Class 12 Board preparation For English-Tips to score good marks with practice papers Section C

SECTION: C : TEXTBOOK

FLAMINGO (POETRY)

Poem. 1 MY MOTHER AT SIXTY SIX by KAMALA DAS

Summary:

· The poet is driving from her parents home to Cochin by car, her mother by her side—sleeping –

open mouthed very pale, colorless and frail-like a dead body indicating that her end was near.

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· The poet looks at her and feels intense pain and agony to realize that soon death will cast her

mother from her.

· Tries to divert her mind, looks outside at the young trees and happy children bursting out of

their homes in a playful mood (a contrasting image)

· After the security check at the airport looked again at her mother’s face—pale and cold.

· “Familiar ache-My childhood fear” –the poet has always had a very intimate and close

relationship with her mother and she has always felt the fear of being separated from her

mother hence it is familiar.

· The poet reassures her mother that they will meet again

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS : Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow.

1. “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 looked as old as she was

But soon put that thought far away.”

a) Where is the poet at present?

The poet is on her way from her ancestral home to Cochin Airport ,travelling by a

car with her aged mother dozing off leaning against her body.

b) How does the poet describe her mother?

The poet describes her mother as old, pale, cold and senile. As she dozed off beside

her, the mother looked almost like a corpse, for her face was colorless and seemed

to have lost the colour and vitality of life.

c) Who does ‘she’ refer to in the last line? What thoughts had she driven away?

‘She’ here refers to the poet, Kamala Das. She wanted to put the haunting thought of

parting with her mother away.

d). Explain the expression’…. Pain that looked as old as she was…’

Her pain about losing her mother is as old as she was. The poetess wants to

express the idea that the pain / fear was haunting her since her child hood.

2. “… but soon

put that thought far away, and looked out at young

trees sprinting, the merry children spilling

out of their homes…”

a) What was the poet ‘looking’ at? What did she notice?

The poet was looking at her mother. She noticed the mother’s ashen and almost

lifeless face distraught with pain.

b) What thought did she try to drive away?

She tried to drive away the thought of her mother’s approaching death.

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c) Why did the poet start ’looking out’? What does her gesture suggest?

The poet started looking out of the window because she wanted to drive away the pain

and agony she experienced on seeing her aged mother. She wanted to drive away her

helplessness in the wake of her mother’s ageing and approaching death.

d) What did the poet see from the window of the car?

The poet saw young trees running past her car and merry children sprinting out of

their homes to play.

e) What did the images of ‘young trees’ and ‘merry children’ symbolize?

Trees and children symbolize the spring of life, its strength, vigour and happiness

which contrasts with the lifelessness and helplessness that sets in with age.

3. “ 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”

a) Who is ‘I ’ and why is she at the airport?

‘I’ is the poet Kamala Das here and the poet was at the Cochin airport waiting to board

the plane to Kolkota.

b) Who does ‘her’ here to? How did she look like?

’Her’ here refers to the poet’s aged mother. In her declining stage of health , the mother

looked pale, cold like a corpse and like a colourless, dull later winter moon.

c) Why does the narrator ‘look at her again’?

The narrator looked at her mother once again for the last time before she left to

reassure herself about the well being of her mother. She had tried to drive away the

pain she had felt on seeing her weak and aged mother. It was a look of reassurance to

meet her again , of anxiety and fear that it would be her last meeting .

d) Explain: ’wan, pale as a late winter’s moon’.

In this simile, the poet similarises the mother’s pale and withered face to the late winter’s moon.

Winter symbolizes death and the waning moon symbolizes decay. Just like the winter loses its

magnificence and brightness in winter covered and dimmed in fog and mist, the thick cover of

the winter of old age has made the mother weak, pale, withered, inactive and spiritless.

4. “ and felt that old

familiar ache, my childhood’s fear,

but all I said was, see you soon, Amma,

all I did was smile and smile and smile.”

a) What ‘familiar ache’ did the poet feel?

The ‘familiar ache’ refers to the poet’s fear of losing her mother and the realization that she has

not cared and cannot care for her ageing mother. It is an ache of helplessness. It is also a fear of

separation from the mother or the mother’s death.

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b) What could have been the poet’s childhood fears?

I think the poet’s childhood fear was that she would lose her mother or be separated from her

and that death would consume her mother.

c) Did the poet share her thoughts with her mother?

The poet did not share her fears and agony with her mother. She only bid good bye to her with

the hope of seeing her soon.

d) Why do you think, the poet did not share her thoughts with her mother?

I think the poet did not share her thoughts with her mother because they were caused by her fear

of the unknown. Sharing them with the mother would have worried the frail old woman to death.

e) Why did the poet only ‘smile’?

The poet only smiled to hide her guilt, anxiety and fear of the unknown. Also, she wanted to bid a

cheerful farewell to her mother before boarding the flight, giving a hollow promise wrapped in a

meaningless smile..

QUESTION AND ANSWERS

1. What is the kind of pain and ache that the poet feels?

When the poet looks at her mother’s face she found that it had become pale and withered. She

realized that her mother was at the edge of her life and her end was near. The thought that her

mother would be soon separated form her caused unbearable pain and ache in the poet’s heart.

2 What does the poet do to shrug off the painful thought of her mother’s approaching end?

To get rid of the painful thought her mother‘s nearing end ,the poet shifter her attention from her

mother’s pale face to the sprinting trees and the happy children spilling out of their house.

3. Why does the poet draw the image of sprinting trees and merry children?

Sprinting trees and merry children bursting out from the doors suggest fresh life and warm energy,

vitality , youthfulness, spirit etc.. The poet draws this image to strikes a scene of contrast with the

pale, dull and withered face of the mother at the declining stage of her health.

.

4. Why have the trees been described as sprinting?

The poet was driving in a car along with her mother. Her movement created the visionary, illusion

of the trees outside appeared to be sprinting past.

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

The late winter moon lacks luster. The mothers face was pale and withered. Moreover, the late

winter moon suggests the end of season and mother too is nearing the end of her life, therefore

the poet compares her with the late winter’s moon.

6. What is the ‘familiar ache’?

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The fear of losing her mother has tortured the poet from her very childhood because she had been

intimately bound up with her. Therefore this ache is familiar to her.

7. What do the parting words of the poet and her smile signify?

The parting words of the poet reflect the poet’s pain , frustration, guilt andhelplessness . But she

wears a smile on her face to mask her pain and to give hope, happiness and reassurance to her

mother.

AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOM IN A SLUM -BY STEPHEN SPENDER

GIST OF THE POEM

· In this poem the poet focuses on the theme of social injustice and inequalities.

· He presents the pathetic and miserable picture of the elementary classroom in a slum.

· These children have pale and lifeless faces.

· They are like rootless weeds which are uncared and unwanted with their disorderly hair

torn around their faces.

· They are depressed and oppressed with the burdens of life and keep their heads down.

They have stunted growth.

· They inherit the diseases of their father.

· Some of them do have dreams. A sweet young boy is sitting at the back of the dim

classroom. He is dreaming of a squirrel’s game in the trees and probably other

interesting things.

· The walls are dirty and creamy and on them are hung the donations given by the rich

and also Shakespeare’s portrait.

· A civilized dome found in the cities and Tyrolese valleys with beautiful flowers are also

put up.

· The map on the wall shows the children, the beautiful world outside; but for these

children of the slum it is meaningless.

· The children studying in these schools do not have the means to go and explore the

world. For them what they see through their classroom windows, the narrow street

and the lead sky is the world.

· Shakespeare is wicked for them as he has written only about the rich, beautiful world

tempting them to steal.

· The map is of no interest to them because it does not reflect the world they live incramped

and dark lanes.

· Their lives start in darkness and ends in utter darkness.

· They are undernourished and their poverty has distorted their vision as they spend

their whole time in foggy slums.

· The poet feels that the map which shows beautiful and exotic places should be

replaced with slums as it is not the world they live in.

· Unless the governor inspector and visitor play a vital role in bringing about a change,

their lives will remain in dark.

· The slum children will be able to peep through the window only when the gap

between the two worlds is bridged.

· They should break the barriers till they come out of the dirty surroundings and their

world should be extended into the green fields, golden sands and bright world.

· They should have the freedom of expression and their outlook be broadened.

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· For, only the educated and learned people can create history whose language has

strength and power.

SOLVED QUESTIONS

1. “Unless, governor, inspector, visitor,

This map becomes their window and these windows

That shut upon their lives like catacombs.”

(a) Why does the poet invoke ‘governor, ‘inspector’ and ‘visitor’?

The poet invokes the ‘governor, ‘inspector’ and ‘visitor’ because they are the powerful people who

can bring about a drastic change in the miserable lives of the slum children. They can remove the

social injustice and class inequalities.

(b) What does ‘this map’ refer to? How can it become ‘their window’?

This map refers to the beautiful world of the rich. Their window refers to holes and the stinking

slums of the unfortunate children of the slum. This can become their window only when the

difference between the two worlds is abridged.

(c) What have ‘these windows’ done to their lives?

These windows have cramped their lives, stunted their physical and mental growth shutting them

inside filthy and dingy holes, keeping them away from the vast world of development and

opportunities .

(d) What do you understand by catacombs?

Catacombs are long underground graves. Here they stand for the dirty slums which blockin which

the slum children are confined.

(e) Which literary device has been used here ? Explain.

Simile has been used here to describe the oppressive effect of the surroundings on their pathetic

lives. The slum walled in against the world of opportunities and development is similarised to

catacombs.’

Answer the following in 30-40 words.

1. What is the theme of the poem?

This poem deals with the theme of social injustice and class inequalities. The poet presents it by

talking of the two different and incompatible worlds- the world of the rich and the civilized and

the world of the poor and the deprived. This gap can be bridged by the administrative authorities

and through education.

2. ‘So blot their maps with slums as big as doom’. What does the poet want to convey?

The poet is angry at the social equalities in the world. There are two worlds – the dirty slums and

the prosperous and the beautiful world of the rich. The poet wants the map of the world should

also have blots of slums as big as the ‘doom’. In reality he wants the gap to be reduced.

3. ‘History is theirs whose language is the sun’. Explain.

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This statement means that those who have the courage and conviction to break free from the

constraints of life are the ones who create history. One can make a mark only if one can outshine

others. Education only can give them power and strength like the sun which will bring about a

change in the lives of the people.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

B. Read the stanza and answer the questions that follows:

”Surely, Shakespeare is wicked, the map a bad example,

With ships and sun and love tempting them to steal-

For lives that turn in their cramped holes

From fog to endless nights.”

i) Name the poem and the poet

ii) Why has Shakespeare been described as wicked?

iii) Why is the map a bad example?

iv) What tempts them to steal?

v) How do the children continue to live?

vi) Explain: ‘From fog to endless night.’

C. Read the stanza and answer the questions that follows:

“The stunted, unlucky heir

Of twisted bones, reciting a father gnarled disease

His lesson from his desk. At the back of the dim class

One unnoted , sweet and young. His eyes live in a dream

Of squirrels game, in tree room, other than this.”

a) Who is being referred to in the first two lines?

b) Explain ‘father’s gnarled disease’.

c) Who sit at the back of the class? How is he different from others?

d) Explain his eyes live in a dream?

e) What is the comparison drawn with squirrels game?

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What is that these children inherit from their parents? What does it signify?

2. How has the poet described the colour of the wall and why?

3. The poet presents two different worlds. What are they?

4. What picture of the slum children does the poet draw?

5. Where does the poet see hope and relief?

6. What does the poet mean by saying, ‘Let their tongue run naked into books’?

7. How does the poet bring to light the brutalities of slum life

8. Explain ‘Open handed map, awarding the world its world’.

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9. In what way are the slum children unsung fighters?

10.How does the poet see the children as victims of social injustice?

KEEPING QUIET - BY PABLO NERUDA

GIST OF THE POEM

· The poet talks about the need of silence and quiet introspection and the importance of

quietude and calmness. He also talks about creating a feeling of mutual understanding among

human beings.

· The poet asks us to keep still and count up to twelve. He also asks us to sit still. For a moment

we should not speak any language. We should not move our arms so much.

· It will be a moment of complete silence without rush or worry. This would be an exotic

moment.

· Then a sudden strangeness will prevail which we will all enjoy. It will be bliss.

· The fisherman would not harm the whales on the cold sea. Even the man gathering salt would

stop working and look at his hurt hands and reflect at the pain and harm his strenuous task has

caused him.

· All kinds of wars must be stopped at once. The green wars against the environment, wars with

poisonous gases, firearms, must be stopped at once.

· People who are all the time preparing for wars leaving no survivors behind ought to find time

to wear clothes and walk around with their brothers strengthening the message of peace and

brotherhood.

· At the same time the poet cautions not to confuse stillness with total inactivity. Life is an

ongoing process and should not be associated with death. It is to be lived with positive

attitude.

· He does not want us to ruminate over death.

· But he feels that if for once we do not focus ourselves single-mindedly to keep our lives moving

but do some introspection or spend some time in silence doing nothing, we can understand

ourselves better and escape from the threatening calls of death.

· The earth can teach us a lesson how everything comes to a dead end and comes to life again.

· In the same manner a quiet introspection can bring all evil thoughts to an end and bring in a

new life of peace and tranquility.

· Now the poet will count up to twelve and they should keep quiet and he will go.

SOLVED QUESTIONS

1. Read the stanza and answer the questions that follows:

“Fishermen in the cold sea

Would not harm whales

And the m an gathering salt

Would look at his hurt hands.”

a) What is ‘fisherman’ symbolic of?

The fisherman symbolizes man’s indiscriminate exploitation of nature for his vested interests.

b) What will happen when fishermen do not harm whales?

The whales will be no longer on the verge of extinction.A sense of co-existence can go into

the minds of people.

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c) What has happened to the man gathering salt? What must he do?

The man gathering salt has injured his hands. He must take care of his hurt hands and should

realize that his actions are self-destructive.

d) What would happen in this moment of silence?

He will become conscious of the harm causing to others and to themselves and will work towards a

better tomorrow peace , co-existence, mutual understanding and harmony.

e) What image does the poet create in the last line?

He creates the image of incessant suffering. In his effort to add comforts to his life he has paid no

heed to the pain that caused him.

2. Read the stanza and answer the questions that follows:

” Perhaps the earth can teach us

As when everything seems dead

And later prove to be alive

Now I’ll count up to twelve

And you keep quiet and I will go.”

a) Who can teach us and what?

The earth can teach us.The Earth can teach us how new life emerges from the ashes of the dead

remains. Likewise quiet introspection will enable us to live a life of peace and harmony.

c) Why does the speaker count up to twelve?

It is a part of initiation in meditation. All distractions and digressions are washed away and man is

in a moment of bliss.

d) Explain-‘you keep quiet and I will go’?

The poet wants us all to keep quiet and experience the moment of realization and peace. He will

go and pass on the message to another group of people.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Pablo Neruda urge us to keep still?

Stillness is necessary for reflection and quiet introspection. We can hear the voice of our

conscience and thus withdraw ourselves from undesirable actions and contribute to create a

society of peace and mutual understanding.

2. ’Under the apparent stillness there is life’. Justify.

The poet does not want to equate stillness with total inactivity. Under the apparent stillness there

is life. We can learn it from the earth when everything seems dead, the earth still remains alive.

The life on earth goes on under the apparent stillness.

3. Why do men become sad? How can this sadness be overcome?

Men fail to understand themselves. They are always threatening themselves with death. When

they do not understand themselves they become sad. A long silence might interrupt this sadness

and make them good.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

C. “What I want should not be confused

With total inactivity

Life is what it is about

I want no truck with death.”

1. What is the desire of the poet?

2. What does ‘total inactivity’ imply?

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3. Why does the poet say that he does not want his wish to be confused with total inactivity?

4. Explain-‘I want no truck with death’.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

1. Why shouldn’t we speak any language and move our arms so much?

2. How does the poet distinguish ‘stillness’ from ‘total inactivity’? Explain.

3. “I want no truck with death.” Explain.

4. What are the various wars mentioned? What is the result of these wars?

5. What would be the result of quietude?

6. What is the ‘exotic moment ’mentioned in the poem and how can we achieve it?

7. According to the poet, why should not we speak in any language?

8. What has man single-mindedly focused on and to what effect?

A THING OF BEAUTY By JOHN KEATS

GIST OF THE LESSON

· The Poet, John Keats says that beautiful things will never become ‘nothing’ as they will

continue to hold us in their spell and sooth our soul.

· Every beautiful thing is like a band that ties us to this earth as it makes us want to live and

enjoy these things of beauty.

· And these things of beauty, according to the poet, are the things that give hope to human

beings and make them want to live, in spite of all the sorrow, ill-health and unpleasant experiences

that we face on earth.

· Some of the beautiful things on this earth that have such an effect on us are the sun, the moon,

trees, streams, flowers, forests, beautiful monuments that we have erected for the dead, all

the lovely tales that we have heard or read.

· Finally he compares all these beautiful things to the immortal drink (of perenniality)or nectar

given to us by gods or gifts of God. Thus he states his firm belief in the Divine.

Solved Questions

“yes , in spite of all,

Some shape of beauty moves away the pall

From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon ,

Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon

For simple sheep: and such are daffodils”

a. What does ‘in spite of all’ refer to?

The expression refers to all the pessimistic and negative thoughts that obstruct our way to

happiness. In spite of the sense of hopelessness and gloom that overshadow and darken our way,

we are able to find our happiness in the beautiful objects on nature.

b. What , according to the poet , drives away the sadness from our life?

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Beauty, in shape or form, helps in driving away the sadness and despair from the dark recesses of

our spirit.

c. What does the reference ‘simple sheep’ symbolize?

Lambs and sheep are envisioned as the embodiments of innocent and serene beauty. Jesus Christ,

as an apostle of peace, was a shepherd and was seen surrounded by his flock of sheep , his

followers. The poet has made specific reference to the sheep as symbols of ‘divine beauty’.

Short Answer Questions:

(a) What according to Keats are the things that cause suffering and pain?

The poet says that a scarcity of good-natured people or in other words the wicked people

outnumber the good people. And the source of all our sorrows is either ill-health or another

human being.

(b) What makes human beings love life in spite of all the suffering?

Answer: The poet says that the beautiful things on earth lifts the pall off our spirits and make life

worth living. Each beautiful thing is like a link that forms a chain or wreath that binds us to this

earth.

(c) Why does the poet say ‘mighty dead’?

Answer: Monuments are erected in memory of people who were mighty or great when they lived.

Physically mighty as in mighty warriors or mentally might as in great poets, writers or philosophers.

Their tombs provide inspiration for the living through their beauty just as their works continue to

do.

Questions for practice:

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, and a sleep

full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing

Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing

A flowery band to bind us to the earth.”

a. What is the special virtue of a beautiful thing?

b. How does it bless us?

c. Explain the expression “A bower quiet for us”.

d. What do we do everyday?

2. “the mid forest brake,

rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;

and such too is the grandeur of the dooms

who have imagined for the mighty dead;

All lovely tales that we have heard or read;

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An endless fountain of immortal drink,

Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.”

a. What do you mean by ‘brake’? Where does it grow? What makes it all the more

beautiful?

b What do you mean by ‘the grandeur of the dooms’?

c.“All lovely tales that we have heard or read” Explain

d.What is the source of the beauty of nature? What is its effect on us?

3. “Some shape of beauty moves away the pall

from our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,

trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon

for simple sheep; and such are daffodils

with green world they live in; and clear rills

that for themselves a cooling covert make

‘against the hot season; the mid forest brake

Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms”

a. What type of beauty and its effect are mentioned here ?

b. What sprouts a shady boon for sheep and how?

c. How do ‘daffodils’ and rills enrich the environment?

d. What makes the mid-forest brake rich?

Short answer Questions

1. How do we wreathe a flowery band?

2. Why do human beings suffer or what depresses the human soul?

3. What does Keats mean by the ‘grandeur of doom’?

4. Mention 4 things of beauty listed in the poem?

5. How do we bind ourselves to the earth every morning?

6. Why and how is ‘grandeur’ associated with the mighty dead?

7. What is the source of the ‘endless fountain’ and what is its effect?

8. What is the message of the poem/what philosophy of life is highlighted in the poem?

A ROADSIDE STAND BY ROBERT FROST

Gist of the lesson

· Roadside stand by Robert Frost is concerned with human tragedies and fears. He focuses on the

rural-urban divide and presents the lives of the poor deprived people with pitiless clarity and

with the deepest sympathy and humanity.

· The dwellers of the little house by the roadside put up a little shed in front of their house as they

wanted to earn a little extra-money but not for making their living.

· The rural people wish to feel some real money that supports the commerce of the cities.

· The shed was painted artlessly and stood out which made the passers-by irritated at having the

beauty of the landscape spoilt.

· The traffic flowed ceaselessly or if ever they stopped, they felt out of sorts on seeing ‘N’ and

‘S’ written as their mirror images.

· The Stand sold wild berries and golden squash for sale.

· The owners of the shed felt cross when nobody wanted to buy anything

· The poet feels that the implications of the unstated facts are more pathetic.

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· The government announces schemes to allure such people and house them in villages that are

near to the theatre and the store, to reap benefits for their own selfish needs.

· And the social workers and politicians enforce their decisions by alluring them and destroy their

ability to earn their living, thus stripping them of all dignity and their voice

· The poet is overcome with pain at the thought of the people waiting in vain for the vehicles. If

ever any vehicle stops, it will be to ask for directions, take a u-turn, and enquire about the price

or to ask if they sell gas.

· But the country people have never felt the extra-money in their hands and they complain about

it.

The poet wonders if it wouldn’t be better if they were put out of their agony at one stroke but

then wonders if someone offers the same solution to his pain, how he would feel. Killing is not

the solution to the problem.

Solved Questions:

1. “It is in the news that all these pitiful kin

Are to be bought out and mercifully gathered in

To live in villages, next to the theatre and the stone,

Where greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of prey

Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits

That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits,

And by teaching them to sleep all day,

Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way”.

a) What is in the news?

It is in the news that the poor are to be relocated to better surroundings near the theatre and

the shops.

b) Which word in the verse means the same as ‘generous’ in the above lines?

‘Beneficent ‘

c) Who is going to exploit the rural people and how?

The politicians and the Government exploit the poor by offering them benefits that are

supposed to solve their problems but in reality only add or pose problems of a different nature

thereby making them feel cheated.

d) How will the greedy good-doers soothe the rural poor out of their wits?

By offering them free benefits like housing and other facilities, they rob the poor of their voice

to protest and lull them into a feeling of false security.

e) Who is referred to as beasts of prey and why?

The politicians in power and in opposition and they make no difference in the conditions of the

rural poor.

Questions for Practice

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 roadside stand that too pathetically pled,

It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread,

But for some of the money, the cash, whose flow supports

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the flower of cities from sinking and withering faint,

The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead,

Or if ever aside a moment, then out of sorts”.

a. Where was the shed made?

b. Why did they put up the shed?

c. Why is the cash import for the cities?

d. Why didn’t the polished traffic stop at the roadside stand?

e. What does ‘polished traffic ’ mean?

2. “Of all the thousand selfish cars that pass,

just one to inquire what a farmer’s prices are.

And one did stop, but only to 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. Explain ‘Selfish Cars’.

b. What did the car-owners generally do not bother about?

c. Why do people generally stop there?

d. What made the rural people feel ‘cross’?

Short answer questions

1. Why did the country folk put up the roadside stand?

They put out a stand to earn some extra money to improve their lives.

2. Why are the good-doers said to be greedy?

The good-doers work not for the real welfare of the poor but to further their own greed.

Offering false promises to the poor people , they are feeding on them.

3. Why do cars stop at the roadside Stand?

The car-owners stop at the roadside stand to inquire about the prices, to turn the car around,

ask for directions or ask for gas.

4. What was the attitude of the city folk who passed by the ‘Roadside Stand’?

The city folk were indifferent and callous towards the plight of the rural folk., never

sympathized or helped them , but accused them of spoiling the beauty of the country side.

Questions for Practice

1. How did the country folk react when they knew why the passers-by had stopped?

2. What was the plea of the folk who had put up the roadside stand?

3. Why does the poet call their longing as ‘childish’ and why?

4. Why are the country folk always low in spirits?

5. What kind of life do the rural folk lead?

6. How and why do the good-doers soothe the poor out of their wits?

7. What would give great relief to the poet?

8. Is the poet serious about the suggestion he offers to put the people out of their suffering?

9. How did the people feel when they knew they have been exploited? How and why?

10. What is the ‘childish longing’ that the poet refers to ? Why is it ‘vain’?

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11. What , according to the poet , contributes to the progress and affluence of the cities?

12.How does the poet criticize the city ways?

13. What is the complaint of the country fold against the party in power?

AUNT JENNIFER’S TIGERS By ADRIENNE RICH

SUMMARY OF THE POEM:

· The poet is a feminist and she addresses the difficulties of a married woman.

· She spends good amount of time in embroidering panel of tigers prancing across the screen.

· The tigers are fearless creatures pacing elegantly and majestically. They symbolize the spirit of

freedom. Aunt is a victim of male chauvinism (male domination).

· Aunt Jennifer is so oppressed and terrified that she finds it hard to pull the needle.

· The “weight of Uncle’s wedding band “expresses how victimized and oppressed she is. It

implies that aunt Jennifer has to work hard to meet his expectation.

· She spends her life in fear but she embroiders on the panel the fearless tigers to express her

secret longing for a life of freedom and confidence.

· Even her death does not end the problem and torture which a married woman experiences..

SOLVED QUESTIONS

1.”Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen,

Bright topaz denizens of a world of green.

They do not fear the men beneath the tree:

They pace in sleek chivalric certainty.”

a) What does the expression ‘Aunt Jennifer’s tigers imply?

Aunt Jennifer was embroidering a panel of prancing tigers. The poet refers to the tigers as Aunt

Jennifer’s tigers because they are her creation, her work of art.

b) What does ‘prancing tigers’ symbolize?

Prancing tigers are a symbol of the spirit of freedom within Aunt Jennifer which remains subdued.

They also symbolize her fear of her male counterpart.

c) Why are they referred to as ‘denizens of a world of green’?

The tigers are the dwellers of the green forest so they are referred to as denizens.

d) What qualities of the ‘tigers’ are highlighted here?

Fearlessness and ferocity of the tigers are highlighted here. Aunt Jennifer’s nervousness and

timidity are in sharp contrast to wild ferocity of the tigers who are not afraid of hunting men.

Unlike Aunt Jennifer, the tigers fear nothing.

e) Explain; “They pace in sleek chivalric certainty”.

The movement of the tigers is sleek, stealthy, sure, majestic and elegant. They are sure of their

purpose. Gallant and confident, they move ahead fearlessly and undeterred

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) Why do Aunt Jennifer’s fingers flutter through her wool?

Aunt Jennifer lives in constant fear of her chauvinist husband. She feels so nervous and terrified

that her hands shake and flutter when she sits down to knit.

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b) Why does she find it hard to pull the ivory needle?

Confronting constant fear and bearing the constraints of married life , she has become a nervous

wreck. She finds it difficult to pull the ivory needle through the tapestry more because of mental

suppression than because of physical weakness.

c) Explain: ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’.

The expression is symbolic of male authority and power. Matrimony binds the woman physically as

well as mentally, clipping her of her freedom of expression and independence. Likewise Aunt

Jennifer is trapped in gender oppression and feels herself burdened by the authority of her

husband.

d) How is Aunt Jennifer affected by the ‘weight of matrimony’?

Aunt Jennifer cannot do things freely, she tries to come up to the expectation of her husband, she

seems to have lost her identity. The freedom that she dreams of through her art is itself symbolic

of her oppressed self.

3.”When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie

Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by.

The tigers in the panel that she made

Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid.”

a) What is Aunt Jennifer’s death symbolic of?

Aunt Jennifer’s death is symbolic of her complete submission to her suppression.

b) Explain: “terrified hands”.

Aunt Jennifer is terrified by her dominating husband and hence her hands are shivering.

c) What does ‘ringed with ordeals’ imply?

Aunt Jennifer has been so victimized in her life that even after death she remains trapped in the

struggles of the spirit. Though we do not know what terrors Aunt Jennifer had to live with relatives

did, we find her a victim of gender injustice and oppression.

d) Is the society in any way affected by Aunt Jennifer’s death?

Since the society is male dominated, it shows no concern for Aunt’s suffering, even her death. The

loss of her freedom is her individual loss. The society is not affected by it and the state of women

still remains the same.

e) Explain: “the tigers in the panel….will go on prancing, proud and unafraid”.

The expression is symbolic of the dispassionate and unconcerned attitude of the male towards the

desire for freedom among women. Even after her death, the social milieu remains unaffected,

arrogant and ferocious.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTION S

1. How do Aunt Jennifer’s tiger look like?

The tigers, made by Aunt Jennifer on the screen, are jumping and playing about without any fear of

the men beneath the tree. They walk in elegance and style displaying the spirit of courage,

fearlessness, strength and confidence.

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2. What do the tigers made by the Aunt symbolize?

The tigers made by Aunt Jennifer symbolize the spirit of courage, strength and fearlessness Aunt

Jennifer, a victim of male oppression, expresses her crushed feelings in the form of art. So, the

tigers are symbolic of the fear of male domination with which Aunt Jennifer suffers.

3. Why do you think Aunt Jennifer’s hands are fluttering through her wool? Why is she finding the

needle so hard to pull?

Aunt Jennifer is victimized by the overbearing and dominant nature of her husband. Her life has

become a torture due to her suppression by her atrocious husband. The fear of her authoritative

husband has gone so deep into her being that she seems to have lost all strength and energy. Thus

her hands shake and flutter so much that she is not even able to pull the needle through the

tapestry.

4. What do you understand by “massive weight of uncle’s wedding band”?

Generally ‘wedding band’ is a symbol of joy and happiness. But in case of Aunt Jennifer, it has

become a symbol of torture and oppression. Her relationship with her authoritative husband has

become a painful burden to carry. Her ‘wedding band’ has brought her a world of pain, misery and

torture. She has lost her freedom and entered a world of humiliation and oppression.

5. Explain ’her terrified hands will lie, still ringed with the ordeals she was mastered by’.

These lines convey Aunt’s complete submission to the oppressive authority of her husband. The

fear of her husband has gone so deep into her being that even death cannot liberate her from the

chains of her mental suppression. Memories of her husband’s tortures and atrocities which bent

her into a humiliating slavery will continue to haunt her even after her death.

6. Explain ‘The tigers in the panel------------proud and unafraid.’

Here the tigers symbolize the unquestioned authority of man enjoyed by him over his woman

counterpart. The lines suggest the dispassionate and unconcerned attitude of the male towards

the desire for freedom among women. Here, Aunt Jennifer tries to find an escape in her art but

ends up portraying an image of her own suppression. While woman can never free herself from

the oppressive authority of her male counterpart, the male, on the other hand will go on enjoying

his authoritative arrogance and ferocity without any fear of regrets.

Questions for Practice:

1.What ideology does the poem propound?

2.How is the poem a forceful expression of the evil of patriarchy?

3The tigers are contrasting symbols. Do you think so? How?

4.Wht ordeals do you think Aunt Jennifer is surround by?

5.Why do you think Aunt Jennifer created animals tht are so different from her own character?

6. What impression do you form about the Uncle in the poem. Cite evidences.

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FLAMINGO (PROSE)

THE LAST LESSON by Alphonse Daudet

–

GIST OF THE LESSON

· Franz is afraid of going to school as he has not learnt participles.

· He wants to enjoy beauty of nature. The bright sunshine, the birds chirruping in the woods,

Prussian soldiers drilling but resisted.

· Bulletin board: all bad news, lost battles, the drafts and orders of the commanding officers:

wondered what it could be now

· The changes he noticed in the school.

- Instead of noisy classrooms everything was as quiet as Sunday morning

- The teacher does not scold him and told him very kindly to go to his seat

- The teacher dressed in his Sunday best.

- Villagers occupying the last benches- To pay tribute to M. Hamel for his 40 yrs of sincere

service and also to express their solidarity with France.

· M. Hamel making the announcement that that would be the last French lesson; realizes that,

that was what was put up on the bulletin board.

· Franz realizes that he does not know his own mother tongue

· Regretted why he had not taken his lessons seriously.

· Also realizes the reason why teacher was dressed in his Sunday best and villagers sitting at the

back.

· M. Hamel realizes that all three, the children , the parents and he himself are to be blamed for

losing respect and regard for the mother tongue.

· Always keep the mother tongue close to your heart as it is the key to the prison of slavery.

· Atmosphere in class: teacher teaching sincerely and patiently, students and others studying

with utmost sincerity.

· Franz wonders sarcastically if Prussians could force pigeons to coo in German.

· M. Hamel overcome with emotions could not speak and wrote on the black board “Long Live

France”.

SOLVED QUESTIONS:

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. What was the narrator’s greatest fear as he moved towards the school?

Franz had started late for school and thus was afraid of being scolded . His fear gripped him further

for he was also unprepared. He had not learnt his lesson regarding the rules of participles and thus

dreaded the teacher’s anger.

2. What was more tempting to Franz rather than going to school?

The weather was pleasant, warm and bright. The chirruping birds were inviting him, the soldiers

drilling in the field were also outdoors and Franz was not prepared with participles.

3. What was the news which was put up on the bulletin board?

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For the last two years all bad news – the lost battles, the orders of the commanding officer was

displayed on the notice board. That day, the news that only German would be taught in school of

Alsace and Lorraine was displayed on the notice-board which made the crowd gather there to read

the news.

4. What was so unusual about the school on that day?

Usually there would be a great bustle of opening and closing of the desk, lesson repeated loudly

and the teacher’s ruler rapping on the table but that day was very calm and quiet like Sunday

morning. The back benches which were usually empty were occupied by the village people and M.

Hamel wore his special dress and was pacing up and down with a ruler under his arm.

5. Why were the villagers seated on the back benches?

All the village elders were seated on the back benches as a tribute to the teacher who had put in

40 years of sincere service. It was also their way of expressing regret for not learning their mother

tongue when they had the chance. They were also expressing their patriotism and solidarity with

France

6. Franz didn’t learn French whom did M. Hamel blame?

M. Hamel didn’t blame Franz for not learning but his parents who were not anxious to have him

learn. Instead they wanted him to work on a farm or at the mill to earn money.

Even M. Hamel was also to be blamed for sending him to water the flowers instead of learning and

when he wanted to go fishing he declared holiday.

7. What did M. Hamel say about French language?

He said that it is the most beautiful language in the world- the clearest, the most logical. He

requested them to guard it so that they can be united and fight back for their freedom.

8. What happened when the church clock struck 12?

The moment the church clock struck 12 the Prussian army came to take over and M. Hamel stood

up, wanted to tell something but his voice was chocked. He gathered his strength and wrote on the

black board as large as he could – ‘Vive La France’ and dismissed the school.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Justify the title of the story “The Last Lesson”.

Value Points

People always feel there is plenty of time to learn—so also in Alsace—now no time—parents not

keen—preferred children , work in farms, mill—Franz looked opportunity to escape school—never

serious—receive orders from Berlin—people realize importance of their language—attend the last

lesson by M. Hamel.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Why was Franz unwilling to go to school?

2. Why didn’t M. Hamel punish Franz, even though he was late?

3. Mention the three changes that Franz noticed in the school?

4. What announcement did M. Hamel make and what was its impact?

5. What do you think was written on the bulletin board?

6. Why did M. Hamel say about knowing one’s language is a key to prison?

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7. Whom did Mr. Hamel blame for not learning the French?

8. What changes have taken place in the school in the last forty years?

9. What did he mean by “Viva La France”?

10. Do you think that the story touches upon the brutalities of war? Explain

11.How does Hamel arouse patriotism in the people off Alsace?

12. What does Franz when he asks: “ Will they make them sing in German,

even the pigeons”

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS 125 -150 words.

1. Write a note on the character of M. Hamel as a teacher?

2. Do you think the story touches upon the brutalities of war? Comment.

3. What thunderbolt did the narrator receive on reaching the school? How was it affect him ?

4. At the end of the last lesson M. Hamel wrote, ‘Viva La France’ on the board in bold letters. Why

do you think he wrote that and how did he expect the people of Alsace –Lorraine to keep their

identity intact?

5.What were Franz’ feelings about M Hamel and his French lessons? How did they undergo a

complete change?

Value Based Question: Answer the following in about 100 words. 5

M Hamel ‘The Last Lesson’ says to the people of Alsace about the necessity of their mother

tongue- French: “ …. We must guard it among us and never forget it because when a people are

enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their language it is as if they had the key to their prison”.

‘Mother tongue is the language of one’s thoughts and ideas. Rejecting one’s mother tongue is

denying one’s own culture and identity.’ Do you think so? Write your reflections on the above

statement in the form of an article to be published in your school magazine , encouraging your

friends to the need for learning and protecting their mother tongue.

LOST SPRING:STORIES OF STOLEN CHILDHOOD By Anees Jung

GIST OF THE LESSON

· The author examines and analyses the impoverished conditions and traditions that condemn

children to a life of exploitation these children are denied an education and forced into hardships

early in their lives.

· The writer encounters Saheb - a rag picker whose parents have left behind the life of poverty in

Dhaka to earn a living in Delhi.

· His family like many other families of rag pickers lives in Seemapuri. They do not have other

identification other than a ration card.

· The children do not go to school and they are excited at the prospect of finding a coin or even a

ten rupee note for rummaging in the garbage.

· It is the only way of earning the life they live in impoverished conditions but are resigned to

their fate.

· The writer is pained to see Saheb, a rag picker whose name means the ruler of earth, lose the

spark of childhood and roams barefooted with his friends.

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· From morning to noon the author encounters him in a tea stall and is paid Rs. 800 He sadly

realizes that he is no longer his own master and this loss of identity weighs heavily on his tender

shoulders.

· The author then tells about another victim, Mukesh who wants to be a motor mechanic.

· Hailing from Firozabad, the centre of India’s bangle making and glass blowing industry, he has

always worked in the glass making industry.

· His family like the others there do not know that it is illegal for children to work in such close

proximity to furnaces, in such high temperatures.

· They are exposed to various health hazards like losing their eyesight as they work in abysmal

conditions, in dark and dingy cells.

· Mukesh’s father is blind as were his father and grandfather before him.

· They lead a hand to mouth existence as they are caught in the vicious web of the money

lenders, middlemen, police and the traditions

· So burdened are the bangle makers of Firozabad that they have lost their ability to dream

unlike Mukesh who dreams of driving a car.

SOLVED QUESTIONS

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What does Saheb do for living? Why?

Saheb is a rag picker. His family has left the life of poverty behind in Dhaka in to pursue their

dream of finding a better life. The children like him have no access to Education and are forced into

rag picking

2. “Saheb is no longer his own master”, says the writer. What does she mean?

The writer means that having accepted the job with the tea-stall, Saheb has lost the

independence that he enjoyed as a rag picker, even though he was poor. Although he will now be

able to supplement the family income, it will be at the cost of his freedom, which is difficult,

binding and unfair for someone so young.

3. Why did people migrate from the village in Dhaka to Delhi ?

Better education, job opportunities and living conditions.

4. What trade does the family of Mukesh follow? Why does the writer feel that it will be difficult for

Mukesh to break away from this tradition?

Engaged in bangle making-difficult to break away from this trade. He belongs to the caste of

bangle makers His family is caught in the web of sohukars, the middlemen, policemen, politicians

and bureaucrats, from which there is no escape.

5. What does garbage symbolize for the adults and children?

6. Adults –means of earning a livelihood. Children –wrapped in wonder, magical

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LONG ANSWER QUESTION

1. ‘Lost Spring’, is a sad commentary on the political system of our country that condemns

thousands of people to a life of abject poverty. Comment.

Saheb, optimistic and enthusiastic—prospect of finding gold in garbage—likes going to school

but no opportunity—freedom and joy of childhood to burdens of job at tea-stall.

Mukesh, born at Firozabad (bangle maker)—works under inhuman condition—dark room, hot

furnaces—caught in web of poverty—vicious circle of sahukars, policemen, politicians,

bureaucrats and moneylenders—resigned to fate—unaware of child labour act—stifled initiation

and hope—lose eyesight before becoming adults.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

a. What does the title of the story ‘Lost Spring ’ imply?

b. Where has Saheb come from and why?

c. How is Saheb’s name full of irony ?

d.“Promises made to poor children are never kept. “Explain with examples from the

lesson.

e. Mention the hazards of working in the bangle industry.

f. Do you think Mukesh will realize his dream of becoming a car mechanic?

g. ‘His dreams loom like a mirage’. Whose dreams are being referred to and why are

they compared to a mirage?

h.‘Together they have imposed the baggage on the child that he cannot put down.’ Who do

‘they’ refer to? What is the ‘baggage’ and why can the child not get rid of it?i. How is

Mukesh’s attitude to his situation different from that of his family?

j. Why does the author describe children of slums as partners in survival?

k. How has being born in the caste of bangle makers become both a destiny and a

curse?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Like all children of his age, Saheb also had many hopes and dreams. Do you think children

like Saheb are able to fulfill their dreams?

2. Politicians exploit all people and situations to their own benefit. Comment, keeping in views

the situation of refugees in Seemapuri.

3. Saheb wants to blossom and bloom but is nipped in the bud. Elaborate.

4. ‘Saheb and Mukesh are brothers in penury and suffering.’ Discuss.

5. Value Based Question: Answer the following in about 100 words. 5

Mukesh says “ I will be a motor mechanic. I will learn to drive a car.”

Not only setting a goal, but having a clear idea about the means to reach the goal and pursuing

it with strong determination and commitment are essential to achieve success. Based on this

realization , write an email to your younger brother , a boarding school student, making him

aware of the need for setting realistic goal and planning ways to reach it with strong

determination and commitment.

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DEEP WATER BY WILLIAM DOUGLAS

THEME

In this essay William O. Douglas talks about his fear of water and how he finally overcomes it by

his courage, determination, handwork, strong will power, perseverance and the desire to learn.

If these are practiced we can definitely achieve success in all our endeavors.

GIST OF THE LESSON-

· William O. Douglas had a desire to learn swimming since childhood.

· At the age of three or four, he was knocked down and buried by a wave at a beach in

California.

· He developed a great aversion to water.

· At the age of ten or eleven he decided to learn to swim with water wings at the Y.M.C.A pool

since it was safe at the shallow end.

· A misadventure:- while sitting alone and waiting for others to come at the Y.M.C.A pool, a big

boy came and threw Douglas into deep end of the pool.

· Douglas swallowed water and went straight down to the bottom of the pool.

· While going down he planned to make a big jump upwards but came up slowly.

· Stark terror seized him.

· Tried to shout but could not……

· As he went down the pool second time, he tried to jump upwards but it was a waste of energy.

· Terror held him deeper and deeper.

· During the third trial he sucked water instead of air.

· Light was going out and there was no more panic.

· So he ceased all efforts and he became unconscious.

· He crossed to oblivion.

· When revived he found himself vomiting beside the pool.

· He was in grip of fear of water and it deprived him of the joys of canoeing, boating swimming

and fishing.

· Hired an instructor to learn swimming.

· The instructor taught him swimming piece by piece.

· He went to different lakes to swim and found tiny vestiges of fear still gripped him.

· He challenged the fear and swam.

· Swimming up and down the Warm Lake he finally overcame his fear of water.

· He realized that in death there is peace and there is terror only in fear of death.

· Will to live is stronger than fear of death.

SOLVED QUESTIONS:

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Why was the YMCA pool considered safer when compared to the Yakima River?

Yakima River was very deep, treacherous and there were many cases of drowning but the

YMCA pool only two or three feet deep at the shallow end: and while it was nine feet at the

deep end. So YMCA pool was considered safer when compared to the Yakima River.

2. When did his aversion to water begin?

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His aversion to water began when he was 3 -4 years old when his father took him to California

beach. There the waves knocked him down swept over him.

3. What was the misadventure that happened one day?

William Douglas had just learnt swimming. One day, an eighteen year old big bruiser picked

him up and tossed him into the nine feet deep end of the YMCA pool. He hit the water surface

in a sitting position. He swallowed water and went at once to the bottom. He nearly died in this

misadventure.

4. What strategy did he remember as he went down the water?

To hit the bottom and spring/jump upwards, bob to the surface –like a cork and come out.

5. What effect did the drowning in the YMCA pool have on the Douglas?

-weak and trembling - haunting fear - deprived of the joy of canoeing,

boating and swimming.

6. What method did he adopt to overcome terror?

- Rigorous training (breathing moving of legs ,etc )

- went to lake Wentworth and swam for two miles.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. How did the misadventure in YMCA pool affect Douglas? How did he overcome it?

-was ten or eleven decided-learn-swim -an older boy pushed –almost drowned

-haunting fear gripped him -could not enjoy any water sports -finally decided to hire an

instructor -seven months –instructor –made a swimmer -released the instructor -vestiges

remained -swam in Lake Wentworth -challenged the terror -swam across Warm lake

-shouted with joy-conquered the fear of water -there is terror only in the fear of death and

peace in death. - the will to live became stronger.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Why did mother warn Douglas against River Yakima?

2. What impact did the incident at California beach have on him?

3. What made him decide that the instructor’s role in teaching him swimming was over?

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

5. What larger meaning did the experience have on him?

6. How did he interpret Roosevelt’s saying?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What is the ‘misadventure’ that William Douglas speaks about? What were the series of

emotions fears experienced when he was thrown into the pool? What plans did he make to come

to the surface?

2. How did the instructor build a swimmer out of Douglas?

3. Why does Douglas as an adult recount a childhood experience of terror and his conquering of

it? What larger meaning does he draw from his experience?

4. Do you think the title Deep Water is appropriate to the story? Why/why not?

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5. Value Based Question: Answer the following in about 100 words. 5

William Douglas writes about his frightening experience in the YMCA pool:… With that he picked

me up and tossed me into the deep end, I landed in a sitting position, swallowed water…………. I

was frightened.”

Do you appreciate the behavior of the big, bully boy? Don’t you think that bullying and ragging of

students by students( as is seen in news several times ) are barbarianism and have great

damaging effect on the victim as well as to the society? Write down your thoughts about this in

the form of a speech to be delivered in a meeting of the senior students of your school.

INDIGO by Louis Fischer

GIST OF THE LESSON

· Raj Kumar Shukla- A poor sharecropper from Champaran wishing to meet Gandhiji.

· Raj Kumar Shukla – illiterate but resolute, hence followed Gandhiji to Lucknow, Cawnpore,

Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Patna, Muzzafarpur and then Camparan.

· Servants at Rajendra Prasad’s residence thought Gandhiji to be an untouchable.

· Gandhiji considered as an untouchable because of simple living style and wearing, due to the

company of Raj Kumar Shukla.

· Decided to go to Muzzafarpur first to get detailed information about Champaran sharecropper.

· Sent telegram to J B Kriplani & stayed in Prof Malkani’s home –a government servant.

· Indians afraid of showing sympathy to the supporters of home rule.

· The news of Gandhiji’s arrival spread –sharecroppers gathered in large number to meet their

champion.

· Gandhiji chided the Muzzafarpur lawyer for taking high fee.

· Champaran district was divided into estate owned by English people, Indians only tenant

farmers.

· Landlords compelled tenants to plant 15% of their land with indigo and surrender their entire

harvest as rent.

· In the meantime Germany had developed synthetic indigo –British landlords freed the Indian

farmers from the 15% arrangement but asked them to pay compensation.

· Many signed, some resisted engaged lawyers, landlords hired thugs.

· Gandhiji reached Champaran –visited the secretary of the British landlord association to get

the facts but denied as he was an outsider.

· Gandhiji went to the British Official Commissioner who asked him to leave Tirhut , Gandhiji

disobeyed, went to Motihari the capital of Champaran where a vast multitude greeted him,

continued his investigations.

· Visited maltreated villagers, stopped by the police superintendent but disobeyed the order.

· Motihari black with peasants spontaneous demonstrations, Gandhiji released without bail Civil

Disobedience triumphed.

· Gandhiji agreed to 25% refund by the landowners, it symbolised the surrender of the prestige.

· Gandhiji worked hard towards social economic reforms, elevated their distress aided by his

wife, Mahadev Desai, Narhari Parikh.

· Gandhiji taught a lesson of self reliance by not seeking help of an English man Mr. Andrews.

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SOLVED QUESTIONS

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1.. What strategy did Gandhiji follow in removing the problems of sharecroppers?

Gandhiji discussed the problems with lawyers. He disregarded British order of eviction. He insisted

peasants to remove their fear.

2. Why did Gandhiji feel that it was useless for the peasants to go to law courts?

The peasants are crushed and fear stricken. The lawyers charged high fee.

3. Why did the British landlords free the sharecropper from growing Indigo? What did they want

instead?

The British came to know that synthetic indigo was developed in Germany and the 15% of land was

released and in return, the peasants were asked to pay compensation for release from the

agreement.

4. Why did Gandhiji agree for the 25% refund by the British landlords?

Gandhiji agreed for 25% refund because the amount was not important but the landlord’s prestige

was surrendered.

5.What was the important lesson taught by Gandhiji to his disciples ?

Gandhiji taught rules of personal hygiene and cleanliness. He also taught the -Champarans to win

freedom independently without any support of British.

LONG ANSWER QUESTION

1. Why did Gandiji consider freedom from fear more important than legal justice for the poor

peasants of Champaran?

Value Points :British ruthless exploitation—farmers fight through lawyers—battles were

inconclusive—terror-stricken—Gandhiji’s declaration—no need of law court –overcome terror—be

bold and courageous.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

1. What made Gandhiji urge the departure of the British?

2. How was Gandhiji received in Mothihari?

3. What made Mahatma Gandhi declare ‘the battle of Champaran is won’?

4. How did the Champaran episode change the plight of the peasants?

5. Why did Gandhi agree to a settlement of 25% refund to the farmers?

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

7.What argument did Gandhiji give for not complying with the official orders to quit

Champaran?

8. How were the Britishers shown that their dreaded and unquestioned authority could be

challenged by the Indians?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Why did Gandhiji’s casual visit to Champaran get extended to over a year?

2. How did civil disobedience triumph?

3. What idea do you form about the Britishers from the chapter “Indigo”?

4. How did the peasants learn courage?

5. Are Ganhiji’s socio, economic and political ideals relevant today? Discuss with reference

to the Champaran episode.

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6. Value Based Question: Answer the following in about 100 words. 5

‘Champaran episode’ was a turning point not only in Gandhiji’s life, but also in the history of

Indian freedom struggle. Don’t you agree that Gandhiji’s practically proven ideals of truth, non

violence, and empathy for the deprived are still relevant? Write your ideas on “Relevance of

Gandhian ideals today” in the form of an article.

The Rat Trap by Selma Lagerlof

GIST OF THE LESSON

· The peddler was a vagabond who sold rattraps with a little thievery on the side to make both

ends meet. Had no worldly possession to call his own, not even a name.

· It amused him to think of the world as a rattrap and all the material possessions as bait as the

world, he felt was never kind to him. Moreover, he prided himself in the fact that he was out of

it.

· Takes shelter at a crofter’s cottage. The crofter welcomed him, gave him diner, shared his pipe,

played mjolis with him also confided in him about his income and showed him where he put it.

· Next morning, the Peddler steals the money and takes the back roads to keep away from

people and gets lost in the jungle at night. While he wanders in the forest he realizes that he

has also got caught in the rattrap and that the money was the bait.

· Finally reaches Ramsjo ironworks, where he takes shelter for the night. The blacksmith and his

assistant ignore him but the master mistakes him to be an old acquaintance and invites him

home. Though the Peddler does not correct the ironmaster, hoping to get some money out of

him, he declines his invitation.

· The ironmaster then sends his daughter who persuades him to go home with her. She notices

his uncouth appearance and thinks that either he has stolen something or he has escaped from

jail.

· The Peddler is scrubbed, bathed, given a haircut, a shave and a suit of old clothes of the

ironmaster. In the morning light, the iron master realizes he is mistaken and that he is not the

Captain. He wants to call the Sheriff. The peddler is agitated and breaks out that the world is

rattrap and he too is sure to be caught in it. The ironmaster is amused but orders him out. The

compassionate Edla convinces her father that he should spend the Christmas day with him.

· The Peddler spends the whole of Christmas Eve eating and sleeping. The next day at church,

Edla and her father come to know that the Peddler is a thief who stole thirty kroners from the

poor crofter.

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· -Back home, they found a letter addressed to Edla, signed as Captain Von Stahl and a rattrap

as a gift from the crofter. In the rattrap were the three ten kroner notes of the crofter.

SOLVED SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Why did the Peddler choose to go through the forest?

2. After stealing the thirty kroners from the crofter, the Peddler knew that he would be caught

and put in prison if he continued to walk by the man road. So he chose the back roads that went

through the forest.

3. Why did not the Peddler reveal his true identity when the ironmaster mistakes him to be the

Captain?

The Peddler thought that the ironmaster might take pity on him give him some money if he

thought he was an old acquaintance. So he keeps quiet and allows the iron master to presume he

was the captain.

4. Why did it please the tramp to compare the world to a rattrap?

The world was not very kind to the tramp and so it gave him great pleasure to think of it as a

rattrap.

5. Why did the tramp sign the letter as Captain Von Stahle?

The tramp, though illiterate and a thief, found himself raised to a captain through Edla’s kindness

and compassion. He got a chance to redeem himself and hence he signs the letter as Captain Von

Stahle.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Both the Crofter and Edla Willmanson were kind and hospitable to the Tramp. But he repays

crofters kindness by stealing his money while Edla is able to transform him to a better human

being. Why?

Value Points:

Crofter very hospitable. Welcomes him with a smile - gives him supper and shares his tobacco.

Tells him about income-shows him the money - very trusting and friendly.

Stealing a way of life for the tramp-no twinge of conscience while stealing-But later he realizes

that he who prided himself in not being caught in the rattrap was caught in it by stealing – feels

depressed.

Edla’s kindness and hospitality awakens his conscience-Realises that there is a way out of the

trap- Returns the money through Edla- His redemption –gift to Edla.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE:

1. “The world was a rattrap and the peddler himself became a victim of it”. Elucidate.

2. The rattrap exemplifies the truth that essential goodness of human can be awakened through

understanding and love. Discuss

3. The story focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others. Explain.

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4. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with peddler?

5. Why did the rattrap seller develop negative view of the world?

6. Why did the peddler decline the iron master’s invitation?

7. Edla is a better judge than her father. Do you think so? Why/why not?

8. Why did the peddler defend himself against not having revealed his true identity?

LONG ANSWER QUESTION: PRACTICE

1. ‘The essential virtue of human heart can be aroused through compassion and empathy.’ How

far has the meaning of this statement been exemplified in the story ‘The Rattrap’

2. Value Based Question: Answer the following in about 100 words. 5

It has been understood from the story ‘The Rattrap’ that the compassion, empathy and

unconditional love and trust of Edla Wilmanson only could win the heart of the rattrap seller to

reclaim him to be an honest and upright individual at last. ‘An Eye for an Eye will make the whole

world blind.’—It is through fellow-feeling , love , compassion and trust in others that we can

change the society . Write your argument for the statement to participate in a debate competition.

POETS AND PANCAKES : ASOKAMITRAN.

GIST OF THE LESSON

· The Gemini studio owned by S.S.Vasan was one of the most influential film Producing

Organizations of India in the early years of Indian film making industry.

· The make-up department of studios looked like a hair cutting salon.

· Had lights at all angles, half dozen mirrors, incandescent lights

· The artists were subjected to misery while application of make-up.

· The make-up department, consisting of people from different parts of the country, was a

unique example of National Integration.

· A strict hierarchy was maintained in the make-up dept.

· Narrator worked in a cubicle tearing newspapers, thought he was free, people barged in

always.

· Kothamangalam Subbu, no.2 at Gemini studios, was always cheerful, tailor made for films,

endowed with great creativity, charitable yet had enemies

· He was loyal and faithful, very close to boss.

· He could offer various alternatives for how a scene could be invented. Subbu, in fact, gave

direction to Gemini studios during its golden years.

· The story Department of the studios comprising of a lawyer, officially known

as legal adviser but was treated the opposite. Once he brought a sad end to the career of a

brilliant and promising young actress.

· Story dept wound up-lawyer lost job.

· A favorite haunt for poets

· Most people wore Khadi, worshipped Gandhi, knew nothing about politics.

· Against communism, believed that a communist was a godless man

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· A warm welcome was accorded to moral Re Armament Army (MRA) by the Gemini studios.

They presented two plays ‘Jothan Valley’ and “The forgotten Factor” which had a great

influence on Tamil drama.

· THE MRA was a strong countermovement against communism.

· The Gemini studios again got an opportunity to welcome an English poet or an Editor. But the

people of Gemini Studio could not comprehend the purpose as well as the language of the poet

or editor, so his visit was a mystery.

· Later on, he came to know that the visitor was the editor of “The Encounter” and his name was

Stephen Spender.

· “The God That Failed” was the collection of six essays by six men of letters including Spender.

These essays described separately their journey into communism and their disillusioned return.

· Mystery was solved.

SOLVED QUESTIONS

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1.How does the writerdescribe the make-up room of the Gemini studios?

The makeup room of the Gemini studio had incandescent lights. It also had lights at all

angles, large mirrors. Those subjected to makeup had to face bright light and a lot of heat

there. It was on the upper floor of the o a building that was believed to have been Robert

Clive’s stables.

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

The makeup room was headed by a Bengali, succeeded by a Maharashtrian, assisted by a-

Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madrasi, Christian and an Anglo Burmese.

1. How did the legal advisor bring a sad end to the brief and brilliant acting career of an extremely

talented in the studios?

The legal advisor (lawyer) quietly switched on the recording equipment when once she blew over

on the sets against the producer. When the actress paused for breath, he played back the

recording. She was struck dumb on hearing her own voice and never recovered from the shock.

That was the end of the brief and brilliant career of the actress.

2. What does ‘The God That Failed’ refer to?

‘The God That Failed’ refers to a collection of essays by six eminent literary personalities, about

their journey into communism and disillusionment. Stephen Spender was one of the authors.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. The author has used gentle humor to point out human foibles. Pick out instances of this to

show how this serves to make the piece interesting. -author uses gentle and subtle humor –bring

out human foibles-use of pancake –ostensibly to cover the pores -The actors look ugly. -Strict

hierarchy. -people at the studio imagined to be poets yet no idea about contemporary -Poetslaughingly

brings out their ignorance -wore khadi looked gandhian no idea about politics -no idea

of communism-welcomed MRA, Stephen Spendor -Description of office boy-Description of Subbuwonderful

insight into character. -pokes fun at the ignorance of all the people -at the same

time projecting them as real people with human failings and eccentricities and foibles.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

1. How was Gemini studios a symbol of national integration ?

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2. Why did the author want to know more about the periodical ‘The Encounter’? What did

he finally discover?

3. What was the strict hierarchy maintained in the makeup department?.

4. Why was the narrator praying for crowd shooting all the time?

5. What do you know about the literary taste of

the taste of Gemini as far English poetry is concerned?

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

7. What political affiliation did the member of the studio have?

8.What was the attitude of the member of the studio about communism and why?

9. What was the incongruity of the English poet addressing at Gemini studio?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Attempt a character sketch on Kothamangalam Subbu.

2. The ‘Office-boy’ in the make-up department of Gemini Studios has the shades of a

typical universal character lured by glitter and glamour and doomed to frustration.

Discuss.

3. The author is at great skill to use gentle humour to bring out the follies and foibles of

people. How far is it evident in the story.

4.The staff at Gemini Studio enjoyed the visit of MRA while the visit of the English poet

remained an unexplained mystery. Discuss.

5. Value Based Question: Answer the following in about 100 words. 5

The makeup boy was not at all satisfied with his job and always complained that he was kept

back in such a mean job for long years , even though he had higher caliber, only because of the

influential person Subbu. The office boy never liked or tried to like his job. Being a resentful employee ,

he fails to understand the glory and importance of every work, be it high or low. Unless we love our

work, we cannot be productive , but a mere waste. . Learning lessons from the office boy’s behaviour,

write a letter to your engineering graduate sister working as a clerk telling her about the ‘Glory of

Labour’ and the need to be satisfied and committed to what one gets to be progressive in life.

THE INTERVIEW by Christopher Sylvester

GIST OF THE LESSON: PART I

· Interview has become a commonplace of journalism. Opinions on the functions, methods and

merits of Interview vary considerably.

· Some claim it to be the highest form, a source of truth and in its practice an art.

· Some despise the interview as an unwarranted intrusion into lives, which diminishes their

personality.

o V.S. Naipaul feels that ‘some people are wounded by interviews and lose a part of them

selves’.

o Lewis Carroll never consented to be interviewed for he believed it to be ‘a just horror of

the interviewer’.

o Rudyard Kipling considered it ‘immoral, a crime, an assault that merits punishment’.

o H.G. Wells referred interviewing to be an ‘ordeal’.

o Saul Bellow describes it ‘like thumbprints on his windpipe’.

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· Despite the drawbacks interview is a supremely serviceable medium of communication.

Interviews are the most vivid impression of our contemporaries and the interviewer holds a

position of unprecedented power and influence.

PART II

· An extract from an interview of Umberto Eco interviewed by Mukund Padmanabhan.

· Umberto Eco was a professor with a formidable reputation as a scholar for his ideas on

Semiotics, literary interpretation and medieval aesthetics before he turned into writing literary

fiction. He attained intellectual superstardom with his publication “The Name of the Rose”.

· In the interview Eco shares his idea of empty spaces in our lives just as they exist in an atom,

which he calls Interstices. He says that he makes use of these empty spaces to work.

· ___________Eco’s essays were scholarly and narrative. He likes to be identified more as a university

professor who writes novels.

· Eco’s ‘The Name of the Rose”, a serious novel, which delves into metaphysics, theology and

medieval history, enjoyed a mass audience. It dealt with medieval past. He feels that the novel

wouldn’t have been so well received had it been written ten years earlier or later.

SOLVED SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

a. Why do most celebrity writers despise being interviewed?

Most celebrity writers despise being interviewed as they consider it as an undesirable

intrusion into their personal lives. Some viewed it an immoral and offensive activity.

Some others feel it would ‘diminish’ them.

b.How is Umberto Eco’s non-fictional writing style different from academic writing style?

Umberto Eco’s non-fictional writing style has a certain playful, narrative and personal quality

about it whereas his academic writing is depersonalized and often dry and boring.

LONG ANSWER QUESTION

a. “Interviews an unwarranted intrusion in the lives of others”. Elucidate with reference to

The Interview.

Value points:-

Interviews are common feature in Journalism – Most celebrities consider them as an

unnecessary intrusion in their lives – “a horror of the interview”, “ an ordeal”, “thumbprints on

windpipe”- interview is a supremely serviceable medium of communication- the most vivid

impression of our contemporaries -the interviewer holds a position of unprecedented power

and influence.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

1.“Best interviews are considered as an art.” Mention four qualities of such an art.

2. Saul Bellow consented to be interviewed many a times. Did he like being interviewed?

Substantiate.

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3.Why does Brian say that interviewer holds a strong position of power and influence?

4. Why was ‘Name of the Rose’, a success?

5.What are the major two remarkable qualities of Umberto Eco’s scholarly writings?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. The interview conducted by Mukund Padmanabhan reveals what a good interview should be

like. Do you agree? Give reasons.

2. Value Based Question: Answer the following in about 100 words. 5

Rudyard Kipling says that ‘interview’ is ‘an offence against a person, an assault…. It is cowardly

and vile.’

Everyone likes to have his/her own individual space and freedom. It is seen quite often in your

class that some of your fellow students are made victims of verbal assault, rumours and

insults at the hands of your own friends. Write a note of advice ‘How to conduct Yourself’ to

such bullying friends of yours teaching them about the need to respect others’ self-esteem,

dignity, individuality and freedom..

GOING PLACES by A.R.BARTON

GIST OF THE LESSON

· The lesson explores the theme of adolescent fantasies and hero worship.

· Sophie and Jansie are both in the last year of high school and both knew that they were

destined to work in the biscuit factory as they belong to a working class family.

· Yet, Sophie, always dreams of big and beautiful things, glamour and glory.

· Her ambitions are not rooted in reality i.e., have no relation with the harsh realities of life.

· In contrast is Jansie, Sophie’s friend, a realistic and practical girl.

· Sophie lives in male-dominated family where her mother was only a shadow. The men were

football fans and the conversations around the dinner table were about Danny Casey, their

Hero.

· Sophie wants some attention from her father and brother and telling them that she met

Casey, was her way of drawing their attention towards her.

· But she carries her fantasies too far when she starts to live them.

SOLVED SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1.What does Sophie dream of doing after she passes out of school? Why do you call it a

dream, and not a plan?

Sophie dreams of big and beautiful things, glamour and glory. She is not practical in her

thinking and has no concrete plans to make her dreams real.

1. Do you think Sophie and Jansie are pole apart in their attitude to life?

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Sophie was a dreamerunable to come in terms with the fact that she is year marked for the

buscuit factory after her high school. But the tragedy was that she carries her fantasies too far

when she started living in them, whereas her friend Jansie is practical and down-to-earth. She

tries her level best to bring her friend down to the realities.

2. Sophie is a typical adolescent hero-worshipper who carries her fantasizing too far .Do you

agree?.

Yes, Sophie is a typical adolescent who worships Danny Casey, the football star. She fantasizes

about meeting him and taking his autograph which is quite normal for an adolescent. But she

crosses the border of normalcy when she tell her family that she actually met him and that he

wants to take her on a date. And then she actually goes to the place and literally waits for him

to appear which is abnormal.

LONG ANSWER QUESTION

1. Sophie has no touch with reality; Janise’s feet are, however, firmly planted on the ground.

Discuss.

Value Points:

Both school going girls and intimate friends – both belong to lower middle class family – but

different from each other. Different approach to life - one a romantic, habitual dreamer and an

escapist. Sophie dreams of things beyond her reach – Jansie has a practical approach to life -

discourages her friend’s wild dreams – gossipy.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. “Sophie’s dreams and disappointments are all in her mind “.justify this statement.

2. Do you think tht Sophie met Danny Casey?Give reasons.

3. What was Sophie’s father’s reaction when Geoff told him about Sophie meeting Casey?

4. When did Sophie actually see Danny Casey?

5. Why was Sophie jealous of Geoff’s silence?

6. 6. What is the adolescent issues discussed in the lesson ‘Going places’?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other person? What did he symbolize for

her?

2. Give a brief character sketch of Sophie’s father. What kind of a relationship did they share?

3. The story “Going Places” draws a beautiful contrast between ‘fact’ and ‘fiction’. Comment.

4. Do you think that Sophie is a representative of unguided adolescent? Discuss.

5. Value Based Question: Answer the following in about 100 words. 5

Sophie ,in the story, ‘Going Places’ is a victim of adolescent fantasizing and hero worship and

does not have any touch realistic and practical outlook. But her friend Jansie is very opposite

to her and tries hard to bring her to the reality.

One of your friends studying in the city is also such a victim of adolescent fantasizing and

hero worship. Write a letter to her making her realise the wrong path she is treading and

guiding her through the right way, being true friend..

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SUPPLEMENTARY READER :VISTAS

THE THIRD LEVEL by JACK FINNEY

SUMMARY OF THE LESSON:

· ‘-The Third Level’ is a story that weaves together a psychological journey of the narrator

into past, present and moves towards future.

· -Charley- 31 year old, an American narrates his unusual experience of having been to the

third level.

· -He discovers brass spittoons, flickering gas lights, everyone dressed, like 1890’s with old

fashioned beards, side burns, fancy moustaches, engine with funnel shaped stack,

newspaper - The World, few ticket windows etc in the third level.

· -Charley goes to get the ticket for Galesburg - Illinois- Wonderful town, big houses, huge

lawns, plenty of trees, people with lots of leisure time and surprises when the clerk says

that it is not currency and he will be put behind the bars.

· Wife worried -takes him to his Psychiatrist friend

· -He refuses to believe -says it a waking wish dream fulfillment as he could not face the

modern world which is full of fear, insecurity, war, worry, stamp collection a refuge from

reality.

· Charley desperate to go to Galesburg & so exchanges new for old currency. But could never

find the third level.

· Sam’s disappearance has something to do with Galesburg as he was fond of the place.

· One day while going through his stamp collection, he finds an envelope, containing a letter

of July 18, 1894 written by Sam, who is living at Galesburg, assertions the Third level.

· Charley finds that Sam had bought old currency worth eight hundred dollars.

· Sam was Charley’s psychiatrist.

SHORT QUESTIONS

1. Was the Third level a medium of escape for Charley? Why/Why not?

Yes, Charlie was engulfed in the trials and tribulations of life so he created the third level himself to

seek refuge in it. It eased his tensions and pressures and provided him a platform to relax.

2. Why is Grand Central compared to a tree?

Grand Central was compared to a tree because it was pushing out new corridors and staircases like

roots. There may be a tunnel under the city up to Times Square and another to Central Park.

Nobody knows about them. For many people it has been a exit, a way of escape through the years.

So it is possible that it may have the tunnel Charlie got into.

3. How did Charlie realize that he had reached the third level?

Charlie saw brass spittoons, flickering gas lights, everyone dressed like in the1890’s with mutton

sleeves side burns and moustaches. The engine was with a funnel shaped stack. The newspaper

was dated June 11 1894.There were fewer ticket windows. This made him realize that he was on

the third level.

3. Why did he wish to escape to Galesburg?

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He wished to escape to Galesburg because it was a wonderful town with big houses, huge lawns,

plenty of trees. The summer evenings were twice as long and people had lots of leisure time to sit

out on the lawns. It was a peaceful world.

4. What is First Day Cover?

At the time when a new stamp is issued, stamp collectors buy some of them and use them in order

to mail envelops to themselves and the postmark proves the date. The envelope is called the First

Day Cover.

5. What is referred to as ‘the obvious step’?

The obvious step refers for consulting a psychiatrist. As a fact there are only two levels & it does

not seem wise to visit non-existing third level. Therefore it was very apparent to consult an expert.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

1. Who was Charley? What was his problem?

2. “That ain’t money , mister.” When did the ticket-clerk utter these words?

3. Who was Sam? What was his observation about Charley’s present problem?

4. How did Charley contradict the psychiatrist’s opinion?

5. Who wrote the letter ? Why do you think so?

6. What had Sam written in his letter to Charley?

7. Why couldn’t Sam go back to his old business in Galesburg?

8. What is the issue discussed in the lesson?

9. What does the ‘third level’ symbolize?

10.Do you think that Charley is the representative of modern men on rat race? Why /Why not?

11. Why could not Charley reach the third level again?

12.Why did Charley run back from the third level?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Do you think that the third level was a medium of escape for Charley? Elaborate.

Value Points:

-Harsh reality—too oppressive at times-Stress, strain, fierce competition, fear of failure causes

insecurity-Charley declares –ordinary guy-but not able to cope with the modern world

-Wish to visit Galesburg of 1890 –old frame houses, huge lawns, beautiful trees -People sitting on

lawns relaxed-calm and peaceful--Exchanging new currency for old currency, Roping in his wife and

Sam into his third world, saying that Sam also bought old currency, the letter from Sam in his first

day cover are all his figment of imagination.-It was a medium of escape – could not face the

challenges –modern world.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

1. Comment on the ending of the story.

2. Do you think the title ‘The Third Level’ is appropriate?

3. Bring out the contrast between the world Charlie lived in and the one that he stray into.

4. What devices does Jack Finney use to portray Charley’s transition from reality to fantasy,

seem probable and plausible?

5. ‘The Third Level” is a true predicament of modern living , the pulls and pressures of life.

How far is it true?

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THE TIGER KING BY KALKI

GIST OF THE LESSON

· The Maharaja Sir Jilani Jung Jung Bhadur was called “Tiger King”.

· When he was just 10 days old he asked intelligent questions to the astrologers and was told

that he would be killed by a tiger. He uttered “Let tigers beware!”

· No other miracle took place, the child grew like any other Royal child drinking white cow’s milk,

taught by an English tutor, looked after by an English nanny and watched English films.

· When he was 20, he was crowned as king. It was then the prediction of his death by the tiger

reached the Maharaja’s ear and he in turn to safe guard himself killed a tiger and being thrilled

he told the astrologer who replied that he can kill 99 tigers but should be careful with the

100th.

· From then on he started killing tiger and none was allowed to hunt tigers. A high-ranking

British officer visited the state that was fond of hunting tiger and his wish was declined.

· The officer requested for getting a photograph with a tiger killed by Maharaja and this request

was rejected.

· So to please the officer’s wife he sent 50 diamond rings expecting that she would take 1 or 2

instead she kept all the rings costing 3 lakh rupees and sent ‘thanks’ to the Maharaja. But his

state was secured.

· In 10 years he killed 70 tiger and didn’t find any in Pratibandapuram so he decided to marry a

girl from royal state which had more tigers to complete his target.

· Whenever he visited his in-laws he killed 5-6 tigers. So he killed 99 tigers and was feverishly

anxious to kill the 100th but couldn’t find.

· News about the presence of a tiger near a village proved disappointing.

· Now the Dewan was warned of his danger so he visited ‘People’s Park in Madras’ and brought

an old tiger and placed it in the forest and informed the Maharaja.

· The Maharaja took great care and shot the tiger and left the place with great triumph.

· The bullet did not hit the tiger but out of fear the tiger had collapsed. Now the staff killed the

tiger and brought it in grand procession.

· It was the 3rd birthday of the Maharaja’s son and he wanted to buy a present from the toyshop.

He bought a wooden tiger which was poorly carved.

· While the Maharaja was playing with the prince a tiny sliver of the wooden tiger pierced his

right hand which later on caused his death. Thus the hundredth tiger takes his final revenge

upon the “Tiger King”.

Question and Answer:

1. What was the miracle that took place in the royal palace?

When the Maharaja was a 10 day old infant spoke and asked intelligent questions about his death.

After knowing that he would be killed by a tiger he uttered saying “Let tigers beware.”

2. How was the Tiger King brought up?

As a child the Tiger King was brought up by an English nanny and tutored in English by an

Englishman. He was given the milk of an English cow. Like many other Indian crown princes he

watched only English movies.

3. What did the State astrologer say he would do ‘if the hundredth tiger were also killed’?

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The State astrologer was so sure of his prediction that he announced that he would cut off his

ceremonial tuft, crop his hair short and become an insurance agent in case the king was able to kill

the 100th tiger, too. He was sure that the Maharaja’s death would be caused by the 100th tiger.

4. What did the high-ranking British officer wish to do? Was his wish fulfilled?

The high-ranking British officer wanted to kill a tiger. When he was denied the permission for

hunting, he sent a word to the king that he would be happy if he was allowed to get photographed

with the dead body of a tiger killed by the king. However, his wish remained unfulfilled.

5. How did the Maharaja manage to save his throne?

The Maharaja had annoyed the visiting senior British officer over the issue of tiger-hunting and

‘stood in danger of losing his kingdom itself’. So, the Maharaja and the Dewan decided to placate

and pacify the officer through bribe by sending gifts of expensive diamond rings to the ‘duraisani”,

the wife of the British officer. Thus he managed to save his throne.

6. How did the ‘duraisani’ behave on receiving the gifts?

Some fifty samples of expensive diamond rings were sent to the duraisani and it was expected that

she would select on or two and return the rest. But the lady proved to be greedy as she retained all

of them and merely sent a letter of thanks.

7. Why did the Maharaja’s tiger killing mission come to a sudden still?

Within ten years Maharaja’s tiger hunting had resulted in the killing of seventy tigers. However his

tiger killing mission came to a sudden standstill because the tiger population became extinct in the

forest of Pratibandapuram.

8. Why did the Maharaja suddenly decide to marry? Whom did he wish to marry?

The Maharaja suddenly decided to marry because firstly, he was of marriageable age and secondly,

he wanted to kill thirty more tigers in his father-in-law’s state in order to complete the tally of

hundred tigers .For this reason he wished to marry a girl in the royal family of a state with a large

tiger population.

9. Why did Maharaja order the dewan to double the tax?

The Maharaja called the dewan and ordered him to immediately double the tax of the villagers

who had informed him of a tiger in the forest because despite his best efforts he was unable to

locate the beast. This infuriated the Maharaja.

10. What did the Maharaja buy as a birthday gift for his son?

The Maharaja wished to give his son a very special gift on his birthday and he bought a wooden

toy tiger as a perfect birthday gift for his son.

11. How did the king’s arm become seriously infected?

The king’s arm had got infected from a prick caused by one of the slivers on the wooden tiger. In

one day, the infection got flared in the Maharaja’s right hand and in four days it developed into a

suppurating sore which spread all over the arm. Though he was operated yet he died.

Unsolved Question

1. How did the Maharaja kill the hundredth tiger?

2. The title of the Maharaja reflected grandeur but his death was an anticlimax. Justify.

3. How did the Tiger King meet his end? What is ironical about his death?

4. What idea do you form about the ruling Indian class during the pre-partition days from the king’s

encounter with shopkeeper?

5. What idea do you form about the married life of the king?

6. Why did the tiger king decided to marry? How do you conclude his attitude towards marriage?

Long answer type question

1. How did the Tiger King meet his end? What is ironical about his death?

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The wooden toy tiger the king had got as a birthday present for his son had been carved by an

unskilled carpenter. It had a rough surface with tiny slivers of wood standing up like quills all over

it. One of those slivers pierced the Maharaja’s right hand and although the king pulled it, his arm

got infected. In four days, it developed into a suppurating sore and spread all over the arm. The

king died while being operated upon.

The king’s death is ironical but not surprising for the reader who is, in fact, looking forward to it.

Having ‘killed’ the 100th tiger, the king is jubilant for he has fulfilled his vow and disproved the

prediction of the royal astrologer. He is now at ease for he thinks he cannot die of a tiger’s attack.

No wonder, he orders the ‘dead’ tiger to be taken in a procession through the town and gets a

tomb erected over it. All this while he does not know that the 100th victim was not killed by him

but by other hunters.

That is indeed quite ironical. Death is lurking around him and the king is unaware of it. Again, it is

ironical that a king who has killed 100 tigers and is bold and fearless dies of a mere ‘sliver’ on the

body of a wooden tiger. Thus, ironically death does come to him from a tiger.

2.‘The story is a satire on the conceit of those in power’ Elucidate.

JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE EARTH BY TISHANI DOSHI

GIST OF THE LESSON

· The writer Tishani Doshi was part of a programme called ‘Students on Ice’ and was taken to

Antarctica. She shares her experiences and impressions.

· The aim of the expedition was to take high school children to Antarctica, thereby providing

them with a unique educational opportunity to see first hand the effect of human activities on

environment so that these youngsters, when the time comes to act, will take correct decisions

regarding conservation of the environment.

· Antarctica is the right place to study about the changes in the environment and its impact on

humanity as a whole.

· Antarctica holds the secrets of how earth came to be in its present form. It gives us an insight

into how the present landforms came into existence, why certain animal species became

extinct.

· Complete absence of human beings has preserved the carbon records intact.

· Lack of bio-diversity in Antarctica makes it possible to study the effect of small changes in the

environment on the animal life and environment.

· It was a humbling experience for the author and she feel that we need to address

environmental issues immediately, if mankind is to survive.

SOLVED SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1.What were Geoff Green’s reasons for including high school students in the ‘Students

on Ice’ expedition?

Children are more receptive and ready to absorb, learn and most importantly act. Unlike the

elderly people who are at the end of their productive life, children can giveback to society

substantially and practice what they learn and experience. Most importantly, they can take

correct decisions and act when the time comes and save the environment.

2.How does the writer realize that the threat of global warming is very real?

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The writer visits Antarctica and sees for herself the glaciers retreating and ice shelves

collapsing. She sees with naked eyes the effect on the food chain when a singled celled

phytoplankton is removed from food chain. That’s when she realizes that threat of global

warming is real.

3What revelation did the author have on her visit to Antarctica?

The writer on her visit to Antarctica noticed the beauty of balance in play on our planet and

realizes that everything in the world is inter-connected.

4.What is phytoplankton? What is their importance?

Phytoplanktons, the grasses of the sea are single celled organisms living in the southern ocean.

They nourish and sustain the entire ocean’s food chain , being e the first link in the food chain

of the ocean. Using sun’s energy , they assimilate carbon and synthesize organic compounds.

The diminishing number of this organism due to the depletion of ozone layer affects other

organisms of the ocean , finally leading to the extinction of life on earth..

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. “Take care of small things and the big things will take care of themselves”. What is the

relevance of this statement in context of the Antarctic Environment?

Suggested Value Points: The Statement- greatly relevant in the context of Antarctic

Environment – only place not strained by man – remains pristine – carbon records preserved in

its folds – simple eco system – lack of bio-diversity - perfect place to study how small changes

can have big repercussions – example of phytoplankton – how it uses sun’s energy to

synthesize food – process of photosynthesis – Depletion of ozone layer effects phytoplankton –

life of small marine animals – in turn the food of large animals – Global warming effect all

animals and plants on earth – evident in Antarctica.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. How is Antarctica a crucial element in the debate on climate change?

2. How is global temperature increasing? What are the immediate repercussions of this

increase on the environment?

3. How does Antarctica differ from the rest of the earth?

4. What were the feelings of the author when she set foot on the Antarctic continent?

5. What was Gondwana? What happened to it?

6. Why did the writer loose all earthly perspective when she set foot on the continent?

7. Why is Phytoplankton a metaphor for existence?

8. “It can get pretty mind-boggling”. What is ‘it’ referred to? Why does the writer say so?

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LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. How was the journey to Antarctica an incredible experience for the author?

2. “And for humans, the prognosis is not good”. Explain.

3. Why does the author says that ‘a lot can happen in million years, but what a difference a

day makes’.

4. The history of Antarctica reveals the history of humankind. Explain.

THE ENEMY BY PEARL S BUCK

GIST OF THE LESSON:

· Dr. Sadao, a Japanese surgeon finds a wounded American soldier on the beach near his

house.

· He is unable to throw him back though he was his enemy as he was a doctor and his first

duty was to save a life.

· Hana, his wife, though initially reluctant because it was dangerous for all including the

children to keep the enemy in the house, joins her husband in operating and nursing the

enemy soldier back to health, even though the servants desert the house.

· Hana assists Dr. Sadao in operating the soldier in spite of her physical discomfort and

hesitation.

· Though it was war time and all hands were needed at the front, the General did not send

Sadao with the troops as he is an expert surgeon and the General needed him.

· Sadao tells him about the enemy soldier but he does not take any action as he is selfabsorbed

and forgets his promise that he would send his private assassins to kill the enemy

and remove his body.

· Taking advantage of the general’s self-absorption Sadao decides to save the soldiers life.

After the soldier is out of danger Dr. Sadao helps him to escape from his house to safety.

SOLVED SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1 Why did the General overlook the matter of the enemy soldier?

The General had an attack and according to Dr. Sadao he could not survive the second attack.

So if Dr. Sadao was arrested, no other doctor was capable of performing the operation. So for

furthering his selfish needs he overlooked the matter and promises to send his assassins. But

he was so self-absorbed, he forgot about it.

2. Why was Dr. Sadao not sent with the troops?

The General thought that Dr. Sadao is indispensable to his life and can save anyone as he is

very skilled. He also does not trust anyone except Dr. Sadao. So he was not sent with troops.

3. How was the plan of the prisoner’s escape executed in the story?

The prisoner was successful in his escape only because of the right guidance and help from Dr.

Sadao. He provided him his boat, gave his food, made him wear Japanese cloths and also

helped him in comfortable sail to a nearby island.

4. Why did the servants leave Dr. Sadao’s house?

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They were not in favour of keeping the American prisoner hidden in the house. They also did

not want Dr. Sadao to save his life as he was the enemy. Also, if the police come to know of it,

all their lives would be in danger. So they left the house.

5. Who was the white man whom Dr. Sadao and Hana found?

The white man was an American soldier as evident from his clothes. They guess that he was

a prisoner of war from his cap that said ‘Navy Seals’

6. ‘‘But Sadao searching the spot of black in the twilight sea that night, had

his reward’’. What was the reward?

The “reward” was the escape of the enemy. Dr. Sadao searched the spot of black in the twilight

sea that night to see if the man was still there but there was no light. Obviously the man had

gone. The escape of the prisoner was his reward.

7 What message does “The Enemy” give?

This is a great lesson in humanism. Dr. Sadao by nursing his country’s enemy proves true to his

professional ethics.

8.Why do you think Hana believes that the prisoner of war is a manace ‘living or dead’?

9.What is the observation of the Ameraican professor about a doctor’s ability?

10.What was the help that the General offered to Sadao to get rid of the prisoner?

11. Why was Sadao not able to talk to the General about the assassins for quite some time?

12.Why did Sadao feel that General was in the palm of his hand?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. How did Dr. Sadao rise above narrow prejudices of race & country to human being in need?

Value Points

Dr. Sadao- a renowned Japanese surgeon- believed in professional loyalty & human kindnesssaw

an American wounded soldier in a terrible condition on beach in front of his house-took

him his house with the help of his wife Hana-successfully removed the bullet-nursed him back

to his life-thus rose above racialism.

As a patriot, reported the prisoner’s presence at his house to the Army General. The general

decided to have him killed-he grew vestless to see him & finally decided to help him to escape

form his house-gave him boats & instructed him how he could safely escape.

2. Do you think the doctor’s final solution to the problem was the best possible one in the

circumstances?

Value Points

It is the best possible option-general had promised him that he would get the soldier quietly

killed through his private assassins-but he forgot to get rid of- Dr. Sadao could do nothing-he

wanted to get rid of the wounded soldier-as the servants had left the house-and news could be

spread-so he devised his own plan to get the soldier off to the nearby island-managed his boat

for the soldier and instructed him. The white soldier took leave of him and followed his

instruction and managed to escape safely. Thus all this proves that that was the only way out

for Dr. Sadao to the problem.

3. There are moments in life when we have to make hard choice between our role as private

individuals and as citizens with a sense of national loyalty. Discuss with reference to the Enemy.

Value Points

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Dr. Sadao encounters with the dilemma-to live as private individual whose and moral ethical

responsibility is to save the soldier. So as a doctor and as an individual his first job is to save the

man-takes ethical responsibility, he risks his life, fame and social status- takes him to his house

and makes efforts to save him.

But his other side-sense of patriotism and nationalism also involves a report to police, takes the

general in confidence, and plans to get the enemy soldier killed but later on helps the soldier in

escaping. Thus Dr. Sadao’s personality is displayed as patriotic citizen.

4. Do you justify the hard choice that Dr. Sadao made between his his national loyalty and

personal/professional morality? Why?

SHOULD WIZARD HIT MOMMY? By JOHN UPDIKE

Gist of the Lesson

· The chapter captures a very sensitive reaction of a small girl to an important aspect of the story

that her father narrates to her.

· The story reveals the worldview of a little child to a difficult moral question that shows her

mental or psychological richness.

· Jo is a little girl of four years. She is engaged in a story session with her father.

· Jack, the father used to tell her a story every evening and especially for Saturday naps.

· Jo feels herself involved with the characters and the happenings.

· The story always had an animal with a problem. The old owl advises him to visit the wizard who

would solve the problem.

· Skunk’s problem- he smelt bad, visited the wizard who changed it to the smell of roses.

· Skunk’s mother was unhappy with it and took him back to the wizard. She hit the wizard and

asked him to restore the original smell. She wanted her son to keep his identity of a skunk and

wanted his friends to accept him for himself. So the wizard changes him back to smell like a

skunk.

· After hearing the story of Roger Skunk Jo was not happy with the ending.

· She wants her father to change the ending. She wants the wizard to hit the mother back and

let Roger be which her father was not ready to do to establish his authority. This raises a

difficult moral question whether parents possess the right to impose their will on their

children.

· Her father finds it difficult to answer her question.

SOLVED QUESTIONS

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. How did the wizard help Roger Skunk?

The wizard was moved by Roger Skunk’s story. On finding his magic wand - chanted some magic

words & granted that Roger should smell like roses.

2. How did Roger Skunk’s Mommy react when he went home smelling of roses?

Roger Skunk began to smell like roses. Mommy asked about the smell - Roger Skunk replied that the

wizard had made him smell like that mother did not like that and asked Roger to come with her.

3. How did the Skunk’s mother get him his old smell back?

Mother was furious to learn about the wizard who changed the original smell. She immediately

visited the wizard and hit him on his head and asked him to restore the original smell.

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4. Who is Jo? How has she changed in the past two years? How did Jo behave in ‘reality phase’?

Jo is Jack’s 4 year old daughter. She was no more a patient listener. She did not take things for

granted and tried to see things in her own way.

5. How does Jo want the story to end and why?

Jo understood Roger Skunk’s need to enjoy the company of his friends; therefore wanted that the

wizard should take Roger’s side.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

1. What different queries does the Secretary of the Examinations Board make from the Governor

before conducting the examination for Evans and why?

2. Who do you think made a call regarding a correction in the question paper? What did it

really want to convey?

3. Who is Carter? What does the Governor want him to go and why?

4. How did the Governor manage to reach Evans in the hotel?

5.Do you think that the father in the story is, more or less, an alter ego of the author, as far as

the child is concerned?

6. How do you interpret the expression’ This was a new phase, just this last month, a reality

phase’?

7. Why in your opinion, is the smell of roses obnoxious for the mother Skunk?

8. ‘That was a long story.’ What does Clare want to convey through this assertion?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Why an adult’s perspective of life is different from that of a child’s as given in the story?

Suggested Value points

An adult’s perceptive on life is always different - maturity of a person becomes his barometer to

judge right & wrong. For him/her everything that occurs has a message. In the story, Jack at no level

accepts Jo’s worldview that wizard should hit Mommy.

On the other hand - a child’s perceptive is limited to his activities - child’s perceptive completely

different - they love ‘action’ more than thought - so does Jo in the story - she would delight in

hearing the story of Roger Skunk’s Mommy being hit by the wizard.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What is Jack’s way of telling stories? Why is it appealing?

2. What does Jack want to convey through the story of Roger Skunk?

3. How is Jack’s childhood interwoven in the story of the stinky skunk?

4. How does Jack assert his authority as a father over his daughter?

5. What part of the story did Jack himself enjoy the most? Why?

‘ON THE FACE OF IT’ BY SUSAN HILL

GIST OF THE LESSON

· The play depicts beautifully yet grimly the sad world of the physically impaired.

· It is not the actual pain or inconvenience caused by a physical impairment that trouble a

disabled man but the attitude of the people around him.

· Two physically impaired people, Mr. Lamb with a tin leg and Derry with a burnt face, strike a

band of friendship.

· Derry is described as a young boy shy, withdrawn and defiant.

· People tell him inspiring stories to console him, no one will ever kiss him except his mother

that too on the other side of his face

· Mentions about a woman telling that only a mother can love such a face.

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· Mr. Lamb revives the almost dead feelings of Derry towards life.

· He motivates him to think positively about life, changes his mind set about people and things.

· How a man locked himself as he was scared-a picture fell off the wall and got killed.

· Everything appears to be the same but is different- Ex. of bees. And weeds

· The gate of the garden is always open.

· Derry is inspired and promises to come back.

· Derry’s mother stops him but he is adamant saying if he does not go now it would be never.

· When he comes back he sees lamb lying on the ground

· It is ironical that when he searches a new foothold to live happily, he finds Mr. Lamb dead.

· In this way the play depicts the heart rendering life of physically disabled people with their

loneliness, aloofness and alienation.

· But at the same time it is almost a true account of the people who don’t let a person live

happily.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1. Who is Derry? What self-opinion does he hold?

Derek, also called Derry was a young boy of 14. He was a quiet, shy and defiant boy. One side of his

face was totally burnt by acid. He was a victim of inferiority complex.

Q2. How does Lamb try to remove the baseless fears of Derry?

Mr. Lamb influences Derry by his optimistic philosophy. He advised him not to give attention on

other’s comments, try to be internally pure and strong and eliminate the negativity of life.

Q3. What did Derry’s mothers think of Mr. Lamb?

OR

Why did Derry’s mother stop him, going to Mr. Lamb?

Derry’s mother does not hold a good opinion about Mr. Lamb. She has heard many things about

the old man, therefore stops Derry to visit Mr. Lamb.

Q5. Why does Derry go back to Mr. Lamb in the end?

Actually Mr. Lamb has taught Derry, the most important lesson of life. He advises him not to care

about the comments made by others. He now no longer cares about his burned face or looks. He is

more concerned what he thinks and feels what he wants to hear and see. He knows if does not go

back, he will never go back. Therefore he returns back.

Q6. Comment on the moral value of the play?

The moral of the play is very loud and clear. The physically disabled should focus on the brighter

side of life and not to brood over the shortcomings. The society should accept them as they are

and expand their social interactions .in this way they can fight out the loneliness, depression and

disappointment.

Q7. Mr. Lamb says to Derry; ‘it’s all relative, beauty and the beast’, what essentially does he mean

by that?

Mr. Lamb tells Derry that it all depends upon people’s individual perceptions. A thing is a beauty

for one while that beauty may be a beast for others.

Extra questions for practice

1. What is the attitude of Mr. Lamb to the small boy who comes to the garden?

2.”I’m not afraid. People are afraid of me,” says Derry. What do people think on seeing his

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face? How do they react then?

3. Why does Lamb’s argument fail to console Derry?

4. What makes Derry think that the old man is always alone and miserable?

What does he tell the old man?

5. What argument does Derry give to convince his mother why he wants to go the old

man’s garden?

6. How does Mr. Lamb explain his concept of the world?

7. What does the author want to communicate through the incident of the

buzzing/humming of bees?

8. Do you think Mr. Lamb was equally lonely and dejected? Why / Why not?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1. The actual pain or inconvenience caused by a physical impairment is often much less than the

sense of alienation felt by the person with disabilities. What is the kind of behavior that the person

expects from others?

Value Points:

Actual pain or inconvenience caused by physical impairment is often less than the sense of

alienation felt by the person with disabilities – Physical disabilities – caused pain once in life time –

But after it this physical disability – set chain for other actions – caused mental agony –

-called Lamely lamb, mothers were afraid of sending the children because of his tin leg.

-Derry -burnt face –everyone pities him-only a mother could love that face -Both Mr. Lamb and

Derry have been the victims of verbal atrocities – -Mr. Lamb takes comments lightly –

-But Derry does not have the attitude like Mr. Lamb – -Attitude of the people needs to be

changed -Do not want sympathy but accept them as they are -Wounds get healed –but bitter

comments never forgotten leaves a scar

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

1. What is the theme of the play? How has it been worked out?

2. Compare and contrast the characters of Mr. Lamb and Derry.

3. What is the bond that unites old Mr. Lamb and Derry the young boy? How does the old

man inspire the small boy?

4. Comment on the appropriateness of the title.

5. The play is full of psychological revelations about the adolescent psyche. Discuss

EVANS TRIES AN O-LEVEL BY OLIN DEXTER

GIST OF THE LESSON

· Evans a kleptomaniac was imprisoned thrice and all the time escaped from the prison. Now he

was in the prison for the 4th time and all of a sudden developed curiosity to appear in O-level

German Examination which also was an effort to break the prison.

· The Governor takes utmost care to see that he would not be fooled. Every care was taken to

make Evans prepare for the exam.

· He was tutored by a German tutor for 6 months. The day before the exam the tutor wishes

good luck but makes it clear that he had hardly any ‘chance of getting through.’ But Evans gives

an ironical twist to the tutor’s observation by saying “I may surprise everybody.”

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· On the day of the exam Jackson and Stephens visited Evans cell and took away everything that

may help him injure himself. Evans was insisted to take away the hat but he refused saying that

it was lucky charm.

· Evans cell was bugged so that the Governor could himself listen to each and every conversation

in the cell. The invigilator Rev. S. McLeery too was searched and left him to complete the task.

Stephen sitting outside the cell every now and then peeped into the cell.

· The exam went on smoothly. Stephen escorted the invigilator to the main gate and took a look

into Evans cell and found the invigilator (actually Evans) wounded, informed the Governor. The

latter was to be hospitalized but informed that he was alright and asked them to follow Evans.

Thus he escaped the prison.

· When the invigilator was not found in the hospital they went to the residence of Rev. S.

McLeery only to find him ’bound and gagged in his study in Broad Street”. He has been there,

since 8.15 a.m. Now everything was clear to the Governor.

· Evan escaped the prison the 4th time. But by taking the hint from the question paper the

Governor reached the hotel where Evans was and captured him and came to know how he

planned his escape and said that his game was over. Evans surrenders himself to the Governor.

· The Governor tells Evan they would meet soon.

· The moment they are rid of the Governor, the so called prison officer-a friend of Evans-unlocks

the handcuffs and asks the driver to move fast and Evans tells him to turn to Newbury. Evans,

thus, has the last laugh.

SOLVED SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What kind of a person was Evans?

Evans was a ‘Kleptomaniac’ and had broken jail thrice. He was a master planner and was very

sociable. He knew how to keep intimate contacts with people. In the words of the Governor, he

was a pleasant sort of chap with no record of violence.

2. Do you think Evans’ statement, ‘I may surprise everybody,” has some special significance?

Evans seems to be telling his teacher that he may surprise everybody by doing well in the exam,

but in reality it is a forewarning that he is going to jolt everybody by his master-minded perfect

escape-plan.

3. Who were the two visitors Evans received in the morning of the day of his exam?

The two visitors --Mr. Jackson, the senior prison officer of the prison’s D Wing-- man called

Stephens, who had been only recently recruited.

4. What made Evans clip his hair short?

Evans’ escape prison-- duplicate McLeery (invigilate during the O-level German exam) had short

hair. In order to give a practical shape to their plan Evans’ hair had to look like McLeery’s, hence

Evans clipped them short.

5. Why did the Governor instruct Jackson to search McLeery?

The Governor asked Jackson to search McLeery, the invigilator, just in case he has brought

something unwittingly which might prove to be a weapon that Evans could use and try escaping

from prison.

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6 .Why did Evans drape a blanket round his shoulder? What did Stephens think about it?

In between intervals of Stephens’ peeping into the cell, Evans was changing into the Parson’s dress

to look like McLeery. So, in order to conceal his effort to keep them in place, Evans draped a

blanket round his shoulder. Stephens was misled into believing that Evans was feeling cold.

7. In spite of strict vigilance, how did Evans’ friend manage to give the material for disguise in the

cell?

Despite all vigilance, Evans’ friend disguised as McLeery, the invigilator, managed to smuggle the

disguised material into the cell. He came wearing two parson’s dresses with black fronts and

collars. Apart from it he also brought an extra pair of spectacles. All this was passed on to Evans

when Stephens’ vigilant eyes were away from the peep-hole.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

1. What different queries does the Secretary of the Examinations Board make from the Governor

before conducting the examination for Evans and why?

2. Who do you think made a call regarding a correction in the question paper? What did it really

want to convey?

3. Who is Carter? What does the Governor want him to go and why?

4. How did the Governor manage to reach Evans in the hotel?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What impression do you form of ‘Evans the Break’?

2. Comment on the ending of the play ‘Evan Tries An O-Level.

3. How far do you agree with the observation: “He was just another good-for-a-giggle, gullible

governor that was all”?

4. Do you think the title ‘Evans Tries an O-Level’ is appropriate? Give reasons in support of your

answer.

5.How did the Governor manage to reach Evans in the hotel?

6. Who do you think is the driver of the van who eventually takes Evans to freedom?

LONG ANSWER QUESTION

1. What were the precautions taken for the smooth conduct of the examination?

Since Evans had already escaped from the jail on three earlier occasions, there was always a

lurking fear that he might make another attempt to escape. Therefore all possible precautions

were taken to see that the O-level German examination arranged in the prison did not provide him

with any means of escape. The Governor personally monitored all security arrangements and

heavily guarded the Recreation Block from where he expected the prisoner to make another break.

Evans cell was thoroughly checked by Jackson to ward off the possibility of the presence of an

incriminating material which might hamper the smooth conduct of the examination. His nailscissors,

nail-file and razor were taken away; and to keep a strict watch on the activities of the cell

during the examination, the Governor got it bugged. A police officer Stephens was posted to keep

a constant vigil on his activities. The invigilator, too was frisked to make sure that he carried no

objectionable material with him.

MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD by ZITKALA-SA AND BAMA

GIST OF THE LESSON PART –I

- The first part deals with the account of Simmons, An American Indian, who fought against

the prejudices of the society against American Indians.

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- She describes her experiences on her first day at the Carlisle Indian School.

- The customs and rules of the place were strange and new to her.

- She was forced to wear clothes that were considered undignified in her culture

- At breakfast, she was embarrassed as she did not know the routine of the place.

- When she comes to know that they were planning to cut her hair, she protests by hiding

under the bed, even though she knew it was futile. In her culture, it was the cowards whose

hair was shingled.

- She felt like an animal driven by a herder.

PART – II

- The second part is an excerpt from the autobiography ‘Karukku’ by Bama – a Tamil Dalit.

- She was in her third grade when she becomes aware of the indignities that the lower caste

people face.

- She happens to see an elderly person from her community abase himself in front of a

higher caste person as he was not supposed to touch the food that he was ordered to fetch

for the landlord.

- Later, her brother explains to her that the incident was not at all funny as she initially

thought, but very pathetic. The people from the lower caste were treated as untouchables.

- She was deeply saddened and decided to study hard to overcome discrimination.

Short Answer Questions with Sample Answers

1. What were the indignities that the new girls were subjected to at Carlisle Indian School?

The girls were scrutinized thoroughly and supervised by a grey-haired woman. They were made

to wear tight fitting immodest clothes and stiff shoes. During breakfast a systematic and

regimental discipline was observed. The girls with long hair had to get them shingled and they

had to submit to the authorities who were strong, unfeeling and cruel.

2. On learning that her long hair would be cut the author decided to struggle first. What does this

tell us about the author?

The author knows that she could never prevail against the authorities, yet she struggles against

the injustice. Her mother had told her that only cowards had their hair shingled and she firmly

believed that she was not one. To prove her point as well as raise her voice against the

indignity, she struggles.

3. Why did Bama take half hour to an hour to cover the distance to her home that would

normally take only ten minutes?

Bama would dawdle along, watching all the entertaining novelties and oddities in the

streets. She would gaze at the shops and the bazaar enjoying the street scenes and so

she would take at least an hour to reach home.

4. What was the incident that made Bama laugh as well as feel so provoked and angry?

Bama saw an elderly man of her street carrying a packet of ‘Vadais’ by the strings and walking

gingerly, holding the parcel away from his body. Bama found his manner of carrying the parcel very

funny. But her brother explains to her the higher caste people believed that if the lower caste

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people touched the parcel it would be polluted. That’s why the elder was carrying it in that

manner. This provokes and angers Bama.

Short Answer Questions for Practice:

1. Zitkala-Sa’s friend Judewin tells her that it is better to submit to authority. What kind of a

person do you think Judewin was?

2. Why did Zitkala-Sa start crying in the dining hall?

3. Why does the author feel ‘Spirit tore itself in struggling for its lost freedom, all was useless’?

4. ‘Now I was only one of many little animals driven by a herder!’ Explain.

5. When and how did Bama come to know of the discrimination faced by the marginalized

people?

6. 6.Why didn’t the author want to her hair to be cut short?

Long Answer Questions:

1. Had Bama not been guided properly by her elder brother regarding untouchability, she would

have grown up into a complex-torn woman. Do you agree? Justify.

Value points:

Annan an understanding and considerate elder brother – guides her properly – explains the social

stigma of untouchability – Elder carrying Vadai not comical but pathetic – victim of social prejudice

– Bama angry and provoked – Frustration might have lead to open and futile revolt – Timely advice

of Annan guides her in right direction – He believe that people of their community should study

and outshine others to earn respect of society. Bama follows his timely advice and grows up to be

a balanced and well respected individual of the society.

Long Answer questions for Practice:

1. Bama’s brother’s right advice at the right time helped her progress in academics thereby

throwing away the chain of untouchability of which dalits like her are victims of. Justify with

reference to ‘Memories of Childhood’

2. Both Bama and Zitkala-Sa are victims of discrimination that is practiced in the society. What

kind of experience did both of them go through?

3. What are the similarities in the lives of Bama and Zitkal though they belong to different

countries?

4. Describe how Zitkala tried in vain to save her hair from being cut. Why did she want to save her

hair?

5. Does the twin stories hold any relevance today? Analyse with reference to the incidents in the

story and the present society.