilling
learners as all other languages other than one’s own native language remains as foreign
language. Franz was disheartened when he came to know that he can no longer learn his
language- French. Their district had been captured by Germany and a dictator always keeps a
control over the language of the country dictated by him. So French people were instructed not to
teach their native language and follow a foreign language that is why the order came to teach
only German to them. He feels that mother tongue comes to a person naturally, and no one can
snatch it away.
x-------------------------------------x
LESSON 2 – THE LOST SPRING BY ANEES JUNG
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: -Anees Jung is an Indian writer and a columnist for major newspapers
in India and abroad. She was born in Rourkela in Hyderabad in 1944in an aristocratic family.
She worked as a Journalist and Editor from 1976 - 1979, with ‘Youth Times’ times of India
Publication. Anees began to be in limelight with the publication of ‘unveiling India’ – A travel
diary in 1987. She has written several subsequent books focusing on the interviews with women
about their everyday life. Her famous books are, Night of the New Moon, Encounters with
 11

Muslim Women in India, Seven Sisters, Breaking the Silence, Beyond the Courtyard, Lost
Spring etc.
SUMMARY: -spring is the season associated with optimism and hope and in the life span of a
human being childhood is the stage associated with optimism and hope. In fact, it is the most
beautiful stage in the life of a human being. Spring season evokes a new beginning and hopes but
the children described in the narration shows that they have lost hopes about life and the name
‘Lost Spring’ is symbolically given to show that they have lost their childhood. ‘The Lost
Spring’ written by Anees Jung talks about the labour that is forced on children, to live a life of
poverty and exploitation They don’t live their childhood as they have to carry the burden of
poverty and illiteracy.
I – SOMETIMES I FIND A RUPEE IN THE GARBAGE
Anees Jung starts the story with an introduction of a boy named Saheb – in a poor deplorable
condition who miss their joy and childhood due to their socio-economic back ground. She speaks
about the life of unfortunate rag pickers, migrated from Dhaka and settled in Seemapuri which is
at the outskirts of Delhi. She starts the lesson with a description about the migrated rag pickers
who lost their houses due to storm and shifted from Dhaka, Bangladesh to Seemapuri which is at
the periphery (outskirts) of Delhi. The narrator watches the rag pickers, every morning in her
neighborhood. She presents Saheb as the representative of all other children engaged in garbage
picking and always scrounges for gold. When she suggested him to go to school his reply was
that there is no school in his neighborhood. When she has come to know about his name that is
Saheb-e-Alam which means ‘Lord of the Universe’; she felt the contrast between his life and the
meaning of his name. She says that the Lord of the Universe is reachable for everything while
the children in the story are unreachable for many things. Sometimes they find a coin or two
from the garbage. They have ambitions but don’t know how to achieve it. Anees Describes a
story, that was narrated by a man from Udupi, about young who prayed God to give a pair of
shoes and a prayer which was made by another boy that he doesn’t want to miss the shoes that he
had. In Seemapuri the lives of children are different. She speaks about the families Dhaka to
Seemapuri which was a wilderness (uncultivated) in 1971. They live in the houses which are the
structures of mud, with roofs of tin and tarpaulin, and in the surroundings of sewage, drainage, or
running water. They lived there for thirty years without an identity but with a ration card that get
their names in the voter’s list. But for them it was a source to get grain for them. Even though
they live in their transit (temporary) homes. Children grow in the garbage becomes the partners
of it and for them survival in Seemapuri means rag picking. For childrenit is a gift wrapped in
wonder but for elders it is a matter survival and daily bread. Later when Saheb started to work in
the tea stall the narrator says that the job helped him to earn Rs 800 per day but he has lost his
carefree look. The job had taken his freedom away because the garbage bag that he used to carry
was his own and the tea canister that he carries is belongs to the man who owns the tea shop and
now Saheb is not his own master as he will have work according to the order of the tea shop
owner.
I WANT TO DRIVE A CAR
It’s a description about the impoverished bangle makers of Firozabad and their lives are
represented by Mukesh. He said to the narrator that his house is newly constructed but seemed to
 12

be half thatched house in which she finds a frail looking young woman whom Mukesh
introduces as hi elder brother’s wife. Even though she is very young, she has taken the
responsibility of the family on her shoulders. His father couldn’t give education to his children,
failed in renovating the house but taught the art bangle making. Mukesh’s grandmother who has
seen her husband lost his eyesight while polishing the bangles console herself saying that, that
was the destiny of her husband. Anees further describes that everywhere in Firozabad they can
see only spirals of bangles. She describes Savita a young girl sitting with an old lady to make
bangles. Savita doesn’t know the auspiciousness of bangles while the old lady who complains
that the bangle making never had supported her to get one time meal to fill their stomach. Her
husband was able to provide a house for the family while others failed in it. As she has done a study
about the lives of people there, she says that they are in a vicious circle where their lives begin from
poverty and greed to apathy and injustice. As a conclusion she says that she found two distinct worlds
that is the families caught in a web of poverty, burdened by the stigma (label) of caste in which they are
born and the other is the vicious circle of the sahukars, the middlemen, the policemen, the keepers of
law, the bureaucrats and the politicians. These two distinct worlds together have put the baggage of
bangle making on their shoulder and by the time they come to know about it, he would have been a part
of it and can’t be escaped. Mukesh is living in such surroundings that he is not sure whether he will be
able to fulfill his dream but he is ready to walk to the garage if the society permits him to think
differently and become a motor mechanic.

Answer the following using the options given: -

1. Where were many storms?

a) Garbage b) neighborhood c) Dhaka d) big city

2. What do the storms do?

a) Encounter b) scrounge c) swept away homes and fields d) look for gold

3. What did the storm sweep away?

a) Garbage b) neighbourhood c) homes and fields d) fields

4. What happened for the homes and fields?

a) Encountered b) scrounged c) abandoned d) swept away

5. “After months of knowing I ask him his name” who said this?

a) Saheb b) narrator c) garbage pickers d) neighbours

6. Whose name does the narrator ask?

a) Saheb b) Narrator c) garbage picker d) neighbour

7. What was his name?

a) Saheb b) Anees Jung c) garbage picker d) Saheb-e-Alam

 13

8. What is the duration that the narrator mentioned?

a) Two months b) after months c) before two months d) morning to evening

9. My acquaintance with the barefoot rag pickers leads me to Seemapuri Whom does the word ‘My’
represent?

a) The narrator b) Saheb c) rag picker d) neighbour

10. What does the word barefoot mean by?

a) Empty foot b) without chappals c) without shoes d) All of the above

11. Where is Seemapuri?

a) In Delhi b) at the outskirts of Delhi c) Near Delhi d) Inside Delhi

12. Who is lead to Seemapuri?

a) The narrator b) Saheb c) rag picker d) neighbour

13. What does the word ‘gold’ mean in the context?

a) Livelihood b) money c) the metal gold d) coins

14. What is their daily bread?

a) Garbage b) gold c) roof d) money

15. What does the word roof mean by?

a) Garbage b) money c) shelter d) livelihood

16. What does the word ‘them’ mean by?

a) The narrator b) Saheb c) rag pickers d) neighbour

17. Who is Saheb?

a) The narrator b) a ragpicker c) one of the elder d) the owner of the tea shop

18. Who is the master here?

a) The narrator b) a rag picker c) one of the elder d) the owner of the tea shop

19. Who said, “Saheb is no longer his own master”?

a) The narrator b) a rag picker c) one of the elder d) the owner of the tea shop

20. To whom does the speaker say these words?

 14

a) The narrator b) a rag picker c) the readers d) the owner of the tea shop

21. “I will learn to drive a car”, looking straight into my eyes. His dream looms like a mirage. Whose
words are these to whom?

a) Mukesh to the author b) Saheb to the author c) Tea shop owner to Mukesh d) Tea shop owner Saheb

22. What does the phrase “looking straight into my eyes” mean?
a) he is very confident about his dreams. b) He is very sure about his dreams c) He is not
doubtful about his dreams d) All of the above
23. What does the narrator read from his eyes?
a) His dreams are easily achievable as he is very confident b) his dreams are like a mirage
which is impossible for a boy like Mukesh from the caste of bangle makers. c) His dreams
are like shadow in water d) His dreams are like a mirror, reflects his future in his eyes
24. What does the word ’mirage mean by?
a) illusion b) An optical phenomenon in which light is refracted through a layer of hot air close
to the ground giving the appearance of there, being water in the distance c) An image d) All of
the above
25. What is Firozabad famous for?
a) Landscape b) rag picking c) bangle making d) None of the above
11. Answer the following in 40- 50 words (3 marks each)
a) Why did Saheb and family leave Dhaka?
They left Dhaka long back that remains in the distant memory of Saheb and others because of the
storms that swept awaytheir fields and homes and came to the big city looking for gold.
b) Food is more important than identity. Explain.
The rag pickers had lived in Seemapuri, the periphery of Delhi, for more than thirty years
without an identity, without permits but with a ration card that gets their names on voters’ lists
and enable them to get grain. They are not bothered of an identity and the ration card is a source
of getting food. So, food is more important than identity.
c) They are happy to live in the garbage. Why? OR Why did they leave their beautiful land of
green fields and rivers?
They are happy to live in the garbage because it helps them to get food for them at the end of the
day. They are happy that they are able to give food to their families and sleep without an aching
stomach and it was not possible when they were in Dhaka.
d) Why do they call Seemapuri as their transit homes?
 15

They call Seemapuri as their transit homes because their children grow up in them, becoming
partners in the struggle of survival, and the survival in Seemapuri means Rag picking through the
years and became a fine art in their lives. They found food there and pitched their tent which
may be shifted if the food is not available.
e) Mention any two hazards of working in the glass bangle industry?
The hazards faced by the people working in the glass bangle industry are the chances of losing
eyesight and the possibility of skin burn too.
f) What did garbage mean to the children of Seemapuri?
For elders in Seemapuri garbage is a means of survival and for children it is like a wrapped
wonder as they expect to get something which may help them to get a coin or gives them the
hope of finding more.
g) What does Saheb look for in the Garbage dumps?
Saheb look for anything in the garbage dump which may help him to gather a coin or a day’s
meal. In fact, he looks for the possibility of hopes about each day.
h) Why does the narrator say ‘Garbage to them is gold’?
The narrator says so because it is their daily bread, a roof over their heads; even if it is a leaking
roof over their heads but for a child it is equally valuable to gold or a wrapped wonder.
i) “It’s his karam, his destiny. “What is Mukesh’s family’s attitude towards their situation?
The views of bangle makers of bangle making industry is that it is their destiny and they accept it
silently as they cannot dream of any other option. Even if they dare to violate it and try for some
other job no initiative left with them to have any support from others.
j) What job did Saheb take up? Was he happy?
Ans: - Saheb took up the job in a tea stall. Since when he has started to work in the tea stall, he
began to get eight hundred rupees in a month but he has lost his carefree look as the garbage bag
was his own and light in weight but the tea canister does not belong to him, which is heavy. He
was not happy of the job.
k) What does the reference to chappals’ in “Lost Spring “tell us about the economic condition of
rag pickers?
Ans: -Children who are engaged in rag picking are poor and impoverished who had only hand to
mouth existence. They are exploited and have no work to do, no house to live in and they live in
unhygienic condition of the slum dwellers because of the negligence and apathy of the affluent
people in society.
l) What makes the city of Firozabad famous?
 16

Ans: -Firozabad being the centre of glass blowing industry is famous for bangles. They spent
generations working around the furnaces, welding glass and making bangles for all the married
women.
m) How is Mukesh’s attitude different from that of his family?
Ans: -Mukesh’s family, generation after generation spent in bangle making industry and
reconciled their lives with the industry. He wants to become a motor mechanic and the master of
himself. His family is not optimistic like Mukesh and continues with their destiny when Mukesh
shows a spark of courage and hope and dares to dream.
n) Survival in Seemapuri means rag picking “Explain.
Ans: -people in Seemapuri are very poor who do not have a proper source of income. They are
engaged in rag picking and the survival is meant for getting something from the garbage which
may provide a silver coin which is considered by them as gold or an unwrapped gift.
o) Why are the bangle makers in vicious web?
Ans: -Because they are caught in a web of poverty burdened by the stigma of caste in which they
are born; so, they have been caught in a vicious circle of the sahukars, the middlemen, the
policemen, the keepers of law, the bureaucrats and the politicians who have together imposed the
baggage of burden of bangle making on them from childhood which they cannot put down.
p) What does the reference of chappals in ‘Lost Spring’ tell us about the economic condition of
the rag pickers?
It shows that they are in a pathetic condition that they are not even able to buy chappals and their
livelihood itself is depending on the garbage which can provide only one time meal not chappals.
Moreover, they don’t consider that chappals are essential in their lives.
q) Seemapuri is a place in the periphery of Delhi, Yet miles away from it metaphorically.
Explain.
Those who live in Seemapuri are squatters who came from Bangladesh in 1971 and it was a
wilderness at that time but no longer empty. It is filled with the structures of mud with roofs, tin
and tarpaulin, devoid of sewage, drainage and running water. So, even though it’s a part of
Delhi, it is not at all developed.
r) Saheb is no longer his own master. Why?
Saheb is no longer his own master because the steel canister that he carries seemed heavier than
the plastic bag he would carry so lightly over his shoulder. The bag was his and the canister
belongs to the man who owns the tea shop. Even though he was paid 800 rupees he has lost his
carefree look.
s) What does Anees Jung encounter every morning? What does she know about Saheb?
 17

Every morning Anees Jung encounters Saheb, scrounging for gold in the garbage dumbs of her
neighborhood. Saheb left his house long ago and set amidst the green fields of Dhaka. His home
which is swept away along with his fields is not even in his distant memory.
t) Why was the author embarrassed?

The author asked Saheb the reason for scrounging in the garbage and as a reply Saheb said that
there is nothing else for him to do. She advised him to go to school. When he replied that there is
no school in his neighbourhood, she promised him that she would start a school for him. When
he asked her whether her school is ready, she got embarrassed thinking about the false promise
made by her to him.

u) What is the significance of the name Saheb-e-Alam in the article Lost Spring?

Saheb-e- Alam means Lord of the Universe. It is significant for him because he is unaware of
what his name represents and having such a name, he roams with his friends barefoot, appear
like a morning bird and disappear at noon. Lord of the universe is the one who keeps the whole
world with all its richness in his hand and ironically Saheb doesn’t even have the surety of one-
time meal of the day.

v) What makes the city of Firozabad famous for? (2)

The city of Firozabad is famous for its glass making industry where the families spent
generations working, around furnaces, welding glass, making bangles for all the women in the
land as it is the symbol of Suhag.

w) What is the significance of the story narrated by a man from Udupi?

As a young boy and being the son of a priest, he stops briefly at the temple and pray for a pair of
shoes and thirty years later when the narrator visited his town and the temple, she saw the son of
the present priest is wearing a shoe and having plastic chairs to sit. It shows the change that has
come to the lifestyle of people around comparatively with the children in garbage.

x) What is the opinion of the narrator about the people live in Seemapuri?

People live in Seemapuri are squatters who came from Bangladesh back in 1971. Saheb’s family
is one among them and they live in structures of mud with roofs of mud and tarpaulin, devoid of
sewage, drainage or running water, without an identity but with a ration card that get their names
in voter’s list and enable them to buy grain.

y) “Listening to them, I see two distinct worlds….” In the context of Mukesh, the bangle maker’s
son, which two worlds Anees Jung referring to?

The two worlds that Anees Jung referring in the context is the poverty-stricken families burdened
by the stigma of caste and the vicious circle created by Sahukars, middlemen, policemen,
 18

keepers of Law, Bureaucrats etc. that put the burden of bangle making on the shoulders of
children in the industry.

z) Do you think that the promises made to the poor are rarely kept? Why do you think so?

The promises made to the poor are rarely kept. When the author asked Saheb, whether he will go
to school if she starts it, Saheb replied that he will. A few days later he asked her if her school
ready that which made her to feel embarrassed. The promises made to the children like him, in
their bleak world are very valuable to them.

Long Answer Type Questions

1 “Survival in Seemapuri means rag picking” Explain. OR “For the children, it is wrapped in
wonder, for the elders it is a means of survival” Explain.

The families and children who have acquired the proportions of fine art that is rag picking
consider that in different meaning. They have reached in Seemapuri, years back in search of
daily meal and shelter. The ration card which helped them to be in voters list provided grains for
them and the garbage was able to feed them. Garbage seemed as gold to them and their daily
bread. It sometimes provides a rupee even ten rupees note. A silver coin earned through garbage,
make them to get inspired and scrounge more and more hopefully. Garbage has different
meaning to children than grownups. Children consider it as a gift wrapped in wonder but elders
consider it as their means of survival.

2 “Lost spring explains grinding poverty”. Explain

Ans: - The lives of children mentioned in Lost Spring are pathetic and miserable due to the
labour at an early age. They owe to poverty and have no opportunity for education. Both
characters of lost spring Mukesh and Saheb-e-Alam had same goals in life to do something
different in life but children who grow up in garbage and bangle making industry are not
permitted to dream. In Seemapuri children grow up in garbage and become the partners of
survival means rag picking. Through years the children in garbage, have acquired the proportions
of a fine art. Garbage to them is gold daily bread and a roof over their heads and the tea canister
carried by Saheb was heavier than the plastic bag he would carry so lightly over his shoulder as
the bag was his and the canister belong to the owner of tea shop. Mukesh, one among the bangle
makers who caught in a web of poverty burdened by the stigma of caste in which they are born.
The baggage imposed on the children that cannot put down, accepts like their parents. He wants
to become a Motor mechanic but he also is no longer his own master like Saheb. Both are caught
hold of the vicious circle around them by the society.

3 What forces conspire to keep the workers in the bangle industry of Firozabad in poverty?

Firozabad is famous for bangle industry as it is the centre for bangle industry and every family in
Firozabad is engaged in making bangles. These families spent generations in making bangle for
 19

all the women in the land. None of these families know that it is illegal for children to work in
the glass furnaces with high temperatures, with dingy cells without air and light. The young men
follow the echo of elders that they don’t have money to do anything except carry on the business
of making bangles. Years of mind-numbing toil have killed their initiative and the ability to
dream. The character Mukesh, one among the bangle makers wants to become a motor
mechanic. They have been caught hold of the vicious circle of middlemen who trapped their
fathers and forefathers. If they try for any type of co-operatives, they will be hauled up by the
police, beaten and dragged to jail for doing something illegal. They have no leaders and their
fathers are so tired and their

lives. They speak endlessly in a spiral that moves from poverty and apathy to greed and to
injustice. Their lives show that they have been caught in a web of poverty burdened by the
stigma of caste in which they are born and the other a vicious circle of the sahukars, the
middlemen and the policemen, the keepers of law, the bureaucrats and the politicians.

Imp. Note: - Saheb-e-Alam which means Lord of the universe contradictorily used to show that
he is the contrasted character of What Saheb in reality that is drowned in an air of desolation.
Garbage: - For children wrapped in wonder and for elders it is a means of survival. —

4 The bangle makers of Firozabad make beautiful bangles and make everyone happy but they
live and die in squalor. Elaborate.

Firozabad 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. But it
never has brought two square meals a day. They live in unhygienic conditions where there is a
lack of leadership among them. They work in unhealthy conditions and many lose their eyesight
as their eyes are more adjusted to the dim light of the flickering lamp. In addition to all these it is
sad that the workers cannot organize a cooperative as they are not dared of. They knew that
daring is not so easy because it may affect their growth. The fear of the society and lack of
leadership made them to feel that they are in a vicious circle where one side they are devoid of
poverty, indifference and greed. They make bangles which are symbols of happiness for all the
women in the land but their life is in poverty and squalor.

x---------------------------------------------x

LESSON 3 – DEEP WATER BY WILLIAM DOUGLAS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: -William Orville Douglas (16 th Oct 1898–19 th Jan 1980) was an
American Jurist (An expert judge) and politician and served as an associate Judge of the
Supreme Court of the United States nominated by Franklin Roosevelt. At the age of 40 he was
selected as the youngest Judge and remained for the longest duration (1939- 75) which was for
the first time in the History of Supreme Court. In 1975 Time Magazine had honoured him as “the
most Doctrinaire and committed Civil Libertarian ever to sit on the court. He has received his
 20

B.A Degree from Whitman College and LLB from Columbia University. When he was at the age
of six his father died and he was forced to do odd jobs to carry on his education. He graduated
gaining fifth position in class. The Lesson Deep water is based on his disease that he has
undergone at the age of two. His recovery from Intestinal Colin was a great miracle.

SUMMARY: -The story Deep Water has been taken from the author’s autobiography “Of Men
and Mountains”. In the piece of writing, he describes how he became a victim of the aversion
towards water and how he conquered it by will power and determination. When he was at the age
of three or four, he was in the habit of going to the beach of California, with his father. He was
highly frightened due to the huge waves that blown over him and entered into his nose and ears.

In spite of having great fear in his mind, he was so eager to learn swimming but couldn’t because
of the fear of water. Finally, he had decided to appoint a trainer to train him. He went to the pool
five days a week, an hour each day. The instructor put a belt around him with a rope attached to
the belt went through a pulley that ran overhead cable. He held on to the end of the rope and
went on forth and back across the pool hour after hour, day after day and week after week.
Whenever the instructor released the rope a terror and panic seized him and he went under the
water. Then the instructor taught him to put his face under the water and exhale and raise his
nose to inhale. He repeated the exercise hundreds of times. Bit by bit he shed part of the panic
that seized him. Gradually he became confident and when the instructor realized that his part of
teaching is over, he said to him that he is capable to have any stroke in water. Douglas still was
doubtful whether he is capable. He had decided to make it sure and went to Lake Wentworth in
New Hampshire, dived off a dock at Trigs Island and swam two miles across the lake to Stamp
act Island and swam the crawl, breast stroke, side stroke and back stroke. Once the terror
returned when he was in the middle of the lake and he put his face under water and saw nothing
other than bottomless water. The same old terror came back to his mind but he laughed and said
to the terror whether it is trying to frighten him and terror had gone away. Even though he was
successful in winning over the terror, he had residual doubts and he tried in different places to
win over water and was successful. The experience gave him deep realization that in death there
is peace and there is terror only in the fear of death. He had experienced both death and fear and
he believe in the famous words of President Roosevelt that we need to fear only the fear itself. At
last, he felt relaxed that nothing will be a hindrance for any one like him to reach to their goals.

i. Answer the following using the options given below: -

1. When did the misfortune happen?

a) When he was at the pool b) When he was at the age of three or four b) When he was at the age
of ten or eleven d) When he was a teenager

1. Where did the narrator find the exact opportunity to swim?

a) In the Yakima River b) In Y.M.C.A pool b) In different water bodies d) All of the above
 21

2. How deep was the Y.M.C.A pool?

a) Ten- or eleven-feet b) two or three feet b) Two or three feet at the shallow end and nine feet at
the other c) None of the above

3. What did he hate?

a) He hated to learn swimming b) He hated water c) He hated to walk naked d) He hated

Y.M.C.A pool

4. What does the word ‘aversion’ best suits for?

a) Dislike b) hatred c) disinclination d) all of the above

5. Where did his father take him when he was three or four years?

a) Yakima river b) Y.M.C..A pool c) beach in California d) None of the above

Answer the following questions in 40-50 words

a) When and why did he have an aversion to the water?

When he was at the age of three or four, his father took him to the beach in California years. The
waves knocked, swept over and buried him in water. He was frightened and felt that he has lost
his breath of the overpowering force of the water. Thus, he developed an aversion to water.

b) What did he plan on his way to the bottom of water?

On his way down he planned that when his feet hit the bottom, he would make a big jump to
come to the surface, lie flat on it and paddle to the edge of the pool to pop up above the water to
escape.

c) What did he feel while moving down the pool?

It seemed a long way down. Those nine feet were like more like ninety, and before he touched
bottom his lungs were ready to burst and decided to summon all his strength to make a great
spring upwards.

d) “I imagined that I would bob to the surface like a cork.” Was he able to achieve his aim?
Why?

He was not able to achieve his aim to bob to the surface like a cork because he couldn’t spring
upwards forcefully and came up slowly. He opened his eyes and saw nothing than the dirty
yellow tinged water.

e) What happened when he knew that he couldn’t bob to the surface?

 22

He grew panicky and reached up as if to grab a rope but could clutch only water. He began to
suffocate and tried to shout but no sound came. His eyes and nose came out of water but not his
mouth.

f) “And then sheer, stark terror seized me, terror that knows no understanding “Why does the
narrator feel so?

The narrator feels so when he struck at the water and lost all his breath. His lungs ached; head
throbbed and remembered the strategy to spring up at the bottom but failed and began to think of
the terror that caught him which he couldn’t understand.

g) How did he try to overcome his fear of water?

He decided to get an instructor and practiced five days a week, an hour each day. The Instructor
put a belt around him attached with a rope and went back and forth across the pool. Thus, bit by
bit he shed part of the panic that seized him when his head went under water.

h) What did he do whenever he feels the tiny vestiges of terror in his mind?

Whenever he was alone in the pool, he tried to swim the length up and down and when he felt
the tiny vestiges of terror returns, he frowned and said to the terror “Trying to scare me, eh?
Well, here’s to you! Look!” and would go for another length of the pool.

i) How did he make sure that he has overcome the fear of water?

He was not satisfied with his practice with the trainer so when the instructor finished, he went to
Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire, dived off a dock at trigs island and swam two miles across
the lake to Stamp Act Island and swam the crawl, breast stroke, side stroke and back stroke and
back stroke and when he was at the middle of the lake, he put his face under water where he was
able to see only bottomless water. The old sensation of terror returned back to his mind in
miniature but he laughed and said “well Mr. Terror what do you think you can do to me” it fled.
Thus, he made sure that he had overcome the fear of water.

j) Why did he say that there is terror only in the fear of death?

He had experienced the happiness when he has come to know that he had conquered his fear of
water, he shouted with joy which was echoed by Gilbert Peak and felt a deep meaning that only
those who have experienced stark terror can find that there is terror in the fear of death.

k) “All we have to fear is fear itself” Explain.

His experience of death and overcome the fear of water left deep meaning in his mind to make
him realize that there is terror only in the fear of death. So, he felt the words of Roosevelt “all we
have to fear is fear itself” is true. Because he had experienced both the sensation of dying and the
terror that fear of it can produce.
 23

l) What deep meaning did his experience at the YMCA swimming pool have with Douglas?

Terror of death could be understood only if someone experiences it. The one who realize that he
is going to die will not be panic as there is nothing to be worried because acceptance of death is
peaceful. This understanding as he moves down made him gentle with death.

m) How did Douglas still continue with his practice even after the instructor was finished?

He was again doubtful whether he would be terror stricken when he was alone in the pool. He
swam the length up and down whenever tiny vestiges of terror enter into his mind; he made
himself be brave enough to speak to terror and swam for another length of the pool.

n) Why did Douglas fail; to come to the surface of the water?

When he had reached to the bottom of the water, he failed to jump to the surface of the pool as
he hoped to, because he landed in a sitting position, swallowed too much water, went at once to
the bottom and was frightened He hadn’t gone out of his wits and expected to spring up from the
bottom of the pool but failed. The panic due to the fear immobilized him and could not swim.

o) How did Douglas’ introduction to the YMCA pool revive his childhood fear of water?

The sight of YMCA pool revived his childhood fear of water. Douglas recollected his childhood
experience on the beach of California and also remembered how waves overpowered him despite
his father’s presence.

p) According to Roosevelt “All we have to fear is fear itself.” What does the lesson indicate it?

Fear is a negative feeling and great obstacle to one’s happiness and progress in order to achieve
goals of life and gain progress. One will have to escape from fear so according to Roosevelt, a
human being will have to fear only fear itself and one should overcome fear with confidence,
courage and hope.

q) What was the misfortune faced by Douglas in YMCA pool?

He has unpleasant memories about his experience in the YMCA pool that he went to the pool
when no one was there. The place was quiet and the water was still. The tiled bottom was as
white and clean as a bathtub. A boy of eighteen or nineteen years came there, picked him up and
tossed him into the water and he landed in sitting positions which lead him almost near to death.

r) What happened to Douglas when he had been thrown to the YMCA pool?

He landed in the water in a sitting position, swallowed water, and went at once to the bottom.
Even though he was frightened, he hasn’t lost his wits. On the way down he planned to jump up
and come to the surface which failed and second time also he had tried but failed again. He had
almost come near death.
 24

s) As he went down the water what did he decide?

As he went down the water he had decided to jump up and bob to the surface like a cork but
couldn’t attain what he imagined and moved down. When he came up, he flailed at the surface of
the water and choked. He tried to bring his legs up but they hung as dead weights, paralyzed and
rigid. A great force pulled him down under water.

t) I crossed the oblivion and the curtain of life fell. What does the narrator mean to convey
through this?

The narrator conveys that all his efforts ceased when he failed in his attempts to escape and
blackness swept over his brain. It wiped out fear, terror and panic and became quiet and peaceful
and left himself into the hands of death with a realization that there is peace in death.

u)” This handicap stayed with me as the years rolled by” What was the handicap?

Whenever he tried to get into any of the water bodies such as Cascades, the Tieton or Bumping
River or bathing in Warm Lake of the Goat Rocks, the terror that had seized him in the pool
would come back and take possession of him completely. The legs would become paralyzed and
an icy horror would grab his heart. He felt it as an inability and handicap that did not permit him
to enjoy anything in water.

v) How did the handicap affect him?

Whenever he tried fishing in canoes on Maine Lakes for Landlocked Salmon bass fishing in New
Hampshire, trout fishing on the Deschutes and Metolius in Oregon, fishing for Salmon on the
Columbia at Bumping Lake in the cascades, the haunting fear of the water followed him. It
ruined his fishing trips deprived him of the joy of canoeing, boating and swimming.

w) How did the instructor make a swimmer in Douglas?

The instructor taught him piece by piece. He taught him how to swim across the pool then held
him at the side of the pool and asked him to kick with his legs, for weeks he continued the same
procedure. At first his legs refused to work but gradually relaxed and finally were able to achieve
command over it.

x) Douglas says that the instructor was finished but he was not finished. Why did he say so?
How did he confirm that he had completely learned swimming?

Even though the instructor informed him that he finished his training, Douglas wondered if he
would be terror – stricken when he was alone in the pool. He tried it and swam the length up and
down. Tiny vestiges of terror would return and he had spoken to the terror asking whether it is
trying to scare him and would go for another length of the pool. Thus, he confirmed that he is
able to swim anywhere without fear.
 25

y) “The old sensation returned in miniature.” What is the old sensation? How did he react?

The old sensation was the terror of water. When he was in the water, the old sensation of terror
came to his mind in miniature but he laughed and spoken to the terror and it fled away.

z) How did Douglas solve his residual doubts in mind?

He hurried West, went up the Tieton to Conrad meadows. Up the Conrad Creek trail to Meade
Glacier, and camped in the high meadow by the side of warm lake. The next morning, he
stripped, dived into the lake and swam across the other shore and back and shouted with joy
which was echoed back by Gilbert Peak and he confirmed that he had overcome his residual
doubts in mind.

ii) Answer the following in 100-120 words (6 marks)

a) How did the instructor build a swimmer out of Douglas?

Fear is a negative feeling which makes to lose one self. Douglas is affected by the fear of water
from childhood. As a result of his childhood experience in water. He used every way he knew to
overcome this fear but it held firmly in its grip. Finally, he had decided to get an instructor and
learned to swim. He went to a pool and practiced five days in a week, an hour each day. The
instructor put a belt around him attached with a rope and went back and forth across the pool.
Thus, bit by bit he shed part of the panic that seized him. Whenever he was alone in the pool, he
tried to swim the length up and down and when he felt the tiny vestiges of terror returns, he
frowned and said to the terror “Trying to scare me, eh? Well, here’s to you! Look!” and would
go for another length of the pool. Thus, the instructor built a swimmer as well as a confident man
with all positive feelings

b) “All we’ve to fear is fear itself.” Explain

He was not satisfied with his practice with the trainer so when the instructor finished, he went to
Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire, dived off a dock at trigs island and swam two miles across
the lake to Stamp Act Island and swam the crawl, breast stroke, side stroke and back stroke and
back stroke and when he was at the middle of the lake, he put his face under water where he was
able to see only bottomless water. The old sensation of terror returned back to his mind in
miniature but he laughed and said “well Mr. Terror what do you think you can do to me” it fled.
Thus, he made sure that he had overcome the fear of water. He had experienced the happiness
when he has come to know that he had conquered his fear of water, he shouted with joy which
was echoed by Gilbert Peak and felt a deep meaning that only those who have experienced stark
terror can find that there is terror in the fear of death.

X------------------------------------X
 26

LESSON 4 THE RATTRAP BY SELMA LAGERLOF

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: -(20 November 1858 – 16 March 1940) was a Swedish author and
teacher. She published her first novel at the age of 33 and was the first female writer to receive
Nobel Prize in Literature (1909) and was the first female to be granted a membership in The
Swedish academy. She was born with a hip injury and became lame at the age of three which
was recovered later. At the age of seven she completed reading a novel and at the age of ten
completed reading Bible. After completing her studies, she became a teacher at the Royal
seminary. In 1895 she gave up her teaching and devoted her time for writing.

SUMMARY: -The story Rattrap speaks about a peddler who went around selling small rattraps
of wire, which were made by him at odd hours. Whenever he found the business not profitable,
he uses to do thievery and begging. He always seemed to be sad and his life remained
monotonous (same style without any change). He lived like a Vagabond (one who doesn’t have
any particular determined destination like a butterfly) One day a strange thought had come to his
mind that the whole world is a Rattrap and the things that make the people attracted are its baits.
The moment a person touch on the bait (pork, cheese etc.) the whole world close behind him.
The world was never kind to him and people use to chase him away and it became his pastime
entertainment to think the whole world is a Rattrap. One dark evening he reached to a cottage
where an old man lives alone in his loneliness and was so much interested to get someone to
speak. He was a very good host and had shown the generosity to give him Porridge, tobacco and
played Msjolis. As he was a lonely man, he had spoken a lot to him including the information
that he is having a cow which helps him to fulfil his need and also had shown him the bag that is
hanging near the window pane in which there was thirty kronor. It was a different experience for
him and in the morning after saying good bye to the Crofter he came back, smashed the
windowpane and stolen the money. He ran leaving the Highway thinking that the Police may
find him and began to run through the forest. Very late in the evening he realized that he was
running in a circular motion and got tired. He realized that the money was his bait and he really
had fallen in the world of Rattrap. Before losing his sense, he heard the voice of beating the iron,
that is coming from an iron mill which helped himself drag to the mill so that he can take shelter
in that winter night. After sometimes the iron master had come there and recognized him as one
of his comrades in the Army and invited him to his home which was rejected by the peddler. He
kept saying ‘No’ for any of the words used by the ironmaster. He only wanted a place to stay at
night and he was afraid whether the police may catch him as the money was in his pocket. But
after sometimes Edla Willmanson, the daughter of the iron master reached there in a cart and
insisted him to be their guest as it is Christmas. She also added that after her mother’s death they
haven’t celebrated Christmas in a grand way. He found it as equal to throw himself into the
hands of the police but got convinced and gone with her. In the cart he was under tension
whether it would be caught or not. In the house of the iron master, he was given the
arrangements to get ready for the Christmas party and the Iron master had gone to sleep with a
promise that he will meet him at the breakfast table. But in the morning, he had realized that he
 27

had got mistaken as he met him in the dim light and in the broad daylight, he found it as a
mistake. When he started to question him, he said that it is not his mistake and he was not ready
to follow him. The iron master threatened him about the possibility of a police case but he
replied that the whole world is a big Rattrap in which people fall into it due to luxury and many
more other things like that. The ironmaster asked him to leave the house at once but Edla
convinced him to permit him to stay back. Finally, he had agreed. The whole day that he stayed
there kept on eating and sleeping. When he was called for the dinner on the Christmas eve, he
helped himself only to eat and went around to convey his gratitude and Edla told him that her
father wanted to convey that he can keep the dress with him and for the next Christmas if he
couldn’t find any place to spend, he can visit their home and he went to sleep to sleep. The next
morning when they have gone to church, they have come to know about the loss of money from
Crofter. The iron master began to doubt him and hurried to their home back. When they have
reached back the servant informed them that the guest had gone leaving a small gift. It was so
badly wrapped and she found a small rattrap and three wrinkled notes and a letter. It was written:
He was grateful to her to consider him as a captain and he want to continue as a captain for not to
disgrace her. So, wants to leave all the odd ways and continue with the standard of a captain. He
also requested her to return back the money to the Crofter. He concluded his letter by saying that
the Rattrap is a gift from a rat that would have fallen into the stream of the world where there are
a lot of baits and chances for a person to be caught hold off on it. He had continued to say that he
had written it with friendship and high regard which was clear that he wanted to continue it.

Answer the following questions in 40-50 words

a) What picture of the Peddler do you get from the story?

The Peddler was a man who went around selling small rattraps of wire with the materials that he
got by begging at the stores or big farms otherwise by thievery. His clothes were in rags, cheeks
were sunken and hunger gleamed in his eyes. He seemed as a vagabond who leads a monotonous
life plodding along the road, left in his own meditations.

b) In what thought had he fallen one day?

One day he had fallen into a line of thought that the whole world with its lands and seas, cities
and villages was nothing but a big rattrap which had existed only to create baits for human
beings. It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing exactly as the rattrap
offered cheese and pork and as soon as anyone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed
in on him and then everything came to an end.

b) Why the thought that the whole world is a rattrap did come into the peddler’s mind?

The thought that the whole world is a big rattrap came into the peddler’s mind because the world
had never been good to him. This thought gave unlimited joy to think ill of the world. It was his
cherished pastime to think ill about the world which always chased him away. He considered
 28

them as those who had been caught in the dangerous snare, who were still circling around the
bait and the moment they touch the bait it will close in on them and everything may come to an
end.

c) What do you understand about the Crofter?

Crofter was an old man who was generous with his confidences as with his porridge and tobacco.
He was living in a little grey cottage alone without wife and child. In his days of prosperity, he
had been working in the Ramsjo iron mills and now he is old and was living with the support of a
cow.

d) The Crofter can be called as a good Host. Give reason

The reasons to consider Crofter as a good host are: -

i. Offered him hot supper ii. Gave him tobacco to smoke iii. Played cards with him.

e) Why does the narrator say that the stranger must have seemed incredulous (unbelievable)?

The narrator says that the stranger must have seemed incredulous because old man was happy to
welcome him, served porridge, given tobacco to smoke, played Msjolis with him and shared his
secrets including about the money hanging kept in the leather pouch hanging near the window
pane. He got wondered of the behaviour of the Crofter, in world where there are only people who
chase him away.

f) What did the peddler do in the morning?

In the morning the peddler, said goodbye to the crofter with gratitude and went on his way but
after half an hour he stood again before the door smashed a pane of the window, took the money,
thrust it into his pocket and went away.

g) In what thought had he fallen one day?

One day he had fallen into a line of thought that the whole world with its lands and seas, cities
and villages was nothing but a big rattrap which had existed only to create baits for human
beings. It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing exactly as the rattrap
offered cheese and pork and as soon as anyone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed
in on him and then everything came to an end.

h) Why the thought that the whole world is a rattrap did come into the peddler’s mind?

The thought that the whole world is a big rattrap came into the peddler’s mind because the world
had never been good to him. This thought gave unlimited joy to think ill of the world. It was his
cherished pastime to think ill about the world which always chased him away. He considered
them as those who had been caught in the dangerous snare, who were still circling around the
 29

bait and the moment they touch the bait it will close in on them and everything may come to an
end.
i) Why does the narrator say that the stranger must have seemed incredulous (unbelievable)?
The narrator says that the stranger must have seemed incredulous because old man was happy to
welcome him, served porridge, given tobacco to smoke, played Msjolis with him and shared his
secrets including about the money hanging kept in the leather pouch hanging near the window
pane. He got wondered of the behaviour of the Crofter, in world where there are only people who
chase him away.
j) Why did the Crofter show the thirty kroner to the Peddler?
He did show the thirty kroner to the Peddler because the Crofter felt proud of the cow that gave
him enough milk to support him. He was lonely and happy to share his confidence generously to
the peddler and to convince him about his earning from the cow,
k) What do we learn about the Crofter’s nature from the story ‘The Rattrap’?
The crofter was generous who loved the company of people to talk. He was hardworking and
trusting people. He also was gullible compassionate and lonely.
l) What was the peddler thinking while walking through the forest with thirty kroner in his
pocket?
As he walked along with the money in his pocket, he felt quite pleased with his smartness. He
felt that it will not be safe to use the public highway and turn off the woods. Initially it was easy
for him to pass but later found it as confusing that the paths were twisted and strange.
m) What made peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
Even though the peddler was happy about the money in his pocket he was scared of being caught
with it. So, he turned off the road into the woods. Soon he was lost into it and realized that he
himself had been caught into the rattrap due to the bait in his pocket.
f) What did he feel about himself in the woods?
He felt that his own turn has come, he left himself be fooled by a bait and had been caught. The
whole forest, with its trunks and branches, thickets and fallen logs, closed in upon him like an
impenetrable prison from which never he could escape.
g) What do you know about Ramsjo iron works?
The Ramsjo iron works which are now closed down, was a large plant, with smelter (A machine
used to smelt metal), rolling mill and forge (A furnace to heat the metal). In the summer time
long lines of heavily loaded barges (large flattened bottomed boats) and scrows (a scroll) slid
down the canal which led to a large inland lake and in the winter time the roads near the mill
were black from all the coal dust which sifted down from the big charcoal crates.
h) How did the peddler reach the iron mills?
 30

It was late in December and the darkness was descending when he realized that he had only been
walking through the same part of the forest. He sank down on the ground, tried to death, thinking
that his last moment had come. But just as he laid his head on the ground, he heard a hard regular
thumping sound and realized that as of the regular thumping sound of hammer stroke from an
iron mill. He summoned all his strength, got up, and staggered in the direction of the mill.
i) What is the description given about the master smith?
It was one of the dark evenings just before Christmas when the peddler reaches in the iron mill.
The master smith and his helper were working on the large forge sitting near the furnace waiting
for the pig iron which had been put in the fire, to be ready to put on the anvil. He wore only a
shirt and a wooden shoe as was the custom
j) Give a brief description about the meeting of the peddler with the iron master.
Ramsjo iron mill was owned by a very prominent iron master whose greatest ambition was to
ship out good iron to the market. He came to watch the work in the mill at night and happened to
meet the peddler and recognized him as one of his old acquaintance in the Army. He had invited
him to his house for Christmas and he informed him that his wife had died, his boys are abroad
and he lives with his oldest daughter Edla Willmanson.
k) Why did the Ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
He mistook peddler for an old comrade and was happy with the idea to spend his time with him
on Christmas Eve. The loneliness of Iron master after his wife’s death also was a reason for him
to invite the Peddler to his home even though the Peddler whom he mistook as the captain was in
a pathetic condition
l) Why did Edla plead to her father not to send the vagabond away?
It was Christmas Eve and Edla wanted to keep the spirit of Christmas. She wanted to provide
him with a day’s solace and comfort. She justified her act as they had invited him against his will
and at the same time, she wanted to do something special on Christmas Eve.
m) From where did the Peddler get the idea that the whole world is a rattrap?
The Peddler who went around selling rattraps of wire was leading a sad and monotonous life. He
was always chased by people mercilessly. So, he had fallen into a thought that whole world is a
rattrap and the attractions of the world are baits from which impossible to be saved.
n) What did the iron master observe about the Peddler in the morning? How did he react?
The ironmaster observed that he had mistaken him as one of his comrades in the regiment and in
the broad daylight he realized that the peddler is not his old acquaintance. He thundered and told
him to leave the house at once.
o) What was the reaction of the Peddler on the words of ironmaster?
The ironmaster shouted at the peddler but he replied that it was not his fault, he never pretended
to be anything and wanted to stay only in the forge and it is him who forced him to come to his
 31

home. He also added that the whole world is a big rattrap and all good things that are offered to
him are nothing but cheese rinds and bits of pork and a day may come when he himself may be
caught with a big piece of bait and get caught in the trap.
p) The Rattrap is a Christmas present from a rat. Elucidate.
The kind of affection presented by Edla, had given a chance to the Peddler to consider himself
as if he were a captain. She has helped him to get released from the rattrap by returning the
money back and deciding to become a completely changed man. OR The peddler calls himself a
rat saying that the rattrap is his Christmas present for Edla for treating him as a Captain. She was
able to release him from the limitations of a rattrap. He proved himself as a deserving one to be
called as a captain by returning the stolen money.
q ) How does the author employ the metaphor of rattrap in the story?
The author used the metaphor of rattrap quite effectively. The whole world according to the
peddler is nothing but a big rattrap and it’s tempting things are baits. If one touches the bait, he
or she is entrapped. This realization made him to give the stolen money back and decide to turn
into a completely changed man.
r) What made Edla plead with her father not to send the vagabond away?
It was Christmas Eve and Edla wanted to keep the spirit of Christmas by providing the peddler a
day of comfort and solace. She also justifies that they have invited him against his will.
Moreover, she wanted to do something special on Christmas Eve.
s) Briefly describe Rattrap, the vagabond.
The rattrap was a peddler who used to roam around in search of the materials or beg to keep the
body and soul together. His life was so monotonous that who plods along the road, left to his
own meditations like a vagabond.
t) Which act of the Crofter surprised the peddler?
The peddler was surprised to see the hospitality of the Crofter and he wondered to see that the
crofter is not at all hesitated to show him the bag in which he has kept his savings.
1 Answer the following questions in 100-120 words (6 Marks)
a) Justify the title The Rattrap OR b) Describe how the story The Rattrap shows that basic
human goodness can be brought out by understanding and love. OR c) The story Rattrap focuses
on human loneliness and held to bond with others. Explain with reference to the extract below: -
“The Rattrap is a Christmas present from a rat that would have been caught in this world’s
rattrap if he had not been raised to captain, because in that way he got power to clear himself.
“Written with friendship, And high regard, “Captain Von Stahle.” OR There is a saying
‘kindness pays, rudeness never’. In the story, ‘The Rattrap’ Edla’s attitude towards men and
matters are different from her father’s attitude. How are the values of concern and compassion
brought out in the story, ‘The Rattrap?’
 32

Ans: - The story ‘The Rattrap ‘express the idea that essential goodness in human beings can be
awakened through love and understanding. He was welcomed by Edla and her father as the old
regiment friend Captain von Stahle, but when they have come to know that they have mistaken
him in place of the captain both of them reacted differently. The Ironmaster Elda’s father asked
him to leave the house immediately but Edla treated him like a captain, despite the fact that he
was a tramp or a thief. When the Ironmaster got angry on the Peddler Edla made passionate plea
to him to let the Peddler stay it is her noble action that helped Peddler to think over his own nasty
ways to fulfil his needs. It made him to think over redemption. The conclusion of the story pays a
tribute to the goodness of humanity. Edla’s compassion and the peddler’s reformation arouse our
optimism and belief in the essential goodness of man and other human virtue.

LESSON 5 INDIGO BY LOUIS FISCHER

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: - Louis Fischer 29 th February1896 – 15 January1970 was a Jewish
American journalist, who was born in Philadelphia, U.S. he was the son of a fish Peddler. After
completing his studies at Philadelphia school of Pedagogy from 1914 to 1916, he became a
school teacher. In 1917, he had joined the Jewish legion, a military unit based in Palestine. On
his return to the United States, he took up work at a news agency in New York City.
SUMMARY: - In the narration Indigo Louis Fischer describes his meeting with Mahatma
Gandhi at his Ashram in Sewagram. Gandhi described him about the occasion in which he
understood the necessity of Indian Independence. It was in 1916 when he had gone to the Annual
Convention of the Indian National Congress party in Lucknow. He happened to meet Raj Kumar
Shukla, a peasant who has come from Champaran which is at the foothills of the towering
Himalayas. Raj Kumar Shukla wanted to explain about the agreement of sharecropping. He was
illiterate but resolute. Gandhi informed him about his engagement but he kept on accompanying
Gandhi wherever he had gone. Finally, when Gandhi had completed his meetings, he had
decided to find the truth behind the complaint of Raj Kumar Shukla. In Champaran first of all
they have gone to the house of a lawyer named Rajendra Prasad, where they were not even
permitted to draw water from the well. The servant of Rajendra Prasad had mistaken Gandhi as
untouchable as he had come with Raj Kumar Shukla. He felt that if they draw water from the
well, the water drops that are spilt from the bucket may pollute the well. Gandhi first decided to
go to Muzaffarpur which was on the way to Champaran to get complete information. He sent a
telegram to Prof. J.B. Kripalani of the Arts College in Muzaffarpur whom he had seen in
Tagore’s Shanti Niketan Schooland when the train arrived on 15 th April 1917 at midnight Pro.
Kripalani was waiting at the station with a large number of students, Gandhi stayed there for two
days in the house of Pro. Malkani and it was not so easy for Govt, teacher to give shelter to a
person who was a member of Home Rule. The news of Gandhi’s advent brought the peasants to
Muzaffarpur to meet Gandhi. In Muzaffarpur he met lawyers and criticized them to take the
illiterate farmers to the court. Most of the cultivable lands in Champaran district was divided into
large estates owned by English men and worked by Indian farmers. The Landlords compelled all
the farmers to plant 15% of the land with Indigo and surrender the entire crop to the land lords.
When the landlords have come to know that synthetic Indigo is available from Germany, they
wanted to get rid of these farmers. Some of them willingly signed and some are signed due to the
force. When they come to know about the synthetic Indigo, they demanded their money back and
it was in this point Gandhi reached in Champaran. First of all, he visited the Secretary of British
 33

Landlord’s Association but the Secretary denied giving information saying Gandhi as an outsider
and advised him to leave Tirhut. Gandhi did not leave and proceeded to Motihari, the capital of
Champaran. On the way Police Superintendent’s messenger overtook him and ordered him to
return to town in his carriage. Gandhi signed a receipt for notice and wrote on it that he would
disobey the order. As a result of its Gandhi received a summons to appear in court the next day.
In the morning Motihari filled with the peasants who have come to protest against the order. The
officials found it difficult to control the crowd and seek for the help from Gandhi for which
Gandhi quietly controlled them. Through this Gandhi was giving them the concrete proof that
their power that remained unquestioned can be questioned by Indians. Gandhi read the statement
and replied that the conflict of duty was not to set a bad example as a lawbreaker but to render
humanitarian and National Service. He is regarded the order to fulfil the voice of his conscience.
Finally, the Judge freed him. Several days later Gandhi received a written Communication from
the Magistrate informing him that the Lieutenant Governor had ordered to drop the case against
him. In June Gandhi was summoned to Sir Edward Gait, the Lieutenant Governor followed by
four protracted interviews and arranged a commission to inquire about the condition of
sharecroppers in which landlords, Govt. officials and Gandhi as the whole sole representative of
the peasants. The inquiry proved against the landlords and found the farmers deserve
compensation. Gandhi asked for 50% but was agreed with an offer of 25%. Through this Gandhi
explained that the amount of the compensation was not important but the fact that the landlords
had been obliged to surrender part of money and part of their prestige. By remaining for the
continuous seven months Gandhi had managed the problems in the ashram also are sorted out.
He arranged Primary education and common medicines for the people in Champaran with the
help of his wife and son. Gandhi began to think about the possibility of Indian Independence thus
the narrator says “Self-Reliance, Indian independence and help to sharecroppers were all bound
together”.
Answer the following questions in 30-40 words (2marks)
a) How was Gandhi treated at Rajendra Prasad’s house?
Gandhi was treated as an untouchable in Rajendra Prasad’s house because Gandhi was with
Rajkumar Shukla who was a peasant and untouchable. So, they let him stay on the grounds with
his Companion and were not permitted to draw water from the well as they felt some drops from
his bucket may pollute the entire source.
c) How did Rajkumar Shukla establish that he was a resolute?
Rajkumar Shukla came from Champaran to Lucknow to speak to Gandhi. Gandhi told Shukla
that he had an appointment in Cawnpore and was also committed to go to other parts of India. He
accompanied Gandhi everywhere. Finally, he was able to Convince Gandhi to visit Champaran,
impressing him with the tenacity and the story of sharecroppers.
d) What were the terms of the Indigo contract between the British landlords and the Indian
Peasants?
The arable land was divided into large estates owned by English men and worked by Indian
tenants. The land lord compelled all tenants to plant 15% of their holdings with Indigo and
submit the entire indigo harvest as rent.
 34

e) “It was an extra ordinary thing in those days” What was the extra ordinary thing?
It was not so applicable for a Government Professor to harbour a man like Gandhi, who was a
member of Home rule. At that time Indians at smaller localities were afraid to show sympathy
for advocates of home-Rule.
f) why did Gandhi chide the lawyers?
Gandhi chided the lawyers for collecting big fee from the sharecroppers saying that they should
stop going to law courts that does little good where the peasants are so crushed and fear stricken.
The real relief that can be given to them is to make them free from fear.
g) What is Long Term Contract in Champaran?
Most of the arable land in the Champaran District was divided into large estates owned by
English men and worked by Indian tenants. The Landlords compelled all the tenants to plant
three twentieths or fifteen percent of their holdings with Indigo and surrender the entire indigo
harvest as rent. This was known as long term contract.
h) What was the condition of sharecropping when Gandhi reached in Champaran?
It was the time that the land lords learned that Germany had developed Synthetic Indigo and they
have obtained agreements from the sharecroppers to pay them compensation for released from
the fifteen percent arrangement which was annoying to the peasants.
h) Why did Gandhi decide to go first to Muzaffarpur?
Gandhi decided to go first to Muzaffarpur which was on the way to Champaran, to obtain more
information about the conditions than Shukla was capable of imparting him
i)How did the landlords manage long term contracts in Champaran?
Most of the cultivable lands in Champaran district were divided into large estates owned by
Englishmen and worked by Indian tenants. The chief Commercial crop was Indigo and the
landlords compelled all tenants to plant 15% of their holdings with Indigo and surrender the
entire indigo harvest as rent.
j) Why did the landlords want to release their lands from 15% arrangement?
The landlords learned that Germany had developed synthetic Indigo and obtained agreements
from the sharecroppers to pay them compensation for being released from the 15% agreement.
k) How did the peasants react on the decision of the landlords?
The sharecropping agreement was irritable to the peasants many signed in the agreements put
forward by the landlords. Those who resisted were brought to law and arranged thugs to
convince the lawyers. When the peasants have come to know about the synthetic indigo, the
peasants began to demand their money back.
l) What are the efforts taken by Gandhi to get the facts? After reaching in Champaran, Gandhi
first visited the Secretary of the British Landlord’s Association but the Secretary told
 35

him that they could give no information to an outsider and advised him to leave Tirhut. Gandhi
did not leave. He proceeded to Motihari, the capital of Champaran and began to start his
functioning to help the farmers and solve their problems.
m) The officials felt powerless. Why?
The morning in which Gandhi reached the court, found the town of Motihari black with peasants.
Their spontaneous demonstration in thousands around the courthouse was the beginning of their
liberation from fear of British. The officials felt powerless without Gandhi’s cooperation. He
helped them to regulate the crowd in a polite and friendly manner.
n) What did Gandhi want to prove through his cooperation with the officials?
Gandhi was giving the strong proof that the power of the British which remained unquestioned
could be challenged by Indians. He was bringing their prestige down to make them understand
they could be questioned at any time about their superiority in the land of Indians.
o) Why were the sharecroppers ready to sign the agreement to pay the money to get released
from the previous agreement to plant the Indigo?
The peasants were already been suffering due to an agreement made by their forefathers. They
could not engage in any other work than the cultivation of Indigo and therefore remained poor
when they were told of the new agreement to pay compensation to be released from the previous
agreement, the peasants found it better.
p) Why did the sharecroppers demand their money back?
The British landlords were very shrewd and knew how to exploit the poor, illiterate 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 took money from them before the
peasants knew the true story. But when the peasants knew it, they realized that they were cheated
and therefore wanted their money back.
q) What were the charges put upon Gandhi? How did he reply for that?
The charges put upon Gandhi were “conflict of duties” and “disregarded the order to leave.
Gandhi replied that it was not because to set a bad example as a lawbreaker but to render the
humanitarian and national service and the disregard was to respect the higher law of our being,
the voice of conscience.
r) What was the written communication received by Gandhi?
The written communication received by Gandhi from the magistrate informing him that the
Lieutenant Governor of the Province had ordered the case to be dropped. It was a proof that the
civil disobedience had triumphed, first time in Modern India.
s) What step had Gandhi and Lawyers taken to know about the condition of the farmers?
Gandhi and the lawyers proceeded to conduct a far-flung inquiry into the grievances of farmers.
Depositions by about ten thousand peasants were written down, and notes on other evidence.
 36

Documents were collected and the whole area throbbed with the activity of the investigators and
the vehement protests of the landlords.
t) Why was Gandhi summoned by the Lieutenant Governor in June?
In June Gandhi was summoned by Sir Edward Gait, the Lieutenant Governor, resulted to the four
protracted interviews with the Lieutenant Governor. An official Commission, consisting of
landlords, Government officials and Gandhi as the whole sole representative of the peasants, to
inquiry into the Indigo sharecroppers was appointed.
u) What was the result of the Official Inquiry?
The Official Inquiry brought vital evidence against the big planters which made them to agree
for the refunds to the peasants. They thought Gandhi would ask for full payment but he asked for
50% and the landlords have agreed for 25% which was agreed by Gandhi.
v) Why did Gandhi agree for 25%percentage?
Gandhi agreed for 25% because the amount was least important than the fact that the landlords
have been obliged to surrender part of the money and with it, part of their prestige.
w) Why do you think Gandhi considered Champaran episode to be a turning point in his life?
The Champaran episode began as an attempt to alleviate the distress of poor peasants. Ultimately
it proved to be a turning point about his own country. It created courage to question British
authority in the masses and laid the foundation of non- cooperation as a new tool to fight the
British with all efforts.
x) “The battle of Champaran is won!” what led Gandhiji to make this remark?
The lawyers first decided to return home if Gandhiji was arrested but soon realized their mistake
when they declared that they would fight for the peasant’s cause in the event of Gandhiji’s arrest
and volunteered to court arrest to save the sharecroppers. Gandhiji was very happy and
exclaimed that the battle of Champaran is won.
y) Gandhi never contented himself with large political or economic solutions. How do you
know?
He saw the cultural and social backwardness in the Champaran villages and wanted to do
something about it immediately.He had opened primary schools with the support of his wife, son
and friends. Kasturbai taught the ashram rules on personalcleanliness and community sanitation.
z) How did Gandhi find a solution for health conditions?
Gandhi got a doctor to volunteer his services for six months. Three medicines - castor oil,
quinine and sulphur ointment. Henoticed the filthy state of women’s clothes and asked Kasturbai
talk to them which made him be aware that the reason fortheir filthy condition was their poverty
and helplessness that there were not having another saree to change.
Long Answer Type Question
 37

1 why did Gandhi agree to a 25% refund to the farmers? How did it influence peasant – landlord
relationship in Champaran?
Ans: - Most of the arable land was divided into large estates owned by English men and worked
by Indian tenants. The land lord compelled all tenants to plant 15% of their holdings with Indigo
and submit the entire indigo harvest as rent. Gandhiji protested against the injustice shown by the
land lords asking them to give compensation of 50%. The representatives of the planters offered
to refund 25% which was surprisingly agreed by Gandhiji. There were several reasons for him to
agree all these. He wanted to break the deadlock. The amount was less important than the fact
that the landlords had to be forced to return part of the money and part of their prestige. The
planters had behaved as if they were above the law. He wanted to show that the Britishers were
not above the law and also wanted to teach the peasants that they have their rights and defenders.
Learned courage. He was able to save them from Spending money and time from court cases.
Within a few years the British planters abandoned their estates which reverted to the peasants
and the indigo sharecropping disappeared.
2 Why is Champaran Episode considered to be the beginning of the Indian struggle for
Independence?
Ans: -: - The Champaran episode was based on the issue that most of the arable land was divided
into large estates owned by English men and worked by Indian tenants. The land lord compelled
all tenants to plant 15% of their holdings with Indigo and submit the entire indigo harvest as rent.
Gandhiji 15% of their holdings with Indigo and submit the entire indigo harvest as rent. The
episode itself was a landmark in Gandhian style of fighting against the British. It was a long
drawn out but patient and peaceful agitation. It can be called as a turning point in Gandhi’s life.
It was during this struggle that he decided to urge the departure of the Britishers. It didn’t begin
as an act of defiance but it grew out of an attempt to make the sufferings of the poor peasants less
severe and a triumph of the first civil disobedience movement. The farmers understood that they
also had their rights and learned courage. It was a spontaneous demonstration around the court
house and the beginning of their liberation from the fear of the British. In Champaran episode
self-reliance and freedom struggle went hand in hand.
X--------------------------------------------------------X
LESSON 6 POETS AND PANCAKES BY ASOKAMITRAN
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: -Asokamitran (22 September 1931-23 March 2017) was an Indian
writer regarded as the most influential figure in post Independent Tamil Literature. He began his
literary career with a prize-winning play and written more than two hundred short stories and a
dozen novels. His name is Jagadisa Tyagarajan and accepted the pen name Asokamitran. He was
a distinguished essayist and critic and the editor of a literary journal. Most of his works are
translated to English and other languages and achieved Sahitya Academy award.
SUMMARY: - It has been taken from the book “My Years with Boss” with a theme of the
influence of movies in India. It is written at the background Gemini studios located in Chennai.
His job in the studio was to cut newspaper clippings on various topics and maintain a file of the
same. Through this writing he brings out a lot of topics pertaining film industry in particular and
India in general. He starts his writing with a description given about the makeup department and
 38

makes fun of the trouble that the artists took to look ugly and the pain they underwent under the
glare of the big bulbs. He gives description on pancake. It was the brand name of the make
materials that Gemini studios, bought in huge quantity. The makeup department of the Gemini
Studios was in the upstairs of a building that was believed to have been Robert Clive’s stable at
the time of Britishers. The makeup room had the look of a hair cutting saloon with light at all
angles with half a dozen mirrors. It was first headed by a Bengali and then by a Maharashtrian
assisted by a south Indian which shows that there was a great deal of National Integrity. This
gang of Nationally Integrated make-up men could turn off any decent looking person into a
hideous crimson (having a strange frightening appearance) hued monster with the help of these
pancakes. In those days 95% of any of the films are shot inside the studio and 5% of it will be
shot outside the studio. All those actors and actresses will have to get an ugly look in order to
look presentable in the movie. A strict hierarchy that followed in the Make-up Department was
that the chief make-up man makes the chief actor and actresses ugly, his senior assistant the
second hero and heroine, the junior assistant to the main comedian and the players who played
the crowd were the responsibility of the office boy. In the days of crowd shooting, he mixes up
the paint in a giant vessel and slap it on the crowd players with the idea to close all the pores on
the surface of their faces. The office boy joined the studio, years back in the hope of becoming a
star actor or a top screen writer, director or lyrics writer who was bit a poet. In those days the
narrator worked in a cubicle as newspaper cutting boy, who occasionally faced the lecture of the
office boy for which the narrator began to pray for the crowd shooting so that the boy will be
engaged and will not disturb him. The office boy was always under frustration that all his fortune
had been concluded in the designation of office boy because of Kothamangalam Subbu, who was
in the 2 nd position in Gemini Studio. This was given because he was a Brahmin and had the
ability to look cheerful all the time. He was characteristic of the rat which fights with the tigress
and kills it in hidden and later on express pity on cubs. Whenever the boss is in confusion, Subbu
would come with fourteen solutions. He had a separate identity as a poet and an amazing actor in
all the subsidiary roles given to him. He had a genuine love for anyone he came across and his
house was a permanent residence for dozens of near and far relations. He had a lot of enemies
most probably because he was so close to boss. In the make-up department this man was
everything for everybody. Subbu always could be found with the boss. He was grouped under
Story Department, comprising a lawyer who was officially known as Legal Advisor and an
assembly of writers and poets. Once an extremely talented actress, who was also extremely
temperamental blew over on the sets which was recorded by Subbu and brought an end to her
career as an actress. In the Gemini Studio, the legal advisor wore pants and a tie and sometimes
with a coat while all others wore a kind of uniform – a khadi dhoti with a slightly oversized and
clumsily tailored white khadi shirt. Being so close to boss he was permitted to produce films and
Subbu produced films, using a lot of pancakes. One day the boss closed down the Story
Department and it became the only instance in which a lawyer lost his job because the poets have
lost their job. In Gemini studio there came a lot of poets and editors. Once Frank Buchman’s
Moral Re-Armament Army visited Madras in 1952. They found Gemini Studio as the warmer
host. The presented two plays, ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’, in the most
professional manner. The Gemini family of six hundred saw the plays again and again. Even
though the message of the play was plain, its sets and costumes were first rate. As a result of this,
for some years almost all Tamil plays had a scene of sunrise and sunset in the manner of plays.
After few years the narrator realised that it was a kind of counter movement to International
Communism and the big bosses of Madras like Mr Vasan simply played into their hands. A few
 39

months later they have got information that another visitor is going to visit Gemini Studio. The
poet seemed to be really an English man, serious and tall in appearance. The Boss of Gemini
studio had read out a long speech on behalf of the arrival of the poet repeating the words freedom
and democracy and then the poet stood up. He has spoken in a different accent which was not
understood by anybody. In an hour when the procedure of the poet’s welcome got over, they all
dispersed in complete confusion on what is the role of an English poet in a film studio which
makes Tamil films for the simplest sort of people. The poet also looked confused because he
could not understand why there were not having any reaction from the people when he has
spoken about the thrills and travels of an English Poet. His visit remained as an unexplained
mystery. According to the narrator that was the time that the great prose-writers of the world
used to try their materials of writing try with all the publishers. When they come to know that
their article is rejected, they don’t get disheartened but try with other publishers enclosing
postage for the return of the manuscript. It was for such people that The Hindu had published a
tiny announcement in an insignificant corner of the unimportant page, about a short story contest
organised by a British Periodical by the name ‘The Encounter’ which was not generally known
even to the most educated people in the Gemini studio. Being the office boy, the narrator thought
that he will send a manuscript. He had decided to get an idea of the periodical in detail and
visited the British Council Library, which doesn’t have any particularity of a library. This creates
embarrassment in the mind of a visitor that he/she is entering into a restricted area. He found the
copies of The Encounter lying on the table almost untouched by the readers, and began to go
through that. When he read the name of the Editor, he heard a bell rang in his heart and felt like
he had found a long-lost brother. He had sent the manuscript with great respect to Stephen
Spender, the Editor of The Encounter’. Years later, when the narrator was out from Gemini
Studio, he was left with much free time and less money. He always has searched for the things
which are having only less price. One day as he was passing through the footpath in front of the
Madras Mount Road Post Office, there was a pile of brand-new books for fifty paise each. they
were copies of the same book, an elegant paper back of American Origin. Special Low Priced
student edition, in connection with the 50th Anniversary of the Russian Revolution’. He paid fifty
paise and picked up a copy of the book named ‘God That Failed’. In the book six famous
educators’ famous essays describing ‘their journeys into Communism and their disillusioned
return’ were published. The names printed on the book were Andre Gilde, Richard Wright.
Ignazio Silone, Arthur Koestler, Louis Fischer and Stephen Spender. When he read the name
Stephen Spender, the book had gained great importance. There came an illumination in his mind.
He suddenly realised the reason for the presence of the poet in Gemini Studio. He realised that
the Boss of the Gemini Studios may not have anything to do with his poetry but had great
relation with his ‘God That Failed’.
1 Answer the following questions in 40-50 words
a) What was pancake?
Pancake was the brand name of the make - up material that Gemini Studios bought in truck loads
which was used by the actors and actress like Greta Garbo, a Swedish actress in 1954, Miss
Gohar, Vyjayantimala, an Indian actress whose performance was widely appreciated.
b) Where was the Makeup Department in Gemini Studio?
 40

The Make-up department in Gemini Studio was in the upstairs of a building that was believed to
have been Robert Clive’s stables.
c) Who was Robert Clive? What was his role in Gemini Studio?
Robert Clive was the Commander-in-Chief of British India who established the Military and
Political supremacy of The East India Company in Bengal. He was known as the Clive of India.
Gemini Studios was in the upstairs of a building that was believed to have been Robert Clive’s
stables
d) How is Robert Clive connected with Indian People?
In his brief stay in Madras, Robert Clive, seems to have done a lot of invasions fighting some
impossible battles in remote corners of India and married a maiden in St Mary’s Church in Fort
St George in Madras.
e) How does the narrator describe the make-up room?
The narrator says that the make room had the look of a hair cutting salon with lights at all angles
around half a dozen large mirrors. As they were all incandescent lights, the makeup Department
always remained as a misery for those who are undergoing their make-up in the make-up room.
f) What does the poet mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make up?
The lights used in the Make-up Department were incandescent lights (emitting or shining bright
light as a result of heating) at all angles around half a dozen mirrors. So, it was difficult to
manage the heat and save make-up not being get melted. Hence it was a frightening factor, for
anyone who comes to the make-up department.
g) What is the example of National Integration that the author refers to?
People from different states of India work together in the Gemini Studio. The make-up
Department was first headed by a Bengali who became too big for studio, and left. He was
succeeded by a Maharashtrian assisted by a Dharwar, Kannadiga, An Andhraite, a Madras Indian
Christian, an Anglo Burmese and the usual local Tamilians. Hence the narrator says that the
Gemini Studio is an example for National integration.
h) According to the narrator what was the significance of the nationally integrated make-up men
in Gemini Studio?
The narrator says that the gang of Nationally Integrated make-up men could turn any decent
looking person into a frightening, immodest, appearing monster with the help of truckloads of
pancake and a number of other locally made potions and lotions.
i) What was the hierarchy maintained in the Make-up Department in the Gemini studio?
The hierarchy maintained in the Make-up Department in the Gemini Studio was that 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, and the players who played
the crowd were the responsibility of the Office Boy.
 41

j) What work did the Office Boy do in the Gemini Studios?

On the days when there was a crowd shooting, the Office Boy usually seemed mixing his paint in
a giant vessel and slapping it on the crowd players, with an idea to close all pores on the surface
of the face in the process of applying make- up.
k) Why did the Office Boy, who was a bit poet, join the studios? Why was he disappointed?
The Office Boy who was at the age of early forties, joined the studio with the hope to become a
star actor or a top screen writer, director or lyrics writer. He was disappointed because, he
believed that all his sorrow, dishonour and negligence were due to Kothamangalam Subbu who
was No.2 in Gemini Studio.
l) Where did the narrator work in the beginning of his profession?
In the Gemini Studio, the narrator worked in a cubicle, two whole sides of which were called
French windows where he worked as a paper boy.
m) Why did the author appear to be doing nothing in the studio?
Seeing the author sitting at his desk tearing up newspapers day in and day out, most people
thought he was doing next to nothing. So those who were there in the Gemini Studio felt that he
was doing nothing.
n) Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on?
The Office boy was frustrated because he believed that all the misfortune that took place in his
profession, in Gemini Studio, was only because of Kothamangalam Subbu who was No 2 in
profession. So, he had shown his frustration to Kothamangalam Subbu.
o) What was Subbu’s principle/?
Subbu’s Principle was to remain cheerful at all time even after having had a flop film and keep a
sense of loyalty which helped him to create an identity of himself in the Gemini Studio.
p) Why does the narrator say that Subbu was ‘tailor made for films?
The narrator says that Subbu was a tailor-made because he was having the ability to inspire
anybody in the studio. Whenever the Producer says ‘I don’t know how to do the scene’ Subbu
would come out with fourteen more alternatives. Hence, he made film making easy.
q) Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. List four of his abilities? List four of his abilities.
Subbu is described as many sided genius because: - a) He had the ability to look cheerful at all
times. b) His sense of loyalty made him turn his creativity to his principle’s advantage which
made film making so easy with Subbu. c) He was a literary image, a poet, novelist and an
amazing actor. d) He had a kind and loving nature.
r) Why was Subbu considered as No 2 in the Studio?
 42

Subbu was considered as No 2 in Gemini Studios because he was successful in remaining so

close to the Boss by means of flattery. Even though he is not brilliant, he was cheerful and loyal
to boss and offered solutions to the problems faced by the boss.
s) Why was the legal advisor referred to as the opposite by others?
The legal Advisor wore pants and a tie, sometimes a coat that looked like a coat of mail. Often,
he looked alone and helpless, neutral in an assembly of Gandhites khadites like so many of those
who were close to the Boss while others wore khadi dhoti with a slightly oversized and clumsily
tailored white khadi shirt.
t) What made the lawyer stand out from the others at Gemini Studios?
The lawyer stands out from the others at Gemini Studio because of the style of dressing and his
loyalty to Boss. His smiling expression and the ability to find solution for all the problems made
him to appear different from others.
u) Did the people at Gemini Studios have any particular political affiliations?
Even though most of the people at Gemini Studio wore Khadi and worshipped Gandhiji, they
had not the faintest appreciation for political thought of any kind. Naturally they were all averse
to the term ‘communism’ as they believed that
a Communist was a godless man.
v) Why was the Moral Rearmament Army welcomed at the Studio? Give an example to show
that the Gemini Studio also was influenced?
The Moral Rearmament army was welcomed in the Gemini Studio because they could not have
found a warmer host in India than the Gemini Studio. The staff of Gemini Studios had had a nice
time hosting two hundred people of all hues and sizes of at least twenty nationalities.
w) Who was the Boss of the Gemini Studios? What caused the lack of communication between
the English man and the people at Gemini Studios?
The cause for the lack of communication between the English man and the people at the Gemini
Studio was that no one knew what he was talking about and his accent defeated any attempt to
understand what he was saying.
x) Who was the English visitor to the studios? Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to as
unexplained mystery?
The English visitor to the studios was the poet and the Editor, Stephen Spender. His visit
remained an unexplained mystery because no one was able to understand, what an English poet
doing in a film Studio which makes Tamil films for the simplest sort of people whose lives least
afforded them the possibility of cultivating a taste for English poetry.
y) How did the author discover who the English visitor to the studios was?
When the author tried to send a manuscript to be published in ‘The Encounter’, he found that the
Editor of it was Stephen Spender’ the English man. Later on, when he left his job, he looked for
 43

the things that he can get in low price. Finally, he found a book named’ God That Failed ‘and
one among the authors of the book was Stephen Spender. Then he realised that the English
visitor was a Communist.
z) What does the God that Failed’ refer to?
The God That Failed refers to the six writers’ journey into Communism and their disillusioned
return. It was based on the expansion of Communism all over the world.
Answer the following questions in 100-120 words
1 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. The narration Poets and Pancakes is framed
with the use of several characters and their roles in human mannerism (unusual habits and
characters) like: - a) The office boy, who was not exactly a boy, in his early forties, wishes to
become a star actor or a top screen writer. b) Kothamangalam Subbu’s natural talent which
helped him to remain No 2 in Gemini studio. Even though he was not much educated, he was
able to gain the appreciation of the Boss. Whenever Boss was in confusion, he came forward
with many solutions. c) The legal Advisor in the Gemini Studio, who was a member of the Story
Department, who wore different style of dress. He was a man of cold logic. Thus, the narration
Poets and Pancakes speaks about human foibles in which different characters and situations
which prove that the existence of a person depends upon the necessity and situations.
X----------------------------------------------------------X
LESSON 7 THE INTERVIEW BY CHRISTOPHER SILVESTER
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: - Christopher Silvester (1959-) educated at Lancing College, Sussex
and Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he studied History. he worked for Private Eye and writing the
‘New Boys’ Column, a series of caustic profiles and later entered to politics. He also worked as
the Editor of penguin Book of Interviews.
PART 1
Summary: - The Interview is written in two parts. In part one the narrator describes about the
attitude of people when they face an Interview. According to him the system of Interview has
taken place 130 years ago and it became common in journalism. He says that those who have got
education might have read an interview. Over the years many celebrities have faced Interviews.
Some consider it as a source of truth and when it comes to practice it is an art. For Celebrities
interviews are an intrusion without permission. They feel that it will diminish their individual
life. In some primitive cultures people believe that if some takes an interview in the style of
Photographic portrait (present the interview as it is in a conversational method), the interviewee
loses the secrecy of their lives. V.S. Naipaul who is known as a cosmopolitan writer, who
received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2001, feels that some people are wounded by interviews
and their lives have taken a turn. Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice in wonderland says that the
Interviewer created horror in him. The interviewers usually take an interview and change it
according to how they wanted for the success of their profession and satisfaction. Rudyard
Kipling, a prolific writer who was known as the poet of the common soldier and the author of the
Jungle Book, considers it as more serious. His wife, Caroline writes in her diary that 14 th
 44

October 1892, that their day was spoiled by two reporters from Boston. She says that the
interview is a crime, and against justice to get punishment for the merits or the works that is
done. Kipling himself had done such a crime taking the interview of Mark Twain. In 1894, H.G.
Wells, who referred interview as a fright had interviewed Joseph Stalin, a Great Russian
Revolutionary and an active political organiser. Saul Bellow, a playwright as well as a novelist
who used to write stories related to Second World War has consented to be interviewed several
times. Even though there are a lot of drawbacks in interviews all of them agrees that, it is a
serviceable medium of communication. In the present time, the clearest picture that we get about
our contemporaries, are from interviews. According to Denis Brian, almost all the information
regarding all these celebrities is availed only through interviews. So, the interviewer holds a
superior and influential power which is unquestionable.
PART II
It speaks about an interview taken by Mukund Padmanabhan from the Hindu, to Umberto Eco, a
Professor at the University of Bologna, in Italy who acquired a reputation for writing Semiotics
(The study of Signs) He used to write Literary Interpretation, and Medieval Aesthetics before he
started to write fiction. He has written literary fiction, academic texts, essays, children’s books,
newspaper articles in a wide range. In 1980 he has written ‘The Name of the Rose’ which gave
him a position of super stardom and sold more than 10 million copies. The English novelist and
Academic, David Lodge, once asked how a person is able to do all these. His reply was that he
uses his empty spaces such as the time that t Mukund took to reach his flat after ringing him, he
has written an article. His writings are taken by the people as a novel. He speaks about his friend
who wanted to be known as a novelist whom people have taken as an essayist. Umberto has
written five novels, and over forty non-fictional works. He wants to be known as a university
professor, then a writer. His work Name of the Roses is a detective work added with metaphysics
(The branch of philosophy which studies fundamental principles) theology and Medieval
History. He says that the journalists and the Publishers are puzzled over his mixture of writing
and it is the same mixture that helped for the success of The Name of the Roses. He believes that
if would have written his book before ten years or after ren years of its publication, it wouldn’t
have been a success. Because, he believes that the success of a book is greatly dealt with the
acceptance of people who lives in the particular contemporary time.
Answer the following questions in 40-50 words.
a) What are some of the positive views on Interview?
Some of the positive views on Interview are that it is a supremely serviceable medium of
communication and it gives a vivid impression of the contemporaries.
b) Why do most celebrity writers despise being interviewed?
Most celebrity writers despise being interviewed because they believe that they become the
victims of interviewers who intrude into their personal lives without permission.
c) What is the belief in some primitive cultures about being photographed?
Some primitive cultures believe that if one takes a photographic portrait of somebody then one is
stealing that person’s soul.
 45

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

The expression ‘thumbprints on his windpipe’ expresses the idea that interview is an aggressive
invasion into the private lives of the celebrities or on the other hand taking an entry into the
private lives of the celebrities.
e) Who in today’s world is our chief source of information about personalities?
In today’s world the chief source of information is interviews and journalism, in fact it is the
main source of communication. People in today’s world, considers interview as a communication
genre.
f) Do you think Umberto Eco likes being interviewed? Give reasons for your opinion.
Umberto eco partially likes being interviewed because he explains that he doesn’t waste his
empty spaces and at the same time he gives complete and actual information regarding his work
and fictions.
g) How does Eco find the time to write so much?
According to him, the empty spaces which are called interstices by him are the times which will
have to be utilised well and write so that never his time wasted and helps to express more
creativity.
h) What was distinctive about Eco’s academic writing style?
Umberto Eco’ Academic style of writing speaks about his research and non-fictional works by
telling the stories so that his essays are taken by the readers as novels. He always has used a
narrative aspect on his writings.
i) Did Umberto Eco consider himself a novelist first or an academic scholar?
Even though his writings are taken by his readers as novels due to his narrative style of writing,
he wants to be known as an academic scholar and he considers himself as a university professor
who writes novels on Sundays.
j) What is the reason for the huge success of the novel ‘The Name of the Rose’?
The Name of the Rose was written in the style of a novel in which Umberto had added detective
yarn, metaphysics, theology, and medieval history, which was enjoyed by the readers. The time
in which he has written it was the time in which people enjoyed all these aspects.
X-----------------------------------------------X
LESSON 7 GOING PLACES BY A.R. BARTON
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: - (24 February 1908 - 31 January 2003). He had been residing in Salt
Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah. He was a modern writer, born in Mid-west who lived in
Zurich and written in English. He has written “The Wars of Roses” The Hollow Crown”,
‘Playing Shakespeare” etc.
 46

SUMMARY: -A.R. Barton presents his story ‘Going places’ speaks about Sophie, a teenager and
her fantasies. She is from a family with poor financial background but dreams of owning
boutique at the heart of the city. She dreams to become a fashion designer and actress which may
help her to start her boutique. Janise her friend is highly realistic and well aware that the girls
like her are earmarked to the biscuit factory. She always tries to remind Sophie to live in reality
but Sophie never tries to think about reality. Sophie lives in a small house with her parents and
brothers, Derek, her younger brother and Geoff, her elder brother. Unlike her, her family
members are realistic and don’t believe in the fantasizing stories of Sophie. Sophie is so much
fascinated of the strange world in which her brother travels. She is jealous of him because of his
reserved characteristics. She dreams of her entry to those strange areas where she never has
travelled. Sophie fantasizes Danny Casey; an Irish football player whom she had seen in
different football matches. She knits a story about her meeting with him. She explains how she
spent time with Danny Casey and when she wanted to get an autograph both of them were not
having pen or paper. When they have departed each other, Danny Casey promised her that he
will meet her after a week and then she will collect an autograph from him for those whom
Sophie knew. Sophie’s father advised her not to fall into a problem and not to disturb a world-
famous player. Sophie makes many efforts to convince her brother that she met Danny Casey but
Geoff replied that she is not the only girl in the life of Danny Casey but there are strings of girls
around him. Sophie and her fantasies never permitted her to adjust with all these advices
containing reality. Sophie also felt that her brother will have to be more sophisticated than he is.
Jansie, her friend also had tried to bring her to realities but failed. Sophie, who had decided to
fantasize her meeting with Danny Casey gone to the canal side and waited for him, she began to
dream about her meeting with Danny Casey and their discussions about different things. After
sometimes she has realized that Danny Casey hadn’t come. She found that reality is painful and
decided to remain in the same fantasizing world deciding to describe her meeting with Danny
Casey to everybody. She felt relaxed when she has gone back to the fantasizing world and
moreover, she found her father’s cycle propped against the wall of the pub which helped her to
feel comfortable. The realization on reality
Answer the following questions in 40-50 words (3 marks)
a) Where was it most likely that the two girls would find work after school? Why?
After school, the two girls would find work in a biscuit factory. They are from a middleclass
family and the livelihoods of these families are on their shoulders.
b) What is the future plan of Sophie?
Sophie wanted to become like Mary Quant. She wanted to start a boutique, and become a fashion
designer like the actresses.
c) Why was Sophie jealous of Geoff’s silence?
Sophie believed only Geoff but was jealous of his behaviour that he spoke little, in limited
words. She felt that he remains in the unknown and unfamiliar places or in the suspected areas of
life of which she knew nothing. She also wanted to attract her brother’s complete affection.
d) Did Geoff keep his promise? Why?
 47

Yes, Geoff did not break his promise because to Sophie entirely. He told Janise’s brother Frank
about her meeting with Danny Casey, however did not disclose the details. But he has revealed
the secret of their meeting which Sophie expected to be kept as a secret between Geoff and her.
e) Why did Sophie long for her brother’s affection?
Sophie trusted her brother than any other member of the family. He was a symbol of freedom
and wanted to be a part of his exotic adventurous world outside .in spite of the Criticism received
from her father, she expected approval from him as she hero worshipped him.
f) Explain the point in which the character Sophie comes to reality in the story going places?
When Sophie realized that Danny Casey is not going to come even in her imaginary world, she
became sad and thought that it is hard to burden the sadness of sitting, waiting and knowing that
he will not be coming. If she continues with reality life will become a burden. This is where the
character Sophie had come to the world of reality and returned back to her same imaginary
world.
g) Why did Jansie discourage Sophie from having dreams?
Being a girl living in reality, Jansie knew that Sophie’s dreams are unrealistic and unattainable.
She knew that they are earmarked for biscuit factory. She visualizes that life is tough and
challenging so they should be practical.
h) What thought came to Sophie’s mind as she sat by the canal?
The thought came to the mind of Sophie was that it is wonderful to think that what she would do
if he doesn’t come, at the same time she began to console herself that there is no need to make
people get convinced about her friendship with Danny Casey.
i) Which was the only occasion when Sophie got to see Danny Casey in person?
Sophie with her family used to go to watch the match on every Saturdays and they used to
consider that as their pilgrimage. That was the only time that Sophie actually got the chance to
meet Danny Casey.
j) How did Sophie’s father react when she said that Danny is going to buy a shop?
Sophie’s father said that, that is one of her another wild stories and warned her to keep herself
away from all these otherwise she will be falling into load of trouble. He also added to say that
Geoff doesn’t believe her stories.
k) Where was it most likely that the two girls will work after the school? How do you know?
It is most likely that the two girls would work in a biscuit factory after the school. We, the
readers get to know about it through the information given by the narrator about the realisation of
Jansie about both of them that they both were earmarked for the biscuit factory.
l) What were the dreams of Sophie? Why does Jansie discourage her having such dreams?
 48

Sophie dreams to have a boutique at the centre of the city, beginning her profession as a Manager
and later to become a fashion designer like actresses like Mary Quant.
m) Why did Sophie wriggle when Geoff told her father that she met Danny Casey?
Sophie, being a girl lives in a fantasizing world, creates stories which are well known to her
father and he gets irritated to know about her stories. She didn’t feel comfortable about her
father’s approach towards her stories and she wriggled when Geoff had spoken about it to her
father.
n) Does Geoff believe what Sophie says about her meeting with Danny Casey?
Geoff acts just as he believes her but he doesn’t express that to his sister to make her to feel
comfortable. Occasionally he tries to make her understand that she is one among many of the
fans of Danny Casey which wasn’t accepted by her.
o) Does Sophie’s father believe her story?
Her father doesn’t seem to believe her because he gets irritated when she says that she will start a
boutique, if ever she comes into money and advices her to keep herself away from her imaginary
world where she can try to get descent house for them.
p) How does Sophie include her brother Geoff in her fantasy of future?
In her imaginary world she dreams that her brother wearing new shining black leathers and she a
yellow dress with a kind of cape that flew out behind. There was the sound of applause as the
world rose to greet them, in her imaginary world.
q) Which country does Danny Casey play for? What is the wish of Sophie’s father?
Danny Casey played for Ireland, a part of United Kingdom. Sophie’s father wishes if he was an
English man and played for England as he agrees with the one who had expressed the same wish
in the bus.
r) Why didn’t Sophie want Jansie to know about her story with Danny Casey?
Whenever she tried to explain her fantasies, Jansie discouraged her and tried to bring her to
reality. Sophie also believes that Jansie is gawky in character and may inform about her meeting
with Danny Casey and the result of it.
s) Did Sophie really meet Danny Casey?
Sophie had seen Danny Casey only in the ground while the match goes on. She has taught her
mind and hypnotized it to believe that she is very close to Danny Casey. She wants to live in that
imaginary world where she feels comfortable as reality is sad.
t) Which was the only occasion when she got to see Danny Casey in person?
The only occasion that she got to see Danny Casey in person, is only when the match goes on.
All other descriptions are only her imaginations in her fantasizing world where she imagines that
she is very close to Danny Casey.
 49

u) What were the differences that categorize Sophie and Jansie?

Jansie is more realistic than Sophie as she knows that they are ear marked to the biscuit factory
whereas Sophie doesn’t even want to know about the world other than her fantasizing world. She
even gets ready to get away from everybody, when she comes to know that the presence of her
father, younger brother and Jansie may evoke reality in her.
v) What do you know about the character and temperament of Sophie?
Sophie’s father is pictured as a hardworking and realistic in character He gets angry when he
realizes that his daughter lives in the world of reality. His temperament is justifiable, being a
responsible father.
w) Why did Sophie like her brother more than any other person?
According to her, he is a silent listener. He never rejects or criticizes her about her fantasizing
world. He acts just as he believes her and supports her even though he knows that all those are
her imaginary stories.
x) What socio- economic background does Sophie belong to? What are the indicators of her
family’s financial status?
Sophie belongs to a lower-class family. The description about the room in which her mother’s
works and father, a daily waged man. Her brother, working as an apprentice Mechanic are the
indicators about Sophie’s socio- economic background.
y) What is the theme of the story Going Places?
The theme of the story ‘Going places’ is adolescent dreams, hero worshipping and fantasizing.
The character Sophie is the best examples that always live in dreamy, fantasizing world.
z) How Sophie does become an element who passes the message to the readers?
Through Sophie, we, the readers come to know about the Socio- Economic background of her
own family and the limitations of her family. Even though she lives in an imaginary world, she is
well aware of it as she is afraid of reality.
2 Answer the following in 120-150 words (6 marks)
1 How different is Jansie from Sophie?
Ans: - even though Jansie and Sophie are from the same phase of the society, Jansie is more
practical and realistic than Sophie. In the beginning of the story when Sophie declares that she is
going to have a boutique, Sophie reminds her that it will cost a lot and according to the financial
condition of both of their families they are earmarked to work in a biscuit factory. She also
reminds her to be sensible as they don’t pay well for the girls like and her father will not like her
to do such works. Jansie’s words are presented as rational to the ideas of Sophie. She has already
decided about her future as she is from a middleclass family. In contrast to the character of
Jansie, Sophie lives in an imaginary world that believes and adores only her brother Geoff but
she feels jealous on the freedom that is enjoyed by her brother. Sophie thinks that she can’t trust
 50

Jansie in certain matters as she doesn’t agree and believe the words of Sophie who was a day
dreamer.
2 It is not unusual for a lower middleclass girl to dream big. How unrealistic were Sophie’s
dreams?
Ans: - Sophie who is from a middleclass family dreams of starting a boutique at the heart of the
city. Even though she knows well that girls like her are earmarked to work in the biscuit factory
she dreams of becoming a fashion designer or an actress. It shows that she is a young girl coming
from a lower middle-class family. She is an escapist from the real world. She is caught in the
web of her own creation and not ready to accept what life has to offer her. She fantasizes the
moments that she has spent with Danny Casey. She weaves strange stories about her meeting
with Danny Casey. The moment he was ready to give an autograph to her but unfortunately both
of them were not having a pen or a pencil with them. She tries to add examples, when she
narrates imaginary stories to her brother who acts just as agreeing everything but knows her habit
of creating fantasizing stories. Her stories are always filled with absurdity
3Sophie lives in a world full of dreams which she does not know she cannot realize. Comment
Ans: -A.R. Barton one among the modern writers, explores the theme of adolescent fantasizing
and hero worship. The character Sophie is a representation of young girls full of fantasizing
dreams. In the story Sophie is presented as an abnormal, incurable dreamer. She is an escapist
from the real world. She felt suffocative of the unpleasant, steamy small room of her house. Her
only solace was Geoff, her brother, whom she believes a lot. All dreams and disappointments are
figments of her own imagination. The writer shows that this is common with the girls from a
middle-class family. Even though they are earmarked to work in a biscuit factory, Sophie dreams
of opening a boutique at the heart of the city. She also dreams of becoming a fashion designer or
an actress.
4Every teenager has a hero/heroine to admire. So many times, they become role models for
them. What is wrong if Sophie fantasizes about Danney Casey and is ambitious in life?
Ans: - Teenagers live in an imaginary world where there is boundless enthusiasm and ambition.
In Sophie’s case it is like day and night that is there is wrong and nothing wrong. She is wrong in
remaining in the world of fantasy because she is from a middleclass family and is earmarked to
work in a biscuit factory. She lacks all needed resources to fulfil her fantasies. She is a dreamer
and not realistic of life. She says a lot of lies to her family to feel herself comfortable in her
fantasizing world. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong in her to live in an imaginary world
because she lives in a dream world like all teenagers. It is natural that all teenagers are ambitious
and want to move ahead and rise in life. She wants to be a model and to have a boutique at the
heart of the city. Even though she is from a middle-class family; she wants to lead a sophisticated
life.
x---------------------------------------------x
1. MY MOTHER AT SIXTY SIX BY KAMALA DAS
ABOUT THE POET: - Kamala Das, (31March 1934- 31 May 2009) popularly known by her one
– time pen name Madhavikutty, one among the foremost poets in India, is Famous with her way
 51

of writing of originality, versatility and the indigenous flavour of the soil. In most of her writings
she has used sensitive ideas of human relationships in lyrical idiom. The poet has used the same
term in her My Mother at Sixty-Six. The theme of the poem is ageing, death and decay. She was
also a widely read columnist and wrote on diverse topics including women’s issues, child care,
politics among others. She was born in a conservative Hindu Nair family, having royal ancestry,
converted to Islam on December 11, 1999, at the age of 65 and assumed the name Kamala
Surayya.
THE SUMMARY: -The poem starts with a temporary departure of a mother and daughter. It
gives an autobiographical note. The poet was driving from her parent’s home to the Cochin
Airport, the previous Friday morning. She looked at her mother sitting beside her. She observed
that her mother, sleeping, opening her mouth wide. Her face was pale and dull like a dead body.
The poet has used the poetic device Simile to compare her mother’s face like the dead body. She
realized with great pain that she was so old that she may die at any time but she put that thought
away and diverted her thought to the sprinting young trees and the merry children spilling out of
their homes. This was a contrasted comparison made by the poet that her mother is old and
possible to face death and decay so soon but the young trees and children are the representation
for energetic life with a lot of time left. She continues to say that after the security check in the
airport, a few yards away she looked again at her mother’s face. Her face looked like the late
winter’s moon. The significance of the late winter’s moon is that it is pale unpleasant and
possible to be faded soon. The figure of speech used here is Simile again. When she thought
about the late winter’s moon the old familiar childhood fear came to her mind that is separation
or loss of her mother. But she didn’t say anything other than ‘see you soon amma’ because she
was hopeful that she may meet her again. She only did was smile, smile and smile to hide her
feelings from her mother. The poet concludes the poem with a nostalgic feeling of separation
from her mother.
EXTRACTS
1. And looked out at young Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling Out of their homes, 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 and felt that Old Familiar ache…
a) How can the trees sprint?
Ans: - Movement of trees backward as the car moves ahead speedily.
b) Why did the poet look at her mother again?
Ans: - Because of her feeling of anxiety or insecurity and love for her mother makes her look at
her mother again .
c) What did she observe?
Ans: - She observed her pale unhealthy appearance, resembling the late winter’s moon.
d) Identify the figure of speech used in these lines.
 52

Ans: - Simile (As a late winter’s moon). The pale face of her mother is compared to the grey
colourless moon in the
winter mornings
e) What did the poet feel? How did he feel?
Ans: -The poet feels pain on the realization that the mother is very old and felt that like the old
familiar ache.
f) What did she do then?
Ans: She diverted her thought away
g) What did she notice the world outside?
Ans: - She noticed sprinting trees and merry children spilling out of their homes.
h) What does ‘put that thought away’ mean here?
Ans: - The poet tried to divert her thought about the old age, death and decay of her mother.
2 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 and realized with pain That she was as
old as she looked….
a) Where was the poet driving to? Who was with her?
Ans: - Cochin Airport. Her Mother was with her.
b) Why was her mother’s face looking like that of a corpse?
Ans: - Because Her face was pale faded ashen week and lifeless.
c) What did the poet notice about her mother?
Ans: -The poet noticed that her face was ashen, pale, looking like a corpse as she was dozing
with her mouth open
d) Who is ‘I’?
Ans: - ‘I’ is the Poet/Kamala Das
e) What did ‘I’ realize with pain?
Ans: - She realized with pain that her mother is nearing old age and she may be separated from
her mother.
f) Why was the realization painful?
Ans: - Because mother’s approaching death was a hard fact for her to accept and the thoughts of
separation from her mother made the poet sad.
 53

g) Identify and name the figure of speech used in these lines?

Ans: - Simile (Ashen like that of a corpse) mother’s face is pale like a dead body.
h) Why has the poet brought in the image of merry children spilling out of their homes?
Ans: - It is contradictorily used in the poem to show that the mother is very old and merry
children are young and a lot of time is left with them.
i) What do the sprinting trees signify?
Ans: - It signifies the fast movement of time in life.
f) What did she observe when she looked at her mother again?
Ans: -She found her colourless pale face like late winter’s moon
3 As a late winter’s moon 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
a) Why has the mother been compared to late winter’s moon?
Ans: - Because the mother is pale old and possible to be faded like late winter’s moon.
b) All I did was smile, smile and smile. Explain
Ans: - The poet wanted to express her feeling on getting separated from her mother but kept on
smiling to hide it from
her mother.
c) Why was the poet worried?
Ans: - Because of her fear of getting separated from her mother.
d) What was the childhood fear that now troubled the poet?
Ans: - The fear of separation from mother
e) What do the parting words suggest?
Ans: - The parting words suggest that the poet is hopeful of meeting her mother again when she
returns back.
Figures of speech used in the poem: -
1 Her face ashen like that of a corpse- Metaphor, as a late winter’s moon—Simile: Because face
is compared to a dead body and the appearance the mother is compared to ‘late winter’s moon’.
2 Trees sprinting - Personification. The movement is supposed to be with living beings but the
trees are represented as moving.
 54

3 Merry children spilling out of their homes: - Metaphor to give a contrasted comparison of
young and old age.
4 Smile and smile and smile—repetition
x-----------------------------------------------------------x
2. KEEPING QUIET BY PABLO NERUDA
ABOUT THE POET: -Ricardo Elecer Neftali Reyes Basoalto (12 July 1904-23 September 1973)
known by his pen name Pablo Neruda, was a Chilean poet – diplomat and politician. Neruda
became a poet since when he was 13 years old, and wrote in a variety of styles including
surrealism, historical epics, political manifestos and prose autobiography. Pablo Neruda, a
revolutionary poet describes the necessity of a person to think over the past, present and future.
The poem keeping quiet shows the suggestion put forward by the poet about the necessity of
quiet introspection to create a feeling of mutual understanding among human beings. It helps us
know how moment of introspection will make us realize the utter futility of our aggressive
endeavours. The poet begins his poem saying that he will count till twelve and invokes the
readers to keep quiet. He says that at least once in the lifespan of a person will have to meditate.
No one should speak in any language and not to do any work. He asks the readers stop for one
second from doing any activity so that it will be a strange moment where there is no rush without
engines. He inspires readers that they must go for a sudden strangeness which may help them to
think over the past, present and future. The poet says that the fishermen should leave their
selfishness in striving for the biggest fish and the salt gatherers should stop their activities for a
moment to think over the damage that took place on their hands as a result of their continuous
effort on it for their livelihood. They should try to understand that the greed destroys oneself and
the others. The poet continues saying that those who prepare green wars, wars with gas, and wars
with fire should realize the futility of victory with no survivors to celebrate it. In that moment, all
these war mongers should come out of their blood shedding and begin to walk about keeping a
feeling of brotherhood in the shade. The poet says that the word ‘inactivity ‘should not be
mistaken for ‘death’. The life of a human being will keep on moving and this inactivity is
connected to life. If we move selfishly without sharing our feelings with others, it may create
sadness in their minds which may destroy one. If we could stop for one moment, we may be able
to interrupt the sadness of never understanding ourselves and the world. But just a moment of
Introspection can save a person from the world of loneliness and give hopes in mind to think
about future instead of living with the thought of death. Hence the poet leaves the readers in a
moment where they will start to count till twelve and start introspection The poem leaves a
message of universal brotherhood and peace. If we think about the hands of the clock moving in
routine, which pass the message that life should move on the poem is consisted on paradox and a
pun on the word. The face of the earth becomes the face of the clock which keeps on moving
through the lifespan of human beings. ‘Green wars ‘refers to new wars like revolutions and put
on clean clothes and shade represent peace.
Read the following excerpts and answer the following questions: -
1 Now we will count to twelve And we will all keep still
a) Name the poem and the poet?
 55

The name of the poem is keeping quiet and the poet is Pablo Neruda.
b) What does the poet want us to prepare for?
The poet wants us to be quiet for introspection.
c) Why does the poet wish to count up to twelve?
Because he wanted everyone to remain calm and quiet.
d) How will the poet’s counting help us?
It will help us remember about the past, analyse the present and reach into an introspection of
future.
2 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
a) Explain let’s not speak in any language.
It says to everybody not to speak in any language.
b) What is the significance of the number twelve?
Number ‘twelve’ shows the hour of a day or the twelve hands of a clock
c) Which two activities does the poet want us to stop/
The poet wants us not to speak in any language and not to do any activity.
d) Describe the ‘pun on the word ‘arms.
The word ‘arms’ is used for dual meaning that the hands which help to work and the weapons
which are used as
instruments to work.
e) Mention the poetic device used in the given stanza.
Alliteration. The words ‘once on’ alliterate each other.
3 It would be an exotic moment Without rush, without engines; We would all be together In a
sudden strangeness.”
a) What does the word ‘Exotic’ mean for?
The word ‘Exotic ‘meant for ‘strange’
b) What does the poet urge?
The poet urges to stop our personal activities, stop engines and unite in one mind or thought.
c) What is exotic?
 56

Sudden silence is exotic.

d) Which is the poetic device used in the stanza?
I) Repetition—without rush, without engines.
II) Alliteration—we would, Sudden strangeness
4 “fisherman in the cold sea Would not harm whales And the man gathering salt Would look at
his hurt hands”.
a) What does the poet want the fishermen to do?
The poet wants the fishermen to stop killing and realize their mistakes of killing fish selfishly.
b) Which category of the society is represented by the word’ fishermen’?
The word’ fishermen’ represents all kinds of tyrants and killers.
c) Whom does the salt gatherer represent?
The salt gatherer represents poor and lower section of society.
d) What does the salt gatherer do?
They selfishly continue their work without even thinking about the damage that may took place
for his hands.
e) Which are the poetic devices used here?
Alliteration—hurt hands.
5 “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) Whom does the poet condemn here?
The poet condemns the people who prepares pollution due to the weapons (green wars), Atomic
wars (Wars with
fire).
b) What is the result of the different kinds of wars?
The result of the different kinds of wars is victory with no survivors.
c) What does the poet advocate them?
The poet advocates them to leave the path of destruction and join the path of peace.
d) What does he urge?
He urges them to put on white clothes to express purity and serenity.
 57

e) What does he ask them?

He asks them to walk with others leaving the negative thoughts and to gain introspection.
f) Explain the poetic devices used in the given lines.
Alliteration – Wars with, Clean Clothes
Repetition –wars with gas, wars with fire.
6 “What I want should not be confused. With total inactivity Life is what it is about
I want no truck with death.”
a) What does the poet warn?
The poet warns us that his message should not be confused with total inactivity.
b) What does he clear to the readers?
He clears that his message should not be taken as death but aimed at the way of living.
c) What does he want us to do?
He wants us to stop a while and feel the peacefulness so that they can reach into a positive
introspection.
7 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. Perhaps the earth can teach us As when everything
seems dead And later proves to be alive.”
a) What is the opinion of the poet about human beings?
According to the poet we human beings are single minded and always busy in achieving our
goals.
b) Why does the poet say that human beings never stop to evaluate themselves?
The poet says that human beings never evaluate themselves because they are busy in achieving
goals and completing
personal responsibilities.
c) What is the result of never evaluating ourselves?
We never can understand that we shall never be able to come out of our desires and
achievements.
d) According to the poet what can help them to understand the real purpose of life?
Stopping for a while and introspect can help us to understand the real purpose our lives and
ourselves.
 58

e) How do we move in our lives?

We move on with the fear of death, calculating how much of our dreams and wishes will be
achieved.
f) Mention the poetic device used in the given stanza.
Alliteration ---we were.
g) How the earth can teach us?
The earth can teach us through its appearance.
h) What is the appearance of the earth?
The earth appears dead in particular seasons but rejuvenates and lives again.
i) What are the changes that appear on earth in winter season and spring?
In winter season the trees are covered with cold and snow and appears as if no life left in the
environment but in spring season it changes to life.
j) Does the earth get disappointed of these changes?
No, it goes through cycles of life and death but continues its journey, moves on and becomes
alive once again.
k) What was the sadness, the poet refers in the poem?
The poet refers the sadness that takes place as a result of selfishness or single, mindedness.
8 Now I’ll count up to twelve
And you keep quiet and I will go.
a) What does the poet mean by this repetition?
The poet wants to convey that his mission of realization is over and leaves the place leaving the
readers to think, introspect and retrospect.
b) What does Count to twelve symbolise?
Count till twelve symbolizes a measure of time. The clock has twelve markings, a year has
twelve months and the day has twelve hours.
c) What does the word ‘let’s’ show?
The word let’s shows a repetition to create a bond with the reader and stress his point.
a) What will count up to twelve and keeping still help us to achieve?
Counting up to twelve and keeping still will help to think about the past and reach into
introspection through retrospection
 59

b) Do you think the poet advocates inactivity and death?

The poet does not advocate inactivity and death. He clearly states that his advocating for stillness
should not be confused with total inactivity or death instead asks to keep life a continuous
process where man’s activity should not be single minded and diverted in a resourceful way.
c) What is the sadness that the poet refers to in the poem?
The poet talks about the sadness which is related to the ceaseless activity of human beings and
moving to his own destruction. He regrets the rush of the world forgetting about the values of
humanity.
d) What symbol from nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life under apparent
stillness?
The poet uses the symbol of the earth to specify the point that there could be life under apparent
stillness. Through this he makes the readers to understand that the human beings should not be
gloomy about the momentary likes and dislikes.
Poetic devices
a) Fishermen in the cold sea ……hurt hands: - symbolic Image showing how man is ruthlessly
destroying nature and harming other species for his selfish need and greed. The hurt hand will
make the salt gatherer that how much he harms himself for his selfishness.
b) Put on clean clothes—Metaphor. The poet says that quiet introspection will make us
comprehend the destructive nature of war. Instead, they should keep brotherhood and peace
around them. Brothers—Symbolic for mankind.
c) In the shade –Metaphor just as shade protects us from the harsh sun, human beings will have
to protect each other as brothers to live in peace and harmony.
d) No truck—euphemism which shows an offensive word used to express vague meaning than
the actual meaning.
e) Earth can teach us when everything…Symbolic- just as earth appear to be dead on surface and
later proves alive, human beings also will have to be hopeful in their harsh areas of life.
f) The poet has used symbols and comparisons to explain how to put an end to the
misunderstandings, selfishness, wars and cruel activities that are leading to the death of our
civilization. He advocates keeping quiet and still for a while to introspect and understand
ourselves and our relationship with our brothers and nature to build a peaceful and harmonious
world.
x-----------------------------------------------x
3. A THING OF BEAUTY BY JOIHN KEATS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: - John Keats 31 October 1795--23 February 1821 was an English
romantic poet. He was born in Moorgate, London and died at the age of 25 due to tuberculosis.
His poetry is characterized by sensual imagery in his most popular work which is a series of
 60

odes. Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe shelly were his subordinate poets of his generation. By the
end of 19 th century, he had become one of the prominent poets. He was the son of a Hustler at
the staples and was not able to afford his studies. He was sent to his grandparents where he
joined in a nearby school where he developed an interest in Classics and History. His father died,
when he was at the age of eight. After the death of John Keats all his works were published by
P.B. Shelley. The poem ‘A Thing of Beauty’, written by John Keats is based on a Greek legend
Endymion, in which a shepherd had a vision of Cynthia, the Moon Goddess and enchanted by
her beauty he had fallen in love with her. He set out to search for her and wandered everywhere
which is resulted only disappointment.
SUMMARY: -John Keats starts his poem ‘A Thing of Beauty’ saying a beautiful thing is a
matter of happiness forever. Its attractiveness keeps on increasing but never come into an end. Its
impact never fades away. A person who is having the ability to find and admire the beauty of
everything can have tension free, healthy and peaceful life. Such people can create beautiful
relations every day with the people around like beautiful flowers are connected each other on a
wreath. The poet advises saying that in spite of passing time in disappointment thinking about
the bitter experiences from noble natured people, sorrows, sufferings, grief, diseases,
disappointments and misfortunes that give mental and physical sufferings, think about the
beautiful objects. To keep ourselves be balanced which may give hopes in life. The poet gives
the examples of beautiful things in nature. The sun, the moon, the trees young and old, Daffodils,
Simple sheep, Clear streams, musk rose in forests, ferns that provide us peace and happiness. He
also adds the glorious achievements of mighty heroes and magnificent rewards by god ad will be
remembered on the judgement day. The mighty men who have done heroic achievements about
which we heard and read will be an endless source of an everlasting joy. The poet feels that
nothing can surpass the beauty that is like an endless fountain that pours immortal drink from
heaven into our hearts. So, beauty is an immortal gift from God that keeps a person be alive even
after his death.
Textual Questions
a) List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem?
The things of beauty that mentioned in the poem are the sun, the moon, trees old and young,
providing shade, sheep,
daffodils, clear rills, mid forest brake.
b) List the things that cause suffering and pain?
The things that cause suffering and pain are inhuman activities of the noble natured people, the
gloomy days, unhealthy
unpleasant ways of the people which may make people to lose their balance.
c) What do the line therefore are we wreathing a flowery band, bind us to the earth mean by?
It means that a person who is having the ability to find beauty on everything can create beautiful
relations to others.
 61

d) What makes human beings to love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?
The ability to find beauty in everything around them help human beings to love life in spite of
troubles and sufferings.
e) Why is grandeur associated with the ‘mighty dead’?
Grandeur is associated with the mighty dead because the good activities done by the great people
will be remembered forever to make them immortal.
f) Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting
impression?
A thing of beauty is a matter of happiness forever. It leaves a lasting impression as it can create
peaceful healthy and tension free sleep for those who can admire beauty in everything with
positive thing.
g) List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.
The sun, the moon, the trees, daffodils, simple sheep, clear dreams, forest ferns, musk rose are
the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.
h) List the things that cause suffering and pain.
Disappointments, inhuman dearth of human natures, gloomy days, unhealthy and evil ways
cause sufferings and pains in our life.
i) What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth?
All the beautiful things in the nature and the memory of beautiful experiences are the images
used to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth
1 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.
a) A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Explain.
A beautiful object is a matter of happiness forever.
b) Why does a beautiful thing pass into nothingness?
Because its attractiveness keeps on increasing forever.
c) What does poet mean by a bower quiet for us?
It means that a person who is having the ability to find beauty in every object and enjoy can have
a peaceful life.
d) What is being said to be a joy forever?
Beautiful objects are being said to be a joy forever.
 62

e) What is special about beautiful things?

A beautiful thing is a reason for happiness forever, its attractiveness keeps on increasing and
never come to nothingness.
2 Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days, Of all the unhealthy and o’er darkened ways Made for our
searching, yes in spite of all, Some shape of beauty moves away the pall From our dark spirits.
a) Why are people despondent according to the poet?
Because of the inability to enjoy the beauty in every object.
b) What removes the pall from our dark spirits?
Thought of inhuman dearth and disappointments over different feelings in life.
c) From where the shape of beauty moves away?
The shape of beauty moves away from the pall.
d) Name the poem and the poet.
The poem is ‘Keeping Quiet’ and the poet is John Keats.
3 ‘Such 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 clear rills That for themselves a cooling
covert make ‘Gainst the hot season the mid forest break, Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-
rose blooms; 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.
a) Who are the mighty dead?
The mighty dead are those who sacrifice their lives for the noble cause and made great
achievements in their lifetime.
b) How is grandeur associated with mighty dead?
The honours that the great people receive on the judgement day make them immortal and
famous.
c) What does the poet mean by “an endless fountain of immortal drink”?
The poet says that beautiful activities done by human beings help them to receive endless
blessing from heaven i.e., Immortality.
d) What does the poet mean by the last two lines?
It means that beautiful things are like endless fountains which go on pouring blessings from
heaven.
 63

1 List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.

The sun, the moon, the trees, daffodils, simple sheep, clear dreams, forest ferns, musk rose are
the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.
2 List the things that cause suffering and pain.
Disappointments, inhuman dearth of human natures, gloomy days, unhealthy and evil ways
cause sufferings and pains in our life.
3What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth?
All the beautiful things in the nature and the memory of beautiful experiences are the images
used to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth.
Poetic Devices
1 Bower quiet, sweet dreams, wreathing a flowery band, pall, endless fountain of immortal drink:
- Metaphor
2 Noble Natures. Cooling covert, band to bind: -Alliteration
3 flowery bands, shady boon, daffodils in green world, clear rills, cooling covert, grandeur of
dooms, endless fountain of immortal drink: - imagery
4Simple sheep-refers to simplicity of sheep: - symbolic
5gloomy days, unhealthy and o’er darkened ways: - transferred epithet where gloomy days and
over darkened ways compared to life
x--------------------------------------------------x
4. A ROADSIDE STAND BY ROBERT FROST
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:- Robert Frost (March 26,1874 – January 29, 11963) was an American
poet. His poems are known for its realistic depictions of rural life and his command on American
Colloquial presentation. He is the only poet who received Pulitzer Prizes for poetryand one of
America’s rare public literary figures. He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1960
for his poetic works. He usually focused on the themes of human tragedies and fears and their
ultimate acceptance of their solution
Summary:- The poem Road Side Stand deals with the lives of poor deprived people of the people
of the villages with a clarity that is perceptive and at the same time portrays his deepest
sympathy and the feelings of humanity. He starts the poem with the presentation of a roadside
shed which is at the edge of the road where the traffic moves very fast. The road side shed seems
just as it deserves sympathy. They have set it to get some money as a support for the flow of
their lives. The luxurious polished lives of the cities never bother about the simple lives of the
people in the road side stand. The poet describes the the feelings of the owners of the road side
stand. They hope that as they pass through the way, they may buy something from them, may be
fruits, vegetables or stop and rest in the mountain scape. The people in the Road side stand long
for the feel of currency as they are in poverty. The road side signals also are mismatched. ‘N’ the
 64

sign for North and ‘S’ for South, have turned wrong. This is where people in road side stand
offer wild berries in wooden quarts or crook- necked golden squash with silver warts or a
scenery of Beauty rest in a beautiful mountain scene. Here the poet asks a question very
seriously to the people in city. He says that they have money but why do they want to be so mean
and keep their money and go along without caring and spending their money. The poet says that
his complaint is not about disturbing the scenery but of the unexplainable sadness in the minds of
the people in the road side stand. In the words of the people there the poet says that in the village,
people, far from the city make their road side stand and expect for some city money to feel
comfortable about their existence, even though it will not support them completely. It may help
them to move their lives little bit. The party in power promises them to keep them safe and lives
peaceful but never it were ful filled. Here the poet express his angriness on the callous attitude of
the Government, the civic authorities and the social service agencies who appear to help them
but it turns a harm to them. It was in the news that these poor people are to be relocated in the
outskirts of the village, near the theatre and the shops with a promise that better care will be
provided for them, there. But the poet consider that as the greediness of people those who
pretend just as doing good and work for the benefit of them and makes them to be prey and
victims for injustice. These greedy doers swarm over their lives promising benefits that are
counted to give comfort them but brings them into a condition beyond their imaginations. They
try to teach them how to be civilized and sleep peacefully but it spoils their sleep and brings
them to an uncomfortable condition. The poet says that sometimes it becomes unbearable for
him to think that it is so childish and meaningless to hope about a better life for them. He can
only see the sadness on the faces of the people on road side stand who waits all day in open
prayer to hear a sound break to stop the car from all those thousand cars which pass keeping
selfishness. According to the poet, there are four categories of people who stops the car there.
They are (1) those who just stop their cars only to enquire about the prices of the crops or
farmers. (2) Those who stop their cars to take a turn by plowing soil. (3) Those who stop to ask
the direction of their destination. (4) Those who ask whether they can sell a gallon of gas, which
is not possible for them as they never had seen it. Even though the people in the village deserve a
lot of attention from the people in the city, the required interest is not shown by the people in
City. Even though there is a complaint in the voice of the people in the village, the poet is
helpless. He wants to bring all those people out from their pain at one stroke but the next
moment he realises his helplessness with great pain in mind. The poet wishes in great degree that
the people who can help them to approach the poet and offer help so that the poet can come out
of the pain in his mind about the helplessness of the people in the Road side Stand.
Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:-
1 The little old house was out with a little new shed In front at the edge of the road where the
traffic sped A road side 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 heights.
a) Why was the little old house extended towards the road?
Because the owners of the road side stand wanted to attract the attention of the rich people from
city.
b) Where does the road side stand exist?
 65

It exists at the edge of the road.

c) What does the phrase ‘traffic sped’ mean by?
The traffic move in great speed.
d) How does the poet describe the roadside stand.
The roadside stand exists there as a symbol of request which deserves kindness.
e) What doesd the phrase dole of bread mean by?
It means a part their daily food
f) What do they expect from those who pass that way?
They expect to have some money in their hands to support them.
g) What does the word flower mean by?
It means the luxurious life of the people in the city.
2 The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead, Or if ever aside a moment , 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, Or crook necked golden squash
with silver warts 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
a) What does the phrase ‘polished traffic’ mean by?
The polished traffic means the cruel attitude and the gentlemanly appearance of the city men
who pass through the roadside stand.
b) Explain’ passed with a mind ahead.’
Passed with a mind ahead means, the city people who passed by are so greedy that they don’t
want to care about the pathetic condition of the people in the ropad side stand.
c) What is the request made by the poet?
The poet requests the city people, if ever they keep their selfishness away from their minds is
when they complain about artless paint on the indicators that are fixed there.
d) What are the things sold in the roadside stand?
The people in the road side stand sells wild berries in wooden quarts or crook necked golden
squash with silver warts or the scenery of the beautiful mountain scene.
e) How does the poet describe the attitude of the people in the road side stand?
The people in the road side stand speak about the selfishness of the people who have money and
carelessly, greedily pass through the way.
 66

3 The hurt to the scenery wouldn’t be my complaint So much as the trusting sorrow of what is
unsaid Here far from the city we make our roadside stand And ask for some city money to feel in
hand To try if it will not make our being expand And give us the life of the moving pictures’
promise That the party in power is said to be keeping from us.
a) What does the poet mean by hurt to the scenery?
The poet means to say that the damage made by the cars on the scenery as it takes a turn.
b) Why does the poet say the sorrow ‘unsaid’?
The sorrow of the people in the roadside stand is not able to be expressed to anyone as there is no
one to take care of their feelings.
c) Why do they expect some city money?
Because they wanted to feel some money in their hands as a support for their everyday life.
d) Is the money they expect from them sufficient for their life to support?
The money they expect from the city people will not be sufficient for the support of their lives.
e) What does the party in power sat?
The party in power says that they may keep them in a safe place.
4 It is in the news that all these pitiful kin Are to be bought out and 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, benificent beasts of prey swarm over their lives
enforcing benefits that are calculated to soothe them out of their wits, And by teaching them how
to sleep they sleep all day’ Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way.
a) What was there in the news?
It was there in the news that all the people in the roadside stand who deserve kindness, will be
brought out the place where
There is the chance for the to get a job to get through their lives.
b) What do they promise them?
If they follow their words and shift to the place where they offer, then they won’t have to be
worried about their future.
c)How does the poet describe the greedy people there?
The poet describes them as greedy good doers and benificent beasts of prey.
d) What do they enforce them?
They swarm over them enforcing benefits.
 67

e)What does it offer?

It calculates to comfort them and bring them out of their problems.
f)What do they offer and what exactly happen?
They offer to teach them how to sleep but they sleep all day taking the peace ful sleep of the
people in trouble.
g)What does the poet mean by ancient way?
The phrase ancient way means the way in which people practice from the olden days.
5 Sometimes I feel myself I can hardly bear The thought of so much childish longing in vain,
The sadness that luirks near the open window there, That waits all day in almost open prayer For
the squeal of brakes, the sound of a shopping car, Of all the thousand selfish car that pass, Just
one to inquire what a farmer’s prices are, And one did stop, but only plow up grass In using the
yard to back and turn around; And another to ask the way to where it was bound; And another to
ask could they sell it a gallon of gas. They couldn’t (this crossly); they had none, didn’t it see?
a) Why does the poet say that he can hardly bear?
It says that it is unbearable for the poet to hope for the help that may be provided by other
people.
b) What is childish?
The word ‘childish’ means to say that it is childish, to expect something which doesn’t have any
possibilty to be fulfilled.
c) Which is the sadness explained here?
The poet explains the sadness of never attainable hopes which will never be fulfilled.
d) Whose sadness is explained here and how do they wait rhere?
The sadness of the people in the roadside stand who waits at the windows of their sstands with
open requests.
e) Which are the kinds of cars stop there?
The kinds of cars stop there are in which:-
a) People those who inquire what a farmer’s prices are.
b) People who want to turn their car and plow up the grass, by using the yard.
c) People who want to ask the way to their destination.
d) People who want to enquire whether they can provide a gallon of gas
e)Why are they not able to provide a gallon of gas?
 68

They are not able to provide a gallon of gas because they are not aware of gas.
7 No in country money,the country scale of gain, The requisite lift of spirit has never been found,
Or so the voice of the country seems to complain, I can’t help owning the great relief it would be
To put these people at one stroke out of their pain And then next day as I come back into the
sane I wonder how I should like you to come to me And offer to put me gently out of pain.
a) What does the poet expect from rich people ? Was he able to find such spirit in them?
The poet expects to have some money from rich people to help them. He was not able to find
such spirit from them.
b) What does the voices of the country seems to do?
The voices of the country seems to complain about the attitude of the people in the city.
c) What does the poet imagine and was he satisfied?
The poet imagines a great relief by putting all these people, out of the pain at one stroke but he
was not satisfied because he
realises that his hopes are not of any use.
d) What does the poet wonder about?
The poet wonders of his imagination that how he wants others to approach him wit an offer to
help the people in Road side stand and put all his pain in his mind about them, out so that he can
be comfortable and happy.
Figures of speech, symbols, images rhyme scheme used in the poem.
1The poet has used first person singular to show his involvement in the poem.
2The polished traffic, selfish cars :- here the traffic is not polished but the people are polished.
Here to represent people the word traffic is used. It shows that that the traffic is non living and
the people are living. A comparison made between least living being with most living beings.
Hence Transferred Epithet is used here. Same as cars are not selfish but people rae selfish.
3the flower of cities from sinking and withering faint, swarm over their lives, teaching them to
sleep they sleep all day:- People are compared to different things through figuretive speech.
Hence Metaphor is used.
4Greedy goo doers, benificent beasts of prey:- same letters are repeated, hence Alliteration is
used. Quite opposite ideas are used to give negative meaning, hence Oxymoron is used.
5A road side stand that too pathetically pled :- Personification as the word road side stand
represents the people who live there.
X--------------------------------------------X
5. AUNT JENNIFER’S TIGERS BY ADRIENNE RICH
 69

ABOUT THE POET: -Adrienne Cecile Rich ( ] May 16, 1929 – March 27, 2012) was an
American poet, essayist and feminist, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. She was called as
one of the most widely read and influential poets of the second half of the 20th century and was
widely known for her feminist movement and was credited with bringing oppression of women
and lesbians to the forefront of poetic discourse. “She lived in a time in which men dominated
and women were expected to become dutiful wives. In the poem she uses the image of a
husband. Through the poem the poet mocks the weakness of Aunt Jennifer and the male
chauvinism.
SUMMARY: -The theme of the poem is based on male domination over society who expects
women be dutiful wives. The image used in the poem is a husband (Society) who controls and
frightens his wife (women). The tiger in the poem is pictured as always prancing. The poem
starts with an image which shows the expression of Aunt Jennifer’s mind in the world of male
domination. The tigers knitted by Aunt Jennifer in the green panel are bright yellow in colour.
They are not afraid of the men in the world around. They majestically pace their feet to surety
with alert, brave movements. While knitting the tiger, Aunt Jennifer’s fingers were fluttering
through the panel. She found difficulty in pulling the ivory needle because of the oppression
faced through the wedding band that she is wearing. It remains symbolic of her sufferings in her
married life which represents the customs and ordeals that were supposed to be undergone by a
woman after marriage. The poet says that even after her death, her frightened hands representing
her oppressed life will remain symbolic of her life without freedom. Still the tigers created by her
will go on prancing on the panel proud and brave as symbol of her dignified mind which is
elegant and fearless.
Textual Questions
a) How do denizens and chivalric add to our understanding of the tiger’s attitude?
Denizens and Chivalric are symbolic for Aunt Jennifer’s protest against the oppression towards
male chauvinism and their majestic movements are symbolic for the brevity of Aunt’s mind.
b) Why do you think that the Aunt’s fingers are fluttering through her wool? Why is she finding
the needle so hard to pull?
Aunt’s fingers are fluttering through the wool because she is nervous or feeble. Even though the
needle is made by ivory, she finds it hard to pull due to the oppression that she has undergone in
her life after marriage.
c) What is suggested by the image of the massive weight of the uncle’s wedding band?
Uncle’s wedding band is symbolic for the hardships that she has undergone in her married life
which is filled with emotional feelings due to the oppression that she has undergone in her life.
Here the poet uses Hyperbole with the help of using the word ‘massive’ even though practically
it is not heavy.
d) Of what or whom Aunt Jennifer terrified with?
Aunt Jennifer is terrified with the customs and ordeals that are put forward by the society
towards her.
 70

e) What are the ordeals Aunt Jennifer is surrounded by, why is it significant that the poet uses the
word ringed? What is the meaning of the word ‘ringed’ in the poem?
Aunt Jennifer is surrounded by the ordeals such as following the customs of the society like
wearing wedding band, which implied long term experience of sufferings and oppression.
f) Why do you think that Aunt Jennifer created the animal that is different from her character?
Aunt Jennifer had created an animal that is different from her character because she is frightened
by the ordeals and customs of the society which doesn’t have any significance in front of a tiger
as it is contrasted in character with Aunt Jennifer that is alert, fearless and sure with its majestic
movements.
g) Mention and explain the symbols used in the poem?
Symbols used in the poem are: -
Wedding Band –Symbol of oppression in an unhappy married life. It is like a shackle or a heavy
burden.
Weight is symbolic of the burden of gender expectations
Ringed is symbolic of loss of individuality due to encircling the customs.
Aunt Jennifer symbolic of the typical victim of oppression, loss of individuality,
Tigers Symbolic of untamed free spirit contrast to the personality of Aunt Jennifer and her
creative spirit, her freedom and her existence.
h) What is the attitude of the speaker towards Aunt Jennifer?
The attitude of the speaker is sympathy. It is clear from the third stanza of the poem where the
poet specifies by saying that when Aunt is dead, the rings will continue as an image of the
oppression that she has undergone in her married life and the tigers will keep on prancing, proud
and unafraid.
i) What is the comparison made between the tigers and Aunt Jennifer?
Aunt Jennifer is a representation of each woman in society who undergoes oppression and
sufferings due to the customs in the society. She wants to escape from all the limitations and
wants to be elegant, fearless and dignified like a tiger which is fearless alert and sure to its
movement.
j) What picture of male chauvinism or tyranny do we find in the poem?
The poem represents male chauvinism showing wedding band, ring and unpleasant memories of
married life that constrains the pressure of unhappy married life through the domination by her
husband
EXTRACTS AND ANSWERS
 71

1 They do not fear the men beneath the tree; They pace in sleek chivalric certainty.
a) Are Aunt Jennifer’s tigers real? Give reasons for your answer
Aunt Jennifer’s tigers are not real because it is an image formed in the rebellious mind of Aunt
Jennifer to express her protest on the male domination in the society.
b) Why do the tigers do not fear the man beneath the tree?
The tigers are not afraid of the men beneath the tree because they are alert, brave and their steps
are paced to surety
c) What do you understand by chivalric certainty?
Chivalric certainty is meant for the brave movement of a tiger to surety to represent Aunt
Jennifer’s protest on male domination.
d) Mention and explain the figures of speech used in the given stanza
Pace and prance are ironically used to show the movement of tiger to compare with the mentality
of Aunt Jennifer towards the world.
Bright Topaz is used to show the colour of the tiger as a visual imagery.
Screen symbol of creativity
Alliteration prancing proud, chivalric certainty, weight of wedding band
e) What does the poet mean by ‘denizens of a world of green’?
The phrase ‘denizens of a world of green’ means to show people around in the world.
f) What does the word ‘tiger mean?
The word ‘tiger ‘means to say that they are brave and keen on the world like Aunt Jennifer.
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 does the poet mean by the ‘fluttering fingers?
The ‘fluttering fingers’ are used to show the effort taken by aunt Jennifer in creating the tigers in
the panel.
b) Why did she feel the ivory needle hard to pull?
She felt the ivory needle hard to pull because of the oppression she had undergone in her married
life.
c) Why does she feel that uncle’s wedding band is having massive weight?
 72

She feels so because of the customary oppression that a married woman is supposed undergo in
her married life.
d) Why does the wedding band sit heavily in his hand?
Because of the image that is created by Aunt Jennifer in her mind about the oppression
undergone by a married woman, through customs of the society.
e) Mention and explain the figures of speech used in the given stanza.
Wedding band – Symbolic for the customary oppression followed by a married by a married
woman.
Fluttering fingers – Alliteration as the letters are repeatedly used.
2 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) Why does the poet say that her terrified hands will lie even after her death?
Because she wants to show that even after the death of Aunt the wedding band will be there on
her fingers as a symbol of oppression that she has undergone in her married life.
b) What was she mastered by?
She was mastered by the ordeals that a married woman was supposed to undergo.
c) How will the tigers be after her death?
The tigers that are knitted by her will go on prancing, proud and unafraid.
Poetic Devices
1fingers fluttering, prancing proud, chivalric certainty, weight of wedding band- Alliteration as
the same letters are repeated.
2Bright Topaz Denizens, world of green- Visual imagery because all these are used to represent
human beings through images.
Ringed with ordeals-There is a comparison done between the fingers of Aunt Jennifer ringed
with ordeals and the lives oppressed with the customs in the society that is supposed to be
followed by a married woman.
4Terrified fingers – Her fingers are possibly be changed like the lives of human beings be
changed but the customs of the society that should be followed by human beings will be hardly
changed.
5Irony: - It is ironical to say that the tigers will continue to pace and prance while aunt will
remain frightened even after her death, ringed with ordeals.
Symbols: - a) Wedding Band-oppression in an unhappy marriage. Its weight refers to the burden
of the customs and ordeals. Rings - lose of individuality as the life of aunt is encircled.
 73

b) Aunt Jennifer; - a typical victim of male oppression, loss of individuality, dignity and personal
freedom and turned to dependent, fearful and delicate due to the customs and ordeals
c) Tigers – Untamed free spirit, stand in contrast to the personality. The use of colours represents
freedom; they are symbolic of freedom, pride, and fearless confidence with majestic appearance.
d) Green- spring and vitality
e) Knitting: - symbol of creative expression and presents suppressed desires and the oppressive
reality of life.
f) Ringed with ordeals-Even death will not give her freedom as the ring is still there in her
fingers as a symbol of oppression.
g) Terrified hands – transferred Epithet
X------------------------------------x
THE THIRD LEVEL BY JACK FINNEY
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: - Walter Braden Jack Finney (Oct2,1911-Nov14, 1995) was an
American author. His best-known works are science fiction and thrillers. The Third level plays a
significant role in speaking about a person’s hallucinations. It describes the escapism of Charles
from the harsh realities of modern life.
Summary: -The Presidents of the New York Central and the New York, New Haven and
Hartford Railroads will swear on a pile of time table that there are only two levels but according
to the narrator (Charley) there are three levels because he had travelled through the Third Level
in the Grand Central Station. When he had spoken about it to his psychiatrist friend, he said that
it was only a hallucination of his mind. He said that the narrator was unhappy. This made his
wife to feel a kind of madness. His psychiatrist friend explained in the modern world, people are
filled with full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and a lot more. The narrator wants to escape from
all; in fact, everybody in the world wants to escape. The only difference is that everybody
doesn’t want to wander down any third level in the Grand central station. According to his
friends, even his stamp collection also is a part of his escapism. Through his hobby, he tries to
get a temporary shelter to escape from reality. As a reply for this he says that he has got that
hobby from his grandfather, who was never in need of a shelter from reality and he led a
peaceful life in his time. In his collection there was every issue of first day covers. Moreover,
President Roosevelt also used to collect stamps. Further he explains what happened at Grand
Central. One summer night he worked late at his office and was in a hurry to reach his apartment.
So, he had selected the subway, which is faster than the bus. Being an ordinary person, named
Charley, thirty-one years old, wearing a closely woven, yellowish brown suit and a straw hat
with a fancy band. He passed a dozen men who looked just like him. He only wanted to reach to
Louisa, his wife. He turned into Grand Central from Vanderbilt Avenue and went down the steps
to first level, where people board train in the Twentieth Century, then he walked down other
stairs to the Second Level, where the trains to the outskirts, leaves. Then he entered into an
arched doorway heading for the subway and lost his way. He had travelled through Grand
Central, hundreds of times but he always enter again to the new doorways, stairs and corridors
repeatedly. Once he entered into a
 74

tunnel about a mile and came out in the lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel. Another time he came up
in an office building on forty Sixth Street, which is three blocks away. He continues to say that
sometimes he thinks that Grand Central is growing like a tree where there are a lot of corridors
and staircases like the roots of trees spread everywhere. There is a tunnel which moves under the
city and opens to Times Square. He didn’t speak about it to his psychiatrist friend because for
many years, it has been an exit for many people. He continued through the corridor where he
couldn’t see or hear anybody and the only sound, he heard was his own footsteps. He kept on
walking and heard a sort of hollow roar ahead which indicates an open space and the presence of
people. The tunnel turned sharp left and turned and went down through a short flight of stairs.
And came out on the third level of the Central station. For a moment he felt that he is in the
second level but the room was smaller and there were fewer ticket windows and train gates. The
information booth in the ticket was wood and old looking. The man in the booth wore a green
eye shade and long black sleeve protectors. The lights were dim and flickering open-flame
gaslights. There were brass spit buckets on the floor. A man who was wearing a derby hat, a
black four button suit with tiny lapels, had pulled a gold watch from his vest pocket to see the
time. Then he looked around to see that everyone in the station was dressed like 1890 and like
that. A woman who walked in through the train wore a dress with leg-of-mutton sleeves and
skirts to the top of her high buttoned shoes, and the locomotives with a small currier and Ives
locomotive with a funnel shaped stack was visible. He walked over to a newsboy and glanced at
the paper and found it as the publication of ‘The World’, which hasn’t been published for years.
In the front page and the published date was June 11, 1894, the lead story was about President
Cleveland. He turned towards the ticket windows of the Grand Central ticket windows to buy
tickets for him and his wife, Louisa, to take them anywhere in the United States. They wanted to
visit, Galesburg, Illinois, in the year 1894. Illinois is a wonderful town, quiet, with big old frame
houses, huge lawns, the men smoking cigars and talking quietly, the women waving palm leave
fans, with the fireflies all around, in a peaceful world. He wanted two tickets to visit Illinois. The
clerk had shown him the fare, glancing at his fancy hatband and he was having enough money
with him to buy ticket for one way. When he counted the money, the clerk was staring at him
and nodded his head looking at the currency he was having in his hands. He warned him, if he
was trying to play a trick with him, it would be difficult for him to escape from there. Charley
looked into the cash drawer with the clerk and found them as old currencies. He remembered that
there is nothing good in the jail in 1894 also, so left the place. He left the same way that he
entered. Next day during lunch hour in the office, he has gone to the bank and withdrawn all the
money he had in his account to buy old currency from a coin dealer by paying a premium
amount. (He paid three hundred dollars and received nearly two hundred dollars). Even though
he searched for the way to third level to buy tickets, he had never again found the corridor that
leads to the third level at Grand Central station. He tried it more than once but couldn’t find the
way. His wife was worried when he said this to her and advised him not to search for it again.
After a while he stopped searching for it. Then he had diverted his attention to stamp collection
again. But he believes that the third level still exists. His friend Sam Weiner, seemed to be
disappeared he used to tell to Charley that he liked the sound of the place, and Charley strongly
believes that he has gone to 1894, Illinois. One night as he was going through his stamp
collection, he found a first day cover (when a new stamp is issued, stamp collectors buy some
and use them to mail envelops to themselves on the very first day of the sail and the postmark
proves the date. This envelope is called a first day cover leaving a blank paper. They are never
opened) the first day cover, he found was the one which was mailed by someone to his
 75

grandfather, at his home in Galesburg. He understood it from the address in the envelope. It had
been there since July 18, 1894.The stamp was of a six cent, dull brown, with a picture of
President Carfield. When this has come to his granddad, he has put that into his collection and
stayed there till Charley got it from the collection. The paper inside was with a note on it
addressing Charley saying that he was right about third level, and travelling through third level
he had reached to Illinois and enjoying the music there, waiting for Charley and Louisa signed
by Sam. Charley went to the old coin store and found out that Sam bought eight hundred dollars’
worth of old-style currency, which may help him up in a nice little hay, feed and grain business
that he always wanted to do but certainly couldn’t go back to his business. Now Charley wonders
why Sam was his Psychiatrist.
Answer the following questions in 40-50 words
a) What does the third level refer to?
The third level refers to the illusions of charley in his mind. H believes that it is existing
considering the first day cover sent by his psychiatrist friend as real.
b) Would Charley ever go back to the ticket-counter on the third level to buy tickets to Galesburg
for himself and his wife?
Even though he wanted to go to Illinois with his wife, in 1894, he had left the idea, as he
couldn’t find the third level in Grand Central Station. But when he got the First Day Cover, he
again began to believe about the existence of the third level.
c) Do you think that the Third Level was a medium of escape for Charley?
Third Level was partially a medium of escape for Charley because his Psychiatrist friend said
that the modern world is full of insecurity, fear war, worry and all the rest of it, even his stamp
collection. But in the words of Charley, his grandfather was not having any worries but he used
to do stamp collecting. Hence, he wants to prove that the third level really exists.
d) What do you infer from Sam’s letter to Charley?
Sam’s letter was a result of Charley’s imagination. This can be understood from the fact that the
letter was enclosed in a first day cover and addressed to his grandfather whereas first day covers
are usually sent by a person to himself on the launch date of a particular stamp.
e) “The Modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war worry and stress.” What are the ways in
which we attempt to overcome them?
The modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war worry and stress. We try to escape in different
ways. Some people live in hallucinations and some people continue by living in the comfort zone
hobbies like stamp collecting etc.
f) Do you see an intersection of time and space in the story?
The narrator presents the story in such a way that the character Charley very comfortably enter
into the comfortable zone of imaginary routes such as third level in the Grand central station and
 76

Illinois in 1894. If he would have been used these empty spaces of his life in a different way, it
would have been helpful for him to do something very useful.
g) Apparent illogicality sometimes turns out to be a futuristic projection. Discuss.
It is true that apparent illogicality sometimes turns out to be a futuristic projection. Fanaticises of
human beings may turn out to be revolutionary that change the future of mankind. It would not
be farfetched to think about railway stations fitted with time machines that would help to travel
from one era to another is just a matter of time.
X----------------------------------------------------X
THE TIGER KING BY KALKI
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: -Ramaswamy Aiyer Krishnamurthy (9 September 1899 – 5 December
1954) better known by his pen name Kalki, was a Tamil writer, journalist, poet, critic and Indian
Independence activist. He has accepted the pen name Kalki after the tenth incarnation of Lord
Vishnu. Being the son of a poor accountant, he has completed Senior School Leaving Certificate.
SUMMARY: - His Highness Jamedar General Khiledar Major, Sada Vyaghra Samhari,
Maharajadhiraja Visva Bhuvana Samrat, Sir Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur M.A.D., A.C.T.C, OR
C.R.C.R, is the hero of the story The Tiger King. The narrator says the reason for him to be
known as Tiger King. He expresses his determination to complete his mission without any
interruption; even a stuka bomber can’t stop him. He says that he is going to disclose a matter of
vital importance about the tiger king. If anybody wants meet the hero of the story, it’s impossible
as the tiger king had already dead and the manner of the death of the tiger king is a matter of
extraordinary interest. As soon as the king born astrologers predicted one day the tiger king
would die which was replied back by the ten days old boy that all those who take birth in this
world would die one day and insisted to predict it completely and they described that the child
would grow up into a great warrior, a hero and a champion but was born in the hour of the Bull
which are the enemies of tigers. To the surprise of everyone, the ten days old child replied that
the tigers should be worried about the bulls, The boy grew by enjoying all the facilities like all
other princes in the world. All the people in the kingdom were aware of the astrologer’s
prediction and discussed about it and finally the king who had forgotten about the prediction
have come to know about it. The Maharaja had taken the old saying that you could kill a cow for
the sake of one’s own defence as his philosophy and began to hunt the tigers in the country.
When the King had shown the dead tiger to the astrologer, he warned the Maharaja, to be very
careful about the hundredth tiger. The king questioned him about the after effect of his killing the
hundredth tiger, the astrologer replied that in such case he would cut his tuft and become an
insurance agent. The king had restricted everybody even from throwing a stone to the tigers in
the country. At that time there came a high-ranking British Officer with the wish to hunt a tiger
and get a photograph with it. But the king disagreed and managed to save the kingdom and
throne by gifting fifty diamond rings with the cost of three lakhs rupees. After killing seventy
tigers, the king found the scarcity of tigers in the country. As a solution for it he got married with
a princess from a kingdom where there is a vast area of forest and number of tigers. Whenever he
visited his father – in – laws kingdom he hunts five or six tigers and managed to kill ninety-nine
tigers. But he couldn’t find the hundredth tiger. He has called the Dewan and warned to find the
tiger otherwise face the trouble of doubling the tax or any other destruction. Dewan who was
 77

afraid of the loss of his job and life had gone to the People’s Park in Madras and brought an old
tiger which had launched a Satyagraha, when they reached in Pratibandapuram. The tiger was
placed in the forest and informed the king about the presence of the tiger in the forest. With great
happiness the king had arrived there and shot the tiger. The king was happy to complete his
target but the tiger was not dead. It was unconscious due to the whizzing sound of the bullet
passed. The hunters decided not to inform about it as they were afraid of the angriness of the
king and the loss of their job. So, one of them shot the tiger and carried to the palace for the final
procession and buried. A tomb was erected over it. A few days later the Maharaja had decided to
celebrate the third birthday of his son. He wanted to buy a gift for his son and bought a wooden
tiger. It has been carved by an unskilled carpenter and its surface was rough. The tiny silvers of
wood stood up like quills all over it and one of those silvers pierced the Maharaja’s right hand.
The next day infection flared all over the arm. Three famous surgeons were brought from Madras
who have decided to perform an operation which was done well by them and he was dead. Thus,
the hundredth tiger took its final revenge upon the tiger king.
Answer the following questions in 30-40 words (3marks)
a) Why does the narrator call the Maharaja of Pratibandhapuram as the hero of the story?
The narrator calls the Maharaja of Pratibandhapuram as the hero of the story because the story
revolves around the birth, life and death of the king who was ironically killed by a wooden tiger.
b) The manner of the death of the maharaja is a matter of extraordinary interest. Why?
Because the king who made, killing tigers, a habit became callous and meticulous according to
his necessity and safety but he was killed by a wooden tiger which was unexpected. So, the
manner of death of the maharaja is a matter of extraordinary interest.
c) What was the prediction done by the astrologer?
The astrologer predicted that the prince was born in the hour of the bull. The bull and the tiger
are enemies; therefore, the king will be killed by a tiger.
d) How was the king in danger of losing his throne?
A high-ranking British Officer visited Pratibandhapuram. He was very fond of hunting tigers and
be photographed with it. Maharaja rejected the request thinking that other British officers also
may ask for the same and he may lose his kingdom.
e) How did Maharaja save his kingdom? OR Even though maharaja has lost three lakhs he was
able to save his kingdom. Explain.
Maharaja ordered for expensive diamond rings from a famous British company of jewellers in
Calcutta. Fifty rings arrived and Maharaja sent the whole lot to the British officer’s wife thinking
that Duraisani will take one or two and can convince the British in keeping him away from the
thought of hunting and photographing the tiger but she kept all of them. Even though Maharaja
has lost his kingdom he was able to manage to save his kingdom.
f) Maharaja was a callous and meticulous person. Why?
 78

As a result of the prediction Maharaja began to kill innocent animals recklessly without even
thinking about his country and people so he was callous. But when he had completed his target,
he stopped killing tigers and began to take care of the country and people hence we can say that
he was meticulous also.
g) Why had the king to be extremely careful with the last tiger?
Because the astrologer predicted that the Maharaja should beware of the hundredth tiger. The
tiger is a savage beast and one had to be wary about it. So, the king had to be extremely careful
about with the last tiger.
h) Why did the Maharaja ask Dewan to double the land tax?
The Maharaja offered a three-year exemption from all taxes for searching the tigers, the villagers
ran to search and get information but failed and the maharaja got fury and ordered to double the
tax.
i) How was Dewan at a threat of losing his position? How had he managed to save himself?
When the villagers failed in arranging the tiger Maharaja’s fury turned towards Dewan and
Dewan went to a zoo in Madras and brought a tiger which was very old and on Satyagraha.
Maharaja felt happy, aimed at it and shot. Thus, Dewan was able to save his position by
arranging a tiger for the hunt of Maharaja.
j) Was the tiger died because of the shot by the Maharaja? Who actually had killed the tiger?
No, the tiger became unconscious from the shock of the bullet whizzing past. When the men
realized that the tiger was not killed by the Maharaja, they decided that the Maharaja must not
come to know that he has missed his target they could lose their job. So, they took aim from a
distance of one foot and shot the tiger and killed it.
k) What led the Maharaja to start out a tiger hunt?
When Maharaja became sensible of the prediction of the astrologer, he got thrilled to kill the
tigers taking the proverb into practical that ‘You may kill even a cow in self-defence. So, there
could certainly no objection in killing tigers in self-defence and the Maharaja start out on a tiger
hunt.
l) What did the British officer’s Secretary tell the Maharaja? Why did the Maharaja refuse
permission?
The British officer’s Secretary sent a message to the Maharaja through Dewan that the Maharaja
can kill the tiger and the British officer want only to have a photograph of himself holding the
gun and standing over the tiger’s carcass.
m) What does the Maharaja do to find the required number of tigers to kill?
Within ten years the Maharaja was able to kill seventy tigers and found the tiger population
became extinct. He had married a girl of a state which possess a large number of tigers and killed
 79

five or six tigers each time, he visits the country. He also had asked the villagers to search for the
tigers for him.
n) What does the Maharaja do to find the required number of tigers to kill?
The Maharaja got married with a girl of a country where there is a number of tigers and killed six
or seven tigers whenever he visited there. When he found that it is difficult to find the tigers, he
had dismissed many officers from their positions. He also had ordered dewan to double the tax.
o) What will now happen to the astrologer? Do you think the prophecy was indisputably
disproved?
There was a promise given by the astrologer that if his prophecy proved wrong, he would cut his
tuft, crop his hair short and become an insurance agent. No, the prophesy was not completely
disproved but partially it was correct as the king was not killed by an actual tiger but of a wound
received from a wooden tiger.
p) How did the tiger king meet his end? What is ironical in his fate?
The maharaja after killing the hundredth tiger had decided to celebrate the birthday of his son
and bought a wooden tiger as the birthday gift for his son, which was carved by an unskillful
carpenter and the surface of it was rough. The silver projected from it had pierced the maharaja’s
right hand he faced an ironical death as the king who killed ninety-nine tigers was killed by a
wooden tiger.
q) What was the miracle for the chief astrologer? When did it occur?
The miracle for the chief astrologer was that the infant who was born just before ten days had
enunciated the words clearly to say that all those who are born will have to die one day and there
would be some sense in the prediction to tell the manner of death otherwise there is no need of
the predictions about the death of a person.
r) How did the hundredth tiger take its revenge on the tiger king?
The hundredth tiger, shot by the king was actually killed by one of the hunters. In that case
according to Kalki and the readers the wooden tiger is the hundredth tiger. The sliver pierced
into the fingers of the king created an infection which had spread all over the body of the king
became a reason for the death of the king.
s) Why did the tiger king want to kill the hundredth tiger as soon as possible?
The tiger king wanted to kill the hundredth tiger as soon as possible because after completing the
task there will be no need of any fears in mind and he could give up the tiger hunting altogether.
t) What did the royal infant grow up to be?
The Royal infant grow up to be a tall, strong king who drank the milk of an English cow, brought
by an English nanny, tutored in English by an English man, saw nothing but English films
exactly as the all-other crowned princes of all other English states did.
u) How did the tiger king acquire his name?
 80

The tiger King was born in the hour of the bull. The bull and the tigers are enemies therefore his
death may come from the tiger so if he can kill hundred tigers, he may be saved from being
killed by the tigers. So, he began a tiger hunt and from the day of his tiger hunt he issued an
order that the tiger hunting is banned by anyone except the Maharaja and began to be known as
Tiger King.
v) Why was the tiger king worried after killing ninety-nine tigers?
Maharaja was worried after killing ninety-nine tigers because the tiger farms had run dry even in
his father-in-law’s kingdom and it became impossible to find tigers anywhere. If he could kill
one tiger no fear would be left and could give up tiger hunting altogether.
w) How did the worries of Dewan come to an end?
The Dewan and his aged wife brought a tiger from the People’s Park in Madras, and presented in
front of the king. He had fallen into boundless joy and took careful aim at the beast and shot it.
Thus, his worries have come to an end.
x) Why did Maharaja decide to get married?
Maharaja wanted to reach in his aim of killing hundred tigers. There was the scarcity of tigers in
the country after killing seventy tigers. So, he had decided to marry a princess from a kingdom
with many tigers.
y) When did the Maharaja decide to double the land tax?
After killing 99 tigers, the maharaja was left with one more tiger to complete the target of
hundred tigers. The villagers reported him the possibility of the presence of tiger near the village.
The king desperately set out to kill the last tiger but could not find any tiger and he got furious.
So, he had ordered the Dewan to double the land tax.
z) Which problem did the Maharaja face when he had killed seventy tigers? How did he solve it?
The problem that is faced by the Maharaja was to kill thirty more tigers but no tiger was left in
the forests of Pratibandapuram. He solved it by deciding to get married to a princess of a state
with large tiger population.
2Answer the following in 120-150 words (6 marks)
i) Explain the instances of humour in the story:
The story Tiger King is presented with full of humour to make people aware of the general
attitude of people towards animals. The reply of the astrologer to the king that he will cut off his
tuft and crop his hair shortened and become an insurance agent is a funny part of the story. Since
when the maharaja issued the proclamation that the state banned tiger hunting by anyone except
Maharaja and vowed, he would attend all other matters only after killing the hundred tigers there
was celebration time for tigers and the king faced a lot of hindrances. When there came a High-
Ranking British Officer with the wish of killing a tiger and have photograph with that, he replied
that he can organize any other hunt like a boar hunt, a mouse hunt or a mosquito hunt but not a
tiger hunt. When the country was under the crisis of the unavailability of tigers the Dewan and
 81

his old wife had brought an old tiger from the People’s Park in Madras. At midnight when the
town slept, they dragged the tiger to the car and shoved it into the seat and drove the car to the
forest where Maharaja hunts. When they reached there the tiger launched a Satyagraha and
refused to get out of the car and they pushed it down to the ground which was shot by the king.
Overcome with elation, Maharaja left the place ordering to bring the tiger to his palace. But
people found that it was not actually dead but became unconscious as a result of the shock of the
whizzing sound of the missed bullet and one of the hunters had killed it. All these incidents of
the story make it humorous as well as ironical with sarcasm.
ii) The story of Tiger king is a satire on the conceit of those in power. How does the author
employ the Literary Device or dramatic irony in the story?
Dramatic irony is an important stylistic device that is commonly found in plays, movies, theatres
and sometimes in poetry. It means that the audience knows exactly what is going to happen in
the story but the characters in the story will not know it. It is mainly used as an effective tool to
create excitement in the readers. The contrast that is used between characters and situation that
unfolds curiosity. The Tiger King reveals the mentality of autocratic kings who take care of their
selfish interests. The dramatic Irony in the story is where the king celebrates his victory over the
killing of the hundredth. The characters and the readers are aware that he hadn’t killed the
hundredth tiger and the celebration they take as a triumph over his destiny. The king wanted to
prove the prediction of astrologers of his death. Even though the king tried to save his life by
killing ninety-nine tigers and the hundredth tiger considering that it had been killed.by him but
was mistaken. Through this mistake he was inviting his death. The irony behind the story is that
the king who had killed ninety-nine tigers is killed by a wooden tiger. When he was informed by
the astrologers that he will be killed by the hundredth tiger he could never imagine the twist in
his life where a toy tiger could be dangerous for him. So, he was unprepared. He was careless in
confirming whether the hundredth tiger really died or not. It satirizes the corrupting influence of
power because he thought that he can overcome all the forthcomings through his power. He
neglected his responsibility as a ruler and neglected the welfare of his people and increased and
reduced the tax according to his convenience. Here the story teller is satirizing the cowardice and
bravery. There is no heroism and the king was coward when he says that one may kill even a
cow in self- defence.
iii) What is the author’s indirect comment on subjecting innocent animals on the wilfulness of
human beings?
When maharaja has come to know that the tigers are becoming a threat for his life, he had
brought the universal principle of life threats into practice in his life. The principle was ‘You
may kill even a cow in your self-defence.’ Then there could certainly be no objection to killing
tigers in self-defence. This is how the author indirectly comments on Maharaja subjecting
innocent animals on the willfulness of human beings. The Maharaja was thrilled beyond measure
and started a tiger hunt. When he had killed all the tigers completely in his own country, he made
marital alliance to the country where tigers are available to hunt. The scarcity of tigers made him
furious and ordered to double the tax. He has forced the Dewan and his old wife to arrange a
tiger from the people’s park in Madras. The Maharaja aimed the tiger and shot it. He was
contented and elated after completing his target. He had decided to take care of the country and
live peaceful life but the destiny had taken revenge on him bringing the prediction of astrologer
partially true.
 82

iv) How would you describe the behaviour of the Maharaja’s minions towards him? Do you find
them truly sincere towards him or are they driven by fear when they obey him?
The king’s minions were afraid of him and always tried to please him. The astrologer was not
ready to speak about the future but just for the sake of proving himself, he had revealed the truth.
The Dewan was forced to act according to the wishes and interests of the king. Village people
were very much afraid of him and set themselves engaged in searching for the tiger. The royal
hunters were not dared to inform the king that the tiger was not killed by him. They were afraid
that they will lose their job. The shop keeper had taken high amount than the actual price of the
toy tiger because of the fear of the Maharaja. They all were afraid of the punishment which may
be given by him. They were completing all these not because of the sincerity but because of the
fear of punishment or of the loss job and life.
v) The story Tiger King is a satire on the conceit of those in power. How does the author employ
the literary device dramatic irony in the story?
An irony is a technical device used by the authors to raise the power that provides the result
which is opposite in nature. The term satire is meant for having humour, irony and exaggeration
that are used to ridicule the subject as provoking or preventing change. In the story, ‘The Tiger
King’, the king was full of pride. He considered the prediction as false. He had overpowered the
prediction ironically, by killing 100 tigers. It was satirical for the king to face the death by a
wooden tiger. This was an unexpected death of the Maharaja who has killed hundred ferocious
tigers. In the story, the irrational behavior of the Tiger King and his mission to kill hundred tigers
is satirized because he had been told that his death will come from the tiger. Ironically his death
comes from a wooden, toy, tiger that he bought for his son. The story is a replete with irony that
reveals the follies of autocratic and wilful rulers who flout all laws and changes them to suit their
selfish interests. The dramatic irony is sharp where the crowned king was not aware of the
prophesy by the astrologer about him, he is not aware of the hundredth tiger that it was brought
by dewan from the people’s park in Madras and he wasn’t knowing that his bullet had not killed
the hundredth tiger
X----------------------------------------------X
JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE EARTH BY TISHANI DOSHI
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: - Tishani Doshi (9 th December 1975) is an Indian poet and dancer in
Chennai, to a Welsh mother and Gujarati father. She received an Eric Gregory Award in
2001.Her first poetry collection,’ Countries of the Body’, won the 2006, forward Poetry Prize for
first best collection.
Summary: - The narration speaks about the journey done by the narrator, to the coldest, driest,
windiest continent of the world Antarctica. She has started her journey in a Russian research
vessel named Akademic Shokalskiy, from 1309, degree north of the equator in Madras and it
involved the crossing of nine time zones, six checkpoints, three bodies of water and at least as
many ecospheres. She travelled 100 hours in combination of a car, an aeroplane and a ship to
reach to Antarctica and her first emotion was relief followed by wonder to imagine how there
could ever have been a time when India and Antarctica were part of the same landmass.
 83

PART OF HISTORY: Six hundred and fifty million years ago, a huge, blend of Southern Super
Continent Gondwana, centered roughly around the first day Antarctica. At that time things were
quite different and humans hadn’t arrived on the global scene and the climate was quite warmer
having a huge variety of flora and fauna. For 500 million years Gondwana flourished but as a
result of the changes in the climate and vegetation, when the dinosaurs were wiped out and the
age of the mammals got underway, the landmass was forced to separate into countries shaping
the globe into the present condition. Now, a visit to Antarctica is to be a part of history. It is
important to understand the importance of Cordilleran folds and Pre- Cambrian granite shields,
Ozone and carbon evolution and extinction. It is mind boggling to imagine India pushing
northwards jamming against Asia to buckle its crust and form the Himalayas; south America
drifting off to North America, opening up the Drake passage to create a cold circumpolar current.
As a result of it Antarctica turns very cold, deserted of inhabitants and at the bottom of the world.
The narrator felt, for a sun worshipping South Indian like herself two weeks in a place where 90
percent of the Earth’s total ice volumes are stored, is really a chilling experience and beyond
imagination for all functioning. She felt it just as walking into a giant Ping-Pong ball without
trees billboards or buildings, only to experience occasional avalanche or calving ice sheet.
HUMAN IMPACT: Human civilisation began to exist for 12,000 years and according to the
geological clock this is only few seconds. In this duration of time, human beings have created
huge destruction to the earth expressing their ability in making, villages, towns, cities and
megacities. Rapid increase in human population forced human beings to battle with other species
for limited resources. The burning of fossil fuel in an unlimited quantity, created a blanket of
Carbon dioxide around the world increased the average global temperature. The present
contesting debate is climate changing with a question whether the West Antarctic ice melts
entirely, or will the Gulf Stream Ocean current be disrupted? Will it be the end of the world?
Ultimately Antarctica remains a crucial element. Not because it is the only place in the world
which has never sustained a human population but because it holds in its ice cores half-million-
year-old carbon records trapped in its layers of ice. According to the narrator if we want to study
and examine the earth’s past, present and future, Antarctica is the best place. The narrator was
working on the programme, ‘Students on Ice ‘with Shokalskiy by taking high school students to
the end of the world providing them with inspiring educational opportunities which will help
them with new understanding and respect our planet. It began for six years headed by Canadian
Geoff Green offering the future generation of policy makers a life changing experience at an age
when they are ready to absorb learn and act accordingly. Due to simple eco system and lack of
bio diversity Antarctica is the perfect place to study the little changes that creates big
repercussions. Best example is Phyto plankton which nourishes the entire southern ocean’s food
chain, using the sun’s energy to assimilate carbon and synthesis organic compounds processes
called photosynthesis which is warned by scientists about the possible disaster on earth. The
metaphor that reveals through this is that take care of the small things and the big things will fall
into place.
WALK ON THE OCEAN: The narrator says that the journey done in Antarctica is full of
miracles but the best she felt was at 65.55 degrees that the Shokalskiy got stuck and the captain
asked them to climb down the gangplank and walk on the ocean. They began to walk on the ice
in one meter thickness and 180 meters of living, breathing saltwater. At the outskirts they were
able to see the crab eater seals taking rest on ice like stray dogs take rest under the shade of a
banyan tree. As a conclusion the narrator says that after travelling nine zones, six checkpoints,
 84

three bodies of water and many eco- spheres, she was wondering about the beauty of balance of
the earth. She puts a question that how it would be if Antarctica become the warm place that it
was used to be. After spending two weeks with a bunch of teenagers with an idealism to save the
world, she says that a lot can happen in a million years so the difference that the efforts of a day
can make is very important.
Answer the following questions in 40-50 words
a) How do geological phenomena help us to know about the history of human kind?
The geological phenomenon of separating various continents and water bodies from the
landmass talks about the age of existence of human race on the earth. Human race was
impossible on the earth before because the environment was not favourable.
b) What are the indications for the future of human kind?
The future of the human kind can get in danger if the emission of carbon dioxide and other
poisonous gases decrease in the environment and deplete the ozone layer to allow the ultra violet
rays to enter the environment to cause rise in temperature giving rise to the phenomenon called
global warming.
c) ‘The world’s geological history is trapped in Antarctica’. How is the study of this region
useful for us?
The study of this region gives an us information into the world’s Geological history. It gives an
idea about how the earth was like before it drifted into continents and countries, and how slight
changes in the climate can change the shape of region.
d) What are Geoff Green’s reasons for including high school students on ‘Ice Expedition’.
He wanted to provide them the opportunity to develop the respect and understanding for the
earth and wanted the future policy makers to experience how difficult it would have been for the
earth to sustain life in rising temperature.
e) ‘Take care of the small things and the big things will take care of themselves’. What is the
relevance of this statement in the context of the Antarctic environment?
It shows that a small change in the environment can give rise to drastic developments the
microscopic grass called phytoplankton, undergo the process of photosynthesis and prepare food
for number of living beings in the water bodies. If we take care of such small things, lives can be
sustained in large degree and the depletion of the earth can be protected to some extent.
f) Why is Antarctica, the place to go to, to understand the earth’s present, past and future?
It gives us an idea about the formation of various masses on earth. The melting and colliding of
the ice give an insight about the future of the earth and the ice folds in Antarctica with carbon
records speaks about the past, present and future of the earth.
X-------------------------------------------------X
THE ENEMY BY PEARL.S. BUCK
 85

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: -Pearl Sydenstricker Buck (June 26 1892 – March 6, 1973) also
known in her Chinese name Sai Zhenzhu, was an American writer and novelist. She won the
Nobel Prizes in 1932 and in 1938, Pulitzer Prize and Nobel prize in Literature respectively. She
was the first American woman to receive Nobel Prize for Literature. She was born in West
Virginia and became a voracious reader as well as writer along with her teaching career.
SUMMARY: - The story ‘The Enemy’ is written in the background of World War. Dr. Sadao
Hoki, a Japanese doctor, after his father’s death had settled in his house which was built on a
spot of the Japanese coast whereas a little boy he had often played. The low square stone house
was set upon rocks just above a narrow beach which was outlined by Pine trees. In his childhood
his father used to take him to the islands of seas and tell him that those islands are the stepping
stones to the future of Japan and the stepping stones begin from where an individual make it.
Sadao had taken this as serious and did everything his father said. His father never joked or
played with him but spent infinite pain upon him who was his only son. As Sadao knew that his
education is his father’s only concern, he had completed his studies in Surgery and Medicine
from America and at the age of thirty, before his father’s death he became a famous Scientist and
Surgeon by perfecting a discovery which would render wounds entirely clean. As the war was
going on he hadn’t been sent to the war front with the troops as the old General was in need of
Medical Treatment. It was an evening a cloudy and misty evening, when he was remembering
about the hospitality of the American Professor when he was in America where he met his wife
Hana, he happened to see something black come out of the mists. It was a man who flung out of
the ocean, staggered a few steps and fallen down. Sadao and Hana ran towards him and found
him covered with sand on one side had already became a stain of red soaking with blood. He was
a white man and unconscious. Expert fingers of Sadao began to search for the wound on the
body of the man and found a gun wound on the right side of his lower back. The flesh there was
blackened with gunpowder which was a clear evidence that the man was wounded only
sometimes before. Sadao packed the wound with sea moss. For a moment they thought of putting
him back to the sea. They knew that if they shelter a white man in their home, they would be
arrested. The man was recognized as a prisoner of war, by them with the help of the letters
written on the cap that is ‘U.S. Navy’. After a long time, discussion, they took him to their home
by taking the risk of harbouring an enemy in their home. Their decision had been taken wrongly
by the servants and they have decided to stop their service in his home as they were afraid of the
punishment that may be forced to face by them. Sadao had started his surgery of the enemy in his
father’s room which was traditionally set for the memory of his father, after his father’s death.
Hana began to feel uncomfortable and began to vomit outside. Sadao felt impatient as he was
helpless to go and help her. He always kept the professional philosophy taught by his American
professor, “Ignorance of Human body is the surgeon’s cardinal sin”. After his expert surgery he
has taken the bullet out and made sure that the man had crossed the dangerous zone of his life.
While observing the piteously thin face of the POW, Hana remembered the stories that she read
in the newspaper about the cruelty of General Takima. She remembered that the General, who
used to beat his wife at home cruelly, would surely cruel to a POW. On the seventh day all the
servants left home and in the afternoon a messenger came to inform Sadao that the old general
wants to meet him. Sadao informed General about the whole story that had happened and how he
had managed it. General had promised him to send assassins to kill the enemy as he cannot
punish Sadao who is having the responsibility of saving the life of diseased General But for two
three days nothing happened and finally Sadao himself had found a solution for his mental
torture that he was facing by saving the enemy soldier. He had arranged a boat in which
 86

necessary things were set and sent the man to the islands with an instruction that if he is in need
of food or any other, he should give two flash from the torch light provided by him and a single
torch light every day to show him that he is still there in the island. Later Sadao had informed the
General who had been operated by him that the POW had escaped. At night while standing at the
veranda, he remembered, the Professor at whose house, he had met Hana, and his wife a talkative
woman. He also had remembered his old Anatomy Professor who had been so insistent on mercy
with the knife. Then he remembered his Landlady in America who had nursed him when he was
suffering from influenza. Living in a country where there is a lot of prejudice in the minds of
natives, is really a difficult task. He had justified his act of saving the POW, considering the
hospitality that he had received in America, being Japanese.
Answer the following questions in 30-40 words (3marks)
a)” Those islands yonder, they are stepping stones to the future for Japan. “What is the
significance of these words in the story The Enemy?
Islands are considered to be the stepping stones of development because nobody can limit future,
it depends on what and how we make it. Sadao had taken this into his mind and did everything
according to what his father said.
b) What was the inspiration received by Sadao from his father and how was he influenced of it?
Sadao had taken all his father’s words into his mind. His father never joked or played with him
bit spent infinite pains upon him as he was his only son. Sadao knew that his education was his
father’s chief concern. This was the spirit that made him not only a famous surgeon but also a
scientist who perfected in the discovery of cleaning wounds.
c) Explain the hospitality received by Hana and Dr. Sadao from the American Professor.
The Professor and his wife had been kind people and anxious to do anything for the foreign
students. It was in their house that Sadao met with Hana and decided to marry her with the
permission of his father. He remembered that even though the wife of the professor was so
voluble and food was so bad his life in America had given what he wanted in his life.
d) Why was Sadao in a dilemma?
The wounded soldier with yellow hair who had been found wounded was recognized as an
American. It was against his patriotism that if he treats an American soldier as he was Japanese.
But a doctor’s duty began to pinch him and forced him to act according to the medical ethics.
Hence, he was in a dilemma whether to treat an enemy soldier or not.
e) What was the condition of the enemy soldier?
Sadao began to search for the wound on the body of the enemy soldier with his expert hands and
found a gun wound on the left side of his lower back and the flesh was blackened with powder.
The blood was flowing at his touch on the wound and he was unconscious.
d) What made Sadao impatient?
 87

Sadao heard Hana retching in the garden but his inconvenience to go near her at once made him
impatient and irritable with the patient. This is where he found himself in dilemma whether he
was doing the right thing in treating the patient creating inconvenience to his own family.
g) What is the impression formed about General Takima throughout the story?
The deep red scars confirm her apprehension. Through the words of Sadao about the sufferings
of prisoners in war and also, he beats his wife cruelly. With all these aspects it is clear that if he
is so cruel to a woman, he would be quite cruel to a woman.
h) What was the reaction of Hana on seeing the surgery done by her husband?
The sight of blood made Hana choke and her pale face made Sadao impatient and spoke sharply
asking her not to faint. He also added, if he stops treating him, he would die.
i) ‘I must get rid of this man for your sake’, Said Sadao. Why did he want to get rid of that man?
He wanted to get rid of that man because he was a threat for himself and his family. Even though
he had saved the life of the wounded soldier, as a patriot he had done his duty informing the
general about the presence of the soldier in his home to get rid of the burden.
j) What happened when Sadao, searched for the wound on the body of the POW?
The blood flowed freshly at his touch and a gun wound was found on the right side of his lower
back, the flesh there was blackened with powder.
k) What do you know about the time in which Sadao met the enemy soldier?
It was late in the evening that usually no one would come through that way. The fishermen
would have gone to their homes and even the chance beach combers have left considering the
day at an end.
l) What did Sadao do immediately after finding the wound on the body of the enemy soldier?
He was in a dilemma on what could be done with the man, at the same time, his trained hands
packed the wound with the sea moss to block the bleeding from the body of the enemy.
m) What were the worries that disturbed them about managing the man’s life?
It confused them to think if they sheltered a white man, in their house, they would be arrested
and if they turned him over as a prisoner, he would certainly die. Sadao felt that that if the man is
alright, he would have handed him over to the police.
n) What did Sadao and Hana felt when they have lifted him up?
When they lifted the man, they felt him very light like a fowl that had been half starved for a
long time until it is only feathers and skeleton.
o) In whose room did they carry the man? How was the room set and why?
 88

They have carried the man to the empty bedroom of Sadao’s father which was not used since his
death. The room was set in a traditional way with deeply matted floor, as Sadao’s father never
preferred to sleep or sit on other than on the mattress spread on the floor.
p) What was the immediate action required for the enemy?
The utter pallor of the man’s unconscious face made Sadao to stop for moment and feel his pulse
which made him to feel that the man will die. His pulse was faint but was not stopped. He put his
hand against the man’s cold breast and found that the heart was not stopped.
q) Why didn’t Hana want to stay alone with the man?
Hana doesn’t want to stay alone because he was the first man whom she had seen since she left
America and she felt like the man doesn’t have any connection with those whom she met in
America. According to her he was a menace, an enemy and she was least bothered whether he is
dead or alive.
r) What were the immediate reactions of the servants at home about the presence of an enemy at
home?
The two servants were frightened at the news about the enemy that they have heard from their
master and the old gardener who was also a house servant pulled the few hairs of his upper lip as
a sign of rejection.
s) How did Yumi react on the order that is given by Hana?
Hana told Yumi, the maid servant to fetch the hot water and bring that to the room where the
white man was. She went ahead and slid back the partitions, put down her wooden bucket and
went over to the white man and seen that his thick lips folded themselves into stubbornness. She
said that she never has washed a white man and will not wash him as he is very dirty.
t) How did Hana clean the man?
Hana had taken the knotted rugs that are kept covered. She dipped the small clean towel that
Yumi had brought into the steaming hot water and washed his face carefully. The texture of his
skin made her to feel that he must have been very blond when he was a child. She kept on
washing him until his upper body was quite clean.
u) How did Sadao find that the wound is so deep?
He felt so because the bleeding was not superficial and the man had lost a lot of blood. His
expert hands of a surgeon made him to understand that the wounds are so deep and serious.
v) How does Pearl.S. buck describe the young man who awoke from his unconscious stage after
surgery?
The narrator describes that the young man woke so weak, with terrified blue eyes when he had
come to know where he was. Hana felt sorry for him and began to nurse him by herself without
the help of any of the servants.
w) What is the description given about the old gardener?
 89

The old gardener worked with flowers in all his life and had been a specialist in moss. He swept
the bright green carpet with moss so that not even a leaf or a pine needle marred the velvet of its
surface.
x) What were the thoughts that stood as a question mark, in the mind of Hana?
There were the areas in Hana’s mind that she herself could not understand that what makes her
not to feel angry at the enemy. She couldn’t analyze it whether it is a sentimental liking of the
prisoner even though he was a great trouble in their home.
y) How did Sadao take care of the man?
Every day he examined the wound carefully. After removing the last stitches, Sadao made it sure
that the man would get alright as he was before he got wounded.
z) What were the two things that happened on the seventh day of Sadao’s letter to the Chief of
the Police?
After making sure about the recovery of the man Sadao had typed an unfinished letter, to the
Chief of the Police and put that into a secret drawer of his desk. In the morning of the seventh
day of it, the servants left together by tying their belongings in large cotton kerchiefs. In the
afternoon the second thing happened while Hana was working in the kitchen, she saw a
messenger came to the door in official uniform, to inform Sadao that the Old General is in need
of his assistance.
aa) What Did the General say when he heard about the presence of the POW at Sadao’s house?
He replied that he is worried about the response of the people as he had a degree from Princeton,
which may make Japanese to think that he is partial to Americans and at the same time he had
expressed that he is sure that Sadao can save anyone as he is skilled very much. He also had
promised him that there will be no harm to him for the same.
bb) What were the preparations arranged by Sadao for the POW to escape?
Sadao had arranged his boat with food and extra clothing, instructed him to row to the nearest
Island where nobody lives as there is the possibility for it to be submerged in storm. He advised
him to live there until he sees a Korean fishing boat pass by and if he is in need of any other
things, he can signal him with two flashes of the torch light in the evening, before it gets dark.
Answer the following in 120-150 words (6 marks)
1 To choose between professional loyalty and patriotism was a dilemma for Dr. Sadao. How did
he succeed in betraying neither?
Dr. Sadao who got inspired by the words of his father, that nobody can limit other’s future,
became a famous surgeon according to his father’s wish and a scientist who can clean and cure
wounds. When he had seen the wounded soldier, he had fallen into a conflict between his duty as
a doctor and a patriotic citizen. As a professional he had overcome with his prejudice and
retained his loyalty to profession. He had treated the wounded soldier and skillfully removed the
bullet from
 90

his body and taken care of him during his recovery period. Dr. Sadao can be called as a patriot
because he had informed the General about the POW who is staying in his house and his
treatment. The General has promised him that he will send assassins to kill the man and save
Sadao from the possible punishment. Without any reluctance he had agreed and accepted the
decision of the General, and believed him, even though the General hadn’t kept his promise.
Hence it is proved that Dr, Sadao was in a dilemma in taking decisions.
2 What was the general’s plan to get rid of the American Prisoner? Was it executed? What traits
of the General’s character are highlighted in the lesson ‘The Enemy’?
Being a dutiful doctor Sadao waited until his patient get alright. After confirming his recovery,
Sadao went to the general and informed about the enemy who is staying in his house. The
reaction of the General was expressionless. He seemed to be in a dilemma. Dr. Sadao was the
only surgeon whom he believed, can do his surgery without complications. So, it became his
necessity to save Sadao. So, he has promised him to send private assassins to murder the enemy
soldier. Sadao left General’s presence thinking that all his problems will be solved with the
decision of the General. Sadao slept badly that night because of the thought that he may hear the
rustling of footsteps; the sound of twig broken or a stone displaced in the garden or a noise such
as men might carry the enemy who has become a burden for him by that time. But in the
morning, he found him sleeping peacefully. He waited again the second night for the matter be
done and listened to the sound bending boughs and whistling partitions in wind. Next morning
also it was the same that the man was in the room. So, he found that the words given by the
General are not executed. This trait of General shows that he was a man of self-absorption,
selfish, cruel with no human consideration.
3 Explain the reactions of Dr. Sadao’s servants when he decided to give shelter to an enemy in
the house.
When the servants of Sadao had come to know about the enemy who took shelter in their
master’s home, they expressed their open defiance. They denied in serving him and didn’t enter
the room where the POW was under treatment. They have decided to leave the house where an
enemy soldier is under shelter. They began to doubt the loyalty of their master towards the
country. Yumi, the nurse of their child refused to clean the enemy soldier when she was asked to
do it. They were careful in showing courtesy towards their master but their eyes were cold in
reaction towards the orders that are given by their master and mistress. The old gardener who
was serving the family from the time of his father also was sore that Sadao had not let the young
man bleed and die. The cook, Yumi, the old Gardener and all other servants have decided to
leave the family deserting them for the punishment that may be possibly punished. In short, the
duty that was carefully done by Sadao to save the enemy soldier was mistook by his servants and
all of them deserted the family leaving them for destiny.
3 “The duty of a doctor beckoned Dr Sadao in helping the injured soldier.” But what made his
wife Hana empathies with him in the face of open defiance from the domestic staff?
Dr. Sadao compulsion of duty forced him to follow the ethics of a doctor. According to Sadao
and his profession, the enemy soldier was treated as a needy patient who should be treated in
emergency. As a doctor it was emergency for him but for Hana there was no such compulsion.
Being a dutiful wife, she supported the decision of her husband. The first
 91

and foremost reason was that Hana was sympathetic towards the POW by seeing his innocent
face. The next reason was her wifely compulsion of her pledge supporting the husband. There is
a mother in every woman who is instinctively supporters not destroyers. An educated woman
always gives importance for the logical reasons and its assessment. In the story The Enemy,
Hana is justifiably sympathetic towards the prisoner of war. This is the same sympathy that the
vehement objections and defiance of the servants that made her to be more caring towards the
POW.

nk again and she loved him very much.

t) Jo wanted her father to make changes in the story which was not done by him. Why?
Jack did not make any changes in the story because he was defending his own mother saying that
eventually all animals got
used to the foul smell of Roger Skunk and played with him without minding it.
u) What is the excuse given by Jack for not to make any changes in his story?
The excuse given by him was that the little skunk loved his mommy more than he loved all the
other little animals as his
mother knew what was right. He was defending his own mother through the presentation of
Skunk’s mother to make a
justification of the humiliation from other children that he had suffered when he was a small
child.
v) What is the description given about the scene of down stairs in Jack’s home?
Clare had spread the newspapers to keep the opened paint can. She was wearing an old shirt of
his, on top of her maternity
smock and was stroking the chair rail with a dipped brush. He had observed the wood work, a
cage of moldings and rails
and baseboards all around them.
w) What is the moral issue that the story raises?
The moral issue that the raises is that parents know what is best for their children and demands
unquestioning obedience,
goodness and decency from their children with all its originality.
x) How does Jo want the story to end and why?
x---------------------------------------------------x
 92

ON THE FACE OF IT BY SUSAN HILL

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: -Susan Hill born on 5 th February 1942 is an English author of fiction
and non-fiction works. She was appointed The Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
In the 2012 Birthday Honours for Services to Literature.
SUMMARY: - The play On The face of it deals with the problems that are faced by the disabled
people and presents the idea that the disabled people will have to be encouraged to change their
tension or feelings. It does not matter what we look like but the upliftment of a disabled man
matters a lot. The play starts with the entry of Derry, a young boy of fourteen into Mr Lamb’s
garden. He looks ugly as he has a burnt face with acid. He has become defiant and withdrawn
due to his disfigured face. He does not want to face the people with his ugly face. Derry enters
the garden by climbing over the wall. He walks quietly through the garden and gets scared when
Mr Lamb speaks to him. He makes him conscious about the crab apples that are fallen among the
fallen leaves. Derry hesitates to continue there as he got panic about the presence of an
unexpected man in the garden and gets ready to go away from there. Mr Lamb asks him not to
leave as he does not mind anybody comes to the garden. He keeps the gate always open. He
advises him to enter through the gate than climbing over the garden wall, as it is always open.
Derry expresses his disappointment over the attitude of the people towards him and even his
mother kisses him on the other side of his face. He even points out that Mr Lamb can wear a
trouser and hide his tin leg which lost in bomb shell. Mr Lamb reminds Derry a fairy tale of the
Beauty and the Beast in which the princess kisses the beast who in turn changes into a handsome
Prince. Derry realises that a man is not what he looks like but what he really is. Derry says to Mr
Lamb that he heard two women speaking about him at the bus stop. Mr Lamb speaks about the
bees in his garden. Some people like their buzzing while others hate. He says that he considers
that as music because of his different attitude. Derry says that people stare at his face so he
avoids them. Mr Lamb narrated a story to him. Once upon a time there was a man who always
afraid of being run over, getting infected or meeting with some accident. So, he locked himself in
a room. A picture fell on his head and he died. Derry says that his family says that what will
happen for him if he doesn’t have their support. Mr Lamb doesn’t agree with him. He encourages
him saying that he has got two arms, legs, eyes, ears, a tongue and a brain. He can do anything
sometimes better than anyone else. Mr Lamb says that he sits in the sun and reads books; he likes
windows open, to hear the wind. He also added that he has a lot of friends everywhere. Derry
wonders how a person whom he meets for the first time can be his friend. He says that there are
some people he hates but Lamb says that hatred would do him more harm than any bottle of acid.
Acid only burns our face but hatred can burn us away inside. Derry says that he can help him but
he wants to inform his mother that where he would be since she will be worried. Lamb says that
people never come back. Derry goes back to his house and tells everything to his mother and
informs his wish to go back to lamb’s garden and stay with him. His mother warns him that he is
a stranger and Derry would not be happy with him. Derry runs away and reaches to the garden
where he found that Mr Lamb had fallen down there from the ladder and lying still.
Answer the following in 40-50 words (3 marks)
a) How does Mr. Lamb react when Derry enters his garden?
Mr. Lamb, being open hearted, broad minded, and welcomed Derry to his garden. He was happy
to welcome someone to his garden to talk to in his loneliness and treated him as a friend.
 93

b) What kind of garden does Mr. Lamb have? Why does he like it?
The gates of Mr. Lamb’s garden always remained open to welcome everyone. Many people
come to his garden to speak to him. It was a great solace for him in his lonely life. He used to sit
in the garden to enjoy the warm sunlight.
c) What were the remarks done by people of the face of Derry? OR Why was Derry afraid of?
Derry was afraid of the remarks that were done by people on his face. They may say about his
face that it is bad, terrible, ugliest thing that they have ever seen. Anybody who meets him used
to say ‘poor boy’. This made him to feel that anybody would be afraid of seeing him.
d) What terrible complex does Derry suffer from?
Derry was in a terrible complex that he feels inferior to everybody that others turn their faces
against him commenting it as bad, terrible, ugliest. A type of fear began to overrule his
confidence which overshadowed his all activities.
e) Do you think Derry’s attitude towards life would have been different if he had been lame
instead of having a burnt face?
Derry’s attitude would have been different if he had been lame instead of having a burnt face
because he believes that he can hide his leg with clothes but cannot hide his face. Even though it
would have been difficult for him to carry out, he would have been much more confident than
the present condition.
f) Do you think that through the buzzing and humming of bees the author wants to tell us that the
life treats us the way we treat it?
The author speaks through the words of Mr. Lamb that the humming of the bees is called as buzz
but it depends on how a person receives it. Mr. Lamb says that he hears that as music, a
humming which means singing. It shows that he wants convey that our life treats us as we treat
it.
g) How does Mr. Lamb manage his livelihood?
When the weather becomes favorable, Mr. Lamb plucks the crab apples with the help of a ladder
and a stick. He makes jelly and other things which help him to carry on his life. Even though his
health is not favorable he tries to make it favorable.
h) What had happened for Derry’s face?
Derry had got an acid burn on his face through which it burned not only his face but also it
burned him completely. The acid ate his face and him completely because his life had been
completely got changed that it began to move without any difference.
i) How did Mr. Lamb express his positive attitude towards Derry?
Mr. Lamb asked him to join him in plucking the apples and make jelly. He also added that he is
interested in anybody and anything created by God. Through this he wants convey that whatever
made by God are beautiful and nobody can find fault or reject anything or anybody.
 94

j) How does Mr. Lamb explain his attitude towards the world metaphorically?
The things that are seen by Derry as grass and weeds are seen by Mr. Lamb as a weed garden in
which there is fruit, flowers, trees and herbs. He doesn’t find any difference in all those. Those
all are growing plants green in color, same as all human beings.
k) How does Mr. Lamb compare himself with Derry?
He compares himself with Derry that he is old with a tin leg and sitting whereas Derry is young,
with a burned face and standing there. He says that there is no difference between them that both
of them are having inabilities as his leg is blown off years back and children call him as Lamey
Lamb whereas Derry’s face was burned with acid and people ran away from him.
l) Briefly describe the story that was narrated by Mr. Lamb to bring the confidence level of Derry
up.
Mr. Lamb had said to Derry that if anybody is afraid of anything anybody can lock him or
herself up in a room and never leave it. Then he narrated that once upon a time there was a man
who was afraid of everything in this world. He was afraid that a bus might run over him, a man
might breathe a deadly germ onto him, or a donkey might kick him to death or lightning might
strike him down, or he might love a girl and the girl would leave him or he might slip on a
banana skin and people would laugh on him. So, he went on to his room, locked it and got into
his bed, and stayed there. A picture fell off the wall on to his head and he died. Mr. Lamb wanted
to prove that there is no place to hide in this world with fear.
m) “It’s not what you look like but what you are inside” Explain
When Mr. Lamb spoken about beauty and beast Derry replied that it is not what you look is
important but the internal beauty. He has cleared it with the example of Beauty and the Beast that
when the princess kissed him, the beast turned into a handsome Prince who was hiding behind
the appearance of the monstrous.
n) How did Derry react when Mr. Lamb said that he feels pain when his tin leg comes off?
Derry replied that Mr. Lamb must think about the miseries of others because there are people,
who are blind, deaf or have to live in a wheelchair or lead a life of senseless condition.
According to Derry, Mr. Lamb is far better in his condition.
o) What were the bad experiences that Derry faced?
One day a woman went by him in the street, looked at him and said to the other woman to look at
his face that only a mother could love as it is really a terrible face, which was so cruel from the
part of them to speak about a young boy in his presence.
p) Why didn’t Derry like to meet people?
Derry didn’t like to meet people because he feels that people stare at him when they are afraid of
him. People talk about him, when he is not there. He also says that they speak each other that
what is going to happen for him when they are not there and how he is going to get on with his
face which had a mark of acid burn.
 95

q) How did Mr. Lamb try to bring Derry’s confidence up?

He said to him that he has two arms, two legs, two eyes and ears, a tongue and a brain. He can do
anything like the way in which he wants. He added by saying that if he focusses his mind to it, he
could get on better than all others.
r) What was the complaint done by Mr. Lamb about his condition?
Mr. Lamb said that he cannot run anywhere as others or Derry. When he goes down the street,
the kids shout calling him Lamey – Lamb but they come to his garden as they were not afraid of
him as he was not afraid of them.
s) What was the promise done by Derry to Mr. Lamb?
Derry promised that he is going to take permission from his mother to stay with Mr. Lamb. He
also added that he can run as he has got a leg and come back
t) What is it that draws Derry towards Mr. Lamb in spite of himself?
The positive attitude and the inspirational words used by Mr. Lamb attracted Derry very much as
he never has experienced such a friendly hospitality from anybody in the world. He was inferior
about his face but the words of Mr. Lamb inspired him which is turned into confidence.
u) Where does Mr. Lamb display signs of loneliness and disappointment? How does he try to
overcome these feelings?
Mr. Lamb displays signs of loneliness and disappointment when he speaks about his tin leg and
loneliness. He tries to overcome these feelings by listening the music of the buzzing of bees and
speaking to the people who come to visit him.
v) If you were to give a different ending to the story ‘On the Face of It’ how would you end it?
In my opinion there shouldn’t have a tragic end of the story instead, Mr. Lamb should have
awakened from his unconscious stage and continued to live with the support of Derry. Derry
should have got inspired by the words of Mr.
Lamb and both of them should have spent a life of supporting each other.
w) What is the irony in the play?
The irony in the paly ‘On the Face of It’ is that Mr. Lamb tried to bring the moral of Jackson up
but before bringing all his promises to Derry into practice, he passed away leaving him to
manage all his promises alone.
x) What is the description given by Derry to Mr. Lamb about his idea about Mr. Lamb?
He said that Mr. Lamb is like any other person that he considers him as a boy and at the same
time he thinks that he had a bad, terrible and ugliest face as Derry himself gets afraid of his face.
y) What are the habits of Mr. Lamb?
 96

He likes to talk, have company and listen the music of the bees in his hive. He also like to sit in
the sun, read books.
z) Why doesn’t Mr. Lamb like curtains?
Mr. Lamb doesn’t like curtains because he doesn’t like to shut things. He likes light and darkness
and windows open to hear the wind.
Answer the following questions in 120-150 words (6marks)
1 Both Derry and Lamb are physically impaired and lonely. It is the responsibility of Society to
understand and support people with infirmities so that they do not suffer from a sense of
alienation. As a responsible citizen write in about 120-150 words what you would do to bring
about a change in the lives of such people?
Derry is a character who is entirely inferior to society and people due to acid burn mark on his
face. Mr. Lamb is a person who is highly positive about life and carries out life with a tin leg.
Both the characters deserve support and compassion. Derry who wants to keep himself away
from people wishes to hide himself from all the opportunities where he may meet people. In the
play Mr. Lamb tries his maximum to be a support and bring him mentally up. He becomes
successful in changing his mind to some extent. Like other human beings all should have a mind
to support and be considerate. Mere sympathy never can bring the morale of a person up but
encouragement, and empathy can support such people. So, the best way is to treat them as equals
and better than others. It’s the duty of each person to encourage them to take part in all activities
and should advocate inclusive education in the schools were other children study i.e., not in a
separate school. Campaigns for social acceptance will have to be arranged to raise hope and
encouragement for the empowerment physically impaired and lonely people.
x--------------------------------------x

MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD BY ZITKALASA AND BAMA

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: - Zitkalasa was a writer, Editor, Musician, teacher and a political
activist She wrote several works in native American stories to a widespread white readership.
Bama had her early education in her village. Her writings focus on caste and gender
discrimination. The lesson Memories of childhood speaks about the discrimination faced by both
the writers in different time and places.
SUMMARY: - THE CUTTING OF MY LONG HAIR BYZITKALASA: -Zitkalasa who had
come from quite a different culture and stream felt the land of apple as very cold. She found that
the ground is covered with snow and the trees were without leaves due to winter. She heard the
ringing of the large bell for breakfast. She felt annoyed to hear the clatter of shoes on bare floors,
the constant clash of harsh noises of murmuring etc. A pale face woman with white hair and
placed them in a line She observed that the Indian girls, in stiff shoes, closely clinging dresses
were having shingled hair. She felt them as immodestly dressed. The boys came from the other
side and she recognized three of them who had come for their party. As she was feeling
uncomfortable a small bell was tapped and each of the students drew a chair from under the
 97

table. She assumed that this bell is for being seated. She pulled out her chair and sat at once and
the rest of the students remained standing. Just as she began to rise, looking shyly around, a
second bell was sounded. All were seated and she alone stood and crawled to the chair with great
shy in mind. She observed that the paleface woman was looking at her as all the other hung their
faces to the plates. A third bell rang and every one picked up their fork and began to eat. She was
not able to do anything other than crying. This eating by formula was not the hardest because her
friend Judewin said to her that the paleface woman was saying about cutting their long hair. She
remembered that her mother had taught her that only unskilled warriors who were captured by
the enemies were shingled their hair by the enemies and short hair was meant for mourners and
shingled hair for cowards. Judewin said that they have to submit or obey them as they are strong.
Zitkalasa said that she will not submit and decided to go in hiding. All her regular usage were
changed to the Indian style of dressing and shoes. She found a large room with three large beds
and the windows were covered with dark green curtains which made the room dim. She entered
into the room and hidden in the dark corner of the room. The loud voices were heard calling her
and she recognized the voice of Judewin but she did not reply. After sometimes they all entered
in to the room. Someone removed the curtains and found her They dragged her out while she was
trying to scratch and kick them widely to resist the attack but it was of no use. They have caught
her dragged her and carried her downstairs, tied her on chair and began to cut her hair. She cried
loudly in vain. She felt it as a kind of discrimination in a strange land and was feeling that she
had been treated in an undignified way, since she has been separated from her mother
WE TOO ARE HUMAN BEINGS BY BAMA: - Bama describes about her experience when she
was at the age of three years. She used to spend thirty minutes to one hour, to reach home, even
though there is only ten minutes required to reach home. She used to observe the performing
monkey, the snake charmer’s performance, the cyclist who had not off his bike for three days,
the spinning wheels, the Maryada temple, the cooking of Pongal in front of the temple, the dried
fish stall by the statue of Gandhi, the sweet stall, the stall selling fried snacks and all the other
shops were so attractive for her. One day as he was walking back from school, she watched the
hard work of the people, driving cattle in pairs round and round to tread out the grain from the
straw. She stood for a while and happened to see an elder man of her street walking in a different
fashion with a wrapping of paper catching on the string. She thought if he catches the packet so,
won’t it be undone and vadais may fall down. The old man walked to the land lord and given the
packet to the land lord. The land lord began to eat the vadais. At home she narrated the story of
the old man to her elder brother and she laughed a lot. Her Annan did not laugh and said to her
that she should not laugh on him because he was forced to catch the packet so as they consider
them as untouchables. She also added that the land lords are upper castes and were worried
whether the vadais will be polluted by them by touching on it. When she heard that she was
terribly sad. She began to question herself how could it be possible as the vadais were wrapped
in banana leaves and then paper bags. She felt to touch those vadais straight away. She thought
that the land lords are having money and they think that they had some money and not necessary
to have human feelings. She questioned why they should carry the vadais for them. Her brother
narrated her another occasion that he was returning back from the library in their neighboring
village. She was walking along the irrigation tank. One of the landlord’s men stood in front of
him. He was unfamiliar to him as he was studying in the university collage, and enquired about
him in a respectable way, addressing him as Appa and when he came to know about the area and
name in which he lives he began
 98

to address him as thambi in an irrespective way. Knowing the street made him aware of his caste
and found him untouchable. Annan said that they have born in such community that they are
never given any honor or dignity or respect, they are bounded of all those but if they study and
cross all boundations they can overcome all indignities. He also advised her to study with care
and learn all she can. If she is always ahead in her lessons people will come to her and try to be
friendly with her. The words of her Annan that work hard and learn made a deep impression in
her, she studied well, stood first in her class and as a result of that many people became her
friends.
a) Why was Zitkala-Sa in tears on the first day in the land of apples?
The new environment was a cultural shock for her. Unknown language, strict regimen which is
unknown to her like eating by formula, squeaking shoes and the news about cutting her hair were
the different factors that forced her be in tears.
b) How did Zitkasla-sa’s first day in the land of apples begin?
Zitkasla-sa’s first day in the land of apples began with a lot of confusions. Her incapability in
understanding the system made her to cry. It was quite different from her own culture.
c) How did Zitkalasa try to resist from cutting her long hair?
She has decided not to submit herself and hidden under the bed. She has bitten them and
scratched with nails to save her hair but she was not successful on her effort.
d) What was the advice given by Annan to his sister?
Annan said that all types of discriminations in society are taking place due to the absence of
education. Only an educated person can expect respect from society so he advised her to study
well to keep herself away from all the discriminations in society and reach into a respectable
place.
f) In India, the so-called lower castes have been treated cruelly for a long time. Who advised
Bama to fight against this prejudice, when and how? OR Bama’s experience is that of a victim of
the caste system. What is her response to the situation?
Ans: - The character Bama in the story Memories of childhood Is a victim of social
discrimination. When she had realized about it, she discussed her experience on the way that she
met an old man who was carrying vadais for his landlord. Annan, Bama’s elder brother
explained her reason for him to behave so. He said to her about the behavior of higher-class
people to the untouchables. She felt so provoked and angry that she wanted to touch those
wretched vadais herself straightaway. The thought of treating such a respectable person of the
race made her infuriated. She agitated as she felt sorry and miserable. Annan said to her that they
are born in the community of untouchables and never received honor, dignity or respect. Annan
advised her to study hard. He said that education is the key to honor, dignity and a reason to
overcome the bias shown in the society towards untouchables. She followed the words of her
brother which had left deep imprint in her mind; she studied swell, stood first in class and made
many friends.