188 ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X Antony pretends to be convinced by this and asks the conspirators to, "Let each man render me his bloody hand" He then shakes hands with each of them, naming them as he shakes the hand. Antony quickly recants his agreement with the murderers, and tells Cassius that he almost joined them after shaking their hands; He asks them if he may have permission to take the body to the marketplace and show it to the crowds. Brutus gives him permission to do this, but immediately Cassius pulls Brutus aside and says, "You know not what you do" Brutus decides to give his speech first, and to allow Antony to speak afterwards, provided that Antony only says positive things about the conspirators. Antony agrees to this. Left alone with the body of Caesar, Antony says, "O pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth / That I am meek and gentle with these butchers" He continues, with his speech becoming ever more violent, "Domestic fury and fierce civil strife / Shall cumber all the parts of Italy" Brutus tells the masses that he loved Caesar more than any of them, but that he killed Caesar because he loved Rome more. Brutus then asks them if they want him to kill himself for his actions, to which the crowd replies, "Live, Brutus, live, live!" He lastly begs them listen to Mark Antony speak and to let him depart alone. He leaves Mark Antony alone to give his oration. Antony's speech begins with the famous lines, "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears". His speech continually praises Brutus as "an honourable man" who has killed Caesar for being ambitious. He then presents all of the images of Caesar in which Caesar has not been ambitious, such as when Caesar thrice refused the crown on the day of Lupercal, or when Caesar filled the Roman treasury with ransom money from victories in war. The plebeians slowly become convinced that Caesar was not ambitious and that he was wrongly murdered. Antony then pulls out Caesar's will and tells them he should not read it to them. They beg him to read it, and he finally agrees, but puts if off by descending into the masses and standing next to the body of Caesar.
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188 ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X
Antony pretends to be convinced by this and asks the conspirators to, "Let
each man render me his bloody hand" He then shakes hands with each of
them, naming them as he shakes the hand.
Antony quickly recants his agreement with the murderers, and tells Cassius
that he almost joined them after shaking their hands; He asks them if he may
have permission to take the body to the marketplace and show it to the
crowds. Brutus gives him permission to do this, but immediately Cassius pulls
Brutus aside and says, "You know not what you do"
Brutus decides to give his speech first, and to allow Antony to speak
afterwards, provided that Antony only says positive things about the
conspirators. Antony agrees to this.
Left alone with the body of Caesar, Antony says, "O pardon me, thou bleeding
piece of earth / That I am meek and gentle with these butchers" He continues,
with his speech becoming ever more violent, "Domestic fury and fierce civil
strife / Shall cumber all the parts of Italy"
Brutus tells the masses that he loved Caesar more than any of them, but that
he killed
Caesar because he loved Rome more.
Brutus then asks them if they want him to kill himself for his actions, to which
the crowd replies, "Live, Brutus, live, live!"
He lastly begs them listen to Mark Antony speak and to let him depart alone.
He leaves Mark Antony alone to give his oration.
Antony's speech begins with the famous lines, "Friends, Romans, countrymen,
lend me
your ears". His speech continually praises Brutus as "an honourable man" who
has killed Caesar for being ambitious.
He then presents all of the images of Caesar in which Caesar has not been
ambitious, such as when Caesar thrice refused the crown on the day of
Lupercal, or when Caesar filled the Roman treasury with ransom money from
victories in war. The plebeians slowly become convinced that Caesar was not
ambitious and that he was wrongly murdered.
Antony then pulls out Caesar's will and tells them he should not read it to
them. They beg him to read it, and he finally agrees, but puts if off by
descending into the masses and standing next to the body of Caesar.
ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X 189
He shows them the stab wounds and names the conspirators who gave Caesar
the wounds. The crowd starts to surge away in anarchy, crying, "Revenge!
About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay!" Antony stops them and continues speaking.
He finally reads them the will, in which Caesar has given every Roman citizen
seventy five drachmas. The plebeians react in a frenzy of anger against the
men who killed Caesar, and carry away the body.
Antony says, "Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot. / Take thou what
course thou wilt". He has successfully instigated the mob to mutiny. SOLVED:
I. Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:
1. Cowards die many times before
their deaths The valiant never taste of death but
once
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard It seems to
me most strange that men should fear Seeing that
death, a necessary end Will come when it will come
(a) Who is the speaker of the above lines?
(b) What fears has the listener expressed?
(c) What is the basis of the fears expressed?
Answers:
(a) Calpurnia
(b) Calpurnia is afraid that her husband Julius Caesar is in danger.
Quite vanquish'd him: then burst his mighty heart;
190 ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X
a) Why was the cut 'most unkindest'?
i) it was made by Brutus
ii) it was made by Decius
iii) it was made by Cassius
iv) it was made by Cimber.
b) What proved fatal for Caesar?
i) the sword of conspirators
ii) Cassius's sword
iii) Brutus's dagger
iv) ingratitude of Brutus
c) These lines are spoken by:
i) Mark Antony
ii) Cassius
iii) Brutus
iv) Cimber
d) What could Caesar's heart not bear?
i) Being surrounded by traitors
ii) Plot against him
iii) Seeing his best friend among traitors
iv) They did not crown him.
Answers: a.i) b.i) c.i d.iii.
ll)Short Answer Questions:a) Whom does Antony call "the choice and master spirit of this age"? Why?
ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X 191
Ans. Julius Caesar is called "the choice and master spirit of this age", as he has
feathered many conquests, glories, triumphs in his cap. He was humane and
one of the noblest persons.
b) Why does Calpurnia say that Caesar's 'wisdom is consumed in
confidence'? What does she mean?
Ans. Caesar ignores bad omens and warnings and decides to go forth to the
Senate. So Calpurnia is forced to comment as above.
Ill) Long Answer Question:
a) How did Mark Antony outperform even a great orator like Brutus and
turn the Roman mob against him?
Ans. Mark Antony proved to be a greater orator than Brutus. He aroused the
Roman mob not by cold reason and logic, but their basic passions like pity and
sympathy for Caesar. He proved that Caesar was not ambitious as told by
Brutus and other conspirators. He worked throughout his life for the welfare of
his subjects. He rejected the offer of crown three times before. Even his will
showed his love for his people. He directed the anger of the mob towards
Brutus and other conspirators by proving that they were liars and murderers.
Unsolved:
I. Multiple Choice Questions:
Read the following extracts and answer the questions by choosing the
most appropriate option.
1. "What can be avoided?
Whose end is purposed by the mighty Gods?
Yet Caesar shall go forth: for these predictions
Are to the world in general as to Caesar"
a) The extract shows that the speaker is
i. a believer in destiny
ii. arrogant and fearless
192 ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X
iii. confident
iv. obstinate
b) 'Caesar shall go forth' refers to Caesar's plan:
i. to go to the battlefield
ii. to meet the senators
iii. to attend the meeting of the senate
iv. to go ahead
c) According to Caesar the predictions
1. are very general in nature
ii. made for the world
iii. bode ill for the whole world and not him alone
iv. are a reflection of God's purpose
2. The dream is all amiss interpreted
It was a vision fair and fortunate
a) The speaker of these lines is:
i. Cassius
ii. Marcus Brutus
iii. Decius Brutus
iv. Mark Antony
b) The speaker aims to:
i. guide Caesar
ii. mislead Caesar
ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X 193
iii. give Caesar a false sense of security
iv. reveal the reality behind the dream
c) 'amiss interpreted' means that the dream:
i. is inappropriate
ii. is incomplete
iii. is wrongly interpreted
iv. is differently construed
3. 'Cowards die many times before their death
'The valiant never taste of death but once'
a) The quality of Caesar highlighted through these lines is
i. optimism
ii. bravery
iii. pride
iv. arrogance
b) 'Cowards die many times before their deaths' means
i. cowards die several times in their lifetime
ii. cowards are terrified and don't live their lives properly
iii. cowards lead a death like existence
iv. cowards waste their precious life being afraid of and anticipating death
c) Caesar is speaking to:
i. Marcus Brutus
ii. Calpurnia
iii. Decius Brutus
iv. Mark Antony
d) 'The valiant never taste of death but once' means
194 ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X
i. the brave are never faced with death
ii. the brave never die
iii. the brave accept death fearlessly
iv. the brave die only once in a lifetime
4.1 doubt not of your wisdom
Let each man render me his bloody hand Gentleman
all, - alas what shall I say?
My credit now stands on such slippery ground
a) The speaker of these lines is
i. Marcus Brutus
ii. Caesar
iii. Cassius
iv. Mark Antony
b) The speaker's tone is
i. deceptive and guileful
ii. flattering and indecisive
iii. Sad and troubled
iv. Appreciative
c) The speaker thinks he stands on slippery ground because:
i. he may be regarded as deceitful
ii. he may be considered a coward or flatterer
iii. he is standing on Caesar's blood
iv. he may be thought of as a fickle-minded person
5. Now let it work, mischief, thou art afoot,
ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X 195
Take thou what course thou wilt
a) The speaker of these lines is
i. Marcus Brutus
ii. Mark Antony
iii. Caesar
iv. A citizen of Rome
b) 'Mischief is afoot' because
i. Caesar has been murdered
ii. The citizens have been instigated to rebel
iii. The conspirators are playing a prank
iv. A plot is being hatched against Roman citizens
c) The final course taken by mischief was
i. Brutus became the king
ii. Mutiny broke out in Rome
iii. Roman citizens turned against Antony
iv. Antony took revenge for Caesar's death
6. Not that I loved Caesar less but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather
Caesar was living and die all slaves,
than that Caesar were dead,to live all free men?
a) Through these words the speaker is:
i. Condemning Caesar's murder before Roman mob
ii. Justifying Caesar's death to Roman masses
iii. Instigating Roman crowds
iv. Advising the masses
196 ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X
b) The main aim of the speaker is to prove that
i. Caesar was his friend
ii. Caesar was a tyrant
iii. Caesar's death has saved them from slavery
iv. His loyalties are towards Rome
c) These lines are addressed to:
i. Mark Antony
ii. Calpurnia
iii. Roman masses
iv. Cassius
7. This was the unkindest cut of all For when the noble Caesar saw him
stab Ingratitude, more strong than traitor's arms, Quite vanquish'd
him:
a) The 'unkindest cut' refers to:
i. The blow struck by Brutus' ingratitude
ii. The attack by Brutus
iii. The cruelty of the conspirators
iv. The bloody attack on Caesar
b) The speaker of these lines wants to:
i. Condemn the traitors
ii. Create public opinion against Brutus
iii. Express his anger
iv. Mourn Caesar's death
c) The speaker is
ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X 197
i. addressing the traitors
ii. talking to himself
iii. addressing the Roman mob
iv. talking to Caesar's body
8. When beggars die, there are no comets seen,
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.
(a) These lines have been written by ____________ .
(i) Charles Dickens
(ii) Vikram Seth.
(iii) William Shakespeare
(iv)Nadine Gordimer
(b) ___________________________ Beggars here means .
(i) ordinary people
(ii) beggars onthestreets.
(iii) beggars attherailwaystation
(iv)none of theabove
(c) The _________________________________________________ death of princes
attracts the attention of ______________________________________ .
(i) the palace
(ii) ordinarypeople
(iii) the king's subjects
(iv)even the gods
II. Short answer Questions in about 30-40 words:
1. What commotion is noticed by Calpurnia? What is suggestive ofher?
198 ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X
2. Highlight two most important qualities of Caesar's character and substantiate
them from the text.
3. 'How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia?' Bring out the irony behind
Caesar's statement.
4. What does Caesar mean when he says 'Cowards die many times before their
death,
the valiant never taste of death but once?
5. How does Decius persuade Caesar to go to the senate in spite of Calpurnia's
best efforts to dissuade him?
6. Why does Cassius object to Antony's speaking to the Roman Mob? How do his
fears come true?
7. Explain why Antony calls Caesar a 'bleeding piece of earth'?
8. What were the contents of Caesar's will? Why did Antony elaborate upon them?
9. How does Brutus justify the assassination of Caesar?
10. How was Antony able to provoke the Roman mob through his speech?
11. Antony disproves the conspirators' claim about Caesar's ambition with three
examples. What are they?
Ill) Long Answer Questions in about 100-150 words:
1. Bring out the significance of the words- 'Et Tu Brute'.
2. Compare and contrast the funeral orations of Mark Antony and Marcus Brutus.
3. Write the character sketch of Julius Caesar.
4. Do you think Brutus is close to being an honourable man? Why? Why not?
5. Mark Antony emerges as the true friend to Caesar. Comment with reference to
the
Play.
6. Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot,
Take thou what course thou wilt!
Who says the above lines? How does he succeed in instigating the people of Rome
against the conspirators ?
Master Cards Two
Gentlemen of Verona -A J Cronin MASTER CARD with
Concept Analysis
Title taken from
Shakespeare's work
ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X 199
"The Two Gentlemen of Verona"
Characters --The narrator —
Luigi(Driver)
--Nicola(13 years elder brother) t, ----------- ^ Two
--Jacopo (12 years - younger brother) ▼ Gentlemen
--Nurse
--Lucia (sister) suffering from spinal tuberculosis --
Father(widoer killed in war)
Places:
-- Verona in Italy --Juliet's tomb --Poleta --(country
side)
--Village set --High upon the --hill side -- Red roofed
villa Themes:
--War brings death and destruction on its wake.
--Appearances are deceptive
--Strong family bond between brothers and sister.
--Brother work incessantly for their ailing sister.
--Narrator respects the privacy of family matters.
1. Hallmarks of Gentlemen
Gentlemen are philanthropists. They are divorced from common human
weaknesses like parochial outlook, jealousy, jaundiced views and prejudiced ideas.
They are courteous, well mannered, well behaved, wise, mature and
have an extraordinary understanding capacity. Moreover a real gentleman is always
away from personal interest and gain. This story exhibits these qualities imbued in the
two promising boys named Nicola 13 years and Jacopo 12 years old.
2. Appearances are deceptive
From time immemorial it has been proved that faces swindle the people. In this
touching story Nicola and Jacopo both the brothers seem to be rough. Their shabby
dress forced the driver Luigi to prevent the narrator from buying the strawberries.
Driver considered that their strawberries are wild and not fit for eating but at last the
author purchased the biggest basket from them. From their (two boys) deportment
and appearance they seem to be childish but in reality they are wiser and much more
serious for his age. He satisfies the need of the author by supplying a pack of
American Cigarettes, or seats for the opera or the name of good restaurant. In this
tender age he does many jobs like shining shoes, hawking newspapers, conducting
tourists and running errands not for themselves but for their ailing sister Lucia.
200 ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X
3. War brings death and destruction on its wake
War is the worst destroyer of the culture and civilization. In this story the two innocent
boys lost their father and home. Their sister Lucia nursed the idea of becoming a
singer but because of the death of father and destruction of home she suffered
starvation and cold winter and suffered from spinal Tuberculosis.
4. Adverse situation can't deter the brave.
The two brother Nicola and Jacopo had undergone adverse situation because of
war . They had to do many jobs live selling fruits, hawking newspaper, conducting
tourist round the town and ran errands. The narrator was highly impressed by him, as
they braved the hurdles which came in their way . They both saved money for their
sister who has been suffering from spinal Tuberculosis.
5. Strong family bond:
Family is the shock observer for its members strong family bond can avert any
type of adverse situation In this story the two brother young sister suffer in the tender
age because they lost their father and home in the war. Moreover the sister couldn't
bear the cold and suffered from spinal Tuberculosis. But like a responsible brother
they did many jobs to eke out the expenditure for the hospital charges without any
frown on the forehead.
Moreover they kept their secret to themselves and the narrator also respected the
privacy as they drove back to the city with button lipped . He also admired the firm
determination of the two boys who were working under adverse condition.
Question Bank:
Extract Based Questions
1. Next morning, coming out of our hotel, we saw our friends bent over
shoeshine boxes beside the fountain the public square, doing a brisk
business. We watched for a few moments; then as trade slackened we went
over. They greeted us with friendly faces.
a. Who is the speaker of these lines ?
b. Who are 'our friends' here ?
c. Where had the speaker first met them?
OR
a. who is 'we' refer to?
b. What does 'as trade slackened' means?
ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X 201
c. Who greeted whom?
2. They had always known a comfortable and cultured life Lucia had herself
been training as a singer and they had suffered horribly from near starvation
and exposure to the cold winter.
a. How had both Nicola and Jacopo known a cultured and comfortable life ?
b. Who is 'they' referred to?
c. What was the desire of Lucia?
OR
a. What had actually brought them and their sister into the streets?
b. Where did they live therefore and how? c. Name the two brothers to Lucia?
3. Yet their devotion had touched me deeply. War had not broken their spirit.
Their selfless action brought a new nobility to human life, gave promise of a
greater hope for human society.
a. What does the Narrator mean by "their devotion "?
b. What was their selfless action?
c. How did Nicola and Jacopo prove to be the real Gentleman of Verona.
4. They greeted us with friendly faces. "I thought you picked fruit for a living", I
said
a. Who are 'they'?
b. How did 'they' greet the narrator?
c. What did the narrator think 'they' did for a living ?
5. "There was a pause Nicola was glaring at his younger brother in vexation."
We could not think of troubling you, sir."
a. Why was Nicola glaring at his younger brother?
b. What favor did his younger brother ask from the narrator?
c. What trait of Nicola's character is revealed in these lines?
6. "The two boys were seated at the bedside of a girl of about 20, who propped
up on pillows wearing a pretty lace jacket, was listening to their chatter, her eyes
soft and tender."
a. Who are the two boys referred to here?
b. Where are the boys at present?
202 ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X
c. Who is the girl? Why was she propped up on the pillows?
7. You must be saving to emigrate to America', I suggested. He looked at me
sideways, and spoken with an effort.
a. Who is 'he' referred to here?
b. Why did the author make such a suggestion?
c. What answer did he give with an effort?
Level A (Fundamental Level)
1 Who were the two gentlemen of Verona?
2 What was the reaction of the driver Luigi?
3 How did the boys impress the narrator and his companion?
4 Who is Lucia? What is she suffering from?
5 What was the narrator's feeling for the boys at first? What change did
they undergo and why?
6 Why didn't the two boys disclose their problems to the author?
7 How did the war affect the boys' family?
8 How were the boys useful to the narrator in "Two Gentlemen of
Verona"?
9 How did the loss of parents in the war affect the two boys?
10 Why were the two boys working hard ?
11 What are the odd jobs Jacopo and Nicola did for a living?
12 Why were Jacopo and Nicola working hard?
13 Why were the two boys living in the streets of Verona?
14 What did the nurse tell the author about the boys?
15 Why were the boys waiting for the last bus from Padua?
Level-B (Intermediate Level)
1 Why didn't the narrator go inside Lucia's room in the hospital? What
character trait is revealed here?
Hint:[didn't want to interfere in the personal life of the two young boys
respect for the secrecy ]
2. Although Nicola and Jacopo are young boys, the author refers to them
as . Why does he do so?
3. What did the narrator see when he looked through the faces partition?
4. Draw the contrast between 'childish' and 'artless' faces and the
ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X 203
seriousness
beyond their years visible on them.
5. Why did the boys join the resistance movement against the Germans?
6 Why did Nicola and Jacopo develop hatred for the Germans?
7 Justify the title 'Two Gentlemen of Verona'?
8How were the boys useful to the author in 'Two Gentlemen of Verona'?
Level-C (Ultimate Level)
1. Appearances are deceptive. Discuss with the reference to the two boys .
2. How does the story "Two Gentlemen of Verona" promise hope for
society.
3. What do you learn about the family of Nicola, Jacopo and their sister Lucia?
What did Nicola and Jacopo do to maintain family value?
4. Imagine you are Lucia and write a diary page about Nicola and Jacopo, Who
have taken care of you like parents and this is why you feel proud of them.
5. How did the loss of parents in the war affect the two boys?
6. Why did the poet comment that the selfless action of the two boys will bring
new nobility to human life. Elucidate.
Mrs Packleide's Tigers -Saki Master Card with Concept Analysis:
Characters:
-- Mrs. Packletide (Central character)
-- Mrs. Loona Bimberton (Carried eleven miles in an aeroplane by an Algerian
Aviator)
-- Villagers Places:
--Packletide's house in Curzon street --Outskirts of local Jungle
--Less fauves cottage weekend cottage purchased by Mrs Packletide for Miss
Mebbbin
Themes:
--Conveys message of womanly vanity, hypocrisy and jealousy have been
highlighted.
--Mrs. Packletide was befooled by the sharp and money minded Miss Mebbin. --A
woman can go to any length to let down another woman
Satire on Sanity and Vanity of Woman:
Author has taunted on the woman's weakness . Mrs. Packletide was obsessed with
204 ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X
the idea of shooting a tiger in order to show off her ability. All her motives were to
outshine Loona Bimberton.
Psychology of the common people:
Circumstances proved favourable. An old and feeble tiger was managed by the
villagers in one thousand rupees which is a heavy amount in those days. They made
all the efforts to confine the tiger to the village. Cheaper kind of goats were scattered
here and there to keep the tiger satisfied. Children were posted day in and day out in
the outskirts of the jungle.
Crafty Nature of people:
Miss Mebbin exploited Mrs. Packletide and blackmailed her saying that she would
disclose the secret of shooting to Mrs. Loona Bimberton. To keep her mouth shut,
Mrs. Packletide was forced to pay handsome amount to Miss Mebbin, with which she
bought a cottage and named it "Wild Beasts". Since then Mrs. Packletide never go for
shooting and say that "incidental express are too heavy for such kind hurting".
1. Activity
Task - Group Activity
Approximate Time -15 minutes
Read the extract and answer the questions
It was Mrs. Packletide's pleasure and intention that she should shoot a
tiger.... The compelling motive ....................... was the fact that Loona
Bimberton had recently ...................... personally procured tiger skin and a heavy
harvest of press photographs could successfully counter that sort of thing.
a) Why did Mrs. Packletide want to kill a tiger?
b) What is the tone of the story writer?
c) What do you think the story is all about?
2. Activity
Task - Group Activity Approximate Time -10 minutes Write the certain
traits of certain character which you come to know after reading the story "Mrs.
Packletide's Tiger,
Mrs. Packletide's Tiger Mrs Loona Biberton Miss Louisa Mebbin
3. Activity
Task - Group Activity Approximate
Time - 40 minutes Dialogue writing and
enacting
Miss Mebbin blackmailing Mrs Packletide into gifting her cottage .
Mrs Packletide and the headman of the village/or the villagers
ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X 205
4. Activity
Task- Individual Approximate Time
- 02 minutes Speech
Deliver a speech on 'the need of Protecting the wild life'
Question Bank:
Very Short Answer Type Questions/Extract Based Questions
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follows :
1. In a world, that is supposed to be chiefly swayed by hunger and by love,
Mrs Packletide was an exception, her movements and motive were
I largely governed by dislike of Loona Bimberton.
(a) How is the world chiefly swayed by?
(b) How was Mrs. Packletide an exception?
(c) How was Mrs. Packletide governed?
2. Miss Mebbin had a protective elder sister like attitude towards money.
(a) Who was Miss Mebbin?
(b) How did she adopt an elder sister like attitude?
(c) How did she prove in the end that she was a
money-minded lady?
3. How amused everyone would be if they knew what really happened?
(a) Who is the speaker?
(b) What had really happened?
(c) Why would everyone be amused?
4. "How you shot the goat and frightened the tiger to death", said Miss
Mebbin, with her disagreeably pleasant laugh.
(a) In the above statement, Miss Mebbin is making fun of Mrs. Packletide. Why?
(b) What characteristic of Miss Mebbin is highlighted in the above
extract?
(c) How did the tiger die?
5. Mrs. Packletide indulges in no more big-game shooting.
"The incidental expenses are so heavy", She confides to inquiring
friends.
(a) Why did Mrs.
Packletide indulge in big-game hunting?
(b) Why did she
want to give up big-game hunting?
(c) How did the incidental expenses become heavy?
206 ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X
6. "And for Loona Bimberton, she refused to look at an illustrated paper for
weeks and her letter of thanks for the gift of a tiger-claw brooch was a model of
repressed emotion.
(a) Loona didn't look at papers for weeks because .....................
(b) Who gave her the gift?
(c) Her emotions were repressed because ......................................................
7. "Now, Now! urged Mrs. mebbin with some excitement.
(a) What is she excited about?
(b) What nature of Mrs. Mebbin is broughtout through this line?
(c) Where is Miss Mebbin when she speaks this lines?
Level A (Fundamental Level)
.1. How did Miss Louisa Mebbin blackmail Mrs. Packletide?
2. Who was Miss Mebbin? What was her relationship with Mrs Packletide?
3. What had Mrs Packletide already arranged in her mind for Loona
Bimberton?
4. Mrs Packletide was a good shot Discuss?
5. Why did Mrs Packletide decide to give a party in the honour of Loona
Bimberton? What did she plan to present Loona on her birthday?
6. What was Mrs Packletide's pleasure and intention? Why did she decide
to kill a tiger?
7. How did Louisa Mebbin manage to buy the pretty weekend cottage?
8. Why were the villagers happy?
9. Do you think that Louisa Mebbin was devoted to Mrs Packletide? Give
reasons for your answer?
10. "Mrs Packletide indulges in no more big game shooting". What put her
off from going on further hunts?
11. What did Mrs. Packletide carry with her when she went to hunt a tiger
and why?
Level B? (Intermediate Level)
12. What were the villagers worried about in the lesson, "Mrs Packletide's
Tiger"?
13. Depict the instances of humour in 'Mrs Packletide's Tiger'.
14. How much money did Mrs Packletide pay the villagers? Why?
15. "The incidental expenses are heavy", she confides to inquiring friends. Who
is the speaker? What is she referring to here?
16. How did the villagers react to the tiger's death?
ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X 207
17. Would you agree that Mrs Pckletide was jealous? Give reasons?
18. What preparations were made for the tiger shoot?
19. What discovery annoyed Mrs Packletide?
Level C (Ultimate Level)
1. Portrait the character sketch of Mrs Packletide?
2. What comment did Miss Mebbin make after Mrs. Packletide had fired
the shot? Why
did she make this comment? How did Mrs. Packletide react to this
comment?
3. Mrs Packletide develops extreme jealousy for Loona Bimberton. She gives vent
to her
feelings by writing a diary entry. As Mrs Packletide write her diary entry?
4. Mrs. Packletide recalls her glorious period of fame and happiness over being
successful at making Loona Bimberton jealous. She plans again to make it big by
some other means but this time she will keep Mis Mebbin who had
proved costly,
miles away from her new venture. She pens down her feelings in a diary.
Write this
diary entry .
5. Mrs Packletide's desire to become a constant trouble for her. Explain?
6. As one of the villagers participating in the hunting expedition, you are
surprised to see an extravagant display of wealth and money for fame
which ends in failure. You decide to write a diary mocking at the situation and
expressing your feelings against the show of false ego?
The Letter By
Dhumketu Master Card with Concept Analysis
Character:
--The old man ,Ali who was the "shikari"(hunter during prime time of his life. --His
daughter Miriam who married to a soldier and living far from her father. --The
Clerk,Gokul bhai
--The Post master whose own daughter fell ill when he realized the pain of Ali --The
Post man ,Lakshmi Das
Stylistic Devices:
--The use of "But for" conditional --
208 ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X
Witty dialogues -- Simple
language/diction --The simile and
metaphor.
Theme:
--description of the greatness of love and patience on one hand and realization in
terms of feelings of tortures by doubt and remorse on the other hand.
Concept Analysis:
--It is a psychological fiction based on human psychology how someone's feelings are
suppressed by the insensitive and callous society.
-- Ali was clever hunter in his prime of life. He had sharp eyes and clever listening
power to easily hunt the birds and animals even the hunting dogs wouldn't supersede
him.
--"The Letter" is beset with human psychology. We must understand other's feelings
and without knowing about anybody in detail, we mustn't behave so rudely with
anybody.
Level A (Fundamental Level)
1. Ali's walking to the post office daily even in biting cold weather shows
his ..................
a) Courage
b) Optimism
c) Foolishness
d) Strength of will
2. The post office is reffered to as Ali's "place of pilgrimage" as he ........................
a) Visited it daily
b) Came there to pray for a letter from his daughter
c) Went there with faith and hope
d) Believed God would bless him if he went there
3. The post master's rudness to Ali revels his ..................................
a) Lack of empathy
b) Pre occuption with his work
c) Preconceived notions
d) Sensitivity
4. Ali did not came to the post office for several days as ..........................
ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X 209
a) He had given up hope
b) He was upset by the postmaster's rebuke
c) He was unwell and not ableto walk to the post office
d) He was busy hunting
5. "Tortured by doubt and remorse, he sat down in the glow of the charcoal
sigri to wait," the post master was waiting for ........................
a) A letter from Miriam
b) A letter from his own daughter
c) A letter from Ali
d) Ali to deliver Miriam's letter to him
Level B (Intermediate Level)
1. In the midst of this procedure a jesting voice from inside called,"Coachman Ali!"
The old man got up, raised his eyes to heaven in gratitude and stepping
forward put hishands to the door.
a) Which 'procedure' is being reffered to in the first line?
b) Explain 'a jesting voice from inside'.
c) Why did the old man raise his eyes to heaven in gratitude?
2. The newly wakened father's heart in him was reproaching him for having failed
to understand Ali's anxiety, for now he himself had to spend another night of
restless anxiety. Tortured by doubt and remorse he sat down in the glow of the
charcoal sigri to wait.
a) Why and how was the heart of the post master newly wakened?
b) Why was the post master reproaching him for?
c) What was the tortured father waiting for?
d) Describe briefly the early dawn as depicted in the story, "The Letter".
e) How does the post office became the place of pilgrimage for Coachman
Ali?
f) Why did Ali abondon hunting which was the instinctive quality found in
blood and bones?
g) Why did post office clerks make fun of Coachman AN? Why didn't he
react?
h) "But when the evening of his life was drawing in, he left his old ways and
suddenly took a new turn." What was the change in Ali's nature towards
the end of his life? What was responsible for his transformation?
210 ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X
i) Ali had great skill in hunting. Give examples from the text to prove it. Level C(Ultimate Level)
"The whole universe is built up through love and the grief of separation is
inescapable." When Ali acquire this philosophy and how did it change his attitude
towards life and things?
Why did the post master call Ali "a pest" and why did he ask him to get away? What
was the cause of his anger?
What was 'Ali reaction when he came out of the post office after being shouted and
humiliated by the postman?
What impression do you from about coachman Ali or reading the story 'The Letter7?
Justify the title of the story, 'The Letter'.
What is the message that the author wants to convey, through the short-story, 'The
Letter.'
A Shady Plot By
Elsie Brown
Master Card with Concept Analysis Plot:
—The setting/ plot of the story uphold the narrator’s own house, very simple, not well furnished. John Hallock, by name, inspired by the publisher Jenkins tries to write a ghost story without a plot/theme and how he is threatened by a ghost in a hilarious manner. Theme
-The story may seem to have a casual thematic content that a woman should avoid
foolish pleasures,idle chit-chats,social parties etc but should spent time for her family
but on a serious note it conveys the struggle of writers in their profession. Concept Analysis:
—A ghost story with a difference, full of scintillating wits, humors and satire. It delineates the characters of women and castigates the depravity of women and their involvement in party organizations, idle chatting, love making and flirtations, despite their moral and bounded duty to the family and children’s upliftment and development —Characteristics is another chief component of the story John is upright, dry honest, humble and ideal husband while his wife, Lavinia a suspects of him having his affairs with another woman, quite unfair, unethical, immoral and so
— The use of idioms/phrases and some literary/ stylistic devices is very common place thing in the story. Although, the said story is an interesting, sensational and thrilling
ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X 211
story with wonderful plots and word expressions that heighten its grandeur and significance.
Level A (Fundamental Level)
Read the following extracts and answer the questions.
1.1 only waved denial and gurgled in my throat. She went on, "It's bad enough to
have you flirt over the Ouija board with that hussy.Why does the narrator wave
denial?
a) What is the charge Lavinia brings against John?
b) Who is that 'hussy'?
2. "I m going back to my grandmother. My lawyer will communicate later?"
a)Who is the speaker here?
b) Why is she going back to her grandmother?
c) What will her lawyer communicate later?
3. "Going on strike. Don't you know what a strike is? Not another plot do you get
from us!"
a) Who is the speaker?
b) Why are they going on strike?
c) Who will not get plot and by whom?
4 Describe Lavinia's Ouija board party?
5 What did Laura Hinkle spell loudly after reading them on the Ouija board? How
did those spellings on the board affect John Hallock?
6 How did the Ouija party affect John and Lavinia's relationship?
7 Why did Gladolia went to go away and how was she persuaded to stay back?
Level B (Intermediate Level)
1 Justify the title of the story "A Shady Plot".
2 Describe the use of humor, satire and irony in the story, "A Shady Plot".
3 What did Jenkins ask John Hallock and why?
4 Why didn't John Hallock contradict/refuse Jenkins? Give two reasons.
5 Why did John say sarcastically, "This writing business is delightful, isn't it"?
6 Describe the first appearance of Helen's ghost before the narrator.
7 Why and how did Helen, the ghost, organize "The Writer's Inspiration Bureau"?
8 What did Helen, the ghost ask John to do if he wanted their help in future?
9 What was the "ducklist" and "darlingest" thing that Lavinia bought? Did that
212 ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE X
please John?
10 Why did Lavinia not want to return the Ouija board?
11 How did John get the bulliest plot for a ghost story? Where is the irony in it?
Level C(Ultimate Level)
1 Give a character sketch of Lavinia highlighting her love for fancy shopping, craze for Ouija boards and her relation with John. 2 What is Ouija board? Describe Lavinia and other manipulators of the Ouija board and their party. How did the Ouija board party affect the domestic life of John and Lavinia? 3 John Hallock writes a letter to his friend Byron describing him how the answers given by Helen, the ghost on the Ouija board had almost ruined his domestic life. Ironically, the same ghost provided him the best plot for writing a ghost story. 4 Describe “A Shady Plot ” as a ghost story with a difference. Give two reasons for your justification. 5 Lavinia writes a letter to her friend how her relations with John on the verge of breaking but a sudden turn of events saved them. Reproduce that letter in 120-150 words in your own language. 6 Helen, the ghost looks more real than the ghost. Describe Helen’s role in the story. 7 Write a diary entry as Lavinia in the story, “ A Shady Plot” recording your feelings and sentiments when you came to know about your husband flirting Laura Hinkle.