ENGLISH NOTES BY LIVEENGLISH 12The Last Lesson by Alphonse
Daudet (Detailed Study)BackgroundThe story is setin the days of the
Franco-Prussian war. The French district of Alsace and Lorraine
were captured by Germans. The new master was to come the next day
in a school in Alsace to teach German in place of French. The story
tells the effect of this news on the life at a school in Alsace.The
story at a glanceThe prose The last lesson written by Alphonse
Daudet narrates about the year 1870 when the Prussian forces under
Bismarck attacked and captured France. The French districts of
Alsace and Lorraine went into Prussian hands. The new Prussian
rulers discontinued the teaching of French in the schools of these
two districts. The French teachers were asked to leave. The story
describes the last day of one such French, M. Hamel. Mr M. Hamel
had been transferred and could no longer remain in his old school.
Still he gave his last lesson to his students with utmost devotion
and sincerity as ever. The story depicts the pathos of the whole
situation about how people feel when they dont learn their own
language and then losing an asset in M. Hamel. One of his students
Franz who dreaded French class and M. Hamel s iron rod, came to the
school that day thinking he would be punished as he had not learnt
his lesson. But on reaching school he found Hamel dressed in
Sundays clothes and all the old people of the village sitting
there. It was due to an order on the bulletin board. That was the
first day when he realised for the first time that how important
French was for him, but it was his LAST LESSON in French.Bit/Bits
1890, the year Prussia conquered two states of France Alsace and
Lorraine. A boy from Alsace is on his way to school. He is
unwilling to school and scared of his teacher, Mr. Hamel. The boys
name is Franz. Very lazy and very illiterate. While passing the
Town Hall, Franz sees so many French citizens overcrowded in front
of the bulletin board. They are reading the latest order from the
Prussians, their enemies. The order said, No French school will
hereafter teach French. All French teachers are hereby ordered to
leave the country. Students should attend their schools and learn
German as their language. Teachers are already appointed. Franz is
illiterate so he cannot read the order. After halting for a while,
Franz runs off to his school. In the school Franz is told of the
new order and of his teachers leaving the school. Although never
interested in learning, Franz for the first time felt like blaming
himself. He listened to Mr. Hamels last lecture. Wonder! He
understood every word, every grammar, every rule. The last class
transformed him life and aptitude. He saw how important it is to be
literate, how essential it is to love ones mother tongue and how
painful it is to be denied the right to learn ones mother
tongue!Dominant Theme raised in the textLINGUISTIC
CHAUVINISMChauvinism is a devotion for or against something, just
based on what you feel (not necessarily what you may know). So,
Linguistic chauvinism is the idea that ones language is superior to
that of others.This happens generally when the language is that of
the ruling class.Linguistic chauvinism is the overt preference for
one language over others. Language is considered to be the cultural
identity of a particular group of people who use it. Hence,
imposing some other language on the people hammers their emotions
and is a step to annex their relationship with their culture. The
language of any country is the pride of that country. It not only
defines theculture butalso tells us about the people,literature and
historyof ofthe country.Language for some people is just the medium
of communication but for others it is the question of life and
death.The Last Lesson very prominently raises the question of
linguistic and cultural hegemony of the colonial and imperial
powers and their lust for controlling the world and influencing
their cultures and identities.The Last Lesson raises the burning
question very innocently through the words of little Franz that
Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons? This raises
the question of immorality of imposing imperial languages and
cultures on the colonies. The child questions that when even the
birds and animals cant be forced to abandon their language and
speak others then what forces the man to think that it would be
prudent force other human beings to forcibly accept any language
other than theirs.The language of a country is not only a medium of
communication for the people but also the link for identity, once
the native language is snatched away from the people. Its not only
the loss of convenient communicating medium but also the loss of
identity for people for what they have been and what they might
become. When a small child like Franz can think of the
irrationality behind snatching away the right of language and
identity from people then why cant the war lords and colonizers
understand the fact?Sub ThemeAttitude of teachers and students
towards learning and teachingMain Characters1. M. Hamel Sincere
French teacher knows subject well Passionate about French considers
French-clearest, most beautiful, logical feels-key to persons sense
of freedom advises to hold on to French Proud of being French upset
by occupation of Alsace by German attached to town, school, people
Hard Task Master particular about discipline and learning students
scared last day exercises on all aspects of language Sensitive,
Honest blames himself for selfishness emotional by sound of
Prussian soldiers2. Franz Sensitive, Honest Blames himself for
ignoring lessons Wonders if pigeons will coo in German Understands
feelings of Hauser Loves outdoors, sunshine, birds, butterflies,
collecting birds eggs As a student,repents, Good observer, notices
changes. Empathizes with M. Hamel Understands emotions, accepts him
with faultsWhat did Franz notice that was unusual about the school
that day?Ans. Usually, when school began, there was a great bustle,
which could be heard out in the street. But it was all very still
that day. Everything was as quiet as a Sunday morning. There was no
opening or closing of desks. His classmates were already in their
places. The teachers great ruler instead of rapping on the table,
was under M. Hamels arm.What had been put up on the
bulletin-board?For the last two years all the bad news came from
the bulletin-board. An order had come from Berlin to teach only
German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The Germans had put
up this notice on the Bulletin board.What change did the order from
Berlin cause in the school that day?Mr. Hamel had put on his best
dress his beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt and the little
black silk cap, all embroidered. The whole school seemed so strange
and solemn. On the back benches that were always empty, the elderly
village people were sitting quietly like the kids.How did Franzs
feelings about M. Hamel and the school change?Franz came to know
that it was the last lesson in French that M. Hamel would give
them. From the next day they will be taught only German. Then he
felt sorry for not learning his lessons properly. His books, which
seemed a nuisance and a burden earlier were now old friends. His
feelings about M. Hamel also changed. He forgot all about his ruler
and how cranky he was.When a people are enslaved, as long as they
hold fast to their language it is as if they have the keys to their
prison. What could this mean?Ans. Language is an important aspect
of the culture of any nation. Native language unites the people of
a particular area or nation. During colonization colonizers enforce
political domination by exerting their rules and regulation over
the people of colonized nation and enforce cultural domination by
imposing their own language on them. In some cases, colonizers
prohibit the teaching of the native language and try to deprive the
people of their identity. In such cases ,when people are attached
to their native language, their identity would be kept intact.
Their language is the key to their prison as their language keeps
them united against the invaders and urge them to fight against the
enslavement.Q Franz thinks, Will they make them sing in German,
even the pigeons ? What could this means?Ans.Alphonse Daudets The
Last Lesson very prominently raises the question of linguistic and
cultural hegemony of the colonial and imperial powers and their
lust for controlling the world and influencing their cultures and
identities. Prussians acquired the districts of Alsace and Lorraine
in Franco-Prussian War , but they were not satisfied with mere
political domination ,they desired to enforce their own language on
the people of the defeated nation. They released the order that
from now German would be taught in schools rather than French.
Franz wondered whether they would make even pigeons sing in German.
It means that they had grown up using French as their language and
now snatching away their language from them would be unfair and
unkind. The language was as natural to them as cooing is to the
pigeon. So, compulsion to speak another language is like dominating
the force of nature and enslaving it. As it is next to impossible
to alter the way pigeons sing, in the same way it is difficult for
people to accept a language which is forcibly imposed on them.
Adopting a new language causes pain and discomfort.VALUE BASED
QUESTIONSThe Last LessonQ. Franzs feelings about M. Hamel and
school changed gradually by the end of the text, though he had a
great disliking for both the beginning of the story. It is said
that first impression is the last impression. Is it true in context
of The Last Lesson? Definitely not.Write a small paragraph of about
100 words penning down your views on, A person can be best judged
in his first appearance only.Ans:A well-known dictum states that
appearances are deceptive. In fact, it is true that one cannot be
judged in just one meeting. Actually, one or more meetings are not
enough to judge a persons personality. Every person reacts
differently on different situations at different times. So it is
not a matter of single appearances to form a judgment about a
person. It might be a prejudice. Now-a-days every person appears to
be social and gentle. They want to be presentable in the society.
No matter what their background is. Ones clothes, gestures, habits,
etc. do not define ones personality in just one appearance. Due
time should be taken to form opinion about a person. Different
situations reveal different aspects of ones personality. Sometimes
a life remains short to know a person. But sometimes even a few
seconds are enough to know ones real face. Hence, it is not a
matter of first or last impression but the issue of time, needed to
know one in ones right colours.Q. While speaking his mouth choked
and wrote, Vive La France and finally by gesture he said: School is
dismissed you may go.These lines show that M Hamel was greatly
attached to his motherland, profession and mother tongue. In other
words, one should be attached to his own land, cultures and
customs. But todays Indians are drowned in the western colours. It
shows that there is need to spread awareness about the feeling of
patriotism and other related factors. Write a paragraph in about
100 words highlighting the issue.Ans. Patriotism-An Unmatched
SpiritPatriotism is defined as ones love for ones customs, culture,
mother tongue, motherland and everything what is associated with
ones motherland. One should be proud of what ones country has given
to him. In Indian context, people have started adopting western
culture. They are in the race of being Mod. This is really
surprising as well as pathetic. As an Indian, we own a rich and
diversified culture which has attracted foreigners too. Many
patriots have sacrificed their lives in the name of their country
which has attracted foreigners too. Many Patriots have a feeling
that cannot be filled in the hearts of Indians but it should be
arisen and inculcated among the future generation of the country.
The students or the youth of the country need to be indianised.
Adaption of different cultures is not bad. But forgetting our own
culture for sake of other ones is not done. The need of the hour is
to inculcate the moral values, virtues, love for humanity and
motherland among the Indian youth. Patriotism is an undying and
unmatched spirit that cannot be sacrificed for anything.Q. Read the
following question and answer the question that follows:Then he
turned to the blackboard, took a piece of chalk and, bearing on
with all his might, he wrote as large as he could vive la
France!Abraham Lincoln, a former president of America saidI like to
see a man proud of the place in which he lives.I like to see a man
live so that his place will be proud of him.After reading the
lesson and the above quote of Abraham Lincoln you being to reflect
on the lost spirit of patriotism amongst the youth in India due to
which there is no respect for once countrymen and no determination
amongst the youth to lead the country to be a better future.Write
an article in about 100 words for a national magazine on the need
for revival of patriotic spirit amongst the youth of India.ANS:The
Need for Revival of Patriotic Spirit amongst the Youth in
IndiaIndia has been the land of proud martyrs who embraced the
gallows for their ideals, where every drop in freedom fighters
blood fought not for itself but for nation. Today, the same India
stands famished and starved of the true patriotic spirit. Our youth
appears to be driven more by a crazy love for a superficial
self-advancement than anything else for our young boys and girls,
country holds on better value than just a geographical identity.
Undoubtedly, patriotism needs to be redefined and revived in India.
We probably find our patriotic spirit stirred up when there is an
Indo-pak cricket match or when terrorists bomb our trains. But we
definitely forget it when we cast our vote in the elections, when a
hungry beggar asks for a rupee, when we shamelessly throw garbage
on the roads and so on. Patriotic emotions cannot be engendered in
a windfall. They will have to be engraved on tender hearts that
will remain placid. Our education policies thus needed to be
revalued and reformed. More national awareness and respect should
be embedded into the scholastic curriculum. This could be nothing
more than a sincere devotion for making a peaceful-loving,
uncorrupt, crime-free, unpolluted and patriotic India. Small
actions persuaded with a notion of doing good to other countrymen
is true patriotism. Today, our country wants awakened citizens to
move forward and it is in this sphere where we have to exercise our
true patriotic spirit.Short Questions:1. What was Franz expected to
be prepared with for school that day?Ans. That day Franz was
expected to be prepared with participles because M. Hamel had said
that he would question them on participles . Franz did not know
anything about participles.2. What did Franz notice that was
unusual about the school that day?Ans. Usually, when school began,
there was a great bustle, which could be heard out in the street.
But it was all very still that day. Everything was as quiet as a
Sunday morning. There was no opening or closing of desks. His
classmates were already in their places. The teachers great ruler
instead of rapping on the table, was under M. Hamels arm.3. What
had been put up on the bulletin-board?For the last two years all
the bad news came from the bulletin-board. An order had come from
Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.
The Germans had put up this notice on the Bulletin board.4. What
change did the order from Berlin cause in the school that day?Mr.
Hamel had put on his best dress his beautiful green coat, his
frilled shirt and the little black silk cap, all embroidered. The
whole school seemed so strange and solemn. On the back benches that
were always empty, the elderly village people were sitting quietly
like the kids.5. How did Franzs feelings about M. Hamel and the
school change?Franz came to know that it was the last lesson in
French that M. Hamel would give them. From the next day they will
be taught only German. Then he felt sorry for not learning his
lessons properly. His books, which seemed a nuisance and a burden
earlier were now old friends. His feelings about M. Hamel also
changed. He forgot all about his ruler and how cranky he was.LONG
QUESTIONSQWhen a people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to
their language it is as if they have the keys to their prison. What
could this mean?Ans. Language is an important aspect of the culture
of any nation. Native language unites the people of a particular
area or nation. During colonization colonizers enforce political
domination by exerting their rules and regulation over the people
of colonized nation and enforce cultural domination by imposing
their own language on them. In some cases, colonizers prohibit the
teaching of the native language and try to deprive the people of
their identity.In such cases ,when people are attached to their
native language, their identity would be kept intact. Their
language is the key to their prison as their language keeps them
united against the invaders and urge them to fight against the
enslavement.Q Franz thinks, Will they make them sing in German,
even the pigeons ? What could this means?Ans.Alphonse Daudets The
Last Lesson very prominently raises the question of linguistic and
cultural hegemony of the colonial and imperial powers and their
lust for controlling the world and influencing their cultures and
identities.Prussians acquired the districts of Alsace and Lorraine
in Franco-Prussian War , but they were not satisfied with mere
political domination ,they desired to enforce their own language on
the people of the defeated nation. They released the order that
from now German would be taught in schools rather than French.Franz
wondered whether they would make even pigeons sing in German. It
means that they had grown up using French as their language and now
snatching away their language from them would be unfair and unkind.
The language was as natural to them as cooing is to the pigeon. So,
compulsion to speak another language is like dominating the force
of nature and enslaving it. As it is next to impossible to alter
the way pigeons sing, in the same way it is difficult for people to
accept a language which is forcibly imposed on them. Adopting a new
language causes pain and discomfort.Answer the following in 30-40
words each.1. Why was Franz afraid to go to school that morning?2.
What temptations did Franz overcome to proceed to school? (p-2
,para-1)3. What was the significance of the bulletin-board in the
town hall? (p-2, para-2)4. Why was Franz blushing and feeling
frightened when he entered the class room? (was late ,easily
noticed as everyone was settled)5. How and why was M. Hamel dressed
differently that day?(p-3 ,last para)6. Why were the old men of the
village present in the class room? (p-5 ,1stpara)7. How was the
order from Berlin going to make a difference to the lives of the
students?(not study the native language , will be compelled to
study a foreign language)8. How did Franzs attitude towards his
books change after he heard about the order from Berlin? (p-4
,2ndlast para)9. What happened when Franz attempted to recite the
rule for participles in class? (p-5 ,2ndpara: But i got mixed
up.look up10. What does M. Hamel find wrong with the attitude of
Alsace towards learning? (puts off learning till tomorrow)11. How
does M. Hamel held parents and himself responsible for students
neglecting learning?(p-5 ,2ndlast para)12. How does M. Hamel praise
the French language? (p-5 ,last para)13. How is the mother tongue
important for the enslaved people?14. Why was Franz able to
understand everything?(Franz- listening carefully ,Hamel-explaining
everything with patience)15. How had the school changed in the
forty years of M. Hamels stay ?(p-8 ,para-1)16. I never saw him
look so tall. Who is the person mentioned? What does the speaker
mean by the above statement?17. Why did M. Hamel make a gesture to
the students to leave?(was choked up ,overwhelmed with
emotions)18.How does M. Hamel evoke feelings of patriotism in the
class ?Answer the following in about 150 words each1. Justify the
title The Last Lesson.2. In the story M. Hamel emerges not only as
a dedicated teacher but also as a sensitive andunderstanding human
being. Elaborate the character of M. Hamel in light of the above3*.
The importance of a thing dawns upon us when it is no longer with
us. Do youagree ? Give reasons based on the text ?1. Language
becomes a tool in the lands of the conquerors to establish their
superiority over the loser. Critically analyse the statement with
reference to the lesson.The Lost Spring by Anees JungTHE LOST
SPRING by ANEES JUNGSpring is the Season of optimism and hope.
Spring is the metaphor of childhood stage in a persons life. From
birth till late childhood, life for every child is almost the
beginning of a bright and a shiny future. Childhood is featured by
innocence, physical stamina and vitality, tremendous urge for the
outdoors and a tremendous appetite for fun and play. Activities
have no limits. It is also the stage for gaining skill and
knowledge, learning and going to school.The lost spring by Anees
Jung is an expression of national shame of children condemned to
poverty and a life of exploitation. The two protagonists of the
chapter, Saheb-e-Alam and Mukesh lose their childhood in carrying
the burden of poverty and illiteracy. In their bleak stories of
exploitation, the author finds glimpses of resilience and
fortitude.Sometimes I find a Rupee in the garbageSaheb and his
family have left their homes and green fields in Dhaka to settle in
Seemapuri. They had left Dhaka because of storms and floods. They
feel it is better to be without identity than going
hungry.Seemapuri is geographically close to Delhi, but its
traditions, standard of life and people are far away from
Delhi.Seemapuri was a deserted area when the Bangladeshis arrived
here three decades ago. They were forced to come here due to the
natural disasters in Bangladesh. They loved Seemapuri because they
could survive here. They had food and shelter here.The authors
description of the life of the rag pickers in Seemapuri is
touching. 10,000 people have come as squatters, staying in
structures of mud, with roofs of tin and tarpaulin, devoid of
sewage, drainage or running water.Squatters are persons who
unlawfully occupy an uninhabited building or unused land.They have
stayed there without any identity but food is more important than
identity. Their fields in Dhaka could not give them food whereas
being rag pickers, they dont go hungry. In Seemapuri survival means
rag picking. The elders have made it their profession for a fixed
wages whereas for the children rag picking is a game of
treasure-hunting. They work through the garbage with a hope that
one day they would get a gold coin or a rupee note from the garbage
heapThrough years rag picking has acquired the proportions of a
fine art.Like any other art form, rag picking possesses certain
talents and rules. One needs guidance and inborn talents to be a
successful rag picker. He should know where to find garbage, what
to take, what to ignore, what time is best for it and so on. In
Seemapuri every child is skilled in this art form.Saheb-e-Alam
doesnt know the meaning of his name lord of the universe-which he
is not. He was a rag picker. He and his fellow rag pickers are
barefooted and the reason one of them gives is his mother does not
bring his shoes down from the shelf. The author has met many
barefooted children roaming around. The reason is that it is not
lack of money but a tradition to stay barefoot.According to Anees
Jung, it is just an excuse to explain their state of
poverty.Education has brought timely changes in many peoples
lifestyle like the priest from Udipi and his son. A man from Udipi
once told the author his own story when he was a boy and his father
a priest in the temple. As a young boy he would go to school past
this old temple and stop briefly to pray for a pair of shoes.
Thirty years later when the author visited his town and the temple,
she saw a lot of modern instances in the town and lifestyle of the
people. The priests son now goes to school, wearing shoes and socks
carrying a school bag. The author means to indicate the timely
changes education brings to people and how the illiterate rag
pickers remain unchanged, carrying the rotten traditions.The rag
pickers have no way out of poverty since they have no chance to go
to school and be educated.Saheb is now employed in a tea shop with
a fixed wage of 800 rupees and all meals.He is not happy as he has
lost his freedom as he is bound to the owner of the tea stall who
is his master. He is no longer his own master.The title Lost Spring
is justified in the first part as Saheb-e-Alams childhood his
spring time is lost first in picking rags and then in working for a
master.NCERT QUESTIONSQ.1.Who is Saheb? What is he looking for in
the garbage dumps and where has he come from?Ans: Saheb is a
rag-picker of Seemapuri. The writer encounters him every morning
scrounging for gold in the garbage dumps in herneighbourhood. He
hails from Dhaka and he was migrated from Bangladesh in 1971. His
house and fields were destroyed by storm.Q2. Why did people migrate
from the village in Dhaka to Delhi?(Better education, job
opportunities and living conditions)Q3 What explanations does the
author offer for the children not wearingfoot wear?When the author
asked the children why they were always barefoot,one said it was
because his mother had not pulled his shoes from the shelf while
the other explanation was that it was a tradition in their
community to walk barefoot. The author did not quite believe it and
realized that it was their perpetual state of poverty which was
responsible for their moving around in that manner.Q4. What makes
the city of Firozabad famous?Firozabad is famous for bangles. Every
other family in Firozabad is engaged in making bangles. It is
thecentreof Indias glass blowing industry where families have spent
generations working around furnaces, welding glass, making bangles
for women all over India.Q5Mention any two hazards of working in
the glassbanglesindustry( .-glassfurnaces with high
temperature-darkand dingy cells without air and lightthechances of
losing ones eye- sightThere ispossibilityof skin burn too)Q6.Why
was not Saheb happyongetting a job?A. Saheb was not happyongetting
a job intea stallfor a salary ofRs.800/- per month as he lost his
freedom. He had to carry the stall owners steel canister in place
of his bag. He lost his carefree look He was now no longer his own
master.Q7What forces conspire to keep the workers in the bangle
industry of Firozabad in poverty?Lack of education and awareness,
stigma of being borninthe caste ofbanglemakers,vicious
nexusofsahukars, middlemen, politicians and police suppresses the
bangle makers and keep them poverty stricken. Broken spirit,
dormant initiative, fear of being beaten and dragged to jail,
absence of leadership are the other forces which conspire to keep
them in poverty.EXTRA QUESTIONSQ1How did Saheb manage to embarrass
the author?Ans.Theauthor like manyothers who gave hollow advice had
told Saheb to attend school, only to be informed that there was no
school in his locality. She jokinglyenquiredwhether he would enroll
in her school if she happened to open one. Saheb happily agreed and
a few days later when he met the author heenquiredabout the school.
The author was embarrassed because the promise was not meant to be
fulfilled.Q2What prompted the author to remark that promises like
the one shemade aboundin every corner of Sahebs bleak world?Ans.The
author had promised to open a school in which Saheb couldstudy
buthad no intention of doing so. She says that hollow promises like
hers guaranteeing a better life were made to the deprived section
of the society all the time but were never fulfilledQ3What was the
full name of Saheb. Describe the irony of his fate?1. Saheb-e-Alam
lord ofuniverse-but had to pick rags was not the master of
himself.Q4. What is special about the story of the man from
Udipi?Q5.Why do the rag pickers have rationpermits butno
identity?(canvote,get food at subsidized rates)Q6. Why did the rag
pickers have to leave their green fields in their country?Q7Garbage
to them is gold. Why does the author say so about the
rag-pickers?Ans:More than 10,000 rag-pickers of Seemapuri live in
squatters. For them is garbage is gold and it is wrapped in wonder.
For a child, it is their bread. Sometimes a child can find a silver
coin or more in a heap of garbage. For the elders it is a means of
survival.Q8Why does the author say that Seemapuri in spite of being
on the periphery of Delhi was miles away from it?Ans.The author
remarks so to highlight the economic disparity between the people
of Delhi and the rag pickers of Seemapuri. The opulence of Delhi is
in no way related to the dire poverty of the residents of
Seemapuri.Q9How do children of rag pickers become equal partners in
survival?Q10Through the years rag picking has acquired the
proportion of a fine art in Seemapuri. Justify the
statement.Ans..The means of survival of migrants of Bangladesh in
Seemapuriisrag picking. Garbage to them is gold. Like a fine art
that has no end in appealing the sense of beauty the rag pickers
scrounging the garbage is a never ending process which provides
them their daily bread day after day.Q11How did garbage hold
different meanings for adults and children?Ans.For adults rag
picking was only a means of survival but for children a lot of
excitement was associated with the same for they often found
unexpected things as a ten rupee note in the same. There was always
a hope of coming across unexpected surprises and so garbage was
wrapped in wonder for them.Q12How has a dream come true for Saheb
but what is out of his reach? (got a pair of shoes, playing tennis
was out of his reach)Q13 Who is Mukesh? What is his dream? Why does
it look like a mirage amidst the dust?Q14 .How is the bangle
industry of Firozabad a curse for childhood ?Q15How does Mukeshs
grandmother view the family occupation of bangle making and its
poverty?Ans.Mukeshs grandmother views bangle making as the destiny
of her family. Her husbands blindness, their misfortune and
impoverished condition, she feels, are ordained by destiny. Years
of suffering makes her accept everything in the name of karma or
fate.Q16What do bangles symbolize? What is ironical in making of
bangles by Savita and wearing of bangles by an elderly woman who
has no light in her eyes?Q17Has Firozabad changed with time ? Give
reasonsQ18Why did not the bangle makers organize themselves into a
co-operative?Ans.Banglemakers did not do so because if they tried
to get organized they would be beaten up by the police and dragged
to jail for doing something illegal. They had no leader who could
show them the way.Q19What are the two worlds that the author talks
about?Ans.The first one was that of the families of the bangle
makers, caught in a web of poverty and burdened by the stigma of
the caste to which they belonged. The second one was that of a
vicious circle of sahukars, the middlemen, the policemen, the
keepers of law, the bureaucrats and the politicians.Q20Why does the
author say that the bangle makers are caught in a vicious web?
(Lost Spring)Q21.How is Mukesh different from Saheb?Ans.Saheb
sacrificed his freedom when he took job at the tea stall but Mukesh
insisted on being his own master. Though Saheb wanted to study but
he was not ready to make effort to get educated, rather he accepted
his fate. On the other hand Mukesh was determined to become motor
mechanic and was ready to make every possible effort to accomplish
his dreams.LONG ANSWER QUESTIONSQ1 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
enthusiasticprospect of finding gold in garbagelikes going to
school but no opportunityfreedom and joy of childhood to burdens of
job at tea-stall.Mukesh, born at Firozabad (bangle maker)works
under inhuman conditiondark room, hot furnacescaught in web of
povertyvicious circle of sahukars, policemen, politicians,
bureaucrats and moneylendersresigned to fateunaware of child labour
actstifled initiation and hopelose eyesight before becoming
adultsQ2 How is the line few airplanes fly over Firozabad
symbolically significant? The author finds a spark of motivation in
Mukesh who is quite determined about realizing his dream of
becoming a motor mechanic He is ready to walk to a garage far from
his home The author asks if he ever dreams of flying a plane- the
question embarrasses him and Mukesh replies in the negative He is
satisfied with the more tangible and attainable dream related to
the fast moving cars that he saw on the streets each day Airplanes
symbolize something distant, just like a far-fetched dream people
of Firozabad were not exposed to grand dreams like that.Q3 The life
of bangle makers of Firozabad was full of obstacles which forced
them to lead a life of poverty and deprivation. Discuss with
reference toLost SpringValue Points: Bangle makers born in poverty,
live in poverty, die in poverty. For generations people have been
engaged in this trade. Work in inhuman conditions. Although they
work hard but the profit is meagre. Their hovels have crumbling
walls, wobbly doors and no windows. They are overcrowded with
humans and animals. Social customs, traditions, stigma of caste and
people in authority combine so thatthey remain poor and uneducated
Money lenders, middlemen, politicians and policemen are all against
them. Unable to organize themselves into a co-operative due to lack
of a leader. They have lost the ability to dream.They can only talk
but not act to improve their lotQ4 The bangle-makers of Ferozabad
make beautiful bangles and make everyone happy but they live and
die in squalor. ElaborateValue points utter poverty generation
after generationbelieve they are destined to work in bangle
factories-make beautiful bangles but live in darkbright furnaces to
do welding-they lose their eyesight-victims of vicious circle of
middlemenlaw enforcing authorities prey upon them bleak futureQ5
Give a brief account of the life and activities of the people like
Saheb-e-Alam settled in Seemapuri.Value points: poor rag pickers /
unschooled / barefoot / sometimes taking up odd jobs likeworking at
tea stalls garbage to them is gold, it is their daily bread
migrants (squatters) from Bangladesh, came to Delhi in 1973 their
fields and homes swept away in storms live in structures of mud
with roofs of tin and tarpaulin, devoid of sewage,drainage or
running water have lived for more than 30 years without identity,
without permits but with ration cards no intention of going back to
their own country wherever they find food, they pitch their tentsQ6
Lost Spring explains the grinding poverty and traditions that
condemn thousands ofpeople to a life of abject poverty. Do you
agree? Why / Why not?Yes duly supported by examples from text both
caught in the vicious cycle of poverty, apathy, affected by the
greed ofothers, injustice lost childhood spring of lifeMukeshs
story bangle making industry caught in the web of middlemen,
politicians, policemen, the keepers of law, bureaucrats lose all
spirit and ability to dreamSaheb-a-Alams story rag picker,
scrounging for gold, walking bare foot, got job, not happy
becauseno freedom, lost childhood any other relevant pointQ7.
Explain the significance of title Lost Spring.Ans: In this lesson,
the author Anees Jung examines and analyses the grinding poverty
and tradition that condemn children to a life of exploitation.Saheb
as a ragpicker whose parents have left behind a life of abject
poverty in Bangladesh. His family, like the many other families of
rag pickers lives in Seemapuri. They live in miserable condition.
The writer is pained to see Saheb, whose name means the ruler of
the Earth, lose the spark of childhood. She then proceeds to tell
about Mukesh who does want to be his own master. Hailing from
Firozabad, the centre of Indias bangle making and glass blowing
industry, he has always worked in the glass making factory. His
family does not know that it is illegal for children to work in
such close to furnaces with such high temperatures. They are
exposed to various health hazards like losing their eyesight as
they work in dark and dingy cells. The family of bangle maker of
Firozabad are so burdened that they have lost their ability to
dream. The writers observation is that these poor hopeless people
are but pawn in the games that are played by Sahukars, middlemen,
the policemen, the bureaucrats and the politicians.The title is
meaningful as they lost their spring (childhood). The writer has
beautifully essayed the story of stolen childhood with a view to
sensitizing us to the plight of these poor unfortunate children.Q8
Seemapuri , a place on periphery of Delhi yet miles away from it
metaphorically.CommentQ9 Bring out the significance of Mukeshs
dream of becoming a motor mechanic.Q10 There is a vast gulf that
separates dreams from reality Discuss with special reference to
Mukesh and Sahib.Q11 Bring out irony and pathos in the story of
Anees Jung.Deep Water by William O DouglasValues Raised:
Determination, optimism, perseverance, diligence, openness to
challenges, courage, persistence, endurance etc.William Douglas,
one of the most popular and powerful American Supreme Court Chief
Justices in the history, had an enemy since the childhood. He tried
to defeat this enemy in all possible ways. First he tried to
overcome this enemy all by himself and later with the help of a
trainer. Though he took years to defeat the enemy, finally Douglas
killed his enemy. He was not arrested or sentenced for this murder,
not because he himself was the chief justice, but because his
murdered enemy was his fear of water!Bit/Bits William Douglas had
great passion for water. He longed to learn swimming. When he was
three or four years, he was taken to a Beach in California by his
father. While surfing on the shore, a huge wave knocked him. He
feared water. That was his childhood fear. After some years he
longed to swim in the Yakima River but his mother warned against
that idea. the yakima river is treacherous. Then he found the YMCA
Pool the safest place for swimming. Its deepest end was six feet
deep, the bottom was tiled, the drop towards the deep part was
gradual, water was clean and there were other children swimming. He
went to the pool and started swimming by imitating other boys. One
day, while waiting for the other boys to come, a big boy threw him
into the deepest end of the water. Douglas had the courage to face
the situation. He went down and down with a hope to reach the
bottom to make a big leap upward. Three times he went down and on
the third time, he lost consciousness and almost died! Douglas
gives a vivid description of death which is peaceful. Douglas body
floated on the surface. Someone dragged him out of the water and
provided first aid. After this incident, Douglas tried to avoid
water and water sports as much as possible. When he grew up, water
began to tempt him again. He got a trainer and learnt swimming.
After the completion of the training, he went to various rivers,
pools, lakes and swam alone and got rid of his fear.Instructor In
October Douglas got an instructor for swimming. In three months,
his fear began to fade. Bit by bit he shed his fears. The
instructor engaged his feet and hands into swimming.Getting rid of
Fear After the instructor was done, Douglas started a self
training. He went to the following rivers and lakes: Lake Wentworth
(New Hampshire) Triggs Islands Stamp Act Island Tieton Conrad
Meadows Conrad Creek Trail Meade Glacier Warm lake He conquered the
fear of water for ever.SummaryThe story, Deep Waters tells us how
the writer overcame his fear of water and learned swimming with
sheer determination and will power. He had developed a terror of
water since childhood. When he was three or four years old the
writer had gone to California with his father. One day on the
beach, the waves knocked the child down and swept over him. The
child was terrified but the father who knew there was no harm
laughed. The experience bred a permanent fear of water in the
childs sub-conscious mind. Still another incident, more serious,
increased his terror. The writer was trying to learn swimming in
the Y.M.C.A. swimming pool in Yakima. One day while he was waiting
for other boys, a big boy suddenly played a dangerous prank and
pushed him into the water. The writer was terribly frightened. He
went down nine feet into the water. His lungs were full of the
unreleased air. When he reached the bottom, he jumped upward with
all his strength. He came up but very slowly. He tried to catch
hold of something like a rope but grasped only at water.He tried to
shout but no sound came out. He went down again. His lungs ached,
head throbbed and he grew dizzy. He felt paralyzed with fear. All
his limbs were paralyzed. Only the movement of his heart told him
that he was alive. Again he tried to jump up. But this time his
limbs would not move at all. He looked for ropes, ladders and water
wings but all in vain. Then he went down again, the third time.
This time all efforts and fear ceased. He was moving towards
peaceful death. The writer was in peace. When he came to
consciousness, he found himself lying on the side of the pool with
the other boys nearby. The terror that he had experienced in the
pool never left him. It haunted him for years and years to come. It
spoilt many of his expeditions of canoeing, swimming and fishing.
It spoilt his pleasures in Maine Lakes, New Hampshire, Deschutes,
Columbia and Bumping Lake etc.But the writer was determined to
conquer his terror. He took help of a swimming instructor to learn
swimming. The instructor taught him various actions necessary in
swimming part by part. He put his face under water and exhaled and
inhaled raising it above water. He practiced it for several weeks.
He had to kick with his legs a few weeks on the side of the pool.
At last he combined all these actions and made the writer swim. He
learned swimming but the terror continued. So deep goes our
childhood experiences! So fearful is the fear of fear! Whenever he
was in water the terror returned. Hence forward the writer tried to
terrorize terror itself. He tried to face the new challenge. When
terror came, he confronted it by asking it sarcastically as to what
it can really do to him? He plunged into the water as if to defy
the fear. Once he took courage the terror vanquished. He faced the
challenge deliberately in various places like the Warm Lake. He
conquered it at last.The experiences of the writer throw some
important lights on certain aspects of life. Experiences of pain or
pleasure in childhood remain in the sub-conscious mind and
influence our feelings later too. The fear of water acted on the
writer in that way. Even after being an expert in swimming, the
writer felt terror. There was no reason at all. Once he took
courage, the fear vanished. That shows most of our fears are
baseless. Fear creates dangers where there is none. The writers
experiences further confirm the proverbial truth, Where there is a
will, there is a way.How did William Douglas overcome his fear of
water?With an instructor and an overhead cable connected to his
waist, Douglas began to learn to swim. He dipped his head, exhaled
underwater, inhaled on surface, kicked with legs, and even swam in
isolated or treacherous waters to overcome hydrophobia.Describe the
misadventure that made Douglas hydrophobicOnce, a bully pushed
Douglas into the deep end of the YMCA pool. Gripped by paralyzing
fear, in vain, Douglas tried to spring upwards to the surface
twice. He almost lost consciousness before he was saved. This
misadventure made Douglas hydrophobic.All we have to fear is fear
itself. Discuss.Indeed, William O. DouglasDeep Waterjustifies
President Roosevelts assertion that all we have to fear, is fear
itself.William O. Douglas aversion to water began with his mothers
warnings about the Yakima river and a childhood sea holiday where
he first experienced the power o water.The misadventure at the YMCA
pool, where a bully pushed Douglas into the water nearly drowning
him, turned the fear into a phobia. However Douglas decided to
challenge this handicap.With the help of an instructor, and using a
pulley connected by a belt to his waist, Douglas re-learnt how to
swim in a pool. He learnt to dip his head, exhale underwater and
inhale on resurfacing.Even after the trainer declared success,
Douglas tested his skill in treacherous and unfamiliar waters till
his phobia vanished completely. Thereafter, William O. Dougla
realized that once the fear of fear disappeared, true success
awaited.Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each: How did
the anxiety towards water develop in Douglas? Which misadventure
turned Douglas anxiety into a phobia? How did Douglas challenge his
hydrophobia? Why does Douglas say, But I was not finished? What
opinion of William Douglas do you form from this extract and what
values can one learn from him?Answer the question in 120-150
words:Describe the misadventure that initiated Douglas
hydrophobia.Draw a plot line for the chapterwith an exposition,
rising action, falling action and resolutionQUESTION BANKShort
answer questions 1. What was the misadventure that William Douglas
speaks about?2. What was the writers first reaction on being flung
into the pool?3. Why did William Douglas hate the idea of getting
into water?4. How did the instructor build a swimmer out of William
Douglas?5. How did William Douglas make sure that he conquered the
old terror?BROAD QUESTIONS1. It is Douglas will power that enabled
him to overcome his fear of water. This reveals that with a strong
will human beings can overcome all kinds of fear. Explain with two
illustrations from real life.2. Which experience made the writer
feel terrified of water?3. Explain in brief William Douglas attempt
to come out of the pool.4. How did the instructor help the writer
learn swimming?The RattrapThe RattrapBy Selma LagerlofCharacters1.
A tramp with rattraps.2. A crofter3. Master Smith in the Ramsjo
Iron Mill in Sweden4. Helpers in the Mill blacksmiths5. Iron mill
owner6. Edla Willmansson daughter of the Iron Mill
owner.Justification of TitleThe Rattrap is an appropriate title as
it is the story of a rattrap peddler. The author has used the
metaphor of a Rattrap to highlight the human predicament. Just as a
rat is fooled by bait and gets trapped, most human beings also fall
into the trap of material benefits. The story revolves around the
incident of a man getting trapped due to his greed. Hence, the
title is an apt one.THEMEThe human beings are prone to fall into
the trap of materialbenefits. It is thehuman tendency to redeem
oneself from dishonest ways. Hence, the whole world is called a big
rattrap which tempts the people towards its
materialisticbenefits,and brings about their doom and never ending
predicament.It also highlights the themes like human loneliness,
status and treatment meted out to have-nots and callous attitude of
society and government towards such people.One of the themes is
that man is inherently good by nature. The society and environment
make them bad. Human goodness and kindness can bring about the
change in their attitude.CRITICAL ANALYSISThe Rat Trap written by
Selma Lagerlof is a short story about an old disheartened beggar
and thief who is taken in and shown generosity by a young woman,
her kindness changes his bitter attitude about life. The peddler is
a man who has fallen upon misfortune and now resorts to
sellingrattraps, begging, and thievery. He is very pessimistic
about the world around him and sees the world as merely a rat trap.
He believes that society tempts us with riches and fine things, and
when we accept, we are caught in the trap and are left with
nothing.The warmth of compassion extends its rays around the world,
engraving mankind with its characteristic. Selma Legerlof supports
the theory of compassion in her modern day short story The Rat Trap
which depicts thepowerfuland positive impacts of such care. In the
story, cynicism grips the protagonist rat trap peddler until the
old man and the blacksmiths daughter infect the protagonist with
their altruism. Thus, the peddlers inner soul experiences a rapid
transformation form an ugly duckling to a
dazzlingswan.Legerlofsfirst scene of compassion is from the old
mans hospitality. Despite the fact that he did not know the
peddler, the old man still opened his arms and acted charitableby
providing food and shelter. This action is not typical in the
todays world; a majority of us would turn a blind eye. However,
although the old man showed a sign of compassion, it was not
appreciatedthe protagonist stole from the old man. As the peddler
ponders on the road of guilt, he soon receives a second action of
care from a little girl.Compassion is illustrated when the
blacksmiths daughter takes pity on the protagonist. Although she
knew the fact that he was not Captain von Stahle, whom he claimed
to be, the girl said, I think he ought to stay with us today. I
dont want him to go. The girls compassionate words cracked the
foundation of the protagonists cynical world. Throughout the story,
the protagonist only believed in the dismal side of human nature,
survival of the fittest, and viewed the world as a battlefield. His
whole belief system was shattered when he received the girls pity
and an opportunity to enjoy his first true Christmas.LagerlofsThe
Rat Trap strongly validates the concept that compassion revolves
around humankind. She provides evidence when the old man and the
blacksmiths daughter show compassion towards the protagonist. As a
result, the girl acted as the North Star, guiding the protagonist
out of the trap of cynicism.Another lesson the mendicant learns
throughout the course of the story is to be considerate of others.
At the end of the novel, he makes amends with the old man by
returning his money and writing Edla a thank you note. He
understands what he did to the man was wrong and that was not
returning the kindness and trust given to him. He apologized for
lying to the girl and her father and leaves her a present, a rat
trap and the stolen money(thirtycronerbills)of the old man to be
returned.Main points The Rattrap is a story that underlines
thebelief that essential goodness in human beings can be aroused
through sympathy, understanding and love. Once a man went around
selling small rattraps but he took to begging and thievery to keep
his body and soul together. One day he was struck with the idea the
whole world is a big rattrap and it offers riches as bait. People
let themselves be tempted to touch the bait then it closes in on
them bringing an end to everything. One dark evening the rattrap
peddler sought shelter in an old crofters roadside cottage. The old
man gave him food, tobacco they enjoyed the card game too. Next
morning the peddler stole away his thirty kroners. The rattrap
peddler escaped into a big confusing forest and got lost. While
resting on the ground he recollected his idea that the world is a
rattrap and thought his end was near. Hearing a thumping sound he
reached Ramsjo ironworks for a night shelter. The owner came on his
nightly rounds and noticed the ragged wretch near the furnace. He
took him as an old acquaintance Nils Olof. He invited him to stay
with them for Christmas but the stranger declined the offer. His
daughter Edla Willmansson persuaded to go home with him. She
requested him to stay for Christmas Eve only. On his way to the
Manor House the peddler thought that he had thrown himself into the
lions den. The next day in broad day light the iron master realized
the stranger was not captain and threatened to call the sheriff.
Edla pleaded for him and asked him to stay back. Christmas Eve at
Ramsjo was as usual and the stranger slept and slept. She made him
understand that if he wanted rest and peace he would be welcome
next Christmas also. This had a miraculous effect on him. Next
morning they went for early church service leaving behind the guest
who was asleep. They learnt at church that a rattrap peddler had
robbed an old crofter. Edla becomes very upset. They reach home
immediately and learn that the peddler had already left but had not
taken anything at all with him. Instead, he had left a small packet
for the young girl as a Christmas present. She opens the packet and
finds a rattrap, three wrinkled ten-Krona notes and also a letter
with a request to return the Kroners to the crofter.1From where did
the peddlergetthe idea of this world being arattrap?While plodding
along the road, left to his own meditations,the peddler was struck
by the idea that this world around him with its lands and cities is
a bigrattrap.It had never existed for any other purpose than to set
baits for its people.2Why was he amused by this idea?The peddlers
life was sad and monotonous. Since the world had never been kind to
him, he was full of bitterness and malice against it. He peddler
experienced unwonted joy at everyone elses discomfort, pain at
being ensnared by the devilish ways of the world. It gave him
sadistic delight to see others caught in the snare and still
othersciclingaround the bait.3Did the peddler expect the kind of
hospitality that he received from thecrofter?The peddler was
accustomed to being greeted by sour faces or betterstill berefused
help of any kind if he approached someone. Thecrofter,on the
contrary was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness.
Thecrofterserved him with porridge for supper and tobacco. He also
played a game of cards with him.4Why was thecrofterso talkative and
friendly with the peddler?Thecrofterwas an old man without a wife
or child. He was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness.
He valued the presence of the peddler so much that he shared his
confidences generously with him. It was probably a way for
thecrofterto infuse a sense of joy in his otherwise dreary life5Why
did he show the thirty kronor notes to the
peddler?Thecroftertoldthe peddler that he had earned a reasonable
sum of money from his extraordinary cow that gave him so much milk
for creameryeverydayand had earned thirty kronor last month. The
peddler seemed incredulous to acknowledge this piece of
information.So, in order to assure his guest of the truth, he
showed thirty kronor to him.6Did the peddler respect the confidence
reposed in him by thecrofter? crofterofferedhospitability sharedhis
secrets, showed him the money nextmorning peddler smashed window
panes gotthe pouch, stole the notes hungthe leather pouchatits
place smartlywalked away with the money7What made the peddler think
that he had indeed fallen into arattrap?When the peddler realized
that he had been walking around in circles in the forest, he
recalled his thoughts about the world and therattrap. He felt that
now his own time had come and the forest was like an impenetrable
prison, arattrap. Since he had taken the bait, the thirty kronor,
he was caught and escape may not be possible.8Why did
theironmasterspeak kindly to the peddler and invite him
home?Theironmastermistook the peddler for his old acquaintance,the
regimental comrade, Captain von Stahle. He was shocked to see that
his old comrade had fallen on bad days. So,he invited him to his
own house to give him company at Christmas and to make his
futuresecure.9Why did the peddler decline the invitation?The
peddler declined the invitation as he was afraid of being detected
as a thief. He felt that by accepting the invitation to go to
theironmastershouse, he was voluntarily walking intolions den.He
only wished to sleep in the forge and sneak away as inconspicuously
as possible.10What made the peddler accept Edlas invitation?Edlas
kindness, persuasive nature, friendly and compassionate manner
allowed thepeddlerto have confidence in her. Her assurance that he
would be just as free to leave as he came left him with no option
but to accept the invitation.11What doubts did Edla have about the
peddler?When Edla approached him and lifted his hat the man jumped
up abruptly and seemed to be quite frightened. She noticed that the
man was afraid as if he had either stolen something or
escapedfrmjail. Next morning she went on to express her
reservations about the man and told her father that he did not seem
educated at all.12When did theironmasterrealize his mistake?When
the stranger had been bathed, shaved and had his hair cut by the
valet, he appeared truly clean and well dressed.Theironmasterlooked
at him with puckered brow, and it was easy for him to understand
that when he had seen the strange fellow in the uncertain
reflection from the furnace he might have made a mistake.13What did
the peddler say in hisdefencewhen it was clear that he was not the
person theironmasterhad thought that he was?The peddler insisted
that it had not been hisfault forhe never pretended to be anything
but a poor trader, and begged to be allowed to stay in the forge.
He offered to put on his rags and go away.14Whydid Edla still
entertainthe peddler even after she knew the truth about him?Edla
did not think it proper to chase away a human being whom they had
invited to their house and had promised him Christmas cheer.She
also felt pity for the peddler, who she felt had no place to rest
without the fear of being chased away. She wanted him to have a day
of peace and rest with them. She wanted thepeddlerto enjoy the
Christmas festivities with them.Hence shestill entertained the
peddler even after knowing the truth about him.15Why was Edla happy
to see the gift left by the peddler?16Why did the peddler sign
himself as Captain Von Stahle?The peddler signed the letter as
Captain Von Stahle to vindicate his stand and prove that it was
Edlas kindness and compassion which enabled him to behave in a
manner worthy of her trust. Signing his name as Captain Von Stahle
was an acceptance of the exalted stature of the captain that the
peddler had been placed at.17How does the peddler interpret the
acts of kindness and hospitality shown by thecrofter,
theironmasterand his daughter?Answer:Legerlofs first scene of
compassion is from the old mans hospitality. Despite the fact that
he did not know the peddler, the old man still opened his arms and
actedcharitableby providing food and shelter. Showing scant regard
to thecroftersgenerosity and violating the trust the old man
reposed in him, he stole thirtykronorsfrom his house. Feeling no
compunction about robbing him of his hard earned money, the peddler
thought he had acted very smartly.. As the peddler ponders on the
road of guilt, he soon receives a second action of care from
theironmastershospitality which also did not touch the peddlers
heart. When the iron master mistook him as an old acquaintance he
did not clear his doubt in hope of getting a couple of kronor
notes. When he is invited by theironmasterto his house to celebrate
Christmas, he feels a sense of entrapment and thus,declines the
invitation. On realizing his real identity when theironmastershows
him the door, the ungrateful vagabond gives him a piece of his mind
saying that he too might be ensnared in therattrapof this
world.However Edlas warmth, friendliness and hospitality touched
him. When the girl treated him like a Captain, he spontaneously
behaved like a real Captain. He left arattrapas a Christmas gift
for Edla and enclosed a letter of thanks and confession in it.
Leaving behind the stolen money to be restored to the owner, he
redeemed himself from his dishonest ways and emerged an altogether
transformed person.18What are the instances in the story that show
that the character of theironmasteris different from that of his
daughter in many ways?Answer: Theironmastermisunderstood the
peddler for an old acquaintance,whereas his daughter could make out
that the man was afraid, which was suggestive ofhimhaving stolen
something. Though the father and the daughter express compassion
for the vagabond both do so for different reasons.Theironmasterwas
sure to help the vagabond get over his tramp manners because he had
mistaken the latter for his old comrade. Thedaughter howeverwishes
to feed him and welcome himinspiteof knowing that he was not
Captain Von Stahle. The father acts impulsively and casually and
invites him without confirming the strangers identity. On realizing
his mistake he recklessly wants to hand him over to the sheriff.
Only when he is threatened to be ensnared by therattrapof this
world that he thinks otherwise. Edla on the other hand shows a
strong sense of observation. She rightly judges him to be a tramp
without any education. She persuades her father to let him stay
because they had promised him Christmas cheer. When the blacksmiths
daughter infects the protagonist with her true altruism the
peddlers inner soul experiences a rapid transformation form an ugly
duckling to a dazzlingswan.19The story has many instances of
unexpected reactionsfromthe characters to othersbehaviour. Pick out
instances of these surprises.Answer: The story has many instances
of unexpected reactions from the characters to others.Used to being
greeted by sour faces thecrofterseems taken aback at the peddlers
request for accommodation for the night. Then the peddlers act of
stealing does not match the readers expectations. The breach of
trust comes as a bit of a shock.Then theironmasterssudden
invitation to the tramp comes as the next surprise. The peddlers
vehement refusal to accompany him and later on accepting the
invitation at Edlas insistence all generate surprise. Edlas
readiness to entertain the peddler even after knowing his reality
was quite unexpected.The most unexpected of gestures is when the
peddler leaves for Edla a Christmas gift, a letter of thanks and
the stolen money to be returned to the oldcrofter. His
transformation is that which completes the chain of unexpected
reactions.20The story The Rattrap focuses on human loneliness and
the need to bond with others. Comment.The Rattrap tells us the
story of a lonely peddler who has nothing and no one to call his
own. He wanders from place to place mistreated and mistrusted by
the world..Then we come across the oldcrofterwho leads a solitary
life and hungers for company. He accords a warm reception to the
peddler as he views him as someone to talk to and pass a few lonely
hours with. It is his need to bond that makes him trust the peddler
and show him his money.Similarly, theironmastershows his eagerness
for the peddlers company mistaking him for an oldaquaintance. His
wife is no more, his sons are abroad.and he has no one but his
eldest daughter at home. He offers his hospitality to
thepeddlerwanting some suitable company to ward off his loneliness.
Even his daughter, a shy and modest girl, persuades thepeddlerto
stay with them on Christmas Eve as she has no one to look after and
make comfortable except her father. She looks forward to some
company to make the occasion more festive. Finally the peddler is
also enticed by the kindness of theironmastersdaughter and the
proposition of peace, rest, good food and excellent company for a
change.The theme of loneliness and the need to bond is projected
strongly in all the characters in the story.21The story is both
entertaining and philosophical. DiscussThe narrative enthralls the
reader toning down its philosophicaldidacticism. The fast paced
third person narrative together withgraphic descriptionof
characters, elements ofhumour, drama and irony make it an
interesting read(Give examples). The element of surprise with
regard to the flow of events holds our interest. This is true of
being accepted as a guest by thecrofter, breaking his trust,
getting lost in the forest, being invited by theironmasterand
subsequent refusal together with Edlas insistence and peddlers
final submission.The final acts of transformation and redemption
make the narrative quite gripping and entertaining.The author has
used the metaphor of arattrapto highlight the human
predicament.Just like the rats are trapped by cheese andfood
similarlymen are lured by land, food, shelter, clothing
etc.theseare baits. Those who touch them are trapped by material
benefits. Therattrapbrings home the fact that human goodness is an
intrinsic part ofonesnature. It can be forever kept alive through
love and understanding. No one is infallible and in ones weak
momentsissusceptible to falling to temptation. There could be some
individuals with the strength of character to break through
therattrapand discover the essential human goodness.Thus the story
comes across as both entertaining and philosophical.22.The readers
sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning of the story.
Why this is so? Is the sympathy justified?The peddler wins the
readers sympathy for his way of life and how the world treats him.
The vagabond moves about selling smallrattraps. As his business is
not rewarding,he takes to begging and petty thievery to keep his
body and soul together.His life is sad and monotonous. He plods
along the road lost in his own meditation. HE CONSIDERS THE WHOLE
WORLD AS A BIG RATTRAP. The world has never been kind to him and it
gives him unwonted joy to think ill of it.Whenever he asks shelter
for a night,he meets sour faces. He is an unwelcome,unwanted and
undesirable figure. The blacksmith at forge glance at him only
casually and indifferently. The master smith nods a haughty consent
withouthonouringhim with a single word.His sympathy is justified
not only because he was a victim ofcircumstances butalso because he
redeems himself in the end. Edla Willmansons kind and compassionate
behaviorarousesthe tramps goodness. He thanks her for her sympathy
and returns the stolen money.23.What made the peddler finally
change his ways?The peddler had been living a despicable life of
poverty, despair and frustration without ever coming across any
soul to understand, sympathize, love and guide him. Neither
thecroftershospitality nor theironmastersinvitation to the manor
house made any impact on him. Infact herepaid thecrofterby stealing
his earnings and theironmasterby giving a piece of his mind when
the latter talkedoftaking the matter to the sheriff.However,the
meeting with theironmastersdaughter was the turning point in his
life. Thekindness,the concern and the understanding that she
showedhim touchedthe core of his heart and transformed his way of
thinking. Theironmastersdaughter understood that he needed security
and succor and convinced her father to allow him to stay on in
their house to share the Christmas cheer. She restored his dignity
and self worth. She treated him like a captain of thearmy thoughshe
was aware that he was a common tramp.When the girl treated him like
a Captain, he spontaneously behaved like a real Captain. He left
arattrapas a Christmas gift for Edla and enclosed a letter of
thanks and confession in it. Leaving behind the stolen money to be
restored to the owner, he redeemed himself from his dishonest ways
and emerged an altogether transformed person.24.How does the
metaphor of therattrapserve to highlight the human predicament?The
author Selma Lagerlof tells a universal theme through all her
stories. Onecan notimagine how dull and sad a vagabond might be
walking slowly along the roads for his bread. The metaphor of
therattrapstruck on one such occasion. He was plodding along the
road, duly lost in his own meditations. The whole world about him-
the whole world with its lands, seas, cities and villages was
nothing but a bigrattrap. The world had never existed for any other
purpose than to set baits for people to trap them. The world
offered riches, joys, food, shelter and clothing like a bait
offering cheese and pork in arattrapfor the rats. As soon as anyone
is tempted and he totouchesthe bait, it closes on him and then
everything came to an end for him in life.The peddler remembered
his thoughts about the world and therattrapwhen he was lost in a
huge,confusing forest,with the stolen money in his pocket. He felt
now his turn had come. He had let himselfbefooledbybait. Now he had
been caught and there was no escape. Once again the metaphor
ofrattrapgets relevant in connection with the peddlers encounter
with theironmaster. Theironmasterinvited the peddler to his house.
He refused to go there thinking that going up there would mean
throwing himself into the lions den.Whenever a person finds himself
at the crossroads of temptation and righteousness, the mirage of
materialism fools him and he gets entrapped in the worlds dangerous
snare. This is wherehuman predicamentfollows suit.The metaphor of
arattrapreveals mans helplessness in pursuit of lifes ambitions.
The world thus becomes a hugerattrap. Though one cant see the bars
and wires yet one gets firmly entrenched in the quagmire of
situations and circumstances. The pettiness and triviality of lifes
situations pull an individual deeper into the abyss of loss with no
scope for deliverance.INDIGO by Louis FischerPOINTS TO
REMEMBERRajkumar Shukla- A poorsharecropperfrom Champaran wishing
to meet Gandhiji. Raj Kumar Shukla- an illiterate but resolute
hence followed Gandhiji Lucknow, Cawnpore, Ahemdabad, Calcutta,
Patna, Muzzafarpur & then Champaran. Servants at Rajendra
Prasads residence thought Gandhiji to be an untouchable. Gandhiji
considered as an untouchable because of simple living style and
wearing, due to the company of Rajkumar Shukla. Decided to go to
Muzzafarpur first to get detailed information about Champaran
sharecropper. Sent telegram to J B Kriplani &stayed in Prof
Malkani home- a government servant. Indians afraid to show sympathy
to the supporters of home rule. The news of Gandhijis arrival
spread- sharecroppers gathered in large number to meet their
champion. Gandhiji chided the Muzzafarpur lawyer for taking high
fee. Champarandistrict 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, and landlords hired thugs. Gandhiji
reached Champaran- visited the secretary of the British landlord
association to get thefacts butdenied as he was an outsider.
Gandhiji went to the British Official Commissioner who asked him to
leave Trihut, Gandhiji disobeyed, went to Motihari the capital of
Champaran where a vast multitude greeted him, continued his
investigations. Visited maltreated villagers, stopped by the
policesuperintendent butdisobeyed the order. Motihariblack with
peasants spontaneous demonstrations, Gandhiji released without bail
Civil Disobedience triumphed. Gandhiji agreed to 25% refund by the
landowners, it symbolized the surrender of the prestige. Gandhiji
worked hard towardssocial economicreforms, 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.NCERT QUESTIONSSHORT ANSWER QUESTIONSQ1 Why is Rajkumar
Shukla described as being resolute?Ans. Rajkumar Shukla,an
illiterate sharecropper, came all the way from Champaran district
to Lucknow to invite Gandhi to visit his district. When Gandhi
mentioned about his prior engagements to go to Cawnpore and other
parts of India, Shukla accompanied him everywhere. He also followed
Gandhi to his ashram and stayed there for weeks till Gandhi asked
him to meet himatCalcutta. Because of his strong will power and
determination, he is described as being resolute.Q2.Why do you
think the servants thought Gandhiji to be another peasant?Ans. As
Gandhi was in the company of Rajkumar Shukla,a poor yeoman,the
servantsatRajendra Prasads houseassumed that he was another
peasant. Moreover,Gandhis emaciated looks and simplicity could have
led to his mistaken identity.Q3.List the places that Gandhi visited
between his first meeting with Shukla and his arrival at
Champaran.Ans.Between his first meeting with Shukla and his arrival
at Champaran,Gandhi visited Cawnpur,Calcutta,Patna and
Muzaffarpur.Q4.What did the peasants pay to the British landlords
as rent? What did the British now want instead and why? What would
be the impact of synthetic indigo on the prices of natural
indigo?Ans. The British landlords compelled the peasants to plant
15% of the land with indigo and to surrender the entire harvest as
rent. Now that Germany had developed synthetic indigo,Britishers
wanted the tenants to pay them compensation for being released from
15% agreement.As the demand of the natural indigo would reduce due
to the advent of synthetic indigo, its price would go down.Q5.Why
did Gandhi agree to a settlement of25 percent refundtothe
farmers?Gandhi agreed to a settlement of25% refundtothe farmers to
break the deadlock between the landlords and the tenants. For
Gandhi the amount of the refund was less important than the fact
that the landlords had been forced to return part of the money and
with it, part of the peasants prestige. He wanted to establish that
the landlords were not lords abovelawand their rule could be
challenged.Q6.How did the episode change the plight of the
peasants?The Champaran episode made the peasants aware of their
rights and taught them courage. Apart from getting 25 percent of
theircompensation theygot back their prestige. Withinfew years,the
British planters abandoned their estates,which reverted to the
peasants. Indigosharecroppingdisappeared.Q 7 How was Gandhi able to
influence lawyers? Give instancesGandhi chided the lawyers for
charging hefty fee from the peasants to fight their case.Later
hiswords encouraged the lawyers to court arrest in case he was
arrested. He also dissuaded them from seeking Charles Andrews
assistance in their battle against the injustice of the Britishers
in order to be self reliant.Q8.What was the attitude of the average
Indian in smaller localities towardsadvocatesof home rule?Being
afraid of inviting the wrath of the Britishers, the average Indian
in small localities were reluctant to show any sympathy towards the
advocates of home rule.LONG ANSWER QUESTIONSQ 1 Why do you think
Gandhi considered the Champaran episode to be a turning point in
his life?Ans. The Champaran episode began as an attempt to
alleviate the distress of a large number of poor peasants. But it
became a turning point in Gandhi life.Itbuildup Gandhi confidence
that the British rulers could be made to bend and concede a popular
demand. He declared thatBritishcould not order him in his own
country.It was during this struggle in 1917 that he decided to urge
the departure of the British. When he came to Champaran, he was
appalled to see fear stricken peasants and injustice oflandlord
systemin Chamaparan. His readiness to go to jail for the sake of
seeking justiceinstilledcourage among ordinary people and motivated
the lawyers for court arrest.He led civil disobedience by refusing
to leave Champaran even after he got the official notice. Civil
disobedience triumphed for the first time when the case for
disregarding the official order against him was dropped. Britishers
agreement to pay 25 percent of the compensation made him and the
peasants confident. It made the peasantsrealisethat they had rights
and defenders and he established that the authority of the British
could be challenged. He taught the lawyers a lesson of self
reliance by dissuading them from seeking the assistance from an
English man, Charles Andrew.Gandhi never contended himself with
larger and political solutions. He also madeendeavourto bring about
cultural and socialupliftmentin the village.Q2.How do we know that
ordinary people too contributed to the freedom movement?The author
mentions several ordinary people who contributed to the freedom
movement.Rajkumar Shukla was instrumental in arranging Gandhis
visit to Champaran.ProffesssorMalkani,despite being a government
servant,harbouredGandhi when he arrived at Muzzafarpur. When the
news of Gandhis advent spread through Muzzafarpur and
Champaran,Sharecroppers from Champaran began arriving on foot to
see their champion.Theirgathering in huge number at Motihari was
the beginning of their freedom from the fear of the British. The
lawyers also agreed to court arrest in case Gandhi went to
Jail.Gandhi and the lawyers conducted a detailed inquiry into the
grievances of the farmers. They prepared cases for about ten
thousand peasants and collected relevant documents.Moreover the
masses volunteered to help in bringing cultural and social reforms
in the village. The two young men,Mahadev Desai and Narihari Parikh
and their views volunteered to work. Several people came from
Bombay,Poona and other distant parts of the land.Devadas,Gandhis
youngest son arrived from theasharam.Kasturbaitaught ashram rules
on personal cleanliness and community sanitation.EXTRA
QUESTIONS:SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONSQ1.Why did Rajkumar Shukla go to
meet Gandhi? (CBSE 2008)Ans. Rajkumar Shukla came to meet Gandhi at
the December1916 Congress Session inLuknowto complain about the
injustice of the landlord system of Bihar and to invite him to
visit his district.Q2. What was the conflict of duties in which
Gandhi was involved? (Question Bank,NCT)Ans. In court, Gandhi
pleaded guiltyforhaving disobeyed the official notice to quit
Champaran. He read out a statement claiming he was involved in a
conflict of duties. He clarified that he disobeyed not to
breaklawand set a badexample butto render thehumanitarianand
national services for which he had come to Champaran.Q3.When did
Gandhi say The battle of Champaran is won?(Question Bank,NCT)Ans.
When the lawyers reconsidered their decision about their course of
action in case of Gandhis arrest and volunteered to court arrest
for the cause of sharecroppers, Gandhi felt pleased and said The
battle of Champaran iswonQ4.Civil disobedience had triumphed the
first time in India.How did it happen?(Question Bank,NCT)Ans.When
Gandhi disobeyedofficial orderto quit Champaran,a case was
initiated against him for disregarding the orders. The spontaneous
demonstration of thousands of peasants around the courtroom baffled
the officials. Not knowing how to handle the case,the judge
postponed the judgement forfew days. Thenfinallyfew dayslater, the
case was dropped by Lieutenant Governor himself.So civil
disobedience triumphed for the first time in India.Q5What did
Gadhiji say to his friends when they suggested that Charles Andrews
should be retained for the sake of the Champaran movement?(Question
Bank,NCT)Ans.Gandhi vehemently opposed the lawyers suggestion to
seek Andrews assistance and said that taking the support of an
Englishman would reveal the weakness of their hearts. He urged his
friends to rely upon themselves to win the battle.LONG ANSWER
QUESTIONSQ1 Justify the appropriateness of the title Indigo to this
extract.The title Indigo focuses our attention on the central issue
of the chapter exploitation of indigo sharecroppers at the hands of
cruel British planters. Britishers compelled them through a long
term agreement to plant indigo on 15 percent of their land and
surrender the entire harvest as rent. After the development of
synthetic indigo by Germany,The British planters extracted money
from the peasants as compensation from being released from the 15
percent agreement. The peasants who wanted their money back filed
civil suits. Rajkumar Shukla persuaded Gandhi to take up the case
of Indigo sharecroppers.So indigosharecroppingexemplifies the
injustice of the Britishers and Indians submission to British
authority. The exploitation of indigo sharecroppers led Gandhi to
arrive in Champaran to alleviate their distress. Peasants not only
got back thecompensation butalso became courageous and confident.
They learnt the lesson of self reliance.The Champaran movement
thatcentredon indigosharecroppingled to social and
culturalupliftmentof the peasants.Their education,health and
hygiene received due attention.Thus the title Indigo is highly
suggestive and appropriate.Q2 How did Gandhi use Satyagraha and
non-violence to achieve his goal?Ans.Non violenceandsatyagrahawere
the weapons used by Gandhi to secure justice for oppressed peasants
of Champaran. He adopted legal,moral and democratic path of
negotiation.Gandhi refused to leave Tirhut division in which
Chamaparan district lay despite being told by the British official
commissioner to do so. Later he defied the official order to leave
Chamaparan for which he receivedsummonto appear in the court. When
the British authorities could not regulate the unmanageable crowd
at Motihari,he pacified the crowd inpolite and friendly way. Thus
he gave concrete proof of the power ofsatyagrahaand non violence.In
the court he clarified that he did not want to set a bad example as
a law breaker but intended to render humanitarian and national
service..His convincing argumentation baffled the magistrate who
released him without the bail.Later he fought the case of the
peasants peacefully by collecting evidences and the documents
pertaining to the case. When the Britishers agreed to pay the
compensation he peacefully negotiated with the landlords and
accepted 25 percent of the amount due.So the peasants got a partial
refund of the compensation with the use ofsatyagrahaand
nonviolence.Q3. How did Rajkumar Shukla prove to be an important
link between Gandhi and his Champaran campaign?Rajkumarshuklawas a
poor and emaciated sharecropper from Champaran. Though he was poor
andilliterate hewas determined to oppose the injustice of the
British planters. He used to seek legal recourse to get justice and
was in constant touch with Rajendra Prasad,an eminent lawyer. He
came toDecember 1916 annual conventionof the Indian National
Congress party in Lucknow to meet Gandhi as someone had told him
that Gandhi Gandhi could give a solution to their problems. He
complained about the injustice oflandlord systemin Bihar and
invited Gandhi to visit his district.When Gandhi mentioned about
his prior engagements to go to Cawnpore and other parts of India,
Shukla showed tremendous patience and perseverance and accompanied
him everywhere. He also followed Gandhi to his ashram and stayed
there for weeks. Impressed by his determination and tenacity Gandhi
promised to meet himatCalcutta on a particular date.Few monthslater
Shukla arrived at Calcutta and took him to Champaran.So, Rajkuma
Shuklas strong will power and painstaking efforts were instrumental
in arranging Gandhis visit to Champaran and thus improving the
plight of the poor peasants.Short Questions1. Why did Rajkumar
Shukla go to meet Gandhi?(To complain aboutinjusticeof the landlord
system in Bihar.) (SP)2. How did Shukla pursue Gandhi to visit
Champaran. (2008) (showedgreat patience and perseverance
accompaniedGandhiji wherever he went waitedfor him at Calcutta
impressedhim with his determination)3. What proves that Gandhiji
was an unknown figure in Patna?4. Why was Gandhi not allowed to
draw water from the well of Dr. Rajendra Prasads house?(p-47
,2ndlastpara,last 4 lines But Gandhi was not permitted.)5. Where
did Gandhi stay in Muzaffarpur?How does he comment about it?(p-48
,1stparaGandhi stayed there...home rule.)6. What was the conflict
of duties that Gandhiji underwent?How did he resolve it?(p-50
,7thpara Gandhi protested against the delay)7. . What did Gadhiji
say to his friends when they suggested that Charles Andrews should
be retained for the sake of the Champaran movement?(2009) (p-54
,3rd last para)8. MY MOTHER AT SIXTY SIX by KAMALA DAS9. Summary:
The poets driving from her parents home to Cochin by car, her
mother by hersidesleeping open mouthed very pale, colorless and
fraillike a dead bodyindicating that her end was near.10. The poet
looks at her and feels intense pain and agony to realize that soon
deathwill cast her mother from her.11. Tries to divert her mind,
looks outside at the young trees and happy childrenbursting out of
their homes in a playful mood (a contrasting image)12. After the
security check at the airport looked again at her mothers
facepaleand cold.13. Familiar acheMy childhood fear the poet has
always had a very intimate andclose relationship with her mother
and she has always felt the fear of beingseparated from her mother
hence it is familiar.14. The poet reassures her mother that they
will meet again.15. COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS16. 17. 1.Driving from
my parents home to Cochin last FridayMorning, I saw my mother,
beside me, doze,open mouthed, her face ashen like thatOf a corpse
and realized with painThat she thought away.18. a)Where was the
poet coming from? Where was she going?The poet had gone to her
parents home to visit them. She was now going toCochin airport.19.
b) How does the poet describe her mother?The poet describes her
mother as old, pale, cold and senile. As she dozed off besideher,
the mother looked almost like a corpse, for her face was colorless
and seemedto have lost the fervor of life.20. d)Who does she refer
to in the last line? What thoughts had she driven away?She here
refers to the poet. The thought of her mothers approaching death
whichshe wanted to put it away.21. 2. and looked but soonput that
thought away, and looked out at youngtrees sprinting, the merry
children spillingout of their homes.
a)What was the poet looking at? What did she notice?The poet was
looking at her mother. She noticed the mothers ashen and almost
lifeless face distraught with pain.22. b) What thought did she try
to drive away?She tried to drive away the thought of her mothers
approaching death.23. 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 thepain and agony she experienced
on seeing her aged mother. She wanted to driveaway her helplessness
in the wake of her mothers ageing and approaching death.24. 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 oftheir
homes to play.25. e) What did the images of young trees and merry
children symbolize?Trees and children symbolize the spring of life,
its strength, vigour and happinesswhich contrasts with the
lifelessness and helplessness that sets in with age.26. 3. but
after the airportssecurity check, standing a few yardsaway, I
looked again at her, wan, paleas a late winters moon
a) Where was the poet standing?The poet was at the Cochin
airport waiting to board the plane after the securitycheck.27. b)
Who does her here to? How did she look like?Her here refers to the
poets mother. She was an aged lady and hence looked pale,cold like
a corpse and colourless.28. c) Why does the narrator look at her
again?
The narrator looked at her mother once again for the last time
before she left toreassure herself about the well being of her
mother. She had tried to drive away thepain she had felt on seeing
her weak and aged mother. One last time she looked ather to wish
her goodbye.29. d) Explain: wan, pale as a late winters moon.
In this simile, the poet compares the mothers pale and withered
face with thewinters moon. The moon seems to lose its brightness in
the winter season as it isveiled behind fog and mist. The mothers
face also seemed to have lost its radiancewhich was now misted by
age. Winter symbolizes death and the waning moonsymbolizes
decay.30. 4. and felt that oldfamiliar ache, my childhoods 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 poets fear of losing her mother and the realizationthat she
has not cared and cannot care for her ageing mother. It is an ache
ofhelplessness. It is also a fear of separation from the mother or
the mothers death.31. b)What could have been the poets childhood
fears?I think the poets childhood fear was that she would lose her
mother or be separatedfrom her and that death would consume her
mother.32. 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 toher with the hope of seeing her soon.33. 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 werecaused by her fear of the unknown. Sharing them with the
mother would haveworried the frail old woman to death.34. e) Why
did the poet only smile?The poet only smiled to hide her guilt,
anxiety and fear of the unknown. Also, shewanted to bid a cheerful
farewell to her mother before boarding the flight.35. QUESTION AND
ANSWERS36. 37. 1. What is the kind of pain and ache that the poet
feels?When the poet looks at her mothers face she found that it had
become pale andwithered. She realized that her mother was at the
edge of her life and her end wasnear. The thought that her mother
would be soon separated form her causedunbearable pain and ache in
the poets heart.38. 2What does the poet do to shrug off the painful
thought of her mothersapproaching end?To get rid of painful thought
her mothers nearing the poet looked out to see thesprinting tree
and the happy children, bursting out of their house.39.